Song of Ascents, the first antiphon.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The assembly of angels…” —
Piously have the multitudes of monastics assembled eagerly to celebrate thy holy memory, O Nicodemus, teacher of piety. With thine immaterial regard bless those who with faith venerate thy most precious head, O divinely wise one.
Now & ever…: Theotokion —
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the resurrectional theotokion, in the same tone.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go Thou quickly before…” —
Glory…, in the same tone & melody —
Now & ever…: Theotokion —
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saints, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: theotokion, or stavrotheotokion.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —
Illumined with rays of divine wisdom, O venerable Nicodemus, teacher of piety, thou didst acquire the treasure of divine words, wherewith thou dost ever direct us to ascend unto the life and effulgence which are in Christ, O most blessed one.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Both canons from the Octoechos, with 8 troparia, excluding the martyrica; canon of the saints, with 6 troparia, in Tone IV —
Hymning the great magnitude of thy glory in melodious songs, O pure one, the venerable Nicodemus exclaimed unto thee like David: Rejoice, O blessed Mary who knewest not wedlock, thou bridge leading the world to God the Savior and help of Athos!
O Nicodemus, by thy pure life thou hast been shown to be a fragrant meadow of divinely inspired writings, and a God-pleasing initiate of the divine mysteries; for, delighting in the study thereof, thou didst receive the sweet savor of the transcendent knowledge of heaven, O father, wherewith thou dost gladden those who call thee blessed.
Glory…, in the same tone & melody —
Thou didst live righteously and virtuously, O wise and venerable Nicodemus, and didst astonish all with thy wisdom; and thou hast gladdened the assemblies of the Orthodox with thy words, and hast set at nought the mindless learning of the heterodox. Wherefore, we celebrate thine annual memorial.
Thou didst conceive the Creator of all without seed, and without being subject to corruption didst of thine own blood give birth to Christ our God. Wherefore, having acquired thee as the beginning of our salvation, we hymn thee, O Theotokos, as our intercession, and with faith we magnify thy glory, O all-pure one.
Polyeleos, and magnification —
We bless thee, O venerable father Nicodemus, 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
Enriched with wisdom divine, thou didst acquire the spiritual wealth of all knowledge, O blessed one, and hast been shown to provide for all from the treasure of thy heart, nurturing the souls and minds of the pious with the discourse of grace. Wherefore, setting aright the morals of the people, thou hast shown unto all the splendor of salvation, O God-bearing Nicodemus. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love.
Having supernaturally and immutably provided flesh for Christ our God of thy pure blood, O all-pure Virgin, in the loving-kindness of thy goodness thou hast led us to our ancient life, slaying the serpent by thy birthgiving. Wherefore, we ever offer thee hymns of thanksgiving with goodly understanding, receiving grace from thee. Entreat thy Son and God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love have recourse to thy protection, O Mistress.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV —
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 43
(Mt. 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 who 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 —
Nicodemus who received God within himself, the newly revealed ray of the Church, the godly teacher of monastics, completing the highest path of the virtues hath ascended to the mansions of heaven; and he giveth his paternal blessing unto those who celebrate his honored memory, and asketh great mercy for all.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.