At Matins

Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VI—

In thine earthly life thou didst emulate the angels, O venerable martyr, for, humbling the most prideful enemy, thou didst bear thy cross in a manner pleasing unto God. Wherefore, honoring thy memory today, we pray: Entreat Him, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the venerable martyr, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion in the same tone, once.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VI—

Thou gavest birth unto God the Word, having seedlessly conceived Him in thy womb, O Virgin who knewest not wedlock. Him do thou beseech in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Canon of Supplication to the all-holy Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable martyr, with 8 troparia, in Tone VIII—

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII —

In thy firm stand for the Orthodox Faith and thy fearless confession thereof thou didst offer thyself up like a cluster of spiritual grapes on the altar of God, O venerable martyr. Wherefore, with hymns we ever faithfully praise thy memory.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

How can we not marvel at thy birthgiving, which took place without the participation of man, O all-honored one? For in thee hath the wonder of thy conception and ineffable the form of thy birthgiving been shown to be. Entreat Him Who was born through thee, to forgive our transgressions.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

We bless thee, O venerable martyr Athanasius, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser with the angels.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

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 mediation 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]

Glory…, Now & ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

Beholding the holy Orthodox Faith mocked by heretics and betrayed by false brethren, and the Orthodox people led astray from the straight path of the Truth, thou gavest voice to sorrow and lamentation; and undaunted by the threats, privations and ill treatment to which thou wast subjected, thou didst continually stand forth as its champion and defender, denouncing the heterodox and their false doctrines which were leading the people into perdition, for which cause thou wast tortured and slain. O venerable martyr Athanasius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

When the Latin-minded waged war upon the holy Orthodox Church, thou, O all-immaculate Mother of God, who ever carest for and watchest over thy people, didst manifest thy will unto the venerable Athanasius and enjoin him to defend the Holy Faith against the assaults launched against it by those who had betrayed and fallen away from the Faith of their fathers; and in him thou didst find a willing ally of the providence of God, ready to lay down his life for the flock of Christ. O all-pure and most blessed Mistress, with the martyr Athanasius beseech Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto us who with all generations of men and angels do ever call thee blessed.

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 Matthew, § 43

[Mt. 11: 27-30]

The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

Beloved of God from thy mother’s womb, thou wast sought out by Him as an instructor of the heavenly city, and, having pleased Him by thy glorious life, unto all who are in need of thine aid hast thou been shown to be a bestower of miracles. Save us, in that thou art our intercessor, O wonder-working Athanasius!

Great is the love for mankind which the all-good God hath toward mortals, and which He showed forth upon thee, O Elizabeth, in that it was His will, in His ineffable goodness, that thou be with Zacharias. What thanksgiving is due to Thee, O Merciful One! What hymns can we, Thy sinful servants, offer to Thee, O Master? Twice

Through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, Who came from on high, O most immaculate one, didst thou conceive and bear Him Who hath existed from before the beginning of time. Let creation hold festival, praising thee and magnifying thine all-glorious birthgiving; and let her who hath borne the Deliverer of our souls, the only blessed one, chant, made glad by spiritual joy.

Samuel was a most welcome gift to the barren Hannah, and unto thee, O righteous Elizabeth, was the namesake of grace bestowed most joyously. Wondrous is Thy mercy unto men, O God! Glory to Thy many compassions! Glory to Thy loving-kindness! Twice

O Mother who hast not known wedlock, thy womb hath been shown to be the cherubic throne of the unapproachable God; for thou alone art the dwelling-place of God, having given birth unto God incarnate Who delivereth His servants from all sins. Wherefore, meet it is to call thee blessed with heart and lips.

Polyeleos, and this Megalynarion—

We magnify you, O holy and righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth, and we honor your holy memory; for ye entreat Christ our God in our behalf.

Selected Psalm Verses—

A Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and wrought redemption for His people. [Lk. 1: 68]

B And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. [Lk. 1: 69]

A The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and he will not annul it. [Ps. 131: 11]

B There will I make to spring forth a horn for David, I have prepared a lamp for My Christ. [Ps. 131: 17]

A His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. [Ps. 111: 2]

B The generation of the upright shall be blessed. [Ps. 111: 2]

A That we might serve Him, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. [Lk. 1: 74-75]

B And thou, O child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High. [Lk. 1: 76]

A For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways. [Lk. 1: 76]

B To give knowledge of salvation unto His people. [Lk. 1: 77]

A By the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [Lk. 1: 77-78]

B To guide our feet into the way of peace. [Lk. 1: 79]

A The Lord loveth the righteous. [Ps. 145: 8]

B The Lord is well pleased in those who fear Him, and in those who hope in His mercy. [Ps. 146: 11]

A O Praise of Israel, in Thee have our fathers hoped; and Thou didst deliver them. [Ps. 21: 4-5]

B This is the generation of those who seek the Lord, of those who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Ps. 23: 6]

A Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, that walk in His ways. [Ps. 127: 1]

B The Lord knoweth the ways of the blameless, and their inheritance shall be for ever. [Ps. 36: 18]

A Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. [Ps. 32: 12]

B Glory, all ye that are upright of heart. [Ps. 31: 11]

A Praise is meet for the upright. [Ps. 32: 1]

Glory…, Now & ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

Blossoming forth in the precepts of God with the all-blessed Zacharias, O most lauded Elizabeth, offshoot of the daughters of Aaron, thou wast moved by the hand of God. Entreat the all-good Master, that we sinners may also offer the good fruit of living faith. Twice

Thou alone art the Mother of God, thou alone art ever-virgin, O all-pure Bride of God, in that thou gavest birth as a virgin, and remainest incorrupt. Wherefore, the ranks of angels and men magnify thee.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous; He hath wrought all His desires in them.

Stichos: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to Luke, § 2 [Lk. 1: 5-25]

At that time, there was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren; and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass that, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zechariah said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not in my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zechariah, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone I—

That which was said by the Lord became reality in the Virgin, for she gave birth to Jesus Who saveth His people from their sins. “He shall be the fulfillment of those things which were said to her,” thou didst exclaim, inspired by the Holy Spirit, O Elizabeth. Wherefore, we crown thee with wreaths of praise, as is meet.

Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos (the Paraclysis), with 6 troparia, including its irmos; canon of the prophet, with 4 troparia; and canon of the righteous woman, with 4 troparia.