Liturgical Services
IN THE EVENINGOn Tuesday evening of the 4th Week, at Lord, I have cried we insert 6 Verses, and we sing the 3 following Prosomia, doubling them.
Tone 4.
The mid-point of the days is here, which begin with the saving Resurrection and are sealed by the divine Pentecost. It shines for it shares the brilliance of them both and unites the two, and it is honoured for it reveals in advance the coming glory of the Master’s Assumption.Sion heard and was glad, when the good tidings of the Resurrection were proclaimed. Her faithful offspring rejoiced when they saw him also washing away by the Spirit the stain of the murder of Christ. Keeping festival she makes ready the joyful mid-point of them both.
The abundant outpouring of the divine Spirit upon all is near, as it is written. The herald is the day that forms the half-way mark of the certain promise which was given by Christ to his Disciples after his death and burial and Resurrection, and shows the manifestation of the Comforter.
Glory. Both now. Tone 6.
At the mid-point of the feast of your Resurrection, O Christ, and of the divine coming of your Holy Spirit, assembled we praise the mysteries of your wonders. On it send down to us your great mercy.Entrance, O Joyful Light. Prokeimenon of the Day and the Readings.
Tone 1.
Your mercy, O Lord, will follow me, * all the days of my life.Verse: The Lord shepherds me, and I will lack nothing.
The Reading is from the Prophecy of Micheas.
[4:2, 6:2.5.8, 5:4]
Thus says the Lord: From Sion will come forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he will judge among many peoples and rebuke mighty nations in a distant land. For all the peoples will walk, each its own way, while we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever. Thus says the Lord Almighty: Listen hills and valleys, foundations of the earth, because the Lord has a controversy with his people; for he will dispute with Israel, saying, ‘My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Or how have I troubled you? Answer me. For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and rescued you from the house of slavery, and sent Moses and Aaron before your face. My people, what have your enemies planned against you? Was it not told you, O man, what is good? And what does the Lord seek from you, except to execute judgement, and to love mercy and to be ready to walk with the Lord your God?’ Therefore the Lord will be magnified in strength, and will shepherd his flock in peace, to the extremities of the earth.[4:2, 6:2.5.8, 5:4]
The Reading is from the Prophecy of Isaias
[55:1-2, 12:3-4, 55:2-3, 6-13]
[55:1-2, 12:3-4, 55:2-3, 6-13]
Thus says the Lord: You who thirst, go to the water; and all who have no money, go, buy and eat and drink wine and fat without money or price. For thus says the Lord Almighty to you: My people, draw water with joy from the springs of salvation. And you will say in that day: Praise the Lord, cry his name aloud, declare his glory among the nations, call to mind that his name has been exalted. My people, hear me, and eat good things, and your soul will delight in good things. Attend with your ears and follow my ways. Listen to me and your soul will live among good things. And I will make an eternal covenant with you, and you will call upon me. And when you draw near me, let the impious abandon his ways, and the lawless man his plans; and turn back to me and I will have mercy on you and forgive your sins. For your plans are not as my plans, says the Lord; but as heaven is distant from the earth, so is my way distant from your ways, and your thoughts from my mind. For as rain or snow would come down from heaven and not return there, until it had soaked the earth, and it bring forth and bud and give seed to the sower, and bread for food, so shall my word be, which once it has come from my mouth will not return there until it has accomplished all that I willed; and I will make my ways and my commands succeed. For you will go out with joy, and be taught with gladness; for the mountains and hills will exult as they receive you with joy; and all the trees of the field will clap with their branches; and instead of the briar shall come up the cypress; instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle; and the Lord shall be for a name and for an eternal sign, says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel.
The Reading is from Proverbs
[9:1-11]
Wisdom has built herself a house, and has set up seven pillars; she has slaughtered her beasts, and mixed her wine in the mixing bowl, and prepared her table. She has sent out her servants and invites with a loud proclamation, ‘He who is foolish, let him turn aside to me’. And to those who lack understanding she said, ‘Come, eat of my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you. Abandon folly and you shall live. Seek understanding, that you may have life; set comprehension right with knowledge. One who reproves the evil will gain dishonour for himself; one who rebukes the impious will disgrace himself: for rebukes for the impious are stripes for him. Do not rebuke the evil, lest they hate you: rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Give an opportunity to the wise and he will be wiser; inform a just man and he will add to what he receives. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord, and the counsel of Saints is understanding: for to know the law belongs to a sound mind. For in this way you shall live for a long time, and years will be added to your life.’[9:1-11]
At the Aposticha, Idiomel Verses. Tone 1.
By Monk John.
The mid-point of the Fifty Days is here, when Christ dimly laid bare his divine power by bracing the Paralytic and raising him from his bed with a word. And having worked a marvel in a manner fitting God on a body of clay, he has given us eternal life and his great mercy.By Monk John.
Same Tone.
Verse: Remember your congregation, which you obtained from the beginning.In the Temple at the mid-point of the feast, you, the Wisdom of God, stood teaching and refuting the unbelieving Jews, the Pharisees and Scribes, and crying out to them with boldness, ‘One who thirsts, let them come to me and drink living water, and they will not thirst for ever. One who believes in my goodness, rivers of eternal life will flow from their belly. Oh, your goodness and your compassion, Christ our God! Glory to you!
Tone 2.
Verse: God is our King: before the ages; he has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.When the mid-point of the feast had come, Jesus went up into the Temple and taught, saying to the doubting Jews, One who thirsts, let them come to me and drink living, eternal water, and they will not thirst for ever. One who believes in me, rivers will flow from their belly, and they will have the light of life.
Glory. Both now. Tone 8.
At the mid-point of the feast, as you were teaching, O Saviour, the Jews said, ‘How does this man know letters, never having learned?’ They did not recognize that you are the Wisdom who ordered the world. Glory to you!
Apolytikion. Tone 8.
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour, water my thirsty soul with streams of true devotion; for you cried out to all, ‘Any who thirst, let them come to me, and let them drink!’ O Source of life, Christ our God, glory to you!.
Litany and Dismissal.
ON THE WEDNESDAY OF MID-PENTECOST
AT MATINS
After the 1st Reading from the Psalter Kathisma.
Tone 4.
Tone 4.
The One who knows the thoughts of every heart, stood in the midst of the Temple and cried aloud, speaking truth to the liars: Why do you seek to arrest me, the Giver of Life? as he cried out at the mid-point of the Feast: Lawless ones, do not pass judgement by appearances! (Twice)
After the 2nd Reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.
Tone 5. The Word without beginning.
Tone 5. The Word without beginning.
The Master of all things, standing in the Temple at the mid-point of the feast of sacred Pentecost, addresses the Hebrews and as King and God clearly refutes their tyrannous daring: but through compassion he gives us all his great mercy.
After Having seen the Resurrection of Christ and Psalm 50, the Canons; that in Tone 4 to 8 and that in Tone 8 to 6.
The Canon in Tone 4, whose Acrostic isThe Midpoint of great feasts I sing
A composition of Theophanes.
A composition of Theophanes.
Ode 1. The Irmos.
Israel, who of old marched through the Red Sea dryshod, routed the power of Amalek in the wilderness through Moses’ hands raised in the form of the Cross.
Troparia.
The great blessings of your incarnation beyond understanding shine for us, Master; your graces without price and your divine brightness well up for us as gifts of goodness.Sending out the rays of your Godhead, O Christ, you took your stand openly at the mid-point of the feast; for you are a feast of joy for the saved and the cause of our salvation.
You, Lord, have become Wisdom, Justice and Redemption for us from God, as you pass over from earth to the height of heaven and bestow the divine Spirit.
Theotokion.
Your flesh did not know corruption in the grave, Master; but as it had been formed without seed, it did not undergo corruption, for supernaturally it was not enslaved to the course of nature.
The Canon in Tone 8. A Composition by Andrew of Crete.
Ode 1. You fixed the sea.
Nations clap your hands, Hebrews lament, for Christ the giver of life has torn asunder the chains of Hell, and raised the dead, and healed the sick with a word. This is our God, who gives life to those who believe in his name.You showed a wonder by changing water into wine, O Master, who changed the rivers of Egypt into blood. And you raised the dead, perfecting this second sign. Glory, O Saviour, to your counsel, glory to your abasement, through which you have made us new.
O Lord, you are an ever-flowing stream of true life, you are our resurrection; willingly you toiled, my Saviour; and as you wished you thirsted, subject to nature’s laws; and coming in the flesh to Sychar you sought water to drink of the woman of Samaria.
Loaves you blessed, fish you multiplied, O God beyond understanding; you satisfied the hunger of peoples without stinting and You promised an ever-flowing spring of wisdom to the thirsty. You, Saviour, are our God, who give life to those who believe in your name.
Glory.
Three I glorify, alike without beginning and alike in majesty: the Father, God without beginning, the Son alike without beginning and the Spirit co-eternal with the Son: one Being in three Persons. I honour in hymns one first Principle beyond beginning of a Godhead and Essence without beginning.
Both now. Theotokion.
You alone, pure Mother of God, contained your creator in your womb and inexpressibly carried Him in the flesh, and you remained a Virgin, your virginity quite unharmed; beseech him, your Son and God, always and without ceasing on behalf of your flock.
Katavasia.
You fixed the sea, Lord, drowning boastful Pharao with his chariots; you saved the people dry-shod and led them to the mountain of sanctification, as they cried: Let us sing a song of victory to our God, the mighty in wars.
Ode 3. The Irmos.
Your Church, O Christ, rejoices at you as she cries: you, Lord, are my strength, my refuge and my foundation.
Troparia.
You opened springs of life-giving waters for the Church, O Good One, as you cried: If any thirst, let them with fervour come and drink.
You said clearly that you would be lifted up from earth to heaven; but you promised to send the Holy Spirit from heaven.
Theotokion.
The Lord, by nature giver of life and born of a Virgin, as he is compassionate has given immortality to all the faithful.
Another. My heart has been established.
Do not judge according to appearance, O Jews, said the Master, as he stood teaching in the temple, as it is written, at the mid-point of the feast according to the law.Do not judge according to appearance, O Jews; for Christ has come, whom the Prophets declared would come from Sion, and call back the world.
If you do not believe the words, O Jews, be convinced by the Master’s works: why do you err, rejecting the Holy One of whom Moses wrote in the Law?
If the Messias must surely come, O Jews, now that Christ the Messias has come, why do you err, and reject the Just One, of whom Moses wrote in the Law?
Glory.
We worship you, Father in Essence without beginning; we hymn your Son alike without beginning, and devoutly praise the all-holy Spirit, as Three, one God by nature.
Both now. Theotokion.
Being one of the Trinity, you were seen to have become flesh without changing your Essence, Lord, or burning the incorrupt womb of her who bore you, though you are wholly God and fire.
Katavasia.
My heart has been established in the Lord; my horn has been exalted in my God; my mouth has been enlarged against my foes; I have been glad in my salvation.
Kathisma. Tone 8. The Wisdom and Word.
Standing in the midst of the Temple at the mid-point of the feast inspired by God, you cried out: Whoever thirsts, let them come to me and drink; for whoever drinks of this divine stream of mine, rivers of my teachings will flow from his belly; whoever believes in me, who have been sent from my divine Begetter, will be glorified with me. Therefore we cry to you: Glory to you, Christ God, for you have richly poured out for your servants the streams of your love for mankind.
Glory, Both now. Same Melody.
As you make the water of wisdom and life well up for the world, you invite all, O Saviour, to draw the streams of salvation; for one who accepts your divine law, by it quenches the burning coals of error; and so they will never thirst, nor ever have their fill of you, Master, heavenly King. Therefore we glorify your might, Christ God, as we ask you to send down richly on your servants forgiveness of offences.
Ode 4. Irmos.
When she saw you, the Sun of justice, lifted up on the Cross, the Church stood in her rank, and fittingly cried out: Glory to your power, O Lord.
Troparia.
When you broke open the gates of death by your power you made known the ways of life, and opened the gates of immortality to those who cry in faith: Glory to your power, O Lord.You hold the mid-point of all things and their end, and as you are without beginning you hold their beginning in your grasp. You stood in the midst and cried out: Come, all who think godly thoughts and enjoy his gifts!
As God, O Christ, you have authority over all, as powerful you destroyed the might of death, and you promised to send the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father.
Theotokion.
Mother who knew not wedlock, richly you pour out grace on those who hymn you and the eternal Word who was born of you, as you ask for them forgiveness of offences, O Immaculate.
Another. The prophet Avvakum.
If the Messias must come; but the Messias is Christ, lawless ones, why do you not believe him? See, he has come and what he does bears witness: he made water wine and braced the paralytic with a word.Not understanding the Scriptures, you are all in error, lawless Hebrews: for Christ has truly come and enlightened all, and among you he has shown many signs and wonders; and vainly you deny true life.
One work I showed you and you all marvel, cried Christ to the Jews: you yourselves circumcise a man even on the Sabbath, he says: why then do you attack me for raising a paralytic with a word?
I have done many works, and for which work do you stone me? Christ cried out, as he reproached the Jews. Was it because I made a man whole with a word? Humans, do not judge by appearances.
O Christ, the offspring of the Father’s nature, working with the Spirit in the Apostles and resting in the Prophets, you have led all the nations to knowledge of you through your signs.
Glory.
Trinity undivided Unity, Father without beginning, Son and Holy Spirit; Trinity in Unity; God, in honour the same, coequal in majesty, life-giving, uncreated save those who hymn you, and deliver them from dangers and troubles.
Both now. Theotokion.
In your womb, Bride of God, pure Virgin-mother, you contained God, yet he was not circumscribed. Do not cease to intercede for us, that we may be delivered from troubles; for we ever flee to you for refuge.
Katavasia.
The Prophet Avvakum, O Lord, foresaw your coming with the eyes of the mind, and therefore he cried out: God will come from Theman. Glory to you, O Christ, glory to your condescension.
Ode 5. Irmos.
Lord my light, you have come into the world; a holy light turning those who hymn you from the fog of ignorance.
Troparia.
Now that we have reached the mid-point of the divine feasts, let us hasten with godly thoughts to work for the perfection of virtue inspired by God.
How truly sacred is the present festival, for it marks out the mid-point of the greatest feasts and shines with light from both.
Theotokion.
My Saviour full of mercy, the mind of the Archangel cannot comprehend your ineffable and immaculate birth from a Virgin.
Another. Lord, our God.
By wonders you made your Apostles shine, by marvels you magnified your Disciples, glorifying them in all the world, our Saviour, and giving them your kingdom.All the ends of the earth your Disciples enlightened with wonders and teachings, as they proclaimed in divers ways, Christ Saviour, the word of your kingdom.
We give praise to your kingdom, we offer a hymn to you who appeared on earth for our sake and enlightened the world and called back Adam.
Glory.
Glory to you, holy Father, God unbegotten; glory to you, Word beyond time, only-begotten; glory to you divine Spirit, co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son.
Theotokion.
Your womb became a holy table, having the heavenly bread, from which all who eat will not die, as he the nourisher of all has said, O Mother of God.
Katavasia.
O Lord, our God, give us peace. O Lord, our God, possess us. O Lord, we know no other but you, we name you by name.
Ode 6. Irmos.
I will sacrifice to you, Lord, with a voice of praise, your Church cries out to you, purified from the filth of demons by the blood which flows through pity from your side.
Troparia.
The mid-point of Pentecost is here to-day, brilliant from the one side in the brightness of the divine Pascha, and shining from the other with grace of the Comforter.
As you stood in the Temple, O Christ, you spoke with the Jewish people, revealing your own glory, and showing forth your identity of nature with the Father.
Theotokion.
Be my protection and an unshakeable wall, delivering me from the world’s stumbling blocks, only Mother of God, and making me shine with the light that floods from God.
Another. Like waves of the sea.
O Jesu, who control the ends of the earth, you went up and taught the crowds in the temple the word of truth at the mid-point of the feast, as John declares.You opened your lips, Master, and proclaimed to the world the immaculate Father and the all-holy Spirit, keeping your identity of nature with them even after the incarnation.
You completed the Father’s work, you confirmed your words by works, O Saviour, performing cures and signs, making the Paralytic stand upright, cleansing lepers and raising the dead.
The Son without beginning became a beginning, taking our nature he became man; and at the middle of the feast he taught, saying: Run to the unfailing source to draw life.
Glory.
We all glorify one Godhead in Trinity, Being in three Persons, uncreated, inseparable, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as being three yet one.
Theotokion.
As Virgin after childbirth we hymn you; as alone Virgin and Mother we glorify you, pure Maiden, bride of God; for from you God was truly incarnate, making us new.
Katavasia
Like waves of the sea, O Lover of mankind, the waves of life assail me; therefore like Jonas I cry to You, O Word: Bring my life up from corruption, compassionate Lord.
Kontakion. Tone 4. Lifted up on the Cross.
At the mid-point of the feast according to the Law, Maker of all things and Master, you said to those who were there, Christ God: Come, and draw the water of immortality. Therefore we fall down before you and with faith we cry: Grant us your mercies, for you are the source of our life.
The Ikos.
Water my soul, dried up by lawless faults, with the streams of your blood and show it to be heavy with the fruits of virtues; for you have told all to come to you, All-holy Word of God, and to draw the living water of incorruption, which cleanses the sins of those who hymn your glorious and divine Rising. You grant to those who know you to be God, the strength of the Spirit which was brought from on high to your Disciples: for you are the source of our life.
Synaxarion from the Menaion, then the following:
On the Wednesday of the Paralysed Man we feast the feast of Mid-Pentecost.
Verses.Christ, the Messias, mid the teachers stands,
And teaches at the mid-point of the feast.
And teaches at the mid-point of the feast.
We celebrate this feast in honour of the two great feasts, of Pascha, I mean, and Pentecost, as it unites and binds them both. It occurred in this way. After Christ had performed the supernatural wonder on the Paralytic, the Jews, scandalized indeed because of the Sabbath (for it took place on the Sabbath), sought to kill him. He therefore fled to Galilee, and as he was sojourning on the mountains there, he performed the marvel of the five loaves and two fishes, nourishing five thousand men, not counting women and children. Afterwards at the feast of Tabernacles (this too is a great feast for the Jews) he went up to Jerusalem and went about in secret. About the mid-point of the feast he went up into the Temple and began to teach, and all were amazed at his teaching; but being envious of him they said: How does this man know letters, never having learned? For being the New Adam he knew, being filled with all wisdom as the first one, and again because he was God. Therefore they all murmured and we for slaying him. But Christ confused them, acting as though they were contending about the Sabbath, and said: Why do you seek to kill me? But he again referred to what had gone before, saying: If you contend for the Law, why are angry at me? Because I made a man whole on the Sabbath, when Moses who laid down the law on these things says that it is to be set aside for the sake of circumcision. He argued with them at length over this and showed that he himself had given the Law and that he was equal with the Father. And especially on the last day of the feast he was stoned by them; but not a single stone so much as touched him. And when he was passing by from there he found the man born blind and gave him his sight.
Know that there are three great feasts among the Jews. The first is the Passover, which is celebrated in the first month and commemorates the crossing of the Red Sea. The second is Pentecost, which remembers the sojourning in the wilderness, after the crossing of the Red Sea; for they passed fifty days in the wilderness until they received the Law from Moses. It is also in honour of the number seven, which is held in reverence by them.The third feast is that of Tabernacles, in memory of the Tabernacle which Moses saw in the cloud on the mountain and which he erected through the craftsman Beseleel. It is also celebrated for seven days in memory of the gathering of fruits and the repose in the wilderness. It was then, as this feast was drawing to its end that Jesus stood and cried with a loud voice: If any thirst, let him come to me and drink!
Since then by this teaching Christ declared himself to be the Messiah, becoming our Mediator and Reconciler with his eternal Father. For this reason we celebrate the present feast and naming it ‘Mid-Pentecost’ we hymn Christ and place alongside the honour of the other two great feasts. This, I think, is why the feast of the Samaritan Woman is celebrated after it: because that feast also has much to do with the Messiah, and with water and with thirst, as this one. For in the Gospel of John that of the Blind man rather precedes the Samaritan Woman.
In your infinite mercy, Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Ode 7. The Irmos,
The Children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, ablaze not with the flame but with love for true religion, cried aloud: Blessed are you, Lord, in the temple of your glory.
Troparia.
Saviour, by strength you destroyed the power of death and made known the path of life to mortals, who cry aloud: Blessed are you, Lord, in the temple of your glory.
When they saw you bearing flesh the Hebrew people did not acknowledge you, O Word of God; but we sing to you: Blessed are you, Lord, in the temple of your glory.
Theotokion.
Hallowed, divine dwelling of the Most High, hail! For through you, Mother of God, joy has been given to those who cry aloud: Blessed are you among women, all-spotless Lady.
Another. The Chaldeans’ furnace.
The repose of all, you toiled in the flesh; the source of wonders, you thirsted willingly; you asked for water, Jesu, promising living water.You spoke, Lord, with a woman of Samaria, reproving the folly of the lawless Hebrews; for she believed you to be Son of God, while they denied.
Saviour, the ever-living spring, you promised to give living water, welling up, water of incorruption, to those who receive in faith your Spirit, who proceeds from the Father.
You nourished thousands of the hungry with five loaves, O Saviour, and you made the remains of that fullness abound for other tens of thousands, showing your glory to your sacred Disciples.
He who eats your bread will live eternally, and he who drinks your blood, O Saviour, abides in you, and you abide in him, and you will raise him at the last instant.
You showed the marvel of your dispensation, Master, confirming the divine authority by marvels: you expelled diseases, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind as God.
You cleansed the lepers, made the lame walk, braced the paralysed, healed the woman with an issue of blood; You walked on the sea, showing your glory to your sacred Disciples.
Glory.
O Lord, we worship your Father without beginning, and the grace of the Spirit which, being God, you distributed to your Apostles and sent them out to preach.
Theotokion.
You contained in your womb the uncontainable Word, you suckled at your breasts the nourisher of the world, you carried in your embrace the maker of all, pure Mother of God.
Katavasia.
The Chaldeans’ furnace, ablaze with flames, was bedewed with spirit by God’s authority, while the Children sang: Blessed is the God of our fathers.
Ode 8. The Irmos.
Daniel, stretching out his hands, shut up the mouths of lions in the den, while the Youths, lovers of piety and clothed in virtue, quenched the power of fire, as they cried: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Troparia.
In beauty you rose from the tomb, Lord, adorned in the glory of your Godhead, and appeared to your Apostles, promising to send the force of the Spirit to them as they cried: All you works, praise the Lord!Having slain Hell as God, supreme source of life, you became for all a source of eternal life, which the graces of these brilliant days now most clearly resemble for those who cry: All you works, praise the Lord!
Showing your rays, O Christ, as sun of justice, you sent out your Apostles to the world, bearing you, the light ineffable, dispelling the fog of ignorance and crying: All you works, praise the Lord!
Theotokion.
See now a ruler, a leader has now clearly failed from the tribe of Juda; for you, all-spotless one, have given birth to the things stored up for him, the expectation of the nations, Christ, to whom we sing: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Another. Angels and heavens.
Come, peoples, see the one who is hymned upon a throne of glory blasphemed by lawless peoples, and seeing, hymn the Messias who was foretold by the prophets.You are truly the Christ who is coming into the world, from whom are salvation and forgiveness of ancestral faults; you are the true life of those who believe in you.
The Wisdom of God, so it is written, came to the temple at the mid-point of the feast and taught; for he was truly the Messias, Christ, from whom is salvation.
On the Sabbath, and on all days, Christ showed the works of the signs, healing completely the sick from divers diseases; but the erring people bore grudging anger.
This man, it says, cured the Paralytic, who had been lying sick for many years, on the Sabbath, and so transgressed the Law. Thus the Jews bitterly reviled Christ.
Did not Moses, who gave you the law, not command you to be circumcised? And he circumcised a man on the Sabbath, that the law of the fathers might in no way be abolished, says Christ to the Jews.
The ever ungrateful, who of old dwelt in the desert, enviously begrudged their benefactor, blaspheming, wagging their tongues and meditating vain things
Glory.
The Trinity is one God; the Father does not come to sonship, nor the Son to procession, but separately and together light, I glorify God, the three, to the ages.
Theotokion.
Say how you gave birth to him who shone forth eternally from the Father and is hymned with the holy Spirit? As he knows, who alone was well-pleased to be born of you, O Mother of God.
Katavasia
The one who is borne upon a throne of glory, and unceasingly glorified as God, Angels and heavens bless, praise and highly exalt to all the ages!
The Magnificat is not sung.
Ode 9. The Irmos.
A stone, the head of the corner, cut without hands, Christ was cut from you, O Virgin, mountain unhewn, uniting the separated natures: therefore rejoicing, Mother of God, we magnify you.
Troparia.
From Christ we have learnt a new and fresh way of life: let us all strive diligently to keep it to the end, that we may enjoy the coming of the Holy Spirit.Giver of Life, you have clothed my mortality with the cloak of immortality and the grace of incorruption; you have raised it with yourself and brought it to the Father, ending my age-long war.
Invited once again to the heavenly way of life by the power of the mediation of him who emptied himself even to taking the form of a slave, and raised us up, let us fittingly magnify him.
Theotokion.
All we faithful, trusting in you, O Virgin, honour you with words of praise, as root and source and cause of incorruption: for you made the empersonned immortality blossom for us.
Another. Alien to mothers.
At the mid-point of the feast of the Jews you came, my Saviour, to your temple, and you taught all: but the Jews marvelled, and said: Whence does this man know letters, never having learned?Pouring out gifts of healings, my Redeemer performed signs and wonders, banishing diseases, healing the sick; but the Jews were maddened by the multitude of his wonders.
My Redeemer confounding the unbelieving Jews cried out: Do not judge by appearances; but judge just judgement: for the Law orders every man to be circumcised even on the Sabbath.
You granted your Disciples greater marvels, O Saviour, as you had promised, when you sent them to proclaim your glory to the nations: while they began to proclaim to the world your Resurrection, your grace and your incarnation.
If you circumcise a man on the Sabbath, yet the law is in no way violated; why do you upbraid me because I made a man whole with a word? You judge according to the flesh, says Christ to the Jews.
O Word, who cured the withered hand with a word, cure the long withered land of my heart, and make me fruitful, that I too, Saviour, may produce fruits by fervent repentance.
Purify my leprous heart, O Word, and give light to the eyes of my soul; stand me upright, who am lying on a bed of pain, as you raised the Paralytic as he lay on his bed.
Glory.
Alien it is to the lawless to honour the Trinity without beginning, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the uncreated omnipotence, through which the whole universe is established by the might of Its strength.
Both now. Theotokion.
You contained within your womb, Virgin Mother, one of the Trinity, Christ the Giver of life, whom all creation hymns, before whom tremble all the thrones above; beseech him, all blessed one, that our souls may be saved.
Katavasia
Alien to mothers is virginity, and foreign to virgins is child-bearing: in you Mother of God both are effected. Therefore all the tribes of the earth unceasingly call you blest.
Exapostilarion.
You hold the bowl of inexhaustible gifts, grant that I may draw water for the forgiveness of sins; for I am afflicted with thirst, O only compassionate and pitying. (Twice)
At Lauds we insert 4 verses and we sing the following Prosomia:
Tone 4.
The Wisdom and power and brightness of the Father, the eternal Word and Son of God came in the flesh to the Temple and taught the fierce, ungrateful peoples of the Jews; and they marvelled at his wealth of wisdom and cried out: Whence does he know letters, never having learned from anyone? (Twice)
The Lord Messias silenced the scribes and confounded the Jews when he cried to them: Lawless ones, do not, as unjust, judge by appearances. For on the Sabbath I raised the Paralytic: therefore I am Lord of the Sabbath and the Law. Why do you seek to slay me, who raise the dead?The fierce and lawless, the ungrateful assembly of the Jews, stoned Moses, sawed Isaias in two with a wooden saw, cast Jeremy the wise into a pit, but the Lord they raised on a Cross and cried out: You who destroy the temple, save yourself, and we will believe.
Glory. Both now. By Anatolios.
Brethren, enlightened by the Resurrection of the Saviour Christ, and having reached the mid-point of the Master’s feast, let us genuinely keep God’s commandments, that we may be worthy to feast the Assumption and reach the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Great Doxology and Dismissal.
