At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

Canon to the Theotokos (the Paraclysis), with 6 troparia, including its Irmos; and two canons to the prophet, with 8 troparia —

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone I —

Ascending on a fiery chariot as on the wings of the wind, O divine prophet, thou dost most gloriously make thy journey to the heavens today, leaving to Elisha a double portion of grace and thy mantle from on high. Twice

At “God is the Lord...,” the troparion of the prophet, twice; Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion.

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone III —

Having loving recourse to thy goodness, we all entreat thee, the Mother of God, the true Virgin, who wast shown to be virgin even after giving birth, for we sinners have thee as our intercessor; and in thee who alone art immaculate we have obtained salvation amid dangers.

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the Polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII —

Thy divine temple poureth forth healings upon all, O most wondrous prophet. With the most marvelous Elisha, entreat Christ to send down peace upon the world and great mercy upon the people that honor thee. Twice

Each rightly fleeth to the place where he is saved; and what other such refuge which protecteth our souls have we but thee, O Theotokos?

Polyeleos; and this Magnification —

We magnify thee, O glorious Elijah, prophet and forerunner of the Coming of the Lord, and we honor thy fiery ascent to heaven in the flesh.

Selected Psalm Verses —

Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [54: 8]

My soul hath thirsted for Thee; how often hath my flesh longed after Thee. [62: 2]

Thy truth and Thy salvation have I declared. [39: 11]

I have not concealed Thy mercy, nor Thy truth, from the great assemblage. [39: 11]

Thy righteousness have I not hid in my heart. [39: 11]

My tongue shall treat of Thy righteousness, and of Thy praise all the day long. [39: 11]

Being a lover of wisdom, O most honored prophet, openly denouncing the unjust king who acted unrighteously, thou didst constrain him to cry out: “Truly there is but one God: He Who is preached by Elijah!” And thence thou didst proceed to rebuke Jezebel for her plundering and love of gold. O prophet and forerunner of the Coming of Christ, Elijah of great renown: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who with faith glorify thine ascent.

All of us, the generations of man, bless thee, the Virgin who alone among women gave birth without seed unto God in the flesh. For the fire of the Godhead dwelt within thee, and with milk didst thou nurture thy Creator and Lord as an infant. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and of men, glorify thine all-holy birthgiving as is meet, and together cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birthgiving!

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.

Stichos: The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies the footstool of Thy feet.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel According to Luke, § 14 [Lk. 4: 22-30]

At that time, the multitude wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus. And they said: “Is not this Joseph’s son?” And He said unto them: “Ye will surely say unto Me this proverb: Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Thy country.” And He said: “Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Zarephath, a city of Sidon, unto a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He, passing through the midst of them, went His way.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone IV —

On a fiery chariot wast thou taken up to the clouds, and wast translated to the land of light, O Elijah the Tishbite, having put the shameful prophets to shame. O thou who bound fast the sky by thy word, so also loose our transgressions by thy prayers to the Lord, and save thou our souls.