AT VESPERS

And these stichera of the martyr, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

On “Lord, I have cried…”, stichera of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

But if this day fall within the Great Fast: Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone & melody—

At the Blessing of the Loaves, the Troparion of the saint, in Tone IV—

Glory..., in Tone VI—

Let us now celebrate the saving grace of the ineffable manifestation of God; for Christ God, becoming immutably a child through the Virgin Maiden, is now borne by His Mother unto God the Father in the temple; and Symeon, receiving Him in his arms, embraceth Him.

Now and ever..., of the feast, the composition of John the Monk, in the same tone—

Thou wast seen by the prophets, O Jesus, for of old they beheld Thee as far as they were able; but now, O Word of God, of Thine own will Thou hast appeared in the flesh, through the Virgin Mary, to all the world and hast revealed Thy salvation to all who are descended from Adam, in that Thou lovest mankind.

A Reading from Proverbs

O Christ Who of old ordained the law of Mount Sinai, fulfilling the provisions of the law now on Mount Sion Thou hast desired to be borne into the temple, a babe in the flesh, in the arms of the Theotokos, with the whole-burnt offerings; and wast given into the arms of Symeon.

A Reading from Proverbs

Thou didst preserve thy body uncorrupted for Christ thy Bridegroom, adorned with the beauties of virginity, O Agatha, bride of God; and, luminous with the splendors of martyrdom, thou hast made thine abode in the bridal-chamber of God. Wherefore, we celebrate thy universal triumph, glorifying the Savior Who ever glorifieth thee.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Thou didst endure the severing of thy breasts, the burning of fire and the laceration of thy body, O glorious one, gazing with the eyes of thy heart toward thine eternal reward, the blessedness which cometh therefrom and the imperishable crown, which hath now been given thee by Christ, for Whom thou didst suffer, O much suffering athlete.

Glory..., in Tone III—

The uncontrollable raging of the savage fire didst thou halt by thy supplications, O thou of goodly renown, and thou didst save the city which doth venerate thy precious relics, O martyr, from whence it receiveth rivers of healings through the divine Spirit. For, suffering therein, thou didst bring low the enemy and didst receive the crown of victory, O most lauded one.

Now and ever..., of the feast, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone I—

If this day fall outside the Great Fast, we chant:

Glory..., in the same tone—

Glory…, the composition of the Sykeote, in Tone VIII—

Now and ever..., of the feast, in Tone II—

An all-glorious miracle took place during the martyrdom of the most glorious Agatha, the martyr of Christ God, like unto that of Moses. For, obtaining the law of the people, on the mountain he received letters inscribed by God on tablets; but here an angel from heaven, an intelligence venerable and acting freely, brought an inscribed scroll to her grave, showing forth honor from God and deliverance for her native land.

Now & ever…, the composition of Andrew of Crete, in the same tone—

He Who is borne upon the cherubim and is hymned by the seraphim, borne into the temple of God today in accordance with the law, sitteth in the arms of the elder as on a throne, and as God receiveth gifts from Joseph: a pair of turtle-doves — the undefiled Church and the people newly-chosen from among the gentiles; and two young pigeons — the Ruler of the Old and the New. And Symeon, finally receiving the fulfillment of the promise made to him and blessing the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, foretold in imagery the sufferings she would endure and asked from God deliverance, crying out: “Now let me depart, O Master, as Thou didst tell me before; for I have seen Thee, the preëternal Light, the Savior and Lord of the Christian people!”

Take pity, O Mistress, upon me who am brought low by the assaults of the demons, and have been cast down into the pit of destruction; and set me firmly upon the rock of the virtues, fending off the attacks of the enemy. Vouchsafe that I may obey the commandments of thy Son and our God, that I may receive remission on the Day of Judgment.

Or this stavrotheotokion, in the same melody—

Beholding Christ, Who loveth mankind, crucified, His side pierced by a spear, the all-pure one cried out, weeping: “What is this, O my Son? What have the thankless people done to Thee in return for the good Thou hast done for them? Thou makest haste to leave me childless, O most Loving One. I marvel at Thy voluntary crucifixion, O Compassionate One!”

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man...,” the first antiphon.

On “Lord, I have cried...,” 8 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Let us now celebrate the saving grace of the ineffable manifestation of God; for Christ God, becoming immutably a child through the Virgin Maiden, is now borne by His Mother unto God the Father in the temple; and Symeon, receiving Him in his arms, embraceth Him.

Thou wast seen by the prophets, O Jesus, for of old they beheld Thee as far as they were able; but now, O Word of God, of Thine own will Thou hast appeared in the flesh, through the Virgin Mary, to all the world and hast revealed Thy salvation to all who are descended from Adam, in that Thou lovest mankind.

O Christ Who of old ordained the law of Mount Sinai, fulfilling the provisions of the law now on Mount Sion Thou hast desired to be borne into the temple, a babe in the flesh, in the arms of the Theotokos, with the whole-burnt offerings; and wast given into the arms of Symeon.

And 5 stichera of the saint, in Tone II—

O holy hierarch Theodosius, our father, though thou hast finished thy course in secret struggles, yet the wondrous fragrance of thy humility, beloved of God, cannot be hid. Wherefore, thou hast been shown to be a most radiant lamp which hath not been hidden beneath a bushel, but hath been set upon the lampstand of the Church of God and glorified by God, Whom do thou entreat in behalf of our souls. Twice

O holy hierarch Theodosius, our father, though thou wast elevated to a hierarchal throne as a man full of grace, yet didst thou preserve the simplicity of monastic life, remaining in goodly obedience to thy spiritual father, and showing to all an example of humility, following the example of the Lord Jesus, Whom do thou entreat in behalf of our souls. Twice

O divinely wise father Theodosius, though thou wast not long a pastor of the Church of Christ, yet didst thou acquire the great love of thy flock, embracing all in thy love, comforting the sorrowful and making haste to assist the orphaned and the widowed. Wherefore, even after thy blessed repose, the sorrowful and ailing, having recourse to thee as to one who is alive, receive an abundance of grace, glorifying Christ God, Who is wondrous in His saints, Whom do thou entreat in behalf of our souls.

O man of God and faithful servant, minister of the Lord, man of divine desires, chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, pillar and ground of the Church, heir of the kingdom: Cease thou never to pray for us to the Lord!

Let the gates of heaven be opened today; for the unoriginate Word of the Father, receiving a beginning under time, without abandoning His divinity, is of His own will borne by His Virgin Mother into the temple of the law as a babe forty days old. And Symeon taketh Him in his arms, crying: “Let Thy servant depart, O Master, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation! O Lord Who hast come into the world to save the human race, glory be to Thee!”

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. And three Readings:

The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him; so that, living among sinners, he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of lust doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He doth visit His chosen.

At the Litia, these stichera, in Tone II—

When thou didst pass over from earthly things to those of heaven, O holy hierarch Theodosius our father, then did God, Who is wondrous in His saints, bestow upon thee the grace of healing; for thou didst appear to the ailing hierarch John and, commanding him to celebrate the liturgy on the morrow, didst straightway restore him to health. Wherefore, joyously bowing down before thy relics, with compunction he cried out: Glory to Him Who doth glorify His saints!

O holy hierarch, thou dost intercede for all who have recourse to thy protection with faith, for thou art shown to be a comforter amid sorrows, a gracious physician amidst afflictions, a most wise guide on the path of salvation, and a most fervent intercessor for all before God. Wherefore, honoring thy holy memory with love we cry to thee, as to our most merciful father: Pray thou in our behalf, O holy hierarch Theodosius!

Through thee did God make manifest marvelous and most glorious wonders, O father Theodosius, when it was His good pleasure to glorify thy precious and much-healing relics; for the blind regained their sight, the dumb waxed eloquent, paralytics and the lame were cured, and the name of God was glorified by all; for in thee hath the Lord visited the land of Russia, and through thee have we beheld the mighty works of God. Wherefore, reverently honoring thy holy memory, we fall down before thee and entreat thee: Pray thou for the salvation of our souls!

Today, He Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai submitteth to the commands of the law, having become like us for our sake, in that He is full of loving-kindness. Now our pure God, as a holy Infant, having opened the womb of the pure one, is offered to Himself, as God, freeing our souls from the curse of the law and enlightening them.

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel: “Rejoice, thou life-bearing Cross...”—

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theodosius, most glorious adornment of the Church of Russia, radiant boast of the city of Chernigov, unshakable pillar of Orthodoxy, who wast glorified by God for the reproof of the arrogance of the ungodly, and wast revealed as a worker of wonders! Rejoice, O our new intercessor before God! Standing ever before Him with all the saints, pray thou for the salvation of our souls.

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Rejoice, O sacred one, divinely wise guide of monks, who didst love Christ from thy youth, and Whose easy yoke thou didst bear with joy! Rejoice, thou who leadest all to God, not only by word, but also by deed and the example of thy life! Standing now before Him, pray thou in behalf of thy children who honor thy holy memory with faith and love, O holy hierarch Theodosius our father!

Stichos: Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness and Thy righteous shall rejoice.

Rejoice, O hierarch of God, who wast adorned with the beauty of the episcopal rank and dost shine forth in virtue! Rejoice, O mirror of humility, splendid model of meekness and guilelessness and inexhaustible treasury of love! Rejoice, thou who even after thy repose didst not forsake thy flock, but dost ever benefit it, and showest thyself to be a father who loveth his children! Wherefore, celebrating thy memory, we flee unto thee, as to our father, and cry out to thee with love: Pray for us, O our father, that our souls may be saved!

Come, ye Christian people, and with hymns let us crown the new and most marvelous worker of wonders whom Christ, Who is wondrous in His saints, hath glorified and bestowed upon the land of Russia as a fervent intercessor. Rejoice, O Theodosius, our father, ready comforter amid our sorrows! Rejoice, most merciful physician of the afflicted! Rejoice, thou who art ready to ask of the Lord those things which lead to salvation for each and every one! And now, standing before the throne of His majesty, as a good and faithful servant of the Lord summoned to the joy of thy Master, entreat Him for the salvation of our souls.

The sacred Virgin brought the Sacred One to the high priest in the temple, and Symeon, stretching forth his hands, received Him, rejoicing, and cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word!”

O holy hierarch Theodosius, most honored among hierarchs, thou wast a beacon to thy flock; then thou didst pass on to the mansions of heaven. Pray thou at the throne of the King of glory, that He deliver us from the evils which assail us and save our souls, O holy one, by thine intercessions. Twice

And that of the feast, in Tone I—

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who doth illumine those in darkness. Be glad, thou also, O righteous elder who receivest in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us resurrection. Once