AT MATINS

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

One canon from the Octoechos, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons for the saints, with 8 troparia.

Reading from the Gospel according to

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—

Let the new Israel be glad today in Him Who created her, and let the children of Russia rejoice in their prince, the right-believing Alexander Nevsky. For, lo! the King of kings hath crowned him with a royal diadem. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion in the same tone.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—

Stretching forth thine all-pure hands, O Virgin Mother, protect those who set their hope on thee, and who cry unto thy Son: Grant Thy mercies unto us all, O Christ!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia, in Tone VIII—

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Let us all cry out to the favorite of Christ, praying earnestly: Bring an end to the warfare of our passions, and dispel the phantasms of the demons, O blessed one; and entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion: Automelon—

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the forerunner, twice; Glory…, that of the hierarchs; Now & ever…: theotokion, or stavrotheotokion.

The awesome mystery of God wrought in thee is inconceivable and incomprehensible, O divinely joyous Mistress; for having conceived, thou gavest birth to the Infinite One, Who was clothed in flesh through thine all-pure blood. Him do thou ever entreat as thy Son, O pure one, that our souls be saved.

Polyeleos, and this magnification—

We magnify thee, O right-believing Prince Alexander, and we honor thy holy memory; for thou dost entreat Christ our God in our behalf.

Selected Psalm verses—

A Shout with jubilation unto the Lord all the earth; chant ye unto His name, give glory in praise of Him. [Ps. 65: 2]

B Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the earth. [Ps. 48: 2]

A The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in an abundance of peace. [Ps. 36: 11]

B O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. [Ps. 25: 8]

A In His days shall righteousness dawn forth an abundance of peace, until the moon be taken away. [Ps. 71: 7]

B The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak of judgment. [Ps. 36: 30]

A The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. [Ps. 28: 11]

B Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; unto ages of ages shall they praise Thee. [Ps. 83: 5]

Glory…, Now & ever…

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

O blessed one, the Holy Spirit appointed thee to tend thy homeland on the pastures of salvation, and Christ hath manifestly shown thee to be a luminary. Wherefore, join chorus and rejoice with boldness, receiving a double wreath from the Bestower of crowns. Twice

Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcendeth nature; and thy seedless conception brought to his mind the rain which descended upon the fleece, O Theotokos, the bush which was not consumed by the fire, and the rod of Aaron which budded forth. And bearing witness, thy betrothed and guardian cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth and remaineth a virgin even after birthgiving!”

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

I have raised up one chosen out of My people.

Stichos: Wherefore, God, thy God, hath anointed thee.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

St. John §36 [10:9-16]

The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

Come, all ye people, let us offer praise to the blessed one, crying out thus: Rejoice, O all-radiant pillar illumining us with the splendors of miracles! Rejoice, O dew-laden cloud extinguishing the flame of the passions and bedewing the minds of the faithful, O godly Alexander!