Orthros on Sunday, August 24, 2025; Tone 2 / Eothinon 11
Martyr Eutyches, disciple of John the Theologian
New Hieromartyr Cosmas Aitolos, equal-to-the-Apostles and evangelizer of southern Albania
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 TWO
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)
RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE TWO
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death … (repeat above)
RESURRECTIONAL THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Exceeding glorious beyond the power of thought are thy mysteries, O Theotokos; for being sealed in purity, and preserved in virginity, thou wast acknowledged to be in very truth the Mother who didst bring forth the true God. Wherefore, entreat Him to save our souls.
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.
SECOND TONE RESURRECTIONAL KATHISMATA HYMNS (Plain Reading)
First Kathisma
Verily, the honorable Joseph did bring down Thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, and laid it in a new tomb. But Thou didst rise in three days, O Lord, granting the world Great Mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Verily, the angel did appear at the tomb, saying to the ointment-bearing women: The ointment is worthy of the dead, but Christ hath been shown to be foreign to corruption. Rather cry ye instead: The Lord is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Theotokos, exceedingly glorified, we praise thee; for by the cross of thy Son, Hades hath been demolished and Death hath been put to death. And we did rise, after we were put to death. We became worthy of life and obtained the Paradise of ancient bliss. Wherefore, we glorify Christ in thankfulness; for He is our dear God and alone abundant in mercies.
Second Kathisma
O Lord, since Thou didst not prevent the sealing of the tombstone when Thou didst arise, Thou didst bestow on all the rock of fidelity. O Lord, glory to Thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Verily, the assembly of the Disciples rejoiced in unison with the ointment-bearing women. As for us, we celebrate with them a common festival to the honor and exaltation of Thy Resurrection, exclaiming to Thee, O Lord, Lover of mankind, grant Thy people, through their supplications, Great Mercy.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for through Him that was incarnate of thee is Hades despoiled, Adam is recalled from the dead, the curse is made void, Eve is set free, death is slain, and we are endowed with life. Wherefore, in hymns of praise, we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who is thus well pleased, glory to Thee.
EVLOGETARIA (BENEDICTIONS) IN TONE FIVE (KAZAN) (KARAM)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
The company of the Angels was amazed, when they beheld Thee numbered among the dead, yet Thyself, O Savior, destroying the power of death, and with Thee raising up Adam and releasing all men from hades.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
Wherefore, O Women Disciples, do ye mingle sweet-smelling spices with your tears of pity? The radiant Angel within the sepulcher cried unto the Myrrh-bearing Women: Behold the grave, and understand; for the Savior is risen from the tomb.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
Very early in the morning did the Myrrh-bearing Women run lamenting unto Thy tomb; but an Angel came toward them saying: The time for lamentation is passed; weep not; but announce unto the Apostles the Resurrection.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.
The Myrrh-bearing Women mourned as bearing spices they drew near Thy tomb, O Savior. But the Angel spake unto them saying: Why number ye the living among the dead? In that He is God, He is risen from the grave.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We adore the Father, as also His Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity in One Essence; crying with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O Lord.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In that thou didst bear the Giver of Life, O Virgin, thou didst redeem Adam from sin, and didst give to Eve joy in place of sadness; and He Who was incarnate of thee, both God and man, hath restored to life those who had fallen therefrom.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (thrice) O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!
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 blessed is Thy Name, and glorified is Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
SECOND TONE RESURRECTIONAL HYPAKOE (Plain Reading)
The women went to the tomb after Thy passion to anoint Thy body, O Christ God, where they saw a vision of angels, and were astonished; for they heard them crying with a loud voice, The Lord is risen and hath granted the world Great Mercy.
SECOND TONE RESURRECTIONAL ANABATHMOI (Plain Reading)
First Antiphony
+ Behold, O Savior, toward heaven I raise the eyes of my heart to Thee. Save me by Thine illumination.
+ O Christ, have mercy upon us guilty men who transgress against Thee often and in every hour.
Give us before the end the means of repentance acceptable to Thee.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
+ Verily, sovereignty over creation, its sanctification, and its motion are of the Holy Spirit; for He is God consubstantial with the Father and with the Word.
Second Antiphony
+ Except the Lord were in our midst, who could have been kept safe from the man-destroying enemy?
+ Verily, my enemies roar like lions, O Savior. Deliver not Thy servant to their teeth.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
+ The Holy Spirit is the element of Life and honor; for as God He doth establish all creatures and preserve them in the Father and the Son.
Third Antiphony
+ They who put their trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain; for they are never shaken by the attacks of Belial.
+ They put not forth their hands to evil, who live the divine life; for Christ God will not deliver His inheritance to the evil ones.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
+ The Holy Spirit is the fount of all wisdom; for from Him cometh grace to the Apostles; the Martyrs by Him are crowned in their struggles; and the Prophets in foreknowledge look to Him.
PROKEIMENON FOR THE RESURRECTION IN TONE TWO (KAZAN) (EL MASSIH)
Arise, O my Lord and God in the precept which Thou hast commanded, and a congregation of people shall surround Thee. (twice)
Stichos: My Lord and my God, in Thee have I put my trust.
Arise, O my Lord and God in the precept which Thou hast commanded, and a congregation of people shall surround Thee.
LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For Holy art Thou, O our God, Who restest in the holies, 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.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (twice)
Praise ye God in His saints; praise Him in the firm foundation of His power.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
THE ELEVENTH EOTHINON GOSPEL
Deacon: And that we may be accounted worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us beseech the Lord our God.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint John (21:14-25). Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Deacon: Let us attend!
Priest: At that time, Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead, and said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This was said to show by what death Peter was to glorify God.) And after this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to His breast at the supper and had said,
“Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Reader: In that we have beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy cross do we adore, O Christ, and Thy holy resurrection we praise and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s holy resurrection. For lo, through the cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing His resurrection, for in that He endured the cross for us, He hath destroyed death by death.
PSALM 50
Reader: 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.
TROPARIA AFTER PSALM 50 IN TONE TWO
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercessions of the Apostles, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the multitudes of our transgressions.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the multitudes of our transgressions.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, hath given unto us life eternal and Great Mercy.
THE INTERCESSION1
Deacon: O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Visit Thy world with mercy and compassions. Exalt the horn of Orthodox Christians and send down upon us Thy rich mercies. Through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; 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, all-laudable and foremost of the apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the holy apostles; of our fathers among the saints, great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas of Myra, Spyridon of Trimythous and Nektarios of Pentapolis, the Wonderworkers; of our fathers among the saints Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow and Raphael, bishop of Brooklyn; of the holy, glorious, great-martyrs, George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrios the Myrrh- streamer, Theodore the Soldier, Theodore the General, and Menas the Wonderworker; of the hieromartyrs Ignatius the God-bearer of Antioch, Charalampos and Eleutherios; of the holy, glorious great women martyrs, Thekla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriaki, Photeini, Marina, Paraskeva and Irene; of the holy, glorious, right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God- bearing fathers who shone in the ascetic life, especially Paisios of Athos; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of the Martyr Eutyches, disciple of John the Theologian, whose memory we celebrate today, and of all Thy saints: we beseech Thee, O most merciful Lord, hearken unto the petitions of us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and have mercy upon us.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (twelve times)
Priest: Through the mercies and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only- begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
SECOND TONE RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION AND OIKOS (Plain Reading)
Arisen art Thou, Almighty Savior, from the tomb; as Hades beheld, he trembled at the miracle; and the dead arose, and creation, seeing this, doth rejoice with Thee. And as Adam is also glad, the world, O my Savior, praiseth Thee forever.
Thou art the Light of those in darkness; Thou art the Resurrection of all and the Life of mortals, and Thou didst raise all together with Thyself, O Savior, when Thou didst despoil the dominion of death and didst break the gates of Hades, O Word. Mortals marveled, beholding the wonder. All creation rejoiceth together because of Thy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind. Wherefore, we too all glorify and praise Thy condescension, and the world, O my Savior, praiseth Thee forever.
THE SYNAXARION (Plain Reading)
On August 24 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the holy Martyr Eutyches, disciple of John the Theologian and Paul the Apostle.
1 Saints of particular local veneration may be included among the Saints of their same classification at the discretion of the pastor.
Verses
Prosperously hast thou prospered, prosperity’s namesake;
With God as thy portion, O Eutyches, hast thou prospered.
On the twenty-fourth, a stone hid Eutyches.
Though not numbered among the Seventy Apostles, Eutyches is also called an apostle because he was a disciple of the great apostles and he displayed true apostolic zeal in his evangelical service. Consecrated a missionary bishop, Eutyches traveled much, having an angel as his companion. In prison, he received heavenly bread from an angel. When his body was scraped with a serrated iron rod, blood flowed from him with unusual fragrant myrrh. Eutyches was thrown into a fire and before wild beasts and finally beheaded with a sword in Sebastopol, where he had been born. He now resides with the Apostles in the Heavenly Kingdom.
On this day, we also commemorate the New Hieromartyr Cosmas Aitolos, equal-to-the- Apostles and evangelizer of southern Albania. By the intercessions of Thy saints, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
THE KATAVASIAE OF THE HOLY CROSS CANON IN TONE EIGHT
Ode 1. A cross did Moses inscribe, when with an upright stroke of his rod he divided the Red Sea for Israel, who went on foot; then he turned and smote the sea, once again uniting it o’er Pharaoh’s chariots, with transverse stroke portraying the invincible weapon. Wherefore, let us praise in song Christ our God; for He truly is glorified.
Ode 3. The rod is perceived as a figure of the Mystery, for by its blossoming it showed who was chosen to be priest. And for the Church that formerly was barren hath the Wood of the Cross now blossomed forth unto strength and steadfastness.
Ode 4. I have hearkened and heard, O Lord, of Thy dispensation’s most awesome mystery; and I came to knowledge of Thy works, and I sang the praise of Thy Divinity.
Ode 5. O Tree divine and thrice-blessed, whereon Christ God was outstretched, though He is King and Lord of all: He who once had through the tree wrought wicked beguilement, fell himself because of thee, ensnared when God was nailed unto thee in our mortal flesh, He Who granteth peace unto our souls.
Ode 6. When Jonah, who was in the belly of the sea monster, stretched forth his hands in the form of a cross, he prefigured the saving Passion manifestly. Hence also, when he came forth on the third day, he indicated the supernal Resurrection of Christ God, Who was crucified in the flesh and enlightened the world by His Arising on the third day.
Ode 7. The ungodly tyrant’s most insensate decree affrighted common folk, breathing forth with threats and wicked mouthings of blasphemy. But the Three Children were not struck with fear by rage wild and bestial, nor by roaring fire; but in an echoing and dew-besprinkling breeze, they stood amidst the fire and sang: O Thou supremely praised God of our Fathers and our God, forever art Thou blessed.
We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord.
Ode 8. O ye Children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God the Father and Creator; praise ye the Word, Who descended and changed the fire into dew; and supremely exalt the All-holy Spirit, Who granteth life unto all forever.
Deacon: The Theotokos and Mother of the Light let us honor and magnify in song.
MAGNIFICATIONS IN TONE EIGHT
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)
Ode 9. O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which being untilled hath blossomed forth Christ, by Whom the life-bringing Tree of the Cross was planted in the earth. In worshipping Him now through its elevation, thee do we magnify.
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.
Holy is the Lord our God. (thrice)
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool, for He is holy.
ELEVENTH EOTHINON EXAPOSTEILARION AND THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO
(**Upon that mount in Galilee**)
When He arose again as God, * the Lord thrice questioned Peter: * Lovest thou Me? Then afterward * He made of him chief shepherd * of His own sheep; and when Peter * saw the loved one by Jesus * coming behind and following, * then he asked of the Master: * And what of him?
* If I will, He said, that this man should tarry * until I come again, O friend, * what carest thou, O Peter?
O dread and fearful mystery! * O strange unheard-of wonder! * That death by death hath been destroyed * and hath completely vanished. * Who then would not hymn with praises * and not sincerely worship * Thy Resurrection from the dead, * and the pure Theotokos, * who gave Thee birth * in the flesh, * O Word, in all spotless pureness? * Through her entreaties, may we all * be rescued from Gehenna.
AINOI (PRAISES) IN TONE TWO
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 Resurrection from the Octoechos in Tone Two
Verse 1. This glory shall be to all His saints.
All creatures glorify Thee, O Lord, with every breath; for by the Cross Thou didst abolish death, that Thou mightest manifest to the nations Thy Resurrection from the dead; for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Verse 2. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Answer, O Jews, how was it that the guardian soldiers lost the King Whom they were guarding? Why was it that the stone could not retain the Rock of life? Either must ye, therefore, deliver to us Him that was buried, or worship with us Him Who is risen, shouting: Glory to Thy bountiful mercies, our Savior, glory to Thee.
Verse 3. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Rejoice, O nations, and be glad, for the angel hath sat on the stone of the grave, and given us the glad tidings, saying: Christ the Savior of the world is risen from the dead. He hath filled all with sweet scent. Rejoice, O ye nations, and be joyful.
Verse 4. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
O Lord God, verily, before Thy Conception an angel did come with peace to her who is full of grace. And now an angel hath rolled the stone from the door of Thy tomb, made glorious by Thy Resurrection. The first angel spake with signs of joy instead of sorrow; and the latter brought us the glad tidings of a Lord Who giveth life instead of death. Therefore, do we shout to Thee, O Benefactor of all: Glory to Thee, O Lord.
Verse 5. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Verily, the women did sprinkle spices with tears on Thy grave, and their mouths were filled with laughter when they said: The Lord is risen.
Verse 6. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Let the nations and people, therefore, praise Christ our God Who did suffer crucifixion willingly for our sakes, and did remain in Hades three days. Let them worship His Resurrection from the dead, by which all the ends of the earth were illumined.
Verse 7. Arise, O my God, lift up Thy hand, and forget not the humble.
O Christ, Thou wast crucified and buried as Thou didst will; Thou didst lead Death captive, being God and Lord, Who granteth the world life eternal and the Great Mercy.
Verse 8. I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will show all Thy marvelous works.
O transgressors of the law, when ye did seal the stone ye did in truth but magnify to us the miracle, as the guards know; especially since ye persuaded them on the day of His Resurrection from the tomb, that they should say, While we slept the Disciples came and stole Him away; for who would steal a corpse, especially a naked one? Verily, He arose by His own power—for He is God— leaving His coffin in the grave. Come ye, therefore, O Jews, and see how He hath not broken the seals, Who hath trampled down death, giving to mankind life eternal and Great Mercy.
THE ELEVENTH EOTHINON DOXASTICON IN TONE EIGHT (KAZAN) (KARAM)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When Thou didst show Thyself to the disciples after Thy Resurrection, O Savior, Thou gavest Simon the tending of the sheep, that he might return Thy love, and Thou didst ask him to have care for the shepherding of the flock. Wherefore, Thou didst say to him: If thou lovest Me, O Peter, feed My lambs, feed My sheep. And he, straightway showing his affectionate love, inquired concerning the other disciple. By their intercessions, O Christ, preserve Thy flock from the wolves that ravage it.
THEOTOKION IN TONE EIGHT
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for through Him that was incarnate of thee is Hades despoiled, Adam is recalled from the dead, the curse is made void, Eve is set free, death is slain, and we are endowed with life. Wherefore, in hymns of praise, we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who is thus well pleased, glory to Thee.
THE GREAT DOXOLOGY IN TONE EIGHT
+ 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.
TROPARION IN TONE FOUR (KAZAN) (EL MASSIH)
Today is Salvation come into the world. Let us sing praises to Him Who arose from the grave, the Author of our life; for having by death destroyed death, He hath given us victory and Great Mercy.
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
- Saints of particular local veneration may be included among the Saints of their same classification at the discretion of the pastor. ↩︎