Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: “Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…” —
O divinely wise Anthony, thine all-radiant and luminous festival hath arrived, summoning a multitude of monks to glorify and hymn thine honored repose, asking of Christ that through thy mediation we may receive great mercy. Twice
Glory…, 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.: “Joseph marvelled…” —
Thou hast been shown to be more exalted than the heavenly hosts, O Theotokos, having given birth to the Master, and thou hast elevated the nature of mortals, O Bride of God; wherefore, with soul and tongue, we, the faithful, glorify thee as the true Theotokos.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the venerable one, with 8 troparia.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —
Thou didst converse and serve with the fathers of the Holy Mountain, O father, and following in their footsteps, thou didst live on earth as though thou wast an incorporeal being; wherefore, thou hast been shown to dwell together with the venerable. Joining chorus with them in the highest, pray thou that the souls of us who unceasingly glorify thee be saved. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcended nature, and thy seedless conception reminded him of the rain upon the fleece, the bush which burned with fire without being consumed, and the rod of Aaron which budded forth. And thy betrothed and protector cried aloud to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, yet remaineth a virgin even after birthgiving!”
Polyeleos, and magnification —
We bless thee, O venerable father Anthony, 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
Thou didst enter into subterranean caves, O venerable one, and from thence, as a victor over the passions, thou didst mount the chariot of the virtues, soaring to the heavens above like another Elijah, and there thou hast been crowned with the all-radiant crown of righteousness, O blessed one. But as when thou wast with us in this life, thou didst grieve and didst take thought of goodly things for us, so now also, O father Anthony, entreat Christ God, that He great remission of sins unto those who with love honor thy holy memory. Twice
As the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, as the Mother of the Deliverer, who knewest not wedlock, as the vessel of the Comforter, O all-hymned one, haste thou to deliver me — who am the vile abode of iniquity and have become in mind the plaything of the demons — from their machinations; and make me the splendid habitation of the virtues. O radiant and incorrupt one, dispel from me the cloud of the passions, and vouchsafe unto me communion on high and the never-waning light, through thy supplications.
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
(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 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 —
Hard was thy way of life and thy labors for God, as the fathers of the Holy Mountain learned. Wherefore, in accordance with God’s providence, they sent thee to thy homeland, saying: “Go, child, that through thee God may become known to those ignorant of Him there.” There, when thou didst arrive, O venerable one, thou didst enlighten thy native land and becamest a leader of monks, bringing a multitude of them to Christ. Wherefore, pray thou that we who celebrate thy most splendid repose may be preserved unvanquished by the enemy, and that our souls may be saved.
Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the divinely crowned regiment of martyrs”, in Tone V —
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.