We chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 for the feast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—
Come, and with faith let us celebrate together the all-radiant and divine transfiguration of Christ, and, transformed by a goodly transformation, let us spiritually mount to the lofty summit of the virtues with the disciples of Christ, that, taught with them the revelation of awesome mysteries, we may glorify the Savior and Lord.
Rejoice piously and be glad, O honored Church of the faithful, celebrating now this honored and most radiant feast; for the Master of all, Who is now transfigured, doth manifestly illumine with the brilliance of ineffable splendor the disfigurement of man, radiantly emitting an effulgence which surpasseth the brightness of the sun.
The God and Creator of all, taking the form of a servant in the ineffable richness of His loving-kindness, now saveth man from the ancient darkness, His face shining, disclosing the effulgence of the Godhead in His flesh; wherefore, filled with awe and fear, the disciples worshipped the Master of all, falling prostrate.
And 5 stichera of the apostle, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…”—
O Apostle Matthias, thou didst complete the divine choir from whence Judas had fallen, and with the divine brilliance of thy wise discourses thou hast driven away the gloom of the madness of idolatry with the grace of God. Make thou supplication now, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy. Twice
O blessed Matthias, thou didst traverse the noetic Eden like a river overflowing with divine waters; and thou hast given the earth mystic waters to drink, and hast shown it to be fertile; wherefore, pray thou, that God grant unto our souls peace and great mercy. Twice
O divinely inspired Matthias, with the lightning-flashes of thy teachings thou didst hallow the circuit of the world, illumining all, guiding all to the knowledge of God, making those who slept before in the darkness of vanity and the gloom of all ungodliness to be receptacles of the light.
Glory…, in Tone VI—
Grace was poured forth in thy lips, O glorious Apostle Matthias, and thou wast a beacon of the Church of Christ, teaching the reason-endowed sheep to believe in the consubstantial Trinity, in the one Godhead.
Now & ever…, in Tone II—
Sanctifying the whole world with Thy light, Thou wast transfigured on a lofty mountain, O Good One, showing Thy power to Thy disciples, that Thou mightest deliver the world from transgression. Wherefore, we cry out to Thee: O compassionate Lord, save Thou our souls!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles [Acts 1: 15-26]
In those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty): “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said: “Thou, Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all men, show which of these two Thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
A Reading from the General Epistle of John [I John 3: 21-4: 6]
Beloved: If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the wo rld: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
A Reading from the General Epistle of John [I John 4: 11-16]
Beloved: If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.