Menaion

September 5

Six sticheraThe holy prophet Zachary and his wife, the holy and venerable Elizabeth, the parents of the Forerunner. When she took Mary her cousin into her home, Elizabeth – full of the Holy Spirit – hailed the mother of the Lord as blessed among women. Zachary, a priest full of the prophetic spirit, praised God the redeemer and preached the near advent of Christ, the Dayspring from on high.

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried". (At weekday Vespers, each is sung twice.)

Tone 4, special melody Dal jesi znamenie.  Clothed in your holy vestments * and your anointing, * you ministered before God like an angel, * O Zechariah, prophet all-worthy of our praise, * serving as a mediator between creatures and their Creator. * You openly received the revelation of the Holy Spirit; * thus we call you blessed as we celebrate your holy feast today, * singing the glory of the Savior.

O Zechariah, * divinely inspired Prophet, * you beheld the Son, coeternal in the Father, * as an infant born of the Virgin. * Of your own son, you clearly foretold: * You shall be the prophet preparing the way for God! * With him, we call you blessed, * O God-bearer filled with eternal joy, * and we reverently celebrate your feast.

You were the incarnate Temple, * the living dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit, * O illustrious Prophet. * As you approached your God with a pure heart in the midst of the Temple, * you ended your course, slaughtered unjustly in martyrdom, * O wondrous Zechariah. * Thus you were lifted up to the heavenly Temple * where, with the price of your blood, * you beg forgiveness for the faithful who venerate you.

Glory – Tone 8.   Robed in your vestments as a priest of the law, * you served in the priesthood of Aaron. * In the middle of the Temple, * you clearly saw the form of an angel, * O blessed Zechariah. * Thus, as is right, we sing of your death, * celebrating you with hymns * as the branch from which, despite old age, * flowered the illustrious John. * Intercede for our salvation before the compassionate God.

Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion

The aposticha are from the Octoechos. Then:

Glory – Tone 2.  In your priestly purity, you entered into the Holy of Holies, * robed in your sacred vestments. * In all innocence, you ministered before God, * following the prescriptions of the Law, like Aaron. * Like Moses, you led the tribes of Israel in the pure ringing of golden bells. * Likewise, you were put to death; * but your just blood was a saving remedy for us, * a perfume of sweet fragrance, * which opened the way to pass to eternal life. * Thrice-blessed Zechariah, husband of Elizabeth, father of John, * ceaselessly intercede for our souls before God.

Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion

Troparion of Zechariah,  Tone 4.  Arrayed as a priest, O wise Zechariah, * you offered a worthy holocaust according to the law of God. * You became a shining light and a witness of the mysteries, * clearly bearing within you the signs of grace, O most wise one. * You were slain by the sword in God's temple. * O prophet of God, together with the Forerunner, * interced with God that he may save our souls.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the September Menaion

Troparion of Zechariah,  Tone 4.  Arrayed as a priest, O wise Zechariah, * you offered a worthy holocaust according to the law of God. * You became a shining light and a witness of the mysteries, * clearly bearing within you the signs of grace, O most wise one. * You were slain by the sword in God's temple. * O prophet of God, together with the Forerunner, * interced with God that he may save our souls.

Glory – Kontakion of Zechariah, Tone 3.   Today the prophet Zechariah, * the priest of the Most High and the father of the Forerunner, * has prepared a banquet for the faithful * and mixed the drink of holiness. * Therefore we praise him as a mystical witness of God's grace.

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:  Hebrews 6:13-20

Alleluia, Tone 7 (Ps. 96:11). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Light dawns for the just, and gladness for the upright of heart.

Gospel:  Matthew 23:29-39

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