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Moleben to Immanuel
THE IMMANUEL MOLEBEN TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS THE MESSIAH SUNG DURING SAINT PHILIP’S FAST Rubrics for setting-up: The icon of Immanuel or the Theotokos of the Sign is placed in the altar on the holy table. The palamar prepares tapers which later, before the exaltation, he will distribute to the faithful. Then he lights the censer, the lights at the holy table and the lampadas before the iconostas. The temple itself is dimly lit. The priest, vested over his rason in a dark-coloured epitrakhil and phelon, and the deacon, vested in a dark stichar and orar, stand before the holy table and bow thrice. The veil is drawn aside, but the holy doors remain closed. The priest and deacon exit altar and stand before the iconostas in front of the main icon of the Saviour. They make a reverence and the deacon says: The Usual Beginning: Deacon: Father, give the blessing! Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now for ever and ever. All: Amen. Priest: Glory to You, our God; glory to You! All: Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of all blessings and Giver of Life, come, dwell among us, cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, pardon our transgressions; Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake. Lord, have mercy. (3) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. All: Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, All: now and for ever and ever. Amen. Come, let us bow in worship before our King and God. All: Come, let us bow in worship before Christ our King & God. Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord Jesus Christ, All: our King and God. Now a single reader, standing with a taper in the midst of the temple, alone reads the following psalm. Priest and deacon enter altarand take their places at the holy table. The holy doors are opened. The Priest distributes tapers to concelebrating priests, if there are any, to the deacon and servers. Then he blesses the palamar to distribute tapers to the faithful standing in the temple. All light their tapers. The Priest, accompanied by the deacon, or server if there is no deacon, incenses the icon of Immanuel or the Theotokos of the Sign three times from the four sides of the holy table.
Psalm 72: O God, with Your judgment endow the king, * and with Your justice, the king's son; He shall govern the people with justice * and Your afflicted ones with judgment. The mountains shall yield peace for the people, * and the hills, justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, * and save the children of the poor, and crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, * and like the moon through all generations. He shall be like rain coming down on the fleece, * like showers watering the earth. Justice shall flow in his days and profound peace, * until the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, * and from the River to the ends of the earth. The Ethiopians shall bow before him, * and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; * the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All the kings of the earth shall pay him homage, * all nations shall serve him. For he shall rescue the poor man from the mighty, * and the afflicted man who has none to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; * the lives of the poor he shall save. From fraud and injustice he shall redeem them, * and precious shall be his name in their sight. May he live to be given the gold of Arabia, * and to be prayed for continually; day by day shall they bless him! May there be an abundance of grain upon the earth; * on mountain tops crops shall rustle like Lebanon; city dwellers shall flourish * like the verdure of the fields. May his name be blessed forever; * as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; * all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, * and save the children of the poor, and crush the oppressor. He shall be like rain coming down on the fleece, * like showers watering the earth. The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; * the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. Reader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, * All: now and for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia: * Glory to You, O God! (3x)
Pre-Feast Tropar (t.4) Bethlehem, make ready, Eden has been opened for all. * Ephrathah, prepare yourself * for the Tree of Life has * blossomed from the Virgin in the cave. * Her womb has become a spiritual paradise * in which divinity was planted. * If we partake of it we shall live and not die like Adam. * Christ is born to raise up the likeness that had fallen.
EXALTATION PROCESSION WITH THE ICON: The clergy bow before the holy table. The priest takes the holy icon with both hands, but if there are concelebrants, the two youngest, going first in the procession, together bear the icon. The deacon, or server, holding the taper and censer, leads the procession. Moving to the right, the go around the holy table. Leaving through the holy doors (servers leave through the deacon's doors) they come to the ambon where they bless the assembly with the holy icon. Then they descend into the temple and place the icon on an analoy or the tetrapod between the two choirs. Once the psalm is completed, all the clergy, standing with the tapers in two rows before the icon, solemnly & with sweet melody, sing this exultation: Priest: We extol You, * O Christ, the Giver of life, * for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Immanuel, * You revealed Yourself the Saviour by the prophets foretold. All: We extol You, * O Christ, the Giver of life, * for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Immanuel, * You revealed Yourself the Saviour by the prophets foretold. While the people repeat the exaltation, the Priest, accompanied by the deacon and/or server(s), incenses the holy icon three times from its four sides. Then he incenses the holy table all around, the whole altar area, the iconostas, concelebrating clergy, the whole temple, the assembly and again the icon, but only from the front. Throughout the incensation, the people, lit tapers in their hands, sing the exaltation many times, repeating it after each of the following verses. The verses are sung by a cantor or the Priest. Verses: 1. Let the world and those who dwell in it resound * before the Lord, for He comes, He is coming to judge the earth. (Ps. 97:7,9) 2. He has remembered His kindness toward Jacob and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel. * All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Ps. 97:3) 3. "I will make a horn to sprout forth for David; * upon him my holiness shall blossom." (Ps. 131:17,18) 4. From Zion, excellent in His beauty, * God, our God, visibly comes and will not be silent! (Ps. 49:2,3) 5. The Lord stoops down from heaven to the sons of men, * to see if there be one who is wise or seeks God. (Ps. 13:2) 6. He remembers forever His covenant, * the word made binding for a thousand generations. (Ps. 104:8) 7. He bowed the heavens and came down, * from the brightness before Him the clouds passed. (Ps. 17:10,13) 8. The Lord of hosts is with us, * our helper is the God of Jacob. (Ps. 45:8) 9. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. 10. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3x)
After the Exaltation, the youngest going first, the clergy enter the altar through the holy doors. All extinguish their candles. [Alternatively the clergy may stay in the Sanctuary and send only the Deacon to into the Altar to intone the Prokimen etc. and finally bring out the Gospel book out to the Priest at the Hierarchical Ambo.
Bible Readings: The deacon, having come to the holy doors, says: Deacon: Wisdom. The reader, standing in the centre of the church before the ambo, proclaims: Reader: A reading from the prophecy of ... The holy doors are closed. The reader reads the following paremia: At the conclusion of the paremia the holy doors are opened and remain so till the end of the Gospel. Deacon: Let us be attentive. The Prophesy (Old Testament Reading) Priest: Peace + be to you, Reader. Reader: And to your spirit The Great Prokimen: Deacon: Wisdom. Let us be attentive. The Great Prokimen in the 4th tone: Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. All: Show us Your mercy, O Lord, * and grant us Your salvation. Verse 1: I will hear what the Lord God tells me, for He proclaims peace to His people. Near indeed is His salvation to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. 2: Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss, Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice look down from heaven. 3: For the Lord Himself will give benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before Him, and salvation, along the way of His steps. Deacon: Wisdom. Reader: A reading from the letter of the holy Apostle Paul to the Church in …. Deacon: Let us be attentive. Reader: The Apostle Reading Priest: Peace to you, reader. Reader: And to your spirit Deacon: In the 4th Tone: Let everthing that has breath praise the LORD! All: Let everthing that has breath * praise the LORD! Deacon: Wisdom. Let us be attentive. Reader: The Alleluia in the 4th tone: Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia All: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Reader: 1: Reform your lives! The reign of God is at hand. 2: A herald's voice in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths." During the "Alleluia" , the Deacon incenses and brings the Gospel book out to the Priest Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand aright and listen to the Holy Gospel. Priest: Peace + to all. All: And to your spirit. Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to… All: Glory to You, O Lord; glory to You. Deacon: Let us be attentive. The Gospel Reading All: Glory to You, O Lord; glory to You. If there is to be a sermon, it is preached now or at the dismissal. Once the Gospel or sermon is ended, the Holy Doors are closed and remain so until the end of the moleben. Priest and Deacon come into the centre of the temple before the icon of Immanuel or the Theotokos of the Sign. They intone the following encomia alternately, after each of which the people sing the appointed refrain.
ENCOMIA DIVINE PRAISES: (Irmos, tone 6) Clergy: Jesus, Wisdom, Designer of all, * O breath of the power of God, * pure emanation * of the glory of the Almighty: * come and save * - those who hope in you. All: Jesus, Wisdom, Designer of all, O breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty: come and save - those who hope in you.
Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Reflection of the eternal Light, spotless Mirror of God's creative power, Icon of His goodness: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Image of the invisible God, Reflection of the Father's glory, exact Representation of His Being: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, sweetest Child, Fulfilment of the sign, Immanuel - "God With Us": // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Messenger of Great Counsel, Prince of Peace, Father of the Age to come: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, eternal life, wrapped as a servant in swaddling clothes, that as God You might sunder the chains of death: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Star from Jacob which rose in a cave, O shepherd of Israel whom shepherds adored: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Deliverance of our first parents, Joy of the patriarchs, Fulfilment of the law and the prophets: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Salvation prepared in the sight of every people, Light of revelation for the Gentiles and Glory of Your people Israel: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, long-awaited hope of the nations, You make them children of Abraham and heirs according to the promise: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, ever-living Word, Lamb of God who take away the sin of the world, who came after the Forerunner yet are before him: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, He-Who-Is, whom the Father sent and glorifies, whose Day Abraham saw with rejoicing: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Jesus, Messiah, Son of the Blessed One, O blessed and only Mighty One, the Lord - to whom be honour and everlasting power: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us! Now and for ever and ever, amen: // Come And Save those who hope in You. Refrain: Immanuel, God-With-Us, have mercy on us!
The TRIPLE EKTENY: The clergy may re-enter the altar or stay at the hierarchical ambo. The deacon standing at the usual place, intones this ekteny: Deacon: --Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we implore You: Hear us and mercy. All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. --That the Church of Christ be established throughout the world as a visible sign of the nearness of the Kingdom of God, so that, in evangelical hope and poverty, believers may confidently await the Saviour, who is coming to confirm the citizens of new and heavenly Jerusalem, we implore You: hear us, O Lord, and have mercy. --That our brothers and sisters, who are persecuted now by the works of darkness, may find power in hope of a just judgment, which will destroy the injustice of men, we earnestly implore You, O righteous Father and God of all consolation: hear us and graciously have mercy. --That dedicating ourselves and one another, in this holy time of the Fast, to preparing a path for the One who is coming, the good Spirit of His grace would level the mountains of our sins and failings and make our crooked ways straight, we implore You: hear us, O Lord, and have mercy. --That the love of God, urging us to imitate the Lord Jesus in His struggle to reconcile men both to the Father & to one another, would make us sharers in the saving work of drawing all things together in harmony and peace, we fervently implore You: hear us, O God, and have mercy. --We also implore the Lord our God to hear the prayerful voices of us sinners and have mercy on His servants, N., N., N.,( those who brought offerings for the moleben)... and protect us/them from all anxiety, danger, violence and need, and grant us/them health with long life, let us all say: hear us speedily, and graciously have mercy. All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Priest: Hear us, O God, our Saviour, the hope of humanity throughout the world and across the distant seas. Forgive us, O Lord, forgive us our wrongdoings and have mercy on us. For you are a merciful God, the Lover-of-Humanity, and we give glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. All: Amen.
PRAYER ON BENDED KNEES: Priest and deacon come before the icon which was taken in procession. Deacon: With tenderness in our hearts let all of us, bowing our heads and our knees, pray to the Lord. All: Lord, have mercy. (All kneel) Priest: O God and Father, the Almighty One, You created humanity in Your image and likeness, and when we fell through disobedience, You promised to send us a Saviour. When the fullness of time had come, Your favour rested on Your only-begotten Son; and He was born of the ever-virgin Mary. Thus what Isaiah the prophet foretold was fulfilled: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel, which means 'God-With-Us'." His birth filled all creation with light, He gave us the baptism of repentance and restored our ancient dignity. Now, most compassionate Lord, You bring us to these honoured days of the Fast that we may do battle with the desires of the flesh and draw strength from the hope of resurrection. Receive us, then, as penitents, and forgive us all our wrongs, those done knowingly and unknowingly, through malice and through weakness. And may the bending of our knees, our fasting, and our works of mercy rise up before You as incense, as sweet spiritual fragrance, that, in company with the Magi and the Shepherds, we too, with pure hearts, may be found worthy to bow down before the Nativity of Jesus the Christ, Your beloved Son. To Him, together with You and Your all-holy Spirit, belong glory, honour and worship, now and for ever and ever. All: Amen.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian:
O
Lord and Master of my life, (Prostration)
But grant rather (Prostration)
Yes, O Lord and
King, (Prostration)
The DISMISSAL Deacon: Wisdom All: More honourable than the cherubim, and beyond compare, more glorious than the seraphim, without stain you bore the Word of God; O true Theotokos, we extol you. Priest: Glory to You, Christ God our hope; glory to You! All: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Give the blessing. Priest: May Christ our true God, who for our salvation chose to fulfill the sign foretold of Immanuel, through the prayers of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptiser John, of the holy Prophet and Herald of the Saviour Isaiah, of the holy fathers, prophets and just ones who, living under the Law awaited the Messiah's coming, Saint NN whose day this is, and through the prayers of all the saints: may this same Christ our God have mercy on us and save us for He is good and the Lover-of-humanity. All: Amen. All come forward to venerate the holy icon of Immanuel or the Theotokos of the Sign and an anointing with previously blessed oil may be given. St Philip’s Fast Hymn may be sung: (Anthology pp. 978, 981)
Source: Unknown page updated on: June 18, 2011 |
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