After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
At “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—
Troparion of the feast, in Tone VII—
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Come, O ye divinely wise, and let us be transformed with a goodly transformation today, piously and joyously being transfigured with Christ. And, upborne to the summit of the virtues, let us rejoice with yet greater exaltation; for the Savior of our souls, in being transfigured, hath in His loving-kindness made splendid the ugliness of man.
Troparion of the venerable ones, in Tone IV—
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
O ye who love the sight of things which transcend comprehension, O ye who love obedience! Let us noetically look upon Christ, Who hath shone forth with divine radiance, and let us cry out with the voice of His Father, proclaiming Him the beloved Son Who strengthened human nature on Tabor and hath poured forth enlightenment for our souls.
Today, O Lord, Thou hast shone forth Thy divinity to Thine apostles, and to Moses and Elijah, in that Thou art the God of the law and of grace, delivering us now from the bonds of death. And with them we glorify Thy loving dispensation, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls.
And 3 stichera for the saint, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…”—
Thou didst openly venerate the image of Christ, O all-wise one, when the cruelty of Leo burst into flame and troubled the people, reviving the ungodly heresy of Copronymus. Then didst thou openly denounce him, taking thy stand boldly, when the hierarchs came together. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be a most valiant warrior of Christ, O most blessed one. Him do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls.
O thou who hast made thine abode in the mansions of heaven: when the ungodly and impious one showed forth his adverse character, he condemned thy steadfastness to imprisonment. Then, O divinely eloquent one, who didst manifestly know the one homeland of paradise, thou didst in no wise fall away therefrom, but, rejoicing with gladness, didst endure. Wherefore, thou hast been rightly counted worthy to behold Christ, the Life incorruptible. Him do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls.
When the accursed Leo imposed his vile alien law, commanding that no one venerate the precious image of Christ, then thou, most wisely possessed of a tongue of fire, didst set against it the law of God, for the veneration accorded to the icons passeth over to the Prototype, as betimes hath been said. And the foul beast was affrighted by thy discourse, as though by thunder, O most honorable, divinely eloquent and sacred father.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone I—
He Who of old spake with Moses on Mount Sinai in images, saying: “I am He Who is”, today, transfigured before His disciples on Mount Tabor, hath shown forth the pristine beauty of His countenance, having taken upon Himself human nature. And having set before them Moses and Elijah as witnesses to this grace, He made them partakers of gladness who, for the sake of the Cross, proclaim His glorious and saving resurrection.
On the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—
Tabor, the mountain of God, rejoiceth in Thy name, O Savior, as the Father proclaimeth Thee to be His beloved Son.
Stichos: Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth.
A wonder was it to behold the Sun of glory, Who outshone the rays of the material sun at His Transfiguration.
Stichos: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name.
When Thou wast transfigured, the disciples, from among those on earth, Moses, from among the dead, and Elijah, as one from above, stood before thee as servants.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone I—
David, the ancestor of God, foreseeing in the Spirit the coming unto men of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh, summoneth creation from afar to gladness, and crieth out prophetically: “Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!” For, having ascended that mountain with Thy disciples, O Savior, Thou wast transfigured, and didst cause the darkened nature of Adam to shine again, imparting to it the glory and splendor of Thy divinity. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O Lord, Creator of all things, glory be to Thee!
Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, Who didst show Thy glory unto Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. May Thine ever-existing light shine forth also upon us sinners through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Bestower of light, glory be to Thee!
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 10 stichera: 4 of the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—
Come, O ye divinely wise, and let us be transformed with a goodly transformation today, piously and joyously being transfigured with Christ. And, upborne to the summit of the virtues, let us rejoice with yet greater exaltation; for the Savior of our souls, in being transfigured, hath in His loving-kindness made splendid the ugliness of man. Twice
O ye who love the sight of things which transcend comprehension, O ye who love obedience! Let us noetically look upon Christ, Who hath shone forth with divine radiance, and let us cry out with the voice of His Father, proclaiming Him the beloved Son Who strengthened human nature on Tabor and hath poured forth enlightenment for our souls.
Today, O Lord, Thou hast shone forth Thy divinity to Thine apostles, and to Moses and Elijah, in that Thou art the God of the law and of grace, delivering us now from the bonds of death. And with them we glorify Thy loving dispensation, O almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls.
And 3 of the venerable Zosimas, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—
O venerable father Zosimas, furnishing thy mind with wings to soar aloft to God with faith, thou didst spurn the unstable environment of the world, and, taking up thy cross, thou didst follow after Him Who seeth all things, by struggles of abstinence enslaving thy rebellious body to thy mind through the power of the divine spirit.
O divinely wise father Zosimas, from thy mother’s womb thou didst draw nigh unto Christ, and didst cleave unto Him with thy whole mind; and thou didst offer the worthy fruits of thy struggles unto God Almighty, O venerable one, adorned with the flowers of the virtues. Wherefore, thou hast received the enjoyment of good things, O right wondrous one.
O venerable father, all-wise Zosimas, thou hast been shown to be healing for the infirm and the ability to walk for the lame; and to all who with faith have recourse to thy healing tomb and ask thy help and aid thou givest healing in abundance through thy supplications.
And 3 of the venerable Sabbatius, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—
When thou wast wounded with divine desire, then, considering all the beautiful things in this world to be as naught, thou didst follow after the Savior. Thou didst valiantly disdain transitory riches, and didst spurn fame and might as devoid of any worth. Pray thou, we beseech thee, that He save and enlighten our souls.
When thou didst enter upon the cœnobitic life, O Sabbatius, then, utterly casting off thine own will, thou didst abide in obedience without complaint, and submitting thyself to all, thou didst labor, accepting vexation and abuse with joy. Wherefore, beholding thy good humility, O father, the Lord glorifieth thee.
When thou didst make thy monastic vows unto the Lord, then, vigilantly furnishing the eye of thy mind with wings to soar aloft to heaven, thou didst drown the noetic foe with thy tears; and having faultlessly rendered thy soul steadfast, that it might walk in the ways of the law of the Lord, thou didst acquire boldness before God. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Beseech Him to save and enlighten our souls.
Glory…, in Tone I—
Today the all-radiant memorial of our venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius hath arrived for us, and, assembling, we honor it as it meet, crying out in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; and standing before their wondrous shrines, we say: Rejoice, repositories of inexhaustible treasures! Rejoice, ye who have an ever-flowing fountain within you! Rejoice, O shrines which we desire, which hold the healing relics of the most beloved fathers! Rejoice, ye who show forth their industrious flesh! Rejoice, sacred phials which fill us with sweet fragrance! O miraculous shrines, we who venerate you receive grace and glorify God, the Bestower of good things, Who glorifieth with rich gifts His servants who cry out to Him: O good Lord of all, glory to Thee!
Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone I—
He Who of old spake with Moses on Mount Sinai in images, saying: “I am He Who is”, today, transfigured before His disciples on Mount Tabor, hath shown forth the pristine beauty of His countenance, having taken upon Himself human nature. And having set before them Moses and Elijah as witnesses to this grace, He made them partakers of gladness who, for the sake of the Cross, proclaim His glorious and saving resurrection.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At the Litia, these stichera automela—
In Tone I: O venerable father Sabbatius, assembling with love for thy memorial before thy most precious and wonder-working shrine, and splendidly celebrating and chanting with voices of hymnody, we cry aloud: Pray thou to the Lord, that our souls find mercy.
Thy splendid memorial, O venerable father Zosimas, doth illumine our hearts; for gazing upon thy precious shrine, which is the healing of sufferings for those not easily cured, we glorify the Lord Who hath glorified thee and crowned thy labors and struggles with grace. And we who have earnestly taken up struggles and labors have by thy path come to know how to follow Christ God, Whom do thou beseech, that He save and enlighten our souls.
In Tone II: Standing before the miraculous tomb of our venerable father, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, let us cry out with voices of laudation, saying: How shall we bless thee, O Sabbatius, who when thou didst dwell on the earth didst surpass other men and in the highest art blessed, together with all who have pleased the Lord? Standing with them in the divine light, pray thou, we beseech thee, that we be delivered from the temptation of the evil one, and that our souls be saved.
After thy repose, O blessed Zosimas, thy shrine hath become our teacher; for in the miracles it poureth out it ever crieth: “Love ye the Lord, that ye may find eternal grace, and worship nothing save Him, that when He shall come, ye will find rest with His elect!” May we receive it through thy supplications.
In Tone IV: Assembling today, O brethren, let us spiritually honor the venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius, who laid waste to their bodies through fasting, vanquished the passions by abstinence, purified their minds by the keeping of vigils, illumined their souls with prayers, received the riches of grace through poverty, inclined God to hearken to their entreaties through obedience, and became habitations of the all-holy Spirit through purity. And Christ, casting down the arrogance of the enemies for their sake, granteth us great mercy.
Glory…, in Tone VIII—
We, the multitudes of monks, honor you as our instructors, O holy fathers; for through you have we truly come to know how to tread the straight path. Blessed are ye, for ye labored for Christ and denounced the power of the enemy. O conversers with the angels, who share the lot of the holy and the righteous, with them entreat the Lord, that our souls find mercy.
Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone V—
Moses the God-beholder and Elijah of the fiery chariot, who traversed the heavens without being consumed, beholding Thee, O Christ, in the cloud at Thy transfiguration, bore witness to Thee as the Creator and Fulfiller of the law and the prophets. With them vouchsafe Thine enlightenment also unto us, O Master, that we may hymn Thee forever.
At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—
Come, brethren, and let us receive the grace pouring forth from the tomb of the venerable father Sabbatius, for he struggled untiringly throughout this transitory life, and lived in the flesh like an incorporeal being; wherefore, he hath received gifts from Christ God, and asketh for us purification and great mercy.
Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
No one who approacheth thy healing tomb with faith is put to shame, O Zosimas our father; for he receiveth that which he requireth, the Lord glorifying thee, for thou wast a servant right pleasing to thy Master and didst keep His commandments. Wherefore, we honor thee and call thee blessed.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.
Thy tomb is an ever-flowing fountain of freely granted healing, O wonder-working father Sabbatius. O the great grace, O the power of a life-bearing mortal! Through his supplications, O Jesus our King, save Thou our souls, in that Thou alone art full of loving-kindness!
Glory…, in Tone IV—
Rejoice openly, O honored Church of Christ, and hold splendid festival, for today the all-radiant and most festive commemoration of the translation of the precious relics of the venerable and divinely blessed fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius hath shone forth! For within thee thou hast brought an inexhaustible treasure, the all-honorable and most rich shrines of the relics of the venerable Zosimas and Sabbatius, which fill the faithful with sweet fragrance and gladden the senses of their souls and bodies, imparting healings and entreating from God great mercy, that He may be merciful unto us on the day of judgment.
Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone I—
David, the ancestor of God, foreseeing in the Spirit the coming unto men of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh, summoneth creation from afar to gladness, and crieth out prophetically: “Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name!” For, having ascended that mountain with Thy disciples, O Savior, Thou wast transfigured, and didst cause the darkened nature of Adam to shine again, imparting to it the glory and splendor of Thy divinity. Wherefore, we cry unto Thee: O Lord, Creator of all things, glory be to Thee!
Your angelic life of fasting hath made you known to the whole world, O venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius. With divers miracles, O God-bearers, illumine those who with faith call upon you and cherish your honored memory. Twice
And that of the feast, in Tone VII—
Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, Who didst show Thy glory unto Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. May Thine ever-existing light shine forth also upon us sinners through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Bestower of light, glory be to Thee!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.