Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom celebrated by Father Yuriy at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 2 July 2023.
Troparion, Tone 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel * the glorious news of the resurrection * and cast off the ancestral condemnation, * they proudly told the apostles: * ‘Death has been plundered! * Christ our God is risen, * granting to the world great mercy.’
Troparion, Tone 8
Protection of humans, ever-Virgin Mother of God * as a mighty bulwark for your city * and you gave your pure body’s robe and sash. * They remained incorrupt by your giving birth without seed. * For in you are nature and time made new. * Therefore, we pray you, give peace to your city, * and—to our souls—great mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4
O pure one, full of the grace of God, * you have given your sacred robe as a garb on incorruption to all who believe. * It covered your sacred body, * O protection of all mankind. * We feast its deposition with love, and in awe we cry: * Rejoice, O Virgin, boast of Christians.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4
My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave * as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth * and shattered the gates of Hades; * and as Master, He rose on the third day.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord * You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, You are exceedingly great.
(Psalm 103:24,1)
Epistle : Romans 10:1–10
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans
Brothers and Sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
Alleluia, Tone 1
Verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
Verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)
Verse: Rise up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness. (Psalm 131:8)
Gospel : Matthew 8:28–9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ And he said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.
Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * I will take the cup of salvation; * and I will call upon the name of the Lord (Psalm 115:13). * Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.
[A private prayer of spiritual communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in these Holy Gifts!
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot receive You now,
I place before You my whole life and hope, O loving Master;
and I ask, pray, and entreat You: Make me worthy to partake in a mystical way
and with a pure conscience of Your awesome and heavenly Mysteries:
for forgiveness of sins, for the pardon of offences, for communion of the Holy Spirit,
for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, for confidence before You,
and not for judgment or condemnation.
I embrace You as You enter and abide in me, and I unite myself completely to You.
Permeate my soul and body, and never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.]