day 29

August 29: Beheading of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Troparion, in Tone II—

THE 29TH DAY OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST

Come, O ye faithful, and together let us fervently honor John, the forerunner and baptizer of Christ, as is meet; for as a prophet he foretold things to come, and as a servant he is a divinely splendid initiate of the mysteries of the ineffable wonders of Christ. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

COMMEMORATION OF THE BEHEADING OF JOHN, THE HONORED & GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER & BAPTIZER OF THE LORD

Without pity the mindless Herod severeth thy head which denounced his most vile conduct; but Christ, O thrice-blessed one, the Lord and Creator of all, the Deliverer of all, maketh thee the head of the Church, in that thou didst baptize Him.

AT LITTLE VESPERS

The iniquitous Herod, having audaciously had thy head cut off, commanded that it be brought on a platter to the vile Herodias, O most blessed one. O dread wonder and most glorious report! Yet the Church of Christ doth joyously celebrate thy suffering.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Even though Herod destroyed thee, the preacher of the truth, by murder, O forerunner of the Savior, yet the brilliant lamp of thy mouth shone forth the radiance of the Faith, calling out to those in hades. Wherefore, pray thou, that our souls find mercy.

O Mistress, accept the supplications of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and grief.

Prokimenon of the day.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

O blessed one, thou wast shown to be the greatest among those born of women; for thou didst baptize the Master of all, O John, thou prophet, preacher and forerunner.

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

When Herodias saw the iniquitous Herod in the throes of drunkenness and lust, she prevailed upon him to commit murder.

Stichos: In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.

Hymning the all-divine Trinity, let us lovingly celebrate the sacred memory of the godly John the Baptizer of Christ.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone & melody—

O pure one, only hope and intercessor for Christians, with the forerunner entreat thy Son in behalf of thy servants.

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord’s witness is sufficient for thee, O forerunner. Thou wast truly shown to be more honorable than the prophets, in that thou wast counted worthy to baptize in the streams Him Whom thou didst proclaim. Wherefore, having suffered, rejoicing, for the truth, even unto those in hades thou didst proclaim God, Who had manifested Himself in the flesh, Who taketh away the sin of the world and granteth us great mercy.

All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for, thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having given birth unto God. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.