Menaion

February 24

The first and second findings of the head of the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John. Tradition tells us that the first finding was by two monks, in the palace of Herod the King. They brought the relic to the city of Emmesia. The second finding was much later, during the reign of the emperor Marcianus.

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

If the feast falls outside the feast, we sing “Blessed is the man," then six stichera, below, at "O Lord, I have cried" (each sticheron is sung twice).

If the feast falls during the Fast, then the appointed kathismata are sung at Vespers, and the stichera of the Triodion and of the feast are sung.

Tone 5, special melody Radujsja. Rejoice, O sacred and light-bearing head, * venerated by the angels. * Of old it was cut off by a sword, * but cut down the shame of iniquity with sharp reproofs. * It is a wellspring of miracles giving drink to the faithful. * It proclaims the saving coming of the Savior, * and saw the coming of the Spirit who dwelt in you * who stand between the grace of the old and new covenants. * Entreat Christ God to grant our souls great mercy. (twice)

The head of the Forerunner, * which was once concealed in an earthen vessel, * has appeared, clearly given up from the bosom of the earth * and pouring forth streams of healing, * for in the waters he washed the head of Him * that even now covers the chamber of the firmaments with waters, * and rains down divine forgiveness upon the human race. * Therefore, let us bless it as truly most glorious, * and in its discovery let us keep a feast, * entreating Chris to grant our souls great mercy. (twice, or during the Fast, once)

The head which proclaims the Lamb of God has appeared in the flesh. * With divine commands it declared the ways of saving repentence to all. * Of old it denounced the sin of Herod, * and therefore was cut off from its body * and endured concealment for a time. * Now it shines forth upon us like a radiant sun, * crying out: Repent and submit to Christ in compunction of soul, * for He grants the world great mercy. (twice, or during the Fast, once)

Glory – Tone 6. The divinely preserved head, * a treasury of divine gifts, * has shown forth from the bosom of the earth, O Forerunner. * Glorious prophet, we receive it in faith and bow before it, * enriched by you with most glorious miracles * and the forgiveness of our sins, O Baptizer of Christ.

Glory, 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 Prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-3, 9; 41:17-18; 45:8; 48:20-21; 54:1 — Composite IX).

A reading from the Prophecy of Malachi (Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:2; Malachi 3:1-3, 5-7, 12, 18, 17; Malachi 4:4-6 — Composite X).

A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom 4:7, 16-17, 19 — 5:7 — Composite III).

The aposticha are for the feast:

Tone 2, special melody Jehda ot dreva. Come, O faithful: let us venerate the head which was cut off by a sword: the precious head of the Forerunner, commemorating its finding on this day. Let us go out to meet it with hymns, wholeheartedly honoring it as a fountain which pours forth the grace of healing upon us. This is the head which was once cut off by the foolish Herod, goaded by the grudging Herodias

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.

As gold is taken from the mines, so has the head of the Forerunner come forth from the earth, radiant in its reliquary. He still speaks, clearly accusing Herod, the adulterous murderer; and he illumines our souls with his light. in our hymns today, we the faithful venerate the Forerunner who intercedes for us before God.

The just man will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

The head of the Baptist lay long hidden underground like a treasure in a chest. Today it is revealed to the whole world, pouring forth abundant streams of healings, stopping illnesses, and shedding light on our souls. We rejoice in its divine consolations as we sing the praises of the Forerunner.

Glory – Tone 2. O illustrious John, the venerable reliquary of divine thoughts, your head which had clearly foreseen the mystery of the ineffable One, came out from the caves of the earth as from a mother's womb. it perfumes the whole world with the myrrh of holiness, as you preach the way of repentance, interceding for our souls before the Savior of all.

Now and ever – the aposticha theotokion of Saturday evening, in the same tone

Troparion, Tone 4. The head of the forerunner arose from the earth like a star, * sending out rays of healing and immortality. * In heaven, it gathers together the choirs of angels, * while on earth, it assembles the human race in a single voice * to sing the glory of Christ our God.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the February Menaion

Glory – Kontakion, Tone 2. O prophet of God and forerunner of grace, * within the earth we have discovered your head, * a rose of great holiness from which healing always comes to us. * As you did of old, now also preach repentance to the world.

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 Corinthians 4:6-15

Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 91:13; 84:12). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just man will flourish like the psalm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
V. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven.

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-15

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