Prophet Zachariah, father of the Forerunner
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.
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 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” 4th 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 Prophet Zachariah 4th Mode, (**Unto them that fear Thee**)
Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
Clothed in the divine robe and the priestly chrism, thou didst serve God * like an Angel, O blessed one; * and thou clearly didst receive * signs and revelations * from the Holy Spirit, while mediating as a priest * between Creator and creature worthily.
* O lauded Zachariah, as we keep thine all-holy feast today, * we both bless thee and glorify * Christ the Savior in songs of praise.
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.
Clothed in the divine robe and the priestly chrism … (repeat above)
Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord. Thou didst look upon the Child that had been born of the Virgin Maid, * Zachariah inspired of God: * the Son co-beginningless * sprung from God the Father; * and thou didst foretell clearly to thy child: Thou verily * shalt be His Prophet, and shalt prepare His ways. * With him, we call thee blessed and with songs we sacredly celebrate * thy most ven’rable festival, * O God-bearer supremely blest.
Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Thou didst look upon the Child that had been … (repeat above)
Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.
As thou wast the Holy Spirit’s temple, living and soul-endowed, * Zachariah most glorious, * while thou didst commune with God * through thy heart’s great pureness,
* in the Temple thou wast unjustly slain and didst complete * thy godly course as a Martyr of the Lord. * Hence, thou hast made thy way to the celestial temple in thine own blood, * asking God that those hon’ring thee * find forgiveness, O wondrous one.
Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
As thou wast the Holy Spirit’s temple … (repeat above)
DOXASTICON for the PROPHET ZACHARIAH Plagal of 4th Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Veritably clothed with the vestments of the priesthood under the Law, thou didst serve after the order of Aaron; and as thou stoodest in the Temple, thou didst manifestly behold an angel’s form, O all-blessed one. Wherefore, as we all celebrate
thy translation as is due, we acclaim thee with songs, O Zachariah, who in deep old age broughtest forth the glorious John. Intercede for us with the merciful God, that we may be saved.
THEOTOKION from MENAION Plagal of 4th Mode (**O Lord, though Thou didst stand**) Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, by the prayers of her that purely did bear Thee, * do Thou protect and preserve Thy flock, * which Thou in Thy mercy hast purchased * with Thy divine and most precious Blood; * and keep it safe from the spite * of foes, that we might sing the praise * of Thy divine condescension towards us, * glorifying Thy great love for man.
*There is NO entrance*
O GLADSOME LIGHT (plain-read)
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.
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
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.
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.
APOSTICHA from the MENAION for the PROPHET ZACHARIAH Plagal of 4th Mode
(**O strange wonder**)
O strange wonder! Lo, the heavenly * Archangel, who in the heights * ever standeth before our God, * doth inform God’s minister, * Zachariah of godly mind, * of the conception of Christ’s Forerunner John * from fruitless barrenness and despite great age. * O Thine ineffable * care and providence for men, O Master Christ! * Whereby, save our souls, since Thou alone art merciful.
Vs. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for His people. O strange wonder, how the speechlessness * of Zachariah foretold * in all plainness the silencing * of the ancient Covenant * and the showing forth of the New! * The Law’s fulfilment it sealed with silent tongue * and indicated the coming light of
Grace. * O Thy wise providence * and Thy foresight, O Thou only Friend of man!
Whereby, keep us all, since Thou art the Omnipotent.
Vs. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways.
O strange wonder! As a faithful priest, * a Martyr noble and great, * and a Prophet most glorious * who foretold the things to come, * Zachariah hath been shown forth
adorned right fair with a triply shining crown, * O Sovereign Master, adorned with threefold grace. * O Thine abundant gifts * and rich graces, O Christ God, Thou Friend of man! * By the which, vouchsafe Thy Kingdom unto all of us.
DOXASTICON for the PROPHET 2nd Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As an undefiled priest, thou didst enter into the Holy of Holies; and clothed with the sacred vestments, thou didst blamelessly minister unto God with the clear sound of the High Priest’s bells, like Aaron setting forth the Law, and like Moses leading the tribes of Israel. Wherefore, thou wast put to death, but thy righteous blood is become a salutary source of healing for us; and as fragrant myrrh, it doth open our ears unto the attainment of life everlasting. O thrice-blessed Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, and husband of Elizabeth, intercede fervently in behalf of our souls.
THEOTOKION from the MENAION 2nd Mode
(**When he took Thee**) Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Now the heaps of mine unlawful deeds * verily are risen up over my head, O Virgin most pure; * truly mine iniquities are greatly multiplied; * I am weighed down with numberless * unbearable burdens, * wretched and incorrigible as I am, O Maid. * Wherefore, by thy fervent entreaty, * make all haste to come and to save me, * O thou sole correction of all them that sin.
THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER
Priest:
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 for PROPHET ZACHARIAH 4th Mode
(**Joseph was amazed**)
In the vesture of a priest, according to the Law of God, * thou didst offer unto Him well-pleasing whole-burnt offerings, * as it befitted a priest, O wise Zachariah. * Thou wast a shining light, a seer of mysteries, * bearing in thyself clearly the signs of grace; * and in God’s temple, O wise Prophet * of Christ God, thou wast slain with the sword. * Hence, with the Forerunner, make entreaty that our souls find salvation.
THEOTOKION from the HOROLOGION 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.
We know the Word of the Father, even Christ our God, to be incarnate of thee, O Virgin Theotokos, O only pure one, O only blessed one. Wherefore, we magnify thee, praising thee unceasingly.
FERVENT EKTENIA
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
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.
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; 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 holy and glorious Prophet Zachariah, father of the Forerunner, 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.