Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
THE PSALM OF INTRODUCTION—PSALM 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back forever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid.
The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice.
He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man’s heart.
The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares.
He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad; young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. Man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labor until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
The earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this
leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being.
May my words be sweet unto Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
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) our Hope, O Lord, glory to Thee!
THE GREAT LITANY
Deacon: 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, Metropolitan Saba, (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 village 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.
“O LORD I HAVE CRIED” Plagal of 2nd Mode
Choir: O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee: hear Thou me, O Lord.
Choir: Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.
+ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips.
+ Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
+ With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
+ The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
+ For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
+ They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.
+ But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.
+ Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
+ Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape.
+ I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my supplication.
+ I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
+ When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.
+ In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
+ I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me.
+ Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.
+ I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
+ Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.
+ Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
+ Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name.
+ The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
+ Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.
+ Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
FOR THE FORERUNNER, FROM THE MENAION Plagal of 2nd Mode
Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
As the birthday of the impudent Herod was being kept, the object of the termagant dancer’s oath was achieved; for the head of the Forerunner was cut off and offered on a charger, as food for those reclining. What a loathsome banquet, replete with wickedness and horrible murder. As for us, we bless the Baptizer, honoring him as is meet; for he is the greatest born of woman.
Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
As the birthday of the impudent Herod … (repeat above)
Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord. Verily, the disciple of the all-evil Satan did dance and remove thy head, O Forerunner, as a hire. What a bloody banquet; and would that thou hadst not made that vow, O iniquitous Herod, offspring of a lie. And since thou didst make the vow, would that thou hadst not carried it out; for it were better to have foresworn thyself and receive life, than remaining true to thine oath to have cut off the head of the Forerunner. As for us, let us bless the Baptizer, honoring him as is meet; for he is the greatest born of woman.
Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Verily, the disciple of the all-evil Satan … (repeat above)
Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.
It was not worthy of thee, O Herod, to condemn to death, because of a satanic passion, him who reproached thee for thine adultery, and the folly of thy feminine propensity. Nay, it was not worthy of thee to err and deliver his all-honored head to a transgressing woman for the sake of a vow made to a dancer. Woe to thee, how didst thou dare accomplish such murder! And how was it that this adulterous dancer was not consumed by fire in the midst of the banquet as she carried the head on a charger? As for us, let us bless the Baptizer, honoring him as is meet; for he is the greatest born of woman.
Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Yea, again Herodias hath lost her self-control; again she is perturbed! What deceiving dance, and what intoxication with cunning! For the Forerunner’s head was cut off, and Herod is troubled. Wherefore, O Lord, by the intercession of Thy Forerunner, grant peace to our souls.
DOXASTICON FOR THE FORERUNNER Plagal of 2nd Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As the birthday of the impudent Herod was being kept, the object of the termagant dancer’s oath was achieved; for the head of the Forerunner was cut off and offered on a charger, as
food for those reclining. What a loathsome banquet, replete with wickedness and horrible murder. As for us, we bless the Baptizer, honoring him as is meet; for he is the greatest born of woman.
THEOTOKION same mode
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Who shall not beatify thee, most holy Virgin? Who shall not praise thy birth-giving, free of travailing and pain? For the only Son rising timelessly from the Father, Himself did become incarnate from thee in an inexplicable way. He, Who while God by nature, became for our sakes Man by nature, not divided into two persons, but known by two natures without mixture or confusion. To Him, O noble and most blessed one, plead for the salvation of our souls.
While “Both now” is chanted, the clergy make the entrance with the censer. After the hymn,
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend!
O GLADSOME LIGHT
Choir:
O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy and blessed Father: O Jesus Christ. Lo now that we have come to the setting of the sun, as we behold the evening light, we hymn Thee: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be magnified by joyous voices, O Son of God and Giver of life. Wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.
Deacon: The evening prokeimenon!
WEDNESDAY PROKEIMENON Plagal of 1st Mode
1st Chanter: Save me, O God, by Thy Name, and judge me by Thy strength.
Choir: Save me, O God… (repeated)
Vs. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth!
1st Chanter: Save me, O God, by Thy Name,
Choir: and judge me by Thy strength.
Deacon: Wisdom!
THE OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
The First Reading
Reader: The Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah. (40:1-5, 9; 41:17-18; 45:8; 48:20-21; 54:1)
Deacon: Let us attend!
Thus saith the Lord: Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith God. Speak, ye priests, unto the heart of Jerusalem; comfort her, for her humiliation is at an end, because her sin is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for her sins. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths for our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and all
the crooked ways shall become straight, and the rough ways shall become smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Get thee up into a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion; lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift it up, be not afraid; I am the Lord God, I, the God of Israel, will hearken and will not forsake them, but will open rivers on the mountains and fountains in the midst of the plains. I will turn the wilderness into meadow and the thirsty land into water-courses. Let heaven above rejoice and let the clouds sprinkle down righteousness; let the earth shine and let mercy sprout forth and let righteousness dawn forth together. With a voice of gladness declare ye, and let it be heard; declare it even to the end of the earth, say ye: The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob. And if they thirst, He shall lead them through the wilderness, He shall bring forth water out of the rock for them. Rejoice, O barren one, thou that bearest not, break forth and cry aloud, thou that travailest not; for more are the children of the desolate than of her which hath a husband.
The Second Reading
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading from the Prophecy of Malachi. (3:1-3, 5-7, 12, 18; 4:4-6)
Deacon: Let us attend!
Thus saith the Lord Almighty: Behold, I will send My messenger before Thy face, and he shall prepare the way before Thee. And the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall come to His temple. And who will abide the day of His coming, or who will stand when He appeareth? for He shall come in like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap, and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of gold and silver. And He shall come unto you in judgment, and will be a swift witness against the wicked, and against adulterers, and against them that swear falsely in His Name, and those that fear Him not, saith the Lord Almighty; for I am the Lord your God and I change not. And ye the sons of Jacob are turned away from the law and have not kept it. Wherefore return unto Me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord Almighty, and all nations shall call you blessed. Learn ye that I am the Lord that doth discern between the righteous and the iniquitous, in that day which I shall appoint for the preservation of those that love Me. Learn then and remember ye the law of Moses, My servant, accordingly as I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elias the Thesbite before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the father to his son and the heart of a man unto his neighbor, lest I come and utterly smite the earth, saith the Lord Almighty, the Holy God of Israel.
The Third Reading
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon. (4:7, 16-17, 19-20; 5:1-7)
Deacon: Let us attend!
Though the righteous be overtaken with death, yet shall he be at rest. The righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; for they shall see the end of the righteous, and shall not understand what hath been determined concerning him. For the Lord will hurl them down speechless; and He shall shake them from their foundations; and they shall be utterly laid waste in anguish, and their memorial shall perish. For they shall come in dread unto the reckoning of their sins, and their own iniquities shall convict them to their face. Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors. When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation. For they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, Was this he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach? We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor: How then is he numbered among the sons of God, and his lot is among the saints? Therefore, have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us. We filled ourselves with the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked in ways not to be trodden: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.
FERVENT EKTENIA
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to all petitions.
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:
O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray thee hearken and have mercy.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
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 EVENING PRAYER
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening 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. Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
COMPLETION LITANY
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
The choir responds “Grant this, O Lord” to the remaining petitions.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
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
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, Who didst bow the heavens …
Choir: Amen.
THE APOSTICHA FOR THE FORERUNNER 2nd Mode
O John the Baptizer and preacher of repentance, thou didst sanctify the earth when thy head was cut off; for thou didst make plain to believers the law of God, abolishing disobedience to the law. Wherefore, since thou standest by the throne of Christ, the heavenly King, beseech Him to have mercy on our souls.
Vs. The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.
O most holy John, thy head was cut off for the law of the Lord; for in blameless privilege thou didst reproach the infidel king when he disobeyed the law. Wherefore, do the hosts of angels wonder at thee, and the ranks of Apostles and Martyrs praise thee. And we, too, honor thy yearly memorial, O most noble one, glorifying the Holy Trinity which hath crowned thee, O blessed Forerunner.
Vs. The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.
Verily, the prophet of prophets, he who became greater than the prophets, sanctified from his mother’s womb for the service of the Lord, today had his head cut off by an evil king. And the maiden who danced insolently, he rebuked openly before his beheading and after it, thus shaming the procession of sin. Wherefore, we shout: O John the Baptizer, having acquired favor, beseech ceaselessly for our souls.
DOXASTICON FOR THE FORERUNNER Plagal of 4th Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst rebuke kings, O Forerunner of the Savior, that they might not act contrary to the law. But the frolicking of an iniquitous woman won over Herod to cut off thy head. Therefore, thy name is praised from the place of rising to the place of setting of the sun. And since thou hast favor with the Lord, beseech Him ceaselessly for the salvation of our souls.
THEOTOKION same mode
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin without groom, blameless one, Mother of the high God; O thou who didst conceive in the flesh in an inexplicable way, receive the petitions of thy servants, O thou who bestowest on all the purification of sins; and in receiving our petitions beseech thou Him for the salvation of us all.
THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER
Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
Reader: 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 evil.
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.
APOLYTIKION OF THE BAPTIST’S BEHEADING 2nd Mode
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner. Thou wast shown indeed to be more honorable than the prophets, for in the waters thou didst baptize him whom they had proclaimed. After suffering with joy in behalf of the truth, thou didst proclaim even to those in Hades the God who appeared in the flesh, who taketh away the sin of the world, and granteth us great mercy.
THEOTOKION same mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 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 DISMISSAL
Deacon: Wisdom!
Choir: Father, bless.
Priest: 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.
Priest: 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.
Priest: 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). Father, bless.
Priest:
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—whose beheading we commemorate today—of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; (of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community😉 of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
Priest: 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.