At Vespers

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

And these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set aside all…”—

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O Lord, even though Thou didst stand before the tribunal…”—

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

A Reading from Proverbs

O sinless Lord, even though Thou didst deign to be baptized in the flesh, desiring to free the world from sin, yet do we glorify Thee, knowing Thee to be God; for, having been baptized, Thou hast delivered our souls from bondage.

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

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

When Thou didst arrive, incarnate, at the streams of the Jordan, O Lord, to sanctify the water by Thy glorious baptism, Thou wast pleased to bow Thy head before John, and to be baptized by a servant, that Thou mightest save our souls.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Desiring to save from delusion the world which Thou hadst created, O Lord, Thou wast well pleased to become incarnate of the Virgin who knew not wedlock, and hast delivered Adam from corruption, in that Thou lovest mankind; and, having been baptized, Thou hast given enlightenment to our souls.

And 3 stichera of the martyr, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

When, richly illumined by the light of the Spirit, thou didst spurn riches, loving only those of heaven, thou wast manifestly invested with the might of the martyrs, and didst set thyself apart for boundless pangs. Wherefore, having cast down the enemy, thou hast plaited a wreath of victory, O all-glorious athlete and martyr.

When thou didst quench the stench of the flesh and the flame of sin with the dew of the divine Spirit Who worked within thee, O honored one, thou didst tame the wild beasts in the midst of the arena, giving thy body manfully over to wounding. Wherefore, having cast down the enemy, thou hast plaited a wreath of victory, O Tatiana, blessed of God.

Neither sword, nor fire, nor wounds, nor tribulations, nor starvation, nor any aspect of thy torture, could dull the ardor thou didst cherish for the Lord; for, seeking Him with a heart aflame, thou didst spurn all things visible, O martyr, and in the midst of the divine bridal-chamber hast made thine abode, becoming the bride of the King of all.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V—

Beholding Thee, the Creator, naked in the waters, asking for baptism, all human nature was moved to fear and stricken with awe; and the Forerunner was seized with trembling, not daring to approach Thee. The sea fled and the streams of the Jordan turned back; the mountains, looking on, leapt up, and the angelic hosts marvelled, saying: “O the wonder! The Savior hath stripped Himself naked, desiring to clothe men in salvation and restoration!”

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Having loved the Father Who is in heaven, and left thine earthly father, thou didst depart into the wilderness, O father; and having thence received the effulgence of the Holy Spirit through ascetic endeavor and prayer, arriving like the sun thou didst shine light upon thy people amid the darkness of ignorance, preaching Christ in two essences, Who for our sake shone forth from the Virgin. Twice

O divinely wise father Savva, we praise thee as is meet: the preacher equal to the apostles, equal in wisdom to the holy hierarchs, the fellow-struggler with the ascetics, the chosen pastor and compassionate bestower of mercy, the divinely flowing river of doctrines which hath drowned iniquitous heresies.

The Church of Serbia hath been adorned by the teaching of thy words, and, rejoicing now in Orthodoxy, with thy godly children it honoreth thy sacred memory with splendor, O sacred father Savva, equal in honor to the holy hierarchs, who standest forth with the angels, an advocate for our souls.

Thou wast shown to be a God-bearer wholly sanctified, anointed by the Holy Spirit with holy and divine oil, and ever joining chorus, O venerable one, entering into the Holy of holies; and as an initiate of the sacred mysteries thou didst teach thy people the mysteries of salvation, as a truly chosen hierarch, O God-bearing father Savva, praying with boldness in behalf of our souls. Twice

From thy youth thy life shone with the radiance of the virtues, O most blessed and holy hierarch, and thou didst illumine thy people, truly dispelling the gloom of falsehood. And now thou hast made thine abode where the light is never-waning, where the choirs of the angels dwell. Standing with them, O venerable father Savva, remember us who celebrate thy memory, praying with boldness in behalf of our souls.

By faith and divine activity was thy mind adorned and clothed in splendor, O all-glorious and divinely wise one, having learned incorruption in a mortal and corruptible body; and having transcended the passions, thou didst attain the splendor of the incorporeal ones, O God-pleasing and holy hierarch Savva, thou radiant beacon of thy native land and bold intercessor in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, in Tone II—

Seeking glory from Christ the King of all, and forsaking thy ruler and father, thou didst flee to Mount Athos, where, exchanging the height of nobility for the low estate of a servant, thou didst lay waste to thy body with much labor, didst enlighten thy soul by prayer, and, remaining well in monasticism, didst live angelically in the wilderness. Thou didst preach in the world like the apostles, and by the pangs of asceticism and the travels of a wanderer, didst undergo the struggles of the martyrs. Who can describe the virtues whereby on earth thou didst gain heaven, O blessed father Savva, pastor and teacher? Yet as thou now standest before Christ God, pray that our souls may be saved.

The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so the Virgin gave birth and yet remained a Virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the Salvation of our souls.

Entrance. 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; those who 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.

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.

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom; and the lips of wise men exude grace. The mouths of the wise teach wisdom, and righteousness shall deliver them from death. When the righteous man dieth, his hope doth not perish. For the righteous son is born for life, and a good man shall eat of the fruits of righteousness. Light always shineth upon the righteous, and they find grace and glory from the Lord. The tongue of the wise knoweth what is good, and wisdom resteth in their heart. The Lord loveth holy hearts, and all are acceptable to Him who are blameless in their way. The wisdom of the Lord enlighteneth the face of him who hath understanding. For she overtaketh those who desire her, in making herself known unto them; and she is easily seen by those who love her. Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail; and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care. For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and showeth herself favorably unto those in the ways. Evil never prevaileth over wisdom. For the sake of her I became a lover of her beauty. I loved her, and sought her out from my youth. I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty; yea, the Master of all Himself loved her. For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a revealer of His works. Her labors are virtues, for she teacheth temperance and prudence, which are such things that men can have naught that is more profitable in their life. If a man desire much experience, she knoweth all things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come; she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of times and seasons. And she is for all a counsellor of good things. Moreover, by means of her I shall obtain immortality, for in the exercise of conference with her there is prudence. Wherefore, I prayed unto the Lord, and besought Him, and with my whole heart I said: “O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, Who hast made all things with Thy word, and ordained man through Thy wisdom, that he have dominion over the creatures which Thou hast made, and order the world according to equity and righteousness! Give me wisdom, who sitteth by Thy throne, and reject me not from among Thy children, for I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid. Send her out of the heavens, from Thy holy dwelling-place and from the throne of Thy glory, that, being present with me, she may labor with me, that I may know what is pleasing in Thy sight; and that she may lead me toward understanding, and preserve me in her glory. For all the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.”

At Litia, these stichera idiomela—

In Tone II: O blessed Savva, thou didst acquire a venerable mind ever attentive unto God, free and motivated by thy will, unenslaved by the passions, a soul cleansed by asceticism, a heart merciful and serving God; and by humility thou didst adorn thy wise discourse, having in prudence cleaved wholly unto Christ from thy youth, O father. And thou wast given to thy people as their first hierarch, an apostle, as is meet, and thou didst beget them through the Gospel and didst enrich them with Orthodoxy. And now, standing before Christ God, pray that He deliver them from all misfortunes and save our souls.

In Tone IV: With thy discourses, as with the wellsprings of the Gospel, thou didst water the hearts of thy people, O holy hierarch, and by thy supplications thou didst cause the seed of piety to grow therein, and didst bring them to Christ as excellent fruit. And now, standing before Him with the choirs of the apostles and holy hierarchs, in thy prayers to Him remember us, that He preserve from all oppression us who celebrate thy memory in peace.

The great Church of Serbia, with the priests and princes of the people, and all the faithful, celebrating the goodly memorial of the pastor and teacher in gladness, crieth out: The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and He hath given us their holy relics! Come, ye faithful, let us rejoice in spirit, honoring both of the feasts of the saint—his repose and the translation of his holy relics—and let us crown ourselves with the praises thereof, as with flowers, saying: Rejoice, O bestower of mercy, blessed Symeon, thou heavenly man! Rejoice, abode of purity, sacred Savva, thou earthly angel! Rejoice, O holy twain, who like apostles taught your people and went before them on the path of life! And as ye stand with the angels before the Trinity, ask peace for our land and great mercy for our souls.

Glory…, in Tone V—

Having from thy youth avoided carnal love through desire for a purity akin to that of the apostles, and restrained thine untamed body with the reins of abstinence, thou didst bring it into goodly submission to thy soul, subjecting that which is baser to that which is higher by the power of thy mind; and having been counted worthy to become a vessel of the divine Spirit, thou wast first to adorn the cathedra of Serbia, and didst teach thy flock with godly wisdom. And standing now with boldness before Christ, O blessed Savva, thou divinely wise and holy hierarch, entreat Him earnestly, that He save the souls of those who hymn thy holy memory.

Rejoice, O portal of God! Rejoice, O pure Virgin, thou garden of paradise! Rejoice, O rampart and protection! Rejoice, O all-pure one! Rejoice, insuperable bulwark of the faithful! Rejoice, calm haven of those who have recourse unto thee, O pure one!