We chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, we chant 6 stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “O venerable father…”—
Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:
O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius, thou didst struggle mightily in this transitory life, and wast a model for thy disciples in hymnody, fasting and the keeping of vigil. And now thou joinest chorus with the incorporeal ones, unceasingly glorifying Christ: God the Word and Deliverer, Who is from God, Who bowed His head before the Forerunner, and hath sanctified the nature of water. Him do thou entreat, to Him do thou pray, O venerable one, that He grant unto the Church oneness of mind, peace and great mercy. Twice
O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius, having found thy soul pure, as it desired, the grace of the All-holy Spirit dwelt within thee as an all-holy light, and with its activity thou wast splendidly adorned. Thou didst unceasingly glorify Christ, the one Son in two natures, Who is baptized at the hand of the Forerunner, and borne witness to by the Father’s voice. Him do thou beseech, to Him do thou pray, O venerable one, that He grant to the whole world oneness of mind, peace and great mercy. Twice
O venerable father, God-bearing Theodosius, abundantly hast thou been vouchsafed the blessed life, having acquired it through purity and fasting; for, having lived, thou wast borne over to the life on high, telling all to rejoice. With the incorporeal ones thou dost unceasingly glorify Christ, Who ineffably took flesh of the Virgin, and hath drowned our sins by His baptism in the Jordan’s streams. Him do thou entreat, to Him do thou pray, O holy one, that He grant to the whole world oneness of mind, peace and great mercy. Twice
Glory…: in Tone II—
O venerable father, the river’s streams, the waters of remission, made glad thy sacred soul like a city of the living God, Christ our God Who crossed the Jordan and hath poured forth the word of piety upon all the ends of the earth. Him do thou entreat, O most blessed Theodosius, that our souls be saved.
Now & ever…: in the same tone—
Thou didst bow Thy head before the Forerunner, and didst crush the heads of the serpents. Having come to the streams, thou didst illumine all things, that they may glorify Thee, O Savior, Thou Enlightenment of our souls.
Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon [5:15-6:3]
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgement for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.
Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon [3:1-9]
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. Those who put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon [4:7-15]
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 which 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 concupiscence 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 hath respect unto His chosen.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.