Prazdniki

[The Chants for the Great Feasts of the fixed Calendar]

Note: Some feasts may have more or less material, but most follow the basic scheme. The Prazdniki chant book usually includes the services for the Forefeasts of the Nativity and Theophany. The Great Feasts are:

• The Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8)*
• The Exaltation of the Cross (September 14)**
• The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple (November 21)**
• (The Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ) (December 22-24)
• The Nativity of Christ (December 25)**
• (The Forefeast of the Theophany) (January 3-5)
• The Theophany of the Lord (January 6)**
• The Appearance of the Lord in the Temple (Febrary 2)**
• The Annunciation of the Theotokos (March 25)**
• The Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6)**
• The Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)**

Note: Great Feasts marked with * are combined with the Resurrection if they ocurr on a Sunday; feasts marked with ** displace the commemoration of the Resurrection if they ocurr on a Sunday (thisincludes the feasts of Palm Sunday and Penticost).

Basic Service Scheme for the Great Feasts:

Small Vespers:

• At Lord, I have cried..., the Theotokion
• (The Aposticha and) Theotokion
• Troparion

Great Vespers:

• At Lord, I have cried..., the Stichera and Theotokion
• The Litya Stichera and Theotokion
• The Aposticha and Theotokion

Matins:

• The Velichania
• (The Ypakoe)
• (The Troparia instead of "Through the prayers..." after Psalm 50)
• The Sticheron after Psalm 50
• (The Heirmoi of the Canon)
• The Kontakion and Oikos
• (The Refrain/-s on the 9th Ode of the Canon)
• The Stichera on the Praises and the Theotokion

Liturgy:

• Various selections: Antiphons, Entry Hymns, Prokeimenon
• The Zadostoinik (Katavasia), various longer chant melodies (Put' Chant, Great Chant, Demestvenny Chant, etc.)
• The Communion Hymn

September 8 - The Nativity of the Theotokos

*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm
*Sedalen
Kontakion *& Oikos
Svetilen (Exaposteilarion)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant
*Theotokion at the Praises

September 14 - The Elevation of the Cross

*Sticheron of the Cross
*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
At Vespers:
1st Sticheron at the Litya, and Theotokion
At the Aposticha: Theotokion
At Matins:
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Sedalen
Kontakion (3 melodies) *& Oikos
Svetilen
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant

November 21 - The Entrance into the Temple of the Theotokos

*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Doxasticon &
Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Sedalen
Kontakion *& Oikos
Refrains for the 9th Ode of the Canon (3)
Svetilen
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant (sung also at the Annunciation - March 25)
*Theotokion at the Praises

December 25 - The Nativity of Christ

At Vespers (Vesperal Liturgy):
*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried (2 melodies)
*At the Litya: Sticheron, Doxasticon (2 melodies) & Theotoion
*At the Aposticha: Sticheron, Doxasticon (2 melodies) & Theotoion
Before the Epistle: Prokeimenon
After the Epistle: Alleluia (4 melodies)
Before and after the Gospel: Glory to Thee, O God.
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
Hypakoe
Stichera after Psalm 50
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm
First Heirmos of the Canon - Put' Chant
Kontakion (*2nd melody) *& Oikos
Refrains for the 9th Ode of the Canon (2)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant
Svetilen
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Praises

January 6 - The Theophany of Christ

At Vespers (Vesperal Liturgy):
*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried (2 melodies)
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Before the Epistle: Prokeimenon
After the Epistle: Alleluia (see the Vesperal Liturgy at the Nativity)
Before and after the Gospel: Glory to Thee, O God. (likewise)
1st Sticheron at the Litya [placement in service?]
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Hypakoe
Stichera after Psalm 50
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm
Kontakion (2 melodies) *& Oikos
Refrains for the 9th Ode of the Canon (2)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant (2) and Great Chant (for 1st Canon only)
Svetilen
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Praises

February 2 - The Presentation of Christ

*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
Kontakion *& Oikos
Refrains for the 9th Ode of the Canon (14)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant
Svetilen
*Theotokion at the Praises

March 25 - The Annunciation of the Theotokos

At Vespers (Vesperal Liturgy):
*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Before the Epistle: Prokeimenon
After the Epistle: Alleluia (see the Vesperal Liturgy at the Nativity)
Before and after the Gospel: Glory to Thee, O God. (likewise)
Troparion (4 melodies - at least 2 are Great Chant)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm (2 melodies)
Kontakion *& Oikos
Refrain for the 9th Ode of the Canon (1)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant (see The Entrance into the Temple - November 21)
Svetilen
*Theotokion at the Praises

August 6 - The Transfiguration of Christ

*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried
*Sticheron, Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
Stichera after Psalm 50
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm
Kontakion *& Oikos
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant
Svetilen
*Theotokion at the Praises

August 15 - The Dormition of the Theotokos

*Theotokion on Lord, I have cried (Osmoglasnik)
1st Sticheron at the Litya, and Theotokion (also sung at the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner on August 29?)
*Doxasticon & Theotokion at the Litya
*Theotokion at the Aposticha
Troparion (2 melodies)
Velichanie (Znamenny and Put' Chant)
*Hypakoe
*Sticheron after the 50th Psalm
Kontakion (2 melodies) *& Oikos
Refrains for the 9th Ode of the Canon (2)
Zadostoinik - Put' Chant and Great Chant
Svetilen (2)
*Theotokion at the Praises