Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon of the Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go Thou quickly before…”—
The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning…”—
Thou didst follow the call of thy Lord, rejecting the world and all the beautiful things in the world, O most blessed Anthony; and thou didst diligently bear the discomfort of the desert, and didst manfully rout the hordes of the demons. Wherefore, we ever faithfully praise thy memory with hymns. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
By thy birthgiving, O pure one, thou hast renewed the mortal essence of those born on earth, which had become corrupt through the passions, and thou hast raised all up from death to the life of incorruption. Wherefore, we all bless thee as is meet, O all-glorious Virgin, as thou didst foretell.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
With hymns let us honor the faster of the Lord, as one who truly mortified all the assaults of the passions with abstinence and steadfast endurance, who utterly put to shame the adverse foe and all his pride, and now prayeth to the Lord, that our souls find mercy. Twice
An awesome miracle of conception and an ineffable type of birthgiving have been recognized in thee, O pure Ever-virgin, and they fill my mind with awe and amaze my thoughts. Thy glory, O Theotokos, hath extended in all things, unto the salvation of our souls.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O venerable father Anthony, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monastics and converser with the angels.
Selected Psalm verses—
A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]
B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]
A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]
B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]
A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]
B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]
A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]
B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]
A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]
B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]
A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]
B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]
A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]
B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]
A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]
B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]
A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]
B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]
A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]
B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Having received pastoral skill, O pillar and ground of monastics, with strength thou didst shepherd thy reason-endowed flock; for, desiring the divine teachings of Christ, thou didst sow the word therein, O venerable one. Wherefore, thou didst raise all up to the zeal of the angelic life, to glorify God with oneness of mind, O God-bearing Anthony. Entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of transgressions to those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice
Let us hymn the heavenly door and ark, the most holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the unburnt bush, the noetic garden of paradise, the restoration of Eve, the great treasure of the whole world, for in her have salvation and the remission of the ancient transgressions been wrought for the world. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Entreat thy Son, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who piously worship thy most holy Offspring.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Matthew, §43 [Mt. 11: 27-30]
The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
O venerable father, the sound of thy corrections hath gone forth into all the earth; wherefore, thou hast found the reward of thy labors in the heavens, hast destroyed the hordes of the demons, and hast attained unto the ranks of the angels, whose life thou didst blamelessly emulate. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, ask thou peace for our souls.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.