Feast of Saints Peter and Paul June 29

Transcript

1 The Holy and Glorious and All-Praiseworthy and Chiefs of the Apostles Peter and Paul Τῶν Ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καί πανευφήµων Ἀποστόλων καί Πρωτοκορυφαίων Πέτρου καί Παύλου June 29 Sermon of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo Today the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God, was deemed worthy by the Savior to hear in answer, Blessed art thou, Simon... I tell thee, that thou art Peter [Petrus], and on this stone [petra] I build My Church (Mt.16:16-18). On this stone [petra], is on that which thou sayest: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God it is on this thy confession I build My Church. O Wherefore the thou art Peter : it is from the stone [petra] that Peter [Petrus] is, and not from Peter [Petrus] that the stone [petra] is, just as the Christian is from Christ, and not Christ from the Christian. Do you want to know, from what sort of rock [petra] the Apostle Peter [Petrus] was named? Hear the Apostle Paul: Brethren, I do not want ye to be ignorant, says the Apostle of Christ, how all our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ (1 Cor.10: 1-4). Here is the from whence the Rock is Peter. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the final days of His earthly life, in the days of His mission to the race of man, chose from among the disciples His twelve Apostles to preach the Word of God. Among them, the Apostle Peter for his fiery ardor was vouchsafed to occupy the first place (Mt.10:2) and to be as it were the representative person for all the Church. Therefore it is said to him, preferentially, after the confession: I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven (Mt.16: 19). Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these keys and the right to bind and loosen. And that it was actually the Church that received this right, and not exclusively a single person, turn your attention to another place of the Scriptures, where the same Lord says to all His Apostles, Receive ye the Holy Spirit and further after this, Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, are retained (John 20: 22-23); or: whatsoever ye bind upon the earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosened in heaven (Mt.18:18). Thus, it is the Church that binds, the Church that loosens; the Church, built upon the foundational cornerstone, Jesus Christ Himself (Eph 2:20), doth bind and loosen. Let both the binding and the loosening be feared: the loosening, in order not to fall under this again; the binding, in order not to remain forever in this condition. Therefore Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins, says Wisdom (Prov 5:22); and except for Holy Church nowhere is it possible to receive the loosening. 1

2 After His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ addresses Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. Simon of John says the Lord to Peter lovest thou Me? and the Apostle answered: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee ; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee. And sayeth Jesus to him all three times Feed My sheep (John 20:15-17). Besides this, the triple appealing of the Savior to Peter and the triple confession of Peter before the Lord had a particular beneficial purpose for the Apostle. That one, to whom was given the keys of the kingdom and the right to bind and to loose, bound himself thrice by fear and cowardice (Mt.26:69-75), and the Lord thrice loosens him by His appeal and in turn by his confession of strong love. And to shepherd literally the flock of Christ was acquired by all the Apostles and their successors. Take heed, therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, the Apostle Paul urges church presbyters, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of the God, which He hath purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28); and the Apostle Peter to the elders: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over God s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when is appeared the Prince of pastors, ye will receive unfading crowns of glory (1 Pet. 5:2-4). It is remarkable that Christ, having said to Peter: Feed My sheep, did not say: Feed thy sheep, but rather to feed, good servant, the sheep of the Lord. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor.1:13). Feed My sheep. Wherefore wolfish robbers, wolfish oppressors, deceitful teachers and mercenaries, not being concerned about the flock (Mt.7:15; Acts 20:29; 2 Pet 2:1; John 10:12), having plundered a strange flock and making of the spoils as though it be of their own particular gain, they think that they feed their flock. Such are not good pastors, as pastors of the Lord. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11), entrusted to Him by the chief Shepherd Himself (1 Pet 5:4). And the Apostle Peter, true to his calling, gave his soul for the very flock of Christ, having sealed his apostleship by a martyr s death, is now glorified throughout all the world. The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn (Ps 2:4). When he, having persecuted and vexed in such manner the Church of God (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. 2

3 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, trembling and frightened, cried out: Who art Thou, Lord? The Lord answered him, I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest. And Saul suddenly undergoes a change: What wantest Thou me to do? -- he cries out. And suddenly for him there is the Voice: Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do (Acts 9:6). Here the Lord sends Ananias: Arise and go into the street to a man, by the name of Saul, and baptize him, for this one is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9: 11, 15, 18). This vessel must be filled with My Grace. Ananias, however, answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Thy Name (Acts 9:13-14). But the Lord urgently commands Ananias: Search for and fetch him, for this vessel is chosen by Me: for I shall show him what great things he must suffer for My name s sake (Acts 9:11, 1516). And actually the Lord did show the Apostle Paul what things he had to suffer for His Name. He instructed him the deeds; He did not stop at the chains, the fetters, the prisons and shipwrecks; He Himself felt for him in his sufferings, He Himself guided him towards this day. On a single day the memory of the sufferings of both these Apostles is celebrated, though they suffered on separate days, but by the spirit and the closeness of their suffering they constitute one. Peter went first, and Paul followed soon after him. Formerly called Saul, and then Paul, having transformed his pride into humility. His very name (Paulus), meaning small, little, less, demonstrates this. What is the Apostle Paul after this? Ask him, and he himself gives answer to this: I am, says he, the least of the Apostles... but I have labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me (1 Cor.15:9-10). And so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, in which to be likened to them (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it the author and finisher of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, Without Me ye can do nothing (John 15: 5). 3

4 Liturgical Materials for Weekday Feast Days Copyright 2014 by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver All rights reserved. These materials remain the property of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, 4550 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246; phone: The proper materials contained herein are published solely and exclusively for use by the priests and the chanters in the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. They may be copied and/or reproduced only by the clergy of the Metropolis of Denver, and they may be used solely during the liturgical services celebrated in their own parish. They may not otherwise be copied, reprinted, reproduced, distributed, forwarded, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or any other. None of these materials may be used for sale or profit, or in any monetary transaction whatsoever. Disclaimer The Greek text and English translations herein are for the purposes of worship only in the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. The rubrics and order of services are those specified by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah to be used in each of the parishes of the Metropolis. The promulgation of these materials does not represent a commitment by the Metropolis of Denver or by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver to their accuracy. The English translations have not been fully verified, but they are allowed for use by Metropolitan Isaiah in the parishes of the Metropolis of Denver. Please submit all corrections, typographical and linguistic, to the Metropolis of Denver. Acknowledgements The English text was compiled from various sources published for public use. These include Learn to Chant ( by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The text was produced using Microsoft Word for Mac 2011 version , and the embedded font in the Greek/English texts is Times New Roman. Web Site This document, and other provisional liturgical materials prepared exclusively for use by the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, can be accessed at: 4

5 Vespers The Proemial Psalm. Great Litany. At the Kyrie Ekekraksa Idiomela Stichera Tone 2 Andrew of Pyros Ἐσπερινός Ὁ Προιµιακός. Εἰρηνικά. Εἰς τὸ «Κύριε, Ἐκέκραξα» Στιχηρὰ Ἰδιόµελα Ἦχος β Αὐτόµελον, Ἀνδρέου Πυροῦ Stichos 1 Στίχος α If You should mark iniquities, Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with You there is forgiveness. With what garlands of praise shall we crown blessed Peter and Paul, the Apostles? Who, according to the flesh, were far apart, yet in the Spirit were bound as one; the foremost among those who proclaimed God; the one as the leader of the apostolic choir; the other as having labored more than all the rest. For they are crowned with the laurels of immortal glory, as is truly right and fitting, in heaven by Christ our God, Who grants great mercy to the world. Ἐὰν ἀνοµίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε, Κύριε τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασµός ἐστιν. Ποίοις εὐφηµιῶν στέµµασιν, ἀναδήσωµεν Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον; τοὺς διῃρηµένους τοῖς σώµασι, καὶ ἡνωµένους τῷ Πνεύµατι, τοὺς θεοκηρύκων πρωτοστάτας, τὸν µέν, ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων προεξάρχοντα, τὸν δέ, ὡς ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους κοπιάσαντα τούτους γὰρ ὄντως ἀξίως, ἀθανάτου δόξης, διαδήµασι στεφανοῖ, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Stichos 2 Στίχος β For Your name s sake I have patiently waited for You, O Lord; my soul has waited patiently for Your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord. (Repeat) With what garlands of praise shall we crown blessed Peter and Paul, the Apostles? Who, according to the flesh, were far apart, yet in the Spirit were bound as one; the foremost among those who proclaimed God; the one as the leader of the apostolic choir; the other as having labored more than all the rest. For they are crowned with the laurels of immortal glory, as is truly right and fitting, in heaven by Christ our God, Who grants great mercy unto the world. Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόµατός σου ὑπέµεινά σε, Κύριε ὑπέµεινεν ἡ ψυχή µου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου, ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή µου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. (Πάλιν) Ποίοις εὐφηµιῶν στέµµασιν, ἀναδήσωµεν Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον; τοὺς διῃρηµένους τοῖς σώµασι, καὶ ἡνωµένους τῷ Πνεύµατι, τοὺς θεοκηρύκων πρωτοστάτας, τὸν µέν, ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων προεξάρχοντα, τὸν δέ, ὡς ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἄλλους κοπιάσαντα τούτους γὰρ ὄντως ἀξίως, ἀθανάτου δόξης, διαδήµασι στεφανοῖ, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Stichos 3 Στίχος γ From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord. Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας µέχρι νυκτός, ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας, ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. With what beauty of hymns shall we praise Ποίοις ὑµνῳδιῶν κάλλεσιν, ἀνυµνήσωµεν blessed Peter and Paul, the Apostles? Those Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον, τῆς θεογνωσίας τὰς wings of the knowledge of God Most High, πτέρυγας, τὰς διαπτάσας τὰ πέρατα, καὶ πρὸς 5

6 that flew throughout all the farthest parts and truly were lifted up to the heavens; those hands of the Gospel of the grace of God; those feet of the sacred preaching of eternal truth; those mighty rivers of wisdom and the branches of the Cross whereby all demonic conceit has been overthrown by Christ, Who grants great mercy unto the world. οὐρανὸν ἀνυψωθείσας, τὰς χεῖρας, Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ τῆς χάριτος, τοὺς πόδας, τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ κηρύγµατος, τοὺς ποταµοὺς τῆς σοφίας, τοῦ Σταυροῦ τὰ κέρατα, δι ὧν δαιµόνων ὀφρύν, Χριστὸς καταβέβληκεν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Stichos 4 Στίχος δ For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities. (Repeat) With what beauty of hymns shall we praise blessed Peter and Paul, the Apostles? Those wings of the knowledge of God Most High, that flew throughout all the farthest parts and truly were lifted up to the heavens; those hands of the Gospel of the grace of God; those feet of the sacred preaching of eternal truth; those mighty rivers of wisdom and the branches of the Cross whereby all demonic conceit has been overthrown by Christ, Who grants great mercy unto the world. Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνοµιῶν αὐτοῦ. (Πάλιν) Ποίοις ὑµνῳδιῶν κάλλεσιν, ἀνυµνήσωµεν Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον, τῆς θεογνωσίας τὰς πτέρυγας, τὰς διαπτάσας τὰ πέρατα, καὶ πρὸς οὐρανὸν ἀνυψωθείσας, τὰς χεῖρας, Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ τῆς χάριτος, τοὺς πόδας, τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ κηρύγµατος, τοὺς ποταµοὺς τῆς σοφίας, τοῦ Σταυροῦ τὰ κέρατα, δι ὧν δαιµόνων ὀφρύν, Χριστὸς καταβέβληκεν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Stichos 5 Στίχος ε Praise the Lord, all you nations, praise Him, all you peoples. With what spiritual songs shall we laud blessed Peter and Paul? Those two edges of the Holy Spirit s most-dreaded sword, which have both slaughtered all godlessness, without ever thereby being blunted; the famous and right-resplendednt ornaments of Rome; the glory and the exultation of the entire world; the God-given spiritual tablets of the New Covenant of grace, which wre handed down in Sion when sounded forth by Christ God, Who grants great mercy unto the world. Stichos 6 For He has made His mercy to prevail over us, and the truth of the Lord abides to the ages. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ λαοί. Ποίοις πνευµατικοῖς ᾄσµασιν, ἐπαινέσωµεν Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον; τὰ τὴν ἀθεότητα σφάττοντα, καὶ µὴ ἀµβλυνόµενα στόµατα, τῆς φρικτῆς τοῦ Πνεύµατος µαχαίρας, τὰ Ῥώµης, περιφανῆ ἐγκαλλωπίσµατα, τὰ πάσης τῆς οἰκουµένης ἐντρυφήµατα, τὰς τῆς Καινῆς Διαθήκης, θεογράφους πλάκας, νοουµένας ἃς ἐν Σιών, Χριστὸς ἐξεφώνησεν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Στίχος στ Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφ ἡµᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου µένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. (Repeat) With what spiritual songs shall we (Πάλιν) Ποίοις πνευµατικοῖς ᾄσµασιν, laud blessed Peter and Paul? Those two ἐπαινέσωµεν Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον; τὰ τὴν edges of the Holy Spirit s most-dreaded ἀθεότητα σφάττοντα, καὶ µὴ ἀµβλυνόµενα 6

7 sword, which have both slaughtered all godlessness, without ever thereby being blunted; the famous and right-resplendednt ornaments of Rome; the glory and the exultation of the entire world; the God-given spiritual tablets of the New Covenant of grace, which wre handed down in Sion when sounded forth by Christ God, Who grants great mercy unto the world. Idiomelon Tone 4 John the Monastic Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. By His three-fold question: Peter, do you love me? Christ did set aright the former three-fold denial. Wherefore, Simon said unto the One Who knows hidden things: Lord, You know all things; You comprehend all things; You know that I do love You. Whereupon the Savior said unto him in reply: Feed My sheep, feed My elect, feed My lambs which I have purcahsed with My own Blood unto their salvation. Do entreat Him, O Apostle blessed of God, that we may be granted great mercy. στόµατα, τῆς φρικτῆς τοῦ Πνεύµατος µαχαίρας, τὰ Ῥώµης, περιφανῆ ἐγκαλλωπίσµατα, τὰ πάσης τῆς οἰκουµένης ἐντρυφήµατα, τὰς τῆς Καινῆς Διαθήκης, θεογράφους πλάκας, νοουµένας ἃς ἐν Σιών, Χριστὸς ἐξεφώνησεν, ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Ἰδιόµελον Ἦχος δ Ἰωάννου Μοναχοῦ Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Τῷ τριττῷ τῆς ἐρωτήσεως, τῷ, Πέτρε φιλεῖς µε, τὸ τριττὸν τῆς ἀρνήσεως, ὁ Χριστὸς διωρθώσατο διὸ καὶ πρὸς τὸν κρυφιογνώστην ὁ Σίµων, Κύριε, πάντα γινώσκεις, τὰ πάντα ἐπίστασαι, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. Ὅθεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Σωτήρ Ποίµαινε τὰ πρόβατά µου, ποίµαινε τὴν ἐκλογάδα µου, ποίµαινε τὰ ἀρνία µου, ἃ ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ αἵµατι περιεποιησάµην εἰς σωτηρίαν, Αὐτὸν ἱκέτευε, θεοµακάριστε Ἀπόστολε, δωρηθῆναι ἡµῖν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Theotokion Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Θεοτοκίον Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. He who through you is an ancestor of God, the Prophet David did in melody once say of you The Queen stood at Your right hand. For you were shown to be the mother and the cause of life to God Who in His good will became incarnate of you without a father, so that He might restore His image in man that had become corrupted by the passions, and finding the stray sheep lost in the mountains, He placed it upon His shoulders, and brought it to His Father, and by His same will He joined it to the heavenly powers; Christ thereby saves the world, O Theotokos, for He has great and abundant mercy. Ὁ διὰ σὲ θεοπάτωρ προφήτης Δαυΐδ, µελῳδικῶς περὶ σοῦ προανεφώνησε, τῷ µεγαλεῖά σοι ποιήσαντι. Παρέστη ἡ Βασίλισσα ἐκ δεξιῶν σου Σὲ γὰρ µητέρα πρόξενον ζωῆς ἀνέδειξεν, ὁ ἀπάτωρ ἐκ σοῦ ἐνανθρωπῆσαι εὐδοκήσας Θεός, ἵνα τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀναπλάσῃ εἰκόνα, φθαρεῖσαν τοῖς πάθεσι, καὶ τὸ πλανηθὲν ὀρειάλωτον εὑρὼν πρόβατον, τοῖς ὤµοις ἀναλαβών, τῷ Πατρὶ προσαγάγῃ, καὶ τῷ ἰδίῳ θελήµατι ταῖς οὐρανίαις συνάψῃ Δυνάµεσι, καὶ σώσῃ Θεοτόκε, τὸν κόσµον, Χριστὸς ὁ ἔχων τὸ µέγα, καὶ πλούσιον ἔλεος. Entrance O gladsome Light, and Prokeimenon of the day. 7 Εἴσοδος «Φῶς ἱλαρόν...,» καὶ τὸ Προκείµενον τῆς ἡµέρας.

8 Readings Ἀναγνώσµατα First Reading Α Ἁνάγνωσµα 1 Peter 1:3-9 α Πέτρου 1, 3-9 The Reading from the First Universal Epistle of Peter. Καθολικῆς α Ἐπιστολῆς Πέτρου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσµα. Deacon Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Διάκ. Σοφία. Πρόσχωµεν. BRETHREN, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Second Reading Ἀδελφοί, εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεός, καὶ Πατὴρ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ κατὰ τὸ πολὺ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἀναγεννήσας ἡµᾶς εἰς ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν, δι ἀναστάσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκ νεκρῶν, εἰς κληρονοµίαν ἄφθαρτον, καὶ ἀµίαντον, καὶ ἀµάραντον, τετηρηµένην ἐν οὐρανοῖς εἰς ἡµᾶς τοὺς ἐν δυνάµει Θεοῦ φρουρουµένους διὰ πίστεως, εἰς σωτηρίαν ἑτοίµην ἀποκαλυφθῆναι ἐν καιρῷ ἐσχάτῳ ἐν ᾧ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὀλίγον ἄρτι ( εἰ δέον ἐστί ) λυπηθέντες ἐν ποικίλοις πειρασµοῖς, ἵνα τὸ δοκίµιον ὑµῶν τῆς πίστεως, πολὺ τιµιώτερον χρυσίου τοῦ ἀπολλυµένου, διὰ πυρὸς δὲ δοκιµαζοµένου, εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον καὶ τιµὴν καὶ δόξαν, ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ὃν οὐκ εἰδότες ἀγαπᾶτε, εἰς ὃν ἄρτι µὴ ὁρῶντες, πιστεύοντες δέ, ἀγαλλιᾶσθε χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασµένῃ, κοµιζόµενοι τὸ τέλος τῆς πίστεως ὑµῶν, σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν. Β Ἁνάγνωσµα 1 Peter 1:13-19 α Πέτρου 1, The Reading from the First Universal Epistle of Peter. Καθολικῆς α Ἐπιστολῆς Πέτρου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσµα. Deacon Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Διάκ. Σοφία. Πρόσχωµεν. BRETHREN, gird up the loins of your mind, be Ἀγαπητοί, ἀναζωσάµενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace διανοίας ὑµῶν, νήφοντες, τελείως ἐλπίσατε ἐπὶ that is to be brought to you at the revelation of τὴν φεροµένην ὑµῖν χάριν, ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὡς τέκνα ὑπακοῆς, µὴ conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as συσχηµατιζόµενοι ταῖς πρότερον ἐν τῇ ἀγνοίᾳ in your ignorance; but as He Who called you ὑµῶν ἐπιθυµίαις, ἀλλά, κατὰ τὸν καλέσαντα is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ἡµᾶς Ἅγιον, καὶ αὐτοὶ Ἅγιοι ἐν πάσῃ because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy. ἀναστροφῇ γενήθητε. Διότι γέγραπται. Ἅγιοι And if you call on the Father, Who without γίνεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ Ἅγιός εἰµι. Καί, εἰ Πατέρα partiality judges according to each one s work, ἐπικαλεῖσθε τὸν ἀπροσωπολήπτως κρίνοντα conduct yourselves throughout the time of κατὰ τὸ ἑκάστου ἔργον, ἐν φόβῳ τὸν τῆς your stay here in fear; knowing that you were παροικίας ὑµῶν χρόνον ἀναστράφητε, εἰδότες, not redeemed with corruptible things, like ὅτι οὐ φθαρτοῖς, ἀργυρίῳ ἢ χρυσίῳ, silver or gold, from your aimless conduct ἐλυτρώθητε ἐκ τῆς µαταίας ὑµῶν ἀναστροφῆς 8

9 received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Third Reading πατροπαραδότου, ἀλλὰ τιµίῳ αἵµατι, ὡς ἀµνοῦ ἀµώµου καὶ ἀσπίλου Χριστοῦ. Γ Ἁνάγνωσµα 1 Peter 2:11-24 α Πέτρου 2, The Reading from the First Universal Epistle of Peter. Καθολικῆς α Ἐπιστολῆς Πέτρου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσµα. Deacon Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Διάκ. Σοφία. Πρόσχωµεν. BRETHREN, Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth ; Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness. Then, Let us say with all our soul, and with all our mind let us say, etc. Make us worthy, O Lord... Ἀγαπητοί, παρακαλῶ ὑµᾶς, ὡς παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήµους, ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν σαρκικῶν ἐπιθυµιῶν, αἵτινες στρατεύονται κατὰ τῆς ψυχῆς τὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑµῶν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἔχοντες καλήν, ἵνα, ἐν ᾧ καταλαλοῦσιν ὑµῶν ὡς κακοποιῶν, ἐκ τῶν καλῶν ἔργων ἐποπτεύσαντες, δοξάσωσι τὸν Θεὸν ἐν ἡµέρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς. Ὑποτάγητε οὖν πάσῃ ἀνθρωπίνῃ κτίσει διὰ τὸν Κύριον, εἴτε Βασιλεῖ, ὡς ὑπερέχοντι, εἴτε Ἡγεµόσιν, ὡς δι αὐτοῦ πεµποµένοις εἰς ἐκδίκησιν µὲν κακοποιῶν, ἔπαινον δὲ ἀγαθοποιῶν, ὅτι οὕτως ἐστὶ τὸ θέληµα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀγαθοποιοῦντας φιµοῦν τὴν τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων ἀγνωσίαν ὡς ἐλεύθεροι, καὶ µὴ ὡς ἐπικάλυµµα ἔχοντες τῆς κακίας τὴν ἐλευθερίαν, ἀλλ ὡς δοῦλοι Θεοῦ. Πάντας τιµήσατε, τὴν ἀδελφότητα ἀγαπᾶτε, τὸν Θεὸν φοβεῖσθε, τὸν Βασιλέα τιµᾶτε. Οἱ οἰκέται, ὑποτασσόµενοι ἐν παντὶ φόβῳ τοῖς δεσπόταις, οὐ µόνον τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς καὶ ἐπιεικέσιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς σκολιοῖς. Τοῦτο γὰρ χάρις, εἰ διὰ συνείδησιν Θεοῦ ὑποφέρει τις λύπας, πάσχων ἀδίκως. Ποῖον γὰρ κλέος, εἰ ἁµαρτάνοντες καὶ κολαφιζόµενοι ὑποµενεῖτε; ἀλλ εἰ ἀγαθοποιοῦντες καὶ πάσχοντες ὑποµενεῖτε, τοῦτο χάρις παρὰ Θεῷ εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ἐκλήθητε, ὅτι καὶ Χριστός ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν, ἡµῖν ὑπολιµπάνων ὑπογραµµόν, ἵνα ἐπακολουθήσητε τοῖς ἴχνεσιν αὐτοῦ. Ὃς ἁµαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόµατι αὐτοῦ. Ὃς λοιδορούµενος, οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει, πάσχων οὐκ ἠπείλει, παρεδίδου δὲ τῷ κρίνοντι δικαίως. Ὃς τὰς ἁµαρτίας ἡµῶν αὐτὸς ἀνήνεγκεν ἐν τῷ σώµατι αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, ἵνα ταῖς ἁµαρτίαις ἀπογενόµενοι, τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ ζήσωµεν. Εἶτα «Εἴπωµεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης της ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ἡµῶν εἴπωµεν.» «Καταξίωσον, Κύριε...» 9

10 Then, Let us complete our evening prayer..., and Prayer at the Bowing of Heads. Aposticha Idiomela Stichera Tone 1 Andrew of Crete Who can declare your bonds and tribulations in every city, O glorious Apostle Paul? Or who can describe your struggles and your labors wherein you labored in the Gospel of Christ, to gain all men, and lead the Curch to Christ? But bid Her to keep your good confession unto He last breath, O Paul, Apostle and teacher of the Churches. Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Who can declare your bonds and tribulations in every city, O glorious Apostle Paul? The labors, the pains, the vigils, the sufferings in hunger and in thirst, in cold and in nakedness, your escape in a basket, the beatings with rods, the stonings, your journeyings the depths and the shipwrecks? You became a spectacle to men and to Angels. You did endure all things in Christ Who strengthened you, that you might gain the world in Christ Jesus your Lord; hence we who celebrate your memory in faith, do entreat you: pray without ceasing, that our souls may be saved. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands. Εἶτα «Πληρώσωµεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν...,» καὶ Εὐχῆ τῆς Κεφαλοκλισίας. Ἀπόστιχα Στιχηρὰ Ἰδιόµελα Ἦχος α Ἀνδρέου Κρήτης Τὰ κατὰ πόλιν δεσµὰ καὶ τὰς θλίψεις σου, τὶς διηγήσεται, ἔνδοξε Ἀπόστολε Παῦλε; ἢ τὶς παραστήσει τοὺς ἀγῶνας καὶ τοὺς κόπους σου, οὓς ἐκοπίασας ἐν τῷ Εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα πάντας κερδήσῃς, καὶ Χριστῷ προσαγάγῃς τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Ἀλλὰ ταύτην αἴτησαι, φυλάττειν τὴν καλήν σου ὁµολογίαν, µέχρι τελευταίας ἀναπνοῆς, Παῦλε Ἀπόστολε, καὶ διδάσκαλε τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν. Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουµένης τὰ ῥήµατα αὐτῶν. Τὰ κατὰ πόλιν δεσµὰ καὶ τὰς θλίψεις σου, τὶς διηγήσεται, ἔνδοξε Ἀπόστολε Παῦλε, τοὺς κόπους, τοὺς µόχθους, τὰς ἀγρυπνίας, τὰς ἐν λιµῷ καὶ δίψει κακοπαθείας, τὰς ἐν ψύχει καὶ γυµνότητι, τὴν σαργάνην, τοὺς ῥαβδισµούς, τοὺς λιθασµούς, τὴν περίοδον, τὸν βυθόν, τὰ ναυάγια; θέατρον ἐγένου καὶ Ἀγγέλοις καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Πάντα οὖν ὑπέµεινας ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναµοῦντί σε Χριστῷ, ἵνα κόσµον κερδίσῃς, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ Κυρίῳ σου. Διὸ δυσωποῦµέν σε, οἱ τελοῦντες τὴν µνήµην σου πιστῶς, ἀδιαλείπτως ἱκέτευε, τοῦ σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Οἱ οὐρανοὶ διηγοῦνται δόξαν Θεοῦ ποίησιν δὲ χειρῶν αὐτοῦ ἀναγγέλλει τὸ στερέωµα. The mighty luminaries of the Church, Peter Τοὺς φωστῆρας τοὺς µεγάλους τῆς and Paul, let us acclaim; for they shine in the Ἐκκλησίας, Πέτρον καὶ Παῦλον firmament of faith, more brightly than the sun, εὐφηµήσωµεν ὑπὲρ ἥλιον γὰρ ἔλαµψαν, ἐν and they lead the nations out of ignorance τῷ τῆς πίστεως στερεώµατι, καὶ τὰ ἔθνη ταῖς unto the knowlege of God through the rays of ἀκτῖσι τοῦ κηρύγµατος, ἐκ τῆς ἀγνοίας εἰς τὴν their preaching. The one who was nailed to a θείαν γνῶσιν ἐπανήγαγον, ὁ µὲν τῷ σταυρῷ cross, made His way to heaven, where He προσηλωθείς, πρὸς οὐρανὸν τὴν πορείαν was entrusted by Christ with the keys of the ἐποιήσατο, ἔνθα τῆς βασιλείας, παρὰ Χριστοῦ Kingdom, the other who was beheaded with τὰς κλεῖς ἐγκεχείριστο, ὁ δὲ τῷ ξίφει the sword, departed to the Savior and is ἀποτµηθείς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα ἐκδηµήσας, worthily deemed to be blessed, thus they ἐπαξίως µακαρίζεται, καὶ ἀµφότεροι τὸν both accuse Israel for unjustly stretching out Ἰσραὴλ καταγγέλλουσιν, ὡς εἰς αὐτὸν τὸν its hands against the Lord. Wherefdore Κύριον, χεῖρας ἀδίκως ἐκτείναντα. Διὸ εὐχαῖς 10

11 through their intercessions, O Christ our God, cast down our adversaries, and strengthen the Orthodox faith, since You love maniind. Idiomelon Tone Plagal 2 Ephrem of Karyes Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. A joyous feast has shone unto the uttermost parts of the earth today, the all-splendid memorial of the all-wise and chiefs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul; therefore Rome dances and rejoices with them. In odes and hymns let us, O brethren, also rejoice on this most-venerable day, crying out to them: Rejoice, O Peter, Apostle and true friend of your Teacher, Christ our God; Rejoice, O most-beloved Paul, preacher of the faith and teacher of the whole world; O holy and elect, fellow labrers, since you have boldness before Him, beseech Christ our God, that our souls may be saved. Theotokion αὐτῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡµῶν, τοὺς καθ ἡµῶν κατάβαλε, καὶ τὴν ὀρθόδοξον πίστιν κράτυνον, ὡς φιλάνθρωπος. Ἰδιόµελον Ἦχος πλ. β Ἐφραὶµ Καρίας Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Ἑορτὴ χαρµόσυνος, ἐπέλαµψε τοῖς πέρασι σήµερον, ἡ πάνσεπτος µνήµη τῶν σοφωτάτων Ἀποστόλων, καὶ κορυφαίων Πέτρου καὶ Παύλου διὸ καὶ Ῥώµη συγχαίρει χορεύουσα. Ἐν ᾠδαῖς καὶ ὕµνοις ἑορτάσωµεν καὶ ἡµεῖς ἀδελφοί, τὴν πανσεβάσµιον ταύτην ἡµέραν, βοῶντες πρὸς αὐτούς Χαῖρε, Πέτρε Ἀπόστολε, καὶ γνήσιε φίλε, τοῦ σοῦ διδασκάλου Χριστοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡµῶν. Χαῖρε Παῦλε παµφίλτατε, καὶ κήρυξ τῆς πίστεως, καὶ διδάσκαλε τῆς οἰκουµένης, Ὡς ἔχον παρρησίαν, ζεῦγος ἁγιόλεκτον, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεόν ἡµῶν ἱκετεύσατε, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Θεοτοκίον Tone Plagal 2 Ἦχος πλ. β Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. O Theotokos, you are the true vine taht hads blossomed forth the Fruit of Life; you therefore do we supplicate: Intercede, O Lady, together with the Apostles and all the saints that our souls may find mercy. Then, Now let Your servant depart in peace..., and Trisagion Prayers. Apolitikion and Theotokion Apolitikion Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Θεοτόκε, σὺ εἶ ἡ ἄµπελος ἡ ἀληθινή, ἡ βλαστήσασα τὸν καρπὸν τῆς ζωῆς. Σὲ ἱκετεύοµεν, πρέσβευε, Δέσποινα, µετὰ τῶν Ἀποστόλων, καὶ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων, ἐλεηθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Εἶτα «Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δούλόν σου...,» καὶ τὸ Τρισάγιον. Ἀπολυτίκιον καὶ Θεοτοκίον Ἀπολυτίκιον Tone 4 Ἦχος δ O leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all that He may grant peace to the world and to our souls His great mercy. Theotokion Οἱ τῶν Ἀποστόλων πρωτόθρονοι, καὶ τῆς Οἰκουµένης διδάσκαλοι, τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων πρεσβεύσατε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουµένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡµῶν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Θεοτοκίον Tone 4 Ἦχος δ 11

12 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. O Theotokos, through you became manifest to us on earth the mystery, which was hid from eternity, and which the Angels themselves knew not: that God, uniting natures without confusion, becomes a man and accepts crucifixion for our salvation voluntarily; by virtue of this, resurrecting man whom He had first created, He saved our souls from death. Dismissal, May Christ our true God,... Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Τὸ ἀπ αἰῶνος ἀπόκρυφον, καὶ Ἀγγέλοις ἄγνωστον Μυστήριον διὰ σοῦ Θεοτόκε, τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς πεφανέρωται, Θεὸς ἐν ἀσυγχύτῳ, ἑνώσει σαρκούµενος, καὶ Σταυρὸν ἑκουσίως, ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν καταδεξάµενος, δι οὗ ἀναστήσας τὸν πρωτόπλαστον, ἔσωσεν ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Ἀπόλυσις «Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡµῶν...» 12

13 Hexapsalm. God is the Lord... Matins Ὄρθρος Apolitikion and Theotokion Apolitikion Ὁ Ἑξάψαλµος, Εἰς τὸ «Θεὸς Κύριος...» Ἀπολυτίκιον καὶ Θεοτοκίον Ἀπολυτίκιον Tone 4 Ἦχος δ O leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all that He may grant peace to the world and to our souls His great mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, intercede with the Master of all that He may grant peace to the world and to our souls His great mercy. Theotokion Οἱ τῶν Ἀποστόλων πρωτόθρονοι, καὶ τῆς Οἰκουµένης διδάσκαλοι, τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων πρεσβεύσατε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουµένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡµῶν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Οἱ τῶν Ἀποστόλων πρωτόθρονοι, καὶ τῆς Οἰκουµένης διδάσκαλοι, τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων πρεσβεύσατε, εἰρήνην τῇ οἰκουµένῃ δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡµῶν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Θεοτοκίον Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. O Theotokos, through you became manifest to us on earth the mystery, which was hid from eternity, and which the Angels themselves knew not: that God, uniting natures without confusion, becomes a man and accepts crucifixion for our salvation voluntarily; by virtue of this, resurrecting man whom He had first created, He saved our souls from death. Small Litany Sessional Hymns After the First Stichologia Of the Apostle Peter Tone Plagal 4 Forsaking all wisdom Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Τὸ ἀπ αἰῶνος ἀπόκρυφον, καὶ Ἀγγέλοις ἄγνωστον Μυστήριον διὰ σοῦ Θεοτόκε, τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς πεφανέρωται, Θεὸς ἐν ἀσυγχύτῳ, ἑνώσει σαρκούµενος, καὶ Σταυρὸν ἑκουσίως, ὑπὲρ ἡµῶν καταδεξάµενος, δι οὗ ἀναστήσας τὸν πρωτόπλαστον, ἔσωσεν ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Συναπτὴ Μικρὰ Καθίσµατα Μετὰ τὴν α Στιχολογίαν Τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Πέτρου Ἦχος πλ. δ Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον Forsaking fishing the depth of the sea, the Τὸν βυθὸν τῆς ἁλιείας καταλιπών, οὐρανόθεν Father from heaven showed you the divine ἐδέξω παρὰ Πατρός, τὴν θείαν ἀποκάλυψιν, revelation of the incarnate Word; and before τῆς τοῦ Λόγου σαρκώσεως, καὶ παρρησίᾳ all, you cried out with all boldness to your πᾶσιν, ἐβόας τῷ Κτίστῃ σου, τοῦ Θεοῦ σε Maker: I know you to be the Son co-essential γινώσκω, Υἱὸν ὁµοούσιον, Ὅθεν ἐπαξίως, with God. Therefore you were truly and ἀληθῶς ἀνεδείχθης, ἡ πέτρα τῆς πίστεως, καὶ 13

14 fittingly revealed as the rock of faith, O Apostle Peter, and the custodian of the keys of grace; intercede with Christ God, that remission of sins may be given to those who fervently celebrate your holy memory. Theotokion Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. I cower when I think of judgment, I shudder before the fearsome scrutiny, I tremble at the sentence, fear the chastisement, the agony of the flames, and the darkness of Tartarus. Woe to me! What shall I do in that hour when thrones are assigned, ledgers are opened, and actions accounted. Then, O Lady, be my aid and fervent protectress, for I, your servant, have you as my hope. After the Second Stichologia Of the Apostle Paul Tone Plagal 4 Forsaking all wisdom Hearing the heavenly call from Christ, you were beheld as the herald of light, enlightening all mankind with the teachings of grace. By your writing, you blotted out the service of the law, and illumined the faithful with the knowledge of the Spirit. Wherefore and deservedly you were caught up to the third heaven and reached Paradise. O Apostle Paul, intercede with Christ God, to grant us who fervently celebrate your revered memory the forgiveness of our sins. Theotokion Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. κλειδοῦχος τῆς χάριτος, Πέτρε Ἀπόστολε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ τῶν πταισµάτων ἄφεσιν δωρήσασθαι, τοῖς ἑορτάζουσι πόθῳ, τὴν ἁγίαν µνήµην σου. Θεοτοκίον Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ἐνθυµοῦµαι τὴν κρίσιν καὶ δειλιῶ, τὴν ἐξέτασιν φρίττω τὴν φοβεράν, τρέµω τὴν ἀπόφασιν, καὶ πτοοῦµαι τὴν κόλασιν, τὴν τοῦ πυρὸς ὀδύνην, τὸ σκότος, τὸν τάρταρον, Οἴµοι! τὶ ποιήσω ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὅταν τίθωνται θρόνοι, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ αἱ πράξεις ἐλέγχωνται; Τότε Δέσποινα, βοήθειά µοι γενοῦ, καὶ προστάτις θερµότατος σὲ γὰρ ἔχω ἐλπίδα ὁ δοῦλός σου. Μετὰ τὴν β Στιχολογίαν Τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Πἀυλου Ἦχος πλ. δ Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον Οὐρανόθεν τὴν κλῆσιν παρὰ Χριστοῦ, κοµισάµενος ὤφθης κήρυξ φωτός, πᾶσι τοῖς τῆς χάριτος, καταλάµψας διδάγµασι τὴν γὰρ τοῦ νόµου ξέσας, λατρείαν τοῦ γράµµατος, τοῖς πιστοῖς κατήστραψας, τὴν γνῶσιν τοῦ Πνεύµατος ὅθεν καὶ εἰς τρίτον, οὐρανὸν ἐπαξίως, ἐπήρθης µετάρσιος, καὶ Παράδεισον ἔφθασας, Παῦλε Ἀπόστολε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, τῶν πταισµάτων ἄφεσιν δωρήσασθαι, τοῖς ἑορτάζουσι πόθῳ, τὴν ἁγίαν µνήµην σου. Θεοτοκίον Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. I am compelled, O Lady, as was the widow Χαριστήριον αἶνον χρεωστικῶς, ὡς ἡ χήρα with two coins, to offer a hymn of ἐκείνη δύο λεπτά, προσφέρω σοι Δέσποινα, thanksgiving for all your gifts. You were ὑπὲρ πασῶν τῶν χαρίτων σου σὺ γὰρ ὤφθης always beheld both as a shelter and aid, raising σκέπη, ὁµοῦ καὶ βοήθεια, πειρασµῶν καὶ me away from temptation and grief. θλίψεων, ἀεὶ µε ἐξαίρουσα ὅθεν ὡς ἐκ µέσης Wherefore, delivering me from my sorrows, as φλογιζούσης δώρησαι, καµίνου, ῥυσθεὶς τῶν though from the flames of a furnace, I cry out θλιβόντων µε, ἐκ καρδίας κραυγάζω σοι, to you from my heart, Help me, Theotokos, Θεοτόκε βοήθει µοι, πρεσβεύουσα τῷ σῷ Υἱῷ 14

15 interceding with your Son and God to grant those who in faith worship your Son, O pure one, remission of sins. After the Polyeleos Of Both Apostles Tone Plagal 4 Forsaking all wisdom Let us acclaim the leaders of the disciples who were beheld as great and radiant luminaries, Peter and the most-wise Paul; shining with divine fire, they burned away the mist of every error, thereby proving themselves worthy to be citizens of the Kingdom on high, and to share thrones of grace. Wherefore we cry out, O Apostles of Christ God, entreat Him to grant remission of sins to those who reverently celebrate your holy memory. Theotokion Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. The Wisdom and Word was conceived in your womb, O Mother of God, yet you remained inviolate; you ineffably gave birth to the Creator of all, you held in your arms Him Who holds all, and you nursed Him Who nurtures the world. Wherefore I entreat you, all-holy Virgin, when I am about to stand before the countenance of my Creator, deliver me from my transgressions; then, O pure Lady Virgin, grant me your aid, for you attain whatever is your will, O all-immaculate one. Anavathmoi καὶ Θεῷ, τῶν πταισµάτων ἄφεσιν δωρήσασθαι, τοῖς προσκυνοῦσιν ἐν πίστει, τὸν τόκον σου Ἄχραντε, Μετὰ τὸν Πολυέλεον. Μετὰ τὸν Πολυέλεον Κάθισµα ἀµφοτέρων Ἦχος πλ. δ Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον Κορυφαίους ὀφθέντας τῶν µαθητῶν, τοὺς µεγάλους φωστῆρας καὶ φαεινούς, Πέτρον εὐφηµήσωµεν, καὶ τὸν πάνσοφον Παῦλον τῷ γὰρ πυρὶ τοῦ θείου ἐκλάµψαντες Πνεύµατος, τὴν ἀχλὺν τῆς πλάνης, κατέφλεξαν ἅπασαν ὅθεν καὶ τῆς ἄνω, βασιλείας πολῖται, ἀξίως ἐδείχθησαν, καὶ τῆς χάριτος σύνθρονοι Διὰ τοῦτο βοήσωµεν Ἀπόστολοι Χριστοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, τῶν πταισµάτων ἄφεσιν αἰτήσασθε, τοῖς ἑορτάζουσι πόθῳ, τὴν ἁγίαν µνήµην ἡµῶν. Θεοτοκίον Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον ἐν σῇ γαστρί, συλλαβοῦσα ἀφράστως Μήτηρ Θεοῦ, τῷ κόσµῳ ἐκύησας, τὸν τὸν κόσµον κατέχοντα, καὶ ἐν ἀγκάλαις ἔσχες, τὸν πάντα συνεχοντα, καὶ ἐκ µαζῶν ἐθήλασας, τὸν πάντας ἐκτρέφοντα ὅθεν δυσωπῶ σε, Παναγία Παρθένε, ῥυσθῆναι πταισµάτων µου, ὅταν µέλλω παρίστασθαι, πρὸ προσώπου τοῦ Κτίστου µου, Δέσποινα Παρθένε ἁγνή τὴν σὴν βοήθειαν τότε µοι καὶ γὰρ δύνασαι, ὅσα θέλεις πανύµνητε. Ἀναβαθµοὶ Tone 4 Ἦχος δ First Antiphon From the years of my youth many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior, assist me and save me. (Repeat) From the years of my youth many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior, assist me and save me. Α Ἀντίφωνον Ἐκ νεότητός µου πολλὰ πολεµεῖ µε πάθη ἀλλ αὐτὸς ἀντιλαβοῦ, καὶ σῶσον Σωτήρ µου. (Πάλιν) Ἐκ νεότητός µου πολλὰ πολεµεῖ µε πάθη ἀλλ αὐτὸς ἀντιλαβοῦ, καὶ σῶσον Σωτήρ µου. You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by Οἱ µισοῦντες Σιών, αἰσχύνθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ the Lord almighty, for as grass in the fire, Κυρίου ὡς χόρτος γάρ, πυρὶ ἔσεσθε you shall all be withered. ἀπεξηραµµένοι. 15

16 (Repeat) You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord almighty, for as grass in the fire, you shall all be withered. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit, every soul is made living, is exalted, and made shining through purification, by the Threefold Oneness, in a hidden manner. Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace are flowing, watering, all of the creation, granting life upon it. Prokeimenon 16 (Πάλιν) Οἱ µισοῦντες Σιών, αἰσχύνθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου ὡς χόρτος γάρ, πυρὶ ἔσεσθε ἀπεξηραµµένοι. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, πᾶσα ψυχὴ ζωοῦται, καὶ καθάρσει ὑψοῦται λαµπρύνεται, τῇ τριαδικῇ Μονάδι ἱεροκρυφίως. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι, ἀναβλύζει τὰ τῆς χάριτος ῥεῖθρα, ἀρδεύοντα, ἅπασαν τὴν κτίσιν πρὸς ζωογονίαν. Προκείµενον Tone 4 Ἦχος δ Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands. Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Psalm 50. Matins Gospel Eleventh Eothinon Gospel John 21:15-25 Troparia Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουµένης τὰ ῥήµατα αὐτῶν. Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουµένης τὰ ῥήµατα αὐτῶν. Οἱ οὐρανοὶ διηγοῦνται δόξαν Θεοῦ ποίησιν δὲ χειρῶν αὐτοῦ ἀναγγέλλει τὸ στερέωµα. Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουµένης τὰ ῥήµατα αὐτῶν. Ψαλµός Ν. Εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Ὅρθρου Εὐαγγέλιον Ἑωθινὰ ΙΑ Ἰωάννην κα Τροπάρια Tone 2 Ἦχος β Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Through the intercessions of the Apostles, O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions. Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύµατι. Ταῖς τῶν Ἀποστόλων, πρεσβείαις Ἐλεῆµον, ἐξάλειψον τὰ πλήθη, τῶν ἐµῶν ἐγκληµάτων. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν. Ταῖς τῆς Θεοτόκου, πρεσβείαις Ἐλεῆµον, ἐξάλειψον τὰ πλήθη, τῶν ἐµῶν ἐγκληµάτων.

17 Idiomelon of the Feast Ἰδιόµελον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Tone 2 Ἦχος β Merciful One, have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression. O Peter, chief of the glorious Apostles, you rock of faith; and most-excellent Paul, orator and luminary of the holy Churches: as you stand before the throne of God, intercede with Christ in our behalf. Ο God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance... Kontakion of the Apostles Ἐλέησόν µε ὁ Θεὸς κατὰ τὸ µέγα ἔλεός σου καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρµῶν σου ἐξάλειψον τὸ ἀνόµηµά µου. Πέτρε, κορυφαῖε τῶν ἐνδόξων Ἀποστόλων, ἡ πέτρα τῆς πίστεως, καὶ Παῦλε θεσπέσιε, τῶν Ἁγίων Ἐκκλησιῶν ὁ ῥήτωρ καὶ φωστήρ, τῷ θείῳ θρόνῳ παριστάµενοι, ὑπέρ ἡµῶν Χριστῷ πρεσβεύσατε. «Σῶσον, ὁ Θεός, τὸν λαόν σου, καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονοµίαν σου...» Κοντάκιον Read (Tone 2) Χῦµα (Ἦχος β ) You have taken up to their eternal rest and to the enjoyment of Your good things, O Lord, the two infallible preachers of divine truths, and leaders of the Apostles, for You have accepted their struggles and their deaths as being better than any burnt offering; O You Who alone know the secrets of hearts. Τοὺς ἀσφαλεῖς καὶ θεοφθόγγους κήρυκας, τὴν κορυφὴν τῶν Μαθητῶν σου Κύριε, προσελάβου εἰς ἀπόλαυσιν, τῶν ἀγαθῶν σου καὶ ἀνάπαυσιν τοὺς πόνους γὰρ ἐκείνων καὶ τὸν θάνατον, ἐδέξω ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ὁλοκάρπωσιν, ὁ µόνος γινώσκων τὰ ἐγκάρδια. Oikos of the Apostles Read (Tone 2) Οἶκος Χῦµα (Ἦχος β ) O Savior, grant eloquence to my tongue and open my mouth; fill it with Your Spirit and grant my heart compunction that I may be the first to follow the things that I say and do the things that I teach; for you have said that whoever does that which he teaches is truly great among men. For if I do not do what I say, then I am only a sounding brass. Therefore teach me what to speak and grant that I may do what is right, O You Who alone know the secrets of hearts. Synaxarion On the twenty-ninth of this month, the Memory of the Holy, glorious, allpraiseworthy, and chief Apostles and Peter and Paul. Τράνωσόν µου τὴν γλῶτταν Σωτήρ µου, πλάτυνόν µου τὸ στόµα, καὶ πληρώσας αὐτό, κατάνυξον τὴν καρδίαν µου, ἵνα οἷς λέγω ἀκολουθήσω, καὶ ἃ διδάσκω, ποιήσω πρῶτος πᾶς γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ διδάσκων, φησίν, οὗτος µέγας ἐστίν ἐὰν γὰρ λέγω µὴ πράττων, ὡς χαλκὸς ἠχῶν λογισθήσοµαι. Διὸ λαλεῖν µοι τὰ δέοντα, καὶ ποιεῖν τὰ συµφέροντα δώρησαι, ὁ µόνος γινώσκων τὰ ἐγκάρδια. Συναξάριον Τῇ ΚΘ τοῦ αὐτοῦ µηνός, Μνήµη τῶν Ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήµων Ἀποστόλων καὶ πρωτοκορυφαίων, Πέτρου καὶ Παύλου. Through the prayers of these holy ones, O Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἁγίαις πρεσβείαις, ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον God, have mercy on us. Amen. ἡµᾶς. Ἀµήν. 17

18 Katavasiai of the Theotokos Καταβασίαι τῆς Θεοτόκου Tone Plagal 4 Ἦχος δ Ode 1 Ὠδὴ α My mouth shall I open up and by the Spirit shall it be filled; and I shall pour out a word unto the Mother and Queen; and I shall be seen in cheerful celebration; and joyfully I shall sing lauding her wonders. Ode 3 Establish, all-holy Theotokos, O living and ever-welling fount, your choristers assembled in spiritual fellowship, and crowns of glory graciously in your divine magnificence grant to them. Ode 4 Comprehending the unfathomable divine will of your incarnation by the Virgin, O most High, the prophet Habbakuk cried out: Glory to your power, O Lord. Ode 5 Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. For while never consummating marriage, you held, O virgin the God of all in your womb, and gave birth unto a timeless Son Who rewards salvation to all who chant hymns of praise to you. Ἀνοίξω τὸ στόµα µου, καὶ πληρωθήσεται Πνεύµατος, καὶ λόγον ἐρεύξοµαι, τῇ Βασιλίδι Μητρί καὶ ὀφθήσοµαι, φαιδρῶς πανηγυρίζων, καὶ ᾄσω γηθόµενος, ταύτης τὰ θαύµατα. Ὠδὴ γ. Τοὺς σοὺς ὑµνολόγους, Θεοτόκε, ἡ ζῶσα καὶ ἄφθονος πηγή, θίασον συγκροτήσαντας, πνευµατικὸν στερέωσον καὶ ἐν τῇ θείᾳ δόξῃ Σου, στεφάνων δόξης ἀξίωσον. Ὠδὴ δ. Τὴν ἀνεξιχνίαστον θείαν βουλήν, τῆς ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου σαρκώσεως, Σοῦ τοῦ Ὑψίστου, ὁ προφήτης Ἀββακούµ, κατανοῶν ἐκραύγαζε Δόξα τῇ δυνάµει Σου Κύριε. Ὠδὴ ε. Ἐξέστη τὰ σύµπαντα, ἐπὶ τῇ θείᾳ δόξῃ Σου Σὺ γάρ, ἀπειρόγαµε Παρθένε, ἔσχες ἐν µήτρᾳ, τὸν ἐπὶ πάντων Θεόν, καὶ τέτοκας ἄχρονον Υἱόν, πᾶσι τοῖς ὑµνοῦσί Σε, σωτηρίαν βραβεύουσα. Ode 6 Ὠδὴ ς O Godly-minded people, as we observe this solemn and divine feast in honor of the Mother of God, come let us clap our hands for joy while glorifying God Who was born of her. Τὴν θείαν ταύτην καὶ πάντιµον, τελοῦντες Ἑορτὴν οἱ θεόφρονες, τῆς Θεοµήτορος, δεῦτε τὰς χεῖρας κροτήσωµεν, τὸν ἐξ Αὐτῆς τεχθέντα, Θεὸν δοξάζοντες. Ode 7 Ὠδὴ ζ Godly-minded three did not adore created things in the Creator s stead, but bravely trampling upon the threat of the furnace fire, they chanted joyfully: O supremely praised, and most-exalted Lord and God of our fathers You are blessed. Οὐκ ἐλάτρευσαν, τῇ κτίσει οἱ θεόφρονες, παρὰ τὸν κτίσαντα ἀλλὰ πυρὸς ἀπειλήν, ἀνδρείως πατήσαντες, χαίροντες ἔψαλλον Ὑπερύµνητε, ὁ τῶν πατέρων Κύριος, καὶ Θεὸς εὐλογητὸς εἶ. Ode 8 Ὠδὴ η We praise, we bless, and we worship the Lord. Αἰνοῦµεν, εὐλογοῦµεν καὶ προσκυνοῦµεν τὸν Κύριον. Pious children stood within the furnace, the Παῖδας εὐαγεῖς ἐν τῇ καµίνῳ, ὁ τόκος τῆς child of the Theotokos went and rescued them. Θεοτόκου διεσώσατο, τότε µὲν τυπούµενος 18