After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…” —
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
After the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the venerable one, in Tone IV —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
When divine desire fell upon thee, O venerable one, thou didst account passionate attachments to the world to be harmful; wherefore, forsaking thy homeland, thou didst arrive on the Holy Mountain, and there, in the midst of the fathers, thou didst shine forth in virtue like a beacon, O Anthony. Entreat Christ, Whom thou didst serve from thy youth, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Troparion, in Tone IV —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
When thou wast set afire by the love of Christ, O venerable one, the wisdom and glory of this world didst thou despise as things which pass away; wherefore, thou didst make for thyself a cave, and therein didst struggle like an incorporeal being, for which cause thou wast vouchsafed from on high the honors of the incorporeal ones. Standing with them before the throne of Christ, pray thou that He save and enlighten our souls.
When thou didst receive divine love in thy heart, O father, thou didst enter into a dark cave as though it were an all-splendid bridal-chamber, and there thou wast enriched with the understanding of ineffable things, to behold the things of the future as though they were present, and to speak of them plainly unto all. Entreat Christ, for Whom thou didst labor from thy youth, O venerable one, that He save and enlighten our souls.
And 4 stichera in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “O venerable father…” —
O venerable father Anthony, having illumined thy mind with the grace of the all-holy Spirit, as one with foresight thou didst therewith prophetically predict the wrath of God which would fall upon Orthodoxy. Wherefore, thou didst entrust the defense against foes unto Simon, and before the construction of the church thou didst foretell unto him that he would be laid to rest therein. Wherefore, we continually hymn thee as a mediator of good things for all, asking that through thee we may receive great mercy from Christ. Twice
O venerable father Anthony, fulfilling the commandments of Christ, the true Shepherd and Teacher, and showing forth love even after thy departure, by thy supplications and appearance thou didst transform the deadly illness of Erasmus, who was living in sloth, pining for possessions; and having given him time for repentance, thou didst guide others to chastity. Wherefore, entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.
O venerable father Anthony, with God’s help thou didst steer the ship of thy mind with chastity, didst safely sail across the passion-fraught deep of the sea of this life, impelled by the sail of the all-holy Spirit, and didst attain unto the calm haven of paradise, where the habitation of the saints and the resting-place of the righteous are. With them do thou pray, we beseech thee, that we also may obtain entry there.
Glory…, 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.
Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At Litia, these stichera idiomela —
In Tone I: Thou wast named by divine providence, O Anthony, receiving a name in accord with thy deeds and thy manner of life; for having assembled a multitude of those who followed thy teachings, thou didst lead them unto God. As one who dwelleth with the venerable and the righteous, stand with them before the Trinity, and pray for all who hymn thine all-glorious repose.
When thou didst flee the passion-fraught darkness of this world, O venerable and all-wondrous Anthony, thou didst make thine abode in a cave, where thou didst delve into the depths of divine understanding. Wherefore, thou wast vouchsafed farsightedness, to perceive things which are remote, and to speak plainly of them as though they were near at hand; and suffering pain for the offenses of the people, and for the things which would come to pass because of the sins of men, as a prophet thou didst foretell the invasions of barbarians. Pray thou, O father, we entreat thee, that we be delivered from such a threat, and that our souls may be saved.
In Tone II: What human understanding or tongue can recount or praise thy life as is meet? For the angels themselves marvelled at the life thou leddest on earth in the body, and praised Christ, Who bestowed upon thee such a victory over the passions, O venerable one. Him do thou beseech, O all-lauded and all-wondrous Anthony, that he who fashioneth this praise for thee may, as far as possible, be saved.
Blessed is the cave which contained thy precious relics, O venerable one, from whence healings are poured forth upon the faithful; and blessed are the disciples who acquired such a teacher as thee and called themselves children of such a father, O all-wondrous Anthony, thou advocate for our souls.
In Tone IV: Now, O venerable Anthony, thy most precious and sacred body, which lieth in the cave, wherein thou didst struggle greatly even during thy lifetime, doth pour forth healings in abundance upon those who have recourse unto it with faith. Wherefore, we entreat thee: By thy supplications do thou ever grant health of soul unto those who call thee blessed.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VIII —
Great is the boldness and faith which thou didst acquire before God, O venerable Anthony; for as the Prophet Gideon tested victory with the fleece, so didst thou, O father, desire to learn through a fleece which site was pleasing to the Mistress and Queen. Wherefore, thou didst say: “If I have found grace before thee, let dew cover all this land, but let the place whereon thou dost desire thy temple to be built be dry. And afterward, let there be dew upon that place.” And thou didst receive both these things, O father. Wherefore, thou didst build the all-honorable church of the Mother of God. With her entreat Christ, we pray, that our souls be saved.
At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O all-praised martyrs…” —
Thou didst follow the footsteps of Anthony the Great, O venerable one. For he made his abode in the desert for the sake of stillness, and was vouchsafed to have angels with whom to converse; while thou didst seclude thyself within a cave underground, and wast counted worthy to behold ineffable light. Wherefore, emulating his way of life, thou didst receive a name in accordance with thy deeds. Standing with him before the Holy Trinity, pray thou that our souls be saved.
Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Thou didst shine forth in a dark place like an all-radiant beacon, and as the prophet said thou didst flourish like a palm-tree in the house of God; and thou didst offer thyself unto the Master as an all-holy fruit and a living, unbloody sacrifice, O father. Wherefore, assembling with love, we all ever bless thee as is meet.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.
The cave wherein lieth thy sacred body, O venerable Anthony, doth by the power of the all-holy Spirit heal the divers ailments of those who approach with faith: the demons are expelled from men, and paralytics walk away, receiving health. And, praising the Lord, we say: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Wondrous is the influence and great the faith which thou hast acquired, O venerable Anthony, emulating the Prophet Elijah; for he drew down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, while thou didst draw down fire from heaven by thy supplication, to consume and cleanse the place where thou didst desire to erect the all-glorious temple of the Mistress and Theotokos. Wherefore, blessing thee as one who dwelleth with the venerable and emulateth the prophets, we pray: Entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.
Now & ever…, in the same tone —
Christ the Lord, my Creator and Deliverer, Who came forth from thy womb, O all-pure one, and clothed Himself in me, hath freed Adam from the curse. Wherefore, like the angel do we unceasingly cry out to thee, O most pure one, who art truly the Mother of God and Virgin: Rejoice! Rejoice, O Mistress, thou intercession, protection and salvation for our souls!
Leaving behind the tumult of the world, in accordance with the Gospel thou didst follow after Christ, rejecting the world; and living an angelic life, thou didst attain unto the calm haven of Holy Mount Athos, from whence, with the blessing of the fathers, thou didst go to Mount Kiev; and living there an industrious life, thou didst enlighten thy homeland; and showing a multitude of monastics the path which leadeth to the kingdom of heaven, thou didst lead them unto Christ. Him do thou beseech, O venerable Anthony, that He save our souls. Twice
And “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…”, once.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…” —
O most lauded martyrs, crushed by stones ye did not deny Christ the Rock, but, having won the victory by grace, ye rejoice with the choirs of the angels. Pray ye with them, that our souls be granted peace and great mercy.
O right victorious martyrs who were imprisoned together in dungeons, as preservers of the commandments of God; and tormented by thirst ye received dew from heaven, which cooled you spiritually. Wherefore, pray ye, that our souls be granted peace and great mercy.
O invincible martyrs, desiring the true life which ever endureth, rejoicing, ye endured an unjust death by the sword of the iniquitous; and now ye rejoice with the martyrs. Pray ye with them, that our souls be granted peace and great mercy.
O most hymned Mistress, hope and confirmation of the faithful, our refuge and help, thee do we beseech: from every misfortune preserve thy servants who with faith worship thine Offspring. Him do thou entreat, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.
Stavrotheotokion —
The ewe-lamb and immaculate Mistress, when she beheld her Lamb bereft of form and comeliness, said, lamenting: “Woe is me! Whither hath Thy beauty departed, O Thou Who art most sweet? Where is the radiant grace of Thine image, O my Son most beloved?”
In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set at nought the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. Through their supplications save Thou our souls.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.