Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon of the all-holy Theotokos, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and 2 canons of the martyrs, with a total of 8 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of angels…” —
Enduring thy suffering with patience and courage, O Prince Boris, with Christian love thou didst look to the merciful God Who loveth mankind, Who granteth the world great mercy. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the martyrs, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “The choir of angels…” —
To Him Who was begotten without mother in heaven, in manner past understanding and report, didst thou give birth on earth without father. Beseech Him, O Theotokos, in behalf of our souls.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of the martyr, with 6 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn thee, the maiden who art the namesake of Christ”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII —
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —
Having loved Christ from childhood, O honored and glorious brethren, and acquired a dispassionate life, ye embraced chastity and abstinence from spiritual and bodily passions. And having received advancement through the grace of God, ye heal us who hymn you. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art the mighty and fervent intercessor for the human race, with the prophets, martyrs and holy hierarchs, the fasters and the venerable, unceasingly entreat God the Word, to Whom thou gavest birth in manner in manner transcending nature, that He save us all.
Polyeleos, and this magnification —
We magnify you, O holy passion-bearers and princes Boris and Gleb, and we reverence your honored sufferings, which ye endured for Christ.
Selected Psalm verses —
A Our God is refuge and strength. [Ps. 45: 2]
B A helper in afflictions which mightily befall us. [Ps. 45: 2]
A Therefore shall we not fear when the earth be shaken. [Ps. 45: 3]
B O God, who shall be likened unto Thee? Be Thou not silent, neither be still, O God. [Ps. 82: 2]
A For behold, Thine enemies have made a noise, and they that hate Thee have lifted up their heads. [Ps. 82: 3]
B Against Thy people have they taken wicked counsel, and have conspired against Thy saints. [Ps. 82: 4]
A They have made the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven. [Ps. 78: 2]
B The flesh of Thy saints for the beasts of the earth. [Ps. 78: 2]
A They have poured out their blood like water. [Ps. 78: 3]
B For Thy sake we are slain all the day long. [Ps. 43: 23]
A We are counted as sheep for the slaughter. [Ps. 43: 23]
B Thou hast made us a byword among the nations. [Ps. 43: 15]
A And I became a man scourged all the day long. [Ps. 72: 14]
B By fire hast Thou tried us even as silver is tried by fire. [Ps. 65: 11]
A We went through fire and water, and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment. [Ps. 65: 12]
B Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous. [Ps. 31: 11]
A For the Lord is in the generation of the righteous. [Ps. 13: 5]
B And their inheritance shall be for ever. [Ps. 36: 18]
A The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them. [Ps. 33: 18]
B A light hath dawned forth for the righteous man, and gladness for the upright of heart. [Ps. 96: 11]
A In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be. [Ps. 111: 6]
B In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous; He hath wrought all His desires in them. [Ps. 15: 3]
A Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel. [Ps. 67: 36]
B The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied. [Ps. 91: 13]
A The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him. [Ps. 63: 11]
B And all the upright in heart shall be praised. [Ps. 63: 11]
Glory…, Now & ever… Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice
Knowing the good commandments of Christ, and loving Him, O glorious passion-bearers, ye paid no heed to the slaying of your bodies, but committed your all-comely souls into the hands of Christ. One of you, pierced with the spear, rejoiced; and the other, pitilessly slaughtered like an innocent lamb, offered up entreaty. Wherefore, having received the gift of healing, O martyred brethren, beseech Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor your holy memory with love. Twice
O cloud of the noetic Sun, O golden lampstand of the divine Light, O undefiled, unblemished, most immaculate Mistress: With the radiance of dispassion illumine my soul, which hath been darkened by the blindness of the passions, I pray; and with torrents of compunction and tears of repentance wash my defiled heart, and cleanse me of the mire of my deeds, that I may cry out to thee with love: O Ever-virgin Theotokos, entreat Christ God, that He grant me remission of transgressions; for thee do I, thy servant, have as my hope.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV —
The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them, and He delivered them out of all their tribulations.
Stichos: Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Luke, §106
[Lk. 21:12-19]
The Lord said to His disciples: “Beware of men. They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, idiomelon, in Tone VIII —
O all-comely brethren, Boris and Gleb, your sufferings heal the pangs and afflictions of us who have recourse to you with faith. Freely have ye received; wherefore, freely give healing to the sick. And as ye have boldness, entreat Christ God in behalf of our souls.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.