Polyeleos Feast.
GREAT VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
In Your compassion, O Lover of mankind,* You have given Your Mother as a helper to Your servants* and through her You have fulfilled Your ineffable and awesome dispensation* and restored us to our divine first-created estate.* Therefore, as we praise her, we praise Your dominion,* O Almighty Jesus, the Saviour of our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
In Your compassion, O Lover of mankind,* You have given Your Mother as a helper to Your servants* and through her You have fulfilled Your ineffable and awesome dispensation* and restored us to our divine first-created estate.* Therefore, as we praise her, we praise Your dominion,* O Almighty Jesus, the Saviour of our souls.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O all-praised Theotokos, we worthily glorify you* for you protect us with your precious robe* from famine, earthquake, and from civil war,* and from our godless enemies, O pure one.* Therefore, we glorify you, O Virgin who knows not wedlock,* As the helper of mankind, O All-holy Bride of God.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O all-praised Theotokos, we worthily glorify you* for you protect us with your precious robe* from famine, earthquake, and from civil war,* and from our godless enemies, O pure one.* Therefore, we glorify you, O Virgin who knows not wedlock,* As the helper of mankind, O All-holy Bride of God.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O Lady, full of divine grace, you have given to us your precious robe.* It is truly a treasure that cannot be taken away,* our shelter and glory, an invincible citadel,* a treasury of healings, a ready haven of salvation for those tossed upon the seas.* Therefore, we worthily sing your praises,* O All-honoured Lady Theotokos.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Come, O people, and draw forth the healing of our body and soul* at the shrine which holds the precious robe of the Ever-virgin Lady.* From which pour forth streams of wonders* that wash away the darkness of our hearts* and the defilement of the passions,* sanctifying the souls of the faithful with divine grace.
Tone 2, Glory…
Having cleansed our hearts and minds* let us celebrate together with the angels* and joyfully sing the song of David* to the maiden bride of Christ our God, the King of all,* singing: Arise, O Lord, into Your resting place,* You and the ark of Your holiness!* For having adorned her as a beautiful palace, you have given her to us as an inheritance* to establish and protect us through her prayers, from our godless enemies* by Your power, O Master.
Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.
verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.
Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27-44; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11
Aposticha
Tone 1
You alone are the living palace of the God* and you have given us your precious robe* to be preserved as a treasure in your holy house* as a sanctification and invincible protection for the faithful,* through which we are saved, O Mother of God* as we sing and praise your divine authority.
Arise, O Lord, into Your resting place, You and the ark of Your holiness.
You have given to us your precious robe* which had clothed your honoured and holy body, O pure Lady.* It is a fountain flowing with the eternal waters of grace,* and we celebrate its deposition for us, and we honour thee, O Theotokos,* who has bestowed this great honou on us.
The rich among the people shall pray before your face.
Your temple, preserves your holy robe, O Lady,* as a treasure of holiness,* rightly sanctifying those come before you with faith.* Therefore, we ever bless and honour you as the strength and hope* and the steadfast protection of our souls.
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
O pure Lady Theotokos, the Church of God is adorned today* with the beauty of your precious robe,* she rejoices and mystically dances and cries to you:* Rejoice, O precious diadem, the crown of divine glory!* Rejoice, magnificent splendour of the fulfilment and eternal gladness!* Rejoice, O haven and protection!* Rejoice, deliverance of those who run to you.
Troparia
Tone 8
Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city,* and to our souls great mercy.
Glory… Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!
DIVINE LITURGY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God* as a mighty bulwark for your city* and you gave your pure body’s robe and sash.* They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed.* For in you are nature and time made new.* Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city,* and – to our souls – great mercy.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: O pure one, full of the grace of God,* you have given your sacred robe as a garb on incorruption to all who believe.* It covered your sacred body,* O protection of all mankind.* We feast its deposition with love, and in awe we cry:* Rejoice, O Virgin, boast of Christians.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)
Epistle
Hebrew 9:1-7
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Rise up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.
verse: The Lord swore an oath to David, and will not go back on His word. (Psalm 131:8,11)
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)