After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man...,” the first antiphon.
And these stichera, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone II —
On “Lord, I have cried...,” 8 stichera: 3 in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Called from on high...” —
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
After the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the saints, in Tone I —
Glory..., the composition of Byzantius, in Tone VI —
O thou who wast rightly called Panteleimon, when thou didst extend to all the loving care of souls, showing forth healing of their bodies, thou wast enriched with a fitting name, discovering the reward of virtue and the recompense of piety, O martyr, revealing thyself as a crowned and invincible warrior of Christ our God, Whom do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah
O thou who dost ever draw forth the grace of divine healing from the immaterial wellsprings of the Savior, and pourest it forth abundantly, and grantest it to those who have recourse to thee, O most blessed one: all that faithfully celebrate thy glorious, most sacred and radiant festival do thou manifestly illumine with grace divine, O thou who hast been anointed with a God-like name and with goodness. And pray thou that grace be given to all that hymn thee.
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Cruelly assaulted by sea and fire, with many torments was thy fiery love for Him Who is Desire itself then tested. Wherefore, thou didst cast down the author of evil, clearly receiving the richly bestowed and life-bearing activity of the Comforter. Thereby thou didst most gloriously show forth the dead man as alive, O divinely blessed one, and didst effect divers healings, O all-blessed one.
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Without fee hast thou given grace to men, O glorious martyr Panteleimon, and thou dost expel evil spirits by the invocation of Christ, and grantest the blind to see, for thou art His true favorite. Entreat thou the Physician, O most blessed one, that He grant the world steadfast peace, and great mercy to those who love thee. Twice
Glory..., in Tone V —
The faith of thy pious mother didst thou desire, and thou didst correct the godlessness of thy father; for, confirmed by the teachings of Hermolaus, wast thou baptized by him, O glorious martyr Panteleimon. Entreat thou our merciful God, the Physician of the infirm, the Dispeller of the passions, that they that celebrate thine all-honored memory with faith be delivered from temptations.
Now and ever...: Theotokion, in the same tone —
The deception of thy father didst thou reject, O most glorious one, taking to heart the words of thy mother. Thou didst bring forth fruit more precious than gold, as the Lord hath said, and didst show thyself to be an exemplary physician, O glorious martyr Panteleimon. Travelling the path of grace, thou didst come upon a child who had been bitten by a viper, lying on the ground; and, having prayed to God, earnestly entreating Him, thou didst straightway raise up the child and didst cut asunder the beast. Wherefore, be thou mindful of us who keep thy memory with faith, that we may find mercy on the day of Judgment.
A Reading from Proverbs
Today hath the precious memory of the unmercenary one shone forth, summoning the faithful to a mystical banquet, and leading the assemblies of those who love the feasts of the Church to the festive solemnity. For a wonderworking physician hath arisen among us, healing the infirmities of all: Panteleimon, the steadfast athlete. And he prayeth earnestly to the Lord, that our souls be saved.
A Reading from Proverbs
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!
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
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 Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera to the saint —
In Tone I: Thou didst fight the good fight and didst finish the course of thy martyrdom, O martyr Panteleimon. Wherefore, thou joinest chorus with the angels in the Highest, for thine afflictions having gained for thee the kingdom of heaven, as is meet. Pray thou, therefore, O most blessed physician, that we be granted great mercy. In Tone II: With what beauty of hymnody shall we honor thee, O Panteleimon, who shinest forth radiantly in comeliness of body and spiritual beauty; who wast enlightened with love of the mind and adorned with quickness thereof; who, young of stature, yet subtle of intellect, didst mature through divine teachings and attain Christ with heartfelt love?
With what hymns shall we exalt thee, O Panteleimon, whom the Lord hath glorified with words and deeds transcending nature and hath raised on high by a multitude of miracles; whom He illumined with the splendor of many gifts and adorned with the glory of divine crowns; whom Christ our God, Who hath great mercy, hath granted as an intercessor amid misfortunes unto those who are in need?
With what hymns of praise shall we exalt thee, O Panteleimon, who wast imbued with Christ-like goodness and grantest great mercy to all through the works of the All-merciful One, like an ever-flowing river of living water, pouring forth healings upon those who have recourse to thee with faith.
In Tone V: The most holy memory of the martyr shineth forth like the sun upon the ends of the earth, and unceasingly granteth healing unto the faithful, dispelling infirmities and curing the passions. For Panteleimon doth ever pray to Christ God, that He grant our souls great mercy.
Come, ye who love the martyrs, and in oneness of mind let us all praise the athlete of Christ, who fought well for piety and hath been invested with the honor of a victor, a beacon for the whole world and an ever-shining star of the Church. And crying out to him, let us say: O glorious martyr Panteleimon, be thou the salvation of our souls and bodies, our steadfast protection, praying unceasingly to the Lord in our behalf, that He save us!
We, the faithful, bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos, and we glorify thee as is meet: the steadfast city, the unassailable rampart, the firm intercessor and refuge of our souls!
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “With what wreaths of praise…” —
With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the glorious seven, who though separate in body were united in spirit: the God-bearing champions of the Trinity, who suffered for their preaching of the Gospel, the beacons who enlightened Dalmatia, the pillars which made Bulgaria steadfast, whom Christ our God, Who hath great mercy, crowneth as victors with wreaths of glory? Twice
With what flowers of hymnody shall we crown the glorious seven, who were equally honored with grace and apostolic gifts: the beautiful receptacles of the Spirit, the pastors Christ-like in faith, the teachers of the sublime dogmas of the Church, who became earthly angels through heavenly glory, whom Christ our God hath honored, Who hath great mercy? Twice
With what beauties of hymnody shall we praise the glorious seven: Cyril and Methodius, Clement, Nahum and Sabbas, Gorazd and Angelarius, who proclaimed the one God to us in three Persons and confirmed the Orthodox Faith? For Christ our God, Who hath great mercy, doth truly crown them with wreaths of immortal glory as is meet. Twice
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Let us praise today the mystic clarions of the Spirit, the seven radiant and God-bearing fathers, who with apostolic wisdom clearly proclaimed the glory of God and have shown us the way into heaven, who restored the multitudes of Bulgaria by enabling them to write, and utterly consumed the worship of idols with the fire of the Spirit. Wherefore, let us cry aloud unto them, saying: O divine fathers, equals of the apostles, pray ye to the Lord, that He establish our race in Orthodoxy and save 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.
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 lust 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 doth visit His chosen.
At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the saints —
In Tone I: Come, ye assemblies of those who love the feasts of the Church, and let us offer the praise of hymnody today to the seven blessed equals of the apostles, who having lifted up their eyes with exalted understanding and penetrated the unknown depths of the wisdom of God, enriched the hard-hearted Bulgarian race with divinely wise teachings, and pray for our souls.
In Tone II: Having lawfully trained your souls and bodies with divine activities, ye thundered forth Orthodox dogmas; and, mingling with the angelic hosts, ye unceasingly chant a hymn of victory unto God in three Hypostases. To Him do we also cry out: O God Who art known in Trinity, through the supplications of Thy seven saints have mercy and save us!
In Tone III: O glorious seven, great glory of the Church of Christ, who manfully fought the good fight and finished the course of your preachings, ye have attained unto the mansions of heaven. Rejoicing with the angels, pray ye ever for us, that our souls may find deliverance.
Glory…, in Tone IV —
O ye seven glorious ones, your good works shone forth like the sun, on earth and in heaven; for, preaching the unoriginate begetting of the Son and the procession of the Spirit from the one Father, ye put the heretics to shame and drew savage pagans to the true Faith of Christ. Wherefore, pray ye to the Lord, that He grant us great mercy.
Mercifully regard the supplications of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, quelling the uprisings of the cruel demons against us, delivering us from every sorrow; for thee alone have we as a steadfast and sure confirmation, and we have acquired thine intercession; let not us that call upon thee be put to shame, O Mistress. Haste thou to answer the entreaty of those who cry out to thee with faith: Rejoice, thou help, joy and protection of all, and salvation of our souls!
On the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…” —
Rejoice, O seven-member choir, mighty bulwark of Bulgaria, pillars and foundation of Dalmatia, ye champions of the Trinity! O ye who tended the people of Christ on the pastures of divine dogmas and drove the wolves of heresy far from them, ye minds most splendid in form and wisdom, who now dwell, rejoicing, with the archangels: Entreat ye Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.
Stichos: Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy righteous shall rejoice.
Rejoice, O seven-member choir, stars of the earthly firmament and lights of the effulgence of the threefold Sun, rays of inexhaustible love, instruments of the Holy Spirit, lucid preachers of grace, right eloquent teachers of the Scriptures, stentorian heralds of the law, worthy inhabitants of paradise, and guides for those below to that which is on high! Entreat ye Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.
Stichos: Moses and Aaron [are] among His priests, and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
Rejoice, O seven-member choir, Methodius and Cyril, Clement and Nahum, Sabbas, Gorazd and Angelarius, ye earthly angels who traverse the heavens, boast of the Bulgars and joy of the Dalmatians, most skillful physicians, ever-flowing rivers of the Spirit, who watered the earth with your preaching, breasts inexhaustibly pouring forth the milk of salvation, beauty of most precious wisdom! Entreat ye Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.
Glory…, in Tone VIII —
Ascending on a chariot traversing the heavens, O ye glorious seven, ye attained the summit of the virtues through abstinence; and as vessels of the Holy Spirit, ye drew hard-hearted pagans to the immaculate Faith of Christ by the demonstration of miracles. Having received the reward of your painful struggles as is meet, ye have become heirs to Eden and rejoice with the captains of the ranks of heaven. Pray ye to the Savior, the God of all, that He bring peace to the world and save our souls.
O unwedded Virgin who ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High: Accept the entreaties of thy servants, O most immaculate one, granting unto all cleansing of transgressions; and, accepting now our supplications, pray thou that we all be saved.
With wreaths of praise let us crown the glorious seven — Cyril and Methodius, Clement, Nahum and Sabbas, Gorazd and Angelarius — as beacons who shone forth and proclaimed to us the glad tidings of the triune God, unshakable pillars of the Church of Bulgaria, and divinely inspired champions of the literature thereof, who abolished the demonic worship of idols, and who pray unto Christ God, that He make steadfast our Church and grant our souls peace and great mercy. Twice
And “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice…”, once.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.