After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
We chant “Blessed is the man..., the first antiphon.
On “Lord, I have cried..., 8 stichera: 3 of the Forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—
Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Troparion, in Tone IV—
Glory..., in Tone VIII—
With piety let us sound forth the hymns of the forefeast of the honorable baptism of our God; for, lo! as a man He desireth to come to His forerunner in the flesh, and to ask for saving baptism unto the edification of all who are enlightened by faith in holiness, becoming partakers of the Spirit.
Troparion of the forefeast of Theophany, in Tone IV—
Now and ever..., of the forefeast, in Tone VI—
Christ is shown forth, God appeareth, as David most manifestly wrote beforehand, and He cometh to His servant, asking baptism. O River Jordan, be thou filled with gladness! O earth and sea, mountains and hills, ye hearts of men, exult now, receiving the noetic Light!
Troparion of the holy hierarch, in Tone IV—
Glory..., in Tone V—
How can the river’s streams receive Thee, O Almighty Lord, Who art the River of peace and the Torrent of sustenance, as it is written, Who dost wrap the sky in clouds, dost strip away all the malice of the enemy and clothest mortals in immortality?
Glory…, Now & ever…: troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—
Now and ever..., Theotokion, in the same tone—
And 5 stichera of the saint, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O marvelous wonder…”—
Glory..., in Tone VI—
O most glorious wonder! A struggler for piety is revealed at Sarov, and the most wondrous Seraphim becometh a fervent intercessor for us before God. Rejoice, O Monastery of Sarov, who containest within thyself the relics of the venerable one! Exult, O ye multitudes of the Orthodox, who have the most wondrous Seraphim as a defender amid misfortune and who cry unto him: Rejoice, thou light of the land of Russia! Utterly disperse the legions of our adversaries, and beseech the Lord to grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
O marvelous wonder! In the Monastery of Sarov, behold, the blessed Seraphim revealeth himself unto us as an unshakable pillar of piety. Wherefore, O ye assemblies of the divinely wise, be ye exalted in the spirit to the heights, crying out to the venerable one: O venerable father Seraphim, beseech the Lord to grant peace and great mercy to our souls!
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Wondrous are Thy mysteries, O Christ our God, for Thou hast given us a beacon in the venerable Seraphim, a mighty champion for our right-believing hierarchs against the adversary, and intercessor for monks and all Orthodox Christians, and the boast and foundation of his holy monastery, who now entreateth Thee, O Lord, that Thou grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
When thou didst enter the wilderness of Sarov, O venerable one, utterly casting off thine own will, thou didst show steadfast obedience to all, for thou didst joyously endure abuse and disrespect. Thou didst receive blows and smiting at the hands of evil men, yet didst thou pray for them, O venerable one. And glorifying thy most honored memory, we beseech thee, O venerable one: Entreat the Lord, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Blessed is the Monastery of Sarov, which hath thee, O venerable father Seraphim, as a treasury of virtues, a vessel of purity and chastity, a receptacle of grace, a fount of healings, a physician who cureth the infirm without fee, a true faster, a comforter of the afflicted, and a calm haven for those who are tempest-tossed by the passions of life. O venerable father Seraphim, pray that peace and great mercy be granted unto us that celebrate thine honored memory.
Come, ye assemblies of the faithful, and let us glorify our most wondrous father today, and thus with songs of praise let us cry unto him: O venerable father Seraphim, thou wast truly vouchsafed a godly life, receiving from God a crown of never-fading glory. Wherefore, the Monastery of Sarov doth boast in thee, and the people, beholding the precious shrine of thy relics and the miracles wrought through thine intercession, glorify the Lord Who doth glorify thee. Entreat Him, O venerable father, that He grant peace and great mercy to our souls!
Christ the Truth cometh to the Jordan to be baptized by John; and he saith unto Him: “It is I who must needs be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? I who am grass dare not touch the Fire! Sanctify me, O Master, by Thy divine epiphany!”
Entrance. Prokimenon of the Day. Three Readings:
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 (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 (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.
At the Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the venerable one, in Tone I—
With what crowns of praise shall we crown the great ascetic, the venerable Seraphim? For he was shown to be a good guide to steadfast faith and virtue, instructing those who came unto him with divinely inspired teachings and by his angelic life. Wherefore, we cry unto him: O venerable one, entreat Christ to establish the Orthodox faith and to save our souls!
Come, O ye multitudes of monks, let us piously praise the venerable one today, the true disciple of the Savior, who hath trampled down the delusion of the world, taken the yoke of Christ upon his shoulders, and put to shame the hosts of the demons. And let us cry thus unto him: O father Seraphim, forget not us that praise and honor thy holy memory!
O venerable Seraphim, thy radiant and godly memory hath moved kings, princes and hierarchs to awe, for while yet in the flesh thou, like one of the bodiless beings, didst put to shame the invisible foe. The whole province of Tambov and the holy Monastery of Sarov rejoice, possessed of thy holy relics, through which health is granted unto all that draw nigh to thy precious shrine with faith. Wherefore, enlightened by thee, we cry to thee, O venerable one: Pray thou that our souls be saved!
O land of Russia, rejoice this day; and be thou glad, O holy Monastery of Sarov! Ye multitudes of the faithful who have hastened hither today, let us glorify our venerable father, pastor and teacher, the divinely wise guide of the lost, the ready healer of all the afflicted, the great adornment of the Russian land, whom praising thus we say: O venerable Seraphim, save us by thy prayers!
O most honored Virgin, thou art the temple and portal, the palace and throne of the King, through whom my Deliverer, Christ the Lord, Who is the Sun of righteousness, appeared to those who slept in darkness, desiring to enlighten that which He had fashioned according to His own image by His own hand. Wherefore, O all-hymned one, as thou hast acquired maternal boldness before Him, entreat Him unceasingly, that our souls be saved!
At the aposticha, these stichera of the forefeast, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone I—
Splendid was the feast which hath now passed, O Savior, but even more splendid is that which is to come: the former had an angel as its herald, but this one hath found the forerunner to prepare it; on the former Bethlehem lamented like as a mother bereft of her children, when their blood was shed, but this is found to be a fruitful laver through its blessed waters. Then the star announced glad tidings to the magi, but now the Father hath shown Thee to the world. O Lord Who becamest incarnate and now manifestly cometh forth, glory be to Thee!
Stichos: Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniem.
The composition of Andrew of Jerusalem, in Tone II:
Again my Jesus is washed clean in the Jordan; again doth He expunge our sins! For He truly cometh unto baptism, desiring to wash away the record of Adam’s sin. And He said unto John: “Come thou and perform the first act of the awesome mystery, O Baptist! Come quickly, and extend thy hand: touch thou the head of Him Who hath crushed the head of the serpent and opened paradise, which disobedience shut through the guile of the serpent, the eating of the tree of old!
Stichos: The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid.
In Tone III: Luminous was the feast which hath passed, yet even more glorious is this present day: for on the former the magi worshipped the Savior, but on this a glorious servant hath baptized the Master. Then the shepherds, piping, beheld and marvelled, but now the voice of the Father hath proclaimed the only-begotten Son.
O venerable father Seraphim, who can recount thy toils and pangs? And what tongue can describe thy harsh life in the wilderness, thy vigils and fasting, yea, and thy life in seclusion, thy silence and unceasing prayer? Thou hast truly been shown to be the adornment of ascetics and a steadfast intercessor before God. Wherefore, we cry unto thee: Rejoice, O model of monastic life! Rejoice, great consolation amid misfortunes and sorrows, and fervent advocate for all! O venerable one, pray thou that our souls be saved!
Now & ever, of the forefeast, in Tone III—
Come, all ye faithful, and, forsaking the land of Judæa, let us traverse the wilderness of Jordan; and there shall we behold today Him Who for our sake hath appeared in the flesh, requesting baptism in the streams of the Jordan of the Baptist, who refused, crying aloud in fear: “I dare not touch Fire with my hand of clay! Jordan and the sea fled and turned back, O Savior; and how can I place my hand upon the crown of the head of Thee before Whom the seraphim tremble? Jordan withdrew when Elisha received the mantle of Elijah; how then is it that it hath not sunk into chaos and the nethermost depths, beholding Thee naked in its streams? How is it that it doth not scald me, who am set all afire by Thee?” “Wherefore dost thou hesitate to baptize my Lord, O Baptist?” the Jordan cried out to John. “Why hinderest thou the cleansing of many? Sanctify all creation, and remain Thou also to sanctify me, and the nature of water, for it is for this that Thou hast made Thyself manifest!”
From thy youth didst thou love Christ, O blessed one; and, aflame with the desire to serve Him alone, thou didst struggle in the wilderness in unceasing prayer and labor; and, acquiring the love of Christ, with compunction of heart thou wast shown to be the beloved favorite of the Mother of God. Wherefore, we cry unto thee: Save us by thy supplications, O our venerable Father Seraphim! Twice
Make ready, O Zebulun! Adorn thyself, O Naphtali! O River Jordan, leaping up, receive thou the Master Who cometh to be baptized! Rejoice, O Adam, with our first mother! Hide not yourselves as ye did before in paradise; for He that beheld you naked hath revealed Himself, that He may clothe you in your primal raiment. Christ hath appeared, desiring to make all creation new!
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 stichera of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—
With piety let us sound forth the hymns of the forefeast of the honorable baptism of our God; for, lo! as a man He desireth to come to His forerunner in the flesh, and to ask for saving baptism unto the edification of all who are enlightened by faith in holiness, becoming partakers of the Spirit.
Christ is shown forth, God appeareth, as David most manifestly wrote beforehand, and He cometh to His servant, asking baptism. O River Jordan, be thou filled with gladness! O earth and sea, mountains and hills, ye hearts of men, exult now, receiving the noetic Light!
How can the river’s streams receive Thee, O Almighty Lord, Who art the River of peace and the Torrent of sustenance, as it is written, Who dost wrap the sky in clouds, dost strip away all the malice of the enemy and clothest mortals in immortality?
And 5 stichera of the righteous one, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O Lord, even though Thou didst stand before the tribunal…”—
O Lord, even though Juliana lived in the world and managed well the estates of her ancestors, yet did she unfailingly observe all Thy commandments; wherefore, she now standeth with the angels before Thy throne in the highest and doth clearly behold Thy divine glory. Through her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind. Twice
O Lord, even though Juliana was not vouchsafed the monastic tonsure, yet because she did things worthy of monastics she hath therefore not been denied a place in the choir of Thy saints, and after her death she poureth forth healings upon those who approach with faith. For her sake grant peace to the world, in that Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind. Twice
O Lord, even though Juliana lived with her husband and begat children, yet did she bestow alms without number upon the poor and show love unfeigned for her neighbor; wherefore, she hath been glorified by Thee after death. For a sweet-smelling myrrh poureth forth from her tomb upon all the sick, unto their healing. For her sake save us, in that Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind.
Glory…, in Tone VIII—
Let every tongue be moved to the goodly praise of the all-glorious Juliana! And with laudations let us—youths and virgins, the married and the widowed, of every age and rank—crown the righteous favorite of Christ; for, having contended lawfully and cast off womanly weakness, by her fasting, almsgiving and prayers she put the enemy to shame, and, adorned with an all-radiant heavenly crown, she entreateth Christ God, that He grant victory to our civil authorities, peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Now & ever…: Doxasticon of the forefeast, in Tone VI—
Christ the Truth cometh to the Jordan to be baptized by John; and he saith unto Him: “It is I who must needs be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? I who am grass dare not touch the Fire! Sanctify me, O Master, by Thy divine epiphany!”
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. And 3 Readings—
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.
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.
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.
At Litia, this sticheron, in Tone I —
O blessed and righteous Juliana! From thy youth thou didst show thyself to be the chosen vessel of God through thy works, abstinence, prayer and almsgiving, thy love and humility of mind; wherefore, thou didst please the King of heaven and Master of all. To Him do thou now make entreaty, that He grant us peace and great mercy.
Glory…, in the same tone—
O blessed and righteous Juliana! Possessed of a merciful soul, thou didst feed the poor abundantly, wast a mighty helper of orphans and widows, and the consolation of the sorrowful; wherefore, thou didst please the Creator and Lord, and hast received from Him the kingdom of heaven and an incorruptible crown. Him do thou beseech, that He grant us peace and great mercy.
Rejoice, O holy Virgin Theotokos, thou pure vessel of the whole world, ever-burning lamp, indestructible temple, thou who contained the Uncontainable One! Rejoice, thou of whom was born the Lamb of God, Who cometh forth to take away the sins of the whole world!
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the forefeast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—
With piety let us sound forth the hymns of the forefeast of the honorable baptism of our God; for, lo! as a man He desireth to come to His forerunner in the flesh, and to ask for saving baptism unto the edification of all who are enlightened by faith in holiness, becoming partakers of the Spirit.
Christ is shown forth, God appeareth, as David most manifestly wrote beforehand, and He cometh to His servant, asking baptism. O River Jordan, be thou filled with gladness! O earth and sea, mountains and hills, ye hearts of men, exult now, receiving the noetic Light!
How can the river’s streams receive Thee, O Almighty Lord, Who art the River of peace and the Torrent of sustenance, as it is written, Who dost wrap the sky in clouds, dost strip away all the malice of the enemy and clothest mortals in immortality?
And 3 stichera of the hierarch, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—
O holy hierarch, father Sylvester, illumined in sanctity with the light of the priesthood, thou didst enlighten the faithful with radiant teachings, that they may worship the Essence in three Hypostases, the Unity in nature, and thou didst dispel the darkness of heresies. Wherefore, rejoicing, we manifestly celebrate thy luminous memorial today.
O God-bearing father Sylvester, thou wast shown to be a pillar of fire leading the sacred council in sanctity, an overshadowing cloud leading the faithful away from the deception of Egypt and ever guiding them on toward the divine land by thy constant teachings. Wherefore, we honor thy right glorious and most sacred memory.
O divinely eloquent father Sylvester, wondrous in sanctity, with the streams of thy prayers thou didst firmly wall off the serpent of many forms. Thou didst lead a multitude of the heathen to God and didst set at naught the savagery of the Jews, manifestly working great wonders in their sight. Wherefore, we honor and bless thee.
Glory…, Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in Tone VI—
Christ the Truth cometh to the Jordan to be baptized by John; and he saith unto Him: “It is I who must needs be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? I who am grass dare not touch the Fire! Sanctify me, O Master, by Thy divine epiphany!”
At the aposticha, these stichera of the forefeast, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone I—
Splendid was the feast which hath now passed, O Savior, but even more splendid is that which is to come: the former had an angel as its herald, but this one hath found the forerunner to prepare it; on the former Bethlehem lamented like as a mother bereft of her children, when their blood was shed, but this is found to be a fruitful laver through its blessed waters. Then the star announced glad tidings to the magi, but now the Father hath shown Thee to the world. O Lord Who becamest incarnate and now manifestly cometh forth, glory be to Thee!
Stichos: Therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniem.
The composition of Andrew of Jerusalem, in Tone II:
Again my Jesus is washed clean in the Jordan; again doth He expunge our sins! For He truly cometh unto baptism, desiring to wash away the record of Adam’s sin. And He said unto John: “Come thou and perform the first act of the awesome mystery, O Baptist! Come quickly, and extend thy hand: touch thou the head of Him Who hath crushed the head of the serpent and opened paradise, which disobedience shut through the guile of the serpent, the eating of the tree of old!
Stichos: The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid.
In Tone III: Luminous was the feast which hath passed, yet even more glorious is this present day: for on the former the magi worshipped the Savior, but on this a glorious servant hath baptized the Master. Then the shepherds, piping, beheld and marvelled, but now the voice of the Father hath proclaimed the only-begotten Son.
Glory…, Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—
Come, all ye faithful, and, forsaking the land of Judæa, let us traverse the wilderness of Jordan; and there shall we behold today Him Who for our sake hath appeared in the flesh, requesting baptism in the streams of the Jordan of the Baptist, who refused, crying aloud in fear: “I dare not touch Fire with my hand of clay! Jordan and the sea fled and turned back, O Savior; and how can I place my hand upon the crown of the head of Thee before Whom the seraphim tremble? Jordan withdrew when Elisha received the mantle of Elijah; how then is it that it hath not sunk into chaos and the nethermost depths, beholding Thee naked in its streams? How is it that it doth not scald me, who am set all afire by Thee?” “Wherefore dost thou hesitate to baptize my Lord, O Baptist?” the Jordan cried out to John. “Why hinderest thou the cleansing of many? Sanctify all creation, and remain Thou also to sanctify me, and the nature of water, for it is for this that Thou hast made Thyself manifest!”
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou didst attain the heights through humility, and riches through poverty. O father Sylvester, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Make ready, O Zebulun! Adorn thyself, O Naphtali! O River Jordan, leaping up, receive thou the Master Who cometh to be baptized! Rejoice, O Adam, with our first mother! Hide not yourselves as ye did before in paradise; for He that beheld you naked hath revealed Himself, that He may clothe you in your primal raiment. Christ hath appeared, desiring to make all creation new!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.