At Matins

Hymn of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

Canon of the Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the evangelist, with 8 troparia.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the ­Wisdom…”—

All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for, thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having given birth unto God. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the apostle, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

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

Thou wast called the son of the thunder of God, to deafen the ears of the ungodly, O most wise one, while most sweetly trumpeting forth the incarnation of the Word into upright hearts; and as a true friend thou didst recline against the breast of Christ, from whence thou didst draw forth the revelation of understanding; and thou didst preach unto all Him Who is equally unoriginate with the Father. O Apostle John, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

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

Having conceived the Wisdom and Word in thy womb without being consumed, O Mother of God, thou gavest birth for the world unto Him Who sustaineth the world, and didst hold in thine embrace Him Who upholdeth all things, the Nurturer of all, the Fashioner of creation. Wherefore, I entreat thee, O most holy Virgin, and glorify thee with faith, that I be delivered from transgressions; and on the day of judgment, when I shall stand before the face of my Creator, grant me thine aid, O pure Virgin Mistress, for all things soever thou desirest thou canst do, O most hymned one.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Abandoning thy fishing of the deep, with the rod of the Cross thou didst manifestly draw all the nations to the Faith like fish, for as Christ said to thee, thou wast shown to be a fisher of men, bringing them to piety; wherefore, thou didst sow the understanding of the Word throughout Patmos, and didst win Ephesus over with thy discourses, O theologian and apostle. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. Twice

O all-pure Virgin Mother of God, heal thou the cruel sufferings of my soul, I pray, and grant me the forgiveness of the transgressions which I have mindlessly committed, defiling my soul and body, wretch that I am. Woe is me! What shall I do at that hour when the angels shall separate my soul from my passion-ridden body? Be thou then my helper and most fervent intercessor, for thee do I, thy servant, have as my hope.

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

We magnify thee, O holy apostle and evangelist John the theologian, 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

Reclining against the breast of Jesus, thou received boldness, asking, as a disciple: “Who is Thy betrayer, Lord?” And since thou wast exceedingly beloved, O most praised one, He manifestly indicated the traitor to thee with a sop of bread. Wherefore, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries, thou teachest the incarnation of the Word to the ends of the earth. O apostle and theologian, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love. Twice

Let us hymn the portal of heaven, the ark, the most holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the bush unburnt, the noetic garden of paradise, the restoration of Eve, the great treasure of the whole world, for in her hath salvation and the remission of the ancient offenses been wrought for the world. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Pray thou to thy Son, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who piously worship thy most 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.

Reading from the Gospel According to St. John §67 [21:15-25]

At that time, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead, and saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith 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 saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst 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, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith 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 which 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 II—

O virgin theologian, beloved disciple of the Savior, by thy supplications save us from all harm, we pray, for we are thy flock.