Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Festal Vespers Hymns

By the Grace of God 15 December
F OREFE AST OF TH E N ATIV ITY OF C HRIST OUR L ORD AND S AV IOUR

COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED

BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
St Eleftherios of Illyria
Bishop & Hieromartyr of Illyria
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOOD HOPE
HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

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Also the Feast of St Anthia, his mother, & St Caribos the Eparch of Illyria – St Paul of
OR EMAILED DIRECTLY ON REQUEST Latros – St Stephen the Confessor & Archbishop of Surrentium (Sourozh) – St
Tryphon the Abbot & St Jonah, his Disciple, of Pechenga (Kolsk) – St Pardos the
Hermit of Palestine – St Hilarion, Archbishop of Vereiya – St Nektarios of Bitel

RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 04 NOVEMBER 2018
Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
for the Greek & English texts that make our Worship much easier
to understand, to participate and to appreciate.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
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8. FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER

 MENAION - FESTAL APOSTIHA – ST ELEFTHERIOS - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tis Ierarhias Sou Osie Pater, tin stolin O Devout Father, Thy Episcopal
efinixas, tes roes ton ematon Sou. En vestments were dyed red in the
meso de tou stadiou andrikos pools of Thy blood. When Thy
teliothenta idousa Se, epipesousa Mother who raised Thee well beheld
St Eleutherios of Illyrios isazeto to gliki teknon, i kalos
gennisameni ke threpsameni Se. Dio
how bravely Thou died in the middle
of the stadium, she embraced and
ke tmithisa to xifi, is Ouranious kissed Thee – her sweet son. For
"From a Good Tree comes Good Fruit. This wonderful Saint had noble and thalamous meta Sou sinisilthen. O this she, too, was beheaded, and
greatly eminent parents. St Eleftherios was born in Rome, where his Makarias Mitros! O aston Ieron! Ous together with Thee, she entered the
father was an Imperial Proconsul. His mother, S Anthia heard the ethilasas Makar Eleftherie, ke tis Heavenly Chambers. Such a Blessed
Gospel from the great Apostle, St Paul and was Baptized by him. fiseos ton Plastin epegnos. Sin afti Mother! Truly Sacred were her
Having been left a widow early, she entrusted her only son for study oun presveve, eleithine tas psihas breasts that had nursed Thee, O
and service to St Anicetos the Bishop of Rome.” (PROLOGUE BY ST NICHOLAS) imon. Blessed Eleftherios; and from her
Thou came to know the Fashioner of
Nature. Together, now, Intercede for
Having carefully observed how St Eleftherios was Gifted and Illumined by the
us, that our souls find Mercy.
Grace of God, the Bishop ordained him a Deacon at the age of fifteen, a
Priest at the age of eighteen, and a Bishop at the age of twenty. St Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of
eonon. ages.
Eleftherios' God-given Wisdom made up for what he lacked in years, and
this Chosen One of God was appointed Bishop of Illyria, with his seat in Amin. Amen
Valona (Avlona), Albania. THEOTOKION – TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
The Good Shepherd guarded his Flock well and increased their number day Despina prosdexe, tas deisis ton doulon O Lady, receive the Supplications of
by day. Sou, ke Litrose imas, apo pasis Thy Servants, and Deliver us from all
In 120, Emperor Hadrian, a persecutor of Christians, sent the Commander, anagkis ke thlipseos. necessity and affliction.
Felix, with soldiers to seize St Eleftherios and take him to Rome. When the
fierce Commander Felix arrived in Valona and entered the church, he “NIN APOLIIS OU DOULON SOU...” –
saw and heard the Holy Hierarch of God and in that very instant his heart TRISAGION PRAYERS & OUR LORD’S
changed, and he became a Christian. PRAYER➜
St Eleftherios Baptized the Commander,Felix, and joyfully departed for Rome FESTAL APOLYTIKION – ST EULEFTHERIOS - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
with him - as if he were going to a Feast and not to his unjust trial, brutal
torture and untimely death. Emperor Hadrian subjected the noble St Iereon podiri katakosmoumenos, ke Thou were fully adorned with the
Eleftherios to the most excruciating torture: flogging, roasting on an iron ematon tis rithris epistazomenos, to Priestly Robes. Thou were dripping
plate, boiling in pitch, and burning in a fiery furnace. However, St Despoti Sou Hristo Makar aedrames, with streams of Thine own Martyric
Eleftherios was Miraculously Delivered from all these hideous tortures by Eleftherie Sofe, kathereta tou Satan. Blood. In this state, Thou ran to
Divine Power and Grace. Dio mi pafsi presvevon, iper ton Pisti Christ Thy Master, O Blessed Saint,
Having witnessed the Martyrdom of St Eleftherios - and particularly noticing timonton, tin Makarian Sou Athlisin. Eleftherios, Destroyer of Satan –
his Miraculous Endurance and unshakable Faith in the One True Living Thou art wise. Therefore, cease not
God - the Roman Eparch, Caribos believed in Christ and boldly declared Intercedig for us who loyally honour
himself to be Christian, whereupon he, too, was immediately arrested Thy Blessed Contest of Martyrdom.
and subjected to brutal sufferings at the hands of the executioners before ✞ Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
Reposing in Christ when he was eventually beheaded by sword. The ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton and to the Holy Spirit, now and
eonon. forever, and to the Ages of ages.
same fate was endured by St Felix who, together with St Eleftherios, was
beheaded - and thus both were Spiritually Perfected. Amin Amen
As St Anthia wept over the martyred body of her Beloved son, St Eleftherios, THEOTOKION – TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
she was also beheaded by sword. Their bodies were translated to Here, Pili Kyriou i adiodevtos!. Here, Hail, O Impassable Gate of the Lord!
Valona, where even today St Eleftherios Glorifies the Name of our Lord Tihos ke Skepi ton prostrehonton is Hail, Wall and Shelter of those who
and Saviour, Jesus Christ by the many Divine Miracles that occur through Se! Here, Ahimaste Limin ke take refuge in Thee! Hail, O
his Intercessory Prayers. Apirogame! I tekousa en Sarki ton Stormless Haven and Unwedded One
For centuries Orthodox Christians have considered St Eleutherios and St piiton Sou ke Theon, Presvevousa mi who brought forth in the Flesh Thy
Anthia to be the Holy Patron Saints of expectant mothers and safe Ellipis iper ton animnounton ke Maker and Thy God! Ceaselessly
childbirth. Their fame as Wonder Workers, the fact that they were mother Proskinounton ton Tokon Sou. Intercede on behalf of those who
and son, and the implications of their names contributed to this belief, for extol and worship the Son Thou
“Eleftherios” is a variant of the word “Freedom” in Greek while “Anthia” is DISMISSAL BLESSINGS ➜ Bore.
similar to “Anthos” which is “Flower.”

2. FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER 7.
 PROKEIMENON - FRIDAY EVENING - PSALM 58:
O Theos, antiliptor mou i. To Eleos Sou
propsithasi me.
STIHOS Exelou me ek ton ehthron mou,
O Theos, ke ek ton epanistmenon ep’
emi Litrose me.
O Theos, antiliptor mou i. To Eleos Sou
propsithasi me
NO READINGS - FERVENT
SUPPLICATIONS

MENAION - FESTAL APOSTIHA – ST ELEFTHERIOS - TONE 1
Tis Ekklisias prostatis Pater genomenos, Of
os Evanthias gonos, tis Theofronos
ontos, ke mstis Apostolon os Alithos,
pros ton Theon epistrefis laous, tous
prin afronos to sevas ia Theis,
aponemontas tis Demosin.
I Ieris Sou, Kyrie, endisonte Dikeosiin,
ke i Osii Sou Agalliasi Agaliasonte.
Ton epitokon gineon Pater kidomenos,
eleftherian didos, to Nao Sou fitoses,
evplian de palin allis Thermos,
exetousin epedokas, ke tis nosousin
igian Si horigis, dialampon en tis
thavmasi.
Dikeos os fix anthisi, osi i kedros i en The
to Livano plithinthisete.
Tou Martyriou tous athlous sterros
ipinegkas, Adrianou mi ptixas, tas
drimias kolasis, eroti tou Ktistou
olous alous, Eleftherie Pansofe, ke tin
tekousan Se sinathlon proslavon,
anelilithas githomenos.
✞ Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
6. FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER
O Lord, Thou art my Defender, and Thy
Mercy shall go before me.
VERSE Deliver me from my enemies, O
God, and Protect me from those who
rise up against me.
O Lord, Thou art my Defender, and Thy
Mercy shall go before me.
Godly Evanthia Thou were indeed
the son, and Thou beame the Strong
Protector of the Church, O Father, in
Truth by the Apostles Thou had
been taught, and Thou turned many
people who formerly worshipped the
demons as if their gods, and Thou
brought them to the Only God.
Thy Priests shall clothe themselves in
Righteousness; Thy Saints shall
greatly Rejoice.
Thou are well-known, Holy Father, for
many Miracles. Thou cared for
pregnant women who had come to
Thy Temple, and helped them to
deliver their children with ease; and
to those who Entreated Thee
intently, Thou granted smooth
sailing. Even now, Thou disperse
good health to those who are sick.
Righteous shall flourish like a
palm tree; he shall be multiplied
like the Cear in Lebanon.
Steadfastly Thou did endure all the
Feats of Martyrdom. Thou were not
frightened facing all of Hadrian’s
tortures, for Love of Thy Creator had
conquered Thee, O All Wise
Eleftherios. Thy Mother joined Thee
in Martyrdom, and with Joy Thou
ascended to the Courts on High.
✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
Furthermore, St Eleutherios is regarded as the Holy Protector of the
oppressed, prisoners and all those undergoing any kind of trial. In
addition, these two Saints, like St Kyprianos and St Justina, repel and
defeat all demonic influences.
Orthodox Christians who lived during the oppression of the Ottoman Empire
regarded St Eleutherios as their Holy Helper and Champion in their quest
for independence.
In Albania where the previous Communist regime had banned the Orthodox
Faith and all religion – officially declaring that there was no God in their
country! – these Miracle Working Saints became the Patron Saints of the
Orthodox Christian Resistance - particularly amongst the Greek Epirote
minority in the south of Albania.
May their memories be Eternal and may they ceaselessly Intercede with the
Lord our God for our Eternal Salvation.
Festal Vespers Hymns – St Eleftherios
KINDLY USE THE SERVICE BOOK UNTIL THIS POINT, THEN CAREFULLY FOLLOW
INSTRUCTIONS WITH REGARD TO THESE HYMNS
HYMN OF THE EVENING INCENSE
THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
PSALM 140/141 – TONE 2
Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou. Lord, I cry out to Thee: hear me,
Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie, O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou, out to Thee, hear me! Hear
proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to my voice, when I cry out to
kekragene me pros Se, isakouson Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
mou Kyrie.
Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os Let my Prayer rise before Thee
thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton like incense - the lifting up of
hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson my hands as the Evening Sacrifice.
mou Kyrie! Hear me, O Lord!
FESTAL PROSOMIA – ST ELEUTHERIOS - TONE 4
Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie, If Thou, O Lord, should mark
tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos transgression, O Lord, who would
estin. stand? For there is Forgiveness
with Thee.
Skevos Ierotaton, Pnevmatos Thiou Thou became a Sacred Vessel of the
gegenise, tin psihin kathiramenos, Holy Spirit of God when Thy Soul
pathon Ierotate. Enthen hrisma had been Purified of passions, O
Thion, Agion edexo, Arhierefs Si Sacred Man; then by Ordination
gegonos, ke podigetis laou Thou received the Holy, Divine
Theofronos, ke martys aparatrotos, Anointing and became Bishop and
tou di’ imas pathi ferontos, ke Guide of the Holy People of God, O
apathian vlisantos, athlita Eleutherie. Martyr Eleftherios, and an unfailing
witness of Christ Who had suffered
for us and poured out dispassion for
all mankind.
FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER 3.
Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because
Kyrie; Ipeminen i psihi mou is ton
Logon Sou, ilpisen i psihi mou epi
ton Kyrion.
Skevos Ierotaton, Pnevmatos Thiou
gegenise, tin psihin kathiramenos,
pathon Ierotate. Enthen hrisma
Thion, Agion edexo, Arhierefs Si
gegonos, ke podigetis laou
Theofronos, ke martys aparatrotos,
tou di’ imas pathi ferontos, ke
apathian vlisantos, athlita Eleutherie.
Apo Filaktis proias mehri niktos, apo
filakis proias, elpisato Israil epi ton
Kyrion.
Somatos ilogisas, ekizomenou tes
mastixi, ke piri prosengizontos ton
noun gar prosiloss, anikasto potho, to
oreotato, kalli tou Thiou erastou. Si
to glikio etrothis eroti, Martyron
egkallopisma, Arhiereon aglaisma,
athlita Eleftherie, presvevta ton
psihon imon.
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli par For with
afto Litrosis. Ke aftos Litrosete ton
Israil ek pason ton anomion aftou.
Somatos ilogisas, ekizomenou tes
mastixi, ke piri prosengizontos ton
noun gar prosiloss, anikasto potho, to
oreotato, kalli tou Thiou erastou. Si
to glikio etrothis eroti, Martyron
egkallopisma, Arhiereon aglaisma,
athlita Eleftherie, presvevta ton
psihon imon.
Enite ton Kyrion panta ta Ethni!
Epenesate Afton pantes i Lai!
Kalos ton agona Se, tetheameni
telesanta, i kalos Se kiisasa, ton ison
pothisasa, dianise dromon, Si
periplakisa, meson ton skammatos
4. FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER
of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
Thou became a Sacred Vessel of the
Holy Spirit of God when Thy Soul
had been Purified of passions, O
Sacred Man; then by Ordination
Thou received the Holy, Divine
Anointing and became Bishop and
Guide of the Holy People of God, O
Martyr Eleftherios, and an unfailing
witness of Christ Who had suffered
for us and poured out dispassion for
all mankind.
From the morning watch until night;
from the morning watch until night
– let Israel Hope in the Lord.
Thou paid no attention to Thy body
tortured by whips and barbs and
brought near to the burning flames
for Thou nailed Thy soul and mind
to the handsome beauty of Thy
Divine Lovers with ardent longing,
and were pricked by His intense,
sweet and unifying Love. Thou art
the Gem of Martyr all and the
adornment of Hierarchs, Martyr, St
Eleftherios, Intercessor on our
behalf.
the Lord there is Mercy, and
with Him is Abundant Redemption;
and He will Redeem Israel from all
his transgressions.
Thou paid no attention to Thy body
tortured by whips and barbs and
brought near to the burning flames
for Thou nailed Thy soul and mind
to the handsome beauty of Thy
Divine Lovers with ardent longing,
and were pricked by His intense,
sweet and unifying Love. Thou art
the Gem of Martyr all and the
adornment of Hierarchs, Martyr, St
Eleftherios, Intercessor on our
behalf.
Praise the Lord, all Gentiles! Praise
Him, all you people!
When Thy Blessed Mother saw that
Thou had finished the Contest well,
she who did well in bearing Thee,
desired to run the same race as
sofe, kathaper damalis aposfattete.
Meth’ is Se iketevomen, iper imon
Eleftherie, ton Sotira ke Kyrion,
ekdisopi Panolvie.
Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef’ imas, For
ke i alithia tou Kyriou meni is ton
eona.
Kalos ton agona Se, tetheameni
telesanta, i kalos Se kiisasa, ton ison
pothisasa, dianise dromon, Si
periplakisa, meson ton skammatos
sofe, kathaper damalis aposfattete.
Meth’ is Se iketevomen, iper imon
Eleftherie, ton Sotira ke Kyrion,
ekdisopi Panolvie.
✞ Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
MENAION - ST ELEFTHERIOS – TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Ierefs ennomotatos, mehri telous
ehrimatisas, maker Eleftherie.
Ierourgon gar ta Thia ke arrita
mystiria, to ema Sou exeheas iper
Hristou tou Theou, ke Thima
evprosdekton seafton prosigages. Dio
parrisian ehon pros afton, ektenos
iketeve, iper ton Pisti telounton Sin
aisevaston mnimin, ke tous aftin
gererontas risthine pirasmon, ke
pantion kininon ke peristaseon.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION – TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Theotoke, Si i i ampelos i alithini, i
vlastisasa ton karpon tis Zois, Se
iketevomen, Presveve Despina, meta
tou Athloforou ke panton ton Agion,
eleithine tas psihas imon.
NO ENTRANCE – “FOS ILARON...”

FESTAL VESPERS – ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA – 15 DECEMBER
Thou, her son, had. As she held Thy
body in the Arena where Thou lay,
she, like a heifer, was slaughtered
there as well. We fervently Entreat
Thee both to pray in earnest on our
behalf to our Lord God and Saviour,
Christ, O All Blessed Eleftherios.
His Mercy rules over us; and the
Truth of the Lord endures forever.
When Thy Blessed Mother saw that
Thou had finished the Contest well,
she who did well in bearing Thee,
desired to run the same race as
Thou, her son, had. As she held Thy
body in the Arena where Thou lay,
she, like a heifer, was slaughtered
there as well. We fervently Entreat
Thee both to pray in earnest on our
behalf to our Lord God and Saviour,
Christ, O All Blessed Eleftherios.
✞ Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Thou were a Canonical Priest until the
end, O Blessed Eleftherios; for Thou
performed the Divine and Ineffable
Sacraments, and then spilt Thy own
blood for Christ God, and thus Thou
offered Thyself as an acceptable
Sacrifice. Since Thou now hast
confidence before Him, earnestly
pray for those who loyally observe
and honour Thy Ever Venerable
Memory, that they be Delivered
from temptations, and from every
peril and from difficult times.
Now and ever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen
Theotokos, Thou art the True Vine that
produced the Fruit of Life. O Lady,
we fervently Entreat Thee to
Intercede along with the Martyr, and
all the Saints, that our soul be
treated mercifully.
5.