AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone & melody—

Thou didst wisely perceive transitory deception, O all-glorious one, and even after thy departure from hence unto the Lord thou hast hindered those who demand to have it, though it is in nowise abiding, and this fleeting and temporal life and social order. Wherefore, as a wise overseer, thou hast passed on to a better life, having pleased Christ, O Cassian, by thy life and works.

Taking up thy cross in childhood, O glorious father, thou readily didst tread the path which is hard and narrow, yet of surpassing honor, submitting to the commandments of Him Who called thee. Wherefore, for thy labors thou hast obtained as twofold recompense and fitting reward the heavenly kingdom of Christ and a place join chorus in the light with all the saints, O Cassian. With them do thou unceasingly pray in behalf of our souls.

A thing of wonder was every virtue, O divinely wise one, wherewith, at first on earth in the flesh, thou didst watchfully observe silence, O venerable one, and didst later bespeak in words and through material things, being humble, meek and innocent, a prophetic and right goodly herald. And now, when thou hast hastened to God, thou hast marvelled all the more, and hast received the grace of healing.

Having stumbled because of mine evil disposition, and been enslaved to wicked deception, O Bride of God, wretch that I am, I flee to thine all-wondrous loving-kindness and thy fervent help, O all-holy Maiden. Deliver me from the bonds of temptations and grief, O all-immaculate one, and save me from the assaults of the demons, that I may glorify thee, may hymn and bow down before thee with love, and may magnify thee, O Mistress, as ever-blessed.

Stavrotheotokion, in the same melody—

As Symeon foretold, a sword pierced thy heart, O all-pure Mistress, when thou didst behold Him Who shone forth from thee at the ineffable word of the archangel lifted up upon the Cross as one condemned by iniquitous men, given gall and vinegar to drink, His side pierced, His hands and feet transfixed by nails; and, lamenting, thou didst cry out, exclaiming maternally: “What is this new mystery, O my Child most sweet?”