Great Vespers of Sunday, August 24, 2025; Tone 2
Martyr Eutyches, disciple of John the Theologian
New Hieromartyr Cosmas Aitolos, equal-to-the-Apostles and evangelizer of southern Albania
(served on the evening prior)
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
Reader: 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) O our God and our Hope, 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 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.
“O LORD I HAVE CRIED” IN TONE TWO (KAZAN) (KARAM)
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 hades.
+ 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.
For the Resurrection from the Octoechos in Tone Two
Verse 10. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name.
Come ye, let us worship Him Who was born of the Father before all time, the Word of God, incarnate of the Virgin Mary; for He did submit to crucifixion by His own choice, was delivered to burial as He Himself willed, rose from the dead, and saved me, who was lost.
Verse 9. The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
Verily, Christ our Savior nailed to His Cross the handwriting of the decree, and did expunge it. And He abolished the might of Death. Let us therefore adore His third-day Resurrection.
Verse 8. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.
Come, let us with the archangels praise the Resurrection of Christ; for He is the Redeemer and Savior of our souls, and He it is Who will come with fearful magnificence and glorious might to judge the world which He hath created.
Verse 7. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
O Thou Who wast crucified and wast buried, the angel did proclaim Thee, that Thou art the Master, saying to the women, Come ye and behold where the Lord was laid; for He is risen as He said; for He is the Almighty One, and therefore, do we worship Thee, O Thou Who alone art deathless; O Christ, Giver of life, have mercy upon us.
Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
With Thy Cross Thou didst abolish the curse of the tree; with Thy Death and Burial Thou didst cause the might of Death to die; and with Thy Resurrection Thou didst enlighten mankind. Wherefore, do we cry to Thee, O Christ our God, the Benefactor, glory to Thee.
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.
O Lord, verily, the gates of Death were opened to Thee for fear of Thee. And as the gate-keepers of Hades saw Thee they did tremble; for Thou didst break asunder its brazen gates; didst crush its iron bars; didst bring us out from the shadow and darkness of death; and didst break our bonds asunder.
Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord. Come, let us all sing with our mouths a song of salvation. Let us kneel down in the house of the Lord, saying: O Thou Who wast crucified on a Tree, Who didst rise from the dead, and Who still remainest in the bosom of the Father, forgive us our sins.
For St. Eutyches in Tone Eight (**O strange wonder**)
Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
O all-blessed Martyr Eutyches, * sacredly thou didst become * the disciple of the august * Theologian of the Word, * His disciple and preacher John, * who straightway taught thee all sacred mysteries; * and thou becamest a light, by grace divine * lightening every mind * with thy sacred teachings of the God of all. * Wherefore, we revere and laud thy holy memory.
Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.
Pulling the strongholds of error down * with the invincible bars * of thy patience, O blest of God,
* thou didst bear most heavy bonds * and a death wholly glorious. * Wherefore, thou now hast found immortality, * dwelling on high with the Martyrs’ blessed choirs * and the angelic ranks; * and divinely sharing in the highest good, * thou art in all excellence made Godlike perfectly.
Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Shut up in prison, thou didst receive * the Bread of Life, which came down * from the Heavens, O Eutyches; * and when cast into the flame, * thou abodest unburnt and whole. * Thou barest wounds, being scraped most terribly; * the rage of beasts thou didst quiet by thy prayers. * And when the sword cut off * thine all-holy head, thou, as on a divine * chariot, wast lifted up to Heaven on thy blood.
THEOTOKION FOR THE RESURRECTION IN TONE TWO
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, verily, the shadow of the law hath been annulled by the coming of thy grace; for as the bush was burning but not consumed, so didst thou give birth while yet a Virgin. And instead of the pillar of fire, the Sun of justice shone forth; and instead of Moses, Christ the Savior of our souls.
- When “both now” is chanted, the clergy make the entrance with the censer.
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand upright!
O GLADSOME LIGHT (CHANT) (CHORAL)
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!
SATURDAY PROKEIMENON IN TONE SIX
Choir: The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. (ONCE)
Verse 1. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength. (Refrain)
Verse 2. For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved. (Refrain)
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say:
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
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.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions
until noted.
Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (and our bishop, N.).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for (the servants of God, NN., and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.,) and all of our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all- venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE EVENING PRAYER
People: 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.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
The choir responds “Grant this, O Lord” to this and the remaining petitions until
noted.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE PEACE
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
- All bow their heads as the priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, Who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon Thy servants and Thine inheritance; for unto Thee, the fearful Judge Who yet lovest mankind, have Thy servants bowed their heads and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not help from men but entreating Thy mercy and looking confidently for Thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.
Blessed and glorified be the might of Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
APOSTICHA FOR THE RESURRECTION IN TONE TWO
Thy Resurrection, O Christ Savior, hath illumined the whole universe. Thou hast renewed Thy creation. O Lord Almighty, glory to Thee.
Verse 1. The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength.
By the Tree, O Savior, Thou hast removed the curse that was caused by a tree; and by Thy Burial Thou hast caused the might of Death to die. Thou hast illumined our race by Thy Resurrection. Wherefore, do we shout to Thee, O Christ our Lord, Giver of life, glory to Thee.
Verse 2. For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved.
O Christ, when Thou wast seen nailed upon the Cross, Thou didst invert the beauty of creation. Yet withal did the soldiers show brutality when they pierced Thy side with a spear. And the Hebrews comprehended not the might of Thine authority, seeking to seal Thy tomb. But Thou Who for the compassion of Thy mercies didst accept a tomb, and didst rise in three days, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Verse 3. Holiness befits Thy house, O Lord, forevermore.
O Christ God, O Giver of life, Thou didst bear the Passion willingly for the sake of the dead. Thou didst descend into Hades for Thou art mighty, and didst snatch away from the hand of the proud one those who there awaited Thy coming, bestowing paradise upon them for an abode instead of Hades. Wherefore, we supplicate Thee to give us who glorify Thy third-day Resurrection forgiveness of sins, and the Great Mercy.
THEOTOKION FOR THE RESURRECTION IN TONE TWO
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O wondrous event transcending all the ancient miracles! For whoever hath heard of a mother giving birth without a man, and carrying in her arms Him Who containeth all creation? Yet this is the will of the born God. Cease not, therefore, O undefiled one to pray to Him Whom thou didst carry in thine arms as a babe, and with Whom thou didst acquire motherly privilege for us who honor thee, that He may have mercy upon us and save our souls.
THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER (CHANT) (CHORAL)
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
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.
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.
RESURRECTIONAL THEOTOKION IN TONE TWO
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 He Who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all- immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of 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 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.