AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

But if it be Saturday evening, we chant: Now & ever…: the dogmatic theotokion.

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Come, let us go up with Jesus Who ascendeth the holy mountain, and there let us hear the voice of the living God, the all-unoriginate Father, which through the divine Spirit beareth witness by a cloud to His true Sonship; and, illumined in mind, let us gaze upon Light amid light.

Come, let us join chorus beforehand, let us purify ourselves and faithfully prepare for divine entry into the dwelling-place of the transcendent God; and let us receive the glory which the forechosen apostles were vouchsafed to behold mystically on Mount Tabor.

Come, and, having transformed ourselves with a more exalted transformation, let us prepare ourselves well for the morrow, to ascend the holy mountain of God, beholding the glory of Christ which shineth forth immutably, more brightly than the sun; and, illumined with the light of the Trinity, let us glorify His condescension therein.

And 3 stichera of the martyr, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Dyed in the blood of thy flesh, O glorious one, thou didst clothe thyself in the purple robe of divine grace, and didst place upon thy head the crown of life incorruptible. And bearing the trophy of the Cross in thy right hand as a scepter, O most wise martyr, thou reignest with Christ, ever rejoicing.

Thou wast recognized, O Eusygnius, as an invincible warrior; for, wielding the sword of the Cross, thou didst go forth to do battle with the adverse foe and didst fell him, contending splendidly and receiving the crown of victory from the one Master and Judge of the contest, Who reigneth forever.

By thine honored sufferings, O glorious athlete Eusygnius, thou didst portray the honored Passion; and, as a victor, thou dwellest in the city on high, rejoicing with all the martyrs and being deified by communion with the Godhead. Wherefore, we celebrate thine honored and holy festival.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V—

Come, let us ascend the mountain of the Lord to the house of our God, and let us gaze 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 hymn the consubstantial Trinity forever.

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

Illumined with the effulgence of the virtues, let us proceed to the holy mountain, that we may behold the divine transfiguration of the Lord.

Stichos: Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Shining forth like the sun on the mountain today, before undergoing His sufferings, Christ showeth to the initiates of His mysteries a divine sign of His divinity.

Stichos: Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.

Desiring to transform Adam’s nature, Christ now ascendeth Mount Tabor, that He might disclose His divinity to the initiates of His mysteries.

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

O Christ God Who wast transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor and showed the glory of Thy divinity to Thy disciples: illumine us also with the light of the knowledge of Thee, and guide us to the path of Thy commandments, for Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Let us go forth to meet the transfiguration of Christ, splendidly celebrating the forefeast thereof, O ye faithful; and let us cry aloud: The day of divine gladness hath arrived! The Master ascendeth Mount Tabor to shine forth the beauty of His divinity! Once