AT MATINS

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

Canon of the all-holy Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including the Irmos; and that of the greatmartyr, with 8 troparia.

Stichos: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplications unto Thee.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…” —

Both canons from the Octoechos; and that of the holy hierarch, with 4 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “With songs do I hymn the victorious Nicephorus”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV —

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion; or this theotokion, in the same tone —

On “God is the Lord…’, the troparion from the Pentecostarion, twice; Glory…, that of the greatmartyr; Now & ever…, that of the Pentecostarion again. Of if the fifty-day period after Pascha hath passed, the troparion of the greatmartyr, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…, the resurrectional theotokion in the tone same tone.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…” —

Thy tomb, O holy one, hath become a new Pool of Siloam for those who approach it with faith, pouring forth healing of bodily infirmities and the passions of men’s souls; wherefore, assembling today, we celebrate thy holy memory, glorifying our one God. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion; or this theotokion, in the same tone —

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marveled…” —

In the midst of the tribunal, O Mother of God, the crowned John splendidly confessed thee to be the true Theotokos, who gavest birth to One of the Trinity yet didst remain a virgin; wherefore, O most hymned one, entreat thy Son and God with him, that He grant us forgiveness of sins.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion; or this theotokion, in the same tone —

Thou hast been given to us by God as one more beautiful than gold and topaz, O most honorable John, drawing the eyes of the minds and hearts of all to an understanding of the wonders of thy sufferings; wherefore, we cry out to thee with love: Rejoice, O our all-radiant boast! Twice

Awed by the beauty of thy virginity and thine all-radiant purity, Gabriel, marveling, cried out to thee, O Theotokos: “What praise can I bring which is worthy of thee? What shall I call thee? I am at a loss and filled with awe! Wherefore, as I have been commanded, I cry unto thee: ‘Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!’”

Polyeleos, and this magnification —

We magnify thee, O passion-bearer and greatmartyr John, and we reverence thine honored sufferings, which thou didst endure for Christ.

Selected Psalm verses —

A Our God is refuge and strength. [Ps. 45: 2]

B A helper in afflictions which mightily befall us. [Ps. 45: 2]

A Therefore shall we not fear when the earth be shaken. [Ps. 45: 3]

B O God, who shall be likened unto Thee? Be Thou not silent, neither be still, O God. [Ps. 82: 2]

A For behold, Thine enemies have made a noise, and those who hate Thee have lifted up their heads. [Ps. 82: 3]

B Against Thy people have they taken wicked counsel, and have conspired against Thy saints. [Ps. 82: 4]

A They have made the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven. [Ps. 78: 2]

B The flesh of Thy saints for the beasts of the earth. [Ps. 78: 2]

A They have poured out their blood like water. [Ps. 78: 3]

B For Thy sake we are slain all the day long. [Ps. 43: 23]

A We are counted as sheep for the slaughter. [Ps. 43: 23]

B Thou hast made us a byword among the nations. [Ps. 43: 15]

A And I became a man scourged all the day long. Ps. 72: 14]

B By fire hast Thou tried us even as silver is tried by fire. [Ps. 65: 11]

A We went through fire and water, and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment. [Ps 65: 12]

B Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous. [Ps. 31: 11]

A For the Lord is in the generation of the ­righteous. [Ps. 13: 5]

B And their inheritance shall be for ever. [Ps. 36: 18]

A The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them. [Ps. 33: 18]

B A light hath dawned forth for the righteous man, and gladness for the upright of heart. [Ps. 96: 11]

A In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be. [Ps. 111: 6]

B In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous; He hath wrought all His desires in them. [Ps. 15: 3]

A Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel. [Ps. 67: 36]

B The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied. [Ps. 91: 13]

A The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him. [Ps. 63: 11]

B And all the upright in heart shall be praised. [Ps. 63: 11]

Glory…, Now & ever… Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice

The tyrant was amazed, beholding the supernatural endurance which thou didst show; the angels received thee, placing crowns upon thy head; and the demons were put to shame by thy valor: for they thought to lay thee low by blandishments, but were vanquished by thee and fell headlong. And the faithful have been made steadfast by thy confession. O Thou Who strengthened the martyr then, enlighten our souls! Twice

Joseph marveled, beholding that which transcendeth nature, and pondering thy seedless conception he dwelt in thought upon the dew which fell upon the fleece, the bush unconsumed by the fire, and the rod of Aaron which put forth branches. And thy guardian and betrothed cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, and even after birthgiving remaineth virgin!”

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

Gospel according to Luke, §106

The Lord said to His disciples: “Beware of men: they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI —

Today the Church holdeth festival, adorning herself with the struggles of the passion-bearer as with costly vesture; and she crieth out, offering praise: “Such are mine offspring, such are my children, to whom I first gave birth through baptism, and reared in the fear of the Lord, and now behold as martyrs, truly chosen and crowned, that they may pray to the Lord for the whole world!”