Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

By the Grace of God Festal Matins & Divine Liturgy

COMPILED, ADAPTED, EDITED & PRINTED
Hymns & Readings
USED TOGETHER WITH THE SERVICE BOOKS
BY
MARGUERITE PAIZIS
ARCHONDISSA & TEACHER BY DIVINE GRACE
GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ALEXANDRIA & ALL AFRICA
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOOD HOPE
HOLY CHURCH OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
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1st & 2nd Findings of the Venerable Head of St John
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the Baptist & Forerunner
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RE-EDITED & PUBLISHED - 31 JANUARY 2017

Our Eternal Gratitude to Pater Seraphim Dedes & all the contributing Translators
elsewhere for the original Greek & English texts and for making our Worship a little
easier to understand, to participate and to appreciate.
Glory to God for His Great Mercy!
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16. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY

 The Finding of St John the Baptists Head
After the unjust and illegal Beheading of the Last and Greatest Holy Prophet of
God St John the Baptist and Forerunner to Christ his body was buried by his
Faithful Disciples in the Samarian City of Sebaste, but his venerable head had
been thrown into the Palace cesspool by Herodias the wicked adulteress.
St Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herods Steward, secretly retrieved the Holy Relic,
reverently cleansed it and placed it in a vessel, which she then buried on the
Mount of Olives one of Herods properties.
St Gregory Palamas
After many years, the property passed into the possession of a Government Official
who became a devout Monk, named Innocent.
He built a church and a cell there and when they had begun to dig the
Do not think, my fellow Christian,
foundations, the buried vessel with the venerable head of St John the Baptist that only Priests and Monks
was uncovered.
Monk Innocent immediately realised its great Holiness from the Signs of Grace need to pray without ceasing,
that emanated from it.
Thus occurred the First Finding of the Venerable Head of St John the Baptist. and that laymen have no need to do so!
The Holy Father preserved it with great Piety, but fearful that the Holy Relic might
be abused by unbeliever, before his own death, he again hid it in that same
No!
place where he had found it. Every Christian
After his Repose in Christ, the church fell into ruin and was eventually destroyed.
During the reign of St Constantine the Great, when Christianity began to flourish, (every Disciple of Christ)
the Holy Forerunner appeared twice to to Monks who had journeyed to
Jerusalem on a Holy Pilgrimage, revealing to them the exact location of his
without exception,
head.
The two Monks proceeded to unearth the buried Holy Relic and, after placing it in
ought to dwell always in Prayer!
a camels hair sack, continued homewards.
Along the way they encountered a Potter and handed him the sack to carry.
Not knowing what he was carrying, the Potter and the Monks continued on their
way.
That night St John the Baptist appeared in a Vision to the Potter and ordered him
to flee from the careless and lazy Monks and to take the sack with the Holy
Relic with him.
The Potter obeyed the Saint and left the two sleeping Monks, and returned to his
home where he preserved the Holy Relic with sincere reverence.
Shortly before his Repose, the Potter placed the Venerable Head in a clay water
jug and entrusted its care to his sister.
From that time onwards the Venerable Head of St John the Baptist was
successively preserved by devout Christians, until a heretical Priest, Eustathios
(infected with the Arian heresy) came into possession of it.
He beguiled a multitude of the infirm who had been Healed by the Holy Head,
ascribing their cures to the fact that it was in the possession of an Arian.
When his blasphemy was uncovered, he was compelled to flee. So he quickly
buried the Holy Relic in a cave near Emesa, intending to return later and use it
again for desseminating his lies.
However, the Lord God did not permit this for Pious Monks settled in that cave,
and established a Monastery there.
In 452 St John the Baptist appeared to Archimandrite Marcellos of that Monastery,
and revealed where his head was hidden.
This is Commemorated as the Second Finding of St John the Baptists Venerable
Head, which was was transferred to Emesa, and later to Constantinople.
HTTPS://OCA.ORG/SAINTS/LIVES/2001/02/24/100603-FIRST-AND-SECOND-FINDING

2. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 15.
 Alla ti exilthete idin? Profitin? But what did you go out to see? A
Prophet?
Ne, lego Yes, I say to you: and more than a
Profitou!
imin, ke perissoteron
Prophet! Festal Matins Hymns - St John the Baptist
Outos gar esti peri ou gegrapte: For this is he of whom it is written:
Idou! Ego Apostello ton Angelon Behold! I send My Messenger
Kindly use the Matins Service Book until this point, then carefully follow
Mou pro Prosopou Sou, os before Thy Face, who will prepare instruction with regard to these Hymns
kataskevasi tin Odon Sou Thy Way before Thee.
emprosthen Sou. PSALM 117 /118
PRAISE TO GOD FOR HIS EVERLASTING MERCY
Amin lego imin: ouk egigerte en Truly, I say to you: among those born
gennitis gynekon mizon Ioannou of women there has not risen one
Theos Kyrios ke Epefanen imin. The Lord is God, and has Appeared to
Evlogimenos O erhomenos en us. Blessed is He Who comes in the
tou Vaptistou! greater than John the Baptist!
Onomati Kyriou! Name of the Lord!
O de mikroteros en ti Vasilia ton He who is least in the Kingdom of
Ouranon mizon Aftou estin. Heaven is greater than him.
1. Exomologisthe to Kyrio, oti Agathos, 1. Confess the Lord, for He is Good;
oti is ton eona to Eleos Aftou! for His Mercy endures forever!
Apo de ton imeron Ioannou tou From the days of John the Baptist
Vaptistou eos arti i Vasilia ton until now the Kingdom of Heaven
2. Panta ta Ethni ekiklosan me, ke to 2. All the Nations surrounded me, but
Onomati Kyriou inamin aftous. in the Name of the Lord I drove
Ouranon viazete, ke viaste suffers violence, and the violent
3. Para Kyriou egeneto afti, ke esti them back.
arpazousin aftin. take it by force.
Pantes gar i Profite ke O Nomos eos For all Prophets and the Law Thavmasti en ofthalmis imon. 3. This is the Lords doing, and it is
Marvellous in our eyes.
Ioannou eprofitevsa. prophesied until John.
FESTAL APOLYTIKION ST JOHN BAPTISTS HEAD - TONE 4
Ke i thelete dexasthe, aftos estin Ilias And if you are willing to receive it, he
O mellon erhesthe. is Elijah who is to come. Ek gis anatilasa i tou Prodromou Kefali, The Forerunners Head has risen once
aktinas afiisi tis aftharsias, Pisis ton again from the earth it sends forth
O ehon ota akoueto! He who has ears to hear, let him iaseon. Anothen sinathrizi tin plithin the Brilliant Rays of Incorruption
hear! ton Angelon, kaothen sigkalite ton and Cures to all Faithful. Above, it
KINONIKON PSALM 111/112 anthropon to genos, omofonon assembles the arrays of Angels
anapempse, Doxan Hristo to Theo. below it calls mankind to gather
Is mnimosinon eonion es Dikeos. The Righteous will be Remembered
together. In unison, we offer Glory
forever.
to Christ our God.
Allilouia! Alliluia! Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
KINONIKON TONE 2 and to the Holy Spirit
Idomen to Fos to Alithinon, elavomen We have seen the True Light; we have Ek gis anatilasa i tou Prodromou Kefali, The Forerunners Head has risen once
Pnevma Epouranion, evromen Pistin received the Heavenly Spirit; we aktinas afiisi tis aftharsias, Pisis ton again from the earth it sends forth
Alithi, adiereton Triada have found the True Faith, iaseon. Anothen sinathrizi tin plithin the Brilliant Rays of Incorruption
proskinountes. Afti gar imas esoson. worshpping the Undivided Trinity, ton Angelon, kaothen sigkalite ton and Cures to all Faithful. Above, it
for the Trinity has Saved us. anthropon to genos, omofonon assembles the arrays of Angels
KINONIKON anapempse, Doxan Hristo to Theo. below it calls mankind to gather
together. In unison, we offer Glory
Plirothito to stoma imon eneseos Kyrie, Let our mouth be filled with Thy Praise, to Christ our God.
opos animnisomen tin Doxan Sou, oti O Lord, that we may sing of Thy
ixiosas imas ton Agion Sou metashin Glory, for Thou hast made us worthy Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton Now and ever, and to the Ages of ages.
Mystirion. Tirison imas en to So to prartake of Thy Holy Mysteries. eonon.
Agiasmo, olin tin imeran meletontas Keep us in Thy Sanctification, that Amin Amen
tin Dikeosinin Sou. Allilouia! all day long we may meditate upon THEOTOKION - TONE 4
Allilouia! Allilouia! Thy Righteousness. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! 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. Theos en which was hidden from Eternity, and
asighito enosi sarkoumenos. Ke 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

14. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 3.
 psihas imon.
SMALL LITANY

FIRST FESTAL KATHISMATA ST JOHN BAPTISTS HEAD - TONE 4
Os Thion Thisavrisma, egkekrimmenon
ti gi, Hristo apekalipse tin Kefalin
Sou imin, Profita ke Prodrome.
Pantes oun sinelthontes, en ti taftis
evresi, asmasi Theigoris, ton Sotira
imnoumen, ton sozonta imas ek
fthoras tes ikesies Sou.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION
Tahi prokatalave, prin doulothine imas, Come
ehthris vlasfimousi Se, ke apilousin
imin, Hriste O Theos imon, anele to
Stavro Sou, tous imas polemountas,
gnotosan pos ishii, Orthodoxon i
Pistis, presvies tis Theotokou Mone
Filanthrope.
SECOND FESTAL KATHISMA ST JOHN BAPTISTS HEAD - TONE 4
Anadothisa os hrisos ek metallon, i Iera Under
Sou Kefali paradoxos, ek ton aditon
gis eploutise, Hristou Vaptista, pantas
tous prostrehontas, en ti taftis evresis,
inmis Megalinontas, ton Sotira ke
Ktistin, toutis didonta makar dia Sou,
lisin ptesmaton, ke plousion Eleos.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION
Ou siopisomen pote Theotoke, tou
evharistos animnin ek kardias, ta Sa
elei Despina i douli Sou, krazontes ke
legontes. Panagia Parthene,
profthason ke Litrose, ex ehthron
aoraton, ke anagkon ke pasis apilis.
4. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN
our Salvation; by virtue of which
Resurrecting mankind whom He had
first created, He Saved our souls
from Death.
A Most Holy Treasure hidden
underground for so long - Christ
has revealed to us Thy Sacred
Head once again, O Prophet and
Forerunner. So we all assemble for
the Feast of its Finding, singing our
God-Inspired Hymns in Praise of
our Saviour, Who Saves us from
Destruction, by Thine earnest
Prayers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
quickly, O Lord, to prevent us
from being enslaved to foes who
speak blasphemies against Thee, O
Christ our God, and boastingly
threaten us. Annihilate by the Power
of Thy Cross those who fight us. Let
them know how the Faith of the
Orthodox has Power, accepting Thy
Mothers Intercessions for us, Only
Lover of mankind.
the Most Extraordinary
Circumstances, Thy Sacred Head was
excavated and taken up like precious
gold from a mine, O Baptist of
Christ. It enriched the Faithful who
ran to witness its Finding. And with
Hymns they magnified our Creator
and Saviour. And now He grants
Forgiveness of sins and Rich Mercy,
through Thee, O Blessed Forerunner.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
O Theotokos, we shall not cease from
speaking of all Thy Mighty Acts. For
if Thou did not Intercede for us, who
would have Delivered us from such
manifold Dangers, and who else
would, up to now, have preserved us
THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY
En panti thlivomeni all ou
stenohoroumeni, aporoumeni all ouk
exaporoumeni, diokomeni all ouk
egkatalipomeni, katavllomeni all ouk
apollimeni - pantote tin nekrosin tou
Iisou en to somati periferontes, ina ke
i Zoi tou Iisou en to somati imon
fanerothi.
Ai gar imis i Zontes is Thanaton
paradidometha dia Iisoun, in ke i Zoi
tou Iisou faneothi en ti thniti sarki
imon.
Oste O Thanatos en imin energite, i de
Zoi en imin.
Ehontes de to afto pnevma tis Pisteos,
kata to gegrammenon: Epistefsa, do
elalisa, ke imis Pistevomen, dio ke
laloumen, idotes oti O egiras ton
Kyrion Iisoun ke imas Sin Iisou egeri
ke parastisi sin imin.
Ta gar panta di imas, in ai Haris
pleonassasa dia ton plionon tin
Efharistian perissefsi is tin Doxan tou
Theou.
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST EXPLAINS ST JOHN THE BAPTISTS MISSION TO US
To kero ekino, akousas O Ioannis en to
desmotirio ta Erga tou Hristou,
pempsas dio ton Mathiton aftou ipen
afto: Si i O Erhomenos i Eteron
prosdokimen?
Ke apokrithis O Iisous ipen aftis:
Porevthentes apanilate Ioanni a
akouete ke velpete: tifli
anavlepousi ke holi peripatousi;
lepri katharizonte ke kofi akouousi,
nekri egironte ke itohi
Evangelizonte.
Ke Makarios estin os ean mi
skandalisthi en Emi.
Touton de porevomenon irxato O Iisous As they departed, Jesus began to say to
legin tis ohlis peri Ioannou: Ti
exilthete is tin erimon theasasthe?
Kalamon ipo anemou slevomenon?
Alla ti exilthete idin? Anthropon en
malakis imfiesmenon?
Idou! I ta malaka orountes en tis ikis
ton Vasileon isin.
FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN
We are hard pressed on every side, yet
not crushed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed always carrying about in
the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
so that the Life of Jesus also may be
manifested in our body.
For we who Live are already Delivered
to Death for Jesus sake, that the Life
of Jesus also may be manifested in
our mortal flesh.
So then Death is working in us, but Life
in you.
Since we have the same spirit of Faith,
according to what is written: ...I
believed, therefore I spoke... we also
Believe and therefore speak, knowing
that He Who raised up the Lord
Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus,
and will present us with you.
For all things are for your sake, that
Grace, having spread through the
many, may cause Thanksgiving to
abound to the Glory of God.
TO ST MATTHEW 11:2 15
At that time, when John had heard in
prison about the Works of Christ, he
sent two of his disciples who asked
Him: Art Thou the Coming One, or
do we look for Another?
And Jesus answered them: Go and tell
John the things that you hear and
see: the blind see, and the lame
walk; the lepers are cleansed and
the deaf hear; the dead are raised
up and the poor have the Gospel
preached to them.
And Blessed is he who is not offended
because of Me.
the multitudes concerning John:
What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed shaken
by the wind?
But what did you go out to see? A
man clothed in soft garments?
Behold! Those who wear soft clothing
are in Kings houses.
THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 13.

Festal Divine Liturgy Hymns - St John the Baptist
Kindly use the Divine Liturgy Service Book until this point, then carefully
follow instruction with regard to these Hymns
FESTAL APOLYTIKION FINDING
Ek gis anatilasa i tou Prodromou Kefali, The
aktinas afiisi tis aftharsias, Pistis ton
iaseon. Anothen sinathrizi tin plithin
ton Angelon, katothen sigkalite ton
anthropon to genos, omofonon
anapempse, doxan Hristo to Theo.
FESTAL KONTAKION OF THE 1ST & 2ND FINDING
Profita Theou, ke Prodrome tis Haritos, Since
tin Karan tin Sin, os rodon ierotaton,
ek tis Gis evrameni, tas iasis pantote
lamvanomen. Ke gar palin os
proteron, en kosmo kirittis tin
metanian.
SEASONAL KONTAKION -
THE
Prostasia ton Hristianon akateskhinte,
mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi
Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla
profthason os agathi, is tin voithian
imon, ton pistos kravgazonton Si:
Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is
ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke,
ton timonton Se.
FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 63/64 TONE (7) VARYS/GRAVE
Eufranthisete Dikeos en Kyrio ke Elpii
ep afton.
Isakouson, O Theos, tis fonis mou, en to Hear
deesthe me pros Se.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL
LIKE ST PAUL, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FACED DEATH SO THAT HE MIGHT SHOW FORTH THE LIGHT
OF CHRIST
Adelphi, O Theos O ipon, ek skotous Fos Brethren,
lamspe, O elampsen en tes kardies
imn pros Fotismon tis Gnoseos tis
Doxis tou Theou en Prosopo Hristou.
Ehomen de ton Thisavron touton en
ostrakinis skevesin, in ai ipervoli tis
Dinameos i tou Theou ke mi ex imon.
12. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD
OF ST JOHNS HEAD
Forerunners Head has risen once
again from the earth; it sends forth
Brilliant Rays of Incorruption and
Cures to all Faithful. Above it has
assembled Arrays of Angels; below it
calls mankind together. In unison
we offer Glory to Christ our God.
OF THE VENERABLE HEAD
we have obtained Thy head as a
Most Sacred Rose from out of the
Earth, O Forerunner of Divine Grace,
we receive sure Healing in every
hour, O Prophet of God the Lord, for
again, now as formerly, Thou preach
Repentance to all the world.
EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - TONE 2
O Protection of the Christians
unashamable, Mediation to the
Creator Immovable, despise not, the
pleading voices of those in sin, but
hasten O Good One, to the Aid of
all who in Faith cry out to Thee:
speed up Thine Intercession, and
press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all
those who honour Thee!
The Righteous Man shall be glad n the
Lord, and shall Hope in Him.
my voice, O God, in my
Supplication!
TO THE CORINTHIANS 4 : 6 - 15
it is God Who commanded
light to shine out of darkness, Who
has shone in our hearts to give the
Light of the Knowledge of the Glory
of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.
We have this Treasure in earthen
vessels, so that the Excellence of the
Power may be of God and not of us.
OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY
Si gar iparhis, imon i antilipsis.
THIRD FESTAL KATHISMA FINDING
O Irodis, Prodrome, paranomisas, tin
Timian Karan Sou, xifi apeteme
dinos, os ekfron istro O dileos. Inper
ek pothou, Pisti aspazometha.
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,
ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION
Moisis eorake, Pirforon Vaton, Se to Pir Moses
Vastasan, to tas psihas Fotagogoun,
ke mi flehthisan Panamome, Drosou
de mallon, plisthisan tis Haritos.
SMALL LITANY FESTAL
ANTIPHONS

FESTAL PROKEIMENON - FINDING HEAD
Eki exanatelo Keras to David, itimasa
Lihnon to Hristo Mou. (2)
STIHOS: Mnisthiti, Kyrie tou David, ke
pasis tis praotitos Aftou.
Eki exanatelo Keras to David, itimasa
Lihnon to Hristo Mou.
SMALL LITANY PRAISES TO
ALMIGHTY GOD

HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING
To kero ekinon, exilthen O Logos tou
Iisou en oli ti Ioudea ke en pasi ti
perihoro.
Ke apingilan Ioanni i Mathite aftou peri And
panton touton.
Ke proskalesamenos dio tinas ton
Mathiton aftou O Ioannis epempse
pros ton Iisoun legon: Si i O
Erhomenos i Eteron Prosdokome?
Paragenomeni de pros afton i andres
ipon: Ioannis O Vaptistis apestilen
imas pros Se legon: Si i O Erhomenos
i Eternon prosdokomen?
FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN
in Freedom? O Lady, we shall not
depart from Thee, for Thou always
Saves Thy servants from every kind
OF
of evil.
ST JOHN BAPTISTS HEAD - TONE 4
Herod, O Holy Forerunner, gave Thy
Most August Head to a woman, and
thus he transgressed the Law. Now
at its Finding we cry to Thee:
Entreat our Saviour that His Mercy
be granted to all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and
forever, and to the Ages of ages.
Amen
beheld the Burning Bush,
wherein he perceived Thee, the One
Who held the Fire that leads our
souls into Light, and yet Thou were
unburnt, O All Blameless One, but
rather were filled with the Dew of
Grace.
OF ST JOHN
There shall I cause to spring up a
Horn for David; there I prepared
a Lamp for My Anointed. (2)
VERSE: Remember David, O Lord, and
all his Meekness.
There shall I cause to spring up a
Horn for David; there I prepared
a Lamp for My Anointed.
TO ST LUKE 7 : 17 30
At that time, a report concerning our
Lord Jesus went throughout all
Judea and all the surrounding
region.
the Disciples of John reported to
him concerning all these things.
And calling two of his Disciples to him,
John sent them to Jesus, saying: Art
Thou the Coming One, or do we look
for another?
When the men went to Him, they said:
John the Baptist has sent us to Thee,
saying: Art Thou He Who is to come,
or shall we look for another?
THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 5.
 En Afti de ti Ora etherapefse pollous apo In that very Hour Jesus Cured many of
noson ke mastigon ke pnevmaton
poniron, ke tiflis pollis eharisato to
Vlepin.
Ke apokrithis O Iisous ipen aftis:
Porevthentes apangilate Ioanni a
idete ke ikousate: tifli anavlepousi
ke holi peripatousi, lepri
katharizonte, kofi akousi, nekri
eironte, ptohi Evangelizonte...
Ke Makarios estin os
skandalisthi en Emi.
Apelthonton de ton Mathiton Ioannou
irxato legin pros tous ohlous peri
Ioannou: Ti exelilithate is tin
erimon theasasthe? Kalamon ipo
anemou salevomenon?
Alla ti exelilithate idin? Anthropon
en malakis imatiis imfiesmenon?
Idou i en imatismo endoso ke trifi
iparhontes en tis Vasiliis isin!
All ti elilithate idin? Profitin?
Ne lego imin, ke perissoteron
Profitou.
Outos esti peri ou gegrapte, idou ego
apostello ton Angelon Mou pro
Prosopou Sou, os kataskevasi tin
odon Sou emprosthen Sou.
Lego gar imin, mizon en gennitis
ginekon Profitis Ioannou tou
Vaptistou oudis estin O de
mikroteros en ti Vasilia tou Theou
mezon aftou esti!
Ke pas O laos akousas ke i telone
edikeosan ton Theon, Vaptisthentes to
Vaptisma Ioannou.
I de Farisei ke i Nomiki tin voilin tou
Theou ithetisan is Eaftou, mi
Vaptisthents ip aftou.
Doxa Si, Kyrie, Doxa Si!
PSALM 50/51

infirmities, afflictions, and evil
spirits; and to many of the blind He
granted sight.
And Jesus answered and said to them:
Go, and tell John the things you
have beheld and heard: the blind
see and the lame walk, lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, the poor have the
Gospel preached to them...
ean mi And Blessed is he who is not offended
because of Me!
When the Disciples of John had
departed, He began to speak to the
multitudes concerning John: What
did you go out into the wilderness
to witness? A reed shaken by the
wind?
But what did you go out to behold? A
man clothed in soft garments?
Indeed those who are gorgeously
apparelled and who live in luxury
are in Kings Courts!
So what did you go out to see? A
Prophet?
Yes! I say to you and more than a
Prophet!
This is he of whom it was written:
Behold I send My Messenger before
Thy Face, who will prepare Thy
Way before Thee.
For I say to you: among those born of
women, there is no greater Prophet
than John the Baptist - yet he who is
least in the Kingdom of God is
greater than him!
And when all the people heard Jesus,
even the Tax Collectors Justified
God, having been Baptised with the
Baptism of John.
The Pharisees and Lawyers, however,
rejected the Will of God for
themselves not having been
Baptised by him.
PEO PLE Glory to Thee, O Lord:
Glory to Thee!
Ktisantos, ke ekvoomen afto ektenos.
Iisou Pantodiname, O Sotir ton
psihon imon!
Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio
Pnevmati
FESTAL VERSES FINDING ST JOHNS HEAD - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
Tin pansevasmion Karan, tou Vaptistou The
Sou Kyrie, fanerothisan simeron ek
gis, meta fonis eneseos, arisameni
Pistos, is presvian Filanthrope, i
eptekotes douli Sou, prosagontes
etoumetha, di aftis epitihin en Imera
Kriseos, para Sou ton ilasmon ke to
Mega Eleos.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon.
Amin
THEOTOKION - TONE (6) PLAGAL 2
THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND
Theotoke, Si i i ampelos i alithini, i
vlastisasa ton Karpon tis Zois. Se
iketevomen. Presveve Despina, meta
tou Prodromou ke panton ton Agion,
eleithine tas psihas imon.
THE GREAT DOXOLOGY

FESTAL APOLYTIKION FINDING
Ek gis anatilasa i tou Prodromou Kefali, The
aktinas afiisi tis aftharsias, Pistis ton
iaseon. Anothen sinathrizi tin plithin
ton Angelon, katothen sigkalite ton
anthropon to genos, omofonon
anapempse, doxan Hristo to Theo.
praises to Thee, O Baptist John, the
Friend of the Creator of the world,
to Whom we earnestly exclaim:
Thou, O Jesus, Almighty God, art the
Lord Who Saves our soul!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
All Venerable Head of Thy Baptist
was revealed today, O Lord, and we
have faithfully raised it from the
earth, and accompanied it with
voices of praise. Now we, Thy sinful
servants, offer it to Thee as an
Intercessions, O Lover of humanity.
We pray that on Judgement Day
through it we may obtain
Forgiveness and Great Mercy.
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 Forerunner,
and all the Saints, for Mercy on our
souls.
OF ST JOHNS HEAD
Forerunners Head has risen once
again from the earth; it sends forth
Brilliant Rays of Incorruption and
Cures to all Faithful. Above it has
assembled Arrays of Angels; below it
calls mankind together. In unison
we offer Glory to Christ our God.

6. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 11.
 PSALM 150- FESTAL VERSES FINDING ST JOHNS HEAD - TONE 4
Enite Afton epi tes Dinasties Afton.
Enite Afton kata to plithos tis
Megalosinis Aftou.
Inixe propilea tis egkratias i pansemnos,
Kefali Sou Panevfime, ke trifin
proethiken, iditatin pasi, Thion
harismaton. On per metehontes
Pistos, to tis nistias trahi glikenomen,
ke Pisti evfimoumen Se, ke ekvoomen
Hristo to Theo, Iisou Pantodiname, O
Sotir ton psihon imon!
Enite Afton en iho salpingos. Enite
Afton en psaltirio ke kithara.
Inixe propilea tis egkratias i pansemnos,
Kefali Sou Panevfime, ke trifin
proethiken, iditatin pasi, Thion
harismaton. On per metehontes
Pistos, to tis nistias trahi glikenomen,
ke Pisti evfimoumen Se, ke ekvoomen
Hristo to Theo, Iisou Pantodiname, O
Sotir ton psihon imon!
Enite Afton en timpano ke horo.
Afton en hordes ke organo.
Myra osper namata i Kefali
apostazousa, tou Prodromou aenaa,
ke trapezi simeron, apotethimeni,
Mystiki ke Thia, evodiazi noitos, ke
aidian elavni thlipseon, ke evfrosinis
apantas pliri tou potho
kravgazontas. Iisou Pantodiname, O
Sotir ton psihon imon!
Enite Afton en kimvalis evihis. Enite
Afton en kimvalis alalagmou.
Pasa pnoi inesato ton Kyrion.
Etemen i Kara Sou, kathaper xifos
tomotaton, Kefalas anomounton
ehtrhon, ke namata evlisen,
evnomousi pasi, ton Thion Hariton.
Ke dia touto Se Pistos anevfimoumen
filon ke Prodromon, Ioanni tou
10. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF
Praise Him for His Mighty Acts;
praise Him according to the
greatness of His Majesty.
Thine All Honoured Head inaugurates
the All Holy Fast of Lent, O All
Lauded Forerunner, John it offers
Believers all Sweet Delights of Holy
Grace and its Divine Gifts. As we
partake with Faith we make the
difficult road of Fasting sweet, and
loyally we honour Thee, and also call
out to Christ our God: Thou, O
Jesus, Almighty God, art the Lord
Who Saves our soul!
Praise Him with the sound of the
trumpet; praise Him with lute and
harp.
Thine All Honoured Head inaugurates
the All Holy Fast of Lent, O All
Lauded Forerunner, John it offers
Believers all Sweet Delights of Holy
Grace and its Divine Gifts. As we
partake with Faith we make the
difficult road of Fasting sweet, and
loyally we honour Thee, and also call
out to Christ our God: Thou, O
Jesus, Almighty God, art the Lord
Who Saves our soul!
Enite Praise Him with timbrel and dance;
praise Him with strings and flute.
Dripping with perfume is the All Holy
Head of the Forerunner, like a
flowing Fountain. Today it is on
display on the Holy Table, Mystically
exuding a sweet and Spiritual Scent,
which drives away the
unpleasantness of ills. It fills with
Joy and Happiness all who earnestly
exclaim: Thou, O Jesus, Almighty
God, art the Lord Who Saves our
soul!
Praise Him with tuneful cymbals;
praise Him with loud cymbals. Let
everything that has breath praise
the Lord.
O Forerunner, Thy Sacred Skull cut off
the heads of the lawless foes of the
Lord, like a sharpened sword, but
poured out the Gifts of Grace, like a
Holy Shower, over all the Lawful.
Therefore we loyally extol and sing
HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY
HYMNS OF DIVINE MERCY
Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit
Tes SOU PRODROMOU Presvies, Through the Intercessions of T H Y
eleimon, exalipson ta plithi ton emon F O R E R U N N E R , O Merciful One, blot
egklimaton. out the multitude of our
transgressions.
Ke nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton
eonon. Now and ever, and to the Ages of
Ages.
Amin
Amen
Tes tis Theotokou Presvies, Eleimon,
Through the Intercessions of the
exalipson ta plithi ton emon
Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out
egklimaton.
the multitude of our transgressions.
FESTAL IDIOMELON FINDING OF ST JOHNS HEAD
Eleison me, O Theos, kata to Mega Have mercy upon me, O God,
Eleos Sou ke kata to plithos ton according to Thy Great Mercy;
iktirmon Sou Exalipson to anomima according to the multitude of Thy
mou. Mercies do away mine offences.
I ton Thion ennion pansevasmios thiki, Thy Head that All Venerable
ke tis arritou ousias tranos i Repository of Divine Concepts
provlepsasa, to Mystirion Kara Sou, which clearly foresaw the Mystery of
os ek lagonon Mitrikon, ek ton tamion the Ineffable Essence has risen
tis gis, simeron anatetalken, Ioanni today out of the storehouse of earth,
pansevfime, ke evodiase pasan tin as though out of a mothers womb,
ifilion, Agiasmou proheousa myron, O John, who art All Praise-worthy. It
ke noitos kirittousa metanias odon, ke poured forth Sanctified Myrrh and
to Sotiri ton olon presvevousa, iper perfumed everything under the sun.
ton psihon imon. It Spiritually Preaches the Way of
Repentance, and Intercedes with our
PRAYER OF SALVATION
Saviour of all, on behalf of our souls.
FESTAL KONTAKION FINDING OF ST JOHNS HEAD - TONE 2
Profita Theou, ke Prodrome tis Haritos, O Prophet of God and Forerunner of
tin Karan tis Sin, os rodon Ierotaton, Divine Grace, since we have
ek tis gis evrameni, tas iasis pantote obtained Thy Head from beneath
lamvanomen. Ke gar palin os the earth, as if a Most Sacred Rose,
proteron, EN KOSMO KIRITTIS TIN we receive continual Healings.
METANIAN. And as before, THOU ART
PREACHING THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD REPENTANCE
FESTAL IKOS FINDING OF ST JOHNS HEAD
Ek tou Kyriou tin Martirian ilifos Ioanni, O John, Thou became greater than all
iper pantas vrotous iperteros other mortals, having received our
ehrimatisas. Othen epenous ton Lords own Testimony. Therefore I
egkomion prosenegke Si dedika, alla am afraid to present words of
potho ekviasthis, ti Odi eghirise praise to Thee; but, compelled by
tetolmika. Dio mi apaziosis sinergos yearning, I dared to compose this
mi genesthe Panevfime, ina ishiso Ode. Please do not refuse to
stefanose Sou korifin tin Agian collaborate with me, O All Lauded
Trisolvie. Ke gar Si EN KOSMO One so that I may be able to Crown
KIRITTIS TIN METANIAN. Thy Holy Head, O Thrice Blessed
One. And as before THOU ART
FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 7.
 PREACHING THROUGHOUT
WORLD, REPENTANCE
THE
Pedas evagis en ti kamino O tokos tis The Offspring of the Theotokos saved
Theotokou diesosato, tote men the Holy Children in the furnace.
FESTAL SYNAXARION 24 FEBRUARY He Who was then prefigured has
tipoumenos, nin de energoumenos
since been born on earth, and He
Ti K tou aftou minos, Mnimi tis On the 24th day of this month we tin ikoumenin apasan agiri
gathers together all Creation to sing:
evreseos tis Timias Kefalis tou Agiou Commemorate the First and Seconf psallousan. Ton Kyrion imnite ta O ye Works of the Lord: Bless ye the
Profitou, Prodromou ke Vaptistou Findings of the Venerable Head of Erga ke iperipsoute is pantas tous Lord and exalt Him above all
Ioannou. the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and eonas. forever!
Baptist, St John.
THE MAGNIFICAT

Tes tou Sou Prodromou Presvies, O By the Intercessions of Thy
KATAVASIA OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - 9TH ODE
Theos, eleison imas. Forerunner, O God, have mercy on
us. Apas gigenis skiratato to pnevmati Let every mortal born on earth,
lampadouhoumenos. Panigirizeto de carrying his torch, in spirit leap for
Amin. Amen. ailon noon fisis, gererousa TA IERA Joy; and let the Order of the Angelic
KATAVASIA OF THE EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - TONE 4 THAVMASIA tis Theomitoros ke voato. Powers celebrate and honour THE
OD I 1 Anixo to stoma mou ke OD E 1 I shall open my mouth and the Heris, Pammakariste Theotoke Agni, HOLY FEAST of the Theotokos, and
plirothisete Pnevmatos ke logon Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter Aiparthene. let them cry: Hail, All Blessed
erevxome ti Vasilidi Mitri. Ke the words of my song to the Queen Theotokos, Pure and Ever Virgin!
ofthisome fedros Panigirizon ke aso and Mother: I shall be seen SMALL LITANY

gnothomenos TAFTIS TA THAVMATA. radiantly keeping Feast and FESTAL EXAPOSTILARION - FINDING OF ST JOHNS HEAD - TONE 2
JOYFULLY PRAISING HER MIRACLES
Lamprofanis anetilen, i Timia Sou Kara, Thy Precious Skull has risen up from
OD I 3 Tous Sous Imnologous, Theotoke, OD E 3 OMother of God, Thou living ek ton aditon kolpon Gis, Prodrome the hidden recesses of the Earth
izosa ke Afthonos Pigi, Thiason and plentiful Fount, grant strength Ioanni, lihne Fotos tou Ailou. Is tin shining brilliantly, Holy John the
Sigkrotisantas Pnevmatikon, to those united in Spiritual evresin potho, telountes disopoumen Forerunner, Lamp of the Light
stereoson. Ke en ti Thia Doxi Sou Fellowship, who sing Hymns of Se, ton dinon evrin lisin, ke ton keron, Uncreated. As we lovingly Honour
Stefanon Doxis axioson. Praise to Thee: and in Thy Divine evmaros anise tis egkratias, Presvies the Feast of its discover, we pray to
Glory grant them Crowns of Glory. Sou panevfime, Vaptista tou Sotiros. be Delivered from all distress, and
Perceiving the Unsearchable that this years Fasting will Benefit
4 Tin anexihniaston Thian Voulin tis
OD E 4
OD I
us, through Thine Intercessions to
ek tis Parthenou sarkoseos Sou to Purpose of God concerning Thine
Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most our Lord, O Baptist of our Saviour.
Ipsistou O Profitis Abbakoum THEOTOKION TONE 2
katanoon ekravgaxe. Doxa ti Dinami High, the Prophet Habakkuk cried:
Sou, Kyrie Glory to Thy Power, O Lord! Psihagogite Panagne, ton Piston i O All Holy Virgin: all the Hosts of
OD I 5 Exesti
ta simpanta epi ti Thia OD E 5 The whole world was amazed at Theofron, omigiris latrevousa, ke Godly-minded Faithful find Renewal
Thy Divine Glory: for Thou, O Pistos animnousa, Se Theotokos in faithfully honouring and extolling
Doxi Sou. Si gar, apirogame
Virgin, Who has not known wedlock, kyrios. Tes Presvies Sou othen, ton Thee as the True Theotokos. So, by
Parthene, eshes en Mitra ton epi
has been Translated from earth to nition ton diavlon, dos imin ektelese, Thine Intercessions, grant us to run
Panton Theon ke tetokas ahronon
the Eternal Mansions to the Life Theoprepos, ke Stavron ton Timion the course of Lent with success in a
Iion, pasi tis imnousi Se Sotirian
without end, bestowing Salvation prokinise, ke pathi ta Sotiria, tou Iiou manner pleasing to God, and to
vravevousa.
upon all who sing Thy praises. ke Theou Sou. Venerate the Cross, and to honour
the Saving Passion of Thy Son, Jesus
OD I 6 Tin Thian Taftin ke Pantimon OD E 6 As we celebrate this Sacred and
our God and Saviour.
Telountes Eortin i Theofrones tis Solemn Feast of the Theotokos, let LAUDS: THE PRAISES TO GOD PSALM 148
Theomitoros, defte tas hiras us come, clapping our hands, O ALL CR E ATIO N PR AIS ES T HE LORD OUR GOD
krotisomen, ton ex aftis tehthenta people of the Lord, and Glorifying
Theon Doxazontes. God Who was Born of her.
Pasa pnoi enesato ton Kyrion. Enite Let everything that has breath praise
ton Kyrion ek ton Ouranon. Enite the Lord. Praise the Lord from the
OD I 7 Ouk elatrefsan ti ktisi i
OD E 7 The Holy Children bravely Afton en tis ipsistis. Si prepi imnos Heavens; praise Him in the Highest.
trampled upon the threatening fire, to Theo. To Thee praise is due, O God.
Theoforones para ton Ktisanta. Alla preferring not to worship created
piros apilin andrios patisantes,
things rather than the Creator, and
Enite Afton, pantes i Angelli Aftou. Praise Him, all His Angels; praise Him,
herontes epsallon. Iperimnite, O ton Enite Afton, pase e Dinamis Aftou. all His Powers. To Thee praise is
they sang in Joy: Blessed art Thou
Pateron Kyrios ke Theos, Evlogitos i Si prepi imnos to Theo. due, O God.
and praised above all: O Lord God of
our Fathers!
OD I 8 Enoumen, Evlogoumen ke OD E 8 We Praise, we Bless and we
Proskinoumen ton Kyrios. Worship the Lord!

8. F E S T A L H Y M N S F I N D I N G OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY FESTAL HYMNS FINDING OF HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST 24 FEBRUARY 9.