NOTE 1: CONCERNING REQUIRED LITURGICAL BOOKS AND SHORTENING OF SERVICES.

In order to celebrate a service according to the Typikon (Book of rubrics, Ordo), it is required to have the full Oktoekhos (Book of the Eight Tones), the Monthly Menaia (12 books, one for each month of the year, containing the services for each day of the month), the full Lenten Triodion, and the full Pentecostarion. All of these books are now available in English. When a service (like Vespers or Matins) for a specific saint is not found in the Monthly Menaion, we use the general service for that particular type of saint, found in the General Menaion. When there is a need to shorten a service, we should omit, first of all, the hymns that are repeated, but maintain the general schema of the service unchanged. Concerning the reading of the Psalter in parishes, usually only one psalm is read per kathisma (or stasis).

NOTE 2: CONCERNING THE LITYA.

According to the Typikon, a Litya is prescribed for every All-night Vigil service. Nevertheless, in parish practice, we only celebrate the Litya for the 12 major and the other greater feast days.

NOTE 3: CONCERNING THE POLYELEOS.

Customarily, in parish practice, the Polyeleos («Praise ye the name of the Lord», Ps. 134-135) is sung every Sunday at Matins. Nevertheless, according to the Typikon:

1. From Sept. 22 / Oct. 5 until Dec. 20 / January 2: we sing the Polyeleos;
2. From Dec. 21 / January 3 until January 14/27: we sing the 17th kathisma («Blessed are the blameless»), followed by the Resurrection troparia (Evlogitaria: «Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes»);
3. From January 15/28 until the Cheesefare Sunday: we sing the Polyeleos;
4. From the First Sunday of Great Lent until Sept. 21 / Oct. 4: we sing the 17th kathisma.

If a feast with Polyeleos falls on one of the Sundays for which the 17th kathisma is prescribed, we sing on this occasion the Polyeleos and the Magalinarion of the feast, followed by the Resurrection troparia (Evlogitaria: «Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes»).

NOTE 4: CONCERNING THE KATAVASIA.

“Katavasia” is a Greek word meaning “descent”. It designates the moment of Matins when the two choirs used to descent from their places (“kliros”) and go to the middle of the church, to sing a specific hymn.

Today, the term “katavasia” designates the irmos (the first hymn of a canon’s ode) of one of the canons, which is sung at the conclusion of the ode. For a simple service (that is, when there is no Polyeleos or Great Doxology), katavasia are sung at the conclusion of the third, sixth, eighth and nineth odes. In this case, these are the irmi of the last canon that was read.

On Sundays and on feast days, in periods of forefeast and afterfeast, and in the Paschal period, special katavasia are prescribed by the Typikon, as indicated bellow. In this way, before a major feast and until its leavetaking, the katavasia prepare us and strengthen us in the celebration and actualization of the feast.

ORDER OF KATAVASIA THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR SUNDAYS AND WEEKDAY DOXOLOGY, POLYELEOS & VIGIL SERVICES

• From Sept. 1/14 until Sept. 21 / Oct. 4: Irmi of the canon, tone 8, of the Exaltation of the Cross.
• From Sept. 22 / Oct. 5 until Nov. 20/ Dec. 3: Usual katavasia: irmi of the canon of the Theotokos, tone 4 (“I shall open my lips”).
• From Nov. 21 / Dec. 4 until Dec. 31 / Jan. 13: Irmi of the canon, tone 1, of the Nativity.
• From Jan. 1/14 until Jan. 14/27: Irmi of the canon, tone 2, of Theophany.
• From Jan. 15/28 until the leavetaking of the Meeting: Irmi, tone 3, of the Meeting.
• From the day following the leavetaking of the Meeting of the Lord until July 31 / August 13: Usual katavasia (“I shall open my lips”), with the exception of the period of the Lenten Triodion and of the Pentecostarion, when we sing the irmi of the Triodion or the Pentecostarion.
• From August 1/14 until August 6/19: Irmi of the canon, tone 8, of the Exaltation of the Cross.
• From August 7/20 until August 13/26: Irmi of the canon, tone 4, of Transfiguration.
• From August 14/27 until August 23 / Sept. 5: Irmi of the canon, tone 1, of the Dormition.
• From August 24 / Sept. 6 until August 31 / Sept. 13: Irmi of the canon, tone 8, of the Exaltation.

NOTE 5: CONCERNING THE ORDER OF SERVICE OF A GREAT FEAST OR THE CHURCH’S FEAST, FALLING ON A SUNDAY (OR MOVED TO A SUNDAY).

1. If it is a feast of the Lord: we do not sing the Sunday service, but sing only the service of the feast.
2. If it is a feast of the Theotokos: the order is as follows:

At Great Vespers: At Lord, I have called: stikhera of the Oktoekhos – 4 and of the feast – 6: Glory: Both now: of the feast. Readings of the feast. At the Litya: stikhera of the feast. Apostikha: stikhera of the Oktoekhos: Glory: Both now: of the feast. At the blessing of the loaves: troparion of the feast (thrice).

At Matins: At God is the Lord: troparion of the Resurrection of the tone (twice): Glory: Both now: troparion of the feast. Polyeleos, megalinarion of the feast, and Blessed art Thou, O Lord. Ypakoe of the tone and kathisma hymn of the feast. Gradual antiphons of the tone. Prokimenon and Gospel of the feast. Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ: and the stikhera of the feast. Canon of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the Theotokos (from the Oktoekhos), and of the feast. After the 3rd ode: kondakion of the Resurrection (of the tone). After the 6th ode: kondakion of the feast. At the 9th ode: Magnificat (More honourable than the Cherubim). Exapostilarion of the Resurrection: Glory: Both now: photagogikon of the feast. At praises: stichera of the Oktoekhos -4 and of the feast -4 (with their verses): Glory: stikhera of the feast: Both now: Theotokion: You are most-blessed. Great doxology, troparion of the Resurrection (final, of Matins), ektenias and dismissal.

Hours: troparion of the Resurrection (of the tone): Glory: troparion of the feast. Kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast to be said alternately.

At the Liturgy: At the entrance: troparion of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast: Glory: kondakion of the Resurrection (of the tone): Both now: kondakion of the feast. Prokimenon, Epistle, Alleluia, Gospel and Communion hymn: of the Sunday (of the tone) and of the feast.

3. If it is a feast of a saint, the order is as follows:

At Great Vespers: At Lord, I have called: stikhera of the Oktoekhos -4 and of the saint – 6: Glory: of the saint: Both now: dogmatic of the tone. Readings of the saint. Litya: stikhera of the saint. Apostikha: stikhera of the Oktoekhos: Glory: of the saint: Both now: Theotokion of the Oktoekhos. At the blessing of loaves: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos (twice) and troparion of the saint (once).

Matins: At The Lord is God: troparion of the Resurrection of the tone (twice): Glory: troparion of the saint: Both now: Sunday Theotokion, in the tone of the troparion of the saint. Polyeleos, megalinarion of the saint, and Blessed art Thou, O Lord. Ypakoe of the tone and kathisma hymns of the saint. Gradual antiphons and prokimenon of the tone. Gospel of the Resurrection. Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ: and the rest, as usual, on Sunday. Canon of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the Theotokos (from the Oktoekhos), and of the saint. Katavasia, according to the Typikon (cf. note 4). After the 3rd ode: kondakion of the saint. After the 6th ode: kondakion of the Resurrection (of the tone). At the 9th ode: Magnificat (More honourable than the Cherubim). Exapostilarion of the Resurrection: Glory: photagogikon of the saint: Both now: Theotokion of the exapostilarion of the Resurrection. At praises: stikhera of the Oktoekhos – 4, and of the saint – 4 (with their verses): Glory: stikhera of the saint: Both now: Theotokion – You are most blessed. Great doxology, dismissal troparion of the Resurrection (final, of Matins), ektenias and dismissal.

Hours: troparion of the Resurrection of the tone: Glory: troparion of the saint. Kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint to be said alternately.

Liturgy: At the entrance: troparion of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the tone, kondakion of the the Resurrection (of the tone): Glory: kondakion of the saint: Both now: Protection of Christians. Prokimenon, Epistle, Alleluia, Gospel and Communion hymn: of the Sunday (of the tone) and of the saint.

NOTE 6: CONCERNING THE READING OF TROPARIA AND KONDAKIA AT HOURS.

When two troparia are to be read at Hours, we say the first one immediately after Lord, have mercy (thrice), then we say: Glory: and we read the second troparion. Then: Both now: and we continue with the Theotokion of the hour. We cannot read more than two troparia at one hour. If there happens to be more than two troparia, we read them alternately.

When two kondakia are to be said alternately at Hours, we read the kondakion, sung after the 3rd ode of Matins, at the First and Sixth Hours, and the kondakion, sung after the 6th ode of Matins, at the Third and Nineth Hours. At each hour, only one kondakion should be read.

NOTE 7: CONCERNING THE READING OF THE EPISTLE.

The reading of the Epistle at the Divine Liturgy is preceded by a Prokimenon (verse from the Psalms), and when there are two readings of the Epistle, there shall be two prokimena. The prokimenon is said by the reader, standing in the center of the church, and sung by the choir in the following manner. After the Trisagion:

Deacon: Let us attend!
Priest: Peace be unto all!
Reader: And to your spirit!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: Prokimenon in the… tone: and the reader announces the Prokimenon in full.
The choir sings the Prokimenon in the proper tone.
The reader: reads the verse of the Prokimenon.
The choir sings the Prokimenon a second time.
The reader: reads the first part of the Prokimenon.
The choir sings the second part of the Prokimenon in the same tone.

If there shall be two prokimena, the reader, instead of reading the first part of the first Prokimenon, says: “Another Prokimenon in the … tone:” and reads the second Prokimenon in full. And the choir sings the second Prokimenon in the proper tone.

After the Prokimenon:
Deacons: Wisdom!
The reader: announces the heading of the Epistle (If there shall be two readings, he announces only the first one).
Deacon: Let us attend!
The reader reads the Epistle (if there shall be two readings, he reads the second one immediately after the first one, without announcing the heading).
Priest (after the reading): Peace be to you.
Reader: And to your spirit!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: Alleluia in the … tone.
The choir sings Alleluia (thrice) in the proper tone.
The reader: reads the first verse of the Alleluia.
The choir sings Alleluia (thrice) a second time.
The reader: reads the second verse of the Alleluia.
The choir sings Alleluia (thrice) a third time.

If there shall be two series of Alleluia verses, the readers says: Alleluia in the … tone. And reads immediately the first verse (from the first series). The choir sings Alleluia (thrice) in the proper tone. The reader: reads the second verse (from the first series). The choir sings Alleluia (thrice) a second time. The reader: reads the first verse of the second series. And the choir sings Alleluia (thrice) a third time.

NOTE 8: CONCERNING THE ORDER OF TROPARIA AND KONDAKIA AT THE LITTLE ENTRANCE OF THE DIVINE LITURGY.

At the Little Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, according to the Typikon, we should sing the troparia and the kondakia of the day, of the church, of the Menaion (i.e., of the feast or of the saint). The daily troparia and kondakia are the troparia and kondakia of the day of the week. Each day of the week has a special commemoration, and thus, its own troparion and kondakion. On Mondays we commemorate the Angelic Powers. On Tuesdays-St. John the Baptist. On Wednesdays and Fridays-the Holy Cross. On Thursdays-the Holy Apostles and St. Nicholas. On Saturdays-all the saints and the departed. On Sundays-the Holy Resurrection. Each tone of the Oktoekhos has its own troparion and kondakion of the Resurrection. The troparion and kondakion of the Menaion (“of the saint” or “of the feast”) are the troparion and the kondakion of the saint or of the feast which falls on that specific day of the calendar. The troparion and kondakion “of the church” is the troparion and the kondakion of the feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos, or of the saint, to which the church has been dedicated.

All the troparia are to be sung first, and then, all the kondakia. The hymns in honour of the Lord are to be sung first, those in honour of the Theotokos—in second place, and finally, those in honour of saints. The singing of troparia and kondakia is usually concluded by the singing of a kondakion in honour of the Theotokos, in the sixth tone: Protection of Christians, or by another kondakion, as prescribed by the Typikon.

N.B.: The eight theotokia of the eight tones ought to be sung at Matins, following the troparion at The Lord is God, but never at the entrance of the Liturgy. For the Liturgy, the Typikon prescribes that the theokion of the sixth tone (Protection of Christians) be sung as a conclusion to all the troparia and kondakia, unless another kondakion (of a feast or forefeast) ought to be sung.

The second kondakion from the end is sung after “Glory“, and the last kondakion is sung after “Both now“.

The order of troparia and kondakia depends if the church was dedicated to the Lord, to the Theotokos or to a saint.

ORDER OF TROPARIA AND KONDAKIA ON A SUNDAY

1. In a church dedicated to the Lord:
   1. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord falls on a Sunday: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. When one of the great feasts of the Lord (not one of the major twelve) falls on Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   3. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast.
   4. When one of the great feasts of the Theotokos (but not one of the major twelve) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   5. On a Sunday which falls during the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the forefeast or of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   6. If the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast. Sometimes the troparion and the kondakion of a saint are added, if on that thay, we sang the Polyeleos for that saint.
   7. When the memory of a saint (with Polyeleos, Doxology, or even with a simple memory) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint (one or two) and Protection of Christians.
2. In a church dedicated to the Theotokos:
   1. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord falls on a Sunday: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. When one of the great feasts of the Lord (not one of the major twelve) falls on Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   3. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast.
   4. When one of the great feasts of the Theotokos (but not one of the major twelve) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   5. On a Sunday which falls during the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the forefeast or of the feast, of the church, and of the saint; kondakia of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast. If there is no troparion and kondakion of the saint, then we sing the following kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the church and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   6. On a Sunday which falls during the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Theotokos: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the forefeast or of the feast, of the church, and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   7. If the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   8. When the memory of a saint (with Polyeleos, Doxology, or even with a simple memory) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the church and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint (one or two) and of the church.
3. In a church dedicated to a saint:
   1. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord falls on a Sunday: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. When one of the great feasts of the Lord (not one of the major twelve) falls on Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   3. When one of the twelve major feasts of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast; kondakia: of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast.
   4. When one of the great feasts of the Theotokos (but not one of the major twelve) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the feast and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the saint and of the feast.
   5. On a Sunday which falls during the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the forefeast or of the feast, of the church, and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the church, of the saint, and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   6. If the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the feast. (Sometimes a troparion and a kondakion of a saint may be added, if we sang the Polyeleos for that saint.
   7. When the memory of a saint (for whom we celebrate a Vigil) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone) and of the saint, of the church, and Protection of Christians.
   8. When the memory of a saint (for whom we do not celebrate a Vigil) falls on a Sunday: troparia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the church and of the saint; kondakia of the Resurrection (of the tone), of the church, of the saint and Protection of Christians.

ORDER OF TROPARIA AND KONDAKIA ON OTHER WEEK DAYS

1. In a church dedicated to the Lord:
   1. On one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. On one of the great feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos (not one of the major twelve): troparia of the feast and of the saint; kondakia: of the saint and of the feast.
   3. During the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord: troparia of the forefeast or of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   4. During the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Theotokos: troparia of the church, of the forefeast or of the feast, and of the saint; kondakia of the church, the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   5. On the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast. Sometimes the troparion and the kondakion of a saint may be added, if on that day, we sang the Polyeleos for that saint.
   6. When commemorating a saint (to whom we celebrate a Vigil, Polyeleos or Doxology): troparia of the church and of the saint; kondakia of the saint and of the church.
   7. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday: troparia of the church, of the day (on Thursday: two troparia) and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the day (on Thursday: two troparia), of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the church.
   8. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Wednesday or Friday: troparia of the Cross and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the Cross, of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the church.
   9. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Saturday: troparia of the church, of the day (Apostles, Martyrs) and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the church, of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the day (The universe brings to Thee the first fruits of nature).
2. In a church dedicated to the Theotokos:
   1. On one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. On one of the great feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos (not one of the major twelve): troparia of the feast and of the saint; kondakia: of the saint and of the feast.
   3. During the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord: troparia of the forefeast or of the feast, of the church and of the saint; kondakia of the church, of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   4. During the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Theotokos: troparia of the forefeast or of the feast and of the saint; kondakia of the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   5. On the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast. Sometimes the troparion and the kondakion of a saint may be added, if on that day, we sang the Polyeleos for that saint.
   6. When commemorating a saint (to whom we celebrate a Vigil, Polyeleos or Doxology): troparia of the church and of the saint; kondakia of the saint and of the church.
   7. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday: troparia of the church, of the day (on Thursday: two troparia) and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the day (on Thursday: two troparia), of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the church.
   8. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Wednesday or Friday: troparia of the Cross, or the church and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the Cross, of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the church.
   9. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Saturday: troparia of the church, of the day (Apostles, Martyrs) and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the church, of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of the day (The universe brings to Thee the first fruits of nature).
3. In a church dedicated to a saint:
   1. On one of the twelve major feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast.
   2. On one of the great feasts of the Lord or of the Theotokos (not one of the major twelve): troparia of the feast and of the saint; kondakia: of the saint and of the feast.
   3. During the forefeast or afterfeast of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparia of the forefeast or of the feast, of the church and of the saint; kondakia of the church, the saint and of the forefeast or of the feast.
   4. On the leavetaking of a feast of the Lord or of the Theotokos: troparion and kondakion of the feast. Sometimes the troparion and the kondakion of a saint may be added, if on that day, we sang the Polyeleos for that saint.
   5. When commemorating a saint (to whom we celebrate a Vigil): troparion of the saint; kondakion of the saint and Protection of Christians.
   6. When commemorating a saint (to whom we celebrate a Polyeleos or a Doxology): troparion of the church and of the saint; kondakion of the church and of the saint and Protection of Christians.
   7. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on any day of the week, except Saturday or Sunday: troparia of the day (on Thursday: two troparia), of the church and of the saint (one or two); kondakia of the day (on Thursday: two troparia), of the church and of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: Protection of Christians.
   8. When the memory of a saint (“Six-stikhera service” or simple memory) falls on Saturday: troparia of the day (Apostles, Martyrs) and of the saint (one or two); kondakion of the saint (one or two): Glory: kondakion for the departed: Both now: kondakion of Saturday (The universe brings to Thee).