AT VESPERS

Lord, **I have cried we insert 6 Stichera and sing Prosomia of Saint Gregory.** ****

Tone 5. Venerable Father.

Venerable Father, most holy Gregory; full pen of the breath of the Advocate and clear tongue of Orthodoxy; lamp of the divine brightness with many lights; herald of truth, rampart of theology; wellspring of high doctrines; torrent of teachings that flow with honey; lyre tuned to God’s voice of songs composed by God that delights the minds of believers. All-wise Father, entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our souls.

Venerable Father, all-honoured Gregory; axe that fells the assaults of heretics, two-edged sword of the Advocate; knife that cuts out adulterated seeds; fire that burns up the undergrowth of heresies; true farmer’s winnowing fan by which the weight and lightness of doctrines is well distinguished; measuring rod of strict accuracy that directs all into paths of salvation. Ever entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our race.

Venerable Father, all-blessed Gregory; mouth that pours out blessed words, drawing them from the inexhaustible and divine wells of salvation, expounding for all words of prayer; rule that directs to virtue; you became radiant by contemplation of things divine, illumined by the brightness of the uncreated Trinity, whose invincible champion you became. Venerable Father, entreat Christ, implore Christ, who refashioned the world in the streams of Jordan, to save our race.

Prosomia Stichera of St Dometianos.

Tone 1. All-praised Martyrs.

**Of Saint Gregory.

Tone 4.**

Making your word of wisdom radiant by unapproachable virtue, Gregory of Nyssa, you became all fair in both, with your voice inspired by God beautifying and delighting the people spiritually, expounding with great wisdom the consubstantial godhead of the Trinity; and so, making war with orthodox doctrines on outlandish heresies, you roused the might of the faith to the ends of the earth. As you stand by Christ with the bodiless Ministers, ask for our souls his peace and great mercy.

**Of the Feast, same Tone.**

The hand of the Baptist trembled when it touched your immaculate head; the river Jordan was turned back, not daring to minister to you; for how could the river that had stood in awe of Jesus son of Navi not be seized with alarm at its Maker? But you, our Saviour, fulfilled the whole dispensation, that you might save the world by your Epiphany, only lover of humankind.