Opening of Vespers
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Come, let us bow in worship before our King and God!
Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, our King and God!
Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God!
Psalm 103 (LXX) – The Psalm of Creation
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, You are great indeed!
Clothed in majesty and splendour, robed in light as with a cloak.
You spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth, You built Your towering palace far above the waters,
making the clouds Your chariot, You travel on the wings of the wind.
You use the winds for messengers, for servants the flaming fire.
You fixed the earth on its foundations, never to be disturbed.
With the deep You covered it, as with a garment.
The waters rose higher than the mountains, You rebuked them and they took to flight.
At the sound of Your thunder they fled, cascading down through the mountains they flowed down through the valleys to the place you gave them.
You set a limit they may not pass, lest they cover the earth again.
From the ravines you make springs rush forth into watercourses that wind among the mountains.
They give drink to all the beasts of the field, the wild asses quench their thirst.
The birds of heaven dwell on their banks, from among their branches they send forth their song.
Form Your towering palace You water the hills, the earth drinks its fill of Your gift.
You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for man’s use, that he may bring forth bread from the earth and wine to gladden man’s heart.
Oil to make his face glisten, and bread to strengthen his heart.
The trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars He planted on Lebanon.
There the sparrows make their nest, in the tree-tops the stork has its home.
For the wild goats there are the mountains, for the rock-badgers the boulders and cliffs.
You make the moon to mark the seasons, the sun knows when to set.
You bring darkness and it is night, and all the beasts of the forest roam about.
Young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.
The sun rises, and they withdraw to rest in their dens; man goes forth to his work, * to labour till evening falls.
How manifold are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You wrought them all. The earth overflows with Your riches.
And the sea! Look how great and wide, with its moving swarms past counting of living things both great and small.
There the ships sail back and forth, and Leviathan You made to play with.
They all look to You, hoping for food in due time; You give it to them and they gather it up, You open Your hand and the eat their fill.
If You hide Your face they are restless and troubled, when You take Your breath away they perish, returning to the dust they came from.
You send forth Your breath and they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the Lord last forever, may the Lord take pleasure in all His works.
He looks at the earth and it trembles, He touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing for joy in my God as long as I live!
May my thought please Him as much as He pleases me. Away with sinners from the face of the earth, let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul!
The sun knows when to set; You bring darkness and it is night.
How manifold are Your works, O Lord,
In wisdom You wrought them all!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; glory to You, O God! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; glory to You, O God! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; glory to You, O God!
Ekteny of Peace
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy Churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., the Pope of Rome, for his Beatitude, our Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan N., our God-loving Bishop N., for the revered priesthood, diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our nation under God, and our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.
For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For the seafarers and travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith, let us pray to the Lord.
That we may be delivered from tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For all glory, honour and worship befit You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
All: Amen
Lamp-Lightning Psalms
Psalm 140
O Lord, I cry to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord! O Lord, I cry to You, hear me. Hear my voice when I call to You. Hear me, O Lord!
Let my prayer rise like incense before You. The lifting of my hands like the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord!
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4. From the morning watch till nightfall* let Israel count on the Lord
This is the day of the Lord!
Rejoice, O peoples,
for, behold, the bridal chamber of the Light, the book of the Word of Life, has come forth from the womb!
The gate that faces the East is born and awaits the entry of the Great Priest.
She alone admits Christ into the world// for the salvation of our souls.
- For with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.* It is He who will redeem Israel from all its sins.
Although by God’s will other barren women have brought forth famous offspring, yet, of all those children Mary shines most brightly, as is fitting to God. For she herself was born wondrously of a barren mother, and gave birth in the flesh to the God of all, in a manner surpassing nature, from a womb without seed.
She is the only gateway of the only-begotten Son of God,
Who passed through this gate yet kept it closed, and, having ordered all things in His own wisdom,// has wrought salvation for all mankind.
- Praise the Lord, all people,* feast Him, all nations.
Today is the prelude of universal joy; today the winds blow that herald salvation,
and the barrenness of our nature is dispelled; for the barren woman is revealed as the mother of her who remained a virgin after giving birth to the Creator.
From her the One Who is God by nature takes what is foreign to Him and makes it His own,
and works salvation through the flesh for those who have gone astray.// He is Christ, the Lover of man and the Redeemer of our souls.
- Strong is His love for us,* without end His faithfulness.
Today barren Anna gives birth to the handmaid of God,
who was chosen from all generations to become the abode of the King and Creator of all, Christ our God in fulfillment of the divine plan.
Through her we earth-born have been fashioned anew//
and restored from corruption to life eternal.
Glory ... now ..., 6th Tone (by Patriarch Sergios)
Today God, Who rests upon the spiritual thrones, has prepared for Himself a holy throne on earth. He Who in wisdom established the heavens has fashioned a living heaven in His love for mankind; for, from a barren root He has made a life-bearing branch spring up for us, even His Mother.
O God of wonders and Hope of the hopeless,// O Lord, glory to You!
Entrance
Deacon: Bless, Father, the holy entry.
The priest blesses towards the East:
Priest: Blessed † be the entrance of Thy saints, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
Deacon: Amen.
Deacon: Wisdom. Stand upright!
The Evening Hymn – Fos Ilarion
Tranquil Light, of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the Giver of Life. For this the whole world glorifies You!
Deacon: Be attentive!
Bishop / Priest: Peace † be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Wisdom. Let us be vigilant!
The Evening Prokimen
Tuesday Evening Psalm 22,
Tone 1 Your mercy, Lord, will follow me all the days of my life.
verse: The Lord is my shepherd and I shall want nothing! He has set me in a place of pasture!
Lecture
Mt 9, 35-38
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest."
Homily
Ekteny of Supplication
Deacon: Let us all say, with our whole soul and our whole mind, let us say:
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Almighty Lord, God of our Fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy. thrice
Deacon: For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, for His Beatitude, our Patriarch N., for our most reverend Metropolitan N., for our God-loving Bishop N., for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
Let us also pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness and repentance of all the sins and wrongdoings of the servants of God present here, especially the donors and employees of the Renovabis Solidarity Campaign, that the Lord God may have mercy on them, let us all say.
Let us also pray for our homelands, for all those who govern them, who protect them and who serve them, especially for the end of the armed violence in Ukraine, that the Lord God may have mercy on us, let us all say.
We also pray that the Lord God will send His Holy Spirit upon all Ukrainians and grant them the grace of endurance in faith, hope, and love in the midst of these difficult trials; grant them peace and free them from all enemies so that they may praise the good and merciful God in justice and truth, O Lord, hear and have mercy.
We also pray for God's protection over all soldiers who fulfill their duty to defend the Motherland, so that the Lord may strengthen their courage and bravery and protect them from enemies both visible and invisible. We pray for those who have suffered as a result of hostilities: for the wounded, displaced persons, refugees; for those who have fallen defending their homeland, forgive them all their sins as the good Lord, we pray to You to listen and have mercy on them.
Let us also pray for the founders and benefactors of this holy house, as well as for all the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters (and children) who have departed from us, and let us all say:]
- Let us also pray for all who do good to Your holy churches, for all who serve and have served before You, for the singers, for all who are present, and for all orthodox Christians who expect great and abundant mercy from You.
Priest: For You are a merciful and people-loving God, and to You we send up our praise, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
People: Amen.
The Kataxiosin
Favour us, O Lord, throughout this evening, keep us free from sin. Honour and blessing to You, Lord, God of our Fathers, glorious is Your name for ever. Amen.
Let Your love, O Lord, rest upon us, for we put our trust in You.
Blessed are You, O Lord, Teach us Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Master, Make us understand Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten us by Your statutes.
Your love, O Lord, endures forever, do not forsake the work of Your hands.
Honour is rightfully Yours, rightfully Yours our songs of praise.
Glory is rightfully Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.
Ekteny of Petition
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord. All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defense at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You are merciful, O God, and You love mankind, and to You we send up glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
All: Amen
Prayer of the Bowing of Heads
Priest: Peace to all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: You suspended the heavens over the earth, O Lord our God, and then you came down from them to save us. Look down, now, upon Your servants and heirs, as they bow their heads and bend their necks to You, their awesome but merciful Judge! It is not from men that they expect help, but from You that they hope for mercy and salvation. Protect them this evening and throughout the coming night from all their enemies, from every assault of the powers of hell, from vain and useless thoughts and from evil memories.
And may Your mighty power be blessed and glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
All: Amen.
The joy of all the world has dawned for us from the righteous ones: the all Virgin who springs from Joachim and Anna. Through the abundance of goodness, she becomes the living temple of God, and she alone is acknowledged as truly the Theotokos. Through her prayers, O Christ God, send peace to the world and to our souls great mercy!
As foretold by the Angel’s prophecy, thou hast come forth today, O Virgin, the most sacred fruit of righteous Joachim and Anna. Thou art the heaven and throne of God, the vessel of purity, heralding joy to all the world, thou that bringest us our life; thou dost destroy the curse and givest blessing in its stead. Wherefore on this feast of thy birth, O Maiden called by God, // entreat peace for the world and for our souls great mercy.
Let the barren and childless Anna today clap her hands with gladness! Let those on earth be decked in splendor; let rulers leap for joy; let priests be glad in blessing; let the whole world keep the feast! For behold the Queen and immaculate bride of the Father has sprung forth from the root of Jesse. No longer will women bear children in sorrow, for joy has blossomed forth, and the Life of mankind now dwells in the world. No longer are the offerings of Joachim turned away, for the lamentation of Anna has been changed to joy. She cries: “Rejoice with me, all you chosen of Israel, for behold, the Lord has given me the living palace of His divine glory for our common gladness and joy and for the salvation of our souls!”
Today the gates of barrenness are opened, and the virgin gate of God comes forth.
Today grace begins to bear its first fruit, revealing to the world the Mother of God.
Through her things on earth are joined with the heavens//
for the salvation of our souls.
Aposticha
The joy of all the world has dawned for us from the righteous ones: the all Virgin who springs from Joachim and Anna. Through the abundance of goodness, she becomes the living temple of God, and she alone is acknowledged as truly the Theotokos. Through her prayers, O Christ God, send peace to the world and to our souls great mercy!
As foretold by the Angel’s proph-ecy, thou hast come forth today, O Virgin, the most sacred fruit of righteous Joachim and Anna. Thou art the heaven and throne of God, the vessel of purity, her-alding joy to all the world, thou that bringest us our life; thou dost destroy the curse and givest blessing in its stead. Wherefore on this feast of thy birth, O Maid-en called by God, // entreat peace for the world and for our souls great mercy.
Let the barren and childless Anna today clap her hands with glad-ness! Let those on earth be decked in splendor; let rulers leap for joy; let priests be glad in blessing; let the whole world keep the feast! For behold the Queen and immaculate bride of the Father has sprung forth from the root of Jesse. No longer will women bear children in sorrow, for joy has blossomed forth, and the Life of mankind now dwells in the world. No longer are the offer-ings of Joachim turned away, for the lamentation of Anna has been changed to joy. She cries: “Rejoice with me, all you chosen of Israel, for behold, the Lord has given me the living palace of His divine glo-ry for our common gladness and joy and for the salvation of our souls!”
Today the gates of barrenness are opened, and the virgin gate of God comes forth.
Today grace begins to bear its first fruit, revealing to the world the Mother of God.
Through her things on earth are joined with the heavens//
for the salvation of our souls.
The Song of Simeon
Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise, let Your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people; a light to reveal You to the gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.
The Extended Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us! thrice
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.
Most-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, wash away our sins, Master, forgive us our transgressions, Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for your Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. thrice
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and for ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, now and ever, and for ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Troparia
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Mother, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, venerable Theodora, rejoices with the angels.
Your Nativity, O Virgin, / has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! / The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, / has shone from You, O Theotokos! / By annulling the curse, / He bestowed a blessing. / By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.
Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: Give the blessing.
Priest: Our, God, He-Who-Is, blessing and honour to Him always, now and ever and for ages of ages.
All: Amen. O God, uphold the holy orthodox faith for ever.
Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
All: More honourable than the Cherubim,* and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim.* Without stain you bore the Word of God.* O true Theotokos, we extol you.
Priest: Glory to You, Christ God, our Hope, glory to You.
All: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and for ages of ages. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. thrice* Give the blessing.
Priest: By the prayers of His most pure Mother, those of all the holy and illustrious apostles, those of the holy St. N., Patron of our church, those of St. N., whose memory we celebrate today, and by the prayers of all the Saints, may Christ our true God (who rose from the dead) have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.
All: Amen.