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The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 16:17-24

mihai — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:16:27 +0000

BRETHREN, I appeal to you to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil; then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastos, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Back to blogging again

mihai — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:09:55 +0000

It is often a crazy world where one faces all sorts of obstacles that have kept me from blogging. I am back now for who knows how long.

What regenerated my post today was a conversation I have been having with a person who wants to convert to Orthodoxy and it brought up many questions I had before I converted. I do suggest that you contact your local priest and ask if there is someone that can disciple you.

There are several good online resources out there and you are welcome to e-mail me for a list. If I do get enough requests below, I will do an online introduction to Orthodoxy using the several resources I used before converting.

The beautiful thing about the Orthodox faith is that we never pressure you to convert. We love you and know that if the Holy Spirit calls you home, then you will come home in time.

Love in Christ,
Subdeacon Charles-Michael

Sunday before the Lifting of the Holy Cross.

mihai — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:03:29 +0000

Sunday before the Lifting of the Holy Cross. Tone 7. Mat. Gos. 5. Combine Octoechos andMenaion. Great Vespers: Entrance. Matins: Katavasia of Cross. Liturgy: Epis. Galatians 6:11-18. Gos. John 3:13-27. Axion: “It is truly right.” Hieromartyr Autonomos; Martyrs Macedonios & Theodule (Leave-taking of Nativity of Birthgiver ofGod) Tropar By your Cross, you destroyed death! You opened paradise to the thief! You changed the weeping of the ointment-bearing women to joy; and charged them to proclaim to your apostles, that you arose, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world! Kontak The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! Hades is bound. The prophets together rejoice, for the Savior stood before them and said to those who believe: O you faithful! Come out to resurrection! Nativity of the Theotokos Tone 4 Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting. Exaltation of the Holy Cross Troparion O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by the virtue of thy Cross preserve thy habitation. Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos Tone 4 By thy holy birth-giving, O pure one, Joachim and Anne were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee, the barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life. The Trisagion Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Dynamis! (With Strength) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 7^th Tone: The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Domnul t?rie poporului S?u va da, Domnul va binecuvânta pe poporul S?u cu pace. Choir: The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Domnul t?rie poporului S?u va da, Domnul va binecuvânta pe poporul S?u cu pace. Reader: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God, bring to the Lord glory and power. Aduce?i Domnului, fii ai lui Dumnezeu, aduce?i Domnului mieii oilor, aduce?i Domnului slav? ?i cinste; Choir: The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Domnul t?rie poporului S?u va da, Domnul va binecuvânta pe poporul S?u cu pace. Reader: The Lord will give strength to his people Domnul t?rie poporului S?u va da, Choir: the Lord will bless his people with peace. Domnul va binecuvânta pe poporul S?u cu pace. Reader: The reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15. Deacon: Let us be attentive! BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Vede?i cu ce fel de litere v-am scris eu, cu mâna mea. Câ?i vor s? plac? în trup, aceia v? silesc s? v? t?ia?i împrejur, numai ca s? nu fie prigoni?i pentru crucea lui Hristos. C?ci nici ei singuri, cei ce se taie împrejur, nu p?zesc Legea, ci voiesc s? v? t?ia?i voi împrejur, ca s? se laude ei în trupul vostru. Iar mie, s? nu-mi fie a m? l?uda, decât numai în crucea Domnului nostru Iisus Hristos, prin care lumea este r?stignit? pentru mine, ?i eu pentru lume! C? în Hristos Iisus nici t?ierea împrejur nu este ceva, nici net?ierea împrejur, ci f?ptura cea nou?. ?i câ?i vor umbla dup? dreptarul acesta, – pace ?i mil? asupra lor ?i asupra Israelului lui Dumnezeu! De acum înainte, nimeni s? nu-mi mai fac? sup?rare, c?ci eu port în trupul meu, semnele Domnului Iisus. Harul Domnului nostru Iisus Hristos s? fie cu duhul vostru, fra?ilor! Amin. Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) It is good to praise the Lord, to sing to your name, O Most High! Bine este a l?uda pe Domnul ?i a cânta numele T?u, Preaînalte, Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) To proclaim your mercy in the morning and your truth all through the night. A vesti diminea?a mila Ta ?i adev?rul T?u în toat? noaptea, Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia During the Alleluia Verses, the priest stands at the holy table and says the PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL: Priest: Enkindle in our hearts the pure light of your divine knowledge, O master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of your evangelical proclamations. Instill the fear of your blessed commandments in us, so that trampling down all bodily desires, we may practice a spiritual life, thinking and doing all which pleases you. For you are the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we offer glory to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your All-Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St John People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. The Lord said: “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Zis-a Domnul: nimeni nu s-a suit în cer, f?r? numai Cel Care s-a pogorât din cer, Fiul Omului, Care este în cer. ?i precum Moise a în?l?at ?arpele în pustie, a?a trebuie s? Se înal?e Fiul Omului, pentru ca oricine crede în El s? nu piar?, ci s? aib? via?? ve?nic?. C?ci a?a a iubit Dumnezeu lumea, încât a dat pe Fiul S?u Unul-N?scut, pentru ca oricine crede în El s? nu piar?, ci s? aib? via?? ve?nic?. C?ci n-a trimis Dumnezeu pe Fiul S?u în lume ca s? osândeasc? lumea, ci ca s? se mântuiasc? lumea prin El. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Bulgur Veggie Burgers with Lime Mayonnaise

mihai — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:41:39 +0000

* 1/2 cup chopped onion, divided * 1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for brushing * 1/2 cup bulgur * 1 cup water * 1 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained * 1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce * 3/4 cup walnuts (2 1/2 ounces) * 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped * 1/2 cup packed cilantro sprigs * 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin * 1/4 teaspoon cayenne * 1/4 cup mayonnaise * 1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest * 1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice * 4 slices multi-grain bread,toasted Cook half of onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt in oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add bulgur and water and cook, covered, over low heat until water is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in beans and soy sauce. Pulse bulgur mixture, walnuts, garlic, cilantro, cumin, cayenne, a rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and remaining onion in a food processor until finely chopped. Form rounded 1/2 cups of mixture into 4 (31/2-inch-diameter) patties. Chill at least 10 minutes. While patties chill, stir together mayonnaise, zest, and juice. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas). Put perforated grill sheet on grill and preheat 10 minutes. Brush patties all over with oil. Oil grill sheet, then grill burgers on grill sheet, covered only if using a gas grill, carefully turning once, until golden brown, about 8 minutes total. Serve burgers open-faced on toast with lime mayonnaise. Cooks’ notes: ·Burgers can be cooked on the stove. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook patties, carefully turning once, until golden brown, about 8 minutes total. ·Uncooked patties can be chilled, covered, up to 4 hours.

Monastery Tofu Burgers

mihai — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:03:36 +0000

2 cups bulgur 4 cups water 3 (15.5-ounce) cans chickpeas 5 pounds frozen tofu, thawed, squeezed dry, and crumbled 2 to 4 carrots, peeled and finely grated I tablespoon dried oregano I tablespoon dried basil I tablespoon paprika I teaspoon salt I teaspoon dried parsley oats, as needed 4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil for frying This recipe is from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. This recipe makes about 50 burgers. However, the burgers freeze well (before or after cooking), so make the full recipe and freeze the extra burgers for quick meals. Combine the bulgur and water and let stand for I hour. Drain and squeeze dry. Process the chickpeas in the food processor with about 3A cup water until coarsely mashed. Combine the bulgur and chickpeas with the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl, adding salt and dried parsley to taste. Add enough oats to absorb the extra moisture to make a pliable mixture. Shape into burgers and fry in oil. note: Tofu burgers are very adaptable and rather “cooperative.” If you don’t have one kind of grain, substitute another. Bread crumbs work well. The point is to have the right consistency to the mixture so it will stick together to make cohesive burgers. variation: To make a tofu loaf, form the mixture into loaves on cookie sheets or divide among loaf pans. Cover with ketchup, barbecue sauce or other sauce of your choice. Bake 30 to 45 minutes.

10th Sunday after Pentecost. Procession of the Cross. 7 Maccabean Youths.

mihai — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:57:09 +0000

10th Sunday after Pentecost. Procession of the Cross. 7 Maccabean Youths. (Beginning of Dormition Fast). Tone 1. Mat. Gos. 10. Combine Octoechos and Menaion. Great Vespers: Entrance. Matins: Resurrectional Hymns of Blessings. Resurrectional Gospel. Katavasia of Cross until September 22. After Great Doxology, priest (in full vestments) brings the cross in procession to the middle of the church for veneration. Lesser Blessing of Water. Liturgy: Epis.1 Corinthians 4:9-16. Gos. Matthew 17:14-23. Axion: “It is truly right.” After Liturgy, the cross is taken back into the altar while the Tropar of the Cross is being sung. Until August 15, the Vespers and Paraclis of the Birthgiver of God is read each evening Procession of the Cross; 7 Maccabean Martyrs with Salomoni & Eleazar (Beginning of Fast of Mother of God) (Oil & wine permitted) Tropar When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; while the soldiers were guarding your Most Pure Body, you rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. Therefore, the Powers of heaven cried out to you, O Giver of life: Glory to your Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to your Kingdom! Glory to your dispensation, O only Lover of mankind. Kontak Being God, you gloriously rose from the tomb, raising the world with you. Human nature praises you, God. Death has vanished! Adam dances, O Master! Being freed from bondage, Eve rejoices, crying out: O Christ, you are the One who gives resurrection to all. Cross Tone 1 O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy People victory over all their enemies, and by the power of thy Cross, preserving thy commonwealth. KONTAKION OF THE TRANSFIGURATION Tone 7 Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the effulgent Splendor of the Father. The Trisagion Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us. Dynamis! (With Strength) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 1^st Tone: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Choir: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Reader: God is renowned in Judah; His name is great in Israel. Choir: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Reader: Lord, let your mercy be on us Choir: just as we hope in you. Reader: The Reading is from St. Paul’s 1^st Letter to the Corinthins 4:9-16 Deacon: Let us be attentive! BRETHEREN, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For, I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) God avenges me and subdues the peoples under me. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows mercy to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia During the Alleluia Verses, the priest stands at the holy table and says the PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL: Priest: Enkindle in our hearts the pure light of your divine knowledge, O master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of your evangelical proclamations. Instill the fear of your blessed commandments in us, so that trampling down all bodily desires, we may practice a spiritual life, thinking and doing all which pleases you. For you are the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we offer glory to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your All-Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 17:14-23 People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith, even as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” As they were travelling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.” People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Commemorated on August 1 The Procession of the Venerable Wood of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord: In the Greek Horologion of 1897 the derivation of this Feast is explained: “Because of the illnesses that occur in August, it was customary, in former times, to carry the Venerable Wood of the Cross through the streets and squares of Constantinople for the sanctification of the city, and for relief from sickness. On the eve (July 31), it was taken out of the imperial treasury, and laid upon the altar of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia (the Wisdom of God). From this Feast until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, they carried the Cross throughout the city in procession, offering it to the people to venerate. This also is the Procession of the Venerable Cross.” In the Russian Church this Feast is combined also with the remembrance of the Baptism of Rus, on August 1, 988. In the “Account of the Order of Services in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Great Church of the Dormition,” compiled in 1627 by order of Patriarch Philaret of Moscow and All Rus, there is the following explanation of the Feast: “On the day of the Procession of the Venerable Cross there is a church procession for the sanctification of water and for the enlightenment of the people, throughout all the towns and places.” Knowledge of the day of the actual Baptism of Rus was preserved in the Chronicles of the sixteenth century: “The Baptism of the Great Prince Vladimir of Kiev and all Rus was on August 1.” In the present practice of the Russian Church, the Lesser Sanctification of Water on August 1 is done either before or after Liturgy. Because of the Blessing of Water, this first Feast of the Savior in August is sometimes called ‘Savior of the Water.” There may also be a Blessing of New Honey today, which is why the Feast is also called “Savior of the Honey.” From this day the newly gathered honey is blessed and tasted.

3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

mihai — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:40:31 +0000

3rd Sunday after Pentecost. Tone 2. Mat. Gos. 3. Great Vespers: Entrance. Matins: Resurrectional Hymns of Blessings. Hymns of Ascent of Tone. Katavasia of Annunciation. At 9th Ode: “More honorable.” Great Doxology. Liturgy: Epis. Romans 5:1-10. Gos. Matthew 6:22-33. Axion: “It is truly right.” Martyr Aquilina; St. Triphyllios, Bishop of Cyprus (Fish permitted) Tropar When you descended to encounter death, O deathless Life, you put Hades to death by the reflected light of Divinity. But when you raised the dead from the abyss, all the Powers of heaven cried out: O Life-giving Christ, O our God, glory to you! Kontak You arose from the dead, O almighty Savior. Hades seeing this wonder was frightened. The dead rose up. Adam with all creation, seeing this, rejoiced because of you. And the world, O my Savior, praises you forever. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokeimenon in the 2nd Tone: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Choir: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Reader: Though the Lord has chastened me severely, he has not abandoned me to death. Choir: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Reader: The Lord is my strength and my song; Choir: he has become my salvation. Reader: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 5:1-10 Deacon: Let us be attentive! BRETHREN, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man–though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation. Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob defend and protect you. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) Lord, save the king and hear us when we call. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia During the Alleluia Verses, the priest stands at the holy table and says the PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL: Priest: Enkindle in our hearts the pure light of your divine knowledge, O master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of your evangelical proclamations. Instill the fear of your blessed commandments in us, so that trampling down all bodily desires, we may practice a spiritual life, thinking and doing all which pleases you. For you are the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we offer glory to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your All-Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew6:22-33 People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthly, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! ‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’” “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, I or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Synaxis of Martyr Aquilina of Byblos in Syria & St. Triphyllios, Bishop of Cyprus The Holy Martyr Aquilina, a native of the Phoenician city of Byblos, suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Her parents raised her in Christian piety. When the girl was only twelve years old, she persuaded a pagan friend to convert to Christ. One of the servants of the imperial governor Volusian accused her of teaching others not to follow the religion of their fathers. The girl firmly confessed her faith in Christ before the governor and said that she would not renounce Him. Volusian tried to influence the young confessor through persuasion and by flattery, but seeing her confidence, he ordered her to be tortured. They struck her upon the face, then they stripped her and beat her with whips. The torturer asked, “Where then is your God? Let Him come and take you out of my hands”. The saint answered, “The Lord is here with me invisibly, and the more I suffer, the more strength and endurance will He give me.” They drilled through the martyr’s ears with heated metal rods. The holy virgin fell down as if dead. The torturer thought that the girl had actually died, and he gave orders to throw her body outside the city to be eaten by dogs. By night a holy angel appeared to St Aquilina, roused her and said, “Arise and be healed. Go and denounce Volusian, so that he and his plans may come to nothing.” The martyr went to the court of the governor and stood before Volusian. Seeing St Aquilina, he called for his servants and ordered them to keep watch over her until morning. In the morning he sentenced St Aquilina to death, saying that she was a sorceress who did not obey the imperial decrees. When they led the saint to execution, she prayed and gave thanks to God for allowing her to suffer for His Holy Name. A voice was heard in answer to her prayer, summoning her to the heavenly Kingdom. Before the executioner could carry out the sentence, the martyr gave up her spirit to God (+ 293). The executioner feared to disobey the governor’s orders, so he cut off her head although she was already dead. Christians piously buried the martyr’s body. Later, her relics were taken to Constantinople and placed in a church named for her. Saint Tryphillius, Bishop of Leukosia, was born in Constantinople, and he received his education at Berit (Beirut, in Lebanon). He was very intelligent and eloquent. In spite of this, the saint chose as his guide a man neither bookish nor learned, but one of conspicuous holiness: St Spyridon of Tremithos (December 12). The emperor Constantine II (337-340) fell grievously ill, and receiving no help from the doctors, he turned to God. In a dream he saw an angel, directing him to a group of hierarchs. Pointing out two of them, the angel said that only through them could he receive healing. Constantine issued an imperial edict, commanding the bishops to assemble. St Spyridon also received this order, and went to the emperor with his disciple St Tryphillius. The sick one immediately recognized them as the healers indicated by the angel. He bowed to them and asked them to pray for his health. St Spyridon with a prayer touched the head of the emperor, and he became well. St Tryphillius was charmed by the beautiful palace, the majestic figure of the emperor, and the pomp of palace life. St Spyridon said, “Why are you astonished? Does all this make the emperor any more righteous? All of them, emperors and dignitaries alike, will die and stand together with the very poorest before the judgment seat of God. One should seek eternal blessings and heavenly glory.” Soon St Tryphillius was made Bishop of Leukosia on Cyprus. He often visited with St Spyridon. Once, they passed through an area of vineyards and gardens of special beauty and abundance, named Parimnos. St Tryphillius, attracted by the beauty of nature, considered how they might explore this land. St Spyridon discerned the thoughts of St Tryphillius and said, “Why do you always think about earthly and transitory blessings? Our habitation and riches are in Heaven, for which we ought to strive.” Thus did St Spyridon lead his disciple toward spiritual perfection, which St Tryphillius attained through the prayers of his instructor. St Tryphillius had a charitable soul, a heart without malice, right faith and love towards all, and many other virtues. Once, a Council of bishops assembled on Cyprus. The Fathers of the Council requested that St Tryphillius, known for his erudition and eloquence, address the people. Speaking about the healing of the paralytic by the Lord (Mark 2:11). in place of the word “cot” he used the word “bed”. Impatient with the imprecise rendering of the Gospel text, St Spyridon said to St Tryphillius, “Are you better than He who said “cot”, that you should be ashamed of His wording?” and abruptly he left the church. In this way St Spyridon gave St Tryphillius a lesson in humility, so that he would not become proud of his own eloquence. St Tryphillius wisely shepherded his flock. From the inheritance left him by his mother, he built a monastery at Leukosia. The saint died in old age in about the year 370. The Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the relics of St Tryphillius on Cyprus at the beginning of the twelfth century.

2nd Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints of America & Romania.

mihai — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:17:51 +0000

2nd Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints of America & Romania. Tone 1. Mat. Gos. 2. Combine Octoechos and Menaion. Great Vespers: Entrance. Old Testament readings. Litia. Matins: Polyeleos. Megalinaria. Resurrectional Hymns of Blessings. Gospel of Resurrection. Katavasia of Annunciation. Praises – “Glory” for Saints, “Now and ever” – “You are most blessed”. Great Doxology. Liturgy: Epis. Romans 2:10-16. Gos. Matthew 4:18-23. Axion: “It is truly right.” Sts. Bessarion & Hilarion the New (Fish permitted) Tropar When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; while the soldiers were guarding your Most Pure Body, you rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. Therefore, the Powers of heaven cried out to you, O Giver of life: Glory to your Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to your Kingdom! Glory to your dispensation, O only Lover of mankind. Kontak Being God, you gloriously rose from the tomb, raising the world with you. Human nature praises you, God. Death has vanished! Adam dances, O Master! Being freed from bondage, Eve rejoices, crying out: O Christ, you are the One who gives resurrection to all. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Choir: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Reader: Rejoice in the Lord, all you righteous. Praise befits the upright. Choir: Lord, let your mercy be on us just as we hope in you. Reader: Lord, let your mercy be on us Choir: just as we hope in you. Reader: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 2:10-16 Deacon: Let us be attentive! BRETHREN, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) God avenges me and subdues the peoples under me. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows mercy to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia During the Alleluia Verses, the priest stands at the holy table and says the PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL: Priest: Enkindle in our hearts the pure light of your divine knowledge, O master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of your evangelical proclamations. Instill the fear of your blessed commandments in us, so that trampling down all bodily desires, we may practice a spiritual life, thinking and doing all which pleases you. For you are the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we offer glory to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your All-Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Synaxis of the Saints of North America Commemorated on June 6 On the second Sunday after Pentecost, each local Orthodox Church commemorates all the saints, known and unknown, who have shone forth in its territory. Accordingly, the Orthodox Church in America remembers the saints of North America on this day. Saints of all times, and in every country are seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem fallen humanity. Their example encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us” and to “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The saints of North America also teach us how we should live, and what we must expect to endure as Christians Although it is a relatively young church, the Orthodox Church in America has produced saints in nearly all of the six major categories of saints: Apostles (and Equals of the Apostles); Martyrs (and Confessors); Prophets; Hierarchs; Monastic Saints; and the Righteous. Prophets, of course, lived in Old Testament times and predicted the coming of Christ. The first Divine Liturgy in what is now American territory (northern latitude 58 degrees, 14 minutes, western longitude 141 degrees) was celebrated on July 20, 1741, the Feast of the Prophet Elias, aboard the ship Peter under the command of Vitus Bering. Hieromonk Hilarion Trusov and the priest Ignatius Kozirevsky served together on that occasion. Several years later, the Russian merchant Gregory I. Shelikov visited Valaam monastery, suggesting to the abbot that it would be desirable to send missionaries to Russian America. On September 24, 1794, after a journey of 7,327 miles (the longest missionary journey in Orthodox history) and 293 days, a group of monks from Valaam arrived on Kodiak Island in Alaska. The mission was headed by Archimandrite Joasaph, and included Hieromonks Juvenal, Macarius, and Athanasius, the Hierodeacons Nectarius and Stephen, and the monks Herman and Joasaph. St Herman of Alaska (December 13, August 9), the last surviving member of the mission, fell asleep in the Lord in 1837. Throughout the Church’s history, the seeds of faith have always been watered by the blood of the martyrs. The Protomartyr Juvenal was killed near Lake Iliamna by natives in 1799, thus becoming the first Orthodox Christian to shed his blood for Christ in the New World. In 1816, St Peter the Aleut was put to death by Spanish missionaries in California when he refused to convert to Roman Catholicism. Missionary efforts continued in the nineteenth century, with outreach to the native peoples of Alaska. Two of the most prominent laborers in Christ’s Vineyard were St Innocent Veniaminov (March 31 and October 6) and St Jacob Netsvetov (July 26), who translated Orthodox services and books into the native languages. Father Jacob Netsvetev died in Sitka in 1864 after a life of devoted service to the Church. Father John Veniaminov, after his wife’s death, received monastic tonsure with the name Innocent. He died in 1879 as the Metropolitan of Moscow. As the nineteenth century was drawing to a close, an event of enormous significance for the North American Church took place. On March 25, 1891, Bishop Vladimir went to Minneapolis to receive St Alexis Toth (May 7) and 361 of his parishioners into the Orthodox Church. This was the beginning of the return of many Uniates to Orthodoxy. St Tikhon (Belavin), the future Patriarch of Moscow (April 7, October 9), came to America as bishop of the diocese of the Aleutians and Alaska in September 1898. As the only Orthodox bishop on the continent, St Tikhon traveled extensively throughout North America in order to minister to his widely scattered and diverse flock. He realized that the local church here could not be a permanent extension of the Russian Church. Therefore, he focused his efforts on giving the American Church a diocesan and parish structure which would help it mature and grow. St Tikhon returned to Russia in 1907, and was elected as Patriarch of Moscow ten years later. He died in 1925, and for many years his exact burial place remained unknown. St Tikhon’s grave was discovered on February 22, 1992 in the smaller cathedral of Our Lady of the Don in the Don Monastery when a fire made renovation of the church necessary. St Raphael of Brooklyn (February 27) was the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated in North America. Archimandrite Raphael Hawaweeny was consecrated by Bishop Tikhon and Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) at St Nicholas Cathedral in New York on March 13, 1904. As Bishop of Brooklyn, St Raphael was a trusted and capable assistant to St Tikhon in his archpastoral ministry. St Raphael reposed on February 27, 1915. The first All American Council took place March 5-7, 1907 at Mayfield, PA, and the main topic was “How to expand the mission.” Guidelines and directions for missionary activity, and statutes for the administrative structure of parishes were also set forth. In the twentieth century, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, countless men, women, and children received the crown of martyrdom rather than renounce Christ. Sts John Kochurov (October 31) and Alexander Hotovitzky (December 4 and August 7) both served the Church in North America before going back to Russia. St John became the first clergyman to be martyred in Russia on October 31, 1917 in St Petersburg. St Alexander Hotovitzky, who served in America until 1914, was killed in 1937. In addition to the saints listed above, we also honor those saints who are known only to God, and have not been recognized officially by the Church. As we contemplate the lives of these saints, let us remember that we are also called by God to a life of holiness.

1st Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints.

mihai — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:45:15 +0000

1st Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints. Follow Pentecostarion. Tone 8. Mat. Gos. 1. Great Vespers:Entrance. Matins: Katavasia of Annunciation sung until August 1. Liturgy: Epis. Hebrews 11:33-40;12:1-2. Gos. Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30. Axion: “It is truly right.”. St. Issac the Confessor & Barlaam; Martyr Natalios Tropar You descended from on high, O Merciful One. You endured burial for three days, to free us from passions. You are our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory to you. Kontak Arising from the grave, you raised the dead and revived Adam; and Eve danced at your resurrection, and the ends of the earth celebrate your awakening from the dead, O Most Merciful One. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Fulfill the promises you make to the Lord your God. Choir: Fulfill the promises you make to the Lord your God. Reader: God is renowned in Judah; His name is great in Israel. Choir: Fulfill the promises you make to the Lord your God. Reader: Fulfill the promises you make Choir: to the Lord your God. Reader: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews Deacon: Let us be attentive! BRETHREN, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated–of whom the world was not worthy–wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith. Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, and let us shout joyfully to God our Savior. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) Let us come before his face with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to him with psalms. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia During the Alleluia Verses, the priest stands at the holy table and says the PRAYER BEFORE THE GOSPEL: Priest: Enkindle in our hearts the pure light of your divine knowledge, O master, Lover of mankind, and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of your evangelical proclamations. Instill the fear of your blessed commandments in us, so that trampling down all bodily desires, we may practice a spiritual life, thinking and doing all which pleases you. For you are the illumination of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and we offer glory to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your All-Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. The Lord said to his disciples: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on his twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands; for my name’s sake, will receive manifold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first. People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Synaxis of All Saints Commemorated on May 30 The Sunday following Pentecost is dedicated to All Saints, both those who are known to us, and those who are known only to God. There have been saints at all times, and they have come from every corner of the earth. They were Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics, and Righteous, yet all were perfected by the same Holy Spirit. The Descent of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to rise above our fallen state and to attain sainthood, thereby fulfilling God’s directive to “be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16, etc.). Therefore, it is fitting to commemorate All Saints on the first Sunday after Pentecost. This feast may have originated at an early date, perhaps as a celebration of all martyrs, then it was broadened to include all men and women who had borne witness to Christ by their virtuous lives, even if they did not shed their blood for Him. St Peter of Damascus, in his “Fourth Stage of Contemplation,” mentions five categories of saints: Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, and Monastic Saints (PHILOKALIA [in English] Vol. 3, p.131). He is actually quoting from the OCTOECHOS, Tone 2 for Saturday Matins, kathisma after the first stichology. St Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain (July 14) adds the Righteous to St Peter’s five categories. The list of StNicodemus is found in his book THE FOURTEEN EPISTLES OF ST PAUL (Venice, 1819, p. 384) in his discussion of I Corinthians 12:28. The hymnology for the feast of All Saints also lists six categories: “Rejoice, assembly of the Apostles, Prophets of the Lord, loyal choirs of the Martyrs, divine Hierarchs, Monastic Fathers, and the Righteous….” Some of the saints are described as Confessors, a category which does not appear in the above lists. Since they are similar in spirit to the martyrs, they are regarded as belonging to the category of Martyrs. They were not put to death as the Martyrs were, but they boldly confessed Christ and came close to being executed for their faith. St Maximus the Confessor (January 21) is such a saint. The order of these six types of saints seems to be based on their importance to the Church. The Apostles are listed first, because they were the first to spread the Gospel throughout the world. The Martyrs come next because of their example of courage in professing their faith before the enemies and persecutors of the Church, which encouraged other Christians to remain faithful to Christ even unto death. Although they come first chronologically, the Prophets are listed after the Apostles and Martyrs. This is because the Old Testament Prophets saw only the shadows of things to come, whereas the Apostles and Martyrs experienced them firsthand. The New Testament also takes precedence over the Old Testament. The holy Hierarchs comprise the fourth category. They are the leaders of their flocks, teaching them by their word and their example. The Monastic Saints are those who withdrew from this world to live in monasteries, or in seclusion. They did not do this out of hatred for the world, but in order to devote themselves to unceasing prayer, and to do battle against the power of the demons. Although some people erroneously believe that monks and nuns are useless and unproductive, St John Climacus had a high regard for them: “Angels are a light for monks, and the monastic life is a light for all men” (LADDER, Step 26:31). The last category, the Righteous, are those who attained holiness of life while living “in the world.” Examples include Abraham and his wife Sarah, Job, Sts Joachim and Anna, St Joseph the Betrothed, St Juliana of Lazarevo, and others. The feast of All Saints achieved great prominence in the ninth century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise (886-911). His wife, the Holy Empress Theophano (December 16) lived in the world, but was not attached to worldly things. She was a great benefactor to the poor, and was generous to the monasteries. She was a true mother to her subjects, caring for widows and orphans, and consoling the sorrowful. Even before the death of StTheophano in 893 or 894, her husband started to build a church, intending to dedicate it to Theophano, but she forbade him to do so. It was this emperor who decreed that the Sunday after Pentecost be dedicated to All Saints. Believing that his wife was one of the righteous, he knew that she would also be honored whenever the Feast of All Saints was celebrated.

8th Sunday after Pascha – Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

mihai — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:54:22 +0000

8th Sunday after Pascha – Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Follow Pentecostarion. All services begin with “Heavenly King.” Great Vespers: Entrance. Old Testament readings. Litia. Matins: Polyeleos. Megalinaria. No Resurrectional Hymns of Blessings or Hymns of Ascent of Tone – instead, sing Hymns of Ascent of Feast. Gos. John 20:19-23. Do not sing “Seeing the Resurrection.” Ps. 50. Katavasia of Pentecost. Liturgy: Festal Antiphons. Special Entrance Hymn. “All baptized in Christ” in place of “Holy God.” Epis. Acts 2:1-11. Gos. John 7:37-53; 8:12. Axion: Irmos of 9th Ode of Pentecost Canon. After Liturgy, Great Vespers with Kneeling Prayers. (+) Descent of the Holy Spirit. St. Michael the Confessor, Bishop of Synnada In place of the usual antiphons, use the festal antiphons: The First Antiphon (Second Tone) Stichos 1: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of His hands. Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. Stichos 2: Day unto day poureth forth speech and night unto night proclaimeth knowledge. Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. Stichos 3: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. The Second Antiphon (Second Tone) Stichos 1: The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Refrain: O Good Comforter, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia. Stichos 2: Let Him send forth unto thee help from His sanctuary, and out of Zion let Him help thee. Refrain. O Good Comforter, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia. Stichos 3: The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and fulfill all thy purposes. . Refrain: O Good Comforter, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. O only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and without change didst become man, and was crucified, O Christ God, trampling down death by death. Thou Who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us. The Third Antiphon Reader: Stichos 1: O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly. Choir: (Troparion, Tone 8): Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, / Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise, / by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, / and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. // O Lover of mankind, glory be to Thee. Stichos 2: The desire of his heart hast Thou granted unto him, and hast not denied him the requests of his lips. Choir: Repeat Troparion Stichos 3: Thou wentest before him with the blessings of goodness, Thou hast set upon his head a crown of precious stone. Choir: Repeat Troparion The entry verse: Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength; we will sing and chant of Thy mighty acts. And immediately after that, the choir sings the Troparion and Kontakion of the feast: Tone 8: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, / Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise, / by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, / and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. // O Lover of mankind, glory be to Thee. Glory… Both now… Tone 8: Once, when He descended and confounded the tongues, / the Most High divided the nations; / and when He divided the tongues of fire, / He called all men into unity; // and with one accord we glorify the All-Holy Spirit. Instead of the Trisagion: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. Thrice. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia. As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. Epistle Reading Deacon: Let us be attentive! Priest: Peace be to all. Choir: And to your spirit. Deacon: Wisdom! (DYNAMIS) Reader: The Prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Choir: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Reader: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands. Choir: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Reader: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth. Choir: And their words unto the ends of the world. Reader: The reading is from The Acts of the Apostles according to St Luke. Deacon: Let us be attentive! WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Priest: Peace be to you, reader Reader: And to your spirit. – Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (first alleluia verse) By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established, and all the might of them by the Spirit of His mouth Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Reader: (second alleluia verse) The Lord looked down from heaven, He beheld all the sons of men. Choir/People: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia Deacon: Wisdom. Arise. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace be to all. People: And with your spirit. Deacon: The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. John People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. Priest: Let us be attentive. And on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.” Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.