THE AKATHIST SERVICE TO OUR MOST-HOLY LADY, THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Priest: Glory to You, our God, glory to You! * O Heavenly King, the comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere and fills all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life. Come and abide in us, and cleanse from every im-/w-rity, * and save our souls, O Good One! Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Im-zwor-tal. * have mer-v·/ on us! (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy A/v-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of a-ges. Amen. O Most Holy Trinity have mercy upon us, Lord cleanse us from our i-w-quities, * O Holy One heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. * Lord, have mer-cy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy ffpz-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of a-ges. Amen. 2 Our Father, You are in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your 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 temp-ta-tion, * but deliver us from the e-vil one. Priest.· For Yours 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. Priest: Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-Creating and Undivided Trinity, now and ever and unto ages of ages. 3 Glory to God in the high-esb * and on earth peace, good will to men (thrice). O Lord, o-pen my lips, * and my mouth shall showforth Your praise (twice) The Six-Psalms I am utterly spent and crushed; * I groan because of the tumult of my heart. Psalm 3 O Lord, how many are my foes\ * Many are rising %-gainst me; Lord, all my longing is known to You, * my sighing is not Zz/ôZ-den from You. many are .sz/y-ing of me, * there is no help for him in God. My heart throbs, my strength /ozZy me; * and the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me. But You, O Lord, are a shield Ά-hout me, * my glory and the lifter of my head. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, * and my kinsmen stand a.-far off. I cry Ά-loud to the Lord * and He answers me from His ho-ly hill. I lie down and sleep, * I wake again, for the Lord sus-tains me. Those who seek my life lay their snares, those who seek my hurt speak of nz-in, * and meditate treachery all the day long. I am not afraid of ten thousands of peo-ple * who have set themselves against me round about. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear, * like a dumb man who does not o-pen his mouth. Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! For You smite all my enemies on the cheek* You break the teeth of the wzc-ked. Yea, I am like a man who does not hear, * and in whose mouth are no rebukes. But for You, O Lord, do I wait; * it is You, O Lord my God, who will zzzz-swer. Deliverance belongs to the Lord·, * Your blessings be upon Your/zeo-ple! For I pray, “Only let them not rejoice o-ver me, * who boast against me when my foot slips!” I lie down and sleep, * I wake again, for the Lord sus-tains me. For I am reo-dy to fall, * and my pain is ever with me. Psalm 37(38) I confess my i-w-quity, * I am sorry for my sin. O Lord, rebuke me not in Your on-ger, * nor chasten me in Your wrath\ For Your arrows have sunk into me, * and Your hand has come down on me. Those who are my foes without cause are mighty, * and many are those who hate me irro/zg-fully. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indig-zzrz-tion; * there is no health in my bones be-cause of my sin. Those who render me evil for good are my adverra-ries * because I follow of-ter good. For my iniquities have gone o-ver my head; * they weigh like a burden too hea-yy for me. Do not forsake me, O Lord! * O my God be not far_ from me! My wounds grow foul and jfes-ter * because of my /ôo-lishness. Make haste to help me, * O Lord, my sal-ra-tion! I am utterly bowed down and /nv/s-trate; * all the day I go about mour-mng Make haste to help me, * O Lord, my sal-ra-tion! For my loins are filled with Z>z/r-ning, * and there is no soundness in my flesh. 4 Psalm 62(63) Let my prayer come be-fore You, * incline Your ear to my cry! O God, You are my God, I seek You. * My soul thirsts for You; For my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to Sheol. * I am reckoned among those who go down to the Pit; my üesh faints for You, * as in a dry and weary land where no wa-ter is. So I have looked upon You in the sanctu-«-ry, * beholding Your power and glo-xy. I am a man who has no strength, * like one forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, Because Your steadfast love is better than life. * my lips νά\\ praise You. like those whom You re-zzzezzz-ber no more, * for they are cut off from Y our hand. So I will bless You as long as I /zve; * I will lift up my hands and call on Your Name. You have put me in the depths of the Pit, * in the regions dark and deep. My soul is feasted as with marrow and fit, * and my mouth praises You with /oy-ful lips, Your wrath lies heavy u-pon me * and You overwhelm me with «//Your waves. when I think of You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; * for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. You have caused my companions to shun me; * You have made me a thing of hor-mr to them. I am shut in so that I can-/z«/ escape; * my eyes grow dim through .sor-row. My soul clings to You, * Your right hand up-holds me. Every day I call upon You, O Lord; * I spread out my hands to You. But those who seek to des-troy my life * shall go down into the depths of the earth; Do You work wonders for the dead? * Do the shades rise up topraise You? they shall be given over to the power of the sword, * they shall be prey for/ocZr-als. Is Your steadfast love àc-dared in the grave, * or Your faithfulness in then lace of destruction? But the king shall rejoice in God, all who swear by Him shall g/o-ry; * for the mouths of liars will be stopped. Are Your wonders known in the dark-noss, * or Your saving help in the land of for-geLfulness? But I, Lord, cry to You; * in the morning my prayer comes be-fore You. I meditate on You in the watches of the night; * for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. * Lord, why do You cast me off? * Why do You hide Your free from me? My soul clings to You, Your right hand up-holds me. Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, * I suffer Your terrors; I am /ze/p-less. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi-nt. * Now and ever and unto ages of g-ges. Amen. Your wrath has swept «-ver me; * Your dread assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; * they close in upon me to-ge-ther. Alleluia, alleluia, alle-/z/-ia, * glory to You, O God (thrice) You have caused lover and friend to shun me; * my companions are in dark-ness. Psalm 87(88) O Lord, my God, I call for help by day, * I cry out in the night before You. O Lord, my God, I call for help by day; * I cry out in the night before You. Let my prayer come be-fore Y ou, * 5 incline Your ear to my cry! to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His com-/?z«/7ô/-ments. Psalm 102(103) The Lord has established His throne in the heavens * and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O my soul; * and all that is within me, bless His ho-\y name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all His fe-nefits, Bless the Lord, O you His azz-gels, * you mighty ones who do His word, hearkening to the voice of His word! Who forgives all your i-m-quity, * Who heals all your di-sea-ses. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, * His ministers that do His will! Who redeems your life from the pit, * Who crowns you with steadfast love and mer-cy. Bless the Lord, all His works, * in all places of His do-/zz/-nion. Who satisfies you with good as long as you live, * so that your youth is renewed like the ea-gle’s. Bless the Lord, * O_ my soul ! In all places of His do-/?z/-nion. * Bless the Lord, * O my soul ! The Lord works vindi-c'«-tion * and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 142(143) He made known His ways to Afo-ses. * His acts to the people of Zy-rael. Hear my prayer, Lord; give ear to my supplica­ tions! * In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness! The Lord is merciful and gra-cious. * slow to anger and abounding in .s/mJ-fast love. He will not «/-ways chide, * nor will He keep His anger for-e-ver. Enter not into judgment with Your .sc/'-vant; * for no man living is righteous be-fore You. He does not deal with us according to our sins, * nor requite us according to our i-w-quities. For the enemy has pursued me; * he has crushed my life to the ground; For as the heavens are high a-hove the earth, * so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; he has made me sit in dark-ness * like those long dead. as far as the east is from the west, * so far does He remove our trans-ive.s-sions from us. Therefore my spirit /azzz/s within me; * my heart within me is ay-palled. As a father pities his c/z/Z-dren, * so the Lord pities those who fear Him. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all that You have done; * I muse on what Your hands have wrought. For He knows our frame; * He remembers that we are dust. I stretch out my hands to You; * my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. As for man, his days are like grass; * he flourishes like a flower of the field; Make haste to answer zzze, O Lord! * My .spz-rit fails! for the wind passes over it and ij_ is gone, * and its place knows it no more. Hide not Your free from me, * lest I be like those who go down to the Pit. But the steadfast love of the Lord * is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him, Let me hear in the morning of Your stead-fast love, * for in You \ gut_ my trust. and His righteousness to children’s cZz/7-dren, * 6 Enter not into judgment with Your .se/'-vant. * In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness! Teach me the way I should go, * for to You I lift up my soul. Deliver me, Lord, from my e-nemies! * I have fled to You for re-fuge! Enter not into judgment with Your .se/'-vant. * Let Your good Spirit lead me on a /e-vel path. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. * Let Your good Spirit lead me on a fe-vel path. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of a-ges. Amen. For Your name’s sake, * Lord, yxQ-serve my life. In Your rzgA-teousness * bring me out of trouble. And in Your steadfast love cut off my enemies and destroy all my rzcZ-versaries, * for I am Your .sc/'-vant. Alleluia, alleluia, alle-/zz-ia, * glory to Tozz, O God (thrice) In Your faithfulness rzzz-swer me, * in Your rzgA-teousness! The Great Litany Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mer - cy. Deacon: For the peace from above andfor the salvation ofsouls, let us pray to the Lord. I y —--Lord, 3 have y ft—·-----Ia>rd, *9· ft · Lord, mer g=---------- cy. &-------------------- o------------------------- ha ve ► have it er - cy. o gzx________________ tz_____________VF mer - cy. 7 Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God, andfor the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord----- , have mer - cy. Deacon. For this holy house andfor those who enter with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For his Beatitude our Metropolitan ,r , , ,, , , , , ——,,,—■ . , and for our God-loving Bishop, honorable rpriesthood, the diaconate in Christ, Jfor' an r,n the clergy and the people, , let , . us pray —.to the Lord ,—7 Lord, have mer - cy. 8 ’ fi» the Deacon. For this city, for every city and country, andfor the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mer cy. Deacon: For seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, andfor peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mer cy. 9 Deacon: For travelers by land, by sea, and by air; for the sick and the suffering;for captives and their salvation, let us pray Lord----- , have mer - cy. Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace. 10 Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. Priest: For unto You is 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. If it is an Alleluia season, or the Great 40-day Fast, Alleluia is sung with verses from Isaiah 26: Alleluia (Tone 8) Deacon: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. 11 Deacon: By night my spirit rises early to You, O Lord, for your ordinances are a light upon the earth. My spirit seeks you very early in the morning, o God, for your commandments are a light on the earth. * Alleluia.... Deacon: Learn righteousness, inhabitants of the earth!. Alleluia.... Deacon: Jealousy shall seize an untaught nation.. Alleluia.... Deacon: Bring more evils upon them, Lord; bring more evils upon the glorious ones of the earth! -OR- During other parts of the year, “God is The Lord” is sung with verses from Psalm 117. God is the Lord (tone 8) Deacon: God is the Lord, and has revealed Himself to us! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! God is the Lord and — has re - vealed Him — - self to God is the Lord and— re - vealed Him — - self to has 12 Deacon: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for His steadfast love endures for ever. God is the Lord... Deacon. All nations surrounded me; in die Name of the Lord I cut them off. God is the Lord... Deacon: I shall not die but shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. * God is the Lord... Deacon: The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. God is the Lord... Troparion (tone 8) Ta-king know - ledge of the se - cret com - mand, The bo - di -less arch-an - gel went wlth Ta - king know - ledge of the se - cret com -mand, The bo - di - less arch-an - gPi went. with Ta - king know - ledge of the se - cret com -mand. The bo - di - less arch-an - set <>,.i went, with ... 13 self - a - base - ment bowed the hea -vens He — Who in He — Who in His self - a -base - ment bowed the He — Who in His His self- a -base-ment bowed the 14 and came ----- down, hea - vens and came ----- down, hea -vens and came ----- down, un - wed ded Bride! Kathismata (KATHISMA XVI) Stasis I Psalm 109(110) Studied by all who have p/ea-sure in them. His work is honorable and g/or-ious. * And His righteousness endures for-e-ver. The Lord said to my Lord, * “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your /aaL stool.” He has made His wonderful works to be re-membered; * The Lord is gracious and full of com-pa.s-sion. The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zz-on. * Rule in the midst of Your e-nemies! He has given food to those who /bar Him; * He will ever be mindful of His ca-venant. He has declared to His people the power α/Ήΐβ works, * In giving them the heritage of the z/a-tions. Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your pq-wer; * In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. The works of His hands are verity and /zzs-tice; * All His pre-cepts are sure. The Lord has sworn and will not relent, * “You are a priest forever according to the order of Mel-c/zz-zedek” They stand fast forever and e-ver, * And are done in truth and zzp-rightness. The Lord is at Your right hand; * He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant for-c-ver: * Holy and awesome is His name. He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead ôo-dies, * He shall execute the heads of many caz/zz-tries. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His com-mand-ments. * His praise endures for-e-ver. He shall drink of the brook by the way-side; * Therefore He shall lift up the head. Psalm (111)112 Psalm 110(111) Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, * Who delights greatly in His com-mand-ments. Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, * In the assembly of the upright and in the congregq-tion. His descendants will be mighty on earth; * The generation of the upright will be blessed. The works of the Lord are great, * 15 Wealth and riches will be in his house, * And his righteousness endures for-e-ver. The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; * He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. He raises the poor out of the dust, * And lifts the needy out of the ash heap, A good man deals graciously and lends'. * He will guide his affairs with dis-cre-tion. He grants the barren woman a home, * Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! That He may seat him with przri-ces- * With the princes of His people. Surely he will never be yfz/-ken; * The righteous will be in everlasting rz-membrance. Psalm 113(114) When Israel went out of L-gypt, * The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, He will not be afraid of evil ri-dings; * His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is es-toZ>-lished; * He will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his e-nemies. Judah became His .spzzc-tuary, * And Israel His dominion. The sea saw it and fled; * Jordan turned back. He has dis-perset/ abroad, * He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures for-c-ver; * His horn will be exalted with /zp-nor. The mountains skipped like rams, * The little hills like lambs. The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; * The desire of the wicked shall pg-rish. What ails you, O sea, that you fled? * O Jordan, that you Zz/zv/ecZ back9 O mountains, that you skipped like rams? * O little hills, like lambs? Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy ripz-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of tz-ges. Amen. Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, * At the presence of the God of .G-cob, Alleluia, alleluia, alle-/zz-ia, * glory to You, O God (thrice) Who turned the rock into a pool of iivz-ter. * The flint into a fountain of im-ters. Psalm 114(115) Stasis II Psalm 112(113) Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, * Praise the name of the Lord! Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glo-xy, * Because of Your mercy, be-caz/xg of Your truth. Blessed be the name of the Lord * From this time forth and for-e-verm ore! Why should the Gezz-tiles say, * “So where is their God?” From the rising of the sun to its gp-ing down * The Lord’s zzozzze is to be praised. But our God is in Aetz-ven; * He does whatever Hep/ca-ses. The Lord is high a-Z>ove all nations, * His glory a-Z>ove the heavens. Their idols are x/7-ver and gold, * The work of men’s hands. Who is like the Lord our God, * Who dwells on high, They have mouths, but they do not speak; * Eyes they have, but they do not see; Who humbles Himself to \>e-hold * They have ears, but they do not hear; * 16 Noses they have, but they do not smell; Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. They have hands, * But they do not handle; The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; * I found trouble and sor-row. Feet they have, but they do not walk; * Nor do they mutter through their throats. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: * “O Lord, I implore You, de-Zz-ver my soul!” Those who make them are like them; * So is everyone who trusts in them. Gracious is the Lord, and z'zg/z-teous; * Yes, our God is mer-ciful. O Israel, trust in the Lord; * He is their help and their shield. The Lord preserves the sim-ple: * I was brought low, and He saved me. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; * He is their help and their shield. Return to your rest, O my soul, * For the Lord has dealt Zio/z/z-zz-fully with you. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; * He is their help and their shield. For You have delivered my soul from death, * My eyes from tears, And my feet from /aZ-ling. The Lord has been mind-ful of us; * He will bless us; I will walk be-/ôre the Lord * In the land of the Zz-ving. He will bless the house of Zs-rael; * He will bless the house of do-ron. I believed, therefore I spoke, * “I am greatly af-/Zzc-ted.” He will bless those who /ear the Lord, * Both small and great. I said in my haste, * “All men are Zz-ars.” May the Lord give you increase more and more, * You and your child-r&a. What shall I render to the Lord * For all His benefits to-ward me? May you be blessed by the Lord, * Who made Zzea-ven and earth. I will take up the cup of sal-yrz-tion, * And call upon the name of the Lord. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; * But the earth He has given to the cZzzZ-dren of men. I will pay my vows to the Lord * Now in the presence of all His peo-ple. The dead do not prazse the Lord, * Nor any who go down into silence. Precious in the sight of the Lord * Is the death of His saints. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for-e-verm ore. Praise the Lord! O Lord, truly I am Your ser-vant; * I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spz-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of a-ges. Amen. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanks-gzving, * And will call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, alle-Zzz-ia, * glory to You, O God (thrice) I will pay my vows to the Lord * Now in the presence of all His people, Stasis III Psalm 115(116) In the courts of the Lord’s house, * In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice * And my suppli-ca-tions. Because He has inclined His ear to me, * 17 And He has become my sal-ya-tion. Psalm 116(117) Praise the Lord, all you Gc/z-tiles! * Laud Him, all you peoples! The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the /vg/z-teous; * The right hand of the Lord does vaZ-iantly. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, * And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! The right hand of the Lord is ex-a/-ted; * The right hand of the Lord does iW-iantly. I shall not die, but live, * And declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 117(118) The Lord has chastened me se-vere-ly. * But He has not given me o-ver to death. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He_ is good! * For His mercy endures for-e-ver. Open to me the gates of /vg/z-teousness: * I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. Let Israel now say, * “His mercy endures for-e-ver.” This is the gate of the Lord, * Through which the righteous shall ew-ter. Let the house of Aaron now say, * “His mercy endures for-e-ver” I will praise You, for You have α/ζ-swered me, * And have become my sal-w-tion. Let those who fear the Lord now say, * “His mercy endures for-e-ver ” The stone which the A/z/7-ders rejected * Has become the chief œ/'-nerstone. I called on the Lord in distress; * The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. This was the Lord’s t/o-ing; * It is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. * What can man do to me? This is the day the Lord has made; * We will rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord is for me among those who help me; * Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. Save now, I pray, O Lord; * O Lord, I pray, send now pros-pe-rity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! * It is better to trust in the Lord * Than to put confidence in man. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. It is better to trust in the Lord * Than to put confidence inprzfz-ces. God is the Lord, and He has given us light: * Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. All nations sur-ro/w-ded me, * But in the name of the Lord I will ào-stroy them. You are my God, and I will praise You; * You are my God, I will ex-alt You. They surrounded me, Yes, they sur-/ïw/7-ded me; * But in the name of the Lord I will ào-stroy them. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! * For His mercy endures for-e-ver. They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like afire of thorns; * For in the name of the Lord I will Ae-stroy them. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy 5pz-rit. * Now and ever and unto ages of a-ges. Amen. You pushed me violently, that I might fall, * But the Lord helped me. Alleluia, alleluia, alle-/z/-ia, * glory to You, O God (thrice) The Lord is my strength and song, * 18 Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace. Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. To You To You, To You ----- , ----- , O Lord. O Lord. O Lord. 19 Priest: For You are our God, and unto You do we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Kontakion (tone 8) O We, - um - phant Vic - to - rious lea - der of your - vered from ser - vants de - li tri 20 e - vil hosts sing our grate - ful thanks to 21 Ikos One Priest: A prince of the angels was sent from heaven, to say to the Theotokos, * “Rejoice!” And seeing You, O Lord, take bodilyform at the sound ofhis bodiless voice, filled with amazement, he stood still and cried aloud to her: 22 Re - joice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, de - liv’ - rance from the tears height to climb for the thoughts of men, depth hard to scan even for the eyes of ow-gels, for you are the throne of the King, for You hold him who vg-holds all, star causing the Sun to shine womb of the divine incar-/7t/-tion for through You the creation is made new for through you the creator becomes a //cir-born child. 23 of Eve -------- . ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ TWO Priest: The Holy Maiden, seeing herself in all her purity', said boldly to Gabriel: * "Your words seem strange and hard for my soul to accept. From a conception without seed how do you speak of childbirth crying: Ikos Two Priest: Seeking to know what passes knowledge, the Virgin said to the ministering Angel: * “from a maiden womb how can a Son be born? Tell me. ” And, in fear, he answered her crving: * Rejoice, initiate of God’s secret cozm-sel. Rejoice, faith in that which must be guarded by sv-lence. Rejoice, beginning of Christ’s won-der. Rejoice, crown and fulfillment of his teach-vaes. Rejoice, heavenly ladder by which God came down. Rejoice, bridge leading men from earth to Aea-ven. Rejoice, marvel greatly renowned among the α/7-gels. Rejoice, wound bitterly lamented by the c/e-mons Rejoice, for ineffably You shall bear the light. Rejoice, for you have revealed the mystery to none. Rejoice, wisdom surpassing the knowledge ofthe wise. Rejoice, dawn that illumines the minds of the /az/A-ful. Re-/oz'ce, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Three Priest: Then the power of the Most High overshadowed her that knew no wedlock, so that she might conceive; * and He made her fruitful womb as a fertile fieldfor all who long to reap the harvest ofsalvation, singing: 24 Ikos Three Priest: Bearing God within her womb, the virgin hastened to Elizabeth, whose unborn child, knowing at once the greeting of the Theotokos *, rejoiced and, leaping up as if in song, cried out to her: Rejoice, vine which springs a never with ’-ring branch. Rejoice, orchard oipure fruit. Rejoice, for you tend the husbandman who loves mankind. Rejoice, for you have borne the gardener who culti-w//e.s our life. Rejoice, earth yielding a rich harvest of com-/%/.s-sion. Rejoice, table laden with mercy in a-Z>»zz-dance. Rejoice, for through you the fields of Eden er again. Rejoice, for you make ready a haven /br our souls. Rejoice, acceptable incense of inter-ces-sions. Rejoice, propitiation of the world. Rejoice, loving-kindness of God unto mor-tal man. Rejoice, freedom of approach for mortals unto God. Ke-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Four Priest: Tossed inwardly by a storm of doubts, prudent Joseph was troubled; * knowing you to be unwedded, O blameless Virgin, he feared a stolen union. But when he learned that your conceiving was from the Holy Spirit, he cried: 25 (The kontakion “Victorious leader... ” and kathisma 17 can be sung here. be repeated after the little litany. For parish usage, it is not included) “Victorious leader... ” can Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, bv Your grace. Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. To You To You, To You ----- , ----- , O Lord. O Lord. O Lord. 26 Priest: For You are our God, and unto You do we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Ikos Four Priest: The shepherds heard the angels glorify Christ’s coming in the flesh. Quickly they ran to the Shepherd, and beheld Him as a lamb without spot, that had been pastured in the womb ofMary: and they sang praises to her, saying: Rejoice, mother of the lamb and s/zep-herd. Rejoice, fold of spiritual sheep. Rejoice, protection against unseen e-nemies. Rejoice, key to the door of pa-x^-dise. Rejoice, for heaven exults with earth. Rejoice, for things on earth rejoice with the rim-vens. Rejoice, never silent voice of the a-ms-ties. Rejoice, unconquered courage of the victorious mar-tyrs. Rejoice, firm foundation of tftQ faith. Rejoice, shining revelation of grace. Rejoice, for through you hell is stripped bare. Rejoice, for through you we are clothed in glo-ry. \kQ-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Five Priest: Seeing the star pointing to God, the Magi followed its radiance. Keeping it before them as a beacon, with its help they sought the mighty King: and attaining the Unattainable, they rejoiced, and cried to Him: 27 Ikos Five Priest: The children of the Chaldeans saw the Virgin holding in her hands Him who with His hands fashioned mankind. Though He had taken the form of a servant, yet they knew him as their Master. In haste they knelt before Him with their gifts and cried out to the Blessed Virgin: * Rejoice, mother of the star that ne-ver sets. Rejoice, bright dawn of the mystical day. Rejoice, for you have quenched the furnace of de-cep-tion. Rejoice, for you illumine all who love the mystery of the Tri-m-ty. Rejoice, for you have cast down from his domain the tyrant that hates man. Rejoice, for you have made known the Lord Christ who loves wan-kind. Rejoice, deliverance from the worship of pagan /-dois. Rejoice, liberation from the filth of sin. Rejoice, for you have quenched the worship of fire. Rejoice, for you have released us from the flames of pas·-si on. Rejoice, guide of the faithful of chas-tity. Rejoice, joy of all gene-ra-tions. Re-joice. O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Six Priest: Becoming God’s messengers, the Magi returned to Babylon. Having fulfilled the prophecy concerning You, and preaching You to all as Christ, they left Herod to his raving, for he knew not how to sing: Ikos Six Priest: Shining upon Egypt with the light of truth, You have dispelled the darkness offalsehood; for the idols of that land fell down, unable to endure Your power, O Savior, and all who were delivered from the cried to the Theotokos: Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, restoration of men. downfall of ofe-mons. for you have trampled on the delusion of er-ror. for you have exposed the snares of the i-dols. sea that has drowned the invisible ηΛα-raoh. rock that gives drink to all who thirst for life. pillar of fire, guiding those in dark-nosy protection of the world, wider than the cloud in the wil-àer-ness. food that takes the place of wan-na. 28 Rejoice, minister of ho-ly joy. Rejoice, promised land. Rejoice, source of milk and ho-ney. Re-joice. O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Seven Priest: As Simeon drew near to the time of his departure from this world of error, he received You as an infant in his arms, but he knew You to be perfect God; and, struck with wonder at your ineffable wisdom, he cried: Priest: Through the mercy and compassion and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Psalm 50(51) Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mer-cy, * according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my trans-gres-sions Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, * so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless in Your/Wg-ment. Wash me thoroughly from my i-zzz-quity * and cleanse mefrom my sin! Behold, I was brought forth in i-zzz-quity * and in sins did my mother con-cezve me. For I know my trans-g/vs-sions * and my sin is ever be-/we me. Behold, You desire truth: * You have manifested to me the secret and hidden things of Your wzs-dom. 29 You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be clean; * You will wash me and I shall be made ir/zz-ter than snow. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my sal-ra-tion, * and my tongue will declare Your de-/zv ’-rance with joy. Lord, You will o-pen my lips * and my mouth shall show /bzT/z Your praise. You will let me hear joy and gW-ness; * the afflicted bones will xQ-joice. For if You desired sacrifice, I would have gz-ven it; * in whole burnt offerings, You will not be pleased. Hide Your /acc from my sins * and blot out all my i-zzz-quities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and put a new and right spirit iivz/z-in me. Sacrifice to God is a broken .spz-rit; * a broken and humbled heart, God will not despise. Cast me not away from Your pre-sence * and take not Your Holy ri/v-rit from me. Do good, Lord, to Zion in Your good p/ea-surei * and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Restore to me the joy of Your sal-ya-tion * and establish me with Your directing .syz-rit. Then You will delight in a sacrifice of righteousness, * in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then calves will be offered on Your o/-tar. Then I will teach trans-gres-sors Your ways * and ungodly men will turn to You. Kanon Ode One (tone 4) with words of praise for the Queen and Mo - then I will ap-pear feas-ting rad-iant - ly, "ith words of praise for the Queen and Mo - then I will ap-pear feas-ting rad-iant- ly, with words of prajse for t]le Queen and Mo - then I will ap-pear feas-ting rad-iant- ly, 30 Cantor: O pure Virgin, living book of Christ, sealed by the Spirit, beholding you the great Archangel said to you: * “Rejoice, vessel ofjoy! Through you shall ire be loosedfrom the curse of our first mother. ” Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Rejoice, I ïrgin Bride of God, restoration ofAdam and death ofhell; * Rejoice, 0 undefiled, the pavilion of the King of all; Rejoice, fiery throne of the .jZ-migh-tv. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy .S'zv-rit. Cantor. Rejoice, for from you alone springs the unfading rose; rejoice, for you have borne the sweetly-smelling fruit ! * Rejoice, unwedded maiden; bouquet of the only king and preservation of the world! Now and ever and unto ages of α-ges. Amen. Cantor: Rejoice lady, treasure-house ofpurity, raising us up from our fall; rejoice> lilv whose sweet scent is known to all faithful; * rejoice, fragrant incense and precious oil ofmyrrh! " c 31 Kanon Ode Three In your di- xine gio- ry, O The - o - to---- kos, In your di- vine gio- ry, O The - o - to In your di- vine gio- ry, O The - o - to----kos, - kos, li - ving a-boun-ding foun-------- tain, 1; _ v;np a _ bOun -dine foun - tain. ]j _ vjng a_ boun-ding foun-------- tain. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: From you, the field untilled, has grown the divine ear of corn. * Rejoice, living table that has held the Bread ofLife; Rejoice, Lady, never failing spring of the living wa-ler. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Rejoice, Mother who has borne for the faithful the sacrificial Victim without blemish: Rejoice, Ewe that has brought forth the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of all the world. * Rejoice, mercy-seat, our fervent inter-ces-sor. * Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy 5p/-rit. Cantor: Rejoice, radiant dawn alone bearing Christ the sun: rejoice, dwelling-place of the light. * You have dispersed the gloom, utterly destroying the demons of the dark-/?e.s.s. 32 Now and ever and unto ages of g-ges. Amen. Cantor: Rejoice, only gate through which the word alone has passed. Lady, by your childbearing, you have broken the bars and gates ofhell. * Rejoice, bride of God, divine entry of the saved. Kontakion (Tone 8) O O O Vic - to - rious Vic - to - rious lea - der lea - der Vic - to - rious lea - der of tri - um - phant hosts of tri - um - phant hosts - um - phant hosts of tri We, your ser - vants de - li - vered from e - vil sing our grate - ful thanks to We. your ser - vants de - li - vered from e - vil sing our grate - ful thanks to set us free from ev’ - ry ca - la - mi - ty so that we may sing----------------- : Ikos Seven Priest: A new creation has the Creator revealed, manifesting Himself unto us His creatures. From a Virgin’s womb He came, preserving it inviolate as it was before: that, beholding the miracle, ire might sing her praises, crying: Rej oi ce, fl ower of i ncor-n/p-ti on. Rejoice, crown of c/zas-tity. Rejoice, bright foreshadowing of the resurrection glo-w. Rejoice, mirror of the angels Iffe. Rejoice, tree of glorious fruit on which the fait h-fu\ feed. Rejoice, wood of shady leaves where many shel-Xex. Rejoice, for you have conceived a guide for the nzw-derers. Rejoice, for you have borne a deliverer from the cap-tives. Rejoice, intercessor with the rzg/z-teous judge. Rejoice, forgiveness for many who have .sZ/zzzz-bled. Rejoice, robe for the naked bereft of hope. Rejoice, love surpassing all te-sire. \Pi-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Eight Priest: Seeing this strange birth, let us become strangers to the world, fixing our minds in heaven. To this end has the Most High God appeared on earth as a lowly man, because He wishes to draw to heaven all who cry aloud to Him: 34 Ikos Eight Priest: The Word uncircumscribed was wholly present here below, yet in no wise absent from the realm on high: God descended to earth yet underwent no change ofplace. He was born of a Virgin, overshadowed by divine power, and to her we sing: Rejoice, enclosure of the God whom nothing can enclose. Rejoice, gate of the hallowed zzzys-tery. Rejoice, tidings doubted by unbe-Zze-vers. Rejoice, undoubted glory of faefaith-ful. Rejoice, most holy chariot of him who rides upon the cher-fo\m. Rejoice, best of all dwellings for him who is above the 5e-raphim. Rejoice, for You bring opposites to Zzar-mony. Rejoice, for You have joined in one childbirth and vir-^z-ni-ij?. Rejoice, for through you our sin is re-zzzzZ-ted. Rejoice, for through you paradise is o-pened. Rejoice, key of Christ’s Avzzg-dom. Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings. Yfe-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Nine Priest: All the ranks of angels marveled at the great work of Your Incarnation. For they saw God, whom none can approach, as a man approachable by all, dwelling in our midst, and hearing from our lips: Al - le - lu - ia, Al - le - lu . ja ■ 35 Al - le - lu Ikos Nine Priest: Eloquent orators wz-rit. Cantor: Rejoice, lady, for in truth you bore the Lawgiver, Who freely washes clean the transgressions of all. * Unwedded maiden, the unsearchable depth and ineffable height, through you, we are made divine! Now and ever and unto ages of tz-ges. Amen. C antor: 1 ou wove a crown for the world not made by the hand of man, and we sing your praises, saying: * rejoice, virgin, the guardian of the human race, the fortress, stronghold, and sacred tc-juge! For you, O Vir-gin knew no wed - lock For you, O Vir-gin knew no wed - lock For you, O Vir-gin knew no wed - lock you gave birth to the time - less Son, Who grants peace to those who you gave birth to the time - less Son, Who grants peace to those who you gave birth to the time - less Son, Who grants peace to those who 40 C - Ynlt * Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: From you was born the Way that leads to life. Rejoice all-blameless, who has saved the worldfrom drowning in the flood ofsin; * Rejoice, Bride of God, tidings fearful to tell and hear. Rejoice, dwelling place of the Master of Cre-'dtion. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Rejoice, O undefiled, the strength and fortress of mankind, sanctuary of the Glory; Rejoice, slayer of hell, bridal chamber full of light; * Rejoice, joy of the angels; Rejoice, help of those who call on you with faith Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Rejoice, fiery chariot of the word; rejoice, lady, living paradise, holding in your midst the Lord, the Tree of Life! * His sweetness quickens all who eat with faith, although they were enslaved to cor-rw-tion. * Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spi-dt. Cantor: Strengthened by your might, we raise our cry to you with faith: rejoice, city of the king of all! Glorious things, worthy to be heard throughout the world, are plainly spoken of you. * Rejoice, mountain not cut by the hand of man; depth that none can W-thom! Now and ever and unto ages of α-ges. Amen. Cantor: Rejoice, undefiled one, spacious tabernacle of the Word, shell from which the divine pearl has come! * Rejoice, Theotokos, full of wonders: in every age you reconcile with God all those who call you bles-scv/.' 41 by know - ing God through the Mo - ther of ___ * Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: O spotless bridal chamber of the Word, through you all can become god-like. * Rejoice, all-Undefiled, the prophets song: Rejoice, the adornment of the A-yo-stles. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: From you has come the dew that quenched the flame of idolatry. * We therefore cry to you: Rejoice, O Virgin, fleece wet with dew that Gideon saw in xtm-phecv. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spi-nt. Cantor: Behold, we cry: rejoice! To you: be our haven as we toss upon the deep, our refuge from the troubled waters of affliction andfrom all the snares of the enemy. Now and ever and unto ages of g-ges. Amen. Cantor: Give grace to our thoughts, cause ofjoy, that ire may cry out to you: rejoice, bush unconsumed and cloud of light, that ever overshadows the faithful. Ikos Ten Priest: For virgins and all who flee to you, you are a wall, O Virgin Theotokos undefiled; for the Creator of heaven and earth has made you ready and adorned you, dwelling in your womb, and teaching all to sing to her: Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, pillar of vir-gz-nity. gate of sal-ra-tion. beginning of the new and spiritual cre-g-tion. provider of God’s mer-cy_. for you have given new birth to those con-ccz-ved in shame. for you have given good counsel to those robbed of under-.sZtzzz-ding 42 Rejoice, for you bring to naught the corrupter of man’s mind. Rejoice, for you bring to birth the sower of/w-ri-zj/. Rejoice, bridal chamber of a marriage with-out seed. Rejoice, for you join in union the faithful to their Lord. Rejoice, fair nursing mother of vzr-gins. Rejoice, escort of hp-ly souls. ffo-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Eleven Priest: No hymn can recount the multitude of your many mercies. For though we offer to You, O holy King, songs numberless as the sand on the seashore, yet yre do nothing worthy of the blessings You have given us, who cry to you: Al - le - lu - ia, Al - le - lu - Al - le - lu ia. ------------- - ia. Ikos Eleven Priest: W e see the Holy Virgin as a lamp of living light, shining upon those in darkness. Kindling the immaterial Fire, she guides all men to divine knowledge; she illumines our mind with radiance, and we sing these praises in her honor. * Rejoice, beam of the spiritual sun. Rejoice, ray of the moon that never wanes. Rejoice, lightening flash that shines u-pon souls. Rejoice, thunder that brings terror to our e-ne-mies. Rejoice, dawn that makes the manifold splendor to a-rise. Rejoice, spring that makes the river with many springs to flow. Rejoice, for you prefigure the bap-riv-mal font. Rejoice, for you take away the/z'///? of sin. Rejoice, water washing clean the cozz-science. Rejoice, cup wherein is mixed the wine of migh-ty joy. Rejoice, scent of Christ’s fzw-rance. Rejoice, life of mystical feas-ting. tfo-ioice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Twelve Priest: Wishing to release from all ancient debts, the Redeemer of all men came of His own will be those who were exiled from His grace; He has torn up the record of our sins, andfrom all He hears the cry: 43 Ikos Twelve Priest: We all sing in honor ofyour Son, O Theotokos, and praise you as a living temple. For the Lord who holds all things in His hand made his dwelling in your womb; He hallowed and He glorified you, teaching all to crv to vou: * Rej oi ce, tab ernacl e of God the Word. Rejoice, greater Holy of /fo-lies. Rejoice, ark made golden by the &>7-rit. Rejoice, never empty treasure-Aoz/se of life. Rejoice, precious crown of (9/-1hodox Kings. Rejoice, honored boast of GodAy priests. Rejoice, unshaken fortress of the Church. Rejoice, unconquered rampart of the ferig-dom. Rejoice, for through you the standards of victory are raised on high. Rejoice, for through you our enemies are cast down. Rejoice, healing of my bo-Ay. Rejoice, salvation of my soul. Re-joice, O unwedded Bride! Kontakion Thirteen Priest: O Mother worthy of all praise, who has borne the Word, the Holiest of all Holies; accept this our offering, deliver from every ill andfrom the punishment to come all those who crv aloud to you: 44 Kanon Ode Seven * Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: IFe sing your praises, crying: Rejoice, chariot of the spiritual Sun, true vine that has produced the ripe cluster of grapes, *from which there flows a wine making glad the souls of the faithful, as they give vou glo-ry. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Rejoice, Bride of God, who has given birth to the Healer of all: mystical staff that has blossomed with the unfading Flower. * Rejoice, lady for through you we are filled with joy and made inheritors o/life. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! 45 Cantor: No tongue is capable ofpraising you worthily: you are exalted above the seraphim, O lady, for you have given birth to Christ the king. Entreat Him now to deliver from all harm those who venerate you in faith. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy ôp/'-rit. Cantor: The ends of the earth praise you and call you blessed: they cry out to you with love: rejoice, pure virgin, scroll on which the word is written by the Father's hand. Pray to Him, Theotokos, to enroll your servants in the book of life, Now and ever and unto ages of rz-ges. Amen. Cantor: He your servants pray to you, Theotokos, and we bend the knees of our heart: incline your ear and save us, for lre are drowning in affliction. Preserve your people from conquest by the enemy. Kanon Ode Eight J · · * · · * ·· The Oft - spring ot the The - o - to — - kos saved the god - ly youths in the fla-ming fur------- nace. The Off-spring of the The - o - to - - kos saved the god- ly youths in the fla-ming fur----- - nace. Who Was then pre - fi -gured has since been born on earth. Who was then pre - fi . gLlej has since been born on earth. 46 8 ges. o through - out Praise the Lord, all you works, e - xalt Him all a Praise the Lord, all you works, e - xalt Him through- out all a ges. ges. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: You received the Word within your womb, and you carried Him who carries all things. You fed milk to Him who by His wilt alone feeds all the inhabited earth; and to Him, pure Virgin, do we sing: * All works of the Lord praise the Lord and exalt Him above all for-Q-ver. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Moses perceived in the burning bush the great mystery ofyour child bearing, O Virgin holy and inviolate; and the Children prefigured this most clearly as they stood in the midst of the fire and were not burned. * Therefore, we sing your praisesfor-Q-ver. * Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: We who were stripped naked once through falsehood, have been clothed in the robe of incorruption bv your childbearing, * and we who once sat in the darkness of transgression, have seen the light, maiden, dwelling-place of light. Therefore we sing your praises for-Q-ver. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: The dead are brought to life through you, for you have borne Him Who is Himself the life. The dumb speak, lepers are cleansed and diseases driven out; * the ranks of the spirits of the air are conquered, virgin, the salvation of mortal men. * Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. 47 Cantor: ton have borne salvation for the world, pure virgin, and through you we are raised from earth to heaven p . all-blessed one, the protection and defense, the rampart and stronghold of those who sing: * all ^^ofther1^ bless the Lord, and exalt Him above all for-Q-ver. ! ■’ "e Lord, Him ----- through out a all ges. Canticle of Mary Priest: The Theotokos and Mother of the Light, let us honor and magnify her in song! 48 and ru - bim. More hon ’ True The - o - to - kos, we mag - ni - ----- - you! True The - o - to - kos, we mag - ni - jÿ. - you! True The - o - to - kos, we mag - ni - jy. - you! - ra - ble than the Che - ----- more glor - ions be - yond *· For Z/e has regarded the low estate of His /vaW-maiden. * For behold, henceforth all generations will call me Z>/es-sed. * More honorable than the Cherubim.... For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. * And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to ge-ne-ra-tion. * More honorable than the Cherubim.... v- He has shown strength with His arm, * He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. More honorable than the Cherubim.... He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; * He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent emp-ty away. 49 * More honorable than the Cherubim.... v He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mer-cy, * as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for-e-ver. * More honorable than the Cherubim.. 50 Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Enable us the faithful to cry to you: Rejoice, for through you, O Maiden, we have become partakers of everlasting joy. * Deliver us from temptation, from capture by the Enemy, andfrom every other ill that comes on sinful mortals because of the multitude of their sins. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: You have made our light and confirmation, and so we cry to you: Rejoice, never-setting star that brought into the world the mighty· Sun; * Rejoice, pure Virgin that opened the closed gate of Eden: Rejoice, pillar offire, leading mankind to the life above. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Cantor: Let us stand with reverence in the house of our God, and let us cry aloud: rejoice, queen of all the world: rejoice, Mary, sovereign over all of us! Rejoice, for you alone are blameless and fair among women; * rejoice, vessel which received the inexhaustible myrrh poured out w-pon you! Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy ,S7?/-rit Cantor: Rejoice, ever-virgin; rejoice, dove that gave birth to the Lord of mercy. Rejoice, glory of all the saints and crown of martyrs: * rejoice, divine adornment of all the righteous: the salvation of the faith-/»/. Now and ever and unto ages of α-ges. Amen. Cantor: Spare your inheritance, O God, overlooking all our sins. For standing before you in your sight as intercessor, O Christ, is the one who conceived You on earth without seed, * when in your great mercv You willed to be shaped in a form that was not Your own! KA TA VASIA: Let every earthborn.... Deacon: Again and again in peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mer - cy. Lord, have mer - cy. Lord, have mer - cy. 51 Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace. Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. To You ----- , O Lord. Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise You, and unto You do we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. A - men A - men. A - men -------- . -------- . 52 Exapostilarion God from the God, Word be - comes the ---- · t·------- ·------ ύ------- ·----- ·-----·----- · ·= : God from God, the Word be - comes the God from God, the Word be - comes the : Ç ύ of Ma ry. Ga Son of Ma iy Ga Son ?= = Ï : : Son of Ma · • : bri ----- - el ha - rolds the an - - el ha - rolds the an bri i· • · · · »---- »---- »---- » -Θ- ry. Ga 53 - - bri ----- - el ha - rolds the an - nun - ci --------- -a - tion — ; » .<-^ = '' . J ' . = . nun -s­ O nun - ci ——— » '» » » - a .= - i of joy ----- ; ». n = .== let us cry with Him: -»------- »------- »------ »-------O tion of joy — let us cry with Him: tion — of joy let us cry with Him: » » O »»ύ ci ———— - a Praises (tone 4) 54 Him all To You, O === &= 1 —1 =1 1 Praise God in you God, an - is gels His. of due a Praise Him all hosts. His song! Ç 11 Ç I — X ­ Ç 1 1 1 1 Ç Ç 11 =1 =ύ ----- ύ1=^ •------ ïï! ----- θ---------—ύ 4•-------- Î- 11 Ç1 Ç1 Ç1 Ç1 — θ aa Praise His Sanc - _L tu - a - ry! Praise Him in 55 His migh -ty ύ ύ fir - ma - ment! - gm, gm, - gm. 56 The The - o - to - kos heard a voice she did not---------- know, when the Arch- an - gej brought The The - o - to - kos heard a voice she did not --------- know, when the Arch- an - gel brought 57 sal - u - ta - O tion with faith, she God, Who with - out change has con - ceived You, the ta- ken 58 flesh from pre - e - ter - her, nal grant peace to God. the world. Great Doxology Priest: Glory to You Who have shown us the light: We praise You, we bless You, we nw-ship You, * we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glo-XN. O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Al-mzgA-ty; * O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy ,Sp/-rit. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Fa-ther, * Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. You that take away the sins of the world * re-ceive our prayer. You that sit at the right hand of God the Fa-ther * have mercy on us. For You only are holy, You only are the Lord, Jesus Christ, * in the glory of God the Fa-ther. Amen. Every day will I give thanks to You * and praise Your name forever and c-ver. Vouchsafe, O Lord * to keep us this day with-<;/// sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our^a-thers, * and praised and glorified is Your name for-c-ver. Amen. Let Your merciful kindness, O Lord, * be upon us as we put our trust in You. Blessed are You, O Lord, * teach my Your .s/a-tutes; (thrice) Lord, You have been our re-fuge * from generation to ge-ne-ra-tion. I said, Lord, be merciful to me, * heal my soul for I have sinned ^-gainst You. Lord, I flee to You, teach me to do Your will, * for You are my God, 59 for with You is the well of life * and in Your light shall we see light; O continue Your lovirm-ZvW-ness * to those who know You. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy im-wor-tal, * have mercy on us. (thrice) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy 5/?z-rit, * now and ever and unto ages of c/_ges Amen. Holy Im-zwor-tal, * have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy im-mor-tal. * have mercy on us. Troparion (tone 8) I S Ta-king know - ledge of the se - cret com - mand, Ta - king know - ledge of the se - cret com -mand, The bo - di - lessarch-an- gel went wlth Ta - king know - ledge of the se - cret com -mand, The bo - di - less arch-an - gej wgnt w·^ 60 self - a - base - ment bowed the hea -vens He — Who in He — Who in His self - a -base - ment bowed the He — Who in His His self- a -base-ment bowed the 61 and came ----- down, hea - vens and came ----- down, hea -vens and came ----- down, Deacon: Let us complete our morning prayer unto the Lord. Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace. 62 Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord. Deacon:An angel ofpeace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord. Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord. 63 Deacon: All things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord. Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord. Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, and peaceful; andfor a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord. 64 Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God. To You ----- , O Lord. Priest: For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for mankind, and unto You we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. 65 Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord To You ----- , O Lord. Priest: O Holy Lord, dwelling in the highest, regarding the humble of heart, and beholding the creation with Your allseeing eye, to You we have bowed the necks of our souls and body, entreating You, stretch forth Your invisible hand from Your holy dwelling place, and bless us all. Forgive us if we have sinned voluntarily or involuntarily; for You are a good God and love mankind, granting us Your earthly and heavenly good things. For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, our God, and unto lou we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. DURING Great Lent (Outside Great Lent-Page 71) I Lenten Troparion (tone 6) Stan-ding in the tem-ple of your glo o' -p- we think that we are in hea ven! -p- -p^ ven! Stan-ding in the tem-ple of your glo iy we think that \\e are in hea Stan - ding in the tem - pie , —— 1 ol your glo ry, we think that we are in hea---- ven! 66 ο - pen to us the gate of vour mer — - cy! Lord have mercy (40) » * Lord, have mercy. =» W Η f f j j g ls Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. IK3II f Lord, have mercy. =ΞΞ=ί » Λ Ο o Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercv. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. IIOII --- Λ Λ Λ n Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. -s- Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. I,ord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. IKM Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. 67 f ? Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. 9 0 ------- IKJII Γ Λ Λ ° Γ Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cv. Lord, have mercv. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. dleU- -s- Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercv. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mer-cy. 68 now and e - ver and un - to a - ges of a - ges. A ' men· now and e - ver and un - to a - ges of a - ges. A - men. True In f\ The - the A v * —»---- —·— In the A _ —·— In the o - to - kos, of name —»— -------- »------- name of we the ------- »----- the —·— ------- Λ------------ »------name of the mag - ni - Lord, fy bless, you. Fa ------ s>------ ------ ·---—-Θ— Lord, bless, ------ s>------ ---------- Λ--------- — Lord, bless, Fa Fa ther. o ther. O ________________ — ther. Priest: Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Heavenly King, preserve the Orthodox Christians, confirm the faith, pacify the »o-tions. * give peace to the world, preserve this holy house and place our departed fathers and brethren in the mansions of the just. Accept us in repentance and con-/c.s-sion, * for You are good and the Lover of man-Aror/ Amen 70 The Prayer of St. Ephraim Lord and master of my life, do not give me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk, (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant, (prostration) Yes, lord and king, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed are you unto ages of ages. Amen, (prostration) (After the prayer, make 12 solemn hows, saying silently: “God cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me. ” The prayer is then repeated with only one prostration at the end.) Outside of Great Lent Priest: Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. 71 Pre - serve, O God, the Ho - ly Or - tho - dox faith and Or - tho - dox Chris - tians un - to and more glor - ions be - yond com - pare Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us! More hon’ - ra - ble than the Che - ru - bim, 72 True o - The - to - kos, we mag - ni - fy you. Priest: Glory to You, 0 Christ our God and our hope, glory to You! Gio - rv to the Fa - ther, and to the 73 Son, and to the Ho - ly Spi - rit, ==............................................................................... now and e - ver and un - to a - ges of a - ges. A - men. UM--------------------------------------------- :---(fa Ï I Λ· now and - - # 7· ft e - ver and un - ........ to a - ges of • -?— now and Fa - e ther - ver and —, bless. un a .......... - to 74 a - ges of a 11 - ges. Γ Λ - ges. A - men. ύ----------- . — A - men. Priest: May Christ our True God through the prayers of His most pure Mother; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of Saint, of Saint, whom we commemorate today; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for His good and loves mankind. 75 APPENDIX I Arranger’s Notes This setting of the Office of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, commonly called the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, is placed within the matins service. This setting is, however, neither the full Akathist Hymn nor full matins. It does contain twelve of the Akathist Ikoi and all eight hirmoi for the kanon to the Theotokos, as well as the exapostilarion, great doxology, hexapslamoi, kathismata XVI, and the praises. Normally this service is celebrated on the fifth Saturday of Great Lent. However, the ordinary season’s propers (not including the Paschal season) have been included. I have arranged this Akathist to be used both by choir and congregation. To facilitate this I have arranged all the pieces according to Galacian Chant, except the kanon hirmoi. This chant tradition is most commonly found in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Rite. I set the hirmoi to tone four irmosi melody of the Uhorski chant tradition of Carpatho-Rusyn Church. I had difficulty finding a Ukrainian irmologion; therefore, I took advantage of the close liturgical relationship of the Churches of L’viv and Uzhorod, and I happen to own a Carpatho-Rusyn Prostopinije. The hope is that parishes can use this setting as a congregational text so that all may together worship God and venerate the Theotokos. The text I used comes from a variety of sources. The first text came from the Akathist Hymn used at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Livonia, Michigan and was compiled by Janet Damian. I changed and augmented the service with the liturgical texts from the Holy Myrrh-bearers Monastery. Sloan Rolando Sunday of the Forefathers, December 13, 1998 Psalms 110-118 taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Arrangement and Music Copyright © Sloan Rolando, 1997. This book may be copied freely for non-commercial usage. This and other free liturgical settings and music are available from Unmercenary Sacred Music at http://members.aol.com/umercen/page/index.html . Version 2.2(20010108) 76