The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ

Transcription

1 1 The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ VESPERS: P. Glory to the Holy... C. Amen. O Come let us Worship... R. Psalm 103 (sung as for Saturday nights) P. Great Ectenia (No Blessed is the Man...) R. Kathisma I is read in its entirety C. Lord I have cried... (Tone 4) (8 stichera are sung; verse begins with Out of the depth ) 3/4 Before Thy Crucifixion, O Lord,/ the mountain became as heaven/ and a cloud spread itself out to form a tabernacle./ When Thou wast transfigured and the Father testified unto Thee,/ Peter with James and John were there,/ who were to be present with Thee also at the time of Thy betrayal:/ that, having beheld Thy wonders, they should not be afraid before Thy suffering./ Grant in Thy great mercy that we too may be counted worthy// to venerate these Thy sufferings in peace. 5/6 Before Thy Crucifixion, O Lord,/ taking the disciples up into a high mountain,/ Thou wast transfigured before them shining upon them with the bright beams of Thy power:/ from love of mankind and in Thy sovereign might,/ Thy desire it was to show them the splendor of the Resurrection.// Grant that we too in peace may be counted worthy of this splendor, O God, for Thou art merciful and lovest mankind. 7/8 When Thou wast transfigured, O Saviour, upon a high mountain,/ having with Thee the chief disciples,/ Thou hast shone forth in glorious majesty, proving thereby that those who surpass in the height of their virtues/ shall be counted worthy of the divine glory./ Talking with Christ, Moses and Elijah showed that He is Lord of both the living and the dead,/ the God Who spake of old through the Law and the prophets./ And the voice of the Father testified to Him from the cloud of light saying,// Hear ye Him, Who through His Cross harrows hell and gives the dead eternal life. 9/10 The mountain that was once gloomy and veiled in smoke has now become venerable and holy,/ since Thy feet, O Lord, have stood upon it./ For thy dread Transfiguration, the mystery hidden before the ages,/ has been made manifest in the last times to Peter, John and James./ Unable to endure the shining of Thy countenance and the brightness of Thy garments,/ they fell to the ground upon their faces./ Seized with astonishment and wonder,/ they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Thee of the things that should befall Thee;/ and a voice in testimony came from the Father, saying// This is My beloved Son in Whom I am wellpleased: hear ye Him. He it is Who grants the world great mercy. G/B... (Tone 6) Prefiguring, O Christ our God, Thy Resurrection/ Thou hast taken with Thee in Thy ascent upon Mount Tabor/ Thy three disciples, Peter, James and

2 John./ When Thou wast transfigured, O Saviour,/ Mount Tabor was covered with light./ Thy disciples, O Word, cast themselves down upon the ground,/ unable to gaze upon the Form that none may see./ The angels ministered in fear and trembling,/ the heavens shook and the earth quaked,// as they beheld upon earth the Lord of glory. P. Wisdom. Aright! C. O Joyful Light... P/C. Prokimenon. The Lord is King... P. Wisdom! R. The Reading from the Book of Exodus (24:12-18) And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day He called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and went up to the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. R. The Reading from the Book of Exodus (33:11-23) And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. And Moses said unto the Lord, See, Thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Yet Thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in My sight. Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people. And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? Is it not in that Thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, show me Thy glory. And He said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And He said, Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: And I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts: but My face shall not be seen. R. The Reading from the Third Book of Kings (19:3-9,11-13,15-16) And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he 2

3 himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and Elisha the son of Shaphat, shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. P. Augmented Litany R. Vouchsafe... P. Litany of Fervent Supplication C. Litya (Tone 2) O God, Who in Thy goodness hast sanctified with Thy light all the inhabited earth,/ Thou wast transfigured upon a high mountain,/ showing Thy might unto Thy disciples:/ for Thou dost redeem the world from transgression./ Therefore we cry aloud to Thee:// O Lord of compassion, save our souls. O Christ our God, Who wast transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor,/ showing to Thy disciples the splendor of Thy Godhead,/ do Thou enlighten us also with the light of Thy knowledge/ and guide us in the path of Thy commandments,// for Thou alone art good and lovest mankind. Christ, the Light that shone before the sun,/ Who in the body went about the earth,/ having fulfilled before His Crucifixion, as befitted His divine majesty, all things pertaining to His fearful dispensation,/ this day has mystically made known upon Mount Tabor the image of the Trinity./ For taking apart the three disciples He had expressly chosen, Peter, James, and John,/ He led them up into the mountain by themselves; and for a short time He concealed the flesh He had assumed,/ and was transfigured before them, making manifest the excellence of the original beauty,/ though not in its full perfection./ For while giving them full assurance He also spared them,/ lest perchance at the sight they should lose their lives:/ yet they saw as much as their bodily eyes were able to receive./ He likewise called before Him the chief prophets Moses and Elijah,/ who testified to His divinity, that He is indeed the true brightness of the essence of the Father,/ the Ruler of the living and the dead./ Wherefore a cloud wrapped 3

4 them round like a tent;/ and out of the cloud from above loudly sounded the voice of the Father,/ testifying and saying: 'This is my beloved Son,/ Whom I have begotten without change from the womb before the morning star./ Him have I sent to save those who are baptized/ in the Name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,/ and who confess with faith that the One Power of the Godhead is indivisible. Hear ye Him.'/ And do thou Thyself, O Christ our God, supreme in goodness,/ Who lovest mankind, shine upon us with the light of Thy glory that no man can approach// and make us worthy to inherit Thy never-ending Kingdom. Glory... (Tone 5) Come, let us ascend into the mountain of the Lord,/ even to the house of our God, and behold the glory of His Transfiguration,/ glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father./ Let us receive light from His Light,// and with uplifted spirits let us forever sing the praises of the consubstantial Trinity. Both now and ever... (Tone 5) Moses who saw God and Elijah who rode in the chariot of fire,/ passing across the heavens unconsumed,/ beheld Thee in the cloud at Thy Transfiguration, O Christ,/ and they testified that Thou art the maker and the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets./ With them, count us also worthy of Thy light, O Master,// that we may sing Thy praises unto all ages. P. Litya Prayers (O Lord, save Thy people...) (In the back of the Church) APOSTICHA: (Tone 1) 1. He Who once spoke through symbols to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying,/ I am He Who is, / was transfigured today upon Mount Tabor before the disciples;/ and in His own person He showed them the nature of man, arrayed in the original beauty of the Image./ Calling Moses and Elijah to be witnesses of this exceeding grace,/ He made them sharers in His joy,// foretelling His decease through the Cross and His saving Resurrection. V. Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth. 2. David the ancestor of God,/ foreseeing in spirit from afar the sojourn with men of the Only-begotten Son in the flesh,/ called the creation together to rejoice with him,/ and prophetically lifted up his voice to cry:/ Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. / For having gone up, O Christ, with Thy disciples into Mount Tabor,/ Thou wast transfigured, and hast made the nature that had grown dark in Adam to shine again as lightning,/ transforming it into the glory and splendor of Thine own divinity./ Therefore we cry aloud unto Thee:// O Lord and Creator of all things, glory to Thee. V. Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. 3. When the chosen apostles beheld upon the mountain of the Transfiguration/ the overwhelming flood of Thy light, O Christ Who hast no beginning,/ and Thy divinity unto which no man may approach,/ they 4

5 were caught up into a divine trance./ The cloud of light shone around them on every side,/ and they heard the voice of the Father confirming thy mystery of Thine Incarnation:/ for even after taking flesh Thou dost remain the Only-begotten Son// and the Saviour of the world. G/B... (Tone 6) On Mount Tabor, O Lord,/ Thou hast shown today the glory of Thy divine form unto Thy chosen disciples, Peter, James and John./ For they looked upon Thy garments that gleamed as the light/ and at Thy face that shone more than the sun;/ and unable to endure the vision of Thy brightness which none can bear,/ they fell to the earth, completely powerless to lift up their gaze./ For they heard a voice that testified from above:// This is My beloved Son, Who has come into the world to save mankind. C. St. Symeon's Prayer R. Trisagion Troparion of the Feast (Tone 7) (Follow the music!) x3 Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,/ Who didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it./ May Thine everexisting light shine forth also upon us sinners/ through the prayers of the Theotokos.// O Bestower of light, glory be to Thee! P. Blessing of the loaves C. Amen. Blessed be the Name of the Lord... x3 Psalm 33 (verses 1-10) MATINS: P. Regular Beginning P. Great Ectenia C. God is the Lord... (Tone 7) Troparion of the Feast (Tone 7) (Follow the music!) x2 Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,/ Who didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it./ May Thine everexisting light shine forth also upon us sinners/ through the prayers of the Theotokos.// O Bestower of light, glory be to Thee! 5 G/B... Repeat the Troparion Lord Have Mercy Glory... 3x R. Now... R. Kathisma II P. Small Ectenia R. Sessional Hymns: Thou wast transfigured upon Mount Tabor, showing the exchange mortal men will make with Thy glory at Thy second and fearful coming, O Savior. Elijah and Moses talked with Thee, and Thou hast called the three disciples to be with Thee. As they gazed upon Thy glory, O Master, they were struck with wonder at Thy blinding brightness. Do Thou Who then hast shone upon them with Thy light, give light now to our souls.

6 6 G/B... Repeat the above R. Kathisma III P. Small Ectenia R. Sessional Hymns: Thou wast transfigured upon Mount Tabor, O Jesus, and a shining cloud, spread out like a tent, covered the apostles with Thy glory. Whereupon their gaze fell to the ground, for they could not bear to look upon the brightness of the unapproachable glory of Thy face, O Savior Christ, our God Who art without beginning. Do Thou Who then hast shone upon them with Thy light, give light now to our souls. G/B... Repeat the above C. Polyeleos P. Megalynarion P. We magnify Thee,/ O Christ Bestower of light,/ and we honor the allglorious transfiguration// of Thine all-pure flesh. R. V. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: in the city of our God and in His holy mountain. C. We magnify Thee... R. V. Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? And who shall dwell in Thy holy mountain? C. We magnify Thee... R. G/B... Alleluia (x3), Glory to Thee our God x2 P. Alleluia (x3), Glory to Thee our God x1 We magnify Thee,/ O Christ Bestower of light,/ and we honor the allglorious transfiguration// of Thine all-pure flesh. P. Small Ectenia R. Sessional Hymn, (Tone 4) Going up with the disciples into the mountain,/ Thou hast shone forth with the glory of the Father./ Moses and Elijah stood at Thy side,/ for the Law and the prophets minister to Thee as God./ And the Father, acknowledging Thy natural Sonship, called Thee Son.// We praise Him in song together with Thee and the Spirit. G/B... Another Sessional Hymn (Tone 8) Enlightening the disciples that were with Thee, O Christ our Benefactor,/ Thou hast shown them upon the holy mountain the hidden and blinding light of Thy nature/ and of Thy divine beauty beneath the flesh;/ and they, understanding that Thy glory could not be borne,/ loudly cried out, 'Holy art Thou.'/ For Thou art He Whom no man may approach,// yet wast Thou seen in the flesh by the world, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind. C. Hymn of Degrees (From my Youth...) P. Prokimenon: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. V. The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine. Let every breath praise the Lord.

7 7 P. Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. R. Psalm 50 C. Glory... Today all things are filled with joy: the disciples. Now and ever... Today all things are filled with joy: the disciples. Have mercy on me... Christ is transfigured before Christ is transfigured before (Instead of "Jesus, having risen..." the following) (Tone 5) Having uncovered, O Saviour,/ a little of the light of Thy divinity to those who went up with Thee into the mountain,/ Thou hast made them lovers of Thy heavenly glory./ Therefore they cried in awe: It is good for us to be here. // With them we also sing unto Thee, O Saviour Christ Who wast transfigured. P. Save, O God, Thy People... Anointing. Canticle One (Tone 4) Irmos: The choirs of Israel passed dry-shod across the Red Sea and the watery deep;/ and beholding the riders and captains of the enemy swallowed by the waters,/ they cried out for joy:// Let us sing unto our God, for He has been glorified. Speaking words of life and giving instruction concerning that which is divine, Christ said to his friends: Recognize the Father in Me, for I emit unapproachable light, unto the joy of those who chant: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified! Ye will be invested with the power of tongues, O My friends and disciples, and will be marvelous in the richness thereof, for ye will be filled with glory. For I shall reveal Myself to be brighter than the sun,

8 8 illumining those who chant in joy: been glorified. Let us sing unto our God, for He has Shining forth today with divine radiance on Mount Tabor, as He promised, Christ hath laid bare His countenance to His disciples. And, full of light-bearing and divine splendor, they chanted in joy: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified! Moses of old, prophetically beholding the glory of the Lord upon the sea in the cloud and the pillar of fire, cried out: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God! Glory... His body shielded as by a stone, Moses the beholder of God, seeing Him Who is invisible in His divinity, cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God! Both... Of old Thou wast seen by Moses in darkness on the mount of the law; but now Thou art seen in the unapproachable light of the Godhead on Tabor. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) Inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross upon the waters,/ Moses marked a straight line before him with his staff/ and divided the Red Sea,/ opening a path for Israel who went over dry-shod./ Then he marked a second line across the waters and united them in one,/ overwhelming the chariots of Pharaoh.// Therefore let us sing to Christ our God, for He hath been glorified. Canticle Three (Tone 4) Irmos: The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble/ and the weak have girded themselves with strength:// therefore is my heart established in the Lord. Having put on all of Adam and transformed the nature which of old had become dark, Thou didst illumine it with the transformation of Thine appearance and didst render it divine, O Christ. Christ, Who of old guided Israel in the wilderness by the pillar of fire and the cloud, hath ineffably shone forth in light today on Mount Tabor. The overshadowing glory in the tabernacle of old, when Thou didst converse with Moses, Thy favored one, was a figure of Thy transfiguration which shone forth ineffably on Tabor, O Master. Glory... Thou didst summon the foremost of the apostles to Thee on Mount Tabor, O only-begotten Word; and Moses and Elijah stood before Thee, as servants of God, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

9 Both... Though God the Word, Thou becamest wholly of earth, uniting humanity to Thy whole divinity in Thy hypostasis, which Moses and Elijah beheld on Mount Tabor in two natures. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) The rod of Aaron is an image of this mystery,/ for when it budded it showed who should be priest./ So in the Church that once was barren,/ the wood of the Cross has now put forth flower,// filling her with strength and steadfastness. P. Small Ectenia C. Sessional Hymn of the Feast (Tone 4) Thou wast transfigured upon Mount Tabor, O God,/ between Moses and Elijah the wise,/ in the presence of James, Peter and John;/ and Peter, as he stood there,/ spake thus to Thee:/ It would be good to make three tabernacles here:/ one for Moses, one for Elijah,/ and one for Thee, O Christ our Master. / Do Thou Who then hast shone upon them with Thy light,// give light now to our souls. Canticle Four (Tone 4) Irmos: I have heard of Thy glorious Dispensation, O Christ our God:/ how Thou wast born of the Virgin,/ that so Thou mightest deliver from error those who cry aloud to Thee:// Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Forming the law in writing on Sinai, O Christ God, Thou wast manifest, borne in the cloud, the fire, the darkness and the whirlwind. Glory to Thy power, O Lord! That Thou mayest confirm Thy glorious dispensation, O Christ God, in that Thou hast existed from before the beginning of time, Thou didst shine forth ineffably on Tabor, likewise appointing Thine ascent in a cloud. Those who conversed with Thee as servants stood before Thee, O Master Christ; and Thou didst converse with them in the vapor of fire and darkness, and the moist whistling wind. Glory to Thy power, O Lord! Moses, Who of old foresaw Thee in the fire and the bush, and Elijah, who was taken up in the chariot of fire, arriving on Tabor proclaimed Thy glory, for the sake of Thy Cross, O Christ. O Master Who preserved intact the bush which had been touched by fire, Thou didst show Thy divinely radiant flesh unto Moses, who chanted: Glory to Thy power, O Lord. Glory... The material sun was eclipsed by the radiance of the Godhead, seeing Thee transfigured on Mount Tabor, O my Jesus. Glory to Thy power, O Lord. 9

10 Both... When Thou didst reveal Thyself to Moses, Elijah and the apostles, O Master, Thou wast seen to be an immaterial fire which consumeth not the matter of the body, being One in two essences, in two perfect natures. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) O Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation;/ I have considered Thy works,// and I have glorified Thy Godhead. Canticle Five (Tone 4) 10 Irmos: Thou hast parted the light from the original chaos,/ that Thy words might celebrate Thee in light, O Christ,/ as their Creator:// do Thou direct our paths in Thy light. The mountains inclined themselves before Thy face; for Thou was well pleased to accept, in Thine earthly form, the light and heavenly rays which the sun came and laid at Thy feet. Moses and Elijah cried to the disciples who were being instructed on holy Mount Tabor: Behold, Christ the Savior is the God Whom we proclaimed of old! The immutable Nature, having mingled itself with human nature, shone forth ineffably, abundantly disclosing to the apostles the light of the immaterial Godhead. When the disciples beheld Thee, the ever-existent Effulgence, shining in the glory of the Father, O Christ, they cried out to Thee: Direct Thou our paths in Thy light! The tongue of the orator is unable to proclaim Thy greatness; for Thou, Who hast control over life and dominion over death, didst stand forth on Mount Tabor before Moses and Elijah, who bore witness to Thy divinity. Glory... O Christ Who with invisible hands fashioned man according to Thine image Thou hast shown forth Thy primal beauty in Thy creation; for Thou wast both God and man, not in image, but as Thou Thyself art in essence. Both... United without confusion, on Mount Tabor Thou didst show us the burning ember of divinity, which burneth up sins and enlighteneth souls; and Thou didst strike Moses, Elijah and the foremost apostles with awe. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) O thrice-blessed Tree, on which Christ the King and Lord was stretched!/ Through thee the beguiler fell, who tempted mankind with the tree./ He was caught in the trap set by God,/ Who was crucified upon thee in the flesh,// granting peace unto our souls. Canticle Six (Tone 4)

11 11 Irmos: In my affliction/ I cried unto the Lord,// and the God of my salvation heard me. Shining forth the light which is far brighter than the sun, the Savior illumined us on Tabor. Having ascended Mount Tabor, O Christ, Thou wast transfigured; and having cast falsehood utterly into darkness, Thou hast illumined us. Recognizing Thee as God on Tabor, O Christ, the glorious apostles, marveling, bowed down their knees. How great and awesome was the vision beheld this day! From the sky the material sun shone forth, while from the earth the noetic Sun of righteousness, which is beyond compare, shone forth on Mount Tabor. Glory... The shadow of the law, grown weak, hath passed away, and Christ the Truth is manifestly come! cried Moses on Tabor, beholding Thy divinity. Both... The pillar of fire and the cloud most manifestly prefigured the transfigured Christ and the grace of the Spirit which overshadowed Him on Tabor. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) Jonah stretched out his hands in the form of a Cross in the belly of the sea monster,/ plainly prefiguring the redeeming Passion./ Cast out from hence after three days,/ he foreshadowed the marvelous Resurrection of Christ our God,/ Who was crucified in the flesh and enlightened the world// by His Rising on the third day. P. Small Ectenia C. Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 7) (Follow the music!) On the mountain wast Thou transfigured,/ and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could bear it, O Christ God;/ that when they would see Thee crucified,/ they would comprehend that Thy suffering was voluntary,/ and proclaim to the world// that Thou art of a truth the Effulgence of the Father. R. Ikos of the Feast Arise, ye slothful thoughts of my soul, which have even been dragged down to the earth! Be ye upborne and rise up to the summit of divine ascent! Let us make haste to Peter and the sons of Zebedee, and with them let us go to Mount Tabor, that with them we may see the glory of our God, and may hear the voice which they heard from on high; for they preached the Effulgence of the Father. Canticle Seven (Tone 4)

12 12 Irmos: In Babylon the Children, sons of Abraham, once trampled upon the flame of the fiery furnace, and they sang this song of praise: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou. Illumined by the light of unapproachable glory on Mount Tabor, the apostles cried out to Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! Enraptured by the effulgence of the divine voice, the dew-bearing cloud and the radiance, O Christ, the apostles, chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! When he beheld Thee in unapproachable light on Mount Tabor, O Christ, Peter cried out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! Present with thee, the Author of life, when Thou didst cause the light of Thy countenance to shine forth, the sons of Zebedee cried out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! Now have invisible things become visible to the apostles: the Divinity which shone forth in the flesh on Mount Tabor upon those who cry: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God! The apostles were moved to awe by fear on Mount Tabor, marveling at the majesty of the kingdom of God, and crying out: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God! Glory... Now have things never before heard become audible; for the Son, Who was born of the Virgin without father, is borne witness gloriously by the voice of the Father, in that He is God and man, the same forever. Both... From the beginning the beloved Son by nature, Thou wast not such through adoption by the Most High, and Thou hast approached us without changing. Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God! C. Katavasia (Tone 8) The senseless decree of the wicked tyrant,/ breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God, confused the people./ Yet neither the fury of wild beasts nor the roaring of the fire could frighten the three Children,/ but standing together in the flame,/ fanned by the wind that brought refreshment as the dew, they sang:/ Blessed art Thou and praised above all,// O our God and the God of our fathers. Canticle Eight (Tone 4) Irmos: In Babylon the Children, burning with zeal for God,/ bravely trampled upon the threat of the tyrant and the fire;/ thrown into the midst of the flames but refreshed with dew, they sang:// O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

13 Christ, Who upholdeth all things by His hand, hath with His all-pure feet ascended Mount Tabor, whereon His face shone with radiance brighter than the beams of the sun, and showed forth those highest among the law and grace, who chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! He Who ineffably manifested Himself on Mount Tabor with unapproachable glory, the intangible and never-waning Light, the Effulgence of the Father, illumining creation hath deified men who sing: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Moses and Elijah, standing on Mount Tabor as befitteth priests, manifestly beholding the Hypostasis of the divine character Christ Who shone forth in the Father s glory chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! The disciples, beholding Christ surrounded by the luminous cloud on Tabor, fell to the ground, their minds enlightened, and hymned Him with the Father and the Spirit, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord! Thy disciples, O Master, having heard Thee borne witness to by the Father, and unable to bear the sight of the splendor of Thy countenance, though it was a most firm human visage, fell face down upon the ground, crying out in fear: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages! Thou art the all-comely King of kings, the mighty Lord of all, Who ruleth in every place, the Blessed One Who dwelleth in light unapproachable. And marveling at Thee, the disciples, Moses and Elijah cried out: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages! Let us Bless Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Lord The apostles, from among those on earth, and Elijah the Tishbite and Moses, from among the dead, stood before Thee, O Christ, as before the Master of heaven, the Lord of earth, the One Who hath dominion over the nethermost depths; and they chanted together: Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages! Now... When they followed Thee to the exalting of the divine life from the earth, Thy chosen apostles left behind on earth the griefs which give rise to despondency, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, having received Thy divine manifestation according as they were worthy, they chanted: Ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages! We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, praising and supremely exalting Him unto all ages. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) O ye children, equal in number to the Trinity,/ bless ye God the Father and Creator;/ Sing ye the praises of the Word Who descended and changed the fire to dew;/ and exalt ye above all forever the Most Holy Spirit,// Who gives life to all. (No Magnificat) 13

14 14 Canticle Nine (see music for irmos and its verse) V. Magnify, O my soul, the Lord Who was transfigured on Tabor. Irmos: Thy birthgiving was undefiled:/ God came forth from thy womb,/ and He appeared upon earth wearing flesh/ and made His dwelling among men;// therefore we all magnify thee, O Theotokos. V. Magnify, O my soul, the Lord Who was transfigured on Tabor. Suddenly illumined with a new outpouring of light, the disciples, stricken with awe, looked one at another; and, astonished, they bowed down to the earth and worshipped Thee, the Master of all. A voice of divine sound was sent forth from out of the cloud, announcing the wonder; for the Father of lights cried to the apostles: This is My beloved Son! Heed ye Him! Having seen new and all-glorious things and heard the voice of the Father on Tabor, the servants of the Word cried out: This is our Savior, the image of the Prototype! O immutable Image of Him Who Is, O Immovable One, unalterable Seal, Son, Word, Wisdom, Arm, Right Hand of the Most High, Power: Thee do we hymn with the Father and the Spirit. V. Magnify, O my soul, the Lord Who was transfigured on Tabor. That Thou mayest clearly show forth Thine ineffable second coming, that Thou mayest reveal Thyself as the Most High God, standing in the midst of gods, on Tabor Thou didst ineffably illumine the apostles, Moses and Elijah. Wherefore, all glorify Thee, O Christ. Glory... Come and submit yourselves to Me, O ye peoples! And ascending the holy and super-celestial mountain, let us stand immaterially in the city of the living God, and noetically behold the immaterial Godhead of the Father and the Spirit which shineth forth in the only-begotten Son. Now... Thou hast drawn me to Thyself with love, O Savior, and hast transformed me by Thy divine desire; but burn up my sins with immaterial fire, and count me worthy to partake of Thy food, that, rejoicing in both, I may magnify Thy mighty works, O Good One. C. Katavasia (Tone 8) O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise,/ who untilled hast brought forth Christ./ He has planted upon earth the life-giving tree of the Cross:/ Therefore at its exaltation on this day,// we worship Him and thee do we magnify. P. Small Ectenia (Holy is the Lord is NOT done) R. Exapostilarion x3

15 Today on Tabor in the manifestation of Thy Light, O Word, Thou unaltered Light from the Light of the unbegotten Father, we have seen the Father as Light and the Spirit as Light, guiding with light the whole creation. C. Lauds: Tone 4 Stichera Let every breath praise the Lord/ Praise the Lord from the Heavens/ Praise Him in the highest/ To Thee is due a hymn, O God/ Praise Him, all ye His Angels;// Praise Him, all ye His hosts. To Thee is due a hymn, O God. R. (The following may be read or sung antiphonally) Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord; For He spake, and they came to be; He commanded, and they were created. He established them for ever, yea, for ever and ever; He hath set an ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all ye abysses, Fire, hail, snow, ice, blast of tempest, which perform His word, The mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees, and all cedars, The beasts and all the cattle, creeping things and winged birds, Kings of the earth, and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, Young men and virgins, elders with the younger; let them praise the name of the Lord, for exalted is the name of Him alone. His praise is above the earth and heaven, and He shall exalt the horn of His people. This is the hymn for all His saints, for the sons of Israel, and for the people that draw nigh unto Him. Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints. Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons of Sion rejoice in their king. Let them praise His name in the dance; with the timbrel and the psaltery let them chant unto Him. For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, and He shall exalt the meek with salvation. The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds. The high praise of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords shall be in their hands. To do vengeance among the heathen, punishments among the peoples, To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron, V. Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of trumpet,/ praise Him with psaltery and harp. 1/2 Before Thy precious Cross and Thy Passion,/ taking with Thee those among Thy holy disciples that Thou hadst specially chosen,/ Thou hast gone up, O Master, into Mount Tabor,/ wishing to show them Thy glory./ And when they saw Thee transfigured and shining more brightly than the sun,/ falling upon their faces,/ they were smitten with wonder at Thy 15

16 power, and cried aloud:/ O Christ, Thou art the timeless Light and Brightness of the Father,/ yet of Thine own will without changing// Thou art made manifest in the flesh. V. Praise Him with timbrel and dance,/ praise Him with strings and flute. 3. O Thou Who from all eternity art God the Word,/ Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment,/ Thou wast transfigured before Thy disciples,/ shining more brightly than the sun./ Moses and Elijah stood by Thy side,/ making it plain that Thou art Lord both of the dead and of the living:/ they glorified Thine ineffable dispensation,/ Thy compassion and Thy great condescension,/ whereby Thou hast saved the world// lost utterly in sin. V. Praise Him with tuneful cymbals, praise Him with cymbals of jubilation./ Let every breath praise the Lord. 4. O Lord Who wast born of a virgin cloud and made flesh,/ Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, encompassing Thyself with a bright cloud;/ and the voice of the Father in the presence of the disciples plainly declared Thee to be the beloved Son,/ one in essence and sharing the same throne./ Thereupon Peter spoke with wonder, not knowing what he said:// It is good for us to be here, O Thou Benefactor rich in mercy. G/B... (Tone 8) Christ took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain apart,/ and was transfigured before them./ His face shone as the sun and His raiment became white as the light./ There appeared Moses and Elijah talking with Him;/ a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying:// This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. The Great Doxology Troparion of the Feast (Tone 7) (Follow the music!) Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,/ Who didst show Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it./ May Thine everexisting light shine forth also upon us sinners/ through the prayers of the Theotokos.// O Bestower of light, glory be to Thee! P. Litanies Dismissal: May Christ our true God, Who on Mount Tabor was transfigured in glory before His holy disciples and apostles... R. Hours: Tropar/Kontak of Feast 16