At Vespers

Now and ever..., of the feast, the composition of Andrew of Crete, in the same tone—

At “Lord, I have cried...,” 6 stichera: 3 of the great martyr, in Tone IV, Spec. Mel: “As valiant among the martyrs...”—

But if it be the Fast: Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—

Troparion of the great martyr, in Tone IV—

Glory..., in Tone V—

A courageous athlete, an invincible warrior, wast thou shown to be by the Holy Spirit, having cast down the adversary with the wisdom of thy words, and the enduring testimony of thy deeds, O wise one. Wherefore, thou hast received crowns of victory and hast been joined to the choirs on high, O great martyr Theodore.

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

A pillar of godly piety wast thou shown to be, O thou who art most rich; for, detesting the temples of the impious, thou wast brought as a most perfect lamb and a right acceptable sacrifice, unto Him Who was sacrificed in innocence for thy sake, Who hath glorified thy holy memory, and hath given thee to those who are in the world as a treasury of miracles, O Theodore.

Glory..., Now and ever..., troparion of the feast, in Tone I—

Lifted up upon a cross, thy flesh lacerated, wounded with sharp arrows, tormented by all the crafty art of torture, and beheaded by the sword, thou wast shown to be steadfast and invincible through the power of Him Who was nailed to the Cross, O Theodore, thou glory of the martyrs.

And 3 stichera of the prophet, in Tone VIII, Spec. Mel: “What shall we call you...”—

Possessed of a life equal to that of the angels, thou dost manifestly converse with angels, O divinely revealed one, illumining thy mind with things that pass understanding: the purity of wondrous images, the revelation of great mysteries, prophetic proclamation, and spiritual renewal. Pray thou that our souls may be saved.

Thou wast shown to be an earthly angel, having, while on earth, heavenly companions, for thou wast a beholder of heavenly visions, a noetic beacon, and a radiant light, a fruitful olive-tree, as the Psalm doth say, which in godly fashion poureth forth oil upon the pious. Pray thou that our souls may be saved.

Enjoying the longed-for deification, manifestly partaking of everlasting delight, and beholding ineffable glory, adorned with crowns of comeliness, as a most true prophet of God pray thou in behalf of those who earnestly hymn thee, O thou who art pleasing unto God, that our souls may be saved.

To whom hast thou likened thyself, O wretched soul, in no wise rousing thyself to repentance, nor fearing the fire which awaiteth evil? Arise, and cry and call out unto our only assistance: O Virgin Mother, entreat thy Son and our God, that He deliver me from the snare of the deceiver!

Or this Stavrotheotokion, in the same tone and melody—

The ewe-lamb, as she beheld the Lamb stretched out of His own will upon the Tree of the Cross, cried out maternally, in pain with her weeping: O my Son, what is this strange sight? O Long-suffering One, how is it that Thou art slain, Who, as Lord, dost bestow life upon all, granting resurrection to mortals? I glorify Thy great condescension, O my God!

But if it be not the Fast: Glory..., in Tone VIII—

O all ye faithful, let us bless the great and noble martyr Theodore as is meet; for he is the namesake of God’s gifts and the heir of His blessedness, and the champion of the world, and he prayeth to Christ God in behalf of our souls.

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!”

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II, Spec. Mel: “O house of Ephrata...”—

Open wide, ye gates of heaven, for Christ is borne into the temple as a babe by the Virgin Mother unto God His Father.

Stichos: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word.

Christ, the burning coal which appeared unto the holy Isaiah, now resteth in the arms of the Theotokos as in a pair of tongs, and He is given to the elder.

Stichos: A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

In fear and joy Symeon held the Master in his arms, and asked for his release from life, singing the praises of the Mother of God.

Today hath the honored memory of Christ’s athlete shone forth more brightly than the morning star, invisibly illumining the hearts of the faithful and dispelling gloom from their souls by the activity of the grace of the Holy Spirit. O ye who love the martyrs, to him let us cry out: Rejoice, O blessed Theodore, for thou hast been revealed to the faithful as a God-given grace, showering a multitude of miracles upon those who have recourse unto thee. And unceasingly entreating Christ, fail not to obtain eternal blessings for those who celebrate thy holy memory with faith.

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!”

Through true recruitment didst thou become a most worthy general of the heavenly King, O passion-bearer Theodore; for thou didst wisely put on the whole armor of God and, vanquishing legions of demons, thou didst show thyself to be a victorious athlete. Wherefore, with faith do we ever bless thee.

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. Thrice