Propers for December 31, 2023

Dec. 31 – 30th Sunday after Pentecost, before Nativity, of the Holy Fathers. Tone 5

Martyr Sebastian at Rome and his companions (287). St. Modestus, archbishop of Jerusalem (4th c.). Ven. Florus, bishop of Amisus (7th c.). Ven. Michael the Confessor at Constantinople (845).

Heb. 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40 ;
Mt. 1:1-25;

Resurrectional Tropar, Tone 5

Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, Co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation of the Virgin. In His Good Will He was lifted up on the Cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Tropar of Fathers, Tone 2

The great pillars of faith – the Three Holy Children rejoice in the flames as if they had been in refreshing water and Daniel in the midst of lions is like a shepherd among his sheep. Through their prayers, Christ God, save our souls.

Glory ... Now and ever...
Kondak of Fathers, Tone 6

Thrice-blessed Ones, you did not worship the man made idol, but armed with the invisible power of God, You were glorified in a trial by fire. From the midst of unbearable flames You called on God crying: "Hasten, Compassionate one. Come quickly to our defense, for You are merciful and able to accomplish all that You will."

Prokimen

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace be with you all!

Reader: And with your spirit!

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Prokimen in Tone 4: Blessed are You, Lord God of our Fathers, praised and glorified is Your Name to the ages.

Choir: (repeats the prokimen)

Reader: Verse: For You are righteous in all that You have accomplished for us.

Choir: (repeats the prokimen)

Reader: Blessed are You, Lord God of our Fathers,

Choir: Praised and glorified is Your Name to the ages.

Epistle

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews.

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Reader: Brethren, by faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,a were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Priest: Peace be with you.

Reader: And with your spirit. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Verse: God, we heard with our ears; our fathers proclaimed it to us.

Verse: You have saved us from our foes and have put those who hate us to confusion.

Communion Hymns

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the Highest. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, praise befits the upright. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.