Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

By the Grace of God Sunday Vespers Hymns

T O BE U SE D TOGETHE R WITH THE V E SPERS S E RV ICE B OOK

27 December
COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED
BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA 3RD DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD & SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOOD HOPE
HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

PO BOX 28348
St Stephen the Archdeacon & Protomartyr
SUNRIDGE PARK
6008
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

marguerite.paizis@gmail.com

ALL THESE LITTLE LABOURS OF LOVE CAN BE DOWNLOADED DIRECTLY FROM

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Also the Feast of St Theodore Graptos (Branded) the Confessor of Jerusalem – St

RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 04 DECEMBER 2019 Theodore, Archbishop of Constantinople – Holy Icon of our Lady, Theotokos
“Kykkiotisa” (“The Merciful”) of Mount Kykkos, Cyprus

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!
www.agesinitiatives.com

NOT F OR M ATE RIAL P ROF IT

8 F E S T A L V E S PE R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R
 Vasilion diadima, estefthi Si korifi, ex A Royal Crown, for Contests Thou
athlon on ipeminas, iper Hristou tou courageously endure for Christ our
Theou Martyron Protoathle. Si gar God, was set upon Thy head as first
tin Ioudeon apelegxas manian, ides among Martyrs. As Thou stood
Sou ton Sotira, tou Patros dexiothen. accused by the raging Judeans, Thou
Afton oun ekdisopi ai, iper ton psihon beheld our Saviour at the right Hand
St Dorotheos, our Desert Father imon. of our Father. Ceaselessly Entreat
Him for the Salvation of our soul.
✞ Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, ✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton and to the Holy Spirit, now and
eonon. forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amin Amen
Certainly we do not have the potential to salve (soothe) F E STAL A P OLY TIKION – N ATIVITY OF C H RIST – TO NE 4

the body of our neighbor, I Gennisis Sou Hriste O Theos imon, Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has
but we can salve their soul. anetele to kosmo, to Fos to tis given rise to the Light of Knowledge
Gnoseos. En afti gar i tis astris in the world; for they who
And what greater Loving-kindness is there latrevontes, ipo Asteros edi daskonto, worshipped the Star learnt
than that which is offered to the soul? Se Proskinin, ton Ilion tis Dikeosinis, therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of
ke Se Ginoskin ex Ipsous anatolin. Justice, and to know that from the
Because, just as the soul is of greater value than the body, ✞ Kyrie Doxa Si! East of the Highest Thou came. ✞O
so any Loving-kindness that is offered to the soul Lord: Glory to Thee!
DISMISSAL PRAYERS &
is of greater value than that offered to the body. BLESSINGS

So no-one can say: ‘I cannot afford charity’.

Everybody can -
depending on their strength and situation.
We must just make sure to keep our mind focused
on the good we are doing,
so that we do it in full Awareness..
ElderJoseph the Hesychast
Those who act with Awareness
The evil one has no power
are like recognized ‘stone masons’
who build their houses safely. or authority over us
except when he finds us
being proud and fiercely stubborn.

2 F E S T A L V E S PE R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R 7.
 En Vithleem sinelthontes, Pisti To Bethlehem, let us Faithful go - to see
katidomen, ton ton apanton Ktisstin, the world’s Creator as an Infant in a
kimenon en ti Fatni, ke tous ek Manger, and we see the men of
Haldeon doron Kalon,
proskomizontas triilon, os Vasili, os
Chaldea present to our Lord
threefold Precious Gifts fit for a Festal Vespers Hymns – St Stephen
Theo te ke di’ imas triimero esomeno King, fit for God and fit for the Man,
KINDLY USE THE SERVICE BOOK UNTIL THIS POINT,
Nikro. Who for Three Days would be dead THEN CAREFULLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WITH REGARD TO THESE HYMNS
for us.
Ek gastros pro eosforou egennisa Se. I have Begotten Thee from the Womb, H Y MN OF THE EV ENING I NCE NSE
Omose Kyrios ke ou before the Morning Star. The Lord THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
metamelithisete. swore and will not repent. P SALM 140/141 – T ONE 2

Ek tis Parthenou etehthis, ipo to Spyleon. O Lord, Thou were Born of the Virgin Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou. Lord, I cry out to Thee: hearme,
Ke stratie Angelon, epistase evoon. ✞ inside a humble Grotto. The Angelic Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie, O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
Doxa en Ipsistis Si to Theo, to tethenti Hosts came down from Heaven and ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou, out to Thee, hear me! Hear
en doulou morfi, ke anaplasanti exclaimed: ✞ Glory in the Highest to proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to my voice, when I cry out to
kosmon en ti gastri, tis Parthenou ke Thee, Our God, Who were Born in the kekragene me pros Se, isakouson Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
anandrou Mitros. form of a servant, Who Refashioned mou Kyrie.
the entire world, .and wast Borne in Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os Let my Prayer rise before Thee
the Womb of a Virgin and
thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton like incense - the lifting up of
Unwedded Mother.
hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson my hands as the Evening Sacrifice.
✞ Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, mou Kyrie! Hear me, O Lord!
and to the Holy Spirit. M E NAION – FE STAL S TIHE RA – S T S TEP HE N – T ONE 4
M E NAION – FE STAL A POSTIH A – S T S TEP HE N – TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie, If Thou, O Lord, should mark
Protos en Martysin edihthis, ke en Being the first, Thou art distinguished tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos transgression, O Lord, who would
Dikonis, Stefane Makarie, ton among Martyrs and Deacons, O estin. stand? For there is Forgiveness
Athliton to egkallopisma, ton Piston Blessed Stephen. Thou art the Jewel with Thee.
to Stirigma, i Doxa ton Dikeon. Tis of Athlete, the Pride and Joy of the Ti tou Pnevmatos Hariti, lamprinthis tin When Divine Grace had Illumined Thy
tin septin Sou Eortazousi Mnimin, Faithful, and the Glory of the
dianian, ti morfi os Angelos ofthis Reasoning, Thou looked like an
aitise, os paristmenos to Throno Righteous. Pray for us who celebrate
Stephane, diadothisis to Somati, tis Angel to those who gazed at Thee, O
Hristou tou Pantanaktos, ton Thy solemn Memorial, since Thou
Endon lamprotitos, ke tin aiglin tis Stephen, for the Inner Brightness
ptesmaton ilasmon, ke Vasilias stand near the Throne of Christ the
psihas, fanerousis tis vlepousi, di’ is had spread throughout Thy body, O
Ouranon axiothine. King of all, and ask that we may
etihes, ke Fotos Theorias Ouranon Si, Holy, and the Brilliance of Thy soul
receive Forgiveness of sins, and be
paradoxos anigenton, Arhi Martyron was apparent to those who beheld
counted worthy of the Kingdom of
ke Kavhima. Thee, whereby Thou attained
Heaven.
Contemplation of Divine Light and
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of Glory, when for Thee the Heavens
eonon. ages. opened, O Pride of Martyrs and
Saints.
Amin Amen
M E NAION – FE STAL A P OSTIH A – TH E N ATIV ITY – T ONE (6) P L AGAL 2 Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
All the Heavenly Angels form a Chorus Kyrie, ipeien i psihi ou is ton Logon for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
Horevousin Angeli pantes en Ourano, ke and Exult today, and all Creation Sou. Ilpisen i psihi moue pi ton Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
agallonte simeron. Skirta de pas ai Kyrion.
leaps for Joy, for our Saviour and
Ktisis, dia ton gennithenta en The barrage of stones became Steps and
Vithleem, Sotira Kyrion, oti pasa
Lord has been Born in Bethlehem. Os vathmides ke klimakes, pros
Ladders of Heavenly Ascent for
All the deceptions of idols have Ouranion Anodon, ai ton lithon
plani ton idolon pepavte, ke Vasilevi Thee, O Martyr, when they stoned
ceased and Christ reigns as King, nifades Si gegonasin, on epivenon
Hristos is tous eonas. Thee. Ascending them, Thou beheld
forever. tethease, estota ton Kyrion, tou
our Lord standing at the Right Hand
“NIN APOLIIS TON DOULON SOU...” - Patros ek dexion, Si omonimon
of the Father in the Heights. With
TRISAGION PRAYERS - OUR LORD’S Stefanon, protinomenon, dexia
His Life-giving Hands He presented
PRAYER
Zoiforo, ou plision, os kallinikos
Thee with the Crown for which Thou
M E NAIO – FE STAL A P OLY TIKION – S T S TEP HE N – T ONE 4 parestis, ke Athliton akrothinion.
art named, O Stephen. As the
Paramount of Athlete, Thou stand
beside Him, Victorious!

6 F E S T A L V E S PE R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R 3.
 Apo filakis proias mehri niktos. Apo
filakis proias elposato Israil epi ton
Kyrion.
En simiis ke terasin, apastrapton ke
dogmasi, paranomon esvesas to
sinedrion, ke ip’ afton aneroumenos,
ke lithis vallomenos, iper is ton
fonevton, Si prosiihou afeseos,
ekmimoumenos, tin fonin tou Sotiros,
ou is hiras enapethou Sou O Pnevma,
to Ierotaton Stefane.
M E NAION - F E STAL
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli par’
afto litrosis. Ke aftos litrosete ton
Israil ek pason ton anomion Aftou.
Xenitias tis travmasi, prosetethi Si
travmata, exorias Osie, halepotiti,
tou paranomos diepontos, ton
Thronon ton ennomon, ke sigheontos
dinos, tous thesmous tous tis Pisteos,
ke tin Ahranton, tou Sotiros Ikona
kathelontos, on ti Hariti ti Thia
Hristou Therapon katishinas.
Enite ton Kyrion, panta ta Ethni,
epenesate afton, pantes i lai.
Ou froura Se ou stenosis, oude skotos
animeron, ou plige ke mastiges,
periishisan, tis pros Hriston
agapiseos, horise Theodore, oude
nosos halepi, ke makra ke disforitos.
Oude endia, tis trofis theorrimon.
All’ atreptos, ekarterisas provlepon,
tin ton Son ponon antidosin.
Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef imas, For His Mercy
ke i Alithia tou Kyriou meni is ton
eona.
Anti thlipseos ainesin, anti ponon
apolafsin, anti skotous ellampsin, Si
dedorite, O Athlothetis O Dikeos.
Anti de Thespesie, tis en opsi Sou
grafis, zois vivlo engegrpse. Ekklisia
de, prototokon etagis, en Ipsistis, ke
Angelon Panigiri, periharos
4 F E S T A L V E S PE R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R
From the Morning Watch until night; proselilithas. Inscribed in the Book of Life. In the
Church of the Firstborn Thou art
from the Morning Watch until
listed, O Father Theodore, in Heaven,
night, let Israel Hope in the Lord.
and with the Angels Thou celebrate.
Shining brightly with Miracles, Signs,
✞ Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati ✞ Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and Wodners, and True Teachings,
and to the Holy Spirit
Thou eclipsed the Council that failed
M E NAION – FE STAL S TIHE RA – S T S TEP HE N - TON E 2
to keep the Law. And, as they all
executed Thee, and stoned Thee to To Vasili ke Despoti tou pantos, To the King and Master of all, Who was
death, Thou Entreated on behalf of tehthenti epi Gis, Stephanos Born on Earth, Stephen is presented
Thy murderers, that the sin not be iperlampros prosferete, ouk ek lithon as a Splendid Crown that is
charged to them. Thus, O Stephen, timion kateskevasmenos, all’ ex ikion decorated – not with jewels, but with
Thou imitated Him and gave up Thy ematon diinithismenos. All’ O his own blood. Come, O Lovers of
noble spirit into the Hands of our Filomartyres defte, ta ton asmaton Martyrs, let us take u songs like
Saviour, Christ, O Stephen anthi drepsameni, tas Kefalas pennants, and let us wave them
S TIHE RA – S T THE OD ORE – TO NE 4 anadisometha, ke tis imnis above our head, and, as we sing our
For with the Lord there is Mercy, and anamelpontes, ipomen: O Sophia Hymns, let us say to him: Thy soul
Kataglaisthis, ke Hariti tin psihin, wast adorned with Wisdom and
with Him is abundant Redemption.
Protomartys Hristou tou Theou, etise Grace, O Protomartyr of Christ our
And He will Redeem Israel from all
imin Irinin, ke to Mega Eleos. God: Pray for us that we may receive
his transgressions.
Peace and Great Mercy.
Wounds of exile were added to the
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of
wounds of Thy banishment by the
eonon. ages.
ruthless tyranny of the Emperor,
who, as a heretic, occupied the Amin Amen
lawful throne lawlessly, for he M E NAION – FE STAL S TIHE RA – THE N ATIV ITY OF C H RIST –
terribly confused the Traditions of TONE 2
our True Faith and removed the
immaculate Icon of our Saviour, but, Mega ke paradoxon Thama, teteleste A Great and Paradoxal Miracle has
by Divine Grace, Thou shamed him, simeron! Parthenos tikti ke mitra ou taken place today. A Virgin has
O Faithful servant of Christ our God. fthirete, O Logos sarkoute, ke tou given Birth, and there is no damage
Patros ou kehoriste, Angeli meta to Her Womb. The Word becomes
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Pimenon Doxazousi, ke imis Sin Aftis Flesh, and He is not separated from
Praise Him, all your people! ekvoomen. ✞ Doxa en ipsistis Theo, the Father. Angels and Shepherds
Neither guards nor imprisonment, nor ke epi Gis Irini. give Glory, and we join them by
the darkness and solitude, neither exclaiming: ✞ Glory in the Highest
wounds and lashing could separate NO ENTRANCE/ ISODOS – “FOS
to God,and on Earth, let there be
Thee from Thy Ardent Love for our ILARON...”
Peace!
Saviour Christ, O Confessor P ROKE IME NON OF TH E DAY
Theodore, nor infection and disease, KINDLY REFER TO THE PROKEIMENON
that were chronic and difficult to OF THE DAY OF THE WEEK

bear, neither lack of food. Yet Thou LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATIONS

bore it all unflinchingly, foreseeing M E NAION – FE STAL AP OSTICH A - THE N ATIVITY – T ONE 1
the Rewards of Thine Endurance, O
Saint who uttered the Words of God. Ton ek Patros Pro Eonon exanatilanta, The Logos rose from the Father before
ke os Iion en kolpo Patriko ai onta. all ages, and as the Son, He is ever
rules over us; and the Avthis de ep eshaton, agkales Mitros, in the Bosom of the Father, although,
Truth of the Lord endures forever. os en Throno kathimenon, ke ip now, as an Infant, He sits in the arms
Angelon Pimenon, Magon te nin, of His Mother as though on a
Instead of affliction, praise, and prokinoumenoun imnisomen. Throne, and by the Angels, the
enjoyment instead of pain, and in Shepherds and Magi He is
place of Darkness, Illuminating worshipped. Let us sing His Praises.
Light, hast Christ our Faith Judge Ipen O Kyrios to Kyrio Mou: Kathou The Lord said to My Lord: Sit at My
Awarded thee. Indeed to Reward ek dexion Mou, eos an Tho tous right hand, until I make Thine
Thee for the Inscription on Thy Face, ehthrous Sou ipopodion ton podon enemies the Footstool of Thy Feet.
O Godly Saint, Thou has been Sou.
F E S T A L V E S P E R S H Y M N S - S T S T E P H E N A RC H DE A C O N & P R O T O M A R T Y R – 2 7 D EC E M BE R 5.