VESPERS

Thursday, March 12

The Transfer of the Relics of Our Holy Father Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Priest: Blessed be our God always, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth,* Who are everywhere present and fill all things,* Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come and dwell within us;* cleanse us of all that defiles us,* and, O Good One, save our souls.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us.* Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord;* pardon our transgressions, O Master;* look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One;* for the sake of Your name.

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. 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.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12x)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Come, let us adore the King, our God.

Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God.

Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul!* You are very great, O Lord, my God,

Clothed in pomp and brilliance;* arrayed with light as with a cloak.

Stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth,* covering Your lofty halls with water,

You make the clouds Your conveyance;* You surge on the wings of the wind.

You make spirits Your messengers,* and flaming fires Your attendants.

You settle the earth on its firm foundation;* it shall stand unmoved from age to age.

The abyss covers it like a garment;* waters stand over the mountains.

At Your rebuke they will take flight;* at the peal of Your thunder they will fear.

They hurdle the hills and run down the dales,* to the place You have chosen for them.

You have set up a boundary not to be passed;* they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies, You make springs to rise;* water shall go down between the mountains.

They shall give drink to the beasts of the field;* wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky will abide by them;* from among the rocks they will raise their song.

From Your lofty halls You refresh the mountains;* the earth shall be fed with the fruit of Your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle,* and food plants for the service of all,

So that bread may be brought forth from the earth,* and wine that gladdens the heart of all;

So that oil may put a gleam upon his face;* and that bread may strengthen the heart of all.

The trees of the plain will be satisfied,* the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.

The sparrows will build their nests in them;* and the herons will call them their home.

To the deer belong high mountains,* to rodents, the shelter of the rocks.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons;* the sun knows the time of its setting.

You establish darkness, and it is night,* wherein all the forest creatures prowl around.

Young lions roar for their prey,* and call out to God for their meat.

As the sun rises, they will come together,* and lay themselves down in their dens.

Man will go out to his labor,* and work until eventide.

How great are Your works, O Lord!* In wisdom You have wrought them all.

The earth is filled with Your creatures.* Even the wide and open sea itself,

Within it there are countless creeping things,* living beings small and large.

Upon it there are ships a-sailing,* and that great beast You made to have fun therein.

All of them look up to You,* to give them their food in due time.

You provide and they gather up;* You open Your hand and they are full.

You hide Your face and they cringe;* You suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust.

You send forth Your breath and they live;* You renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord's glory endure forever;* may the Lord rejoice in His works;

He looks upon the earth and makes it quake;* He touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;* I will praise my God as long as I last.

Would that my thoughts be pleasing to Him:* and I will rejoice in the Lord.

May sinners vanish from the earth, and may the wicked be no more.* Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God (3x)

Litany of Peace

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy (and after each petition).

Priest: For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For peace throughout the whole world, for the well-being of God's holy churches, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy church and for all who enter it with faith, reverence, and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For our most holy universal Pontiff, N., Pope of Rome, for our most blessed Patriarch, N., our most reverend Metropolitan, N., our God-loving Bishop, N., the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our nation under God, for our government, and for all the military, let us pray to the Lord.

For this city (or For this village, or For this holy monastery), for every city and country and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For seafarers and travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for those held captive, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and misfortune, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Priest: Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

Choir: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honor, and worship befit You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Psalm 140

O Lord, I have cried to You hear me,*; hear me, O Lord!* O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;* receive the voice of my prayer* when I call upon You.* Hear me, O Lord!

Let my prayer rise like incense before You;* and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.* Hear me, O Lord!

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth* and a portal around my lips.

Incline my heart away from evil dealings,* from finding excuses for sinful deeds.

In company with those who work iniquity,* let me not partake of what they choose.

May the just chasten me with justice and reprove me;* may the oil of the wicked never touch my head.

Yet even then shall I pray for their welfare.* Their rulers were swallowed near the rock.

My words will be heard,* for they were sweet.

As a lump of clay broken on the ground,* so their bones were strewn near the grave.

To You, Lord, O Lord, my eyes are lifted up.* In You have I hoped; let not my soul be lost.

Keep me from the snare that was set for me,* and from the stumbling-blocks of the wicked.

The wicked shall fall into their own nets, * while I remain alone until I can escape.

Psalm 141

With my voice I cried to the Lord;* with all my voice I implored the Lord.

Before Him I pour out my supplications;* before Him I declare my distress.

When my breath was escaping me,* then you knew my paths;

On the road upon which I was walking,* they set up snares for me.

I looked to my right and observed* there was no one friendly to me;

Even flight was denied me;* there was no one to take care of my life.

I cried out to You, O Lord, and said:* You are my hope, my share in the land of the living.

Listen to my supplication,* for I am laid very low.

Deliver me from my oppressors;* for they have overwhelmed me.

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Tone 4

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O faithful, having been deemed worthy to adore the ever-blessed Cross,* whereby You have saved us, O Lord,* we hymn Your loving-kindness* and fervently entreat You:* Bestow upon us all, O Saviour,* the joy of Your salvation, granting us to look in penitence* upon Your Resurrection and Your honourable sufferings.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Outstretched upon the Cross,* You endured death, slaying death and raising up the dead by Your life-bearing word.* Therefore I entreat You: restore my soul to life O Lord,* deadened as it is through sin;* grant me compunction, and deliverance from wickedness,* during these Your holy days of abstinence,* O Lover of mankind.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Having deemed us worthy to look upon Your Holy Cross with joy and to adore it,* we entreat You, O God, our Saviour:* that strengthened by the Fast we may come also to Your most pure Passion.* and falling down, worship and praise Your Crucifixion,* the spear, the sponge and reed, by which You have made us immortal,* leading us back to the sweetness of Paradise, O Lover of mankind.* Therefore with thanksgiving we now glorify You.

Tone 1

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The streams of your wisdom, drawn from noetic clouds,* pour forth a fountain of Orthodoxy upon the world;* and we, the faithful, drawing forth sweetness from there,* turn away from the emissions of heresy* as from the bitter waters of Marah.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Lying in the tomb, your most pure body did not in any way decay,* but was found to be whole, O most blessed Nicephorus; and bearing it forth with zeal, those nurtured by Orthodoxy rejoiced,* gloriously blessing you, O divinely wise one.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

The Church honoured with the name of the Apostles* received you, O most blessed one,* who through your godly actions became a temple of God,* and who after your interment are again interred in sacred manner* and have buried all the fetid foolish prating of the heretics.

Glory… Now…

As she beheld the Lamb uplifted upon the Cross,* the unblemished Virgin cried out, weeping:* “O my sweet Child, what new and strange sight do I behold?* How is it that You who hold all things in Your hand* are nailed in the flesh to the Tree?”

Priest (or deacon): Wisdom! Stand aright.

Choir: Tranquil Light,* of the holy glory of the immortal* heavenly, holy blessed Father,* O Jesus Christ:* as we come upon the sunset,* as we see the evening light,* we sing to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At all times You are worthy* of being hymned by joyful. voices;* O Son of God, You are the giver of life.* For this the whole world glorifies You.

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace † be with all. Wisdom! Let us be attentive!

Prokeimenon I, Tone 4

Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God.

verse: In Judea is God known, His name is great in Israel.

Reading I

Genesis 10:32-11:9

These were the tribes of Noah’s sons, according to their genealogy, in their nations; and from these the coastal nations were divided on the earth after the flood.

Now the whole earth was one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire.” They had brick for stone and asphalt for mortar. They also said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower, whose top will reach to heaven; and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the sons of men built. Then the Lord said, “Indeed, the people are one race and one language, and they have begun to do what they said. Now they will not fail to accomplish what they have undertaken. Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language, so they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city and the tower.Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the languages of all the earth; and from there the Lord God scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Prokeimenon II, Tone 7

I have cried to the Lord with my voice,* with my voice to God, and He was attentive to me.

verse: In the day of my affliction, I sought out God.

Reading II

Proverbs 13:9-14:6

A rash king falls into evil things,
But a faithful messenger rescues him.
Instruction removes poverty and dishonor,
And he who gives heed to rebukes will be glorified.
The desires of the godly gladden the soul,
But the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.
He who walks with the wise shall be wise,
But he who walks with those without discernment will be known.
Evil things shall pursue sinners,
But good things will overtake the righteous.
A good man will inherit sons of sons,
But the wealth of the ungodly will be stored up for the righteous.
The righteous shall live in wealth many years,
But the unrighteous will be destroyed suddenly.
He who spares the rod hates his son,
But he who loves him instructs him with care.
A righteous man eats and satisfies his soul,
But the souls of the ungodly are in want.

Wise women build houses,
But those without discernment destroy them with their hands.
He who walks uprightly fears the Lord,
But he who is crooked in his ways will be dishonoured.
From the mouth of a man without discernment comes a rod of arrogance,
But the lips of wise men guard themselves.
Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean,
But where there are abundant crops, the strength of an ox is evident.
A faithful witness does not lie,
But an unrighteous witness kindles lies.
You will seek wisdom in the company of evil men, and you will not find it;
But perception is easily found with the discerning.

Deign, O Lord

Deign, O Lord, * to keep us this evening without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord God of our Fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us* because we have set our hope in You.

Blessed are You, O Lord,* teach me Your command-ments.

Blessed are You, O Master,* make me understand Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Holy One,* enlighten me with Your laws.

O Lord, Your mercy endures forever;* do not despise the work of Your hands.

It is proper to praise You,* and hymns belong to You.

Glory belongs to You,* Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Now and for ever* and ever. Amen.

Litany

Priest: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help and save, have mercy and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: That this whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord (after each petition).

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offen-ses, let us ask the Lord.

For all that is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may spend the rest of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

For a Christian end to our lives, one that is painless, unashamed, and peaceful; and for a good defense at the awesome tribunal of Christ, let us ask the Lord.

Remembering our most holy and immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, together with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life, to Christ our God.

Choir: To You, O Lord

Priest: For You are a merciful, gracious and loving God, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace † be with all.

Choir: And with Your spirit.

Priest: Bow your heads to the Lord.

Choir: To You, O Lord.

Priest (quietly): O Lord our God, You lowered the heavens when You came down for the salvation of the human race. Now look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads to You, the Judge, both awesome and loving. They do not await human help, but look for Your mercy and are ready to receive Your salva-tion. Guard them at all times, this evening and tonight, against all enemies, against the devil's assaults, against vain thoughts and evil dreams.

Priest: May the might of Your kingdom be blessed and exalted, Father Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Tone 6

Learn from the Lord who has humbled Himself,* even to death upon the Cross;* learn from Him, O my soul, of the humbling that comes from being lifted up* and the exaltation that comes from that humility.* Do not exalt yourself in your virtues;* do not judge yourself righteous and condemn your neighbour, like the vainly boastful Pharisee.* But with Your humbled mind, contemplate only Your own sins, and cry like the Publican:* O God, be merciful to me a sinner and save me.

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

Thy martyrs, O Lord, denied You not* and forsook not Your commandments:* by their intercessions have mercy upon us.

Glory… Now…

The all-pure One, upon seeing You hanging on the Cross, cried aloud saying:* “What is this strange mystery that I see, O my Son?* How can You die upon the Tree, crucified in the flesh?* You who are the Giver of life.”

Canticle of Simeon

Now, O Master, You have kept Your promise;* let Your servant go in peace.* With my own eyes I have seen the salvation* which you have prepared in the sight of every people;* a light to reveal You to the Gentiles,* and the glory of Your people Israel!

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Trinity most holy, have mercy on us.* Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord;* pardon our transgressions, O Master;* look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One;* for the sake of Your name.

Lord, have mercy. (3x)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,* now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Priest: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

(Tone 1, Troparion) Hail, Mother of God, Virgin Mary full of grace!* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women,* and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ, the Savior and Deliverer of our souls. (Prostration).

Glory be: O Baptizer of Christ, remember us all,* that we may be delivered from our iniquities;* for you have been given the grace to pray for us. (Prostration).

Now and for ever: Pray for us, O holy apostles and all you saints,* that we may be delivered from peril and afflictions;* for you are our fervent intercessors before the Savior. (Prostration).

We flee to your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God.* Despise not our prayers in our necessities,* but you, who alone are pure and blessed, deliver us from all danger. (No prostration).

Lord, have mercy (40x). Lord, give the blessing.

Priest: Blessed is Christ, our God, always, now and forever and ever.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: O heavenly King, strengthen Your church, affirm our faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world, and preserve this city. Grant the faithful departed a share in the dwelling of the just, and receive us after repentance and confession, for You are good and love mankind.

Choir: Amen.

Lord, have mercy (3x).

Glory be: Now and for ever:

More honorable than the cherubim* and by far more glorious than the seraphim;* ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word,* O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

In the name of the Lord, Father, give the blessing.

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

Choir: Amen.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, drive from me the spirit of indifference, despair, lust for power and idle chatter. (Prostration)

Instead, bestow on me, Your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love. (Prostration)

Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters; for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen. (Prostration)

God, be merciful to me a sinner.

God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

I have sinned without number; forgive me, O Lord. (12 small bows)

O Lord and Master of my life, drive from me the spirit of indifference, despair, lust for power and idle chatter. Instead, bestow on me, Your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love. Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters; for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen. (Prostration)

It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One, as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim and by far more glorious than the seraphim; ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word; O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy (3x). Give the blessing.

Priest:

Christ our true God, through the prayers of His immaculate Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy apostles; of our father among the saints, Nicholas, archbishop, wonder-worker of Myra in Lycia; and the Saint Our Holy Father Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople and of all the saints, will have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.

Choir: Amen.

1967 - 2017

Celebrating

50 years

VESPERS