AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the venerable ones, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…” —

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Troparion of the venerable ones, in Tone IV —

Having made your abode in the wilderness in oneness of mind, O blessed ones, by fasting, prayer and radiant visions ye manifestly caused the uprisings of the flesh to fall away, and made your hearts splendid, rendering them pleasing through spiritual surrender, O Symeon and John, confirmation of monastics.

Now & ever…: Theotokion or stavrotheotokion.

Glory…: Troparion of the prophet, in Tone II —

With foolish behavior thou didst render foolish the malice of the wise, O blessed father, working all-glorious miracles, causing signs to show forth, casting out demons, and illumining those who are in caught in the night of sin. And in the midst of tumults thou didst preserve thy mind untroubled, O Symeon, receiving dispassion from God.

Humble in wisdom and merciful, God-loving and full of love wast thou shown to be, O divinely inspired one, compunctionate and meek, going about the earth like an angel, possessed of a heavenly life. Wherefore, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit rested in thee, O blessed Symeon, as in a place of purity.

And 3 stichera of the prophet, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —

O divinely blessed and wondrous Ezekiel, having cleansed soul and body, and thy mind with purity, thou didst noetically behold the ineffable glory of the Lord which is more brilliant than the lightning-flash, and passeth understanding, for He surpasseth and exceedeth the divine seraphim, and is hymned by ten thousand mouths.

O God-pleasing Ezekiel, as an emulator of Christ thou didst endure the oppression of the alien’s debt, cruelly tortured, prefiguring the ­salvation and deliverance which were to come unto the world through the precious Cross, O thou who wast revealed by God. Pray thou that all who hymn thee now may partake thereof.

O divinely inspired Ezekiel, receiving a scroll from the hands of the Almighty, thou didst become a God-seeing theologian, manifest in sacred manner and godly in appearance, O glorious one, whose lips were truly sweeter than honey, imparting wisdom unto the enraged synagogue.

Rejoice, enlightenment of souls, forgiveness of the sinful, correction of the negligent! Rejoice, consolation, joy and helper of the sorrowful! Rejoice, O blessed one, thou healing of the souls of the infirm! Rejoice, mediator and reconciler of men to God, O pure one who art more holy than all the seraphim!

Stavrotheotokion —

“What is this vision that I see, which mine eyes behold, O Master? Thou Who sustainest all creation dost die, lifted up upon the Tree, granting life unto all!” Thus did the Theotokos say, weeping, when she beheld the God and man Who had shone forth ineffably from her, suspended upon the Cross.

O God of our fathers, Who ever dealest with us according to Thy gentleness, withdraw not Thy mercy from us, but by their entreaties govern our life in peace.

Celebrating the memory of Thy prophet Ezekiel, O Lord, through him do we entreat Thee: Save Thou our souls!