Menaion

February 9

Leave-taking of the Meeting.

Transferred to February 8 (because of the leave-taking):
The holy martyr Nicephor, a Christian from Syria, took the place of Sapricius, who apostasized before a pagan judge. He was put to death during the reign of Emperor Valerian. (260)

On the leave-taking, the service of February 2 is repeated, except for the readings and Litija of Vespers, the Gospel and Polyelelos at Matins, and the readings of the Divine Liturgy.

The leave-taking may be celebrated on an earlier day, depending on the date of Pascha. See the annual Typikon. When this is the case, on February 9 we celebrate Vespers using using the texts for the holy martyr Nicephor, given below.

At Vespers

music

There are three stichera at "O Lord, I have cried," to be combined with those of the Octoechos and Triodion.

Tone 2. special melody Jehda ot dreva. O blessed martyr, you obeyed the precepts of the One who was incarnate on earth and suffered his Passion for our sake. You loved Him and your neighbor, which is the summary of the Law and the Prophets. Thus, O Nicephor, you found your blessed end forever in the presence of Him who is the source of love.

You bowed your neck for the sake of God, before whom all knees bend. Beheaded and separated from your body, O wondrous martyr, you were united in all purity to Christ, the head of all things. Standing in the light forever, O Nicephor, ask Him to illumine those who sing to you.

The streams of your blood, poured out for Christ, have sanctified the earth. Your spirit has joined the heavenly, bodiless spirits, as well as being united to the multitude of martyrs among whom you are counted as a noble soldier, O blessed Nicephor. O invincible witness, intercede for us before God!

Glory – Tone 6.  O martyr Nicephor, you have clearly shown that he who does not love his neighbor cannot love the Lord. For you clearly loved Sapricius, your companion in the service of God. You were lifted up on the wings of divine love and gave the gift of your life in confessing your faith in Christ. However, the infamous Sapricius, who would not surrender his grudge against you, denied Christ, his Master. As you are in the presence of God forever, intercede for the salvation of our souls.

Now and ever – Theotokion. stavrotheotokion, or dogmatikon.

Troparion, Tone 4.  Your martyr Nicephor, O Lord our God, * in his struggle, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, he brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.


At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the February Menaion (for February 8)

Troparion, Tone 4.  Your martyr Nicephor, O Lord our God, * in his struggle, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, he brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 1.   You were wrapped in ties of love, O Nicephor, * and you undid the evils of hatred. * Your head was severed from your body with a sword, * and you became a heavenly martyr * for the incarnate Savior. * Pray to Him for those who sing of you.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 63:11,2). The just man will rejoice in the Lord, * and will put his trust in him.
V. Hear my voice, O God, when I pray to you.

Epistle:  2 Timothy 2:1-10

Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 91:13,14). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just man will flourish like the palm tree * and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
V. Planted in the house of the Lord, he will flourish in the courts of our God.

Gospel: John 15:17 - 16:2

Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!