Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Canon to the Theotokos (the Paraclysis), with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that to the apostle, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the glorious Philip in seemly manner,” the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VI—
Glory..., Now & ever... Alleluia... Thrice .
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—
Let us hymn the great Gregory, the godly hierarch of Christ, the pillar of fire and cloud of light who in the Spirit goeth before the new Israel by day and leadeth them to the noetic land of peace, to the city of the firstborn in Christ.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the holy hierarch, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion—
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in the same tone & melody—
All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt within thee, O pure Mistress, and, as Paul hath said, deified all the nature of corruptible men. Thou wast the beginning of such grace, and art saving guidance for those who honor thee with faith and love.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Canon of supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the holy hierarch, the composition of Patriarch Philotheus, in Tone I—
Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom—
Having cleansed thy spirit well with torrents of thy tears, thou didst noetically receive divine grace, O right wondrous one. And in manner transcending nature thou camest to participate in the divinity of the Word Whom thou didst preach as one and uncreated, O divinely wise Gregory.
At “God is the Lord...,” the troparion to the apostle, twice; Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion.
Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Thy tomb, O Savior...”—
O most splendid vessel of the noetic Light, dispel the darkness of my heart and ease the most heavy burden of the passions, I pray, guiding me to the paths of repentance, and vouchsafing me the light which is to come, O most blessed Mistress.
Glory..., Now and ever...
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel: “The Word Who with the Father is equally without beginning..”—
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—
After the Polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “Of the Wisdom...”—
We magnify thee, O holy hierarch Gregory, and we honor thy holy memory; for thou dost entreat Christ God in our behalf.
Selected Psalm verses—
A Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world. [Ps. 48: 2]
B My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. [Ps. 48: 4]
A Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. [Ps. 33: 12]
B I have proclaimed the good tidings of Thy righteousness in the great congregation. [Ps. 39: 10]
A Thy truth and Thy salvation have I declared. [Ps. 39: 11]
B I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I hymn Thee. [Ps. 21: 23]
A That I may hear the voice of Thy praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. [Ps. 25: 7]
B O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. [Ps. 25: 8]
A I have hated the congregation of evil-doers, and with the ungodly will I not sit. [Ps. 25: 5]
B For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and I have not acted impiously toward my God. [Ps. 17: 22]
A The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment. [Ps. 36: 30]
B His righteousness abideth unto ages of ages. [Ps. 110: 3]
A Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteous shall rejoice. [Ps. 131: 9]
B Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee. [Ps. 83: 5]
Forsaking transitory things—the royal court, thy friends and kinsmen — O all-wise father Gregory, thou didst acquire those things which are abiding and constant, O blessed one; and thou didst bring all thy household and kin to the Master of all as an honorable wholeburnt offering; and guided thus thou didst dedicate thy soul, mind and body to God. O Gregory, earnestly pray to Him with vision and activity, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.
Having put on thy flesh, in that He is good, O Mistress, the Master deified the servant’s form which He had assumed, and, uniting Himself to its substance and filling all of its nature with the Spirit, He made the assemblies of the saints by grace. Wherefore, we cry out to thee, accepting thee, who wast filled with the Spirit, as the first cause of ineffable works, and we hymn thee with all our soul: Rejoice, O beginning of our salvation! Rejoice, O release from offenses for those who with faith worship thine Offspring!
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to John, § 35 (Jn. 9: 39-10: 9)
The Lord said to the Jews that came to Him: “For judgment I am come into this world, that those who see not might see; and that those who see might be made blind.” And some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said unto Him: “Are we blind also?” Jesus said unto them: “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, ‘We see’; therefore your sin remaineth. Verily, verily, I say unto you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again: “Verily, verily, I say unto you: I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
With hymns of praise let us honor the preacher of true piety, the all-radiant star of the Church, the splendid luminary of Thessalonica, the disciple of the Light and friend of Christ, who soweth the divine word of piety in the hearts of all the faithful, who granteth salvation unto all and prayeth earnestly unto the Lord, that our souls find mercy.
O Philip most wise, apostle, martyr and beholder of Christ, blessed friend of God: By thy prayers do thou free from tenacious transgressions those who celebrate thine honored memory, and vouchsafe that they receive a heavenly inheritance. Twice
O Virgin, we hymn thee as the unburnt bush which Moses beheld, the mountain of God, the holy cloud, the undefiled tabernacle, the banquet pleasing unto God, the palace of the most exalted King, the most splendid and impassable gate.
Like an arrow hast thou been launched, a disciple of the Word and a proclaimer of the truth, enlightening those who are in grievous darkness, O holy apostle, and driving the gloom of ungodliness from the earth. And thou didst show forth all as right believing children of the day, O beholder of Christ, holy Philip. Twice
O all-pure Virgin, who art our protection, from divers temptations and evil circumstances and grievous misfortunes do thou free us that have steadfast hope in thee, beseeching thy Son together with His apostles, and save thou all who hymn thee.
After the Polyeleos, this magnification—
We magnify thee, O Philip, apostle of Christ, and we honor the pains and labors wherewith thou didst struggle in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.
Selected Psalm—
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.
The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord.
In the stead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee.
The God of gods, the Lord, hath spoken, and He hath called the earth.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
Thy lightnings have shone forth throughout the world.
The heavens declared His righteousness.
And all the peoples saw His glory.
The princes of Judah are their rulers.
God is King over the nations.
God is glorified in the council of the saints.
Great and terrible is He towards all that are round about Him.
Say among the nations that the Lord is King.
Declare among the heathen His glory, and among all peoples His wonders.
Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth.
Their words unto the ends of the world.
He hath subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
Great is our God, and great is His strength, and of His understanding there is no measure.
He will give power and strength unto His people. Blessed be God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. Thrice
Thou didst set at naught the deception of idolatry, desiring the Savior’s sufferings, O glorious Philip. Thou didst appear unto the world, pouring forth heavenly wonders upon all, and wast an apostle to the gentiles, O most blessed one. Wherefore, we honor thy memory as is meet, chanting: O apostle of the Lord, beseech Christ God to grant remission of sins unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love. Twice
Having fallen into subtle temptations, devised by enemies visible and invisible, and surrounded by the tempest of my countless transgressions, I flee to the haven of thy goodness, O pure one, as to my fervent help and protection. Wherefore, O all-pure one, do thou earnestly beseech Him, Who was incarnate of thee without seed, in behalf of all thy servants who pray unceasingly, O all-pure Theotokos, who dost ever entreat Him to grant remission of offenses unto those who hymn thy glory, as is meet.
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!”
Reading from the Gospel According to St. John (21:15-25)
At that time, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead, and said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jona, 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 Jona, lovest thou Me?” He said unto Him: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He said unto him: “Feed My sheep.” He said 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 said unto him: “Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee: When thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself and walk 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, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who had also leaned on His breast at supper, and said: “Lord, which is he who 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? 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—
O fisherman most wise, holy disciple, husbandman of the Savior and recounter of His sufferings, who went about all creation in faith, gathering the deceived nations: Rising to God as a sweet fragrance of incense, thou didst ascend unto the heavens. Wherefore, standing before the Judge, ask that we be delivered from our transgressions and freed from torment on the day of judgment.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.