At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sedalion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the apostles, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion in the same tone.

Forsaking the fishing of the deep, having received from the heavenly Father the divine revelation of the incarnation of the Son, with boldness thou didst cry out with faith to thy Creator: “I know that Thou art the consubstantial Son of God!” Wherefore, as is meet, thou wast truly shown to be a rock of faith and the key-bearer of grace. O Apostle Peter, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Glory…: Another sedalion, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “When the stone was sealed…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O ye faithful, as is meet, let us praise the most lauded Peter, the ally of Paul, the net of the world, the rock of the Church, in that he holdeth the keys of heaven: for the whole world hath been enlightened by them with the Faith of the Trinity. Glory to Him Who hath glorified you! Glory to Him Who hath strengthened you! Glory to Him Who because of you hath given us everlasting life!

Stretching forth thy hands, wherewith thou didst bear the Creator Who in His goodness became incarnate, O all-holy Virgin, beseech Him to deliver from temptations, passions and misfortunes us who praise thee with love and cry aloud: Glory to Him Who made His abode within thee! Glory to Him Who issued forth from thee! Glory to Him Who by thy birthgiving hath delivered us!

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sedalion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Receiving from Christ a heavenly calling, thou wast shown to be a proclaimer of the light, and didst illumine all with the teachings of grace; for having cast off the worship of the letter of the law, thou didst make plain to the faithful the understanding of the Spirit. Wherefore, thou wast caught up on high to the third heaven as is meet, and hast attained unto paradise. O Apostle Paul, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.

Glory…, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

With luminous radiance ye enlighten the ends of the earth like stars with the doctrines of holy preaching, O apostles of the Lord, initiates of the mysteries of heaven.

We, the faithful, bless the Theotokos, through whom we have been delivered from corruption: the fervent ally of those in tribulation, our helper and reconciliation with God.

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

We magnify you, O apostles of Christ, who enlightened the whole world with your teachings, and led all the ends of the earth unto 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]

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

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

Let us praise Peter and the all-wise Paul, who were shown to be preëminent among the disciples, the great and radiant luminaries; for shining forth with the fire of the divine Spirit, they burned away all the gloom of deception. Wherefore, they have fittingly been shown to be warriors of the kingdom on high, equally enthroned in grace. For this cause we cry aloud: O apostles of Christ God, ask remission of transgressions for those who with love celebrate your holy memory. Twice

As the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, as the Mother of the Deliverer, who knewest not wedlock, as the vessel of the Comforter, O all-hymned one, haste thou to deliver me, who am the vile abode of iniquity and have become in mind the plaything of the demons, from their machinations; and make me the splendid habitation of the virtues. O radiant and incorrupt one, dispel from me the cloud of the passions, and vouchsafe unto me communion on high and the never-waning light, through thy supplications.

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: 15-23]

At that time, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead, and said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me more than these?” He said unto Him: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He said unto him: “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again the second time: “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou Me?” He said unto Him: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He saith unto him: “Feed My sheep.” He said unto him the third time: “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 said unto him: “Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst 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 said 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 said to Jesus: “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus said 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?”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron idiomelon, in Tone VI—

With hymns of praise let us honor the true preachers of piety, the all-radiant stars of the Church: Peter, the rock of Faith, and Paul, the teacher of the Truth and initiate of the mysteries of Christ. For both of them, having sown the word of truth in the hearts of the faithful, beseech Christ God Who giveth fruitfulness unto all, that our souls be saved.

Two canons, the composition of John of Damascus: the first to the holy Peter, the irmos of which is chanted twice, followed by 6 troparia; and the second for the holy Paul, with 6 troparia.