Nativity Fast. Saint with Six Stichera.
VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 2 [optional Podoben “When from the Tree…”]
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
When at the dreadful tribunal, the most blessed Juliana, beholding the glorious martyr Barbara,* who was covered with wounds, her whole body lacerated by diverse tortures,* cried out with fervent tears:* “O Word of God who love mankind,* grant now that I may share in her torments!”
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The holy Barbara and Juliana, possessed of a single yearning towards piety,* contended against the enemy, and, having mightily vanquished him,* they were vouchsafed glory by Christ God.* Therefore, having done away with destructive passions,* they bestow healings upon all the faithful.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
When sweet death was pronounced upon you, O most honoured martyr Barbara,* you quickly ended your course, rejoicing;* and you were slaughtered by the all-iniquitous hands of your ungodly father,* and offered yourself up to God as comely fruit.* Therefore, truly joining chorus with the wise virgins,* you behold the effulgence of Christ your Bridegroom.
Tone 8 [optional Podoben “O all-glorious ownder…”]
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O most wise father John, you have adorned the Church of Christ with your hymns,* sweetly chanting things most divine* through the activity of the Spirit, O most glorious father,* striking your harp and emulating all the musical modes of David.* And causing it to sound,* you have drawn all to you with divine hymns.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O glorious father John,* having forsaken, the tumultuous turmoil of the world,* hastened to the tranquillity of Christ, O venerable one,* and were truly enriched with divine visions and acts* and manifest splendours most rich.* These have you imparted to the faithful, O most blessed one,* resplendent in your godly life.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Come, O earthborn, and with hymns let us piously hymn today* the sacred and honourable festival of the venerable John;* for he was truly counted, worthy to receive divine illumination.* O Your ineffable compassion, O Lord,* whereby we have come to know how to glorify You,* the All-good One!
Tone 6, Glory…
Forsaking homeland, birthright and possessions, O Barbara,* and spurning your ungodly father,* you came to love God, to whom you betrothed yourself;* and you became known as a great merchant.* Entreat Him that our souls be saved.
Now…
Envying your flock, О most pure one,* the wicked adversary ever strives to make it his food;* but, О Theotokos, deliver us from his harm.
Prokeimenon
Tone 5
O Lord, save me by Your name,* and in Your power be a judge for me.
verse: O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.
Aposticha
Tone 8
Fervently loving You on earth, О Lord,* Your apostles considered all to be but dung,* that they might acquire You alone;* and they gave their bodies over to wounds for You;* wherefore, glorified, they pray for our souls.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
О Lord, You magnified the memory of the apostles on earth,* for assembling them together, we all glorify You;* since by their prayers and for their sake,* You grant healings, peace and great mercy to the whole world.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
What virtue, what praise is due the saints?* For they bowed their heads beneath the sword for the sake of You* who bowed down the heavens and descended;* they shed their blood for You who emptied Yourself and assumed the form of a servant;* they humbled themselves even to death, emulating Your poverty.* By their prayers, О God, have mercy upon us* in the multitude of Your compassions.
Tone 6, Glory…
O venerable father, report of your corrections have gone forth into all the earth.* Therefore, you have received the reward of your labours in the heavens,* and Have destroyed hordes of the demons,* and have attained to the ranks of the angels, whose life blamelessly emulated.* As you have boldness before Christ God, ask peace for our souls.
Now…
Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Beholding You crucified, O Christ, she who gave You birth cried out:* What is this strange mystery which I see, O my Son?* How is it that You die on the Tree,* suspended in ‘the flesh, O Bestower of life?
Troparia
Tone 8
Let us praise the honourable Barbara.* She thwarted the power of the enemy* and through the might and strength of the Cross,* she was made free in her flight to God.
Tone 8, Glory…
O guide of the true faith, mirror of piety and commendable behaviour,* bright star of the universe, and adornment of pontiffs,* you enlightened us all by your teachings.* O wise John, inspired by God and lyre of the Holy Spirit,* intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Now…
O pure Mother of God, you are the gate of spiritual life,* save from all dangers those who run to you with confidence* to glorify your holy birthgiving* for the salvation of our souls.
DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Let us praise the honourable Barbara.* She thwarted the power of the enemy* and through the might and strength of the Cross,* she was made free in her flight to God.
Troparion, Tone 8: O guide of the true faith, mirror of piety and commendable behaviour,* bright star of the universe, and adornment of pontiffs,* you enlightened us all by your teachings.* O wise John, inspired by God and lyre of the Holy Spirit,* intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: O honourable and triumphant Barbara,* you believed in the Holy Trinity* and renounced the multiplicity of pagan deities.* You fought for your faith with great courage* and were not frightened by the threats of your persecutors,* but declared instead in a clear voice:* I adore one God in three divine Persons.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Let us praise John the hymnographer with song.* He is an effective preacher and a teacher for the Church.* Behind the armour of the Cross he exposed the lies of heresy,* and standing before God he obtains remission of sins for us.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
To the saints who are in His land, the Lord has made wonderful all His desires in them.
verse: I foresaw the Lord in my sight, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken. (Psalm 15:3,8)
Epistle
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions.
verse: The afflictions of the just are many, and out of them all will the Lord deliver them. (Psalm 33:18,20)
Gospel
Luke 16:1-9
Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)