VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 6, Podoben “On the third day…”

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

You became ministers of the great mysteries of God,* О theologians and disciples who beheld God,* and have received the grace of healings;* curing the diseases of all.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

You are the great refuge and protection of our souls* and the expulsion of evil spirits, О apostles of the Lord who beheld God;* wherefore, we ever honour you.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

From every evil circumstance, from harm wrought by the demons,* from transgressions and wretched captivity,* deliver those who honour you with faith,* О divine and blessed apostles.

Tone 8, Podoben “O all-glorious wonder…”

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The glorious Athenogenes, vested in the splendid raiment of the priesthood,* showed it to be yet more pure when dyed in his blood.* Entering into the holy temple therewith,* appearing before Him Who sees all things* and ministering to Him with the immaterial ranks,* he is illumined with divine communion and we call him blessed.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The all-wise Athenogenes has through faith led to Christ a choir of athletes* who suffered steadfastly and finished the course.* And with them having vanquished the one of great craft,* he has been received into the choir of martyrs, deified by communion;* and he prays ever in behalf of us* who ever keep his sacred memory.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The ten divinely elect disciples suffered,* bringing low the uprisings of the passions by feats of fasting,* and they slew the serpent,* having acquired Athenogenes as a sacred instructor through the power of God.* By their supplications, O Compassionate One,* save us who ever trust in You, the all-good One.

Glory… Now…

Save me, O all-pure Mistress, who ineffably gave birth to Christ the Saviour;* for I have acquired you as my only intercessor and invincible rampart,* my protection and joy, and the divine consolation of my soul.* Wherefore, deliver me from the worm which sleeps not* and from everlasting fire, O Mother of Christ God.

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 6

Once, the apostles trolled the depths of the sea with nets, О Lord,* and likewise the heights of the kingdom for the sake of their doctrines.* In the first, they skilfully tested the unfathomable depths;* and in the other they attained through faith Your infinite bosom,* and they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world.* By their supplications and those of all the saints,* have mercy on us.

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.

Once, when Your disciples were tempest-tossed in a boat, О Christ,* they cried out: “O Master, save us! For we are perishing!” *And we now cry aloud:* We pray You, О our Saviour and Lover of mankind,* deliver us from our tribulations!

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.

Your Cross was the invincible weapon of the martyrs, О Lord;* for they looked upon imminent death, foreseeing the life which is to come,* and they were strengthened by hope in You.* By their prayers have mercy upon us!

Glory… Now…

The eye of my heart longingly seeks you, O Lady;* disdain not my feeble sigh.* At the hour when your Son shall judge the world,* be my protection and helper.

Troparia

Tone 4

Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Athenogenes.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Mother of God,* we acknowledge that the Word of the Father, Christ our God,* was incarnate of you, the only pure one and the only blessed one.* Therefore, we sing to you a hymn of praise and we exalt you.

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Athenogenes.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Athenogenes.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.

verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; let His praise be in the assembly of the venerable ones. (Psalm 149:5,1)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 10:28-11:7

Alleluia, Tone 2

verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.

verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)

Gospel

Matthew 16:24-28

Communion Hymn

The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)