day 1

October 1: Protection of the Theotokos

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera idiomela, in Tone I —

Troparion, in Tone IV —

The 1st Day Of The Month Of October

God Who alone resteth on the thrones in the highest granted His favored one to behold that which transcendeth earthly things when he stretched forth his all-divine hands in supplication, entreating thee, O Mistress, in behalf of his city and people, praying: “O our Lady, cover us now with the omophorion of thy mercy!” Twice

The Protection Of Our All-Holy Mistress,

O all-pure Virgin, Bride of God who knewest not wedlock, protection and help of men: With thy precious omophorion thou dost protect against the assaults of adversaries the city which honoreth and glorifieth thee as is meet.

The Theotokos And Ever-Virgin Mary

O Mother of God, thou animate palace of Christ, bulwark, protection and might of the faithful: Through thee is thy city saved, with thy help are Orthodox rulers crowned, and those who boast in thee win victories over the heathen; for thou coverest us with the omophorion of thy mercy.

(for this day we provide also the service for the holy apostle Ananias and our holy father Romanus the Melodist)

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VI —

If the church is dedicated to the Theotokos, or if the rector so desireth, we celebrate an all-night vigil thus:

Come, ye assemblies of those who love the feasts of the Church, let us hymn the all-holy Virgin! For today the angels and saints celebrate the honored protection of the Mother of God, and summon us mortals to cry out in praise with unceasing voices: Rejoice, O miraculous adornment of the Church and all-wondrous protection of the whole world! Rejoice, O ally of faithful kings in battle and preservation of warriors! Rejoice, our protection and help! For thee doth the Christian race unceasingly bless.

At Little Vespers

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…” —

October 1: Holy Apostle Ananias Of The Seventy & Our Venerable Father Romanus The Melodist

There is glory in the heavens and gladness on earth; for the Queen prayeth in the church with all the saints for all of us.

Also On The 1st Day Of The Month Of October

Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.

Commemoration Of The Holy Apostle

Come to the holy church, O ye faithful, for there the Theotokos doth protect the people against all the assaults of the enemy with her omophorion.

Ananias Of The Seventy

Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

Commemoration Of Our Venerable Father

O all-pure Theotokos, forget us not who are thy servants, but pray thou for us who hymn thee with faith.

Romanus The Melodist

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone III —

Come, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, and let us bless the honored protection of the Mother of God; for she hath mercifully stretched forth her hands to her Son, and the world hath been shielded by her holy protection. Wherefore, with mouth and heart, with hymns and spiritual songs, let us splendidly celebrate with all who have recourse unto her.

Overshadowed by thy coming, O Mother of God, we, the right faithful people, celebrate today with splendor, and gazing at thine all-precious image, we say with compunction: Cover us with thy precious omophorion, and deliver us from all evil, entreating thy Son, Christ our God, that He save our souls.