AT MATINS

Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

At “God is the Lord…”: If this day fall within the period of Pentecost, we chant the troparion from the Pentecostarion, twice; Glory…, that of the saint; Now & ever…, that from the Pentecostarion. But if it fall within the Apostles’ Fast, we chant the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the Theotokion: “The mystery hidden from before the ages…”

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

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

The head of the forerunner, shining forth from the earth, doth shed rays of incorruption and healing upon the faithful. On high it assembleth a multitude of angels, and below it calleth upon the human race with one voice to send up glory to Christ God. Twice

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

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV—

O most immaculate Virgin who gavest birth to the transcendent God, with the forerunner unceasingly entreat Him, that, before the end, He grant remission of transgressions and correction of life to us who hymn thee, as is meet, with faith and love, O only most lauded one.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Glory…, another sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded…”—

Most strangely yielded up like gold from veins of ore out of the impenetrable bosom of the earth, thy sacred head hath now enriched the thoughts of all the faithful with divine understanding, crying out “Repent!”, as was thy wont. Venerating it, O forerunner, with faith we glorify Christ aloud. Twice

He Who sitteth upon the throne of the cherubim and abideth in the bosom of the Father doth sit in thy womb, O Mistress, as upon His holy throne. God, truly incarnate, He reigneth over all nations; and we now chant to Him with understanding. Him do thou entreat, that thy servants be saved.

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

We magnify thee, O John, thou baptizer of Christ, and we all honor the discovery of thy ­precious head.

Selected Psalm verses—

A Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. [111: 1]

B In His commandments shall he greatly delight. [111: 1]

A His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. [111: 2]

B And his righteousness abideth unto ages of ages. [111: 3]

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

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

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

B Lo, my lips I shall not restrain, O Lord. [39: 10]

A Thou hast understood My righteousness and My truth.

B And my tongue shall treat of Thy righteousness, and of Thy praise all the day long. [Ps. 34: 28]

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

B The generation of the upright shall be blessed. [Ps. 111: 2]

A With glory and honor hast Thou crowned him. [Ps. 8: 6]

B For Thou shalt bless the righteous, O Lord. [5: 13]

A As with a shield of Thy good pleasure hast Thou crowned us. [Ps. 5: 13]

B Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. [Lk. 1: 78]

A To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. [Lk 1: 79]

B To guide our feet into the way of peace. [Lk. 1: 79]

Glory…, Now & Ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice

Committing iniquity, the accursed Herod vilely had thy precious head cut off with the sword, but we, the faithful, kiss it with love.

Like a pearl was the head of the Baptist concealed in the damp earth, and, adorned like a divinely radiant lamp, it illumineth the whole world, working wonders. For like the dawn hath the forerunner shone forth for the Sun most splendidly, preaching to us again the unwaning Light, crying out: Behold, the Lamb of God!

O good one who gavest birth to God immutable, by thy maternal supplications make steadfast my heart which is ever altered by sin, slothfulness and the attacks of the deceiver; that I also may glorify thee in thanksgiving. O most immaculate Mary Theotokos, have mercy on the flock which thou hast acquired.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp for My Christ.

Stichos: Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to Luke, §31 [Lk. 7: 17-30]

At that time, the rumor of Jesus went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about. And the disciples of John showed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

The precious head of the baptizer of Christ, which of old preached repentance to all the faithful, denounced the impurity of the iniquitous Herod, and lay upon a charger, it hath appeared out of the hidden places of the earth and lieth before those who have recourse unto it with faith, who touch it with fear and bow down before it with spiritual love. Granting remission of transgressions and forgiveness, it bestoweth that which is needful and great mercy.

If this day fall within the period of Pentecost, we chant first the canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos, and that of the forerunner, with 8 troparia. But if this day fall within the Apostles’ Fast, we chant first the canon of supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraklisis] with 6 troparia, including the irmos, followed by that of the forerunner, with 8 troparia.