At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

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

The exceeding most wise Matthew, who was first to record the Gospel of Christ and illumined all creation under the sun, the excellent initiate of the mysteries of Christ, who is now honored with sacred hymns, doth beg forgiveness of sins for those who honor him with love. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the evangelist, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the theotokion.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Of the divine Faith…”—

All of us who flee with love to thy goodness know thee truly to be the Mother of God, who even after giving birth wast shown to be Virgin; for thee do we sinners have as our intercessor, thee, the only most immaculate one, have we acquired as our salvation amid perils.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia; and that of the apostle, with 8 troparia, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV—

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

Resplendent with works of the right Faith, thou didst extinguish all false religion; and as an insuperable victor thou hast proclaimed the Gospel unto all and hast richly adorned all the Churches, O Apostle Matthew. Entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Without separating Himself from the divine Essence, the one Lord became incarnate in thy womb, and, though He became man, He remained God, preserving thee, His Mother, a most immaculate Virgin even after giving birth, as thou wast before birthgiving. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that He grant us great mercy.

Polyeleos, and this Magnification—

We magnify thee, O holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, and we honor the pangs and labors whereby thou didst struggle in the proclamation of the Gospel of 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

Truly the sound of thy wise words hath gone forth to all the ends of the earth, O most lauded apostle of the Lord, for thou didst manifestly preach to all the vision of God, and didst bring the nations from ignorance to understanding. Wherefore, having dispelled the darkness of idolatry, thou hast shone forth the light of knowledge upon those who sit in darkness, O most praised Matthew. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice

All of us, the generations of men, bless thee, the Virgin who, alone among women, gavest birth without seed to God in the flesh; for the fire of the Godhead dwelt within thee, and thou didst nourish the Creator and Lord with milk, as a babe. Wherefore, we, the generation of angels and men, glorify thine all-holy birthgiving as is meet, and cry out to thee together: entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birthgiving.

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 [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—

Let us clap our hands in hymnody, O ye faithful, in memory of the honored Apostle and Evangelist Matthew; for, casting away the yoke and gold of his publican’s booth, he followed after Christ and became a preacher of the divine Gospel. Hence, as the prophet saith, his sound hath gone forth into all the world, and he prayeth that our souls be saved.