The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Great Vespers: Blessed is the man.

Lord I have Cried, Tone 2, on 10: Octoechos 4; Forerunner 6 (When John was born); G: Forerunner (Today the lamp of the Light); N: Sunday Dogmatic in the tone of the week.

Entry; O Gladsome Light; Prokimenon of the day, Tone 6: The Lord is King.

3 Readings for the Forerunner.

Litia: Stichera of the Forerunner (Ye mountains, put forth sweetness); G: Forerunner (Today Elizabeth giveth birth); N: Theotokion (Thou art the temple and portal).

Aposticha: Octoechos; G: Forerunner (Today is fulfilled); N: Theotokion (Behold Elizabeth).

Troparia: O Theotokos and Virgin x2; Forerunner (O prophet and Forerunner) x1.

Matins: God is the Lord, Tone 2; Troparia: Resurrection x2; G: Forerunner (O prophet and Forerunner); N: Resurrectional Theotokion, Tone 4 (The mystery hidden).

After each Kathisma: Sessional hymns from the Octoechos

Polyeleos and Magnification of the Forerunner: We magnify thee, O John, forerunner of the Savior, and we honor thy most glorious nativity from a barren woman; The Evlogitaria (The assembly of angels was amazed).

Hypakoe, Tone 2; all the Sessional Hymns of the Forerunner.

Hymns of Ascents, and Prokimenon, Tone 2.

Matins Gospel 3, Mark 16:9-20 (§71).

Having beheld the resurrection; Psalm 50; G: Through the prayers of the apostles; N: Through the prayers of the Theotokos; Have mercy on me, O God; Jesus having risen. Save, O God, Thy people.

Canon: Resurrection 4 Glory to Thy Holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Theotokos 2 O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Forerunner (both canons) 8 Holy Great John, Forerunner of the Lord, pray to God for us.

Irmos of the Canon of the Resurrection, Tone 2.

Katavasia, I shall open my mouth.

After Ode 3, Kontakion (She that was formerly barren) and Ikos of the Forerunner; Sessional hymns of the Forerunner (When He was born); G: Forerunner (Like the radiant sun); N: Theotokion (By thy divine birthgiving).

After Ode 6, Kontakion and Ikos of the Resurrection.

At Ode 9, More Honorable.

Holy is the Lord, our God.

Exapostilaria: Resurrection; G: Forerunner (Today the joyous birth); N: Resurrectional Theotokion.

Praises, Tone 2, on 8: Resurrection 4; Forerunner 4 (O all-glorious wonder – with the doxasticon (The Forerunner, the star of stars), and the final two psalm verses: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought deliverance for His people. & And thou, O child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High); G: Gospel Sticheron; N: Most blessed art thou. After the Great Doxology, the troparion: Having risen; the two remaining Litanies and Resurrectional Dismissal; First Hour.

Hours: Troparia: Resurrection; G: Forerunner; Kontakion: Forerunner and Resurrection, alternating.

Liturgy: Beatitudes on 10; Resurrection: 6; Forerunner: 4 from Ode 3.

After the entrance: Troparia & Kontakia as in Appendix I, A.

Prokimenon, Tone 2: The Lord is my strength and my song. & Tone 7: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord.

Epistle: Rom. 5:1-10 (§88); Rom. 13:11-14:4 (§112).

Alleluia, Tone 2 & Tone 1.

Gospel: Matt. 6:22-33 (§18); Luke 1:1-25,57-68,76,80 (§1).

Communion Hymn: Praise the Lord in the heavens. & In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be.

Resurrectional Dismissal.