Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the apostle, with 8 troparia, in Tone VIII—
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
Fishing for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words, thou didst bring the first-fruits thereof to our God; and, desiring to clothe thyself in the wounds of God, thou didst show thyself to be an emulator of His suffering. Wherefore, assembling, we honor thy most festive memory as is meet, O glorious apostle, and cry out to thee together: entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love.
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion from the Pentecostarion, twice; Glory…, that of the apostle; Now & ever…, that from the Pentecostarion, once.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion.
As the Sun of righteousness did Christ emit thee to enlighten the whole earth, O glorious apostle James, and with thy godly supplications and thy divine and never-waning light thou dost illumine and enlighten all who celebrate thy holy memory with faith.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV—
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion.
We magnify thee, O holy apostle James, and we honor the pangs and labors whereby thou didst struggle in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
Selected Psalm verses—
Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion.
A The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands. [Ps. 18: 2]
B The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord. [Ps. 88: 6]
A In the stead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee. [Ps. 44: 17]
B The God of gods, the Lord, hath spoken, and He hath called the earth. [Ps. 49: 1]
A From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised. [Ps. 112: 3]
B Thy lightnings have shone forth throughout the world. [Ps. 96: 4]
A The heavens declared His righteousness. [Ps. 96: 6]
B And all the peoples saw His glory. [Ps. 96: 6]
A The princes of Judah are their rulers. [Ps. 67: 28]
B God is King over the nations. [Ps. 46: 9]
A God is glorified in the council of the saints. [Ps. 88: 8]
B Great and terrible is He toward all who are round about Him. [Ps. 88: 8]
A Say among the nations that the Lord is King. [Ps. 95: 10]
B Declare among the heathen His glory, and among all peoples His wonders. [Ps. 95: 3]
A Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth. [Ps. 18: 5]
B Their words unto the ends of the world. [Ps. 18: 5]
A He hath subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. [Ps. 46: 4]
B Great is our God, and great is His strength, and of His understanding there is no measure. [Ps. 146: 5]
A He will give power and strength unto His people. Blessed be God. [Ps. 67: 36]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Filled with rays of light from on high and illumined with divine splendor, O apostle James, thou didst behold the Creator and Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor and wast found worthy to hear the voice of the Father. Wherefore, thou hast been vouchsafed great rewards as an eye-witness and disciple of grace, and a beholder of the mysteries of God. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with love honor thy holy memory. Twice
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to John, § 67 [Jn. 21: 15-25]
At that time, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead, and saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone I—
Thou didst follow after Christ, O godly James, didst despise the world, hiding His teachings in thy treasury, and wast shown to be His apostle. Wherefore, going unto the nations, with the commandments of the Savior thou didst enlighten souls benighted by deception and the passions, that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.