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Sep 01 [Sun] VESPERS

Martyr Mamas and John the Faster, Patriarch of C’ple

Priest:              Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Reader:            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

The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to each petition.

Priest:              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 and 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 4th Mode

+ Allow for SIX stichera +

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 St. Mamas from the MENAION Plagal 4th Mode (**O strange wonder**)

Vs 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.

Since thou hadst first overcome the beasts of the unbridled desires, thou didst bridle the gaping mouths of fierce lions by thy prayer and didst check wildly raging beasts, ever abiding unharmed within their midst, O lauded Mamas, prizewinner of the Lord. Thou didst not fear the fire nor a judge’s anger, since thou didst prefer nothing to the love of Christ thy Lord, O blessed one.

Vs 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.

Though young in body thou didst defeat the old supplanter and foe when thy flesh had received the marks of Christ God upon itself, all-famed Mamas most glorious; and thou now dwellest amidst the Martyrs’ choirs, ever made bright with the Threefold Daystar Light, wearing a shining crown, and beholding with a pure and spotless mind Him that is the height of all desire, O blessed one.

Vs 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord. Walking in the life-bestowing steps of Christ our God, Who took flesh and, by suffering on the Cross, cast the tyrant down in shame, thou, O prizewinner blessed of God, didst run the race of a martyr joyously; and when stretched out and tormented ruthlessly, thou, who wast clad in flesh, then, O Martyr Mamas, didst both wound and dash to earth him that once had boasted that he would blot out the sea.

For St. John the Faster          same melody

Vs 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.

Most wise and all-lauded Father John, like a new Aaron adorned with the sacred and priestly robe in all solemn majesty, thou dost openly look upon the very Holy of Holies, since in truth thou art now entered within the second veil. O the ineffable and unfathomed brightness that thou hast received, O divine adornment of high priests and righteous men!

Vs 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.

Most wise and all-lauded Father John, since thou becamest like God by thy simple and guileless ways, thou with God dost now abide, and truly thou art deified through ceaseless prayer and thy union with the good; and thou art filled with the light that

streameth thence in the clear purity of thy mind and in the brightness of thy soul, O divine and sacred comeliness of God’s high priests.

Vs 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Blessed and most hallowed Father John, fleeing the troublesome cares and commotion of worldly life, thou, O righteous man, didst run to Christ Savior’s tranquility; and with the utterly blessed beams of light both of divine vision and activity, thou wast made rich indeed; which thou also didst pass on to faithful men, for thou wast resplendent with a life befitting God.

DOXASTIKON for ST. MAMAS                  2nd MODE

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Like a young olive tree, thou wast brought unto the table of God, as the son of them that walked in the Lord’s way. Because of thy martyrdom, the Lord hath blessed thee, and thou beholdest the good things of the Zion above, ever delighting in divine gladness together with thy parents, O admirable Mamas; by thine entreaties make us also partakers of the same.

THEOTOKION          2nd Mode. **When he took Thee**

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Carried off by vile and darkened deeds, * blackening the beauty of Baptism by mine own will and choice, * I have wrapped a robe of condemnation round my soul * and have wretchedly clothed myself * in garments of darkness. * O all- lauded Lady, I entreat thee: By thy might, * rend the tattered rags of my passions;

* clothe me in the robe of dispassion; * cover up my nakedness and save my soul.

There is NO entrance.
O GLADSOME LIGHT (Plain Reading)

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.

Priest:              The Evening Prokeimenon!

SUNDAY PROKEIMENON             Plagal of 4th Mode

1st Chanter:      Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord.

Choir:                        Behold now… (repeated)

Vs.       Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

1st Chanter:      Behold now, bless ye the Lord,

Choir:                        all ye servants of the Lord.

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.

Priest:              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.

Priest:              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.

APOSTICHA (from OCTOECHOS)            1st Mode

Since the gulf of my transgressions is great, O Saviour, and I sink grievously in mine offences, give me thy hand and save me, as thou didst save Peter, O God, and have mercy on me.

Vs: Unto thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until he take pity on us.

Since I stand condemned by mine evil thoughts and deeds, O Saviour, grant me a mind to turn to thee, O God, that I may cry: Save me, O good Benefactor, and have mercy on me.

Vs: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement on the proud.

By the intercession, O Lord, of all the saints and the Theotokos, do thou grant us thy peace and have mercy on us, since thou alone art compassionate.

DOXASTIKON FOR ST. MAMAS               4th MODE

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Come, ye faithful, with one accord let us celebrate the memory of the Martyr Mamas. He hath been shown unto us as a new Abel; for even as Abel was a shepherd of sheep, and was the first to bring a lamb to sacrifice, and the first to receive the crown of contest, even so this glorious prizewinner excelled in the tending of sheep and by martyrdom brought himself as a pleasing sacrifice unto Christ. Since he hath boldness before Him, he asketh peace for the world and Great Mercy for our souls.

THEOTOKION           4th MODE

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Having thee as our hope and protection, O Theotokos, we do not fear the schemes of enemies; for thou dost save our souls.

THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER (Plain Reading)

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 ST. MAMAS     4th Mode (**Be quick to anticipate**)

Thy martyr, Mamas, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee, received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For, since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

APOLYTIKION OF JOHN THE FASTER    4th Mode

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch John, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

THEOTOKION 4th Mode

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Mystery which was hidden from everlasting and was unknown of the angels, O Theotokos, was revealed through thee, to those who dwell upon earth. In that God, having become incarnate— in unconfused union—of His own good will accepted the Cross for our sake. Whereby He raised again the first created, and hath saved our souls from death.

THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to all the petitions.

Priest:              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 DISMISSAL

Priest:              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; by the power of the honorable and life-creating cross; by the protection of the honorable heavenly bodiless powers; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right- victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers; of Saints Peter & Paul, patrons and protectors of our community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of the holy martyr Mamas and our father among the saints, John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople, whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints: have mercy on us, and save us, as he is good and lover of mankind.

Priest:              Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

Choir:              Amen.

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