Paraklesis To The Holy Apostles

PARAKLESIS FOR THE APOSTLES' FAST
The Clergy stand in the center of the Church were an Icon of Peter and Paul or the Twelve is set up on an analogion or the
tetrapod. If the service is hierarchical, the bishop[s] is/are vested in mantia, epitrachelion, and small omophor.
Priest: Blessed is our God, always now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and
save our souls, O Good One.
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our
iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
All: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy 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 Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory; of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Reader: Amen.
Lord have mercy. (12 times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and
God. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.
Psalm 142/143
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy
righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be
justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath
made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed
within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I
muse on the work of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee: my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a
thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like unto
them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I
trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Deliver me, O
Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me. Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God:
Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name's sake: for
Thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of Thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and
destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant. O Lord, give ear to my supplications: and enter
not into judgment with Thy servant. O Lord, give ear to my supplications: and enter not into judgment
with Thy servant. Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Apostles Fast Paraklesis
-1-
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (3x)

O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee!
God is the Lord

Deacon: In the 4th Tone: God is the Lord Who hast revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he that comes in
the name of the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
Choir: God is the Lord ...
Deacon: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I withstood them.
Deacon: I shall not die but live, and proclaim the works of the Lord.
Deacon: The stone which the builders rejected, hath become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's
doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
At His Ascension the Lord commanded you to remain for many days in Jerusalem,
as preparation for the descent of Holy Spirit and start of your mission to the nations.
And later commanded Paul to endure days of purifying blindness
before beginning his holy ministry.
Now as we observe the days of preparation for your feast,
may we in imitation of your glorious example,
be imbued with the desire to bring Christ to all;
O most glorious and all-praiseworthy Apostles of Christ our God.
Psalm 50/51
Reader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy Great Mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy
compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done
this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For
behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved
truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle
me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy
face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach
transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O
God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open
lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with
whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is
broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the
walls of Jerusalem be built up. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation
and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
The Clergy stand before the Icon and recite, as the chief celebrant directs, the troparia of the Canon.
The Canon (tone 8)

Ode 1 (tone 8)
Choir: Let us sing to the Lord, who led his people in the Red Sea, for he alone has been greatly glorified.
O all-praiseworthy Apostles, pray to God for us.
-2-
O most-glorious Peter, you were the archetype of the overzealous believer, refusing to accept God
washing your feet, jumping off a boat in a storm, and slicing off the ear of a chief priest's slave in defense
of the Prince of Peace. Yet the Lord in His wisdom channeled your zeal and through you thousands were
brought to Him. Entreat Him that we too may be tempered to be fine instruments of His will.
O most-glorious and erudite Paul, your intellectual zeal matched Peter's physical zeal. Initially a selfrighteous fanatic for falsehood, you became a righteous juggernaut for the Truth. As we approach your
feast, implore the one Who physically blinded you then opened your physical and spiritual eyes, to reject
our blinding self-interest and open our eyes to the radiant light of right belief.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Christ conferred upon you the authority to bind and release the sins of the faithful. As we contemplate
your glorious deeds and your sacrifice for Christ, we entreat you, O all-glorious Twelve, to plead with
Him Whom you serve, that we may be released from the bondage of our sins and be become true
Disciples of Christ.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen.
O Theotokos, the Apostles' earthly link to your Son on high. As you were cared for by John the
Theologian, you inspired them with your humility and piety. With them entreat your Son and God to save
our souls.
Ode 3
Choir: Thou art the foundation, Lord, of those who have recourse to Thee; Thou art the light of those in
darkness; and my spirit sings Thy praise.
On your authority and in your misguided zeal for God, Stephen became the first Martyr for Christ. Upon
your conversion, by way of repentance, you emulated Christ through his example of steadfast preaching
amidst suffering and ultimate death. By your prayers, most ardent Paul, may we find the same
resoluteness of faith.
No Disciple received more lectures from the Lord than you, O Peter. But far from losing heart, you clung
tighter to Him gaining in humility and grace; that in years to come, the mere passing of your shadow was
enough to heal those who had faith. By your prayers may we be made worthy of the same.
Eye-witnesses to the most important events in the history of the universe, from the Baptist to Christ you
lived the transition from the Old Covenant to the New. Now we entreat you, O emissaries of Christ, as we
prepare for your feast, help us to transition from the Old man to the New.
O Theotokos, the Apostles were gathered from the four corners of the world for your repose, for you bore
and raised their Master, the Son of God Who called them His friends. Thus they looked upon you as their
maternal rock and caregiver in the trials of spreading the Good News of your Son. With them entreat Him
to save our souls.
Kathisma (tone 8)
With the net of divine words you caught the thought-endowed fish and brought them as first-fruits unto
our God, for longing to bear the marks of Christ you have appeared like Him in His passion, O glorious
Apostles; wherefore having come together we dutifully honor your all-festive memorial, and with one
voice cry out to you: Intercede with Christ God to grant remission of sins unto those who lovingly
venerate your holy memory.
-3-
Small Ektenia
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech Thee hearken. and have
mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Deacon: That as we contemplate the lives of the Holy Apostles, we may come to emulate them in
thought, word and deed; becoming true Disciples of the Lord, let us pray.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us O God, by Thy grace.
Priest: For Thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Ode 4
Choir: I heard Thy report, Lord, and was afraid. I understood Thy works and glorified Thy might.
Most faithful Simon, for making the Confession upon which Christ founded His Church, you were
honored with the name, Petros- the Rock. As the stalwart servant of Christ, aid us who are tossed about by
the tempest of life, and set us firmly upon the Rock of True belief.
Most pious Saul, greatest of all converts; your name was changed to Paul upon your glorious conversion
by Christ Himself. In your new life in Christ, you allowed nothing to temper or diminish your fervor for
Him and His Gospel. With your aid, may we be imbued with the same divine fervor.
You witnessed all Christ's encounters with the self-righteous Priests, Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees; at
each turn hearing His refutation of their self-serving narrow-mindedness, with the proper application of
Scripture. O glorious Apostles, emissaries of the Truth, lead us from similar small-mindedness to view the
supra-infinite expanse of God's wisdom.
As the one who kept the mysteries revealed to you by Gabriel, Simeon and Anna the Prophetess in your
heart; you were best able to comprehend the incomprehensible life you lived. You who, but a poor
maiden, are greater than the wisest theologian and ascetic; and though a mere mortal, you rank above the
Cherubim and Seraphim who form and surround the throne of your Son. You are the Mother of our God,
and in your example the First Godmother, thus we entreat your guidance and prayers.
Ode 5
Choir: Rising at dawn, Lord, we cry out to Thee, Save us! For Thou art our God, we know no other but
Thee.
Most vigilant Paul, to you personal agendas were like mosquitoes, biting, harassing, distracting, and
infecting the Body of Christ with false beliefs. With your pen you dispelled the hated cloud with the
repellant of precise and clear doctrine. In this fast and throughout the year, aid us by your prayers in
dispelling the relentless swarm.
Most vigilant Peter, in your zeal for Christ the Giver of Life you nearly took a life; hacking off the ear of
the chief priests slave. Christ mercifully corrected you and healed the man. Thereafter you struck at His
-4-
adversaries only with the sword of the Spirit, routing demons and protecting the infant Church. In this fast
and throughout the year, aid us by your prayers in our spiritual combat against demonic attacks.
In places which refused to accept you, you were instructed to shake the dust from your feet as a
condemnation of their rejection. But emulating the compassion shown by your Master, do not shake the
dust from your feet at the doorway of our hearts, but instead shake from us our filthy delusions and help
us to stand firm, walking the narrow way to heaven.
The Apostles preached the life and word of your Son, you preached it by your life. As an unwed mother
you risked death to bring into the world, Him Who saved the world by His death. You humbly placed
your life in the service of God's will, that God might humble Himself to serve and to save us. You
maintained faith in your Son, even when the Apostles lost theirs. Thus, as your Son ascended to be seated
at the right hand of the Father, upon your death He brought your body to heaven that you may stand at His
right hand. Most holy Theotokos save us.
Ode 6
Choir: Grant me a robe of light, O Most Merciful, Christ our God, who wrapest Thyself in light as in a
garment.
Most humble Peter, in a moment of fear and distress, you bent to mortal pressure and denied the Immortal
One. But unlike hopeless Judas, exemplifying true repentance you threw yourself on Christ's mercy,
making restitution by nullifying each denial with a heart-felt profession of faith. Likewise aid us to be
steadfast in the face of societal scorn, and in moments of weakness remind us of the joy of true
repentance.
Having initially persecuted the Body of Christ, O all-humble Paul, following your conversion, you lived a
life of repentance; accepting the thorn in your side with joy, as Christ accepted the spear in His. From
Him flowed living water, from you flowed the nourishing truth of His Gospel.
You were perplexed by the parables and stories Christ used to teach, not understanding that if the wicked
leaders of the people understood, they might not kill Him too soon and His mission would fail. After His
resurrection all became clear, and thus enlightened you preached Him to the world. Now aid us as try to
discern the Truth amidst a multitude of false interpretations and obscure doctrines, that we may clearly
see the Truth of Christ.
A short while ago we celebrated your conception of Christ our God, heads spinning as we beheld the
Uncontainable contained in your womb. More recently we celebrated His defeat of Death and escape from
the tomb which could not contain Him. Showing His power both your womb and His tomb remained
sealed; the former preserving your virginity and purity, the latter the impotence of the devil and the
unrighteous. O Most-pure Mother of the Savior save us.
Small Ektenia
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech Thee hearken. and have
mercy.
-5-

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us O God, by Thy grace.
Priest: For Thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
From my youth do many passions war against me; but do Thou Thyself defend and save me, O my
Savior. (2x)
Ye haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord; for like grass, by the fire ye be withered. (2x)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is enlivened, and through cleansing is exalted and made radiant by the Holy
Trinity, in a hidden sacred manner.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages, amen.
By the Holy Spirit the streams of grace gush forth, watering all creation unto the begetting of life.
The Deacon goes to the Altar and retrieves the Gospel, then turns and from the Ambon (or the Royal Doors) intones:
Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend.
The Prokeimenon in the 4th tone:

Choir: Their proclamation has gone forth into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.
As the Deacon approaches the chief celebrant, in front of the Icon, he intones:
The Gospel
Deacon: And that we may be accounted worthy of hearing the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord God.
Deacon: Wisdom, let us attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel!
Priest: Peace be unto all!
Choir: And to your spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (9:36-38; 10:1-8)
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Deacon: Let us attend.
Priest: At that time: Jesus saw the multitudes, and was moved with compassion on them, because they
fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The
harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will
send forth laborers into his harvest. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them
power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas,
and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter
ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom
of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have
received, freely give.
Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
The Deacon presents the Gospel to the concelebrants to kiss, then returns it to the Altar.
-6-
Post-Gospel Troparia (tone 2)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercessions of the Apostles, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the multitudes of our
transgressions.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Apostles, O Thou Who art merciful, blot out all the multitudes of our
transgressions.
(tone 6)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy
tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
The all-honorable festival of the Apostles approaches, for the salvation of us all; wherefore praising them
let us cry: Rejoice, O lamps, rays of the spiritual Sun, enlightening those in darkness; Rejoice, O
Apostles, immovable foundations of divine doctrines, O friends of Christ, and honored instruments of His
will. Come invisibly into our midst and vouchsafe spiritual gifts unto those who prepare for your festival
in song.
The Intercession
Deacon: O God, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Visit Thy world with mercies and
bounties. Exalt the estate of Orthodox Christians, and send down upon us Thy rich mercies. Through the
intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the might of the precious
and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of heaven; at the supplications
of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious, all-laudable and
foremost of the Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the holy apostles, Andrew the first-called, James, and
John the sons of Zebedee; Bartholomew; Philip, Thomas called Didymus, Jude, Simon; James, Matthew,
and Matthias; of our fathers among the saints, great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great,
Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom; of our fathers among the saints, Athanasios, Cyril and
John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, Philaret of Moscow,
Theodore of Tarsus, Innocent, Apostle to America, Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow, Enlightener of North
America; John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, Nicholai of Zicha, who labored in
America, and Raphael, bishop of Brooklyn, Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep in America; of the holy,
glorious, right-victorious, great-martyrs, George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer,
Menas the wonder-worker, Boris and Gleb, Alban Protomartyr of Britain, and Peter the Aleut, first nativeborn martyr in America; of the holy, glorious great women martyrs, Thekla, Barbara, Anastasia,
Katherine, Kyriaki, Photeini, Marina, Paraskeva, Irene and Maria Skobtsova; of the hieromartyrs James of
Jerusalem, Ignatios the God-bearer of Antioch, Irenaios of Lyons, John of Chicago, Alexander of New
York, and Juvenaly of Alaska, Protomartyr of America; of our venerable and God-bearing fathers and
mothers who shone in the ascetic life, Anthony the Great, Seraphim of Sarov, Benedict of Nursia, Mary of
Egypt, Macrina, Brigid of Ireland, and especially Herman Elder and Wonderworker of Alaska and all
America; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors
of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints, we beseech Thee, O most merciful Lord, hearken unto
the petitions of us sinners who make our supplications unto Thee, and have mercy upon us.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Priest: Through the mercies and compassions and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with
Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and
unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Kontakion (tone 3)
As you were gathered from the ends of the earth for the funeral of the Theotokos, now we gather in
preparation of your celebration O Apostles, especially that of your princes Peter and Paul. O models of
-7-
self-sacrifice and eye-witnesses of the Word made flesh, intercede with the Lord, that we may be made
worthy to emulate your lives and receive your reward.
Ode 7
Choir: The Youths from Judea of old in Babylon having come to the faith of the Trinity, trampled down
the flame of the furnace as they sang, O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most pious Paul, you searched the heart of humanity and exposed its diseased nature. Like the Baptist you
called the people to reform their manner of living to prepare the way of the Lord into their hearts and
minds. And like the Baptist your zeal cost you your head, but to you it was a small loss, a cell lost
defending the head of the Christian body, which is Christ.
Nothing could deter you from you love of Christ, O most faithful Peter; neither the scorn and persecution
of your countrymen, nor the power of the Roman state. You went about teaching, healing, cajoling;
enduring beatings, imprisonment and death. In this fast and throughout the year, aid us by your prayers in
resisting the scorn and pressures of the worldly and cling tighter to Christ.
Mere fishermen and a tax-collector, by the Spirit your wisdom vanquished that of Aristotle, Socrates,
Ptolemy and all pagan philosophers. Their wisdom was rooted in fallen humanity while yours flowed
from perfect divinity. O glorious dispellers of mythology free us from the ignorance of the worldly-wise.
You are the embodiment of the saints O Pure one: a confessor and martyr for you offered your body in
service to God; an ascetic-for you lived in chastity, purity and humility wedded to God; and Apostle for
you were ordained to bring God to the world. Most holy Theotokos, save us.
Ode 8
Choir: The King of heaven, whose praise the Hosts of the Angels sing, praise and highly exalt him
through all ages.
Most blessed Peter, you beheld Christ's revelation of the Uncreated Light of His Divine Nature and the
blood-like sweat of His agony in the Garden. Look upon us as we approach your feast; behold our
spiritual agony and help us, that we too may eternally behold the Light you saw on Tabor.
Most revered Paul, you beheld the Risen Lord, shining with the Uncreated Light on the road to Damascus.
The divine light not only blinded your physical eyes, but purified your spiritual eyes like metal in a
furnace, that seeing you may also perceive what Christ reveals. Look upon us as we prepare for your
feast and by your prayers attend to our spiritual blindness, that we may behold the glory you did on the
road.
Christ proclaimed that you were be fishers of men, we entreat you to let down your nets of true doctrine
and bring us up from the murky and polluted waters of this God-denying world and translate us to the
clear and pure streams of Paradise.
The Prophets foretold you, the Psalmist sang of you, the Apostles cared for and took strength from you,
and all the saints of the Church have praised and adored you; O vessel of the Promise, nexus of heaven
and earth, summit of virtues, most Holy Theotokos save us.
Ode 9
-8-
Choir: We who have been saved through you, O pure Virgin; and we confess you to be truly Mother of
God, as with the bodiless choirs we magnify you.
O holy leaders of the Twelve, you were the focal points of the Apostolic missions, Peter among the Jews
and Paul among the Gentiles. Like the covers of a book you enclosed the world in the Gospel of salvation;
wherefore we now prepare to celebrate your most-glorious memories in faith and love.
O Princes of the Apostles, and Archetypes of Missionaries, you criss-crossed the known world planting
the seeds of Faith; establishing great centers of the Church, first in Antioch then Rome, ordaining their
first bishops. For this you are honored in icons, churches and your all-joyous feast; the preceding fast of
which, prepares us to undertake our evangelical calling in humility and piety.
Israel of old was founded upon the twelve Patriarchs from whom flowed the twelve tribes, who were to
reveal God in the land of Canaan. The New Israel is founded upon the twelve Apostles through whom all
the tribes of the world are brought to God and equipped to reveal Him to unbelievers. Now they sit beside
the Patriarchs, twenty-four elders showing the faithful the way, while praising God unceasingly.
Most-pure Virgin through whom the Father sent His Son into the world, we entreat you together the Holy
Apostles of your Son, to entreat His great and rich mercy for those who honor you.
It is Truly Meet
It is truly to meet to bless thee O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most-pure and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim; thou who
without corruption bearest God the Word, true Theotokos we magnify thee.
Megalynaria (tone 8)
During the following hymns the Great Censing is done.
O chief foundation of Christs divine Apostles, having left all things behind to follow after Him,
unto your Teacher you cried out: I shall die with Thee, so that I also may live the blessed life with Thee.
Now, O Peter, as the teacher of the entire world, the steadfast preacher, the rock of faith, the boast and
glory and the unshakeable tower of the Church, against which Hades gates cannot prevail, even as Christ
our God had foretold to you, fervently pray to Him to enlighten and to save our souls.
You who while yet in your mothers womb was chosen, having fled the burden of all material
things, and given wings by your great desire, you flew to the divine height of fervent love for God,
finding the indescribable brilliance of the divine and uncreated light; and having entered therein, O Paul,
as though without flesh, you were instructed in the divine mysteries, and was sent forth to those in
darkness and showed them the Light, Jesus Christ our God. Wherefore entreat Him to enlighten and save
our souls.
O sacred Peter and Paul, the Words chief plowmen; Andrew, James, and John most wise; noble
Bartholomew; Philip and Thomas, called the Twin; O Jude and Simon; and you, glorious James, with
Matthew great of fame: O all-revered Twelve Apostles, who preached the All-holy Trinity throughout the
whole world, that He by nature is everlasting God; you truly unshakeable pillars of the Church, intercede
with the Master of all things that we might be saved.
As you passed throughout creation filling it with light, O Apostles of the Savior, with your
teachings your burnt up the error of the idols like wood, and you saved the peoples, catching them in your
nets and drawing them up from the deep of ignorance unto divine knowledge. And now intercede with
Christ, that He be gracious unto us in the Day of Judgment.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
-9-
Thou Who art Light that existed before time, when Thou didst vouchsafe to come to me, the lowly
one, through Thine ineffable love for man, and to become flesh in Thy great goodness, O Savior of the
world, Thine Apostles and disciples didst Thou then reveal as second lights shining with the radiance and
the awe-inspiring lightning that flashes forth from Thee; and being sent forth, they illumined all of
creation with Thy divine light, O Lord. And they ceaselessly entreat Thee to enlighten and save our souls.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Apostles' revered you as the greatest of mere mortals, and the gate of heaven Jacob foretold;
for through you Christ entered the world. As they proclaimed your Son's Kingdom to all, John the
Theologian ministered and cared for you; Luke of the Seventy was the first to depict you in Icons, the
Virgin Mother holding the Incarnate God. While, together with the rest, they praised you as the QueenMother over all creation, who has power to intercede with the King you bore, as you did at the wedding in
Cana.
Augmented Litany
Deacon: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech Thee hearken and have
mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Deacon: Again we pray for our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our Bishop MARK.
Deacon: Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, hieromonks, deacons, hierodeacons and monastics
and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Deacon: Again we pray for the President of our country, for all civil authorities, and for our armed forces
everywhere.
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God the
members of this parish community, those whom they have in mind this night, those absent for honorable
reasons, and for the pardon and remission of their sins
Deacon: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy temple; and for all our
fathers and brethren, the Orthodox Christians departed this life before us, especially those we have in
mind this night, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
Deacon: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple,
those who serve and those who sing, and for all the people here present, who await Thy great and rich
mercy.
Priest: Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon
the sea; and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners, and be merciful unto us sinners, and be
merciful unto us; for Thou art a merciful God who lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
- 10 -
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Let us pray, to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: O Lord as we begin the Fast in honor and preparation of the memorial of the Holy Apostles, as
Thou didst emphasize to Thy disciples, that prayer and fasting are prerequisites for discipleship, so also
instill that knowledge in us, that by refraining from earthly interests and desires as we refrain from certain
foods, while increasing in prayer and charitable acts, we may prepare ourselves to imitate them in
revealing Thee to the Nations by our words and deeds. For Thou art the God Who grants to each
according to their talent and ability and to Thee we give glory forever, amen.
Choir: Amen.
Apolytikion (tone 4)
At His Ascension the Lord commanded you to remain for many days in Jerusalem,
as preparation for the descent of Holy Spirit and start of your mission to the nations.
And later commanded Paul to endure days of purifying blindness
before beginning his holy ministry.
Now as we observe the days of preparation for your feast,
may we in imitation of your glorious example,
be imbued with the desire to bring Christ to all;
O most glorious and all-praiseworthy Apostles of Christ our God.
Dismissal
Priest: Glory to Thee, O God, our hope, glory to Thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3x) Father (Master), bless.
Priest: May Christ our True God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother the Theotokos and
ever-virgin Mary [whose Entrance into the Temple we continue to celebrate today], by the power of the
precious and life-creating Cross; through the prayers of the holy, glorious, all-laudable and foremost of
the Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the holy apostles, Andrew the first-called, James, and John the sons
of Zebedee; Bartholomew; Philip, Thomas called Didymus, Jude, Simon; James, Matthew, and Matthias;;
of our father among the Saints, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia; of all Saints of
North America; of [parish Saint] patron saint of this parish community; of [Saints of the Day] whom we
commemorate today; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints;
have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
- 11 -

Paraklesis To The Holy Apostles

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Paraklesis To The Holy Apostles

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

PARAKLESIS FOR THE APOSTLES' FAST

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (3x)

God is the Lord

The Canon (tone 8)

Choir: Lord, have mercy. (3x)

Deacon: Wisdom! Let us attend.

The Prokeimenon in the 4th tone:

Apostles Fast Paraklesis

Post-Gospel Troparia (tone 2)

Apostles Fast Paraklesis

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi