AT MATINS

Hymn of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone II—

He who is glorious among the apostles pursued the nations and taught the ends of the earth to worship Thee, O Christ God, with the Father and the Spirit. For his sake establish Thy Church and send Thy blessing upon the faithful, O only Merciful One Who lovest mankind. Twice

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the feast, twice; Glory…, that of the apostle; Now & ever…, that of the feast, once.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

Glory…, Now & ever…, that of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: sessional hymn of the feast, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

Revealing the human form of Thy second and awesome coming with Thy glory, O Savior, Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor. Elijah and Moses conversed with Thee, and Thy three disciples were summoned to behold Thy glory, O Master, and marvelled at Thy radiance. O Thou Who then shone forth Thy light upon them, illumine our souls!

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

As the Sun of righteousness, Christ emitted thee like a ray of light, to illumine the whole world, O glorious Apostle Matthias; and in thy supplications thou art luminous and dost enlighten with the never-waning light of God all who celebrate thy holy memory with faith. Twice

Moses and Elijah stood before Thee when Thou didst ascend the mountain with the disciples and shone forth in the glory of the Father; for the law and the prophets serve God; and the Father, declaring Christ’s essential Sonship, called Him His Son. Him do we hymn with Thee and the Spirit.

After the Polyeleos, this magnification—

We magnify thee, O Matthias, apostle of Christ, and we honor the pangs and labors whereby thou didst struggle in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

Selected Psalm verses—

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]

[Magnification—

We magnify thee, O Matthias, apostle of Christ, and we honor the pangs and labors whereby thou didst struggle in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.]

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

Casting down the pride of idolatry and desiring the sufferings of the Savior, O all-blessed Apostle Matthias, thou wast revealed to the world by heaven, pouring forth miracles upon all, and becamest a teacher for the nations. Wherefore, we honor thy memory as is meet, glorifying thee in hymns and faithfully magnifying thee, O divinely eloquent one who art most rich. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: that of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Thou wast transfigured upon the mountain, O God, in the midst of the all-wise Elijah and Moses, with James, Simon and John. And Peter, there present, said to Thee: “It would be good to make here three tabernacles: one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Thee, Christ the Master.” O Thou Who then didst shine Thy light upon them, enlighten our souls.

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 [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; who 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 who 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 VI—

Grace hath been poured forth in thy lips, O glorious Apostle Matthias, and thou wast a luminary of the Church of Christ, teaching the reason-endowed sheep to believe on the consubstantial Trinity, in the one Godhead.