AT MATINS

Christ God, who with ineffable love mankind made the Fishermen wiser than the learned and sent them out as heralds to all the earth, through them strengthen your Church and send down upon the faithful your blessing, as you alone are merciful and love mankind.

After the 1st Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Apostles.

Christ God, the Fishermen caught the nations in their net and taught the ends of the earth to worship you with the Father and the Spirit, through them establish the Faith inspired by God and send down upon the peoples your mercies, who alone rest among the Saints.

Tone 2.

We have become partakers in divine nature through you, Ever-virgin; for your gave birth to God incarnate for our sake; and so, as is fitting, we all devoutly magnify you.

Verse: Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

God, who became poor by compassion, sent you out wealthy into the world, showing by your poverty the heavenly wealth of their preaching. Made wealthy through them with the Faith inspired by God we devoutly sing the praise, Apostles, of your memory.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

As Disciples and eyewitnesses of the Wisdom of God, the godly Apostles poured scorn on the unwise wisdom of the wise and the learned, making the nations wise by the simplicity of their preaching to sing the praise with right belief of the Creator and only Lord.

After the 2nd Reading, other Kathismata of the Apostles.

You are the helper of those in affliction, Bearer of God, and the defender of those under constraints, granting hope to the despairing, cleansing the diseases of the incurable, all-praised Mother of God; and so intercede for us to the Lord.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

With the beams of your wonders, Nicolas, you make the whole expanse of the earth radiant, you dispel the gloom of afflictions and drive off the assault of dangers, for you are a most fervent protector.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets and Hierarchs, Holy and Righteous Ones, having nobly completed the struggle and kept the Faith, as you have boldness towards the Saviour, we beseech you intercede for us with him, as he is good, that our souls may be saved.

After the 3rd Reading, other Kathismata, of St Nicolas.

Immaculate Virgin, who alone bore God without seed and remained pure after your awesome child-bearing, I fall down before you crying with fear and faith: Save me from passions and diseases and from every constraint.

Verse: God is wonderful in Saints, the God of Israel.

Of the Martyrs.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.