Canon of the feast (originally written in iambic verse), in Tone II—

Exapostilarion of the holy hierarch: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast visited us…”—

Irmos: Israel traversed the stormy depths of the sea, which had straightway become as dry land; but the dark waters covered all the chief captains of Egypt together in a watery grave, through the mighty power of the right hand of the Master.

Katavasia: The irmoi of Canon I of the feast of Holy Theophany.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV—

Glory..., Now and ever..., the Sessional hymn of the Feast, in the same tone & melody—

Sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera of the saint, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Theotokion: The words of the divinely eloquent preachers have been fulfilled in thee, O Mother of God; for, lo! thou gavest birth, O Virgin, to a little Babe Who is older than ancient Adam and is equally enthroned with the Father, unto the salvation of the whole world and the abolition of corruption.

When the light of the radiant Dawn shone forth upon mortal men, coming forth from the wilderness to the waters of the Jordan, Thou, O King of the Sun, didst bow Thy neck before him, that Thou mightest ransom our forefather from the minions of darkness and cleanse creation of all defilement.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the feast—

Irmos: That which had been hewn down cut through the undivided, and the sun saw land which it had not seen before; the water engulfed the cruel enemy, and Israel traversed the impassable, and chanted the hymn: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!

Kontakion of the holy hierarch, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Glory..., Now & ever...; Exapostilarion of the feast—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast, in Tone V—

Thou didst finish the race and keep the Faith, O blessed and holy hierarch Philip; wherefore, Christ hath crowned thee with a splendid wreath of righteousness, and adorned thy confession, O right wondrous one. Therefore, receiving a heavenly inheritance, pray thou to the Savior in behalf of those who hymn thy memory. Twice

Theotokion: Thou didst slay the noetic serpent who brought death upon Adam in paradise and grief upon Eve, our first mother. And having caused Life to spring forth, O pure Virgin, thou hast freed us from corruption, for God ineffably issued forth from thy womb.

O Word Who art without beginning, Thou hast buried man with Thyself in the stream, and Thou dost lead him forth new again, who had been corrupted by deception; and the mighty voice of the Father testifieth to Thee ineffably, saying: This is My beloved Son, the Child Who is equal to Me by nature.

Exapostilarion of the martyr: Spec. Mel: “By the Spirit in the sanctuary...”—

Irmos: From the ancient snares have we all been set loose, and the teeth of the lions have been broken in their mouths. Let us then rejoice with great joy and open wide our mouths, weaving with words a sweet hymn to the Word, Who delighteth to bestow gifts upon us.

Kontakion of the martyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Thou hast appeared today...”—

Glory..., Now and ever..., in the same tone and melody—

Sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning...”—

O blessed Philip, emulator of the confessors, be thou the advocate of those who fervently praise thee, and deliver us, O father, from all misfortune, sin and tempest, in that thou art a martyr of great might and a God-pleasing hierarch. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, pray for those who hymn thy memory.

Theotokion: Cast down the might of all the enemies who bring to grief those who hymn thee as the one who gave birth to the Lord of glory, O Mother of God, and preserve thy flock unharmed by the assaults of the wicked, that we may bless thee as is meet.

O Lamb and Word of God, through the effulgence of Thy Holy Spirit send down upon my mind a brilliant ray of light, and inspire within me the words to praise him whom Thou hast chosen and taken to Thyself: the sacred passion-bearer Philip.

Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. I am glad in Thy salvation.

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV—

O holy hierarch Philip, thou hast been shown to be a ray of the noetic Light, a luminary of the Church, the adornment of hierarchs, a true model of the monastic life of fasting, and our fervent ally, freeing us from the ruin wrought by the wicked. Pray thou, O father, in behalf of those who hymn thy memory.

Theotokion: We call thee the noetic cloud, O most immaculate one, for from thee did Christ shine forth, and show thee to be more spacious than the heavens: for without knowing man, O pure one, thou gavest birth to Him Who became incarnate in His ineffable loving-kindness.

O holy one, ask of God divine grace for thy servant, and fill my soul with understanding, that I may praise thy life, O holy hierarch Philip, wherein, by thy struggles, thou didst astonish all, chanting unto the Lord: For gloriously hast Thou been glorified!

Irmos: Purified by the fire of a mystical vision, the prophet praiseth the restoration of mortal men; and, filled with the inspiration of the Spirit, he lifteth up his voice to reveal the incarnation of the ineffable Word, Who hath broken the dominion of the mighty.

Glory…, of the saint, in Tone VI—

Theotokion: In godly manner Moses, among the prophets, once prefigured thee, O most immaculate one, as a tablet of the law, the lampstand of the Light, the tabernacle, the rod which budded forth, the jar containing the Manna, and the ladder whereby we are led up from earth to the heights of heaven.

Kings marvelled at thy mighty courage and the effulgence of the great virtues which illumined thy deeds, O venerable one, for thy tongue never ceased to admonish them, and thou didst chant unto the Lord: For gloriously hast Thou been glorified!

Irmos: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk foresaw Thy coming, O Lord; wherefore he cried aloud: “God shall come out of Thæman!” Glory to Thy power! Glory to Thy condescension!

Thou art a good shepherd and an excellent teacher, O holy hierarch Philip, and we ever cry aloud to thee in praise: With thee hath God adorned the church of His Mother, and thy body, which suffered in exile for thy flock, and was hidden in the earth for many years, hath He returned to thy cathedra, gladdening thy people. Wherefore, praying unceasingly for those who praise and honor thy memory, ask remission of sins and salvation for our souls.

Theotokion: Out of the love of my soul I cry to thee, O Mistress: O cloud of the all-radiant Sun, portal of salvation, gate of heaven, noetic ladder, accept the entreaty of all Christians who bless thee, the hope of our souls, and who cry aloud to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

He who once assumed the guise of a malignant serpent and planted death in the garden of creation, is now cast into darkness by Christ’s coming in the flesh; and by assailing the Master, the Dawn which hath shone forth upon us, he crusheth his own loathsome head.

Irmos: Washed clean of the poison of the dark and vile enemy by the cleansing of the Spirit, we have set out upon a new path which leadeth to joy inaccessible, which only they attain whom God hath reconciled with Himself.

Now & ever…, of the feast, in the same tone—

Theotokion: With the shield of the Faith do thou preserve thy holy temple, O Virgin Theotokos; vouchsafe thy glory unto those who together glorify thee therein, and deliver us from the assault and retribution of the barbarians; and still thou the raging waves of our mind by thy supplication, O most hymned one.

The Master draweth to Himself the divinely crafted nature of man, which had been overthrown by the tyranny of greed; and He restoreth mortal men, granting them a new birth, and accomplishing thereby a mighty work; for He is come to cleanse our nature.

Irmos: O Christ God, Bestower of light, Who didst dispel the primeval darkness of the abyss: disperse the gloom of my soul, and grant me the light of Thy commandments, O Word, that, rising early, I may glorify Thee.

As ones who have been led out of evil lands, come ye noetically, and let us purify our senses; and beholding Christ baptized in the flesh by John the Forerunner, let us all cry out with faith, chanting with him: Blessed art Thou, O our God, Who hast revealed Thyself! Glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: O receptacle of the Light, divinely joyous Mistress, true confirmation of holy hierarchs and boast of all the venerable: from misfortunes and evil circumstances, and from the invasion of the heathen save us who hymn thee, the most hymned one.

Thou didst hasten to ascend the mountain of the virtues, didst enter the darkness of vision, O holy hierarch Philip, and didst come to know, as far as it is possible, the nature of the Unapproachable One; and full of light, O father, thou didst receive grace divine.

Irmos: With a most blessed voice the Father made manifest His Beloved Whom He had begotten from the womb. Verily, He saith, this, the splendid Son, of the same nature as Myself, hath come forth from the human race. He is My living Word, Who by My providence is become a man.

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel: “Go before us, ye hosts of angels...”—

Theotokion: O all-immaculate and most pure Virgin Theotokos, while manifestly remaining a virgin, thou didst yet give birth unto the Incarnate One Who before had been incorporeal, Who in the richness of His compassion impoverished Himself for our sake, and hath saved those who cry to Him: Gloriously is He glorified!

Seeking the one God of goodness, and desiring to receive His glory alone, O blessed one, thou didst forsake the honor of thine earthly sojourn as something transitory, and didst shine forth as a favorite of Christ, the Master of all.

Irmos: Thou didst cause Jonah to sojourn alone within the sea monster, O Lord. Save me, who am caught in the nets of the enemy, as thou didst save him from corruption.

Tell us, and say, O prophet Isaiah: Who is the one who crieth in the wilderness? Who crieth out: Draw ye therefore the water of purification with gladness? Even John, who baptizeth in the wilderness and crieth out: Christ is come! Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: Direct my steps, O Mistress, that I may go to thy Son with a praiseworthy life.

With desire for the Spirit thou didst cause the desire of the flesh to wither away, O blessed one, and within thyself thou didst wed purity as thy bride; and through purity were all the virtues begotten in thee, O ever glorious one, making thee a child of the immaterial Light.

Irmos: He Who cooled the lofty flame that encircled the pious youths in the furnace, hath burnt the heads of the dragons in the waters; and with the dew of the Spirit He washeth away all the unbearable gloom of sin.

Stichos: The sea saw that, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Theotokion: The Heavenly One, having likened Himself to those on earth, hath made them heavenly; and having suffered through His nature which is subject to human passions, He hath granted that we may partake of divine dispassion. Wherefore, knowing her who gave birth unto Him to be the Maiden who knew not wedlock, we glorify her as the Theotokos.

Thou hast appeared today to the whole world, and Thy light, O Lord, hath been signed upon us who hymn Thee with understanding. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, the Light unapproachable.

Irmos: On the plain of Dura the tyrant once built a furnace to torment the God-bearers; and therein the three youths chanted hymns unto the one God, and sang, all three together, saying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O, the ineffable loving-kindness which passeth understanding! How the Creator of creation inclineth His all-pure and divine head, providing through His baptism an example of humility for those who are illumined in Him. And therein we chant: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: Obedient to the words of thy mouth, O all-pure one, we call thee blessed, for, truly accomplishing mighty works with thee, the Lord hath magnified thee, and He hath shown thee to be the true Mother of God, having been born of thy womb.

Ikos: Upon Galilee of the nations, upon the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphthali, as the prophet said, a great Light hath shone, even Christ. A radiant darkness hath dawned upon those who sat in darkness, shining forth from Bethlehem. The Lord born of Mary, the Sun of righteousness, shineth forth with splendor upon the whole world. Come, therefore, all ye naked children of Adam, and let us clothe ourselves in Him, that we may be warmed; for He Who covereth the naked and enlighteneth those in darkness, hath come. He hath appeared, the Light unapproachable!

Irmos: Creation is seen to be fire, and those who before were in darkness to be children of the light. The prince of darkness alone groaneth. Let the inheritance of all the nations which before was accursed now fervently bless Him Who hath brought these things to pass!

Stichos: What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

Theotokion: As thou hast loving-kindness, having given birth unto the Word Who loveth mankind, save us from cruel and violent circumstances; for thee alone have we, the faithful, acquired as an invincible intercessor, O most pure Mistress.

As the namesake and emulator of a chosen apostle, O father, thou didst endure tribulation and persecution. And emulating the zeal of the Prophet Elijah and the Baptist, thou didst manfully rebuke the iniquitous, and didst govern well the see entrusted to thee, running the good race until the end. And thou hast left thy body behind like a mantle, emitting myrrh redolent of perfumes, and pourest forth the grace of the Spirit like rain, mystically watering the furrows of our hearts. O holy hierarch Philip, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honor thy holy memory. Twice

Irmos: O Thou Who coverest Thy chambers with waters and settest the sands as a bound for the sea: Thee doth the sun hymn; Thee doth the moon glorify; and unto Thee doth all creation offer a hymn forever, as to the Creator of all.

The grace of baptism hath been poured forth for us as a living delight from the torrent of the Jordan; and having been illumined therewith through baptism, we say: Glory to Him Who hath appeared in the world and granted us life! Therein we chant: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: Having conceived Him Who is understood to abide ever with the unoriginate Father, O Virgin, thou gavest birth unto the incarnate Son, that He might save those who with faith cry aloud: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Thou hast wrapped Thyself in the streams of the Jordan, O Thou Who dost most gloriously clothe Thyself in light, and Thou hast restored therein the nature of Adam, which had been corrupted by evil disobedience, O Word of God. Wherefore, we all praise and glorify Thy holy Epiphany.

Irmos: O most pure Bride, O blessed Mother! The wonders of thy birthgiving pass all understanding. Having received most perfect salvation through thee, we praise our Benefactor as is meet and right, offering a hymn of thanksgiving unto Him as a gift.

As ones who have been led out of evil lands, come ye noetically, and let us cleanse our senses; and beholding Christ baptized in the flesh by John the Forerunner, let us all cry out with faith, chanting with him: Blessed art Thou Who hast appeared! O our God, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: Rejoice, thou through whom we have found everlasting joy! Rejoice, thou who hast soothed the grief of Eve and turned the sorrow of Adam into radiant gladness! Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the incarnate God, thou intercessor for the faithful who exalt thee supremely for all ages!

O most radiant Word, Who hast been sent forth by the Father, Thou comest to repel utterly the night of evil darkness and to uproot the sins of men, and by Thy baptism to draw forth children of light from the streams of the Jordan, O Good One.

Irmos: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, Who hath exalted the horn of salvation for us in the house of David His child, wherein the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, and directed us to the path of peace.

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth, O most pure one, unto Christ, the head and fulfillment of the Law and the prophets, Whose good pleasure it was, in the unfathomable abyss of His loving-kindness, to become man for our sake through thee, and Who hath saved those who ever magnify thee with faith.

When he saw in very truth the Word Who had been foretold, the herald bore witness of Him to creation, and cried, plainly saying: “This is He Who was before me, yet cometh after. Though like us in form, He hath shone forth with divine power to take away our hateful sin!”

Irmos: Israel traversed the stormy depths of the sea, which had straightway become as dry land; but the dark waters covered all the chief captains of Egypt together in a watery grave, through the mighty power of the right hand of the Master.

That He might bring His own back to the life-giving pastures of paradise, the Word of God layeth siege to the lairs of the dragons, and destroying their manifold snares, he assaileth him who hath bruised all mankind, and, imprisoning him, delivereth creation.

Irmos: That which had been hewn down cut through the undivided, and the sun saw land which it had not seen before; the water engulfed the cruel enemy, and Israel traversed the impassable, and chanted the hymn: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!

Those moved by malice against thee, the innocent lamb, sprang upon thee like wild beasts, and, unable to bear being pierced by thy words as with a pike, they were provoked to rage, O divinely wise and holy hierarch.

Irmos: From the ancient snares have we all been set loose, and the teeth of the lions have been broken in their mouths. Let us then rejoice with great joy and open wide our mouths, weaving with words a sweet hymn to the Word, Who delighteth to bestow gifts upon us.

The whole world hath thee for its ally and help amid perils, for, as a faithful champion and a speedy intercessor, by thy sacred supplications thou dost rescue from dangers and misfortunes those who have recourse to thy care.

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Having carried out the goodly struggles of Him Whom thou didst desire, O divinely wise namesake, thou hast been vouchsafed immortality, wherein, rejoicing, thou hast received the crown of victory, and criest out: Glory to Thine advent, O Christ!

Irmos: Purified by the fire of a mystical vision, the prophet praiseth the restoration of mortal men; and, filled with the inspiration of the Spirit, he lifteth up his voice to reveal the incarnation of the ineffable Word, Who hath broken the dominion of the mighty.

Beholding him whom He had formed of dust bound by inescapable bonds in the darkness of sin, the Creator raised him up and laid him on His shoulders; and now, in the midst of abundant waters, He cleanseth him of the ancient shame of Adam’s inclination toward sin.

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

With piety let us eagerly hasten to the most pure wellsprings of the stream of salvation: and, gazing upon the Word Who is come forth from the incorrupt Virgin, let us drink the pure water which quencheth our holy thirst, gently healing the infirmity of the world.

Irmos: Washed clean of the poison of the dark and vile enemy by the cleansing of the Spirit, we have set out upon a new path which leadeth to joy inaccessible, which only they attain whom God hath reconciled with Himself.

Thine intercession hath been shown to be like a ray of the Sun of righteousness, shining with the splendors of the virtues, O holy hierarch Philip, dispelling the cloud of misfortunes which assail us. Preserve now in peace those who hymn thee, and glorify and illumine them with beauty.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Thy tongue was shown to be a two-edged sword, O blessed one, for, armed with the fear of Christ, thou didst wisely rebuke rulers, calling upon Christ, the King of all, as witness, and His divine apostles.

Irmos: With a most blessed voice the Father made manifest His Beloved Whom He had begotten from the womb. Verily, He saith, this, the splendid Son, of the same nature as Myself, hath come forth from the human race. He is My living Word, Who by My providence is become a man.

Thou wast shown to be a new man of zeal, like a second Moses, causing men to wonder not by performing awesome signs, but instructing them with the teachings of godly discourses, leading them forth from the passions of Egypt to the calm haven of the new Israel.

Irmos: The abyss of my sins and the tempest of my transgressions discomfit me and thrust me down into the depths of violent despondency; but stretch forth Thy mighty arm unto me, as Thou didst to Peter, and save my, O my Guide.

The prophet, mysteriously swallowed up for the space of three nights in the belly of the sea monster, emerged again, making manifest beforehand to all our regeneration in the last times, and our deliverance from the dragon that slayeth mankind.

Irmos: He Who cooled the lofty flame that encircled the pious youths in the furnace, hath burnt the heads of the dragons in the waters; and with the dew of the Spirit He washeth away all the unbearable gloom of sin.

When the shining vaults of heaven were opened, he who knew the Scriptures beheld the Spirit, Who proceedeth from the Father and abideth in the all-pure Word, descending in ineffable manner in the form of a dove; and he commanded the multitudes to hasten to the Master.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Thou didst make it thy general concern that those cared for by thee be one in soul and heart, O glorious one, abiding in the one Faith of Christ; thou didst uproot heathen customs, O wise one, and didst teach them to avoid divisions.

Irmos: Creation is seen to be fire, and those who before were in darkness to be children of the light. The prince of darkness alone groaneth. Let the inheritance of all the nations which before was accursed now fervently bless Him Who hath brought these things to pass!

Moved by zeal for Christ, thou didst try to turn the rage of the sovereign into meekness, and wast in nowise daunted by the threats of the tsar, for, as thou art a doer of the commandments of Christ, thou didst show thyself to be a mighty and brave warrior, suffering for thy flock even unto death with rejoicing.

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

We see thee, O holy hierarch Philip, as a light-bearing ray shining upon those in the darkness of life, and as an inextinguishable lamp burning with the immaterial Light, illumining all the ends of the earth and removing the gloom of ignorance.

Irmos: O most pure Bride, O blessed Mother! The wonders of thy birthgiving pass all understanding. Having received most perfect salvation through thee, we praise our Benefactor as is meet and right, offering a hymn of thanksgiving unto Him as a gift.

Let us praise the all-wise Philip, the instructor of Orthodoxy, the proclaimer of the Truth, the luminary of Russia, who noetically feedeth his children with the food of his words; for with his tongue he sang praise, and with his lips he chanted hymnody, as an initiate of the mysteries of the grace of God.

Irmos: Every ear trembleth to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, for the Most High willingly came down even to the flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore we, the faithful, magnify the all-pure Theotokos.

Ikos: Come, ye who love the martyrs, and, celebrating the memory of the hieromartyr with hymnody and spiritual songs, let us rejoice divinely. The time of our gladness and reward hath arrived, wherein we shall receive the gift of release from sufferings; for the pillar of fire hath appeared, burning the heads of the iniquitous, but illumining the souls of the faithful with teachings of divine knowledge, and leading us, the New Israel, to the divine city, the heavenly Jerusalem, in that he is a disciple of the grace of God.

The fierce Assyrian flame that prefigured Thee hast Thou quenched, transforming it into dew. And now, O Christ, Thou hast clothed Thyself in water as in flame, and Thou burnest up the baneful malice concealed in its depths, which calleth men to fall with faltering step.

When the Jordan was parted of old, the people of Israel passed clean over on dry ground, prefiguring Thee, O most powerful Lord, Who now bearest up creation in the waters without touching it, leading it to a better and imperishable path.

We know that in the beginning Thou didst, in Thy mercy, bring the waters of the flood upon the earth to destroy every living substance that Thou hadst made. And now, O Christ, Who workest wonders strange and most great, Thou hast drowned sin in the waters of Thy compassion, unto the salvation of mortal men.

Thou didst stand before the Lord, adorned with the struggles of virtue and wearing a crown bejeweled with drops of thy blood, O holy hierarch Philip. Wherefore, be thou ever mindful of those who celebrate thy splendid memorial, and chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having fled the hordes of the noetic Pharaoh, O blessed one, thou didst easily pass over to the heavens, making thine abode there, receiving the honor of glory in the light of the righteous for thy patience, chanting in joy with the saints: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Those who have recourse to thy shrine praise thee, blessing thee with love, O blessed one, for, kissing thy relics which lie therein, they receive abundant grace: for by thy touch thou hast healed diseases of the eyes and cured pain of the teeth for those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Sprinkled with dew in the midst of the fire, the three godly children plainly prefigured how the transcendent Nature, which is resplendent with most radiant rays of threefold holiness, doth, through human nature, mercifully consume all pernicious falsehood with the fire of dew.

Let the whole of earthly creation be clothed in white, for this day it is raised up from its fall to heaven; and, washed and most splendidly cleansed in the flowing waters by the Word, by Whom all things are preserved, it hath escaped its former sins.

Thou dost freely heal those who call upon thee with faith, as, appearing to the paralytic, thou didst straightway raise him up, didst heal one suffering from a complaint of the liver by the touch of thy hand, and by thine appearance didst move to joy one suffering from despondency, O blessed one, ever doing these things for all, forever.

In that thou wast a victor, O most blessed one, with His life-bearing right hand the Creator hath set upon thy head the crown of suffering, an honor beyond price; and He hath preserved thy body unharmed by earthly wolves, emitting the sweet savor of perfumes. Thus hath the Judge of the contest glorified thee for all ages.

As a true pastor, O blessed one, do thou subdue arrogance and civil strife; drive away the wolves which rage against thy flock with the staff of thy supplications; make mighty the rule of our civil authorities, and put down the uprisings of the heathen, that we may hymn thee as our intercessor forever.

That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.

O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.

Thou didst theologize concerning the one essence of the Trinity, and boldly denouncing those who taught vain things, O most wise one, and exhorting the faithful with thy godly instructions, thou didst wisely strengthen them. O holy hierarch Philip, dweller with the angels, preserve in peace those who celebrate thy memory.

For youths silence is a relative attainment, yet for fathers is it truly wondrous; wherefore, do thou accept this our thanksgiving, O father, not as truly worthy to serve for thy praise, but as offered unto thee with fervor: for we are unable to praise and magnify thee as is meet.

As one equally enthroned with the apostles, equally enrolled in the choir of the martyrs, and equal in honor with the holy hierarchs, O passion-bearer Philip, by thine intercession preserve those who hymn thee in peace, lift up the horn of our civil authorities, and set at naught the savagery of the barbarians, that, rejoicing, we may hymn and magnify thee.

O holy hierarch Philip, lover of chastity from the days of thy youth, thou didst strive for the Truth, but wast punished and sent into exile, and didst endure a bitter death. And now, standing in the heavens before the throne of the Holy Trinity, do thou ever pray for us who celebrate thy memory with faith and love. Twice

Thou hast come in the guise of a servant, O Word, and, though eternal, didst ask for baptism as a man. Heaven and earth, the ranks of the angels and the nature of water were stricken with awe. And the Forerunner, trembling, nevertheless performed his ministration in fear and joy.

Great Doxology Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.

When the light of the radiant Dawn shone forth upon mortal men, coming forth from the wilderness to the waters of the Jordan, Thou, O King of the Sun, didst bow Thy neck before him, that Thou mightest ransom our forefather from the minions of darkness and cleanse creation of all defilement.

O Word Who art without beginning, Thou hast buried man with Thyself in the stream, and Thou dost lead him forth new again, who had been corrupted by deception; and the mighty voice of the Father testifieth to Thee ineffably, saying: This is My beloved Son, the Child Who is equal to Me by nature.

Canon of the martyr, the acrostic whereof is: “Bestow upon me thy grace of prayer, O martyr,” the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII—

Satisfied with much-desired sustenance, full of blessed radiance, and accounted worthy to join in the angelic chorus, O glorious Polyeuctus, save those who celebrate thy feast with praise and chant unto the Lord: For gloriously is He glorified!

Thy radiant and right renowned feast hath shown forth, full of light most divine, illumining those who with faith splendidly hymn thee, O most blessed Polyeuctus, valiant warrior of Christ, chanting unto the Lord: For gloriously is He glorified!

Strengthened by the might of the Spirit and invested with divine power, O blessed one, without hesitation thou didst go forth to contend with the prideful one; and, having mightily cast him down, thou didst cry aloud with zeal: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!

He who once assumed the guise of a malignant serpent and planted death in the garden of creation, is now cast into darkness by Christ’s coming in the flesh; and by assailing the Master, the Dawn which hath shone forth upon us, he crusheth his own loathsome head.

The Master draweth to Himself the divinely crafted nature of man, which had been overthrown by the tyranny of greed; and He restoreth mortal men, granting them a new birth, and accomplishing thereby a mighty work; for He is come to cleanse our nature.

Thou didst exchange philosophy for piety, and wast accounted worthy of the divine vision of the Savior from on high, O Polyeuctus.

Desiring victory, O glorious one, thou didst spit upon all the things of this earth, and hast been vouchsafed heavenly delight.

Desiring the glory which passeth understanding, thou didst run with endurance and didst cast down the ignominy of idolatry.

When the Savior bowed His head in the Jordan, the head of the serpent was crushed; and the decapitated head of Polyeuctus hath put the deceiver to shame.

Ikos: In the river Jordan the Creator of all, bowing His head, receiveth baptism; and, having invisibly crushed the serpents’ heads, He bestowed upon mankind power against the exceeding crafty one, who of old in paradise ensnared Adam with the fruit of the tree and brought upon him death without hope. Wherefore, the athlete Polyeuctus, in no wise yielding to the blandishments of his wife, suffered steadfastly, and, stretching forth his head, he put the deceiver to shame when it was cut off.

As a valiant warrior of Christ, the God of all, strengthened by His grace, thou wast turned wholly to His love, O wise one, through the faithful warrior Nearchus, who was with thee. Wherefore, having contended lawfully, thou hast been crowned by the Lord, as is meet, O martyr Polyeuctus.

Thou hast wrapped Thyself in the streams of the Jordan, O Thou Who dost most gloriously clothe Thyself in light, and Thou hast restored therein the nature of Adam, which had been corrupted by evil disobedience, O Word of God. Wherefore, we all praise and glorify Thy holy Epiphany.

O most radiant Word, Who hast been sent forth by the Father, Thou comest to repel utterly the night of evil darkness and to uproot the sins of men, and by Thy baptism to draw forth children of light from the streams of the Jordan, O Good One.

When he saw in very truth the Word Who had been foretold, the herald bore witness of Him to creation, and cried, plainly saying: “This is He Who was before me, yet cometh after. Though like us in form, He hath shone forth with divine power to take away our hateful sin!”

That He might bring His own back to the life-giving pastures of paradise, the Word of God layeth siege to the lairs of the dragons, and destroying their manifold snares, he assaileth him who hath bruised all mankind, and, imprisoning him, delivereth creation.

In thy pious confession, O most excellent one, thou didst bring thyself to the Master, lovingly accepting to become a sacrifice for Him, and being freed of every vice, O glorious one. Wherefore, thou criest to the Savior: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

In the sweetness of piety didst thou take delight, and thou didst soar aloft on wings of divine love. Wounded with pure and radiant desire, and aflame with the love of the kingdom on high, thou dost chant unto the Master: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Captivated by the supernatural unity of mind shown forth by Nearchus, and catechized in the godly faith in the Trinity by his words, O divinely wise martyr Polyeuctus, thou wast truly accounted worthy of the greatly desired and beauteous splendors of the martyrs.

Having enrolled in the army of the martyrs, thou didst receive the indestructible kingdom; and, newly slain, thou didst enter therein, still dripping with thy blood. And thou wast taken into the immutable joy and unwaning light, receiving great glories.

Beholding him whom He had formed of dust bound by inescapable bonds in the darkness of sin, the Creator raised him up and laid him on His shoulders; and now, in the midst of abundant waters, He cleanseth him of the ancient shame of Adam’s inclination toward sin.

With piety let us eagerly hasten to the most pure wellsprings of the stream of salvation: and, gazing upon the Word Who is come forth from the incorrupt Virgin, let us drink the pure water which quencheth our holy thirst, gently healing the infirmity of the world.

That thou mightest receive everlasting delight, O most blessed one, thou didst spurn the beautiful things of this life, the character of nature, pleasure, glory and life itself; and thou didst not lose hope.

Initiated into the divine mysteries of the image of God, by thy firmness of mind thou wast set apart for perfect struggles; and shown to be the victor, thou wast accounted worthy of unfading wreaths, O Polyeuctus.

Burning with zeal for piety and filled with divinely inspired ardor, O all-glorious one, thou didst piously reject most godless honor, being possessed of the wisdom which by its nature is inimical to evil; and thou didst set at naught the vain gods of the heathen.

The prophet, mysteriously swallowed up for the space of three nights in the belly of the sea monster, emerged again, making manifest beforehand to all our regeneration in the last times, and our deliverance from the dragon that slayeth mankind.

When the shining vaults of heaven were opened, he who knew the Scriptures beheld the Spirit, Who proceedeth from the Father and abideth in the all-pure Word, descending in ineffable manner in the form of a dove; and he commanded the multitudes to hasten to the Master.

Having manifestly displayed angelic zeal, O right wondrous martyr, thou hast been accounted worthy to enter the ranks of the angels. With them, therefore, earnestly pray, O blessed one, that those who hymn thee may be delivered from temptations.

When thy head was severed by the sword, O much suffering athlete, thou didst lovingly sleep the needful sleep. And now, abiding with the martyrs in the heavens, thou hast inherited an incorrupt estate.

Thou wast like unto the Savior, Who for our sake submitted to suffering on the Cross, and didst share in His suffering; and now, O blessed one, thou reignest with Him, as He promised, for time without end.

Thou hast appeared today to the whole world, and Thy light, O Lord, hath been signed upon us who hymn Thee with understanding. Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, the Light unapproachable.

Ikos: Upon Galilee of the nations, upon the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphthali, as the prophet said, a great Light hath shone, even Christ. A radiant darkness hath dawned upon those who sat in darkness, shining forth from Bethlehem. The Lord born of Mary, the Sun of righteousness, shineth forth with splendor upon the whole world. Come, therefore, all ye naked children of Adam, and let us clothe ourselves in Him, that we may be warmed; for He Who covereth the naked and enlighteneth those in darkness, hath come. He hath appeared, the Light unapproachable!

The fierce Assyrian flame that prefigured Thee hast Thou quenched, transforming it into dew. And now, O Christ, Thou hast clothed Thyself in water as in flame, and Thou burnest up the baneful malice concealed in its depths, which calleth men to fall with faltering step.

When the Jordan was parted of old, the people of Israel passed clean over on dry ground, prefiguring Thee, O most powerful Lord, Who now bearest up creation in the waters without touching it, leading it to a better and imperishable path.

We know that in the beginning Thou didst, in Thy mercy, bring the waters of the flood upon the earth to destroy every living substance that Thou hadst made. And now, O Christ, Who workest wonders strange and most great, Thou hast drowned sin in the waters of Thy compassion, unto the salvation of mortal men.

Thou didst show Thy power to Thy servant, O Master; wherefore, with great fervor he went forth to his struggles unbidden. And, victorious, he chanted: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Thy glorious and most renowned feast hath shone forth, O martyr; for it beareth the light of the manifestation of Thy Master and illumineth those who with faith cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Riches that cannot be stolen and dignity which abideth and falleth not away hast thou found; and thou hast received glory which lasteth forever, O wondrous one, chanting: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Sprinkled with dew in the midst of the fire, the three godly children plainly prefigured how the transcendent Nature, which is resplendent with most radiant rays of threefold holiness, doth, through human nature, mercifully consume all pernicious falsehood with the fire of dew.

Let the whole of earthly creation be clothed in white, for this day it is raised up from its fall to heaven; and, washed and most splendidly cleansed in the flowing waters by the Word, by Whom all things are preserved, it hath escaped its former sins.

Today thy feast of great supplication is celebrated with sacred rites, O Polyeuctus, martyred athlete of Christ; for thou wast a sacrifice right pleasing and acceptable unto Christ, Who was slain and sacrificed for thy sake. Him do ye children bless, ye priests hymn, ye people exalt supremely for all ages!

Having shown forth on earth an athlete’s opposition, even unto the shedding of thy blood, O Polyeuctus, thou hast come to dwell in a chamber of great splendor in the heavens, having been baptized in the laver of thine own blood, chanting unto the Master: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Raise up my soul, which hath been slain by my falls into sin, embracing it with the boldness of thy martyrdom, teaching it the divine precepts, O glorious one, and right fittingly turning it to the virtues, as it chanteth unto the Master: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

That which was revealed to Moses in the bush we see here fulfilled in wondrous manner; for as it bore fire, yet was not consumed, so hath the Virgin been preserved, who gave birth unto the Benefactor Who bringeth us light, and the streams of the Jordan suffered no harm when they received Him.

O King Who is without beginning, through the communion of the Spirit dost Thou anoint and make perfect the nature of man, and cleansing it in the pure streams of baptism, putting the arrogant might of darkness to shame, Thou now dost raise it up to eternal life.

Come, therefore, ye that love the martyrs, and let us hymn him who hath been crowned by God, whom the Most High hath glorified on His epiphany, which is named the enlightenment, and hath honored and crowned and adorned on this, his honored day.

With the streams of the blood of thy martyrdom which flowed forth thou didst choke the most malicious worker of iniquity, O divinely blessed one; and watering therewith the Church of Christ which doth ever bless thee faithfully, thou hast made it bright.

Be thou my helper, O martyr, delivering me from divers temptations and evil circumstances, loosing the bonds of heresy, and freeing from cruel imprisonment by thy supplication me who hymn thee with a pure mind, O most glorious one.

Having acquired the most desired riches of heaven and the glory and splendor which thy soul desired greatly, O blessed Polyeuctus, abiding in God thou didst receive a divine crown from the hands of the Most High, as a true member of the choir of the martyrs.

Thou hast come in the form of a servant, O Word, and, though eternal, didst ask for baptism as a man. Heaven and earth, the ranks of the angels and the nature of water were stricken with awe. But the Forerunner, trembling, nevertheless performed his ministration in fear and joy.