Menaion (IX)
Menaion (IX)
Menaion (IX)
T HE B E G I N N I N G O F T H E IN D IC T IO N , W HI C H IS T H E N E W Y E AR , T H E
C O M M E M O R AT IO N O F O U R V E N E R AB L E F A T H E R SY M E O N ,
AR C H I M A N D R IT E A N D ST Y L I T E , A N D HIS M O T H E R , M A R T H A
T HE S Y N A X IS O F T H E AL L - H O L Y T H E O T O K O S I N M IA SE N A
C O M M E M O R AT IO N O F T HE H O L Y M AR T Y R AIT H A L AS
C O M M E M O R AT IO N O F T HE F O R T Y H O L Y M AR T Y R E D W O M E N A N D
T HE I R T E A C H E R , T H E D E A C O N AM M O N
C O M M E M O R AT IO N O F T HE H O L Y M AR T Y R S C AL L IS T A A N D H E R
BR E T H R E N, E V O DU S A N D H E R M O G E NE S
C O M M E M O R AT IO N O F T HE R I G H T E O U S J O S H U A, SO N O F N U N
AT VESPERS
We chant "Blessed is the man ..."; but if it be Saturday we chant the full Kathisma.
At "Lord, I have cried ...", 10 stichera: 3 stichera for the Indiction, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "Joy of the ranks of heaven ...":
Having prayerfully learned * the right glorious and divine teaching of Christ, *
every day let us cry out to the Creator: * Our Father, Who dwellest in the
heavens, * give us our daily bread, * overlooking our transgressions.
O Christ God, Who once on Mount Sinai * didst inscribe the tablets, * now in
the flesh in the city of Nazareth * Thou hast Thyself received the book of the
prophet to read of God, * and unrolling it Thou didst teach the people * so as to
fulfill that which was written concerning Thee.
As once in the wilderness * the bodies of the Jews who did not truly subject
themselves to Thee, the Master of all, * fell into the abyss as was fitting; * so
now with psalmody do Thou scatter * the bones of the impious and unbelieving
Hagarenes in hell, O Christ.
And these 3 stichera of the venerable one, in Tone V:
Spec. Mel.: "O venerable father ...":
O venerable father, were it possible for thy pillar to speak, it would not cease
to hymn thy pangs, labors and lamentations. For, rather than bearing, it was
borne, like a tree watered by thy tears. The angels were amazed, men marveled,
and the demons feared thy patience, O venerable Symeon. Pray that our souls be
saved!
O venerable father, emulating thy Master through the power of the divine
Spirit, thou didst mount thy pillar as though it were a cross. He rent asunder the
handwriting of the sins of all, and thou didst put down the uprisings of the
passions. He was like a lamb, and thou wast like an immolation. He ascended the
Cross; thou, the pillar. O venerable Symeon: pray that our souls be saved!
O venerable father, having drenched thy body with tears and cleansed thy
soul, thou didst scale the heights of the virtues. Wherefore, making thy pillar a
material habitation and heavenly Sion thy noetic and heavenly city, thou didst by
thy virtues astound the angels and didst strike men with awe, and didst put the
demons to shame. O venerable Symeon: pray that our souls be saved!
And these other stichera of the saint, in Tone II:
The sacred Symeon sprang forth as good fruit from goodly stock, nurtured
from infancy more by grace than by milk. And, lifting up his body upon the pillar
of stone, and lifting his mind up to God, he fashioned a heavenly dwelling-place
with his virtues; and dancing in chorus with the divine powers, he became an
abode of Christ God, the Savior of our souls.
Thy memory and the meekness of thy heart abide forever, O venerable father
Symeon, blessed favorite of Christ, for though thou hast departed from us, O
good pastor, yet in spirit thou dost not leave us, interceding in love before God,
and joining chorus with the angels in the heavens. With them do thou pray that
our souls be saved.
By Cyprian: O all-praised father, the shrine of thy relics poureth forth
healings, and thy holy soul, united with the angels, doth rejoice as is meet.
Wherefore, O venerable one, having boldness before the Lord, and holding
chorus with the incorporeal ones in the heavens, with them do thou pray that
our souls be saved.
By Germanus: O God-bearer, thou didst love the most exalted philosophy and
wast beyond the world, dwelling above visible things, and didst show thyself to
be a divine and undefiled mirror of God. Ever united to the light, thou didst
receive the light and a most notable end, O blessed one. Pray thou in behalf of
our souls, O wise Symeon.
Glory ..., in Tone VI, by Germanus:
Grace divine doth overshadow the shrine of thy relics, O sanctified Symeon.
Wherefore, having recourse to the fragrance of the myrrh of thy miracles, we
draw forth the healing of our infirmities. Yet, O venerable father, entreat Christ
God in behalf of our souls.
Now and ever ..., of the Indiction, in the same tone: the composition of the
Byzantine:
O unoriginate Word and Son, Who art united with the Holy Spirit, Creator
and Fashioner of all things visible and invisible: bless Thou the crown of the
year, preserving the multitude of the Orthodox in peace, through the prayers of
the Theotokos and of all Thy saints.
Entrance, Prokimenon of the day, and three readings:
Two for the New Year:
THE READING FROM THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me
to preach good tidings to the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken-
hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that
mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called Trees
of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. And they
shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they
shall repair the wasted cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers
shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your
plowmen and vinedressers. But ye shall be named The priests of the Lord; men
shall call you The ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double;
and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they
shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the Lord love
judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be
known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people; all that see
them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath
blessed.
THE READING FROM THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS
If ye walk in my statues, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I
will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the
trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the
vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time; and ye shall eat your
bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land,
and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts
out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase
your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall
chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your
enemies shall fall before you by the sword. For I will have respect unto you, and
make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And
ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set
my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk
among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. But if ye will not
hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; and if ye shall
despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do
all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto
you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague,
that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your
seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and
ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you;
and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And I will break the pride of your
power, and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass; and your
strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither
shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. And if ye walk contrary unto me, and
will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you
according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob
you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and
your high ways shall be desolate. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these
things, but will walk contrary unto me; then will I also walk contrary unto you,
and will punish ye yet seven times for your sins.
One for St. Symeon:
THE READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For
honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured
by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted
life is old age. He pleased God, and was loved of him: so that living among
sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness
should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of
naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of
concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a
short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted
he to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and
understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and
mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
At the Aposticha, these stichera for the Indiction, in Tone I:
The composition of John the Monk:
The New Year hath dawned, summoning all to honor them that enlighten it:
Callista, Evodus and Hermogenes, the sibling sufferers; Symeon, the equal of
the angels; and Joshua, son of Nun; the seven youths of Ephesus, and the choir
of martyred women forty times radiant: sharing in whose memory, O ye that
love the feasts of the Church, let us piously cry out: bless, O Lord, the works of
Thy hands, and vouchsafe us safely to pass through the cycles of the year.
Stichos: To Thee is due praise, O God, in Sion; and unto Thee shall a vow
be rendered in Jerusalem.
O Christ our God, Who hast made all things in wisdom and hast brought
things that were not into existence: bless Thou the crown of the year and
preserve our cities unharmed; gladden all right-believing Christians with Thy
strength, granting them victory over their adversaries, and bestowing great
mercy upon the world, for the sake of the Theotokos.
In Tone II:
Stichos: We shall be filled with the good things of Thy house; holy is Thy
temple, wonderful in righteousness.
By Cyprian: Wondrous art Thou, O Lord, and wondrous are Thy works, and
Thy ways are inscrutable, for Thou art the Wisdom of God, the perfect
Hypostasis and Power, equally unoriginate and equally ever-existent: and by Thy
creative and almighty authority Thou didst ineffably enter the world through
Thy Mother who kneweth not man, seeking to benefit Thy creation, not altering
in Thy divinity, appointing the times and seasons for our salvation, O
Immutable One. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O good Lord, glory to Thee!
Stichos: Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord.
By the Damascene: O pre-eternal Word of the Father, Who created all things
in wisdom and fashioned every creature by Thine almighty word: bless Thou the
crown of the year with Thy goodness, and for the sake of the Theotokos, set
heresies at nought, for Thou art good and lovest mankind.
Glory ..., of the saint, in Tone V:
O venerable father, thou didst discover a good ladder, whereby thou didst
ascend on High as on the fiery chariot which Elijah found. Though he did not
leave the means of his ascent behind for others, yet even after death thou hast thy
pillar. O heavenly man, earthly angel, inextinguishable beacon of the world,
venerable Symeon: pray that our souls be saved!
Now and ever ..., in the same tone, by John the Monk:
O Thou that art ever King and abidest for endless ages: accept the supplication
of sinners entreating salvation, O Lover of mankind, and grant fertility unto
Thine earth, bestowing seasonable weather thereon; on behalf of Orthodox
Christians contend Thou against the godless barbarians, as once Thou didst for
David, when they came to Thine habitations and defiled the most holy place, O
Savior. And through the prayers of the Theotokos, grant Thou victories to them,
O Christ God, for Thou art the victory and boast of the Orthodox.
Troparion of the Indiction, in Tone II:
O Fashioner of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast appointed the times
and seasons: bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord,
preserving in peace Orthodox Christians and Thy city, and save us through the
prayers of the Theotokos.
Glory ..., of the venerable one, in Tone I:
Thou wast a pillar of patience, O venerable one, emulating the forefathers:
Job, in afflictions; Joseph, in temptations, and the life of the incorporeal hosts
while in the body, O Symeon our father. Entreat Christ God that our souls be
saved.
Now and ever ..., to the Theotokos, in the same tone:
Rejoice, O highly-favored Virgin Mary, haven and intercession of the human
race, for from thee was the Deliverer of the world incarnate, for thou alone art
Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and most glorified. Entreat Christ God to grant
peace unto the whole world.
AT MATINS
At "God is the Lord ...", the troparion of the Indiction, in Tone II:
O Fashioner of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast appointed the times
and seasons: bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord,
preserving in peace Orthodox Christians and Thy city, and save us through the
prayers of the Theotokos. (Twice)
Glory ..., that of the saint, in Tone I:
Thou wast a pillar of patience, O venerable one, emulating the forefathers:
Job, in afflictions; Joseph, in temptations, and the life of the incorporeal hosts
while in the body, O Symeon our father. Entreat Christ God that our souls be
saved.
Now and ever ..., that of the Theotokos, in Tone I:
Rejoice, O highly-favored Virgin Mary, haven and intercession of the human
race, for from thee was the Deliverer of the world incarnate, for thou alone art
Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and most glorified. Entreat Christ God to grant
peace unto the whole world.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, the Sedalion of the Indiction, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Joseph marveled ...":
As to the Master of all and the Bestower of blessings, before Thee do we fall
down in faith, earnestly crying aloud: Be Thou entreated in Thy lovingkindness,
O Savior, and by the prayers of her that gave Thee birth, and of all that have ever
been well-pleasing unto Thee; and in that Thou art good vouchsafe a good year to
them that honor Thee in two natures and faithfully glorify Thee.
Glory ..., Sedalion of the venerable one, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the wisdom ...":
Taking up the Cross of the Lord, O wise one, and following after Him unto
the end, thou didst not turn thy mind back to the world, O divinely wise one.
Having slain the passions by abstinence and labors, thou didst prepare thyself as a
temple for thy Lord. Wherefore, thou hast received a reward of heavenly gifts: to
heal the afflicted and cast out evil spirits, O Symeon most venerable. Entreat
Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto them that celebrate thy holy
memory with love.
Now and ever ..., the Sedalion of the Indiction in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Joseph marveled ...":
As to the Master of all and the Bestower of blessings, before Thee do we fall
down in faith, earnestly crying aloud: Be Thou entreated in Thy lovingkindness,
O Savior, and by the prayers of her that gave Thee birth, and of all that have ever
been well-pleasing unto Thee; and in that Thou art good vouchsafe a good year to
them that honor Thee in two natures and faithfully glorify Thee.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the wisdom ...":
Having trained thy soul in godly manner by abstinence, labors and. prayers,
thou didst become a companion of the martyrs, O blessed one, and didst truly
receive gifts of miracles to heal the infirmities of them that faithfully honor thee.
Wherefore, thou dost expel legions of demons by the authority given thee against
them from on high, O all-blessed Symeon. Entreat Christ God, that He grant
remission of transgressions unto them that celebrate thy holy memory with love.
Glory ..., in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Go thou quickly before ...":
Thou didst faithfully enter upon the struggle of torment, O Callista, preaching
Christ our God with thy two brethren; for, nurtured with hope, thou didst truly
make of them noetic vessels of the Church of Christ. Wherefore, thou hast
joined thyself unto them in the life on High, O martyr.
Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
Quickly accept thou our supplications, O Mistress, and bear them to thy Son
and God, O Lady most pure. Loose thou the evil circumstances which surround
them that have recourse unto thee, and crush the attacks and audacity of them
that now arm themselves against thy servants, O Virgin.
If it be a temple dedicated to the venerable Symeon, after the Polyeleos, this Sedalion
to the venerable one, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the wisdom ...":
Thou didst excel in faith, O wise father, and disdaining all transitory things, by
the power of the Spirit thou didst follow Christ. With abstinence didst thou
waste thy body, O venerable one, ever looking toward the glory of Heaven.
Wherefore, thou didst find thy pillar a ladder of divine ascent, fitting thy desire,
O most sacred Symeon. Entreat Christ God to grant remission of offenses unto
them that faithfully celebrate thy holy memory.
Glory , in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: "Co-unoriginate …":
Thou didst adorn thy life with abstinence, having mortified thy body. Thou
didst in no wise heed the attacks of the enemy, O blessed father, and didst depart
unto God and everlasting life as a worthy heir. Wherefore, cease thou never to
pray that our souls receive mercy.
Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
O all-holy Virgin, have mercy on us that have recourse to thee who are
compassionate and that entreat thy fervent aid; for, as thou art good, thou canst
save all by thy maternal entreaties, in that thou art the Mother of God Most
High, and thou dost ever beseech Him, O divinely gracious one.
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV:
Note: Prokimenon, Gospel and Sticheron of the Temple.
Then, Psalm 50.
ODE I
Canon of the Indiction, with 6 troparia, including its Irmos, which is sung twice.
The composition of John the Monk, in Tone I:
Irmos: O all ye people, let us chant a hymn of victory unto Him Who
delivered Israel from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh and led them through
the depths of the sea dryshod, for He hath been glorified.
Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto Christ, by Whom all things were
fashioned and in Whom the incomprehensible is perfected, as the hypostatic
Word begotten of God the Father, for He hath been glorified.
Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto Christ, Who through the Father's
good pleasure appeared from the Virgin and proclaimed unto us the acceptable
year of the Lord for deliverance, for He hath been glorified.
The Bestower of the law, arriving in Nazareth, taught on the Sabbath day,
laying down for the Jews the law of His ineffable coming, whereby He saveth
our race, in that He is merciful.
Theotokion: O all ye faithful, chanting, let us ever praise the all-wondrous
Maiden who shone forth Christ upon the world and hath filled all things with the
joy of everlasting life, for she hath been glorified.
Canon of the holy martyred women, with 4 troparia, the acrostic whereof is:
"I hymn the pangs of the steadfast martyred women", in Tone IV:
Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and with the Spirit shall it be filled, and I
shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear,
radiantly keeping festival; and, rejoicing, I shall hymn her wonders.
Steadfastly did ye struggle against the adversary, O martyrs, at first by fasting
and then by bloody suffering. Wherefore, we faithfully honor your memory.
Wounded with the love of Him that for our sake endured the Cross and
death, the holy women followed in His steps, forgetting the weakness of their
flesh.
Pagan sacrifices and demonic idols did ye demolish with the sword of faith,
and to the temple of Heaven did ye bring yourselves, O animate vessels, most
honorable martyrs.
Theotokion: Strengthened by the grace of Him that shone forth from thy
womb, O all immaculate one, the virgin maidens fended off the three-fold wave
of torments, and, rejoicing, they followed thee.
Canon of the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is: "Accept this hymn, O most
blessed Symeon"; The composition of John the Monk, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: O all ye people, chanting a hymn of victory, let us sing unto the
Lord Who overwhelmed Pharaoh in the Red Sea, for He hath been
glorified.
O God-bearing Symeon, by thine entreaties grant the divinely conferred light
of knowledge unto me who with the vile organ of my tongue weave a hymn for
thee.
Persians, Ethiopians, Indians and Scythians, and a multitude of Arabs
acknowledged thy wisdom, O father, and glorified Christ Who is glorified in
thee.
Full of spiritual grace, being, like Jacob, David and Moses from shepherd
lands, thou wast shown to be a leader of the flocks of the Word, O blessed one.
Theotokion: O all-pure Theotokos, rejoice! O honored one, who in thy womb
didst contain the infinite God, ask that those who hymn thee be delivered from
grievous circumstances.
Katavasia: Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red
Sea for Israel which was traveling on foot; and striking it a transverse
blow, he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh,
thereby inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us
hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!
ODE III
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: Establish me, O Christ, upon the immovable rock of Thy
commandments, and illumine me with the light of Thy countenance, for
none is holier than Thou, Who lovest mankind.
O Good One, establish Thou that which Thy right hand hath lovingly
planted on the earth, preserving Thy Church, the fertile vineyard, O Almighty
One.
O Master, God of all things, lead through this year which beginneth those
who adorn themselves with divinely beautiful spiritual works, and who hymn
Thee with faith.
O compassionate Christ, grant me a tranquil year and fill me with Thy divine
words which Thou didst reveal when Thou didst speak to the Jews oil the
Sabbath.
Theotokion: We ever glorify thee, for thou alone didst, in manner surpassing
nature, beyond human comprehension, receive grace in thy womb and didst,
without changing, give birth unto Christ God.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have
girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the
Lord.
Made strong by the strength of the Almighty, ye trampled down the power of
the adversary; wherefore, ye have been crowned by Christ as victors.
By the divine power of Christ the mouths of the beasts were rendered
impotent; and, honoring God, ye were delivered unharmed, O God-bearers.
Deified by looking to God, ye rejected the coldness of polytheism and
attained unto the warmth of the glory on High, O athletes.
Theotokion: Piously we proclaim thee, knowing thee to be the most true
Mother of God, O most immaculate one; for through thee hath the Creator
deigned to commune with us.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Plant Thou the fear of Thee in the hearts of Thy servants, O
Lord, and be Thou the confirmation of us who call upon Thee in truth.
Swiftly fleeing the wintry vexations of the demons, thou didst make haste
unto the salvific monastery, O Symeon, from whence thou didst receive life
which ageth not.
Rejoicing, thou didst incline thy dutiful ear to the Master Who blesseth, O
most blessed one, and didst find the blessed life.
Receiving the seed of the Word, and having watered it with thy tears, with
the blades of thy heart thou didst reap the abundant grain of the virtues.
Theotokion: Ineffably didst thou conceive the Savior and Lord Who doth
deliver from grievous circumstances us who call upon thee in truth, O Bride of
God.
Katavasia: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by
its budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church,
which before was barren, the Tree of the Cross hath now budded forth,
for her might and confirmation.
Kontakion of the Indiction, in Tone II:
O Christ our King Who livest in the highest, Creator and Maker of all things,
visible and invisible, Who hast fashioned days and nights, seasons and years:
bless Thou now the crown of the year; preserve and keep in peace Orthodox
hierarchs, this city and Thy people, O greatly Merciful One.
Sedalion of the Indiction, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
O Thou Who bestowest fruitful seasons and rains from heaven upon those on
earth, and dost now accept the supplications of Thy servants: from all want do
Thou deliver Thy city, for truly Thy com passions are evident in all Thy works.
Wherefore, bless Thou our goings out and our comings in, set aright among us
the work of our hands, and grant us forgiveness of offenses O God: For, as Thou
art mighty, Thou didst bring all things from non-existence into being.
Another Sedalion, of the venerable one, in the same tone and melody:
Having forsaken all things of the world, and whilst still bodily on earth, thou
wast a heavenly angel in spirit; for, having slain the assailing passions with thy
flesh, thou wast shown to be a favorite of the Trinity, O blessed one. Wherefore,
thou dost heal the sufferings of the infirm and by thy word dost drive away the
evil spirits by grace. O all-blessed Symeon, entreat Christ God to grant
forgiveness of offenses unto those who lovingly honor thy holy memory.
Glory ..., another Sedalion, of the holy women, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "Thy tomb, O Savior ...":
Having finished the race and kept the faith, O reason-endowed ewe-lambs,
with faith ye brought yourselves to the Lamb and Shepherd through martyrdom.
Wherefore, magnifying Christ, O right wondrous ones, we joyously praise your
sacred memory today.
Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
To the path of repentance guide us who are ever inclined toward evil and
trackless places, and who anger our all-good Lord, O blessed Mary who knewest
not wedlock, thou refuge of despairing men and habitation of God.
ODE IV
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: I have considered Thy dispensation, O Almighty One, and with fear
have I glorified Thee, O Savior.
The beginning of the year do Thy people offer unto Thee, O Savior, glorifying
Thee with angelic hymns.
As Thou lovest mankind, O Christ, count those who begin the year worthy to
complete it in a manner well-pleasing unto Thee.
O only and almighty Lord, having calmed the world, grant it cycles of years.
Theotokion: Let us all now hymn the Theotokos as the haven of our souls and
our steadfast hope.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the cherubim, Jesus most divine
hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those
who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
Having endured torments and the destruction of your bodies in divers ways,
and the dismemberment and immolation of your limbs, ye have inherited the
kingdom of heaven, delighting in the tree of life, O right wondrous ones.
The hosts of heaven marveled at the struggle of the blessed virgins, for in their
womanly nature they vanquished the foe, strengthened by the power of Him
Who shone forth from a woman.
Spurning all the vanity of the world, ye cleaved unto God alone with all your
soul. Wherefore, ye endured the pangs of abstinence and suffering, O patient
brides of Christ.
Bearing the Cross about as a most mighty weapon, ye set yourselves against
regiments of the adversary and carried away the victory, with Christ Who
vanquished the world with the power of His divinity.
Theotokion: He of two natures, to Whom thou didst give birth, O all-
immaculate one, descended into thy womb like rain upon the fleece, the divinely
eloquent prophet said of old. To Him do we cry aloud: glory to Thy power, O
Christ!
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: I have heard Thy report, O Lord, and I was afraid; I considered Thy
works, and glorified Thy dominion, O Lord.
Laying the foundation of thine abstinence not on sand, but on thy most
profound labors, O most blessed one, thou didst erect an unshakable tower of
the virtues.
Causing thy body to dwell in a harsh abode, thou didst nail down thy spirit
with fear and didst find a dwelling-place of divine inheritance, O venerable one.
Thou didst subdue the hidden passions of thy body, O thou who art most
rich, and, lying in dung with worms, thou didst emit a sweet fragrance, O father.
Emulating the life creating Dead One in thy voluntary suffering, thou didst
commit thyself alive to a dark pit, as to a tomb.
Theotokion: O all-pure Mary, do thou ever entreat God Whom thou didst
bear, that He grant thy servants remission of sins.
Katavasia: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
ODE V
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: Waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Christ, Who
art consubstantial with the Father, and the Savior of our souls: Grant
peace to the world, Thou Who lovest mankind!
O Christ, Who fillest all things with goodness: do Thou grant unto Thy
servants a year of varied seasons, crowned with mildness, fruitfulness and
blessings.
Yearly recompense, a turn for the better and a state of peace do Thou show
unto us who know Thee to be Him Who became like unto men, O Word of
God.
Thou didst come to earth proclaiming from the Father the release of
captives and the recovery of the blind, and the acceptable time, O Thou that art
equally unoriginate with the Father.
Theotokion: We set our hopes and our desire on thee, O pure Theotokos.
Him Whom thou didst bear do thou render merciful unto us, O Virgin.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: The impious perceive not Thy glory, O Christ, put, waking at
dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest
mankind, Thou Radiance of the glory of the Father's divinity.
As unblemished ewe-lambs, as acceptable sacrifices, ye brought yourselves to
the true Lamb and Shepherd, O martyrs, as offerings most rich and acceptable
immolations.
Slain in the body, ye did live in soul for Him Who slew the might of death,
O martyrs, for ye emulated His Cross, death and voluntary suffering.
One in mind, though in many bodies, though lacerated with divers wounds
and burned by fire, the divinely wise ones confessed the Lord Jesus alone.
Theotokion: O thou who alone art most immaculate, raise me up who have
fallen into the pit of temptations, and set me aright, O thou that didst bear God
the Pilot Who in His goodness first united disparate natures.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments Lord, and with Thine
upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Christ showed thee forth as a new Daniel, O Symeon; for from the den of
wild beasts he returned thee unharmed by an apparition.
Casting thyself wholly upon the Lord, thou didst lay thyself bare to storm,
cold and burning heat, and to the malice of the adversary.
Thou didst show thyself to be a new Moses and Elijah, taking food but once
during the whole forty-day fast all throughout thy life, O venerable one.
Girded about with a rope as with a cincture of gold, O venerable Symeon,
thou didst show thyself to be a traverser of the heavens with ill vine wings.
Theotokion: Ever beseech thy Son and our God, O pure Mary who knewest
not wedlock, that He send down great mercy upon us, the faithful.
Katavasia: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was
crucified, and whereby he that beguiled mankind by the tree did fall,
beguiled by thee, when God was nailed in the flesh, He that granteth
peace unto our souls.
ODE VI
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: Thou didst save the prophet from the sea monster, O Lover of
mankind; do Thou lead me up from the abyss of transgressions, I pray.
O Master, with the beginning of the year vouchsafe us to begin a life well-
pleasing unto Thee.
O compassionate Savior, show us forth who hymn Thee to be full of
spiritual days in the study of Thy law.
Theotokion: O all-pure and most immaculate Theotokos who gavest birth to
the Lord, from misfortunes deliver us who hymn thee.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying
within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus,
King of hosts!
Our first mother Eve, beholding him who of old drove her from paradise
through deception wounded and trampled underfoot by women, rejoiceth in
godly manner.
Diligently joining abstinence to suffering, ye have now incorruptibly united
yourselves to the Bridegroom of souls and, with joyful spirit, ye dwell in the
divine bridal chamber.
The raging and towering waves of torments were not able to sink the
martyrs' ships, for with mighty hands upon the tiller they reached the divine
harbors.
Theotokion: Beholding the fulfillment of thy words, O Mother of God,
magnify exceedingly Him Who hath magnified thee; for all generations now
truly bless thee.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light
as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.
Christ hath shown thee to be a worker of signs and wonders and an
acceptable habitation of divine activity, O blessed one.
Thy body didst thou raise up upon thy pillar as upon a cross, O Symeon.
Wherefore, thou hast been glorified with Christ Who was lifted up upon the
Cross for thy sake.
Having found the path on high, O wondrous Symeon, raise up to the heights
of heaven those who faithfully hymn thee.
Theotokion: We recognize thee as the mountain which Daniel beheld, whence
Christ, the unquarried Stone of faith, was cut.
Katavasia: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of
the sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion. And,
issuing forth after three days, he foreshadowed the extraordinary
Resurrection of Christ God Who was nailed in the flesh and enlightened
the world with His Rising on the third day.
Kontakion of the venerable Symeon, in Tone II:
Making of thy pillar a fiery chariot, searching the heights thou didst unite
thyself to those who are on High. Wherefore, thou wast a converser with angels,
O venerable one, praying unceasingly with them to Christ God in behalf of us
all.
Ikos: What human tongue can ever suffice to confess in praise the
unblemished life of Symeon? Yet, by the wisdom of God, I shall hymn the
suffering and struggles on earth of this mighty giant; for he was shown to be a
beacon to all men in his great patience, and hath shone forth in the angelic
choir; for, unceasingly hymning Christ with them, and having acquired purity
through abstinence, he prayeth without ceasing for us all.
ODE VII
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the impious
command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of
the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
O ye Orthodox people who now begin the year, let us set a beginning to our
hymns to Christ Who reigneth over the everlasting Kingdom; and let us piously
chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
O Christ, Who before wast, shalt be and art the Lord: fill Thou this year with
Thy good gifts for those who hymn Thee, the Source of goodness, chanting: O
God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Theotokion: As servants petitioning their Master, we set before Thee Thy
pure Mother, O Christ, that Thou mayest deliver from every evil circumstance
Thy servants who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, Who didst save the children
of Abraham in the fire, and didst slay the Chaldeans whom Thou didst
justly hunt down: Blessed art Thou!
How insuperable is thy wisdom, O God-bearing Ammon! For, the leader of
the choir of virgins, thou didst not fear tortures, ending thy life with them; and
as a deacon and initiate of the mysteries of divine glory, thou didst chant: O all-
praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
As a wise bridal escort, with words of courage thou didst anoint the martyrs,
urging them to gaze upon the Bridegroom and to endure the pain of their flesh,
crying aloud: O all-praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
"Let us not grow slothful! Lo, the arena lieth open, ye maidens; let us stand
forth manfully! Christ stretcheth forth His hand which beareth wreaths. Let us
have no pity upon our bodies!" the valorous ones cried out in the stadium: O
all-praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Theotokion: Blessed is the Fruit of thy blessed womb, Whom hosts of heaven
and the assemblies of men bless, and Who hath delivered us from the ancient
curse, O blessed one.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: In Babylon the pious children did not worship the golden image,
but, bedewed in the midst of the fiery furnace, they chanted a hymn,
saying: O supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Thou didst loose drought for the doubting and didst open the gates of the
rain for them; and by thy supplications thou didst restrain the quaking earth,
and didst teach the people to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
As a most magnificent beacon of the Church and a most radiant sun, O
Symeon, thou didst shine, scattering thy rays in all directions, and didst teach
the people to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
A sea of humanity gathered in the garden of thine abstinence, flowing like
water from all directions, O favorite of Christ, taught by thee to cry out: Blessed
is the God of our fathers!
Of old Christ rested in the arms of the elder Symeon, and in His invisible
power did He rest also within the tablets of thy heart, O venerable Symeon.
Wherefore, thou didst cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Theotokion: O pure Virgin, it becameth Him Who without seed was incarnate
of thee to come forth, for thou wast shown to be greater than all in purity. And
crying out to Him in hymns, we say: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Katavasia: The mad command of the impious tyrant, breathing forth
threats and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion.
Yet the three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the
roaring blaze; but, in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind
blew upon it, they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art
Thou!
ODE VIII
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: Christ God, Who saved the chanting children in the furnace and
transformed the raging flames into dew, hymn ye, supremely exalting
Him for all ages!
O Christ, the honored Church offereth Thee the beginning of the year, as to
the Author of our salvation, crying: Hymn ye and supremely exalt Christ
forever!
The Creator Who hath wisely renewed all that He brought into existence, and
hath brought forth the cycles of the seasons by His will, hymn ye and supremely
exalt forever!
Let us chant unto God, Who hath brought forth all things and Who
changeth the seasons for the manifold prosperity of men: Praise and exalt Christ
supremely forever!
Theotokion: With the cycles and seasons of time, we, the assemblies of men,
hymn thee in Orthodox manner as the Theotokos, the pure Virgin Mother of
God, the salvation of all.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the
furnace, then in figure, but now in deed; and it moveth all the world to
sing to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
In splendid robes, dyed with the blood of your martyrdom, did ye array
yourselves, having truly put off the old man corrupted by sins, chanting: O ye
works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O martyrs, illumined by the outpourings of abundant light and the divine
splendors of the noetic Sun: ye passed through the night of ungodliness,
chanting with oneness of mind and soul: O ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt
Him supremely for all ages!
As ewe-lambs, as unblemished heifers, as divine turtledoves, as voluntary
holocausts and immaculate sacrifices did ye offer yourselves to the Creator, O
martyrs, chanting together: O ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him
supremely for all ages!
At the command of the most iniquitous tyrants ye were subjected to an
undeserved death, your limbs severed, your fingers broken, beaten without
mercy, consumed by fire, beheaded by the sword. Wherefore, with joy have ye
received the rich rewards of immortality.
Theotokion: O most honored Bride of God, who alone knewest not wedlock,
the women followed after thee, inhaling the fragrance of thy myrrh, and they
truly reign with thee, hymning Christ, the only-begotten Son Who shone forth
from thy womb, forever.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on Mount Sinai, and in the bush
revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin by fire, hymn ye and
supremely exalt for all ages!
Having divorced thyself from every attachment, yet taking pity on thy
mother's weakness, after thy death thou didst appear to her while she was yet
alive, crying: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!
Thou didst gird up the paralyzed youth and didst command Phylarchus to
take up his bed upon his shoulders, O most sacred one, crying out: Hymn the
Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Cleansing with the suffering of Job the foulness of thy putrid flesh, thou
didst transform it into a pearl of great price, O Symeon, favorite of Christ,
glorifying Him for all ages.
Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, who received joy from the angel, who
gavest birth unto the Lord of glory, and shone forth Light upon the world: we
all hymn thee for all ages.
Katavasia: O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the
Father of the Creator; hymn ye the Word Who came down and
transformed the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who giveth life to all,
exalt ye supremely forever!
ODE IX
Canon of the Indiction
Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire yet was not consumed showed
forth an image of thy pure birth giving. And now we pray that the furnace
of temptation which rageth against us be extinguished, that we may
unceasingly magnify thee, O Theotokos.
O Word of God, Power, true and hypostatic Wisdom, Who sustaineth and
directeth all things wisely, do Thou now peacefully order the season which hath
dawned for Thy servants.
All Thy works, O Lord: the heavens, the earth, light, and the sea, the waters
and all the springs, the sun, the moon, darkness, the stars, fire, men and beasts,
praise Thee with the angels.
Thou alone art pre-eternal, in that Thou art the Creator of the ages. O
reigning Godhead, One, indivisible, in three Persons: through the supplications
of the pure Mother of God, show forth this year as fruitful for Thine
inheritance.
Theotokion: O Savior of all, Maker, Creator, and Ruler of all creation: through
the supplications of her who gaveth birth to Thee without seed, grant peace to
Thy world, preserving Thy Church ever undisturbed.
Canon of the Martyrs
Irmos: Eve, through weakness abode under the curse of disobedience; but
thou. O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through
the offspring of thy childbearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.
The most blessed ones put forth streams of healings, as from a wellspring,
upon those in need; they put an end to the pestilence of infirmities and dispel
the burning heat of the passions; and they water the hearts of those who love
God, to render them fertile with divine works.
The divine beacons Ammon, and Celsina, and with them the forty godly and
divinely wise women who suffered lawfully, have been crowned and now join
chorus with the angels. Let us bless them as is meet.
Seizing dominion over the enemy, ye were exalted, and became like unto
angels; and ye now delight freely in the tree of life in paradise, O brides of God,
and have received the wellspring of good things, praying for the world.
Theotokion: O immaculate Maiden, thou hast been shown to be a dwelling-
place of Wisdom, an animate throne and portal, surpassing the understanding of
the greatest mind. Wherefore the virgins loved thee as their queen, O Virgin,
and have followed after thee, O divine Maiden.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Thy birthgiving, O Ever-virgin, which was revealed to the law-
giver on the mountain in the fire and the bush for the salvation of us, the
faithful. we magnify with unceasing hymns.
When thou didst gain dominion over the passions through patience, O God-
bearing Symeon, Christ accepted thee as a participant in His Kingdom.
Wherefore, we honor thee with hymns.
Having been vouchsafed the grace of healing from among the inviolate
treasures of the Spirit, O God-bearing Symeon, thou dost bestow healings upon
those who celebrate thy memory.
Having trod the heavenly path on the air of the virtues, girded about with
sufferings, thou didst take flight to the tabernacles of heaven. Pray thou that our
souls be saved.
Theotokion: Thou hast appeared as a bush burning with fire yet remaining
unconsumed, O Mistress, having conceived without seed the God and Savior of
the world, Whom we unceasingly magnify.
Katavasia: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which, untilled,
didst put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was
planted; wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify
thee, O Theotokos.
Exapostilarion of the Indiction:
Spec. Mel.: "To the disciples ...":
O Lord and God of gods, Being of three Hypostases, unapproachable,
uncreated, almighty Creator and Ruler of all; before Thee do we all fall down,
and Thee do we entreat: blessing this beginning year, in that Thou art good, do
Thou preserve Orthodox Christians and all Thy people in peace, O
Compassionate One.
Glory ..., Exapostilarion of the venerable one, in the same melody:
Thy life, O venerable one, which shone like a radiant beacon, hath illumined
all the world with rays of miracles; for, praying for us who honor thee, O blessed
one, by thy pillar thou didst ascend unto God as by a ladder, to that place where
there is truly the ultimate fulfillment of all desires, O Symeon.
Now and ever ..., Exapostilarion of the Indiction, in the same melody:
O Maker and Ruler of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast fixed the
times and seasons: crown the cycles of the year with blessings of goodness, O
Compassionate One, preserving Thy people in peace, unharmed and whole, we
pray, through the supplications of her who gave birth to Thee, and of the divine
angels.
On the Praises, 4 stichera for the Indiction, the composition of John the Monk:
In Tone III: O pre-eternal Word of the Father, Who art in the image of God,
and Who, in Thine authority, hast fixed the times and seasons: Bless Thou the
crown of the year with Thy goodness, granting peace unto Thy Churches and
victories to Orthodox Christians, fertility to the earth and great mercy to us.
In Tone IV: Thy Kingdom is the Kingdom of all ages, O Christ God, and Thy
dominion continueth through all generations; for Thou hast fashioned all things
in wisdom, fixing the times and seasons for us. Wherefore, giving thanks for all
things, we cry out: Bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, and
vouchsafe us to cry aloud to Thee without condemnation: Glory to Thee, O
Lord!
By Andrew of Pyres: Thy journeys are great and wondrous journeyings, O
God. Wherefore, we magnify the power of Thy dispensation: for, being Light of
Light, Thou didst come to Thy wretched world and didst destroy the primeval
curse of ancient Adam, as Thou wast well pleased so to do, O Word; and in Thy
wisdom Thou hast appointed times and seasons for us, that we may glorify Thy
goodness, which accomplisheth all things. O Lord, glory be to Thee!
Sticheron of the holy martyrs, by Germanus, in Tone II: When by Thy Passion,
O Lord, Thou didst establish the whole world, then were the weak girded about
with power, and women stood forth manfully against the most cruel tyrant and
won a maternal victory; and they entered into the delight of paradise, unto the
glory of Thee Who wast born of women and hast saved the human race.
Glory ..., of the venerable one, in the same Tone:
The sacred Symeon sprang forth as good fruit from goodly stock, nurtured
from infancy more by grace than by milk. And lifting up his holy body upon the
pillar of stone, and lifting his mind up to God, he fashioned a heavenly dwelling-
place with his virtues; and dancing in chorus with the hosts of God, he became
an abode of Christ, the Savior of our souls.
Now and ever ..., of the Indiction, in Tone VIII:
The composition of Germanus:
O Christ, Word and God, Who hast created all things in Thine ineffable
wisdom, and hast appointed times and seasons for us: bless Thou the works of
Thy hands and with Thy power make glad all right-believing Christians, granting
them might against the barbarians, in that Thou alone art good and lovest man-
kind.
Then, the Great Doxology.
After the Trisagion: the troparion of the Indiction;
O Fashioner of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast appointed the times
and seasons: bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord,
preserving in peace Orthodox Christians and Thy city, and save us through the
prayers of the Theotokos.
Glory ..., that of the saint:
Thou wast a pillar of patience, O venerable one, emulating the forefathers:
Job, in afflictions; Joseph, in temptations, and the life of the incorporeal hosts
while in the body, O Symeon our father. Entreat Christ God that our souls be
saved.
Now and ever ..., that of the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O highly-favored Virgin Mary, haven and intercession of the human
race, for from thee was the Deliverer of the world incarnate, for thou alone art
Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and most glorified. Entreat Christ God to grant
peace unto the whole world.
Then the litanies, dismissal and First Hour.
A T T HE H O U RS
At the First Hour, the troparion of the Indiction; Glory ..., that of the saint; Now
and ever ..., the Theotokion of the Hour. After the Trisagion, the Kontakion of the
Indiction, alternating with that of the saint for the other Hours.
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes: 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III of the Canon of the Indiction, and 4
from Ode VI of the Canon of the Saint.
O Good One, establish Thou that which Thy right hand hath lovingly
planted on the earth, preserving Thy Church, the fertile vineyard, O Almighty
One. (Twice)
O Master, God of all things, lead through this year which beginneth those
who adorn themselves with divinely beautiful spiritual works, and who hymn
Thee with faith.
O compassionate Christ, grant me a tranquil year and fill me with Thy divine
words which Thou didst reveal when Thou didst speak to the Jews oil the
Sabbath.
Christ hath shown thee to be a worker of signs and wonders and an
acceptable habitation of divine activity, O blessed one.
Thy body didst thou raise up upon thy pillar as upon a cross, O Symeon.
Wherefore, thou hast been glorified with Christ Who was lifted up upon the
Cross for thy sake.
Having found the path on high, O wondrous Symeon, raise up to the heights
of heaven those who faithfully hymn thee.
Theotokion: We recognize thee as the mountain which Daniel beheld, whence
Christ, the unquarried Stone of faith, was cut.
After the Entrance, the troparia as follows:
Troparion of the Indiction, in Tone II:
O Fashioner of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast appointed the times
and seasons: bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, O Lord,
preserving in peace Orthodox Christians and Thy city, and save us through the
prayers of the Theotokos.
To the Theotokos, in Tone I:
Rejoice, O highly-favored Virgin Mary, haven and intercession of the human
race, for from thee was the Deliverer of the world incarnate, for thou alone art
Mother and Virgin, ever-blessed and most glorified. Entreat Christ God to grant
peace unto the whole world.
To the Venerable One, in Tone I:
Thou wast a pillar of patience, O venerable one, emulating the forefathers:
Job, in afflictions; Joseph, in temptations, and the life of the incorporeal hosts
while in the body, O Symeon our father. Entreat Christ God that our souls be
saved.
Glory ..., Kontakion of the venerable Symeon, in Tone II:
Making of thy pillar a fiery chariot, searching the heights thou didst unite
thyself to those who are on High. Wherefore, thou wast a converser with angels,
O venerable one, praying unceasingly with them to Christ God in behalf of us
all.
Now and ever, Kontakion of the Indiction, in Tone II:
O Christ our King Who livest in the highest, Creator and Maker of all things,
visible and invisible, Who hast fashioned days and nights, seasons and years:
bless Thou now the crown of the year; preserve and keep in peace Orthodox
hierarchs, this city and Thy people, O greatly Merciful One.
But if it be a temple dedicated to the Theotokos: Now and ever ..., the Kontakion
of the temple; the Kontakion of the Indiction is moved into first position (among the
Kontakia).
Prokimenon of the Indiction, in Tone III: Great is our Lord, and great is His
strength, and of His understanding there is no measure.
Stichos: Praise ye the Lord, for a psalm is a good thing; let praise be sweet
unto our God.
And of the venerable one, in Tone VII: Precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of His saints.
EPISTLE FOR THE INDICTION:
EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY, §282 [1 Tim 2:1-15]
Child Timothy: I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all
that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto
I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not),
a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray
everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner
also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which
becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn
in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then
Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression. Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they
continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
EPISTLE FOR THE VENERABLE ONE:
EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS, §258 [COL. 3:12-16]
Brethren: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing
one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on
charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your
hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.
Alleluia, in Tone IV: To Thee is due praise, O God, in Sion; and unto Thee
shall a vow be rendered in Jerusalem.
Stichos: Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness.
Stichos of the venerable one: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His
commandments shall he greatly delight.
FOR THE INDICTION:
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE, §13 [LK. 4:16-22)]
And Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and, as His
custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for
to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And
when He had opened the book, He found the place where it is written: The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliv-
erance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them
that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And He closed the
book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all
them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say
unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare Him
witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His
mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's Son?
FOR THE VENERABLE ONE:
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, §43 [MT. 11 :27-30]
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son,
but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to
whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Communion Verse for the Indiction: Thou shalt bless the crown of the year
with Thy goodness.
Communion Verse for the Saint: In everlasting remembrance shall the right-
eous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
NOTE: If September 1st falls on a Sunday, the service to the holy women is omitted,
and is chanted when the ecclesiarch decides. The service of the Resurrection is sung,
followed by that of the Indiction and of the saint; thus:
At Little Vespers: the stichera of the Resurrection and of the Theotokos, as
usual. Troparion of the Resurrection; Glory ..., Now and ever ..., Theotokion.
At Great Vespers we sing "Blessed is the man ...", the entire kathisma. At
"Lord, I have cried ...", three stichera for the Resurrection and one of Anatolius;
three stichera for the Indiction, and three to St. Symeon; Glory ..., of the
Indiction; Now and ever ..., the Dogmatic of the tone. The Readings as above. At
Litia, the sticheron of the temple, then the Aposticha stichera for the Indiction,
printed at the end of the Praise stichera. At the Aposticha, the stichera of the
Resurrection with their proper verses; Glory ..., of the saint; Now and ever ..., of
the Indiction. At the blessing of the loaves: "Virgin Theotokos, rejoice ..."
(Twice), and the troparion of the Indiction once. And the reading from the
epistles of the Apostles.
At Matins, at "God is the Lord ...", the troparion of the Resurrection (Twice);
Glory ..., of the saint; Now and ever ..., of the Indiction. After the kathismata, the
Resurrectional Sedalia and their Theotokia, and the reading from the
interpretations of the Gospel, as appointed. After the troparia on Psalm 118
("Blessed art Thou, O Lord ..."), the Hypakoi and reading. The Songs of Ascent,
Prokimenon of the tone, and "Let every breath ...". Resurrectional Gospel.
"Having beheld the Resurrection ..." and Psalm 50. Sticheron of the Resurrection.
Canon of the Resurrection, four troparia, including its Irmos; that to the
Theotokos, two troparia; that to the Indiction, four troparia; and of the saint, four
troparia. Katavasia: the first canon from the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
After the Third Ode, the Kontakion of the Indiction, and that of the saint; the
Sedalion of the saint, (Twice); Glory ..., Now and ever ..., of the Indiction. And
the reading of the life of St. Symeon. After the Sixth Ode, the Kontakion of the
Resurrection, and its Ikos; and the reading from the Prologue. At the Ninth Ode
we chant "More honorable " The Exapostilarion of the Resurrection; Glory, of
the saint; Now and ever ..., of the Indiction. At the Praises, four stichera to the
Resurrection, three for the Indiction in Tone III: "O pre-eternal Word ...", with
the verse of the Indiction; then the Idiomelon of the saint, in Tone II: "The
sacred Symeon ...", with the verse: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death
of His saints." Glory ..., the Evangelical sticheron; Now and ever ..., "Most
blessed art thou ..." The Great Doxology. After the Trisagion, the Troparion of
the Resurrection alone. Litanies, and dismissal. And the reading from the
catechetical writings of St. Theodore the Studite, and the usual departure. The
First Hour is read in the vestibule. And the final dismissal. At the Hours we say
the Troparion of the Resurrection, Glory ..., of the Indiction, Now and ever ...,
the Theotokion of the Hour. After Our Father, the Kontakion of the Indiction.
At the Third Hour, the Troparion of the Resurrection; Glory ..., of the saint.
Thus also, for the rest of the Hours, we alternate the Kontakia of the
Resurrection, the Indiction and the saint.
At the Liturgy, four of the verses for the Beatitudes from the Resurrectional
service; four for the Indiction, from Ode III of its canon; four for the saint, from
Ode VI of his canon. After the Entrance, the Troparion of the Resurrection, then
of the Indiction and of the saint; the Kontakion of the Resurrection; Glory ..., of
the saint; Now and ever ..., of the Indiction. Prokimenon, Epistle, Alleluia and
Gospel, first of the Indiction, then for Sunday (from the series), and of the saint.
The Communion verses: of the Indiction and then of the saint.
THE 2nd DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
C O M M E M O R A T I O N O F T H E H OL Y M A R T Y R M A M A S, C O M M E M O R A T I O N
O F O U R V E N E RA B L E F A T H E R J O H N T H E F A S T E R, P A T RI A R C H O F
C O NS T ANT I NO P L E
AT VESPERS
On "Lord, I have cried ...", 6 stichera: 3 of the martyr, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "O all-glorious wonder ...":
Shedding thy blood, O blessed one, * thou didst present thyself to Christ, *
the Bestower of life, * Who shed His blood for thy sake, * and Who hath made
thee to participate in His glory * and to share in His kingdom, * in that thou
didst prevail over the deceiver * and didst utterly reduce * his cruel snares to
ashes.
Thou wast a pillar of piety * set firmly upon the rock of faith, * unshaken by
temptations or misfortunes, * O blessed one, * for the great tempest and tumult
* and the waves which buffeted thee * did not cast down thine unbreakable
strength; * for thou didst desire to be adorned * with the crown of martyrdom.
Following the life-bearing steps * of our incarnate God * Who, by His
suffering on the Cross, * cast down the tyrant, O athlete, * rejoicing, thou didst
enter the arena of martyrdom, * and, lacerated with wounds, * with thy flesh, O
martyr, * thou didst wound him who boasted that he would destroy the sea, *
and thou didst cast him down to the ground.
And 3 stichera of the holy hierarch, in the same melody:
O most honored father John, * withdrawing from the tumultuous confusion
of the world, * thou didst hasten to the serenity of Christ, * O most venerable
one; * and thou wast manifestly enriched in truth * with the most rich effulgence
* of vision and divine activity, * and, made splendid by thy godly life, * didst
impart them to the faithful.
O most honored father John, * honorably adorned with vestments * like
another Aaron, * thou now beholdest the Holy of holies * beyond the second
veil. * O the ineffable brilliance of thy mind, * which passeth understanding, * O
divine adornment of hierarchs, * whom thou hast now joined in fellowship!
O most wise father John, * becoming godly * in the simplicity of thy
character, * thou standest now before God, * united with Him through a higher
unity, * deified at His continual behest, * filled with His light, * O divine and
most sacred adornment of hierarchs.
Glory ..., the composition of Byzantius, in Tone II:
At the table of God thou wast set like a newly planted olive-tree, the child of
those who walk the path of the Lord. For the sake of thy martyrdom the Lord
hath blessed thee, and thou lookest upon the good things of the heavenly Sion,
ever delighting with thy parents in divine joy. O right laudable Mamas, by thine
entreaties make us partakers thereof.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Spec. Mel.: "When from the Tree ...":
When the unblemished ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb as a man led forth, of His
own will, to the slaughter, she said, lamenting: "dost Thou now hasten to leave
me childless who gave Thee birth, O Christ? Wherefore hast Thou done this
thing, O Deliverer of all? Yet do I hymn and glorify Thine utter goodness which
passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind!"
At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Oktoechos; and Glory ..., in Tone IV:
Come together, O ye faithful, and let us celebrate the memory of the martyr
Mamas, for he hath been shown to be a new Abel; for as Abel, being a shepherd
of sheep, brought a lamb as a sacrifice and was the first to receive the crown of
martyrdom, so did the glorious athlete, who presided over feeding flocks, bring
himself to Christ as a right acceptable sacrifice through martyrdom. And as he
hath boldness before the Lord, he asketh peace for the world and great mercy
for our souls.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Spec. Mel.: "As one valiant among the martyrs ...":
Beholding Christ crucified, * Who loveth mankind, * His side pierced by the
spear, * the all-pure one wept, crying aloud: * "What is this, O my Son? * How
have the thankless people rewarded Thee * for the good things Thou didst do for
them? * And dost Thou hasten to leave me childless, O most Beloved? * I
marvel, O Compassionate One, at Thy voluntary crucifixion!"
Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV:
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Mamas received an imperishable crown
from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at nought the tyrants
and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou
our souls.
Glory ..., Troparion of the hierarch, in the same tone:
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of
meekness and teacher of temperance. Wherefore, thou didst attain the heights
through humility and riches through poverty. O father John, entreat Christ God,
that our souls be saved.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion or Stavrotheotokion.
AT MATINS
One canon from the Oktoechos, with 6 troparia;
And two for the saints, with 8 troparia.
ODE I
Canon of the martyr, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a miracle, striking the sea in the
form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh
and saved Israel, who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Traversing the heavens as an excellent martyr, filled with thrice-radiant
effulgence, O glorious one, vouchsafe divine illumination unto those who on
earth honor the precious and radiant day of thy repose.
The Word, foreknowing the nobility and perfection of thy mind in all things,
filled thee with understanding from thine earliest infancy and adorned thee in
manifold ways with the sweetness of good works, O most lauded martyr and
athlete Mamas.
Thy parents, braving danger for the inviolate Faith in time of persecution by
falsehood, were cast into prison; and there, at the command of God, they
brought thee forth, who hast broken the bonds of polytheism.
Theotokion: In generations of generations all-glorious things are said of thee
who, having contained God the Word within thy womb, remainest pure, O Mary
Theotokos. Wherefore, we all honor thee, our intercessor before God.
Canon of the holy hierarch, the composition of Germanus, in the same tone:
Irmos: Let us chant unto Christ, Who cast the tyranny of Pharaoh into the
sea and guided Israel over dry land, for He hath been glorified forever.
Let us chant unto Christ, Who shone forth in the world the wise hierarch who
is resplendent with the precepts of the kingdom, for He hath been glorified
forever.
O ye faithful, let us honor the great hierarch John, Who shone forth in the
world with the light of piety and hath dispelled the gloom of impiety.
As thou standest with the angels before the unapproachable King, O most
blessed John, thou preacher of sacred things, pray that purification be granted to
those who celebrate thy memory.
Theotokion: In that thou didst conceive the pre-eternal and unoriginate Word
of the Father and gavest birth to Him in the flesh in manner past recounting, O
most hymned one, pray thou earnestly, that we be delivered from misfortunes.
ODE III
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the
Church, establish me in the love of Thee, O summit of desire, confir-
mation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Upon the pinnacle of His Church hath Christ placed the athlete Mamas like a
radiant star, illumining the whole world with the splendors of his sufferings and
all-glorious miracles.
Ascending the mountain of true knowledge, and illumined with purity of mind
through visions, O blessed one, by the commands of God thou didst elevate the
nature of dumb beasts to rational hymnody.
Thou wast a youth comely in beauty. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be
unapproachable to those who sought iniquitously to seize thee, and thou didst
bring thyself to the Lord of all, Who Himself had gone to suffering.
Theotokion: He Who stretched out the sky and sustaineth its whole vault by
His divine nature was held in the flesh in thine embrace, O all-pure one, and
hath shown thee to be the confirmation of all the faithful.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: O Lord Who established the heavens by Thy word and founded the
earth upon many waters, establish me for the chanting of Thy
glorification.
By abstinence and steadfast prayer, O God-bearing father, thou didst ascend
to the lofty city of the virtues, where thou partakest of a torrent of sweetness.
As thou hast boldness before God, O venerable and wise hierarch John, pray
that those who celebrate thy memory with faith may be saved.
As a teacher of the dogmas of piety and a true speaker of wise words, thou
hast been crowned for thy victory over heresies, O venerable one.
Theotokion: O pure Theotokos, we all hymn thee as the heaven and throne of
God, in that Jesus Christ, the Truth, revealed Himself through thee.
Sedalion of the martyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
As the precious offspring of piety, by the power of the Spirit thou wast
shown to be the destroyer of impiety, O Mamas; for thou didst denounce the
falsehood of idolatry in the arena and didst right boldly proclaim that the Trinity
is to be hymned. Wherefore, cast to the wild beasts, O athlete, thou didst slay
the beast, the serpent who is the author of evil. For this cause we cry out to
thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who
honor thy holy memory with love.
Glory ..., Sedalion of the hierarch, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: "Of the divine Faith ...":
A divine vessel of abstinence and a fount of piety which cannot be taken
away wast thou shown to be, O blessed and venerable father John, illumining
thy life with dispassion and enriching those in need with alms. Entreat Christ
God, that He grant us great mercy.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, O only all-pure Virgin Mother,
who dost surpass the angels in purity. With the waters of thy supplications
cleanse me who, more than all other men, am dust and have been defiled by
carnal transgressions, granting me great mercy, O pure one.
Stavrotheotokion: The unblemished ewe-lamb of the Word, the incorrupt
Virgin Mother, beholding Him Who sprang forth from her without pain
suspended upon the Cross, cried out maternally, lamenting: "Alas, O my Child!
How is it that Thou sufferest, desiring to deliver man from the indignity of the
passions?"
ODE IV
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my
God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father,
hast visited our poverty. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry
unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
With wisdom and unafraid thou didst of thine own will commit thyself to
struggles; for thou didst have Christ helping thee with divine power, making thy
weakness strong and showing thee forth as a witness to His sufferings, a
partaker of splendor on high.
The most rational wild beast became tame, given thee by God as a
companion, for with divine love thou didst subdue the irrational passions and
wast shown to be adorned with a most wise intelligence, vanquishing the irra-
tionality of the enemy.
Before the tyrants' tribunal thou didst stand O blessed one, most manifestly
proclaiming the incarnation of the Word, casting down the savagery of
ungodliness and teaching all to chant with confidence: Glory to Thy power, O
Thou Who lovest mankind!
Theotokion: By the supernatural offspring of thy birthgiving, O most
immaculate Theotokos, the pangs of sin were loosed, the nature of mortals was
released from the curse, the heavens were opened for thy sake to those below,
and men join chorus with the angels.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: Mystically foreseeing Thee incarnate of the Virgin, O Word, the
prophet cried out in hymns: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
In hymns let us all praise the wise hierarch, saying: O God-bearing John, pray
thou earnestly to the Lord, that we be saved.
Having thee as a planter of the dogmas of piety and a wise hierarch, O
divinely blessed John, we praise thee with hymns and songs.
O glorious primate and sustainer, hierarch of the Lord, with songs and hymns
we, the faithful, celebrate thy sacred memory.
Theotokion: O unwedded Bride, pure and undefiled Mother of Christ God,
entreat Him without ceasing, that He save the souls of those who hymn thee.
ODE V
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-
waning? And why hath a strange light covered me, wretch that I am? But
turn me and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Lacerated, the glorious Mamas in nowise paid heed to his body, setting aside
the grossness of corruption to be torn asunder and the garments of his skin to
be rent apart; receiving instead the vesture of incorruption.
Grateful praises didst thou chant to thy Creator when thy side was pierced
with a spear, O most blessed one, and thou didst hear a voice from heaven,
strengthening thy mind for that which is more exalted and easing the pain of thy
sufferings.
As thou lay in prison a most beautiful dove appeared to thee in an all-glorious
vision, O most blessed and much-suffering athlete, bearing thee the food of
incorruption; for thou didst pass beyond the bounds of corruption.
Theotokion: Thou wast the mediatress of the divine incarnation and of
ineffable deliverance, having given birth to Him Who was begotten of the
Father before the sun shone forth; for through thee hath the nature of those on
earth been joined to God and set upon the throne of glory.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: O Lord Who brought the ends of the earth into the light out of the
darkness of ignorance, illumine me with the dawning of Thy love for
mankind.
As a pastor thou wast anointed with the oil of piety, O divinely wise one;
wherefore, we all praise thee as a hierarch, O venerable one.
As an emulator of the apostles in pangs and vigils, O divinely wise and
glorious one, thou didst intercede for the people of the Church.
Thou didst emulate the zeal of Elijah and Moses the God-beholder, O father
manifest in sanctity, and didst put to shame the teachers of heresy.
Theotokion: Come ye, and with the angel let us all honor as Queen the
blessed one who gave birth to the King of all.
ODE VI
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are mine iniquities, and lead me
up from the abyss of evils, I pray; for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast
hearkened unto me, O God of my salvation.
Burning with zeal for God, O most sacred and valiant athlete, bedewed by
divine rain from heaven thou didst in nowise take heed of the burning flame.
He Who in manifest light transformed the furnace into dew for the three
youths rescued thee, O most blessed and divinely wise one, from the flame, and
all-gloriously showed thee to be mightier than the fire.
Undergoing tremendous struggles, thou didst show thyself to be most
supreme, wondrous among athletes, a martyr tried and tested. Wherefore, the
Judge of the contest vouchsafed thee greater rewards.
Theotokion: Through thy divine birthgiving, O all-pure one, we have come to
share in the divine nature; and, praising thee with ranks of the angels, we have
inherited heavenly rest in Christ.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the uttermost abyss, O
Christ God, so deliver me from my sin, in that Thou lovest mankind, and
direct my life, I pray Thee.
With thy divine dogmas and wise instructions thou didst adorn the glory of
the Church, O blessed John, and didst cause heresies to vanish.
With the beauty of thy dogmas thou didst illumine all creation like a lamp of
piety, O divinely wise teacher, and with the word of God thou hast cast heresies
into darkness.
Arming thyself with thy tongue and discourse instead of a sword, O venerable
one, thou didst cut down all false doctrines and didst clearly explain the Trinity
to all.
Theotokion: O Christ God Who wast born of the Virgin and enlightenest the
world, deliver me from my transgressions, in that Thou lovest mankind, and
direct my life, I pray Thee.
Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone III:
Spec. Mel.: "Today the Virgin ...":
With the staff given thee by God, O holy one, thou didst shepherd thy people
in life-bearing pastures; and thou didst crush the invisible and untamed wild
beasts beneath the feet of those who hymn thee. For all who find themselves
amid misfortunes have thee as their fervent intercessor, O Mamas.
Ikos: Throughout all the world we hymn thee as an all-glorious martyr who
joinest chorus with the angels in the heavens, O Mamas, who before wast
manifestly suckled by a deer in the wilderness, and now, as a good shepherd,
dost shepherd the rich people of the Lord with a staff of power, guiding them to
a place of verdure, where the sweetness of paradise is truly to be found. For this
cause thou didst forsake the world, that all may have thee as a fervent
intercessor, O Mamas.
ODE VII
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of
God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace as in
a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
The aspect of the furnace was full of the coolness which thou didst need; for,
shut up within it for many days, O Mamas, thou wast not consumed, but didst
cry out to the Creator: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
In the midst of the flame, O martyr, thou didst have angels as companions,
dancing with thee and sharing in ineffable hymnody; and with them thou didst
cry out to the Master of all: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Issuing forth from the furnace, thou wast truly like a never-fading rose, like a
most comely bridegroom departing from a bridal chamber, consuming the
mindless, but illumining those who beheld thee, chanting: Blessed is the God of
our fathers!
Theotokion: Lo! the prophecy of the divinely eloquent one hath now been
fulfilled! For thou didst contain God the Word in thy womb, O Virgin, and
gavest birth to the Bestower of life: To Him do we all cry out: Blessed is the God
of our fathers!
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God of our fathers, Who in the
beginning founded the earth and established the heavens by Thy word.
Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God of our fathers, Who hast shown forth
the pious and wise hierarch as a beacon on the earth.
Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God of our fathers, Who hast shown the
great John to be a true shepherd for Thy flock.
Having put down the uprisings of the flesh, O father, thou didst cry out to
Christ: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God of our fathers!
Theotokion: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord God of our fathers, Who wast
born of the Virgin for our sake and hast delivered the world from the enemy.
ODE VIII
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Madly did the Chaldean tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the
pious ones; but seeing them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the
Creator and Deliverer: ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt
Him supremely for all ages!
Like Daniel thou didst shut the mouths of the wild beasts with a divine
invocation of the Master, O glorious one; thou didst slay a serpent, didst put the
ungodly to shame, and livest in gladness as a victor, chanting in the heavens: Ye
priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Stony of heart, the all-iniquitous ones who worshiped stones cast stones at
thee, O blessed martyr, as thou didst lift the sacred eyes of thy soul to the un-
hewn and unshakable Stone; and thou didst fervently chant: Ye priests, bless; ye
people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
The Judge of the contest, extending the crown of victory from on high to
thee as victor when thou hadst passed through thy good contest, O thou who
art most rich, called thee to hasten to Him, running the honorable and sweet
course, and chanting fervently: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely
for all ages!
Theotokion: Supernaturally thou didst conceive Him Who was begotten of
the Father without mother, yet thou didst remain virgin even after giving birth,
O pure one; for in thee doth the divine Union renew nature and restore the
boundaries of existence. Wherefore, in Orthodox manner, we hymn thee
forever as the Theotokos who truly gave birth unto God.
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain and by the fire
in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, do ye hymn
and exalt supremely for all ages!
Emulating Moses, O thrice blessed hierarch, thou didst ascend the mountain
to the darkness, receiving the noetic law of grace; wherefore, we hymn Christ
forever.
Shepherding thy people, O hierarch, thou didst drive away the falsehood of
Egypt, and, avoiding the passions of Babylon, thou didst attain the heavenly
Sion as thy dwelling-place for all ages.
Anointed with myrrh, discourse and works of piety, O most sacred one
manifest in sanctity, thou didst perform the sacred and divine services;
wherefore, thou hymnest the Trinity in one Essence for all ages.
Theotokion: The Lord Who dwelt in the Virgin's womb and, for her sake,
hast restored the old Adam in awesome and indescribable manner, hymn ye and
exalt supremely for all ages!
ODE IX
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Heaven was filled with awe, and the ends of the earth were
amazed, that God appeared to men in the flesh, and that thy womb
became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of angels
and men magnify thee, the Theotokos.
Thou didst lay down thy life for thy Deliverer and didst ardently hasten to
Him, splendidly adorned with the beauties of thy sacred struggles and wondrous
contests, O most lauded warrior, thou beacon of the whole world and ornament
of the Church.
Thou hast joined the angels, having acquired an angelic life on earth, and
with them thou dost in praise joyously chant sacred hymnody to the Trinity with
great laudation, O Mamas, deified by divine communion and enriched with
glory unsurpassed.
As thou hast boldness before God, O most blessed martyr, be thou mindful
of those who joyously celebrate this thy divine festival and praise thine
honorable and sacred suffering with pure faith; and save us from tempest,
misfortune and trials.
Theotokion: Who hath ever heard that among those on earth there was a
mother who knew not man yet gave birth to a child, and that the Child to which
she gave birth supernaturally was the unoriginate God Who is consubstantial
with the all-unoriginate Father? O awesome mystery! O the divine fellowship
whereby we have been united to God!
Canon of the Holy Hierarch
Irmos: The birthgiving of the Ever-virgin, which was revealed on the
mountain to the lawgiver in the fire and the bush, for the salvation of us,
the faithful, let us magnify with unceasing hymnody.
Having shown us the words of everlasting life by dispassion and faith, hope
and love, O wise John, pray thou, that our souls be saved.
We all praise thee as a hierarch who shepherded the people of the honored
Church with the staff of the Holy Spirit and drove away heresies hateful to God.
O father John of great renown, in psalms and hymns we honor thee
continually as a hierarch and beacon of the Church, and we venerate the shrine
of thy relics.
Theotokion: Rejoice, O ever-living wellspring of incorruption! Rejoice, O
most radiant cloud of the noetic Sun! Rejoice, O chariot of the full Godhead!
Rejoice, thou ark of sanctification!
Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: "To the disciples ...":
Living in the mountains, thou wast nourished with the milk of a doe, O
martyr Mamas; and thou didst appear in the stadium, contending most diligently;
and, having received the crown of victory, thou didst depart unto the Lord.
Theotokion: The most false and wicked enemy, who of old envied me the
divine and blessed life in paradise, caused me to be driven from Eden; but he is
slain by thy birthgiving, O Virgin.
AT LITURGY
Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV:
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Mamas received an imperishable crown
from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at nought the tyrants
and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou
our souls.
Troparion of the hierarch, in the same tone:
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of
meekness and teacher of temperance. Wherefore, thou didst attain the heights
through humility and riches through poverty. O father John, entreat Christ God,
that our souls be saved.
Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone III:
With the staff given thee by God, O holy one, thou didst shepherd thy people
in life-bearing pastures; and thou didst crush the invisible and untamed wild
beasts beneath the feet of those who hymn thee. For all who find themselves
amid misfortunes have thee as their fervent intercessor, O Mamas.
Prokimenon, in Tone VII: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and
shall hope in Him.
Stichos: Hearken unto my prayer, when I make supplications unto Thee.
EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, § 99 [ROM. 8:28-39]
Brethren: We know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that
he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did
predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and
whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all
things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is
risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession
for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or,
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for
the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height,
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Alleluia, in Tone IV: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and
like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be planted.
Stichos: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our
God they shall blossom forth.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV: In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord
been wondrous; He hath wrought all His desires in them.
Stichos: Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE. § 2 [LK. 1: 5-25]
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named
Zechariah, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And
they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren; and they both were now
well stricken in years. And it came to pass that while he executed the priest's
office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the
priest's office. his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the
Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time
of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the
right side of the altar of incense. And when Zechariah saw him, he was
troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not,
Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son,
and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and
many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and
shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy
Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall
he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and
power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the
Lord. And Zechariah said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am
an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said
unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak
unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be
dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed,
because thou believest not in my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
And the people waited for Zechariah, and marveled that he tarried so long in
the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them,
and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his
ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those
days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying: Thus
hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away
my reproach among men.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone I:
That which was said by the Lord became reality in the Virgin, for she gave
birth to Jesus Who saveth His people from their sins. "He shall be the
fulfillment of those things which were said to her," thou didst exclaim, inspired
by the Holy Spirit, O Elizabeth. Wherefore, we crown thee with wreaths of
praise, as is meet.
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraklisis], with 6 troparia, including its
Irmos; canon of the prophet, with 4 troparia; and canon of the righteous woman,
with 4 troparia.
ODE I
Canon of the Prophet Zacharias, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and
escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our
Deliverer and God!
By thy mediation, O prophet, impart unto me the grace of the Spirit, to help
me praise thy memory, crying out: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Thy life was found to be blameless, and thou wast arrayed in the vesture of
the priesthood and the luminous splendors of prophecy, O divinely eloquent
and blessed one.
Having thy head adorned with the crown of the law, O Zacharias, thou wast
shown to be sacred, crying out: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Theotokion: Clad in the vestment of the full-length tunic like Aaron, thou
didst receive the Maiden who sprouted forth from the root of Jesse and bore
the Deliverer in her womb.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: To Him Who hath crushed battles with His arm, and led Israel
across the Red Sea, let us chant, as to God our Deliverer: For gloriously
hast Thou be glorified!
Thou didst have true love for God, O right loving Elizabeth, preserving His
commandments; for he truly loveth God who keepeth His commandments.
Wherefore, we magnify thee, the beloved of God, with praises.
We who are saved by grace must please God with virtues, just as Elizabeth
walked in the commandments of the Lord blamelessly, whom let us bless with
hymns, as is meet.
O God Who dost accomplish all things, Thou didst manifest Thine almighty
mercy in the blessed Elizabeth. We offer thee thanks for all Thy works.
Theotokion: Giving birth to Isaac, Sarah rejoiced; and when thou, O Virgin,
didst give birth to the Lord Jesus, it was fitting that thou rejoice yet more, O all-
pure one.
ODE III
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O
Lord. Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
When thou didst offer the incense of the covenant, O high priest, then didst
thou receive the prophetic proclamation of the Forerunner.
The priesthood anointed thee with oil to serve as priest, like Aaron.
Wherefore, thou wast counted worthy to behold an angel.
Zacharias begat John, the dawn which announced to the whole world Thee,
the noetic Sun, O Savior.
Theotokion: Set my life aright, O most pure Theotokos, thou life which filled
with light the house of Zacharias.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God;
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. I am glad in Thy salvation.
In the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit called thee and Zacharias righteous, O
blessed Elizabeth, saying that ye were righteous in the sight of God. The Messiah
is the truth for us from God, and therefore, by the Messiah wast thou justified.
Who will not magnify thee with hymns of praise?
Not everyone who liveth is justified in God's sight; but thou wast righteous,
O ever-memorable Elizabeth. The Lord Jesus is sanctification for all. Let each of
us praise thee as holy.
O God Who art wondrous in Thy saints, Thou wast wondrous also in the
blessed Elizabeth. We offer unto Thee, the Most Compassionate One, a hymn of
thanksgiving.
Theotokion: The barren Sarah, giving birth in her old age, was blessed to be a
mother. We are at a loss, O all-pure one, how to praise thee, Mother and Virgin,
as is meet.
Kontakion of the prophet, in Tone III:
Spec. Mel.: "Today the Virgin ...":
Today Zacharias, the prophet and high priest of the Most High, the father of
the Forerunner, setteth the table of his memorial, feeding the faithful; for he
hath distributed the food of righteousness unto all. Wherefore, he hath reposed
as a divine initiate of the mysteries of the grace of God.
Ikos: The high priest of the law was bound by silence, receiving, with the
barren and chaste Elizabeth, the angel of the coming of Christ, the prophet and
initiate of the mysteries, by the voice of the angel. And by his nativity hath grace,
deliverance and our universal reconciliation been renewed. As a divine initiate of
the mysteries of the grace of God his preaching is the Lamb and Creator, the Re-
newer of nature, Who giveth fruit from the barren womb and is the Son of the
Virgin.
Sedalion of the prophet, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "That which hath been commanded ...":
Having ministered to God as a priest according to the law, O Zacharias, thou
wast shown to the whole world as a pillar of light, prophesying that Christ would
come forth from the Virgin, incarnate of the Holy Spirit, the Orient from the
heights of righteousness, Who doth illumine all the world, direct our feet to the
ways of peace, and save our race, thou didst say.
Glory ..., Sedalion of the righteous Elizabeth, in Tone IV:
When the Messiah was already incarnate, we listened to thee, His first herald,
when, with awe, thou didst say unto the divinely chosen Maiden who embraced
thee: "Whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?"
Wherefore, praising thee, we cry aloud: Rejoice, thou mirror revealing the
mysteries of God to us!
Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
We, thy sinful servants, saved by thee through the Son Who was born of thee,
confess thee to be our Mistress, O Theotokos; for having given birth inaccessibly
unto God Who cleanseth us of every sin by His own blood and bringeth us into
the joy of paradise, in gladness we praise thee and Him.
ODE IV
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Thy prophet, O Master, faithfully ministered unto Thee with the symbols of
the law and was counted worthy of the grace to perceive Thy truth.
Thou, the most brilliant and all-blessed one, didst receive light through
darkest light; for through the law grace hath now been added unto thee.
Announcing, the divine Gabriel, who standeth before God, revealed to thee
the voice and Forerunner of the Word, O blessed one.
Theotokion: The Fashioner of creation, Who loosed the barrenness of
Elizabeth, found thee, O Virgin, to be a pure habitation, and dwelt therein.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk foresaw Thy coming, O
Lord; wherefore, he cried aloud: Glory to Thy power! Glory to Thy
condescension!
As the wife of Zacharias, thou didst walk blamelessly in all the
commandments; but there were others, virgins, who possessed not the oil of the
virtues. Better is thine appellation than their virginity. Let people of every age
glorify thee!
Paul, betrothing the faithful to Christ, referred to the married as a pure virgin,
saying: I have betrothed you a pure virgin to one Husband. How much more
hath God joined to the wise virgins thee who hast walked in all His
commandments, O divinely wise Elizabeth. Wherefore, we praise thee as is meet.
Thou, O God, hast shown the blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth, who walked
in the commandments of the Lord, to be a model of how to please Thee, like
unto the pillar of fire and the cloud when Israel was journeying to the promised
land. Ineffable is Thy love for man- kind, O almighty Master!
Theotokion: The birth of Isaac removed the reproach of childlessness from
his mother and magnified her with glory; and when the Holy One was born of
thee, O all-pure Virgin and Mother, He brought thee pristine glory. Let every
mortal glorify thee!
ODE V
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: Rising at dawn, we cry to Thee: O Lord, save us! For Thou art our
God, and we know none other besides Thee.
Upon thy head, O prophet, was the mitre placed which bore the impress of
the true and divine priesthood.
Creation rejoiceth in thine offspring, O high priest; for thou didst beget the
preacher of repentance.
Thou didst lead a life adorned, for with Elizabeth thou didst keep all the
commandments of the Lord.
Theotokion: Thy tongue is directed toward hymnody, O divinely eloquent
one; for thou didst behold her who knoweth not wedlock bearing a Child within
her womb.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: Grant us peace, O Lord our God. O Lord our God, take us for Thy
possession. O Lord, besides Thee we know none other; we call upon Thy
name.
To him whom God, through His angel, spake in the prophecy of Malachi,
saying: "Behold, I will send Mine angel before Thy face", didst thou, a barren
woman, give birth, O Elizabeth. We crown thee with worthy praises.
The voice of God crying in the wilderness is born of thee, O most honored
Elizabeth. Wherefore, who will not praise thee as the mouth of God?
As once from a barren rock Thou didst pour forth water for Thy people, O
God, so from the barren Elizabeth Thou hast given the preacher of repentance.
O almighty Master, most glorious are all Thy works!
Theotokion: Two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, did the barren Rachel bring
forth as fruit; and she is honored for her goodly offspring. And thou, a Virgin,
gavest birth to Him Who is one in Hypostasis but two in essence. Ineffable is
thy glory, O Mother of Emmanuel.
ODE VI
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O most merciful Christ our God, Who
wrappest Thyself in light as in a garment.
He who served the shadow of the law was shown to be a preacher of grace,
O our Savior; for he was counted worthy to behold Thine incarnation.
Adorned with words of judgment, O sacred Zacharias, thou didst receive the
ever-existing Word wearing flesh.
Thou wast shown to serve God in the temple as a right wondrous priest, O
divinely inspired initiate of the mysteries of God.
Theotokion: Thou wast recognized by the prophetess Elizabeth, O Virgin
Mother of God, bearing the unoriginate Word and Savior in thy womb.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: Like the waters of the sea am I tossed about by the waves of life, O
Thou Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, like Jonah I cry to Thee: Lead up
my life from corruption, O compassionate Lord!
When John was in thy womb, O holy Elizabeth, seeing His Savior he, the
babe, did leap. Blessed is thy womb which made manifest the babe who
recognized Jesus as his salvation.
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit against all desires, O all-blessed Elizabeth,
thou didst name thy son John. Let everyone praise thee, the instrument of the
Holy Spirit.
O God, Thou didst show forth Elizabeth's conceiving as an image of Thine
own inconceivable birthgiving from the Virgin. Glory to Thy mighty wisdom!
Theotokion: When he was born of Rachel, Benjamin caused his own mother's
death; but the Word Who was born of thee is the true life of all. Him do thou
beseech, that we who place our trust in Him may have everlasting life.
Kontakion of the Righteous Elizabeth, in Tone IV:
Like the full moon, thou didst receive the light of righteousness from the
Messiah, the noetic Sun, O Elizabeth beloved of God, and with Zacharias didst
walk in all the commandments of the Lord. Wherefore, blessing thee with
worthy hymns, we magnify the Lord, the most compassionate Light, Who
illumineth all.
Ikos: As God once inscribed His commandments upon two tablets of stone,
so hath He illumined you with His grace, O blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth; for
ye walked blamelessly in His commandments. Therefore, praising you worthily,
we magnify the Lord of all, the most compassionate Light Who illumineth all.
ODE VII
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot
and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord
God, forever!
When the voice of one crying in the wilderness came forth from the barren
woman supernaturally, he loosed the bonds of thy tongue that thou couldst cry:
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
The Forerunner, the beloved friend of the Bridegroom, was born of a barren
woman, manifestly proclaiming the birthgiving of the Virgin unto those who cry
out with faith: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
O thrice-blessed Zacharias, thou wast wholly a divine instrument of the Spirit,
and didst proclaim thy son to be a prophet, who crieth: Blessed art Thou, O
Lord God, forever!
Theotokion: Zacharias, beholding thee, recognized thee as the fulfillment of
the law, the chief object of all prophecy, O Maiden, and he cried out: Blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, O all-pure one!
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: The Chaldean furnace, kindled with fire, was bedewed by the Spirit
through the presence of God; and the children chanted: Blessed art Thou,
O God of our fathers!
O divinely wise Elizabeth, thou teachest us to give thanks unto God, saying of
thy birthgiving: "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me!" And therein thou wast a
teacher instructed by God.
He whom the angel, within the sanctuary, told Zacharias to call John, thou
didst thus name, instructed by God, when he was born of thee for all people.
Thy tongue is like unto the angels', O ever-memorable Elizabeth.
As when God, making the heavens heavy with manna, let it fall upon His
people in the wilderness, so hath He given us John, the herald of grace, through
the blessed Elizabeth. Great is Thy mercy toward men, O God!
Theotokion: Giving birth to Isaac, a prefiguration of Christ, Sarah said: "The
Lord hath made laughter for me!" But do thou, O most lauded Mother and
Virgin, who gavest birth to Him Whom Isaac prefigured and yet hast remained
Virgin, rejoice yet more.
ODE VIII
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain and Who
revealed the mystery of the Ever-virgin to Moses through the fire in the
bush, hymn ye and exalt supremely for all ages!
Thou wast shown to be a prophet of the truth, for thou didst prepare John
the Forerunner to tread first the paths of Christ, O blessed high priest. Him do
we exalt supremely for all ages.
Giving voice in speech, thou didst bless the Master, the Lord of glory Who
hath bestowed salvation upon us, Who shone forth upon us in the flesh from
David. Him do we exalt supremely for all ages.
Thou was counted worthy of great gifts, O divinely revealed one, begetting
the Forerunner, the greatest of all the prophets, who hymneth and exalteth the
Lord supremely for all ages.
Theotokion: Rejoicing, Zacharias, the high priest and preacher of God, paid
homage to the Virgin and Mother who beareth the Lord of creation. Her do we
exalt supremely for all ages.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: O Thou Who coverest Thy chambers with waters and settest the
sands as a bound for the sea: Thee doth the sun hymn; Thee doth the
moon glorify; and unto Thee doth all creation offer a hymn forever, as to
the Creator of all!
As God said of His Church: "Thou art all-comely, my beloved, and there is no
blemish in thee", so art thou also blameless, O righteous Elizabeth. In that the
Lord Jesus is the sanctification of His faithful, we magnify thee as all-comely.
The people saw thee, who didst walk in all the commandments of the Lord,
freely justified by the grace of God, O right blessed Elizabeth. Wherefore, it is
meet to glorify the mercy of God in thee.
Elizabeth was the first proclaimer of the mystery wrought in Thee, O Jesus,
when she said: "Blessed is the Fruit of the Virgin's womb, Who is Lord and
God!" Behold the working of Thy wisdom! Glory to Thy love for mankind!
Theotokion: The birth of Samuel from his barren mother did away with the
tears of her eyes and brought her joy; and the Lord born of thee is the cause of
joy for the whole world. We magnify thee unceasingly with hymns, O Virgin
Mother.
ODE IX
Canon of the Prophet
Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be the true
Theotokos, magnify thee with the incorporeal choirs.
Thou wast filled with the inspiration of the Comforter and didst begin to
bless the Lord, O divinely wise initiate of the sacred mysteries, divinely blessed
one.
Perceiving the fulfillment of the archangel's words, O all-praised and divinely
eloquent one, thou didst straightway move thy tongue to blessing.
Thou wast adorned with crowns of suffering and the priesthood and with the
enlightenment of prophecy, O all-blessed Zacharias, divinely eloquent one.
Theotokion: As thou art the dwelling-place of the Light, O Virgin, illumine my
soul which hath been darkened by the passions, and by thy supplications deliver
me from the outermost darkness.
Canon of the Righteous Elizabeth
Irmos: Foreign to mothers is virginity, and strange is childbirth to virgins;
yet both were accomplished in thee, O Theotokos: Wherefore, all we, the
tribes of the world, unceasingly magnify thee.
Believing the Messiah Who had come to be thy Lord, and keeping the
commandments of the Lord, thou didst please Him well, O Elizabeth.
Wherefore, entreat the all-good Master for those who bear thy name and all who
praise thee, that their souls may be saved.
He who keepeth the commandments of God hath God promised to love and
appear to him; wherefore, thou art loved by God, O Elizabeth, who didst walk in
His commandments. Entreat the All-good One in behalf of those who bear thy
name, that they may love God and be loved by His lovingkindness.
Elizabeth, the kinswoman of Mary, gaveth birth, though barren and bereft of
children. Thou didst magnify Thy mercy with her, O God, and every good work
is from Thee. Glory to Thine ineffable compassions!
Theotokion: Sampson, shown from his youth to be strong, was the glory of his
barren mother. And in Jesus Who was born of thee is all the fullness of the
Godhead embodied. We magnify thee, who art more glorious than all the saints,
O all-pure Virgin.
Exapostilarion of the prophet:
Spec. Mel.: "O Light immutable ...":
At first, thou wast struck mute in the holy of holies, by the voice of the angel,
for the springing forth from thee of the voice of one crying in the wilderness;
and now thou art silent for his sake, slain, O Zacharias, before the holy of holies.
Glory ..., Exapostilarion of the righteous Elizabeth:
Spec. Mel.: "The heaven with stars ...":
Thou wast the glory of barren mothers, the model of virtues for sinners, O
blessed Elizabeth, keeping the commandments of the Lord. We glorify the
goodness of God made manifest in thee.
Now & ever …, Theotokion:
Having shone forth eternally, Light from Light, before the morning star, O
Word, Thou didst come forth as Light, immutably, under time, from Thy
Mother, illumining the ends of the world with radiant effulgence, as Thou art the
Light of the world.
On the Praises, 4 stichera of the righteous Elizabeth, in Tone I:
The barren and childless Elizabeth didst Thou bless with fertility, O God, that
Thou mayest reveal Thine almighty goodness. By Thy grace, have compassion
upon us, who every day are withered by sins, that we may be aright fruitful tree,
O Omnipotent One. (Twice)
The ever-memorable couple walked blamelessly in Thy commandments and
through Thy grace were righteous in Thy sight, O Compassionate One. All this
was Thy mercy, O Master. Glory to Thy compassionate lovingkindness!
God Who worketh within you that which He willed to accomplish, O right
blessed couple, made you heirs to the Kingdom in His great mercy. Glory to
Thee, O most merciful Master!
Glory ..., in Tone VI:
The greatest born of women is named by eternal Wisdom and hath come forth
from thee, a barren woman, O God-loving Elizabeth. Let the faithful rejoice in
the ever-memorable one, magnifying our Benefactor!
Now & ever ..., in Tone IV:
He Who is hymned by the seraphim and borne up by the cherubim chose the
womb of the pure divine Maiden as a most beautiful throne. Wherefore, we send
up to Thee this hymn of thanksgiving: Glory to Thee, O Thou Who alone lovest
mankind! Glory to Thee, O Jesus all-sweet! Glory to Thee, O all our hope! Glory
to Thee, salvation of the faithful! Glory to Thy compassionate dispensation!
Great Doxology, and the dismissal.
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 for the prophet, from Ode III, and 4 for the
righteous woman, from Ode VI.
When thou didst offer the incense of the covenant, O high priest, then didst
thou receive the prophetic proclamation of the Forerunner. (Twice)
The priesthood anointed thee with oil to serve as priest, like Aaron.
Wherefore, thou wast counted worthy to behold an angel.
Zacharias begat John, the dawn which announced to the whole world Thee,
the noetic Sun, O Savior.
When John was in thy womb, O holy Elizabeth, seeing His Savior he, the
babe, did leap. Blessed is thy womb which made manifest the babe who
recognized Jesus as his salvation.
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit against all desires, O all-blessed Elizabeth,
thou didst name thy son John. Let everyone praise thee, the instrument of the
Holy Spirit.
O God, Thou didst show forth Elizabeth's conceiving as an image of Thine
own inconceivable birthgiving from the Virgin. Glory to Thy mighty wisdom!
Theotokion: When he was born of Rachel, Benjamin caused his own mother's
death; but the Word Who was born of thee is the true life of all. Him do thou
beseech, that we who place our trust in Him may have everlasting life.
Troparion of the saints, in Tone II:
Celebrating the memory of Thy righteous ones, Zacharias and Elizabeth, O
Lord, through them do we entreat Thee: Save Thou our souls!
Kontakion of the prophet, in Tone III:
Today Zacharias, the prophet and high priest of the Most High, the father of
the Forerunner, setteth the table of his memorial, feeding the faithful; for he
hath distributed the food of righteousness unto all. Wherefore, he hath reposed
as a divine initiate of the mysteries of the grace of God.
Kontakion of the Righteous Elizabeth, in Tone IV:
Like the full moon, thou didst receive the light of righteousness from the
Messiah, the noetic Sun, O Elizabeth beloved of God, and with Zacharias didst
walk in all the commandments of the Lord. Wherefore, blessing thee with
worthy hymns, we magnify the Lord, the most compassionate Light, Who
illumineth all.
Prokimenon, in Tone VII: The righteous man shall rejoice in the Lord, and
shall hope in Him.
Stichos: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto
Thee.
EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, §314 [HEB.6: 13-20]
For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no
greater, He sware by Himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and
multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he
obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more
abundantly to show unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of His
counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for
refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor
of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever
after the order of Melchizedek.
Alleluia, in Tone VII: A light hath dawned for the righteous man.
Stichos: And gladness for the upright of heart.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, § 96 [MT. 23: 29-39]
And Jesus said: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye
build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and
say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers
with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnessed unto
yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up
then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye
escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and
wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of
them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the
blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye
slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, all these things shall
come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the
prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say
unto you, ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that
cometh in the name of the Lord.
Communion Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for
the upright.
THE 6th DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
COMMEMORATION OF THE MIRACLE PERFORMED BY THE ARCHANGEL
MICHAEL AT COLOSSAE, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS CHONAE.
COMMEMORATION OF THE MARTYR EUDOXIUS AND THOSE WITH HIM.
AT VESPERS
"At Lord, I have cried ..." , 6 stichera, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "As valiant among the martyrs ...":
O Michael, supreme commander, * shown forth as a most radiant intercessor
before the three-Sunned Godhead, * thou dost cry out, rejoicing with the
heavenly hosts: * Holy art Thou, O Father! * Holy art Thou, O co-unoriginate
Son! * Holy art Thou also, O Holy Spirit! * One glory, * one Kingdom and
nature, * one Godhead and power! (Twice)
Thine aspect is fiery, * and thy beauty wondrous, * O Michael, first among
angels, * for in thine immaterial nature * thou dost transcend the ends of the
earth, * fulfilling the commandments of the Creator of all, * known in the
power of thy might, * making thy church a wellspring of healings, * revered in
thy holy name. (Twice)
O Thou Who, as it is written, * doth make Thine angels spirits * and Thy
ministers a flame of fire: * amid the ranks of Thine archangels, O Lord, * Thou
hast shown forth as preeminent * Michael, the supreme commander, * who
doth obey Thy behest, O Word, * and with fear doth utter * the thrice-holy
hymn unto Thy glory. (Twice)
Glory ..., in Tone VI, the composition of the Byzantine:
Rejoice with us, all ye angelic legions, for the great supreme commander,
your superior and our intercessor, appearing most wondrously this day in his
honored temple, doth sanctify it. Wherefore, chanting as is meet, let us cry
aloud to him: Cover us with the shelter of thy wings, O Michael, thou greatest
of the archangels!
Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
Rejoice with us, all ye choirs of virgins, for our intercessor, mediator,
protection and great refuge doth today on her divine and honored feast comfort
the sorrowful. Wherefore, hymning her at length as is meet, let us cry aloud:
Protect us with thy divine intercession, O all-pure Mistress Theotokos!
At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Oktoechos, and Glory ..., Now and ever ...;
In Tone VIII, the composition of John the Monk:
O supreme commander, as general, champion and chief of the angels, from
all want and grief, from afflictions and grievous sins do thou free them that
hymn and beseech thee with faith, O glorious one, for thou art manifestly
immaterial, beholding the Immaterial One, illumined with the unapproachable
light of the Master's glory. For in His love for mankind He took flesh of the
Virgin for our sake, wishing to save the human race.
Troparion, in Tone IV:
Supreme commander of the armies of Heaven, we, the unworthy, do ever
entreat thee, that by thy prayers thou dost ever surround us with the protection
of the wings of thine immaterial glory, preserving us that earnestly fall down
before thee and cry aloud: Deliver us from misfortunes, in that thou art the
leader of the hosts on high.
AT COMPLINE
Canon to the Martyr Eudoxius, chanted in Tone VIII:
ODE I
Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land and escaped
the evil of Egypt, the Israelites cried aloud: Let us chant unto our
Deliverer and God!
O ye that desire to proclaim the glories of the martyrs, come, let us all praise
Eudoxius, great among martyrs, holding festival with cymbals as did David.
Throughout the whole world went the impious command not to worship the
living God, but idols. But thou, O martyr, didst worship thy God, the God of
heaven.
Glory ...O martyr Eudoxius, thou glory of the pious, true to thy name, amidst
the unjust judges that wounded thee didst thou confess Christ God Who is
unoriginate.
Now and ever ...O Mother that knewest not a husband, the ranks of angels
and men unceasingly praise thee, for thou didst bear their Creator in thine arms
as a babe.
ODE III
Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom
and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock
of Thy commandments, for none is holy as Thee, O Thou that alone
lovest mankind.
Like a lamb wast thou led to the slaughter, O martyr Eudoxius, neither
protesting, nor crying out, O most blessed one, emulating the life of Christ thy
Teacher. Wherefore, thou hast received unending glory.
To them that served idols thou didst cry out, O martyr: My God liveth
forever, but your gods are the works of men's hands; falling, they cannot rise up,
for they are inanimate, graven images!
Glory ...The arts of the enemy hast thou cast down, establishing thy mind
upon the rock of the Church of Christ. Wherefore, thou didst cry out: This
corruptible life do I leave for life everlasting!
Now and ever ...God the Word, equally enthroned and everlasting with the
Father, wishing to restore the first of our race, took Adam's hypostasis of thee,
O pure one, finding thee to be the most holy of all women, O Mother of God.
ODE IV
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Thou didst denounce the deception of them that sought to force thee to
renounce everlasting life and to love a life of vanity.
Wounded, thou didst rejoice in the Word Who was slain in the flesh for our
sake, and thou didst cry out to thy tormentors: My sufferings are undeserved!
Glory ... The gods whom ye serve have mouths, yet cannot speak! thou didst
exclaim, O Eudoxius. Let them that fashion them be like unto them!
Now and ever ... As Thou art sinless, O Unknowable One, grant us
purification, and calm Thou the world, O God, through the prayers of her that
gaveth Thee birth.
ODE V
Irmos: Illumine us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thy lofty
arm grant us Thy peace, O Lover of mankind!
Thou art my strength! Thou didst cry out, O Eudoxius. O Christ God Who
suffered in the flesh, make me steadfast, for, lot I suffer in torment.
Thou art a treasury of entreaties, O Christ God! Disdain me not! didst thou
cry amid the tortures, O Eudoxius, stout of heart.
Glory ... Fearing neither the sword nor the fire, Eudoxius cried out to the
tormentor: Behold, I have the mighty strength of the God I serve!
Now and ever ... Heal thou the weakness of my passions, O pure one, making
me worthy of thy visitation, and by thine entreaties grant me health.
ODE VI
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions, and lead
me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou
hast heard me, O God of my salvation.
Neither the sword, nor fire shall separate me from the love of Christ; and I
hold your threats to be like the prating of children! didst thou cry out with faith
to them that sought to compel thee to sacrifice.
I fear that tormenting fire which cannot be quenched, and I desire life which
cannot be taken away! thou didst cry out to the tormentor, O Eudoxius. Behold,
O thou that woundest my body, I shall not serve thine idols!
Glory ... The gods whom thou dost worship are gold and silver. They have
mouths, but speak not; ears have they, yet hear not; legs they have, but cannot
walk. But my God is the Creator of all! thou didst exclaim.
Now and ever ... By thy prayers may we be delivered from grievous
transgressions, O pure Theotokos, and may we acquire the radiance of the Son
of God Who was ineffably incarnate of thee, O all-holy one.
Sedalion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
Having amassed heavenly riches, thou didst scatter them, offering them to
the poor; and thy bread didst thou give unto the hungry. Wherefore, having
acquired incorruptible life, thou didst shine forth in thy confession of Christ.
Therefore, taking courage and suffering under the law, thou hast received from
God a crown for thy labors, O passion-bearer Eudoxius. Entreat Christ God,
that He grant remission of sins unto them that with love honor thy holy
memory.
ODE VIII
Irmos: Madly did the Chaldean tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the
pious ones; but seeing them saved by a greater power, he cried out to the
Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people,
exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Thou didst sail across an abyss of wounds and didst attain unto the harbor of
life, O Eudoxius; and, receiving a crown of patience, with the angels thou dost
unceasingly cry: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him
supremely for all ages!
To a place of rest hath Christ brought thee out who passed through fire and
water, O blessed one; and rejoicing therein with the angels, O wise martyr,
unceasingly thou dost chant a hymn to the Trinity: Ye children, bless; ye priests,
hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory ... Thou didst destroy the noetic serpent with the help of the King of
heaven, O glorious one; and receiving a crown of victory and patience,
unceasingly thou dost cry out with the immaterial ones: Ye children, bless; ye
priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and ever … The thrice-radiant Godhead which shineth forth in a single
ray with one nature in three hypostases: the unoriginate Father, the Word of one
essence with the Father, and the consubstantial Spirit Who reigneth with them,
ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt supremely for all ages!
ODE VII
Irmos: The children that went down from Judea in Babylon once trod
down the flame of the furnace by their faith in the Trinity, saying: O God
of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Emulating the patience of the three youths, O most wise Eudoxius, thou
didst not bend thy knee to the false image, but didst cry aloud with fervent faith:
O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Acquiring the invincible aid of grace, O martyr Eudoxius, thou didst firmly
cast down the legions of the enemy, and having vanquished them thou didst cry
aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory ... Aflame with the love of divine desire, O martyr Eudoxius, thou didst
openly abominate transitory attachments, and, receiving thy reward, thou didst
cry out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever ... Our all-good God, wishing to restore him that had fallen
through deception, is incarnate and born of the Virgin and doth deify mankind.
ODE IX
Irmos: Heaven is struck with awe, and the ends of-the earth are amazed
that God hath appeared to men in the flesh, and that thy womb hath
become more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the legions of men
and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.
The armies of the angels were struck with awe, and the assemblies of men
were amazed that while possessing a corruptible and transitory nature thou didst
show the demons to be wretched and weak; and with faith thou didst cry out: I
shall serve the Trinity! Holy art Thou, O my Glory!
Blessed art thou, O martyr Eudoxius, and glorified for all generations, for in
no wise sparing thy flesh, thou didst endure torments for Christ's sake and didst
not bow down to graven images. Wherefore, the ranks of angels, clothed in the
raiment of incorruption, have crowned thee.
Glory ... By thy prayers unto God, O martyr Eudoxius, do thou rescue from
every attack of the enemy them that with faith keep the memory of thy
sufferings, that he may not boast over us; for, as a martyr, this thou art able to
do, having received a reward for thy sufferings from the Most High.
Now and ever ... O Virgin Mother of God, thou art revealed as her that gaveth
birth in the flesh unto God the Word, to Whom the Father, in that He is good,
gaveth utterance from His own heart before all the ages, and Who is now
known to be higher than all bodies, even though He hath clothed Himself in a
body.
Stichera to the martyr, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "Joy of the ranks of heaven ...":
For thy virtues thou didst receive from the Savior grace befitting thy name, O
martyr Eudoxius, and right boldly thou didst exchange thy life for the glory of
martyrdom, and joining chorus with the angels in the heavens thou hast now
been glorified as is meet.
For the severing of thy neck for the sake of thy faith thou didst crown thy
head with a heavenly crown, O most blessed Eudoxius. Wherefore, cease not in
thy prayers to Christ, that He remember us that keep thy memory, O glorious
martyr.
Spurning wealth and this transitory life, O Eudoxius, like Moses thou didst
reckon the bearing of Christ's burden a divine boast greater than the glory of the
world, O glorious one, approaching tortures and trials even to the shedding of
thy blood.
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
Tempest-tossed upon the deep of transgressions, and fleeing to the calm
haven of thine all-pure entreaty, I cry out to thee, O Theotokos: Stretch forth
thy mighty right hand to thy servant, and save me!
Or this Stavrotheotokion:
Standing at the Cross of thy Son and God, and beholding His longsuffering,
thou didst say, lamenting, O pure Mother: Woe is me, O my Child most sweet!
What are these things which Thou sufferest unjustly, O Word of God? Mayest
Thou save humanity!
AT MATINS
Both canons from the Oktoechos, without the troparia to the martyrs, and this canon
to the archangel, with six troparia, the acrostic whereof is: "I hymn the first of the
bodiless intelligences," the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV:
ODE I
Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and it will be filled with the Spirit, and I
shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear
radiantly keeping festival, and rejoicing shall I hymn her wonders.
O supreme commander of the armies of heaven, ever illumined with divine
splendors, enlighten my mind, that I may hymn thee, O thou who art the
confirmation of them that have recourse unto thee.
The all-unoriginate Mind showed thee, O most glorious supreme
commander, to be the general of the supra-mundane ranks, a light unto them
that are in darkness and a divine adornment of His Church.
Surpassing the heavenly intelligences in spirit, O most eminent Michael, thou
wast given to them below as a wall of defense, confirmation, a weapon which
slayeth and destroyeth the enemy.
Theotokion: O all-immaculate Virgin, thou splendor of the angels and aid of
men, help me who sail the sea and ever venture into the tempest of sin and
danger.
ODE III
Irmos: Not in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in wealth do we boast, but in
Thee, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, for none is holy
save Thee, O Lover of mankind.
With divine might dost thou encircle all the earth, O most praised chief
among the angels, rescuing us that call upon thy divine name from the cruel
enemy.
O supreme commander of God, of aspect most divine, thou hast been a
divine herald, an undaunted intercessor for the faithful, a guide to them that are
astray and an instructor.
Thou wast a most pure mirror of the splendor of God, radiantly reflecting
the manifestation of the honored Spirit, O right wondrous Michael, first among
the angels.
Theotokion: He that by His own will wrought the immaterial intelligences
made His abode within thy divine womb as was His desire, O all-immaculate
one. The Un-seeable is seen in the flesh.
Sedalion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
Having become, as is meet, the leader of the ranks of heaven and minister of
the glory of God, by the command of thy Creator, thou art a saving mediator,
watching over mortals with thine immaterial glory. Wherefore, we all praise thee
as is due, chanting the hymns of thy divine feast today, O supreme commander
Michael. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to them that
lovingly hymn thy divine wonders.
Glory ...; another Sedalion, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "The choir of angels ...":
The choir of angels, having the divine Michael as its supreme commander,
doth with him offer unceasing hymnody unto the Holy Trinity, for the Creator
of all by His word brought the fiery ranks out of non-existence.
Now and ever ..., Theotokion:
O all-holy Virgin, hope of Christians, with the hosts on high do thou
unceasingly entreat Him Whom thou didst bear in manner past understanding
and recounting, that He grant the remission of all our sins and correction of life
unto them that with faith and love ever glorify thee.
Or this Stavrotheotokion: The unblemished ewe-lamb, beholding her Lamb
and Shepherd hanging dead upon the Tree, weeping, declared and maternally
exclaimed: O my Son, my God most good, how canst Thou endure Thy descent
and Thy voluntary sufferings?
ODE IV
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine
hath come on a light cloud and with His incorrupt arm hath saved them
that cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
Being Thyself the supreme Intelligence, by Thy will Thou didst create the
divine intelligences and in their midst didst set Michael as a leader illumined
with most blessed fellowship and radiant with the noetic ordinances of God.
O Michael most glorious, thou dost give utterance unto a holy hymn with the
thrones, principalities, powers, authorities and sacred dominions, saving us that
hymn thee.
We magnify the Creator and Lord of all Who, in His lovingkindness hath
given us the luminous supreme commander Michael as a safeguard most great,
an unassailable rampart and tower.
Theotokion: Of old the teacher of sacred truths noetically described the
mystery of thy birthgiving, O Virgin, beholding thee most clearly in the Spirit as
a mountain overshadowed, whence our holy God hath come forth incarnate.
ODE V
Irmos: The impious do not perceive Thy glory, O Christ, but, waking at
dawn out of the night, O Only-begotten One, we hymn Thee, the
Radiance of the Father's glory, O Lover of mankind.
O incorporeal Michael, supreme commander of the angels, thou didst appear
leading Israel of old at the command of Him Who hath come forth out of Jacob
and hath appeared unto men in the coarseness of a body.
Ever deified by immaterial splendors by partaking of the divine, and
wondrously amazed, thou dost bestow enlightening radiance upon us, O thou
that art first among the angels.
Thy divine temple is adorned with grace, for, entering therein, thou didst
show it forth as an abyss of healings and a destroyer of passions, O Michael,
first among the angels.
Theotokion: God hath shown thee to be more exalted than the noetic angels,
having made His abode in thy womb, O pure and all immaculate one. Him do
thou ever beseech, that He spare them that hymn thee.
ODE VI
Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, within the whale the prophet
Jonah cried out, saying: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of
hosts!
The multitude of the faithful rejoiceth, praising thee, O Michael, and it doth
glorify the all-holy Word Who in His goodness hath united men and angels.
Thou didst save the armies of Israel, revealing thyself and transmitting the
commands of God, O supreme commander; and thou didst cast down the
enemy and didst utterly destroy them.
Seized with fear and reverence, Joshua, son of Nun, bowed down when he
beheld, thee, O chief of the angels, asking thine honored and holy name.
Theotokion: Blessed are the people that ever bless thee, O blessed one, who
gavest birth unto the blessed God, Who, in His lovingkindness, hath deified
mortal man by an ineffable union.
Kontakion, in Tone II:
O chief commander of God, minister of glory divine, captain of the angels
and instructor of men: beg thou great mercy and that which is profitable for us,
for thou art the supreme commander of the bodiless hosts.
Ikos: In Thy Scriptures, O immortal Lover of mankind, Thou didst say that a
multitude of angels rejoiceth in heaven over one man that repenteth. Wherefore,
O Sinless One, Who alone knowest the hearts of men, amid our transgressions
we ever make bold to beseech Thee to have compassion and to send down
compunction upon us, unworthy though we be, granting us forgiveness, O
Master, in that Thou art compassionate; for the supreme commander of the
bodiless hosts doth entreat Thee in behalf of us all.
ODE VII
Irmos: O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, Who saved the children
of Abraham in the fire, having slain the Chaldeans whom righteousness
justly hunted, blessed art Thou!
Beholding, Daniel saw thee, O blessed Gabriel of lightning-bright visage,
standing together with Michael, the supreme commander, who commanded
thee to cause him to understand the vision which he had seen by the banks of
the Ulai.
With faith let us shout the praises of the radiant Michael and Gabriel, chiefs
among the angels that behold God, our good comforters, intercessors and
protectors.
Being comely, most splendid and of godly aspect, in manner surpassing
understanding art thou the chief of the immaterial spirits, O most radiant
Michael; with them, therefore, pray thou in our behalf.
Theotokion: Beholding the truly ever-existent Word of the great Mind
making His abode within thee in a strange and ineffable manner, O Virgin, the
archangel Gabriel cried aloud: Rejoice, O blessed throne of the Most High!
ODE VIII
Irmos: O almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame
Thou didst bedew the pious and didst teach them to chant: Bless and
hymn the Lord, ye works!
O Michael, thou hast been shown to be a commander of the noetic and
incorporeal hosts, a saving intercessor for men, a divine servant of God,
chanting unceasingly: Bless and hymn the Lord, ye works!
O archangels Gabriel and Michael, two beacons most radiant, enlightening
creation with the splendor of the thrice-radiant Godhead: dispel ye the gloom of
the wicked.
O archangels, as good helmsmen to the harbor of the divine will bring ye
safely the ship of my soul which hath encountered a tempest of sins and is in
distress.
Theotokion: Standing before thee, the archangel, as divine adorner of the
bride, greeted thee: Rejoice, unwedded Bride of God, thou glory of the angels,
salvation and defense of men!
ODE IX
Irmos: Eve, through weakness, dwelt under the curse of disobedience; but
thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast budded forth blessing upon the world
with the Offspring of thy pregnancy. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.
Behold, O archangel, the resplendent magnificence of thy divine temple
which putteth forth lightning flashes of miracles through thy radiant presence,
and it doth ever dispel the darkness of infirmities with divine grace.
As a comely and beauteous pair ye minister unto them that are on earth at the
behest of the Master, O archangels, rescuing them from evil circumstances and
sending down divine illumination upon all through the Spirit of God.
Today the incorporeal and divine intelligences rejoice with us, beholding their
great and splendid supreme commander hymned by all; and with us they
lovingly keep festival, magnifying the Bestower of life.
O archangels, divine and radiant pair, Michael most honorable and Gabriel
all-glorious; interceding before the honored Trinity, deliver us that praise you
from torment and the cause of transgression.
Theotokion: Joyously we offer thee the cry of the divine Gabriel, exclaiming:
Rejoice, all-pure paradise which hath within the Tree of life, thou most glorious
palace of the Word! Rejoice, O all-immaculate Virgin!
Exapostilarion:
As of old thou didst subdue the raging flow and thundering of the river, O
glorious supreme commander, so now destroy the pride of the heathen and the
raging of the demons, that we may fittingly honor thee as is meet.
Theotokion:
The ranks of the bodiless hosts honor thy birthgiving, for thou alone hast
filled mortals with joy. Wherefore, we, the faithful, glorify thee the all-
immaculate one, singing the praises of thy glory in hymns, for thou hast shone
forth light upon them that are in darkness, like the dawn which shineth forth in
the morning.
At the Praises, these stichera, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "Joy of the ranks of heaven ...":
Keeping festival in the world like angels, let us give voice unto a hymn to God
Who sitteth upon a throne of glory: Holy art Thou, O heavenly Father! Holy art
Thou, O equally everlasting Son! Holy art Thou also, O most Holy Spirit!
(Twice)
O Michael, supreme commander, who dost thyself behold ineffable things,
who in boldness art pre-eminent among the many inhabitants of heaven,
standing before the dread throne in glory: by thy prayers save us that find our-
selves amid want, misfortune and temptations, we beseech thee!
Truly thou art first among the incorporeal angels, a minister of the divine
effulgence of God, an initiate of the mysteries of God who dost thyself behold
Him. O Michael, supreme commander, save us that each year piously honor thee
and hymn the Trinity with faith!
Glory ..., in the same tone:
Michael, the commander of the host on high, pre-eminent among the divine
ranks, hath summoned us today to his festival. He is ever with us, preserving all
from every evil circumstance wrought by the devil. Come ye, therefore, O ye that
love the feasts of the Church and love Christ, and, taking up the flowers of the
virtues, with pure thoughts and an upright conscience let us honor the assembly
of the archangels, for, standing ever before God and chanting the thrice-holy
hymn, it doth pray that our souls be saved.
Now and ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Spec. Mel.: "O all-praised martyrs ...":
Beholding Christ hanging upon the Tree, the Virgin said: O my Son, a sword
hath pierced my heart and it is rent, as Simeon foretold to me of old, O Master!
But arise, I pray, and do Thou Thyself glorify Thy Mother and handmaid with
immortality!
At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Oktoechos, and Glory ..., in Tone V:
Where thy grace doth shine forth, O archangel, thence is the power of the
devil driven away, for the fallen morning star cannot endure the sight of thy
light. Wherefore, we entreat thee: by thy mediation quench thou the fiery darts
which he launcheth against us, and deliver us from his snares, O right lauded
Michael, supreme commander!
Now and ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Spec. Mel.: "Rejoice ...":
The ewe-lamb, once beholding her Lamb hastened to the slaughter, with
fervor followed after, crying out to Him: “Whither goest Thou, O Christ, my
Child most sweet? For what cause dost Thou run this fleeting course so swiftly?
O Jesus, most desired and sinless, most merciful Lord, grant utterance unto me,
Thy handmaid! O my Son most beloved, Compassionate One, do not pass me by
in silence, for I gave Thee birth in manner most strange!” O most compassionate
God, grant the world Thy great mercy!
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes, eight troparia: four each from Odes III and VI of the canon to the
archangel.
With divine might dost thou encircle all the earth, O most praised chief
among the angels, rescuing us that call upon thy divine name from the cruel
enemy. (Twice)
O supreme commander of God, of aspect most divine, thou hast been a
divine herald, an undaunted intercessor for the faithful, a guide to them that are
astray and an instructor.
Thou wast a most pure mirror of the splendor of God, radiantly reflecting
the manifestation of the honored Spirit, O right wondrous Michael, first among
the angels.
The multitude of the faithful rejoiceth, praising thee, O Michael, and it doth
glorify the all-holy Word Who in His goodness hath united men and angels.
Thou didst save the armies of Israel, revealing thyself and transmitting the
commands of God, O supreme commander; and thou didst cast down the
enemy and didst utterly destroy them.
Seized with fear and reverence, Joshua, son of Nun, bowed down when he
beheld, thee, O chief of the angels, asking thine honored and holy name.
Theotokion: Blessed are the people that ever bless thee, O blessed one, who
gavest birth unto the blessed God, Who, in His lovingkindness, hath deified
mortal man by an ineffable union.
Troparion, in Tone IV:
Supreme commander of the armies of Heaven, we, the unworthy, do ever
entreat thee, that by thy prayers thou dost ever surround us with the protection
of the wings of thine immaterial glory, preserving us that earnestly fall down
before thee and cry aloud: Deliver us from misfortunes, in that thou art the
leader of the hosts on high.
Kontakion, in Tone II:
O chief commander of God, minister of glory divine, captain of the angels
and instructor of men: beg thou great mercy and that which is profitable for us,
for thou art the supreme commander of the bodiless hosts.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV: He maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a
flame of fire.
Stichos: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou hast been
magnified exceedingly.
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE HEBREWS [2:2-10]
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we
neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and
was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness,
both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy
Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in
subjection the world to come, whereof we speak, but one in a certain place
testified, saying; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the Son of Man,
that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou
crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy
hands: thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all
in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we
see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower
than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he
by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for
whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto
glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Alleluia, in Tone V: Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His
hosts.
Stichos: For He spake, and they came to be; He commanded, and they were
created.
READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE [1O:16-21]
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and
he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. And the seventy returned again
with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And
he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give
unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding, in this rejoice
not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names
are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise
and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed
good in thy sight.
Communion Verse: He maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame
of fire.
THE 7th DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
FOREFEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE ALL-HOLY THEOTOKOS
COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY MARTYR SOZON
AT VESPERS
On "Lord, I have cried ...", 6 stichera: 3 for the Forefeast, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel. "Joy of the ranks of heaven ...":
Noetic beams of universal joy * have shone forth upon the world, * heralding
Christ God, the Sun of righteousness, unto all * in thy nativity, O all-pure one. *
For thou hast been shown to be * the mediatress of true gladness and grace.
This, the glory of thy forefeast, O all-pure one, * doth proclaim unto all the
people * thy benefactions which transcend description; * for thou art now for us
the mediatress of gladness * and the cause of joy to come, * O Ever-virgin
Theotokos.
The Maiden who held God within her womb, * the pure Theotokos, * the
glory of the prophets, the daughter of David * is born today of Joachim and the
chaste Anna; * and the curse of Adam which lay upon us * is annulled by her
nativity.
And 3 stichera for the martyr, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Thou hast given a sign ...":
When He Who of His own will * took our weakness upon Him * strengthened
thine infirmity with power, O blessed one, * for His sake thou didst run the race
of martyrdom, rejoicing, * and with thy most beautiful feet * didst crush the
impotent enemy. * Wherefore, Jesus, Who loveth mankind, * the Savior of our
souls, * hath woven wreaths of victory for thee.
When thou wast wounded, O glorious one, * thou didst wound thine enemies
* and cast them down to the ground, * armed with the Cross * and manifestly
arrayed in invincible armor, * made steadfast by the love * of Him Who hath
translated thee to the noetic kingdoms * as an unvanquished martyr, * a heavenly
man.
Manifestly emulating * the Savior and Lord * Who for thee underwent
voluntary sufferings, O athlete Sozon, * thou didst of thine own will give thyself
over * to wounds and stripes and unbearable torments. * Wherefore, He hath
honored thee with heavenly gifts * and showed thee forth as a well-spring of
healings * for those who love thee.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., of the Forefeast, in Tone IV:
O Virgin all-holy and pure, we, the multitude of angels in heaven and the
human race on earth, bless thy most honored nativity, in that thou didst become
the Mother of Christ God, the Creator of all. Cease thou never to entreat Him,
we pray, in behalf of us who, after God, have placed our trust in thee, O most
lauded Theotokos who knewest not wedlock.
But if it be Friday evening: Glory ..., the above Doxasticon of the Forefeast; Now &
ever ..., the Dogmaticon of the current tone.
On the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "O most glorious wonder ...":
O most glorious wonder! * The rod which is to bear the Flower * springeth
forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna, * from a barren mother * and
a fruitless womb, O Mother of God Who knewest not wedlock. * Wherefore, the
council of the prophets * and the whole festive assembly of the patriarchs * re-
joice now in her nativity.
Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Today David doth rejoice, * Jesse now danceth, * Levi is magnified, * and the
righteous Joachim rejoiceth in spirit: * for the childlessness of Anna is loosed * by
thy nativity, O all-pure Mary, divinely joyous one. * And all of us, the assembly of
angels and men, * call blessed * thy divine womb.
Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
Rejoice, O assembly of men! Rejoice, O temple of the Lord! * Rejoice, holy
mountain! Rejoice, divine table! * Rejoice, O lamp of the Light! * Rejoice, O
honored glory of the Orthodox! * Rejoice, O Mary, Mother of Christ God! *
Rejoice, O most immaculate one! * Rejoice, offering of the Bread divine! * Rejoice, O
tabernacle! Rejoice, O bush unburnt! * Rejoice thou hope of all!
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone IV: the composition of Germanus:
Universal joy hath shone forth upon us from the righteous Joachim and Anna, O
most lauded Virgin who, in thine exceeding purity, becamest the animate temple of
God, and who alone art truly known to be the Theotokos. Through her prayers, O
Christ God, send peace upon the world and great mercy upon our souls.
Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV:
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Sozon received an imperishable crown from
Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormenters and
crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his prayers do Thou save our souls.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone:
Mary, the divine Maiden, is born unto us today from the root of Jesse and the
loins of David; and all things rejoice and are made new through joy. Rejoice together,
O heaven and earth! Praise her, ye lands of the gentiles! Joachim maketh glad, and
Anna holdeth festival, crying aloud: A barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos,
the Nourisher of our Life!
AT MATINS
On "God is the Lord ", the troparion of the forefeast, (Twice);
Mary, the divine Maiden, is born unto us today from the root of Jesse and the
loins of David; and all things rejoice and are made new through joy. Rejoice together,
O heaven and earth! Praise her, ye lands of the gentiles! Joachim maketh glad, and
Anna holdeth festival, crying aloud: A barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos,
the Nourisher of our Life!
Glory , that of the martyr in Tone IV:
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Sozon received an imperishable crown from
Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormenters and
crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his prayers do Thou save our souls.
Now & ever ..., that of the forefeast, again.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: 'When the stone had been sealed ..." :
Having been born most gloriously from the womb of a barren woman, thou didst
give birth from thy virginal womb in manner transcending nature; for, revealed as a
beautiful stem, thou didst give rise to the Life of the world. Wherefore, the hosts of
heaven cry out to thee, O Theotokos: Glory to thine advent, O pure one! Glory to
thy nativity! Glory to thy virginity, O Mother who hast not known wedlock!
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., the foregoing is repeated.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone V:
Spec. Mel.: "The Word Who is co-unoriginate ...":
All those of heaven now rejoice, and the human race now keepeth festival with
them. The prophets mystically are glad; for she whom they foresaw in generations of
old in images the bush, the jar and the staff, the cloud, the portal, the throne and the
great mountain-is born today.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., the foregoing is repeated.
ODE I
Canon of the forefeast, with 8 troparia, including its Irmos, the acrostic whereof is:
"I hymn the nativity of the divine Virgin", composition of Joseph, Tone IV:
Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall
utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, radiantly
keeping festival; and, rejoicing, I shall hymn her wonders.
Rejoicing today, let us with gladness hymn the divine nativity of the Mother of
God; for she hath given birth to the Joy of the universe which destroyeth the grief of
our first mother.
From a barren woman doth the all-pure and most immaculate Mistress issue forth
barren of sin, whom the law prefigured and the proclamations of the divine heralds of
God announced.
The temple and palace of the King didst thou become, wherein, fashioning a
habitation for Himself, the Transcendent One maketh of the faithful a dwelling-place
of the Holy Trinity.
Theotokion: The most comely wedding chamber, the most exalted throne of God,
whereon the Transcendent One seated Himself in the flesh, issueth forth from a
barren woman; and He raiseth up those who sit in the darkness of perdition to the
knowledge of the Light, by His goodness.
Canon of the martyr, with 4 troparia, the composition of Theophanes, in the same
tone:
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet,
Israel of old conquered the might of Amalek in the wilderness through
Moses' hands stretched forth in the form of the Cross.
O all-glorious one, entreat now the Lord and Benefactor, that those who
honor thy memory today be saved from all manner of dangers, tribulations and
sorrows; and help them.
Christ hath truly shown thee forth as a most radiant star in the firmament of
the Church, O all-praised martyr, illumining the whole world with the splendors
of thy sufferings.
Having roiled the sea of impiety as a steed of the Lord, O martyr, in the
abyss of thy precious and holy blood thou didst drown all the power of the
adversary like Pharaoh.
Theotokion: By the will of the Father, through the divine Spirit, didst thou
conceive the Son of God without seed and give birth in the flesh unto Him
Who hath existence from the Father without mother and was born of thee
without a father for our sake.
ODE III
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the gentiles given birth,
and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children come forth from
her. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!
A fertile land is born of a barren land, bearing as fruit the Husbandman of all
good things, the life-bearing Grain Who nourisheth all by His divine gesture.
Today hath the rod of virginity sprouted forth, from whence our God, the
Gardener, doth blossom forth as a flower, cutting down the branches of
wickedness by His extreme beauty.
Lo! the mountain unquarried, which arose from a barren rock, produceth the
noetically quarried Stone, Who crusheth the falsehood of all graven idols.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: The Church doth rejoice in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art
my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
The streams of thy blood, flowing forth like a river for Christ's sake, have
quenched the fire of the impious, O ever-hymned martyr and athlete.
The infliction of wounds didst thou patiently bear, like an impregnable tower,
O glorious one, bringing down the fortress of deception.
Like David thou didst bring low the noetic Goliath, the tyrant and his army,
with the stone of faith, O most glorious one.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, thou alone hast in manner transcending
nature shown thyself to be the mediatress of good things. Wherefore, we cry out
to thee: Rejoice!
Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "The steadfast ..."
Assembling today, with a loud voice let us praise Sozon, the true and divinely
wise martyr, the skilled athlete of piety, the initiate of the mysteries of grace, the
most generous bestower of healings: for he entreateth Christ God in behalf of
us all.
Ikos: Come ye, and with hymns let us all now earnestly praise Sozon, the
great athlete who hath manifestly shone forth in the honored and divine Church
of Christ, offering worthy hymns unto him: for he truly laid low the savagery of
the idolaters, and, bestowing salvation, ever abideth with the faithful Wherefore,
drawn by love, O mortals, let us now call him blessed, honoring the precious
and glorious memory of the athlete, and crying aloud: O most blessed Sozon,
entreat Christ God in behalf of us all!
Sedalion of the martyr, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Go thou quickly before ...":
Saved by faith, O much-suffering Sozon, thou art become a refuge for the
tempest-tossed through the providence of Christ God; for thou pourest forth
rivers of healings upon those who honor thee, and ever drivest out sickness and
fever. Wherefore, we honor thy divine memory with faith.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Sedalion of the forefeast, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "That which was mystically ordained ...":
Let heaven rejoice and let the earth be glad! For the heaven of God is born
on earth: this divine Bride born of the promise. A barren woman nourisheth the
babe Mary, and Joachim rejoiceth in her nativity, saying: The rod is born to me,
from whence Christ, the Flower, is arisen out of the root of David! Truly this is
a most glorious wonder!
ODE IV
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine
is come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm He hath saved those
who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
The Maiden who is more exalted than the angels is born on earth, in holiness
and purity beyond compare; and she giveth birth unto Christ, the purification,
sanctification and perfect deliverance of all.
Blessed was the fruit of Anna; for she bore in her womb her who would
contain the blessed and infinite Word Who bestoweth regeneration upon all the
faithful.
Now doth the gloom of evil begin to break, for the most immaculate one, the
animate cloud of the Sun, hath shone forth from a barren womb. Her radiant
nativity do we celebrate.
As a fruitful olive-tree sprung forth from the root of Jesse, O Virgin, hath
Anna first given birth unto thee who will cause the merciful Word to spring
forth. His mercy and truth abide forever.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness,
the Church stood in her place, cz1ring out as is meet: Glory to Thy power,
O Lord!
Set afire by the love of God, O most blessed one, with thy words thou didst
utterly consume all the tinder-like fuel of the ungodly; and, rejoicing, thou didst
cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
As a sanctified temple of the Lord, thou didst run into the temple of the
ungodly and manfully break the objects of their worship, O all-lauded athlete
and martyr.
Thy sacred temple hath been shown to be the healing of all manner of illness
for those who have recourse to it in faith and who honor thy valiant deeds
therein, O all-praised athlete Sozon.
Theotokion: Thou gavest birth unto the Lord without knowing wedlock, O
Virgin, and after thy birthgiving wast shown to be a Virgin still. Wherefore, with
unwavering faith and voices un-stilled we cry out to thee, O Mistress: Rejoice!
ODE V
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory, for thou, O Virgin
who hast not known wedlock, didst have within thy womb Him Who is
God over all, and didst give birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto
all who hymn thee.
Now is the sealed book born, which it is impossible for mortals to read by
the nature of the law, and which is kept in the dwelling-place of the Word. For
by the Spirit hath she revealed the books of the divinely eloquent.
The vine of salvation is born today, which blossomed forth the divine Cluster
of incorruption, which poureth forth sweetness; and everyone, drinking
mystically thereof, bringeth forth divine and salvific gladness as fruit.
Leap up, O men, joining chorus with the angels! As the Virgin is born today
of the barren woman, sadness cometh to an end and is transformed into joy for
those who celebrate her divine nativity.
Most manifestly did the prophet describe thee as a new and divine scroll,
whereon the Word is written by the finger of the Father, O Virgin, in His
goodness inscribing in the Book of Life all who submit to His authority.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Thou hast come into the world as a light, O my Lord: a holy light
which turneth from the gloom of ignorance those who hymn Thee with
faith.
Thou, O martyr, illumined by the light of the Trinity, didst destroy the gloom
of the ungodliness of polytheism, as an ever-radiant beacon.
Shown to be a rose of comely blossom by the flow of thy blood, O blessed
one, thou hast perfumed the world with the sweet fragrance of thy miracles.
As a noetic cluster of the vineyard of Christ, thou hast poured forth the right-
compunctionate wine of martyrdom upon those who glorify thee with faith.
Theotokion: We hold thee as an invincible weapon against the enemy, and we
have thee as the foundation and hope of our salvation, O Bride of God.
ODE VI
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honored festival of the Mother of
God, come, ye divinely wise, let us c1ap our hands and glorify God Who
was born of her.
Today is born the bridge which leadeth mankind to the Light, the ladder of
heaven, the most manifest mountain of God, the Virgin Theotokos, whom we
call blessed.
Anna, the shell, hath given rise to the purple which later will dye the fleece of
the King's incarnation. Her do we all hymn as is meet.
A well-spring hath now issued forth from a little drop: the most immaculate
one who, having given birth to the Abyss of salvation, causeth the boundless
streams of polytheism to cease.
Thou didst spring forth from a barren root, O ever-blessed Virgin Theotokos,
and by thy divine budding forth hast cut off the thorns of wickedness at the
root.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church
crieth out to Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which,
for mercy's sake, flowed from Thy side.
Desiring to be slain as an unblemished sacrifice, for the sake of God's love,
thou didst offer thyself up on His altar. Wherefore, we piously honor thee, O all-
lauded one.
Having sailed over the deep of deception without foundering, thou didst
attain unto the haven of the kingdom on high, O blessed martyr, enjoying
everlasting calm.
The tormenter pitilessly raked thy sides with claws of iron; but thou didst
gloriously commit thy spirit in the hands of God, O ever memorable and most
blessed one.
Theotokion: O wonder more recent than all wonders! The Virgin, having
conceived in her womb, without knowing man, Him Who sustaineth all things,
did not confine Him.
Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III:
Spec. Mel.: "Today the Virgin ...":
Today Mary, the Virgin and Theotokos, the boundless chamber of the
heavenly Bridegroom, is born! From a barren woman, by the counsel of God,
the chariot of the Word is rightly adorned; for she was foretold as the divine
portal and Mother of life.
Ikos: The divine Maiden Mary, whom once the prophets of God foresaw in
the Spirit, hath been given as the fruit of a barren woman. Beholding her today
leaping up in the womb of Anna, with the faithful Joachim we noetically make
haste to the appointed feast, and, standing afar off, cry aloud, saying: The
restoration of this world hath now sprouted forth from the womb of the barren
woman: the divine portal and Mother of life!
ODE VII
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the
Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they
rejoiced, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned Lord and God of our
fathers!
Blessed are Joachim and Anna, who manifestly gave birth to the blessed and
pure Mother of God who gaveth birth to the blessed Word Who maketh all the
faithful blessed.
As a precious gift did thy parents acquire thee who conceived God, Who hath
enriched with better gifts those who cry out: O Lord and God of our fathers,
blessed art Thou!
More blessed than wine are thy breasts, O divinely called Anna; for with
sacred breasts thou didst nurture with milk her who gaveth suck to the all-
blessed Word, the Bestower of milk, the Nourisher of all things that breathe.
O divinely inspired David, leap up, strike thy psaltery and dance! For, lot the
ark which of old thou didst proclaim cometh forth from a barren womb,
reserved for the King and God of creation.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of
piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple
of Thy glory, O Lord!
Cast into the furnace of painful torments, O martyr, thou didst receive from
God the dew of endurance, and didst cry out in thanksgiving: Blessed art Thou
in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Possessed of a soul more luminous than any gold, thou didst in no wise desire
to sacrifice to the soulless god of beaten gold, and didst offer thyself to the Lord
as a sacrifice of sweet savor.
The great Shepherd appointed thee, His unblemished lamb, as shepherd for
the sheep of his true flock, O martyr, showing thee un-devoured by the noetic
wolves, O most lauded one.
Theotokion: Rejoice, O hallowed and divine habitation of the Most High For
through thee, O Theotokos, hath joy been given to those who cry out: Blessed
art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!
ODE VIII
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the
furnace: then in figure, but now in deed; and she moveth all the world to
chant to Thee: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all
ages!
Let us give movement to our tongue in hymnody, honoring the divine nativity
of her who, through the Spirit, made incarnate the all-divine Word; and let us cry
aloud: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Leap up, ye prophets of God, honoring the nativity of the Virgin; for she hath
fulfilled the prophecy of all of you, giving birth to Christ, the God of all, Who is
foretold by you. Him do ye exalt supremely for all ages!
Ye mountains, resound with gladness! O apostles and martyrs, join chorus! Ye
venerable and righteous, rejoice today in the nativity of the Mother of the Lord,
cry out: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
The most pure Mother of the Word hath blossomed forth as a fragrant apple;
she hath appeared as a divine rose, perfumed the ends of the world today and
banished the cause of our sin. Her do we exalt supremely for all ages!
Human nature, bereft of the precious gifts of the divine Spirit, was made glad
on this day, seeing the divine Maiden born of a barren woman; and it cried out:
Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions' mouths in the pit;
and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the
power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Removing the arm of the golden idol, O wise one, thou didst distribute it
among the poor, securing for thyself the truly incalculable riches of martyrdom,
O ever-memorable one who cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
When the incorporeal foe wrestled with thee, thou didst cast him down with
the assistance of Christ. Wherefore, He Himself hath bestowed honors upon
thee: the ability to work miracles. To Him didst thou cry out, rejoicing: Bless the
Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Opening thy mouth, thou didst fill it with the Spirit, O most lauded Sozon,
and the mouths of those who blaspheme the Creator didst thou fill with all
manner of shame; and, rejoicing, thou didst cry out to Christ: Bless the Lord, all
ye works of the Lord!
Theotokion: Among all generations, O pure Virgin, thou alone hast been
shown to be the Mother of God. Thou wast the receptacle of God, O most
immaculate one, who wast not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable
Light. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed, O Mary, Bride of God.
ODE IX
Canon of the Forefeast
Irmos: Let every earth-born man leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit;
and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring
the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O
most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!
Lo! the holy place of God hath been shown forth! The all-glorious city of the
King hath been erected! The luminous garden of paradise hath splendidly
blossomed forth her who is the mediatress of paradise, the point of reconciliation
between God and man.
Today hath the lamp of the Light appeared, in which the pre-eternal golden
Light, having taken up His abode, illumineth those who languish in the night of
evils, destroyeth the gloom of ungodliness, and truly causeth all to share in the
day, because of their faith.
Today the earth joineth in chorus, for it hath seen the new and most comely
heaven of God born. And dwelling therein in the flesh, He raiseth men up higher
than the heavens and deifieth all in His goodness. Chanting, we magnify Him
with faith.
Joachim and Anna, the all-comely pair, have given rise to the unblemished
heifer. And the fatted Calf Who came forth from her was slain for the world,
taking upon Himself the transgressions of men and destroying the sacrifices
offered to the demons.
O Theotokos who gavest birth to the Light, illumine us who in the Spirit
celebrate thy radiant nativity, and show us to have a share of the light which is to
come; and by thy maternal supplications, O all-pure one, grant us peace and
deliverance from evils.
Canon of the Martyr
Irmos: Christ, Who united the two disparate natures, the Chief Cornerstone
uncut by human hands, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O
Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos!
Cast down to the ground, thou wast shown to be a chosen stone of Christ the
Chief Cornerstone, O martyr, destroying the fortress of deception, and making
firm the hearts of the faithful.
The Church of Christ, having now acquired thee as a stream of life, is ever
adorned with the majesty of thy sufferings and miracles, O martyr, having
quenched its thirst with thy blood as with water.
Thou didst find the kingdom of heaven to be the reward of thy struggles and
labors, O divinely wise Sozon. Joining chorus therein, O most glorious one, be
thou mindful of those who with faith keep thy sacred memory.
Theotokion: Loose thou now the chains of mine offenses, O Virgin Theotokos
who gavest birth to the Source of loving-kindness; and fill me with joy, O thou
who alone art blessed of God, that I may magnify thee as is meet.
Exapostilarion of the martyr:
Spec. Mel.: "Hearken, ye women ...":
Armed with the weapon of thy precious Cross, O Word, Thine athlete soundly
vanquished the hosts of the adversary and put the tyrants to shame; he suffered
for Thee, O my Christ, King of all, and ever reigneth with Thee.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Exapostilarion of the forefeast:
Be renewed, O Adam, and be thou magnified, O Eve! Ye prophets, join
chorus with the apostles and the righteous! For the common joy of angels and
men hath shone forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna: Mary the
Theotokos.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "O house of Ephratha ...":
Come, ye descendants of Adam, * let us hymn the Virgin, * the all-pure Mary, *
who hath sprung forth from David * and given birth to Christ.
Stichos: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Let us offer praise * unto our Deliverer and Lord * Who from a barren woman
* hath given us the Theotokos, * the only Ever-virgin.
Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
The Mother of the King of all, * the joy of all the universe, * is born today *
from a barren womb * most gloriously.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone II:
The Queen of all, the dwelling-place of God foretold of old, the divine
habitation of the ever-existent Essence, hath come forth today from the barren
womb of the glorious Anna. Because of her Hades hath been trampled underfoot,
and Eve, the mother of us all, is led into steadfast life. Let us cry out to her as is
meet: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb!
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III of the canon of the forefeast, and 4
from Ode VI of the canon of the martyr.
A fertile land is born of a barren land, bearing as fruit the Husbandman of all
good things, the life-bearing Grain Who nourisheth all by His divine gesture.
Today hath the rod of virginity sprouted forth, from whence our God, the
Gardener, doth blossom forth as a flower, cutting down the branches of
wickedness by His extreme beauty.
Lo! the mountain unquarried, which arose from a barren rock, produceth the
noetically quarried Stone, Who crusheth the falsehood of all graven idols.
Desiring to be slain as an unblemished sacrifice, for the sake of God's love,
thou didst offer thyself up on His altar. Wherefore, we piously honor thee, O all-
lauded one.
Having sailed over the deep of deception without foundering, thou didst
attain unto the haven of the kingdom on high, O blessed martyr, enjoying
everlasting calm.
The tormenter pitilessly raked thy sides with claws of iron; but thou didst
gloriously commit thy spirit in the hands of God, O ever memorable and most
blessed one.
Theotokion: O wonder more recent than all wonders! The Virgin, having
conceived in her womb, without knowing man, Him Who sustaineth all things,
did not confine Him.
Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV:
In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Sozon received an imperishable crown from
Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormenters and
crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his prayers do Thou save our souls.
Troparion of the forefeast, in Tone IV:
Mary, the divine Maiden, is born unto us today from the root of Jesse and the
loins of David; and all things rejoice and are made new through joy. Rejoice together,
O heaven and earth! Praise her, ye lands of the gentiles! Joachim maketh glad, and
Anna holdeth festival, crying aloud: A barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos,
the Nourisher of our Life!
Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone II:
Assembling today, with a loud voice let us praise Sozon, the true and divinely
wise martyr, the skilled athlete of piety, the initiate of the mysteries of grace, the
most generous bestower of healings: for he entreateth Christ God in behalf of
us all.
Kontakion of the forefeast, in Tone III:
Today Mary, the Virgin and Theotokos, the boundless chamber of the
heavenly Bridegroom, is born! From a barren woman, by the counsel of God,
the chariot of the Word is rightly adorned; for she was foretold as the divine
portal and Mother of life.
Prokimenon, in Tone VII: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and
shall hope in Him.
Stichos: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto
Thee.
EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS, § 233 [Eph. 6: 10-17]
Brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole
armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Alleluia, in Tone IV: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and
He delivered them out of all their tribulations.
Stichos: Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall
deliver them out of them all.
Canon I
Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who
through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary
Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.
He Who poured forth water from the stone for the rebellious people, through the
womb of a barren woman giveth to us, the right submissive nations, the fruit of
gladness: thee, O all-pure Mother of God, whom we magnify as is meet.
Thee, O Theotokos, do we magnify, who hast removed the ancient and
precipitous condemnation: the restoration of our first mother, the cause of the
reconciliation of our race to God, the bridge to the Creator.
Before the Irmos and troparia of Canon II, we chant this refrain:
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the
barren woman!
Canon II
Irmos: Foreign to mothers is virginity, and strange is childbirth to virgins; yet
both were accomplished in thee, O Theotokos. Wherefore, all we, the tribes of
the earth, unceasingly magnify thee.
Thou hast received a nativity worthy of thy purity, O Mother of God; for,
according to the promise, thou wast given to the barren one as a fruit springing forth
divinely. Wherefore, all we, the peoples of the earth, unceasingly magnify thee.
I shall raise up the tabernacle of sacred David which is fallen, which was a fore-
type of thee, O pure one, through whom the dust of all men hath been fashioned into
a body for God.
We venerate thy swaddling clothes, O Theotokos. We glorify Him Who gaveth
fruit to her who before was barren, and Who most gloriously opened the womb of
her who was unable to give birth. For as God with complete authority, He doeth all
things whatsoever He desireth.
To thee, O Theotokos who wast born of Anna, do we faithfully offer up hymnody
as a gift, mothers and virgins glorifying thee as the only Mother and Virgin; and we
bow down before thee and hymn and glorify thee.
Triadicon: Strange is it for the iniquitous to glorify the unoriginate Trinity: the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the uncreated omnipotent Principle, by Whom
the whole world is held fast at the behest of His might.
Theotokion: Within thy womb, O Mother, thou didst contain One of the Trinity:
Christ the King, Whom all creation doth hymn and before Whom the ranks of
heaven tremble. Him do thou entreat, O most pure one, that our souls be saved.
As Katavasia, we chant here both Irmoi of Ode IX of the canon of the Exaltation of
the Cross:
Katavasia I: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which, untilled, did
put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing tree of the Cross was planted.
Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.
Katavasia II: Death, which came upon our race through the eating of the tree,
hath been abolished by the Cross today; for the curse of our first mother,
which fell upon us all, hath been annulled through the Offspring of the pure
Mother of God, whom all the hosts of heaven magnify.
Exapostilarion:
Today the Theotokos doth issue forth like a flower from barren Anna, instilling all
the ends of the world with divine fragrance, filling all creation with joy. Hymning her,
we praise her as is meet, as the one who is more exalted than all mortals. (Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ...,
Be thou renewed, O Adam! Be thou magnified, O Eve! Join ye chorus with the
apostles and the righteous! For Mary the Theotokos, the common joy of angels and
men, hath shone forth today from the righteous Joachim and Anna.
On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: "O wondrous miracle! ...":
O wondrous miracle! The well-spring of Life is born of the barren woman, and
grace beginneth to produce splendid fruit. Be glad, O Joachim, as thou art the father
of the Theotokos! There is none to compare with thee among mortal parents, O
God-pleaser! For the Maiden who contained God, the divine dwelling place, the all-
holy mountain, hath been given to us by thee! (Twice)
O wondrous miracle! Fruit hath shone forth from the barren woman at the behest
of the Almighty Creator of all. She hath boldly loosed the barrenness of the world. Ye
mothers, join chorus with the mother of the Theotokos, crying: O joyous one, rejoice!
The Lord is with thee, Who through thee granteth the world great mercy!
The right glorious Anna, who is shown forth as an animate pillar of chastity, a
splendid receptacle resplendent with grace, hath truly given birth to the bulwark of
virginity, the divine flower who manifestly imparteth the beauty of virginity to all the
virginal who desire the gift of virginity, and bestoweth great mercy upon all the
faithful.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone VI:
This is the day of the Lord! Rejoice, O ye people! For, lot the bridal-chamber of
the Light and the book of the Word of life hath issued forth from the womb, and the
portal which faceth toward the east, having been born, awaiteth the entry of the great
High Priest. She alone leadeth the one Christ into the world, for the salvation of our
souls.
Great Doxology. Troparion. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III of Canon I of the feast, and 4 from
Ode VI of Canon II.
Having lived blamelessly for God, ye gave birth unto the salvation of all, O
divinely wise parents of her who gaveth birth to our Creator and God. (Twice)
From a barren woman did the Lord, Who poureth forth life upon all, cause the
Virgin to come forth, in whom He was pleased to make His abode, preserving her
incorrupt even after giving birth.
Let us hymn Mary today as the Theotokos, the fruit of Anna, the intercessor and
helper of all, who gaveth birth to the life-bearing Cluster.
We hymn thy holy nativity and honor thine immaculate conception, O divinely
chosen Bride and Virgin. And with us the ranks of angels and the souls of the saints
glorify thee.
Thy chaste parents placed thee, who art holy among the saints, in the temple of
the Lord, O pure one, to be raised with honor and prepared to become His Mother.
Triadicon: In thee, O pure one, is the mystery of the Trinity hymned and glorified;
for the Father was well pleased, and the Word made His abode within thee, and the
divine Spirit overshadowed thee.
Theotokion: Thou wast a golden candlestick, O pure Theotokos, for in thy womb
the Fire made His abode: the Word from the Holy Spirit; and He becameth visible in
thee in human form.
Troparion, in Tone IV:
Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to all the world; for from
thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who, having
annulled the curse, hath given His blessing, and having abolished death, hath granted
us life everlasting.
Kontakion, in Tone IV:
In thy holy nativity, O all-pure one, Joachim and Anna are freed from the reproach
of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from mortal corruption. And, delivered from the
affliction of sin, thy people celebrate it, crying out to thee: A barren woman giveth
birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life!
Prokimenon, in Tone III: The Song of the Theotokos: My soul doth magnify
the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Stichos: For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; for
behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS, § 240 [PHIL. 2: 5-11]
Brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no
reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Alleluia, in Tone VIII: Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear.
Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
After the dismissal of Little Vespers, the ecclesiarch, the priest, deacon and para-
ecclesiarch enter the vestry, escorted with lighted lamps, and the priest and deacon
array themselves in their vestments. The deacon censeth the precious Cross, and
saith: Bless, master! Priest: Blessed is our God ...Then: Trisagion through Our
Father Troparion of the Cross; Glory ..., Now & ever : Kontakion of the Cross. The
priest taketh the Cross on its tray and placeth it upon his head, and beareth it into the
sanctuary, preceded by two candle-bearers bearing lighted candles. And he setteth the
Cross on the altar-table, in the place usually occupied by the Gospel-book, the
Gospel-book being removed to the High Place. And a lamp is set to burn before the
precious Cross throughout the night.
Be It Known: If this feast fall on a Sunday, its hymns completely replace and
supersede those of the Oktoechos, with the sole exception of "Having beheld the
resurrection of Christ ..."
AT GREAT VESPERS
If it be Saturday evening, we chant "Blessed is the man ...", the entire Kathisma;
but if it be Sunday evening, we chant only the first antiphon thereof. On any other
day we do not chant "Blessed is the man ...", but chant "Lord, I have cried ..." after
the Introductory Psalm and Great Ektenia.
On "Lord, I have cried ...",8 stichera, in Tone VI:
Spec. Mel.: "Having set aside ...":
Raised on high, * the Cross exhorteth all creation * to hymn the all-pure
Passion * of Him that was lifted up thereon. * For thereon having slain him that
slew us, * in that He is merciful, * He gave life unto the dead,* and in the exceed-
ing greatness of His goodness * He hath made them beautiful and vouchsafed
them to live in the heavens. * Wherefore, rejoicing, * we exalt His name, * and
magnify His extreme condescension. (Thrice)
Moses prefigured Thee, * stretching forth his arms on high, * and vanquished
the tyrant Amalek, * O precious Cross, boast of the faithful, * confirmation of
sufferers, * savior of all the venerable. * Wherefore, creation, * beholding thee
lifted up, is gladdened, * and keepeth festival, glorifying Christ, * Who through
thee hath gathered the dispersed * in His extreme goodness. (Thrice)
O most precious Cross, * who art today exalted, * and about whom the ranks
of angels stand in gladness, * by divine command thou dost uplift all * who for
the stealing of the fruit were driven out and were sunk in death. * Wherefore, we,
the faithful, * venerating thee with hearts and lips, * derive from thee sancti-
fication, * crying out: Exalt ye Christ, the all-good God, * and worship His divine
footstool. (Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone II:
Come, all ye nations, let us worship the blessed Tree whereby everlasting
righteousness hath come to be; for he who by the tree deceived our forefather
Adam, is himself deceived by the Cross, and he who by tyranny held fast the royal
house, falleth, cast down by a strange fall. By the Blood of God the venom of the
serpent is washed away, and the curse of the just condemnation was lifted by the
Righteous One when He was condemned by an unjust sentence; for it was fitting
that the tree be healed by a Tree, and that, by the sufferings of the Dispassionate
One on the Tree, the sufferings of the condemned be loosed. Glory, O Christ our
King, to Thy wise dispensation toward us, whereby Thou hast saved all, in that
Thou ad good and lovest mankind.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day.
N.B.: If this feast fall on Saturday, on Friday evening, instead of the Prokimenon
of the day, we chant the Great Prokimenon:
Great Prokimenon, in Tone VII: Our God is in heaven and on earth; all
things whatsoever He hath willed, He hath done.
Stichos: When Israel went out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from
among a barbarous people.
Stichos: The sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back.
Stichos: What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? And thou Jordan, that
thou didst turn back?
Three Readings:
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS
Moses brought up the children of Israel from the Red Sea, and brought them
into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found
no water to drink. And they came to Marah, and could not drink of Marah, for it
was bitter; therefore he named the name of that place, Bitterness. And the people
murmured against Moses, saying: "What shall we drink?" And Moses cried to the
Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, and he cast it into the water, and the water
was sweetened. There He established to him ordinances and judgments, and there
He proved him, and said: "If thou wilt indeed hear the voice of the Lord thy
God, and do things pleasing before Him, and wilt hearken to His commands, and
keep all His ordinances, no disease which I have brought upon the Egyptians will
I bring upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God, Who healeth thee." And they came
to Elim, and there were there twelve fountains of water, and seventy stems of
palm trees; and they encamped there by the waters. And they departed from
Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of
Sin, which is between Elim and Sin.
A READING FROM PROVERBS
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art
rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth, He rebuketh, and scourgeth every
son whom He receiveth. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the
mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for
treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no
evil thing shall resist her; she is well known to all who approach her, and no
precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life
are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth
proceedeth righteousness, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Her
ways are good ways, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to all who
lay hold upon her; and she is a secure help to all who stay themselves on her, as
on the Lord.
A READING FROM THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH
Thus saith the Lord: Thy gates shall be opened continually, O Jerusalem; they
shall not be shut day nor night; to bring in to thee the power of the gentiles, and
their kings as captives. For the nations and the kings which will not serve thee
shall perish; and those nations shall be made utterly desolate. And the glory of
Lebanon shall come to thee, with the cypress, and pine, and cedar together, to
glorify My holy place. And the sons of those who afflicted thee, and of those
who provoked thee, shall come to thee in fear; and thou shalt be called Sion, the
city of the Holy One of Israel. Because thou hast become desolate and hated,
and there was no helper, therefore I will make thee a perpetual gladness, a joy of
many generations. And thou shalt suck the milk of the gentiles, and shalt eat the
wealth of kings; and shalt know that I am the Lord Who saveth thee and
delivereth thee, the God of Israel.
At Litia, these stichera:
The composition of Andrew of Jerusalem, in Tone I: Today the holy words of
David have received their fulfillment; for, lo! we manifestly worship the footstool
of Thine all-pure feet, O most Compassionate One, and cry out to Thee, placing
our trust in the shelter of Thy wings: Let the light of Thy countenance be shined
upon us! Exalt Thou the horn of Thine Orthodox people through the elevation
of Thy Cross, O greatly merciful Christ!
Elevated today, the Tree of life, which was planted in the place of the skull,
whereon the pre-eternal King wrought salvation in the midst of the earth,
sanctifieth the ends of the earth; and the temple of the Resurrection is renewed.
The angels rejoice in heaven, and men make merry on earth, crying like David
and saying: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for
it is holy, granting great mercy to the world!
Prefiguring Thy Cross, O Christ, in giving his blessing to his grandsons, the
Patriarch Jacob crossed his hands over their heads. And raising it aloft today, O
Savior, we cry out: Grant victory to all Orthodox Christians over their
adversaries, as Thou gavest the victory to Constantine.
The composition of Theophanes, in Tone II: The divine treasure which is
hidden in the ground, the Cross of the Bestower of life, was shown in the
heavens to the pious emperor and noetically displayeth an inscription of victory
over his enemies. And rejoicing therein with faith and love, in godly manner he
hastened to ascend to a visible height and with zeal drew it forth from the
bosom of the earth, for the deliverance of the world and the salvation of our
souls.
The composition of Cyprian: When the hands of the Patriarch Jacob were
crossed at the blessing of Joseph's children, the sign of Thy Cross was revealed
beforehand, and we, holding it as our steadfast protector, do mightily drive away
the hordes of the demons and cast down the pride of Belial in that which
vanquisheth the most pernicious power of the most malicious Amalek. With
right honorable mind, O ye faithful, we bear it forth to Thy goodness, uplifted
now for the cleansing of sins, and cry out with a loud voice: Have mercy, O
Lord! O Good One Who wast incarnate of the Virgin, have pity on the wise
creation of Thy hands!
The composition of the Emperor Leo: Thou art my mighty protection, O
tripartite Cross of Christ! Sanctify me by thy power, that I may bow down with
faith and love, and glorify thee.
In Tone IV: Let us clap our hands today for the victory which is praised with
hymns, and with radiant countenance and tongue let us openly cry: O Christ,
Who for our sake didst deign to be tried, to be spat upon and scourged and
arrayed in a purple robe, and Who ascended the Cross; Whom beholding, the
sun and the moon hid their light, and the earth trembled with fear, and the veil
of the temple was rent in twain: Do Thou now grant us Thine honored Cross as
a preserver and protector, and a dispeller of the demons; that, kissing it, we may
all cry out to it: Save us by thy power, O Cross! Sanctify us by Thy radiance, O
precious Cross! And fortify us by thine exaltation, for thou hast been given to us
as the light and salvation of our souls.
The composition of Anatolius: O Cross, thou didst show forth thine image
beforehand, radiant with the light of the stars, to the great and pious emperor as
a token of victory. And his mother Helena, finding thee, revealed thee to the
world. Today we, the choirs of the faithful, elevating thee, cry out: “illumine us
with thy splendor, O life-bearing Cross! Sanctify us with thy might, O most
precious Cross! And establish us in thine elevation, O thou who art lifted up
against the array of the enemy!”
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., the composition of Anatolius, in the same Tone:
Moses, prefiguring the activity of the precious Cross, O Christ, vanquished
Amalek his adversary in the wilderness of Sinai; for when he stretched out his
arms, forming the image of the Cross, he strengthened the people. And now
these events have found their fulfillment in us: today the Cross is elevated and
the demons flee; today all creation is freed from corruption, for gifts have shone
forth upon us because of the Cross. Wherefore, rejoicing, we all fall down before
it, saying: Glory to Thee, O Lord, for Thy works are magnified!
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V:
Rejoice, thou Life-bearing Cross, invincible victory of piety, door to paradise,
confirmation of the faithful, rampart of the Church, whereby corruption hath
been utterly destroyed, the dominion of death trampled down, and we have been
lifted up from earth to them that are in Heaven, invincible weapon, contender
against the demons, glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the venerable, haven
of salvation, which grantest the world great mercy.
Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet,
for it is holy.
Rejoice, thou Cross of the Lord, whereby mankind hath been loosed from the
curse, all-honorable standard of joy which disperseth the enemy with thine
exaltation, our helper, might of kings, Strength of the righteous, splendor of
priests; which, when traced, doth deliver from misfortune, staff of power
whereby we are tended, weapon of peace which the angels surround with fear,
divine glory of Christ Who granteth the world great mercy.
Stichos: God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the
midst of the earth.
Rejoice, thou guide of the blind, physician of the ailing, resurrection of all the
dead, which hast raised us up who had fallen into corruption, O precious Cross,
whereby the curse was annulled and incorruption budded forth, and the earthly
have been deified, and the devil utterly cast down! Beholding thee raised on high
today in the hands of the high priest, we exalt Him that was exalted in thy midst,
and bow down before thee, plenteously drawing forth from thee great mercy.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., the composition of John the Monk, in Tone VIII:
That which Moses prefigured with his body of old cast down and vanquished
Amalek; and David the psalmist, crying out, hath commanded us to bow down
before Thy footstool, Thy precious Cross, O Christ God. Today we sinners also
do homage with our unworthy lips to Thee Whose will it was to be nailed
thereto; and, chanting, we pray: O Lord, vouchsafe that with the thief we may
receive Thy kingdom!
At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the Cross, in Tone I:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth. (Thrice)
AT MATINS
On "God is the Lord ...", the troparion of the Cross, in Tone I:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth. (Thrice)
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone I:
No sooner was the tree of Thy Cross planted, O Christ our Lord, than the
foundations of death were shaken. That which Hades swallowed greedily it spewed
forth, trembling. Thou hast revealed to us Thy salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify
Thee. O Son of God, have mercy upon us!
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "When the stone had been sealed ...":
We bow down before the tree of Thy Cross, O Thou Who lovest mankind, for
Thou wast nailed thereto, O Life of all. Thou didst Open paradise to the thief who
approached Thee with faith, O Savior, and he was vouchsafed sweetness for
confessing Thee: "Remember me, O Lord!" Accept us like him, for we cry: We have
all sinned! Disdain us not, for Thou art compassionate!
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone VI:
Today the words of the prophet have been fulfilled! For, behold! we bow down
before the place where Thy feet stood, O Lord, and, receiving the Tree of salvation,
we have achieved liberation from sinful passions through the supplications of the
Theotokos, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "That which was mystically commanded ...":
Of old, Joshua, the son of Nun, mystically prefigured the image of the Cross when
he stretched forth his arms in the form of the Cross, O my Savior; and the sun stood
still until he had cast down all the enemy which was opposed to Thee, O God. And
now Thou hast raised with Thee the whole world, which saw Thee set upon the
Cross, destroying the might of death.
Polyeleos, and this magnification: We magnify Thee, O Christ, Bestower of life,
and we honor Thy holy Cross, whereby Thou hast saved us from slavery to the
enemy.
Selected Psalm verses:
A: Judge them, O God, that do me injustice; war against them that war against
me.
B: Take hold of weapon and shield, and arise unto my help.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Alleluia ..., Glory to Thee, our God. (Thrice)
After the Polyeleos, this Sedalion, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "That which was mystically commanded ...":
Of old, in paradise, a tree stripped me naked, the enemy bringing about mortality
through eating; but the tree of the Cross, bearing for men the vesture of life, hath
been planted in the ground, and the whole world hath been filled with all manner of
joy. Beholding it uplifted, O ye people, let us cry out to God together: Fill Thou Thy
house with glory!
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., The foregoing is repeated.
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Prokimenon, in Tone IV: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of
our God.
Stichos: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for the Lord hath wrought
wondrous things.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN, §42 [JN 12:28-36]
The Lord said: "Father, glorify Thy name." Then came there a voice from
heaven saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people
therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said an angel
spake to him. Jesus answered and said, this voice came not because of me, but
for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this
world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto
Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die. The people answered
Him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest
Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Then Jesus
said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the
light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not
whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the
children of light.
Then, "Having beheld the resurrection of Christ ..."
And after Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI:
O Cross of Christ, hope of Christians, guide of the lost, haven of the tempest-
tossed, victory amid battles, confirmation of the whole world, physician of the ill,
resurrection of the dead: Have mercy upon us!
Canon of the Cross, the Irmos chanted twice,
the troparia repeated to make up 12 in number.
ODE I
Canon of the Cross, the acrostic whereof is: "Having arrayed myself in the Cross, I
give utterance to hymnody"; The composition of Cosmas of Maiuma, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red Sea
for Israel which was traveling on foot; and striking it a transverse blow, he
brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh, thereby
inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us hymn
Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.
Of old, Moses, standing between the priests, prefigured in himself the image
of Christ's most pure sufferings; for, forming a cross with his outstretched arms,
he raised up victory, vanquishing the might of the tyrant Amalek. Wherefore, let
us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.
Upon a pole did Moses set the cure of the deadly and venomous sting of the
serpents, and the deliverance therefrom; for to the tree, in the image of the
Cross, he bound a serpent which crawleth upon the ground, triumphing over the
sinister bane therein. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ God, for He hath been
glorified.
The sky showed forth the victory of the Cross to the divinely wise Emperor
Constantine, the pious ruler; and therein the audacity of the hostile foe was cast
down, delusion was destroyed and the divine Faith spread to the ends of the
earth. Wherefore let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.
Katavasia: Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red
Sea for Israel which was traveling on foot; and striking it a transverse
blow, he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh, thereby
inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us hymn
Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.
ODE III
Irmos: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by its
budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church, which
before was barren, the tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for her
might and confirmation.
The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hard-hearted
people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the
Cross is the might and confirmation.
When Christ's all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed
therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the
boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.
Katavasia: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by
its budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church,
which before was barren, the tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for
her might and confirmation.
Sedalion, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Go thou quickly before ...":
Rejoicing in thee, O thrice blessed and life-bestowing Cross, the people
celebrate together with the immaterial choirs, the ranks of hierarchs reverently
hymn thee, multitudes of monastics and fasters bow down before thee in
adoration, and we all glorify Christ Who was crucified on thee.
ODE IV
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery-of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert,
showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.
Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through
the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and
baptism.
In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions; and preceding in
this fashion the tabernacle of the witness, they were glorified in the cross-like
formation of their ranks.
Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun's, and the
heavens declared the glory of our God.
Katavasia: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery-of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
ODE V
Irmos: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon the King and Lord was crucified,
and whereby he who beguiled mankind by the tree did fall! He was
beguiled by thee, when God was nailed in the flesh, Who granteth peace
unto our souls!
O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched: the whirling sword which
guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread cherubim withdrew,
when Christ was nailed to thee, Who granteth peace unto our souls.
The adverse powers of the nether world are stricken with fear when the sign
of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, as are the generations of the
earthborn and the heavenly, who bend the knee to Christ, Who granteth peace
unto our souls.
Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption
unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for
Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.
Katavasia: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon the King and Lord was
crucified, and whereby he who beguiled mankind by the tree did fall! He
was beguiled by thee, when God was nailed in the flesh, Who granteth
peace unto our souls!
ODE VI
Irmos: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of the
sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion. And, issuing
forth after three days, he foreshadowed the transcendent resurrection of
Christ God, Who was nailed in the flesh and enlightened the world by His
rising on the third day.
Bent with age and weighted down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when
he crossed his arms, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God
Who was nailed in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the law of the
Scripture which was written in shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-destroying
disease of deception.
Divine Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young,
revealed that the people who hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the
law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-
bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people
of Christ God surpass them.
Katavasia: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of
the sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion. And, issuing
forth after three days, he foreshadowed the transcendent resurrection of
Christ God, Who was nailed in the flesh and enlightened the world by His
rising on the third day.
Kontakion of the Cross, in Tone IV:
O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions
upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy
power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they
have as an ally the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Ikos: He that was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard
unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what
writeth he to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both read
and come to understand? God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save only in
the Gross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all
then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord; for this Wood is our salvation,
the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.
ODE VII
Irmos: The mad command of the impious tyrant, breathing forth threats
and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet the
three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the roaring blaze;
but, in the midst of the fire, when, the dew-bearing wind blew upon it,
they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having
condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain taint
as a corruption to the whole race. But we mortals, gaining utterance through the
tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death
to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that
which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the
hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art
Thou!
Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph's staff, revealing
beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the kingdom,
for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for those who cry out with faith:
O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Katavasia: The mad command of the impious tyrant, breathing forth
threats and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet
the three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the roaring
blaze; but, in the midst of the fire, when, the dew-bearing wind blew upon
it, they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
ODE VIII
Irmos: O children equal in number to the Trinity: bless ye God, the Father
and Creator; hymn ye the Word Who came down and transformed the fire
into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who giveth life unto all, exalt ye
supremely forever!
O hosts of heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched in the
blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those on earth.
Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is
accomplished forever!
O ye mortal stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands
the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the body of
God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God,
glorifying Him forever!
O faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And having
received from God the precious Cross, rejoice in it, the weapon of victory, for
thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.
Katavasia: O children equal in number to the Trinity: bless ye God, the
Father and Creator; hymn ye the Word Who came down and transformed
the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who giveth life unto all, exalt ye
supremely forever!
We do not sing the Magnificat before Ode IX, but chant instead the refrain:
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-honored Cross of the Lord!
Then we chant the Irmos of Canon I: "O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise
…" The second choir likewise chanteth the refrain and the Irmos. The refrain is
chanted before each of the 6 troparia of Canon I.
ODE IX
Irmos: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which untilled did put
forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing tree of the Cross was planted.
Wherefore, worshiping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-honored Cross of the Lord!
Let all the trees of the forests rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by
Him Who planted them in the beginning - Christ Who was stretched out upon
the Tree. Wherefore, worshiping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O
Theotokos.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-honored Cross of the Lord!
A sacred horn hath been lifted up, the chief horn for all the divinely wise: the
Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken asunder.
Wherefore, worshiping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-honored Cross of the Lord!
That Thou mayest show the Cross to the world, O worshipful Lord and King,
in the sight of all Thou didst form its all-glorious image in the skies, radiant with
boundless light, an invincible weapon. Wherefore, all the powers of heaven
magnify Thee.
Then the refrain of Canon II: Magnify, O my soul, the exaltation of the life-
creating Cross of the Lord!
And the Irmos of Canon II: "Death, which came upon our race ..." The second choir
likewise chanteth the refrain and the Irmos. The refrain is chanted before each of the
6 troparia of Canon II.
Canon II
Irmos: Death, which came upon our race through the eating of the tree
hath been abolished by the Cross today; for the curse of our first mother,
which fell upon us all, hath been annulled through the Offspring of the
pure Mother of God, whom all the hosts of heaven magnify.
The refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the exaltation of the life-creating Cross of
the Lord!
Thou didst not permit the murderous bitterness of the tree still to remain, O
Lord, for thou didst utterly destroy it by the Cross. Wherefore, by a tree Thou
didst once sweeten the bitterness of the waters of Marah, prefiguring the activity
of the Cross, which all the hosts of heaven magnify.
The refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the exaltation of the life-creating Cross of
the Lord!
Those who are continually sunk in the darkness of our forefather, Thou hast
raised up by the Cross today, O Lord; for though our nature was brought low
through deceit and great lack of restraint, the light of Thy Cross hath again
guided all of us aright, which we, the faithful magnify.
The refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the exaltation of the life-creating Cross of
the Lord!
That Thou mightest show forth to the world the image of the Cross
venerated among all, O Lord, Thou didst trace its outline in the heavens, in that
it is all-glorious, radiant with boundless light: the invincible weapon for the
emperor. Wherefore, all the hosts of heaven magnify Thee.
Katavasia: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which untilled did
put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing tree of the Cross was planted.
Wherefore, worshiping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.
Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: "When the disciples ...":
The Cross is the guardian of the whole world! The Cross is the beauty of the
Church! The Cross is the dominion of kings! The Cross is the confirmation of
the faithful! The Cross is the glory of the angels and the wounding of the
demons! (Twice)
Glory, Now & ever ..., Spec. Mel.: "Hearken, ye women":
Today is the Cross raised on high, and the world is sanctified; for He that
sitteth with the Father and the Holy Spirit stretched out his arms thereon. It hath
brought the whole world to the knowledge of Thee, O Christ. Therefore, to
them that hope in Thee do Thou vouchsafe divine glory.
On the Praises, 4, in Tone VIII:
O all-glorious wonder! * the Life-bearing Tree, * the all-holy Cross * is
revealed today, lifted up on high. * All the ends of the earth glorify it, * and the
hordes of the demons are affrighted. * O what a gift hath been given to mortals! *
Thereby, O Christ, save Thou our souls, * in that Thou alone art compassionate.
(Twice)
O all-glorious wonder! * The Cross which bore the Most High * like a cluster
of grapes full of life * is seen today lifted up from the earth. * Thereby have we
all been drawn to God, * and death hath been utterly slain. * O the all-precious
Tree * whereby we have received the food of immortality in Eden, * glorifying
Christ!
O all-glorious wonder! * The length and height of the Cross * is equal to
heaven! * For it sanctifieth all things with grace divine. * In it are the barbarian
nations vanquished. * In it are the scepters of kings made firm. * O divine ladder,
* whereby we ascend to the heavens, * exalting Christ the Lord in hymns!
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in the Tone VI:
Today the Cross of the Lord cometh forth; and the faithful receive it with
desire, and they derive healings of soul and body, and every pang. Let us
venerate it with joy and fear: with fear, for we are unworthy because of our sins;
and with joy, because of the salvation which is granted to the world by Christ
God, Who hath great mercy, and Who was nailed to it.
The Great Doxology is chanted quietly and melodiously. The priest, having put on
full sacerdotal vestments, entereth the holy sanctuary bearing the censer, the deacon
preceding him with a lamp; and the priest censeth the holy table and the precious
Cross, and, lifting the precious Cross with its tray to his head, he departeth the
sanctuary through the northern door, preceded by servers bearing two lamps and the
censer, and cometh before the royal doors, where he standeth, awaiting the conclu-
sion of the Trisagion.
When the Trisagion cometh to an end, the priest intoneth: "Wisdom! Stand
aright!" And the singers chant the troparion:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth. (Thrice)
Then the priest leaveth his place before the royal doors, bearing the precious Cross
on his head, and goeth to the analogion which has been placed, adorned, in the center
of the church, and setteth the precious Cross thereon. And he maketh a prostration
before the precious Cross thrice, chanting softly:
Before Thy Cross we bow down, O Master, and Thy holy resurrection do we
glorify! (Thrice)
And the choirs also chant this hymn aloud, thrice. Then all venerate the precious
Cross, bowing down before it one by one, while the following stichera are chanted-
In Tone II: Come, ye faithful, let us bow down before the life-creating Tree,
whereon of His own will Christ, the King of glory, stretching forth His hands,
hath raised us up to our former blessed state, of which the enemy of old
deprived us through pleasure, causing us to be driven out of paradise by God!
Come, ye faithful, let us bow down before that by which we have been
vouchsafed to crush the heads of the invisible foe! Come, all ye peoples of our
fatherland, let us honor the Cross of the Lord with hymns, crying: Rejoice, O
Cross, thou perfect deliverance of fallen Adam; for in thee do most faithful
rulers boast, for through thy power are the Moslem hordes mightily subjected!
And now, venerating with fear thee upon whom God was nailed, we Christians
render glory, saying: O Lord Who wast nailed thereto, have mercy upon us, in
that Thou art good and lovest mankind!
In Tone V: Come, ye people, and, beholding the all-glorious wonder, let us
worship the power of the Cross; for a tree brought about death in paradise, but
this tree hath caused life to blossom forth, for the sinless Lord was nailed to it.
Receiving incorruption therefrom, O all ye nations, let us cry: O Thou Who hast
abolished death by the Cross and freed us, glory to Thee!
The words of Thy prophets, Isaiah and David, are fulfilled, O God, which
said: All nations will come, O Lord, and bow down before Thee. For, behold the
people who have been filled with Thy grace in Thy courts in Jerusalem, O Good
One. O Thou Who didst endure the Cross for us and hast imparted life through
Thy resurrection, preserve and save us!
The four comers of the world are sanctified today as the four parts of Thy
Cross are elevated, O Christ our God; and the horn of all Orthodox hierarchs is
exalted with it. Wherefore, we crush the horns of our enemies. Great art Thou,
O Lord, and wondrous art Thou in Thy works! Glory be to Thee!
The voices of the prophets foretold the holy Tree whereby Adam was loosed
from the ancient curse of death, and creation raiseth a cry to that which today is
exalted, begging great mercy of God. O Master, Who alone art boundless in
lovingkindness: be Thou our cleansing and save our souls!
In Tone VIII: O God, the words of Moses Thy prophet have been fulfilled,
who said: "Ye shall see your life hanging before your eyes!" Today the Cross is
exalted, and the world is freed from deception. Today the resurrection of Christ
is renewed, and the ends of the earth rejoice, offering music to Thee on cymbals,
like David, and saying: "Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O
God: the Cross and resurrection! For their sake Thou hast saved us, O Good
One Who lovest mankind! O Almighty Lord, glory be to Thee!"
Today the Master of creation and Lord of glory is nailed to the Cross, and His
side is pierced by a spear. Of gall and vinegar doth He partake, Who is the
Sweetness of the Church. He is invested with a crown of thorns, and He Who
covereth the sky with clouds is arrayed in garments of mockery. He is smitten
with a hand of clay Who fashioned man with His own hands, and He is beaten
about the shoulders Who arrayeth heaven with clouds. My Deliverer and God
deigneth to be spat upon and wounded, mocked and buffeted, and endureth all
things for the sake of me, who am condemned, that He might save the world
from deception, in that He is compassionate.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., in the same tone:
Today He Who is intangible in essence becometh tangible to me and
undergoeth suffering, freeing me from the passions. He Who granteth light to
the blind is spat upon by the mouths of the iniquitous, and giveth his shoulders
over to stripes for those who have been made captive. And the pure Virgin
Mother, seeing Him upon the Cross, cried aloud in pain: "Woe is me, O my
Child! What is this that Thou hast done? Thou Who art comely in beauty beyond
all men dost show Thyself to be bereft of breath and sight, lacking in appearance
and beauty. Woe is me, O my Light! I cannot look upon Thee asleep. I am
wounded within, and a cruel sword passeth through my heart! I hymn Thy
sufferings, I worship Thy loving-kindness. O Long-suffering One, glory be to
Thee!
Then, the litanies: Have mercy upon us, O God ..., and Let us complete our
morning prayer ... Deacon: Wisdom! And the priest intoneth the dismissal. First
Hour.
AT LITURGY
ANTIPHON I
Stichos: O God, my God, attend to me; why hast Thou forsaken me?
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Stichos: Far from my salvation are the words of my transgressions.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Stichos: My God, I will cry by day, and wilt Thou not hearken? and by night,
and it shall not be unto folly for me.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Stichos: But as for Thee, Thou dwellest in the sanctuary, O Praise of Israel.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Glory ..., Now & ever ...,
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
ANTIPHON II
Stichos: O God, why hast Thou cast us off unto the end?
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast crucified in the flesh, save us who chant unto
Thee: Alleluia!
Stichos: Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchased from the
beginning.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast crucified in the flesh, save us who chant unto
Thee: Alleluia!
Stichos: This Mount Sion wherein Thou hast dwelt.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast crucified in the flesh, save us who chant unto
Thee: Alleluia!
Stichos: God is our King before the ages, He hath wrought salvation in the
midst of the earth.
Refrain: O Son of God Who wast crucified in the flesh, save us who chant unto
Thee: Alleluia!
Glory …, Now & ever ...,
O Only-begotten Son and Word of God, Who art immortal, Yet didst deign
for our salvation To be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary,
And without change didst become man, and wast crucified, O Christ God,
trampling down death by death, Thou Who art One of the Trinity, glorified with
the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
AND BOTH CHOIRS JOIN TOGETHER TO CHANT
ANTIPHON III
Stichos: The Lord is King, let the peoples rage.
Then the troparion, chanted in full each time
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
Stichos: The Lord is King, let the peoples rage; He sitteth on the cherubim,
let the earth be shaken.
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
Stichos: The Lord is great in Sion, and He is high above all peoples.
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
Stichos: Worship the Lord in His holy court.
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
Then, the Entrance. And the deacon saith:
Wisdom! Stand aright!
And we chant the Entrance Verse:
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is
holy.
Then, the troparion, in Tone I:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Kontakion, in Tone IV:
O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions
upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy power
Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they have as
an ally the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Instead of the Trisagion, we chant:
Before Thy Cross we bow down, O Master, and Thy holy resurrection do we
glorify!
Prokimenon, in Tone VI: Save O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine
inheritance.
Stichos: Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry; O my God, be not silent unto me.
EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS, §125 [1 COR. 1: 18-24]
Brethren: The preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but
unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy
the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the pru-
dent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ
crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but
unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God.
Alleluia, in Tone IV: Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast
purchased from the beginning.
Stichos: God is our King before the ages, He hath wrought salvation in the
midst of the earth.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, §60 [IN. 19: 6-11, 13-20, 25-28,30-35]
At that time, the high priests and elders took council against Jesus to put Him
to death. And they delivered Him to Pilate saying: "Away with Him! away with
Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said unto them: "Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I
find no fault in Him. The Jews answered him: "We have a law, and by our law
He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God." When Pilate
therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the
judgment hall, and said unto Jesus: "Whence art Thou?" But Jesus gave him no
answer. Then said Pilate unto Him: "Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest
Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?"
Jesus answered: "Thou couldst have no power at all against Me, except it were
given thee from above." When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought
Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the
Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the
Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said unto the Jews: "Behold your
King!" But they cried out: "Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!"
Pilate said unto them: "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered:
''We have no king but Caesar." Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be
crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away. And He bearing His Cross
went forth into a place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew
‘Golgotha’: where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, on either side,
and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the Cross. And the
writing was: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews". This title then read many
of the Jews; for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it
was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Now there stood by the Cross of
Jesus His Mother, and His Mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleo ph as, and
Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, and the disciple
standing by, whom He loved, He said unto His Mother: "Woman, behold thy
son!" Then said He to the disciple: "Behold thy Mother!" And from that hour
that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all
things were now accomplished, bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. The
Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain
upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was a high day,)
besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken
away. Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other
who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was
dead already, they broke not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced
His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bore
record, and his record is true.
Communion Verse: The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been
signed upon us.
THE 15th DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
THE AFTERFEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS OF THE LORD
THE COMMEMORATION OF
THE HOLY GREATMARTYR NICETAS
N.B.: Should the commemoration fall on the Sunday after the Exaltation of the
Precious Cross, see notes at the end of the service for special directions.
At "Lord, I have cried ...", six stichera: three for the feast, and three for the saint.
The stichera to the Cross, in Tone V:
Spec. Mel.: "Rejoice, thou Life-bearing Cross ...":
Rejoice, thou Life-bearing Cross, invincible victory of piety, door to paradise,
confirmation of the faithful, rampart of the Church, whereby corruption hath
been utterly destroyed, the dominion of death trampled down, and we have
been lifted up from earth to them that are in Heaven, invincible weapon,
contender against the demons, glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the
venerable, haven of salvation, which grantest the world great mercy.
Rejoice, thou Cross of the Lord, whereby mankind hath been loosed from
the curse, all-honorable standard of joy which disperseth the enemy in thine
exaltation, our helper, might of kings, strength of the righteous, splendor of
priests, which, when traced, doth deliver from misfortune, staff of power
whereby we are tended, weapon of peace which the angels surround with fear,
divine glory of Christ Who granteth the world great mercy.
Rejoice, thou guide of the blind, physician of the ailing, resurrection of all the
dead, which hast raised us up who had fallen into corruption, O precious Cross,
whereby the curse was annulled and incorruption budded forth, and the earthly
have been deified, and the devil utterly cast down! Beholding thee raised on high
today in the hands of the high priest, we exalt Him that was exalted in thy midst,
and bow down before thee, plenteously drawing forth from thee great mercy.
These stichera to the saint, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "Joy of the ranks of Heaven ....":
Arrayed in the armor of piety, * thou wast shown to be a champion of Christ,
the King of all, * O passion-bearer Nicetas, * as was almighty Gideon of old, *
setting at nought legions of aliens * by thy noble boldness.
That which is alien didst thou enslave * by thine all-powerful faith in Christ, *
O divinely wise martyr who didst endure suffering. * Wherefore, thou didst turn
the barbarians * to the Creator and Master of all, O wise one, * and they glorify
Him piously.
Thou, the first-fruits of the barbarians, O martyr, * dying for the Trinity, *
didst bring glory to Christ, * and wast shown to be a divinely eloquent sufferer.
* Wherefore, thou hast manifestly received a crown, * and dost shine with
splendor in the world like a beacon, * O right glorious one.
Glory ..., to the saint, in Tone VI: the composition of Theophanes:
We know thee as a lamp unto the martyrs, O Nicetas, sufferer for Christ, for,
having forsaken the glory of earthly rank and despised the godlessness of thy
father, thou didst shatter his gods, didst triumphantly put the barbarians to
shame, didst undergo martyrdom for confessing Christ, and wast a warrior of
the God of Heaven. Entreat thou the Benefactor of all in our behalf, that He
take pity and save our souls.
Now and ever ..., of the feast, in the same tone:
The voices of the prophets foretold the holy Tree whereby Adam was loosed
from the ancient curse of death, and creation raiseth a cry to that which today is
exalted, begging great mercy of God. O Master, Who alone art boundless in
lovingkindness: be Thou our cleansing and save our souls!
Entrance; the Great Prokimenon
Prokimenon, in Tone VII: Our God is in Heaven and on earth; all things
whatsoever He hath willed, He hath done.
Stichos: When Israel went out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from
among a barbarous people, Judaea became His sanctuary.
Stichos: The sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back.
Stichos: What aileth thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? And thou, O Jordan,
that thou didst turn back?
Then, the Ektenia: "Let us all say ...",
But if it fall on Sunday, we chant the Prokimenon of the day: "The Lord is King
...", and the Great Prokimenon we chant on the eve of the feast.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VI:
Spec. Mel.: "Having set all aside ...":
Raised on high, * the Cross exhorteth all creation * to hymn the all-pure
Passion * of Him that was lifted up thereon. * For thereon having slain him that
slew us, * in that He is merciful, * He gave life unto the dead, * and in the exceed-
ing greatness of His goodness * He hath made them beautiful and vouchsafed
them to live in the heavens. * Wherefore, rejoicing, * we exalt His name, * and
magnify His extreme condescension.
Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet;
for He is holy.
Moses prefigured Thee, * stretching forth his arms on high, * and vanquished
the tyrant Amalek, * O precious Cross, boast of the faithful, * confirmation of
sufferers, * savior of all the venerable. * Wherefore, creation, * beholding thee
lifted up, is gladdened, * and keepeth festival, glorifying Christ, * Who through
thee hath gathered the dispersed * in His extreme goodness.
Stichos: God is our King before the ages, He hath wrought salvation in the
midst of the earth.
O most precious Cross, * who art today exalted, * and about whom the ranks
of angels stand in gladness, * by divine command thou dost uplift all * who for
the stealing of the fruit were driven out and were sunk in death. * Wherefore, we,
the faithful, * venerating thee with hearts and lips, * derive from thee sancti-
fication, * crying out: Exalt ye Christ, the all-good God, * and worship His divine
footstool.
Glory ..., of the saint, in Tone VIII:
Thou didst show thyself to be the namesake of victory, O most honored
martyr Nicetas; proclaiming Christ our God amid thy struggle, thou didst confess
Him before kings and tormentors. Wherefore, cease thou never in thy prayers to
Him that alone loveth mankind, in behalf of the world, for Christ-loving kings,
and for all that faithfully keep thy memory, that he deliver them from all wrath.
Now and ever ..., for the feast, in the same tone
O God, the cry of the prophet Moses hath been fulfilled, who cried: Behold
your life which is raised up before your eyes! Today the Cross is uplifted, and the
world is freed from deception. Today the Resurrection of Christ is renewed, and
the ends of the earth rejoice, offering a hymn to Thee, and saying like David:
Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O God, and the Cross and
Resurrection, for whose sake Thou hast saved us, Thou good Lover of Mankind.
O Almighty Lord, glory to Thee!
Troparion, in Tone IV:
Taking up the Cross of Christ ardently, as it were a sword, thou didst make
haste to do battle with the enemy, and, suffering for Christ, thou didst at last
commit thy sacred soul to the Lord, and hence thou hast been vouchsafed to
receive from Him gifts of healing, O great-martyr Nicetas. Entreat Christ God
that our souls be saved.
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., the Troparion to the Cross in Tone I:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth.
AT MATINS
At "God is the Lord ...," the Troparion of the feast, in Tone I:
Save O Lord Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant now unto the
faithful victory over adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross do Thou
preserve Thy commonwealth. (Twice)
Glory ..., of the saint, in Tone IV:
Taking up the Cross of Christ ardently, as it were a sword, thou didst make
haste to do battle with the enemy, and, suffering for Christ, thou didst at last
commit thy sacred soul to the Lord, and hence thou hast been vouchsafed to
receive from Him gifts of healing, O great-martyr Nicetas. Entreat Christ God
that our souls be saved.
Now and ever ..., of the feast again.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "Full of lovingkindness ...":
When Thou wast crucified, O Christ Master, the dominion and might of death
were overthrown, and all the tyranny of the enemy was trampled down, and they
that died of old through the tree of disobedience were given life by the Tree of
the Cross. Wherefore, we hymn Thy sufferings.
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., the above is repeated.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone III:
Spec. Mel.: "The beauty of thy virginity ....":
Thou didst will to suffer death and the Cross, fixing it in the midst of
creation; when it was Thy good pleasure that Thy body be nailed, the sun hid its
rays. Beholding these things, the thief on the cross hymned thee, crying out:
Remember me, O Lord! And, believing, he received paradise.
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., the above is repeated.
Two canons: the canon for the Elevation of the Cross, with six troparia counting the
Irmos, and the canon of the saint, with six troparia.
ODE I
The Canon of the feast, in Tone VIII:
Irmos: Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red Sea
for Israel which was traveling on foot; and striking it a transverse blow, he
brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh, thereby
inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us hymn
Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!
Of old, Moses prefigured in himself an image of Christ's most pure
sufferings, standing between the priests; for, forming a cross with his
outstretched arms, he raised up victory, vanquishing the might of the destroyer
Amalek. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!
Upon a pole did Moses set the cure of the deadly and venomous sting of the
serpents, and the deliverance therefrom; for to the tree, in the image of the
Cross, he bound a serpent which crawleth upon the ground, triumphing over
the sinister bane therein: Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath
been glorified!
The sky showed forth the victory of the Cross to the divinely wise Emperor
Constantine, the pious ruler; and therein the audacity of the hostile foe was cast
down, delusion was destroyed and the divine faith spread to the ends of the
earth. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified!
The Canon of the Saint, in Tone IV, the composition of Theophanes, the Acrostic
whereof is: "I hymn Nicetas, the namesake of victory."
Irmos: Israel of old, traversing the depths of the Red Sea dryshod,
vanquished the power of Amalek in the wilderness through the arms of
Moses stretched forth in the sign of the Cross.
Having slain the arrogance of my flesh, illumine thou my mind with the
radiance of enlightenment, that I may hymn thy victory, O Nicetas, who, as a
most eminent victor, dost entreat Christ.
Putting aside the poison which cometh from the passions, thou didst mightily
endure wounds and in suffering didst clothe thyself in a precious robe, dyed
with thine own blood.
Having been nailed to the Tree for us, Thou didst show the path of suffering
to be new and wondrous, for Thou, O Master, wast the Source of the strength
and confession of the martyrs.
Theotokion: The portal of Thy condescension towards us do we mystically
call her that supernaturally shone Thee forth, the East, the Sun and Light, the
Lover of mankind, Who art of two natures.
ODE III
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by its
budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church, which
before was barren, the Tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for her
might and confirmation.
The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hard-hearted
people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the
Cross is the might and confirmation of us all.
When Christ's all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed
therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the
boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, crying aloud, O Christ: Thou art my
strength, O Lord, my refuge and confirmation!
With steadfastness of soul didst thou endure the threats of the tormentors, O
glorious martyr of Christ, aided by power divine.
O all-praised martyr of Christ, enduring the scattering of thy flesh and the
dismemberment of thy limbs, thou didst obtain thy soul.
The assembly of Christ's martyrs rejoice in thee, beholding thy memory
celebrated today.
Theotokion: O Mary, pure and honored abode of virginity: heal thou the
wounds of my heart.
The Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV:
Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions
upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy
power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they
have as an ally the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.
Ikos: He that was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and that heard
unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what
writeth he unto the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both
read and come to understand? God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save
only in the Cross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions.
Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord: for this Wood is our
salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.
Sedalion of the saint, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Thou that wast lifted up ....":
Showing thyself to be an invincible warrior, thou didst overcome the cunning
of the barbarians and, having suffered, O glorious one, thou didst most mightily
enslave hosts of invisible foes. Wherefore, thou didst receive a crown of victory.
O blessed Nicetas, cease thou never to pray for us that hymn thee with faith.
(Twice)
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., of the feast, in the same tone:
Stretching forth his hands aloft to the heavens, Moses prefigured the Cross,
the divine weapon of the faithful, to which Christ nailed our sins. Wherefore, the
enemy wept pathetically, his senses wracked with pain; and he said: The spear of
the Tree hath pierced me in the midst of my heart! Christ hath released all from
the bonds of hell!
ODE IV
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have
considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert,
showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.
Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through
the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and
baptism.
In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions, and proceeding
in this fashion to the Tabernacle of the Witness, they were glorified in the cross-
like formation of their ranks.
Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun's, and the
heavens declared the glory of our God.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: The Church, beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of
righteousness, stood in its place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy
power, O Lord!
Redeemed by the Blood of the Master, the sufferer Nicetas doth offer his
blood to Christ, rejoicing. Wherefore, slaughtered, he cried out: Glory to Thee,
O my God!
Aflame with love for the Master, O martyr, thou didst trample down the flame
of idolatry and all the might of the demons, crying unto the Creator: Glory to
Thy power, O Lord!
Delighting in the sight of the Lord and reveling in the radiance thereof, the
martyr knew not suffering, but, rejoicing, cried out: Glory to Thy power, O
Lord!
Theotokion: The all-pure Virgin, O Christ, the animate heaven of Thee, the
King of kings, which is adorned with a different radiance, is now glorified as the
Theotokos.
ODE V
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was
crucified, and whereby he that beguiled mankind by the tree did fall,
beguiled by thee, when God was nailed in the flesh, He that granteth
peace unto our souls.
O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched, the whirling sword which
guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread Cherubim withdrew,
when Christ was nailed to thee, He that granteth peace unto our souls.
The adverse powers of the netherworld fear when the sign of the Cross is
traced in the air in which they live, wherefore the generations of the earthborn
and the heavenly bend the knee to Christ, Who granteth peace unto our souls.
Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption
unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for
Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: Thou hast come, a Light to the world, O my Lord, a holy Light
which bringeth forth from the gloom of unbelief them that hymn Thee.
O all-praised Nicetas, who can recount the crowns of thine ordeals, which
Christ gave thee who suffered for Him?
Having completed their struggles upon the earth, the martyrs have received
from Thee, O Bestower of life, a heavenly reward in the highest.
Now dost thou shine forth like a beacon, O all-praised Nicetas. Thou art
become a light of secondary radiance, standing gloriously before the great Light.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, thou didst give birth unto the timeless Light
Who became subject to time for us that are in the darkness of this life, and thou
hast illumined the whole world thereby.
ODE VI
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: Stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross in the belly of the
sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving Passion. And, issuing
forth after three days, he foreshadowed the supra-mundane Resurrection
of Christ God Who was nailed in the flesh and enlightened the world with
His Rising on the third day.
Bent with age and weighted down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when
he crossed his hands, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God
Who was nailed thereon in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the Law
of the Scripture which was written with shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-
destroying disease of deception.
Diving Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young,
revealed that the people that hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the
Law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-
bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people
of Christ God shall surpass them.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, to Thee
the Church crieth out, cleansed of the blood of demons by the Blood
which, for mercy's sake, flowed from Thy side.
Desiring the beauties of the Creator, O glorious one, and receiving
illumination therefrom, thou didst take wing, O martyr, and, scorning death,
didst draw nigh unto Him.
O martyr Nicetas, preferring with chaste thought those things which are
inexhaustible to receiving transitory things, with gladness thou didst submit thy
body to tortures.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, finding thee alone to be an apple amid a grove,
a lily most pure and a lily of the valley, the noetic Bridegroom dwelt within thee.
Kontakion of the Saint, in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "Seeking the heights ...":
Having cut down the dominion of deception by thy resistance, and received a
crown of victory in thy sufferings, thou dost rejoice with the angel, O Nicetas,
namesake of victory, unceasingly praying with them to Christ God in behalf of
us all
Ikos: Having set the knowledge of Thee in my soul, cleanse Thou my mind
and show me forth as a keeper of Thy commandments, O Savior, that I may be
able to conquer the divers rebellions of my passions, receiving the honor of the
victory of dispassion, through the prayers of Thy mighty martyr and passion-
bearer Nicetas, O Lover of mankind: For Thou Thyself hast called us to
remember on the day of his commemoration him that doth unceasingly pray for
us all.
ODE VII
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: The mad command of the impious tyrant, breathing forth threats
and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet the
three children feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the roaring blaze;
but, in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it, they
sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having
condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain talent
as a corruption to the whole race. But we, the earthborn, gaining utterance
through the Tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed
art Thou!
Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death
to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that
which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the
hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art
Thou!
Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph's staff,
revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the
Kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for them that cry out
with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, consumed by the
love of piety rather than by the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the
temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
O martyr, who art now illumined with unapproachable radiance, with thy
radiance enlighten them that now sing thy feast, crying: Blessed art Thou, O my
Lord and God!
The angelic forces were astounded at thy courage, O blessed one, beholding
thee patiently suffering and saying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord and God of all!
Theotokion: With the choir on high the incorporeal Gabriel cried out to thee
in gladness: Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Blessed art thou among women, O all-
immaculate Mistress!
ODE VIII
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the Father
of the Creator; hymn ye the Word Who came down and transformed the
fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who giveth life to all, exalt ye
supremely forever!
O hosts of Heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched with the
Blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those of earth.
Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is
accomplished forever!
O ye earthborn stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your
hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the
Body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of
God, glorifying Him forever.
O ye faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And
having received from God the precious Cross, the victorious weapon, rejoice
therein, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad
forever.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel closed the mouths of the lions in
the pit; and the youthful lovers of piety, girt about with virtue, quenched
the power of the fire, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
O invincible martyr, thou didst bring thyself as a sacrifice whole and
acceptable, and wast a savory whole-burnt offering to thy Master, Who was
crucified for our sake; and with gladness didst thou cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye
works of the Lord!
As thou wast lawfully a divine contender, thou didst worthily receive an
imperishable crown of victory from the life-bearing right hand of God, before
which thou now dost stand, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Boundless was thy love of Christ, and pierced by many wounds and variously
gored, thou didst mingle thy blood with His. And now, as an emulator of Him,
thou dost reign with Him, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Theotokion: O pure and all-immaculate Theotokos, who didst give birth to
Christ Who alone is most pure, thou hast clearly washed away the defilement of
our nature, and art more highly exalted than the cherubim and seraphim, who
cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
ODE IX
Canon to the Cross
Irmos: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical paradise, which, untilled, didst
put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted;
wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O
Theotokos.
Let all the trees of the forest rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by
Him that planted them in the beginning - Christ Who was stretched upon the
Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O
Theotokos.
A sacred horn hath arisen, the chief horn for all the divinely wise - the Cross,
whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken. Wherefore,
worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Canon to the Saint
Irmos: Christ, the Cornerstone, Who hath united two disparate natures,
was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in
gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
My whole self do I offer thee, O divinely blessed Nicetas, that I may find thee
to be an intercessor before the Master who can save me from every evil
circumstance, and a mediator of divine salvation.
Thou wast truly a witness to the truth, O passion-bearer, and now dost stand,
rejoicing, before precious Truth personified, boldly accepting the reward for thy
struggles.
Arriving at the calm harbor, thou didst rest from thy pains, and, a crown-
bearer, thou dost rejoice in paradise with the martyrs of Christ. Wherefore, thee
do we all now fittingly glorify as glorified by God.
Theotokion: In a manner beyond the laws of nature, O pure and blessed one,
thou gavest birth unto the Lawgiver Who in His lovingkindness immutably
became flesh and is known in two natures.
Exapostilarion of the saint: Spec. Mel.: "Hearken, ye women ....":
Defending himself with the weapon of Thy precious Cross, Thy sufferer, O
Word, mightily vanquished the powers of the adversary, and put the tormentors
to shame, and suffered for Thee; and with Thee, O my Christ, King of all, doth
Nicetas reign. (Twice)
Glory ..., Now and ever ..., of the feast: in the same melody:
Today is the Cross raised on high, and the world is sanctified; for He that
sitteth with the Father and the Holy Spirit stretched out his arms thereon. It hath
brought the whole world to the knowledge of Thee, O Christ. Therefore, to
them that hope in Thee do Thou vouchsafe divine glory.
At the Aposticha, these stichera in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "O house of Ephratha ....":
Today is exalted * the Cross of Christ, * the life-bearing Tree, * whereon He
was nailed in the flesh.
Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet;
for He is holy.
Rejoice, divine preservation * of the faithful, * unassailable rampart, * thou
Cross of the Lord, * whereby we are exalted above the earth.
Stichos: God is our King before the ages, He hath wrought salvation in the
midst of the earth.
Come ye, in gladness * let us all venerate * the life-bearing Tree * whereon
was stretched * Christ our deliverance.
Glory ..., of the saint, in Tone VI:
Today the whole world rejoiceth in the suffering of the passion-bearer, and
the Church of Christ, adorned with flowers, crieth out to thee, O martyr of
Christ: O favorite of Christ and most fervent intercessor, cease thou never to
pray for thy servants!
Now and ever ..., in the same tone:
Today is put forth from the impenetrable bosom of the earth the shoot of life,
and it announceth the Resurrection of Christ Who was nailed thereto; and, lifted
up by priestly hands, it proclaimeth His ascension to Heaven, whereby our nature,
which was bound to the earth by the fall, doth now dwell in the heavens.
Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry out: O Lord Who wast lifted up thereon and
thereby raised us up with Thyself: vouchsafe us Thy heavenly joys, as Thou art
the Lover of mankind.
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes: four troparia from Ode I of the canon to the Cross, and four
troparia from Ode VI of the canon to the saint.
Having slain the arrogance of my flesh, illumine thou my mind with the
radiance of enlightenment, that I may hymn thy victory, O Nicetas, who, as a
most eminent victor, dost entreat Christ. (Twice)
Putting aside the poison which cometh from the passions, thou didst mightily
endure wounds and in suffering didst clothe thyself in a precious robe, dyed
with thine own blood.
Having been nailed to the Tree for us, Thou didst show the path of suffering
to be new and wondrous, for Thou, O Master, wast the Source of the strength
and confession of the martyrs.
Desiring the beauties of the Creator, O glorious one, and receiving
illumination therefrom, thou didst take wing, O martyr, and, scorning death,
didst draw nigh unto Him.
O martyr Nicetas, preferring with chaste thought those things which are
inexhaustible to receiving transitory things, with gladness thou didst submit thy
body to tortures.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, finding thee alone to be an apple amid a grove,
a lily most pure and a lily of the valley, the noetic Bridegroom dwelt within thee.
At the Entrance, we end the hymn "O come let us worship ..." with the words: "O
Son of God Who wast crucified in the flesh, save us that chant unto Thee: Alleluia."
And we sing thus until the Leave-taking.
Prokimenon of the feast in Tone VI: Save O Lord, Thy people, and bless
Thine inheritance.
Prokimenon of the saint, in Tone I: My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the
meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Stichos: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world.
Alleluia of the feast in Tone IV: Remember Thy congregation which Thou
hast purchased from the beginning.
Alleluia of the saint, in Tone II: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate
wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment.
Stichos: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be tripped.
ODE III
The Canon to the Theotokos:
Irmos: There is none holy as Thou, * O Lord my God, * who hast exalted the
horn of The faithful O good One, * and strengthened us upon the rock * of
Thy confession..
Refrain: Most Holy Theotokos save us
O all-pure Theotokos , He who alone is good, past all telling, took my corruptible
mortal flesh from thy womb and making it incorruptible He united it eternally to
Himself.
O Virgin, beholding God incarnate of thee, the choirs of angels were struck with
fear and they honor thee with unceasing hymns as Mother of God.
Daniel, the Prophet, was struck with fear as he saw thee, O living Mountain from
whom the STone was cut without the hand of man and He destroyed with force the
temples of devils.
Neither speech nor the tongue of man can give thee worthy praise: for Christ the
Giver of life was pleased without seed to take flesh of thee, who art all-pure.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: O Christ fortify me on the rock of Thy commandments, * Thou who in
the beginning established the heavens with understanding * and established
the earth upon the waters, * for there is none holy but Thou, O only lover of
mankind.
In thyself, as an example of good things to thy disciples, thou hast drawn to
salvation many souls who, separated from worldly passions, found their comfort in
the joy of paradise.
O blessed Saint, thou hast flowered like a fruitful olive-tree in the house of God,
anointing with oil the souls of those who sing thy praises with love, O Sergius, and
who cry aloud to Christ with faith: 'There is none holy save Thee, Who lovest
mankind.'
O blessed Saint, by watchful vigils thou didst put to sleep the soul-corrupting
passions: and therefore, O Divinely-wise Sergius, hast thou ascended to dwell in the
heavenly chambers, having received the grace of healing.
Theotokion: O Theotokos , thou appearest higher the cherubim and seraphim, for
Thou art undefiled, and thou alone hast received in thy womb the uncontainable
God. Wherefore we the faithful bless thee, who art pure, in song.
The 2nd Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: Thou alone knowest the weakness of mortals * and in compassion took
their form; * gird me with power from on high, * that I may cry unto Thee: *
Holy is the living temple of Thy ineffable glory, O lover of mankind!
O blessed one, despising corruptible fame thou hast been deemed worthy of
inheriting incorruptible and divine glory; for trampling underfoot all the beauty of
this world thou rejoicest, with the angels on high, in the glory of God.
Renewing the earth of thine heart, O Saint, with the plough of prayer, thou hast
shown thyself to be the comely corn of the Word and thou hast reached the
dwelling-place of the Light that never sets.
Honored with the rays of the Holy Spirit, thou hast been adorned with a life that
bears light unfailing in thy gifts to those that ask, receiving with love those in the
monastic state, O Saint and Father.
Theotokion: A flower that never fades sprang forth from thee, O Pure one,
making all mankind fragrant with the divine myrrh of His own nature. He who is like
the Father without beginning, became subject to time from thee, O Virgin all-
undefiled.
Katavasia: O Mother of God, * Thou living and plentiful fount, * give strength
to those united in spiritual fellowship, * who sing hymns of praise to thee: *
and in thy divine glory, vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Sedalion, in Tone IV:
O most blessed Sergius, * truly forsaking corruptible things that pass, * thou hast
followed Christ with all thy soul, * and hast thou lived in pain and toil and great
abstinence * as if having no flesh. * Pray to Christ our God that our souls be saved.
Glory…, Now & ever…,
O Theotokos thou art far higher than the cherubim and the seraphim, * for thou
wast shown to be more spacious than the heavens and the earth, * more than visible
and invisible creation * excelling them all by the admixture no vessel can contain; *
for He Whom the spans of heaven cannot contain, * O Pure one, was encompassed
within Thy womb. * Pray Him that Thy servants may be saved.
ODE IV
The Canon to the Theotokos:
Irmos: Christ is my power, * my God and my Lord, * the holy Church divinely
sings, * crying with a pure mind, * keeping festival in the Lord.
O all-pure Lady, we who are saved by thee sing Thy praises and reverently
extolling thee we cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O ever-Virgin, who hast given birth to
God.
Thou, O Virgin, hast borne the Light that never sets, He who shines in the flesh
for those who lie in the darkness of this life; and thou also, O ever-Virgin, pourest
forth Joy for those who sing thy praises.
Through thee, O all-holy one, grace flowered and the law ceased, for thou who art
pure, hast borne the Lord Who hath granted us remission of sins, O ever-Virgin.
The eating of the tree showed me as one dead, however ,when the Tree of life
appeared from thee, O all-pure one, He raised me and made me an heir of the
sweetness of paradise.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: Thou, O Lord, art my strength and Thou art my power, * Thou art my
God and Thou art my joy, * Thou who, while never leaving the bosom of Thy
Father, visited our poverty. * Therefore with the Prophet Abakum I cry to
Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!’
O Father, thou art a temple of the all-holy Spirit, a river full of living waters, an
unshaken foundation of the Church, the confirmation of those living the monastic
life, wherefore O Father Sergius, thou art rightly called a wonderment.
O glorious Sergius thou, as also did the Prophet David, anointed thy bed each day
with streams of tears, until thou didst dry up completely the depth of passion;
wherefore we reverence thine ever honored and holy memory.
O Saint Sergius, it was vouchsafed unto thee to see Christ face to face, not
'through a glass darkly', but with the glass truly abolished; and this also parted thee
from this world sending thee aloft to thy beloved Desire.
Theotokion: By the prayers of her that bore Thee, grant us O God, as Thou alone
art without sin, the cleansing of our transgressions committed in ignorance and grant
unto Thy world peace.
The 2nd Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: Abbakum with foreseeing eyes * perceived thee as a mountain
overshadowed by the grace of God, * from which, he foretold, * the Holy one
of Israel would come, * for our salvation and refashioning.
O wise and most blessed Sergius, enlightened by bright beams of divine light, thou
didst receive with rejoicing the Joy of heaven, since thou hast truly been bread most
pure for thy Creator, thou dost cry aloud unto Him: Glory to Thy strength, O Thou
Who lovest mankind.
Passing through the mire of soul-destroying passions thou didst Cross into the
depths of silence, wherefore thou wast granted to raise up a dying boy before the
ending of the union of his body and soul, making his mother glad beyond all hope.
Therefore, struck with wonder thou didst cry aloud to the Creator: Glory to Thy
strength, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
O wise and glorious Saint, having raised on high the understanding of the soul and
kept thy feelings under guidance, thou didst announce to those on earth the holy
tidings of godliness that point the way to heaven.
Theotokion: The Archangel came from heaven bringing great Joy to thee, who art
pure, speaking good tidings and saying: O all-pure Virgin, God made flesh shall come
forth from thee for the salvation of those who sing thy praises with love. Glory to
Thy strength, O Savior of mankind.
Katavasia: He Who sitteth in glory * upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus
the true God is come in a swift cloud. * And with His sinless hands He hath
saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.
ODE V
The Canon to the Theotokos:
Irmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, * the souls of
those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, * that they may know Thee, O
Word of God, * as the true God, * Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.
Shining brightly with purity. Thou, O Lady, hast been a divine Dwelling for the
Master, for thou alone hast been shown forth as the Theotokos , bearing Him as a
Babe in thine arms.
Thy most fair soul clothed in spiritual beauty. Thou, O Pure one, hast been shown
forth as the Bride of God sealed with virginity and illumining the world with the light
of thy purity.
Let the company of the devout who do not plainly proclaim thee as the pure
Theotokos, weep. For thou hast appeared to us as the Gateway of the divine Light
that chases away the darkness of transgressions.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: O Light that never sets, * why hast Thou rejected me from Thy
presence, * and why has the alien darkness surrounded me, the coward that I
am? * But do Thou I implore Thee direct my ways * and turn me back
towards the light of Thy commandments.
O wise Saint, thou didst dwell without wavering in acts of asceticism and up unto
thine own departure these practices thou didst thus firmly adhere to, whereby
incorruptible bliss hath plainly been vouchsafed unto thee.
Possessed of a mind sharpened to listen to God, thou didst subdue the soul-
destroying passions and reaped fruitful sheaves, feeding those who praise thee, O
Sergius, Saint and Father.
Bright has been thy life, O Saint Sergius, and known unto all the ends of the earth,
filled with divine beauty, with prayer and fasting and love towards Christ Who loveth
mankind.
Theotokion: Having thee as wall, and watched over by thy protection, we bless
thee exulting in thy divine glory: For thou, O all-pure one, pourest forth gladness and
rejoicing upon our souls.
The 2nd Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: As Thou art the God of peace * and the Father of mercies, * Who hast
sent unto us Thine Angel of great counsel * granting us peace, * so are we
guided towards the light of the knowledge of God, * and watching by night we
glorify Thee, * O Only Lover of mankind.
Thou didst plainly put off the old man, O Father, and didst turn away from him
with his sinful passions as from a garment defiled, rather thou didst put on the new
man who is in the likeness of Christ, O Saint full of honor.
By thine exalted way of life, equaling that of the angels, thou hast torn the bonds
of passion and having received from on high the gift of working wonders, do thou,
O Sergius, ask for the cleansing of our sins.
Theotokion: By thy childbirth, O Virgin, thou hast done away with the curse of
Eve, mother of us all, by making the blessing of Christ shine upon the world.
Therefore, praising thee with both tongue and heart, and acknowledging thee to be in
truth the Theotokos , we magnify thee.
Katavasia: The whole world was amazed at thy divine glory: * for thou, O
Virgin who hast not known wedlock, * hast held in thy womb the God of all, *
and hast given birth to an eternal Son, * who rewards with salvation all who
sing thy praises.
ODE VI
The Canon to the Theotokos:
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, * I run to
calm haven, and cry to Thee: * Raise up my life from corruption, * O Most
Merciful One.
Moses, great among the Prophets, wrote beforehand concerning thee calling thee
the Ark and Table, the Candlestick and Jar, thus indicating in prefigurings the
Incarnation of the Most High that was to take place from thee, O Mother and Virgin.
Death is put to death, and the corruption of Adam's condemnation is abolished by
the Fruit of Thy womb, O Lady, for thou hast given birth to life, delivering from
corruption those that sing thy praises.
The law failed and the shadow passed for, past mind and thought, O Virgin,
whom all men sing, grace appeared coming from thee, by the birth of our God and
Savior.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: Cleanse me O Savior, * for my iniquities are many; * and bring me up,
I beg Thee, from the depths of evils * for unto Thee have I cried * harken
unto me, O God of my salvation.
Pray the Redeemer without ceasing to grant the remission of sins unto those who
celebrate thy holy memorial, O blessed Father, that they may receive the heavenly
Kingdom, where the voices of those that keep festival make all men glad.
Made strong in Christ, thou, O Sergius, hast torn to pieces with thy steadfast mind
all the craftiness of the evil one as though it were a web and thou hast shown thyself,
O Sergius, to the world as a most radiant light.
Shining with the divine light, and now living with the angels in heaven, do thou
ever remember those who honor thy memorial with faith, O Saint Sergius of memory
eternal.
Theotokion: In truth thou hast raised on high the fallen nature of man, for thou
hast borne in thy womb without seed, O Mother of God, Him Who unchanged is the
visible Son, the divine image of the Father and His equal.
ODE VII
The Canon to the Theotokos:
Irmos: An Angel made the furnace throw dew on the holy Children. * But the
command of God consumed the Chaldeans * and prevailed upon the tyrant to
cry: * Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
The furnace burnt not the three children, who prefigured thy birth-giving: for the
Fire of the Godhead descended and dwelt in thee without burning thee, and taught
all to cry aloud: blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
As was foretold, the ends of the earth call thee blessed, O Mother all-undefiled,
and enlightened by thy radiant brightness and by grace, they singing cry aloud:
blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
The all-evil serpent dug his pernicious teeth into me but thy Son, O Theotokos ,
broke them and gave me strength to cry aloud: blessed art Thou, O God of our
Fathers.
O Only woman to be so divinely blessed, thou art the cleansing place of human
nature; for bearing in thine arms God Who sits upon the shoulders of the cherubim,
thou dost cry aloud: blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: The fire in Babylon once stood in awe of God’s descent. * And so the
Youths in the furnace, * dancing with joyful steps as in a meadow, * sang,
‘Blessed art Thou the God of our Fathers!’
In the furnace of flaming temptations divine grace bedewed thee, O Saint, and it
showed thee to be full of light in thy desire for the Trinity, and crying aloud: Blessed
art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
O glorious Sergius, despising the world, thou didst live as an Angel on earth and
thereby vouchsafed a place in the angelic choir. Wherefore we venerate thee with
faith, O thou who art worthy to be called a wonderment.
O Saint, wise in God, traveling unto the calm haven, thou didst shun the sea-
wanderings of this world, being a saving pilot for those sailing the rough seas of this
life and who cry aloud: blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
Theotokion: O Virgin, a rod has sprung forth from the root of Jesse, an all-
blessed Fruit, that bears a Flower of salvation for those who cry aloud with faith to
thy Son: blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers.
The 2nd Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: We the faithful recognize thee, * O Theotokos , * as a spiritual furnace;
for as He, * the highly exalted One, * saved the three Youths, * so He hath
wholly refashioned me, fallen humanity, in thy womb, * O God of our Fathers,
who art praised and glorified above all.
O most blessed Saint, wise in God, by divine command thou hast shown thyself
on earth to be a second heaven, and living in the flesh like an angel, thou hast raised
up thy rational flock.
Having thee who art blessed, as a mighty supplicant before God, a comforter for
those in affliction, a defender and advocate and mediator of Godliness, we thy
children, O Saint Sergius, are saved from all distress.
Theotokion: Rejoice! O pure Daughter of Adam; for the Shepherd verily clothing
Himself in the full man that I am, proceeded from thee. He, the God of our Fathers
Who is blessed and exalted above all for His boundless mercy.
Katavasia: The Holy Children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, *
refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator, * and they sang in
Joy: * 'Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.'
ODE VIII
The Canon to the Theotokos .
Irmos: An Angel made the furnace throw dew on the holy Children. * But the
command of God consumed the Chaldeans * and prevailed upon the tyrant to
cry: * Blessed art Thou, O God of our Fathers
Thy Son, having illumined Thee with the light of the Spirit, clothed Thee like a
Queen in a gold vestment and set Thee, O all Pure, at His right hand. And we exalt
Him above all for ever.
He who by His desire alone set up the world, took flesh from Thine all-pure
womb, wishing to edify this same on high And we exalt Him above all for ever,
O All-pure Virgin, plainly shining with the radiance of virginity. Thou wast the
divine habitation of the Word for His union with myself as man. Therefore we praise
Thee for ever.
Thou wast prefigured as a golden candlestick, receiving past telling the Light no
man can approach and Who enlightens everything by the knowledge of Himself.
Therefore we praise thee who art pure, for ever.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat
fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they
had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and
Redeemer, * ‘O ye Youths bless, O ye priests praise, * O ye people, highly
exalt Him unto all the ages’.
O most blessed Sergius, thy light bearing feast hath filled with joy and spiritual
gladness, with fragrance and enlightenment, those who have thee as their defender
and as their rule of monastics.
Thou didst ascend upwards to God with unceasing prayer and from there
enlightened by the radiance of the threefold sun, established a stronghold of struggle
against the enemy. Thou didst lead companies of monks towards a new life, crying
aloud to Christ: bless Him, O ye children, praise Him, O ye priests, O ye people exalt
Him above all for ever.
O Sergius, strong in fasting, never slothful in prayer, on earth thou didst shown
patience in temptation, crying: bless Him, O ye children, praise Him O ye priests, O
ye people exalt Him above all for ever.
Theotokion: O all-pure Mother of our God, cleanse the sinful sores and
temptations of my soul steeping them in the waters that flow in copious streams
from the side of thine Offspring: for I cry unto thee and take refuge in thee, and call
upon thee, who art full of the grace of God.
The 2nd Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: The furnace moist with dew * was an image and prefiguring of a
wonder past nature, * for burning not the Children whom it had received, * so
the fire of the Godhead consumed not the Virgin's womb into which it had
descended. * Therefore in song let us sing: * Let the whole creation bless the
Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Earnestly singing, we entreat thee: pray, O Saint, for the truly believing people,
that they be granted victory over adversaries, that the Church be granted majesty and
that the world be granted peace.
The grace of the Holy Spirit, descended and dwelt within thee making thee an
exorcist of evil spirits and showing thee to be a guide of monks, who cry aloud: let all
creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
Shining from afar with the light of the threefold Sun, do thou, O holy Father,
grant unto those who sing thy praises in memory of thee, light and salvation, and
unto the world peace, as they sing: let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him above
all for ever.
Theotokion: The Word Who was rich and Who is glorified by the songs of angels,
made Himself poor; choosing thee, for His Mother, thou blessed excellence of Jacob.
Therefore as we praise Him, we sing: let all the creation praise the Lord and exalt
Him above all for ever.
Katavasia: The offspring of the Theotokos * saved the Holy Children in the
furnace. * He who was then prefigured hath since been born on earth, * and
He gathers together all the creation to sing: * O all ye works of the Lord, bless
ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever.
ODE IX
The Canon to the Theotokos .
Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God * upon Whom the orders of
Angels dare not gaze; * but through thee, O pure one, * did the Word
Incarnate become man * and with Heavenly Hosts * Him we magnify and
thee we call blessed.
A star, bright with the light of the Godhead shone forth from Jacob for those held
in darkness; for Christ, the Word of God, was made flesh from thee, O all-Pure one.
And enlightened by Him we join with the angelic host blessing thee.
Made strong by thy strength and grace, I have devised with my whole heart a song
for thee, do thou accept it, O pure Virgin, giving in exchange from thine
incorruptible treasures thy grace full of manifold light, O thou who art divinely
blessed.
Thou hast clearly shown thyself O Virgin as a loom of the Godhead with which
the Word wove a bodily garment making my form godlike, and having put it on, He
saved all those who magnify thee in purity of heart.
O all-pure Theotokos , resurrection has now been granted unto the dead by thy
Childbirth past all telling and past all speech. For Life putting on the outward
covering of the flesh from thee hath shone forth for all and clearly destroyed the
rejection of death.
The 1st Canon to the Saint:
Irmos: Heaven stood amazed and the ends of the earth astounded: * for God
hath appeared to mankind in bodily form, * and thy womb hath become far
wider than the heavens. * Wherefore, O Theotokos , * the ranks of Angels and
of humans magnify thee.
Thou, filled with the manifestation of spiritual radiance, hast appeared as a lamp
lighting front afar, and shining the light of reason upon us, thou hast shown thyself
to be the habitation of the most divine Trinity.
Christ gave thee, wise Sergius, to the land of Russia, a great teacher indeed who
directed the land of his birth in the right direction, pouring forth teachings sweeter
than honey from which as from a vessel we faithful draw.
Having conquered the soul-destroying passions, thou, as a true shepherd, hast
tended the reasonable flock of Christ, ever reading it with the grace of the Spirit as
with flowers from paradise.
Theotokion: O thou who hast found favor, we sing thy praises in psalms and with
voices that are never still we cry aloud: Thou hast poured forth joy for all.
AT THE LITURGY
Typika and Beatitudes.
In thyself, as an example of good things to thy disciples, thou hast drawn many
souls to salvation who, separated from worIdly passions, found their comfort in the
joy of paradise.
O blessed Saint, thou hast flowered like a fruitful olive-tree in the house of God,
anointing with oil the souls of those who sing thy praises with love, O Sergius, and
who cry aloud to Christ with faith: 'There is none holy save Thee, Who lovest
mankind.'
O blessed Saint, by watchful vigils thou didst put to sleep the soul-corrupting
passions: and therefore, O Divinely-wise Sergius, hast thou ascended to dwell in the
heavenly chambers, having received the grace of healing.
O blessed one, despising corruptible fame thou hast been deemed worthy of
inheriting incorruptible and divine glory; for trampling underfoot all the beauty of
this world thou rejoicest, with the angels on high, in the glory of God.
O Venerable Sergius, pray the Redeemer without ceasing to grant the remission of
sins unto those who celebrate thy holy memorial, O blessed Father, that they may
receive the heavenly Kingdom, where the voices of those that keep festival make all
men glad.
Made strong in Christ, thou, O Sergius, hast torn to pieces with thy steadfast mind
all the craftiness of the evil one as though it were a web and thou hast shown thyself,
O Sergius, to the world as a most radiant light.
Shining with the divine light, and now living with the angels in heaven, do thou
ever remember those who honor thy memorial with faith, O Saint Sergius of memory
eternal.
O Father, thou dost mercifully shine from on high upon us, thy flock, giving our
Fatherland victory by thy prayers and raising up the horn of the Orthodox; although
it be small, receive from us this prayer offered to thee.
Troparion, Tone 4:
As a virtuous ascetic athlete, and true warrior of Christ our God * fighting fiercely
the good fight against the passions during this earthly life, * laboring in song, vigil
and fasting thou wast an example to thy disciples.* Wherefore, the Holy Spirit made
His abode in thee * Whose activity adorned thee with radiant beauty: * Since thou
hast great boldness towards the Holy Trinity* remember thy flock wisely gathered by
thee * and forget not as thou didst promise to visit thy children, O holy Father
Sergius.
Kontakion, Tone 8:
Smitten with the love of Christ thou, O Saint, * hast followed Him without
looking back, * hating all the pleasures of the flesh * and shining like the sun upon
the land of thy birth: * wherefore Christ hath enriched thee with the gift of working
miracles. * Remember us who honor thy radiant memory that we may call to thee: *
Rejoice! O Sergius thou Divinely-wise one.
The Prokeimenon Tone VI: Precious in the sight of the Lord * is the death of His
saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that he hath rendered unto me?
The following anointing, at the discretion of the Presbyter, may take place
whenever there are feasts of major saints whose services merit the holding of vigil.
We chant whichever Idiomelon sticheron of the saint the ecclesiarch desireth. And
the priest goeth forth with the· censer, preceded by a candle-bearer, and censeth the
icon of the saint on the analogion; and when he hath set aside the censer, he standeth
to the right of the analogion. Then the superior approacheth the analogion and
maketh two prostrations, and kisseth the icon; and after he has venerated it, he
maketh another prostration and, taking the wand reserved for such use, he anointeth
himself with holy oil from the lamp, making the sign of the Cross therewith on his
forehead. And the faithful likewise venerate the icon of the saint. The superior
anointeth the priest and the faithful with the oil. After the anointing with holy oil, the
First Hour is chanted. At the First Hour, the Troparion and Kontakion of the saint
are read. Then cometh the final dismissal.
AT LITURGY
On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III of the first canon of the apostle, and 4
from Ode VI of the second canon of the apostle.
With the tongue of thy theology thou didst reveal the mystery of the Trinity
which passeth understanding, O divinely blessed John; and therein hath my heart
been established. (Twice)
Thy tongue became the scribe's pen of the most Holy Spirit, recording thy
precious and divine Gospel with godly script.
Reclining against the Well-spring of wisdom with divinely wise boldness, O
most wise one, thou didst draw forth an abyss of wisdom; and thou becamest
His godly herald.
Thy tongue of theology was truly like a writer's pen, inscribing on the tablets
of our hearts true understanding and the law which is truly new, O theologian.
O glorious one who, like a most excellent husbandman, hast caused the
offshoots of impiety to wither at the root, plant thou the fear of God in my soul,
the blossoming fruitfulness of the virtues.
He Who had most manifestly issued forth from the Virgin called thee her son.
With her make thou entreaty, that those who do that which is well-pleasing unto
Him become children of God by adoption, O ever all-memorable one.
Theotokion: Through thee, O most immaculate one, God appeared to men in
the likeness of the flesh. Him do thou ever entreat, that He slay the pernicious
wisdom of our flesh, O most pure one.
After the entrance, the troparion of the temple, if such be dedicated to either the
Lord or the Theotokos, then that of the apostle. (The troparion and Kontakion of the
temple, if it be dedicated to a saint, are not chanted.) Then, Glory , the Kontakion of
the apostle; Now & ever, the Kontakion of the temple, if dedicated to the Theotokos.
But if the temple be not dedicated to the Theotokos, then Now & ever ...: the
Kontakion of the temple, if it be dedicated to Christ. But if the temple is dedicated
neither to Christ nor to the Theotokos, the hymns are chanted as follows: Troparion
of the apostle, Glory ..., Kontakion of the apostle; Now & ever ...: O intercession for
Christians unashamed ...
Troparion, in Tone II:
O beloved apostle of Christ God, haste thou to deliver a defenseless people. He
Who permitted thee to recline against His breast receiveth thee, prostrate in
supplication. Him do thou beseech, O theologian, that He dispel the gloom of the
nations which doth beset us, asking for us peace and great mercy.
The Theotokion, in Tone II:
All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for,
thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having
given birth unto God. Him, do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.
Kontakion, in Tone II:
Who can recount thy mighty works, O virgin apostle? For thou pourest out
miracles and dost cause healings to flow forth; and thou prayest for our souls, in
that thou art a theologian and the friend of Christ.
Prokimenon, in Tone VIII: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth,
and their words unto the ends of the world.
Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
proclaimeth the work of His hands.
A READING FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JOHN, §73, [1 IN. 4: 12-19]
Beloved: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God
dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in
him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and
do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever
shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and
he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love
made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is,
so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear;
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love
him, because he first loved us.
Alleluia, in Tone I: The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and
Thy truth in the congregation of saints.
Stichos: God is glorified in the council of the saints.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, §61 [IN. 19: 25-27, 21: 24-25]
At that time, there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore
saw His Mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith to His
Mother: ''Woman, behold thy son!" Then saith He to the disciple: "Behold thy
Mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. This is
the disciple who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know
that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did,
the which, if they should be written every one, 1 suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen
Communion Verse: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their
words unto the ends of the world.
THE 27th DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY MARTYR CALLISTRATUS & HIS COMPANIONS
AT VESPERS
On "Lord, I have cried ...": these stichera, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "O all-glorious wonder ...":
O martyred athlete Callistratus, * thy mind illumined * by the light of piety, *
thou didst unwaveringly tread the path * which leadeth to heavenly blessedness,
* having vanquished all the wiles of the adversary. * Wherefore, we praise thee, *
honoring thy sacred memory, * O most blessed one.
O divinely wise martyr Callistratus, * enriched by the word of life, * thou didst
guide unto life * those who before were dead in accursedness through ignorance;
* and, dying with zeal, O glorious one, * for the resurrection of us all, * they are
most truly believed to dwell in Christ. * With them remember us * to the all-
good Lord.
O sacred martyr Gymnasius, * beheaded by the sword, * thou didst truly
drown the Pharaoh of falsehood * in the torrent of thy blood; * and now thou
pourest forth healings upon all * who have recourse to thy temple with faith, *
and therein praise thy struggles, * and celebrate thine honored memory, * O
blessed one.
Glory ..., the composition of Byzantius, in Tone IV:
Before Thy precious Cross, death was terrifying to men; but after Thy
glorious Passion, man was terrifying to death. Thus was the athlete able to
abolish all the power of the enemy: Through his supplications save our souls, O
Christ.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
Spec. Mel.: "As one valiant among the martyrs ... ":
As she beheld Thee, the Lamb and Shepherd, * upon the Tree, * the ewe-lamb
who gave Thee birth lamented * and exclaimed to Thee maternally: * "O my Son
most desired, * how is it that Thou art suspended upon the Tree of the Cross, O
Long-suffering One? * How is it that Thy hands and feet, O Word, * have been
pierced with nails by the iniquitous, * and Thou hast shed Thy blood, O
Master?"
Troparion, in Tone IV:
In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from
Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set at nought the tyrants and
crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By their supplications save Thou our
souls.
AT MATINS
Both canons from the Oktoechos, with 8 troparia; and that of the martyrs, with 4
troparia, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII:
ODE I
Irmos: O ye people, let us send up a hymn to our wondrous God Who freed
Israel from slavery, chanting a song of victory and crying aloud: We sing
to Thee, our only Master!
Walking the path of suffering without faltering, for the lost thou becamest a
path leading to places of divine repose, O blessed one; wherefore, having
assembled, we praise thee with faith, O Callistratus.
Shining forth like a most radiant star, thou hast illumined the Church of
Christ with the light of divine knowledge; and driving away the darkness of
ignorance, O martyr, thou didst topple the ruined houses of falsehood.
Patiently enduring every trial, O Callistratus, thou didst not refuse to die for
the Life of all; wherefore, rejoicing, thou hast passed over to immortal rest, and
thou dwellest with the angelic choirs.
The sacred Gymnasius was shown to be an ember burning with the fire of the
divine Spirit; and he hath utterly consumed the dross of falsehood, and bedeweth
with miracles those burning with the heat of the passions.
Theotokion: Alone among women, thou didst supernaturally give birth to One
of the Trinity, O most immaculate one, not having known man; wherefore, we
glorify thee and Him Who was born of thee in manner transcending all cause
and recounting.
ODE III
Irmos: O Lord Who established the heavens by Thy word and founded the
earth upon many waters: make me steadfast to sing Thy glorification.
Refusing to offer any sacrifice unto graven deities, thou didst offer thyself as
a pure sacrifice to the God of all Who was sacrificed for us, O martyred athlete
Callistratus.
Arrayed in a purple robe dyed with thy truly sacred blood, O blessed martyr,
thou standest, crowned, before the King of ages.
The enemy was shown to be stripped naked by the divine glory of thee and
the athletes who with thee were clothed from on high, O valiant minded martyr
Gymnasius.
Theotokion: Earnestly make supplication to thy Son, O Virgin, that He save
us from the coming tribulations and from everlasting torment.
Kontakion, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Thou hast appeared ...":
The Church, making every effort today, doth offer up mystic praise for those
who suffered for her, O holy and divine martyrs, right victorious and most wise.
Sedalion, in Tone V:
Spec. Mel.: "The Word Who is equally unoriginate ...":
O ye faithful, let us praise the sufferings of Callistratus, let us hymn the pangs
of Gymnasius, and with love let us bless those who suffered patiently with
them; and let us cry out to them: O warriors of piety, ask that we be given peace
and great mercy.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion:
O all-immaculate one, quickly heal the greatly painful sufferings of my soul
and the afflictions of my flesh, and set the wanderings of my mind and my
thoughts at peace. Vouchsafe O Theotokos, that I may offer pure supplications
to the King of all, and ask remission of transgressions.
Stavrotheotokion: Beholding Thee hanging of Thine own will upon the Cross
between the thieves, O Christ, Thy Mother said, her womb rent with pain: "O
my sinless Son, how is it that Thou hast been unjustly crucified on the Cross as
a malefactor, desiring to bring life to the human race, in that Thou art all-good?"
ODE IV
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have
understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Arming thyself against the persecutor like a most excellent commander, O
martyr, thou didst lure to divine life those made captive of old, and didst
capture them.
With the showers of thy words thou hast watered men's hearts, and thou
didst guide them to the water of everlasting life, O right wondrous athlete of the
Lord.
The ever-memorable Callistratus is slaughtered like a lamb, his most zealous
soldiers having been slain like lambs before him.
Like a vine, O martyr Gymnasius, through the account of thy suffering thou
didst produce ripe grapes, pouring forth the wine of piety.
Theotokion: O Maiden, cleanse thou my heart which hath been defiled by the
passions, and make it a receptacle of pure and divine radiance.
ODE V
Irmos: O Lord Who through divine knowledge hast brought the ends of
the earth into the light out of the night of ignorance, illumine me with the
dawning of Thy love for mankind.
Loving Christ our God most ardently, O martyr, thou didst suffer, and hast
destroyed the feeble strength of the enemy.
Thou wast shown to be the leader of divine recruits, O martyr Callistratus,
and, rejoicing, hast enlisted in the armies of the angels.
Adorned with the glory of the splendor of martyrdom, O Gymnasius,
rejoicing, thou hast now passed over to the splendors of the angels.
Theotokion: Thou wast shown to be the east of the Sun of righteousness, O
most immaculate one. Him do thou entreat, that He save those who glorify thee
in purity.
ODE VI
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are mine iniquities; and lead me
up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast
hearkened unto me, O God of my salvation.
Thou didst break the jaws of invisible lions, O wise one, and didst show those
who were devoured by the enemy to be partakers of immaterial sweetness, O
martyr Callistratus.
Delivering a beautiful and divine discourse concerning God, O all-glorious
Callistratus, thou didst show as divine those who before had wretchedly
worshiped inanimate gods, and didst suffer with them.
Bowing your necks before Christ, O martyrs, ye accepted slaughter and
offered yourselves to God as perfect sacrifices; and ye have adorned the Church
of the firstborn.
Theotokion: Sanctify my mind and illumine my heart, O pure Mother of God,
and deliver me from the evils which beset me, that I may glorify thee, O Ever-
virgin Theotokos.
Kontakion, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Having been lifted up on the Cross ... ":
Having endured multifarious wounds and manifestly received crowns from
God, pray to Christ for us who celebrate your most festive memorial, O great
Callistratus and ye blessed ones who suffered with him, that He may grant peace
to His flock and people; for He is the confirmation of the faithful.
Ikos: Gazing upon the shrine of thy relics, O Callistratus, I hymn and magnify
the pangs and sufferings which thou didst suffer. Wherefore, I beseech thee:
Render Christ, the Judge of thy contest, merciful to me, that by grace He grant
me utterance with divine words, that I may be able to praise thy struggles; for no
man is able to recount thy mighty deeds: how thou didst manfully enter the
tribunal, denouncing the creeping thoughts of the tyrants. Christ is the
confirmation of the faithful!
ODE VII
Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the children who went down from Judea
trampled the flame of the furnace underfoot by their faith in the Trinity,
chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Made lustrous as gold by the fire of torments, thou wast shown to be a
symbol of the sufferings of Christ, O glorious one, and hast now been laid up in
the treasury of God, crying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Strengthened by sufferings, thou didst show thyself to be a heaven-forged
sword, O Callistratus, cutting down hordes of invisible demons and crying out:
O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Thou wast revealed as strong against impiety with the might of the Trinity, O
Callistratus; and, illumined with the effulgence thereof, thou now criest out: O
God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Loving Christ with steadfast mind, O divinely inspired martyr Gymnasius,
thou wast slain with all thy fellow zealots, chanting in thanksgiving: O God of
our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Theotokion: O divinely joyous one, entreat Him Who was incarnate of thee in
manner past understanding and recounting, that we be saved who honor thee
with love and cry out together: O God of .our fathers, blessed art Thou!
ODE VIII
Irmos: The divinely eloquent youths in the furnace, trampling the flame
and the fire underfoot, chanted: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
Uprooting the thorns of falsehood, thou didst show thyself to be a most
comely garden of paradise, O martyr, producing fruits of piety through divine
grace.
Looking to the expectations to come in perfect hope, thou didst set thyself
apart for struggles, and, emerging triumphant, thou wast lawfully crowned, O
Callistratus.
Acquiring the healing of thy temple, O glorious Gymnasius, those who
piously have recourse to it are delivered from evils, praising thee with faith.
Theotokion: In that thou art more exalted than all creatures, O divinely joyous
and most immaculate Maiden, make my mind exalted above the temptations of
the deceiver.
ODE IX
Irmos: Every ear was in awe to hear of the ineffable condescension of God:
how, of His own will, the Most High abased Himself, even to assume the
flesh, becoming man through the Virgin's womb. Wherefore, O ye
faithful, we magnify the all-pure Theotokos.
The shrine of thy relics poureth forth healing upon all in need, O martyr
Callistratus: it truly halteth illnesses difficult to cure, and dispelleth the darkness
of evil spirits through the activity, power and grace of the Spirit.
Bound one to another by grace, O martyrs of Christ, ye were shown to be like
a divinely fashioned chain leading up on high and sanctifying the earth with the
shedding of your blood. Wherefore, we faithfully celebrate your memory in
gladness.
With those who suffered with thee thou hast manifestly received an
imperishable crown, everlasting glory and gladness, never-ending joy and the
heavenly kingdom, O divinely wise Callistratus. With them remember us to the
Lord.
Shining forth today more brightly than the sun, the divine memory of the wise
Callistratus, Gymnasius and those who suffered with them illumineth the ends of
the earth with radiant brilliance. Through their supplications, O Christ, free us
from condemnation.
Theotokion: With gladsome mind we cry out to thee with the voice of Gabriel:
Rejoice, O joy of the faithful! Rejoice, O golden lampstand, table, mountain and
noetic gate! Rejoice, O divine chariot of Christ the King! Rejoice, O most blessed
one, thou loosing of the curse!
Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: "Hearken, ye women ...":
O the wonder! How have those who are clay by nature been shown to be
golden? For neither fire,: nor the sword, nor the teeth of wild beasts, nor
tortures, nor wounds destroyed them; and, having cast down the incorporeal one
with their flesh, they pray for us to the Lord.
Theotokion: Rejoice, O palace of God! Rejoice, O mountain densely wooded!
Rejoice, O divine table! Rejoice, bush unburnt! Rejoice, throne of glory! Rejoice,
golden jar! Rejoice, most radiant lamp! Rejoice, O Mary, Virgin Mother, thou
light cloud!
THE 28th DAY OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
COMMEMORATION OF OUR VENERABLE FATHER CHARITON THE CONFESSOR
AT VESPERS
We chant "Blessed is the man …": the first antiphon.
At "Lord, I have cried ...", 6 stichera, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Thou hast granted a sign ...":
By abstinence and through fervent prayer * thou didst cause the passions of
thy body to wither up, * and with torrents of tears * thou didst drown the
deceitful serpent, O blessed one; * and thou wast well-pleasing in great measure
unto God, * O venerable Chariton. * Wherefore, Jesus, Who loveth mankind,
the Savior of our souls, * hath adorned thee with heavenly gifts. (Twice)
With the sweat of thy struggle * thou didst quench the burning ember of the
passions, O right wondrous one, * thyself partaking of fire through thy wounds
and pangs; * and thou didst confess the condescension of the incarnate Word *
before the iniquitous tyrants, * and wast a witness for Him, * bedight with the
wounds * of thy many and varied torments, * O God-bearing Chariton who art
most rich. (Twice)
Fleeing, thou didst withdraw * into the desert places and the mountains, *
preserving thy soul undefiled, * and wast shown to be a habitation of the
Trinity, O most sacred and blessed Chariton; * by the power thereof * thou
didst found sacred houses, O blessed one, * and monasteries for the edification
in salvation of monastics * who honor thy holy memory, * O ever-memorable
one. (Twice)
Glory ..., in Tone IV, the composition of John the Monk:
O God-bearing Chariton, even after death thou livest in Christ in the
heavens, for Whose sake thou didst crucify thyself to the world; for, being
above the flesh and the world, thou didst truly live, transcending visible things.
Yet thou didst not live for thyself alone, but Christ our God dwelt within thee.
Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.
Now & ever ..., the Dogmaticon in the same tone:
The Prophet David, the forefather of God, for thy sake gaveth voice
beforehand in psalmody concerning thee, unto Him Who in thee accomplished
mighty works: the Queen stood at Thy right hand. For God Whose good plea-
sure it was to become incarnate of thee without father showed thee, His
Mother, to be the mediatress of life, that He might renew His image which had
become corrupt through the passions; and having found the sheep which had
strayed among the mountains and become lost, He taketh it upon His
shoulders and bringeth it to His Father; and Christ, Who is possessed of great
and rich mercy, in accordance with His will, uniteth it with the hosts of heaven,
and saveth the world, O Theotokos.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
A READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the
care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious
kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand
shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to
Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for
the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and
true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a
sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the
right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn
bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage
against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall
stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity
shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of
the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be
judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in
the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty
from the Most High.
A READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no
torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their
departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction:
but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is
their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, thou shall be
greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself.
As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt
offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro
like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion
over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in
Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with
Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
A READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For
honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured
by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted
life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among
sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness
should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of
naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of
concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a
short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted
He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and under-
stood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is
with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
On the Aposticha, these stichera of the venerable one, in Tone I:
Spec. Mel.: "O all-praised martyrs ...":
O all-praised Chariton, * thou didst layout thy life * with care for the virtues;
* for they who submit to thy teachings * praise Christ * in hymnody and the
Orthodox Faith. * Standing before them, * pray thou that they be made firm *
in the peace of the divine Spirit.
Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O divinely inspired Chariton, * thy life doth appear to men * as equal to that
of the angels; * and thy confession was offered up * as a sacrifice of sweet savor
* and goodly incense, to the heavens. * And now, pray thou, * that peace and
great mercy * be granted to our souls.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, in His commandments
shall he greatly delight.
O Chariton who art most rich, * thou wast a conqueror of the passions *
and didst vanquish the robbers. * And while joining chorus with the crowned
ones, O blessed one, * be thou mindful of us * who celebrate thy memory. *
Pray thou now unto Christ, * that He grant our souls * peace and great mercy.
Glory ..., in Tone VIII:
We honor thee, O Chariton our father, the instructor of a multitude of
monks; for we have truly learned to walk aright in thy steps. Blessed art thou
who, having labored for Christ, didst denounce the power of the enemy. O
converser with angels, companion of the venerable and of the righteous: with
them entreat the Lord, that our souls find mercy.
Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
O unwedded Virgin who ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of
God Most High, accept the entreaties of thy servants, O most immaculate one,
granting unto all cleansing of transgressions; and, accepting now our
supplications, pray thou that we all be saved.
Troparion, in Tone VIII:
With the streams of thy tears thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the
desert, and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst bring forth the fruit
of thy labors a hundredfold; and thou wast a beacon for the whole world, shining
with miracles. O Chariton our father, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion, in Tone VIII:
O Good One, Who for our sake wast born of the Virgin and, having endured
crucifixion, cast down death by death, and as God revealed the resurrection:
disdain not that which Thou hast fashioned with Thine own hand. Show forth
Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who gaveth Thee
birth and prayeth for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior!
AT MATINS
Troparion of the venerable one, in Tone VIII:
With the streams of thy tears thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the
desert, and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst bring forth the fruit
of thy labors a hundredfold; and thou wast a beacon for the whole world, shining
with miracles. O Chariton our father, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
(Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion, in Tone VIII:
O Good One, Who for our sake wast born of the Virgin and, having endured
crucifixion, cast down death by death, and as God revealed the resurrection:
disdain not that which Thou hast fashioned with Thine own hand. Show forth
Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who gaveth Thee
birth and prayeth for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior!
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Having been lifted up ...":
Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible, thou didst
follow after Christ, and didst come to love the inhabitants of the desert more than the
beauty of the world and passing delight. Hence, thou wast vouchsafed to bear witness
and hast joined the choirs of fasters. With them pray that thy servants be saved.
(Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
He Who sitteth upon the throne of the cherubim and abideth in the bosom of the
Father, sitteth in thy womb as upon His own throne, O Mistress; for, incarnate, God
truly reigneth over all nations; and we chant to Him now with understanding. Him do
thou entreat, that thy servants be saved.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sedalion, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
Emulating the ways of John the Baptist and the virtues and fasting of Elijah the
Tishbite, thou didst live incorporeally, glorifying the unoriginate Trinity with the
angels and vanquishing the assaults of the brigands with thy valor. Wherefore, thou
didst struggle mightily in thy contest, worshiping the divine incarnation of Christ and
His divinity, O blessed Chariton. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins
unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. (Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
All of us, the generations of men, call thee blessed who, alone among women,
didst as Virgin give birth unto God in the flesh without seed; for the fire of the
Godhead made Its abode within thee, and thou dost nourish the Creator and Lord as
a babe. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and men, glorify thy most holy nativity as is
meet, and together cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of
transgressions unto those who hymn thy glory as is meet.
Polyeleos, and this Magnification: We bless thee, O venerable father Chariton,
and we honor thy holy memory, thou instructor of monastics and converser
with the angels.
Selected Psalm Verses:
A: With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me,
and He hearkened unto my supplication.
B: He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Alleluia…, Glory to Thee, O God! (Thrice)
After the Polyeleos, this Sedalion, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Having been lifted up ... ":
Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible, thou didst
follow after Christ, and didst come to love the inhabitants of the desert more than the
beauty of this world and passing delights. Hence, thou wast vouchsafed to bear
witness and hast joined the choirs of fasters. With them pray that thy servants be
saved.
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
After God it is to thy divine protection that I, the lowly, flee, O Theotokos; and,
falling down, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure one, for my sins have gone over my
head, and I fear and tremble before the torments. O pure Mistress, make supplication
to thy Son, that He deliver me therefrom!
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Prokimenon, in Tone IV: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His
saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto
me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW, § 10 [MT. 4: 25 - 5: 13]
At that time: there followed Jesus great multitudes of people from Galilee, and
[from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond
Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set,
his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] they
that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit
the earth. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled. Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed [are] the
pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness'
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you,
and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt
have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI:
O venerable father, the report of thy corrections hath gone forth into all the earth;
wherefore, thou hast found the reward of thy labors in the heavens, hast destroyed:
legions of the demons and attained unto the ranks of the angels, whose life thou didst
blamelessly emulate. As thou dost possess boldness before Christ God, beg peace for
our souls.
ODE I
Canon of the Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including its Irmos, the acrostic whereof is
"I chant praise unto the Life-bearing Maiden", in Tone II:
Irmos: Traversing the impassible, uncommon path of the sea dryshod, Israel
the chosen cried aloud: Let us chant unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!
The immaterial ladder of old, and the path of the sea made strangely firm, revealed
thy birthgiving, O pure one. Her do we all hymn, for she hath been glorified.
The power of the Most High, the perfect Hypostasis, the Wisdom of God
incarnate of thee, O all-pure one, hath conversed with men, for He hath been
glorified.
The Sun of thy righteousness hath passed through the impassible door of thy
locked womb, O pure one, and hath shone forth upon the world, for He hath been
glorified.
And the canon of the venerable one;
The composition of John the Monk, in Tone IV:
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of
old conquered the might of Amalek in the wilderness through Moses' hands
stretched forth in the form of the Cross.
Having navigated the deep of the sea of the passions, O blessed one, with the life-
bearing halyards of the Cross thou didst cause the wicked noetic pharaoh to drown by
the power of God.
Disposed toward the Lord from thine infancy, with divine wisdom thou didst
proclaim Christ before the tyrants; and like Moses thou didst cast down the arrogance
of those who contended against thee.
Having forsaken the deception of Egypt and become an inhabitant of the desert,
O venerable Chariton, in purity thou didst converse with the Pure One, and hast
received a heavenly inheritance.
Theotokion: By the will of the Father, thou didst conceive the Son of God without
seed, through the divine Spirit; and thou gavest birth to Him in the flesh Who was
begotten of the Father without mother and cameth forth from thee for our sake
without father.
ODE III
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ,
and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.
He Who, as the Creator of time, is outside of all time, O Virgin, willingly
made Himself a child through thee.
Let us hymn the womb which is far more spacious than the heavens, through
which Adam hath come to abide in the heavens, rejoicing.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: The Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my
strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
The reason-endowed flock of thy disciples rejoiceth in thee, O venerable
one, spiritually partaking of thy splendor.
O venerable Chariton, to the Spirit of life thou didst subject carnal
knowledge, as the cause of enmity towards God.
Like David thou didst lay low the power of the noetic alien Goliath, O
venerable one, with the weaponry of the Spirit.
Theotokion: Thou alone, O Mother of God, hast, in manner past nature,
become the mediatress of blessings for those on earth; wherefore, we cry out to
thee: Rejoice!
Sedalion, in Tone VIII:
Spec. Mel.: "Of the Wisdom ...":
Tested by the pangs of suffering and made firm though feats of asceticism,
thou didst shine with greater luster than gold in thy piety and becamest a pure
receptacle of the Spirit. Thou didst dispel the darkness of the evil spirits, and,
assembling against them multitudes of monastics, thou didst become a shepherd
and a most radiant beacon for them, O blessed Chariton. Entreat Christ God,
that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with
love. (Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
Having fallen into subtle dangers laid for me by enemies visible and invisible,
and caught in the storm of my countless offenses, I flee to the haven of thy
goodness, O pure one, as to my fervent help and protection. Wherefore, O all-
pure one, earnestly entreat Him Who becameth incarnate of thee, in behalf of
all thy servants who beseech thee unceasingly, O all-pure Theotokos; and ever
pray to Him, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who hymn thy
glory as is meet.
ODE IV
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation, and I have
glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Behold! the most manifest Mother of God, the divine mountain of the house
of the Lord, is exalted far above the heavenly hosts.
O Virgin who alone, outside the laws of nature, gavest birth to the Ruler of
creation: thou hast been vouchsafed a divine calling.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Out of love for Thine image Thou didst stand affixed to the Cross,
O Compassionate One, and the nations melted away; for Thou art my
strength and boast, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Rejoicing in the Lord as a victor, O venerable one, thou didst challenge the
incorporeal foe, crying: God is my strength and Lord!
Grace crowned thee with the athlete's wreath of the kingdom of Christ, O
Chariton; for thou didst uproot the drunkenness of deception, O blessed one.
Having mortified with the pangs of abstinence the pleasures which
tormented thee before thy repose, O Chariton, thou wast invested with a life-
bearing death.
Theotokion: Thy birthgiving wast shown to be ineffable, O Theotokos who
alone art pure and blessed; wherefore, falling down before thee, we cry out:
Rejoice!
ODE V
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: The burning Ember was revealed to Isaiah, and the Sun hath
shone forth from the Virgin's womb, granting the enlightenment of the
knowledge of God to those who have gone astray in darkness.
Clouds of gladness rain down delight upon those on earth; for unto us hath a
Child been given Who hath existed from before the ages: our God incarnate of
the Virgin.
Light hath shone forth upon my life and my flesh, and hath destroyed the
gloom of sin: the most Exalted One Who, in the latter days, was incarnate
without seed of the Virgin.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Thou hast come into the world as a light, O my Lord: a holy light
which turneth from the gloom of ignorance those who hymn Thee with
faith.
Thou, O venerable and most blessed Chariton, hast been splendidly manifest
as a bright mirror of the light of the effulgence of the Most High.
Thou, O venerable one, dost shine with twofold grace; for thou wast piously
adorned with the wounds of suffering and with the pangs of asceticism.
Thou, O venerable and most blessed one, hast been shown to be a physician
of souls, having sought out divine wisdom from earliest infancy.
Theotokion: We wield thee as an invincible weapon against the enemy, O
Bride of God, and have acquired thee as our might and the hope of our
salvation.
ODE VI
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: Hearkening unto the sound of the cries of entreaty which issue
from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for
Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.
Human nature, enslaved to sin, hath obtained freedom through thee, O pure
Mistress; for thy Son hath been sacrificed like a lamb.
We all cry out to thee, the true Mother of God: Save thou thy wrath-filled
servants, for thou alone hast boldness before thy Son.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: I shall sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church
crieth out to Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which,
for mercy's sake, flowed from Thy side.
Laying thy foundation on Christ, not on sand, thou didst build up virtue
more pure than gold, O father, and becamest the dwelling-place of the All-holy
Trinity.
The serpent is known to be the instrument of evil; yet, vanquished by thine
excellence, O Chariton, it wrought vengeance upon the wicked through the
providence of the Righteous One.
Nought was able to separate thee from the love of Christ: neither a body
covered with wounds, nor the threat of a sentence of death; for thou didst
delight in divine solitude, O blessed one.
Theotokion: O wonder newer than all wonders! For, conceiving in her womb
Him Who sustaineth all things by His word, without knowing man, the Virgin
did not confine Him.
Kontakion, in Tone II:
Spec. Mel.: "In supplications ...":
Having delighted in abstinence and bridled the desires of thy flesh, O
divinely wise one, thou wast shown to increase in faith, and didst flourish like
the tree of life in the midst of paradise, O most blessed and sacred Chariton.
Ikos: Standing before God, open thou my mouth by thy right acceptable
supplications, O all blessed and most glorious venerable martyr, that I may
hymn thy divine life and speak worthily of thy virtues which thou didst perfect
on earth through thy fervent love. For thou wast a most mighty confessor, and,
loving vigil and purity, didst practice abstinence with faith, O exceeding blessed
and most sacred Chariton.
ODE VII
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: The youths of old showed them: selves to be rhetors with the
greatest love of wisdom; for, theologizing with their lips, they chanted
from the depths of their God-pleasing souls: O most divine God of our
fathers, blessed art Thou!
At night, Jacob beheld God as in a dream, and He Who was incarnate of thee
hath manifested Himself in splendor unto those who chant: Most divine and
supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
He Who wrestled with Jacob, prefiguring the ineffable union in thee, O pure
one, whereby He willingly united Himself to mankind, is the most divine and
supremely glorified God of our fathers.
The vile one who did not proclaim Thee, the Son of the Virgin, to be One of
the All-hymned Trinity, cried out with steadfast thought with his tongue: Most
divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of
piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple
of Thy glory, O Lord!
Emulating in the zeal of thy piety the children of Abraham who were cast
into the furnace, O God-bearer, thou didst trample the command of the tyrant
underfoot, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord my God!
When thou wast as in a furnace of burning temptation, O venerable one,
from heaven the cooling grace of God visited thee who cried: Blessed art Thou,
O Lord my God!
As one wounded with love for God in Trinity, thou didst offer Him an equal
number of monasteries, which chant in spirit: Blessed art Thou in the temple of
Thy glory, O Lord!
Theotokion: Rejoice, O sanctified and divine habitation of the Most High! For
through thee, O Theotokos, hath joy been given to those who cry: Blessed art
thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!
ODE VIII
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image and
beholding the immutable and living image of God, chanted in the midst
of the fire: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and supremely exalt
Him unto all ages!
Unto Him Who is incomparable in grace, and through thee became visible
on earth and dwelt amongst mankind, do we the faithful cry aloud, chanting: Let
all existing creation hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him unto all ages!
Truly proclaiming thee the pure one, we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou
didst given birth to the One of the Trinity Who becameth incarnate. And with
the Father and the Spirit we chant unto Him: Let all existing creation hymn the
Lord and supremely exalt Him unto all ages!
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the mouths of the lions in
the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched
the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!
The deception of the Persians who kindle fire in their unrighteousness, thou
didst utterly consume, O venerable one, while thou thyself didst remain
untouched through the activity of the Holy Spirit; and thou hast elevated men to
piety, that they may chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Having cast off the old man, thou didst truly clothe thyself in Christ,
denouncing the hordes of the ruler of this world with the wounds of thy
suffering, and crying out in gladness: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
As a true disciple of Paul, O venerable Chariton, thou didst follow in his
steps; and thou wast shown to be a guide for monks and a standard of virtue for
all who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Theotokion: Alone among all generations, thou hast been revealed as the
Mother of God, O pure Virgin. Thou wast the abode of the Godhead, O most
immaculate one, who wast not consumed by the fire of the unapproachable
Light. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed, O Mary, thou Bride of God.
ODE IX
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos: Thou art all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God, Son of the
Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints. Wherefore, we magnify
Thee and her who gaveth Thee birth.
In thy womb, O pure one, the Word of God was given to corruptible nature
as a staff of strength. And he restored what had been dragged down to Hades.
Wherefore, we magnify thee, O all-pure one, as the Theotokos.
O Master, mercifully accept Thy mother as an intercessor in our behalf, as
Thou hast willed, and all things shall be filled with Thy goodness, that we all
may magnify Thee as our Benefactor.
Canon of the Venerable One
Irmos: Christ, Who united the two disparate natures, the Chief
Cornerstone uncut by human hands, was cut from thee, the unquarried
mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O
Theotokos.
Not even the grave, the conduit of oblivion, was able to conceal thy virtues,
O venerable Chariton; for thine everlasting memory hath shone forth like the
sun, and we magnify it as is meet.
Come, brethren, and, spiritually celebrating the annual commemoration of
the God-bearer and emulating his virtues, let us give rein to our zeal and cry
out with him: We magnify thee, O Thrice-holy Lord!
As thou hast boldness before Christ, O confessor, ever preserve those who
piously magnify thee, and who are whirled about by the passions and are
drowning amid the tempest of sin.
Theotokion: Rejoice and be glad, O Bride of the great King, radiantly
contemplating the beauty of thy Bridegroom, which in luster is brighter than
gold and outshineth the sun!
Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel.: "Hearken, ye women ...":
Having first been well tested by suffering and then completed a second
divine race by fasting, thou didst ascend to the heavens, O venerable father
Chariton, and standest before Christ, praying for us who fervently hymn thee.
(Twice)
Glory ..., Now & ever ..., Theotokion:
O thou who gavest birth to ineffable Joy, make us partakers of the joy of
heaven who all truly honor thee, O all-pure one, and cry out to thee from the
depths of our souls: Forget not thy servants, O blessed Mary!
On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV:
Spec. Mel.: "Thou hast given a sign ...":
The grace of the Spirit, * shining upon thee, O Chariton our father, *
illumined thee with splendor; * hence thou didst roll back the night of the
passions * and attain unto the daylight of dispassion, * having united thyself in
pure fashion unto the most pure Light. * Abiding therein, * forget not, O
divinely eloquent one, * those who with faith hymn thy sacred memory. (Twice)
Bearing the grace of heaven * which thou didst desire, O Chariton, * thou
didst spurn the things of this earth; * wherefore, like one incorporeal, thou
didst choose a life of misery, * desiring to quench thy thirst with piety, * as at a
torrent of ever-existing sweetness; * and with thy tears thou didst dry up * the
turbid spring of the passions, O venerable one, * and hast watered the grain of
men's souls.
From divine grace, O Chariton, * thou didst worthily receive the grace of
healings; * hence, the deception of the evil spirits falleth down before thee, *
and thou didst pass through unpleasant afflictions, * escaping corruption, O
venerable one. * For thou pourest forth like water * the streams of thy grace; *
and drinking thereof, * we hymn thy memory.
Glory ..., in Tone V:
O venerable father, on hearing the voice of the Gospel of the Lord, thou
didst forsake the world, holding wealth and glory to be as nought. Wherefore,
thou didst cry out to all: Love God, and ye will receive everlasting grace; prefer
nothing above His love, that, when He cometh in His glory, ye may find rest
with all the saints! Through his supplications, O Christ, preserve Thou and save
our souls.
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