AUGUST,15
The Dormition of the Theotokos
Great Vespers
Priest. Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Reader: Come, let us worship and bow down before our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ himself, our King and God.
Psalm 103 (104)
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord, my God, you are very great. You are clothed in praise and honor; who covers yourself with light as with a garment, spreading out the heavens as a curtain. You cover your chambers with the waters; you make the clouds your chariot; you walk on the wings of the wind, you make the angels spirits, and your ministers a flaming fire. You established the earth on its sure foundation; it shall never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters shall stand on the hills. At your rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of your thunder they shall be alarmed. They go up to the mountains and down to the plains, to the place which you founded for them. You have set a boundary which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth. You send forth fountains among the valleys; the waters shall run between the mountains. They shall give drink to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys shall quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens shall have their habitation; they shall sing among the rocks. You water the mountains from your chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your miracles. You make grass grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man that you may bring bread out of the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face cheerful, and bread which strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of sap, even the cedars of Lebanon which you have planted. There birds will build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. The high mountains are a refuge for stags, and the rock for the rabbits. You appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows his going down. You make darkness and it is night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will creep about. Young lions roar for prey, and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they gather together, and lie down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work, and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how great are your works. In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is filled with your creation. This great and wide sea, in which are innumerable living things both small and great. There sail the ships, and there is Leviathan which you have made to play there. All wait for you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they will gather it up; when you open your hand, they shall be filled with goodness. But when you have turned away your face, they shall be troubled. When you take away their breath, they fail, and return to their dust. You sent forth your Spirit, and they are created; and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works; who looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing praises to the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be sweet to him; I will rejoice in the Lord. May sinners and wicked men disappear from the earth and may they be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
(Again)
The sun knows its going down. You make darkness, and it is night. O Lord, how great are your works. In wisdom you have made them all.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to you, O God (3). Lord, you are our hope, glory to you.
The Great Litany
Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Archbishop Nektarios, the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this country, and all those in civil authority and public service, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this parish and city, for every city and town, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For travelers by land, sea and air, for the sick, the suffering, for captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us and protect us, O God, by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever‑virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
(Then the people begin singing: “Lord, I have cried out to you” in the designated tone:)
Psalm 140 (141) (Mode 3)
People: Lord, I have cried out to you, hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried out to you, hear me. Receive the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you. Hear me, O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.
Psalm 129 (130)
Verse 1. If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you.
O wondrous miracle, the source of life is placed in a tomb and the grave becomes a ladder toward heaven. O Gethsemane, sacred shrine of the Theotokos, be gladdened. O Faithful, having Gabriel as our commander, let us cry out, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the word great mercy, is with you”.
Verse 2. For your name’s sake I have waited for you, O Lord; my soul waits for your word. My soul has trusted in the Lord.
O wondrous miracle, the source of life is placed in a tomb and the grave becomes a ladder toward heaven. O Gethsemane, sacred shrine of the Theotokos, be gladdened. O Faithful, having Gabriel as our commander, let us cry out, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the word great mercy, is with you”.
Verse 3. From the morning watch ’til night from the morning watch let Israel trust in the Lord.
O how wondrous are your mysteries, O pure One! You were shown to be the throne of the most high, O Lady, and today are transferred from earth to heaven. Your glory is comely, shining forth grace, radiantly divine. O virgins, ascend on high with the Mother of the King. Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the world great mercy, is with you.
Verse 4. For with the Lord is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption; and he shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O how wondrous are your mysteries, O pure One! You were shown to be the throne of the most high, O Lady, and today are transferred from earth to heaven. Your glory is comely, shining forth grace, radiantly divine. O virgins, ascend on high with the Mother of the King. Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the world great mercy, is with you.
Psalm 116 (117)
Verse 5. Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise him, all you people.
Dominions, Thrones, Principalities, Virtues, Powers and Cherubim, and the awesome Seraphim, glorify your Dormition; and those on earth rejoice adorned by your divine glory. Kings with Angels and Archangels prostrate themselves and sing, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the world great mercy, is with you”.
Verse 6. For his mercy has been abundant toward us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Dominions, Thrones, Principalities, Virtues, Powers and Cherubim, and the awesome Seraphim, glorify your Dormition; and those on earth rejoice adorned by your divine glory. Kings with Angels and Archangels prostrate themselves and sing, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord, who through you grants the world great mercy, is with you”.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(All Modes, “Oktaechon”)
By divine command, the God-bearing Apostles were caught up in the air and carried on the clouds from everywhere.
Reaching your most pure and life originating body they venerated it exceedingly.
Present were the highest powers of heaven with their own Master.
Seized with reverent awe they escort your pure body which received God. They proceeded in a transcendent and invisible way, crying out to the heavenly ranks above, “Behold, the divine Maiden, the Queen of all is here”.
Open the gates and receive the Mother of the everlasting light in a manner beyond this world.
Through her has come the salvation of the whole race of mortals. We are unable to look upon her and cannot render honor worthy of her.
Her excellence surpasses all understanding.
Wherefore, O pure Theotokos, who live with your Son and life-bearing King forever, ceaselessly intercede that your newborn people be protected and saved from every adverse assault; for we have your protection.
We brightly bless you forever.
O Joyful Light
(While the doxastikon is being sung, the priest exits from the sanctuary:)
Priest: Wisdom. Let us stand.
(And he sings the O Joyful Light🙂
Priest: O joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal Father, the heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ. Now that we have reached the setting of the sun and behold the evening light, we sing to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to praise you with cheerful voices, O Son of God, the Giver of life. Behold, the world sings your glory.
Priest: The evening prokeimenon.
People: The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor.
The Lord is clothed and surrounded with power.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor.
He established the world which will not be moved.
The Lord reigns; he has clothed himself with honor.
Readings
Reader: The reading is from the Book of Genesis (28:10-18).
Priest: Let us be attentive.
Jacob left Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. 11And he came to a certain place, and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants; 14and your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and by you and your descendants will all the families of the earth bless themselves. 15Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you.” 16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it.” 17And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Reader: The reading is from the Book of Ezekiel (43:27-44:4).
Priest: Let us be attentive.
From the eighth day onward the priests will offer upon the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the Lord God.” 1The Lord brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east; and it was shut. 2And he said to me, “This gate will remain closed and not be opened. No one will enter through it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it; therefore it will remain closed. 3Only the prince may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord. He will enter by way of the vestibule of the gate and will go out by the same way.” 4Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked, and see, the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord.
Reader: The reading is from the Book of Proverbs (9:1-11).
Priest: Let us be attentive.
1 Wisdom has built her house and set up her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts and mixed her wine; she has also laid her table. 3 She has sent out her maids to summon from the highest places in the town. 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” She says to the one who is without sense, 5 “Come and eat from my bread; drink from the wine which I have mixed. 6 Leave childishness and live; walk along the way of insight.” 7The one who corrects a scoffer receives abuse and the one who rebukes an evil man incurs injury. 8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, otherwise he will hate you; reprimand a wise man and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a just man and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For your days will be increased by me and years will be added to your life.
Ektenis
Priest: Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, let us say.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Lord Almighty, God of our fathers, we pray you, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy; we pray you, hear us and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for our Archbishop Nektarios .
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us pray for our brethren, priests, hieromonks, deacons, and monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters who are asleep here in the Lord and for the Orthodox everywhere.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness of the sins of all pious and Orthodox Christians living and visiting in this community and city, and everywhere on earth.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: Let us again pray for those who do charitable work, for those who serve in this holy house, for those who labor, teach, and sing, and for all the people here present who await your great and rich mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy (3).
Priest: For you are a merciful and loving God, and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God by your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For the completion of our lives in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account of ourselves before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever‑virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To you, O Lord.
Priest: For you are a good and loving God, and to you we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To you, O Lord.
Priest: May the might of your kingdom be blessed and glorified, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Aposticha
The Lord reigns: he has clothed himself with honor; the Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength.
O Lord, your life-bearing resurrection enlightened the whole inhabited earth and recalled your creation which had become corrupt. Therefore we, who are rescued from the curse of Adam, sing, “O almighty Lord, glory to you!”
For he has established the world and it shall not be moved.
You are the changeless God, yet were changed by suffering in the flesh. Because creation could not endure seeing you on the cross, it was filled with fear, yet praised your patience. You have granted the world life and great mercy by descending into Hades and rising on the third day.
Holiness becomes your house, O Lord, for length of days.
O Christ, you endured death in order to rescue our human race from death. You rose from the dead on the third day, raised with you those who knew you as God and enlightened the world. Glory to you!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 4.
O Theotokos Virgin, when you departed to Him whom you ineffably bore, James, the brother of the Lord and first Hierarch, and Peter, the honored pinnacle, the prime of the Theologians, and all the divine assembly of the Apostles were present, praising in manifest theological discourse the divine and extraordinary mystery of the dispensation of Christ God. Burying your body wherein life originated and God was received, O most praised, they rejoiced. Bowing before the wonder, the all-holy and honored Angelic Powers were amazed, saying to one another, “Open the gates and receive her who bore the Maker of Heaven and earth. Let us in hymns praise the revered and holy body which held the Lord, upon whom no one can gaze”. Wherefore, we also, commemorating your memory, cry out to you, “O most praised, uplift the might of Christians and save our souls”.
(Before the Ode of Symeon we can chant the Lamentations of the Dormition of the Theotokos)
Ode of Symeon
(After the completion of the aposticha, the priest intones the Ode of Symeon, Luke :.29–32.)
Priest: Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory of your people Israel.
People: Amen.
People: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All‑holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
People: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Apolytikia
Tone 1. Apolytikion of the Feast.
In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.
Priest: Wisdom.
Reader: Father, bless.
Priest: Blessed are you, Christ our God, always now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Reader: Make firm, Lord our God, the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy Church and this city forever.
Priest: All Holy Theotokos, save us.
Reader: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.
Priest: Glory to You, Christ our God and our hope, glory to you.
May Christ our true God, who rose from the dead as a good, loving and merciful God, have mercy upon us and save us, through the intercessions of his most pure and holy Mother whose Dormition we commemorate; the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven; the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant Martyrs; our holy God‑bearing Fathers; the holy, and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all the saints.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People:Amen.
