Menaion
for July
Prepared by
Reader Michael J. Bishop
Baltlimore MD
1990
Rev: Saturday 5 June 2004
Table of Contents
Robe of the Most-holy Theotokos at Blachernae
Martyr Hyacinth of Caesarea in Ceppadocia
Relics of Van. Sergius of Radonezh
Great-martyr Procopius of Caesarea in Palestine
Ven. Anthony of the Kiev Caves
Great-martyr Euphemia the All-praised
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir
Hieromartyr Athenogenes, Bishop of Heracleopolis
Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria
relics of Ven. Seraphim of Sarov
Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene
Martyrs Trophimus, Theephilus, and 13 others in Lycia
The Dormition of the Righteous Anna
Holy Apostles of the Seventy and Deacons
Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor
Apostles Silas and Silvanus of the Seventy
Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils
July MENAION
Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian. Martyrs at Rome (284). Martyr Potitus at Naples (2nd). Ven. Peter of Constantinople (854). St. Angelina of Serbia (16th). Ven. Nicodemus of Svyatogorsk (1809). Translation of the relics of Ven. John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila.
"Lord I Call..."
Tone 4
To the special melody You Have Given A Sign
You were seen as spiritual rivers filled and overflowing,
Watering creation with the knowledge of God,
And with gifts of healing you dried up soul-destroying passions,
Healing sickness and driving away the demons.
God-bearing unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian,
Ever pray for our souls.
Since you overcame unreasoning passions with strength of soul,
Grant bounties to all creatures, holy ones!
You were enriched by Christ with the grace of healing,
Therefore as we celebrate your sacred and radiant memorial,
We pray to you for the purification of our souls.
Your holy tabernacles were light-bearing, saving heavens,
And now your relics shine as the sun,
Radiant with the working of healing miracles, countless as the stars!
Blessed Cosmas and most glorious Damian,
Ministers of the Lord, and intercessors for our souls!
Glory...
Tone 8
Who would not wonder and magnify,
Who would not sing hymns in faith
At the miracles of the wise and glorious unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian?
After their holy death they still grant abundant healing
For all who turn to them and their holy relics!
Holy twins! Honored heads!
What grace and wisdom was given you!
Therefore in songs we cry out to the benefactor,
The God Who granted them to us for the healing of our souls and bodies!
Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 4
Possessing Christ the Savior, the Source of healing,
You grant health to all who ask.
Holy unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian,
You were made worthy of the greatest gifts!
For the Lord spoke to you, as those who followed the Apostles:
“Behold, I give you power over unclean spirits, to cast them out,
And to heal all kinds of illness and disease.”
Therefore, since you lived according to his precepts,
You freely gave as you freely received,
Healing the illness of our souls and bodies!
Troparion
Tone 8
Holy unmercenaries and wonderworkers, Cosmas and Damian,
Visit us in time of illness.
Freely have you received; freely grant unto us!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Having obtained the grace of healing,
You grant health to those in need!
Cosmas and Damian, physicians and most glorious wonderworkers,
Visit us, putting down the insolence of our enemies,
And by your miracles, bring healing to the universe!
Hymn of Light
What words suffice to describe
The unmercenaries’grace of healing?
For after God,
They are the saving physicians of the whole world!
GNE...
(Theotokion)
With your mighty protection, pure one,
Preserve all of us, your servants, unharmed by assaults of the enemy,
For we have acquired you alone as our refuge in troubles!
Matins Apostikha
Glory... (by Theophanes)
Tone 6
The holy unmercenaries, possessing a well-spring of healings,
Grant healing to all in need,
For they have been given great gifts by Christ the Savior,
The ever-flowing fountain!
For the Lord told you, as imitators of the Apostles:
“Behold, I have given you authority over unclean spirits and every disease!”
Therefore, since you lived wholly in his commandments,
You received freely!
Give freely, also,
Healing the sufferings of our souls and bodies.
Robe of the Most-holy Theotokos at Blachernae
The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most-holy Theotokos at Blachernae (5th). St. Photius, Metropolitan of Kiev (1430). St. Juvenal, Patriarch of Jerusalem (ca. 458).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
To the special melody You Have Given A Sign
You are compassionate, Lover of mankind,
Giving Your Mother to Your servants as an aid.
Through her You have worked your ineffable and awesome dispensation,
Restoring our first and divine life.
Therefore, as we honor her all-holy feast, we hymn Your might,
Almighty Jesus, the Savior of our souls!
Protect with your precious robe, all praised one,
The people who honor and fittingly glorify you.
Preserve them from godless enemies, immaculate one;
From famine, earthquake and civil war.
Therefore we all glorify you, unwedded Virgin and holy Bride of God,
The helper of all mankind!
Lady full of divine grace,
You have given your city your precious robe:
A wealth that cannot be diminished;
A shelter, glory and impregnable wall;
A treasure of healings and ever-flowing fountain of wonders;
A constant haven and salvation for those tossed by storms.
Therefore we hymn you, all-praised and pure lady!
GNE...
Tone 2
Cleansed in heart and mind,
Let us keep the feast together with the angels,
Joyfully addressing the song of David
To the maiden bride of Christ our God, the king of all!
Let us say: arise, lord, into your resting place,
You and the ark of your holiness,
For you have adorned her as a palace of delight.
You have given her, master, as an inheritance to your people,
To preserve and shelter them by your mighty power from their enemies
Through her supplications!
Apostikha
Gne..
Tone 2
Today the church of God adorns itself, all-pure Theotokos,
Putting on your precious robe as a most splendid crown.
It rejoices and dances in spirit,
Crying out to you, mistress:
“Rejoice, precious diadem and crown of divine glory!
Rejoice, only perfection of glory and eternal gladness!
Rejoice, haven and deliverance of those who run to you
And our salvation!”
Troparion
Tone 8
Ever-virgin Theotokos, refuge and protection of the human race,
You gave your robe and cincture to your city blachernae as a powerful defense!
These garments remained incorrupt because of your pure child-bearing:
Both time and nature are renewed in you;
So we pray that you may grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 4
God Himself has blessed you, pure one,
And you gave your robe as a pure protection to the faithful.
We celebrate and cry out: “Rejoice, virgin, glory of all Christians!”
Hymn of light
Come, people, let us honor today with hymns
The robe of the divine maiden, Mary the Theotokos, which sheltered Christ,
That we may ever be blest by its grace!
GNE...
Theotokos, you have renewed time and nature,
For your childbearing was incorruptible, and incorruptible your robe.
Through it you protect your people,
And uphold godly authority.
Matins Apostikha
GNE...
Tone 2
Cleansed in heart and mind,
Let us keep the feast together with the angels,
Joyfully addressing the song of David
To the maiden bride of Christ our God, the King of all!
Let us say: “arise, Lord, into Your resting place,
You and the ark of Your holiness,
For You have adorned her as a palace of delight.
You have given her, Master, as an inheritance to Your people,
To preserve and shelter them by Your mighty power from their enemies
Through her supplications!”
Martyr Hyacinth of Caesarea in Ceppadocia
Martyr Hyacinth of Caesarea in Cappadocia (108) Translation of the relics of Hieromartyr Philip. Metropolitan of Moscow (1652). Ven. Anatolius of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—12th), and Ven. Anatolius(another), Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th). St. Basil, Bishop of Riazan (1295). Blessed Princes Basil and Constantine of Yaroslav (13th). Ven. John and Longinus, Wonderworkers of Yarensk (Solovki—1544-1545). Blessed John of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ (1589). Ven. Nicodemus, Abbot of Kozhe Lake (1640). Martyrs Diomedes. Eulampius. Asclepiodotus and Golinduc, who suffered with Hyacinth (2nd). Martyrs Mocius (Mucian) and Mark (4th). St. Alexander, Founder of the “Unsleeping Ones” (ca. 430). St. Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople (458). Monk-martyr Gerasimus (1812). Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos, the “MILK-GIVER” of Chilandari Monastery on Mt. Athos.
Lord I Call...
Tone 8
(To St. Hyacinth)
To the special melody All Glorious Wonder
The chosen head cornerstone has been set up in Zion:
The immovable foundation on which the ranks of martyrs have assembled themselves.
The victorious Hyacinth shines with them with heavenly light!
How great is your ineffable loving-kindness, Master!
By it, save our souls, as the only merciful One!
You shot through Jerusalem, the splendid city of God,
Like a stone dyed with blood, clad in the purple robe of suffering.
You prayed openly, dancing and rejoicing!
By your prayers, all-blessed one,
Save those who celebrate your all-glorious and sacred memory!
You possessed truly acceptable boldness before Christ the Master
As an invincible martyr and obedient listener!
Do not cease your entreaties, most wondrous one,
As a pious athlete,
Delivering from temptation and evil fortune those who keep your memory,
Singing hymns to you in faith!
Glory...
(To St. Philip)
Tone 6
O lovers of feasts,
Let us honor today the fruitfulness of the righteous ones
And the beauty of the holy fathers
Augmented by a Russian man of prayer!
Rejoice, holy Philip!
Your righteous mind was filled with goodness and truth!
Therefore you obtained the Holy Spirit.
Now that you have reached the throne of God,
Pray that our souls may be saved!
Troparion
Tone 4
Your holy martyr Hyacinth, O Lord,
Through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from you, our God.
For having your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
And shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls.
Troparion
Tone 8
Foremost pillar of orthodoxy and defender of the truth,
You laid down your life for your flock, Philip, as a new confessor.
As you stand now with boldness before Christ our God,
Pray for this place and people who honor your holy memory!
Kontakion
Tone 2
You appeared as a bright star, O Hyacinth,
Unattractive to the world, heralding the sun, Christ, with your rays.
You extinguished all temptation,
But you bestow light on us,
Ever interceding for us all!
St. Andrew, Archbishop of Crete (712). Ven. Martha. mother of Ven. Simeon Stylites the Younger (554). Burial of St. Andrew. Prince of Bogoliubsk (1 1 74). Uncovering of the relics of Ven. Euthymius, Archimandrite of Suzdal (1 507). Martyrs Theodotus and Theodotia at Caesarea in Cappadocia (108). Hieromartyr Theodore, Bishop of Cyrene in Libya and with him Martyrs Cyprilla. Area, and Lucia (310). Ven. Tikhon, Basil and Nikon. Monks, of Solovki (16th).
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the Heavenly Host
You despised the earthly authority of the body.
With a clear mind and a pure heart
You clung to the lord, wise father Andrew!
You were revealed to be a god-inspired instrument of the Comforter,
Singing the works of saving grace!
Andrew, you turned to the Mother of God
As the subject of great praise;
With sweet words you praised the ways of the holy Apostles
And the company of blessed martyrs.
With them, remember us who glorify you!
We know you to be a pillar of the Orthodox faith;
An image of chastity, an example of meekness,
God’s singer, illuming the Church of Christ,
An initiate of the sacred mysteries, father Andrew.
Therefore, we celebrate your feast!
Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 8
We honor you, Andrew our father,
The instructor of a multitude of monks!
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!
You are blest, for having labored for Christ,
You denounced the power of the enemy!
Conversor with the angels, companion of the venerable and righteous ones!
Together with them, entreat the Lord that he may grant mercy to our souls!
Troparion
Tone 8
Champion of orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
The enlightener of the universe and the adornment of the hierarchs:
All-wise father Andrew, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
Intercede before Christ our God to save our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Divine truth became glorious melodies in your mouth, holy Andrew;
Therefore you became a guiding star illumined by the light of the Trinity.
We faithful cry out to you:
“Never cease to intercede that our souls may be saved!”
Hymn of Light
To the special melody The Heaven With Stars
You desired the life of the angels, venerable one,
Manfully subduing the passions of the flesh.
You became angelic, God-bearing father!
GNE...
Theotokion
We sinners all have you as an intercessor,
All-holy Virgin.
By your prayers, move your Son to great mercy!
Matins Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 6
The sound of your teachings has gone out into all the earth,
Venerable father!
Therefore you have found the reward of your labors in the heavens.
You destroyed the hosts of demons
And reached the ranks of angels whose life you blamelessly followed!
Since you have boldness before Christ our God,
Entreat peace for our souls!
Troparion
Tone 4
We, Your unworthy servants, O Lord,
Grateful for the blessing You have given to us,
Always praise, bless and thankfully glorify Your loving kindness,
Crying to You with love and humble submissiveness:
Our Savior and Benefactor, glory to You!
Kontakion
Tone 4
You freely grant us rich blessings, Master,
Though we are unprofitable servants.
In all our needs we run to You;
You shower us with many gifts!
Now we thank You with all our heart,
We glorify You, our Creator and Defender!
We cry to You
From the depth of our souls:
Glory to You, most bountiful God!
Theotokion
Tone 4
Mother of God, help of Christians,
You have favored us with your protection!
We, your servants, gratefully cry out to you:
“Rejoice, most pure virgin Theotokos!
By your prayers deliver us
From every calamity,
For you are a speedy helper in times of trouble!”
At the Divine Liturgy
Prokeimenon
Tone 4
I will sing to the Lord * for he has dealt lovingly with me!
I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation!
Epistle
Romans 13:1-8
Brethren, 1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Alleluia
Tone 1
Let the heavens praise your wonders, Lord; your faithfulness in the Assembly of the holy ones!
Our God is feared in the council of the holy ones!
Gospel
Matthew 22:15-22
15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. 16And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Hero'di-ans, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. 20And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?"” 21They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away.
Relics of Van. Sergius of Radonezh
Ven. Athanasius. founder of the Great Lavra and Coenohitic Manasticism on Mt. Athos. and his six disciples (1000). Uncovering of the relics of Van. Sergius of Radonezh (1422). Martyr Anna at Rome (304) and Martyr Cyrilla of Cyrene in Libya, widow (304). Ven. Lampadus of Hirenopolis (10th). Hieromartyr Cyprian of Mt. Athos (1679).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
To the special melody Valiant Among Martyrs
When your mother came to the church of God
Even before your birth,
You cried out in her womb three times, giving glory to the Trinity.
Godly-wise father Sergius,
You knew God before you knew the world!
You were known by God, blessed man.
The light of His grace shone from you to those who sought it.
The radiance of your face showed your spiritual and bodily purity.
You were a chosen vessel of Christ our God.
Entreat Him to save and enlighten our souls. (Twice)
When the love of God descended on you,
Divinely-wise and most blessed father Sergius,
Then you despised the world and loved only Christ in your soul.
Following his life-bearing steps, you reached the wilderness,
And cultivated it with the seeds of your labors,
Irrigating it with streams of tears,
Multiplying the fruits of good works.
Having nourished your children with these, you brought them to Christ God:
Entreat him to save and enlighten our souls. (Twice)
Saint, divinely wise,
When you heard a divine voice that said to you:
“Behold, the coming of the most pure one!”
You began to make yourself worthy of this visitation,
With many spiritual labors, and fervent prayer.
Light brighter than the sun illumined you,
Showing your spiritual and bodily eyes the Mother of God.
You heard her words to you:
“I shall not abandon this place, and your monastery shall not be in want.”
Entreat her to save and enlighten our souls! (Twice)
When the time came for your departure to God,
You entered the heavenly mansions as a brightly shining star
Where you stand with the choir of saints before the throne of the Consubstantial Trinity
Your body lay hidden in the earth for many years:
It was revealed, manifesting wonders for those who venerate your relics, Sergius.
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries;
Pray to Christ our God to grant the faithful remission of sins
Entreating Him to save and enlighten our souls! (Twice)
Glory...
Tone 8
Come, faithful sons and daughters of the Russian church!
Let us rejoice in this solemn feast!
Come, priests and monks and behold the Church of God
Filled and adorned with the sound of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs!
The venerable and glorious monastery of our father Sergius rejoices,
Exulting in the revelation of his relics.
It calls the world to sing to God with gladness:
Christ and Master, You have granted the people of Russia a mighty warrior;
An invincible weapon against invisible and visible enemies, An unfailing treasure of gifts for the people of Christ! By his prayers, grant our souls great mercy.
Now and ever...
Theotokion
The King of heaven, because of His love for mankind,
Appeared on earth and dwelt with mankind, For He took flesh from the pure Virgin And after assuming it, He came forth from her.
The Son is one: two natures, yet one person.
Proclaiming Him as perfect God and perfect man,
We confess Christ our God!
Entreat Him, unwedded Mother, to have mercy on our souls!
Apostikha
Tone 4
Lord, You have adorned your Church
With the precious and healing relics of our father Sergius,
For he was well-pleasing to You.
She is beautiful, as the possessor of royal jewels,
Rejoicing as she wears a brilliant crown,
Calling her children begotten by him according to the gospel
With water and the Spirit!
Therefore we glorify Your loving dispensation, Jesus,
The Lover of mankind, and the Savior of our souls!
VERSE: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!
Lord, You have given a sure defense
To the Orthodox people in Russia;
A weapon of salvation for all Christians,
A jewel for bishops, a cure for the sick:
The holy relics of the righteous, thrice-blessed Sergius.
We receive healing as we honor him joyfully.
We glorify your ineffable compassion, Jesus,
The Savior of our souls!
VERSE: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who greatly delights in His commandments!
You have given the healing and holy relics
Of blessed Sergius, who loved you,
As an invincible power for the faithful;
A confirmation of their security,
A stronghold of the monastic life.
We glorify your ineffable compassion, Jesus,
The tender-hearted Savior of our souls!
Glory...
Tone 8
We honor you, Sergius our father,
The instructor of a multitude of monks!
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!
You are blest, for having labored for Christ,
You denounced the power of the enemy!
Conversor with the angels,
Companion of the venerable and righteous ones!
Together with them, entreat the Lord that he may grant mercy to our souls!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Unwedded Virgin,
You ineffably conceived God in the flesh!
Mother of God most high!
Accept the cries of your servants, blameless one!
Granting cleansing of transgressions to all!
Receive our prayers and pray to save our souls!
Troparion
Tone 8
From your youth you accepted Christ in your soul, righteous one,
Serving only him and despising all earthly cares.
You dwelt courageously in the wilderness,
Bearing sons in obedience, reaping the fruits of humility.
Through this you became an abode of the trinity,
Enlightening all who came in faith and healing all.
Our holy father Srgius, pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!
Kontakion
Tone 8
Today your precious relics shine from the earth as the sun,
Showing incorruption as a fragrant flower, scented with miracles.
Granting healing to all the faithful and making glad the flock.
As you now stand before the throne of the trinity,
Entreat God's help and grace for all Orthodox Christians,
That we may sing: “Rejoice, Sergius, chosen by God!”
Theotokion
Tone 8
Good One, for our sake You were born of a Virgin.
And suffered crucifixion, and despoiled death through death
And as God you revealed the Resurrection:
Do not despise those whom You have created with Your own hand!
Show forth Your love for mankind, merciful One!
Accept the prayers of the Theotokos, and save Your despairing people!
(After the 1st reading from the Psalter)
Sessional hymn
Tone 1
The day of your memorial has come, all praised father Sergius,
Bringing joy to your chosen flock!
We celebrate with honor the uncovering of your holy relics
And we cry out with joy:
“Glory to the Lord Who gave you the grace of miracles!
Glory to Him Who gave you strength!
Glory to Him Who has granted you a crown!
Glory to Him Who through you gives healing to all!”
GNE...
Theotokion
When Gabriel greeted you, O Virgin,
He cried out like the righteous David,
For in you, sacred ark, was the Master of all incarnate.
You were manifest as more spacious than the heavens,
For you bore your Creator!
Glory to Him Who dwells in you!
Glory to Him Who comes forth from you!
Glory to Him Who frees us through your child!
(After the 2nd reading from the Psalter)
Sessional hymn
Tone 1
Now let us praise our great pastor;
Let us sing to the godly Sergius with hymns!
He is the radiant pillar of the monastic life
Shining on us with the brightness of miracles.
They come from his all precious relics,
Like a dew-bearing cloud
Extinguishing the flame of our passions;
Refreshing the minds of the faithful!
Gne...
Theotokion
All holy Virgin, the hope of all Christians,
Together with the hosts on high,
Pray unceasingly to God Whom you ineffably bore past understanding,
That He may grant to those who ever glorify you with faith and love
Remission of all our sins
And the correction of our life!
Hymn of light
Today the heavenly powers descend to celebrate with those on earth,
And the faithful, with the priests and monks are filled with joy Beholding with spiritual gladness the gifts of your miracles;
Giving glory to the Lord on the day when your relics were revealed! (Twice)
Gne...
Theotokion
Pure one, who brought forth wisdom in person, The word of God everlasting, the Christ, the healer of mnkind: Heal the wounds and sores of my heart, And quench the storm of passions in my flesh.
The praises
Tone 4
The light of your virtues enlightens all mankind as a shining star, Illumining the ends of the earth with the brightness of your miracles
For those who honor your memory in faith, Praising with hymns the day when your relics were revealed,
Divinely wise father Sergius, the never-setting sun of Christ! (Twice)
You have revealed yourself as a lamp with many lights, An unfailing healer, a monastic shepherd of discernment, An adornment of the earth, a true man of prayer For all who call upon your name, Sergius,
And celebrate with love the finding of your honored relics.
Most blessed and holy Sergius,
You are a sweet-smelling flower and fragrant incense, A divine source of myrrh, pouring your balm upon the earth, Enlightening with the brilliance of your wonders The Christian people who keep your memory.
Glory...
Tone 6
Today we the faithful assemble and rejoice, To make a choir and feast in spirit on the solemn day of our holy father,
Singing to Christ in psalms and hymns: You have manifested to us a bestower of miracles, Christ our Master,
A great defender of the Russian peoples! Holy and divine father Sergius, pray fervently to our God For all who honor you with faith and love!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Tone 6
My maker and redeemer, Christ the Lord,
Was born of you, most pure virgin!
By accepting my nature, He freed Adam from his ancient curse:
Unceasingly we magnify you as the Mother of God!
Rejoice, celestial joy!
Rejoice, O Lady,
The protection, intercession and salvation of our souls!
Ven. Sisoes the Great (429). Ven. Sisoes, Schema-monk, of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th). Uncovering of the relics of Holy Princess Juliana Olshanskaya (16th). Martyrs Marinus and Martha and their children, Audifax and Abbachum (Habakkuk) and those with them at Rome: Cyrinus. Valentine, and Asterius the Presbyter (269). Martyrs Isaurius the Deacon, Innocent, Felix, Hermias, Basil, Peregrinus, Rufus, and Rufinus of Apollonia in Macedonia (3rd). Martyr Cointus (Quintus) Phrygia (ca. 283). Virgin martyr Lucy, Martyr Rixius, as well as those with them at Rome: Martyrs Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Arnosus, Capicus, Saturus (Satyrus), and others (301). Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh.
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
To the special melody You Have Given A Sign
Your all-festive commemoration, venerable one,
Has shone forth brightly like the sun!
It enlightens the thoughts of the faithful
With the splendor of your wonders
And brightens them with the rays of your mighty works, all-blessed one!
Therefore in celebration we joyously honor you
And faithfully bless you as the boast of monks!
You lived as an earthly angel, most wealthy one,
Wasting your body as though it belonged to another.
You ever instructed yourself divinely, father,
With vigils and the remembrance of death.
You grew with great strides to your ultimate desire!
You have indeed drawn near to perfection itself!
At the time of your dormition, father,
An incomprehensible wonder took place:
A choir of angels stood at once before you;
Your countenance, wise one, shone like the sun,
Revealing your radiant form and the purity of your soul,
Showing all the manner of the repose you received!
Troparion
Tone 1
Dweller of the wilderness and angel in the body!
You were a wonder-worker, our god-bearing father Sisoes!
You received heavenly gifts
Through fasting, vigil and prayer:
Healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith:
Glory to Him Who gave you strength!
Glory to Him Who granted you a crown!
Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to all!
Kontakion
Tone 4
Through your struggle,
Venerable father Sisoes,
You were revealed to be an angel on earth,
Ever enlightening the thoughts of the faithful with divine signs!
Therefore we honor you with faith.
Ven. Thomas of Mt. Maleon (10th). Ven. Acacius of Sinai, who is mentioned in THE LADDER (6th). Ven. Eudoxia, in monasticism Euphrosyne, Grand Duchess of Moscow (1407). Martyrs Peregrinus, Lucian, Oinpeius, Hesychius. Papius, Saturninus. and Germanus, of Dyrrachium in Macedonia (2nd). Martyrs Epictetus, presbyter, and Astian, in Scythia (290). Martyr Evangelus, Bishop of Tomi (Constanta) in Romania (3rd 4th). Martyr Cyriaca of Nicomedia (4th.).
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the Heavenly Host
We have come to know you, father,
As a divinely radiant beacon,
Enlightening the world with shafts of spiritual light,
Dispelling the darkness of the evil tumult of demons!
Therefore we celebrate your brilliant memory with faith, blessed one!
You were resplendent in your former life, father Thomas,
With riches and power.
You clothed yourself in the monastic habit, venerable one,
Emulating the poverty of Him
Who became incarnate for our sake!
Therefore He made you rich with many spiritual gifts!
God openly guided you to salvation, father,
With a pillar of fire leading you to the calm harbor;
To the mountain of dispassion.
By your prayer, you caused water to spring forth,
You made the blind to see and the lame to walk!
Troparion
Tone 4
God of our fathers,
Do not take away Your mercy from us
But deal with us according to Your loving kindness
And by the prayers of Your saints
Guide our lives in peace!
Kontakion
(To Thomas)
Tone 4
You truly showed forth a great victory!
For burning with divine life, you overcame the corrupt king and every pleasure,
Going to live on Mount Maleum.
From there you ascended to the King of kings in the heavens!
Thomas, pray unceasingly for us all!
Kontakion
(To Acacius)
Tone 2
Forsaking the world, you followed Christ from childhood,
All-wise and venerable Acacius!
Emulating His voluntary humility,
You cast down the prideful tyrant.
Ever pray on behalf of us all!
Great-martyr Procopius of Caesarea in Palestine
Holy Great-martyr Procopius of Caesarea in Palestine (303). Righteous Procopius, Fool-for-Christ, Wonderworker of Ustiug (Vologda—1303). Righteous Procopius of Usya (Vologda). Fool-for-Christ (17th). Appearance of the KAZAN Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos (1579). Weeping Novgorod Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos, “OF TENDER FEELING.”
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
To the special melody As Valiant Among Martyrs
Most glorious Procopius,
Your name was given you from heaven as to a preacher to the nations!
Enlightened in mind, you forsook the darkness of idolatry,
Becoming a lamp for the faithful,
Brightening the ends of the earth with the divine radiance of your struggle,
Glory and boast of the martyrs!
First you subdued the uprisings of the flesh with abstinence;
Then you set yourself apart for the contest
With a courageous mind, through the power of the Spirit,
Not sparing your flesh, blessed Procopius!
You endured all kinds of tortures,
Ascending with your crown to the choirs on high!
As an invincible commander armed with the cross,
You drowned all the power of the enemy in the streams of your blood!
You richly poured forth showers of healing, wondrous one,
From the well-springs of salvation,
Watering all who are held fast in the flame of the passions,
Divinely inspired one!
Glory..
Tone 6
Greatly-suffering Procopius,
Your glorious memorial shines forth today,
Calling us who love the feasts of the church
To the fitting praise and glory of Christ our God!
Therefore as we hasten to the shrine of your relics
We receive gifts of healings,
And we ever hymn Christ the Savior Who has crowned you
Glorifying Him unceasingly!
Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 8
Enlightened by the mystical brilliance of the all-radiant trinity,
Courageously minded martyr Procopius,
You became a God by adoption,
Deified by communion.
Therefore, by your prayers save from manifold dangers
Those who celebrate your radiant festival with faith!
Troparion
Tone 4
Your holy martyr Procopius, O Lord,
Through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
And shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Troparion
Tone 4
Tender-hearted defender, Mother of Our Lord,
Intercede for us before your Son, Christ our God!
Save all who hasten to take shelter
Under your strong protection!
Defend, mistress, empress and lady,
All who in danger or misfortune,
Or weakened with the malady of many sins,
Stand before your holy image,
Praying with tears and humble mind,
Repentant heart and invincible hope.
Free them from all evil; give them the grace they need,
And save us all, Virgin Mother of God,
For you are the divine refuge of your followers!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Set ablaze by divine zeal for Christ, Procopius,
And protected by the might of the Cross,
You cast down the insolence and boldness of the enemy!
You raised up an honorable Church,
Excelling in faith and giving light to us all!
Hymn of Light
Procopius, like Paul, your calling was from heaven.
You went forward towards it in accordance with your name!
You led choirs of martyrs to the Lord;
Together with them you pray for those who praise you!
GNE...
Theotokion
Ever-virgin Mother,
Who gave birth to the Light from the unbegotten Light,
Never cease to guide those who hymn you
By your tireless prayers to the never-fading Light!
Matins Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 8
Martyr Procopius,
Like Paul, having received your calling from God,
You excelled in God through your desire for the cross!
You manfully put all the ungodliness and torments of the tyrants to shame!
Therefore you stood up against sin even to the shedding of your blood,
Struggling against the invisible foe!
You ever pray to God the deliverer,
That He may grant peace to the whole world and great mercy to our souls!
Hieromartyr Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina in Sicily (1st). Hieromartyr Cyril, Bishop of Gortyna in Crete (3rd-4th). Martyrs Patermuthius. Coorius, and Alexander the Soldier, in Egypt (4th). St. Theodore, Bishop of Edessa (9th). Ven. Patermuthius and Copriu, Ascetics, of Egypt (4th). Ven. Dionysius the Orator of St. Anne Skete (Mt. Athos—l606). Ven. Metrophanes, disciple of Ven. Dionysius.
Lord I Call...
Tone 2
To the special melody Joseph of Arimathea
When the pre-eminent among the disciples went about,
Confirming the whole world,
He found you to be like a precious stone.
He set you, blessed one, as a foundation of the church.
You cast down the pillars and temples of idolatry
By the divine power of the word
Whose good pleasure it was to dwell with men in the flesh!
You cast out the evil spirits of malice by the word,
Making people spiritual by the grace of the spirit.
You worked the field of their hearts, martyr Pancratius,
Casting there the seed of God.
You have offered the fruits to the heavenly gardener,
Praying for those who praise you with faith!
You made the west like the east with spiritual splendors,
Bearing the sun of the knowledge of God
Who shone forth upon us from the virgin
In a way past understanding!
You set in your suffering, father Pancratius,
Shining forth to the never-setting light,
Where, beyond the darkness of mirrors,
You behold the longed-for beauty of the judge of your contest!
Troparion
Tone 4
You participated in the ways of the Apostles,
And were enthroned as their successor!
You discovered action an entrance into vision,
Inspired one of God.
Therefore directing the word of truth,
You suffered for the faith to the shedding of your blood!
Bishop and martyr Pancratius, pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!
Kontakion
Tone 4
You were revealed as a brilliant star, Pancratius,
For the people of Taormina,
You were shown also to be a sufferer for Christ!
Since now you stand before Him, blessed one,
Pray for those who honor you!
Ven. Anthony of the Kiev Caves
Holy 45 Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia, including Leontius, Maurice, Daniel, Anthony, Alexander, Anicetus, Sisinius. Meneus, and Belerad (Verelad) (ca. 319). The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Lord at Moscow (1625). Ven. Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Founder of Monasticism in Russia (1073). Ven. Silvanus, Schema-monk of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves-l3th-l4th). Martyr Apollonius of Sardis (3rd). Martyrs Bianor and Silvanus of Pisidia (4th). 10,000 Fathers of the deserts and caves of Scete martyred by the impious Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria (ca. 398). Martyr Nicodemus of Elbassan (Albanian—1722). Monk martyr Nectarius of St. Anne Skete (Mt. Athos—1820). KONEVITS Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos.
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
You followed the holy fathers of Athos, Anthony:
You labored like an angel in the flesh;
You were an example of righteousness!
Since you obtained the gift of miracles from Christ,
You healed many afflicted ones.
Pray now that our souls may be saved.
You were a founder of monasticism, Anthony.
Without blood you sacrificed yourself to God.
With abstinance, wisdom, humility and high morals you confounded the foe!
Pray now that our souls may be saved.
Your memory shines, venerable Anthony!
We are filled with happiness and joy as your spiritual children!
On your holy feast we glorify God
Whom you glorified on earth.
Glory...
Tone 6
Today mount Athos rejoices as in a new Abraham resettled,
Having accepted you, holy one!
Your homeland is gladdened that you returned to inhabit it,
And the caves in which you labored boast of you.
The city of Kiev celebrates your memory
With festal songs to the Lord!
Through you they received the invincible wall,
And we your spiritual children
Having learned the wisdom of your way
Remember your holy falling asleep;
Anthony, pray that our souls may be saved.
Troparion
Tone 4
You turned away from the turmoils in the world
And followed the world of Christ's gospel.
You lived in solitude as the angels on holy mount Athos.
Having received the blessings of the fathers you came to Kiev,
And with labors of love you enlightened your land
Leading many monastics to the heavenly kingdom.
Having shown the way to Christ,
Pray to him, venerable father Anthony,
That our souls may be saved.
Kontakion
Tone 8
Giving yourself to God whom you loved above all from your youth,
With your whole soul you sought him with love!
Taking nothing from the world of the flesh,
In the caves you fought the good fight against the invisible foes.
Like the sun you illumined the ends of the earth
From which you came in gladness to the heavenly realm.
Now with the angels you stand before the all-holy throne of God.
Pray for those who remember you and cry: rejoice, Anthony, our holy father!
Great-martyr Euphemia the All-praised
Great-martyr Euphemia the All-praised (451). Blessed Olga, Princess of Russia, in holy Baptism called Helen (969). Hieromartyr Cindeus, presbyter, of Pamphylia (3rd-4th).
Lord I Call...
Tone 8
(To Euphemia)
To the special melody Most Glorious Wonder
Most glorious wonder!
The ewe lamb of the Lord,
Imitating his voluntary death through the pain of suffering,
While lying in the tomb pours out blood by the power of the spirit.
As we venerate it for the purification of our souls
We ever offer to God the praise of all!
Most glorious wonder!
Although mortal by nature,
The all-praised athlete was steadfast this day,
Holding the divine scroll which she did not give to the enemies
But entrusted to the fathers.
Glorious martyr, boast of all the world,
By your prayers, save unshaken the Church of Christ!
The assembly of the divine fathers
Place the definition of the faith on your breast.
You received it, all-glorious one,
For you preserved the faith of God unshaken.
You conquered every heresy
And put to shame the defenders of false belief!
Therefore, we honor and bless you!
Tone 4
(To Olga)
To the special melody Valiant Among Martyrs
Your memory dawns like the sun, holy Olga.
The mother of Russian kings, you pointed the way to Christ.
Teaching the angelic way, you overthrew the idol,
And the devil you countered with strength from the Holy Spirit.
You led the whole land to God from the darkness of ignorance.
Pray to him for those who remember you.
With wisdom of things divine
You overcame the one who tempted eve.
Eliminating the devil’s way
You fostered a god-given paradise for the church;
There you planted the life-giving cross
So that the heavenly bread and blood of Christ
Will grant those who partake angelic life.
Pray for all those who remember you.
We spiritually rejoice in remembering you, holy Olga.
With miracle-workers and martyrs, pray fervently to Christ.
Having for a helper the holy Theotokos,
Free us from harm and sadness who sing to you.
Glory...
(To Euphemia)
Tone 6
The virgin, athlete and martyr Euphemia,
Stood at the right hand of the Savior,
Clothed in the strength of victory,
Adorned with the oil of purity and the blood of suffering.
She cried aloud to him, holding her lamp with joy:
“I have hastened to the scent of Your sweet fragrance, O Christ God,
For I am wounded by Your love!
Do not turn me away, heavenly bridegroom!”
By her prayers, almighty Savior,
Send down on us Your great mercies.
Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 5
All-praised Euphemia:
You are clothed in the virtues and made radiant by your thought;
You pour forth myrrh upon the hearts of the faithful,
Shining like a radiant star from the east.
You supported a council of the divine fathers through the coming of the Holy Spirit!
Do not cease to beseech Christ on our behalf
That our souls may be saved!
Troparion
(To Euphemia)
Tone 3
You brought joy to the Orthodox, and brought the supporters of error to shame,
Euphemia, graceful virgin of Christ!
The Fourth Ecumenical Council’s doctrine of salvation was sealed by your act!
Glorious martyr, pray to Christ God to grant us great mercy!
Troparion
(To Olga)
Tone 1
With wings of divine wisdom
Your mind ascended over the physical world.
You searched and found the God and Creator of all,
Accepting Him before your baptism.
You took pleasure in the life-giving Cross,
And achieved angelic life forever, holy Olga!
Kontakion
(To Euphemia)
Tone 2
You struggled valiantly,
Defending faith in Christ your beloved Savior.
Through the powerful intercession of the mother of God,
Intercede with Christ that he may destroy false teachings,
Humiliating the pride of the enemy beneath the feet of the church, Euphemia,
For you have received and faithfully preserved the rock of faith!
Kontakion
(To Olga)
Tone 4
Let us sing today of the good will of God,
Enlightening Olga with divine wisdom.
May her prayers grant us remission of sins.
Hymn of light
To the special melody Listen, Women
Glorify, all people,
The great, strange, and all-glorious happening:
After death the most radiant Euphemia
Preserved the scroll she had received!
She revealed the orthodox fathers in the city of Chalcedon
To be victorious!
GNE...
Theotokion
You gave birth, Virgin, to the hypostatic Wisdom,
The transcendent Word,
The Physician of souls and bodies!
Heal the sores and wounds of my soul
And bring and end to the cruel and recurring pains of my heart!
Matins Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 1
The choirs of the fathers, all-praised one,
Assembling today for the sake of Christ,
Brought you the scroll of the Orthodox faith.
You received it in your honored hands
And preserved it to the end!
Therefore, assembling in chorus we honor your suffering,
Crying out with devotion:
“Rejoice, all-praised one!
You transformed feminine nature into courage!
Rejoice, all-praised one!
You preserved inviolate the Orthodox faith given by the fathers!
Rejoice, for you pray for our souls!”
Martyr Proclus and Hilary (Hilarion) of Ancyra (2nd). Van. Michael of Maleinus (962). Martyrs Theodore and his son, John, of Kiev (983). Ven. Arsenius of Novgorod, Fool-for-Christ (1570). Ven. Simon, Abbot of Volomsk (1641). Martyr Golinduc, in holy Baptism Mary of Persia(591). Ven. John (998) and Gabriel, of Svyatogorsk (Georgian). Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos. “OF THE THREE HANDS.”
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the Heavenly Host
You suffered a multitude of tortures,
Together obtaining your holy crowns, Proclus and Hilary.
Therefore we worthily celebrate your memory,
Praying fervently that you may intercede for us.
Proclus, your body was torn asunder,
But you obtained eternal glory, blessed one.
Now that you are in the eternal light of paradise,
Pray that we who sing to you may also see this!
Like two fountains of light, holy passion bearers, Proclus and Hilary,
Dispel the darkening of passions
As we sing to you with joy,
Celebrating your memory!
Troparion
Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary, O Lord,
Through their sufferings have received their incorruptible crowns from You, our God
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
And shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 4
Like the morning star,
Your glorious sufferings enlighten us with holy miracles.
We celebrate your memory, Proclus and Hilary:
Pray to God for us
That He will save our souls.
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel. Ven. Stephen of St. Sabbas’ Monastery (794). St. Julian, Bishop of Cenomanis (Le Mans) in Gaul (1st). Martyr Serapion (2nd-3rd). Martyr Marcian of Iconium (258). Icon of the Most holy Theotokos. “AXION ESTIN” (”IT IS TRULY MEET”).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
Standing before the throne of the tri-luminary Godhead,
Brilliant with the rays of its unceasing light,
You cry out joyfully, Gabriel, leader of the angels,
With all the powers above:
“Holy are You, O Father!
Holy are You, co-eternal Word!
Holy are You, Holy Spirit!
One glory, one kingdom, one nature, one Godhead, and one power!
The eternal wisdom established you, Gabriel,
A light reflecting things divine,
Illumining the whole creation,
Revealing to us the divine mystery hidden from before the ages:
God who is bodiless made flesh in a virgin womb
And become man that he might save mankind.
Destroy the wanton violence of Hagar’s sons:
The enemies who attack your flock;
Heal the divisions of the Church,
Calm the storm of unending temptations;
Deliver from danger and calamities
Those who honor you in love,
And hasten to your protection, Gabriel the archangel,
The intercessor for our souls!
Litya
Tone 6
Gabriel stands before your throne O Christ,
Praying for the human race.
Grant peace to all through his intercessions,
Laying low the insolence of the stranger.
Together with all orders of the angels,
You ever rejoice around the throne of the king of all.
Preserve us as we call on you in faith
And deliver us from sufferings.
Shining archangel of God,
You stand before the throne of the grace of God,
Obtaining true humility and enlightenment from the divine light.
Look down on us, asleep in darkness,
Suffering from the terrible persecution of the prince of this world.
Come, archangel, to our assistance.
Deliver us from the snares of the enemy, the source of evil,
For we all turn to your protection, most praised one!
GNE...
Having conceived in your womb, Theotokos,
At the salutation of the archangel,
The word who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
You have appeared higher than the cherubim, the seraphim and the thrones!
Apostikha
Tone 1
Chief captain of the spiritual host,
As you ever stand before the throne of the most high,
Entreat the Lord to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!
VERSE: He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flaming fire!
Today Gabriel calls us to the feast!
He is the chief of the powers on high,
The first among the ranks of God,
Who ever accompanies us and preserves us from the attacks of the devil.
Come, lovers of feasts and lovers of Christ!
Let us take the flowers of virtues with us!
With pure thoughts and clear conscience,
Let us venerate the holy archangel,
For ever standing before God and singing the thrice-holy hymn,
He prays that our souls may be saved.
VERSE: Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him all His host!
Chief captain of the spiritual host,
As you stand before the immaterial essence,
Illumining the universe with the splendors of the triply radiant sun,
Singing the thrice-holy hymn with unceasing voice,
Pray that our souls may be saved!
GNE...
Tone 8
Since you, leader of hosts, are first in rank and an archangel,
Deliver from every oppression, sorrow, sickness and sin
Those who praise you humbly and implore you,
Since you are immaterial you behold him who is without matter. You shine with the unapproachable light of the glory of the Lord,
Who in his love took flesh for our sakes from a virgin,
When he willed to save mankind.
Troparion
Tone 4
Commander of the heavenly hosts,
We who are unworthy beseech you,
By your prayers encompass us
Under the wings of your incorporeal glory,
And faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry out to you:
Deliver us from all harm,
For you are the commander of the powers on high!
Kontakion
Tone 6
You look upon God’s face in heaven,
And pour out boundless grace on earth, O Gabriel
Wise leader of angels, servant of God’s glory,
Defender of the world!
Save and preserve those who cry out to you:
Be our defense, so that no one may defeat us!
The magnification
We magnify,
We magnify you,
Gabriel, holy archangel of God,
And you, the holy archangels, angels, principalities, dominions, thrones, Virtues, powers, cherubim
And fearful seraphim who glorify God!
VERSE: I confess You, Lord, with my whole heart, and I praise You before the angels!
We magnify...
Prokeimenon
Tone 4
He makes his angels spirits * and his ministers a flaming fire!
VERSE: Bless the Lord, my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great!
Psalm 51
Post gospel verses
Tone 6
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the prayers of the Bodiless Hosts,
O Merciful One,
blot out the multitude of our transgressions!
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,
O Merciful One,
blot out the multitude of our transgressions!
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your great goodness,
and according to Your abundant mercy,
blot out my transgressions!
Standing in fear by the throne of your greatness, O Christ,
Your angels are illumined by the rays of your unceasing light.
They are among the singers of your choir,
And the servants of your counsel
Sent down by you to enlighten our souls!
The canon
Tone 4 (by Joseph)
(On the acrostic I praise the all-honorable Gabriel)
Canticle one:
Irmos
I will open my mouth, filled with the spirit;
I will sing a song to the queen and mother!
I will come, rejoicing in the feast
And I will extol all her glory!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
I entreat you, archangel of the Lord,
as you have become divine and immaterial light
by immaterial participation in the ultimate Light,
enlighten my mind by your prayers,
that I may sing hymns to you!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Today in gladness let us form a godly choir,
honoring the foremost of the bodiless intellects,
who announced the ineffable joy
which came into the world for its benefit.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
We have you, Gabriel, as a great intercessor
and a helper before God,
a rampart and a strength
As we love you and sing you praises,
we are delivered from misfortunes and the hurt of the serpent!
Theotokion
When Gabriel beheld you, the pure and all-immaculate one,
he cried out in glory to you, O Lady:
Rejoice, unwedded one, the salvation of mankind,
the boast and praise of the angels!
Canticle Three:
Irmos:
Iin your divine glory, Theotokos,
Living and inexhaustible fountain,
Spiritually establish your choir, assembled in chorus.
In your mercy, make them worthy of the crowns of glory!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Since you are indeed immaterial and immaterially illumined
through participation in the immaterial Light,
you are seen to be a secondary light,
ever enlightening the material ones who sing hymns to you.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
You are great among the angels and are given renown,
for you disclosed to us the great mystery
by which we who greatly honor you
have been caught up to the most exalted heights.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Gabriel, supreme commander,
you have appeared from heaven
to all who ever seek you with love
and have stilled the storm of temptations and tribulations
which rages against us.
Theotokion
Declaring the mystery which was hidden of old,
Gabriel once cried out to you, O Maiden:
Rejoice, palace of God, in which He made His abode,
deifying all mankind, for He is filled with steadfast love!
Sessional Hymn
Tone 2
Wise Gabriel, leader of the angels,
Minister of god's glory and divine champion of the world,
You behold the glory of God in the heavens
And bestow grace on the earth!
Save and preserve those who cry out to you:
Be our helper and no one will prevail against us!
Glory...
Tone 4
You are foremeost among the bodiless ministers of God,
Glorious Gabriel,
For to you was entrusted the awesome mystery
Of the ineffable childbearing of the holy virgin
Which was commanded past memory.
And you exclaimed to her: rejoice, joyful one!
Therefore, we the faithful every fittingly bless you with gladness!
Now and ever...
As a never-cultivated vine, O virgin,
You put forth the most beautiful cluster of grapes
Which pours forth for us the wine of salvation,
Gladdening the souls and bodies of all.
Therefore we every bless you as the cause of good things
And we cry out to you together with the angel:
Rejoice, O full of grace!
Canticle four:
Irmos:
He Who sits in glory on the throne of divinity,
Jesus, the Holy of Holies, came on a radiant cloud.
With His holy arm He saved those who cry:
“Glory to your power, O Christ!”
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Gabriel, you are wonderful indeed!
In days of old, through divinely appointed communion,
you stood enlightening the prophet Daniel.
Through the Spirit you interpreted the manifestation of incomprehensible things!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
You are fiery by nature;
with mouths of clay we joyously praise you!
By your divine meditations, Gabriel,
rescue us from the eternally burning fire.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Supreme commander of God’s servants,
arrayed in divine garments which shine with unapproachable glory
more brightly than the sun,
you stand in gladness before the King of heaven!
Theotokion
Understanding through the Spirit
that you are wholly pure, all-immaculate one,
Gabriel openly cried out to you:
“Rejoice, deliverance from the curse,
the restoration of the forefathers!”
Canticle five:
Irmos:
All creation was awed by your divine glory,
For you, virgin, knew no man, yet bore the God of all!
You held in your womb the eternal Son
Who grants peace to those who extol you in song.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Made radiant by communion with the unoriginate Mind,
you are seen to be a secondary light,
crying out with the countless ranks of angels:
Holy is the Father, the Accomplisher of all things,
the equally unoriginate Son and the Spirit
Who is enthroned together with them!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Gabriel, great leader of the bodiless hosts of God,
your countenance is fiery, your beauty most wonderful!
Your glory is great, amazing every mind!
You are the adornment of all who hymn you with faith.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
When of old the godly Zachariah
beheld you standing nearby at the hour of incense,
he fell mute, for he did not believe
the strange proclamation you made, Gabriel, the supreme commander.
Theotokion
As you were a temple of sanctification,
O all-immaculate one,
at the cry of the archangel,
you gave birth to the all holy God Who rests among the saints,
Who sanctifies all and rescues them from evils.
Canticle six:
Irmos:
Let us, believers, clap our hands in gladness,
Fulfilling the most precious feast.
By knowing God through the Theotokos,
Let us glorify him who was born of her!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Earthly tongues cannot honor you,
the radiant and heavenly intelligence,
most splendidly illumined with the splendor of God
in a manner past understanding and telling!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Greatly splendid beam of the Sun,
leader of the fiery ministers,
by your radiant entreaties to the Master
rescue those who sing hymns to you
from the darkness of the passions.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Confuse the counsels of the heathen; confirm the Orthodox Faith;
abolish the divisions of the Church, archangel,
by your prayers to the Creator of all.
Theotokion
Obedient to the divine words of Gabriel, O pure one,
you gave birth in the flesh to the all-unoriginate Word
Who delivers the world from insanity.
Kontakion
Tone 6
You look upon God’s face in heaven,
And pour out boundless grace on earth, O Gabriel
Wise leader of angels, servant of God’s glory,
Defender of the world!
Save and preserve those who cry out to you:
Be our defense, so that no one may defeat us!
Ikos
Immortal Lover of mankind, in Your Scriptures You have said that a multitude of angels rejoice in heaven over one repentant sinner. Therefore, only sinless and compassionate One Who know the hearts of men, in the midst of our sins we dare to entreat you: Have mercy and grant us compunction, even though we are unworthy. Grant us forgiveness, for the supreme commander of the bodiless hosts beseeches You on our behalf as we cry out to him:
Be our defense, so that no one may defeat us!
Canticle seven:
Irmos:
The godly youths worshipped the Creator, not the creature;
Manfully they trampled on the flames, singing in joy:
Blessed are you, most praised Lord, God of our fathers!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
You announced the birth of John to Zachariah, glorious one,
when he once stood within the temple of God
chanting to our Deliverer and God:
“Blessed are you, most praised Lord, God of our fathers!”
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
The most glorious magnificence of your temple, Gabriel,
sanctifies the souls of the faithful in great splendor,
making them cry aloud:
“Blessed are you, most praised Lord, God of our fathers!”
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Mystically enlightened by communion with the unoriginate Light,
you are seen to be indeed a secondary light, supreme commander.
You ever enlighten those who sing:
“Blessed are you, most praised Lord, God of our fathers!”
Theotokion
Gabriel, the supreme commander,
was sent to announce joy to you, pure Virgin Mother,
for whose sake all grief has ceased,
the curse has lost its force indeed,
and blessing has blossomed for the faithful forever!
Canticle eight:
Irmos:
He Who was born of the Theotokos
Saved the holy children in the furnace.
He who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,
And he gathers all of creation to sing:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord,
And exalt him above all forever!”
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
With holy speech the priestly people hymn you in gladness,
for you announced the Word to the Virgin, archangel:
the Cause of all Who was incarnate for our sake
and Who became one of us.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Uniting yourself immaterially to the great and unoriginate Mind,
with your fiery mouth, archangel,
you chant the awesome hymn which all the angelic choirs sing:
All works of the Lord, bless the Lord,
and exalt Him above all forever!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Gabriel, leader of the angels,
you are manifestly adorned with the splendor of God.
You traverse the heavens and the earth,
carrying out the wishes of Christ the God of all.
You are the beauty of those who every praise you with faith!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
The Word, wishing to associate Himself in person
and in the flesh with men,
had you go before Him
and prepare a sanctified palace for Him, holy Gabriel, chanting:
All works of the Lord, bless the Lord,
and exalt Him above all forever!
Let us bless the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, The Lord, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let us hymn the blessed Virgin
as the beautiful throne of the King!
She is more eminent than all other creatures;
she alone brought into the world the Transcendent One
Who has diefied men through the supernatural union
of her ineffable and wonderful childbearing.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord, Singing and exalting him throughout all ages!
Canticle nine:
Irmos:
Let every earthborn mortal be radiant
And spiritually leap for joy;
Let the ranks of angelic powers celebrate
Honoring the holy feast of the Mother of God and crying:
Rejoice, pure and blessed ever-virgin, who gave birth to God!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Holy Gabriel, the supreme commander,
you minster before the throne of grace!
You are illumined with splendor passing understanding,
and are instructed in a sacred way.
You behold the Light and enlighten those who honor you with faith,
interceding in an awesome manner!
You appear radiant with divine splendors,
as the heaven adorned with stars!
Like a general, you hold a most radiant staff in your hands.
You go about the whole universe
fulfilling the will of the Master,
ever rescuing the faithful from evil occasions.
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Calm the cruel storm of the ungodly
which ever rises up against your servants.
Heal the schisms of the Church,
grant deliverance from transgressions to those who hymn you
and victories over their adversaries to all Orthodox Christians,
through your fervent intercession, O Gabriel!
Holy archangel Gabriel, pray to God for us!
Irreproachable and all-glorious pair,
Michael and Gabriel,
as you stand before the throne of the glory of God,
ask forgiveness of sins and release from evils for all,
for you are our interecessors,
and you reflect the goodness of the Master in all things!
Theotokion
The light of grace has shone through your childbearing
and has illumined the whole world,
destroying the princes of darkness, all-pure Theotokos!
You are the boast of the angels and salvation of all men
who praise you with unceasing hymns!
Hymn of light
Supreme commander of God,
Vesting yourself in your sheltering wings,
Protect me as I turn to you:
Deliver me from the evil accusers when I depart this life,
And save me by your entreaties!
GNE...
Theotokion
God has given you to us, pure one,
As a refuge, strength and aid
In the midst of our tribulations and evil situations.
Therefore, deliver us from all our misfortunes.
Matins Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 5
Where your grace casts its shadow, archangel,
From there the power of the devil is driven away!
The fallen morning star cannot bear to look upon your light!
Therefore, we entreat you,
Praiseworthy Gabriel, the supreme commander:
Quench the fiery darts he lets loose against us;
By your mediation, deliver us from his temptations!
The praises
Tone 2
Divine and bodiless, spiritual beings!
You surround the immaterial throne
And with flaming lips sing the thrice-holy hymn to God the king:
Holy God, the unoriginate father!
Holy mighty, the co-unoriginate son!
Holy immortal, the consubstantial spirit,
Glorified together with the father and the son! (twice)
With immaterial lips and mouths of the spirit,
The orders of angels bring unceasing praise
To you unapproachable divinity, Lord.
The leader of the powers on high, the chief captain of the angels,
Is our instructor today,
Directing us to sing the song of songs to your unapproachable glory,
For you are the lover of mankind
Before whom they ever entreat for our souls!
The cherubim sing hymns to you,
With lips of fire, O Christ God,
And with bodiless mouths the choir of archangels
Praises you without ceasing!
Gabriel, the chief captain of the powers on high,
Enlightens us to sing psalms today,
Raising the thrice-holy hymn of praise on this brilliant feast!
For all things are filled with your praise
And you grant the world great mercy!
Glory...
Tone 5
Where your grace casts its shadow, archangel,
From there the power of the devil is driven away!
The fallen morning star cannot bear to look upon your light!
Therefore, we entreat you,
Praiseworthy Gabriel, the supreme commander:
Quench the fiery darts he lets loose against us;
By your mediation, deliver us from his temptations!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
We bless you, virgin Theotokos,
And praise you as is fitting:
You are the unassailable city and impregnable wall,
The sure intercession and refuge of our souls!
or the Theotokion of the Cross
When she saw her son, the lamb, lifted upon the cross,
Your mother, the blessed maiden and virgin, cried:
Woe is me, my son!
How can you be dying,
When by nature you are immortal God?
Apostle Aquila of the Seventy (1st). Ven. Stephen, Abbot of Makhrishche (Vologda—1406). Martyr Justus at Rome (1st). Ven. Ellius (Hellius), of Egypt (4th). Ven. Onesimus of Magnesia (4th). Repose of Ven. Nicodemus the Hagiorite (1809).
Lord I Call
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the heavenly host
Blessed and divinely wise Aquila,
The great Paul, that sun upon earth,
Sent you forth as a bright beam of light into the world,
To illumine with the clear radiance of your words,
The people of old who were in peril;
In the night of ignorance!
Aquila, preacher of God,
Richly illumined with the bright rays of the divine spirit,
Your pure heart destroyed the fierce Hellenic darkness
Through the grace of God,
Revealing itself to be truly radiant!
Those who hasten to your divine temple, Aquila,
And pray there to you with faith
Are delivered by the holiness of your prayers
From every sickness, sorrow and misfortune.
Through your holy intercession they approach the presence of God!
Troparion
(To Aquila and Priscilla)
Tone 3
O holy apostles,
Pray to the merciful God
That He may grant to our souls
Remission of our transgressions!
Troparion
(To Nicodemus)
Tone 4
You received the grace of the Comforter, holy father Nicodemus!
You were revealed as a preacher of divine wisdom;
A divine instrument of the teachings of God!
Therefore grant us deliverance from the snares of the deceiver,
Beseeching that enlightenment and repentance
May be granted to those who with reverence
Come before you to ask your prayers!
Kontakion
(To Aquila)
Tone 4
Glorious Aquila,
Apostle of the Lord,
The church, having acquired you like a great sun,
Enlightens with the splendors of your teaching
Those who honor you with faith!
Kontakion
(To Nicodemus)
Tone 2
You received a gift from heaven, all wise Nicodemus,
And became a teacher of true devotion.
By the words of your divine teachings,
Make me understand how to live in holiness!
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir
Martyr Cyricus (Iluiricus) and his mother Julitta of Tarsus (ca. 305). Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, (in holy Baptism Basil) Enlightener of the Russian Land (1015). Martyr Abudimus of the Isle of Tenedos (4th).
Lord I Call
Tone 4
To the special melody Valiant Among Martyrs
You were a second Constantine in word and deed,
For he was born in a Christian age,
Yet lived for many years among the pagans,
While you were born of heathen,
But loved Christ who loved you.
You have gone to Him rejoicing! Pray ceaselessly to Him for those who honor your memory.
Brightly shining Mount Sinai, rejoices eternally, For it is sanctified by the law of Moses and has seen the invisible,
And your great city, Vladimir, also shines brightly and celebrates with joy,
Beholding in the Spirit the Son glorified in you with the Father. Pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls!
For the Russian people, Vladimir, You were a father in spirit, a king and true preacher; An apostle of Christ, announcing the baptism of salvation. And having thereby brightly illumined your people,
You sanctified them throughout all the lands of your kingdom, blessed one.
You were a root of the true faith, Vladimir,
Watered by the Holy Spirit.
You put forth for us divinely planted branches with fragrant flowers:
The wondrous Boris, and Gleb, the zealot of godliness;
Abundant sources of miracles for all the faithful.
Standing with them before Christ,
Pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.
Glory...
Tone 8
Come, let us all hasten to celebrate the memory of Vladimir, Our Russian father and guide. He was born of heathens and came to love Christ who loved him, He has gone to Christ, rejoicing with his grandmother Olga. He taught all his people to believe and worship one God in Trinity;
He destroyed the idols, and trampled them underfoot. He nurtured for us Boris and Gleb, his precious posterity. We now honor their memory with joy and faith, and keep the feast with love.
May they pray to the Lord to grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries;
To grant peace to the whole world, and to save our souls!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
The king of heaven, because of His love for mankind,
Appeared on earth and dwelt with men.
He took flesh from the pure Virgin
And after assuming it, He came forth from her.
The Son is one: two natures, yet one person.
Proclaiming Him as perfect God and perfect man,
We confess Christ our God!
Entreat Him, unwedded Mother, to have mercy on our souls!
Apostikha
Tone 8
To the special melody Most Glorious Wonder
Most glorious wonder!
The wisdom of the proud perishes today, And all the forces of evil lament at beholding Vladimir the great, Our faithful ruler:
The wild branch that was divinely planted by the strength of God, Glorified and radiantly crowned by him. Verse: I have exalted one chosen out of the people!
Marvelous depth of wonders!
Those who were hard-hearted in understanding and wandering in vain,
Rejoice now in the holy church,
For this is the day of Vladimir.
Christ our God reigns, and has found another Paul,
Setting him as faithful prince in his land,
For by holy baptism he has enlightened his people! Verse: I have anointed him with my holy oil!
Rejoice, praise of Russia!
Rejoice divine Vladimir, our ruler, and guide for the faithful! Rejoice, bulwark of the faith,
Rejoice, miracle of miracles:
The calm haven for those who flee to you. Rejoice, all-holy root of the faith;
The intercessor for those who sing your praises and faithfully magnify you!
Glory...
Assemblies of the orthodox faithful,
Let us praise Vladimir the great:
Teacher of godliness, preacher of the faith, and first among Russian princes.
Let us crown him as equal to the apostles, with praises and spiritual songs:
“Rejoice, most brave soldier of Christ!
For you wearied the enemy and caused him to perish
And having delivered us from his wiles,
You led us to Christ, our King and God!
Now, most-blessed and praise-worthy prince,
Pray that peace and health be granted to Orthodox Christians, And victory over their adversaries,
And for our souls, great mercy!”
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Sovereign lady, accept the prayers of your servants,
And deliver us from all necessity and sorrow!
Troparion
Tone 4
Holy prince Vladimir,
You were like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
By sending servants to Constantinople for the orthodox faith,
You found Christ, the priceless pearl.
He appointed you to be another Paul,
Washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness.
We celebrate your memory,
Asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians
And for us, your spiritual children.
Kontakion
Tone 8
Most glorious vladimir. In your old age you imitated the great apostle Paul:
He abandoned the things of a child, while you forsook the idolatry of your youth.
Together with him you reached the fullness of divine wisdom:
You were adorned with the purity of holy baptism;
Now as you stand before Christ our Savior,
Pray that all Orthodox Christians may be saved!
Theotokion
Tone 4
The mystery hidden from eternity
And unknown to the angels,
Is manifested to those on earth through you, Theotokos!
God being incarnate of you by union without confusion,
And of His own will freely enduring the cross for us,
And raising the first-formed man,
Has saved our souls from death!
(After the 1st reading from the psalter):
Sessional Hymn
Tone 1
Blessed Prince Vladimir, equal to the Apostles,
We cry out to you as author and root of the faith;
A destroyer of the idols:
“Entreat Christ God, that he may grant remission of sins
To those who gather with love
To celebrate your holy memory!”
GNE...
Theotokion
Guide us who have ever strayed into the trackless wastes of evil
Onto the path of repentance!
We have angered the all-good Lord, blessed unwedded Mary
Refuge of the despairing and dwelling of God!
(After the 1st reading from the psalter):
Sessional Hymn
Tone 8
You were taught ineffable heavenly wisdom by God;
You richly attained an understanding of his faith and hastened to His beauty!
Therefore you illumined the eyes of your mind
And lifted yourself up to an understanding of the devotion of faith.
Therefore we cry out in celebration:
Blessed is God, radiant luminary, Vladimir,
Who illumined your heart with the light of knowledge!
Entreat Christ God that He may grant remission of sins
To those who honor your holy memory with love!
GNE...
Theotokion
The gloom of sin covers me with my shameful deeds
Which without restraint I have constantly committed.
The oppression of my conscience torments me!
Woe is me! where now shall I hide myself?
To whom shall I flee to find help again?
I fall down before you alone, Mother of God, and entreat you:
“Pray without ceasing that our souls may be saved!”
Hymn of light
Vladimir, crowned by God,
Together with your grandmother, Olga the glorious,
You have been manifested as beacons enlightening the world with godliness and faith!
We glorify Christ who loved you, and is glorious in his saints! (Twice)
GNE...
Theotokion
Mother of God and spotless Virgin,
You have borne God in two wills and natures,
Who has freely willed to become poor for our sake,
Giving us divine riches!
The Praises
To the special melody You Have Given a Sign
Tone 4
Lord, you have given a strong weapon to the prince Vladimir:
Your precious cross, by which he lived righteously on earth,
Radiant in godliness;
And by your compassion, he was given the heavenly kingdom.
Therefore we glorify your dispensation of love for mankind,
All-powerful Jesus, the Savior of our souls! (Twice)
Lover of mankind, You gave the wisdom of Solomon
To Your godly servant, well-pleasing to You;
The meekness of David, and the apostolic gift
To glorify You as King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Therefore we glorify Your dispensation of love for mankind,
All-powerful Jesus, the Savior of our souls!
Prince of eternal memory,
You were the first to bring your people to submit by their own will to Christ
By their acknowledgment of him as God and King,
Benefactor of all, Who grants victory to all authority,
And to those who lie oppressed.
Therefore Jesus, the Lover of mankind and Savior of our souls,
Has guided your nation, through your love for Him.
Glory...
Tone 2
You have not received your calling from men,
But were like Paul, the miracle.
Vladimir, you received the glorious name of apostle from on high, from Christ our God.
For you protected yourself with the sign of the cross,
And thereby, as a good catch, you were taken,
And shown to be invincible over visible and invisible enemies.
Therefore we, the earth-born, rightly honor your memory,
And pray you, as our intercessor,
To beg for us boldly enlightenment, cleansing, and great mercy!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Tone 2
O new wonder,
Yet greatest of all ancient wonders!
For who had ever known a mother without a husband,
To have brought forth and carried in her arms Him Who holds all creation?
This Child is God’s good will!
Pure one, having carried Him in your arms as an infant,
And having the boldness of a mother before Him
Always intercede before Him for those who honor you,
That our souls may be pitied and saved!
Hieromartyr Athenogenes, Bishop of Heracleopolis
Hieromartyr Athenogenes, Bishop of Heracleopolis, and his ten disciples (ca. 311). Martyrs Paul and two sisters, Chionia (Thea) and Alentina (Valentina), at Caesarea in Palestine (308). Martyr Antiochus, Physician, of Sebaste (4th). Virgin-martyr Julia of Carthage (ca. 440 or 613).
Lord I Call...
Tone 8
To the special melody Marvellous Wonder
The glorious Athenogenes now comes before us:
The bright robe of the priesthood
Is shown to be more sacred through being dipped in blood!
He entered with it into the temple,
Appearing before the one who oversees all,
Serving him in the company of the bodiless hosts,
And illumined by participation in divinity.
Let us all bless him!
The all-wise Athenogenes was joined by Christ to the chorus of champions!
Through faith he contested strongly and finished the course!
With them he conquered the crafty one
And was accepted into the choir of martyrs.
He was made divine through adoption!
Now he ever intercedes for us who celebrate his holy memorial!
After the god-chosen group of ten disciples
Overcame the restlessness of the passions by ascetic discipline,
They fought and slew the serpent!
They were rich in divine strength, with Athenogenes as their holy leader!
By their supplications, supremely good and compassionate One,
Save us who ever hope in You!
Troparion
Tone 2
Most blessed and wise bishop and martyr Athenogenes,
You grew as a palm tree in the monastic life;
Towering as a cedar in your struggles,
Through your teachings you brought a number of martyrs to Christ.
We honor them together with you!
Kontakion
Tone 4
Hieromartyr Athenogenes,
Following the love of the Master,
As an excellent pastor you laid down your life for the sheep of Christ
Therefore we praise you and together with you
The ten disciples who suffered with you,
Instructed by the fear of God and your teaching!
With his life-creating right hand the master has crowned you
For you were well-pleasing to him.
Pray to Him on behalf of us all!
July 17
Great-martyr Macrina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia (415). Ven. Irenarchus, Abbot of Solovki (1628). Translation of the relics of Ven. Lazarus of Mt. Galerius near Ephesus.
Lord I Call...
Tone 8
To the special melody Marvelous Wonder
Marvelous wonder!
A gentle and all-blameless maiden
Has brought to earth the exalted pride of him
Who pledges to blot out earth and sea!
She has conquered his wiles:
How great is the power and grace of the cross!
It clearly supports us in all our infirmities!
All-glorious martyr Marina!
You have most worthily made your dwelling in the heavenly mansions
With the ranks of virgins and the legions of martyrs:
By your intercessions save those who celebrate your memorial in faith,
Faithfully drawing near to your protection.
Beseech God for remission of sins, redemption and great mercy!
All-laudable martyr Marina,
Neither the fire of torments nor the enjoyment of pleasure,
Nor worldly graces, nor the delight of youth,
Separated you from the love of Christ!
You desired to reach the surpassing beauty of your holy bridegroom:
You were made worthy of this, most divinely-blessed one!
Glory...
Tone 2
With a voice of rejoicing
And with psalms of great jubilation,
Let us praise Marina the martyr:
She destroyed the delusion of idols on the earth!
Manfully she trampled on the enemy!
Having been perfected she ascended into the heavens,
Bearing a crown of victory and crying out:
I long for you, my bridegroom!
With desire for your love, and for your sake
I gave my body to the fire!
Therefore I shall dwell in the eternal mansions,
The abode of those who rejoice!
Apostikha
Glory...
Tone 6
At the right hand of the Savior
Stood the virgin, prizebearer and invincible martyr,
Arrayed in virtues and adorned with the oil of purity;
Bright with the blood of her contest!
She cried out with great joy, bearing her lamp:
I ran towards the fragrance of your myrrh, Christ God,
For I was wounded by your love!
Heavenly bridegroom, do not separate me from yourself!
By her entreaties, almighty Savior,
Send down on us your mercy!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Theotokos,
You are the true vine that has brought forth the fruit of life!
Intercede, Lady, together with the apostles and all the saints,
That mercy may be granted to our souls!
Troparion
Tone 4
Your lamb Marina, O Jesus,
Calls out to You in a loud voice:
I love You, my Bridegroom,
And in seeking You I endure suffering.
In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You,
And died so that I might live with You.
Accept me as a pure sacrifice,
For I have offered myself in love!
By her prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful!
Kontakion
Tone 3
Virgin and martyr Marina,
You were adorned with the beauty of innocence and crowned with a crown of glory!
You were soaked in the blood of martyrdom And made glorious by your miracles of healing. Therefore you received the prize of victory from your Creator!
Hymn of light
To the special melody Listen Women
Having strengthened yourself by the cross of your Lord,
You destroyed the pride of your torturers, good virgin!
You suffered manfully, martyr,
And received the victor’s prize.
Most wise Marina, pray for us who honor you with love.
GNE...
Theotokion
Mary, Mother of God,
The divinely-wise virgins stand around you.
They are fittingly led by you, the Queen of all mankind,
To your Son, the King of all!
Virgin Maiden and Mother,
Entreat Him to have mercy on us all!
Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria
Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria (363). Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris (4th). Ven. John the Long-suffering of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves- 1160). Ven. Pambo, Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th). Ven. Pambo, Hermit, of Egypt (4th). “ITOLGA” Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos (1314).
Lord I Call
Tone 4
To the special melody Valiant Among Martyrs
You ground the religion of the Greeks as fine as dust!
Through the grace of Christ our God, martyr Emilian,
You built a living tower of the knowledge of God,
A temple of holiness,
An immovable foundation of piety
For those who honor your courageous feats with godly wisdom,
Most wealthy one!
Though consumed by the fire, glorious one,
Afflicted with wounds, imprisoned in dungeons
And subjected to many tribulations,
You did not sacrifice to the idols
Nor did you deny Christ!
You remained invincible,
Therefore, the Master, the immovable King and good Judge of the contest
Has given you the crown of victory!
You dyed your robe with your blood, glorious one.
Wearing it, you have entered the kingdom on high with joy!
You stand forever before God, the King of all,
Asking for peace, health and speedy deliverance from evils
For those who honor you with faith!
Troparion
Tone 4
Your holy martyr Emilian, O Lord,
Through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from you, our God!
For having your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
And shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 3
Burning with zeal for God, you did not dread the fire,
But freely ascending without fear,
You were consumed by the flames,
Offering yourself to the master as a sacrifice!
Glorious martyr Emilian,
Pray to Christ God that He may grant us great mercy!
relics of Ven. Seraphim of Sarov
Ven. Macrina, sister of St. Basil the Great (380). Ven. Dius, Abbot, of Antioch (ca. 430). Uncovering of the relics of Ven. Seraphim of Sarov (1903). Blessed Roman, Prince of Ryazan (12 70). Ven. Paisius of the Kiev Egypt (4th). Ven. Onesimus of Magnesia (4th). Repose of Ven. Nicodemus the Hagiorite (1809).
Lord I Call
Tone 1
(To Seraphim)
When you went, holy monk, into the wilderness of Sarov,
You put off your own will to the very end,
Showing steadfast obedience to all.
You rejoiced to endure offense and dishonor!
You prayed for those who injured you.
Therefore we glorify your memory and entreat you:
Pray that the Lord will grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Blessed is the monastery of Sarov!
It holds you, holy father Seraphim, as a treasure of virtues,
A vessel of purity, a guardian of chastity,
A well of grace, a spring of healing!
A physician who took no money from the sick,
A true ascetic who comforted those in affliction,
A peaceful harbor for those tossed in the storms of earthly passions!
Therefore we glorify your memory and entreat you:
Pray that the Lord will grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Today the faithful rejoice in your memory, holy father Seraphim
Proclaiming you with a loud voice.
You forsook the good things of this life for love of Christ
And went to live in Sarov’s wilderness.
You were not afraid of the struggle with invisible enemies,
But you swept them aside as dust with your prayers.
Tone 4
(To Macrina)
To the special melody You Have Given a Sign
You lived in purity,
Preserving your virginity chaste and undefiled.
You distributed your wealth, fulfilling the commandment of Christ.
Following him, you forsook the world and all that is in it.
Therefore Jesus, the lover of mankind and Savior of our souls,
Has given you heaven and the things of heaven!
As a most fervent lover of wisdom
You displayed self control and an undying quality of soul.
You sought to be pure from the stains of sin
And clear from all pollution,
That you might be free from the restraints of the body,
Having neither spot nor wrinkle, god-pleasing one.
Now you stand pure and without blemish before the bridegroom!
Your face was enlightened by the brilliant radiance of Christ,
All-laudable one.
After death he glorified you as his godly virgin,
Merciful and beaming with joy,
As one sympathetic and speaking words from God,
For you lived an angelic life on earth,
Pleasing God with the radiance of your life!
Pray that the Lord will grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Glory...
Tone 8
Come, assembly of the faithful!
Let us glorify today our great father in songs of praise,
Let us cry out to him:
“Holy monk, our father Seraphim
You were truly granted divine life,
Receiving from God a crown of incorruptible glory!
Therefore Sarov makes its boast in you;
Your relics give glory to the Lord Who glorified you!
Pray that He will grant our souls peace and great mercy!”
Now and ever...
Theotokion
The King of heaven, because of His love for man,
Appeared on earth and dwelt with men.
He took flesh from the pure Virgin
And after assuming it, He came forth from her.
The Son is one: two natures, yet one person.
Proclaiming Him as perfect God and perfect man,
We confess Christ our God!
Entreat Him, unwedded Mother, to have mercy on our souls!
Apostikha
Tone 5
To the special melody Rejoice, Life-bearing Cross
Rejoice, converser with angels,
The holy monk Seraphim!
You lived with devotion upon the earth,
Teaching the fear of the Lord to many who came to you
For you were enlightened by the Spirit!
You saw the things of the future
As though they belonged to the present day
You filled the souls of the afflicted
With joy and tenderness.
Therefore we entreat you:
Pray to God for those who honor you!
Verse: precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!
Rejoice, most wondrous teacher,
Of those who have gone astray!
It has been given to you to behold Christ our Lord
In his church with the archangels and angels!
Now holy monk, in heaven,
You ever delight in this sight.
Therefore, pray to God for those who honor you!
Verse: blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who greatly delights in His commandments!
Rejoice, holy monk, father Seraphim!
You commanded all to keep the true faith of Christ.
Having desired the life on high,
You despised all riches.
Now you see the ineffable beauty of heaven
And delight in the sweet singing of the angels.
Therefore, pray to God to grant us peace and great mercy!
Glory...
Tone 6
Holy monk, saint Seraphim,
Who can declare your struggles and the diseases which attacked you!
What tongue can proclaim the harsh life in the wilderness:
The vigils and the abstinence!
And again, your solitude living as a hermit,
Your tongue ever still and silent as you stood in unceasing prayer.
Truly you have revealed yourself to be the adornment of those who fast;
An intercessor before God who will never be put to shame!
Therefore we cry out to you:
Rejoice, example of the monastic life!
Rejoice, comforter of those in affliction and need!
You have been a fervent advocate for all of us.
Pray to the Lord that our souls may be saved!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
My maker and redeemer, Christ the Lord,
Was born of you, most pure virgin!
By accepting my nature, He freed Adam from his ancient curse!
Unceasingly we magnify you as the Mother of God!
Rejoice, celestial joy!
Rejoice, O lady!
The protection, intercession and salvation of our souls!
Troparion
(To Seraphim)
Tone 4
You loved Christ from your youth, blessed saint,
Burning with desire to labor for Him alone,
You strove in unceasing prayer and effort in the wilderness!
You gained the love of Christ through the compunction of your heart
And were manifested as the chosen of the Mother of God.
Therefore we cry out to you:
“Save us by your prayers, our father seraphim!”
Troparion
(To Macrina)
Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O mother,
For you took up the cross and followed Christ!
By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away,
But to care instead for the soul since it is immortal.
Therefore your spirit, holy mother Macrina, rejoices with the angels!
Theotokion
Tone 8
For our sake, good one, You were born of a virgin;
You suffered crucifixion and despoiled death by death
And as God You revealed the Resurrection:
Do not despise those whom You have created with Your own hand!
Show forth Your love for mankind, merciful One!
Accept the prayers of the Theotokos and save Your despairing people!
Kontakion
(To Seraphim)
Tone 2
Forsaking the beauty as well as the corruption of this world, O saint,
You went to Sarov where you lived as a monk and angel.
You became the way of salvation for many men,
Therefore Christ has glorified you, father Seraphim,
Enriching you with abundant healing and miracles;
Therefore we cry out to you:
“Rejoice, Seraphim, our holy father!”
Kontakion
(To Macrina)
Tone 4
Venerable Macrina,
You loved the good God with all your heart.
Taking His precious cross upon your shoulder,
You followed after Him with zeal.
Therefore you have found forgiveness of sins!
(After the 1st reading from the psalter):
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
You defeated the temptations of the enemy
By the sign of the cross and by prayer.
You made yourself pleasing to God
Through fasting and abstinence.
Therefore you received the gift of working wonders,
Granting healing to all who hasten to your relics with faith.
Holy monk seraphim,
Entreat Christ our God to grant remission of sins
To those who venerate your holy memory with love!
Gne...
Theotokion
The wonder of your conceiving is fearful, pure virgin;
The manner of birth, ineffable!
My mind is filled with wonder and my thoughts with fear!
Your glory, Theotokos, has been spread abroad
For the salvation of our souls!
(After the 2nd reading from the psalter):
Sessional hymn
Tone 1
In the depths of the wilderness of sarov
You bent your knees upon the rock.
You lifted your hands to the Lord!
Therefore you received from the Savior the gift of the Holy Spirit
To heal those suffering in body and to enlighten the minds of the faithful.
Therefore, we cry out to you:
“Entreat Christ our God, holy monk,
That we who commemorate you may be saved.”
GNE...
Theotokion
Receive our prayer, most pure one,
For we take refuge under your protection,
And do not cease to entreat the lover of mankind
That your servant may be saved!
Hymn of light
Come, O faithful!
Let us praise saint Seraphim in holy hymns:
Great in his wonders, illumining the land of Russia!
The companion of angels and fervent intercessor before God!
Let us venerate his holy memory
GNE...
Theotokion
After God, we place all our trust in you, Theotokos,
And we pray that you will entreat Him Who was born of you
To grant the world peace and great mercy!
The praises
Tone 8
The honored feast of the monastery of Sarov is at hand:
The day which commemorates the holy monk Seraphim to whom we sing!
Rejoice, light and confirmation of ascetics!
Star among monks, showing as to the wise men the way to heavenly mansions!
Glorious boast of the priests!
Never-failing fountain of love and wisdom,
The brightest light of spiritual discernment!
Rejoice, great example of virtue! (Twice)
Blessed father Seraphim,
You truly followed Christ,
And drew all men to yourself by your fraternal love and lack of malice,
Teaching many the way of virtue by your meekness and humility.
Therefore, saint Seraphim, we bless your memory with love!
You went to dwell in the wilderness, holy monk,
And filled with spiritual wisdom, you rose there to the height of virtue.
Therefore we cry out to you:
“Rejoice, adornment of the Church!
Strength of priests, the glory and the boast of monks!
Blessed Seraphim, pray to Christ our God
To give the world peace and our souls great mercy!”
Glory...
Tone 6
Come, assembly of monks and ascetics!
Come, all Christian people; let us honor the ascetic in songs!
Let us cry aloud:
“Rejoice, for you directed your steps in those of Christ the Master
Along the narrow way!
Rejoice, swift helper of those who run to you in affliction and tribulation;
Mighty intercessor of salvation!
Rejoice, for you were adorned with the gift of prophecy,
Foretelling future things as though they were the present day!
Pray, holy Seraphim for those who honor your holy memory in faith and love!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Theotokos,
You are the true vine who blossomed for us the Fruit of life! Implore Him, we pray you, Lady,
Together, with the apostles and all the saints,
That He will have mercy on our souls!
Holy Glorious Prophet Elijah (9th B.C.). Repose of Van. Abramius of Galich (or Chukhom Lake), disciple of Ven. Sergius of Radonezh (1375). Uncovering of the relics of Ven. Athanasius, Abbot of Brest Litovsk (1350).
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy Of The Heavenly Host
All-compassionate word you translated Elijah the Tishbite
From the earth in a fiery chariot:
Through his prayers, save us who glorify You in faith As we celebrate his divine and honored memory in joy! (Twice)
Elijah, blessed of God,
You beheld the presence of God which enlightened you, Not in an earthquake, but in a still small voice. You ascended to heaven in a wondrous manner, Sitting upon a chariot drawn by four horses: You have become wonderful, O God-inspired one!
Wise Elijah, in your burning zeal for God,
You slaughtered the priests of confusion with the sword! By your word the heavens were bound
So that it might not rain upon the earth.
By giving your mantle to Elisha
He grew and was filled with a double portion of divine grace!
Tone 2
Two lights have shone in the universe: The bright stars of Elijah and Elisha.
With the word of God, the one stopped the rain from the heavens,
Thus convicting the kings.
He ascended into heaven upon a fiery chariot! The other received a double portion of grace.
He purified the polluted water,
And parted the stream of the Jordan.
Now they rejoice with the angels:
Pray for the salvation of our souls!
You were lifted up into the sky, to the gates of heaven,
By a fiery chariot, Elijah the Tishbite.
The grace of the fire worked a miracle on you.
Although you were created in the flesh you did not see death,
That you might preach in all places until the end. Therefore come, and grant us your correction and instruction!
Never-setting light of the Church!
Prophet Elijah, burning with zeal for God! You made the rain cease from heaven; You were fed by a raven.
You convicted kings and were the cause of the death of priests. You called down fire from heaven. Twice you caused the death of fifty men. The widow’s jar of flour did not give out because of you, Nor did her flask of oil fail.
Through your prayers her son was raised from the dead. You made fire burn the water,
And caused the streams of the Jordan to be turned back. You ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot.
Elisha received a double portion of your grace:
Do not cease to intercede for us before God, to save our souls!
Glory...
Tone 6
Come, all Orthodox people!
Let us assemble in the holy place:
The temple in honor of the two prophets inspired by God!
Let us sing together, giving glory to Christ our God.
Let us raise our voices and say joyfully:
Rejoice, earthly angel, and heavenly man!
Elijah of great name!
Rejoice, for you received double grace from God:
Most revered Elisha!
Rejoice, pillars, champions and physicians of the Christian people!
Deliver from every obstacle and tribulation
Those who celebrate your all-glorious feast in faith!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Who will not bless you, most holy Virgin?
Who will not sing of your most pure childbearing?
The only-begotten Son shone timelessly from the Father,
But from you He was ineffably incarnate!
God by nature, He became man for our sake!
Not divided into two persons, but known as One in two natures.
Entreat him, pure and all-blessed Lady,
To have mercy on our souls!
Litya
Tone 4
You participated in a pure union with God my Savior, blessed prophet;
Parting the Jordan by prayer, you crossed it as dry land!
You were caught up in a fiery chariot to the heavens,
Leaving Elisha a double measure of grace.
Therefore, we beseech you:
Though you were caught up in the body,
Do not part yourself from us in spirit
And ever pray that our souls may be saved!
You were revealed to be a shining cloud, luminous prophet,
Showering divine knowledge upon all the faithful,
Richly giving them to drink with the wine of gladness
To all who turn to your most divine temple with faith.
Therefore, we entreat you, divine prophet and God-seer Elijah,
Grant health to our Orthodox bishops and great mercy to our souls.
You subjected the flesh to the governing mind,
Divine prophet Elijah,
Diligently ascending in your heart as by steps.
Therefore, you denounced the unrighteous king
And pronounced the ban of the wrath of God:
You destroyed the shameful, unrighteous priests with a knife!
You clearly taught all to cry out:
“Indeed there is one God: the God whom elijah has preached!”
Glory...
Tone 6
How terrible the commands of the impious king!
How terrible the fast, filled with blood and evil!
Jezebel proclaimed a fast that she might commit murder,
And at once Naboth the Israelite was killed.
How did you respond to these things, prophet?
Thus says the Lord:
“Since you have unjustly killed a man of Israel,
So shall your blood also be spilled
And harlots shall wash themselves in your blood!”
By the prayers of your prophet and preacher, O Christ,
Deliver our souls from such inhumanity,
For You are the lover of mankind!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Theotokos,
You are the true vine who blossomed for us the Fruit of life.
Implore Him, we pray you, Lady,
Together with the apostles and all the saints,
That He will have mercy on our souls!
Apostikha
Tone 4
He who was sanctified before he was conceived, Angelic of body and of flaming intelligence,
The heavenly man, the herald of the second coming of Christ: Glorious Elijah, pillar of the prophets and their cornerstone Has called lovers of feasts to celebrate his feast in spirit!
Through his intercessions, O Christ God,
Save Your people from all harm by the deceiver!
Verse: Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also was among those who called on his name!
When Elijah saw with divine wisdom
That all the people of Israel had departed from the Lord God, And were led to the worship of idols,
He was stirred with zeal!
He held back the clouds;
He burned the earth and closed the heavens with a single word, saying:
Not a drop shall fall upon the earth without my word! As we celebrate his memory,
He grants ineffable grace to those who keep his feast with faith!
Verse: you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek!
You divided the waters of the Jordan, O Elijah
The seer of ineffable mysteries!
You turned the deceits of idols into ashes
By the lightning of your divine words.
You rebuked the king when he disobeyed the law. You killed the priests of iniquity, burning their sacrifice by prayer.
Quench the flames of our passions and sorrows By the fire of your intercessions!
Glory...
Tone 6
Prophet who foretold the coming of Christ,
You are standing at the throne of greatness,
And are ever present at the side of those who lie in sickness. And now, minister of the highest,
Blessing the universe, and glorified throughout the world: Seek forgiveness for our souls!
Now and ever...
Theotokion
Theotokos,
You are the true vine who blossomed for us the Fruit of life.
Implore Him, we pray you, Lady,
Together with the apostles and all the saints,
That He will have mercy on our souls!
Troparion
Tone 4
Venerable and glorious Elijah,
An angel in the body,
The pillar of the prophets and their cornerstone,
The forerunner of the coming of Christ:
You sent grace from on high to Elisha,
Dispelling diseases and cleansing lepers,
Abounding with healing for those who honor you!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Prophet and seer of the great works of God,
Elijah of great name,
By your command you held back the rains in the clouds!
Pray for us to the only Lover of man!
Theotokion
Tone 4
The mystery hidden from eternity
And unknown to the angels
Is manifested to those on earth through you, Theotokos!
God being incarnate of you by union without confusion,
And of his own will freely enduring the cross for us
And raising the first-formed man,
Has saved our souls from death!
(After the 1st reading from the psalter):
Sessional Hymn
Tone 1
Ascending on a fiery chariot as on the wings of the wind,
You gloriously made your journey to the heavens today,
Leaving, divine prophet, a double measure of grace to Elisha,
Together with your mantle from on high!
GNE...
Theotokion
In love, we turn to your goodness
And entreat you, the Mother of God,
The true virgin, revealed to be virgin even after giving birth,
For we sinners have you as our intercessor.
In you alone, the immaculate one,
We have obtained salvation in the midst of dangers!
(After the 2nd reading from the psalter):
Sessional Hymn
Tone 3
Your divine temple pours forth healings on all, most wondrous prophet!
Together with the most marvelous Elisha,
Entreat Christ to send down peace upon the world
And great mercy to those who honor you!
GNE...
Theotokion
Each one rightly runs to the place where he is saved;
What other refuge but you, Theotokos,
Do we have to protect our souls?
Magnification
We magnify,
We magnify you,
Glorious prophet Elijah!
And we venerate your fiery ascent
In the flesh into heaven!
Verse: blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who greatly delights in his commandments!
Matins gospel
Prokeimenon
Tone 4
You are a priest forever * after the order of Melchizedek!
Verse: touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm!
The gospel according to St. Matthew 16: 13-19
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Post gospel verses
Tone 6
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the prayers of the prophets,
O merciful One,
blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,
O merciful One,
blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your great mercy;
according to the multitude of Your compassions,
blot out my transgressions.
Prophet who foretold the coming of Christ:
You are standing at the throne of greatness,
And are ever present at the side of those who lie in sickness.
And now, minister of the highest,
Blessing the universe and glorified throughout the world:
Seek forgiveness for our souls!
The canon
Canticle one:
First canon
Tone 2
Irmos:
Let us sing a song of victory to the Lord,
Who of old guided the people in the midst of the sea,
Drowning Pharaoh and all his army,
For He has been glorified!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
We have fittingly assembled,
desiring to behold the fiery power of the miracles of Elijah,
his fiery and honored tongue
and the strength of his spirit!
By the activity of the Spirit with you, God-bearer,
open our lips and the muteness and unskillfulness of our tongue
and enlighten us
that we may be able to hymn your wonders!
You grant that which transcends nature, O Word,
to those who have submitted to Your honored precepts,
You make the portals of the rain subject to them
through the spirit confirming their word.
Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Let us sing a song of victory to the Lord
who was born of the Virgin:
He has renewed the world
and for our sake has bestowed divine life on us,
for He has been glorified!
Second Canon
(The acrostic: I sing praise to the great Elijah, by Hieromonk Pachomius)
Tone 8
Irmos:
Israel crossed the water on foot as if it were dry land.
They escaped the evil Egyptian and cried:
Let us sing to our redeemer and God!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You have been revealed as an instrument plucked by the hand of God,
most wondrous prophet,
hymning the omniscient God who visits retribution
to all according to their deeds.
You were unable to endure deception, wondrous prophet:
you denounced the unrighteous king for his iniquity!
Therefore you imposed on him God’s judgment of condemnation, full of wrath!
Divine Elijah, prophet and forerunner of grace,
having denounced Ahab, the evil king, as a transgressor of the law,
you destroyed the shameful and impious prophets.
Theotokion
Faithful, let us make haste to fittingly praise in hymns
the Mother of Christ who gave birth to the Savior of all,
the Master of life and death!
Katavasia:
I will open my mouth, filled with the spirit;
I will sing a song to the queen and mother!
I will come, rejoicing in the feast
And I will extol all her glory!
Canticle Three:
First Canon
Irmos:
You established me upon the rock of faith
And enlarged my mouth over my enemies,
For my spirit rejoices when it sings:
“None is holy as our God,
And none is righteous but You, O Lord!”
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
He who alone sustains every living thing by His good will,
by a raven, provided you, Prophet,
with a banquet as a chosen guest.
We all cry out to Him:
“You are our God and there is none holy but You, O Lord!”
Grace to the Benefactor and Guardian
Who in His ineffable providence, nourished the widow and the prophet!
We all cry out to Him:
“You are our God and there is none holy but You, O Lord!”
You forbade the rain-laden clouds to pour down;
when the widow of Zarephath was deprived of food,
you caused the remains of her food to increase continually
and you cried out: “There is none holy but You, O Lord!”
Theotokion
You alone, surpassing all the past ages,
have been given great things transcending nature,
for you received the infinite God of all creation in your womb.
You gave flesh to Him!
Therefore we all honor you as the Theotokos!
Second Canon
Irmos:
Lord, the Fashioner of the vault of heaven,
Who founded the Church,
Establish me firmly in Your love.
For You are the height of all our desires
And the foundation of the faithful:
The only Lover of mankind!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You chastised all with mercy;
you take pity on all who turn to you in your temple:
they do not sin by asking help from you!
You denounced Ahab, the impious king, divine prophet,
and you judged him with the judgment of God
as a violator of the Law!
The shameless queen Jezebel sought to kill you,
most divine prophet,
for you fittingly pronounced the sentence of death on her unholy priests!
Theotokion
We hymn you, Mistress, as a place of the priesthood of divine glory
and the altar, O pure one,
which held Christ, the Bread of life!
Katavasia:
In your divine glory, Theotokos,
Living and inexhaustible fountain,
Spiritually establish your choir, assembled in chorus.
In your mercy, make them worthy of the crowns of glory!
Sessional Hymn
Tone 8
Faithful, let us all praise Elijah the Tishbite with hymns:
The source of miracles and adornment of the prophets,
For being immortal while yet in the flesh,
As a mortal he assures us of the Resurrection of the dead!
Therefore, since he has boldness before God,
He gives healing to those who ask with faith.
He earnestly beseeches Christ to give remission of sins
To those who celebrate his holy memory with love!
Gne...
Theotokion
I have fallen into subtle temptations
Through the work of my enemies, visible and invisible;
I am caught fast in the tempest of my countless sins!
I flee to the haven of your goodness, pure one,
As my fervent help and protection.
Therefore, most pure lady, earnestly entreat him
Who was incarnate of you without seed
On behalf of all your servants who ever pray to you,
Canticle four:
First canon
Irmos:
I have heard the report, Lord, of Your dispensation,
And I have glorified You, only Lover of mankind!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You are revealed as one who cuts down evil at its root
and a planter of virtue, wise prophet.
Therefore, we bless you.
The widow who fed you
upbraided you with words for the death of her son,
forcing you to raise him from the dead.
You clearly signified the glory of the Trinity
with your threefold breathing
and you handed the child back alive to his mother.
How you burned, aflame with divine fire and zeal, prophet,
denouncing the king who did evil things.
Theotokion
Pure One, you conceived God without seed.
We entreat you ever to pray for your servants.
Second Canon
Irmos:
Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Your dispensation;
I have perceived Your works
And I glorify Your divinity!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
The Lord crowned you a prophet, most wise one,
granting you the grace to foretell future things
as though they were in the present.
Therefore, as we see now the fulfillment of your words,
we ever bless you with praises as a true prophet!
As the soul of Your prophet, Christ God,
has been greatly adorned with humility,
so burning with zeal which surpasses fire,
he destroyed the shameful priests!
Reflecting the Light with your countenance like a mirror,
you stand before the face of Christ, most wondrous prophet.
Mercifully visit us from there,
that with praises we may all bless you as a prophet!
Theotokion
We have acquired you as our hope and confirmation,
an impregnable wall of salvation, all-praised one,
and we are delivered from evil!
Katavasia:
The counsel of God cannot be examined:
The most high was incarnate from a virgin!
The prophet Habakkuk foresaw this and cried:
Glory to Your power, O God!
Canticle Five:
First Canon
Irmos:
Lord, the Giver of light and Creator of the ages,
Guide us in the light of Your commandments,
For we know no other God but You!
Holy prophet elijah, pray to God for us!
The Law of your fathers has revealed you as a true man of prayer, Elijah;
a wonderworker transforming the nature of the elements
and completely consuming the righteous sacrifice with water!
As a true minister of God,
you completely put to shame the prophets of abominable shame,
venerable and most blessed Elijah,
clearly marking the power of the Trinity.
Giving priestly service through the word of grace, Elijah,
you killed the shameful priests with your blameless hands,
consumed with zeal as with fire.
Theotokion
We cry out to you: “Rejoice, pure one!
For you gave birth to Christ, the Creator of all!
Rejoice, for you have shone Light upon us!
Rejoice, for you contained the infinite God!”
Second Canon
Irmos:
Enlighten us by Your commandments, Lord,
And grant us peace by Your mighty, uplifted arm
As the Lover of mankind!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
Prophet Elijah, whom the unfading splendor of divine grace has revealed:
since you acquired a most divine mind with diligence,
you rouse the pious to song.
Who does not marvel at your divine zeal, wondrous prophet?
And who does not hymn Christ Who has given you such great might?
You were adorned by God with prophecy,
most wondrous prophet Elijah.
Therefore, having wholly united yourself to God,
you denounced deception
and led the Israelites to the knowledge of God!
Theotokion
Theotokos, you gave birth to the never-setting Sun:
enlighten me, completely darkened by the passions
and fill me with divine light!
Katavasia:
All creation was awed by your divine glory,
For you, virgin, knew no man, yet bore the God of all!
You held in your womb the eternal son
Who grants peace to those who extol you in song.
Canticle Six:
First Canon
Irmos:
The deepest abyss of sins has surrounded me, Lord,
But as You led the prophet Jonah,
Lead up my life from corruption, Lord!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
Wondrous God-bearer Elijah,
you were a pillar of piety and the pure life,
an instiller of purity and an imitator of the angels!
The wrath of the prophet-killing woman
frightened you and made you flee
though you had received the power, wondrous Elijah,
to bind and loose the flow of rains!
You knelt down and raised the greatly exalted eye of your mind on high;
by your eminent entreaty you caused the rains to be loosed.
You watered the furrows of the earth with showers!
Theotokion
The bush on Sinai which drew near to the Fire without being consumed,
prefigured you, the ever-virgin Mother:
all-hymned Theotokos Mary.
Second Canon
Irmos:
I pour out my prayer to the Lord,
Telling Him of all my affliction,
For my soul is full of evils
And my life draws near to hell.
I beseech you as Jonah, O God:
Snatch my life from corruption!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
Offer God a hymn of supplication, most honored prophet,
on behalf of all who turn to your divine temple,
that we may honor you as a great helper.
The mind of man does not suffice to praise you fittingly, prophet,
for beholding the transfiguration of Christ,
you were exalted far above the spiritual powers!
The Lord and Creator of all has appeared to us
in accordance with your prophecy, blessed Elijah,
calling all men to the knowledge of Himself,
for He is the Lover of mankind!
Theotokion
Mary, pure vessel of virginity:
cleanse my mind of the gloom of the passions
and fill my heart with righteousness, all-pure one.
Katavasia:
Let us, believers, clap our hands in gladness,
Fulfilling the most precious feast.
By knowing God through the Theotokos,
Let us glorify Him Who was born of her!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Prophet and seer of the great works of God,
Elijah of great name,
By your command you held back the rains in the clouds!
Pray for us to the only lover of mankind!
Ikos
Seeing the great evil of people and the great love of God for mankind, the prophet Elijah was troubled and grew angry. He addressed pitiless words to the Merciful One, crying out: “Be angered against those who deny You, righteous Judge!” But he did not move the compassion of the Good One to torment those that deny Him, for He ever awaits the repentance of all
As the only lover of mankind!
Canticle Seven:
First Canon
Irmos:
The burning bush on the mountain
And the Chaldean furnace drenched with dew
Clearly prefigured you, O Bride of God,
For without being consumed,
You received the divine and immaterial fire in your material womb.
Therefore we sing to Him Who was born of you:
“Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You were most gloriously robed with divine and formidable power
as you undertook a long journey, wondrous Elijah,
having eaten food that sufficed you for forty days.
Therefore, you said on Horeb:
“Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
The mild and gentle breeze showed you the Lord, Elijah,
zealous for God Almighty:
not the wind of the tempest, nor the earthquake nor the terrible fire.
Therefore you sang to the meek Jesus:
“Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
Like the great Moses, you were given the vision of God and prophecy,
wondrous Elijah,
anointing prophets and kings with the Spirit.
Having borne witness to the glory of Christ on Tabor, you sang:
“Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
Theotokion
In past times, beyond nature and without seed,
you gave birth in the flesh to the unoriginate and pre-eternal Lord,
the Son, Power and Wisdom of the Father,
for the renewal of mortals, all-pure one.
Therefore, we cry out to Him Who was born of you:
“Blessed is the Lord God of our fathers!”
Second Canon
Irmos:
The children who came from Judea to Babylon in days of old
By faith in the Trinity
Trampled the flames of the furnace beneath their feet and sang:
“Blessed are you, the God of our fathers!”
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You completely consumed with fire from heaven as unworthy
the people of Israel that came to you with a captain of fifty,
divine Elijah!
As a most divine prophet, rightly illumined with the vision of God,
most honored Elijah,
you at once put an end to the sacrifices made to Baal.
Since the all-holy Spirit gave you the gift to prophesy,
most honored prophet Elijah,
you sinlessly foretold the coming of the Son of God.
We sing out to Him:
“Blessed is the God of our fathers!”
As was indeed fitting, the poison of death was poured forth
through the judgment of God and the hand of the prophet
upon the shameful priests
that ate unrighteously at Jezebel’s table.
Theotokion
Save, me, Mother of God,
for I am held fast by the abyss of sins.
Rescue me from all the malice of the foe,
that saved by you, I may magnify your aid.
Katavasia:
The godly youths worshipped the Creator, not the creature;
Manfully they trampled on the flames, singing in joy:
“Blessed are you, most praised Lord, God of our fathers!”
Canticle Eight:
First Canon
Irmos:
The pure bodies of the pious youths trembled with awe,
Sharing the same garment as their souls
And the unrelenting fire, fed with boundless fuel, drew back.
But as the ever-living flame was cooled,
The chanting of an everlasting hymn began:
“Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord;
Sing and exalt him throughout all ages!”
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
Ahab indeed found the just destruction of his house
through the prophet’s condemnation
to be the dread retribution for his vile commission of murder.
With fiery mind the Tishbite chanted a hymn to the Giver of life:
“Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord,
sing and exalt Him throughout all ages!”
Fire rained down from heaven for you, Elijah,
twice consuming captains of fifty,
for you are God’s chosen minister.
You cried a hymn to the one who controls everlasting life:
“Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord,
sing and exalt Him throughout all ages!”
On Tabor, Christ showed you to be an initiate
of the mystery of His divine incarnation,
as an instiller of purity and most divine fruit of virginity.
He showed the unapproachable light of divinity in His body
to you as you cried out:
“Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord,
sing and exalt Him throughout all ages!”
Theotokion
The womb of the Mother of God was most fruitful,
for having received the Word in the coarseness of the flesh,
making from it an earthly form according to the Person,
it was revealed to be the city of God
in which the Most High was well-pleased to dwell!
We sing out to Him:
“Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord,
sing and exalt Him throughout all ages!”
Second Canon
Irmos:
Praise the heavenly King, hymned by the angelic hosts;
Sing and exalt Him throughout all ages!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
The One Who knows all things as God,
entrusted the knowledge of things to come to you,
for you are faithful, Elijah.
He shows you the things which are far off as though they were near!
You strengthened your mind with the boldness of devotion, blessed prophet,
foretelling things that are far off as though they were near
as a most honored seer.
You cleansed your mind of all defilement, divine prophet.
Therefore, you became completely holy,
guiding all to the divine Light!
Let us bless the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, The Lord, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Entreat the Word to whom you ineffably gave birth, pure Theotokos,
for the sake of those who honor you with faith!
We praise, bless and worship the Lord, singing and exalting him throughout all ages!
Katavasia:
He who was born of the Theotokos
Saved the holy children in the furnace.
He Who was then prefigured has now been born on earth,
And he gathers all of creation to sing:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord,
And exalt him above all forever!”
The Magnificat is sung
Canticle Nine:
First Canon
Irmos:
Blessed and most pure Theotokos,
You ineffably gave flesh to God,
The beacon which shone out before the sun
And has come to us through your virginal womb:
We magnify you!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
Having lived the earthly course which mankind cannot change
and crossed the Jordan's stream by means of his mantle,
the Tishbite, the air-borne charioteer,
made a strange and heaven-traversing journey in the Spirit!
The Tishbite, burning with the zeal of piety,
was taken up on a fiery chariot.
he let his mantle drop and Elisha robed in it,
received divine grace which he could not conceal!
The Tishbite and Moses the God-seer beheld in revelation on Tabor
what eye has not seen nor ear heard
and what has not entered into the hearts of earthborn mortals:
the Lord Almighty, incarnate!
Theotokion
We magnify you, Theotokos,
for you removed the severe condemnation
which was the correction of our first mother of old!
You are the reconciliation of mankind to God:
a bridge to the Creator!
Second Canon
Irmos:
We truly confess you to be the Theotokos,
Saved by you, pure virgin.
We magnify you with the bodiless choirs!
Holy prophet Elijah, pray to God for us!
You have been deified, prophet Elijah,
by the immaterial splendor of the life-creating Trinity.
Therefore we all appoint you, blessed one,
as an intercessor to God for the world!
You were known as an angel on earth, divine prophet,
and in heaven as a man of God;
for the Lord Himself said: “Because you are an austere man, Elijah,
you cannot endure evil Israel!
Come up to Me, that I may come down!”
You lived on earth as one of the bodiless ones, divine prophet,
and now, borne up to heaven,
you join chorus with the angelic choirs.
Watch over us on high as we sing to you, blessed one!
Theotokion
You bore in your arms the God Who bears all things!
You feed the Nourisher Who became like us, O pure one!
Beseech Him that He grant to your people
deliverance from all oppress