day 28

January 28: Our Venerable Father Ephraim the Syrian

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

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

Troparion, in Tone V—

The 28th Day of the MONTH OF JANUARY

Receiving in thy heart the immaterial fire of the love of Christ, O father, thou didst follow Christ the Savior from thy youth, rejecting the passionate attachments of the world, O all-blessed Isaac. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be a God-bearing monk, severing the offshoots of the passions by extreme asceticism.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same melody—

Commemoration of Our Venerable Father

When thy soul was devoured by the holy love of stillness, O godly-minded one, thou madest thine abode in a desert place, and, illumined by the effulgence of the Spirit, wast truly shown to be an angel in the flesh. Wherefore, by word and deed thou didst show thyself to be an instructor and God-bearing teacher of monks.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Ephraim the Syrian

When thou wast ordained by the Holy Spirit to be bishop of Nineveh, O father Isaac, as a most divine shepherd thou didst transmit the saving law of grace to the faithful, and unto them didst dedicate thyself, O blessed one. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be a model of ways which are more sublime and a fulfiller of the divine Gospel.

For This Day We Provide also the Service in Honor of St. Isaac the Syrian

Thou wast shown to be an initiate of the mysteries and a guide for monastics toward perfection, O God-bearer; for, adorned by the splendor of thy life, thou didst set forth divine teachings and discourse of wisdom, whereby we are directed to the path of the virtues; for by thy manner of life, O father Isaac, thou hast been shown to be a vessel of dispassion and a fragrant meadow.

January 28: Our Father among the Saints Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh

Glory…, in Tone IV—

Also on The 28th Day of the Month of January

Withdrawing from fellowship with what is material, with most fervent love thou didst betake thyself to ascetic labors, O Isaac; and conversing with the immaterial angels while yet in a material body, thou wast vouchsafed immaterial visions, and by active discourse didst train all to acquire that which is higher. Wherefore, preserve unharmed by the assaults of the wicked those who celebrate thy memory, asking great mercy for all.

Commemoration of Our Father among the Saints

Preserve thy servants from all misfortunes, O blessed Theotokos, that we may all glorify thee, the hope of our souls.

Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh

These stichera aposticha, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

At Little Vespers

Rejoice, O godly-minded Isaac, thou radiant lamp of hesychasts and most divine luminary for all monastics.

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Wholly devoted to the Lord from thy childhood, through hesychia thou wast shown forth as a sanctified vessel of the Paraclete, O venerable one.

Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.

By thine entreaties, O father, impart understanding to my mind, that I may comprehend thy divine teachings, the knowledge which is salvific.

Glory…: Triadicon, in the same melody—

O Isaac who treasured up mystical radiance from the all-divine Trinity, set us afire with divine teachings.

Deliver my life from the spirit of despondency, indolence and all ignorance, O all-pure Maiden, and save me.

Illumined by rays of the virtues, O God-bearer Isaac, in spirit thou wast shown to be an all-radiant beacon of the life which is in Christ; and by thy divinely inspired teachings, O father, thou dost guide safely to the way of salvation those who bless thee as a godly servant of Christ.

Rejoice, impassable gate of the Lord! Rejoice, rampart and protection of those who have recourse unto thee! Rejoice, haven untouched by storms, thou who knowest not wedlock, who gavest birth in the flesh to thy Creator and God! Fail not in thy supplications for those who hymn and worship thy birthgiving!