At Vespers

Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion, in the same tone and melody—

At “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera to St. Ambrose, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—

Adorning the seat of government with thy virtues, thou didst likewise receive the hierarchal office through divine inspiration; wherefore, having been a faithful steward of grace in both, O Ambrose, thou didst inherit a twofold crown.

In abstinence and sorrow, in many vigils and in lengthy prayers, thou didst cleanse soul and body, O divinely wise one; thenceforth manifest as a chosen vessel of Christ God, equal to the apostles, thou didst receive heavenly gifts.

As Nathan reproved David, so didst thou boldly reprove the pious emperor who once had sinned, O most blessed Ambrose, and thou didst openly cut him off from the Church; and having chastised him in godly manner with a penance, thou didst number him again amongst thy flock.

And three stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone and melody—

[These stichera are only chanted on weekdays during the Nativity Fast, if the pastor elect to serve the services in lenten fashion, with the chanting of “Alleluia” at Matins instead of “God is the Lord.” In such a case, at Vespers the stichera of the Theotokos are chanted first on “Lord, I have cried...,” followed by the stichera of the saint.]

O pure Theotokos, with the staff of thine intercession drive thou the bestial passions from my wretched soul; and, peacefully guiding me to life, number me among the holy flock of thy chosen sheep.

As thou art the helper of helpless men, as thou art the hope of all the hopeless, O Theotokos, be thou my release and aid amid evils, O all-pure one, delivering me from sins and tribulations, in that thou art merciful.

The fiery urgings of my most pernicious passions do thou quench, O Virgin, with dew divine, with the rain of thy will, that I also, like the youths, may give thanks unto God Who was born of thee, and glorify and bless thy grace, O Mistress.

Dragged down by my corrupt will, I lie prostrate, yet I have recourse to thy serenity, O Virgin. Deliver me from the adverse tempest and from divers temptations, that I may unceasingly hymn thy grace, O Ever-virgin Mother Theotokos.

Or this Stavrotheotokion—

Standing before the Cross of thy Son and God, and beholding His long-suffering, O pure Mother, weeping, thou didst say: Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! What are these things which Thou dost suffer unjustly, O Word of God, that Thou mightest save mankind?