Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

By the Grace of God Festal Vespers Hymns

COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED

22-23 September
BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE

Conception of St John Baptist

GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA

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RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 01 SEPTEMBER 2017

Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
for the Greek & English texts that make our Worship much easier
to understand, to participate and to appreciate.
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8. F E S T A L V E S P E R S C O N C E P T I O N OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 22-23 SEPTEMBER


Festal Vespers Hymns Conception-St John the Baptist
Kindly use the Service Book until this point,
then carefully follow instructions with regard to these Hymns
HYMN OF THE
THE CONGREGATION
PSALM 140/141 TONE 2
Kyrie ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou.
Isakouson mou, Kyrie. Kyrie,
ekekraxa pros Se, isakouson mou,
proshes ti foni tis deiseos mou, en to
kekragene me pros Se, isakouson
mou Kyrie.
Katevthinthito i prosevhi mou os
thimiama enopion Sou. Eparsis ton
hiron mou Thisia Esperini. Isakouson
mou Kyrie!
FESTAL STICHERA ST JOHN
Ean anomias paratirisis, Kyrie, Kyrie,
tis ipostisete? Oti para Si O ilasmos
estin.
Ieratevon O Thios Zaharias, ke endon
genomenos, tou Thiotatou Naou, ke
tou laou ta etimata, prosanaferon, to
evergeti ke panoiktirmoni, Thiotaton
Angelon, ide voonta afto. I prosevhi
ke i deisis, Sou isikousthi, tharsi
presvita, ke mi apisti mi. Exis gar
peda Thion Prodromon, gennitis
gynekon iperehonta, Iliou en dinami,
tou Hristou proporefsomenon.
Eneken tou Onomatos Sou ipemina Se, Because
Kyrie; Ipeminen i psihi mou is ton
Logon Sou, ilpisen i psihi mou epi
ton Kyrion.
Ieratevon O Thios Zaharias, ke endon
genomenos, tou Thiotatou Naou, ke
tou laou ta etimata, prosanaferon, to
evergeti ke panoiktirmoni, Thiotaton
Angelon, ide voonta afto. I prosevhi
ke i deisis, Sou isikousthi, tharsi
presvita, ke mi apisti mi. Exis gar
2. F E S T A L V E S P E R S C O N C E P T I O N OF
EVENING INCENSE
MUST STAND
Lord, I cry out to Thee: hearme,
O Lord! O Lord, when I cry
out to Thee, hear me! Hear
my voice, when I cry out to
Thee! Hear me, O Lord!
Let my Prayer rise before Thee
like incense - the lifting up of
my hands as the Evening
Sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord!
THE BAPTIST TONE 4 thoughts or attitude.
If Thou, O Lord, should mark
transgression, O Lord, who would
stand? For there is Forgiveness
with Thee.
As Godlike Zachary was serving as
Priest and was within the Most
Sacred Temple and offering up the
requests of the People to the
Benefactor and All Compassionate,
he beheld a Godlike Angel, who cried
out to him: Thy Prayers and
Supplications have been heard.
Courage, Old Man, and do not
disbelieve me. For Thou wilt have a
Child a Divine Forerunner greater
than all those born of women, who
will go before the Christ in the Power
of Elias.
of Thy Law, O Lord, I waited
for Thee; my soul waited for Thy
Word. My soul Hopes in the Lord.
As Godlike Zachary was serving as
Priest and was within the Most
Sacred Temple and offering up the
requests of the People to the
Benefactor and All Compassionate,
he beheld a Godlike Angel, who cried
out to him: Thy Prayers and
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 22-23 SEPTEMBER
THEOTOKION - TONE 4
To ap eonos Apokrifon ke Angelis O Theotokos, through Thee was
Agnoston Mystirion, dia Sou Theotoke revealed to us on earth, the Mystery,
tis epi gis pefanerote.
asighito enosi sarkoumenos.
Theos en
Ke
which was hidden from Eternity, and
which the Angels themselves knew
Stavron ekousios iper imon not: that God, uniting Natures
katadexamenos. Di ou Anastisas ton without confusion, became Man and
Protoplaston, esosen ek Thanatou tas accepted crucifixion voluntarily for
psihas imon. our Salvation; by virtue of which
Resurrecting mankind whom He had
RETURN TO THE VESPERS SERVICE BOOK DISMISSAL first created, He Saved our souls
BLESSINGS
from Death.
Elder Arsenios Papatsiok (1914-2011)
Almsgiving is not only giving money out of our wallet.
Almsgiving is the acceptance of all fellow human beings - to sit next to
them to speak to them and to acknowledge them - without
alienating, embarrassing nor hurting them with our words, deeds,
Are we aware of those who are experiencing personal tragedy, spiritual
or physical ailments or diseases, threats or problems of any kind
of any degree? Are we doing whatever we can for others who are
worse off than we are?
We should be willing to comfort them, to assist them or to soothe their
pain, suffering or stress as best as we are able to do.
If circumstances prevent us from doing anything for others, we can
certainly pray to our Lord on their behalf, beseeching His Great
Mercy: Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have Mercy.
The most significant aspect of being Merciful and Loving towards our
suffering neighbours i.e. all human beings concerns the True
State of our own heart and soul the True Depth of our
Compassion for others! (How do we react to the pain and suffering
that surrounds us every day?)
The worst sin that will Eternally Condemn us after Death, and at our
Final Judgement will be due to neglecting the welfare and Love of
our fellow human beings!
FESTAL VESPERS CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE B A P T I S T 2 2 - 2 3 S E P T E M B E R 7.
 pedion tas aftou, proetimase
hariti, trivous os iidokisen.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
Angelos, ek stirotikon odinon proilthes
Vaptista, ex afton ton sparganon, tin
erimon ikisas, sfragis te panton ton
Profiton edihthis. On gar ekini
politropos etheasanto, ke
enigmatodon proekirixan, touton
Vaptise en Iordani katixiothis. Fonis
te akikoas Patrikis Ouranothen,
martyrousis aftou tin iiotita, ke to
Pnevma ides, preisteras en idi, tin
fonin elkon epi ton Vaptizomenon.
All O panton ton Profiton ipertere,
mi dialipis presvevin iper imon, ton
Pistos Sou telounton mnimosinon.
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
ton Anargyron ke panton ton Agion,
eleithine tas psihas imon.
RETURN TO THE VESPERS SERVICE BOOK NIN
APOLIIS TON DOULON SOU... & TRISAGION
PRAYERS

FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN
I proin ou tiktousa, stira evfranthiti.
Idou gar sinelaves, Iliou lihanon
safos, fotizin ton mellonta, pasan
tin ikoumenin, avlepsian
nosousan. Horeve Zaharia,
ekvoon parrisia. Profitis tou
Ipsistou Estin, O mellon tiktesthe.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati, Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
6. F E S T A L V E S P E R S C O N C E P T I O N
en clearly: Thou, O Child, will be called
Prophet of th most High, by Grace to
prepare beforehand His Paths, as He
has been well pleased.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
An Angel Thou came forth from barren
loins, O Baptist, from Thy swaddling
bands Thou dwelt in the Wilderness
and were declared Seal of all the
Prophets, for Thou were counted
worthy to Baptise in Jordan the One
Whom they had contemplated in
diverse manners, and proclaimed
beforehand in riddles. And Thou
heard the voice of the Father from
Heaven bearing witness to his
sonships; and Thou beheld the Spirit
like a dove, drawing down the Voice
upon the Baptised One. But, O
Higher than all the Prophets, do not
ease to Intercede for us who
celebrate with Faith Thy Memorial.
Now and ever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen
O Theotokos, Thou art the True Vine
that produced the Fruit of Life. O
Lady, we fervently Entreat The to
Intercede together with the
Unmercenaries, and all the Saints,
for Mercy on our soul.
THE BAPTIST - CONCEPTION - TONE 4
Sing now, O Barren One who did not
bear before, for Thou hast indeed
Conceived the Burning Lamp of
the Sun; and he will Illuminate all
the world afflicted with Spiritual
Blindness. Dance, O Zachariah,
and now openly cry out: The One
who is to be born is a Prophet of
the Most High God.
and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 22-23 SEPTEMBER
peda Thion Prodromon, gennitis
gynekon iperehonta, Iliou en dinami,
tou Hristou proporefsomenon.
Apo Filaktis proias mehri niktos, apo
filakis proias, elpisato Israil epi ton
Kyrion.
Xenos mi feni ti Thea ke to tropo, xenos
ke tis rimasi, ke tis minimasin, O
Zaharias antefisen. Ego gar ilthon,
tin Sotirian Laou etisasthe, ouhi de
komisasthe, peda os prosfonis, ap
enantias evrisko Se, ton etimaton, ke
ipoptevo mi alithevin Se. Pos gar O
legis pistothisete? Elisavet ta meli
nenekrote, ke emou de to giras,
dispistian nin tekmerete.
Oti para to Kyrio to Eleos ke polli par For with
afto Litrosis. Ke aftos Litrosete ton
Israil ek pason ton anomion aftou.
Xenos mi feni ti Thea ke to tropo, xenos
ke tis rimasi, ke tis minimasin, O
Zaharias antefisen. Ego gar ilthon,
tin Sotirian Laou etisasthe, ouhi de
komisasthe, peda os prosfonis, ap
enantias evrisko Se, ton etimaton, ke
ipoptevo mi alithevin Se. Pos gar O
legis pistothisete? Elisavet ta meli
nenekrote, ke emou de to giras,
dispistian nin tekmerete.
Enite ton Kyrion panta ta Ethni!
Epenesate Afton pantes i Lai!
Ti apistis mou tis logis Zaharia, psevdi
evangelia, legon komizin me? Theou
Arhangelos pefika, a prosetahthin,
tafta Si leo sin Si istamenos, epi de
ipistisas, ke ouk epistefsas, esi
kofevon ke alalos, eos an idis, emon
rimaton tin Thian ekvasin. Epan de
teki Elisavet Si, tin tou logou fonin
megan Prodromon, tranoumenis tis
glottis, evlogisis ton Theon Israil.
FESTAL VESPERS CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN
Supplications have been heard.
Courage, Old Man, and do not
disbelieve me. For Thou wilt have a
Child a Divine Forerunner greater
than all those born of women, who
will go before the Christ in the Power
of Elias.
From the morning watch until night;
from the morning watch until night
let Israel Hope in the Lord.
Strange Thou appear to me in aspect
ad manner, strange too in words and
tidings, answered Zahcariah. For I
have come to ask Salvation for the
people, not to gain a Child, as Thou
announce. I find Thee quite the
converse of my requests and I suspet
that Thou may not speak the Truth;
for how will what Thou say be
confirmed? The members of
Elizabeth art deadened, and mine
own old age now counsels disbelief.
the Lord there is Mercy, and
with Him is Abundant Redemption;
and He will Redeem Israel from all
his transgressions.
Strange Thou appear to me in aspect
ad manner, strange too in words and
tidings, answered Zahcariah. For I
have come to ask Salvation for the
people, not to gain a Child, as Thou
announce. I find Thee quite the
converse of my requests and I suspet
that Thou may not speak the Truth;
for how will what Thou say be
confirmed? The members of
Elizabeth art deadened, and mine
own old age now counsels disbelief.
Praise the Lord, all Gentiles! Praise
Him, all you people!
Why dost Thou not believe my words,
O Zachariah, saying that I bring
Good Tidings that are false? I am
Gods Archangel. The Things that I
have been ordered to, these I now
tell as I stand here with Thee. But
since Thou hast doubted an have not
believed, Thou will be dumb and
without speech, until Thou see the
Divine Outcome of my words. But
when Elizabeth bears Thee a Child,
the Voice of the Word, the Great
Forerunner, Thy Tongue will be clear
THE B A P T I S T 2 2 - 2 3 S E P T E M B E R 3.

Oti ekrateothi to Eleos Aftou ef imas, For
ke i alithia tou Kyriou meni is ton
eona.
Ti apistis mou tis logis Zaharia, psevdi
evangelia, legon komizin me? Theou
Arhangelos pefika, a prosetahthin,
tafta Si leo sin Si istamenos, epi de
ipistisas, ke ouk epistefsas, esi
kofevon ke alalos, eos an idis, emon
rimaton tin Thian ekvasin. Epan de
teki Elisavet Si, tin tou logou fonin
megan Prodromon, tranoumenis tis
glottis, evlogisis ton Theon Israil.
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati
FESTAL STICHERA ST JOHN THE
Ek stirevousis simeron nidios, karpos
prosevhis anevlastisen, Ioannis O
Prodromos. Agallou i erimos, ke
horeve i anthropotis, O tis metanias
kirix, idou arhete, en kilia mitriki
sarkousthe. Defte agallomeni en ti
endoxo aftou sillipsi, i fileorti
horevsomen voontes. O en gennitis
gynekon mezon iparhon, mi dialipis
presviin, iper ton Pisti timonton, tin
Thian Sou sillipsin, opos evromen
ilasmon amartion, ke to Mega Eleos.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
and Thou will Bless the God of Israel.
His Mercy rules over us; and the
Truth of the Lord endures forever.
Why dost Thou not believe my words,
O Zachariah, saying that I bring
Good Tidings that are false? I am
Gods Archangel. The Things that I
have been ordered to, these I now
tell as I stand here with Thee. But
since Thou hast doubted an have not
believed, Thou will be dumb and
without speech, until Thou see the
Divine Outcome of my words. But
when Elizabeth bears Thee a Child,
the Voice of the Word, the Great
Forerunner, Thy Tongue will be clear
and Thou will Bless the God of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit
BAPTIST TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Today from a barren womb, the Fruit of
Prayer has sprouted, John the
Forerunner. Wilderness Rejoice!
Humanity dance! The Herald of
Repentance begins to take flesh in
his mothers womb. Come,
Rejoicing, in his Glorious
Conception, Lovers of Feasts, let us
dance as we cry out: Thou art the
greatest of those born of women. Do
not ease to Intercede for those who
with Faith Honour Thy Divine
Conception, that we may find
Atonement for sins, and Gods Great
Mercy.
Now and ever, and to the Ages of
ages.
Amen
Honoured and All Blessed One,
Beseech him for Mercy on our souls.
PROKEIMENON OF FRIDAY EVENING - PSALM 58:
O Theos, antiliptor mou i. To Eleos Sou My Help comes from the Lord, Who has
propsithasi me. made Heaven and Earth.
STIHOS Exelou me ek ton ehthron mou, VERSE I lifted up my eyes to the
O Theos, ke ek ton epanistmenon ep mountains, from whence my Help
emi Litrose me. shall come.
O Theos, antiliptor mou i. To Eleos Sou My Help comes from the Lord, Who has
propsithasi me made Heaven and Earth.
FESTAL APOSTICHA- ST JOHN THE BAPTIST - CONCEPTION
TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Molounti is Agia, ta ton Agion Agios, As the Holy Priest and Prophet, went in
Ieri Profiti te, ke Agio Agios, kathos Holiness to the Holy of Holies, a
gegrapte, epistas Angelos, prosefoni Holy Angel stood by him, as it is
legon. Isikousthi Sou i deisis, ke written, and addressed him, saying:
dialiete, nin tis Elisavet i stirosis, ke Thy Prayer has been heard, and now
texete presvita Si, iion Ioannin ke Elizabeths barrenness is being
Prodromon, lihnon tou Iliou, Profitin abolished, and she will give birth for
tou Ipsistou ke fonin, tou ek Thee, Old Man, to a Son, John the
Parthenou Theopedos, Logou Forerunner, Lamp of Elias, Prophet
anatilantos. of the Most High, and Voice of the
Word Who dawned from a Virgin,
Child of God.
Evlogitos Kyrios O Theos tou Israil, oti Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for
epeskepsato ke epiisen litrosin to he has visited and Redeemed his
lao aftou. people.
Lege mi tranotata, kata ti gnosome Tell me quite plainly, how shall I know
touto? Avthis pros ton Angelon, O this? the Most Blessed Elder
Makariotatos presvis efisen. Os oras answered the Angel. For, as Thou
pliria gar, imeron iparho, Elisavet see, I am full of years Elizabeth is
stira pefike. Pos oun mi rimata, barren. How then dost Thou utter
fthengi iper fisin, existame, oudolos words to me beyond nature? I am
alithevonta, nin iponoo se O amazed. Now I suspect that Thou
anthrope. Apithi, ego gar, laou tin art not speaking the Truth at all, my
Sotirian exeto, ouhi de peda friend. Away with Thee, for I am
komisasthe, pragma disparadekton. beseeching the Salvation of the
people, not to obtain a Child,
something hard to admit.

Tis mi Makarisi Se, Panagia Parthene?
Tis mi animnisi Sou ton alohevton
Tokon? O gar ahronos ek Patros
eklamosas Iios Monogenis, O Aftos ek
Sou tis Agnis Proilthen afrastos
sarkothis, fisi Theos Iperhon, ke fisi
genomenos anthropos di imas, ouk is
diada prosopon temnomenos, all en
diadi fiseon, asighitos gnorizomenos.
Afton iketeve, semni Pammakariste,
eleithine tas psihas imon.
THE ENTRANCE FOS ILARON...

Who will not call Thee Blessed, O
Ke Si, Pedion, Profitis Ipsistou
klithisi. Proporefsi gar pro
Most Holy Virgin? Who will not sing
Prosopou Kyriou etimase Odous
praises of Thy Wondrous
Aftou.
Birthgiving? For the Only Begotten
Son, timelessly having shone forth Theou Pantokratoros, Ego Arhangelos
from the Father, came forth from pelo, Gavriil mi onoma, to presviti
Thee Who art Pure. And, having efisen O Asomatos, to paron kofefson,
become ineffably Incarnate, He, Who ke sigin askison, apistisas emis
by Nature is God, for our sake rimasin. Epan de teki Si, salpinga tou
became also by Nature Man not in Logou i sizigos, tou Pnevmatos
two individual Persons, but in two tranountos Si, glottan ekvoisis
Natures without confusion. O tranotata. Profitis Ipsistou, lithisi O
And you, Child, will be called the
Prophet of the Most High, for Thou
will go before the Lord, to prepare
His Ways.
I am an Archangel of God Almighty, my
name is Gabirel, said the Boiless One
to the Old Man. Now be dumb, and
practise silence, for Thou hast not
believed my words. But when Thy
Wife bears Thou a trumpet of the
Word the Spirit will instruct Thy
Tongue, and Thou wilt cry out most

4. F E S T A L V E S P E R S C O N C E P T I O N OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 22-23 SEPTEMBER FESTAL VESPERS CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE B A P T I S T 2 2 - 2 3 S E P T E M B E R 5.