At Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man...,” the first antiphon.

A Reading from Proverbs

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “O venerable father…”—

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

Troparion, in Tone III—

A Reading from Proverbs

O venerable father, sacred Gregory, thou didst spring forth as a branch from a God-loving and splendid root, and wast seen to be like a tree planted well by streams of divine waters, pouring forth beforehand the fruits of immortality, amazing every ear with thy substance, discourse and divine activities, an orator among orators, all-wise in the knowledge of God, entreating Christ, ever thirsting for Christ, ascending from divine glory to glory and from power to truly incorrupt power.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Or this troparion, in the same tone—

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

O venerable father, right wondrous Gregory, having forsaken those things which are transitory and drag one down, and loved those things which are incorrupt and heavenly, thou didst leave behind fleeting riches, O wise one, holding poverty to be lasting wealth; and having purified the eyes of thy soul with abstinence, tears and much weeping, thou wast thus shown to be a splendid vessel of the Spirit, wholly full of His grace. Ask thou that those who worship the one God, the almighty Trinity, may be granted His effulgence and His glory.

Glory..., the composition of Emperor Leo VI, the Wise, of Byzantium, in Tone VI—

O venerable father, most sacred Gregory, having sharpened the sword of thy discourse with the Spirit, thou becamest as fire for the ranks of those who waged war upon God, felling and burning down their blasphemies like lightning falling from on high, but guiding all the faithful to the divine radiance of the threefold Sun, enlightened by Whom thou wast shown to be a secondary luminary equally enthroned and numbered with the preëminent theologians, with whom thou art praised and with whom thou abidest. And now pray that unity, peace and great mercy be given to the Church.

Now and ever...: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone:

And 3 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Glory..., in Tone II—

Assembling together, with songs do we hymn thee as is meet: the inextinguishable lamp, the never-waning effulgence which saveth those who sail the seas, the calm and tranquil haven of grace; and we pray: from noetic storms deliver the Church by thy supplications, for thou didst manfully contend on its behalf.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

O Gregory, thou spiritual breath of the voice of the Word, unquenchable and fiery tongue of theology, who by grace hath splendidly consumed the vile assembly of the heretics: We pray that we who hymn thee in Orthodox manner may by thine entreaties be delivered from the imposition of the enemies’ commands.

Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—

O father Gregory, as a radiant lamp for the Church doth Christ set thee, who first shone forth in labors and inner stillness, who with the Spirit thundered forth readily understandable and profound writings, and by thy supplications, discourses and the power of miracles dost illumine the whole world, making firm those who were not steadfast.

Glory…, in Tone IV—

Having adorned thy discourse with wisdom and blameless virtue, O all-wise Gregory, in both thou wast wholly beautiful, noetically adorning and gladdening the people with thy God-proclaiming words, extending to them the [doctrine of the] one Godhead of the Trinity; wherefore, having trampled alien heresy underfoot with thine all-glorious teachings, thou didst raise up the might of the Faith in the end. Standing before Christ with His immaterial ministers, ask thou peace and great mercy for our souls.

The Prophet David, the forefather of God, for thy sake gave voice beforehand in psalmody concerning thee, unto Him Who in thee accomplished mighty works: the Queen stood at Thy right hand. For God Whose good pleasure it was to become incarnate of thee without father showed thee, His Mother, to be the mediatress of life, that He might renew His image which had become corrupt through the passions; and having found the sheep which had strayed among the mountains and become lost, He taketh it upon His shoulders and bringeth it to His Father; and Christ, Who is possessed of great and rich mercy, in accordance with His will, uniteth it with the hosts of heaven, and saveth the world, O Theotokos.

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:

The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

When the righteous is praised, the people will rejoice; for his memory is immortality, because it is known with God, and with men; for his soul pleased the Lord. Love wisdom, therefore, O men, and live; desire her, and ye shall be instructed. For the beginning of her is love and the observation of the law. Honor wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore. I will tell you, and will not hide from you the mysteries of God, for he it is who is the instructor of wisdom, the director of the wise, the master of all understanding and activity. And wisdom teacheth all understanding; for in her is a spirit understanding and holy, the brightness of the everlasting light, and the image of the goodness of God. She maketh friends of God, and prophets; she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the constellations of the stars; compared with the light, she is found preëminent. She hath delivered from pain those who please her, and guided them in right paths, given them knowledge of holy things, defended them from their enemies, and given them a mighty struggle, that they might all know that godliness is stronger than all; vice shall never prevail against wisdom, neither shall judgment pass away without convicting the evil. For they said to themselves, reasoning unrighteously: Let us oppress the righteous man, let us not spare his holiness, neither need we be ashamed of the ancient gray hairs of the aged, for our strength shall be a law unto us; let us lie in wait for the righteous, for he is displeasing to us, opposeth our doings, upbraideth us with our offending the law, and denounceth to our infamy the transgressions of our training. He professeth to have the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the child of the Lord. He is become a reproof to our thoughts, and is grievous even for us to behold; for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion. We are accounted by him as a mockery, and he avoideth our ways as filth, and pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed. Let us see if his words be true; let us test what things happen to him. Let us examine him with mockery and torture, that we may know his meekness and prove his forbearance. Let us condemn him with a shameful death, for by his own words shall he be visited. Such things did they imagine, and were deceived; for their own wickedness blinded them. As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not; neither bethought they that Thou alone art God, who hast the power of life and death, savest in time of tribulation, and deliverest from all evil; who art compassionate and merciful, givest grace to Thy saints and opposest the prideful with Thine own arm.

On “Lord, I have cried...,” 9 stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel: “Having set all aside...”—

Having made thine activity the ascent of true vision, and thy vision the end of thine activity of love for God, O blessed one, thou didst beseech Christ to show thee the ineffable glory of the Father; for every rational being, O glorious one, doth desire God the Creator; and thou didst obtain what thou didst desire, straightway receiving the seal of His Son. Entreat Him with boldness in behalf of our souls. Thrice

Ever instructed by divine ascents, as Moses was in the past, thou didst desire to behold God; and noetically thou didst behold His image, having received His likeness. For the Son is the immaculate knowledge and disclosure of the Father; and the Son is known to be of the same essence as the Father, and their unity, kingdom, power, glory and worship are exalted with honor by all. Thrice

Thou wast an instrument of the Holy Spirit, sounding forth divine phrases and melodies, chanting in the world the music of the transcendent Gospel of the Savior with thy tongue of fire. For thou didst utterly consume all falsehood as matter fit to be burned, as the withered grass of the earth. And thou didst proclaim to the whole world the Lord Christ Who is Master over all, O Philip, beholder of God. Twice

Burning with rays of the great Light, O Philip, thou didst shine forth as a universal beacon; and having sought, thou didst find the Father of lights within the Son, for light is revealed in light, just as a seal is identical, disclosing the Archetype. Him do thou beseech, O Philip, that we who have been sealed by His divine blood may be saved.

Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the Day. Three Lessons:

Reading from the First Epistle General of Peter (1:1-2:6)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by those who have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He Who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written: Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, Who liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To Whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he who believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

Reading from the First Epistle General of Peter (2:21-3:9)

Beloved, Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him Who judgeth righteously: Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the Tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Reading from the First Epistle General of Peter (4:1-11)

Beloved, forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he who hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to Him Who is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For, for this cause was the Gospel preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ: to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If the pastor so desire, litia may be chanted: the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the apostle, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

With the rod of grace, O right wondrous one, thou didst draw men from the abyss of vanity, submitting to the precepts of thy Teacher, Who wholly enlightened thine understanding and showed thee forth as an honored apostle and a divine proclaimer of His unapproachable divinity, O most blessed Philip.

The effulgence of the Spirit descended upon thee in the guise of fire, and made of thee a divine habitation, O blessed one, who quickly drivest off the gloom of ungodliness and enlightenest the world with the splendor of thy most wise words, O blessed one, thou proclaimer of the mysteries of God, adornment of the apostles and beholder of Christ.

Having illumined with the lightning flashes of thy preaching those who sit in the darkness of unbelief, O glorious one, thou didst show them forth as children of our God and Master by their faith. Thou didst emulate His sufferings and death and didst become an heir to His glory, in that thou art a wise proclaimer of God, a disciple of truth.

Glory…, in Tone II—

Forsaking earthly things, thou didst follow after Christ, signed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and sent by Him to the gentiles who were perishing, to turn men to the light of the knowledge of God, O Apostle Philip. And, having completed the struggles of thy divine suffering and divers torments, thou didst commit thy soul to Christ. Him do thou entreat, O most blessed one, that He grant us great mercy.

All my hope do I place in thee, O Mother of God: keep me under thy protection.

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—

The proclamations of thy divine pronouncements have resounded upon the earth, O most blessed one, and have filled it with dogmas. And theologizing therewith, we mystically glorify the Son, Who is of one essence with the Father and the Spirit, O apostle.

Stichos: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

O thrice-blessed Philip, having thee as the lamp-bearer of the apostles of Christ and the radiant beacon of the honored Church, we are all now enlightened in soul and are delivered from most grievous misfortunes by thy prayers, O all-praised one.

Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.

Having finished thy contest on a cross of suffering, thou wast fittingly endowed with crowns of victory, O Philip. And entering therewith into the high places of the kingdom, thou dost stand before Christ, O apostle, and dost pray that we be saved.

Thy cheeks have been shown to be vessels of perfume in the world, O wise one, which draw forth life-creating drink for the faithful, O apostle Philip. For, possessed of works which led up to divine vision, thou didst become a follower and herald of Christ; with teachings thou didst adorn the barren and childless Church of the gentiles for Him Who rejoiceth in the children therein. Pray thou that it be delivered from want and evil circumstances, for thou art able to accomplish much, drawing nigh unto Him.

O new wonder greater than all the wonders of old! For who hath known of a mother that gave birth without knowing man, and that hath borne upon her arm Him Who fashioned all creation? It hath been the will of God to be born. O all-pure one, who hast borne Him as a babe in thine arms and hast maternal boldness before Him: Cease thou not to pray in behalf of those who honor thee, that He take pity and save our souls.

O holy apostle Philip, entreat the merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

The whole world is splendidly adorned; Ethiopia doth dance, graced as with a crown, having been enlightened by thee; and she doth radiantly celebrate thy memory, O divinely eloquent Philip, for thou didst teach all to believe in Christ and didst fittingly finish the course of the Gospel; wherefore, the land of Ethiopia doth boldly entreat God. Beseech Him to grant us great mercy.

O Virgin Theotokos, thee do we hymn, who didst mediate the salvation of our race; for thy Son and our God, by taking flesh of thee and accepting suffering on the Cross, hath delivered us from corruption, in that He loveth mankind.