Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Both canons from the Octoechos, with 8 troparia, including the irmos of the first; and that of the venerable one, with 4 troparia.
Stichos: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto Thee.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I—
No longer dost thou endure afflictions and tribulations, O blessed one, wandering through a foreign land; rather, thou dwellest in the heavenly homeland, and there findest consolation with the choirs of the righteous. Wherefore, from misfortunes and multifarious perils do thou ever deliver us who unceasingly call upon thee. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, once; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII—
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos who didst receive a greeting of joy from the angel and hast brought Joy into the world! Rejoice, O thou who gavest birth to thy Creator and Lord! Rejoice, thou who wast vouchsafed to become the Mother of God!
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Canon of supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone V—
To thee, O blessed one, was grace given by God to care for the people, to heal the infirm and comfort the sorrowing, to pilot to the right calm harbor those beset by the storm of perils, and to guide the lost and desperate to the path of salvation. Wherefore, celebrating thy memory now, we cry out with fervor: Forget us not, O blessed one, in thy bold supplications! Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Thee do we have, O Mistress, as our only hope and refuge. Thee have we acquired as an indestructible rampart against all enemies and perils. Now and forever, forsake us not.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O holy and blessed Xenia, and we honor thy holy memory; for thou dost entreat Christ God in our behalf.
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
Open Thou our mouths, O Savior, and grant discourse of understanding unto Thine unprofitable servants, that we may worthily hymn the blessed Xenia; for her struggles are beyond worldly comprehension, and her humility doth conceal her life as with a covering. Yet enlightened by her miracles and intercession, with heartfelt love we cry out unceasingly: Leave us not bereft of thine aid, O all-wise Xenia! Twice
Not in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast, but in thee, O all-immaculate one; for thou hast borne the human race aloft to heights surpassing the angels, having given birth to the preëternal Word and acquired maternal boldness before thy Son and God. Wherefore, falling down before thee, we pray: Forget us not, who are orphans, O most hymned Mother and Virgin!
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Luke, §78 [Lk 15:1-10]
At that time, there drew near unto Jesus all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying: “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” And He spake this parable unto them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them: ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner who repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying: ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.’ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repenteth.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
Of thine own will thou didst choose a harsh way of life, and didst endure all manner of afflictions, denouncing the foolishness of this world and showing forth the wisdom of God; and thou now findest consolation in heaven. And we, wandering about upon the earth, cry out to thee without ceasing: Forget us not, O blessed one, entreating Christ God in our behalf!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.