Glory..., in Tone VI—
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man...,” the first antiphon.
But if this day fall within the Great Fast: Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion; or this Stavrotheotokion, in the same tone & melody—
After the Blessing of the Loaves, we chant the following troparia, in Tone IV—
Now and ever..., of the feast, in Tone V—
At “Lord, I have cried...,” 8 stichera: 4 for the feast, in Tone I, Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—
As one like unto the apostles in thy life and a teacher of the whole world, O Photius, entreat the Master of all, that He grant peace to the whole world and great mercy to our souls.
A Reading from Proverbs
The Creator of all, our Deliverer, is borne into the temple by His Virgin Mother; wherefore, the elder, receiving Him, cried out with joy: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, as Thou hast willed!”
Or this Troparion, in Tone V—
A Reading from Proverbs
Symeon, taking from the Virgin into his arms Him Who was begotten before all the ages, cried out: “I have beheld, O Savior, the light of Thy glory which shineth upon the ends of the earth! Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, for I have seen Thee today!”
As a radiant beacon hidden in God and a defender of Orthodoxy revealed from on high, O great Photius, blessed adornment of patriarchs, thou didst refute the innovations of prideful heresy. O light of the holy Churches, luminary of the Orient on high, preserve them from all error.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Symeon, taking in his arms the Savior Who in the fullness of time was born for the salvation of men, cried out, rejoicing: “I have seen the Light of the gentiles, the Glory of Israel! Now lettest Thou me depart from things here, by Thy command, as Thou hast said, in that Thou art God.
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.
Glory..., in the same tone—
O Christ, Who of old set down the Law on Mount Sinai, fulfilling now the ordinances of the Law in the city of Sion, it hath been Thy pleasure to be borne into the temple as a babe in the flesh by the hands of the Theotokos, together with doves as wholeburnt offerings, and in the arms of Symeon.
Troparion of the hierarch, in Tone IV—
Now and ever..., of the feast, the composition of Andrew Pyrrhus, in Tone II—
And 4 of the saint, in Tone IV, Spec. Mel: “As one valiant among the martyrs...”—
Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
Glory..., in Tone IV—
With hymnody let us in godly manner praise the most holy Photius: the instrument of grace, the harp of the Spirit, the immovable pillar of the divine Faith, the champion of Orthodoxy, great teacher, glorious and holy hierarch, confirmation of the Church, the most splendid contender for the Lord. Twice
Now and ever..., of the feast, in Tone V—
With one voice, all ye Orthodox, with sacred hymnody let us praise Photius: first enthroned among the patriarchs, orator of fiery spirit, teacher of the whole world, godly primate of Constantinople, magnificent hierarch, most excellent pastor of the Church of Christ.
Glory..., Now and ever..., and the troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
By an iniquitous command wast thou driven from thy flock, and didst share in sorrows and tribulations for the Faith, O glorious one, Photius most steadfast, thou illustrious hierarch, confirmation of the Church, immovable pillar; wherefore, we all earnestly honor thee as a teacher of Orthodoxy and an expounder of the Mysteries, O ever-memorable one.
And these stichera of the holy hierarch, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—
O most holy father, thrice-blessed and venerable, disciple of Christ the Chief Shepherd, good shepherd who laid down thy life for thy sheep: By thy prayers, O all-praised and most holy Photius, do thou now ask Him to grant us great mercy.
Examine ye the Scriptures, as Christ our God said in the Gospels, for therein do we find Him born, wrapped in swaddling bands, laid in a manger, fed with milk, receiving circumcision, and carried by Symeon, not in a semblance or guise, but appearing in truth to the world. To Him do we cry out: O preëternal God, glory be to Thee!
Entrance. O joyous Light..., Prokimenon of the day. 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 I: Be glad in the Lord, O city of Constantine, and every city, island and land, in the honored memory of the thrice-blessed Photius, our common chief shepherd, the beacon and teacher of the universal Church; for while yet alive, he struggled exceedingly for the Faith of the Gospel, and he now receiveth gifts of honor in the heavens for his labors, praying unceasingly to Christ God in behalf of our souls.
In Tone II: Praising thee with love, we entreat thee, the great hierarch and pastor, guileless and venerable, preacher of piety, fire-breathing mouth of the Spirit: By thy supplications, O father, redeem thou our souls.
In Tone VI: O man of God and faithful servant, minister of the Lord, man of divine desires, chosen vessel, pillar and ground of the Church, heir to the kingdom: Cease thou never to cry unto the Lord for us.
O good and faithful servant, good laborer in the vineyard of Christ, thou didst bear the burden of the day and didst increase the talent given thee; and thou didst not envy those who came after thee. Wherefore, the portals of heaven have been opened unto thee. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, and pray for us, O most holy father.
Him to Whom the ministers on high pray with trembling, Symeon now taketh into his material arms here below. He announced that God hath united Himself to men, and, seeing God as a heavenly man, cried out with joy at being separated from those on earth: “O Lord Who revealest the never-waning light to those in darkness, glory be to Thee!”
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V, Spec. Mel: “Rejoice, boast of fasters...”—
Rejoice, O hierarch of Christ! Rejoice, radiant boast of the fathers, who wast splendidly adorned by action and vision, O repository of divine virtue, abode of meekness, habitation of unceasing prayer, treasury of peace, abode of twofold love— for God and thy neighbor! Entreat Christ, that He grant to the world great mercy!
Stichos: My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Rejoice, rule of hierarchs and glorious leader of teachers, mouth of the theologians of the Church of Christ, splendid in word and dogma, right wondrous pastor, like unto the apostles in thy life, eloquent tongue cutting off every heresy like a most sharp two-edged sword, melodious instrument, heavenly mind, pillar of the Church, confirmation of the faithful! Entreat Christ, that He send down great mercy upon our souls.
Stichos: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment.
Rejoice, beauty of patriarchs! Rejoice, boast of all priests, divine wellspring of dogma, firm pillar and steadfast foundation of the Church, most renowned example, most wise recorder of the Mysteries, father Photius, thou confirmation of the truth, most splendid and Orthodox champion, heavenly man and earthly angel, thou glory of the Orthodox! Cease thou never to entreat Christ in behalf of all that praise thee!
It is meet for the imperial city to boast in the hierarch Photius, as in a royal appointment and a bright-sounding clarion, which instructeth all the ends of the earth in the dogmas of salvation, assembling all to unite in godly hymnody. To him, then, let us cry out: O thou who art splendid of speech and named after light, beseech Christ God that He save our souls!
The Ancient of Days, having become a babe in the flesh, was borne into the temple by His Mother the Virgin, fulfilling the ordinance of His own Law; and, receiving Him, Simeon said: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Holy One!”
On “Lord, I have cried…”, the stichera of the feast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—
The Creator of all, our Deliverer, is borne into the temple by His Virgin Mother; wherefore, the elder, receiving Him, cried out with joy: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, as Thou hast willed!”
Symeon, taking from the Virgin into his arms Him Who was begotten before all the ages, cried out: “I have beheld, O Savior, the light of Thy glory which shineth upon the ends of the earth! Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Good One, for I have seen Thee today!”
Symeon, taking in his arms the Savior Who in the fullness of time was born for the salvation of men, cried out, rejoicing: “I have seen the Light of the gentiles, the Glory of Israel! Now lettest Thou me depart from things here, by Thy command, as Thou hast said, in that Thou art God.
Shining with the light of beneficent virtues, O most sacred one, thou wast mystically set as a light upon the candlestand of the divine Church, illumining it with thy sacred teachings, O father.
The Holy Spirit, sanctifying thee, O sacred Bucolus, through thee imparteth sanctity, enlightenment and deliverance to those who approach with faith, O God-bearer.
Preaching the utter goodness of our God, O wise one, thou dost bless afflicted people with grace, leading them to the Savior, as a most sacred priest.
Glory…, Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone V—
Examine ye the Scriptures, as Christ our God said in the Gospels, for therein do we find Him born, wrapped in swaddling bands, laid in a manger, fed with milk, receiving circumcision, and carried by Symeon, not in a semblance or guise, but appearing in truth to the world. To Him do we cry out: O preëternal God, glory be to Thee!
Beholding Christ Who loveth mankind crucified, His side pierced by a spear, the all-pure one cried out, lamenting: “What is this, O my Son? How have these thankless people rewarded Thee for the good things Thou hast done for them? Dost Thou hasten to leave me childless, O most Beloved? I marvel, O Compassionate One, at Thy voluntary crucifixion!”
At the aposticha, these stichera of the feast, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—
Bearing the Creator and Master as a Babe in her arms, the pure and all-pure Virgin entereth the temple.
Stichos: Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word.
Receive, O Symeon, the Lord of glory as thou wast told by the Holy Spirit. For, lo! He is come!
Stichos: A Light of revelation to the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
O good God, now have mine eyes beheld Thy promise! O Thou Who lovest mankind, speed thou to release me, Thy servant!
Glory…, Now & ever…, the composition of Germanus, in Tone V—
The Ancient of days, having become a babe, is borne into the temple by the Virgin Mother, fulfilling the prescription of His own law; and, receiving Him, Symeon said: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Holy One!”
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and a teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou hast acquired exalted things through humility and riches through poverty. O father Bucolus, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
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.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.