Repose of Blessed Olha, Princess of Kyiv, named Helen at Holy Baptism; The Holy and Praiseworthy Martyr Euphemia.

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 cattle and 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 night wherein 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 labour and 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 die and 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 mouth and 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 observed there 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, Podoben “As ones one valiant among the martyrs…”

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Your memory dawns like the sun, holy Olha.* The mother of the kings of Rus’, you pointed the way to Christ.* Teaching the angelic way, you overthrew the idol,* and the devil you countered with strength from the Holy Spirit.* You led the whole land to God from the darkness of ignorance.* pray to Him for those who remember you.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Your memory dawns like the sun, holy Olha.* The mother of the kings of Rus’, you pointed the way to Christ.* Teaching the angelic way, you overthrew the idol,* and the devil you countered with strength from the Holy Spirit.* You led the whole land to God from the darkness of ignorance.* pray to Him for those who remember you.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

With wisdom of things divine* you overcame the one who tempted Eve.* Eliminating the devil’s way * you fostered a God-given paradise for the Church;* there you planted the life-giving Cross* so that the heavenly bread and blood of Christ* will grant those who partake angelic life.* Pray for all those who remember you.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

With wisdom of things divine* you overcame the one who tempted Eve.* Eliminating the devil’s way * you fostered a God-given paradise for the Church;* there you planted the life-giving Cross* so that the heavenly bread and blood of Christ* will grant those who partake angelic life.* Pray for all those who remember you.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

We spiritually rejoice in remembering you, holy Olha.* Together with miracle-workers and martyrs, pray fervently to Christ.* With the holy Theotokos as your helper,* free us from harm and sadness as we sing to you.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Come, you Christian people of Rus’* and in praises let us magnify our first mother,* who showed great wisdom and courage,* who spurned the glory of this world and loved Christ our true God more than all others;* and let us cry out thus to her:* O all-glorious favourite of Christ, pray for the people of Rus’,* that they might not be turned away from the orthodox faith by any of the wiles of the enemy,* but may remain unshaken in piety.

Tone 4, Glory…

Come, you generations of Rus’ and with hymns let us praise the all-wise Olha!* Come, and, enriched in understanding, learn from her* how to bring our understanding to the obedience of faith!* Come, O you men, and render honour to an all-glorious woman!* Come, you women, and emulate her great manliness!* Come, you rulers, and understand an incorrupt glory which surpasses all earthly things!* Come, all you her descendants, and celebrate with splendour on her day!* For she prays fervently to the Lord, that our souls be enlightened.

Now…

O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

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!

Saturday Evening, Psalm 92, Tone 6

The Lord reigns,* He is clothed in majesty.

v. Robed is the Lord and girt about with strength.

v. For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

v. Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

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) Judges 4:1-5:12; (2) 13:2-20; (3) Proverbs 31:10-12.

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 evening without 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 us because 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 ever and 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 8, Podoben “O all-glorious wonder…”

O all-glorious wonder!* Through a woman the Lord who loves mankind all-wondrously restored the human race,* which had fallen through a woman,* and in later times He sent a woman for the conversion of the race of Rus’:* the all-glorious Olha, whose baptism laid the foundation for the enlightenment of the land of Rus’* to the salvation of our souls.

The Lord is close to all that call upon Him, to all that call on Him in truth.

Rejoice, O divinely saved city of Kyiv,* who have poured forth the light of Christ upon all the ends of our land,* and showed forth therein the first saint, the all-honoured Olha!* Rejoice, O Vyshhorod, her honoured inheritance!* Rejoice, O assembly of the women of Rus’, who have provided our boast,* to the salvation of our souls!

The will of those who fear Him shall He do, and their supplication shall He hear, and He shall save them.

Be glad, O barren land of Rus’!* Dance, O you who never felt the pangs of childbirth,* for you have now given birth to your child, the blessed Olha!* And to the Lord she calls our father Volodymyr,* and by her struggles moves to emulation the choirs of God’s saints,* and your cities and groves, to the salvation of our souls.

Tone 8, Glory…

Great is your glory, and your memorial is celebrated with praises, O all-wise Olha,* who disdained the emptiness of the idols and understood the truth of the Gospel.* In your old age you bound your mind to Christ in obedience,* and have shown the true path of life to all the generations of Rus’.* In our behalf entreat Him who alone loves mankind.

Now…

O unwedded Virgin who ineffably conceived God in the flesh,* Mother of God Most High:* accept the entreaties of your servants, O most immaculate one,* granting to all cleansing of transgressions;* and, accepting now our supplications, pray that we all be saved.

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.

Troparion

Tone 1

On the wings of the knowledge of God* you lifted your mind, O glorious Olha* and soared beyond the visible* attaining to God, the Creator of all.* You found Him and in baptism received the new life* abiding forever in incorruption* and enjoying the fruits of the life-giving Tree.

Glory… Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel cried out to you:* Rejoice O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of all became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free through your life-giving birth!

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.