December 21: Our Father Among the Saints Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Russia

Also on The 21st Day of the Month of December

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ

Commemoration of Our Father Among the Saints Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Russia

At Little Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Thou didst emulate the ranks of heaven, O God-bearing Peter, holy hierarch of Christ, and on earth wast shown to be a sanctified vessel and a habitation of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, we call thee blessed and, rejoicing today, celebrate thy holy repose with honor. Twice

Thou art the joy of the ranks of heaven, the boast of hierarchs on earth, the glory of priests, the rule of monastics and the confirmation of the Church, O wise Peter. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Fail not to aid us, thy servants, who have recourse unto thee.

As thou dwellest in the heavens, O father, accept now the praise of thy children who with honor celebrate the memory of thy repose. Grant unto them their hearts’ desires, O Peter, favorite of Christ, and earnestly entreat His all-pure Mother, that He save our souls from misfortunes.

Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone VI—

The divine grace which abideth in the memory of thy repose, overshadowing those who have recourse to the shrine of thy relics, doth impart the healing of infirmities. O holy hierarch Peter our father, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Hymn the Lord Who hath been born of the Virgin! Sing hymns, O ye armies of heaven! Ye people on earth, clap your hands! For God is come among men, bestowing upon man the gift of divinity. Lo! a mystery is wrought among us today: Christ, the King of Israel, cometh forth!

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Through the operation of the Holy Spirit hath Peter been shown to be the dwelling-place of the Spirit . Wherefore, now assembling, let us sing unto him.

Stichos: Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteous shall rejoice.

Rejoice, O Peter, boast of hierarchs, glory of priests, rule of monks, and confirmation of the Church!

Stichos: The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds.

Accept now the hymnody of thy children, O father, and grant thou the common petitions of those who love thee.

Glory…, Now & ever…: in the same tone & melody—

O house of Ephrata, holy city, glory of the prophets: adorn the house wherein the Divine One is born.

Troparion of the saint, in Tone IV—

Be glad now, O earth that before wast barren! For, lo! Christ hath shown forth within thee a luminary who shineth forth clearly in the world and healeth our infirmities and ailments. Wherefore, join chorus and rejoice with boldness; for it is the high priest of the Most High who doeth these things.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Open unto all, O Eden! Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, wherein lieth a divine garden, eating from whence we live, not dying like Adam. Christ is born to raise up His image which before was fallen.

At Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

With uprightness of mind let us utter beforehand hymns of the forefeast of the nativity of Christ; for He Who is equal in honor with the Father and the Spirit, having in His loving-kindness clothed Himself in our matter, desireth to be born in Bethlehem. His ineffable nativity have the shepherds hymned with the angels.

Let us lift up our voices with cymbals and proclaim in hymns: The manifestation of Christ hath been shown forth! That which the prophets foretold hath been fulfilled! For He Whom they prophesied hath appeared in the flesh unto men; He is born in the holy cave; He lieth in a manger as a babe, and as an infant is wrapped in swaddling bands.

Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Throw thyself open now, O Eden! The most holy one cometh to give birth! Let the heavens be glad; let men leap up! Life lieth in a manger; He Who is rich resteth in a cave! He cometh in the magnitude of His mercy, assuming the poverty of Adam without change or confusion.

And 5 stichera of the saint, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “With what wreaths of praise…”—

With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the holy hierarch: the crown of the priesthood, the instiller of piety, the brilliant ornament of the Church, the inexhaustible wellspring of divine healings, the river of many wonders—Peter, who maketh the land of Russia glad with torrents of miracles, our fervent intercessor and guardian? Twice

With what humble mouths shall we hymn the holy hierarch, who dwelleth with the incorporeal ones and is wondrous in miracles, who was sanctified from earliest infancy: the unshakable pillar of the Church, the source of gladness for our land, the standard of righteousness, the feeder of orphans, the defender of the oppressed and physician of the sick who exacted no fee? Twice

Come, ye assemblies of the faithful, and let us clap our hands as say the psalms, hymning the divine Peter, the consolation of the grieving and helper of the desperate, the boast of the Russian land and adornment of the whole priesthood, the river of mercy, who was truly a lover of the divine humility of Christ, Who granteth great mercy to the world.

Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone I—

Enlightened from on high with the radiance of the manifestation of God, O Peter, with firmness of mind thou didst avoid the laws of nature as though they were shadows, for thou wast bedewed with true grace, O thou who art most wise. Wherefore, as a receptacle of the all-holy Spirit, thou didst receive the gift of miracles, and dost enrich thy children therewith. And now, standing before Christ with the primates of the Churches, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

O manger, receive Him Whom Moses the law-giver foresaw in the bush on Horeb, and Who is now born of the Virgin through the divine Spirit. She is the one who was spoken of in the law; she is the seal of the prophets, who revealeth God in the flesh unto those who are subject to corruption. Him do we worship.

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:

A Reading from Proverbs

The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet will he be in rest. Thus the righteous one who hath died shall condemn the ungodly that are living. For they will see the end of the righteous, and will not understand what God in His counsel hath decreed of him. For the Lord shall cast the ungodly down headlong, that they will be speechless; and He shall shake them from the foundations; and they will be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial will perish. And when they cast up the account of their sins, they will come with fear: and their own iniquities will convict them to their face. Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his labors. When they see it, they will be troubled with terrible fear, and will be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation. And they, repenting and groaning from anguish of spirit, will say within themselves: “This was he whom we held betimes in derision, and as a proverb of reproach. We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor! How is he numbered among the children of God; and how is his lot among the saints? Therefore have we strayed from the path of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us. We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction. Yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.”

A Reading from Proverbs

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the saint—

In Tone IV: Today is the Church splendidly adorned, and it rejoiceth, crying: My beauty is more luminous than all others; for the glorious Peter, the ornament of holy hierarchs, hath gone up to heaven, to the King Who reigneth above all kings! Come, ye assemblies of the Orthodox who love the feasts of the Church, and let us offer up hymns and praises unto Him, crying aloud: O adornment of hierarchs, entreat Christ God, that He deliver the Christian people from all sorrow, and save our souls!

In Tone VI: The divine grace of the Spirit hath revealed thee as a holy hierarch and hath shown thee forth as an excellent teacher. Wherefore, rebuking the darkness of ungodliness, thou didst enlighten the people with teachings of the knowledge of God, O divinely wise and holy hierarch Peter. Thou art the glory and adornment of hierarchs, and wast for all an excellent model of teachings. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, ever pray that our souls be saved.

The fruit of thy noble works enlightened the hearts of the faithful, O sacred father. For who hath heard of thy boundless humility and is not amazed at thy patience, and at thy kindness toward the poor and mercy toward the sorrowful? Thou didst teach all in godly manner, O holy hierarch Peter; and crowned now in the heavens with a wreath which withereth not, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, in the same tone—

O thrice-blessed, venerable and sacred father, good shepherd, disciple of Christ the Chief Shepherd, who laid down thy soul for thy sheep: O all-praised and holy hierarch Peter, by thy supplications now make entreaty, that He grant us great mercy.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Hold festival, O Sion! Be glad, O Jerusalem! O city of Christ God, receive the Creator, Who is contained by the cave and the manger! Open thy gates unto me, that, entering through them, I may see Him Who holdeth creation in His hand wrapped as a babe in swaddling-bands, Whom the angels hymn with unceasing songs: the Lord, the Bestower of life, Who saveth our race.

At the aposticha, these stichera of the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—

Seeing the Creator held in thine arms, O most pure one, thou didst exclaim: “O my sweet Child, how is it that I behold Thee as a babe, and am now unable to understand Thine unapproachable condescension? I hymn Thy might and worship Thy loving-kindness, for which cause Thou hast come to save the world!”

Stichos: God shall come forth out of Thæman, and the Holy One out of the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded.

O Mother who knewest not wedlock, He Who is invisible hath appeared, incarnate of thee, born in a cave, and seen of the divine ranks of heaven; for He hath come to deliver man from the deception of the serpent. Be not amazed at thy birthgiving which transcendeth nature, O most immaculate one!

Stichos: O Lord, I have heard Thy report, and I was afraid; O Lord, I considered Thy works, and I was amazed.

“I behold Thee, the all-perfect Babe, lying in the manger, and I cannot fathom the ineffable depths of this mystery! How have I remained incorrupt after giving birth, transcending the laws of nature? What manner of praise shall I offer Thee? How shall I glorify Thee?” the Virgin Maiden exclaimed.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Come, all ye faithful, and together let us hymn the most blessed Peter, the lamp of piety, the rule of abstinence, the pillar of patience, the treasury of simplicity, the abundant river of humility, the consolation of the poor, the receiver of strangers, the truly blessed husbandman of the true love of Christ. For, having lived and passed over to heaven, he hath been shown to be a helper and savior of men, a physician of illnesses and incurable sufferings, and a liberator from all manner of perils; and he entreateth Christ to save our souls.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

O Bethlehem, become the metropolis of God: for the never-waning Light cometh to be born within thee! Ye angels, marvel in heaven! Ye men, render up glory on earth! Ye magi, bring an all-glorious gift out of Persia! Ye shepherds, piping, sweetly sing the thrice-holy hymn: Let every breath praise Him Who accomplisheth all!

After the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the saint, in Tone IV—

And the troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Be it known that when the service to Saint Peter the Metropolitan is celebrated, we chant the canon of the Martyr Juliana at compline, together with the triodion, to which we append the stichera of the martyr.

At Matins

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forefeast, twice; Glory…, that of the holy hierarch; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast, once.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

Let the great hierarch of Christ, the godly Peter, be hymned: the pillar of light illumining us with the splendors of miracles, the moist cloud extinguishing the flame of the passions and bedewing the thoughts of the faithful.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in the same tone & melody—

He Who bowed down the heavens and made His abode within the Virgin cometh in the flesh, to be born in the cave of Bethlehem as was written, and to be seen as a babe, imparting life to babes in the womb. Wherefore, rejoicing, let us now greet Him with uprightness of heart.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

With love do we all cry out unto thee, the merciful favorite of Christ, guileless and meek; and we earnestly pray: Bring an end to the civil strife of our passions, set at nought the ungodly wiles of the Moslems and make them subject to the Orthodox, O ever-blessed one, and deliver from all temptations those who hymn thee with love.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in Tone I—

Be glad, O Bethlehem! Make ready, O Ephratha! For, lo! The ewe-lamb, bearing the great Shepherd within her womb, cometh to give birth; and, seeing the divine star beforehand, the magi rejoice in uprightness of heart, singing with the shepherds.

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

We magnify thee, O holy hierarch Peter, and we honor thy holy memory; for thou dost entreat Christ God in our behalf.

Selected Psalm verses—

A Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world. [Ps. 48: 2]

B My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. [Ps. 48: 4]

A Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. [Ps. 33: 12]

B I have proclaimed the good tidings of Thy righteousness in the great congregation. [Ps. 39: 10]

A Thy truth and Thy salvation have I declared. [Ps. 39: 11]

B I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I hymn Thee. [Ps. 21: 23]

A That I may hear the voice of Thy praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. [Ps. 25: 7]

B O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. [Ps. 25: 8]

A I have hated the congregation of evil-doers, and with the ungodly will I not sit. [Ps. 25: 5]

B For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and I have not acted impiously toward my God. [Ps. 17: 22]

A The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment. [Ps. 36: 30]

B His righteousness abideth unto ages of ages. [Ps. 110: 3]

A Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteous shall rejoice. [Ps. 131: 9]

B Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee. [Ps. 83: 5]

Glory..., Now & ever... Alleluia... Thrice.

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning…”—

With the effulgence of Orthodoxy thou hast enlightened those heavy laden with sins as ones lying in darkness; and thou hast repulsed all the wiles of the evil spirits, revealing thyself as a worker of miracles, and hast been glorified by the providence of the Most High. Wherefore, we honor thee with faith, O holy hierarch Peter, who dwellest in company with the apostles and patriarchs.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the forefeast, in the same tone & melody—

O Bethlehem, make ready to greet the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. For, lo! she cometh to thee, bearing the infant Christ, Who with the Father and the Spirit is ever equally without beginning. To Him shall she give birth in the cave, and yet shall remain a Virgin even after giving birth.

Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Stichos: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to John

§ 35, from the midpoint (Jn. 10: 1-8)

The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: “Verily, verily, I say unto you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again: “Verily, verily, I say unto you: I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

When the repose of thy precious body came to pass, O father, a multitude of the faithful, surrounding thy bier, accompanied thee with compunction. One of them, beholding thee blessing the people, was astonished, and Prince John cried out, weeping: “O master, what shall I render unto thee for the benefactions which thou hast given us, having received grace from God?” Wherefore, O holy hierarch Peter, earnestly beseech Christ our God, that thy city be preserved unassailed.

Canon of the forefeast, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the saint, with a total of 8 troparia.

Ode I

Canon of the forefeast, the acrostic whereof is the [Greek] alphabet, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV—

Irmos: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, drown Thou, I pray Thee, the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion, as of old Thou didst drown the mounted captains of Pharaoh; that, in the mortality of my body, as on a timbrel, I may chant a hymn of victory.

Rejoice, O heaven, and be glad, O earth! For our God, having taken on flesh, is born of the Virgin Maiden and is wrapped in swaddling-bands; and He breaketh the bonds of our transgressions, in that He is compassionate. The pure Queen giveth birth in manner past understanding to the King of all Who openeth the kingdom on high to the faithful and utterly removeth the sin which ever accursedly reigneth within us.

The writings of the prophets attain their end; for, lo! Christ Whom they proclaimed beforehand is revealed, incarnate, in the city of Bethlehem. Let us hasten now to celebrate the forefeast of His nativity today with uprightness of mind.

Canon I of the Saint, in Tone VIII—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

O divinely wise father, holy hierarch Peter, open thou mine unworthy lips, that I may hymn thee; and accept as incense of sweet savor that which, unworthy though I am, I have offered unto thee out of my poverty.

Let us all hymn Peter, the great hierarch. Let us honor the helper and confirmation of the land of Russia, whom the Lord hath given to the city of Moscow as a vigilant guardian.

Thou didst follow the saving commandments of Christ, O all-wise and holy hierarch Peter, and wast an intercessor for widows and orphans, and the great defense of the Russian land.

Theotokion: O all-pure Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the Creator and Savior of all who hymn thee: from misfortunes save thy city, unceasingly praying to thy Son and our God for us.

Canon II of the Saint, in Tone I—

Irmos: Christ is born, give ye glory! Christ cometh from heaven, meet ye Him! Christ is on earth, be ye exalted! O all the earth, sing ye unto the Lord, and chant with gladness, ye people, for He hath been glorified!

Taking the grace of the Spirit into thy heart, O father, holy hierarch of Christ, illumine the tongue and enlighten the heart of those who hymn thee, that with splendor we may hymn thy memory, O venerable Peter.

The great Peter, the mighty pastor of the Church, summoneth shepherds and flock, and the whole Church, to his memorial. Wherefore, having assembled, let us with splendor keep the festival of our common father.

Even though thy corrections are beyond our words and thoughts, O father Peter, yet do thou accept with love the spiritual offering which we make unto thee according to our strength, O right wondrous one; for we are none of us able to fashion fitting hymns for thee.

Theotokion: The radiant Sun cometh, appearing from the gates which were shut; for His appearance hath abolished the night, and the day draweth nigh. Wherefore, O our corrupt nature, receive from the Virgin the Master Who is become man for thy sake.

Katavasia: Christ is born…

Ode III

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Daniel beheld Thee, O Word, as the Stone cut from the mountain of the Virgin, which broke the temples of the idols in pieces by Thy might. Wherefore, we glorify Thee with fear.

Guided to Thee by the star, O Christ, Thou King of all, the magi from the East bring gifts—myrrh, gold and frankincense—marvelling at Thy condescension.

The unploughed field beareth the life-bearing Grain; Mary cometh to give birth in the city of Bethlehem to Him Who feedeth the souls of all who cry: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

By thine entreaty to our Creator and God crush the Moslems and all our godless adversaries, O venerable Peter; show forth their power, which warreth against us, as impotent; and subdue their wicked savagery.

O Master, in a generation gone by Thou didst show forth a wonder-worker, the holy hierarch Peter, the confirmation of the Russian land, the upright rule of Thy Church, the leader of the priestly rank.

The man who touched thee while thou wast in thy coffin was counted worthy to receive healing, O holy one; for by the grace of God thou didst enable him to stretch forth his arms, which were bent in upon his breast.

Theotokion: Be thou for me a refuge and haven, an unassailable rampart and helper, O all-pure Virgin who gavest birth in the flesh unto God, the most compassionate Deliverer and Savior of those who hymn thee, O Bride of God.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: To Christ God, the Son Who was begotten of the Father without corruption before time began, and in latter times without seed became incarnate of the Virgin, let us cry aloud: O Lord Who liftest up our horn, holy art Thou!

God, Who knoweth all things, knew thee in the womb before thou wast conceived, O God-bearer. And when thou wast born, He sanctified thee and made thee a great shepherd of His sheep; for He entrusted His sheep to thee, as He did to the Apostle Peter.

Parting the sea of the passions with the staff of abstinence, O blessed one, like Moses thou didst ascend the mountain of dispassion, and, having received noetic tablets, thou didst teach thy flock the law of God.

Thou wast shown to be humble, meek and gentle, O Peter; wherefore, the grace of the Spirit, abundantly poured forth upon thee, revealed thee to be a great man who shineth over our land with rays of miracles.

Theotokion: God, Who is strong and mighty, hath now revealed Himself to those who are in the darkness of the shadow of death. O ye faithful, behold the great Light—Christ—in the cave, Who is to be born of the Virgin in awesome manner. Let us hymn her with faith.

Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Today the Virgin cometh ineffably to give birth in the cave to the preëternal Word. Dance, O world! And having heard this, with the angels and shepherds glorify the preëternal God, Who is to appear as a little babe.

Ikos: O truly awesome wonder past recounting! He Who giveth existence to all, in His goodness hath entered the womb of the holy Virgin, and cometh to be born in the cave, and to be laid in a manger. And His star is herald from on high to the magi who come to do Him homage with gifts, drawing from afar those who zealously follow the prophecy of Balaam, who said: “A star will proclaim beforehand the little babe, the preëternal God!”

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Today hath appeared…”—

Thine all-radiant memorial hath dawned today, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, shining forth with splendor in the world, and revealing divine effulgence unto all.

Sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—

Thou hast been revealed to the world as a resplendent beacon, illumining the thoughts of the faithful with the brilliance of thy discourses, O holy hierarch Peter our father; wherefore, with joy we all celebrate thy sacred and divine memory today.

Now & ever…, sessional hymn of the forefeast, In the same melody:

O virgins, begin ye beforehand the joy of virgins; ye mothers, praise the coming forth of the Mother of Christ our God; rejoice, O magi, with the angels, and ye shepherds with us! For the Virgin cometh to give birth in the city of Bethlehem to a Son, the preëternal God, Who saveth the world from corruption.

Ode IV

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

The holy phial of precious sanctity cometh to pour forth in the city of Bethlehem Him Who imparteth sanctity unto all of us who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

O divinely eloquent Isaiah, beholding the fulfillment in matter of thine honored prophesies, rejoice and dance! For without seed the Virgin hath given birth in the flesh to the Uncontainable One in the cave of Bethlehem.

Jesus is born in the flesh; the Timeless One is seen as an infant in time, and by His ineffable abasement deifieth me who have become poor through corrupting disobedience.

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

With the grace of the Spirit thou wast anointed a high priest, O most excellent Peter; for thou didst put on Christ because of thy pure life. Wherefore, thou didst teach all to glorify the one God in Trinity.

Deliver thy flock from the storm of sin, from tribulations and sorrows, O venerable hierarch Peter, leading us to the calm harbor of the divine will of Christ.

Thou wast shown to be a favorite of Christ, O all-hallowed father Peter; wherefore, cease thou never to pray to the Lord, that He deliver thy flock from perils, misfortunes and sorrows, and from violent trials.

Theotokion: The assemblies of hierarchs and the choirs of the venerable glorify thee in sacred manner; for thou didst bear in thine arms, as an infant, the Creator of all, the Son and Word of God.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: A rod from the root of Jesse and blossom therefrom, O Christ, Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; from the mountain overshadowed and densely wooded hast Thou come, incarnate of her who knew not man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Bowing to the laws of the Spirit from earliest childhood, O venerable one, thou didst pass over the laws of the flesh, which by mighty asceticism thou didst mortify in thy life. Wherefore, thou art given to the faithful as a great wonder-worker, O blessed Peter.

Thou gavest neither sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, until the Creator of all found thy heart to be a tranquil place. And, having fittingly purified it, the eternal King and God showed it forth to be His habitation of glory.

Slay thou the incurable carnality of my mind, O all-wise one, and as thou art mighty and powerful, guide me to the divine ways. Make me subject to good laws, O blessed one, and show me, who have been enslaved to cruel passions, to be a servant of Christ.

Theotokion: As it is written, the Lord hath now sent deliverance unto peoples, tribes and nations; for He maketh all peoples for Himself, that they may worship the one incarnation of the Son and confess thee to be the Theotokos.

Ode V

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: The ungodly perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but, waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest mankind, Thou effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity.

God Emmanuel is born of the Virgin, and, laid in a manger, of His own will He worketh our restoration. Wherefore, we piously celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

O Thou Who art the Word Who is without beginning, equal in essence with the Father, having been laid in a manger of dumb beasts thou hast released from irrationality us who piously celebrate the forefeast of Thy nativity.

Blessed was the root of Jesse which produced the pure one who beareth the divine Flower, Christ the Lord. And, rejoicing, we celebrate the forefeast of His nativity.

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Standing round about thy shrine, O venerable hierarch Peter, we have thee as a mediator before God, a help and an unshakable confirmation for the land of Russia.

As thou wast merciful to the poor, O all-praised one, ask now the mercy of the Spirit; for in exercising almsgiving, O holy father Peter, thou didst set up a radiant lamp.

Thou wast truly the habitation of the Holy Spirit, O blessed Peter, and wast well enriched by the divine gifts revealed in Him.

Theotokion: O all-pure one, we call thee the myrrh, in that thou gavest birth in the flesh unto God, the gracious Myrrh poured forth upon all who have recourse to thy protection.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.

The great wealth of thy compassions hath been shown forth in our land as an infinite outpouring of thy mercy, O servant of Christ; for thou dost answer those who petition thee, and dost strive to fulfill their requests, O blessed one.

Thou wast shown to be meek and humble in deed and word, and thereby drew all to thee. With love and good works thou subduest all, and by thy miracles thou didst gladden the hearts of those thou didst strengthen.

Christ, the great Shepherd of all, showed thee forth as the shepherd and teacher of His reason-endowed sheep, O blessed one. As a compassionate shepherd, seek me out now, who am thy sheep lost in the mountains of perdition.

Theotokion: In the abyss of His ineffable compassions, the great Shepherd of men and High Priest cometh forth as a man from the Virgin. Prepare thyself, O Bethlehem! Ye shepherds, raise a hymn proclaiming unto the ends of the earth our common exaltation!

Ode VI

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.

Having been born for us as a little babe on earth, O Thou Who shone forth ineffably from the Father before time began, free all from the ancient disobedience, in that Thou art compassionate.

Strange and all-glorious things were heard in the city of Bethlehem when Thou wast born, O unoriginate Word; for with the angels shepherds offered up hymnody to Thee as Master.

The star of righteousness ineffably proclaimeth to the magi the Sun Who hath been born; and, rejoicing, we now celebrate the forefeast of His honored nativity.

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Thou didst make thy life chaste, O thou who art manifest in sanctity, adorning thyself with righteousness and uniting to thyself the virtues by manliness of mind, O all-blessed and holy hierarch Peter.

Preserve thy city from the predations of the ungodly infidels and from civil strife, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, unceasingly entreating Christ the Master to grant peace to thy flock.

Glorified even after thy death as one living, thou workest miracles for the infirm and by the grace of God givest healing unto those who are crippled; for the Lord saith: I will glorify him who glorifieth Me.

Theotokion: Thou wast more exalted than the heavenly hosts, having conceived the ineffable Word of God, Who hath accomplished all things by His word, and Who was begotten of the Father before time began. Him do thou never cease to entreat, O pure one.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah, whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

Thou wast truly a father to orphans and a helper of widows, O glorious one, the sweet consolation of the grieving and those in sorrow, the healer of sufferings of soul and body; wherefore, we call upon thee to be our intercessor amid our adverse circumstances.

Joyfully celebrating thy memorial with the people today, sacred men keep festival, O father, and together with them true hermits and simple folk hymn thee in common as their intercessor and teacher.

I alone am become a wicked child through vile passions, O all-glorious father, and for this cause am unworthy to participate in thy goodly and beautiful celebration; yet, having washed away the defilement of my soul and body, O venerable one, show me forth as worthy of thy festival.

Theotokion: O true wonder! Wonder past recounting and all understanding! The Virgin is acknowledged to be both Virgin and Mother, and Him Who was born of her to be both God and man. Celebrating the forefeast of His radiant nativity, we sing hymns of joy.

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “To thee, the champion leader…”—

Unto thee, the chosen and wondrous wonder-worker of our land, do we flee today with love, weaving hymns, O God-bearer. As thou hast boldness before the Lord, deliver us from multifarious evil circumstances, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O confirmation of our city!

Ikos: Thou hast been shown to be a new wonder-worker, imparting healings unto all who fervently approach thee in humility of heart. And, invisibly visiting the Christian people, O God-bearer, thou dost enlighten our land, that together we may cry out to thee thus: Rejoice, abode of the light of dispassion; rejoice, dispeller of dark passions! Rejoice, thou who hast set at nought the wiles of the demons; rejoice, thou who hast gladdened the ranks of the angels! Rejoice, summit of the pure vision of God; rejoice, depths of humility, washing sicknesses away! Rejoice, for thou didst behold invisible things; rejoice, for thou hast joined the choir of holy hierarchs! Rejoice, pastor and teacher of the Russian land; rejoice, excellent boast of bishops! Rejoice, thou for whose sake God hath shown forth great miracles; rejoice, thou in whom God is glorified! Rejoice, O confirmation of our city.

Ode VII

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery the tyrant’s command, cried out amid the flames: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

How can a cave contain Thee, the Uncontainable One, Who cometh to be born for our sake? How can the Virgin give suck to Thee, Who art the Nourisher of all, O compassionate Jesus?

Following the words of the magus Balaam, the magi hastened to pay homage to Christ with gifts, perceiving that He is the One Who reigneth over all creatures.

O human nature, devoid of any of the virtues, rejoice and dance! For Christ cometh to be born in the flesh of the Virgin, that He might show thee to be right fruitful in good works.

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Open unto me the gates of repentance, O all-blessed hierarch Peter, that I may wash away the defilement of my wretched soul and body, directing all my senses and my conscience to chant unto God: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

We, thy servants, have thee as a fervent helper and the unassailable rampart and confirmation of thy city of Moscow; and we fear not the adverse foe, but vanquish them by the power of Christ, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou didst confirm the rules of the fathers, and with the magnificence of the priesthood didst build an all-beauteous church for the all-holy Mother of God; and by thy teachings thou didst instruct the people to chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Theotokion: Having thee now as a haven of salvation, O Virgin Theotokos, we flee the misfortunes and storms of life; and, escaping to the harbor of thy tranquility, we cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the ungodly command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Together our land and other countries proclaim thy wonders, O father, teaching all to chant unto Christ most joyously: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The Bridegroom Who surpasseth all the sons of men in beauty, as it is written, showed thee forth to His bride, the Church, as a most comely bridegroom who bore the likeness of His image.

Having adorned thy life with almsgiving, meekness and true love, thou wast shown to be an excellent emulator of the good Shepherd, having chosen well His virtues.

Theotokion: The Master cometh to be born in the cave as a man. Let us go forth to greet the pure Virgin, O ye faithful, chanting unto her with joy: Rejoice, joy of the world! Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of Christ!

Ode VIII

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to chant: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

In Thine ineffable loving-kindness, to save me who through my great disobedience have become a den of thieves, O Christ, it was Thy will to be born in a cave of the pure Virgin.

Signing a writ of complete remission for me, Thou, the Author of creation, didst register Thyself with servants in accordance with the edict of Cæsar. O Master, I hymn the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness!

O radiant palace of the Master, how is it that thou hast entered the least of caves to give birth to the Lord and King Who became incarnate for our sake, O most holy Virgin Bride of God?

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain, and by the fire in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, hymn ye and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Though I have been overcome by the enemy through many transgressions of the tumults of life, like Manasseh I approach Thee with faith, O Christ, and cry out to Thee in repentance: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

O all-blessed one, earnestly make supplications and entreaties unto God for thy servants, for, having thee as helper and ally amid griefs, we are saved from misfortunes, hymning the Lord and exalting Him supremely forever.

The children of Hagar are arming themselves against thy humble people, O all-honored hierarch, father Peter. Crush them with the invisible power of thy prayers to the Master in behalf of us, thy faithful servants, who hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever.

Theotokion: O all-pure and all-glorious Virgin Mistress, with the holy hierarch Peter earnestly entreat thy Son and King, that from all need and tribulation He deliver thy loyal city of Moscow, which blesseth thee with faith, O Lady, and doth hymn and exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace presented an image of a supernatural wonder, for it did not consume the young men whom it had received, as the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin’s womb which it had entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

By thy supplication nurture this thy flock which is great in number; by thy prayers still thou the storm of contrary winds, both physical and spiritual; deliver us from all temptations and troubles, and preserve us utterly unharmed.

The descendents of Hagar, who rise up against us and desire to vex thine inheritance, have fallen, vanquished by thy supplications, and are become a mockery and a byword, bewailing their fall; but we joyously hymn thy sacred memory.

Ineffable is thy love for thy children, surpassing paternal love, O father; wherefore, thou dost ever invisibly visit us, by thy constant supplications asking salvation for us, and giving us joy and tranquility, O Peter.

Theotokion: Not disdaining that which He created in His own image—me who am wholly fallen and have perished, O pure Virgin Theotokos,—God hath wholly restored me through thee. Wherefore, all creation continually hymneth thee, the cause of our salvation, saying: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress.

Ode IX

Canon of the Forefeast

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

O ye faithful, let us dance, leap up and cry out together: The Salvation of all cometh! The Lord draweth nigh to be born, that He might save those who with godly wisdom celebrate His nativity!

Take up thy psaltery and harp, O holy David, and chant in hymnody: O house of Ephratha, be glad! For He Whom the Father begat from within Himself is all-radiantly born in thee, incarnate of the Virgin!

Like a downpour, like a mighty rain-fall hath the Master descended into thy womb, O Virgin Mother and Theotokos, and He hath watered lands hardened by dark ungodliness and dried up the seas of falsehood.

Canon I of the Saint

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Like the harlot, the thief and the publican I cry unto Thee from the depths of my heart: I have sinned! Forgive me my manifold offenses, O Master, and deliver me from all Thine anger through the entreaty of the holy hierarch Peter, that I may unceasingly magnify Thee.

Come, all ye people of Moscow! And, gathering at the tomb of the blessed hierarch Peter, cry out unto God with tears, saying: O Lord, deliver Thy people from misfortunes, that we may magnify Thee forever!

Thine own city of Moscow greatly rejoiceth in thee, O all-honored father, holy hierarch Peter, having thee as an ally and helper. Depart not now in spirit from us, O master, making supplication for us to God, that He deliver us from the violence of the ungodly Moslems, our enemies, that we may ever magnify thee.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mary, Mistress and Lady, by thine entreaties cleanse my defiled heart and soul, and make me an heir to life everlasting; and, remembering not my countless evils, beseech thy Son and God for me, wretch that I am, and preserve those who hymn thee, O most holy one.

Canon II of the Saint

Irmos: A strange and most glorious mystery do I behold: the cave is heaven; the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; the manger, the place wherein lay Christ God, Whom naught can contain, Whom praising, we magnify.

It is not possible to sing thy glory as is meet; for thou grantest manifold miracles and countless healings in abundance unto those who with ardent faith approach thee, O holy hierarch Peter, thou boast of our land.

Christ hath set thee as the foundation of His Church and a mighty tower forever unshakable, protecting and making steadfast thy city, that it might remain utterly unshaken and unassailed by its enemies.

Let all of us—bishops, priests and monks, and all the people, men and women, the old and the young, of every age and every dignity—splendidly celebrate the memory of our holy hierarch.

Theotokion: Let us hasten to behold the greatest of wonders! For the Virgin cometh, bearing in her womb the Babe Who giveth life to babes. Angels join in common hymnody with shepherds, proclaiming the salvation made manifest in the cave.

Exapostilarion of the forefeast: Spec. Mel.: “He hath visited us…”—

Come, O ye faithful, let us all offer up hymns of the forefeast of the nativity! Christ already cometh to be born in Bethlehem, that He might save the world, in that He alone loveth mankind.

Glory…, exapostilarion of the saint: Spec. Mel.: “Hearken, ye women…”—

The Holy Spirit anointed thee a hierarch, O all-blessed Peter, to tend the flock of Christ in the fields of salvation; wherefore, thou didst strive to guide the people along the straight paths. For this cause thou hast now received twofold crowns from the Bestower of crowns.

Now & ever…: Another exapostilarion of the forefeast—

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Adorn thy houses! For unto thee doth the Virgin come, bearing the infant Christ, Who with the Father is equally without beginning. For He hath come to save the human race.

On the Praises, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angelic hosts…”—

The creative Wisdom now cometh forth! The clouds of prophecy are parted! Grace doth flourish, and Truth hath shone forth! The shadows of indistinct images cease to be! The gates of Eden have opened! Dance thou, O Adam! God our Creator hath of His own will taken on form!

Fulfilling the sayings and visions of the prophets, the Word is born in the flesh, taketh on coarse matter and, having been born, lieth in a manger of dumb beasts. Lo! the extreme condescension! Behold the awesome dispensation, for which sake we chant: Christ, the King of Israel, hath now arrived!

Behold, in manner past understanding and recounting, the pure one giveth birth to the Son of God Whom the prophets of old proclaimed, foreseeing through the Holy Spirit, Who preserveth her undefiled, and releaseth Adam from sin. O ye people, let us say: Christ our King hath now arrived in the flesh!

Without leaving the bosom of the Father, Thou didst reveal Thyself as man, and held in the arms of the Virgin, Thou didst summon the magi from Persia by a star, who worshipped Thee as King and God. Thou dost destroy the ungodly princes of the heathen with the spirit of Thy lips, and dost shepherd the people whom Thou hast brought into existence.

And 4 stichera of the saint, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

O venerable father Peter, while yet in thy mother’s womb thou didst receive a calling to be a bishop which was uttered by God. From childhood thou didst love Christ, receiving from Him the flock of His reason-endowed sheep, and thou didst shepherd well the Church of God. Wherefore, we celebrate thy dormition and, rejoicing, we magnify Christ. Twice

Stichos: My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Praying for us, O venerable hierarch Peter, by thy supplications unto God ask confirmation for the Church, care and guidance for the bishop of the flock, victory for the nation over the Moslems and triumph over all enemies, an unshakable and unassailable existence for thy city, and remission of sins for all the faithful people who have recourse unto the shrine of thy relics, O holy hierarch.

Stichos: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment.

O venerable and divinely wise father, thou hast truly revealed thyself, guiding unto the way of truth the hearts of those who have been deceived. Thou wast the defender of the poor and widows, the steadfast chastening of nobles. O holy one, ask thou remission of sins for all the faithful who have recourse unto the all-pure Mother of God.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Every city and land rejoiceth, celebrating today with the glorious city of Moscow; for the great Peter, our wondrous physician and savior, doth offer us doses of heavenly medicine. He hath lovingly called all to his free cures, which are not wrought by human skill or by philtres, but through the activity of the Holy Spirit, imparting supernatural healing of soul and body. And receiving this in abundance, we of every generation and age glorify Christ God, Who for the sake of His favored one bestoweth great mercy upon those who sing his praises.

Now & ever…, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Go forth, ye angelic hosts…”—

The prophecies of Balaam the magus receive their fulfillment; for those who were filled with Persian miracles, illumined with the brilliance of the unusual star by Christ Who was incarnate in Bethlehem, the never-setting Sun, indicate by their bestowal of gifts God the King, Who of His own will became a mortal man.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

At Liturgy

On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III of the canon of the forefeast, and 4 from Ode VI of Canon I of the saint.

After the entrance, the troparion of the forefeast and that of the saint; Glory…, the kontakion of the saint; Now & ever…, that of the forefeast.

Prokimenon, in Tone I—

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Stichos: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world.

Epistle to the Hebrews, § 318 (Heb. 7: 26-8: 2)

Brethren, such a High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, Who is consecrated for evermore. Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Alleluia, in Tone II—

Stichos: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment.

Stichos: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be tripped.

Gospel according to Luke, § 24 (Lk. 6: 17-23)

At that time Jesus stood in the plain, and the company of His disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all. And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven.”

Communion Verse—

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.

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