Apodosis (leave-taking) of the Feast of Dormition of the Theotokos
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O heavenly King, the Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places, and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life, come, and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain; and save our souls, O good One.
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting to Thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of Thy Cross preserving Thy commonwealth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Do Thou, Who of Thine own good will wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Christ our God, bestow Thy bounties upon the new Nation which is called by Thy Name; make glad in Thy might those who lawfully govern, that with them we may be led to victory over our adversaries, having in Thine aid a weapon of peace and a trophy invincible.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O fearsome champion, who cannot be put to confusion, despise not our petitions, O good and all-praised Theotokos; establish the way of the Orthodox; save those who have been called upon to govern us, leading us all to that victory which is from heaven, for thou art she who gavest birth to God and alone art blessed.
LITANY
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) in this litany until noted.
Again, we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.,) and all our brotherhood in Christ.
For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Bless, father, in the name of the Lord.
Priest: Glory to the holy, consubstantial, life-giving and undivided Trinity, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Reader: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men. (thrice) O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. (twice)
PSALM 3
O Lord, why are they multiplied that afflict me? Many rise up against me. Many say unto my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God. But Thou, O Lord, art my helper, my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain. I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all who without cause are mine enemies; the teeth of sinners hast Thou broken. Salvation is of the Lord, and Thy blessing is upon Thy people.
I laid me down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
PSALM 37
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, nor chasten me in Thy wrath. For Thine arrows are fastened in me, and Thou hast laid Thy hand heavily upon me. There is no healing in my flesh in the face of Thy wrath; and there is no peace in my bones in the face of my sins. For mine iniquities are risen higher than my head; as a heavy burden have they pressed heavily upon me. My bruises are become noisome and corrupt in the face of my folly. I have been wretched and utterly bowed down until the end; all the day long I went with downcast face. For my loins are filled with mocking, and there is no healing in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly, I have roared from the groaning of my heart. O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath failed me; and the light of mine eyes, even this is not with me. My friends and my neighbors drew nigh over against me and stood, and my nearest of kin stood afar off. And they that sought after my soul used violence; and they that sought evils for me spake vain things, and craftinesses all the day long did they meditate. But as for me, like a deaf man I heard them not, and was as a speechless man that openeth not his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not, and that hath in his mouth no reproofs. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord my God. For I said: Let never mine enemies rejoice over me; yea, when my feet were shaken, those men spake boastful words against me. For I am ready for scourges, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity, and I will take heed concerning my sin. But mine enemies live and are made stronger than I, and they that hated me unjustly are multiplied. They that render me evil for good slandered me, because I pursued goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God, depart not from me. Be attentive unto my help, O Lord of my salvation.
PSALM 62
O God, my God, unto Thee I rise early at dawn. My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee in a land barren and untrodden and unwatered. So in the sanctuary have I appeared before Thee to see Thy power and Thy glory. For Thy mercy is better than lives; my lips shall praise Thee. So shall I bless Thee in my life, and in Thy name will I lift up my hands. As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled, and with lips rejoicing shall my mouth praise Thee. If I remembered Thee on my bed, at the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee; Thy right hand hath been quick to help me. But as for these, in vain have they sought after my soul; they shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth, they shall be surrendered unto the edge of the sword; portions for foxes shall they be. But the king shall be glad in God, everyone shall be praised that sweareth by Him; for the mouth of them is stopped that speak unjust things.
At the dawn I meditated on Thee. For Thou art become my helper; in the shelter of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hath cleaved after Thee; Thy right hand hath been quick to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice) Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
PSALM 87
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication, for filled with evils is my soul, and my life unto Hades hath drawn nigh. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead, like the bodies of the slain that sleep in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from Thy hand. They laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness and in the shadow of death. Against me is Thine anger made strong, and all Thy billows hast Thou brought upon me. Thou hast removed my friends afar from me; they have made me an abomination unto themselves. I have been delivered up, and have not come forth; mine eyes are grown weak from poverty. I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, the whole day long; I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. Nay, for the dead wilt Thou work wonders? Or shall physicians raise them up that they may give thanks unto Thee? Nay, shall any in the grave tell of Thy mercy, and of Thy truth in that destruction? Nay, shall Thy wonders be known in that darkness, and Thy righteousness in that land that is forgotten? But as for me, unto Thee, O Lord, have I cried; and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee. Wherefore, O Lord, dost Thou cast off my soul and turnest Thy face away from me? A poor man am I, and in troubles from my youth; yea, having been exalted, I was humbled and brought to distress. Thy furies have passed upon me, and Thy terrors have sorely troubled me. They came round about me like water, all the day long they compassed me about together. Thou hast removed afar from me friend and neighbor, and mine acquaintances because of my misery.
O Lord God of my salvation, by day have I cried and by night before Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, bow down Thine ear unto my supplication.
PSALM 102
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine
infirmities, Who redeemeth thy life from corruption, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion, Who fulfilleth thy desire with good things; thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle’s. The Lord performeth deeds of mercy, and executeth judgment for all them that are wronged. He hath made His ways known unto Moses, unto the sons of Israel the things that He hath willed. Compassionate and merciful is the Lord, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy; not unto the end will He be angered; neither unto eternity will He be wroth. Not according to our iniquities hath He dealt with us, neither according to our sins hath He rewarded us. For according to the height of heaven from the earth, the Lord hath made His mercy to prevail over them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our iniquities from us. Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass; as a flower of the field, so shall he blossom forth. For when the wind is passed over it, then it shall be gone, and no longer will it know the place thereof. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, even unto eternity, upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness is upon sons of sons, upon them that keep His testament and remember His commandments to do them. The Lord in heaven hath prepared His throne, and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, mighty in strength, that perform His word, to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts, His ministers that do His will. Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in every place of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
In every place of His dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul.
PSALM 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Hearken unto me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness and enter not into judgment with Thy servant. (twice) Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice)
O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!
THE GREAT LITANY
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition until noted.
For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter therein, let us pray to the Lord.
For our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.,) the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our country, its president (or appropriate head of state), civil authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city and every city and countryside and the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
For healthful seasons, abundance of the fruits of the earth and peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For travelers by sea, by land and by air, the sick, the suffering, the captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
“GOD IS THE LORD” IN TONE ONE
Choir: God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Verse 1. O give thanks unto the Lord and call upon His Holy Name. (Refrain)
Verse 2. All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them. (Refrain)
Verse 3. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Refrain)
APOLYTIKION OF THE DORMITION IN TONE ONE
In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling- asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for thou wast translated into life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death. (thrice)
THE LITTLE LITANY
Priest: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most-blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints: let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For Thine is the might, and Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
KATHISMATA HYMNS OF THE DORMITION (Plain Reading)
Call out, O David. “What is this present feast?” he said. Verily, she whom I praised in the Psalms as daughter, Maiden of God and Virgin, hath been translated by Christ, Who was born of her without seed, to yonder abodes. Wherefore, mothers, daughters, and brides of Christ shout in joy, Rejoice, O thou who hast been translated to the heavenly kingdom.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Verily, the most honored rank of the wise Apostles came together in a miraculous way to prepare with glorification thine undefiled body, thou all-praised Theotokos. And with them the multitudes of angels sang, praising thy solemn assumption, which we celebrate in faith.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
As for thy birth-giving, it was a seedless conception; and as for thy falling-asleep, it was death without corruption. Lo, a wonder was joined to another wonder, doubly wondrous; for how can the unwedded suckle a babe and yet remain undefiled? Or how is the Theotokos prepared with ointments as one who is dead? Wherefore, with the angels do we cry to thee, Rejoice, O full of grace.
PSALM 50
Reader:
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou
God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
KONTAKION AND OIKOS FOR THE DORMITION (Plain Reading)
Verily, the Theotokos, who is ever watchful in intercessions, and whose prayers are never rejected, neither tomb nor death could control. But since she is the Mother of Life, He Who dwelt in her ever-virgin womb did translate her to life.
Set a rampart about my mind, O my Savior, for I make bold to sing the praises of Thy most- pure Mother, the rampart of the world. Establish me firmly within the fortress of my words and make me strong within the defenses of my thoughts: for Thou dost promise to fulfill the petitions of those that entreat Thee with faith. Endue me with a tongue and ready speech, and with thoughts that are without shame; for every gift of enlightenment is sent down from Thee, O guiding Light, Who dwelt within her ever-virgin womb.
THE SYNAXARION (Plain Reading)
On August 23 we observe the apodosis of the feast of the Dormition and Translation of our Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary. The entire cycle of services, including Orthros, is a repeat of all the hymns of the chief day of the Feast of Dormition (15 August); however, without the festal elements (in Orthros, no Polyeleos and Gospel).
The holy martyr Loupos is commemorated on this present day, however, his service is transferred to the preceding day (22 August), in order to keep the attention of the faithful on the leave-taking of Dormition:
Verses
That the world-saving Maiden died is no marvel,
Since, after the flesh, the world’s Maker died also.
God’s Mother liveth forever, though she died on the fifteenth.
The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and revealed to her that within three days she will find repose. She returned to her home with great joy, desiring in her heart once more to see in this life, all of the Apostles of Christ. The Lord fulfilled her wish and all of the Apostles, borne by angels in the clouds, gathered at the same time at the home of John on Zion. After seeing them, the Theotokos peacefully gave up her soul to God without any pain or physical illness. The Apostles took the coffin with her body from which an aromatic fragrance emitted and, in the company of many Christians, bore it to the Garden of Gethsemane to the sepulcher of her parents, Saints Joachim and Anna. Only the Apostle Thomas was absent, according to God’s Providence, in order that a new and all-glorious mystery of the Holy Theotokos would again be revealed. On the third day, Thomas arrived and desired to
venerate the body of the Holy All-pure one. But when the Apostles opened the sepulcher, they found only the winding sheet and the body was not in the tomb. That evening, the Theotokos appeared to the apostles surrounded by a myriad of angels and said to them: “Rejoice, I will be with you always.”
By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O God, have mercy on us and save us, since Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
KATAVASIAE OF DORMITION 1st mode
1. Adorned in varied colors with divine glory, O Virgin, thy sacred and renowned memorial hath gathered all the faithful in rejoicing; and led by Mariam with dances and timbrels, they sing unto thine Only-begotten; for gloriously is He glorified.
3. O Christ, Thou Wisdom and Power of God, creating and sustaining all things, establish the Church immovable and unshaken; for Thou alone art holy, Who dost rest in the Saints.
4. The words and dark sayings of the Prophets dimly foreshowed Thine Incarnation from a Virgin, O Christ, that splendor of Thy lightning which was to come forth as a light for the nations; and the deep calleth unto Thee in gladness: Glory to Thy power, O Friend of man.
5. The divine and unspeakable beauty of Thy virtues shall I declare, O Christ. For Thou shonest forth from the Eternal Glory as His Co-eternal and Enhypostatic Effulgence; and having received a body from a virginal womb, Thou didst rise like the sun upon those in darkness and shadow.
6. The briny, sea-engendered fire of the monstrous beast’s entrails was a certain prefiguration of Thy three-day burial, whereof Jonas was shown to be the herald; for being saved without harm, even as he had been before he fell in, he cried: I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord.
7. Striving both with reckless wrath and fire, godly longing bedewed the blazing fire, and fearlessly laughed at wrath, when with the rational, three-voiced, God-inspired harp of the Saints it cried aloud, in returning answer amidst the roaring flame to the instruments of music: O glorified Lord and God of our Fathers, and of us who sing Thy praise, forever art Thou blessed.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.
8. The Almighty Angel of God showed the Children a flame that refresheth the righteous but burneth up the profane; and He made the Theotokos a life-originating spring, the destruction of death, bubbling over with life for them that sing: We that have been delivered praise the Creator alone, and we supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.
Deacon: The Theotokos and Mother of the Light let us honor and magnify in song.
MAGNIFICATIONS 1st mode
Choir: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Refrain: More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word, and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee. (Repeat after each verse.)
+ For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Refrain)
+ For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is His Name; and His mercy is on them that fear Him, throughout all generations. (Refrain)
+ He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. (Refrain)
+ He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the empty with good things, and the rich hath He sent empty away. (Refrain)
+ He remembering His mercy hath helped His servant Israel, as He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed forever. (Refrain)
NINTH KATAVASIA OF DORMITION 1st mode
All we the generations ever call thee blessed, the only Theotokos.
The bounds of nature are overcome in thee, O immaculate Virgin; for thy childbirth is virginal, and thy death is the espousal of life. O thou who after childbirth art virgin, and who after death art living, do thou, O Theotokos, ever save thine inheritance.
THE LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise Thee, and unto Thee do they ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
EXAPOSTEILARION of DORMITION 3rd mode:
**automelon**
O ye Apostles from afar, * being now gathered together * here in the vale of Gethsemane,
* give burial to my body, * and Thou, my Son and my God, * receive Thou my spirit. (thrice)
AINOI (Praises) Tone four
Choir: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. To Thee, O God, is due our song.
Choir: Praise ye Him, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts. To Thee, O God, is due our song.
For the Dormition in Tone Four (**As one valiant**)
Verse 1. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
On thine honored Dormition now, * all the Heavens are jubilant, * and the hosts of Angels exceedingly rejoice, * as all the earth maketh merry, singing dirges to thee in joy, * Mother of the Lord of all, * O thou all-holy Virgin Maid, * who hast not known man, * who hast truly delivered all the race of fallen mankind from the sentence * passed on our forefathers long ago.
Verse 2. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
On thine honored Dormition now … (repeat above)
Verse 3. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.
At the sovereign behest of God, * from the farthest ends of the earth * came the Chief Apostles to bury thee, O Maid; * and on beholding thee taken from the earth to the heights above, * they cried out to thee in joy * with the greeting of Gabriel: * Rejoice, O chariot * bearing all of the Godhead; O rejoice, thou who alone hast by thy childbirth * joined things of earth to the things on high.
Verse 4. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Thou who gavest birth unto Life * art conveyed to immortal life * at thy bright and hallowed Dormition on this day; * thou art escorted by powers, principalities, angel hosts, * prophets’ and apostles’ choirs, * and indeed, all created things, * as thy holy Son * now with honor receiveth in His spotless hands thy blameless and divine soul, * O Virgin Mother, O Bride of God.
THE DOXASTICON OF THE DORMITION IN TONE SIX
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
At thy deathless Dormition, O Theotokos, Mother of Life, clouds caught the Apostles high into the air; and although dispersed throughout the world, they were brought to stand in one choir before thine immaculate body. As they reverently gave thee burial, they sang the greeting of Gabriel, crying out: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, thou unwedded Virgin Mother, the Lord is with thee. Together with them, entreat Him as thy Son and our God that our souls be saved.
THE Great Doxology IN TONE SIX
+ Glory to Thee, Who hast shown forth the light. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
+ We hymn Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks unto Thee for Thy great glory.
+ O Lord King, heavenly God, Father almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and O Holy Spirit.
+ O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, thou that takest away the sins of the world.
+ Receive our prayer, Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
+ For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
+ Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever, yea forever and ever.
+ Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever.
Amen.
+ Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. (thrice)
+ Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, be merciful unto me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
+ Lord, I have fled unto Thee; teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
+ For with Thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.
+ O continue Thy mercy unto them that know thee.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
+ Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
+ Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us.
APOLYTIKION OF THE DORMITION IN TONE ONE
In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world; for thou wast translated into life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
SCRIPTURAL READINGS FOR THE DAY
PROKEIMENON
Deacon: Let us attend!
Reader: Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O ye righteous.
Vs: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
THE APOSTLE (11th Saturday after Pentecost)
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: Reading from the 1st Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. (1: 3-9; Book of Epistles, 143) Deacon: Let us attend! and the reader intones the pericopē.
Priest: Peace be to thee that readest!
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
THE GOSPEL (11th Saturday after Pentecost)
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (19: 3-12)
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Deacon: Let us attend! and the priest intones the Gospel pericopē
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (and our bishop, N.).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for (the servants of God, NN., and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.,) and all of our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all- venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
The choir responds “Grant this, O Lord” to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE PEACE AND PRAYER OF INCLINATION
Bishop: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
- All bow their heads as the priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O holy Lord, Who dwellest on high and regardest the humble of heart and with Thine all-seeing eye dost behold all creation, unto Thee have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we entreat Thee: O Holy of holies, stretch forth Thine invisible hand from Thy holy dwelling-place, and bless us all. And if in aught we have sinned, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, forgive, inasmuch as Thou art a good God, and lovest mankind, vouchsafing unto us Thy earthly and heavenly good things.
For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Deacon: Wisdom!
Choir: Master, bless!
Bishop: Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Bishop: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Choir: More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Bishop: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice). Master, bless.
Bishop:
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right- victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saints Peter & Paul, the patrons and protectors of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, of the holy Martyr Lupus whom we commemorate today1 and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
TON DHESPOTIN (MANY YEARS)
Choir: Ton dhespotin ke Archierea imon Kyrie philate: Eis polla eti, Dhespota. Eis polla eti, Dhespota. Eis polla eti, Dhespota.
(Choir: Preserve, O Lord, our master and chief priest, and grant him many years: many years to thee, master; many years to thee, master; many years to thee, master.)
Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
Bishop: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
Portions of the Archdiocesan Service Texts include texts from The Menaion, The Great Horologion, The Pentecostarion, The Octoechos, The Triodion-Holy Week, and The Psalter of the Seventy, which are Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, Massachusetts, and are used with permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for personal non-commercial use, without the prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.