At Great Vespers

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

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

O thou who wast illumined with the rays of the Spirit, when divine desire set thee afire and gave wings to thy soul, that thou mightest truly desire the summit of His love, then didst thou overcome flesh and blood, and didst transcend the world, uniting thyself to Him with great abstinence and solitude. Wherefore, thou wast filled there, for thou didst ask for the good things from thence, and didst shine forth like a star, enlightening our souls, O Anthony. Thrice

Having broken the bows and arrows, the malice of the demons and their pursuit, with the grace of the divine Spirit, thou didst make them plain to all with divine doctrines, illumined with divine splendors. And thou wast a lamp of divine radiance for monastics, the first adorner of the desert, a most skillful physician of the infirm, and the pristine image of a virtuous life, O father Anthony. Thrice

Pure of soul and heart, an earthly angel, a heavenly man, a teacher of virginity, an excellent standard of abstinence, O Anthony, who dwellest with thy Master, offering Him continual glorification with the angels and the venerable, and with all the martyrs, O blessed one, from cruel tribulations and transgressions free those who ever celebrate thy sacred memory. Twice

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Having preserved that which is in the image of God, and set thy mind as master over the pernicious passions through fasting, thou didst ascend to that which is in the likeness of God, as far as thou wast able; for, compelling thy nature manfully, thou didst strive to subdue that which is baser to that which is more sublime, and to enslave the flesh to the spirit. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be the summit of monastics, a citizen of the desert, a trainer of those who run the good race, a most excellent rule of virtue. And in purity thou now beholdest the Holy Trinity in the heavens, not by reflection as by a mirror, and thou prayest directly for those who honor thee with faith and love.

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

Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. 3 Readings:

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (3:1-9)

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 judgment 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.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (5:1-6:3)

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.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (4:8-15)

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 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.

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the saint, the composition of the Studite: Idiomela, in Tone II—

Having instituted ascetic training on earth, O venerable Anthony, thou didst drown all the assaults of the passions in the flow of thy tears. Thy God-pleasing life hath been recognized by all as a divine and precious ladder rising up to the heavens. For, having shown forth the fruits of piety within thyself, thou thereby healest the weakness of the passions of those who cry out to thee with faith: Rejoice, O golden-rayed star of the East, luminary and shepherd of monastics! Rejoice, O ever-memorable one, most comely offspring of the desert and unshakable foundation of the Church! Rejoice, great guide of the lost! Rejoice, O our boast, thou radiant joy of the whole world!

Let us honor Anthony, the earthly angel and heavenly man of God, the goodly adornment of the world, the enjoyment of good works and the virtues, the boast of fasters; for, planted in the house of God, he flourished in righteousness, and like a cedar in the wilderness, he hath increased the flock of Christ’s reason-endowed sheep in holiness and righteousness.

O venerable father, having diligently exercised thyself in virtue from childhood, thou becamest an instrument of the Holy Spirit; and, receiving from Him the ability to work miracles, thou didst exhort men to spurn that which is sweet. And now, most purely illumined with divine light, enlighten also our thoughts, O father Anthony.

Glory…, in Tone V—

O venerable father, having listened to the words of the Gospel of the Lord, thou didst depart from the world, considering riches and glory to be as naught. Wherefore, thou didst cry out to all: Love God, and ye shall receive everlasting grace; prefer naught to His love, that when He shall come in His glory, ye shall find rest with all the saints. By his supplications, O Christ, preserve and save our souls!

We bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee shone forth Christ, the Sun of righteousness, Who hath great mercy.