Apodosis of the Beheading
of the Forerunner and Baptist, and
Commemoration of Alexander, Paul the New, and John, Patriarchs of Constantinople.
womb, thou mouth most fiery and sharp rebuke unto all iniquity, thou didst censure Herod when he worked forbidden deeds; but not enduring thy just rebuke, he gave the order that they should cut off thy head; and thou, who art the godly revelling of abstinence, wast brought forth in a charger like food to eat, yet more greatly convicting that unbridled and abandoned king.
Verse 5. Because of Thy Name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Thy lawless mother doth press her lawless daughter to request thy glorious and celebrated head, which is esteemed as most hon’rable even by angels; for she cannot bear its unconcealed reproach. Wherefore, in a charger she doth bear it forth, O John; and with the dancing of playful feet she wholly changeth the guests’ good cheer unto sorrow and remorse. But thou the more dost openly condemn the defilement of unchecked licentiousness, and dost make intercession with Christ Jesus that our souls be saved.
Verse 4. From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.
Driven to madness with drink, the drunken Herod was beguiled and chated by a dancer’s baseborn cries; and for the oath’s sake, he thus contrived an unjust murder for thee, the just man, O Prophet great of fame. But thy death hath plainly blazoned immortality unto all them that had died before; and thou didst go down to those in Hades to preach to them as well the saving advent of our Christ and God, as his preacher and messenger sent before. Do thou therefore entreat him to enlighten and to save our souls.
For the Hierarchs, in 1st Mode (**O all-lauded martyrs**)
Verse 3. For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Since thou wast a shepherd of the Church, O all-blessed Alexander, and the champion of Orthodoxy, thou didst overturn Arius’ vaunting by thy strong and earnest prayers, presenting thy request to the merciful Redeemer of all men. And do thou now intercede with him that he grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Verse 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people.
O ven’rable John, thou didst abhor the corruption of the flesh; wherefore through temperance, faith, and sleepless watchings through the night, and through thy confession, thou wast truly found to be an angel on the earth and a man whose life was high in heaven’s courts. Do thou therefore intercede with Christ that he grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Verse 1. For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
O Paul, since thou wisely didst obey Paul’s divine and saving doctrines, to the third heaven thou with him didst verily ascend, to the height of virtues, and, O blest one, thou didst hear the Spirit’s most divine and unspeakable and soul-exalting words. Now entreat the Saviour ceaselessly, thou unshaken pillar of the Orthodox.
DOXASTIKON Plagal of 2nd Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As the birthday of the impudent Herod was being kept, the object of the lascivious dancer’s oath was achieved; for the head of the Forerunner was cut off and offered on a charger, as food for those reclining. What a loathsome banquet, replete with wickedness and horrible murder! As for us, we bless the Baptist, honoring him as is meet; for he is the greatest born of woman.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, thou art the true vine that hath blossomed forth the Fruit of Life. Thee do we supplicate: Intercede, O Lady, together with the Forerunner and all the saints that our souls find mercy.
There is NO entrance.
O GLADSOME LIGHT (Plain Reading)
O gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy and blessed Father: O Jesus Christ. Lo now that we have come to the setting of the sun, as we behold the evening light, we hymn Thee: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be magnified by joyous voices, O Son of God and Giver of life. Wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.
Deacon: The Evening Prokeimenon!
FRIDAY PROKEIMENON grave mode
O God, thou art my helper; thy mercy shall go before me. (twice)
Vs. Rescue me from mine enemies, O God, and from them that rise up against me redeem me. O God, thou art my helper; thy mercy shall go before me. (and then again:)
One chanter: O God, thou art my helper. Choir, in final cadence: thy mercy shall go before me.
THE EVENING PRAYER
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master; make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One; enlighten me with Thy statutes.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. O despise not the works of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” to the first two petitions.
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
The choir responds “Grant this, O Lord” to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.
All things good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE PEACE AND PRAYER OF INCLINATION
Bishop: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Deacon: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
- All bow their heads as the priest says the following prayer:
Priest: O Lord our God, Who didst bow the heavens and come down for the salvation of mankind: Look upon Thy servants and Thine inheritance; for unto Thee, the fearful Judge Who yet lovest mankind, have Thy servants bowed their heads and submissively inclined their necks, awaiting not help from men but entreating Thy mercy and looking confidently for Thy salvation. Guard them at all times, both during this present evening and in the approaching night, from every foe, from all adverse powers of the devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations.
Blessed and glorified be the might of Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
APOSTICHA from the Octoēchos 2nd Mode
With the holy martyrs interceding for us and praising Christ, every error is brought to nought, and the race of man is saved through faith.
Vs: Wondrous is God in his saints.
The choirs of the martyrs withstood the tyrants as they said: We are enlisted with the King of Hosts. Even should ye destroy us with fire and torments, we will not deny the power of the Trinity.
Vs: In the saints that are in his earth hath the Lord been wondrous.
Great is the glory which ye gained through faith, O ye saints. For ye conquered the enemy not only while ye suffered, but even after death ye cast out evil spirits. Ye heal the sick, O ye physicians of souls and bodies. Intercede ye with the Lord that he have mercy on our souls.
Vs: Blessed are they whom thou hast chosen and hast taken unto thyself, O Lord. Every man fadeth like a flower, and like a dream doth he pass away and is dissolved; and again, when the trumpet shall sound, all the dead shall arise, as though in an earthquake, to meet thee, O Christ God. Then, O Master, establish in the tabernacles of thy saints the spirits of thy servants whom thou hast translated from among us, O Christ.
DOXASTIKON (from the Mēnaion) 4th Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
It was a lawless birthday and a most shameless banquet that Herod kept; for being bewitched by female wantonness and stung with ungodly lust for women, he cut off the Forerunner’s head, but did not cut out the Prophet’s tongue, which convicted his madness. He shed innocent blood, wishing to cover his abominable sin; but he could not cover therewith the voice of one crying unto all men to repent. Herod rejoiced in killing, but let us celebrate with longing the blessed slaughter of the Baptist John. For in Hades, unto them that sat in darkness and the shadow of death, he was the first to preach the Life, the Dayspring from on high, Christ our God, Who alone is plenteous in mercy.
THEOTOKION 4th Mode
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
From diverse dangers, O blessed Theotokos, do thou preserve thy servants, that we may glorify thee, the hope of our souls.
THE HYMN OF ST. SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER (Plain Reading)
Priest:
Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
THE TRISAGION PRAYERS
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
APOLYTIKION for the Forerunner 2nd Mode
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters him whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.
APOLYTIKION for the Hierarchs 4th Mode
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O God of our Fathers, ever dealing with us according to thy gentleness: take not thy mercy from us, but by their entreaties guide our life in peace.
THEOTOKION 4th Mode
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
To God’s Birthgiver let us run now most earnestly, we sinners all and wretched ones, and fall prostrate in repentance, calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, come unto our aid, have compassion upon us; hasten thou, for we are lost in a throng of transgressions; turn not thy servants away with empty hands, for thee alone do we have as our only hope.
THE LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
The choir responds “Lord, have mercy” (thrice) to this and the remaining petitions until noted.
Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our father and metropolitan, N., (and our bishop, N.).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and remission of sins for (the servants of God, NN., and) all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church (and for the servants of God, NN.,) and all of our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all- venerable temple, those who serve and those who sing and all the people here present, who await thy great and rich mercy.
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Deacon: Wisdom!
Choir: Master, bless!
Bishop: Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox faith and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Bishop: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption didst bear God the Word and art truly Theotokos: we magnify thee.
Bishop: Glory to Thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy (thrice). Master, bless.
Bishop: May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all- blameless holy Mother, by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of
the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John whose beheading we commemorate; of the holy, glorious and all- laudable apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God- bearing Fathers; of Saints Peter & Paul, the patrons and protectors of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of our fathers among the saints, Alexander, Paul the New, and John, Patriarchs of Constantinople, whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
TON DHESPOTIN (MANY YEARS)
Choir: Ton dhespotin ke Archierea imon Kyrie philate: Eis polla eti, Dhespota. Eis polla eti, Dhespota. Eis polla eti, Dhespota.
(Choir: Preserve, O Lord, our master and chief priest, and grant him many years: many years to thee, master; many years to thee, master; many years to thee, master.)
Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
Bishop: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.
Choir: Amen.
Portions of the Archdiocesan Service Texts include texts from The Menaion, The Great Horologion, The Pentecostarion, The Octoechos, The Triodion-Holy Week, and The Psalter of the Seventy, which are Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, Massachusetts, and are used with permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for personal non-commercial use, without the prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.