Deposition of the Sash of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos
DOXOLOGY rank
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
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 the heavens, 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.
Reader/Chanter: 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) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Priest: Again, we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Priest: Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (our bishop, N.,) and all our brotherhood in Christ.
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. Bless, master (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.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men. (THRICE) O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth 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.
The following is said without crossing oneself and without bows.
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.
If a second reader is desired, he begins here:
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
PSALM 87
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.
O Lord, give ear unto my supplication 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) our Hope, O Lord, glory to Thee.
THE GREAT LITANY
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition.
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
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.
GOD IS THE LORD Plagal of 4th Mode
Reader/Chanter: 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 FOR THE THEOTOKOS Plagal of 4th Mode
O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body’s raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Ever-Virgin Theotokos… (repeated)
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 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.
SESSIONAL HYMNS from the MENAION (plain read)
We praise with hymns the venerable sash that once girded thy spotless tabernacle, O all-holy Virgin, from which we the faithful draw forth the healing of maladies, and we cry aloud to thee, Thou art the redemption of those honoring thee, Mary divinely forechosen and Mother of God Most High.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All thy people celebrate the deposition of thine honored sash today, O all-hymned Lady graced of God, while crying fervently unto thee, Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of the Christian race.
PSALM 50
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.
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 OF THE THEOTOKOS (plain read)
Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God-receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and in unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever-Virgin Mother.
What discourse of the earthborn can tell of thy mighty works? What tongue of mortal man? For neither can any heavenly intelligence. But since thou broughtest forth the immeasureable Sea of sympathy, accept now these songs from unfruitful lips, and grant me divine grace to acclaim thy sash, O Lady, whereby the whole world is made glad, and with the Angels praiseth thy miracles, O only Ever-Virgin Mother.
THE SYNAXARION plain reading
On August 31 we commemorate the Deposition of the Sash of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos in the holy shrine at her venerable church at Halkoprateia, that is, the Brass Market, when it had been recovered from the diocese of Zela during the reign of Emperor Arcadius. We also commemorate the miracle that was wrought when the sash was placed upon the Empress Zoë, wife of Emperor Leo.
Verses
Like an all-golden garland, O august Virgin,
I set thy sash on the year’s end as adornment.
On the thirty-first they enshrined the Sash of the All-pure.
By the intercession of thine immaculate Mother, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
THE KATAVASIAE OF THE CROSS Plagal of 4th Mode
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
NINTH KATAVASIA
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 exaltation, thee do we magnify.
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 & THEOTOKION
(2nd Mode, **Hearken, ye women**)
He that doth all concerning thee
* in ways that pass the mind of man
* hath honoured with incorruption
* thy robe and sash, O all-pure one,
* and hath bestowed it on thy flock
* to keep it strong and safe from harm;
* and now we celebrate with joy
* its deposition, O Lady,
* while keeping feast with great longing.
O Lady, since thou art the Queen * of all created things that be, * thou who art filled with true wisdom * transcending light, as the Mother * of the Almighty God of all,
* fill me with light and grace divine * and certain knowledge of our God, * as I fulfil now these praises * of thee, the pure Theotokos.
PRAISES 4th Mode
Chanter: 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.
Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. To Thee, O God, is due our song.
4th Mode, “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.
With thy precious and holy sash * is the Church girt about today * as with an exceedingly brightly shining crown, * O all-pure Mother of God; and she is radiant in her joy * as she danceth mystically * and, O Lady, doth cry to thee: * Rejoice, thou diadem * and divine crown; rejoice, thou only glory of the fulness of my faithful, * its everlasting delight and joy.
Verse 2. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
With thy precious and holy sash… (repeat above)
Verse 3. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Being truly a mighty wall * for thy people and faithful flock * and their indestructible bastion and support * and preservation from ruin, thou, O Lady, hast given them, * as a bright surrounding wall, * thy transcendently precious sash, * saving from all harm * and adversity those who ever honour it with faith and ardent longing, * O all-immaculate Bride of God.
Verse 4. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
On this holy and festive day * is thy temple revealed to us * as an inexhaustible source of miracles; * for mighty rivers of grace now freely pour from thy holy shrine,
* and they make the hearts and minds * of the faithful exceeding glad, * as with faith and love * they cry out unto thee: Thou art our gladness and our joy, O spotless Lady; * thou art our life, O all-holy Maid.
DOXASTIKON 2ND MODE
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
As with an exceedingly bright crown, the Church of God is adorned with thy holy sash, O all-immaculate Theotokos; she is radiant with joy today, O Lady, and she mystically danceth, while crying out to thee: Rejoice, thou precious diadem and crown of divine glory; rejoice, thou only glory of the fulness of the faithful, and its everlasting delight; rejoice, haven and protection of them that have recourse to thee, and our salvation.
GREAT DOXOLOGY
+ Glory to Thee, Who hast shown us the Light; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
+ We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee; we give thanks unto Thee for Thy great glory.
+ O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit.
+ O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; O Thou Who takest away the sins of the world.
+ Receive our prayer, O Thou Who 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 God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified be Thy Name forever. Amen.
+ Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we do put our hope in Thee.
+ Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes. (thrice)
+ Lord, Thou hast been our refuge in all generations. I said: 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 loving-kindness 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 FOR THE THEOTOKOS Plagal of 4th Mode
O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body’s raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls.
SCRIPTURAL READINGS FOR THE DAY
PROKEIMENON OF THE APOSTLE
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Vs: For he hath looked upon the lowliness of his handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
APOSTLE (for the Feast of the Theotokos—see August 31 in the Apostle-book)
Reader: The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (9:1-7)
GOSPEL (for the Feast of the Mother of God—see September 8, at Liturgy)
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (10:38-42; 11:27-28)
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to all petitions.
Deacon: 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.
COMPLETION LITANY
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
Deacon: Let us complete our morning 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 day 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 AND PRAYER OF INCLINATION
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 holy Lord, Who dwellest on high…
Choir: Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Deacon: Wisdom!
Choir: Master, 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). Master, bless.
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, as we commemorate the deposition of her sash into the church of the Virgin in Halkoprateia; 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 the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles Peter and Paul, the patrons and protectors 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.