Vigil and Liturgy .

. . . 174 Thanksgiving (Te Deum) . . 541 New Year. Thanksgiving Service (Te Deum) 534 Ordinations : Abbot . 321 Archdeacon or Proto-Deacon 3x6 Archimandrite .

Readers and Chanters 307 Sub-Deacons

-323 Archpriest 320 Bishop. Election

the hymns and readings for the day.

-324 Consecration

Explanation (Appendix) 606 Deacon . 3x2 . . . 317 Priest

. 310 Explanations (Appendix) . 605 Palm Sunday. Special Service . 204 Panikhida (General Requiem) . 564 Panikhfdi (Requiem) 437

592 Whitsunday (see Pentecost).

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T H E FEASTS AND FASTS O F T H E CHURCH

(The Church Year begins on September 1-14) The Feasis are dividcd into severnl categories, consisting of three prinn ~ a l g r a d e s which,

agai?~,are subdivided into Lesser and Greater.

The TWELVEGREATFEASTS

are classijied asfollows :

FEASTS O F OUR LORD AND THE FEASTS O F OUR MOST HOLY

SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

LADY, T H E BIRTHGIVER O F GOD,

EASTER. AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY.

a. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus a. The Nativity of the Birth-giver Christ. December 25 (Jan. 7, of God. September 8 (21, N. S.). b. The Presentation in the Temple

b. The ~anifestationof God (Epiof the Birth-giver of God. Nov. phany). Jan. 6-19. z I (Dec. 4, N. S.). c. T h e Meeting of the Lord Feb. c. The Annunciation of the Birth2-15. (The Purification of the giver of God. March 25 (April Virgin.)

d. +Palm Sunday. d. The Falling-asleep (Assumpe. t T h e Ascension of our Lord Jetion) of the Birth-giver of God. sus Christ. Aug. 15 (28, N. S.). f. ?Pentecost. (Trinity Sunday, and

the Day of the Spirit.)

g. T h e Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Aug. 6-19. h. The Exaltation (Setting-up) of

the Precious and Life-giving

Cross. Sept. 14-27. t Movable.

OF THE CHURCH.

Jan. 1-14 The Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Feast of St. Basil the Great. Jan. 30 (Feb. 12, N. S.). The Feast of the Three Saints (Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom). May 9-22. The Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas, the Wonderworker, from Myra in Lycia to Bari in Italy, A. D. 1096. May I 1-24. The Feast of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, the Evangelizers of the Slavic races. J u n e 24 (July 7, N. S.). The Nativity of St. John the Forerunner. J u n e 29 (July 12, N. S.). The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.

THE FEASTS AND FASTS O F THE CHURCH

July 15-27. The Feast of S t Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Evangelizer of Russia. Aug. 29 (Sept. I I, N. S.). The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Sept. 26 (Oct. 9, N. S.). The Death of St. John the Divine. Oct. 1-14. The Protection of the most holy Birth-giver of God. Nov. 8-21. The Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, and of the other Bodiless Powers of Heaven. Dec. 6-19. The Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderborker. In addition to the Feasts enumerated above, every day in the Church Calendar is a minor feast, dedicated to the memory of various Saints, Apostles, Martyrs, sacred events, and so forth.

IMPERIAL FEASTS

In Russia the following w e r i a l Days are celebrated:

The Birthdays of: The Emperor, the Empress, and the Heir.

The Days of the Angel (Namedays) of: The Emperor, the Empress, and the Heir.

T h e Anniversaries of: The Accession to the Throne, and the Coronation.

The Dcsi&tations of the Chumh Movable Seasons are asfollows:

The Sunday of : The Publican and the Pharisee

Ten weeks ii

The Prodigal Son

Nine weeks Meat Fast Eight weeks Cheese Fast Seven weeks . Before Seven weeks Easter. T h e Great Fast (Lent) begins Orthodoxy Six weeks

The Adoration of the Cross

is Four weeks are Lazarus's Saturday, and One week Palm Sunday

The Sunday of: St. Thomas

The Myrrh-bearing Women

T h e Impotent Man

The Woman of Samaria

The Blind Man

Ascension Day

The Holy Fathers of the Council of Niczea

The Day of the Spirit

(Pentecost) All Saints T h e Fast of St. Peter and St. Paul

One week Two weeks Three weeks Four weeks Five weeks (Thursday)

Six weeks (Seven weeks Eight weeks (Monday)

After Easter.

THE FEASTS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH

The Movable Feasts and two Fasts are regulated by the date upon

which Easter falls. A t times this coincides with its date in the Western Church. See the table for Easter, page xvii THEGREATFAST(Lent) begins on Monday ; not, as in the Western Church, on Ash Wednesday. (There is no Ash Wednesday.) I t lasts for forty-eight days. As a chieftain, before the battle, encourages his warriors with wise and timely words, so the Church prepares us in advance for feats of fasting and penitence, and then bids us to the performance of those feats. This preparation begins on the Sunday preceding that which is known in the Western Church as Septuagesima

Sunday, and is called "The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee."

Because pride, conceit of one's own righteousness, and scorn of his neighbour is the first and chiefest obstacle to repentance, the Church has appointed the condemnation of this sin as the theme of her hymps and readings on that day, taking the Gospel narrative of the Publican and the Pharisee as the key-note. In like manner, the next week of preparation (coinciding with S e p tuagesima Sunday) is called after the Prodigal Son, and the sinner is reminded that, when he scrupulously examines his evil deeds, he will perceive how deeply he has offended God. Hence he is encouraged to repentance and confession. The Prodigal Son is made the theme of

On the Saturday preceding the following Meat-fast Sunday a Requiem Liturgy is celebrated for all Orthodox believers departed this life, who are awaiting the Last Judgment. Therefore this Saturday is known as " Ancestors' Saturday." On tbe Sunday corresponding to Sexagesima Sunday begins the Meat-fast Week After this day no more meat may be eaten. The Second Coming of the Lord, founded upon the Lesson from the Gospel about the Last Judgment, is the special theme of this Sunday: in order that the sinner may not fall into carelessness concerning his salvation through too secure a trust in the ineffable loving-kindness of God, but may call to mind that the Lord God is also a righteous Judge. After the Sunday (corresponding to Quinquagesima) on which begins

the Cheese Fast, no more cheese, eggs, butter, or milk may be eaten.

T h e services of this Sunday aim to impress upon us that only by strict abstinence can we hope to recover that Paraclise which Adam lost through the lack of abstinence. Therefore Adam, fallen and banished, is the special theme of the Church. I t is customary on this day to ask and accord mutual forgiveness, and to effect mutual reconciliation. This custom is founded on the words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel lesson for t h e day : " For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father

THE FEASTS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH

will also forgive you." Hence it is generally called " Forgiveness Sunday." More reverences to the earth are appointed for the Great Fast (Lent) than for the services at other seasons, and the penitential character of the Offices is augmented. In the songs and prayers the moan of the contrite soul, bitterly bewailing its sins, is audible. The

first week is the most severe of all as to restrictions upon food and

drink : and the Offices have less of a triumphal and festival character than during the remaining weeks. Hence, during the Fast the full

strengthen thee out of Sion : remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt-sacrifice: grant thee thy heart's desire, and fulfil all thy mind. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God: the Lord perform all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord helpeth his Anointed, and will hear him from his holy heaven, even with the wholesome strength of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses ; but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen ; but we are risen and stand upright. Save, Lord ; and hear us, 0 King of heaven, when we call upon thee.

The King shall rejoice in thy strength, 0 Lord; exceeding

glad skall he be of thy salvation. Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not denied him the request of his lips. For thou shalt prevent .him with the blessings of goodness, and shalt set 'a crown of pure gold upon his head. H e asked life of thee ; and thou gavest him a long life, even for ever and ever. His honour is great in thy salvation ; glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him. For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity, and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance. And why ? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord ; and in the mercy of the Most Highest he shall not miscarry. All thine enemies shall feel thy hand ; thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee. Thou shalt make

them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath: the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them. Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they intended mischief against thee, and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou put them to flight, and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready against the face of them. Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength ; so will we sing, and praise thy power. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 0 Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. ( Thricr.)

0 all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. 0 Lord, wash away our sins. 0 Master, pardon our transgressions. 0 Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into t e m p tation ; But deliver us from the Evil One :

When the ALLNIGHT VIGIL is celebrated in i& usualfbrm,all the jorcgoin shall be omitfed; and a f l r the Blessin (sce#agc 14) the Hofy Doors shall closed, and ihe Reaa2r shall immedialef$ say :

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Thrice.) 0 Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. (Twice.) mstarChrist is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.) Z% R c d r t k n r e d t k the SIXPSALMS.

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me ! many are they that rise against me. Many one there be that say of my soul, There is no help for him in his God. But thou, 0 Lord, art my defender; thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head. I did call upon the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept, and rose up again ; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people, that have set themselves against me round about. Up, Lord, and help me, 0 my God ! For thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone ; thou hast broken the teeth of

the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord ; and thy blessing is

upon thy people. I will lay me down in peace and take my rest : for it is thou, Lord, only that maketh me dwell in safety.

Put me not to rebuke, 0 Lord, in thine anger ; neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure ; neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin. For my wickednesses are gone over my head, and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear. My wounds stink, and are corrupt, through my foolishness. I am brought into so great trouble and misery, that I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a sore disease, and there is no whole part in my body. I am feeble and sore smitten; I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart. Lord, thou knowest all my desire ; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me, and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me. My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble, and my kinsmen stood afar off. They also that sought after my life laid snares for me ; and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness, and imagined deceit all the day long. As for me, I was like a deaf man, and.heard not; and as one that is dumb, who