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ON THURSDAY MORNING AT MATINS After
the 1st Reading from the Psalter, Kathismata of the Apostles. Tone 2. Christ God, who with ineffable love
mankind made the Fishermen wiser than the learned and sent them out as heralds
to all the earth, through them strengthen your Church and send down upon the
faithful your blessing, as you alone are merciful and love mankind. Verse:
Their
sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Christ God, the Fishermen caught the
nations in their net and taught the ends of the earth to worship you with the
Father and the Spirit, through them establish the Faith inspired by God and send
down upon the peoples your mercies, who alone rest among the Saints. Glory. Both now. Theotokion. We have become partakers in divine nature
through you, Ever-virgin; for your gave birth to God incarnate for our sake; and
so, as is fitting, we all devoutly magnify you. After
the 2nd Reading, other Kathismata of the Apostles. God, who became poor by compassion, sent
you out wealthy into the world, showing by your poverty the heavenly wealth of
their preaching. Made wealthy through them with the Faith inspired by God we
devoutly sing the praise, Apostles, of your memory. Verse:
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of
his hands. As Disciples and eyewitnesses of the
Wisdom of God, the godly Apostles poured scorn on the unwise wisdom of the wise
and the learned, making the nations wise by the simplicity of their preaching to
sing the praise with right belief of the Creator and only Lord. Glory. Both now. Theotokion. You are the helper of those in affliction,
Bearer of God, and the defender of those under constraints, granting hope to the
despairing, cleansing the diseases of the incurable, all-praised Mother of God;
and so intercede for us to the Lord. After
the 3rd Reading, other Kathismata, of St Nicolas. With the beams of your wonders, Nicolas,
you make the whole expanse of the earth radiant, you dispel the gloom of
afflictions and drive off the assault of dangers, for you are a most fervent
protector. Verse:
God is wonderful in Saints, the God of Israel. Of the Martyrs. Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets and Hierarchs,
Holy and Righteous Ones, having nobly completed the struggle and kept the Faith,
as you have boldness towards the Saviour, we beseech you intercede for us with
him, as he is good, that our souls may be saved. Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Immaculate Virgin, who alone bore God
without seed and remained pure after your awesome child-bearing, I fall down
before you crying with fear and faith: Save me from passions and diseases and
from every constraint. Canon of the Holy Apostles. Ode 1. Tone 2. Irmos. ”The overwhelming might once laid low in
the deep all Pharaoh’s host; but the incarnate Word, the glorious Lord, has
wiped out malignant sin: for he has been greatly glorified”. Troparia. By faith becoming lighting ashes of the
divine light, radiant Apostles of the Saviour, illumine me wholly, who am
darkened by the blackness of pleasures, and pass my whole life in indifference. Disciples and friends of Christ, rescue me
from the Enemy, whose friend I have become through my propensity for evils, by
rousing my soul to the love of the One who has become the friend of the race of
mortals through his loving kindness. My base soul, before you die, hurry,
repent and grieve for yourself who have been slain, so that the One who in his
compassion raised up Lazarus after four days may raise you also at the pleadings
of the Apostles. Theotokion. All-pure, All-blameless, who bore the God
of blessings who makes all those held fast by corruption good, implore him with
the Prophets, Martyrs and Apostles that all may be rescued from transgression. Another Canon, to St Nicolas, of which the Acrostic is: The same Irmos. Standing at Christ’s tribunal, all-wise
Nicolas, with the hosts of Angels, wearing a crown of victory, grant me
illumination to enlighten the darkness of my soul, that with joy I may praise
your memorial, O All-blessed. The Lord who glorifies all who glorify him
has given you as a refuge for the faithful, delivering from temptations those
who have recourse to your protection, Nicolas All-revered, and who call on you
with faith and love. Theotokion. The all wicked serpent by planting in me
the longing to be made equal with the Creator took me prisoner. Through you, O
All-pure, I have been recalled and most truly made divine, for you, God’s
Mother, gave birth to the One who deified me. Ode 3. Irmos. ”The desert, the barren Church of the
nations, flowered like a lily at your coming, Lord, by which my heart has been
established”. Troparia. Glorious and worthy Apostles who saw God,
having gained by the Spirit the Wisdom of the Father as your Teacher you made
the wisdom of the Greeks insipid. Abolish the barrenness of my soul,
All-praised Apostles, and make me bear the fair offspring of virtuous deeds, as
the all-revered eye-witnesses of the Word. At the entreaties of your Apostles, most
merciful Benefactor of all, heal me who am now grievously poisoned by the
noxious bite of the Enemy. Theotokion. With all the Apostles, O All-pure, implore
Christ, the supremely good, that those who sing your praise may be delivered
from every harm, disaster and dangers. Of the Saint. The same Irmos. Blessed Nicolas, who became a true
disciple of the Master, you save from dire dangers and bitter death those who
have recourse to you. Have pity on your servants, granting them
as you are good forgiveness of faults at the intercessions of your servant
Nicolas, O most merciful. Theotokion. Lull the tumult of my passions, and govern
my life, All-holy Lady who gave birth to God, in whom my heart has been
established. Ode 4. Irmos. ”You came from a Virgin, not an
ambassador, not an Angel, but the Lord himself incarnate, and saved me,
humanity, entirely; therefore I cry to you: Glory to your power, O Lord!” Troparia. As I hunger and waste away through famine
each day, fill me with the food of salvation, O only Immortal, at the godly
entreaties of those who proclaimed you to the entire world. You made all your far-famed Apostles mount
upon the sea of the world, Lover of mankind, troubling the bitter waters of its
salt-sea unbelief. All-praised Apostles, who made Christ the
Sun dawn for those in darkness, enlighten me who lie in the darkness of sin,
shutting out evil desires from heart. Theotokion. All-praised, who gave birth to God who is
above praise, intercede together with the Apostles on behalf of those who sing
your praise that we may be delivered from sins, dangers and eternal punishment. Of the Saint. The same Irmos. In purity familiar with the rays of the
Spirit, you have become a bearer of light illumining the ends of the world, an
advocate for all, saving all those who glorify you in faith. As you once appeared rescuing the Youths
from death, Venerable and All-blessed, so now too save me from every calamity
and from temptations and dangers. You blazed with the brilliant gleams of
virtues, All-blessed, becoming a most noble imitator of your Master, while when
called on you save those who glorify you with piety and love. Theotokion. The Master of creation came upon you when
he was about to take a body, and save the whole of me, humanity, as he is
compassionate; and so all we believers reverence you as Mother of God. Ode 5. Irmos. ”O Christ you have become the Mediator
between God and men, for through you, Master, from the night of ignorance we
have access to your Father, the source of light.” Troparia. The great Shepherd sent out his godly
Disciples like sheep among wolves, remodelling them by the divine strength of
Baptism and by the beauty of his words. By the divine light, Apostles, you
enlightened the hearts in the gloom of error; therefore I beseech you, Blessed
ones, enlighten me who have been darkened by the blackness of pleasures. Theotokion. Dwelling place of Light, shine on me who
lie in darkness with your light, and with the Apostles intercede that by your
prayers I may be saved from every constraint. Of the
Saint. Another Irmos. Resplendent by a way of life befitting
God, Thrice-blessed, you defended and rescued those condemned to die by an
unjust sentence as they cried to the Master Christ: We know no other God but
you. As you now contemplate in heaven the
eternal glory and delight in the resplendent rays of the ineffable and divine
radiance, shelter me by your protection, Venerable and all-revered servant of
Christ. Theotokion. To seek out your Image, demolished by
unnumbered passions, my Christ, Word of God, unknown to the heavenly beings you
appeared incarnate from a Virgin to those who cry to you: We know no other God
but you. Ode 6. Irmos. ”Surrounded by a depth of offences, I
call upon the unsearchable depth of your compassion: O God, lead me up from
corruption.” Troparia. Disciples of the Saviour, who furnish the
living water, give drink, I beg, to my soul, burned up by the heat of sin. Named spiritual heavens, O Apostles who
shed the divine light, you declare the ineffable glory of God. Intercede that we
may all obtain it. Tossed on an ocean of dangers, I come to
you, the Pilot of the universe; through your Apostles direct me to a roadstead
of salvation. Theotokion. With all the Powers on high, with your
Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs I bring you your Mother as means of atonement.
Take pity, save me. Of the Saint. Same Irmos. The crown of victory is worthily set upon
your head, Nicolas; as noblest victor save those who call upon you. Slain by my faults and drowning in the
waves of the passions, appear and bring me safe, blessed Saint, to the haven of
the divine will. Theotokion. I have laid my hopes of salvation on you,
Mother, Ever-virgin, and I place you as the sure and unshakeable protectress of
my life. Ode 7. Irmos ”The godless order of a lawless tyrant
fanned the soaring flame; but Christ let fall the dew of the Spirit upon the
God-fearing Youths. He is blessed and highly exalted.” Troparia. Set flame by the fire of the divine
Spirit, O Apostles, you quenched the coals of error, while you lit the fire of
the love of God in the minds of the faithful; and so with resounding voice we
honour you. Hating the world and the things of the
world, you loved Christ, who in the world with a body conversed with mortals;
implore him, godly Apostles, to free me from the perils of life. Judge most just who know the heart, who
alone know my secret offences, at the entreaties of your Apostles do not condemn
me at the hour of the judgement, do not banish me to fire. Theotokion. Virgin who knew not wedlock, you bore
ineffably the fire of the Godhead and were not consumed, and so , Pure lady,
with the Apostles intercede to free me, who glorify you, from the everlasting
flame. Of the
Saint. Another Irmos. Pierced through by harsh temptation I have
fallen grievously, and cast down by despondency I have drawn near to the gates
of Hell. Save me by your intercessions, Blessed Father, and raise me up to sing
to you: I ever call you blessed, sacred Servant of Christ. Resplendent with the immaterial beams of
the light which never sets, snatch out those held fast by the darkness of
afflictions and guide them to the illumination of true religion as they sing: We
ever call you blessed, true Servant of Christ. Theotokion. Implore Christ your Son and God, Mother of
God, to draw up by his precious those destroyed by grave falls and the
deceptions of the serpent, who sing: God of our Fathers, blessed are you. Ode 8. Irmos. ”A furnace once in Babylon, by divine
decree, divided its action, burning up the Chaldeans but refreshing the faithful
who sang: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord”. Troparia. In bodily form the Comforter Spirit came
upon you in the form of fire and made you lamps which consumed the ungodly but
illumined all the devout, godly Apostles of the Word. O Compassionate, at the supplications of
your Disciples heal the passions which grievously batter my incurable heart, I
beg, lead my soul to light, guide my mind which inclines to wickedness. Groan, my soul, and weep intensely, and
grieve for yourself before the end, before the lamentation which cannot be
comforted takes hold of you, and cry out to the Creator: Master, take pity on me
at the entreaties of the Apostles. Theotokion. The furnace that once did not consume the
Youths prefigured your child-bearing, all-immaculate Virgin; therefore I implore
you, with all the Apostles and prophets entreat that I may be delivered from the
fire of hell. Of the
Saint. Another Irmos. As you are kindly and compassionate,
blessed Initiator into sacred mysteries, free those encompassed by the deep of
temptations, granting them release from the troubles that hold them fast by your
entreaties to the Saviour. Guide into mysteries beyond the mind,
minister of things immaterial and heavenly, and faithful High Priest you have
been declared, O Initiator inspired by God. Ask from our Saviour forgiveness of
faults. Theotokion. My mind is now enfeebled, having fallen
into the depths of dishonour, so that it is therefore very close to evils of
many kinds; but do you, O Virgin, heal it, by wrapping it in the light of
dispassion. Ode 9. Irmos. ”The Son of the Father without
beginning, God and Word, incarnate of a Virgin, has appeared to us, to give
light to what is darkened, to gather what is scattered; therefore we magnify the
all-praised Mother of God”. Troparia. I am condemned, I am beyond correction,
for I have despised your ordinances and followed in mad folly the wiles of the
demons. Turn me back again, O Lord, at the prayers of your Apostles. Glorious Apostles, blessed Apostles,
Disciples of the Saviour, all-wise Heralds, rescue me from all harm, all wrath,
all sin, all disaster and transgression of every kind. I offer a soul beyond correction, a
conscience buried beneath the stuff of offences, a heart defiled and thought
befouled. I cry to you, Lover of mankind: Take pity on me in your mercy. Theotokion. All-pure Virgin, the Apostles proclaimed
your Son to all the world as God and Man. Therefore with them entreat that on
the dread day of judgement all those who faithfully magnify you may be
delivered. Of the Saint. The same Irmos. Illumined by the lamps of grace, inspired
Father, and having become a wise beacon of true religion, you save those in
temptations, rescue those in the depth of the sea and wondrously nourish the
starving, O all-blessed. Now encamped in the Paradise of delight
and contemplating clearly the ineffable glory, you look from the vaults of
heaven upon those who sing your praises and rescue them from passions, all-honoured
God-bearer. Theotokion. Pure Mother of God, you conceived the
Wisdom, Power and empersonned Word of the Father, Wisdom which took its temple
from your immaculate blood, and was united to, by a union that was unbroken. At the Aposticha of Lauds, of the Apostles. You have magnified the names of the
Princes of the Apostles in the inhabited world, O Saviour. They learned the
ineffable mysteries of heaven, they gave healings to those on earth, and their
shadows alone cured the passions. The one who was a fisherman worked wonders;
the one who was a Jew taught the doctrines of grace. Through them, O
Compassionate, grant us your great mercy. We who are warred upon from every side and
take refuge in you, who alone are truly God, offer you the words of your
Disciples as we say: Save us, Teacher, we are perishing. Show now also to our
enemies, we beg, that you protect your people and save them from dangers at the
intercession of the Apostles, overlooking their sins through your great
goodness. Lord, glory to you. Of the Martyrs. Every city, town and village honours your
relics, Martyrs and Champions; for you struggled like professionals and received
a heavenly crown, and therefore you are the boast of priests, the victory of
Kings and the splendour of Churches. Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Joy of all the afflicted and defence of
the wronged, nourishment of the hungry and consolation of strangers, harbour of
the storm-tossed, visitation of the sick, shelter and assistance of the
oppressed and staff of the blind, Mother of God Most High; therefore we all fall
down before you, deliver us from every calamity. AT THE LITURGY The Beatitudes. We bring you the words of the Thief and we
cry to you: Remember us, Saviour, in your Kingdom. All-wise Apostles, you passed through all
the regions of the world and delivered mortals from the darkness of error. With the net of grace, wise Initiates, you
clearly drew up humans from the deep of vain folly. Of the Martyrs. Champions of Christ, who finished the
course and kept the faith, with one accord we let us sing your praise. Glory. Let all us believers now glorify in fear
the Son, equal in operation with the Begetter, together with the Spirit. Both now. Theotokion. Pure Virgin, you are the boast of
Apostles, ornament of Athletes and salvation of the world. |
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translations on this page are copyright to This page was last updated on 03 November 2008 |