Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

Festal Vespers Hymns

15 December
Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ our Lord and Saviour
By the Grace of God St Eleftherios of Illyria
Bishop & Hieromartyr of Illyria
Also the Feast of St Anthia, his mother, & St Caribos the Eparch of Illyria St Paul of
Latros St Stephen the Confessor & Archbishop of Surrentium (Sourozh) St
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8. FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER

 MENAION - FESTAL APOSTIHA ST ELEFTHERIOS - TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
Tis Ierarhias Sou Osie Pater, tin stolin O Devout Father, Thy Episcopal
efinixas, tes roes ton ematon Sou. En vestments were dyed red in the
St Eleutherios of Illyrios meso de tou stadiou andrikos pools of Thy blood. When Thy
teliothenta idousa Se, epipesousa Mother who raised Thee well beheld
isazeto to gliki teknon, i kalos how bravely Thou died in the middle
"From a Good Tree comes Good Fruit. This wonderful Saint had noble and gennisameni ke threpsameni Se. Dio of the stadium, she embraced and
greatly eminent parents. St Eleftherios was born in Rome, where his father ke tmithisa to xifi, is Ouranious kissed Thee her sweet son. For
was an Imperial Proconsul. His mother, S Anthia heard the Gospel from the thalamous meta Sou sinisilthen. O this she, too, was beheaded, and
great Apostle, St Paul and was Baptized by him. Having been left a widow Makarias Mitros! O aston Ieron! Ous together with Thee, she entered the
early, she entrusted her only son for study and service to St Anicetos the ethilasas Makar Eleftherie, ke tis Heavenly Chambers. Such a Blessed
Bishop of Rome. (PROLOGUE BY ST NICHOLAS) fiseos ton Plastin epegnos. Sin afti Mother! Truly Sacred were her
oun presveve, eleithine tas psihas breasts that had nursed Thee, O
Having carefully observed how St Eleftherios was Gifted and Illumined by the imon. Blessed Eleftherios; and from her
Grace of God, the Bishop ordained him a Deacon at the age of fifteen, a Priest Thou came to know the Fashioner of
at the age of eighteen, and a Bishop at the age of twenty. St Eleftherios' God- Nature. Together, now, Intercede for
given Wisdom made up for what he lacked in years, and this Chosen One of us, that our souls find Mercy.
God was appointed Bishop of Illyria, with his seat in Valona (Avlona), Albania. Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of
The Good Shepherd guarded his Flock well and increased their number day by eonon. ages.
day. Amin. Amen
In 120, Emperor Hadrian, a persecutor of Christians, sent the Commander, Felix, THEOTOKION TONE (8) PLAGAL 4
with soldiers to seize St Eleftherios and take him to Rome. When the fierce
Commander Felix arrived in Valona and entered the church, he saw and Despina prosdexe, tas deisis ton doulon O Lady, receive the Supplications of
heard the Holy Hierarch of God and in that very instant his heart changed, Sou, ke Litrose imas, apo pasis Thy Servants, and Deliver us from all
and he became a Christian. anagkis ke thlipseos. necessity and affliction.
St Eleftherios Baptized the Commander,Felix, and joyfully departed for Rome with
him - as if he were going to a Feast and not to his unjust trial, brutal torture NIN APOLIIS OU DOULON SOU...
and untimely death. Emperor Hadrian subjected the noble St Eleftherios to the TRISAGION PRAYERS & OUR LORDS
PRAYER
most excruciating torture: flogging, roasting on an iron plate, boiling in pitch,
and burning in a fiery furnace. However, St Eleftherios was Miraculously FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST EULEFTHERIOS - TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
Delivered from all these hideous tortures by Divine Power and Grace. Iereon podiri katakosmoumenos, ke Thou were fully adorned with the
Having witnessed the Martyrdom of St Eleftherios - and particularly noticing his ematon tis rithris epistazomenos, to Priestly Robes. Thou were dripping
Miraculous Endurance and unshakable Faith in the One True Living God - the Despoti Sou Hristo Makar aedrames, with streams of Thine own Martyric
Roman Eparch, Caribos believed in Christ and boldly declared himself to be Eleftherie Sofe, kathereta tou Satan. Blood. In this state, Thou ran to
Christian, whereupon he, too, was immediately arrested and subjected to Dio mi pafsi presvevon, iper ton Pisti Christ Thy Master, O Blessed Saint,
brutal sufferings at the hands of the executioners before Reposing in Christ timonton, tin Makarian Sou Athlisin. Eleftherios, Destroyer of Satan
when he was eventually beheaded by sword. The same fate was endured by Thou art wise. Therefore, cease not
St Felix who, together with St Eleftherios, was beheaded - and thus both were Intercedig for us who loyally honour
Spiritually Perfected. Thy Blessed Contest of Martyrdom.
As St Anthia wept over the martyred body of her Beloved son, St Eleftherios, she Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
was also beheaded by sword. Their bodies were translated to Valona, where ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton and to the Holy Spirit, now and
even today St Eleftherios Glorifies the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus eonon. forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Christ by the many Divine Miracles that occur through his Intercessory Prayers. Amin Amen
For centuries Orthodox Christians have considered St Eleutherios and St Anthia to THEOTOKION TONE (5) PLAGAL 1
be the Holy Patron Saints of expectant mothers and safe childbirth. Their fame
as Wonder Workers, the fact that they were mother and son, and the Here, Pili Kyriou i adiodevtos!. Here, Hail, O Impassable Gate of the Lord!
implications of their names contributed to this belief, for Eleftherios is a Tihos ke Skepi ton prostrehonton is Hail, Wall and Shelter of those who
variant of the word Freedom in Greek while Anthia is similar to Anthos Se! Here, Ahimaste Limin ke take refuge in Thee! Hail, O
which is Flower. Apirogame! I tekousa en Sarki ton Stormless Haven and Unwedded One
Furthermore, St Eleutherios is regarded as the Holy Protector of the oppressed, piiton Sou ke Theon, Presvevousa mi who brought forth in the Flesh Thy
prisoners and all those undergoing any kind of trial. In addition, these two Ellipis iper ton animnounton ke Maker and Thy God! Ceaselessly
Saints, like St Kyprianos and St Justina, repel and defeat all demonic Proskinounton ton Tokon Sou. Intercede on behalf of those who
influences. extol and worship the Son Thou
Orthodox Christians who lived during the oppression of the Ottoman Empire DISMISSAL BLESSINGS Bore.
regarded St Eleutherios as their Holy Helper and Champion in their quest for
independence.
2. FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER 7.
 Se Doxazi!
PROKEIMENON - THURSDAY EVENING - PSALM 120
I voithia mou para Kyriou, tou piisantos My Help comes from the Lord, Who has
ton Ouranon ke tin Gin.
STIHOSIra tous opsthalmous mou is ta ori,
othen izi i Voitheia mou.
I voithia mou para Kyriou, tou piisantos
ton Ouranon ke tin gin.
O LORD, KEEP US THIS EVENING WITHOUT
SIN... & THE LITANIES OF FERVENT
SUPPLICATION II TO KRATOS...
MENAION - FESTAL APOSTIHA ST ELEFTHERIOS - TONE 1
Tis Ekklisias prostatis Pater genomenos, Of
os Evanthias gonos, tis Theofronos
ontos, ke mstis Apostolon os Alithos,
pros ton Theon epistrefis laous, tous
prin afronos to sevas ia Theis,
aponemontas tis Demosin.
I Ieris Sou, Kyrie, endisonte Dikeosiin,
ke i Osii Sou Agalliasi Agaliasonte.
Ton epitokon gineon Pater kidomenos,
eleftherian didos, to Nao Sou fitoses,
evplian de palin allis Thermos,
exetousin epedokas, ke tis nosousin
igian Si horigis, dialampon en tis
thavmasi.
Dikeos os fix anthisi, osi i kedros i en The
to Livano plithinthisete.
Tou Martyriou tous athlous sterros
ipinegkas, Adrianou mi ptixas, tas
drimias kolasis, eroti tou Ktistou
olous alous, Eleftherie Pansofe, ke tin
tekousan Se sinathlon proslavon,
anelilithas githomenos.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
6. FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS
voices encouraging, O Son of God,
the Giver of Life. For which cause the
Universe Glorifies Thee!
made Heaven and Earth.
VERSE I lifted up my eyes to the
mountains, from whence my Help
shall come.
My Help comes from the Lord, Who has
made Heaven and Earth.
Godly Evanthia Thou were indeed
the son, and Thou beame the Strong
Protector of the Church, O Father, in
Truth by the Apostles Thou had
been taught, and Thou turned many
people who formerly worshipped the
demons as if their gods, and Thou
brought them to the Only God.
Thy Priests shall clothe themselves in
Righteousness; Thy Saints shall
greatly Rejoice.
Thou are well-known, Holy Father, for
many Miracles. Thou cared for
pregnant women who had come to
Thy Temple, and helped them to
deliver their children with ease; and
to those who Entreated Thee
intently, Thou granted smooth
sailing. Even now, Thou disperse
good health to those who are sick.
Righteous shall flourish like a
palm tree; he shall be multiplied
like the Cear in Lebanon.
Steadfastly Thou did endure all the
Feats of Martyrdom. Thou were not
frightened facing all of Hadrians
tortures, for Love of Thy Creator had
conquered Thee, O All Wise
Eleftherios. Thy Mother joined Thee
in Martyrdom, and with Joy Thou
ascended to the Courts on High.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER
In Albania where the previous Communist regime had banned the Orthodox Faith
and all religion officially declaring that there was no God in their country!
these Miracle Working Saints became the Patron Saints of the Orthodox
Christian Resistance - particularly amongst the Greek Epirote minority in the
south of Albania.
May their memories be Eternal and may they ceaselessly Intercede with the Lord
our God for our Eternal Salvation.
Festal Vespers Hymns St Eleftherios
Kindly use the Service Book until this point, then carefully follow instructions
with regard to these Hymns
HYMN OF THE EVENING INCENSE
THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
PSALM 140/141 TONE 2
Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou. Lord, I cry out to Thee: hear me,
Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie, O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou, out to Thee, hear me! Hear
proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to my voice, when I cry out to
kekragene me pros Se, isakouson Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
mou Kyrie.
Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os Let my Prayer rise before Thee
thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton like incense - the lifting up of
hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson my hands as the Evening Sacrifice.
mou Kyrie! Hear me, O Lord!
FESTAL PROSOMIA ST ELEUTHERIOS - TONE 4
Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie, If Thou, O Lord, should mark
tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos transgression, O Lord, who would
estin. stand? For there is Forgiveness
with Thee.
Skevos Ierotaton, Pnevmatos Thiou Thou became a Sacred Vessel of the
gegenise, tin psihin kathiramenos, Holy Spirit of God when Thy Soul
pathon Ierotate. Enthen hrisma had been Purified of passions, O
Thion, Agion edexo, Arhierefs Si Sacred Man; then by Ordination
gegonos, ke podigetis laou Thou received the Holy, Divine
Theofronos, ke martys aparatrotos, Anointing and became Bishop and
tou di imas pathi ferontos, ke Guide of the Holy People of God, O
apathian vlisantos, athlita Eleutherie. Martyr Eleftherios, and an unfailing
witness of Christ Who had suffered
for us and poured out dispassion for
all mankind.
Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
Kyrie; Ipeminen i psihi mou is ton for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
Logon Sou, ilpisen i psihi mou epi Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
ton Kyrion.
FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER 3.
Skevos Ierotaton, Pnevmatos Thiou
gegenise, tin psihin kathiramenos,
pathon Ierotate. Enthen hrisma
Thion, Agion edexo, Arhierefs Si
gegonos, ke podigetis laou
Theofronos, ke martys aparatrotos,
tou di imas pathi ferontos, ke
apathian vlisantos, athlita Eleutherie.
Apo Filaktis proias mehri niktos, apo
filakis proias, elpisato Israil epi ton
Kyrion.
Somatos ilogisas, ekizomenou tes
mastixi, ke piri prosengizontos ton
noun gar prosiloss, anikasto potho, to
oreotato, kalli tou Thiou erastou. Si
to glikio etrothis eroti, Martyron
egkallopisma, Arhiereon aglaisma,
athlita Eleftherie, presvevta ton
psihon imon.
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli par For with
afto Litrosis. Ke aftos Litrosete ton
Israil ek pason ton anomion aftou.
Somatos ilogisas, ekizomenou tes
mastixi, ke piri prosengizontos ton
noun gar prosiloss, anikasto potho, to
oreotato, kalli tou Thiou erastou. Si
to glikio etrothis eroti, Martyron
egkallopisma, Arhiereon aglaisma,
athlita Eleftherie, presvevta ton
psihon imon.
Enite ton Kyrion panta ta Ethni!
Epenesate Afton pantes i Lai!
Kalos ton agona Se, tetheameni
telesanta, i kalos Se kiisasa, ton ison
pothisasa, dianise dromon, Si
periplakisa, meson ton skammatos
sofe, kathaper damalis aposfattete.
Meth is Se iketevomen, iper imon
Eleftherie, ton Sotira ke Kyrion,
ekdisopi Panolvie.
4. FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS
Thou became a Sacred Vessel of the
Holy Spirit of God when Thy Soul
had been Purified of passions, O
Sacred Man; then by Ordination
Thou received the Holy, Divine
Anointing and became Bishop and
Guide of the Holy People of God, O
Martyr Eleftherios, and an unfailing
witness of Christ Who had suffered
for us and poured out dispassion for
all mankind.
From the morning watch until night;
from the morning watch until night
let Israel Hope in the Lord.
Thou paid no attention to Thy body
tortured by whips and barbs and
brought near to the burning flames
for Thou nailed Thy soul and mind
to the handsome beauty of Thy
Divine Lovers with ardent longing,
and were pricked by His intense,
sweet and unifying Love. Thou art
the Gem of Martyr all and the
adornment of Hierarchs, Martyr, St
Eleftherios, Intercessor on our
behalf.
the Lord there is Mercy, and
with Him is Abundant Redemption;
and He will Redeem Israel from all
his transgressions.
Thou paid no attention to Thy body
tortured by whips and barbs and
brought near to the burning flames
for Thou nailed Thy soul and mind
to the handsome beauty of Thy
Divine Lovers with ardent longing,
and were pricked by His intense,
sweet and unifying Love. Thou art
the Gem of Martyr all and the
adornment of Hierarchs, Martyr, St
Eleftherios, Intercessor on our
behalf.
Praise the Lord, all Gentiles! Praise
Him, all you people!
When Thy Blessed Mother saw that
Thou had finished the Contest well,
she who did well in bearing Thee,
desired to run the same race as
Thou, her son, had. As she held Thy
body in the Arena where Thou lay,
she, like a heifer, was slaughtered
there as well. We fervently Entreat
Thee both to pray in earnest on our
OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER
Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef imas, For
ke i alithia tou Kyriou meni is ton
eona.
Kalos ton agona Se, tetheameni
telesanta, i kalos Se kiisasa, ton ison
pothisasa, dianise dromon, Si
periplakisa, meson ton skammatos
sofe, kathaper damalis aposfattete.
Meth is Se iketevomen, iper imon
Eleftherie, ton Sotira ke Kyrion,
ekdisopi Panolvie.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
MENAION - ST ELEFTHERIOS TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Ierefs ennomotatos, mehri telous
ehrimatisas, maker Eleftherie.
Ierourgon gar ta Thia ke arrita
mystiria, to ema Sou exeheas iper
Hristou tou Theou, ke Thima
evprosdekton seafton prosigages. Dio
parrisian ehon pros afton, ektenos
iketeve, iper ton Pisti telounton Sin
aisevaston mnimin, ke tous aftin
gererontas risthine pirasmon, ke
pantion kininon ke peristaseon.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Theotoke, Si i i ampelos i alithini, i
vlastisasa ton karpon tis Zois, Se
iketevomen, Presveve Despina, meta
tou Athloforou ke panton ton Agion,
eleithine tas psihas imon.
TODAY THERE IS NO
THE EVENING HYMN TONE 2
Fos Ilaron Agias Doxis, Athanatou
Patros, Ouraniou, Agiou, Makaros,
Iisou Hriste! Elthondes epi tin iliou
disin, idontes Fos Esperinon,
imnoumen Patera, Ion ke Agion
Pnevma, Theon. Axion Se en
pasi keris imnisthe fones esies, Ie
Theou, Zoin O didous dio O kosmos
FESTAL VESPERS ST ELEUTHERIOS
behalf to our Lord God and Saviour,
Christ, O All Blessed Eleftherios.
His Mercy rules over us; and the
Truth of the Lord endures forever.
When Thy Blessed Mother saw that
Thou had finished the Contest well,
she who did well in bearing Thee,
desired to run the same race as
Thou, her son, had. As she held Thy
body in the Arena where Thou lay,
she, like a heifer, was slaughtered
there as well. We fervently Entreat
Thee both to pray in earnest on our
behalf to our Lord God and Saviour,
Christ, O All Blessed Eleftherios.
Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Thou were a Canonical Priest until the
end, O Blessed Eleftherios; for Thou
performed the Divine and Ineffable
Sacraments, and then spilt Thy own
blood for Christ God, and thus Thou
offered Thyself as an acceptable
Sacrifice. Since Thou now hast
confidence before Him, earnestly
pray for those who loyally observe
and honour Thy Ever Venerable
Memory, that they be Delivered
from temptations, and from every
peril and from difficult times.
Now and ever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen
Theotokos, Thou art the True Vine that
produced the Fruit of Life. O Lady,
we fervently Entreat Thee to
Intercede along with the Martyr, and
all the Saints, that our soul be
treated mercifully.
ENTRANCE
O Gladsome Radiance of the Holy Glory
of the Father Immortal, Heavenly,
Holy, Blessed Jesus Christ. Now that
we have come to the setting of the
sun and have seen the Evening Light,
we praise Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. For it is worthy that at all
times Thou should be praised by
OF ILLYRIA 15 DECEMBER 5.