The Holy Hieromartyr Therapontus.
Post-feast of Pentecost.
At the beginning of the Liturgy, immediately after Blessed be the Kingdom… and Amen we all kneel and sing the following in Tone 6, samohlasnyj:
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life: come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, O Good One, save our souls.
Antiphon 1
The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of his hand.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Day to day pours forth the message and night proclaims this knowledge to night.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…
Third Antiphon
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord,* let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
O good Advocate,* save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise,* and acclaim Him in psalms.
O good Advocate,* save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord,* the great king over all the earth.
O good Advocate,* save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
O good Advocate,* save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Blessed are You, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise* by sending them the Holy Spirit;* through them You caught the entire world.* Loving Master, glory to You.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: When the Most high descended and confused the tongues,* He parted the nations.* He called all to unity;* and with one voice* we glorify the all-Holy Spirit.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hand. (Psalm 19:5,2)
Epistle
Romans 1:18-27
Brothers and Sisters, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: By the Lord’s words the heavens were established, and by the Breath of His mouth all their host.
verse: The Lord has looked down from heaven and beheld the whole human race.
Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26
The Lord said to his disciples, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Hymn to the Theotokos
O my soul, magnify the one Divinity in three Persons.
and the Irmos: Rejoice, O Queen, boast of the virgins and mothers, for every tongue, though capable and eloquent, cannot hymn you as is your due, and every mind is confounded in seeking to comprehend the way in which you gave birth. Wherefore with one accord we glorify you.
Communion Hymn
Your good Spirit will lead me* to the land of righteousness.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 142:10)
AT VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord* pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Come, let us bow in worship before the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, the King, our God.
Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, our King and God.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul! You are very great O Lord, my God;
Clothed in pomp and brilliance; arrayed with light as with a cloak.
Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth, covering Your lofty halls with water.
You make the clouds Your conveyance. You surge on the wings of the wind.
You make spirits Your messengers, and flaming fires Your attendants.
You settle the earth on its firm foundation; it shall stand unmoved from age to age.
The abyss covers it like a garment; waters stand over the mountains.
At Your rebuke they will take flight; at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.
They hurdle the hills and run down the dales, to the place You have chosen for them.
You have set up a boundary not to be passed; they shall never return to cover the earth.
Down in the gullies You make springs to rise; water shall go down between the mountains.
They shall give drink to the beasts of the field; wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.
The birds of the sky will abide by them; from among the rocks they will raise their song.
From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains; the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.
You make green pastures for the cattle and food-plants for the service of all,
So that bread may be brought forth from the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man.
So that oil may put a gleam upon his face; and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.
The trees of the plain will be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.
The sparrows will build their nests in them; and the herons will call them their home.
To the deer belong high mountains, to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.
You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the time of its setting.
You establish darkness, and it is night wherein the forest creatures prowl around.
Young lions roar for their prey, and call out to God for their meat.
As the sun rises, they will come together, and lay themselves down in their dens.
Man will go out to his labour and work until eventide.
How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.
The earth is filled with Your creatures. Even the wide and open sea itself, within it there are countless creeping things, living beings small and large.
Upon it there are ships a-sailing, and that great beast You made to have fun.
All of them look up to You, to give them their food in due time.
You provide and they gather up; You open Your hand and they are full.
You hide Your face and they cringe; You suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust.
You send forth Your breath and they live; You renew the face of the earth.
May the Lord’s glory endure for ever: may the Lord rejoice in His works;
He looks upon the earth and makes it quake; He touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God as long as I last.
Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him: and I will rejoice in the Lord.
May sinners vanish from the earth, and may the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
The sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness, and it is night.
How great are Your works, O Lord, in wisdom You have wrought them all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Litany of Peace
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For peace throughout the world, for the well-being of God’s holy churches and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), the Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this city, for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the seafarers and travellers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For all glory, honour, and worship befit You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Psalm 140
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord! O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me. Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon You. Hear me, O Lord!
Let my prayer rise like incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord!
Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth and a portal around my lips.
Incline my heart away from evil dealings, from finding excuses for sinful deeds.
In company with those who work iniquity, let me not partake of what they choose.
May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me; may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.
Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare. Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.
My words will be heard, for they were sweet. As a lump of clay broken on the ground, so their bones were strewn near the grave.
On You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are fixed. In You have I trusted; take not my life.
Keep me from the snare that was set for me, and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.
The wicked shall fall into their own nets, while I remain alone until I can escape.
Psalm 141
With my voice I cried to the Lord; with all my voice I implored the Lord.
Before Him I pour out my supplications; before Him I declare my distress.
When my breath was escaping me, then You knew my paths;
On the road upon which I was walking, they set up snares for me.
I looked to my right and observed there was no one friendly to me;
Even flight was denied me; there was no one to take care of my life.
I cried out to You, O Lord, and said: You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.
Listen to my supplication, for I am laid very low.
Deliver me from my oppressors, for they have overwhelmed me.
Lead my soul forth from prison that I may give thanks to Your name.
The just shall gather around me when You give me my due reward.
Psalm 129
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice!
Let Yours ears be attentive to the voice of my prayer.
At Psalm 140
Tone 1
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
It is proper and natural that the rational heavens* proclaim with tongues of fire to all the nations,* the glory of God, who has adorned the heavens by means of fire;* and who, by the Son and the Spirit, has rendered luminous* the world which our senses know.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
When Christ’s disciples had gathered in Sion, as He said,* then did the Spirit come down upon them, as was promised.* Appearing as fire, showing the Apostles to be teachers,* who spoke of the hidden things of the Trinity* while breathing forth fire.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The Divine Spirit came upon the sacred Apostles,* making of them heavenly swords.* Thus they consecrated all the earth to God the Creator* as they cut down the impious ones.* By them the swords of the evil one have been destroyed,* that our souls may be saved.
Tone 8
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The most glorious Therapontus, illumined by divine acts,* was vouchsafed to behold the beauty of Christ with the eyes of his heart,* having pleased Him by his suffering.* Therefore, by grace he ever heals sufferings of soul and body* for those who have recourse to him with faith.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
As a well-spring of living water,* the all-rich Therapontus pours forth streams of healings* and utterly washes away the defilement of grievous ailments* from all who have recourse to him with faith.* By his entreaties, O Lord, grant to all great mercy.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
The wondrous Therapontus, soaked in the dye of his blood,* fashioned a truly most splendid garment of sanctity;* and arraying himself magnificently therein,* he has entered the Holy of holies.* Through his supplications, O Lord, grant great mercy to all.
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
We have seen the true Light;* we have received the Heavenly Spirit;* we have found the true Faith,* we worship the undivided Trinity;* for He has saved us.
Deacon: Wisdom! Stand aright!
Hymn of Light
Tranquil Light, of the holy glory of the immortal heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices; O Son of God, You are the giver of life. For this the whole world glorifies You.
Prokeimenon
Deacon: Let us be attentive!
Priest: Peace be with all.
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us be attentive!
Tuesday Evening, Psalm 22, Tone 1
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me* all the days of my life.
- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He gives me repose.
Deign, O Lord
Deign, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name for ever. Amen.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us because we have set our hope in You.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Master, make me understand Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your laws.
O Lord, Your mercy endures forever; do not despise the work of Your hands.
It is proper to praise You, and hymns belong to You.
Glory belongs to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help and save, have mercy, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For all that is good and beneficial for our souls and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defence at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask.
All: Grant this, O Lord.
Deacon: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and our whole life, to Christ our God.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You, O God, are gracious and You love mankind, and we glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Priest: Peace to all of you.
All: And with your spirit.
Deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord.
All: To You, O Lord.
Priest: O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil’s assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams. May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Aposticha
Tone 4
On this day the working of Your Holy Spirit came down upon Your Apostles,* showing them to be supremely wise, and seers of divine things,* filling them with Your blessed teaching.* Wherefore, we glorify Your saving dispensation,* O Jesus Almighty, the Saviour of our souls.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,* and renew a right spirit within me.
On this day Your Spirit O All-powerful Lord,* has been sent forth from the Father,* He who is consubstantial with You,* was distributed among the Apostles in the form of fiery tongues;* thus He prepared them to preach Your mighty deeds.* Wherefore we glorify Your saving dispensation,* O Jesus, Almighty, the Saviour of our souls.
Cast me not away from Your presence,* and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
On this day, O Saviour, You have poured forth the gifts of Your Comforting Spirit,* granting mortal-mankind to prophesy,* as You once promised, O Word,* whereby You taught all to worship and adore the undivided Trinity.* Wherefore we glorify Your saving dispensation,* O Jesus Almighty, the Saviour of our souls.
Tone 6, Glory… Now…
O Lord, the descent of the Holy Spirit, which enveloped Your Apostles,* made them to speak with other tongues.* Hence, the strange wonder was thought to be drunkenness by the unbelievers,* but to the believers it was a cause of salvation.* Wherefore, we beseech Your to grant us also His illumination,* O Lover of mankind.
Hymn of Simeon
Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise; let Your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people; a Light to reveal You to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel!
Trisagion Prayers
Lector: Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,* hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Troparion, Tone 4
Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Therapontus.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
Blessed are You, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise* by sending them the Holy Spirit;* through them You caught the entire world.* Loving Master, glory to You.
Litany of Supplication
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray the most holy universal Pontiff, (name), Pope of Rome, our most blessed Patriarch, (name), our most reverend Metropolitan, (name), our God-loving Bishop, (name), for those who serve or have served in this holy church, for our spiritual fathers, and for all our brethren in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Deacon: We also pray for our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Petitions may be added here.
Deacon: We also pray for the people here present who await Your great and bountiful mercies, for those who have been kind to us, and for all orthodox Christians.
All: Lord, have mercy. (3)
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Daily Dismissal
Deacon: Wisdom!
All: More honourable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.
Priest: Glory be to You, O Christ our God, our hope, glory be to You.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.* Lord, have mercy. (3)* Give the blessing.
Priest: Christ our true God, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles; of Saint, (name, whose church it is), and of Saint, (name, whose day it is) and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
All: Amen.