Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I—
Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “I honor Leo, the wellspring of miracles”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII—
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the hieromartyr, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV—
Clad in the angelic habit, arrayed in the priesthood and adorned with martyrdom, O venerable Cornelius, thou didst add to the choirs of the angels. And thou grantest healing of soul and body to those who with unwavering faith have recourse unto thee.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Canon of supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable hieromartyr, with 8 troparia, in Tone VIII—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn in Tone IV—
Lift up the horn of Christians and cast down the arrogance of the ungodly, O Theotokos, saving this thy flock, wherein thy great and much-hymned name is ever magnified and glorified.
Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Having labored in ascetic struggle from thy youth, that thou mightest gain riches in the heavens, thou didst enlighten those in the darkness of polytheism and lead them to the true light of Christ. Wherefore, O blessed father Cornelius, for thy virtue thou wast vouchsafed the splendid crown of martyrdom and a dwelling-place among the mansions of the saints of God.
O true Theotokos, who alone ineffably gavest birth unto Christ the Savior: with thine earnest intercession, and by the prayers of the sacred martyr Cornelius, move thy Son and God to have mercy upon our wretched souls.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O venerable hieromartyr Cornelius, and we honor thy holy memory, thou instructor of monastics 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
Emulating the Forerunner of old, thou didst dedicate thyself to the struggles of fasting and prayer, mortifying the members of thy flesh with abstinence and ascetic feats; and like him thou wast unjustly slain by an iniquitous king because of thy righteousness and virtue. Wherefore, O venerable martyr Cornelius, beseech the Lord and Master of all, that He deliver us from all tribulation and oppression, grant remission of all our transgressions, and save our souls.
Far beyond our comprehension are thy grace and beauty, O all-immaculate Virgin. Yet deign thou to accept homage from us, thy lowly servants, though we offer it with lips which are sullied and defiled; and reject not us sinners, for we have none other hope or help than thee, O Queen and Mistress of creation.
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, § 37
[Mt. 10: 23-31]
The Lord said to His disciples: “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
Grace was poured forth in thy lips, O father Cornelius, and thou wast a teacher of the heathen and a good instructor of monks; and having shed thy blood, thou standest before Christ. Him do thou unceasingly beseech, that our souls be saved.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.