AT MATINS

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon.

Canon of the feast, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable fathers, with 8 troparia.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—

Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Jesus, and a radiant cloud, stretching forth like a shadow, covered the apostles with glory. Wherefore, they fell face down upon the ground, unable to bear the sight of the splendor of the unapproachable glory of Thy countenance, O unoriginate Savior. O Christ our God, Who then shone forth Thy light upon them, illumine Thou our souls!

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the feast, thrice.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in the same tone & melody—

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the feast, twice; Glory…, that of the saints; Now & ever…, that of the feast.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I—

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

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

Glory…, Now & ever…: The foregoing is repeated.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone V—

Ye finished your life on earth in piety and were shown to be a pure dwelling-place for the Holy Spirit, enlightening those who with faith approach your precious relics, O blessed ones. Entreat the Master, Christ our God, that He illumine the souls of those who celebrate your most honored memory, O divinely wise Zosimas and Sabbatius.

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

Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Jesus, and a radiant cloud, stretching forth like a shadow, covered the apostles with glory. Wherefore, they fell face down upon the ground, unable to bear the sight of the splendor of the unapproachable glory of Thy countenance, O unoriginate Savior. O Christ our God, Who then shone forth Thy light upon them, illumine Thou our souls!

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

With hymns let us honor the fasters of the Lord, who mortified all the assaults of the passions by abstinence and steadfast endurance, truly putting the adversary and all his pride utterly to shame.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

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

Polyeleos, and magnification—

We bless you, O venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius, and we honor your holy memory, O instructors of monks and conversers with the angels.

Selected Psalm verses—

A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]

B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]

A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]

B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]

A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]

B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]

A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]

B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]

A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]

B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]

A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]

B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]

A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]

B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]

A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]

B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]

A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]

B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]

A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]

B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]

Glory…, Now & ever…

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

When ye furnished your minds with wings to soar aloft to divine desire, O blessed ones, then did ye turn away from knowledge which draweth men down, and ye made your abode in the wilderness, on an island in the sea, where ye flourished like an all-comely cedar of virtue, uprooting the thorns of the passions; and therein ye planted the fruits of your labors. Wherefore, ye have reaped a harvest, riches in heaven which cannot be taken away. O venerable Zosimas and Sabbatius, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who honor your holy memory with love.

Moses and Elijah stood before Thee when Thou didst ascend the mountain with the disciples and shone forth in the glory of the Father; for the law and the prophets serve God; and the Father, declaring Christ’s essential Sonship, called Him His Son. Him do we hymn with Thee and the Spirit.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to Matthew, § 43

(Mt.11: 27-30)

The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

O venerable fathers, having inclined your ear humbly to hear the Gospel of Christ, ye received the Master’s summons to the mansions of heaven; and having followed Him faithfully, and accounted the beautiful things of this world as but dung, ye desired the beauties of Christ alone. Him do ye earnestly entreat, that He send down upon the world and the Churches oneness of mind, upon our land victory over its enemies, and upon our souls great mercy.