Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—
The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.
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 I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—
Heeding the call of the Lord, and reckoning all the beauties of this world as but dung, thou didst attain unto the most beautiful wilderness in a remote and savage land, where, manfully putting hordes of the demons to flight, thou didst converse with the angels, thy companions. Wherefore, we praise thee as a wondrous adornment of the wilderness. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Both canons from the Octoechos, without their troparia to the martyrs; and the canon to the saint, with 6 troparia, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone II—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity…”—
O Mistress, as the only hope of Christians and their intercessor before God, with the venerable Herman entreat thy Son in behalf of thy servants.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Teaching illiterate peoples and converting the unbelieving, thou didst plant the true Faith among them, laboring in every way and edifying them with thy piety. Wherefore, O venerable Herman, teach us also to cleave unto the Truth and to do works of piety. Twice
Having thee as our sure hope and protection, O all-pure Mother, trusting in thee we fear not the assault of the enemy, for thou savest our souls from all evils.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O our venerable father Herman, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser 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
In a fragile ship didst thou cleave the stormy deep of the sea, O venerable one, until thou didst reach a distant land. There Spruce Island became for thee a spiritual vessel, whereon thou didst reach the heavenly harbor through the preaching of the Gospel and by thy works of piety, rejoicing in the Lord. Twice
O Theotokos our Mistress, who hast revealed to us the preëternal Word in the flesh: we flee to thee as to our protection and help. Shield us with the omophorion of thy prayers from all the assaults of the enemy, that we may worship thy Son without hindrance.
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—
Hath the bosom of the earth or the fleeting years been able to conceal thy glory, which is in the heavens, O venerable Herman? Wherefore, glorifying thee now, we, the children of thy people, fall down before thee, having thee as a mediator before the Lord. Him do thou entreat, that He grant salvation to the suffering land of Russia, prosperity to this land, and great mercy to our souls.
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable one, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “Let us love God more than all, and Herman let us hymn”, in Tone III—
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.