At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.…” —

Having loved Christ the most comely and adorned thy soul with purity, as an undefiled martyr thou didst draw nigh unto Him by all manner of labors and tribulations, and hast been vouchsafed the heavenly bridal-chamber. Him do thou entreat for us who honor thee, O most lauded Parasceva.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…” —

O Theotokos, unworthy though we are, we shall never cease to speak of Thy powers, for if thou didst not intercede for us in prayer, who would deliver us from so many misfortunes, and who would have kept us free until now? We shall never depart from thee, O Mistress, for thou dost ever save thy servants from all manner of evils.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and the canon of the greatmartyr, with 8 troparia.

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —

As an undefiled and pure ewe-lamb thou didst mystically yoke thyself to the Lord, adorning thyself with purity of life and the beauty of thy suffering. Wherefore, thou hast received the grace of healings, curing our infirmities with the power of the Spirit.

Glory…, Now & ever;: Theotokion —

At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…, the resurrectional theotokion in the tone of the saint’s troparion.

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…” —

Fleeing with love to thy goodness, we all acknowledge thee to be the Mother of God, the truly Virgin, who wast shown to be so even after giving birth; for thee do we sinners have as our intercessor, and thee have we acquired as our salvation amid perils, the only most immaculate one.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Canon of Supplication to the All-holy Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and 2 canons of the venerable one, with 8 troparia.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast ­appeared…” —

Polyeleos, and this magnification —

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

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

We magnify thee, O holy passion-bearer Parasceva, and we reverence thine honored sufferings, which thou didst endure for Christ.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

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

Wedded to the Lord in godly manner, thou didst offer Him thy blood and sacrifice as a gift, O passion-bearer and maiden Parasceva; and as is meet thou hast reached the divine bridal-chamber, ­continually full of ineffable radiance. Wherefore, spiritually celebrating thy holy and honored memory, we glorify the Savior and cry out to thee with faith: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice .

All we, the generations of mankind, bless thee who without seed gavest birth to God in the flesh, as her who alone among women was Virgin; for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, and thou didst give suck unto our Lord and Creator as a babe. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and of men, glorify thine all-holy birthgiving as is meet, and with one accord cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birthgiving.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.

Stichos: In congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to Matthew, §62

[Mt. 15: 21-28]

At that time, Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone I —

Thou hast been reckoned among the ranks of those on high, O glorious one, having forsaken the world and loved Christ. O all-honored Parasceva, ask for us peace and great mercy.

Envious of the beauty of thy countenance, the most wicked enemy, that he might rob thee falsely of the magnificence of thy soul, beset with the passions the mind of the iniquitous woman, who with all manner of blandishments strove to shake thee, O venerable one. But recognizing his wiles, like another Joseph thou didst evade the hands of that wanton woman, and didst keep thy comeliness intact. Wherefore, in heaven thou now delightest in the beauty of the consubstantial Trinity.

All sinners, beholding thy speedy protection and intercession, thy boundless goodness and loving-kindness, O pure one, hasten hither and receive the therapy of repentance. But having spurned all of these, wretch that I am, I alone have lost thy help. Wherefore, recall me to thy goodness, and show me not to fall prey to the pursuer, but accept me who fall down before thee, O Mistress, and guide me to the path of repentance.

All the choirs of the angels marveled at this endurance and courage, O venerable one: how, though beset by the fire of the passion of fornication, thou wast not persuaded by the vile woman, nor didst thou submit to her will. For, possessed of a heart burning with the fire of God’s love, thou didst extinguish the flame of passion.

Speedily come thou to our aid, O all-pure Mistress, for enemies have arisen against us, waging war upon us day and night; and, vanquished, we have no shelter under which to escape the hands of the destroyers. Unto thee do we pray, as the Mother of God: Stretch forth thy mighty right hand, and smite them with thy power; and keep us unharmed, that we may offer unto thee the angelic hymn: Rejoice, O joyous one! The Lord is with thee!

Polyeleos, and this Magnification —

We bless thee, O venerable father Moses, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser with the angels.

Selected Psalm verses —

A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]

B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]

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

B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]

A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]

B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]

A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]

B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]

A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]

B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]

A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]

B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]

A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]

B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]

A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]

A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]

B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]

A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]

B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]

A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]

B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]

Glory…, Now & ever… Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice

Come, ye people, and with songs let us hymn our God-bearing father Moses, the valiant athlete, the invincible warrior, the boast of monastics and lover of purity; and let us praise God Who strengtheneth His servants and granteth them victory over enemies visible and invisible. For girded about with His help, he vanquished all the hordes of the prince of this world, and standing now before the throne of the Master in the mansions of heaven, he prayeth also for us, that we may be freed from all the assaults of the enemy and his temptations.

O all-pure Mistress, who art higher in honor than all creation: Avert not thy face, but accept the supplications of thy servants who today have ­recourse to thine all-honorable temple and bow down before thine all-pure image. Stretch forth thine all-holy hands wherein thou didst bear the Creator of all, and beseech Him, as the Master Who loveth mankind, to gird us about with His power from on high, that, conquering therewith all who rise up against us, we may magnify thy speedy intercession and help, O good one.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Gospel according to Matthew, §43

[Mt. 11: 27-30]

The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI —

Ardently loving the ascetic life, thou didst leave the Carpathian land and go to Kiev; and having been led captive into Poland, thou didst there endure tortures for the sake of chastity and purity. Then didst thou go to the Monastery of the Caves, where, having struggled in fasting, vigils and prayer, thou didst acquire the grace of healings, and prayest now for our souls, O venerable Moses our father.

Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “With hymns I honor the labors of Hermolaus”, in Tone VIII —