Thursday

ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomoia.

Stichera for the Apostles.

Mode 3. N/M (The power of Your martyr Saints.)

At the intercessions of your honoured Apostles, O Lover of humankind, pitying and alone merciful, grant peace to your people, and deliver from troubles those who sing your praise and faithfully worship you.

As eye-witnesses of God, deliver me from the darts of the boaster, quenching his villainies. Bedew me, sweltering in the heat of sins, with the dew of the spirit, my godlike Benefactors.

Truly your godlike sound has gone out into all the inhabited world, Apostles of the Lord, enlightened those who sit in darkness and offered to God, like incense, those who know him.

Additional Stichera. For St. Nicholas. Same Melody.

You have been revealed to us as a mighty salvation for all, thrice-blessed Nicholas; for you deliver your servants from dangers of every kind, from constraint, from trials, diseases, troubles and invisible foes.

A prodigal, I have been struck by a poisonous sting and I lie perishing; by your unsleeping prayer, High Priest, raise me quickly that I may glorify your grace, so quick to hear.

In that dread hour in which I am to stand before the dreadful judgement seat and to be sent to punishment, as you have freedom to speak, may I find you as my helper, O High Priest, I implore you, to deliver me from darkness.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.

Lady, Bride of God, who have dominion over all creatures, with the medicine of your intercession quickly free my soul dreadfully dominated by the passions and enslave it to your Son and God.

At the Aposticha.

Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Apostles.

Your sound has gone out into all the earth, holy Apostles; you abolished the error of idols by preaching the knowledge of God; this is your good fight, blessed Saints, and so we hymn and glorify your memories.

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]

Blamelessly keeping Christ''s commands, holy Apostles, freely you received, freely you give, curing the passions of our souls and bodies; and so as you have freedom to speak, implore him to have mercy on our souls.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Your Martyrs, Lord, strengthened by faith, confirmed by hope, united in soul by love of your Cross, destroyed the tyranny of the foe, and having gained their crowns, they intercede with the Bodiless Powers on behalf of our souls.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. N/M (The power of Your martyr Saints.)

O Maiden, you are the joy of Angels, glory of the Apostles, seal of Prophets, protection and saving guide of faithful humans; and so we worship you, O Virgin.

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ON THURSDAY MORNING

MATINS

After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Apostles.

Mode 3. N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

As All-powerful you have made the memory of your Apostles radiantly bright, Lord, for you gave them strength to imitate your sufferings; bravely they conquered the power of Beliar; therefore they have received gifts of healings. At their supplications, O Merciful, grant peace to your people.

N/M (Your confession.)

The Apostles of God the Word watered the earth with streams, and the ear of grain of the Faith sprouted and filled the ends of the earth, for they cut down all the cockle; therefore they brought all to Christ God, baptising them into the uncreated Trinity.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. N/M (Seeing how beautiful.)

As I called to mind the measureless wealth of your sympathy and the invincible might of your power, beset by trouble and in dread despair, I ran to your protection; crying with tears from the depths of my heart, I cry to you Virgin Mother of God, ''Save me, save the unworthy!''

After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Apostles. N/M (Your confession.)

Come, let us all praise the Apostles with godly songs, for by drowning the error of idols they led mortals to divine light and taught them to believe in the Trinity; therefore as today we devoutly honour them, let us glorify Christ our God.

Same Melody.

The far-famed and god-bearing Apostles, shining with deeds of right belief, quenched the error of false belief; enriching the world with true religion they radiantly adorned the Churches as they ask Christ God to grant peace to the faithful and his great mercy.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.

Drowning in a sea of passions I flee to the ocean of your pities, Mother of God, help me; stretch out your right hand to me your servant, All-Immaculate, save me as once your Son saved Peter; have mercy on a soul foundering in the billows of many offences.

After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.

For St. Nicholas. N/M (Your confession.)

In praise we hymn you, Nicholas, as herald of the truth and radiant beacon of the world, and as we ask in faith we cry out, ''As you snatched the innocent from death, so rescue us, O Holy one, from dangers, affliction and every dread trouble.

For the Martyrs.

Holy, all-praised Champions, through the faith you shone out as radiant beacons, physicians of the weak; for you were not cowed by the torments of tyrants but cast down the blasphemies of idols, having as an invincible trophy the Cross of the truth.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. N/M (Your confession.)

All-Immaculate Mother of God, you have been revealed as the all golden throne of the King and Paradise that flowers again; for you carried God in your womb and make us fragrant with divine graces; therefore we all ever proclaim you as truly Mother of God and we magnify you.

Canon for the Holy Apostles.

Mode 3. Ode i. Heirmos.

He who of old assembled the waters into one gathering by his divine decree, and divided the sea for the people of Israel. He is our God and he is glorified. To him alone let us sing, for he has been glorified. [EL]

Troparia.

Come let us bless the Church''s towers, devoutly built on the foundation of the faith and who establish all believers, the sacred Apostles, that by their supplications we may be saved.

Unshakeable pillars of true religion, I have been toppled by the error of the foe, I lie on the ground, I am in danger, I am at a loss. Set me upright that I may find forgiveness of the things by which I have offended.

Fearful before the sentence, O Just Judge, I, a prodigal, condemn myself, for I have amassed unnumbered evil works; therefore I implore you, save me in my despair, at the godly entreaties of your Apostles.

Theotokion.

With holy Prophets, with Apostles, with Martyrs, insistently implore the Lord who was incarnate from you, Pure Virgin, to slay all the passions of our flesh and to bestow on us eternal life.

Canon for St. Nicholas.

Let us honour and with love call blessed, Nicholas, the shining lamp and unsleeping torch upon earth, who ever embarks towards godly havens those storm-tossed by the waves of life.

Empowered by God''s strength, O All-blessed, you obtained zeal in accordance with the knowledge of true religion; therefore you rescued those about to die unjustly; and so we implore you, deliver us from every wickedness of the unjust foe.

Bring, Father, to the Lord a plea that never ceases, that he may deliver us from sins, from the flame of everlasting punishment, from temptations and troubles, as he alone is supremely good.

Theotokion.

Let us now in harmony call Mary, the all-immaculate, blessed, the divine Ark who contained the Giver of the law, who takes away all our iniquities through his divine compassion, the unfathomable sea.

Ode iii. Heirmos.

Almighty and Most High, who out of nothing bring all things, created by the Word, perfected by the Spirit, establish me in your love. [EL]

Troparia.

You filled all the corners of the world with your inspired teaching; fill my soul with right actions and good thoughts, eye-witnesses of Christ.

From ten thousand stumbling blocks of the evil one, from every trouble, every compulsion, from distress, rescue me, Disciples of Christ.

Alas, my wretched and lowly soul, continually sinning and angering God, how can you ask for pardon, for you never make a break from wickedness?

Theotokion.

Divine ladder, which Jacob saw, by which God came down and exalted us, with the Apostles insistently implore that he take pity on us.

Canon for St. Nicholas. Sterile and barren soul. (NM)

You appeared as a sharpened sword of the Spirit, cutting off the evil tares of heretics, and smoothing a path of salvation for the faithful, wise father Nicholas.

O Saint, we entreat you as a source pouring forth springs of healings, dispel by your prayers the miry passions of us all, rescuing us from dangers and troubles.

By your valiant toils you cast down the foe; now too, by your holy prayers, Father Nicholas, strengthen against him our thoughts, grown weak with the floods of passions.

Theotokion.

Mind cannot conceive the Offspring beyond mind of your wondrous child-bearing. Virgin Mother, who gave birth to God; and so I implore you give my mind the grace to glorify you always.

Ode iv. Heirmos.

You displayed mighty love for us, O Lord; for you gave your Only-begotten Son to death for our sake. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry to you, ''Glory to your power, O Lord!'' [EL]

Troparia.

Unsetting Sun, unfurling your Apostles like beams, like rays, you brought light to all the corners of the world, O Word, and you dispelled the gloom of ignorance.

A sea of dreadful sin rages round me, O Word, waves of disordered thoughts trouble my lowly soul. O Lord and Helmsman, save me at the supplications of your Disciples.

I quake with fear when I think on your fearful coming, Master; for before sentence I have within me my conscience to accuse me, and to torment my insensitivity before the torment.

Theotokion.

Word of God, born from a Maiden, Child of God, at her holy mediation and those of your wise Apostles, rescue your servants from every distress, every constraint.

Canon for St. Nicholas. The shaded mountain. (NM)

Every believer advances you each day, Nicholas, as a mediator with God; and so we implore you, Father, rescue us from harsh distress and from falling into sins.

You have the grace of the Lord as a living stream in your heart, O wise, all-blessed Father, and you unceasingly bedew those who are miserably endangered by the heat of troubles and the wasteland of sins.

Of old, All-blessed, you delivered one who was being led to an undeserved death, so now too save us from the persecution of destructive men and from every deception of the demons.

Theotokion.

Ineffably you bore the Word, incarnate through the abundance of his compassion. Beseech him, O Immaculate, to rescue us all from carnal defilements and all the troubles of life.

Ode v. Heirmos.

You, the Invisible, appeared on earth and willingly you the Incomprehensible dwelt among mortals; and so rising to you at dawn we hymn you, Lover of humankind. [EL]

Troparia.

Incarnate upon earth, you fashioned your Disciples into heavens which proclaimed your glory, O Christ; therefore through them, Lord, have mercy on our souls.

From passions, from every constraint, from dire distress deliver your servants, O Word, at the acceptable entreaties of your Apostles.

Alas, my wretched soul, how are you, who remain fruitless, going to stand before the fearful Judge? Hasten, repent by sprouting fruits of virtues.

Theotokion.

Pure Virgin, implore him who appeared ineffably on earth in flesh from your pure blood, as he remains ever your Son, to bestow pardon on us.

Canon for St. Nicholas. O Christ God. (NM)

Standing in the pure light and on fire with the rays that ever flood from it, Father, ask enlightenment and peace for all.

O supremely good, at the fervent prayers of Nicholas take pity on me who with my unfeeling mind have always angered you more than all mortals.

I have squandered my life in sloth and so I beseech you, Father Nicholas, rouse my soiled thought to repentance.

Theotokion.

As only joy of the Angels, O Full of God''s grace, fill with joy my sullen mind, sunk deep in indifference.

Ode vi. Heirmos.

The final abyss of sins has surrounded me and my spirit fails; but, Master, stretch out your upraised arm and like Peter save me, O my Pilot. [EL]

Troparia.

The company of the Apostles having drawn from the source an abyss of spiritual wisdom, dried up all the streams of this world''s wisdom and watered all the assemblies of the devout.

Groan and weep, my lowly soul, and cry out to the Lord, saying, ''I have sinned against you, compassionate Master, be merciful to me at the supplications of your Apostles''.

Flowing torrents of passions have brought about the fall of the house of my heart. O Apostles, the rivers of the Spirit, I have been crushed; refashion me into life.

Theotokion.

The band of the Apostles, with her who bore you, entreats you, O Christ, ''Send down pardon and peace to your servants, as you are God who love mankind and long to be reconciled.

Canon for St. Nicholas. The deep of the passions. (NM)

Having slain your members by self-mastery you gained the life which does not age; make us sharers in it too, wise Father, by your prayers, by flight from the work of evil.

With the sail of your sacred prayers deliver us from sea of many dangers and the deep of sin, embarking us for the roadstead of life, wise Hierarch.

Adorning the throne of Myra, you were revealed as an ornament of High Priests; but by your prayers save us from the world''s temptations, blameless Hierarch.

Theotokion.

The Word by dwelling in your womb, pure Mother, through his compassionate mercy drove into exile the corruption that through transgression had of old made its dwelling among men.

Ode vii. Heirmos.

The three Youths of old did not worship the golden image, object of Persian reverence as they sang in the midst of the furnace: God of our Fathers, blessed are you! [EL]

Troparia.

Christ, the light of the world, revealed you, light-bearing Apostles, to be a light that ends the darkness of deception and enlightens the minds of believers.

Smash the snares which the malignant one has set for us, light-bearing Apostles, and level out for us, who have recourse to you, paths of repentance.

Inspired Apostles of the Lord, you are divine salt; purify my soul, which through passions of the flesh has lost its savour, and bring believers back to life.

Theotokion.

Beauty of Jacob, make my soul radiant with forms of beauty, I beg, as with the Apostles you now entreat the One who was born from your pure blood.

Canon for St. Nicholas. Three Youths in a furnace. (NM)

When Arius the madman was once ravaging the Lord''s people, you throttled him with the cords of your words as a true chief shepherd, Father Nicholas.

In holiness you reached the end of your life and you dwell with the Apostles, Father Nicholas, and you send hallowing and enlightenment to those who devoutly call you blessed.

We ever call upon you, Father Nicholas, as a ready deliverer, as fervent helper, to deliver us from the passions and from unexpected temptations which assail us.

Theotokion.

Pure Virgin, lead me to the light, who am darkened in soul by indifference, kindling again the lamp of my heart with good zeal, that I may glorify you.

Ode viii. Heirmos.

In the unbearable fire, but unharmed by the flames, the Young Men, famed for their reverence for God, became as one as they sang the divine hymn, ''All you works of the Lord bless the Lord, and highly exalt him to all the ages.'' [EL]

Troparia.

I have been cut by the sword of passions and I have been wounded in heart by the madness of the creator of wickedness; glorious Apostles, heal me who am wholly without resource, for you are physicians of souls and bodies.

The divine sound of the Heralds has been poured out into all the earth, wonderfully teaching it to reverence one being, one nature, truly one lordship, one kingship of the Trinity to all the ages.

I have fallen many times and have squandered your long-suffering by my ever-present folly; turn me back, Master, Word, who know my great weakness, my sloth and my foolishness.

Theotokion.

All-holy Mother of God, divine tongs, which ineffably held the divine coal, quench the burning coals of my passions with the dew of your consolations and of the all-glorious and divine Apostles.

Canon for St. Nicholas. The God who is glorified. (NM)

Venerable Father, by becoming meek you have inherited the land of the meek; and so with faith I beg you, by your prayers calm the storms of the evil one that incessantly rise against me.

As you rescued the generals who were about to die unjustly, so rescue us from the wickedness of evil men and from every assault of the demons, Nicholas, as you implore the Saviour.

You showed mankind a even and saving road, guide us in it as we journey on the road of life, thrice-blessed Nicholas, that together we may enter the city of life.

Theotokion.

Strength and song is he who was born of you, All-blameless Virgin; beseech him insistently, to give me, who am paralysed by the passions, strength to fulfil his saving commands.

Ode ix. Heirmos.

In the shadow and letter of the Law, let us the faithful discern a figure. ''Every male child that opens the womb shall be holy to God.'' Therefore the Son and Word of the Father who has no beginning, the firstborn child of a Mother who had not known man, we magnify. [EL]

Troparia.

The word of your Disciples has established the ends of the earth, O Word of the Father without beginning; at their supplications take pity on me who have slipped irrationally towards the passions and been gripped by the deception of the demons.

My soul, enslaved to assaults of passions, bring supplications to him who suffered the Passion for your sake, that he may deliver you from passions; as his sacred Disciples, who imitated the sufferings of his passion in the flesh, openly intercede.

Disciples of Christ, when you sit with him to judge those who are subject to judgement, establish my soul, befouled by unnatural works, uncondemned, for you are my good protectors, helpers of the world.

Theotokion.

Chaste Virgin, pure palace of Christ, Virgin all-holy of holies, who bore the Holy God beyond explanation and reason, with the holy Apostles intercede on behalf of all.

Canon for St. Nicholas. On mount Sinai. (NM)

The whole round world has found in you a divine stronghold and fortress and fair refuge, who by your mediations ever rescue it from every pressure of temptations, Father Nicholas; and so in praise it faithfully calls you blessed.

Hemmed in by many disasters, I flee, All-blessed, to the wide plain of your prayer. ''Transform the toil of my soul, I cry, calm the waves of despair and bring peace to my troubled mind''.

The coming of the Creator is at hand to judge the whole earth, and I, accursed, am not prepared; I shudder when I consider the multitude of my offences; take pity on me, long-suffering Lord, and save me at the godly prayers of your holy Nicholas.

Theotokion.

Appear to me as a saving enlightenment, you who bore the light, dispelling the many and dread clouds from my soul, that by your prayers I may become a son of the day, doing holy deeds, and that in hymns I may ever call you blessed.

At the Aposticha of Lauds.

Aposticha. Mode 3. For the Apostles.

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

The powers of the holy Angels marvelled at the contests of the Martyrs; for clothed in a mortal body they despised tortures and became imitators of the passion of our Saviour, and they intercede for our souls.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Honoured first of Saints, praise of the heavenly hosts, hymn of Apostles, whole contents of the Prophets, Sovereign Lady, accept our supplications also.

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LITURGY

The Beatitudes. Mode 3.

When our primal father Adam disobeyed Your divine command, O Christ, You expelled him from Paradise. But when the faithful Robber while on the cross confessed You to be Lord, You restored him there, as he cried to You: "O Savior, when You come in Your kingdom, remember me."

O Apostles, with the Cross as if a fishing rod * you drew the peoples up from the deep sea of ignorance, * and you greatly diminished * on earth the error of the pagan Greeks. * For believers you became inerrant guides * and saviors indeed. * And therefore we now call you blest.

O Apostles, you became like mystic rays * and illustrious torches of Christ the Sun of righteousness, * and you greatly diminished * the darkness of impiety and led * all the peoples of the world to the light * of the knowledge of God. * Therefore we now honor you.

For the Martyrs.

Holy Athletes, you endured the burning fire * of the tortures and received from on high the dew of grace divine; * and as the faithful servants * of Christ now you mightily provide * cures and remedies for all human suffering. * Therefore, wise Saints of God, * we believers honor you.

Glory.

As the sacred preachers of the Holy Trinity, * Peter, Paul, Mark, and Luke, Matthew, Simon, Iakovos, * Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, * also Bartholomew and James and John, * to our thrice-holy God pray on our behalf * to rescue us from all disasters and emergencies.

Both now. Theotokion.

Lady full of grace divine, you are the beauty *of the Apostles of Christ; you are the joy of the Martyr Saints. * Pray to the God and Savior * of all the universe on our behalf, * that we may obtain forgiveness for all our sins, * and that all may attain * divine and eternal life.