Journal

Sunday of the Fearful Judgement

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 20 February 2022.

Troparion, Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb * and the guards became like dead men; * Mary stood before Your tomb * seeking Your most pure body. * You captured Hades without being overcome by it. * You met the Virgin and granted life. * O Lord, risen from the dead, * glory be to You!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 1
When You come on earth, O God, in glory, * and the universe trembles, * while the river of fire flows before the seat of judgement, * and the books are opened and all secrets disclosed, * then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, * and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand, * O Judge who are most just.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5
Great is our Lord and great is His strength; * and of His knowledge there is no end.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)

Epistle : 1 Corinthians 8:8–9:2
A reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and Sisters, ‘Food will not bring us close to God.’ We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Alleluia, Tone 8
Verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
Verse: Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel : Matthew 25:31–46
The Lord said: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, ”Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:1) * 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.]

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 13 February 2022.

Troparion, Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word, * co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, * and born of the Virgin for our salvation. * For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death * and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3
Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father, * wasting the wealth You gave me on vices. * Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal: * Loving Father, I have sinned before You. * Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us * from this generation and for ever.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8,2)

Epistle : 1 Corinthians 6:12–20
A reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and Sisters, ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything. ‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,’ and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’ But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.
Verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2,3)

Gospel : Luke 15:11–32
The Lord told this parable: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]

Thirty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
(Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee)

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 6 February 2022.

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 1
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God! * From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, * who enlightens those who dwell in darkness. * And you, O righteous Elder, be glad! * You received in your embrace * the Liberator of our souls, * who grants us resurrection.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3
Let us bring sighs of sorrow to the Lord as did the Publican * and approach the Master as sinners, * for He desires salvation for everyone. * He grants forgiveness to all who repent. * For as God, the One-who-is, co-eternal with the Father, He became flesh for us.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 1
By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb * and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon. * You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God; * give peace to Your community in time of war, * and strengthen its rulers, whom You love, * for You alone, * are the Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
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 : 2 Timothy 3:10–15
A reading from the Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
Timothy, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia, Tone 2
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)

Gospel : Luke 18:10–14
The Lord told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Instead of “It is truly...” we sing: O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man. 

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * I will take the chalice of salvation; * and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:13) * 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.]

Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
(Sunday of Zacchaeus)

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 30 January 2022.

Troparion, Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice, * for the Lord has done a mighty deed with his arm. * He trampled death by death; He became the first born of the dead; * He saved us from the abyss of Hades * and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3
You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord, * and led us out from the gates of death. * Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices, * and the prophets together with the patriarchs * unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 3
Today the Virgin stands before us in the church, * and together with the choirs of saints invisibly prays to God for us. * Angels are worshipping with hierarchs, * apostles exult with prophets, * for the Mother of God prays in our behalf to the eternal God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; * sing to our King, sing.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy.

Epistle : 1 Timothy 4:9–15
A reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
Verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me.

Gospel : Luke 19:1–10
At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]

Thirty-First 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 23 January 2022.

Troparion, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal, * You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity. * When You raised the dead from the nether world, * all the powers of heaven cried out: * ‘O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!’

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2
You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour; * and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose. * Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults. * And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 2
The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God, * unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage, * for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life * by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
Verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Epistle : 1 Timothy 1:15–17
A reading from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
Verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

Gospel : Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]

Sunday after Theophany

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 9 January 2022.

First Antiphon
Verse: When Israel came forth from Egypt, * the house of Jacob from an alien people.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Verse: Judah became His sanctuary, * Israel His dominion.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Verse: The sea beheld this and fled, * the Jordan turned back on its course.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us

Verse: Why was it, O sea, that you fled, * that you, O Jordan, turned back on your course?
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Third Antiphon
Verse: Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, * let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Refrain: Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Verse: Let us come before His face with praise, * and acclaim Him in psalms.
Refrain: Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Verse: For God is the great Lord, * and the great king over all the earth.
Refrain: Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance verse: Come, let us worship * and fall down before Christ.
Refrain: Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparion, Tone 1
When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, * worship of the Trinity was revealed; * the voice of the Father bore witness to You, * naming You the beloved Son, * and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty. * Glory to You, O Christ God, * who appeared and enlightened the world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4
Today, You have appeared to the world * and Your light, O Lord, has been signed on us, * who with knowledge sing Your praises. * You have come, You have appeared, O unapproachable Light.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; * God the Lord has appeared to us.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good * for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 117:26-27,1)

Epistle : Ephesians 4:7–13
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and Sisters, each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ (When it says, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

Alleluia, Tone 8
Verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams.
Verse: The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory has thundered, the Lord reigns over vast waters. (Psalm 28:1,3)

Gospel : 4:12–17
At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Instead of “It is truly...” we sing:
O my soul, magnify Christ the King, baptized in the Jordan.
Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is your due, O Mother of God. Even a spirit from above is filled with dizziness when seeking to sing your praises. But since you are good accept our faith, for you know well our love inspired by God. For it is you who protect all Christians; therefore, we magnify you. 

Сommunion Hymn
The grace of God has appeared * bringing salvation to all. (Titus 2:11) * Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * Alleluia, alleluia, * alleluia.

Instead of ‘Blessed is He who comes...’ we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (x1)

Instead of ‘We have seen the true light...’ we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (x1)

Instead of ‘May our mouths...’ and ‘Blessed be the Name...’ we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (x3) 

[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.]

Sunday before Theophany

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 2 January 2022.

Troparion, Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death; * You opened Paradise to the thief; * You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy, * and charged the apostles to proclaim * that You are risen, O Christ our God, * offering great mercy to the world.

Troparion, Tone 4
Make ready, O Zebulon, * and prepare yourself, O Nephtali; * O River Jordan, stop and receive with joy * the Master coming to be baptized. * O Adam, rejoice with the first mother, Eve, * and do not hide yourselves as before in Paradise. * For, having seen you unclothed, * Christ has appeared to clothe you with the first robe; * He has appeared to renew all creation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 7
No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity, * for Christ went down shattering and destroying its powers. * Hades is bound. * The prophets exult with one voice. * The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying: * ‘Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!’

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 4
Today the Lord stood in Jordan’s current telling John: * Do not be afraid to baptize Me, * for I have come to save Adam, the first man.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
Verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Epistle : 2 Timothy 4:5–8
A reading from the Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.
Timothy, my son, as for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Alleluia, Tone 8
Verse: God, be merciful to us and bless us.
Verse: Make the light of Your face shine upon us and have mercy on us. (Psalm 66:2)

Gospel : Mark 1:1–8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,”’ John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]

Sunday after the Nativity

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 26 December 2021.

First Antiphon
Verse: I will confess You, Lord, with all my heart, * I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Verse: In the council of the just and the congregation, * great are the works of the Lord, conforming to His will in every way.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Verse: His work is filled with praise and majesty, * and His righteousness endures forever.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Mother of God, * O Saviour, save us.

Third Antiphon
Verse: Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, * let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Refrain: Son of God, born of a Virgin, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Verse: Let us come before His face with praise, * and acclaim Him in psalms.
Refrain: Son of God, born of a Virgin, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Verse: For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Refrain: Son of God, born of a Virgin, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance Verse: Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Refrain: Son of God, born of a Virgin, * save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparion, Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb * and the guards became like dead men; * Mary stood before Your tomb * seeking Your most pure body. * You captured Hades without being overcome by it. * You met the Virgin and granted life. * O Lord, risen from the dead, * glory be to You!

Troparion, Tone 4
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, * made the light of knowledge dawn on the world: * through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star * to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, * and to know that You, the Dawn from on the high. * Glory to You, O Lord.

Troparion, Tone 2
O Joseph, announce to David, the ancestor of God, the news of the miracle: * You saw a virgin giving birth. * With the shepherds, you gave praise and with the Magi you worshipped; * they too were warned by an angel. * Pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 3
Today the divine David is filled with gladness; * Joseph along with James offers praises * for having received a crown through their kinship with Christ they rejoice * and sing of the One who inexpressibly was born on earth, * crying out, ‘O Gracious One, save those who worship You.’

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3
The Virgin today gives birth to Him who is above all being; * the earth offers the cave to Him whom no one can approach; * Angel with shepherds give Him glory, * while Magi make their way with a star, * for to us is born a little Child—the pre-eternal God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
God is wonderful in His saints, * the God of Israel.
Verse: In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. (Psalm 67:36,27)

Epistle : Galatians 1:11–19
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
Brothers and Sisters, the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: Lord, remember David and all his meekness.
Verse: How he swore an oath to the Lord, and vowed to the God of Jacob. (Psalm 131:1,2)

Gospel : Matthew 2:13–23
When the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’ When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’

Instead of ‘It is truly’ we sing: O my soul, magnify Christ the King born in a manger.
Irmos, Tone 1: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold: * the cave is heaven; * the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; * the manger, a dwelling place * in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain. * Singing His praises, we magnify Him.

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; * praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1) * Alleluia, alleluia, * alleluia.

Instead of “Blessed is He who comes...” we sing: All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (1х)

Instead of “We have seen the true light...” we sing: All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (1х)

Instead of “May our mouths...” and “Blessed be the Name...” we sing: All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (3x)

[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.]

Sunday before the Nativity

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 19 December 2021.

Troparion, Tone 5
Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word, * co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, * and born of the Virgin for our salvation. * For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death * and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

Troparion, Tone 2
Great are the achievements of faith! * In the fountain of flames, the three holy youths rejoiced as by the water of rest, * and the prophet Daniel was revealed shepherding lions like sheep. * Through their intercession, O Christ God, * save our souls.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6
Armed by the Being that defies description * You defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth. * In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God: * ‘In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,’ * for You can do whatever You will.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Verse: Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers, * and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
Verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)

Epistle : Hebrews 11:9–10,17–23,32–40
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and Sisters, by faith Abraham stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, ‘It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.’ He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff’. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial. By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us the work You did in their days.
Verse: You saved us from our oppressors and put to shame those who hate us. (Psalm 43:2,8)

Gospel : Matthew 1:1–25
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaphthe father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; * praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1) * 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.]

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy  at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria.
10AM 12 December 2021.

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 2
By faith You justified Your ancestors * and through them in advance You betrothed the Church taken from the nations. * The saints exult in glory; * from their seed comes the blessed fruit, the one who bore You without seed. * By their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6
Armed by the Being that defies description, * you defied the man-made idol, O thrice blessed youth. * In the midst of the unbearable flames you stood and cried out to God: * ‘In Your mercy, O gracious One, hasten and come to our aid,’ * for You can do whatever You will.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Verse: Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers, * and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.
Verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26,27)

Epistle : Colossians 3:4–11
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians.
Brothers and Sisters, when Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
Verse: They called on the Lord and He heard them. (Psalm 98:6)

Gospel : Luke 14:16-24
The Lord told this parable: ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.” Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.”’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; * praise befits the righteous (Psalm 32:1) * 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.]

Twenty-Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Bishop David Motiuk at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria. 10AM 5 December 2021.

Troparion, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal, * You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity. * When You raised the dead from the nether world, * all the powers of heaven cried out: * ‘O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!’

Troparion, Tone 4 (commemorating Saint Nicholas)
The truth of your deeds made you for your flock a rule of faith * and an image of meekness, * a teacher of continence. * And so you gained the heights through humility, * riches through poverty, * father and bishop Nicholas. * Intercede with Christ our God* for the salvation of our souls.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2
You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour; * and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose. * Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults. * And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2
In Myra, O holy one, you proved yourself a priest. * You fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, O venerable father. * You laid down your soul for your people * and saved the innocent from death. * And so you were sanctified as a great initiate of God’s grace.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Verse: The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
Verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Verse: The just man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

Epistle : Hebrews 13:17–21
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and Sisters, obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a clear conscience, wishing to act rightly in every respect. I especially ask for your prayers that I may be restored to you very soon. May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever (and ever). Amen. I ask you to bear with this message of encouragement, for I have written to you rather briefly.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
Verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)
Verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice. (Psalm 131:9)

Gospel : Luke 6:17–23
As Jesus came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear (Psalm 111:6) * 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.]

Twenty-Seventh 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 28 November 2021.

Troparion, Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal, * You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity. * When You raised the dead from the nether world, * all the powers of heaven cried out: * ‘O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!’

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2
You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour; * and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose. * Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults. * And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 2
The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God, * unceasing in her intercession and an unfailing hope of patronage, * for as the Mother of Life she was transferred to life * by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
Verse: The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
Verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Epistle : Ephesians 6:10–17
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and Sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Alleluia, Tone 2
Verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
Verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

Gospel : Luke 13:10–17
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]

Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple

Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom, celebrated by Father Yuriy at Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Parish, Victoria. 10AM 21 November 2021.

Troparion, Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans, * and soldiers guarded Your most pure body, * You arose, O Saviour, on the third day, * and gave life to the world. * And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your kingdom! * Glory to Your saving plan, * O only Lover of mankind.

Troparion, Tone 4
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God, * and the proclamation of salvation for the human race. * In the Temple of God * the Virgin is clearly revealed, * and beforehand announces Christ to all. * To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice: * Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 1
You arose in glory from the tomb * and with Yourself You raise the world. * All humanity acclaims You as God. * and death has vanished. * Adam exults, O Master, * and Eve, redeemed from bondage now, cries out for joy: * ‘You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.’

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4
The Saviour’s pure temple, * the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, * the sacred treasury of the glory of God, * is brought today into the house of the Lord; * and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit. * God’s angels sing in praise of her: * She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.

First Epistle : Ephesians 5:9–19
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and Sisters, live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.

Second Epistle : Hebrew 9:1–7
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and Sisters, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail. Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people.

Alleluia, Tone 7
Verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued people under me.
Verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)
Verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear. (Psalm 44:11)

First Gospel : Luke 12:16–21
The Lord told this parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?“ Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.’

Second Gospel : Luke 10:38–42, 11:27–28
At that time, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’

Instead of “It is truly right...” we sing:
Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies.
Irmos: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark, * but instead let the lips of those who are believers * sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel, * crying out with great joy to the Mother of God: * O pure Virgin, * you are truly higher than all. 

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.]

Twenty-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 14 November 2021.

Troparion, Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One, * and accepted three days of burial * to free us from our sufferings. * O Lord, our life and our resurrection, * glory be to You.

Troparion, Tone 3
O Philip, proclaimer of God’s word, * the world is adorned and Ethiopia dances for joy * for it is arrayed in beauty as with a crown. * Enlightened by you it feasts your memory. * For you taught all to believe in Christ, * finishing the course of the Gospel as is right. * And so, Ethiopia boldly lifts up its hands to God. * Pray to Him to grant great mercy to us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 8
When You rose from the tomb, * You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam. * Eve exults in Your resurrection, * and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead, * O most merciful One.

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 8
The God-inspired Philip, * Your friend, disciple and imitator of the Passion, * proclaimed You as God to the whole world, * O Christ, all merciful. * By his intercessions * and those of the Mother of God * guard Your Church and every city * from lawless enemies.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.
Verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)
Verse: Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world. 

Epistle : Ephesians 4:1–6
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and Sisters, I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Alleluia, Tone 7
Verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
Verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)
Verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints. (Psalm 88:6)

Gospel : Luke 10:25–37
At that time, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) *
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, * and their word unto the ends of the world. (Psalm 18:5) * 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.]

Twenty-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 7 November 2021.

Troparion, Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death; * You opened Paradise to the thief; * You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy, * and charged the apostles to proclaim * that You are risen, O Christ our God, * offering great mercy to the world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Troparion, Tone 7
No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity, * for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers. * Hades is bound. * The prophets exult with one voice. * The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying: * ‘Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!’

Now and forever and ever, Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 7
O all-praised treasury of our resurrection, we hope in you, * bring us up from the pit and depth of sin, * for you have saved those subject to sin * by giving birth to our Salvation, * O Virgin before childbirth, and Virgin in childbirth, * and still a Virgin after childbirth.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to His people; * the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)

Epistle : Ephesians 2:14–22
A reading from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and Sisters, Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Alleluia, Tone 7
Verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
Verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel : Luke 8:41–56
At that time, there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

Сommunion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens; * praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1) * 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.]