The Holy Venerable-Martyr Febronia.
Apostle’s Fast.
Divine Liturgy
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: O Prophet and forerunner of the coming of Christ,* we, who lovingly honour you are at a loss to praise you worthily;* for your mother’s barrenness and your father’s silence* were both ended by your honoured and glorious birth,* and the incarnation of the Son of God* is preached to the whole world.
Troparion, Tone 4: Your lamb, Febronia, O Jesus, cries in a loud voice:* “You, O my Bridegroom, I love; and, seeking You, I undergo martyrdom.* And with You I am crucified and buried in Your baptism,* and I suffer for Your sake that I may reign with You.* And I die on Your behalf that I may live in You.* Receive me as a spotless sacrifice,* sacrificed for You with love.”* Through her intercession in Your mercy save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: We, all the faithful, have found your shrine to be a place of spiritual healing,* and we cry aloud to you: “O glorious virgin martyr, Febronia,* pray unceasingly to Christ our God for all of us!”
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 3: She who once was barren gives birth today to the Forerunner of Christ,* who will fulfil every prophecy.* In the Jordan he placed his hand upon the One Whom the prophets foretold* and thus was shown to be the prophet, the herald,* and the Forerunner of the Word of God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
God is wonderful in His saints,* the God of Israel.
verse: In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. (Psalm 67:36,27)
Epistle
Romans 15:17-29
Brothers and Sisters, in Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,
“Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”
This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and He was attentive to me, and He heard my prayer.
verse: He brought me out of the pit of misery and the mud of the swamp. (Psalm 39:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 12:46-13:3
At that time, while he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.”
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)
Vespers
Great Vespers
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord* pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Come, let us bow in worship before the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul!You are very great O Lord, my God;
Clothed in pomp and brilliance;arrayed with light as with a cloak.
Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth,covering Your lofty halls with water.
You make the clouds Your conveyance.You surge on the wings of the wind.
You make spirits Your messengers,and flaming fires Your attendants.
You settle the earth on its firm foundation;it shall stand unmoved from age to age.
The abyss covers it like a garment;waters stand over the mountains.
At Your rebuke they will take flight;at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.
They hurdle the hills and run down the dales,to the place You have chosen for them.
You have set up a boundary not to be passed;they shall never return to cover the earth.
Down in the gullies You make springs to rise;water shall go down between the mountains.
They shall give drink to the beasts of the field;wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.
The birds of the sky will abide by them;from among the rocks they will raise their song.
From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains;the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.
You make green pastures for the cattleand food-plants for the service of all,
So that bread may be brought forth from the earth,and wine that gladdens the heart of man.
So that oil may put a gleam upon his face;and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.
The trees of the plain will be satisfied,the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.
The sparrows will build their nests in them;and the herons will call them their home.
To the deer belong high mountains,to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.
You have made the moon to mark the seasons;the sun knows the time of its setting.
You establish darkness, and it is nightwherein the forest creatures prowl around.
Young lions roar for their prey,and call out to God for their meat.
As the sun rises, they will come together,and lay themselves down in their dens.
Man will go out to his labourand work until eventide.
How great are Your works, O Lord,in wisdom You have wrought them all.
The earth is filled with Your creatures.Even the wide and open sea itself,within it there are countless creeping things,living beings small and large.
Upon it there are ships a-sailing,and that great beast You made to have fun.
All of them look up to You,to give them their food in due time.
You provide and they gather up;You open Your hand and they are full.
You hide Your face and they cringe;You suspend their breath, and they dieand return to their dust.
You send forth Your breath and they live;You renew the face of the earth.
May the Lord’s glory endure for ever:may the Lord rejoice in His works;
He looks upon the earth and makes it quake;He touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;I will praise my God as long as I last.
Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him:and I will rejoice in the Lord.
May sinners vanish from the earth,and may the wicked be no more.Bless the Lord, O my soul!
The sun knows the time of its setting.You establish darkness, and it is night.
How great are Your works, O Lord,in wisdom You have wrought them all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Litany of Peace
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), the Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the seafarers and travellers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For all glory, honour, and worship befit You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
First Kathisma
Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly. Alleluia! (3)
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. Alleluia! (3)
Serve the Lord with fear, exalt in Him with trembling. Alleluia! (3)
Blessed are those who trust in Him! Alleluia! (3)
Arise, O Lord, save me, my God! Alleluia! (3)
Salvation is of the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people! Alleluia! (3)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Alleluia! (3)
Now and for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia! (3)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Small Litany
Deacon: Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For Yours is the might and Yours are the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Psalm 140
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me.Hear me, O Lord!O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me.Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You.Hear me, O Lord!
Let my prayer rise like incense before You,and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.Hear me, O Lord!
Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouthand a portal around my lips.
Incline my heart away from evil dealings,from finding excuses for sinful deeds.
In company with those who work iniquity,let me not partake of what they choose.
May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me;may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.
Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare.Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.
My words will be heard, for they were sweet.As a lump of clay broken on the ground,so their bones were strewn near the grave.
On You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are fixed.In You have I trusted; take not my life.
Keep me from the snare that was set for me,and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.
The wicked shall fall into their own nets,while I remain alone until I can escape.
Psalm 141
With my voice I cried to the Lord;with all my voice I implored the Lord.
Before Him I pour out my supplications;before Him I declare my distress.
When my breath was escaping me,then You knew my paths;
On the road upon which I was walking,they set up snares for me.
I looked to my right and observedthere was no one friendly to me;
Even flight was denied me;there was no one to take care of my life.
I cried out to You, O Lord, and said:You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.
Listen to my supplication,for I am laid very low.
Deliver me from my oppressors,for they have overwhelmed me.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
When John was born, the silence of Zechariah was broken.* For when the Voice appeared, it was not proper that his father remain silent.* Just as disbelief bound the tongue of the father,* so now the appearance of John frees him.* Having revealed himself, he preaches good tidings to all.* The Forerunner of Light and the Voice of the Word is born,* and he prays for the salvation of our souls.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
When John was born, the silence of Zechariah was broken.* For when the Voice appeared, it was not proper that his father remain silent.* Just as disbelief bound the tongue of the father,* so now the appearance of John frees him.* Having revealed himself, he preaches good tidings to all.* The Forerunner of Light and the Voice of the Word is born,* and he prays for the salvation of our souls.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Today the Voice of the Word frees his father’s voice* which was lost through disbelief,* and he reveals the blessed posterity of the Church* by loosing his mother’s bond of barrenness.* The Lamp preceding the Light appears;* the star proclaims the coming of the Sun of Justice* who is the restoration of all* and the salvation of our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
When the time approached for the Word of God to be born from a Virgin,* a messenger came forth from a barren womb.* He is the greatest born of woman* and the greatest of the prophets.* Behold, the beginnings of God’s actions are beyond our understanding.* You were begotten eternally and conceived without seed;* you work wonders for our salvation. Glory to you!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Today the great Forerunner appears,* born from the barren womb of Elizabeth.* He is a prophet greater than all prophets;* there is no other like him, nor has there ever been.* For the most wondrous Light followed the lamp of the Forerunner;* the Word followed the Voice,* and the Bridegroom followed the bridegroom’s friend.* He prepares a special people for the Lord,* cleansing them with water until the coming of the Spirit.* He is the offspring of Zechariah and the noble dweller of the desert,* the preacher of repentance, and the purification of sins.* He announced the good news* of the Resurrection from the dead to those in Hades,* and he prays for our souls.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O John, the Baptizer of Christ,* you manifested yourself to be a prophet and forerunner* from the time you were in the womb.* When you saw the queen coming to her servant,* you leaped for joy in the womb of your mother,* you, the one conceived of a barren woman,* according to the promise made to the elder Zechariah.* You knew she was bearing the eternal One* who was from the Father without a mother.* Now implore God to have mercy on our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Zechariah did not believe the word of the angel* who told that Elizabeth would conceive and bear a son.* Instead he replied: How can she give birth,* for we are both advanced in years.* He was made silent by your decree because of his disbelief.* Today he sees the promised birth,* and his silence is ended to give way to joy.* O, what a glorious marvel!* He shouts aloud: Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,* for He has turned to his people and brought them salvation.* He grants great mercy to the world.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O most praiseworthy John and universal apostle,* good news of Gabriel and flower of the barren woman,* noble child of the desert,* true friend of the bridegroom Christ,* pray to Him to have mercy on our souls.
Tone 6, Glory…
Today, like a shining star,* the Lamp prepares the way for the coming of the Word of God.* Today Zechariah speaks clearly, ending the silence imposed by the angel,* for it was not right that the father of the Voice be kept silent* once John was born from a barren womb.* He comes to announce with great boldness* the good news of salvation for all the world.
Now…
Elizabeth carried the Forerunner of grace,* and the Virgin carried the Lord of glory.* When the mothers greeted each other, the infant leaped for joy,* for even within the womb, the servant praised the Master.* The mother of the Forerunner was amazed and sang out:* How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord has come to me?* Glory to Him who with great mercy saves a despairing people.
Entrance
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: O gracious King, You love mankind and bless all things. With contrite heart and humble spirit, we pray to You, O Christ our true God: Bless our comings and our goings. For Your coming and ascension and dwelling among us are blessed, always, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
The deacon points eastward with his orarion and says:
Deacon: Master, bless the holy entrance.
Priest: Blessed be the entrance of Your saints, always, now and for ever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!
Hymn of Light
Tranquil Light, of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the giver of life. For this the whole world glorifies You.
Prokeimenon
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest: Peace be with all.
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
Wednesday Evening, Psalm 53, Tone 5
O Lord, save me by Your name,* and in Your power be a judge for me.
v. O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.
Readings
The prescribed readings are taken here. Before each reading, the deacon remains at the closed holy doors.
Deacon: Wisdom!
Lector: A reading from the book of…
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Readings
(1) Genesis 17:15-19; 18:11-14; 21:1-8; (2) Judges 13:2-19; (3) Isaiah 40:1-3, 9; 41:17-18
Litya
Tone 1
O mountains, give forth your sweetness; * O hills, skip about like lambs;* for today the Lord’s forerunner, desiring to abide with us, is born of Elizabeth.* At his birth he loosed his father’s silence.* Therefore, let us cry out to him:* O Baptizer of Christ, implore Him to save our souls.
The God-named Voice and Lamp of the Light, the Forerunner of the Lord,* was attested to by Christ as the foremost of the prophets.* Please remember your flock in order to preserve it intact,* and we also ask that you pray for the world.
O prophet and forerunner John,* you were the preacher of the Lamb who is the Word of God.* You prophesied the future;* you spoke beforehand to the ends of the earth:* Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world* and grants great mercy to all.
Tone 5, Glory…
Today Elizabeth rejoices as she gives birth* to the end of the prophets and the beginning of the apostles,* the earthly angel and the heavenly man,* the voice of the Word, the soldier and forerunner of Christ,* who leaped for joy beforehand because of the Promised One* and who preached before the birth of the Sun of Justice.* In his old age Zechariah is amazed,* having cast aside the muteness imposed as a punishment.* As the father of the Voice, he prophesies most splendidly:* And you, O child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,* and you shall go before Him to prepare the way.* Therefore, O angel, prophet, apostle, and soldier,* forerunner, baptizer, preacher of penance, and guide,* as the voice of the light of the Word,* pray unceasingly for us who faithfully keep your memory.
Now…
O most pure Virgin ,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.* Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wished to enlighten those whom He created with his own hands* according to his own image.* Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,* we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;* for, as his mother, you can approach Him with the greatest of confidence.
Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Almighty Lord, God of our Fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Petitions may be added here.
Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Deign, O Lord
Deign, O Lord, to keep us this eveningwithout sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers,and praised and glorified is Your name for ever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon usbecause we have set our hope in You.
Blessed are You, O Lord,teach me Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Master,make me understand Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Holy One,enlighten me with Your laws.
O Lord, Your mercy endures forever;do not despise the work of Your hands.
It is proper to praise You,and hymns belong to You.
Glory belongs to You,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Now and for everand ever. Amen.
Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defence at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Peace to all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil’s assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams. May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Aposticha
Tone 2
With psalms and hymns and spiritual songs* let us praise the glorious desert-dweller John,* since he is the prophet of prophets* and the fruit of a barren womb,* greater than all born of women.* Let us cry out to him:* O Baptist and Forerunner of the Saviour,* by your holy birth you may implore Christ with confidence* to grant peace to the world* and great mercy to our souls.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and ransomed his people.
According to the promise,* John the Forerunner and the Voice of the grace of the Word has appeared.* He was born today of the childless, barren woman.* Rejoice, O people,* for he has come to prepare for us the way of the Saviour* to whom he bowed down and leaped for joy* while still in the womb of his mother.* He is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world* and grants great mercy to us.
And you, O child, shall be called prophet of the Most High.
John, who was sanctified in the womb of his mother* and received the fullness of prophecy,* is born today from a barren woman.* Clearly he announces the coming of the Lord:* Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Tone 8, Glory…
Today the voice of the prophet Isaiah is fulfilled* in the birth of the greatest of the prophets, John.* He had said: Behold, I will prepare the way of the Lord.* He will be a soldier of the kingdom of heaven,* running before the path of our God.* By nature he was a man,* yet in the present life he became an angel,* for he welcomed moderation in complete purity.* He had a human nature but fled what was according to nature* and struggled beyond the natural.* Therefore, let all the faithful imitate his virtues* and beg him to pray for the salvation of our souls.
Now…
Elizabeth said to the Virgin Mary:* How is it that the Mother of my God has come to me?* You bear the King, and I, a soldier.* You bear the Lawgiver, and I, a preacher of the law.* You bear the Word, and I, the voice who announces the kingdom of heaven.
Hymn of Simeon
Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise; let Your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people; a Light to reveal You to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel!
Trisagion Prayers
Lector: Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,* hallowed by 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Troparia
Tone 4
O Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ,* in spite of our honour and devotion,* we are unable to give you worthy praise.* Through your glorious and noble birth* your mother’s childlessness was ended,* your father’s tongue was freed,* and the Incarnation of the Son of God** was proclaimed to the world. (2)
Tone 1
Hail, Mother of God, Virgin Mary full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Saviour* and Deliverer of our souls.
Great Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: Give the blessing.
Priest: Blessed is the One-Who-Is, Christ our God, always, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen. O God, make firm the holy orthodox faith now and for ever and ever.
Priest: O most holy Mother of God, save us.
All: More honourable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing.
Priest: Christ our true God, (risen from the dead) through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles; of Saint, (name, whose church it is), and of Saint, (name, whose day it is) and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.