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Home , Entrance prayers, Theotokos

St. of Carthage Orthodox in America Diocese of the South

February 14, 2021

2570 Huguenot Springs Road Midolothian, VA 23113 (804) 897-5212 Mailing Address: Same as the street address

36th SUNDAY AFTER — Tone 3. Sunday of Zacchaeus. Ven. Auxentius of Bithynia (ca. 470). Repose of St. Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs (869). Ven. , Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—ca. 1190). The Twelve who built the Dormition Cathedral in the Lavra of the Kiev Caves (11th c.). Translation of the Relics of Martyrs and his councilor, Theodore, of Chernígov (1578). Ven. Maron, , of Syria (4th c.). St. , of Charres, Mesopotamia (5th c.).

The The Liturgy of the Catechumens At about 8:30 a.m. the and enter the Holy using the Prayers, concluding with the prayers that accompany their , then the beings. This preparatory service is what the Church calls for to offer the bread, wine, and water with many commemorations, covering them, and leaving them on the Table of Preparation to be brought out and placed on the Holy during the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy. These commemorations make the offering a symbol for the Body of , whom the Faithful participating in the are, that which will become the Body and Blood of Christ offered to the Faithful who are prepared to receive it.

“It is time for to act...” Blessed is the Kingdom - Stand upright and be attentive, while if at any time you may need to sit, find a chair near to you, or you may sit on the floor. Other moments when it is best not to be sitting will say STAND. Great Litany – our petitions made for the entire cosmos, at which we sing “Lord, have mercy,” and especially, “Amen,” our consent that it be so. Psalm 103 – the fitting words of creatures before their Creator.

The of the Orthodox Church in America is His Beatitude, The Most-Blessed Tikhon, of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Our Bishop is His Grace, the Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Dallas and the South, and the Bulgarian Diocese. Little Litany – often offered at transitional moments in the services, and the continued (“Again, and again...”) reaffirmation of the commending of “ourselves, each other, and all our life unto Christ, our God.” Psalm 146 – the Doxology surrounds this offering of praise that is concluded with the ancient Christian hymn monogenes, or “Only Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God, who for our didst will to be incarnate of the holy and Ever- Mary, who without change didst become man, and wast crucified, O Christ our God, trampling down death by death, who art one of the Holy , glorified with the Father and the : save us.” Beatitudes – reminding us of the moral teachings of Christ , our Lord, interspersed with verses from Resurrection hymns for the day (on Sunday), or other hymns according to the rank of the day. Little Litany Entrance with the – STAND - This abbreviated is made by those serving at the Holy Altar, but it is again a symbol of our collective passage from this world to the heavenly kingdom and presence of God, we who are made new creatures by the acceptance of of Jesus Christ (carried by the Deacon or Priest in the procession) and rebirth by Holy . Those who are Catechumens (listeners), or who are at a point in allowed again to stand with them, are permitted a place among the gathering for this glimpse of heavenly worship, culminating with the soon to be sung words continually offered by angelic host (“Holy! Holy! Holy!”). The priest prays, “O Master, Lord our God, who hast appointed in heaven orders and hosts of angels and for the service of thy glory; Grant that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy angels, serving with us and glorifying thy goodness.” Hymns for the Day – These are comprised of various Troparia and Kontakia that are called for and ordered by the according to the day of the week and the rank of the specific date. This collection of hymns ends with one to the Mother of God (Theotokos) that customarily is sung by the when there is a concelebration of and . Tone 3 (Resurrection)

Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world// great mercy.

Tone 8 Troparion (Hieromartyr Cyprian)

Guide of , teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of Carthage, God-inspired adornment of confessors, O wise Cyprian, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Tone 1 Troparion (Ven. Auxentius)

O dweller of the wilderness and angel in the body, thou wast a wonderworker, O our God-bearing Father Auxentius. Thou didst receive heavenly gifts through , vigil, and prayer, healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to thee by faith. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength! Glory to Him Who granted thee a ^crown!// Glory to Him Who grants healing to all! Tone 3 (Resurrection)

On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with the Prophets and Patriarchs// they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy power.

Tone 2 Kontakion (Hieromartyr Cyprian)

We honour thee, O Cyprian, as a true shepherd who with thy sacred words and divinely-wise doctrines hast shown us the boundary-stones marking out the one Church of Christ. Even unto death thou didst bare witness with courage; wherefore, we extol thee as a hierarch and martyr. Entreat Christ that we all be saved.

“Glory...”

Tone 2 Kontakion (Ven. Auxentius)

Thou didst delight in abstinence, restraining the desires of the flesh. Divinely wise and holy Father Auxentius, thou wast revealed to be shining with faith,// blossoming like a plant in the midst of Paradise.

“Now and ever...”

Tone 6 Kontakion (Theotokos)

Steadfast Protectress of , Constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou dost always protect those who honor thee! The Thrice Holy, or “” - STAND “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us,” repeated three times, “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” Then for the final time through, “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us.”

Tone 3 Prokeimenon (Resurrection) Sing praises to our God, sing praises! / Sing praises to our King, sing praises! (Ps. 46:6) V. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Ps. 46:1)

1 Timothy 4:9-15 (Epistle) “Brethren...”

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Tone 3 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! V. In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame! (Ps. 30:1a) V. Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me! (Ps. 30:2b)

Luke 19:1-10 (Gospel) “At that time...”

...Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The Homily (It may be given here or at the ) Litany of Fervent Supplication – We offer a summary of our petitions made with the more fervent recitation three times, “Lord, have mercy.” Litany for the Catechumens Dismissal of the Catechumens – The Deacon commands, “All Catechumens, depart!” and at this time, all who are not prepared to participate in the Liturgy of the Faithful are allowed to dismiss themselves, the ancient practice being only those who are going to receive the Holy Communion should remain among those who are gathered. It is permitted for persons to stay such as may be expedient for them, but the is given to depart.

The Liturgy of the Faithful – Standing Throughout

First Litany of the Faithful Second Litany of the Faithful

The Great Entrance – Unlike the first entrance understood as a symbol of our passage to the heavenly kingdom, this Holy Entrance is a symbol of the entire dispensation of God for us, and for our salvation; His passage, Passover, Pascha. The word and ritual that forms this entrance with the gifts, yet continues before and beyond it culminating in the placement of them on the Altar Table (our offering that is to become His Offering), sums up all that has taken place for us since the heavenly messenger proclaimed “Rejoice!” to ; from the cave of his birth (Table of Preparation) to the tomb of his burial (Altar Table), the glorious resurrection, the ascension in the flesh to the right hand of the Father, to this moment of our present time and place in the never ending day awaiting His coming again in glory. The closed doors and drawn veil at the end of this entrance are a symbol of the stone rolled over the entrance to the tomb.

Litany of Supplication The same words of greeting are spoken to us as to the disciples, “Peace be unto you,” as he appeared and was present with them on the day of his resurrection, “I believe in One God...” - Now with the doors being opened, as though appearing behind closed doors, we who believe and confess Him to be the Christ of God are witnesses of that same presence with us as was present with the disciples. Offering the Holy Oblation, mercy, and peace, a sacrifice of praise, we lift up our hearts, give thanks, and worship the Holy Trinity, one in essence. The Holy Anaphora – We are “carried back” through salvation history in compelling ways by masters of rhetoric, Basil the Great and Saint . Most often the Anaphora of St. John Chrysostom is offered, while 10 times in the course of the year that of St. Basil the Great is offered. Their compelling argument does embolden us to sing with the cherubim and seraphim, to obey the command of Christ to remember Him by sharing the bread and cup, to lift our offering up before the God and Father as he did with His disciples, to call down the Holy Spirit to change our offering into His offering, to do so on behalf of all and for all. As though with one mind and with one mouth we remember and participate in this saving dispensation that has been the work of God in every time and place.

Litany before the Lord’s Prayer /“Our Father”

The Elevation of the Holy Bread - “The Holy Things are for the Holy”

Communion Hymn -

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest! (Ps. 148:1)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Holy Communion – The consecrated Bread and Wine are mingled with hot water in the , and the concluding three pre-communion prayers are offered (“I believe, O Lord, and I confess...”), then the clergy partake of Holy Communion at the Altar Table. As a symbol of the veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom when Jesus was crucified, making the condition of atonement rather than curse the paradigm of the present age, the veil and doors are opened and God communes with the faithful ones who take and eat the , who taste the Fountain of Immortality.

Only those who are baptized Orthodox Christians making preparation by fasting and a recent confession should approach to receive Holy Communion. Confession (the Mystery of Repentance) is always available, only needing communicate one's need with the priest and making arrangement to participate in this Holy Mystery. It is always assumed that following the Vigil or Great (or other services at the Church during the week) time is available for those prepared to offer their confession. Again, one only need ask so that it may be done. When a second priest is serving on Sunday morning, their may be time before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, but this opportunity must not be assumed to be available, but communicated by appointment with the priest. It is almost always impossible for a single priest to provide time for confessions on Sunday morning without making effort to amend his routine for the traditional prayers, which He may be willing and able to do, but this should not be assumed.

Litany of Thanksgiving

Ambon Prayer

Dismissal – Announcements

Veneration of the Cross – Post Communion Prayers

In addition to translations from the Department of Liturgical Music and Translations, liturgical texts for this service represent modified versions of translations provided by Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, Otego, New York and St. Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, Pa. The Department of Liturgical Music and Translations of the Orthodox Church in America expresses its gratitude to Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery and St. Tikhon’s Monastery and to those translators whose work has been consulted at times in the course of reviewing and modifying these texts to their present form: Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware), Archimandrite Ephrem (Lash), Father Benedict Churchill, Isaac Lambertson, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and Holy Transfiguration Monastery, among others.

Glory to Thee, O Lord, Glory to Thee!