Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Both canons from the Octoechos, with 8 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the martyr, with 4 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—
As thou didst zealously elucidate the difficult words of the divine proclamation and didst denounce ungodly writings, thy mind soared aloft to God on high, and thou didst endure bonds of suffering through the assaults of thine adversaries, O venerable Maximus; wherefore, thou wast shown to be a model, and yet more the boast, of monks.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
One canon from the Octoechos, with 6 troparia; and two for the saints, each with 4 troparia.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—
I entreat thee, O most hymned one, who dost surpass the divine incorporeal ranks in incomparable purity: Wash my defiled soul clean of iniquitous thoughts, that I may worthily glorify thee.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion in the same tone.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—
Unto thy noetic desire thou gavest wings to fly unto God, and with all thy soul thou didst follow His summons without turning back, making thine abode in the end at the Monastery of Saint Sergius; and dwelling there like an angel, thou becamest for many a path to salvation. Wherefore, the Lord hath glorified thee, enriching thee with miracles, for which cause we all cry out to thee: Rejoice, O Maximus our father, thou miraculous boast of the Monastery of the Trinity!
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Canon of Supplication to the all-holy Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable Maximus the Greek, with 8 troparia, in Tone I—
I beseech thee, O all-pure one: Disdain me not who am cruelly foundering in the vile mire of sin, but rid me of its fœtor by the fragrant ointment of thine entreaties, and enlighten all the darkness of my soul with the most sweet light of thy divine love.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O venerable father Maximus, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks 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
As an all-radiant star, which maketh the transit of the lands of the East and arriveth in the North, doth illumine the gloom, enlightening all the dismal darkness, so wast thou like unto it, O venerable Maximus, when, at the request of the sovereign, thou didst become a stranger and traveler from Athos to Great Russia, and wast shown to be wondrous and excellent in the correction of the divine writings. Thou didst suffer the assaults of trials inflicted by the lying foe, yet for thy sufferings and incarceration in prison didst receive from God on high the gift of working miracles. And now we beseech thee: Ever entreat Christ, that He grant peace to the whole world and great mercy to our souls.
O Mistress, have pity on me who flee unto thee, and deliver me, who am ashamed, from the violence of the evil minions of the wicked serpent who, like adders, wound my soul. For even though I am for thee an unprofitable servant, O Mistress, yet do I set my hope on thee.
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
[Matt. 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—
When thou didst endure sufferings, O venerable Maximus, weeping and lamenting thou didst plead with the holy hierarch Macarius: “Grant that I may see the Holy Mountain, which prayeth for the whole world!” But, shedding tears, he cried out to thee: “O Maximus, I perceive thee to be an innocent man of prayer, and I am moved to contrition; but I am unable to help thee. Yet earnestly pray to God and His Mother, O venerable father, that we may be saved, unharmed by the snares of the enemy.”
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.