Menanion
for August
Menanion
for August
Prepared by
Reader Michael J. Bishop
Baltimore MD
1997
Rev: July 9, 2004
August Menanion
BEGINNING OF THE DORMITION FAST
Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord (first of the three “Feasts of the Savior” in August). Holy Seven Maccabean Martyrs: Abimus, Antoninus, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusabonus, Alimus, and Marcellus, their mother Solomonia, and their teacher, Eleazar (166 B.C.). The Holy Martyrs of Perge in Pamphylia: Leontius, Attius, Alexander, Cindeus, Minsitheus (Mnesitheus), Cyriacus, Mineon (Menaeus), Catanus, and Eucleus (3rd).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
Today the divine assembly of the faithful rejoices
For the cross appears throughout the world!
It illumines the heavens with ineffable light,
Brightens the air, adorning the face of the earth.
The church of Christ exults with divine singing,
Venerating and serving the holy and wondrous cross which preserves her from above.
As we are strengthened by its power, let us approach the Master saying:
“Grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!”
Let all creation rejoice and dance!
For today the cross shines from heaven to the ends of the earth!
It enlightens those who are born on earth,
Bringing them to unity.
Today mankind exults with the choirs of angels,
For the cross has destroyed the dividing walls
And gathered all into one.
Shining brighter than the sun, it enlightens all creation with grace,
Showing salvation plainly to those who honor it in faith!
Shining brighter than the sun,
Revealing itself to the world as the sceptre of Christ the King,
It shines to all the ends of the earth.
It has brought the human race out of hell.
And having despoiled hell and overthrown the enemy,
It vanquishes the arrogance of demons.
Now it declares the resurrection of the Savior, and saves all who cry:
“Grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!”
Tone 1
Persecution did not shake the roof of the law,
Firmly upheld by seven pillars.
For they bravely endured the senseless fury of their tormenter,
Giving their bodies to the executioners:
These noble young men and brothers,
Guardians of the oracles of Moses.
Raising their minds above visible things,
Their bodily limbs cut down,
The brave and righteous youths, with their divinely-wise mother,
Were strengthened by the great hopes which have been fulfilled,
As they now rest in the bosom of their forefather Abraham!
Most holy Eleazer,
The young men and their divinely wise mother,
Arming themselves firmly with youthful boldness of soul,
Gathering strength from zeal,
Steadfastly attacked the adversary for the sake of piety,
To preserve the law of their fathers.
Glory...
(by John the Monk)
Tone 8
The holy Maccabees said to the tyrant:
“Antiochus, there is for us one King alone:
God in Whom we have our being and to Whom we turn!
A world higher and more lasting than the one we see awaits us.
Our homeland is the sure and invincible Jerusalem!”
She keeps this solemn feast with the angels;
By their prayers, have mercy on us and save us!
Now and ever...
In ancient times, Moses prefigured the cross,
Casting down Amalek in defeat;
Your cross is the footstool david the psalmist proclaimed worthy of veneration!
We sinners honor it today with unworthy lips, Christ our God.
We entreat you, for you were freely nailed upon it:
“Lord, with the thief, make us worthy of Your kingdom!”
Apostikha
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the heavenly host
Come and celebrate the procession of the cross,
You who love solemn assemblies!
Let us show forth our joy, crying out in the fullness of faith:“Cross of Christ, by the grace of the One Who was lifted up on you,
Sanctify us and save us from all harm by your might!”
Verse: Extol the Lord our God; worship at His footstool for it is holy!
The precious cross traverses the heavens,
Assisting the veneration of all in fear and love!
As you were crucified upon it, number with the powers on high
Those who praise it with love!
Verse: God is our King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth!
In venerating the precious cross with faith,
We worship the master whom it crucified!
With the veneration of our lips, we purify our souls,
Showing forth our joy as we praise the sacred radiance of the cross!
Glory...
Tone 8
The souls of the just are in the hands of God:
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the forefathers before the law,
And their inheritance, the Maccabees whom now we praise.
For these sons of Abraham followed him in the faith with strength of soul,
Wrestling even to death for the sake of godliness.
Raised in reverence and striving worthily,
They reproved the godless Antiochus.
For the sake of eternal life they scorned the things of this world,
Setting aside for god their lives: soul and body!
Holy mother, who brought forth for us these seven sons!
With her, Maccabees, and the wise priest Eleazar,
As you stand before Christ our God for Whom you labored, Entering into the fruits of your reward,
Ever pray to Him for mankind.
For according to His will, he answers those who pray to Him in faith!
Now and ever...
The voice of Your prophet Moses cried out, O God:
“Behold your life as it hangs before your eyes!”
So today the cross is lifted up and the world set free from error.
Today Christ’s resurrection is renewed!
The ends of the earth rejoice with David in songs and cymbals:
“O God, Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth:
The crucifixion and resurrection by which we are saved!
All-powerful, good Lord, the Lover of mankind, glory to Thee!
Troparion
Tone 1
We beseech Thee, Lord of mankind,
To accept in supplication
The suffering which the saints endured for Thy sake, O Lord,
And heal all our infirmities.
Troparion
Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people
And bless Thine inheritance.
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians
Over their adversaries,
And by virtue of Thy cross,
Preserve Thy habitation!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Most wise Maccabees,
Seven pillars of the wisdom of God;
A divinely lit seven-branched candlestick!
Great martyrs before the martyrs of Christ:
Join them in asking the God of all to save those who honor you!
Kontakion
Tone 4
As Thou wast voluntarily crucified for our sake,
Grant mercy to those who are called by Thy name. Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Thy power,
Granting them victories over their adversaries,
By bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace!
Hymn of light
Tone 2
(to the Maccabees)
Let us sing the praises of the Maccabees,
Children of Eleazar and Solomonia,
For they laid low the arrogance of the enemy
And were crowned in the service of the law!
GNE...
(of the Cross)
The cross is the guardian of the whole earth;
The cross is the beauty of the church.
The cross is the strength of kings;
The cross is the support of the faithful.
The cross is the glory of angels and the wounder of demons!
The praises
Tone 4
Let us cry out with shouts of victory,
And magnify the precious cross in song!
Let us venerate it and say aloud:
“Most blessed Cross,
Sanctify our souls and bodies by your might;
Preserve from all danger those who honor you in godliness!”
Come and draw the eternal water flowing from the grace of the cross.
Behold the holy wood that lies before you:
The source of grace proceeding by the water and blood of the Lord of all,
Who freely willed to be lifted up,
That thereby He might lift up mortals.
Holy Cross, you are the adornment of the Church,
The strength of kings, the salvation of monastics.
Through your veneration, we are enlightened today in heart and soul
By divine grace from Him Who was nailed on you,
Laying low the power of the enemy and putting the curse to death.
Tone 1
The mother who labored greatly
Called her own children to the struggle, saying:
“Follow the venerable Abraham and share in the slaying of Isaac!”
They accepted her guidance and followed what she taught.They beheld one another paying the penalty of torture.
By their prayers, O God, have mercy on us.
Tone 4
Eight chosen pillars were hewn from one living rock
And they showed the tower of the law to be unshaken.
Through them, Savior, preserve our souls in peace.
Tone 4
The sons of Solomonia, the guardians of the law,
Cried aloud as they strove in the arena:
“Antiochus, we stand fast for the law of our fathers.
Neither fire, nor sword nor wild beasts nor flogging shall part us!
Together we shall die with our mother, our teacher and father,
Living and rejoicing throughout all ages!”
Glory...
War has been raised against the Maccabees:
Come, O faithful, and behold their courage!
The king and tyrant who ruled over all nations
Was conquered by an old man, seven children and a woman!
By their prayers, O God, have mercy on us.
Now and ever...
Thou gavest our ancestor David strength to defeat the alien, Lord.
And by faith, O King, Thou hast cast down our enemies by the weapon of the Cross!
Compassionate One, show us Thy mercy of old;
May our adversaries know that Thou art God indeed!
Then we who put our trust in Thee will be victorious,
Through the prayers of Thy Mother who ever intercedes that we may be granted great mercy.
At Matins
(After the doxology when the cross is brought out into the church we sing the following stikhera of veneration):
Tone 2
Come, faithful,
Let us fall down in worship before the life-creating tree!
Christ, the King of glory, stretched out His hands on it
And exalted us to paradise,
From where we had been driven by the devil’s instigation.
Come, faithful, let us fall down in worship before the tree!
By it we are empowered to crush the heads of invisible enemies.
Come, all generations of nations.
Let us honor the cross of the Lord with songs:
“Rejoice, perfect redemption of fallen Adam!
Now in fear and love, all Christians venerate you upon whom God was nailed
Singing: ‘have mercy on us, gracious Lord and Lover of mankind!’”
Tone 5
Beholding Thee, the Author and Creator of all
Hanging naked upon the cross,
All creation was moved with fear and lamented.
The sun dimmed its light and the earth quaked,
The rocks split and the splendid veil of the temple was torn in two.
The dead arose from their graves
And the angelic hosts were filled with awe, saying:
“How great is the wonder!
The Judge is condemned and suffers
In His desire to save and restore the world!”
Tone 8
Today the Master of creation and Lord of glory
Is nailed to the cross
And His side is pierced by a spear.
He Who is the sweetness of the Church partakes of gall and vinegar;
He Who covers the sky with clouds is crowned with thorns
And clothed in garments of mockery.
He Who fashioned mankind with his hands
Is slapped by a hand of clay;
My Deliverer and God wills to be spit upon and wounded,
Mocked and buffeted.
He endures all things for the sake of me, for I am condemned,
That He might save the world from deception,
For He is the compassionate One!
GNE...
Today, He Who is intangible in essence
Becomes tangible to me.
He endures passion to free me from the passions.
He Who gives light to the blind is spat upon by evil men
And gives His shoulders to beating for those in captivity.
Seeing Him upon the cross,
The pure virgin Mother cried out in pain:
“Woe is me, my child! What hast Thou done?
Thou art beautiful beyond all men,
Yet Thou revealest Thyself, bereft of breath and sight,
Without form or comeliness.
Woe is me, my Light!
I cannot look upon Thee asleep!
I am wounded within and a cruel sword pierces my heart!
I hymn Thy sufferings,
I worship Thy loving-kindness.
Long-suffering Lord, glory to Thee!”
Translation of the relies of the Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople (ca. 428), and the finding of the relies of the Righteous Nicodemus, Gamaliel, and Abibas. Blessed Basil of Moscow, Fool-for-Christ (1552). Blessed Basil of Kubensk (15th). Hieromartyr Stephen, Pope of Rome, and those with him (257).
Lord I Call...
To the tune of “Most Glorious Wonder”
Stephen, you were the first among the martyrs to suffer;
You are the foundation of those who serve as deacons,
Chosen by the Apostles.
You enlighten with unfading light
Those who celebrate your radiant feast with splendor,
Giving grace and mercy to your servants.
By your prayers, martyr, guide them to everlasting life.
Stephen, martyr of Christ,
You received a crown of grace on your head,
In accordance with your name.
You adorned your neck with a chain of virtues as with gold.
You became an all-wise dwelling of the wisdom you cherished,
Keeping it as your beloved.
Therefore you have been honored with grace and glory!
Most honored Stephen,
First of the martyrs to suffer,
You are crowned with grace and glory, apostle.
When you were stoned, you offered a crown to our King and God,
Spiritual and more valued than gold and precious stones.
Beautiful are your deeds and name!
Remember all of us!
Same Tone (to Basil)
From your youth, O blessed Basil,
You sought to stand before the day of judgment
In neither fear nor terror.
You accomplished this with boldness!
You forsook all the delights of this life,
And following in the way of Christ,
You obtained spiritual treasure.
You ever accepted suffering with patience,
And entered heaven rejoicing!
Pray that our souls may be saved!
You were blessed by God, O Basil!
You did not accept this passing world;
You were dead to the pleasures of this life.
Laboring in the service of God,
You overcame suffering and ascended the heights.
You obtained the crown of victory!
Now that you rejoice with the heavenly hosts,
Pray that our souls may be saved!
You were inspired by God, O Basil!
You fought and escaped the devil’s trap;
You abhorred the way of weakness and unbelief.
Having received the Holy Spirit,
You were a fool to the world, but wise in Christ.
You strove to obtain the heavenly kingdom;
Now you rejoice there with the angelic hosts!
Pray that our souls may be saved!
Glory...
(To Stephen)
Tone 6
Apostle Stephen,
You were shown to be first among martyrs and deacons;
The adornment of athletes, the strength of the faithful,
The glory of the righteous.
As you stand before the throne of Christ, the King of all,
Ask that those who celebrate your honored memory
May be counted worthy to be cleansed of their sins
And to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Apostikha
Rejoice in the Lord, crown-bearer Stephen!
You followed your Master,
For you were the first martyr of Christ our King.
You abolished the deception of the enemy
And you pray to the Lord for the salvation of our souls.
Troparion
Tone 4
Protomartyr Stephen, your head was crowned with a kingly crown
Because of the struggles you endured for Christ our God.
You beheld the vision of your Savior
Seated at the right hand of God.
Do not cease to intercede with Him for the salvation of our souls!
Troparion
Tone 8
Your life, Basil, was true and your chastity undefiled.
In fasting, vigilance and exposure to heat and frost
You subdued your flesh for the sake of Christ.
Therefore your countenance shone with the brilliance of the sun.
Today the faithful glorify your holy falling-asleep.
Implore Christ to deliver us from all bondage, dissension and war,
And to grant great mercy to our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 8
You are worthy of all praise, blessed Stephen,
You are the first grain planted in the earth by the divine Gardener,
The first to shed your blood for Christ,
The first to be crowned by Him in heaven with the crown of victory:
You are the first to have suffered for Christ and to receive the martyr’s reward!
Hymn of Light
Of transcendent incorruption.
The drops of you blood have dyed a robe of royal purple for you,
Great Stephen, first among martyrs!
GNE...
Theotokion
Holy and all-pure mistress,
Unwedded maiden, our salvation and hope:
Beseech our Deliverer Who was born of you,
That He may save the world from error, misfortune and tribulation.
Matins Apostikha
Protomartyr, apostle and first deacon,
Gate of the martyrs and glory of the righteous:
You are the boast of the apostles!
Standing before the Sanhedrin, you beheld the heavens opened
And the Son of God standing at the right hand of the invisible Father.
Therefore, with your face shining like an angel,
You cried out with joy, praying for those who stoned you to death:
“Do not lay this sin to their charge!”
Pray now for cleansing of sins and great mercy
For those who praise you with love.
You hated the world, and it despised you:
You loved heaven, taking the narrow and difficult path.
Thus you overcame the passions of this life.
You were courageous in the face of adversity;
You did not fear the threats of the enemy.
You drank your fill from the fountain of truth,
And the grace of god dwelt within your heart.
Your desire was to do God’s will, O Basil:
Pray that our souls may be saved!
From your youth, you followed the divine call, blessed Basil:
Taking upon yourself the yoke of Christ our God
You tore asunder the devil’s bonds and crushed his pride.
In wisdom, you kept silence,
Living in the flesh by the spirit among the lowly.
You beheld the heights, and quickly attained the crown of high calling:
“Pray that our souls may be saved!”
Ven. Isaac, Dalmatus and Faustus. Ascetics of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople (4th-5th). Ven. Anthony the Roman, Abbot, of Novgorod (1147). Martyr Razhden of Persia (Georgian—457). Ven. Cosmas. Eunuch and Hermit, of Palestine (6th).
Lord I Call...
Tone 8
To the Special Melody Your Martyrs, Lord
Your saints made themselves like the bodiless ones
With prayer and abstinence, Lord.
They dispelled the passions of the flesh
And brilliant with wonderful works
They have enlightened the hearts of all!
Through their supplications grant your people great mercy.
Taking up zeal for the virtues,
Dalmatus and Isaac openly overthrew the heresy of Arius and Nestorius.
They fought on the side of the Orthodox
And have gained glory from all!
Through their prayers, O Christ, grant Your people great mercy!
You appeared plainly as stars in the firmament of ascetic endeavor,
Illumining the souls of monastics, venerable fathers,
Driving away the darkness of demons.
Therefore, even after your death you are called blessed,
Praying that all who celebrate your godly memory may be saved.
Troparion
Tone 4
God of our fathers,
Do not take away Thy mercy from us,
But ever act towards us according to Thy kindness,
And by the prayers of Thy saints,
Guide our lives in peace!
Kontakion
Tone 2
Let us praise Isaac, Dalmatus and Faustus with hymns:
They shone like beacons through fasting
And turned away heresies with faith.
They are saints of God who entreat Him on our behalf!
Holy Seven Youths (“Seven Sleepers”) of Ephesus: Maximilian. Jamblicus, Martinian. John, Dionysius, Exacustodian (Constantine), and Antonius (250). Martyr Eudoxia of Persia (362-364). Martyr Eleutherius of Constantinople (4th).
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
To the Special Melody Joy of the Heavenly Hosts
Come, let us ever sing hymns to the memory of the seven honored youths;
The brilliant seven-branched lampstand.
Let us cry out to Christ Who has crowned them:
“By their prayers, Lord and Deliverer, bring peace to our life!”
The seven godly youths died according to nature.
Yet they rose up at once as though from sleep
In a manner transcending nature indeed
For they had slept in the cave as dead for three hundred and seventy two years!
Now let us honor John and Martinian,
Anthony and Dionysius
With the godly Iamblicus and Maximilian,
For they pray on our behalf.
Together with them let us praise with devotion
The wise Exacustodian.
Troparion
Tone 4
Great is the wonder of faith!
The seven holy youths lived in the cave as in a royal chamber.
They died without falling into corruption
And after much time they arose as from sleep as an assurance of the resurrection of all men!
By their prayers, Christ God, have mercy on us!
Kontakion
Tone 4
Turning from the corruption of this world
And accepting the gifts of incorruption,
Though they died, they remained untouched by corruption!
Therefore, after many years they rose, burying all the unbelief of the wicked!
Faithful, let us sing hymns to Christ as we praise them today!
Hymn of Light
To the Special Melody Listen, Women
Having armed themselves with the sword of Thy precious cross, O Word,
The athletes firmly conquered the hosts of the adversary!
They reign with There, my Christ, the King of all!
GNE...
Theotokion
Saved for your sake, our Mistress,
We confess you indeed to be the Theotokos,
For you ineffably gave birth to God
Who has destroyed death by the cross
And drawn multitudes to Himself!
Together with them we praise you, O Virgin!
Forefeast of the Transfiguration. Martyr Eusignius of Antioch (362). Ven. Job of Ushchelsk (1628). Hieromartyr Antherus (Antheros-236) and Fabian (250). Popes of Rome. Martyr Pontious at Cimella in France (ca. 257). Martyrs Cantidius. Cantidian. and Sibelius (Sobel) of Egypt. Righteous Nonna. mother of St. Gregory the Theologian (374).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
(Of the Prefeast)
To the Special Melody You Have Given a Sign
Come, let us go up with Jesus who ascended the holy mountain.
There let us listen to the voice of the living God,
The unoriginate Father, who through the divine Spirit
Bears witness to His true sonship with a cloud!
Illumined in mind, let us gaze upon Light amidst the light!
Come, let us dance in the prefeast!
Let us purify ourselves!
Let us faithfully prepare for the divine entry
Into the dwelling place of the transcendent God!
Let us receive the glory which the forechosen Apostles were given
To behold mystically on Mount Tabor!
Come, let us transform ourselves with a higher transformation!
Let us prepare ourselves for tomorrow,
To ascend the holy mountain of God,
To behold the glory of Christ
Which shines forth without changing more brightly than the sun!
Illumined with the light of the Trinity,
Let us glorify His condescension!
Tone 4
(to Eusignius)
To the special Melody As Valiant among Martyrs
Dyed in the blood of your flesh, glorious one,
You clothed yourself in the purple robe of divine grace
And placed upon your head the crown of incorruptible life!
You carried the trophy of the cross in your right hand as a scepter.
Most wise martyr, you ever rejoice as you reign with Christ!
You were recognized, Eusignius, as an invincible warrior,
For wielding the sword of the cross,
You went out to do battle with the enemy.
You fought with splendor and cast him down,
Receiving the crown of victory
From the one Master and Judge of the contest who reigns forever!
By your honored sufferings, glorious athlete Eusignius,
You portrayed the honored passion,
And as a conqueror, you dwell in the city on high,
Rejoicing with all the martyrs.
You are made divine by communion with the Godhead!
Therefore, we celebrate your honored and holy festival!
GNE...
(To the Prefeast)
Tone 5
Come, let us ascend the mountain of the Lord
To the house of our God!
Let us look upon the glory of His transfiguration,
The glory of the only-begotten of the Father!
Through light, let us receive Light,
And exalted in the Spirit,
Let us ever sing hymns to the consubstantial Trinity!
Apostikha
Tone 2
To the special melody House of Ephratha
Enlightened
With the radiance of the virtues
Let us go to the holy mountain
That we may behold
The divine transfiguration of the Lord!
Verse: Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other!
Today on the mountain,
Shining like the sun,
Before undergoing His sufferings,
Christ shows the initiates of His mysteries
A godly sign of His divinity!
Verse: Blessed are the people who know the festal shout!
Desiring to transform
The nature of Adam,
Christ now ascends Mount Tabor
That He may reveal His divinity
To the initiates of His mysteries!
GNE...
Tone 2
Thou wast transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor, Christ God,
Revealing the glory of Thy divinity to Thy disciples:
Enlighten us also with the light of the knowledge of Thee
And guide us in the path of Thy commandments,
For Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind!
Troparion
Tone 4
Faithful, let us celebrate in advance the joy of Christ’s transfiguration!
Let us rejoice and cry out in the prefeast:
The day of heavenly joy is approaching,
For the Lord is ascending Mount Tabor
Where He shines with the light of His divinity!
Kontakion
Tone 4
Today mankind prepares to reflect the radiance of divine splendor
Wrought in the transfiguration of Christ,
Crying joyfully: “Christ is transfigured to save us all!”
Kontakion
Tone 8
Today the Church honors a man martyred for his piety and devotion:
The sincere and godly-minded Eusignius the wise.
She glorifies his spiritual struggles and cries out fervently:
“Most merciful One, guard Your servants through his intercession!”
(After the first reading from the Psalter)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
The feast of the Master has come in all splendor!
Come! Having all cleansed ourselves spiritually before hand,
Let us ascend Mount Tabor to behold Christ!
GNE...
The feast of the Master has come in all splendor...
(After the second reading from the Psalter)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Faithful, let us celebrate in splendor
The day of the prefeast of the glorious and awesome transfiguration of Christ!
Let us cry out together:
“Transform our nature, O Savior,
Illumining it with Your divine flesh
And impart to it its original dignity of incorruption,
That we may all glorify You, our one compassionate God!”
GNE...
Faithful, let us celebrate in splendor...
Hymn of light
To the special melody The heaven with Stars
He who created the sky and gave light to the stars
Ascends Mount Tabor today,
Illumining the disciples with the radiance of His divinity!
GNE...
Today Christ has shone out with light on Tabor!
Today the voice of the Fath is heard as thunder from on high,
Crying: “This is My beloved Son!”
Matins Apostikha
Tone 1
To the special melody Joy of the Heavenly Host
As we celebrate this day of the prefeast
Of the all-holy and glorious transfiguration,
Let us glorify Christ who has transfigured our nature
With the fire of divinity,
Enlightening it with incorruption as it was before!
Verse: Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other!
Come, let us ascend the holy mountain
And gaze with faith upon the most radiant transfiguration of the Lord!
Let us worship him with faith and let us say:
“You alone are God incarnate; You alone have deified mankind!”
Verse: Blessed are the people who know the festal shout!
This is the day of the prefeast on which Christ is transfigured!
Moses and Elijah were with Him on Mount Tabor with His disciples
And a voice was heard saying:
“This is truly my chosen Son!”
GNE...
Tone 1
At Your transfiguration,
Moses who beheld God
And Elijah of the fiery chariot who crossed the heavens unconsumed
Bore witness to You, O Christ!
You are the fulfiller of the law and the prophets:
Give Your enlightenment, Master, also to us,
That with them we may sing hymns to You forever!
Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ (Second “Feast of the Savior” in August).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
(By Cosmas the Monk)
When Thou wast transfigured before Thy crucifixion, Lord,
The mountain became as heaven
And a cloud spread itself out like a canopy
And the Father bore witness to Thee.
There were present Peter with James and John,
Since they were to be with Thee at Thy betrayal,
That seeing Thy wonders they might not be dismayed at Thy sufferings.
Grant in Thy great mercy
That we too may be counted worthy to venerate these Thy sufferings in peace! (Twice)
Before Thy crucifixion, Lord,
Taking the disciples up into a high mountain,
Thou wast transfigured before them,
Enlightening them with the bright rays of Thy power:
From love of mankind and in Thy sovereign might,
It was Thy desire to show them the splendor of Thy resurrection!
Grant in Thy mercy as the Lover of mankind,
That we too may be counted worthy of this splendor in peace, O God.(twice)
Savior, when Thou wast transfigured upon a high mountain,
Having with Thee the chief disciples,
Thou shone forth in glorious majesty,
Proving that those who surpass in virtue shall be made worthy of divine glory!
Moses and Elijah, talking with Christ,
Showed that He is Lord of both the living and the dead;
The God Who spoke of old through the law and the prophets.
And the voice of the Father testified to Him from the cloud of light, saying:
“Listen to Him, Who through the cross has captured hell
And has given the dead eternal life!” (Twice)
The mountain that once was veiled in smoke and terrible,
Is now holy and revered,
Since Thy feet, Lord, have stood there!
For Thy dread transfiguration, the mystery hidden before the ages,
Has been made manifest in the last times to Peter, James and John.
Unable to endure the shining of Thy face and the brilliance of Thy garments,
They fell to the ground upon their faces!
Seized with wonder and amazement, they saw Moses and Elijah
Talking with Thee about the things that would befall Thee;
And a voice came in testimony from the Father saying:
“This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: listen to Him!
It is He who grants the world great mercy!” (Twice)
GNE...
(Anatolian)
Tone 6
Prefiguring Thy resurrection, Christ our God,
Thou didst take with Thee in Thine ascent upon Mount Tabor
Thy three disciples, Peter, James and John.
When Thou were transfigured, Savior,
Mount Tabor was covered with light!
Thy disciples, Word, threw themselves down upon the ground,
Unable to gaze upon the form that none may see.
The angels ministered in fear and trembling;
The heavens shook and the earth quaked
As they beheld on earth the Lord of glory!
Litya
Tone 2
O God, in Thy goodness Thou hast sanctified the whole world with Thy light:
Thou wast transfigured on a high mountain,
Showing Thy power to Thy disciples:
For Thou redeemest the world from transgression.
Therefore we cry out to Thee: “Lord of compassion, save our souls.”
Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor,
Showing Thy disciples the splendor of Thy divinity:
Enlighten us also with the light of Thy knowledge
And guide us in the path of Thy commandments,
For Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind!
Christ, the light that shone before the sun,
Was on the earth in the flesh.
In a manner fitting His divine majesty,
He fulfilled his fearful dispensation before His crucifixion!
Today upon Mount Tabor
He has mystically made known the image of the Trinity.
For taking apart the expressly chosen disciples, Peter, James and John,
He led them up into the mountain alone.
Briefly, He concealed the flesh He had assumed,
And was transfigured before them,
Manifesting the original beauty, though short of full perfection.
For He spared them as he assured them, lest seeing, they die.
Yet they saw as far as they could bear it.
He likewise called before Him the chief prophets Moses and Elijah,
Who testified to His divinity:
That He is indeed the true brightness of the essence of the Father,
The Ruler of the living and the dead.
Therefore, a cloud covered them as a tent,
And there came the voice of the Father in testimony, saying:
“This is My beloved Son,
Whom I have begotten without change from the womb before the morning star:
I have sent Him to save those who are baptized
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
And who confess with faith that the one power of the Godhead is indivisible:
Listen to Him!”
Christ our God, supreme in goodness and the Lover of mankind:
Shine upon us with the light of Your unapproachable glory
And make us worthy to inherit Your eternal kingdom!
Glory...
Tone 5
Come, let us ascend into the Mount of the Lord,
To the house of our God,
And behold the glory of His transfiguration,
The glory of the only-begotten Son of the Father.
Let us receive light from His light!
With uplifted spirits let us forever sing the praises of the consubstantial Trinity!
Now and ever...
Tone 5
Moses, who saw God,
And Elijah who rode the fiery chariot across the heavens unconsumed,
Beheld You in the cloud at Your transfiguration, O Christ.
They testified that You are the maker and fulfillment
Of the law and the prophets.
With them, Master, count us also worthy of Your light,
That we may sing Your praises unto all ages.
Apostikha
Tone 1
He who once spoke through symbols to Moses on Mount Sinai
Saying: “I am He Who is!”
Was transfigured today upon Mount Tabor before the disciples.
In His own person He showed them the nature of mankind
Arrayed in the original beauty of the image.
Calling Moses and Elijah to be witnesses of this surpassing grace,
He made them sharers in His joy,
Foretelling His death on the cross and His saving resurrection!
Verse: The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; the world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded them!
David, the ancestor of God,
Foreseeing in spirit the sojourn with mankind of the only-begotten Son in the flesh
Called the creation together to rejoice with him,
And prophetically lifted up his voice to cry:
“Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!”
For having gone up the mount with Thy disciples,
Thou wast transfigured, O Christ,
And made Adam’s darkened image to shine again as lightning,
Transforming it into the glory and splendor of Thy own divinity.
Therefore we cry aloud to Thee:
“Lord and Creator of all things, glory to Thee!”
Verse: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!
When the chosen apostles beheld upon the mountain of the transfiguration
The overwhelming flood of Thy light, unoriginate Christ,
And Thy unapproachable divinity,
They were caught up into a divine trance.
The cloud of light shone around them on every side.
They heard the voice of the Father
Confirming the mystery of Thy incarnation,
For even after taking flesh, Thou remainest the only-begotten Son,
And the Savior of the world!
GNE...
Tone 6
Lord, today on Mount Tabor,
Thou hast revealed the glory of Thy divine image
To Thy chosen disciples, Peter, James and John.
For they looked upon Thy garments that gleamed as the light,
And at Thy face that shone more than the sun!
Unable to endure the vision of Thy brightness which none can bear,
They fell to the earth, powerless to lift up their gaze,
For they heard a voice that spoke from above:
“This is My beloved Son
Who has come into the world to save mankind!”
Troparion
Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Thy everlasting light shine upon us sinners!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Giver of light, glory to Thee!
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain Thou wast transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
(After the first reading of the Psalter:)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Savior, Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor,
Revealing the change that mortals will make
When they take on Thy glory
At Thy fearful and second coming!
Moses and Elijah spoke with Thee,
And You called Thy three disciples to be with Thee.
Master, as they gazed upon Thy glory,
They were struck with wonder at Thy blinding brightness!
As Thou didst shone on them with Thy light, now enlighten our souls!
(After the second reading of the psalter:)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Jesus, Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor,
And a shining cloud covered the apostles with Thy glory as a tabernacle!
Their gaze fell to the ground
For they could not bear to look upon the brightness
Of the unapproachable glory of Thy face!
Savior Christ, our God without beginning,
Who shone on them with Thy light, now enlighten our souls!
The magnification
We magnify,
We magnify Thee,
O Christ, the Giver of life,
And we venerate the all-glorious transfiguration
Of Thy most pure flesh!
Verse:Great is our Lord and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God and upon His holy mountain.
Verse:Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle? And who shall rest upon Thy holy hill?
Matins Gospel Prokeimenon
Tone 4
Tabor and Hermon* shall rejoice in Thy name.
Verse: The heavens are Thine; the earth also is Thine!
Gospel
Luke 9:28-36
28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. 34As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Psalm 51
Post gospel verses
Tone 6
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Today all things are filled with joy:
Christ is transfigured before the disciples!
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Today all things are filled with joy,
Christ is transfigured before the disciples!
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Thy great mercy;
according to the multitude of Thy compassions,
blot out my transgressions!
Tone 5
Savior, Thou didst uncovered a small part of the light of Thy divinity
To those who went up with Thee into the mountain,
Making them lovers of Thy heavenly glory!
Therefore, they cried in awe: “It is good for us to be here!”
With them we also sing to Thee,
Transfigured Savior Christ!
The canon
Canticle one:
First canon
Tone 4
(by Cosmas)
Irmos:
The choirs of Israel passed dry-shod
Across the red sea and the watery deep.
Beholding the riders and captains of the enemy swallowed by the waters,
They cried out for joy:
“Let us sing to our God, for He has been glorified!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Christ spoke to His friends of the kingdom of God,
and said to them, bringing words of life:
“When I shall shine forth with unapproachable light,
you will know that the Father is in Me, and cry out with joy:
‘Let us sing to our God, for He has been glorified!’”
You shall feast on the rich gifts of the gentiles;
their wealth shall be your boast, My disciples and friends:
for when I shall appear shining more brightly than the sun,
you will be filled with glory and cry out for joy:
“Let us sing to our God, for He has been glorified!”
Today as He shines on Mount Tabor,
Christ reveals to His disciples as He promised
the image and dim reflection of divine brightness,
and filled with divine and light-bearing splendor, they cry out for joy:
“Let us sing to our God, for He has been glorified!”
Second canon
(Tone 8)
Irmos:
Having crossed the water as though it were dry land,
And escaped from the wickedness of Egypt,
The children of Israel shouted aloud:
“Let us sing to our Deliverer and our God!
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Moses foresaw the glory of the Lord in days of old
in the cloud and pillar of fire by the Red Sea,
and he shouted aloud: “Let us sing to our Deliverer and our God!”
Protected by a divine body as by the rock,
and beholding the invisible One,
the God-seer Moses shouted aloud:
“Let us sing to our Deliverer and our God!”
In days of old in darkness,
Thou didst appear to Moses both on the mountain of the law and on Tabor
but now Thou appearest in the unapproachable light of divinity!
Katavasia:
Inscribing the invincible weapon of the cross upon the waters,
Moses marked a straight line before him with his staff and divided the Red Sea,
Opening a path for Israel who went over dry-shod.
Then he marked a second line across the waters and united them in one,
Overwhelming the chariots of Pharaoh.
Therefore let us sing to Christ our God, for He has been glorified!
Canticle Three:
First Canon
Irmos:
The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble
And the weak have girded themselves with strength:
Therefore my heart is established in the Lord.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Thou hast put on the whole Adam, O Christ,
and changing the nature that was darkened in days of old
Thou didst fill it with glory and make it divine
by the change that came to pass in Thy form.
In days of old Christ led Israel in the wilderness
with the pillar of fire and with the cloud:
Today He shines forth ineffably
In light upon Mount Tabor.
Second canon
Irmos:
Lord, the Builder of the vault of heaven
And Founder of the Church:
Confirm me in Thy love,
For Thou art our supreme desire and the support of the faithful,
Only Lover of mankind.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
The glory that once overshadowed the tent of meeting, and spoke with Thy servant Moses, Master,
was a figure of your transfiguration
that shone forth ineffably as lightning on Mount Tabor.
The leaders of the Apostles went up with Thee into Mount Tabor,
only-begotten Word most high,
and Moses and Elijah were both present with Thee as attendants of God
only Lover of mankind.
Being perfect God, Thou becamest perfect man,
bringing together in Thy person humanity and perfect divinity
which Moses and Elijah saw on Mount Tabor in two natures.
Katavasia:
The rod of Aaron is an image of this mystery,
Budding to show who should be priest.
So in the Church that once was barren,
The wood of the cross has now put forth flower,
Filling her with strength and steadfastness.
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, Christ God,
Between Moses and Elijah the wise,
In the presence of James, Peter and John;
And Peter as he stood there, spoke to Thee
“It would be good to make three tabernacles here:
One for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Thee, Christ our Master.”
Thou have shone on them with Thy light, now enlighten our souls!
GNE...
Thou wast transfigured...
Canticle Four:
First Canon
Irmos:
I have heard of Thy glorious dispensation, Christ our God:
How Thou wast born of the Virgin,
To deliver from error those who cry aloud to Thee:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord.”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Thou gavest the written law on Mount Sinai, O Christ our God,
appearing there as Thou rodest upon the cloud
in the midst of fire, darkness and tempest:
Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Thou shonest forth ineffably on Tabor, O Christ our God,
as a pledge of Thy glorious dispensation:
Thou wast before the ages,
and makest the clouds Thy chariot.
Those with whom Thou spokest in days of old
in fiery clouds, darkness, and the slightest breeze,
stood before Thee like servants, Christ our Master, and talked with Thee:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord!”
Moses who foresaw Thee in the past
in the fire of the bush that burned,
and Elijah who was taken up in the chariot of fire,
were both present on Mount Tabor
revealing there Thy death upon the cross.
Second Canon
Irmos:
Lightning flashes of divinity proceeded from Thy flesh:
Therefore the chosen prophets and apostles sang and cried aloud:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord!”
Glory to You, our God, glory to You!
Master, Thou didst preserved the bush unharmed,
although it was united to the fire,
and Thou didst revealed Thy flesh shining with divine brightness
to Moses who sang and cried aloud:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord!”
The visible sun was eclipsed by the rays of Thy divinity
when it saw you transfigured on Mount Tabor, my Jesus.
Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Thou wast revealed as an immaterial fire
not burning the material substance of the body,
when Thou didst appear to Moses, the Apostles, and Elijah, Master:
Thou art one in two perfect natures.
Katavasia:
O Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation:
I have considered Thy works,
And I have glorified Thy Godhead.
Canticle Five:
First Canon
Irmos:
Thou hast parted the light from the first chaos,
That Thy works might celebrate Thee in light, O Christ, as their Creator:
Direct our paths in Thy light!
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
The seasons bowed down before Thy face,
for the sun laid its light before Thy feet
with its bright rays that fill the heavens,
when Thou, O Christ, didst change Thy mortal form.
“Behold the Savior!” Cried Moses and Elijah on Tabor the holy mountain,
and their words rang in the disciples’ ears:
“Behold, here is Christ whom we proclaimed as God in ancient times!
Mingled with mortal nature,
the nature that knows no change shone forth ineffably,
unveiling in small part to the Apostles
the light of the immaterial divinity.
When they saw Thee, O Christ the eternal Light,
shining forth in the glory of the Father,
the disciples cried aloud to Thee:
“Direct our paths in Thy light!”
Second Canon
Irmos:
O Light that never sets,
Why hast Thou cast me from Thy face?
Why has the alien darkness covered me in my wretchedness?
But I entreat Thee, cause me to return
And direct my paths towards the light of Thy commandments.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
No tongue, however eloquent,
can declare Thy mighty works.
for Thou art Lord of life and Master of death
Who called Moses and Elijah before Thee on Mount Tabor
to bear witness to Thy divinity.
Thou, O Christ, with invisible hands
didst fashion mankind in Thy own image,
and now in this same human body formed by Thee,
Thou hast shown forth the first beauty.
not revealing it as in an image,
but as Thou art in Thy person according to Thy being, both God and man.
In a union without confusion,
Thou didst reveal the Godhead to us on Mount Tabor.
As the live coal that consumes sins while it enlightens souls,
Thou tookest up Moses and Elijah in ecstasy
with the chief disciples.
Katavasia:
Thrice-blessed tree, on which Christ the King and Lord was stretched!
Through You fell the beguiler,
Who tempted mankind with the tree.
He was caught in the trap set by God,
Who was crucified upon You in the flesh,
Granting peace to our souls.
Canticle six:
First Canon
Irmos:
In my affliction I cried to the Lord,
And the God of my salvation heard me.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
As light shining forth on Tabor,
more brightly than the rays of the sun,
the Savior Christ has enlightened us.
Thou wast transfigured, O Christ,
ascending into Mount Tabor.
Thou didst darken all error,
causing Thy light to shine forth.
The glorious Apostles recognized Thee as God on Tabor,
and in their amazement bent their knees before Thee, O Christ.
Second Canon
Irmos:
Savior, be merciful to me,
For my transgressions are manifold,
And lead me up, I beseech Thee, from the abyss of evil
For I have called out to Thee:
“Hear me, O God of my salvation!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
How mighty and fearful is the vision seen today!
The visible sun shone from heaven,
but from the earth shone incomparably upon Mount Tabor
the spiritual sun of righteousness.
“The shadow of the law has grown feeble and passed away,
and Christ the Truth has plainly come!”
cried Moses as he beheld Your divinity on Mount Tabor.
The pillar of fire plainly showed Moses Christ transfigured,
and the cloud clearly prefigured the grace of the Holy Spirit
that overshadowed Mount Tabor.
Katavasia:
Jonah stretched out his hands in the form of a cross
Within the belly of the whale,
Plainly prefiguring Your redeeming passion.
Cast out after three days, he foreshadowed the mighty resurrection of Christ our God,
Who was crucified in the flesh
And enlightened the world by His rising on the third day.
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thee glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
Ikos
Awake, sluggards! Do not lie forever on the ground! And thoughts that draw my soul towards earth, arise and go up to the high slope of the divine ascent. Let us run to join Peter and the sons of Zebedee, and go with them to Mount Tabor, that with them we may see the glory of our God and hear the voice they heard from heaven: and they proclaimed
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
Canticle Seven:
First Canon
Irmos:
In Babylon the children, sons of Abraham,
Once trampled upon the flame of the fiery furnace,
And they sang this song of praise:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Bathed in the light of your unapproachable glory on tabor,
the apostles cried aloud, O Christ:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!
Rejoicing in the whirlwind of the voice of God,
and in the cloud that dropped down dew with your shining majesty,
the apostles sang, O Christ:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!”
As Peter beheld Thee radiant with unapproachable light,
he cried out on Mount Tabor, O Christ:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!”
The sons of Zebedee were with Christ, the Prince of life,
and when light flashed forth from him, they thundered:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!”
Second canon
Irmos:
The Hebrew children in the furnace boldly trampled the flame,
And they changed the fire to dew as they cried aloud:
“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout all ages!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
The Invisible has now become visible to the Apostles:
the Godhead shone out before them in the flesh.
On Mount Tabor they cried aloud:
“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout all ages!”
The Apostles struck with wonder on Mount Tabor,
in fear and trembling before the beauty of Thy divine kingdom, cried aloud:
“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout all ages!”
The unheard of has now been heard,
for the Son Who came forth from the virgin without a father
receives glorious testimony from His Father’s voice
that He is both God and man, throughout all ages!
Thou didst not become the beloved Son of the Most High through adoption,
but wast such by nature before the world began,
and without change Thou camest to dwell with us who cry to Thee:
“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout all ages!”
Katavasia:
The senseless decree of the wicked tyrant confused the people,
Breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God.
Yet neither the fury of wild beasts nor the roaring of the fire
Could frighten the three children:
But standing together in the flame,
Fanned by the wind that brought refreshment as the dew, they sang:
“Blessed art Thou and praised above all,
Our God, and the God of our fathers!”
Canticle eight:
First canon
Irmos:
The children in Babylon,
Burning with zeal for God,
Bravely trampled upon the threat of the tyrant and the fire;
Thrown into the midst of the flames but refreshed with dew, they sang:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!
Thou uphold all things by Thy will:
Thou didst ascended Mount Tabor with Thy undefiled feet.
Thy face shone there with a splendor brighter than the light of the sun,
the elect of the law and of grace
stood in its radiance and sang:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
When the infinite Light that knows no evening,
the brightness of the Father Who gives splendor to creation,
appeared ineffably in unapproachable glory on Mount Tabor,
it made men divine as they sang:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
Standing in reverence on Mount Tabor,
Moses and Elijah beheld Christ clearly:
the express image of the divine person,
shining forth as lightning with the glory of the Father, and they sang:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
The face of Moses once shone with glory
because of the divine voice he heard in darkness,
but Christ covers himself with light and glory as with a garment.
The One Who is by nature the author of light, shines on those who sing:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
The disciples as they beheld Christ on Mount Tabor
wrapped in a cloud of light,
fell to the ground on their faces,
and with their minds enlightened, sang this hymn of praise
to Him, and to the Father and the Spirit:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
Second canon
Irmos:
The Chaldean tyrant ordered the furnace heated seven times more
For the three children who were filled with reverent fear of God:
But seeing them saved by a greater power, he cried:
“Children, bless the Creator and Deliverer;
Priests, sing His praises;
People, exalt Him above all forever!”
Glory to you, our god, glory to you!
The disciples heard the Father’s testimony, O Master,
and unable to bear the sight of Thy face
Whose lightning brightness was too fierce for human eyes,
they fell to the ground in awe and sang:
“Priests, sing the praises of Christ;
people exalt Him above all forever!”
Thou art by nature the brilliant King of kings,
and blessed Lord of lords, O blessed Master.
Thou dwellest in unapproachable light:
To Thee, the disciples struck with wonder, cried:
“Bless Christ, you children!
Priests, sing His praises;
people, exalt Him above all forever!”
As Thou art Master of heaven and Lord of earth,
and have dominion over the things beneath the earth,
there stood beside Thee, Christ, the Apostles from the earth,
Elijah the Tishbite as if from heaven,
and Moses from the dead, who sang with one accord:
“People, exalt Christ 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.
Thy chosen Apostles laid aside all earthly cares
to follow Thee, Lover of mankind,
to the divine way of life high above this world.
Therefore they were accounted worthy to behold the vision of Thy divinity,
and they sang: “People, exalt Christ above all forever!”
We praise, bless and worship the Lord,
Singing and exalting Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia:
Children, equal in number to the Trinity,
Bless God the Father and Creator!
Sing the praises of the word who descended and changed the fire to dew,
And exalt above all forever the most Holy Spirit
Who gives life to all!
Canticle Nine:
(The Magnificat is not sung)
(Before the Irmoi and Troparia) the Megalynarion:
Magnify, O my soul, the Lord who was transfigured on Mount tabor!
First canon
Irmos:
Your childbearing was incorruptible!
God came from your body
And appeared on earth in flesh,
Dwelling with mankind.
Therefore we magnify you, Theotokos!
The disciples, struck with fear,
and illumined with the sudden stream of unknown light,
looked at each other and fell on their faces to the ground,
worshiping Thee, the Master of all.
A divine voice came from the cloud and confirmed the wonder,
for the Father of lights called to the Apostles:
“This is My beloved Son! Hear Him!”
The ministers of the word beheld new and awesome wonders on tabor,
and hearing the voice of the father, they cried out:
This is the imprint of the archetype, our savior, himself!
Unchanged image of the One Who is,
Seal that cannot be removed or altered:
Son and Word, Wisdom, Arm and Right Hand,
the Strength of the Most High:
we hymn Thee with the Father and the Spirit.
Second canon
Irmos:
Every ear trembled with fear
Hearing of the ineffable condescension of God:
How the Most High of His own will came down even into the flesh,
And was made man from a virgin womb.
Therefore we the faithful magnify the undefiled Theotokos.
To show plainly how Thou willest appear as the most high God
at Thy mysterious second coming,
standing in the midst of gods,
Thou shonest ineffably on Mount Tabor
before the Apostles, Moses and Elijah.
Therefore we all magnify Thee, O Christ.
Peoples, come and listen to me:
Let us ascend into the holy, heavenly mountain.
Let us stand in spirit in the city of the living God,
beholding with our minds the spiritual Godhead of the Father and the Spirit
shining forth in the only-begotten Son.
Thou hast captured me with desire for Thee, O Christ,
transforming me with Thy divine love.
Consume my sins with the fire of the Spirit,
and count me worthy to be filled with delight in Thee,
that I may dance with joy and magnify both Thy comings, good Lord!
Katavasia:
You are a mystical paradise, Theotokos,
In which Christ blossomed;
Through Him the life-bearing wood of the cross was planted on earth.
Now at its elevation,
As we bow in worship before it, we magnify you.
-and-
Today the death that came to mankind through eating of the tree,
Is made of no effect through the Cross.
For the curse of our mother Eve that fell on all mankind
Is destroyed by the fruit of the pure Mother of God,
Whom all the powers of heaven magnify!
Hymn of light
Today on Tabor in the manifestation of Thy light, O Word,
The unaltered light from the light of the unbegotten Father,
We have seen the Father as light and the Spirit as light,
Guiding with light the whole creation! (3 times)
The praises
Tone 4
Before Thy precious cross and passion,
Thou tookest the holy disciples whom especially Thou had chosen.
You went up, Master, into Mount Tabor
Wishing to show them Thy glory.
When they saw Thee transfigured, shining more brightly than the sun,
They fell on their faces, struck with wonder at Thy power,
And they cried aloud:
“Christ, Thou art the timeless light and brightness of the Father,
Yet of Thy own will without change Thou art manifested in the flesh! (twice)
From all eternity Thou art God the Word,
Covering Thyself with light as with a garment!
Thou wast transfigured before Thy disciples,
Shining more brightly than the sun.
Moses and Elijah stood by Thy side,
Making it plain that Thou art the Lord both of the dead and the living.
They glorified Thy ineffable dispensation,
Thy compassion and Thy great condescension,
By which Thou hast saved the world utterly lost in sin.
Lord, born and made flesh from the virgin cloud,
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor,
Surrounding Thyself with a bright cloud.
The voice of the Father in the presence of the disciples
Plainly declared Thee to be the beloved Son,
One in essence and sharing the same throne.
Therefore Peter spoke in wonder, not knowing what he said:
“It is good for us to be here, Benefactor, rich in mercy!”
Gne... (Byzantine)
Tone 8
Christ took Peter, James and John into a high mountain,
And was transfigured before them.
His face shone as the sun and His raiment was white as the light.
Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Him.
A bright cloud overshadowed them and behold, a voice proclaimed:
“This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased; hear Him!”
Communion hymn
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance,* and will exult in Thy name forever. Alleluia.
Psalm 89:
I will sing of Thy steadfast love, O Lord, for ever;
With my mouth I will proclaim Thy faithfulness to all generations.
For Thy steadfast love was established for ever,
Thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens,
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance
And will exult in Thy name forever!
Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David My servant:
I will establish your descendants for ever,
And build your throne for all generations.”
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance
And will exult in Thy name forever!
Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty as Thou art, O Lord,
With Thy faithfulness round about Thee?
Thou rulest the raging of the sea;
When its waves rise, Thou stillest them.
Thou didst crush Rahab like a carcass,
Thou didst scatter Thy enemies with Thy mighty arm.
The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine;
The world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded them!
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance
And will exult in Thy name forever!
The north and the south, Thou hast created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise Thy name!
Thou hast a mighty arm;
Strong is Thy hand, high Thy right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;
Steadfast love and faithfulness go before Thee.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout.
Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance
And will exult in Thy name forever!
6 August, Alternate Translation
Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Lord, I Call
Tone 4
When You were transfigured before Your crucifixion, O Lord,
The Father testified to You.
The mountain where You stood became as heaven
A tabernacle was formed by the cloud.
Peter, James, and John beheld Your wonders
So that when they beheld Your betrayal
They would not be afraid before Your suffering.
In Your great mercy, grant that we too may be counted worthy
To venerate Your sufferings in peace.
Before Your crucifixion, O Lord,
You took Your disciples up on a high mountain
Where You were transfigured be them,
Shining upon them with the bright beams of Your power.
In Your love for mankind and in Your sovereign might,
You desired to show them the splendor of Your resurrection.
Grant that we, too, may be counted worthy of this splendor, o God,
For You are merciful and love mankind.
When You were transfigured on a high mountain, O Savior
Your chief disciples were with You.
You shone forth in glorious majesty
Proving that those who excel in vititue
Shall be counted worthy of the divine glory.
Moses and Elijah spoke with Christ,
Showing that He is Lord of both the living and the dead,
The same God who spoke through the law and the prophets,
From the cloud of light, the voice of the Father testified to Him:
“Hear Him, Who through His cross destroys Hell
And gives the dead eternal life.
The mountain that once was gloomy and veiled in smoke
Has now become venerable and holy
For You, O Lord, have stood upon tt.
Your dread transfiguration, the mystery hidden before the ages
Has now been revealed to Peter, James, and John.
They could not enduke Your shining countenance and bright garments
And fell to the ground, seized with astonishment and wonder,
They saw Moses and Elijah talking with You of things that would befalll
A voice in testimony came from the father
“This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; hear Him,
For it is He Who grants the world great mercy.
Dogmatic
Tone 6
O Christ our God, You ascended Mount Tabor with Peter, James and John
where You prefigured Your resurrection by Your transfiguration, O Savior.
The mountain was covered with light;
Your disciples cast themselves down upon the ground,
Unable to gaze upon the form that none may see.
The angels ministered in fear and trembling, O Word.
The earth quaked, and the heavens shook
As they beheld the Lord of glory upon the earth.
Litiya
Tone 5
Come, let us ascend the mountain of the Lord to the house of our God.
Let us behold the glory of His transfiguration
The glory of the only-begotten of the Father.
Let us receive light fom His light.
With uplifted spirits let us forever sing the praises of the consubstantial Trinity.
Aposticha
Tone 1
He who once spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai through symbols, saying
“I am He Who is,”
Today was transfigured on Mount Tabor before His disciples.
In His own person He showed them the nature of man,
Arrayed in the original beauty of the image.
He called Moses and Elijah to witness this exceeding grace,
Thus making them share in His joy.
He foretold His death through the cross
And His saving resurrection.
The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; You have founded the world and all that is in it.
David, the ancestor of God,
Foresaw the only-begotten Son dwelling in the flesh with men.
He called the creation together to rejoice with him
And lifted up his voice prophetically to cry:
“Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Your name.
You ascended Mount Tabor with Your disciples, O Christ,
And were transfigured.
You made the nature that had grown dark in Adam to shine again,
Transforming it into the glory and splendor of Your own divinity.
Therefore, we cry aloud:
“Glory to You, O Lord and Creator of all things.”
Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Your name.
O Christ, Who has no beginning
Your chosen apostles saw the overwhelming flood of Your light on the Mountain of transfiguration.
They saw Your divinity which none can approach.
They were caught up in a divine trance.
The cloud of light shone around them on every side.
They heard the voice of the Father
Confirming the mystery of Your incarnation
For, after taking flesh,
You still remain the only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Tone 6
Today on Mount Tabor
You showed the glory of Your divine form to Peter, James, and John
For they looked upon Your garments that gleamed as the light.
They saw Your face that shone more than the sun.
Unable to endure the vision of Your brightness, which none can bear,
They fell to the earth, completely powerless to lift up their gaze.
They heard a voice that testified from above:
“This is my beloved Son, Who has come into the world to save mankind.”
Troparion
Tone 7
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Your everlasting light shine upon us sinners.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O giver of light, glory to You.
Magnification
We magnify You, O Christ the Giver of life, and we honor the most-glorious Transfiguration of Your most-pure body.
Great is our God and greatly to be praised; in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
The Lord lifts up the meek and exalts the humble.
Matins Prokeimenon
Tone 4
Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Your name.
The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours.
Post-gospel Stikhera
Tone 2
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Today all things are filled with joy
For Christ is transfigured before the disciples.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Today all things are filled with joy
For Christ is transfigured before the disciples.
Tone 6
Have mercy on me, O God,
According to Your great goodness
And according to the multitude of Your compassion,
Blot out my transgressions.
Tone 2
O God, in Your goodness You have sanctified on the earth with Your light.
You were transfigured upon a high mountain
Showing Your might to Your disciples
For You redeem the world from transgression,
Therefore, we cry aloud to You:
“O compassionate Lord, save our souls.”
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, O Christ God,
and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it:
so that when they would behold Thee crucified,
they would understand that the suffering was voluntary,
and would proclaim to the world
that Thou art truly the Radiance of the Father!
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain were you transfigured, O Christ God,
And your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold You crucified,
They would understand that Your suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That You are truly the radiance of the Father!
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration. Martyr Dometius of Persia and two disciples (363). Finding of the relies of St. Metrophanes, first Bishop of Voronezh (1832). Ven. Poemen (Pimen) the Much-ailing, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—1110). Ven. Pimen, Faster, of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th-14th). St. Mercurius, Bishop of Smolensk (Kiev Caves- Near Caves—1239). Martyrs Marinus the soldier and Asterius the Sena tor. at Caesarea in Palestine (260). Ven. Hor (Horus) of the Thebaid (Egypt—ca. 390). Virgin Potamia the Wonderworker. Ven. Dometius of Philotheou (Mt. Athos—10th).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
Before Thy precious cross and passion,
Thou tookest the holy disciples whom especially Thou had chosen.
Thou wentest up, Master, into Mount Tabor
Wishing to show them Thy glory.
When they saw Thee transfigured, shining more brightly than the sun,
They fell on their faces, struck with wonder at Thy power,
And they cried aloud:
“Christ, Thou art the timeless light and brightness of the Father,
Yet of Thy own will without change Thou art manifested in the flesh!” (twice)
From all eternity Thou art God the Word,
Covering Thyself with light as with a garment!
Thou wast transfigured before Thy disciples,
Shining more brightly than the sun.
Moses and Elijah stood by Thy side,
Making it plain that Thou art the Lord both of the dead and the living.
They glorified Thy ineffable dispensation,
Thy compassion and Thy great condescension,
By which Thou hast saved the world utterly lost in sin.
Lord, born and made flesh from the virgin cloud,
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor,
Surrounding Thyself with a bright cloud.
The voice of the Father in the presence of the disciples
Plainly declared Thee to be the beloved Son,
One in essence and sharing the same throne.
Therefore Peter spoke in wonder, not knowing what he said:
“It is good for us to be here, Benefactor, rich in mercy!”
GNE...
(Anatolian)
Tone 6
Prefiguring Thy resurrection, O Christ our God,
Thou tookest with Thee in Thy ascent upon Mount Tabor
Thy three disciples, Peter, James and John.
When Thou wast transfigured, Savior,
Mount Tabor was covered with light!
Thy disciples, Word, threw themselves down upon the ground,
Unable to gaze upon the form that none may see.
The angels ministered in fear and trembling;
The heavens shook and the earth quaked
As they beheld on earth the Lord of glory!
Apostikha
To the special melody House of Ephratha
Tone 2
Today on Mount Tabor
Christ has transfigured
Adam’s darkened nature.
Filling it with brightness,
He has made it godlike.
Verse: The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; the world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded them!
Moses and Elijah
Saw God on Mount Tabor:
God Who became flesh
Of a virgin maiden
For the redemption of mortals!
Verse: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!
Today on the mountain
Christ has shown His elect
A wondrous sign of His divinity,
For before the cross,
He shone as the sun.
GNE...
Tone 8
Those who climbed the mountain with Thee
Have been made partakers of Thy glory, O Christ,
For they beheld Thy divinity, as far as they were able to bear,
Even as the dawn heralds the sun’s dazzling splendor.
Therefore they cried out eagerly:
“It is good for us to be here, O Master!”
Together with them, transfigured Savior,
We praise Thee unto all ages!
(After the first reading from the Psalter)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
The most splendid feast of the Master has come!
Let us all go to the mountain, cleansed in spirit!
Let us ascend Tabor to behold Christ!
GNE...
The most splendid feast of the Master has come...
(After the second reading from the Psalter)
Sessional Hymn
tone 4
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O God,
In the midst of the all-wise Elijah and Moses,
With James, Simon and John.
Peter, who was there, said to Thee:
“It is good for us to make three tabernacles here:
One for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Thee, Christ our Master!”
As Thou shonest Thy light on them, also enlighten our souls!
GNE...
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O God...
Hymn of Light
Today on Tabor in the manifestation of Thy light, O Word,
The unaltered light from the light of the unbegotten Father,
We have seen the Father as light and the Spirit as light,
Guiding with light the whole creation!
Matins Apostikha
Tone 6
To the special melody Proceed, Angelic Powers
Having shown beyond understanding from the all-holy Virgin,
Thou, O Word of God, hast clothed Thyself wholly in Adam!
By the divine transformation of Thine appearance,
When Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor,
Before suffering on Thy precious cross,
Thou didst enlightened his entire nature which had been darkened,
Master Christ our God.
Verse: The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; the world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded them!
Seeing Christ illumined by the light-bearing cloud on Tabor,
The divine disciples, falling to the ground in fear
While being enlightened in mind and heart,
Openly gazed on Him with Moses and Elijah!
They sang hymns to Him as God with the Father and the Spirit!
Verse: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!
The mountain that once was veiled in smoke and terrible,
Is now holy and revered!
Christ, who, as it is written, once guided Israel
By a pillar of fire and cloud,
Has shone ineffably today, more brightly than the sun!
As God He illumines all things!
GNE...
Tone 5
Moses, who saw God,
And Elijah who rode the fiery chariot across the heavens unconsumed,
Beheld Thee in the cloud at Thy transfiguration, O Christ.
They testified that Thou art the Maker and Fulfillment
Of the law and the prophets.
With them, Master, count us also worthy of Thy light,
That we may sing Thy praises unto all ages.
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration. St. Emilian the Confessor, Bishop of Cyzicus (813-820). Ven. Gregory the Iconographer, of the Kiev Caves (Near Caves—12th). Translation of the relies of Ven. Zosimas and Sabbatius of Solovki (1566). St. Myron. Bishop of Crete (ca. 350). Martyrs Eleutherius and Leonidas of Constantinople, and many infants martyred with them. Ven. Gregory of Sinai (and Mt. Athos-14th). “ITOLGA” Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos (1314).
Lord I Call...
Tone 4
(of the feast)
Today Thou hast given your apostles
A taste of Thy divinity, O Lord.
Moses and Elijah were seen with Thee,
For Thou art God of both the law and of grace.
Thou hast ransomed us,
Though we were held fast in the clutches of death.
With them we glorify Thy loving plan for mankind,
Almighty Jesus, the Savior of our souls!
Today Thou hast made the sun appear to be dim
By shining brightly on Mount Tabor, Lord.
Thou wearest our mortal flesh in Thy compassion,
Yet Thy friends saw the radiance of Thy glory.
Therefore we glorify Thy loving plan for mankind,
Almighty Jesus, the Savior of our souls!
Today the angels in heaven rejoice,
Keeping feast with mortal men.
The lightning of Thy divinity, O Christ,
Flashes on Mount Tabor!
Moses and Elijah stood beside Thee, Savior,
Peter, James and John sang to Thee, Lover of mankind,
Almighty Jesus, the Savior of our souls!
Tone 1
(to Matthias)
To the special melody All Praised Martyrs
Blessed Matthias,
You were sent out as a river flowing from Eden.
You watered the earth with godliness!
You bore the fruit of God’s saving work!
Pray to Him to grant our souls peace and great mercy!
Apostle Matthias,
You completed God’s choir after Judas was lost.
Your words of wisdom fall as divine lightning,
Dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
By the power of the spirit You overthrew the madness of idolatry;
Now pray the Lord to grant us peace and great mercy!
Divinely-inspired Matthias,
Your proclamation illumines the earth as flashes of lightning.
You have enlightened and instructed us in the knowledge of God;
We slept in the night of idolatry but are converted to works of light,
For you have dispersed the shadows of godlessness.
Glory...
Tone 6
Grace was poured out on your lips, glorious Apostle Matthias.
You were a beacon of the Church of Christ,
Teaching the reason-endowed sheep
To believe in the consubstantial Trinity in the one Godhead!
Now and ever...
Tone 1
He who once spoke through symbols to Moses on Mount Sinai
Saying: “I am He who is!”
Was transfigured today upon Mount Tabor before the disciples.
In His own person He showed them the nature of mankind
Arrayed in the original beauty of the image.
Calling Moses and Elijah to be witnesses of this exceeding grace,
He made them sharers in His joy,
Foretelling His death on the cross and His saving resurrection!
Apostikha
Tone 6
(of the feast)
To the special melody You Rose on the Third Day
The first man Adam was formed by Thee,
Compassionate Christ.
Now You have appeared from the Virgin as second Adam,
And by Thy transfiguration on Tabor,
Thou hast disclosed to him Thy divinity.
Verse: The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; The world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded it!
Thy chosen ones were filled with fear,
Seeing Thy transfiguration on Mount Tabor,
O Christ, fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
We join them to worship Thee
With the Father and the Spirit!
Verse: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!
Creation was made to shine brightly
By Thy transfiguration on Tabor, O Christ,
For Thou didst show Thyself as God to Thine Apostles,
Moses and Elijah stood beside Thee,
As most wondrously Thou shonest brighter than the sun!
Glory...
(to Matthias)
Tone 2
Filled with divine burning,
Truly wondrous Apostle Matthias,
With fire you were aflame for God almighty,
Who revealed you to be filled with divine miracles.
Possessing unusual zeal, you gained integrity through your actions.
Therefore as you dwell with the heavenly choirs in the highest,
Beholder of the Word, pray to the Word, Christ our God,
That He may grant us great mercy!
Now and ever...
(of the feast)
Tone 1
David, the ancestor of God,
Forseeing in Spirit the sojourn with men of the only-begotten Son in the flesh,
Called the creation together to rejoice with him,
And prophetically lifted up his voice to cry:
“Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!”
For having gone up the mount with Thy disciples,
Thou wast transfigured, O Christ,
And Thou madest Adam’s darkened image to shine again as lightning,
Transforming it into the glory and splendor of Thine own divinity.
Therefore we cry aloud to Thee:
“Lord and Creator of all things, glory to Thee!”
Troparia
(For the Feast)
Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Thine everlasting light shine upon us sinners.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O giver of light, glory to Thee.
(to Matthias)
Tone 3
O holy Apostle Matthias,
Pray to the merciful God,
That Me may grant to our souls
Remission of our transgressions!
Kontakia
(of the Feast)
Tone 7
On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, O Christ God,
and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it:
so that when they would behold Thee crucified,
they would understand that the suffering was voluntary,
and would proclaim to the world
that Thou art truly the Radiance of the Father!
(to Matthias)
Tone 4
Your words have gone out into all the world,
Enlightening mankind as the sun
And giving grace to the Church,
Bringing faith to heathen lands,
Wonder-worker and Apostle Matthias!
(After the 1st reading from the psalter)
Sessional Hymn
(to Matthias)
Tone 2
He who is glorious among the Apostles
Pursued the nations and taught the ends of the earth
To worship Thee, Christ God, with the Father and the Spirit.
For his sake, establish Thy Church
And send Thy blessing upon the faithful,
Only merciful Lover of mankind!
GNE...
(of the Feast)
Tone 4
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Jesus,
And a radiant cloud, stretching out like a shadow, covered the Apostles with glory!
Therefore they fell on their faces upon the ground,
Unable, unoriginate Savior, to bear the sight of the splendor
Of the unapproachable glory of Thy countenance.
Christ our God, as Thou shonest Thy light on them,
Enlighten our souls!
(After the 2nd reading from the psalter)
Sessional hymn
(to Matthias)
Tone 4
Christ, the Sun of righteousness,
Sent you out as a ray of light, glorious Apostle Matthias,
To enlighten the whole world!
You shine in your prayers,
Enlightening with the unfading light of God all who celebrate your memory with faith!
GNE...
(of the Feast)
Transfigured in the unapproachable glory of Thy divine light, O Christ,
Thou didst illumine Thy godly disciples,
Peter, James and John,
And moved them to awe by Thy divine grace.
They heard the voice of the Father
Bearing witness to Thee as his beloved Son
And beheld the glory of Thy countenance, Savior!
O Word, as Thou desirest to save all men,
Enlighten our souls!
Magnification
We magnify,
We magnify You,
O Matthias, Apostle of Christ!
And we venerate the pain and labor of your work
To spread the gospel of Christ!
Verse: From the rise of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised!
Matins Gospel Prokeimenon
Tone 4
Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth * and their words to the ends of the universe!
Verse: The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims His handiwork!
The holy Gospel according to St. John (21:15-25)
15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19(This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
20Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
(Psalm 51)
Post-gospel verses
Tone 6
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the prayers of Your holy Apostle Matthias,
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 Thy great mercy;
According to the multitude of Thy compassions,
Blot out my transgressions!
You manifestly received grace from the divine Spirit
Becoming a member of the choir of the Apostles!
Breathing forth with a fiery tongue, Matthias,
The fiery breath which once came down upon them from heaven,
You utterly consumed the thorns of pagan ungodliness.
Preacher of Christ God, entreat Him that our souls may be saved!
The canon
(of the Feast)
To Matthias:
(by Theophanes)
Tone 8
On the acrostic
I sing hymns to you, Matthias, the friend of Christ!
Canticle one:
Irmos:
Let us sing to the Lord, who alone led His people through the red Sea
For gloriously has He been glorified!
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
Matthias, I pray you, send the radiance of salvation from heaven on me
as I now sing the praises of your radiant feast with hymns!
You have been revealed to be a great sun of the great light,
for, truly wondrous apostle, you conversed directly with the God who is with us!
You submitted to the laws of the Master, blessed one;
with the net of your tongue
you drew out the ends of the earth from the deeps of ignorance.
Theotokion
In his goodness, the all-divine Word saves the whole of me,
for He desired to become incarnate from your womb, pure Theotokos.
Katavasia:
The choirs of Israel passed dry-shod
Across the Red Sea and the watery deep.
Beholding the riders and captains of the enemy swallowed by the waters,
They cried out for joy:
“Let us sing to our God, for he has been glorified!”
Canticle Three:
Irmos:
Lord, Thou art the strength of those who turn to Thee;
Thou art a light for those in darkness!
Therefore my spirit sings Thee praises.
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
You were strengthened by the hand of the Author of life, wise one;
you were able to snatch away the spoils of the mighty one
and by grace you enslaved him.
You loved the Teacher and served Him with diligence.
You save mankind from destruction, truly wondrous one.
The all-accomplishing Spirit chose you, divinely eloquent one,
to fill the twelfth place in the holy choir of the disciples.
Having your help, pure one, I do not fear the assaults of enemies,
for with you as an intercessor, I conquer their legions!
Katavasia:
The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble
And the weak have girded themselves with strength:
Therefore my heart is established in the Lord.
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
Ikos
Awake, sluggards! Do not lie forever on the ground! And thoughts that draw my soul towards earth, arise and go up to the high slope of the divine ascent. Let us run to join Peter and the sons of Zebedee, and go with them to Mount Tabor, that with them we may see the glory of our God and hear the voice they heard from heaven: and they proclaimed
“That You are truly the radiance of the Father!”
Canticle four:
Irmos:
Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation;
I have considered Thy works
And I glorify Thy divinity!
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
You proclaimed the one essence of divinity;
the one monarchy and dominion, all-blessed one,
as you pursued the flock of the nations.
The Lord brought you to the sea of life, all-wise one,
like a horse trampling the bitter waters of idolatry.
You renewed stony hearts, glorious one, with the words of God,
sowing faith and a knowledge of the truth.
Theotokion
Enlighten my soul, vessel of virginity and dwelling of the infinite,
for it has been darkened by many passions.
Katavasia:
I have heard of Thy glorious dispensation, Christ our God:
How Thou wast born of the Virgin,
To deliver from error those who cry aloud to Thee:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord.”
Canticle Five:
Irmos
Never-setting Light, why hast Thou cast me from your face?
Why has the darkness of separation covered me in my wretchedness?
I entreat Thee: let me return
And direct my steps in the light of Thy commandments!
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
The true vine budded you as a most fertile branch
producing grapes which give out the wine of salvation!
We drink from this, blessed one, and cast off the drunkenness of deception
though we are held fast by ignorance.
Wondrous Matthias, proclaimer of the mysteries,
you were shown to fulfill the choir of the twelve disciples
from which the betrayer had cast himself,
for he found a bitter death when he strangled himself
after having lifted his heel against Christ.
You were thrown in to the world as the salt of God,
blessed and all-praised apostle Matthias.
You cleansed away the corruption of falsehood with sweet teaching,
driving away sickness and healing wounds of body and soul.
Theotokion
By your all-pure childbearing, virgin Bride of God,
Adam shed the ugly garments of ancient mortality
and clothed himself in a holy robe of truth
which was not polluted by the passions.
Katavasia:
Thou hast parted the light from the first chaos,
That Thy works might celebrate Thee in light, O Christ, as their Creator:
Direct our paths in Thy light!
Canticle Six:
Irmos:
Cleanse me, Savior, of my many trangressions.
Lead me up from the pit of evil, I entreat Thee,
For to Thee have I cried aloud:
“Hear me, O God of my salvation!”
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
You became a God by adoption, deified by divine union.
You received pure rays of light from God
with which you illumined the faith and cleansed the earth
from the darkness of idolatry.
Behold, every prophecy of the holy prophets is contained in you,
for you were an eye-witness, disciple,
an imitator and apostle of him whom you proclaimed of old,
Matthias, the servant of God!
Theotokion
We faithful call you the spiritual sanctuary, Virgin,
the untouchable mercy-seat,
the golden lampstand and spiritual table bearing the Bread of life!
Katavasia:
In my affliction I cried to the Lord,
And the God of my salvation heard me.
Kontakion
Tone 4
Your words have gone out into all the world,
Enlightening mankind as the sun
And giving grace to the Church,
Bringing faith to heathen lands,
Wonder-worker and apostle Matthias!
Ikos
Give me a river of words, Lord, as Thou didst create the nature of water. Strengthen my heart, compassionate One, as Thou didst establishe the earth by Thy word. Enlighten my thoughts, as Thou didst clothe Thyself in light as with a garment, that I may say and sing fitting things, worthy to honor
Thy wonder-worker and Apostle Matthias!
Canticle Seven:
Irmos:
Once, at the descent of God,
The fire in Babylon was put to shame
While the children danced with joyful feet,
Rejoicing in the furnace as in a grassy field and singing:
“Blessed are You, God of our fathers!”
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
Thou didst dry up the torrent of falsehood, O glorious One
with the flood of Thy divine wisdom.
With a nourishing stream Thou hast given drink to those who cry with faith:
“Blessed art Thou, God of our fathers!”
By the power of God almighty you destroyed the snares of the enemy
before the face of your coming, Apostle.
The mountains and hills of idolatry were broken down!
Theotokion
Behold the virgin of whom the great Isaiah spoke in the spirit,
saying that she would conceive in her womb and give birth to God.
We sing to Him: “Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord!”
Katavasia:
In Babylon the children, sons of Abraham,
Once trampled upon the flame of the fiery furnace,
And they sang this song of praise:
“Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!”
Canticle Eight:
Irmos:
In his wrath, the Chaldean tyrant
Had the furnace heated seven-fold for the servants of God,
But seeing them saved by a better power,
He cried: “Bless the Maker and Deliverer, children!
Priests, praise Him; people, exalt Him above all forever!”
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
You were as the mouth of God,
snatching from the throat of the destroyer of mankind
those whom he had cruelly slaughtered and made food for his malice.
With the washing of regeneration, wise one,
You brought them to the Lord, ever singing:
“People, exalt Him above all forever!”
You were the weapon of the word of God, all-glorious one,
completely grinding down the sword of falsehood and weapon of evil.
By the power of God you cast down
the sacrifices, pillars and temples of idolators,
making into temples of the Trinity those who cry:
“People, exalt him above all forever!”
You revealed yourself to be the heaven of the word,
declaring the ineffable divine glory of the only-begotten one.
Most wise Matthias, you are a lightning flash of grace,
seeking the lost as a lampstand of the divine light.
Together, we sing hymns to you with gladness,
initiate of ineffable mysteries!
Katavasia:
The children in Babylon,
Burning with zeal for God,
Bravely trampled upon the threat of the tyrant and the fire;
Thrown into the midst of the flames but refreshed with dew, they sang:
“All works of the Lord, bless the Lord!”
The Magnificat is sung
Canticle Nine:
Irmos:
Every ear trembled in awe hearing of the descent of God:
The Most High came down of his own will,
Becoming a man of flesh within the virgin’s womb.
Therefore we faithful magnify the pure Theotokos!
Holy Apostle Matthias, pray to God for us!
Blessed apostle, as you served his commands,
the savior called you his friend, an heir to his kingdom.
You will be enthroned with him on that awesome day to come,
all-wise Matthias, fulfillment of the twelve disciples!
You crossed the sea of life with the sail of the cross;
you reached the harbor of peace, blessed one, and your ultimate desire.
Now you rejoice, standing with the choir of the Apostles.
Pray for us to Him who is the Lover of mankind!
Your tongue has been shown to be a truly radiant lamp,
a shining beacon of the spirit,
consuming alien teachings, O wise one,
and shining light on those who sleep in the darkness of ignorance.
Theotokion
You, alone among women, have brought an end to the curse of the first-formed Adam,
for you gave birth in the flesh, O bride of God,
to the infinite One who became finite!
You have restored the bounds of nature, undefiled one,
and by your all-glorious mediation, you have united
those things which were torn apart in days of old.
Katavasia:
Your childbearing was incorruptible!
God came from your body and appeared on earth in flesh, dwelling with mankind.
Therefore we magnify you, Theotokos!
Hymn of Light
(To Matthias)
To the special melody By the Spirit in the Sanctuary
You directed the course of your beautiful feet to the path of heaven
And you ascended there, Apostle Matthias, rejoicing!
Standing before the Trinity,
You behold the Son and divine Spirit in the Father.
Therefore we celebrate with faith your all-holy and divine memory!
GNE...
(Of the Feast)
Today on Tabor in the manifestation of Your light, O Word,
The unaltered light from the light of the unbegotten Father,
We have seen the Father as light and the Spirit as light,
Guiding with light the whole creation!
The Praises
Tone 2
(Of the Feast)
To the special melody House of Ephratha
Blessed is the joy
Which passes understanding!
The foremost, godly disciples
Were counted worthy of this,
Upon Mount Tabor, O Lord.
Shining like the sun
Today upon the mountain,
Christ, before the cross,
Reveals to His disciples
A new sign of His divinity!
Come, all mortals!
Let us ascend with diligence
The mountain of Tabor,
There to behold Christ
Transfigured in glory!
Tone 4
(To Matthias)
To the special melody Valiant Among Martyrs
Wonderful Matthias,
With the rod of grace you drew men from the abyss of vainglory,
Obedient to the command of the teacher
Who enlightened your understanding in all things
And revealed you as an apostle, most blessed one;
Honored divine herald of His unapproachable divinity!
The radiance of the Spirit descended on you
In a fiery vision, blessed one
And made you a divine vessel
Swiftly driving away the gloom of ungodliness.
You enlighten the world with the radiance of your words of wisdom.
You are an initiate of the mysteries,
The adornment of the Apostles,
Blessed eye-witness of Christ!
Enlightening those who sit in darkness
With the lightning-flashes of your preaching, glorious one,
You revealed them as children through faith of God the Master.
You imitated His suffering and death
And were an heir of His glory
As a wise and divinely eloquent disciple of the truth!
Glory...
Tone 2
You forsook earthly things to follow Christ,
Marked by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
You were sent by Him to the nations that were perishing
To convert men to the light of divine knowledge.
Apostle Matthias,
You finished the struggles of your godly sufferings and many torments,
Committing your soul to Christ.
Entreat Him, most blessed one,
That He may grant us great mercy!
Now and ever...
(Of the Feast)
Tone 1
The leaders of the Apostles,
Beholding Thy unbearable splendor and unapproachable divinity,
Were stricken with godly awe, unoriginate Christ!
Covered with a radiant cloud,
They heard the voice of Thy Father
Proclaiming the mystery of Thine incarnation,
For Thou alone, after becoming a man,
Art the only begotten Son and the Savior of the world!
Troparion
Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Thine everlasting light shine upon us sinners.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of light, glory to Thee.
Kontakia
(Of the Feast)
Tone 7
On the mountain Thou wast transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
(To Emilian)
Tone 3
The church for which you suffered, Emilian,
Glorifies you with chants of praise
For you showed yourself to be a mighty champion of the Trinity!
Therefore we honor your memory:
Deliver your servants from attacks by their enemies.
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration. Apostle Matthias (ca. 63). Glorification of Ven. Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America (1970). Martyr Anthony of Alexandria. Ven. Psoi of Egypt (4th). Martyrs Julian, Marcian. John, James, Alexius. Demetrius. Photius (Phocas). Peter, Leontius, and Mary, of Constantinople (730).
Lord I Call...
Tone 1
(For the Feast)
To the Special Melody Joy of the Heavenly Host
As we celebrate the holy transfiguration,
Let us glorify Christ on this present day,
For we see our nature transformed
By the burning radiance of His divinity,
Raised up to its original beauty of incorruption!
Come, let us ascend the holy mountain;
With the eyes of faith, let us behold the radiant transfiguration of the Lord!
Let us exult and rejoice,
Crying out: “Thou art our only God;
Thou took our flesh and mankind is made divine!”
This is the most honored day of transfiguration!
Come, let us join Christ on Mount Tabor!
With the Apostles, Moses and Elijah,
Let us hear the voice of God:
“This is truly My Son, My chosen One!”
Tone 6
(To St. Herman)
To the special melody Having Set Your Hope
Let us gather to glorify the wonder-worker,
Who though earthborn attained the heavens,
Bringing the light of Christ by word and deed
To the ends of the world;
To an unenlightened people weighed down by the coldness of idolatry.
Through his prayers, O Christ, save our souls!
Having one desire:
To bring unbelieving people to the one God,
You were all things to all men,
Teaching the holy Scripture and the life that accords with it,
Instructing in handicrafts,
Interceding before authorities,
Nursing men in all things as your own children
That you might bring them to God.
Forsake us not who sing to you!
You taught that there is nothing above the Lord and Creator,
The Giver of life,
Who upholds and nourishes all things in beauty.
Is it not Him who is fitting to love, as most worthy,
And to place one’s happiness in Him?
Teach us, saint, as you taught in days of old,
To love God with all our heart!
Glory...
Tone 6
What cave of the earth, what passing of time,
Can conceal your heavenly glory, father Herman?
Therefore we honor you and give you glory,
Beseeching you to intercede before the Lord.
Pray that He may grant deliverance to all suffering Christians,
Peace for this land and great mercy for our souls!
Now and ever...
Tone 2
In Thy goodness, O God, Thou hast sanctified the whole world with Thy Light
And were transfigured on a high mountain,
Showing Thy power to Thy disciples:
For Thou redeemest the world from transgression.
Therefore we cry out to Thee: “Lord of compassion, save our souls!
Apostikha
Tone 6
(of the feast)
to the special melody Proceed, Angelic Powers
Thou shonest wondrously, Word of God, from the pure virgin,
Wearing all of Adam’s darkened nature.
It was changed by the radiance of Thy form
When Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor
Before suffering the cross, Master Christ our God.
Verse: The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; the world and all that is in it, Thou hast founded them!
Once Mount Sinai was full of darkness and smoke;
Now Mount Tabor is made honorable and holy.
Once, as it is written,
Thou didst lead Israel by a cloud and a pillar of flame;
But today Thou Thyself art brighter than the sun!
Everything is enlightened by Thee, Christ our God!
Verse: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!
When Peter the rock saw two men with the Lord on Tabor,
He cried out as a servant to the Master:
“It is good for us to be here!
If it is Thy will, let us erect three tents:
One for Thee, the Messiah, one for Moses, one for Elijah.”
He knew not what he said, for he was seized with fear!
Glory...
(To St. Herman)
Tone 1
Holy Father Herman,
Because of your deeds and example,
We remember today the great teachers and ascetics.
Your wondrous life confounded the enemy.
You conversed with the angels!
Together with them, pray for the salvation of our souls!
Now and ever...
(Of the Feast)
Tone 2
O Christ our God,
Thou wast transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor,
Showing Thy disciples the splendor of Thy Godhead;
Enlighten us also with the light of Thy knowledge
And guide us in the path of Thy commandments,
For Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind!
Troparion
(Of St. Herman)
Tone 7
O joyful north star of the Church of Christ,
Guiding all people to the heavenly kingdom;
Teacher and apostle of the true faith;
Intercessor and defender of the oppressed;
Adornment of the Orthodox Church in America:
Blessed Aather Herman of Alaska.
Pray to our Lord Jesus Christ
For the salvation of our souls!
Troparion
Tone 7
Thou wast transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,
Revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it.
Let Thy everlasting light shine upon us sinners!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Giver of light, glory to Thee!
Kontakion
(Of St. Herman)
Tone 3
The eternal light of Christ our Savior
Guided you, blessed Father Herman, on your evangelical journey to America,
Proclaiming the gospel of peace.
Now you stand before the throne of glory;
Intercede for your land and its people:
Peace for the world and salvation for our souls!
Kontakion
Tone 7
On the mountain Thou wast transfigured, O Christ God,
And Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it;
So that when they would behold Thee crucified,
They would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary,
And would proclaim to the world,
That Thou art truly the radiance of the Father!
(After the first reading from the Psalter)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Revealing the human form
Of Thy second and awesome coming with Thy glory, O Savior,
Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor.
Elijah and Moses spoke with Thee
And Thy three disciples were summoned to behold Thy glory, Master;
They marveled at Thy radiance!
As Thou shonest Thy light on them, enlighten our souls!
(After the second reading from the psalter)
Sessional Hymn
Tone 4
Moses and Elijah stood before Thee
When Thou didst ascend the mountain with the disciples
And shone in the glory of the Father;
For the law and the prophets serve God
And the Father, declaring the essential sonship of Christ,
Called Him His Son.
We sing praises to Him with Thee and the Holy Spirit!
Magnification
We praise you,
We praise you,
Blessed father Herman
And we honor your holy memory:
You are the defender of the defenseless
And our intercessor before the throne of the Almighty!
Verse: You are the fairest of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
Matins Gospel Prokeimenon
Tone 4
Precious in the sight of the Lord * is the death of His saints!
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits towards me!
Gospel
Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 11:27-30
At that time, Jesus said: 27All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 51
Post gospel verses
Tone 6
Glory to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit.
Through the prayers of Thy holy monk Herman,
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 Thy great mercy;
According to the multitude of Thy compassions,
Blot out my transgressions!
The Orthodox Church in America
Calls all to join in her praise of your wondrous work
Blessed father Herman!
You have attained rest from your holy labors in the heavenly mansions!
We are filled with wonder by your exemplary life.
Intercede for us before Christ our God
That He may grant peace to our souls.
The Canon
Tone 3
Canticle One:
Irmos:
In ancient times God gathered the waters together
And divided the sea for the people of Israel.
He is our God, He is glorious,
To Him alone will we sing
For He has been glorified!
Holy father Herman, pray to God for us!
Let me now hymn Thy god-pleasing Herman, all-merciful Savior,
while Thou enlightenest the darkened eyes of my soul
that he who is glorious among Thy saints
may be glorified to the ends of the universe.
Even from your youth, Herman,
you desired to seek the heavenly fatherland
and to work for God alone,
giving yourself over to the protection of heaven,
having Sergius and Herman of Valaam as your constant intercessors.
You ever kept the Lord’s commandments in your heart, holy one,
never yielding your body to the way of sloth,
but always laboring and enlightening your soul with divine wisdom.
You gave over your whole life to God,
having love for Him above all,
desiring alone the converse of heaven.
Yet you did not forsake the love of your brethren, O saint,
praying together and singing with them:
“Sweetest Jesus, grant us sinners Your salvation.”
(Theotokion)
Seeing his fervent prayer, Theotokos,
you healed the young Herman of a deadly infirmity.
Likewise do not turn from us who fall before you,
entreating your servant to intercede for us.
Canticle Three:
Irmos:
Almighty Lord, Thou broughtest all things from nothing into being,
Created by Thy Word and perfected by the Spirit:
Establish me in Thy love!
Holy father Herman, pray to God for us!
As you left Sarov for Valaam,
the divinely-wise Nazarius planted the love for inner striving in your heart.
Thus you came to partake of this grace,
and spiritual enlightenment prepared your soul to spread the gospel.
Fruit-bearing shoots of Christ’s vineyard,
Sergius and Herman of Valaam,
you nourished the new Herman with clusters of virtues;
Fill our hearts also with the wine of divine rejoicing.
Striving in prayer and action,
you prepared your soul for any obedience.
Through this you reached far distant lands,
and together with your evangelizing brethren
you brought the Alaskan natives to Christ Jesus.
Theotokion
As you ever pour forth bounty on your servants,
good Mother of the good King,
instruct us in every good deed,
guarding us from every evil action.
Sessional Hymn
Tone 3
To the special melody The beauty of Virginity
Today your memorial appears, praiseworthy father Herman,
Bringing joy to your chosen flock:
Enlighten us with the brightness of your miracles
Proceeding from your precious relics;
Extinguish the flame of our passions
With dew in the minds of the faithful who ever glorify you with love.
GNE...
Theotokion
Rejoice, virgin full of grace,
For you reveal to us your newly chosen one,
Who blossomed forth in northern wilds,
Making fragrant a newly enlightened region with heavenly gifts;
Therefore, sovereign lady of the universe,
With songs of thanksgiving we honor you.
Canticle Four:
Irmos:
Lord, Thou didst show Thy steadfast love for us,
For Thou gavest Thy only-begotten Son up to death for our sakes.
Therefore, with thanksgiving we cry out to Thee:
“Glory to Thy power, O Lord!”
Holy father Herman, pray to God for us!
You were a good shepherd and loving father, saint,
a help and healing for the afflicted, needy and infirm,
a refuge and teacher to orphans.
Do not take away the protection of your prayer
from us whom you have left orphaned.
The people were amazed and wondered, Saint Herman,
that you lived alone in the forest.
“I am not alone, you said, but God is with me:
He who is everywhere, and his holy angels!
How can one be cast down, having such company!”
And now as you dwell in the heavens,
do not abandon us who dwell on earth.
Defender of Alaska, who named yourself nurse and servant of new peoples,
extend your care to them even after your repose.
And now we also, in your own words, call out to you:
“Be our father and protector,
wipe away the tears of defenseless orphans,
refresh hearts languishing in the heat of sorrow,
grant us to know the Lord’s consolation.”
Theotokion
Come, people, and let us hymn the most pure Virgin,
who remedied Eve’s beguilement by her humility,
making manifest for us a new Adam,
that we might receive adoption and be inheritors of everlasting life.
Canticle Five:
Irmos:
I seek Thee early, Creator of all
And peace that passes understanding.
Guide me in Thy commandments, for they are my light.
Holy father Herman, pray to God for us!
Through many sorrows, prayers and vigils,
you purified your soul and clothed it in original beauty,
becoming like the first-formed Adam.
Forest beasts obeyed you,
sensing in you paradise and the kingdom.
You mastered the passions of the senses,
with reins of continence and constant prayer,
attaining the height of dispassion.
Therefore we fall before you as a physician full of grace:
heal our passions and move us to good deeds.
You were veiled in secrecy, desiring to work for God alone,
and made a cave your dwelling,
striving to bury the passions of the flesh
that you might arise in soul,
enlightened by heavenly wisdom
and foretasting the sweetness of the eternal Pascha.
Theotokion
The choirs of angels sing Your beauty,
while I, a sinner, most immaculate One, beg of You:
Remove the unbecoming fantasies of demons from my soul
and preserve my heart in stillness.
Canticle Six:
Irmos:
The utter depth of sin surrounds me and my spirit fails,
But stretch out Thy mighty arm as Thou didst to Peter in the sea
And save me, O my Savior!
Holy father Herman, pray to God for us!
You showed love for your native Valaam,
crossing to the ends of the universe to bring the gospel of Christ,
and naming spruce island new Valaam.
There you gained new brethren, newly enlightened people
by the word of preaching and deeds of righteousness.