After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
Troparion, in Tone I —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
O the all-glorious wonder wrought in thee, O wise Parasceva! For suffering earnestly, thou didst manfully cast down the pride of Antoninus. Wherefore, having been vouchsafed the honors of crowns and the calling of the Most High, O honored one, cease thou never to pray to the Lord in behalf of thy servants, who honor thee with faith, that we may find mercy. Twice
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
Troparion, in Tone III —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
O most praised martyr of Christ, having desired Christ the Lord with all thy soul, thou didst accept the most cruel wounds of torments, and thy sides lacerated with scourges, thou didst endure all these lashings out of love for thy Beloved, and hast received crowns from Him. Wherefore, we render thee goodly praise, O divinely blessed one. Twice
Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Another troparion, in Tone VIII —
A Reading from Proverbs
O most glorious and venerable martyr, who can recount the reward of thy labors, the valiant miracles of thy martyrdom, and the endurance and meekness which thou didst show, as though thou wast an incorporeal being, O honored one? Wherefore, thou hast been shown to be a converser with the angels, O Parasceva, bride of the King of all, thou vessel of the Spirit.
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
Troparion, in Tone IV —
A Reading from Proverbs
Wielding the cross mightily, as though it were a sword, O venerable martyr, and having faith as a shield, hope as a breastplate, and love as a bow, beheaded, thou didst vanquish enemies visible and invisible with divine power; and thou joinest chorus with the angels, O Parasceva, praying for those who hymn thee.
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Glory…, Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion in the same tone.
O most glorious Parasceva, victorious virgin martyr, pray thou that, through thy mediations before God, those who celebrate thy suffering as is meet may be delivered from temptations, tribulations and the judgment which is to come, O most hymned martyr.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Lessons:
Thus saith the Lord: all the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them. Who will declare these things, or who will declare to you things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth. Be ye My witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am He; before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none. I am God; and beside Me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you. Ye are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God, even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of My hands. I will work, and who shall turn it back? Thus saith the Lord God Who redeemeth you, the Holy One of Israel.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign forever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…” —
Giving thyself over to torment full of suffering, O most glorious one, thou didst endure it with manly mind, and didst demolish the temples of the Greeks as though they were dust; and by the power of the Cross thou didst trample underfoot the enemy who boasteth that he will set his throne in the heights of the stars; for he was cast down before thy feet, fluttering about like a sparrow.
Stichos: With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication.
By the providence of God an angel showed forth the weight of the great tablet of stone to be like a leaf and made the burning of the fire to be like a dew-laden breeze, such as of old the vision of the fourth Person in the fire was for the youths, with whom the martyr cried out: “Great is Thy mercy, O most Compassionate One! Wherefore, rejoicing, I honor thy most hymned name.”
Stichos: And He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright.
Having preserved the purity of thy body and the radiance of thy soul throughout all thy life, thou wast shown to be undefiled; and desiring Christ the Bridegroom, thou didst straightway hasten after sweet noetic fragrances, O honored and glorious Parasceva. And now do thou entreat the Savior of all, that He grant remission of sins unto those who celebrate thy memory with faith.
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Come, all ye ends of the earth, let us celebrate a spiritual triumph and praise the virgin martyr of Christ, saying: Rejoice, O all-venerable and divinely honored Parasceva! Rejoice, O thou who didst undertake goodly martyrdom! Rejoice, thou who art equal in honor with the martyrs and sharest the abode of the venerable! With them pray that our souls be saved.
Christ the Lord, my Creator and Deliverer, Who came forth from thy womb, O all-pure one, and robed Himself in me, hath freed Adam from the curse. Wherefore, like the angel do we unceasingly cry out to thee, O most pure one, who art truly the Mother of God and Virgin: Rejoice! Rejoice, O Mistress, thou intercession, protection and salvation for our souls!
Possessed of a readiness in accord with thy name, O namesake thereof, thou didst choose as a companion a faith equal to thy name, O victorious Parasceva; wherefore, thou pourest forth healings, and prayest for our souls.
When Gabriel announced to thee, Rejoice! O Virgin, the Master of all became incarnate within thee, the holy tabernacle, at His cry, as the righteous David said. Thou wast shown to be more spacious than the heavens, having borne thy Creator. Glory to Him Who made His abode within thee! Glory to Him Who came forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath set us free by thy birthgiving!
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —
Abiding in purity of soul, thou didst continually maintain the purity of thy body, O Moses our father; and adorned therewith, thou now followest the unblemished and all-pure Lamb, the Son of God Who was slain for the whole world. Him do thou entreat in our behalf, O venerable one, that we may keep the robe of our souls unsullied in this life, and enter into the bridal-chamber of heaven.
Thou wast like Moses the God-seer, O holy one, for perceiving God in thy soul, as he did in the burning bush, thou didst nail thy mind to the fear of Him; and having Him ever before thine eyes, with desire, as with flame, thou didst set thyself afire with divine love, from whence thou didst never depart. And standing now before the throne of majesty on high, pray for us, that, far removed from the passions, we may pass through our life and appear before the face of God.
The grace of the all-holy Spirit which dwelt in thy pure soul made thee impervious to all the assaults of the slayer of man; and gaining the victory over him, thou didst wreck his machinations with the help of Christ, and wast shown to be an invincible warrior. And now, standing before the throne of the Master, pray that He grant us peace and great mercy.
And 3 stichera in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —
O venerable father Moses, well didst thou struggle, rejecting carnal pleasures, and spurning earthly glory. Thou didst hate iniquity; wherefore, thou didst suffer; and having acquired boldness before God, thou prayest that we be saved.
O divinely wise father Moses, boast of the Carpathian lands, adornment of Russian monks, champion of purity and chastity: Having trampled down impure lusts, thou didst vanquish well the lying enemy. Wherefore, pray thou to Christ, that our souls be saved.
O passion-bearer father Moses, having acquired boldness before God, thou helpest those who are tempest-tossed by the passions, and healest infirmities of body and soul. Thou dost extinguish the burning of the raging flesh with the grace bestowed upon thee. Wherefore, entreat Christ God, that we be delivered from the passions, and that He save our souls.
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Come, ye assemblies of those who love the feasts of the Church, and forming a spiritual choir let us praise the memory of our God-bearing father Moses, the mighty athlete, at his annual commemoration; for he contended greatly against the invisible foe who wished to undermine his purity with unclean passions, and suffered exceedingly for sake of purity, placing his trust in God. He hath been revealed wearing a crown, and, standing now before the Holy Trinity, he prayeth for our souls.
Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three readings:
The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.
The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
At Litia, these stichera, in Tone IV —
Today, the lands of the Carpathians boast in the thee, O venerable father Moses. And the people of the Russian land honor thee as a lover of purity and right victorious chastity, and flee to thine aid, as to their kinsman and advocate. Entreat Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
The Monastery of the Caves boasteth of thy relics, O venerable one, from whence streams of healings flow forth upon those who are sick with bodily passions and spiritual infirmities. Wherefore, we also flee unto thee, begging healing of our passions and thy prayers for our souls, O venerable Moses our father.
Thou didst struggle in asceticism until the end, O Moses, adornment of monks, glorious boast of virgins, who hast joined the choir of passion-bearers, and who emulated Joseph of old. Thou wast a loyal soldier of Christ our God, by Whom thou wast crowned with a wreath. Pray thou unceasingly in behalf of our souls.
Glory…, in Tone VIII —
We honor thee, O venerable Moses, as a right victorious monk and steadfast athlete, a teacher of chastity and keeper of purity, the boast of the Carpathian lands, adornment of the Monastery of the Caves, healing of the sufferings of the body, speedy helper of those who are sick with the burning of the passions, and intercessor for our souls.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O all-praised martyrs…” —
Laboring faithfully for the all-praised passion-bearer, Prince Boris of Russia, thou didst also learn how to serve the King of heaven in holiness and righteousness, O our father Moses. And standing now before Him, forget not to pray for us, that we may enslave our members to the Spirit, and receive crowns of heavenly honor.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. In His commandments shall he greatly delight.
Following thy God-fearing master, O all-blessed Moses our father, thou didst learn meekness and humility, and wast ready to lay down thy life for love of him; and in nowise opposing the visible foe, thou didst stand up only against the invisible foe. Having vanquished them utterly, pray thou also for us to the most high Master, that we may triumph over the spirits of wickedness in high places.
Stichos: The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice on their beds.
The grace of the Most High preserved thee, O venerable one; for when thine owner sought to slay thee, the most compassionate right hand of Christ God covered thee and kept thee like the apple of His eye until He made of thee a faithful servant for Himself. And having faithfully labored for Him in this life, thou hast received the joyous recompense of life everlasting. Pray thou that we also, who honor thy memory, may not be deprived thereof.
Glory…, in Tone VIII —
O assemblies of the monks of Russia and lovers of purity, come ye to the holy cave and behold the shrine of the much-healing relics of our all-blessed father Moses; and learn of him humility and purity, patience and magnanimity. And glorify the heavenly Father Who granteth great mercy to His servants.
O Mistress, Mother of the Creator of all, deliver us today from all want and grief in thine all-honored temple, which thou hast founded as a dwelling-place for thee and enriched with many miracles.
Praising thee with sacred hymns as another Joseph, O great lover of purity and chastity, most honored Moses, peer of the angels, we earnestly pray to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He heal all our passions and grant us great mercy.
Thee do we have, O father, as a model of the virtues. For, disdaining carnal pleasures as well as earthly wealth, thou didst endure transitory sufferings, and hast received never-ending delight and the glory of the kingdom of heaven. O father Moses, boast of the Carpathian lands, entreat Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —
O Hermolaus, martyr and athlete, who once, out of fear, didst hide thyself from the iniquitous, rejoicing, thou didst disclose the hidden mystery of piety and understanding unto the passion-bearer Panteleimon; and, revealing thyself, thou didst zealously die for Christ Who, in His goodness, was well-pleased to suffer.
O Hermolaus, martyr and athlete, in sanctity thou didst desire a sacred life, becoming a hierarch of Jesus the Almighty, and by thy precious discourses and grace thou didst save the people from the darkness of impurity, and hast passed over to the heavens, washed in the blood of thy suffering, O thou who art blessed of God.
Uttering sacred words, with faith let us praise Hermippus, Hermolaus and Hermocrates, the martyrs of the Lord who suffered wondrously, slew the evil one and were washed in the laver of baptism, never after defiling themselves with other impurities; and, holding festival, let us celebrate their memory.
Save me, O all-pure Mistress, who ineffably gavest birth to Christ the Savior; for thee alone have I acquired as an intercessor, an insuperable rampart, my protection and joy, and the divine consolation of my soul. Wherefore, do thou deliver me from the worm which sleepeth not and from everlasting fire, O Mother of Christ God.
Stavrotheotokion —
Seeing Thee nailed to the Cross, O Jesus, and accepting suffering willingly, the Virgin, Thy Mother, O Master, cried aloud: “Woe is me, O my sweet Child! How is it that Thou dost unjustly endure wounds, O Physician Who hast healed men’s infirmity and delivered all from corruption in Thy loving-kindness?”
In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set at nought their tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By their supplications save Thou our souls.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.