Canon of the Feast

Exapostilarion of the feast—

Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the Lord.

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of the angels…”—

Sessional hymn of the martyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

At the aposticha, stichera of the feast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Theotokion: Making His abode within thee, O pure one, God in nowise disturbed the key of thy virginity. Him do thou earnestly beseech, that He make steadfast all who hymn thee.

Having put on all of Adam and transformed the nature which of old had become dark, Thou didst illumine it with the transformation of Thine appearance and didst render it divine, O Christ.

Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children. Let us cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone VII—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

The three divine apostles rejoice, beholding Him Who in His essence is One of the Trinity, on Mount Tabor.

Theotokion: The rich among thy people entreat thee, the Maiden who gave birth to Christ our God, Who hath enriched all with divine understandings.

Christ, Who of old guided Israel in the wilderness by the pillar of fire and the cloud, hath ineffably shone forth in light today on Mount Tabor.

Irmos: I have heard of Thy glorious dispensation, O Christ God, how Thou wast born of the Virgin, that Thou mightest save from deception those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Stichos: Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth.

Theotokion: Thou wast truly shown to be more exalted than the angels, having given birth, in manner past understanding, to the Creator of the angels, Who hath glorified the holy martyrs, O all-holy Virgin Mother.

Thou didst offer thyself as a lamb, desiring of thine own will to be slain for Christ, Who beggared Himself willingly and was slaughtered for thy sake, O most blessed Euplus.

Irmos: Out of love for Thine image Thou didst stand affixed to the Cross, O Compassionate One, and the nations melted away; for Thou art my strength and boast, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Well is it with thee, O Tabor, who before wast gloomy; for thou hast been vouchsafed the light, not of the material sun, but of the effulgence of the Most High.

Theotokion: O all-glorious wonder! How is it that thou givest birth, without having experienced copulation? How is it, O Virgin Mother, that thou truly feedest the Bestower of milk, the Sustainer of all creation?

Thou didst joyously offer thyself to God, O blessed one, as an unblemished victim, a sacrifice of sweet savor, a perfect offering, crying aloud: Holy art Thou, O Lord!

Irmos: O Christ, Who separated the primal light from light, that Thy works may hymn Thee, the Creator, in light: direct Thou our paths in Thy light.

Stichos: Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Thy name.

Theotokion: The Persian furnace was an image of thy divine womb, O all-immaculate one, for it preserved the youths unconsumed, crying: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Made steadfast by the laws of the Gospel, O divinely wise one, thou didst stand in the midst of iniquitous men, manifestly crying out: “I have revealed myself to those who seek me not, that I may denounce their wickedness!”

Irmos: The ungodly perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but, waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest mankind, Thou effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity.

Illumined with the light of Thy countenance, O Savior, Thy disciples, unable to endure the brilliance, fell prostrate upon the ground.

Theotokion: O pure and most immaculate one who gavest birth to the Creator of angels and men, thine adornment hath surpassed all the magnificence of the angels; and we chant unto Him: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holding the laws of Christ in thy hand, thou didst stand before the enemy in the arena, crying out: “I have called myself to suffer steadfastly!” Wherefore, joyfully bowing thy neck, thou didst undergo beheading by the sword, finishing thy course.

Irmos: When I was troubled, I cried unto the Lord, and the God of my salvation hearkened unto me.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone & melody—

Theotokion: With beams of light from within thee, O Bride of God, illumine my soul, and raise it up, in that it lieth in the pit of destruction, scattering the enemies who ever vex my heart and drive me toward the passions.

Having sailed well with the Cross as thy mast, thou didst enter the calm haven of the mansions of heaven. Making thine abode therein, pray thou to the Creator, that those who celebrate the solemn memorial of thy struggles today may be delivered from all want and sorrow.

Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.

The voice of the Father was heard from heaven crying out: “This is My beloved Son! Hear Him, all of you!”

Transfigured by the unapproachable glory of Thy divine light, O Christ, Thou didst illumine Thy godly disciples, John, Peter and James, and didst enlighten them with divine grace. And they heard the voice of the Father bearing witness to His beloved Son, and beheld the glory of Thy countenance, O Savior. O Word Who desirest to save all men, illumine Thou our souls!

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the children of Abraham trampled upon the flame of the furnace, crying aloud in hymns: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Forming the law in writing on Sinai, O Christ God, Thou wast manifest, borne in the cloud, the fire, the darkness and the whirlwind. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, having put to mockery the tyrant’s command, cried out amid the flames: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

That Thou mayest confirm Thy glorious dispensation, O Christ God, in that Thou hast existed from before the beginning of time, Thou didst shine forth ineffably on Tabor, likewise appointing Thine ascent in a cloud.

Irmos: The children in Babylon, consumed by zeal divine, manfully trampled the tyrant and the flame underfoot; and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed they chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Those who conversed with Thee as servants stood before Thee, O Master Christ; and Thou didst converse with them in the vapor of fire and darkness, and the moist whistling wind. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to chant: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!

Moses, Who of old foresaw Thee in the fire and the bush, and Elijah, who was taken up in the chariot of fire, arriving on Tabor proclaimed Thy glory, for the sake of Thy Cross, O Christ.

Irmos: Thy birthgiving was shown to be incorrupt: God came forth from thy womb, appeared on earth as a mortal, and dwelt with men. Wherefore, we all magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Thou wast truly shown to be an animate temple of the all-holy Trinity, O Euplus, and didst bring down the temples of the idols with the weapon of faith.

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Delighting in divine beauty, O blessed Euplus, thou didst overcome wounds, pangs and all manner of tortures, suffering joyfully.

Humbling the haughty heart of the miscreant, O divinely wise martyr, thou didst bring him low, and hast ascended to Him Who hath exalted men.

Aflame with zeal for the Master, O martyr, thou didst truly consume all falsehood and didst diligently set thyself apart for martyrdom.

The mountains inclined themselves before Thy face; for Thou wast well pleased to accept, in Thine earthly form, the light and heavenly rays which the sun came and laid at Thy feet.

Moses and Elijah cried to the disciples who were being instructed on holy Mount Tabor: “Behold, Christ the Savior is the God Whom we proclaimed of old!”

The immutable Nature, having mingled itself with human nature, shone forth ineffably, abundantly disclosing to the apostles the light of the immaterial Godhead.

When the disciples beheld Thee, the ever-existent Effulgence, shining in the glory of the Father, O Christ, they cried out to Thee: “Direct Thou our paths in Thy light!”

Wholly illumined by divine inclinations and strengthened with courage, with hope thou didst run like a magnificent lion to the tribunal, vanquishing impiety.

Life without grief is bestowed upon thee by the Deliverer for Whom thou didst endure a bitter death, O glorious athlete, and He numbereth thee, the valiant one, among the choir of the martyrs.

Thou didst bow thy neck with zealous intent and, beheaded, didst draw nigh to Christ in purity and light, O venerable one, delighting in deification.

Shining forth the light which is far brighter than the sun, the Savior illumined us on Tabor.

Having ascended Mount Tabor, O Christ, Thou wast transfigured; and having cast falsehood utterly into darkness, Thou hast illumined us.

Recognizing Thee as God on Tabor, O Christ, the glorious apostles, marvelling, bowed down their knees.

Shedding thy blood, thou didst stand before the Judge of thy contest, O valiant and divinely wise Euplus, and, rejoicing, hast received crowns of victory from Him.

Thou didst manfully stand before the tribunal, holding the laws of the Master in thy hands, O venerable Euplus, and manifestly and zealously denouncing the iniquitous.

Undaunted by the multitude of tortures and unafraid of the sword, thou didst piously proclaim the Truth at the tribunal of the ­tyrants and didst slay falsehood.

On the mountain wast Thou transfigured, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could bear it, O Christ God; that when they would see Thee crucified, they would comprehend that Thy suffering was voluntary, and proclaim to the world that Thou art of a truth the Effulgence of the Father.

Ikos: Arise, ye slothful thoughts of my soul, which have ever been dragged down to the earth! Be ye upborne and rise up to the summit of divine ascent! Let us make haste to Peter and the sons of Zebedee, and with them let us go to Mount Tabor, that with them we may see the glory of our God, and may hear the voice which they heard from on high; for they preached the Effulgence of the Father.

Illumined by the light of unapproachable glory on Mount Tabor, the apostles cried out to Christ: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

Enraptured by the effulgence of the divine voice, the dew-bearing cloud and the radiance, O Christ, the apostles chanted: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

When he beheld Thee in unapproachable light on Mount Tabor, O Christ, Peter cried out: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

Present with thee, the Author of life, when Thou didst cause the light of Thy countenance to shine forth, the sons of Zebedee cried out: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!”

Sprinkling drops of thy blood upon the earth, thou didst extinguish the fire of falsehood, O most blessed one; and it hath richly watered the Church of Christ, which piously hymneth thee.

Possessed of mighty wisdom and an unshakable mind, thou didst cause deception to quake, O most wise Euplus, and with true teachings didst denounce the falsehoods which lay before thee.

The portal of paradise opened to thee, O blessed Euplus, martyr of Christ, seeing thee adorned with divine suffering and a crown of victory.

Having purified thy soul with the divine Coal, O martyr, thou didst burn up the embers of polytheism, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Christ, Who upholdeth all things by His hand, hath with His all-pure feet ascended Mount Tabor, whereon His face shone with radiance brighter than the beams of the sun, and showed forth those highest among the law and grace, who chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

He Who ineffably manifested Himself on Mount Tabor with unapproachable glory, the intangible and never-waning Light, the Effulgence of the Father, illumining creation hath deified men who sing: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Moses and Elijah, standing on Mount Tabor as befitteth priests, manifestly beholding the Hypostasis of the divine character—Christ Who shone forth in the Father’s glory—chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The face of Moses once was filled with glory in its appearance because of the manifestation of God; and Christ is arrayed in light and glory as in a robe, for, being light itself, He illumineth those who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The disciples, beholding Christ surrounded by the luminous cloud on Tabor, fell to the ground, their minds enlightened, and hymned Him with the Father and the Spirit, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thy relics are purification from all manner of sickness and the expulsion of evil spirits; and, approaching them, we cry aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

The assembly of the faithful have rejoiced in thee, having acquired thee as a mediator before Christ and a fervent intercessor and advocate, O most blessed deacon Euplus, converser with the holy angels.

Assembling, O ye people, let us draw forth from the martyr’s shrine the healing of divers ailments; and let us cry out with faith: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Suddenly illumined with a new outpouring of light, the disciples, stricken with awe, looked one at another; and, astonished, they bowed down to the earth and worshipped Thee, the Master of all.

A voice of divine sound was sent forth from out of the cloud, announcing the wonder; for the Father of lights cried to the apostles: “This is My beloved Son! Heed ye Him!”

Having seen new and all-glorious things and heard the voice of the Father on Tabor, the servants of the Word cried out: “This is our Savior, the image of the Prototype!”

O immutable Image of Him Who Is, O Immovable One, unalterable Seal, Son, Word, Wisdom, Arm, Right Hand of the Most High, Power: Thee do we hymn with the Father and the Spirit.

Having been truly vouchsafed to behold things afar off, O thou who art most rich, thou didst attain the desire for which thou didst wish, for thou didst reach the very perfection of things desired, O right wondrous deacon Euplus, manifestly passing over to thy desire.

Holding the Cross in thy hand as a scepter, O blessed and right wondrous deacon Euplus, thou didst drench thy purple robe in thy sacred blood, and now standest, splendidly clad, before Christ the King.

Today, having acquired thee as an excellent guardian, the honorable metropolis of Catania holdeth festival, celebrating thy divine suffering with all dioceses and cities, and thou preservest it by thine entreaties.

Thou wast manifestly a most radiant sun, O blessed martyr, and hast passed over to the radiance of God, deified by divine communion; and now thou dost illumine those who hymn thy radiant suffering.

O Word, Thou immutable Light of the light of the unbegotten Father: today on Mount Tabor we have seen in Thy manifest light the light of the Father and the light of the Spirit Who guideth all creation with light.