martyr polyeuctus

8/3/2019 Martyr Polyeuctus

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32rd Sunday after PentecostAfterfeast of the Theophany

Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Polyeuctus

VESPERS: Tone 7

P. Regular Beginning

C. Lord I have cried...

1. O come let us rejoice in the Lo-ord/ Who destroyed the power of death

and enlightened mankind,/ and let us cry aloud with the angels://

Glory to Thee, our Creator and our Saviour.

2. On our account Thou hast endured the Cross and the tomb:/ and as God

Thou hast by death also put death to death:/ Therefore, we worship Thy

Resurrection on the third day:// Glory to Thee, O Lord.

3. On beholding the Resurrection of the Creator,/ the Apostles, marveling,

sang an angelic song of praise:/ Here is the glory of the Church,/here the richness of the Kingdom:/ Glory be to Thee, O Lord,// Who

hast suffered death for us.

4. O Christ, though Thou hast been taken captive by wicked men,/ Thou art

my God and I am not shamed;/ I deny not that Thyback was scourged;/ I

keep not hid that Thou wast nailed to the Cross./ I boast of Thy

Resurrection, for Thy death is my life;// O almighty Lord, Who lovest

mankind, to Thee be glory.

Stichera for the Feast (Tone 8)

5. O Lord, even though thou didst stand before John as a man, in the

Jordan,/ yet, seated with the Father, Thou didst not depart from Thy

throne./ And, baptized for our sake, Thou didst free the world from

bondage to the alien one,// in that Thou art compassionate and lovest

mankind.

6. O Lord, even though Thou didst surround Thyself as a man with the

Jordan's waters,/ yet from on high wast Thou confirmed by the descent

of the Spirit,/ and the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee as

His Son.// But do Thou appear and grant incorruption unto our souls.

7. O immutable Lord, Who before time began wast begotten of the Father,/

Thou didst come in the latter days and didst take the form of aservant, and as Creator didst renew Thine image;/ for, being

baptized,// Thou hast bestowed incorruption upon our souls.

Stichera for the Martyr Polyeuctus (Tone 1)

8. As Christ led David up out of the pit of the passions,/ so did He

raise thee up, O martyr, from the miry clay of the delusion of

idolatry;/ for He mystically set thy feet upon the rock of the

knowledge of Him.// Beseech Him, that we may be saved.


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9. Neither the desire of thy spouse, nor the love of thy children,/ nor

thy dignity, nor yet thy wealth in possessions and estates,/ caused

the strength of thy soul to waver/ from the true faith in Christ,// O

most blessed Polyeuctus.

10. Even before the grace of thy suffering, O martyr,/ thou wast truly

adorned with the works of righteousness./ Wherefore, in accordance

therewith, thou wast counted worthy to be a faithful witness of

Christ,// being piously baptized in thine ownblood into His death.

Glory... (Tone 1)

The hosts of the angels today join chorus/ to commemorate the martyr

Polyeuctus,/ and the race of man doth faithfully hold festival,/ and

joyously crieth out:/ Rejoice, O most laudable one, who hast triumphed over

the subtle snares of Belial,/ and hast been crowned by Christ with the

wreath of victory!/ Rejoice, warrior of our great King and Saviour,/ who

destroyed the temples of the idols!/ Rejoice, adornment ofmartyrs!/ Pray

thou that those who faithfully keep thine ever-honourablememory// may be

delivered from every threat.

Both now & ever... Dogmatikon (Tone 7)

Thou, O Theotokos, hast been acknowledged to be a Mother/ above and

beyond nature, yet withal remaining a Virgin./ This is past words and

understanding,/ and the wonder of thy giving birth no tongue can tell./

Most glorious, O pure Virgin, was thy conceiving:/ and beyond the grasp of

mind, the manner of thybearing child./ For when God so wills, the order of

nature is overthrown./ Therefore, we all acknowledging thee as the Mother

of God, fervently beseech thee:// Make supplication for our souls to be

saved.

P Wisdom. Aright!

C. O Joyful Light...

P. Prokimenon. The Lord is King...

P. Wisdom! (And readings, if any)

P. Augmented Litany

R. Vouchsafe...

P. Litany of Fervent Supplication

APOSTICHA: (Tone 7)

1. Rising from the tomb, O Saviour of the world,/ Thou hast, together with

Thy flesh, raised up man:// To Thee, O Lord, be glory.

V. The Lord is King,/ and hath put on glorious apparel.

2. Come, let us worship Him,/ Who rose from the tomb and gave light to

all./ Forby His resurrection on the third day/ He set us free from

the tyranny of hell,// granting us life and greatmercy.

V. He hath made the world so sure/ that it cannot be moved.

3. O Christ, the Lord, Who alone lovest mankind,/ Thou hast descended into

hell,/ despoiling death and rising upon the third day;/ Thou hast


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raised us up with Thee glorifying Thine all-powerful Resurrection,// O

Thou Who lovest mankind.

V. Holiness becometh Thine house/ O Lord, forever.

4. O Lord, what an awful sight it was to see Thee lying as if asleep in

the tomb;/ yet Thou didst rise on the third day in might,/ raising up

with TheeAdam, who cried:// Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Thou, Who

alone lovest mankind.

G/B... of the Feast (Tone 4)

He that doth clothe Himself with light as it were with a garment/ hath

deigned for our sake to become like as we are;/ and today He is covered

with the streams of the Jordan,/ though He hath no need to be purifiedby

them,/ but that, through the cleansing He receiveth, He might Himself

bestow regeneration upon us./ Oh, the wonder!/ Without fire Christ God, the

Saviour of our souls, casteth anew, and without shattering He fashioneth,//

and He saveth those who are enlightened in Him.

C. St. Symeon's PrayerR. Trisagion

C. Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos x2

Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1)

O Lord, when Thou wast baptized in the River Jordan,/ worship of the

Trinity was revealed./ For the voice of the Father did come forth to

testify/ and to name Thee His most beloved Son./ And the Spirit in the

likeness of a dove,/ confirmed the Truth of the Word./ Thou hast appeared

and hast given light to the world,// O Lord, Glory to Thee!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord...

MATINS: Tone 7

P. Regular Beginning

P. Great Ectenia

C. God is the Lord...

Sunday Troparia (Tone 7) x2

By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death./ To the thief, Thou didst open

paradise./ For the myrrh-bearers, thou didst change weeping into joy/ and

Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God,/ to proclaim that Thou art

risen// granting the world great mercy.

Glory... Troparion for the Martyr Polyeuctus (Tone 4)

In his suffering, O Lord,/ Thy martyr Polyeuctus received an

imperishable crown from Thee, our God;/ for, possessed of Thy might,/ he

set at naught the tormentors, and crushed the feeble audacity of the

demons.// By his supplications save Thou our souls.

Both... Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1)

O Lord, when Thou wast baptized in the River Jordan,/ worship of the

Trinity was revealed./ For the voice of the Father did come forth to

testify/ and to name Thee His most beloved Son./ And the Spirit in the


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likeness of a dove,/ confirmed the Truth of the Word./ Thou hast appeared

and hast given light to the world,// O Lord, Glory to Thee!

Lord Have Mercy 3x

Glory...

R. Now...

R. Kathisma II

P. Small Ectenia

R. Sessional Hymns:

Life lay in the tomb, and the seal lay upon the stone. The soldiers

guarded Christ as they would a sleeping king, and the angels glorified Him

as immortal God. And the women cried aloud: The Lord hath risen, granting

great mercy to the world!

V. Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high; forget not Thy

paupers to the end.

O Christ God, Who by Thy burial madest death captive, and Who by Thine

arising raised up man who had become corrupt: Glory to Thee, in that Thoulovest mankind!

G/B... As thou, who art sung by all the world, art the treasure

house of our Resurrection, lead out of the pit and abyss of their offences,

those who have put their faith in thee. For thou who before bearing child

wast Virgin, and in childbirth and after childbirth hast remained Virgin,

hast saved us by giving birth to our salvation.

R. Kathisma III

P. Small Ectenia

R. Sessional Hymns:While the tomb was sealed, Thou didst shine forth life from the grave,

O Christ God; and while the doors were shut, Thou, the Resurrection of all,

didst stand before the disciples, through them renewing an upright spirit

for us, according to Thy great mercy.

V. I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of

all Thy wonders.

The women ran to Thy tomb, bearing myrrh and tears; and while the

soldiers were keeping watch over Thee, the King of all, they said to

themselves: Who will roll away the stone for us? But the Angel of great

Counsel had arisen, trampling down death. O Lord almighty, glory be to

Thee!

G/B... Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace, haven and

intercession for the human race, for of thee did the Deliverer of the world

become incarnate, for thou alone art both Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed

and all-glorious. Entreat Christ God, that He grant peace to all the world.

R. Psalm 118

C. Evlogitaria (Blessed art Thou, O Lord...)

P. Small Ectenia


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R. Ypakoe:

O Christ God, Who assumed our form and endured the Cross in the flesh,

save me by Thy resurrection, in that Thou lovest mankind.

Hymn of Degrees: (Antiphon One)

O Saviour Who turned the captivity of Sion away from falsehood, grant

life unto me, rescuing me from enslaving passions.

He who with tears soweth the afflictions of fasting in the south shallreap sheaves of joy and everlasting life.

G/B... Through the Holy Spirit cometh the well-spring of divine

treasures: from Him are wisdom, understanding and fear, and to Him are due

praise and glory, honour and dominion.

Hymn of Degrees: (Antiphon Two)

If the Lord buildeth not the house of the soul, in vain do we labor;

For without Him is no work or word made perfect.

Moved by the Spirit, the saints, made true children through adoption by

the Son, have transmitted the teachings of the Father.

G/B... Through the Holy Spirit doth everything come into being; for,

from before the beginning of time, He hath been the God of all, the Lord ofall, the unapproachable Light, and the Life of all.

Hymn of Degrees: (Antiphon Three)

Having found the paths of life, they who fear the Lord are blessed, now

and forever, with incorruptible glory.

Seeing thine offspring like the trunks of trees round about thy table,

rejoice and be glad, leading them to Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

G/B... From the Holy Spirit come an abyss of gifts, a wealth of

glory and great depths of judgment; for, equal in glory with the Father and

the Son, He is worshipped with Them.

P. Prokimenon: (Tone 7)Arise, O Lord my God, let Thy hand be lifted high;/ forget not Thy

paupers to the end.

V. I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

GOSPEL #10

C. Having Beheld the Resurrection of Christ...

R. Psalm 50

C. Glory... Now... Have mercy on me... Jesus having risen...

P. Save, O God, Thy People...

Anointing.

Canticle One

Irmos: By Thy hand was the nature of water,/ which before was

fluid,/ transformed into solid form, O Lord./ Wherefore,

having passed through it dryshod,// Israel chanteth to Thee a

hymn of victory.

Glory to Thy Holy Resurrection, O Lord.


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By the Tree was the tyranny of death overthrown, when Thou was

condemned to an unjust death, O Lord; thus, utterly unable to vanquish Thee,

the prince of darkness was rightly banished.

Hades drew nigh to Thee, but his fangs were unable to rend Thy body,

and his jaws were broken; wherefore, having destroyed the pangs of death, O

Saviour, Thou didst arise on the third day.

Theotokion

The pangs of our first mother Eve have been eased, for, eluding pain,

thou gavest birth without knowing man. Wherefore, clearly knowing thee to

be the Theotokos, O all-pure one, we all glorify thee.

Most Holy Theotokos, Save us.

O Virgin who gavest birth to the Abyss of loving-kindness, illumine my

soul with thy luminous effulgence, that I may hymn the abyss of thy wonders

as is meet.

Seeing us wounded by the dart of sin, the Word took pity on us, as ourBenefactor; wherefore, the All-divine One ineffably united Himself to flesh

He had received from thee, O most pure one.

Glory to Thee, Our God, glory to Thee!

When the light of the radiant Dawn shone forth upon mortal men, comingforth from the wilderness to the waters of the Jordan, Thou, O King of theSun, didst bow Thy neck before him, that Thou mightest ransom ourforefather from the minions of darkness and cleanse creation of alldefilement.

O Word Who art without beginning, Thou hast buried man with Thyself inthe stream, and Thou dost lead him forth new again, who had been corrupted

by deception; and the mighty voice of the Father testifieth to Thee

ineffably, saying: This is My beloved Son, the Child Who is equal to Me by

nature.

Holy Martyr Polyeuctus pray to God for us!

Satisfied with much-desired sustenance, full of blessed radiance, and

accounted worthy to join in the angelic chorus, O glorious Polyeuctus, save

those who celebrate thy feast with praise and chant unto the Lord: For

gloriously is He glorified!

Thy radiant and right renowned feast hath shown forth, full of light

most divine, illumining those who with faith splendidly hymn thee, O most

blessed Polyeuctus, valiant warrior of Christ, chanting unto the Lord: For

gloriously is He glorified!

Glory... Strengthened by the might of the Spirit and invested with

divine power, O blessed one, without hesitation thou didst go forth to

contend with the prideful one; and, having mightily cast him down, thou

didst cry aloud with zeal: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously is He

glorified!


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Both... O all-immaculate and most pure Virgin Theotokos, whilemanifestly remaining a virgin, thou didst yet give birth unto the IncarnateOne Who before had been incorporeal, Who in the richness of His compassionimpoverished Himself for our sake, and hath saved those who cry to Him:Gloriously is He glorified!

C. Katavasia (Tone 2)

The Lord mighty in battle/ uncovered the foundations of the deep/ andled His servants on dry ground:/ but He covered their adversaries with the

waters,// for He has been glorified.

Canticle Three

Irmos: O Lord and Saviour/ Who in the beginning established the

heavens by Thine omnipotent Word/ and confirmed all their

power by the all-accomplishing and divine Spirit:// establish

me upon the immovable rock of the confession of Thee!


Having ascended the Tree, O compassionate Saviour, of Thine own will

Thou didst experience pain for our sake and didst endure the wounding which

won reconciliation and salvation for the faithful. And thereby have we all

been reconciled with Thy Father, O Merciful One.

Having cleansed of sores me who was wounded by the sting of the

serpent, O Christ, Thou didst show forth light unto me who from of old have

lain in darkness and corruption; for having descended into hades through the

Cross, Thou didst raise me up with Thyself.

Theotokion

Through the entreaties of Thy Mother who knew not man, O Saviour, grantpeace to the world, and vouchsafe Thine ineffable glory unto those who

glorify Thee.


The serpent who slithered forth from Eden, beguiling me with a desire

to become a god, hath cast me down to the ground; but He Who is merciful and

compassionate by nature, having made His abode within thy womb and become

like unto me, O Virgin Mother, hath taken pity and deified me.

Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O Virgin Theotokos, thou joy of all;

for, for the whole world thou gavest birth unto the Joy and Gladness whichtruly dispelleth the grief of sin, O Bride of God.


He who once assumed the guise of a malignant serpent and planted death

in the garden of creation, is now cast into darkness by Christ's coming in

the flesh; and by assailing the Master, the Dawn which hath shone forth

upon us, he crusheth his own loathsome head.


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The Master draweth to Himself the divinely crafted nature of man,

which had been overthrown by the tyranny of greed; and He restoreth mortal

men, granting them a new birth, and accomplishing thereby a mighty work;

for He is come to cleanse our nature.


Thou didst exchange philosophy for piety, and wast accounted worthy of

the divine vision of the Saviour from on high, O Polyeuctus.

Desiring victory, O glorious one, thou didst spit upon all the things

of this earth, and hast been vouchsafed heavenly delight.

Glory... Desiring the glory which passeth understanding, thou didst

run with endurance and didst cast down the ignominy of idolatry.

Both... Direct my steps, O Mistress, that I may go to thy Son with a

praiseworthy life.


The Lord, Who givest strength to our kings/ and exalts the horn of Hisanointed,/ is born of a Virgin and comes to baptism./ Therefore let us, the

faithful, cry aloud:// None is holy as our God and none is righteous save

Thee, O Lord.

P. Small Ectenia

C. Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 4) (See the music)

Today hast Thou appeared to the world, O Lord,/ and Thy light hath

been signed upon us/ who chant to Thee with understanding:/ Thou hast come

and hast revealed Thyself,// O Light unapproachable!

R. Ikos of the FeastUpon Galilee of the nations, upon the land of Zebulon and the land of

Naphtali, as the prophet said, a great Light hath shone, even Christ. A

radiant Beam hath dawned upon those who sat in darkness, shining forth from

Bethlehem. The Lord born of Mary, the Sun of righteousness, shineth forth

with splendor upon the whole world. Come, therefore, all ye naked children

of Adam, and let us clothe ourselves in Him, that we may be warmed; for He

Who covereth the naked and enlighteneth those in darkness, hath come. He

hath appeared, the Light unapproachable!

C. Kontakion for the Martyr Polyeuctus (Tone 1)

When the Saviour bowed His head in the Jordan,/ the head of the

serpent was crushed;/ and the decapitated head of Polyeuctus// hath put the

deceiver to shame.

R. Ikos for the Martyr Polyeuctus

In the river Jordan the Creator of all, bowing His head, receiveth

baptism; and, having invisibly crushed the serpents' heads, He bestowed

upon mankind power against the exceeding crafty one, who of old in paradise

ensnared Adam with the fruit of the tree and brought upon him death without

hope. Wherefore, the athlete Polyeuctus, in no wise yielding to the

blandishments of his wife, suffered steadfastly, and, stretching forth his

head, he put the deceiver to shame when it was cut off.


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R. Sessional Hymns

As a valiant warrior of Christ, the God of all, strengthened by His

grace, thou wast turned wholly to His love, O wise one, through the

faithful warrior Nearchus, who was with thee. Wherefore, having contended

lawfully, thou hast been crowned by the Lord, as is meet, O martyr

Polyeuctus.

G/B... Thou hast wrapped Thyself in the streams of the Jordan, OThou Who dost most gloriously clothe Thyself in light, and Thou hast

restored therein the nature of Adam, which had been corrupted by evil

disobedience, O Word of God. Wherefore, we all praise and glorify Thy holy

Epiphany.

Canticle Four

Irmos: O Christ God Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father,

didst descend to earth;/ I have heard the mystery of Thy

dispensation,// and have glorified Thee, Who alone lovest

mankind.


Giving His shoulders over to stripes, the innocent Master, Who was

incarnate of the Virgin, was beaten by a most sinful servant, loosing mine

offenses.

Standing before the tribunal of iniquitous judges, the Judge is

examined as one indicted; and He Who judgeth the earth with righteousness

and as God formed man is smitten by a hand of clay.

Theotokion

In that thou art truly the Mother of God, entreat thy Creator and Son,O most immaculate one, that He guide me to the saving haven of His glorious

will.


O most hymned one, who even before creation appeared to God as wholly

elect and beauteous in the splendor of thy radiance, enlighten those who

hymn thee.

For man, O pure one, thou gavest birth unto God, Who became incarnate

of thy pure blood, and delivereth from many offenses those who with love

glorify and honour thee, O Mother and Virgin.


O most radiant Word, Who hast been sent forth by the Father, Thou

comest to repel utterly the night of evil darkness and to uproot the sins

of men, and by Thy baptism to draw forth children of light from the streams

of the Jordan, O Good One.

When he saw in very truth the Word Who had been foretold, the herald

bore witness of Him to creation, and cried, plainly saying: "This is He Who


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was before me, yet cometh after. Though like us in form, He hath shone

forth with divine power to take away our hateful sin!"

That He might bring His own back to the life-giving pastures of

paradise, the Word of God layeth siege to the lairs of the dragons, and

destroying their manifold snares, he assaileth him who hath bruised all

mankind, and, imprisoning him, delivereth creation.


In thy pious confession, O most excellent one, thou didst bring

thyself to the Master, lovingly accepting to become a sacrifice for Him,

and being freed of every vice, O glorious one. Wherefore, thou criest to

the Saviour: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Captivated by the supernatural unity of mind shown forth by Nearchus,

and catechized in the godly faith in the Trinity by his words, O divinely

wise martyr Polyeuctus, thou wast truly accounted worthy of the greatly

desired and beauteous splendors of the martyrs.

Glory... Having enrolled in the army of the martyrs, thou didstreceive the indestructible kingdom; and, newly slain, thou didst enter

therein, still dripping with thy blood. And thou wast taken into the

immutable joy and unwaning light, receiving great glories.

Both... The Heavenly One, having likened Himself to those on earth,

hath made them heavenly; and having suffered through His nature which is

subject to human passions, He hath granted that we may partake of divine

dispassion. Wherefore, knowing her who gave birth unto Him to be the Maiden

who knew not wedlock, we glorify her as the Theotokos.


He whom Thou hast called, O Lord,/ 'The voice of one crying in thewilderness,/ heard Thy voice when Thou hast thundered upon many waters,/

bearing witness to Thy Son./ Wholly filled with the Spirit that had come

he cried aloud:// 'Thou art Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.'

Canticle Five

Irmos: Night is bereft of light for those without faith, O Christ,/

but for the faithful there is enlightenment in the sweetness

of Thy words;/ wherefore, I rise early unto Thee// and hymn

Thy divinity.


For Thy servants art Thou betrayed, and Thou endurest blows to Thy

cheeks, which win freedom for those who chant: I rise early unto Thee and

hymn Thy divinity!

By Thy divine power, O Christ, Thou didst cast down the mighty one with

Thy weak human flesh, and by Thy resurrection Thou hast shown me to be a

victor over death, O Saviour.


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Theotokion

O pure Mother, thou gavest birth unto God, Who as God became incarnate

of thee, O most hymned one; and though thou hadst no concourse with the male

gender, yet dost thou give birth through the Holy Spirit.


Beholding the ladder set firmly in the highest, Jacob understood it to

be an image of thee, O thou who knewest not wedlock; for through thee hathGod come into fellowship with men, O most pure Mistress.

Having now found everlasting deliverance through thee, O Virgin, we

earnestly cry out to thee, "Rejoice!", O Bride of God; and uplifted to joy

by thy light, O most hymned one, we hymn thee in songs.


Beholding him whom He had formed of dust bound by inescapable bonds in

the darkness of sin, the Creator raised him up and laid him on His

shoulders; and now, in the midst of abundant waters, He cleanseth him of

the ancient shame of Adam's inclination toward sin.

With piety let us eagerly hasten to the most pure wellsprings of the

stream of salvation: and, gazing upon the Word Who is come forth from the

incorrupt Virgin, let us drink the pure water which quencheth our holy

thirst, gently healing the infirmity of the world.


That thou mightest receive everlasting delight, O most blessed one,

thou didst spurn the beautiful things of this life, the character of

nature, pleasure, glory and life itself; and thou didst not lose hope.

Initiated into the divine mysteries of the image of God, by thy

firmness of mind thou wast set apart for perfect struggles; and shown to be

the victor, thou wast accounted worthy of unfading wreaths, O Polyeuctus.

Glory... Burning with zeal for piety and filled with divinely

inspired ardor, O all-glorious one, thou didst piously reject most godless

honour, being possessed of the wisdom which by its nature is inimical to

evil; and thou didst set at naught the vain gods of the heathen.

Both... Obedient to the words of thy mouth, O all-pure one, we call

thee blessed, for, truly accomplishing mighty works with thee, the Lord

hath magnified thee, and He hath shown thee to be the true Mother of God,

having been born of thy womb.


Jesus, the Prince of Life,/ has come to set loose from condemnation

Adam the first-formed man;/ and though as God He needs no cleansing,/ yet

for the sake of fallen man He is cleansed in the Jordan./ In its streams

He slew the enmity// and grants the peace that passes all understanding.

Canticle Six


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Irmos: Sailing amid the tumult of the cares of life,/ I founder with

the ship of sin and am cast to the soul-destroying beast;/

yet like Jonah I cry to Thee, O Christ;// Lead me up from

the deadly abyss!


The souls of the righteous imprisoned in hell and left there,

remembered Thee and besought salvation of Thee, which through the Cross Thoudidst grant to the nether regions, O Christ, having come there full of

loving-kindness.

The choir of the apostles despaired of ever seeing again Thine animate

temple not made by man, which was destroyed by Thy sufferings; yet, beyond

hope, they worshipped Thee and everywhere proclaimed Thee risen.

Theotokion

Who among men can explain the manner of thine ineffable birthgiving

which took place for our sake, O Virgin Bride of God? For God the Word, Who

is uncircumscribable, uniting Himself to thee, became flesh through thee.


The images of the law and the foretellings of the prophets clearly

proclaimed beforehand thee, O pure one, who wouldst give birth to the

Benefactor of all creation, Who continually and in manifold ways hath

benefited those who hymn thee with faith.

The first-created Adam, who of old was banished from the divine delight

of Eden through the treachery of the slayer of man, didst thou restore when

thou gavest birth unto Him Who hath delivered us from his transgression, O

thou who knewest not wedlock.


The prophet, mysteriously swallowed up for the space of three nights

in the belly of the sea monster, emerged again, making manifest beforehand

to all our regeneration in the last times, and our deliverance from the

dragon that slayeth mankind.

When the shining vaults of heaven were opened, he who knew the

Scriptures beheld the Spirit, Who proceedeth from the Father and abideth in

the all-pure Word, descending in ineffable manner in the form of a dove;

and he commanded the multitudes to hasten to the Master.


Having manifestly displayed angelic zeal, O right wondrous martyr,

thou hast been accounted worthy to enter the ranks of the angels. With

them, therefore, earnestly pray, O blessed one, that those who hymn thee

may be delivered from temptations.

When thy head was severed by the sword, O much suffering athlete, thou

didst lovingly sleep the needful sleep. And now, abiding with the martyrs

in the heavens, thou hast inherited an incorrupt estate.


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Glory... Thou wast like unto the Saviour, Who for our sake submitted

to suffering on the Cross, and didst share in His suffering; and now, O

blessed one, thou reignest with Him, as He promised, for time without end.

Both... As thou hast loving-kindness, having given birth unto the

Word Who loveth mankind, save us from cruel and violent circumstances; for

thee alone have we, the faithful, acquired as an invincible intercessor, O

most pure Mistress.


The Voice of the Word, the Candlestick of the Light,/ the Morning Star

and Forerunner of the Sun,/ cried in the wilderness to all the peoples:/

Repent and be cleansed while there is yet time.// For lo, Christ is at

hand, Who delivers the world from corruption.

P. Small Ectenia

C. Kontakion, Tone 7

The dominion of death/ can no longer hold men captive/ for Christ

descended shattering and destroying its powers!/ Hell is bound, while theprophets rejoice and cry:/ The Saviour has come to those in faith,// Enter,

you faithful, into the Resurrection.

R. Ikos

Below, the uttermost depths, hades and death trembled today before One

of the Trinity; the earth quaked, and the gatekeepers of hades, beholding

Thee, were horrified. And all creation, rejoicing with the prophets,

singeth a hymn of victory to Thee, our Deliverer and God, Who hast now

destroyed the power of death. Let us exult and cry out unto Adam and his

descendents, in that the tree of the Cross hath restored him to paradise:

Come forth, ye faithful, unto the resurrection.

Canticle Seven

Irmos: Of old, the children showed the fiery furnace to pour forth

dew,/ hymning the one God and saying:/ Supremely exalted and

all-glorious// is the God of our fathers!


Through a tree death came to Adam, who of his own will committed

disobedience; but through the obedience of Christ is he restored. For my

sake is the all-glorious Son of God crucified.

All creation hath hymned Thee, O Christ, Who rose from the tomb; for

Thou didst cause life to blossom forth for those in hades, and resurrection

for the dead, and light for those in darkness, O All-glorious One.

Theotokion

Rejoice, daughter of corrupt Adam! Rejoice, only Bride of God!

Rejoice, O thou who gavest birth to God, and through whom corruption was

driven off! Him do thou beseech, O pure one, that we all be saved.



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Thy Lord and Creator, O Virgin, loved thee, who art possessed of

raiment embroidered with gold, wrought of many colors. Supremely exalted

and all-glorious is the God of our fathers!

Receiving the burning coal of old, Isaiah was purified, O Maiden; and

in signs he beheld thy giving birth to the supremely exalted and all-

glorious God of our fathers.


The fierce Assyrian flame that prefigured Thee hast Thou quenched,

transforming it into dew. And now, O Christ, Thou hast clothed Thyself in

water as in flame, and Thou burnest up the baneful malice concealed in its

depths, which calleth men to fall with faltering step.

When the Jordan was parted of old, the people of Israel passed clean

over on dry ground, prefiguring Thee, O most powerful Lord, Who now bearest

up creation in the waters without touching it, leading it to a better and

imperishable path.

We know that in the beginning Thou didst, in Thy mercy, bring the

waters of the flood upon the earth to destroy every living substance that

Thou hadst made. And now, O Christ, Who workest wonders strange and most

great, Thou hast drowned sin in the waters of Thy compassion, unto the

salvation of mortal men.


Thou didst show Thy power to Thy servant, O Master; wherefore, with

great fervor he went forth to his struggles unbidden. And, victorious, he

chanted: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Thy glorious and most renowned feast hath shone forth, O martyr; for

it beareth the light of the manifestation of Thy Master and illumineth

those who with faith cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Glory... Riches that cannot be stolen and dignity which abideth and

falleth not away hast thou found; and thou hast received glory which

lasteth forever, O wondrous one, chanting: Blessed is the God of our

fathers!

Both... Having conceived Him Who is understood to abide ever with

the unoriginate Father, O Virgin, thou gavest birth unto the incarnate Son,

that He might save those who with faith cry aloud: Blessed is the God of

our fathers!


The breath of the wind heavy with dew/ and the descent of the angel of

God/ preserved the Holy Children from all harm,/ as they walked in the

fiery furnace./ Refreshed with dew in the flames, they sang in

thanksgiving:// Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our

fathers.

Canticle Eight


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Irmos: The bush on Sinai, which partook of fire without being

consumed,/ revealed God unto Moses,/ who was slow of speech

and spake with difficulty;/ and the zeal of God showed forth

the three children in the fire as invincible, who chanted:/

Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord,// and exalt Him

supremely forever!


Slaughtered for the world, the all-pure Lamb brought an end to the

sacrifices offered in accordance with the law, in that He is God, purifying

it of transgressions, that it may ever cry: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of

the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Our flesh, which was assumed by the Creator, was not incorrupt before

His suffering; but after His suffering and resurrection it was rendered

untouchable by corruption, and restoreth mortals, who cry: Hymn the Lord,

all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

TheotokionThy pure and most unblemished state hath purified the vile and

abominable state of the whole world, O Virgin; and thou becamest the cause

of our reconciliation with God. Wherefore, O all-pure Virgin, all of us, His

works, bless and exalt thee supremely for all ages.


With the light of thy birthgiving thou didst strangely enlighten the

whole world, O Theotokos; for in thine arms thou dost bear Him Who is truly

God, Who enlighteneth the faithful, who ever cry: O ye works of the Lord,

hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O pure one, we piously hymn thy womb, which ineffably contained the

incarnate God, Who hath given the enlightenment of the knowledge of God unto

all the faithful, who ever cry: O ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and

exalt Him supremely for all ages!


Sprinkled with dew in the midst of the fire, the three godly children

plainly prefigured how the transcendent Nature, which is resplendent with

most radiant rays of threefold holiness, doth, through human nature,

mercifully consume all pernicious falsehood with the fire of dew.

Let the whole of earthly creation be clothed in white, for this day it

is raised up from its fall to heaven; and, washed and most splendidly

cleansed in the flowing waters by the Word, by Whom all things are

preserved, it hath escaped its former sins.


Today thy feast of great supplication is celebrated with sacred rites,

O Polyeuctus, martyred athlete of Christ; for thou wast a sacrifice right

pleasing and acceptable unto Christ, Who was slain and sacrificed for thy


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sake. Him do ye children bless, ye priests hymn, ye people exalt supremely

for all ages!

Having shown forth on earth an athlete's opposition, even unto the

shedding of thy blood, O Polyeuctus, thou hast come to dwell in a chamber

of great splendor in the heavens, having been baptized in the laver of

thine own blood, chanting unto the Master: Ye priests, hymn; ye people,

exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Let us bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord!

Raise up my soul, which hath been slain by my falls into sin,

embracing it with the boldness of thy martyrdom, teaching it the divine

precepts, O glorious one, and right fittingly turning it to the virtues, as

it chanteth unto the Master: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him

supremely for all ages!

Both... Rejoice, thou through whom we have found everlasting joy!

Rejoice, thou who hast soothed the grief of Eve and turned the sorrow of

Adam into radiant gladness! Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, who gavest birth

unto the incarnate God, thou intercessor for the faithful who exalt thee

supremely for all ages!

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely

exalting Him unto all ages.


The Babylonian furnace,/ as it poured forth dew,/ foreshadowed a

marvelous mystery;/ how the Jordan should receive in its streams the

immaterial fire,/ and should encompass the Creator, when He was baptized in

the flesh.// Him do ye peoples bless and exalt above all for ever.

P. Magnificat

C. Song of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Canticle Nine

Irmos: O Mother who knewest not man,/ who gavest birth without

experiencing corruption,/ and lent flesh to the Word Who hath

fashioned all things,/ O Virgin Theotokos, thou receptacle of

Him Whom nought can resist/ and dwelling-place of the

Infinite:// thee do we magnify.


O all ye of alien mind, who assume that the Divinity suffered, stop

your mouths; for we magnify the Lord of glory crucified in the flesh, but

not crucified in His divine essence, for His is One in two natures.

O ye who believe not in the resurrection of the body, come ye to the

tomb of Christ and learn; for the flesh of the Bestower of life was dead and

rose again, to assure us of the final resurrection, wherein we hope.


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Triadicon

Worshipping a Trinity of Hypostases, not of Godheads, a Oneness of

divinity, not of Persons, we cut off those who divide It; moreover, we

confound those who dare to confuse that which we magnify.


Thou hast been the Mediatress of everlasting joy and gladness for us, O

Ever-virgin Maiden, having given birth to the Deliverer Who delivereth thosewho worship Him as God in truth and by the divine Spirit.

David, thine ancestor, O all-pure one, hymning thee, calleth thee the

ark of divine holiness, which supernaturally contained God Who sitteth in

the bosom of the Father. O ye faithful, let us magnify Him without ceasing.


That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in

wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the

Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us

light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they receivedHim.

O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit

dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in

the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to

shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.


Come, therefore, ye that love the martyrs, and let us hymn him who

hath been crowned by God, whom the Most High hath glorified on His

epiphany, which is named the enlightenment, and hath honoured and crownedand adorned on this, his honoured day.

With the streams of the blood of thy martyrdom which flowed forth thou

didst choke the most malicious worker of iniquity, O divinely blessed one;

and watering therewith the Church of Christ which doth ever bless thee

faithfully, thou hast made it bright.

Glory... Be thou my helper, O martyr, delivering me from diverse

temptations and evil circumstances, loosing the bonds of heresy, and

freeing from cruel imprisonment by thy supplication me who hymn thee with a

pure mind, O most glorious one.

Both... Thou gavest birth, O most pure one, unto Christ, the head

and fulfillment of the Law and the prophets, Whose good pleasure it was, in

the unfathomable abyss of His loving-kindness, to become man for our sake

through thee, and Who hath saved those who ever magnify thee with faith.


Every tongue is at a loss to praise thee as is due:/ even a spirit

from the World above is filled with dizziness,/ when it seeks to sing thy

praises, O Theotokos./ But since Thou art good, accept our faith:/ Thou


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knowest well our love inspired by God,// for thou art the Protector of

Christians and we magnify thee.

P. Small Ectenia

C. Holy is the Lord our God...

R. Exapostilarion Ten (John 21:1-14)

At the sea of Tiberias, with the sons of Zebedee, with Nathaniel and

Peter, the two other disciples of old with Thomas were fishing. Casting tothe right at the command of Christ they drew a multitude of fish. AndPeter, recognizing Him, cast himself into the water after Him. This wasthe third time He appeared to them and He showed them bread and fish uponthe coals.

Glory... Exapostilarion for the Martyr Polyeuctus

Having acquired the most desired riches of heaven and the glory and

splendor which thy soul desired greatly, O blessed Polyeuctus, abiding in

God thou didst receive a divine crown from the hands of the Most High, as a

true member of the choir of the martyrs.

Both... TheotokionO Virgin, pray the Lord risen from the tomb on the third day, for those

who praise thee and bless thee with love. For we all have thee as a saving

refuge and a mediator before Him. We have indeed become thine heritage and

thy servants, O Theotokos and we all look to thy defense.

C. Lauds: Tone 7 Stichera

Le-et every breathpraise the Lord/

Praise the Lord from the Heavens/

Pra-aise Him in the highest/

To Thee is due a hymn, O God/

Praise Him, all ye HisAngels;/

Pra-aise Him, all ye His hosts.//To Thee is due a hymn, O God.

R. (The following may be read or sung antiphonally)

Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light.

Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the

heavens.

Let them praise the name of the Lord; For He spake, and they came to be; He

commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever, yea, forever and ever; He hath set an

ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all ye abysses,

Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which perform His word,

The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars,

The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and winged birds,

Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth,

Young men and virgins, elders with the younger; let them praise the name of

the Lord, for exalted is the name of Him alone.

His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall exalt the horn of

His people.

This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of Israel, and for the

people that draw nigh unto Him.

Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints.


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Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons of Sion rejoice in

their king.

Let them praise His name in the dance; with the timbrel and the psaltery

let them chant unto Him.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He shall exalt the meek

with salvation.

The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords shall

be in their hands.To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments among the peoples,

To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron,

V. To do among them the judgment that is written/ This glory shall be

to all His saints.

1. Christ is risen fromthe dead,/ bursting asunder the chains of death:/

Proclaim, O ye earth, tidings of great joy:// Sing, O ye heaven, of

the glory of God.

V. Praise ye God in His saints,/ praise Him in the firmament of His

power.

2. Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ,/ let us worship the Holy Lord

Jesus,// Who alone is without sin.

V. Praise Him for His mighty acts,/ praise Him according to the

multitude of His greatness.

3. Let us never cease to hail the Resurrection of Christ/ Who has saved us

from our transgressions./ Holy is the Lord Jesus// Who showed forth

the Resurrection.

V. Praise Him with the sound of trumpet,/ praise Him with psaltery

and harp.

4. Wha-at shall we give Thee, O Lord,/ for all that Thou hast given us?/

For our sakes Thou, O God, hast lived among men;/ on account of our

corrupt nature the Word became flesh and dwelt in us./ He became the

Benefactor of the thankless,/ the Liberator of those in captivity;/ He

is the Sun of Righteousness for those sitting in darkness;/ He Who is

impassible, endured the Cross;/ He is the light in hell; He is Life in

death;/ He is the Resurrection of the fallen, and we cry unto Him://

Glory unto Thee, our God.

V. Praise Him with timbrel and dance,/ praise Him with strings and

flute.

Stichera for the Feast (Tone 6)

5. Tell us, and say, O prophet Isaiah:/ Who is the one who crieth in the

wilderness?/ Who crieth out: Draw ye therefore the water of

purification with gladness?/ Even John, who baptizeth in the

wilderness and crieth out: Christ is come!/ Blessed art Thou Who hast

appeared!// O our God, glory be to Thee!


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V. Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of

jubilation./ Let every breath praise the Lord.

6. O, the ineffable loving-kindness which passeth understanding!/ How the

Creator of creation inclineth His all-pure and divine head,/ providing

through His baptism an example of humility/ for those who are

illumined in Him./ And therein we chant:// Blessed art Thou Who hast

appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

V. The sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back.

7. The grace of baptism hath been poured forth for us as a living delight

from the torrent of the Jordan;/ and having been illumined therewith

through baptism, we say:/ Glory to Him Who hath appeared in the world

and granted us life!// Therein we chant: Blessed art Thou Who hast

appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

V. What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? And thou, Jordan,

that thou didst turn back?

8. As ones who have been led out of evil lands,/ come ye noetically, and

let us cleanse our senses;/ and beholding Christ baptized in the flesh

by John the Forerunner,/ let us all cry out with faith, chanting with

him:// Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to

Thee!

Glory... Gospel Sticheron, (Tone 6)

After the descent into hell/ and the Resurrection fromthe dead,/ the

disciples in all likelihood,/ losing heart at Thy parting from them, O

Christ,/ turned to work, and again to theirboats and nets,/ and nowhere was

there a catch./ But Thou, O Saviour, hast been revealed asMaster of all,/

and hast commanded them to cast the net on the right side./ And straightwaythe word became the deed,/ and there was a greatmultitude of fish/ and Thou

hast prepared on land a strange supper./ In this same supper of which Thy

disciples then partook,// make us now worthy to delight in mind, O Lord, Who

lovest mankind.

Both now and ever... (Tone 2)

Most Blessed art Thou, O Virgin Theotokos,/ for through Him Who became

incarnate of thee is hades led captive,/Adam recalled, the curse annulled,

Eve set fre-e, death slain,/ and we are given life. Wherefore, we cry aloud

in praise:/ Blessed art Thou, O Christ God,// Who hast been thus well-

pleased, glory to Thee.

P. The Great Doxology

R. Dismissal Tropar:

Today is salvation come unto the world; let us sing to Him Who arose

from the tomb, and is the Author of our life. For having destroyed death by

death, He hath given us the victory and great mercy.

P. Litanies

Dismissal


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R. Hours

Tropar: Resurrection & Feast/Saint alternating

Kontak: Feast/Resurrection alternating

At Liturgy:

Order of Troparia & Kontakia as per a simple afterfeast service

Prokimenon for the Sunday after Theophany (Tone 1)Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

V. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright.

Epistle(s): Eph 4:7-13 & I Tim 1:15-17

Alleluia for the Sunday after Theophany (Tone 5)

V. Of Thy mercies, O Lord, will I sing forever. Unto generation and

generation will I declare Thy truth with my mouth.

V. For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up forever. In the heavens

shall Thy truth be established.

Gospel(s): Matt 4:12-17 & Luke 18:35-43

Instead of It is Truly Meet... do Ode 9 w/refrain

Communion Verse: Praise Ye & of the Feast

martyr polyeuctus

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