Are you saved?

A serious question. A serious reply:

Holy Apostle Andrew, pray to God for us!

November 30th is the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle

Liturgical texts (Vespers & Matins) commemorating St. Andrew can be found here from Anastasis.

I recently came across a very interesting article from the magazine Road to Emmaus entitled The Astonishing Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Andrew. Fascinating historical research being done by a Greek Orthodox writer.

The Candle Room

Ever wonder how those candles you light at church are made?

Watch this short documentary:

Divine Liturgy Service for Thanksgiving

As requested, here are the propers for the Divine Liturgy service for Thanksgiving.

DIVINE LITURGY

The First Antiphon.

I will praise the Name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Ps: 68: 30)

Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, 0 Savior, save us! Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that moves in them. (Ps: 68: 34)

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. (Ps: 94: 2)

I will give thanks to Thee, 0 Lord among the nations, and sing praises to Thy Name. (Ps: 17: 49)

Glory…now and ever…

The Second Antiphon.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, 0 Most High. (Ps. 91: 1)

Refrain: 0 Lord God, Benefactor and Creator, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

To proclaim Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night. (Ps. 91: 2)

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth

endures to all generations. (Ps. 99: 5)

Glory…now and ever…Only-Begotten Son…

The Third Antiphon:

O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135: 1)

Troparion: We, Thy thankful and unworthy servants,* praise and glorify Thee, O Lord, * for Thy great benefits which we have received.* We bless Thee, we thank Thee, we sing to Thee, * and we magnify Thy great goodness.* and in lowliness and love we hymn Thee:* 0 Benefactor and Savior, glory to Thee!

O give thanks to the God of Gods: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135:

Troparion:

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135: 3) Troparion.

Introit: Rejoice in the Lord, 0 ye righteous, and give thanks to His holy Name. (Ps. 96: 12)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4: I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me, I will praise the Name of the Lord most High. (Ps. 12: 6)

v. I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. (Ps. 12:5)

Epistle: (I Timothy 2: 1-6)

Timothy my son, I exhort thee, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ;who gave Himself a ransom for all. To Him he honor and glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Tone 4

I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee in the great multitude. (Ps. 34: 18)

v. And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy

praise all the day long. (Ps. 34: 28)

Gospel (Luke 17• 12-19).

Instead of “It is truly meet” we sing the megalynarion and 9th Irmos from the Canon.

Megalynarion: Magnify, 0 my soul, the most bountiful God, who in His love for us has granted us His Only-Begotten Son.

Irmos 9: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who has raised the horn of our salvation in the house of David His son, through which the Dayspring from on high has visited us and guided us in the way of peace.

The most holy Theotokos conceived in her womb the uncontainable Divinity and cried out in thanksgiving: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

 

Communion Hymn: We give thanks to Thee, 0 God, we give thanks; we call on Thy Name and recount Thy wondrous deeds. (Ps. 74: 1)

Matins Service for Thanksgiving

These are the propers for the Matins service for Thanksgiving.  As propers, these prayers are inserted at certain points in the regular Matins service:

AT MATINS

At “God is the Lord” the Troparion, Tone 4.

We, Thy thankful and unworthy servants,’ praise and glorify Thee, 0 Lord,’ for Thy great benefits which we have received.’ We bless Thee, we thank Thee, we sing to Thee,* and we magnify Thy great goodness.’ And in lowliness and love we hymn Thee:’ 0 Benefactor and Savior, glory to Thee!

After the first reading from the Psalter, the Sessional Hymn, Tone 6.

Let us praise God in hymns of thanksgiving,’ ever blessing Him for His bounty and mercy,’ His earthly gifts and heavenly grace,’ His mercy and forgiveness,’ His never ending lovetowards us His children,* through which we have received* the promise of immortality.

Glory… now and ever. Repeat.

After the second reading from the Psalter, the Sessional Hymn. Tone 6.

Let us praise the Almighty God.* for His benevolence and love towards us,” for our preservation and the blessings of this life;’ yet above all let us thank Him* for His inestimable love* in the redemption of the world* by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,* for the means of grace,* and for the hope of eternal life.

Glory… now and ever. Repeat.

The polyeleion and Megalynarion.

We magnify Thee, 0 Christ the Giver of Life, and we raise our hymn of grateful praise for all Thine earthly blessings and the hope of eternal life.

v. I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord.  (Ps. 115:8)

Sessional Hymn, Tone 7.

Let our hearts be unfeignedly thankful,* and let us sing hymns of praise to God,* showing forth our gratitude’ not only with our lips but in our lives,* by giving ourselves up to His service* and walking before Him in holiness and righteousness* throughout all our days.

Glory… now and ever. Repeat.

The Gradual Hymn in Tone 4, “From my youth” and the Prokemenon. Tone

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. (Ps. 94: 2)

V: O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Ps. 94: 1)

“Let every breath” and the Gospel (Matt. 6: 25-33)

At that time Jesus spake unto the multitudes: Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, 0 ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psalm 50 and the following verses. Tone 6.

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

Now thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, manifesting through us the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Now thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, manifesting through us the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

We give thanks to Thee, our Lord God and heavenly Father, who dost unceasingly grant us all good things in abundance, guarding us against all evil, and we ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that acknowledging this Thy goodness with all our heart, we may praise Thy loving-kindness and tender mercy now and evermore.

The Canon, Tone 8.

Irmos 1: Let us raise a song of thanksgiving, 0 people, to our God of wonders, who led Israel from slavery, singing a hymn of victory and crying out: We praise Thee, 0 only Master.

At the deliverance of Israel out of the hand of the Egyptian tyrant Moses and Israel sang a song of grateful praise to our God and Master, saying: Gloriously has He been glorified.

At the birth of Cain Eve gave thanks to the Lord, and sang a hymn of praise to God when He sent Seth in place of Abel who was slain.

When the waters of the great flood had subsided, Noah built an altar to the Lord, and by his thank offerings pleased the Lord, who promised never again to destroy the earth.

When Abram led forth his brother Lot out of captivity, Melchizedek the King of Salem offered thanks and praise to the most high God, who delivered them out of the hands of the enemy.

Katavasia: Christ is born…

Irmos 3: O Thou who didst establish the heavens by Thy word, establish now our minds and hearts, to give thanks to Thee and glorify Thee unto the salvation of our souls.

 

Lot, who found grace in the sight of the Lord and was delivered from the destruction of sinful Sodom and Gomorrah, sang a hymn of grateful praise to the God of Israel.

Sarah, although advanced in years, conceived and bore a son, Isaac, and in her great joy offered thanks to the Lord who had visited her.

Abraham’s servant, on finding Rebekah as a wife for Isaac, sang a hymn to the Lord in gratitude, saying: Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth.

Leah, who longed for the love of her husband, rejoiced greatly at bearing Jacob many sons, and in her gladness and like Rachel who was loosed from her barrenness she sang grateful songs of praise to God.

Sessional Hymn. Tone .3:

We. Thine unprofitable servants, thank Thee with humble heart, 0 God, for the benefits which we have received from Thee: fulfill always the good intentions and desires of the faithful, and take not from us Thy great mercy.

Glory:.. now and ever: Repeat.

Irmos 4: Thy glory has covered the heavens, 0 Lord, and all creation is filled with Thy praise, 0 Savior.

Joseph rejoiced at the birth of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, grateful for the fruit of his body and the work of the hand of God in revealing the interpretation of the prophetic visions of the Egyptian Pharoah.

Miriam, the sister of Aaron, danced and was glad, giving thanks and blessing the Lord at the deliverance of the people of Israel from the wicked hand of the Egyptian Pharoah.

Jethro came to meet Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai in the wilderness and rejoiced, giving thanks for all the goodness which the Lord had shown to Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

The children of Israel, hearkening to the words of Moses and Aaron in the land of the Egyptian tyrant, believed that the Lord had visited them and looked upon them in their affliction, and they bowed their heads and worshipped Him in thanksgiving.

lrmos 5: Rising early to pray to Thee, O Lover of mankind, we give thanks to Thee, 0 Christ our God; grant us Thy mercy.

The children of Israel, journeying in the wilderness, beset by affliction, rejoiced and sang a hymn of thanksgiving, when the Lord God led them to a well of water to quench their thirst.

When the children of Israel had vanquished the Midianites, they offered an oblation of the spoils of war to the Lord, as atonement for their sins and a memorial for themselves before Him.

At the victory of Israel over the Canaanites Deborah and Barak sang a grateful song to God who had delivered them from the hands of their enemies.

David received the materials to build the great temple of the Lord, and he gave them over to Solomon his heir, saying “Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name.

Irmo 6: From the depths of sin I cried out to the Lord, who is able to save me, and He led my life from corruption in His love for mankind.

Hannah poured her soul out to God, and when He answered her prayer with the birth of Samuel, she sang a hymn of grateful praise, offering her child up to the service of the Lord.

When the Philistines marched against Israel and were subdued. The prophet Samuel raised a monument to the Lord as an act of thanksgiving to Him who had been their Helper in adversity.

When David became the ruler of Israel, he brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, singing and dancing before it in praise and thanksgiving.

The psalms of David, the greatest hymns of praise, bear witness to the true spirit of piety, and we the Orthodox faithful through them give thanks to our God and Father.

Kontakion, Tone 3

We, unworthy recipients of Thy benefits and gifts, as unprofitable servants dare to turn to Thee, 0 Master, bringing Thee thanks according to our powers, and praising and glorifying Thee, our Benefactor and Creator: Glory to Thee, 0 most bountiful God!

lkos

We thank Thee, 0 God of compassion, and we praise Thee, who grantest us all good gifts in exceeding abundance, and who guardest us in all places and at all times against all evil, for Thou hast not dealt with us according to our sins nor requited us according to our iniquities, but rather hast turned away from us Thy just anger and hast shown Thyself favorable towards us, and we cry out in joy to Thee, our Benefactor and Creator: Glory to Thee, 0 most bountiful God!

lrmos 7: Make us imitators of Thy three children, 0 Lord, who resisted sin and trampled the flames of the passions, singing: Blessed art Thou, 0 God of our fathers.

The Queen of Sheba, seeing the wealth and wisdom of Solomon, sang a hymn of thanksgiving and praise to the God of Israel and blessed Solomon with gifts unequaled.

Seeing the love which the Lord had for Solomon and the people of Israel, Hire King of Tyre, sang a hymn of grateful praise to God, pledging to send craftsmen and wood of the cedars of Lebanon to construct the Lord’s house.

Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and won the day over the Moabites and Ammonites, and he praised and blessed the Lord in thanksgiving, returning to Jerusalem to the house of the Lord with music and great rejoicing.

When the great wall of Jerusalem had been completed, Ezra proclaimed that the people of Israel should keep the Feast of Tabernacles in great rejoicing, and the Levites offered a solemn hymn of thanksgiving for God’s justice and mercy.

Irmos 8: All creation blesses Thee, 0 Lord, the powers of heaven glorified Thee with the children, and we give thanks to Thee and exalt Thee throughout all ages.

In Babylon the three holy children, cast into the flames of the burning fiery furnace, raised their voices in praise to the God of Israel, saying: We give thanks to Thee and exalt Thee throughout all ages.

The servants of the King Nebuchadnezzar heated the furnace sevenfold, but the holy children were unharmed and sang a hymn of grateful praise to the God of Israel, saying: We give thanks to Thee and exalt Thee throughout all ages.

Like the holy children we cry out to the Lord: Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy Name forever. We give thanks to Thee and exalt Thee throughout all ages.

Let us bless Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Lord, now and ever and unto ages

of ages: Amen.

Blessed art Thou, 0 Holy Trinity and triune unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We give thanks to Thee and exalt Thee throughout all ages.

We praise, bless and worship the Lord, singing and exalting Him throughout all

ages.

The Magnificat is not sung:

Megalynarion: Magnify, 0 my soul, the most bountiful God, who in His love for us has granted us His Only-Begotten Son.

Irmos 9: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who has raised the horn of our salvation in the house of David His son, through which the Dayspring from on high has visited us and guided us in the way of peace.

The most holy Theotokos conceived in her womb the uncontainable Divinity and cried out in thanksgiving: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

At the birth of the Prophet and Forerunner John, Zacharias’ tongue was loosed and he praised God crying out in thanksgiving: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people.

Kings and shepherds sang hymns of praise and thanksgiving along with the heavenly hosts of angels when they beheld God incarnate upon earth.

“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace,” Simeon cried out as he held in his arms the Savior of the world, and the prophetess Anna danced for joy.

W hen Lazarus had died, Jesus came to Bethany, and in preparation for the wonder which would come to pass He raised His eyes to Heaven and said: “Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.”

At the Last Supper, the ultimate act of thanksgiving, the Savior offered to His disciples and us through them His Body and Blood, the gift of eternal life and salvation for the world.

Exapostilarion.

All praise and thanksgiving be to the Lord Most High, who in His love for mankind has given His only-begotten Son over to death for the salvation of all the world. (3)

At Lauds, Tone 4.

We, Thine unprofitable servants,* render thanks with joy and trembling,’ to Thee, 0 Savior, Lord and Master,* and we offer praise to Thee as God,* for the many benefits which we have received,* and we fervently cry aloud to Thee:* Deliver us from all calamity.

Hearkening to the supplications of Thy servants,* and manifesting Thy love for mankind,* do not despise the desires of Thy faithful people;* reveal to us Thy rich mercy,* and regard not our iniquities.

Accept our prayers of thanksgiving* as sweet-smelling incense,* our offering before the majesty of Thy glory, 0 Master,* and send down to us Thy rich bounties and mercies,* as Thou lovest mankind.

We glorify Thee, we praise Thee,* we exalt Thee as our Lord and Master,* and we humbly bow before Thee in thanksgiving,*supplicating Thy boundless and inexpressible mercy:* vouchsafe unto us peace and tranquillity,* that we may increase in all virtues and true love of Thee.

Glory:.. now and ever, Tone 8.

We thank Thee, 0 Lord,* for the many benefits which we have received,* and we humbly entreat Thee,* have mercy on us Thine unprofitable servants,* and grant us the grace of the Holy Spirit,* that we may serve Thee in love throughout all our days* and come to dwell with Thee throughout eternity.

Great Doxology, usual litanies and dismissal.

Vespers Prayers for Thanksgiving

Last night we went to a Vespers service for Thanksgiving. This year Father had some special prayers that were to be used for this service. It was a very beautiful service. Here are the propers that were used for Vespers. There are also more prayers for Matins and Divine Liturgy:

THANKSGIVING DAY VESPERS

Publish in 1901 with the blessings of St. Tikhon of Moscow

Fourth Thursday in November

AT VESPERS

No reading from the Psalter.

At “Lord, I call” in Tone 1

Come, ye thankful people,* and let us raise a hymn of grateful praise to God,’ our Benefactor and Creator,’ the bounteous source of all our blessings,’ the riches of our earthly life,’ and the glory of the world to come,’ for in His great mercy and love for us His children,’ He has granted us salvation. (2)

Come, ‘ye thankful people,’ and let us praise the Father,’ who in His goodness’ created heaven and earth,’ and all that is in them,’ endowing us His creatures,’ with reason to worship Him,’ who in His great mercy and love for us His children.* has granted us salvation. (2)

Come, ye thankful people,’ and let us praise the only-begotten Son,’ who for our sakes did clothe Himself in mortal nature,’ deigning to suffer and die for us,’ trampling down death and raising us with Himself,’ who in His great mercy and love for us His children,’ has granted us salvation. (2)

Come, ye thankful people,’ and let us praise the Holy Spirit,’ who descended upon the Apostles,’ making them fishers of men,’ through whom the earth has received,’ the knowledge of the Holy Trinity,’ who in His great’ mercy and love for us His children,’ has granted us salvation. (2)

Glory…now, and ever, same tone.

Come, ye thankful people,’ and let us raise a hymn of grateful praise to God,’ our Benefactor and Creator,’ the bounteous source of all our blessings,* the riches of our earthly life,’ and the glory of the world to come,* for in His great mercy and love for us His children,’ He has granted us salvation.

Then the entrance, “0 Gladsome Light” and the prokeimenon of the day in

Tone 5:

Save me. 0 God by Thy Name and judge me by Thy strength.

v. 0 God, hearken unto my prayer; give heed to the sayings of my mouth.

Then the Old Testament Readings:

The reading of Deuteronomy (16. 9-11):

In those days Moses said to the people of Israel: Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thy hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee. And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place His Name.

The reading of Deuteronomy (26: 1-5. 9-11):

In those days Moses said to the people of Israel: And it shall be, when thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and shalt possess it and dwell therein; that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, and shall put it in a basket, and shalt go to the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place His Name. And thou shalt go to the priest in those days, and say to him, I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us. And the priest shall take the basket out of thy hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God. And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God: Thou hast given us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which Thou, 0 Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God. And thou shalt rejoice in every’ good thing which the Lord thy God hath given to thee, and to thy house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.

The reading of Chronicles (Book 1, 29. 6-14:

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, and gave for the service of the House of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. Thine, 0 Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious Name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?.. For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.

At the Lity, Tone 5

We, the faithful,’ thank Thee 0 heavenly Father’ for all the blessings of this life,* for all its joys and all its sorrows;’ may we always dwell in Thy heavenly grace,’ as recipients of Thy bounteous mercies* and everlasting peace.

Glory… now and ever, Tone 2

Now thank we all our God,* in hymns of grateful praise,’ for the beauty and bounty of the earth,’ for the joy of human love,’ kinsmen and friends with us and departed,* and for the truth of the Orthodox faith,* through which we have come to know the greatest gift of all,* His limitless love that grants to us salvation.

At the Apostikha, Tone 4

Filled now with the Holy Spirit,* singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord,’ let us praise God our Father in psalms and hymns,* giving thanks always for all things’ in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,* who has granted salvation to the world.

v. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, 0 Most High. (Ps. 91: 1)

We give thanks to God the Father,* for our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ,’ for the love of all His saints,* and for the truth of the Gospel,’ which we and all the world have received,’ bringing forth the fruit of the grace of God,’ and salvation to our souls.

v. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. (Ps. 94: 2)We give thanks to God the Father,’ for He so loved the world,’ that He gave His only-begotten Son,’ that whosoever believes in Him* shall gain eternal life,’ great mercy and salvation.

Glory… now and ever, Tone 3

Come, and with the angels’ let us praise our Lord and Maker’ our Deliverance from distress,’ our Defense in time of danger,’ our Healing in sickness,’ our Comfort in sorrow,’ our Hope in despair,’ our Help in adversity;’ and let us offer songs of thanksgiving’ for this His greatest gift,’ His ever-abiding mercy and love for us,’ through which we are granted forgiveness of sins’ and life everlasting.

The Song of Simeon and Trisagion prayers.

At the blessing of the loaves the Troparion, Tone 4.

We, Thy thankful and unworthy servants,’ praise and glorify Thee, 0 Lord,’ for Thy great benefits which we have received.’ We bless Thee, we thank Thee, we sing to Thee,* and we magnify Thy great goodness.’ And in lowliness and love we hymn Thee:’ 0 Benefactor and Savior, glory to Thee!

A Thanksgiving Prayer: Glory to God for All Things!

Akathist:  Glory to God for All Things

ODE 1

Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praises, both now and in the time to come.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

IKOS 1

I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now, Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of
eternity. From birth until now the generous gifts of Your Providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name:

Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth, like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 2

O Lord, how lovely it is to be Your guest. Breeze full of scents — mountains reaching to the skies — waters like a boundless mirror, reflecting the sun’s golden rays and the scudding clouds. All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing depths of Your tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Your love. Blessed are you, mother earth, in your fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, rings out the cry: Alleluia!

IKOS 2

You have brought me into life as if into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. We can live very well on your earth. It is a pleasure to be your guest.

Glory to You for the feast-day of life.
Glory to You for the perfume of lilies and roses.
Glory to You for each different taste of berry and fruit.
Glory to You for the sparkling silver of early morning dew.
Glory to You for the joy of dawn’s awakening.
Glory to You for the new life each day brings.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 3

It is the Holy Spirit Who makes us find joy in each flower—the exquisite scent, the delicate color — the beauty of the Most High in the tiniest of things. Glory and honor to the Spirit, the Giver of Life, Who covers the fields with their carpet of flowers, crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it with our eyes. O be joyful and sing to Him:
Alleluia!

IKOS 3

How glorious You are in the springtime, when every creature awakens to new life and joyfully sings Your praises with a thousand tongues! You are the source of life, the destroyer of death. By the light of the
moon, nightingales sing, and the valleys and hills lie like wedding-garments, white as snow. All the earth is Your promised bride awaiting her spotless Husband. If the grass of the field is like this,
how gloriously shall we be transfigured in the Second Coming, after the Resurrection! How splendid our bodies, how spotless our souls!

Glory to You for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature.
Glory to You for the numberless creatures around us.
Glory to you for the depths of Your wisdom–the whole world a living sign of it.
Glory to You: On my knees, I kiss the traces of Your unseen hand.
Glory to You, enlightening us with the clarity of eternal life.
Glory to You for the hope of the unutterable, imperishable beauty of immortality.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 4

How filled with sweetness are those whose thoughts dwell on You: how life-giving Your holy Word. To speak with You is more soothing than anointing with oil, sweeter than the honeycomb. To pray to You lifts the spirit, refreshes the soul. Where You are not, there is only emptiness; hearts are smitten with sadness; nature, and life itself, becomes sorrowful. Where You are, the soul is filled with abundance,
and its song resounds like a torrent of life:
Alleluia!

IKOS 4

When the sun is setting, when quietness falls, like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the spent day reigns, then in the splendor of its declining rays, filtering through the clouds, I see Your dwelling-place. Fiery and purple, gold and blue, they speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of Your presence, and call to us in their majesty. We turn to the Father:

Glory to You at the hushed hour of nightfall.
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace.
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets.
Glory to You for sleep’s repose that restores us.
Glory to You for Your goodness, even in time of darkness, when all the world is hidden from our eyes.
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul.
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening on the glorious last day, that day which has no evening.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 5

The dark storm-clouds of life bring no terror to those in whose hearts Your fire is burning brightly. Outside is the darkness of the whirlwind, the terror and howling of the storm, but in the heart, in the
presence of Christ, there is light and peace, silence. The heart sings:
Alleluia!

IKOS 5

I see Your heavens resplendent with stars. How glorious You are, radiant with light! Eternity watches me by the rays of the distant stars. I am small, insignificant, but the Lord is at my side: Your right arm guides me wherever I go.

Glory to You, ceaselessly watching over me.
Glory to You for the encounters You arrange for me.
Glory to You for the love of parents, for the faithfulness of friends.
Glory to You for the humbleness of animals which serve me.
Glory to You for the unforgettable moments of life.
Glory to You for the heart’s innocent joy.
Glory to You for the joy of living, moving, and being able to return Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 6

How great and how close You are in the powerful track of the storm! How mighty Your right arm in the blinding flash of the lightning! How awesome Your majesty! The voice of the Lord fills the fields; It speaks in the rustling of the trees. The voice of the Lord is in the thunder and the downpour. The voice of the Lord is heard above the waters. Praise be to You in the roar of mountains ablaze. You shake the earth like a garment; You pile up to the sky the waves of the sea. Praise be to You, bringing low the pride of man. You bring from his heart a cry of penitence:
Alleluia!

IKOS 6

When the lightning flash has lit up the camp dining hall, how feeble seems the light from the lamp. Thus do You, like the lightning, unexpectedly light up my heart with flashes of intense joy. After Your blinding light, how drab, how colorless, how illusory all else seems.

Glory to You, the highest peak of men’s dreaming.
Glory to You for our unquenchable thirst for communion with God.
Glory to You, making us dissatisfied with earthly things.
Glory to You, turning on us Your healing rays.
Glory to You, subduing the power of the spirits of darkness and dooming to death every evil.
Glory to You for the signs of Your presence, for the joy of hearing Your voice and living in Your love.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 7

In the wondrous blending of sounds, it is Your call we hear. In the harmony of many voices, in the sublime beauty of music, in the glory of the works of great composers, You lead us to the threshold of paradise to come, and to the choirs of angels. All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards You and make it sing in ecstasy:
Alleluia!

IKOS 7

The breath of Your Holy Spirit inspires artists, poets, scientists. The power of Your supreme knowledge makes them prophets and interpreters of Your laws, who reveal the depths of Your creative wisdom. Their works speak unwittingly of You. How great are You in Your creation! How great are You in man!

Glory to You, showing Your unsurpassable power in the laws of the universe.
Glory to You, for all nature is filled with Your laws.
Glory to You for what You have revealed to us in Your mercy.
Glory to You for what you have hidden from us in Your wisdom.
Glory to You for the inventiveness of the human mind.
Glory to You for the dignity of man’s labor.
Glory to You for the tongues of fire that bring inspiration.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 8

How near You are in the day of sickness. You Yourself visit the sick. You Yourself bend over the sufferer’s bed; his heart speaks to You. In the throes of sorrow and suffering, You bring peace; You bring unexpected consolation. You are the Comforter. You are the Love which watches over and heals us. To You we sing the song:
Alleluia!

IKOS 8

When in my childhood I called upon You consciously for the first time, You heard my prayer; You filled my heart with the blessing of peace. At that moment I knew Your goodness. I knew how blessed are those who turn to You. I started to call upon You, night and day, and even now, I call
upon Your Name:

Glory to You, satisfying my desires with good things.
Glory to You, watching over me day and night.
Glory to You, curing affliction and emptiness with the healing flow of time.
Glory to You; no loss is irreparable in You, giver of eternal life to all.
Glory to You, making immortal all that is lofty and good.
Glory to You, promising us the longed-for meeting with our loved ones who have died.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 9

Why is it that on a feast-day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles? Why is it that then a heavenly gladness fills our hearts, a gladness far beyond that of earth, and the very air in church and in the altar
becomes luminous? It is the breath of Your gracious love; it is the reflection of the glory of Mount Tabor. Then do heaven and earth sing Your praise:
Alleluia!

IKOS 9

When You called me to serve my brothers and filled my soul with humility, one of Your deep-piercing rays shone into my heart; it became luminous, full of light, like iron glowing in the furnace. I have seen Your face, face of mystery and of unapproachable glory.

Glory to You, transfiguring our lives with deeds of love.
Glory to You, making wonderfully sweet the keeping of Your commandments.
Glory to You, making Yourself known where man shows mercy on his neighbor.
Glory to You, sending us failure and misfortune, that we may understand the sorrows of others.
Glory to You, rewarding us so well for the good we do.
Glory to You, welcoming the impulse of our heart’s love.
Glory to You, raising to the heights of heaven every act of love in earth and sky.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 10

No one can put together what has crumbled into dust, but You can restore a conscience turned to ashes; You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With You, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. You are Love; You are Creator and Redeemer. We praise You, singing:
Alleluia!

IKOS 10

Remember, my God, the fall of Lucifer, full of pride; keep me safe with the power of Your grace. Save me from falling away from You; save me from doubt. Incline my heart to call upon You, present in everything.

Glory to You for every happening, every condition Your Providence has put me in.
Glory to You for what you speak to me in my heart.
Glory to You for what you reveal to me, asleep or awake.
Glory to You for scattering our vain imaginations.
Glory to You for raising us from the slough of our passions through suffering.
Glory to You for curing our pride of heart by humiliation.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 11

Across the cold chains of the centuries, I feel the warmth of Your breath; I feel Your blood pulsing in my veins. Part of time has already gone, but now You are the present. I stand by Your cross; I was the cause of it. I cast myself down in the dust before it. Here is the triumph of love, the victory of salvation. Here the centuries themselves cannot remain silent, singing Your praises:
Alleluia!

IKOS 11

Blessed are they that will share in the King’s banquet; but already on earth You give me a foretaste of this blessedness. How many times with Your own hand have You held out to me Your Body and Your Blood, and I, though a miserable sinner, have received this Sacrament, and have tasted Your love, so ineffable, so heavenly!

Glory to You for the unquenchable fire of Your grace.
Glory to You, building Your Church, a haven of peace in a tortured world.
Glory to You for the life-giving water of baptism in which we find new birth.
Glory to You, restoring to the penitent purity white as the lily.
Glory to you for the Cup of Salvation and the Bread of eternal joy.
Glory to You for exalting us to the highest heaven.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 12

How oft have I seen the reflection of Your glory in the faces of the dead. How resplendent they were, with beauty and heavenly joy; how ethereal, how translucent their faces; how triumphant over suffering and
death, their felicity and peace. Even in the silence they were calling upon You. In the hour of my death, enlighten my soul, too, that it may cry out to You:
Alleluia!

IKOS 12

What sort of praise can I give You? I have never heard the song of the cherubim, a joy reserved for the spirits above. But I know the praises that nature sings to You. In winter, I have beheld how silently in the
moonlight the whole earth offers You prayer, clad in its white mantle of snow, sparkling like diamonds. I have seen how the rising sun rejoices in You, how the song of the birds is a chorus of praise to You. I have
heard the mysterious murmurings of the forests about You, and the winds singing Your praise as they stir the waters. I have understood how the choirs of stars proclaim Your glory as they move forever in the depths of infinite space. What is my poor worship? All nature obeys You, I do not. Yet while I live, I see Your love, I long to thank You, pray to You, and call upon Your Name:

Glory to You, giving us light.
Glory to You, loving us with love so deep, divine, and infinite.
Glory to You, blessing us with light, and with the host of angels and saints.
Glory to You, Father All-Holy, promising us a share in Your Kingdom.
Glory to You, Holy Spirit, Life-giving Sun of the world to come.
Glory to You for all things, holy and most merciful Trinity.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 13 (repeat three times)

Life-giving and merciful Trinity, receive my thanksgiving for all Your goodness. Make us worthy of Your blessings, so that, when we have brought to fruit the talents You have entrusted to us, we may enter into
the joy of our Lord, forever exulting in the shout of victory:
Alleluia!

IKOS 1

I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now, Your love has illumined my path, and has wondrously guided me towards the light of
eternity. From birth until now the generous gifts of Your Providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks, with all who have come to know You, who call upon Your Name:
Glory to You for calling me into being.
Glory to You, showing me the beauty of the universe.
Glory to You, spreading out before me heaven and earth, like the pages in a book of eternal wisdom.
Glory to You for Your eternity in this fleeting world.
Glory to You for Your mercies, seen and unseen.
Glory to You, through every sigh of my sorrow.
Glory to You for every step of my life’s journey, for every moment of glory.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

ODE 1

Everlasting King, Your will for our salvation is full of power. Your right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give You thanks for all Your mercies, seen and unseen: For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Your praises, both now and in the time to
come.
Glory to You, O God, from age to age.

Written in 1934 by Metroopolitan Tryphon, sometimes wrongly attributed to Father Gregory Petrov.

Welcome!

Taking the splash into internet writing.  This will be an occasional place for thoughts and musings on life, faith, and hope.

A word about the name for this blog: I am a “re-vert” to the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church. That means I am returning to Orthodoxy after a few years of absence. Part of the reason this blog exists is to explain who I am and why I believe the way I do. A lot of that is more for my benefit than others, though I welcome input from visitors. I don’t plan on debating, so sometimes I may just listen to input and not respond.

As to what I believe, I think that’s best summarized in the Nicene Creed, which is sung every Sunday at church:

I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.

And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets.

In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins;
I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the age to come. Amen.