Hymn of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Reading from the Gospel according to
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I —
The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: theotokion —
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII —
O blessed Prince Vladimir, equal of the apostles, we cry out to thee as to the author and root of the Faith and the destroyer of the idols: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [The Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the saint, with 8 troparia.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV —
To the path of repentance guide us who have ever strayed into the trackless wastes of evil and have angered the all-good Lord, O blessed Mary who knewest not wedlock, thou refuge of despairing men and dwelling-place of God.
Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Glory…: Another sessional hymn, in the same tone —
Taught ineffable heavenly wisdom by God, thou didst richly attain an understanding of His Faith and didst quickly hasten to His beauty. Wherefore, thou didst illumine the eyes of thy mind and didst lift thyself up to an understanding of the pious Faith. For which cause, we say in celebration: Blessed is God Who illumined thy heart with the light of knowledge, O radiant luminary Vladimir! Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice
The gloom of sin doth cover me, as do the shameful works which I have constantly committed, without restraint; and the oppression of my conscience tormenteth me. Woe is me! Where now shall I hide myself? To whom shall I flee to find help again? Before thee alone do I fall down, O Mother of God, and I entreat thee: Pray thou continually, that our souls be saved!
Polyeleos, and this magnification —
We magnify thee, O holy Prince Vladimir, equal of the apostles, and we honor the holy memory of thee who trampled the idols underfoot and hast enlightened the whole land of Russia with holy baptism.
Selected Psalm verses —
A The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands. [Ps. 18: 2]
B The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord. [Ps. 88: 6]
A In the stead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee. [Ps. 44: 17]
B The God of gods, the Lord, hath spoken, and He hath called the earth. [Ps. 49: 1]
A From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised. [Ps. 112: 3]
B Thy lightnings have shone forth throughout the world. [Ps. 96: 4]
A The heavens declared His righteousness. [Ps. 96: 6]
B And all the peoples saw His glory. [Ps. 96: 6]
A The princes of Judah are their rulers. [Ps. 67: 28]
B God is King over the nations. [Ps. 46: 9]
A God is glorified in the council of the saints. [Ps. 88: 8]
B Great and terrible is He toward all who are round about Him. [Ps. 88: 8]
A Say among the nations that the Lord is King. [Ps. 95: 10]
B Declare among the heathen His glory, and among all peoples His wonders. [Ps. 95: 3]
A Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth. [Ps. 18: 5]
B Their words unto the ends of the world. [Ps. 18: 5]
A He hath subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. [Ps. 46: 4]
B Great is our God, and great is His strength, and of His understanding there is no measure. [Ps. 146: 5]
A He will give power and strength unto His people. Blessed be God. [Ps. 67: 36]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Thou didst acquire speedy and steadfast zeal for the true Faith of Christ; and having found the spiritual font of the mind of God, thou didst quickly hasten with love, and, washing away the defilement of transgressions, thou didst likewise sanctify thy people. Pray thou to God, that our souls be saved!
Go thou quickly in advance, O prince, thou guide of the faithful and favorite of God; for our enemies mock us and cause us to stumble. By thy faith destroy those who make war upon us, that they also may learn to glorify thy memory; and save us who hymn thee from all wrath.
O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure, alone art blessed, we have come to know the Word of the Father, Christ our God, Who became incarnate of thee; wherefore, hymning thee without ceasing, we magnify thee.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV —
I have raised up one chosen out of My people.
Stichos: For My hand shall be unto Him an ally.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
St. John §36 [10:9-16]
The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VIII —
Assembling, let us praise Vladimir, the emulator of the apostles, our all-blessed father and teacher, through whom we have come to know Christ God. Drawing nigh unto the Light out of the darkness, let us illumine our eyes and hearts, and joining chorus on the day of his memorial, let us be glad together, having found in him an Orthodox guide to the kingdom of heaven.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.