day 15

Holy Prince Vladimir the Great, Equal of the Apostles

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —

The 15th Day of the MONTH OF JULY

Strengthened by the right hand of the Most High, O great Prince Vladimir, thou didst spurn the falsehood of idolatry, and, enlightened with holy baptism, O glorious one, thou hast illumined the land of Russia with the light of the knowledge of Christ. Twice

Commemoration of the Holy Prince

Come, ye people of Russia, let us praise our leader in Christian piety, the ever-glorious prince Vladimir the great, who trampled the idols underfoot and hath enlightened the land of Russia with holy baptism.

Vladimir the Great, Equal of the Apostles

Thy radiant memorial hath shone forth upon us today most joyously, O equal of the apostles, gladdening men’s souls and hearts with the beauty of divine knowledge, O great Prince Vladimir.

AT LITTLE VESPERS

Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone VI —

Today the land of Russia, having acquired thee like a new Emperor Constantine, doth join in splendid chorus, O great Prince Vladimir, celebrating thy memory with joy. And we, thy children, cry out to thee in supplication: Pray to the Lord, O equal of the apostles, that He save and enlighten our souls.

No one who hath recourse to thee departeth from thee ashamed, O all-pure Virgin Theotokos; but he asketh grace and receiveth a gift, in fulfillment of his profitable petition.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…” —

Rejoicing, thou didst pass over from earth to heaven, O great Prince Vladimir, and hast received honor from Christ God. To Him do thou pray, that our souls be saved.

Stichos: I have raised up one chosen out of My people.

Illumined with the rays of divine knowledge, thou didst trample the idols underfoot, O equal of the apostles, and didst plant the Christian Faith in thy native land.

Stichos: With My holy oil have I anointed him.

Protect thou thy flock, which thou didst lead to the knowledge of Christ, O great Prince Vladimir, and ever preserve in peace the Russian realm.

Glory…, Now & ever…: idiomelon, in Tone VIII —

Come, let us rejoice today, hymning the all-pure Virgin Theotokos, the helper of our race, to whom the great Prince Vladimir raised up a most honored church, giving to it a tithe of his own possessions. Emulating him, we offer her hymns of praise instead of tithes, crying out and saying: O palace of the Word and splendid bridal-chamber of the King of all, vouchsafe thy protection unto us, the lowly, and be thou our aid, unto the salvation of our souls.