November 14
The holy and illustrious apostle Philip. Philip, who like Peter and Andrew was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and had become a disciple of John the Baptist, was called by the Lord to follow him. He preached in Phrygia with John the Theologian, and Bartholomew. Philip was crucified there upside down on a tree.
Our holy father Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica. When Gregory completed his secular studies, he withdrew to the Holy Mountain and became a monk of (successively) Vatopedi and the Great Lavra. He was made Metropolitan of Salonica in 1347, and governed that church for twelve years. He is famous as both an ascetic and a theologian. (1359)
At Vespers
We sing “Blessed is the man.” There are eight stichera at "O Lord, I have cried."
Tone 6, special melody Vsju otloživše. Having made action * the stairway to perfect contemplation, * O blessed Apostle, * and contemplation the object of action for love of God, * you asked Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father. * Indeed, all nature endowed with reason * longs for the manifestation of God. * O glorious Apostle, * you immediatey found the object of your desire * when you accepted the Son as the Image of the Father. * By the confidence you have before him, * pray to him for our souls. (three times)
Ever using * divine ascents, as Moses once did, * you longed to see our God. * You saw him clearly * as you received the image resembling him: * for to know the Son is to know the Father, * whose manifestation he is. * We know that they are of the same essence, * for they have shown themselves to be identical in everything: * kingship, power, and glory; * and we prostrate before the Father and the Son. (three times)
You were the instrument * played by divine inspiration * under the direction of the Holy Spirit. * Singing the divine Gospel of the Savior in this world, * your words of fire consumed all error like chaff and dry wood. * O holy apostle Philip, you preached Christ * as Lord and Master of all to the whole world. (twice)
Glory – Tone 6. Illumined by the radiance of the great Light, O Philip, * you shone as a lamp for the world. * Having sought the Father of Light in the Son, * you have found him, for in his Light we see Light. * He is the true Image, showing by his likeness the true model. * O holy Apostle, entreat him to save those * who were marked by the divine seal of his blood.
Now and ever – the dogmatikon of Saturday evening, in the same tone, or (on Friday night or Saturday night) in the Tone of the week
Entrance with censer, and prokeimenon of the day. Then three readings:
A reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 1:1-6).
A reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 2:21 - 3:9).
A reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 4:1-11).
(Litija stichera)
(Aposticha)
Glory – Tone 2. O holy apostle Philip, * in this world, your lips were like a chalice of myrrh, * offering the faithful a life-giving refreshment. * Having made action the stairway to divine contemplation, * you became a companion of Christ. * In him, you have multipled the children * of the barren Church of the Gentiles, * which you adorned with your teachings. * Intercede now that it may be delivered from the constaint of misfortune, * for you can do it in God, * since you are so close to him.
Now and ever – the aposticha theotokion of Saturday evening, in the same tone.
Troparion, Tone 3. The whole world is adorned, and Ethiopia sings for joy at her crown. * She received light from you, O divine preacher Philip, and she celebrates your memory. * You taught everyone to believe in Christ and your completed the course of the Gospel. * Therefore, Ethiopia has come to serve God. * Beg him to have mercy on us.
Glory, now and ever – the festal theotokion of Saturday evening, in the same tone.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the November Menaion
Troparion, Tone 3. The whole world is adorned, and Ethiopia sings for joy at her crown. * She received light from you, O divine preacher Philip, and she celebrates your memory. * You taught everyone to believe in Christ and your completed the course of the Gospel. * Therefore, Ethiopia has come to serve God. * Beg him to have mercy on us.
Glory. now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 8. O Lord, your disciple Philip was inspired by God; your beloved one and the imitator of your passion * has preached your divinity to the world. * Through his intercession and for the sake of the Theotokos, * guard your Church and your flock from their enemies, * O most merciful Christ our God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8 (Ps. 18:5,2).
Through all the earth their voice resounds; * their message reaches to the end of the world.
V. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Alleluia, Tone 1 (Ps. 88:6,8). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The heavens declare your wonders, O Lord, and your truth in the assembly of the holy.
V. God is glorified in the council of the holy, great and awesome above all who surround him.
Gospel: John 1:43-51
Communion Hymn (Ps. 18:5). Through all the earth their voice resounds; * their message reaches to the end of the world.