“The Church in the British Isles will only begin to grow when she begins to venerate her own Saints”. (Saint Arsenios of the island of Paros, +1877)
Our Holy Father Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury
26 May
Great Vespers
At “Lord, I Have Cried”
Stichera of the Saint, Tone 4, 6 stichera
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.
Come, all you faithful, let us praise Augustine, the great herald of grace in the English land; for, sent by Gregory the Dialogist, he enlightened those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, leading them to the knowledge of Christ our God.
Therefore we cry to him: Rejoice, holy father Augustine, apostle of the English people.
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.
Leaving behind the glory of Rome, O blessed one, you journeyed to distant lands carrying the Gospel of peace. By your preaching the pagan peoples were transformed into a holy nation, offering praise to the Saviour of all. Therefore the Church glorifies your apostolic labours.
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Like the Apostles of old, O venerable father, you endured hardship and labour for the sake of Christ. You planted the seed of the Faith in the hearts of many, and God granted increase to your work. Pray now that our souls may be saved.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.
You enlightened kings and common people alike, O wise hierarch, teaching them to cast aside the worship of idols and adore the Holy Trinity in unity of essence. Therefore Canterbury rejoices in your memory, and all the English land honours your holy struggles.
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.
As a good shepherd you guided your flock with gentleness and wisdom, healing divisions and strengthening the faithful in true doctrine. You became a shining lamp upon the candlestick of the Church, and your light has never been extinguished.
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
O holy Augustine, faithful servant of Christ, you crossed the sea like another apostle, bringing the Gospel to a people who had not known God. Now standing before the throne of the Master, pray for those who celebrate your holy memory with love.
Tone 6. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Doxastikon
Today the Church of the English people rejoices spiritually, celebrating the memory of her enlightener Augustine; for through his apostolic labours the pagan nations came to know Christ, and the light of Orthodoxy shone forth in the islands of the sea. Therefore with hymns we honour him and cry aloud: Rejoice, holy hierarch Augustine, wise shepherd and apostle of the English land. Entreat Christ God that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Tone 6. Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Dogmatic Theotokion
Who can fail to bless you, O most holy Virgin? Who can fail to sing the praises of your childbearing? For the Only-begotten Son, who shone timelessly from the Father, came forth from you, O pure one, ineffably incarnate. Being God by nature, He became man by nature for our sake; not divided into two persons, but acknowledged in two natures without confusion. Entreat Him, O pure and all-blessed Lady, to have mercy on our souls.
Entrance Hymn
Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; and therefore the world glorifies You.
Prokeimenon of the Day
Paremias (Old Testament Readings)
Reading I
Proverbs 10:7, 6, 3, 31; 11:2, 7, 16; 15:4; 14:26–27
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of the unjust perishes. A gracious woman retains honour, but ruthless men retain riches. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.
Reading II
Proverbs 10:31–32; 11:1–12
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.”
Reading III
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7–15
But the righteous man, though he dies early, shall be at rest. For honourable age is not measured by length of time, nor counted by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. Being pleasing unto God, he was beloved; and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and wandering desire undermines the innocent mind. Having been perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years. For his soul pleased the Lord; therefore He hastened to take him away from among wickedness.
Litany of Fervent Supplication
Prayer:
O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Litany of Completion
Litia (Λιτή)
If there is an artoklasia clergy go out to the narthex (or appointed place), and the Litia is chanted.
Stichera of the Litia. Tone 1.
O holy father Augustine, you were shown to be a true disciple of the Apostles; for you preached Christ crucified and risen, bringing many nations into the holy Church. Therefore the choirs of angels rejoice in your memory.
You did not fear the dangers of the sea nor the hostility of unbelievers, O blessed hierarch, for divine love strengthened your soul. By your prayers may we also be steadfast in the Orthodox Faith.
Like a wise builder, O venerable one, you laid the foundation of the Church in the English land upon the rock of the true confession. Therefore the faithful honour your sacred memory with hymns.
Tone 5. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come, all who love the feasts of the Church, let us honour Augustine, the apostle of the English people; for he came bearing the Gospel of peace, illumining those darkened by ignorance, and leading them to the knowledge of the true God. Therefore, standing now before Christ with boldness, he intercedes for our souls.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Theotokion
We bless you, O Virgin Theotokos, and we glorify you as is fitting; for through you the Saviour of the world has come to us.
Aposticha
Tone 2
O holy Augustine, good shepherd of Christ’s flock, you guided your people with wisdom and gentleness, teaching them to worship the Holy Trinity in unity of essence and undivided glory.
Verse: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” Psalm 92:12
You destroyed the error of idolatry, O father, not by force but by the meekness of Christ, drawing many to salvation through your holy example.
Verse: “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13
You became a beacon to the English people, O venerable one, and your memory shines brightly throughout the Church.
Tone 8. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come, let us honour the great archbishop Augustine, the apostle of the English nation; for he preached Christ crucified and risen, baptised kings and peoples, and established the Church firmly upon the rock of the true Faith. And now, standing before the throne of God, he intercedes for those who celebrate his holy memory.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. (From Pentecostarion)
Song of Simeon
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
Trisagion Prayers.
The Dismissal Hymn (Apolytikion) Tone 4.
O holy father Augustine, apostle to the English people, you brought the light of Christ to those who sat in darkness. Through your prayers and teaching you established the Church in this land. Entreat Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Glory…, Both now…, of the Feast from Pentecostarion.
Dismissal (Apolysis) (from Ascension to Pentecost)
May He who ascended from us into heaven and sat at the right hand of God the Father for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother; of our holy father Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury and Apostle to the English people; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
Amen.
Matins
After the Six Psalms:
“God is the Lord…”
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Apolitykion of the Feast.
Glory, apolytikion of the Saint, Tone 4:
O holy father Augustine, apostle to the English people, you brought the light of Christ to those who sat in darkness. Through your prayers and teaching you established the Church in this land. Entreat Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Both now…, again of the Feast.
Small Litany
P: For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory…
Kathisma I. Tone 1. “Your tomb, O Saviour.”
You were shown to be a faithful shepherd of Christ’s flock, O holy hierarch Augustine; for by your teaching and holy life you guided the English people to the knowledge of God. Therefore the Church glorifies your apostolic labours.
Glory…, Both now…, of the Feast from Pentecostarion.
Kathisma II. Tone 5.
You imitated the zeal of the holy Apostles, O blessed Augustine, for you endured labour and hardship to bring the nations to Christ. Therefore we honour your sacred memory with hymns of praise.
Glory…, Both now…, of the Feast from Pentecostarion.
Polyeleos (Psalms 134–135)
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
All the nations surrounded me by the Name of the Lord I cut them off, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
My help cometh from the Lord Who hath made the heavens and the earth, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all He hath done for thee, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
Thou hath prepared a table for me in the presence of mine enemies, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
What shall I render to the Lord for all that He hath given me? Alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear what man shall do to me, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is Good, alleluia
For His Mercy endureth forever and ever – alleluia
Megalynarion / Magnification
We magnify you, O holy father Augustine, apostle of the English people, and we honour your holy memory; for you pray to Christ our God for us.
The selected Psalm verses: The heavens declare the glory of God… are optional.
Selected Psalm verses:
Antiphon by two readers. At the end of each verse: Alleluia.
Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world. Ps. 49:1
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. Ps. 49:3
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Ps. 92:12
Glory: Both now: Alleluia. (3 times)
Small Litany
P: For blessed is Your name and glorified is Your kingdom…
After the Polyeleon, Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
The grace of God rested richly upon you, O holy Augustine, and you became a radiant light to the English people. You taught them to worship the Holy Trinity, and led them from the darkness of idolatry into the light of Christ. Therefore we celebrate your sacred memory with joy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
You were shown to be a worthy successor of the Apostles, O wise father Augustine, for by your preaching you gained a people for Christ.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, hope and protection of Christians, intercede for us before your Son.
1st Antiphon of the 4th Tone.
From my youth many passions war against me. O my Saviour, I implore You, uphold me and save me.
You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire.
Glory. Both now.
By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon, Tone 4:
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Ps. 92:12
Verse: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. Ps. 92:13
Gospel dialogue
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Priest: Wisdom! Arise! Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be unto all.
People: And to your spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Morning Gospel
Matthew 5:14–19
The Lord said to His disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Psalm 50 (51).
Glory: At the intercession of the Hierarch, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offences.
Both now: At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offences.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
After the 50th Psalm, the sticheron, Tone 6:
Grace was poured out upon your lips, O holy father Augustine, for you proclaimed the Gospel of salvation to the English people and led them to the knowledge of Christ. Therefore the Church rejoices in your sacred memory.
Priest: O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance…
If you don’t read the Canon, then Kontakion, Oikos, Synaxarion and Katavasias of Theotokos with the Magnificat.
Canon from the Pentecostarion and that of the saint.
Canon of the saint, Tone 8:
Ode 1 — Heirmos
Let us sing to the Lord, who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone has been glorified.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
Troparia
Holy Father Augustine, you were called from the ancient city of Rome like another Abraham, leaving thy homeland and brethren to journey unto a distant and barbarous people. Bearing the Gospel of Christ as a radiant lamp, you crossed the sea in obedience, trusting not in yourself but in the word of the holy Gregory.
When fear overcame your companions upon the road and the harshness of the mission caused their hearts to tremble, you did not return to cowardice but unto counsel, and strengthened by apostolic exhortation, you set forth anew, showing yourself a steadfast shepherd before you had yet received your flock.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Landing upon the Isle of Thanet, you preached peace unto King Æthelbert, and with hymns and the precious Cross entered Canterbury, sanctifying the land by your footsteps. Therefore the darkness of the Saxons fled away before the dawn of grace.
Both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Mother of God, guide us into the way of salvation.
Ode 3 — Heirmos
There is none holy as You, O Lord my God, who exalted the horn of Your faithful and established us upon the rock of Your confession.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
The pious Queen Bertha prepared the way for you, O holy one, and the king received you with gentleness. Then, by your wise words and pure life, you turned his heart unto the knowledge of the true God, and through the baptism of the ruler many nations were illumined.
You restored the holy churches that had fallen into desolation and consecrated places once defiled by idols, teaching the people not destruction only, but transformation in Christ. Thus you were shown to be a wise steward of the mysteries of God.
Glory…
Thousands were clothed in white garments at the saving font when you baptised the people on the holy feast of the Nativity. Therefore the angels rejoiced and the Church of the English was born in gladness.
Both now…
O Theotokos, be the protection of your servants.
If the feast falls within the period of Pentecost, the kontakion & ikos of the holy hierarch are chanted here. But if the feast fall after the Pentecost period, the kontakion & ikos of the holy hierarch are instead chanted after Ode 6.
Kathisma, Tone 4:
Leaving the monastery of Saint Andrew, you became an apostle unto the island peoples, O blessed Augustine. You established the throne of Canterbury and plant there the seed of Orthodox faith and apostolic order. Therefore we honour you as the first hierarch of the English land and the faithful servant of Christ.
Ode 4 — Heirmos
I have heard of Your dispensation, O Lord, and glorified Your condescension.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
Receiving the pallium from Rome, you were shown to be a true archpastor, adorned not with worldly authority but with zeal for the salvation of souls. You ordained bishops, establish churches, and gather disciples like fruitful branches from a living vine.
Laurence, Mellitus, and Justus shone forth beside you as fellow labourers in the vineyard of Christ, and together you built up the Church in England upon the foundation of the apostles and martyrs.
Glory…
You sought unity with the ancient Christians of Britain, yet because of human weakness and divisions of custom, peace was not accomplished. Nevertheless, you laboured with patience, desiring concord in the household of God.
Both now…
O Theotokos, save those who place their hope in you.
Ode 5 — Heirmos
Illumine us by Your commandments, O Lord, and by Your lofty arm grant us Your peace.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
You inquired diligently concerning the order of the Church, the conduct of priests, and the sanctification of Christian life, showing yourself not merely a preacher, but a wise father and teacher of souls.
The books and sacred vessels brought unto you strengthened the worship of the newly illumined people, and the praises of God arose in the Roman manner within the English land, like incense ascending before the throne of heaven.
Glory…
Through you schools were founded and teachers sent forth, and thus the light of learning accompanied the light of faith, for wisdom and holiness are sisters in the house of God.
Both now…
O Virgin Mother, guide us to the light of your Son.
Ode 6 — Heirmos
I cried to the Lord from the depths of my soul, and He heard me.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
You did not seek earthly glory, O holy Augustine, but only that Christ might reign in the hearts of the people. Therefore, before your repose, you wisely appointed your successor Laurence, preserving peace within the Church.
Though your earthly mission seemed small in its beginning and reached but a portion of the island, yet from your labours sprang forth countless saints, pastors, martyrs, and missionaries who enlightened the ends of the earth.
Glory…
Canterbury became a beacon of faith through your prayers, and your monastery - a fountain of holiness, from which many generations drank deeply of the grace of God.
Both now…
O Theotokos, unfailing hope of Christians, pray for us.
Small Litany
P: For You are the King of Peace and the Saviour of our souls, and to You we give glory…
Kontakion, Tone 3
Today the English land rejoices in your memory, O blessed Augustine, first shepherd of Canterbury and herald of salvation; for you brought the pagan peoples unto the knowledge of Christ and planted the holy faith among them. Therefore we cry unto you: Rejoice, apostle of the English nation.
Oikos
Who can worthily praise Augustine, the herald of Christ to the English people?
For he crossed the seas like another apostle, proclaiming salvation and baptising nations. Therefore we cry aloud to him:
Rejoice, wise shepherd and teacher of piety.
Rejoice, enlightener of the English land.
Rejoice, faithful preacher of the Gospel of Christ.
Rejoice, guardian of apostolic tradition.
Synaxarion
On 26 May, the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Carpus, a follower of St. Paul, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:13, and St. Alphaeus, the father of the Apostles James and Matthew, along with St. Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury. By their prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
Ode 7 — Heirmos
The Children from Judea once travelled to Babylon, and by their faith in the Trinity they trampled down the flames of the furnace.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
You endured hardships, uncertainty, and the resistance of many peoples, yet the fire of divine love burned ever brighter within you, consuming all fear and hesitation.
Like the apostles of old, you traveled among strangers and spoke unto kings, not trusting in earthly might but in the power of the Crucified and Risen Lord.
Glory…
Even after your repose, your shrine became a place of healing and pilgrimage, and generations of the faithful came with reverence to honour your memory and seek your prayers.
Both now…
O Virgin, deliver us from eternal fire.
Ode 8 — Heirmos
Praise the Lord, you works of the Lord, and exalt Him unto all ages.
Refrain: Holy father Augustine, pray to God for us.
All the faithful bless your holy memory, O Augustine.
The raging storms of later times destroyed your shrine and scattered your relics, yet they could not extinguish your remembrance in the Church, for the righteous man lives forever in Christ.
Let us bless Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Lord.
The place of your landing was marked again with the Cross, proclaiming unto all generations that the Gospel once entered the English land through your faithful obedience.
Both now…
O Theotokos, we magnify you forever.
Deacon: Let us honour and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
The Magnificat.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Greater in honour than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Ode 9 — Heirmos
It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure and the Mother of our God.
Rejoice, O holy Augustine, apostle to the English people and planter of the vineyard of Christ in the western isles.
Rejoice, faithful disciple of Gregory and wise shepherd of Canterbury.
Glory…
Standing before the throne of the Chief Shepherd, cease not to pray for those who honour your holy memory with faith and love.
Both now…
O most holy Theotokos, save us.
Small Litany
P: For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory…
Exapostilarion
O holy Augustine, preacher of the Gospel and teacher of the English people,
enlighten our hearts by your prayers, that we may walk in the light of Christ.
Glory…, Both now…, of the Feast from Pentecostarion.
Praises (Lauds) (Tone 4)
O wondrous miracle.
(Psalms 148, 149, 150)
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God
Verse: Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.
Let us praise Augustine, the first archbishop of Canterbury, who preached the Gospel in this land and established the Church in piety. He imitated the Apostles in his labours and became a faithful servant of Christ.
By his prayers,
may the Lord grant peace and salvation to our souls.
Today the English Church rejoices
in the memory of her apostle and teacher.
Tone 6. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Today the faithful gather in joy to honour Augustine, the apostle of the English people; for he enlightened a nation by the preaching of the Gospel and led many to the knowledge of salvation. Therefore, standing before the throne of Christ,
he prays unceasingly for our souls.
Both now…, of the Feast from Pentecostarion.
Great Doxology
Apolytikion, Tone 4:
O holy father Augustine, apostle to the English people, you brought the light of Christ to those who sat in darkness. Through your prayers and teaching you established the Church in this land. Entreat Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Dismissal (if no Liturgy)
May He who ascended from us into heaven and sat at the right hand of God the Father for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother; of our holy father Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury and Apostle to the English people; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
Amen.
DIVINE LITURGY PROPERS
At the Beatitudes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You instructed kings and peoples in the Orthodox Faith, teaching them to glorify the consubstantial Trinity.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
You built churches and monasteries to the glory of God, gathering the faithful into unity.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
By your prayers, O holy father, strengthen those who honour your memory.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
You drew many from the depths of ignorance into the knowledge of truth.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Your holy memory is celebrated with joy by the faithful.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Intercede for us who honour you with love.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
O Theotokos, unfailing hope of Christians, pray for us.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You crossed the seas proclaiming Christ to the nations, imitating the zeal of the Apostles.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
Through the prayers of Augustine and all the saints, O Lord, grant us great mercy.
Entrance Hymn
After Ascension
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who were taken up in glory to heaven from us. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Apolytikion of the Ascension
Tone 4
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Apolytikion of St Augustine
Tone 4
O holy father Augustine, apostle to the English people, you brought the light of Christ to those who sat in darkness. Through your prayers and teaching you established the Church in this land. Entreat Christ our God that He may save our souls.
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:
Kontakion of the Ascension, Tone 6:
When You had fulfilled Your dispensation for our sake and united things on earth with the heavens, You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, never being absent, but remaining inseparable, and crying out to those who love You: “I am with you, and no one is against you.”
If out of a festal period:
Kontakion of St Augustine, Tone 3:
Today the English land rejoices in your memory, O blessed Augustine, first shepherd of Canterbury and herald of salvation; for you brought the pagan peoples unto the knowledge of Christ and planted the holy faith among them. Therefore we cry unto you: Rejoice, apostle of the English nation.
Trisagion
(As appointed.)
Prokeimenon of the Ascension, Tone 7:
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5
Verse: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57:7
Of the Hierarch, Tone 1:
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. Psalm. 49:3
Verse: Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world. Psalm. 49:1
Epistle Reading of the Ascension
Acts 1:1–12
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptised with water, but you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
Of the Hierarch
Hebrews 7:26–8:2
Brethren, such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
Alleluia, of the Ascension, Tone 2:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Verse: God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Ps. 47:5
Verse: The Lord is in His holy temple. Habakkuk 2:20
Of the Hierarch, Tone 2:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Verse: The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. Ps. 37:30
Verse: The law of his God is in his heart. Ps. 37:31
Gospel Reading of the Hierarch
John 10:9–16
The Lord said: “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
Instead of “It Is Truly Right”
Megalynarion of the Ascension
Magnify, O my soul, Christ the Giver of Life, who ascended from earth to heaven.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; true Theotokos, we magnify you.
Communion Hymns
Of the Ascension
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Ps. 47:5 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Of the Hierarch
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not fear evil tidings. Ps. 111:6-7 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Instead of “We have seen.”
Apolytikion of the Ascension, Tone 4:
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Dismissal
May He who ascended from us into heaven and sat at the right hand of God the Father for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the prayers of His most pure Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honourable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honourable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, of our holy father Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury and Apostle to the English people; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
Amen.
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