Saturday Vespers 10/31/2020

The order as given in the Liturgikon; formatted as a reader service for personal prayer at home.

Standing before your icons, make the sign of the Cross and say:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to thee, our God. Glory to thee.

O heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, the Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O good One.

THE TRISAGION PRAYERS

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (3×)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3×)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12×)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King. (bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (bow)

O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (bow)

THE PSALM OF INTRODUCTION—PSALM 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been magnified exceedingly. Confession and majesty hast Thou put on, Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, Who stretchest out the heaven as it were a curtain; Who supporteth His chambers in the waters, Who appointeth the clouds for His ascent, Who walketh upon the wings of the winds, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

Who establisheth the earth in the sureness thereof; it shall not be turned back forever and ever. The abyss like a garment is His mantle; upon the mountains shall the waters stand. At Thy rebuke they will flee, at the voice of Thy thunder shall they be afraid.

The mountains rise up and the plains sink down, unto the place where Thou hast established them. Thou appointedst a bound that they shall not pass, neither return to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs in the valleys; between the mountains will the waters run. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild asses will wait to quench their thirst. Beside them will the birds of the heaven lodge, from the midst of the rocks will they give voice.

He watereth the mountains from His chambers; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring forth bread out of the earth; and wine maketh glad the heart of man. To make his face cheerful with oil; and bread strengtheneth man’s heart.

The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which Thou hast planted. There will the sparrows make their nests; the house of the heron is chief among them. The high mountains are a refuge for the harts, and so is the rock for the hares.

He hath made the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night, wherein all the beasts of the forest will go abroad; young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together, and they lay them down in their dens. Man shall go forth unto his work, and to his labor until the evening. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

The earth is filled with Thy creation. So is this great and spacious sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, small living creatures with the great. There go the ships; there this leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein. All things wait on Thee, to give them their food in due season; when Thou givest it them, they will gather it. When Thou openest Thy hand, all things shall be filled with goodness; when Thou turnest away Thy face, they shall be troubled. Thou wilt take their spirit, and they shall cease; and unto their dust shall they return. Thou wilt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let the glory of the Lord be unto the ages; the Lord will rejoice in His works. Who looketh on the earth and maketh it tremble, Who toucheth the mountains and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being.

May my words be sweet unto Him; I will rejoice in the Lord. O that sinners would cease from the earth, and they that work iniquity, that they should be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knoweth his going down. Thou appointedst the darkness, and there was the night. How magnified are Thy works, O Lord! In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (3×)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!

Lord, have mercy. (12×)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

“O LORD, I HAVE CRIED” IN TONE 4

O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee: hear Thou me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice; hear Thou me, O Lord.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a protecting door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity; and I will not communicate with the choicest of them. The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head. For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased; their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they are sweet; as when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell. But to Thee, O Lord, Lord, are mine eyes; in Thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I alone escape. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, with my voice unto the Lord, did I make my supplication. I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me. Refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said: Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

For the Resurrection in Tone 4

Verse 10. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name.

We worship untiringly Thy quickening Cross, O Christ God, and glorify Thy third-day Resurrection; for by it, O Almighty, Thou hast renewed the corrupt nature of mankind, and made plain to us the ascent to heaven; for Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind.

Verse 9. The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.

When Thou wast willingly nailed upon the Cross, O Savior, Thou didst solve the problem caused by the tree of sin. And when Thou didst descend into Hades, Thou didst break the bonds of death, since Thou art a mighty God. Wherefore, we worship Thy Resurrection from the dead, shouting with joy, O Almighty Lord, glory to Thee.

Verse 8. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord, Lord hear my voice.

Thou didst demolish by Thy Death, O Lord, the gates of Hades; Thou didst dissolve the realm of death; and didst free the human race from corruption, granting the world life and incorruptibility and Great Mercy.

Verse 7. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Come, ye nations, let us praise the third-day Resurrection of the Savior, by which we were delivered from the unbreakable bonds of Hades, and by which we have all received life and incorruption, crying, O Thou Who wast crucified, buried, and Who didst rise, save us by Thy Resurrection, O Thou only Lover of mankind.

Verse 6. If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.

Verily, the angels and men, O Savior, praise Thy third-day Resurrection, through which the ends of the universe have been lighted, and by which Thou hast redeemed from bondage to the enemy us who cry, saying: O omnipotent Giver of life, save us by Thy Resurrection, O Lover of mankind.

Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

Thou hast demolished the brazen gates, O Christ God, and hast shattered the bars, and hast raised the fallen human race and made it to stand upright. Wherefore, do we shout to Thee in unison, O Thou rising from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

For Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Tone 6 (**Having laid up all their hope**)

Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.

Having laid up all their hope * and expectation in Heaven, * these two Saints have treasured up * for themselves a kind of wealth * not to be despoiled. * Freely did they receive; * freely do they give out * healings unto those with maladies. * True to the Gospel’s hest, * neither gold nor silver did they acquire;*and unto men and unto beasts*they showed benefactions and kindnesses; * that they might be truly * obedient to Christ through every means, * and so with boldness might intercede * with Him in our souls’ behalf.

Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.

Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.

That like-minded pair of Saints, * the two companions of like ways, * who were of a single soul, * hated every perishing * thing upon the earth, * and became citizens * of the holy Heavens, * peers of Angels while yet clothed in flesh. * Wherefore, they grant their cures * unto all in sickness and suffering, * while doing good to those in need, * taking neither silver nor gold from them. * Let us, as is fitting, * all honor them with joy in yearly feasts; * for with great boldness they intercede * with the Master for our souls.

Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

Since they made the Trinity * to come and dwell wholly in them, * that renowned and godly pair, * Cosmas and wise Damian, * like unceasing springs, * now gush forth rivers of * every kind of healing * from a life-bestowing fountainhead; * and even their remains * by a touch make well every suffering; * indeed, their names alone suffice * to drive all diseases from mortal men. * And they are in Christ God * the saviors of all those who flee to them, * as with great boldness they intercede * with Him in our souls’ behalf.

Doxasticon for Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Tone 6

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Unending is the grace that the Saints have received from Christ; wherefore, even their relics ceaselessly work miracles by divine might. Their names alone, when called upon with faith, deliver men from incurable maladies. Through them, O Lord, free us also from sufferings of soul and body, since Thou art the Lover of mankind.

Dogmatic Theotokion in Tone 4

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

David the Prophet who became through thee, O Theotokos, the grandparent of God, before time sang of thee in praise, and shouted to Him who worked wonders through thee, saying, The queen did rise on Thy right; for God hath shown thee to be a Mother bringing forth life, in that He was willing to appear incarnate from thee without father, renewing the creation of His likeness, corrupt with suffering, in order to find the sheep lost in the hills, and carry it on His shoulders, and offer it to the Father, and add it, through His will, to the heavenly hosts, and to save the whole world; for He is the reigning Christ, Possessor of rich and Great Mercy.

O GLADSOME LIGHT

O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy and blessed Father: O Jesus Christ. Lo now that we have come to the setting of the sun, as we behold the evening light, we hymn Thee: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be magnified by joyous voices, O Son of God and Giver of life. Wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.

THE EVENING PROKEIMENON IN TONE 6

The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse 1. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength.

The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse 2. For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved.

The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty.

Lord, have mercy. (40×)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE EVENING PRAYER

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is thy Name forever. Amen.

Let thy mercy be upon us O Lord, even as we have set our hope on thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O Master; make me to understand thy statutes. Blessed art thou, O Holy One: enlighten me with thy statutes.

Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of thy hands. To thee belongeth worship, to thee belongeth praise, to thee belongeth glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12×)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE APOSTICHA IN TONE 4

When Thou wast lifted up upon the Cross, O Lord, Thou didst expunge our ancestral curse; and when Thou didst descend to Hades, Thou didst free those who were bound from eternity, granting the human race incorruptibility. Wherefore, we offer praise, glorifying Thy third-day Resurrection.

Verse 1. The Lord is King, and hath clothed Himself with majesty. The Lord is robed; He is girded with strength.

O Thou Who alone art mighty, when Thou wast fastened upon a Tree, Thou didst shake the whole earth; and when Thou wast laid in the grave, Thou didst raise those who lay in the graves, granting mankind life and incorruptibility. Wherefore, we offer praise, glorifying Thy third-day Resurrection.

Verse 2. For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved.

The law-transgressing people, O Christ, delivered Thee to Pilate, who condemned Thee to crucifixion. Thus the ingrate appeared before his Benefactor. But Thou sufferedst burial willingly, and didst rise on the third day by Thine own power; for Thou art God, granting us endless and Great Mercy.

Verse 3. Holiness befits Thy house, O Lord, forevermore.

Verily, the women reached Thy tomb seeking Thee with tears. And when they found Thee not they shouted and wailed, saying: Woe to us, O our Savior, King of all, how wast Thou stolen? And what place containeth Thy life-bearing body? And an angel answered them, saying: Weep not, but go preach that the Lord hath risen, granting us joy; for He alone is compassionate.

Doxasticon for Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Tone 6

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Having Christ working in you at all times, O holy Unmercenaries, ye work wonders in the world, healing the sick. Your surgery is an inexhaustible well-spring; the more it is drawn from, the more it exceedingly overfloweth; though poured out, in super-aboundeth; though emptied daily, it increaseth, bestowing on all and never lacking. They that draw there from find their fill of healings, yet it abideth never spent. What, then, shall we call you? Ministering physicians of both souls and bodies, healers of incurable sufferings, who freely heal all, since ye have received gifts from Christ the Savior, Who granteth us Great Mercy.

Theotokion in Tone 6

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O most pure one, when Christ the Lord, my Creator and Savior, came forth from thy womb, putting me on, He did free Adam from the ancient curse. Wherefore, O most pure one, since thou art the Theotokos and a Virgin in truth, we shout to thee untiringly with the angels, saying: Rejoice, Lady, O thou who art the helper, the cover, and the salvation of our souls.

THE PRAYER OF ST. SIMEON

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

THE TRISAGION PRAYERS

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (3×)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3×)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

APOLYTIKIA

For the Resurrection in Tone 4

Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

For Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Tone 8

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O ye silver-hating, wonderworking saints, Cosmas and Damian, visit our sicknesses. Freely ye received, freely give unto us.

Theotokion in Tone 8

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou Who for our sake wast born of a Virgin, and didst suffer crucifixion, O good One, and didst despoil death through death, and as God didst reveal Resurrection. Despise not those Whom Thou hast created with Thine own hand, show forth Thy love for mankind, O merciful One. Accept the intercessions of Thy mother, the Theotokos for us, and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior.

DISMISSAL

Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Amen.

More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without stain bearest God the Word and art truly Theotokos: We magnify thee.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (3×)

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.