At Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

When by faith in Christ and by prayer thou didst desire to obtain the portion of the righteous, thou didst then aid those persecuted for their faith in Christ. Therefore, Christ the Lord hath enriched thee with gifts of miracles; for unto those who call upon thee amid divers tribulations thou showest thyself to be a speedy helper. Wherefore, pray thou unto God in behalf of us who observe thy most honored memorial.

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…” —

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —

Troparion, in Tone III —

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Spurning passionate worldly attachments, and hating the pleasures of the flesh, thou didst love Christ alone, for Whose sake thou didst make thine abode upon a desert island, where by thy love of life in the wilderness thou didst show thyself to be a true emulator of the holy fathers of old, with whom, after thy repose, thou hast been shown to participate in the angelic choirs. O venerable father Germanus, pray thou for those who cherish thine honored memory. Thrice

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Troparion, in Tone IV —

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

When divine love came upon thee, O venerable one, then, cutting thyself off from the tumult of life, and disdaining all that would draw thee down, thou didst depart to the wild coast, and, withdrawing to an island in the sea, thou didst patiently abide thereon for many years, manfully waging war against the invisible foe, whom thou didst vanquish with the power of Christ. Wherefore, thou hast received a crown from Christ God, to Whom do thou pray for those who cherish thine honored memory. Thrice

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —

Glory…: Another troparion, in Tone VIII —

Glory..., Now and ever...: Theotokion —

Valiantly enduring the rigors of the wilderness, and emulating the way of life of the incorporeal ones, thou didst lay waste to thy body with fasting and vigils, and through unceasing prayer didst acquire the gifts of the Spirit, O venerable father Germanus; wherefore, with the venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius, thou hast been shown to be the founder of the monastic life in the place of thine abode; and we who celebrate thy holy memory with love honor thee with them. Twice

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

But if a vigil be celebrated, we chant the first troparion, twice, and “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…”, once.

We chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

Glory…, in the same tone —

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —

A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah

With chanted praises let us hymn the adornment of the Russian land, the ornament of fasters, the speedy helper amid misfortunes, the miraculous healer of sicknesses and the undaunted advocate before God, saying: Rejoice, good instructor of the monastic life! Rejoice, all-radiant beacon illumining the souls of the faithful with the splendor of thy miracles! Rejoice, thou who with the venerable fathers Zosimas and Sabbatius didst struggle industriously in this life, and after thy repose dost stand united with them before the Holy Trinity, Whom do thou entreat, O venerable Germanus, in behalf of us, thy children, who piously celebrate thy memory.

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

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:

The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.

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.

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 Litia, these stichera, in Tone I —

Thy splendid festival hath arrived, O God-bearing Germanus, illumining the choirs of monastics, perfuming with the sweet fragrance of immortality and filling with spiritual joy all who have recourse unto thee with faith and who bless thee with love.

Come, ye choirs of monastics, and let us fall down today before the tomb of our venerable father, as before an inexhaustible fountain of grace, that we may receive spiritual healing for our souls and the easing of our bodily ailments; for he poureth forth healings upon all who flee to him with faith.

O ye faithful, let us all assemble here at the place where this valiant lover of piety lieth in blessed repose, and let us praise his life in the wilderness and venerate his precious and much healing relics; for by his mediation before God he obtaineth salvation for all who glorify him with love.

Glory…, in Tone V —

Rejoice and dance now, O ye multitude of monastics, celebrating with splendor the day of the repose of our father, whereon he, as a faithful servant, entered into the joy of his Lord, and as a wise steward received his just reward from Christ, the Master of the house! And standing today around the precious shrine of his relics and venerating them with love, let us earnestly cry out to him: Be thou our intercessor, O Germanus all-rich, that by thy supplications we may all receive mercy and obtain grace as our timely aid.

We, the faithful, bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos, and as is meet we glorify thee: the invincible city, the insuperable rampart, our steadfast intercessor and the refuge of our souls.

On “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Thou hast given a sign...” —

Illumined with divine splendors, the apostles passed over the world, like winged eagles, driving away the darkness of polytheism, and making all sons and heirs of the day. Wherefore, we reverence you, and honor your holy and right eminent feast, venerating your relics.

In sacred manner let us bless Silas and Andronicus, Silvanus and Crescens, and with praises let us honor the wondrous Epenetus today with joyful heart, for they are disciples and preachers of the Lord by whom we have been delivered from the vanity of idolatry, and have been piously taught the radiance of the Trinity.

Christ sent you to all the world to cleanse away the mire of wickedness, O apostles, and to restore souls wounded by soul-destroying poison and bring them to perfect health. Wherefore, we honor you as all-praised benefactors and all-wise physicians and instruments of the Spirit.

Rejoice, O ray of sun-like brilliance, throne of the never-waning Sun, who shone forth the ineffable Sun! Rejoice, mind radiant with divine splendors, bolt of lightning who hast illumined the ends of the earth, true luster of gold, O most good and all-immaculate one who hast caused the never-setting Light to shine upon the faithful!

Stavrotheotokion —

Seeing Christ slain Who slayeth the deceiver, the all-pure Mistress exclaimed, crying out bitterly to Him Who came forth from her womb; and, marvelling at His longsuffering, she cried aloud: O my Child most beloved, forget not Thine handmaid! O Thou Who lovest mankind, my consolation, tarry not!

O holy apostles, entreat ye the merciful God, that He grant our souls remission of transgressions.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…” —

When on earth thou wast a soldier of a corrupt king, thou wast a warrior faithful to God, O John, and then, receiving help from Christ the King, aiding the martyrs of Christ thou didst vanquish the enemy, visible and invisible; and now thou joinest chorus with the angelic hosts and the armies on high. Wherefore, O blessed passion-bearer, pray thou to the Savior of us all, that He save our souls. Twice

Desiring to leave the earthly army, thou didst take care to please Christ the King of heaven; for, having armed thyself with faith in Him, thou wast found to be a mighty warrior, O John, protecting the martyrs of Christ from the ungodly tyrant by thy prayers to God, O blessed one.

And 4 stichera, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “With what crowns of praise…” —

Come, ye who love what is holy, let us all be glad in spirit and hold festival, glorifying Christ our God, for today He hath prepared a banquet for us, the memorial of the glorious martyr and valiant warrior John, a helper for all amid tribulations, denouncer of evil deeds and revealer of lost and hidden things for those who call upon his assistance. Twice

O all-blessed and right victorious John, mighty warrior of our God, the Creator of all, as one chosen by God thou didst preserve thy nobility of soul; and having disdained the vanity and deceptions of the world, thou didst lovingly show sympathy for those in torment. And now thou abidest sweetly with Christ in the heavens, from whence look thou down upon and preserve all who call upon thee in time of battle and all manner of misfortunes.

What shall we offer unto Thee, O God our Creator? What manner of thanks shall we give Thee? For Thou hast given Thy people true grace, the holy John, a pious warrior and bestower of alms, a helper of soldiers in battle, a consoler of griefs, who prayeth fervently to Thee for our salvation. Wherefore, for the sake of Thy mercy, save us, O Master Who lovest mankind!

Glory…, in Tone VI —

Having struggled zealously for Christ, O John, with the Christian martyrs, helping Christians in the pious faith, thou wast an exemplary soldier of thy Master. Feeding the needy and preparing abundant alms for the poor, thou didst reject the edicts of the iniquitous Emperor Julian; and, destroying the vessels of His tyranny, thou wast shown to be a victor excellent in thine Orthodoxy. Wherefore, thou hast passed over to the mansions of heaven, and there dost most joyously behold Christ, Who hath crowned thee with an imperishable crown. Him do thou unceasingly entreat, O most blessed one, that they who honor thee be counted worthy of everlasting blessedness.

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. 3 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 Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the martyr, in Tone VIII —

O all-praised John, martyr of Christ, thou didst count as nought a violent death and the assaults of the wicked and tyrannical emperor, having right boldly armed thyself for combat with manly wisdom. Wherefore, crowned with the glory of victory, thou hast been numbered among all the righteous; and, praising thee with them, we call thee blessed.

O all-blessed John, martyr of Christ, seeing the martyrs of Christ led to the slaughter, thou didst aid them with fraternal love. For, exhorting them to suffer even to the shedding of their blood and unto death, thou didst say: “Our suffering here is nought compared to the reward which awaiteth us in the heavens!” And thou didst thyself strive to suffer with them for the sake of thy Creator’s love. Wherefore, having received the gift of miracles from Christ God, thou helpest those who suffer amid divers trials, and dost rescue from cruel misfortunes those who glorify the Lord and honor thy sacred sufferings with love.

O invincible John, martyr of the Lord, bearing the name which signifieth grace, thou bestowest grace and mercy upon those who with faith call upon thee with prayer, and bringest joy to the divinely wise people who with faith call upon thee for aid amid their trials and honor thy memory with sacred joy. Wherefore, entreat Christ, that He save us from all misfortunes, in that He is almighty.

Glory…, in Tone IV —

Who doth not marvel, who doth not render glory, who doth not hymn the miracles of John, the glorious warrior of Christ, who is wise in the faith? For even after his repose, he bestoweth a great many healings upon all who with diligence have recourse unto him. For his precious and holy relics pour forth grace abundantly to fulfill profitable requests. Wherefore, we piously cry out to him: Unceasingly entreat the Lord, that He save our Orthodox hierarchs and all who with faith have recourse to thy holy temple and ask thy fervent intercession before God: for thee do we have as an earnest mediator and intercessor for our souls.

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 who 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!

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…” —

The cruel tyrant gave thy holy body over to be executed by multifarious tortures; yet thou, O John of godly mind, didst not deny Christ, nor didst thou sacrifice to idols, but didst valiantly endure all, trusting in the future reward of never-ending delight in the Lord.

Stichos: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.

By thy virtuous life thou didst spurn the world, O wonder-worker John, and, showing great loving-kindness for Christians in the command of thine army, thou didst set them at liberty. And having thereafter suffered thyself for Christ God in the Orthodox Faith, thou didst receive the inheritance of eternal blessedness.

Stichos: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God they shall blossom forth.

Thy relics, O glorious one, pour forth the gift of healings upon those who honor thee diligently, drowning the passions and curing ailments, O John; and they put hordes of wicked demons to flight, and water the hearts of the faithful, producing the divine fruits of the virtues and the understanding of piety.

Glory…, in Tone VIII —

Come, ye Christ-loving people, and with understanding let us contemplate the good fight and magnanimous courage attained in the right path; for John, who is newly crowned, the great intercessor and martyr, crieth thus to the iniquitous Julian, an emperor loathsome to God: “Thou canst not entice me with thy words of evil guile into the luxury of this vain world, nor shalt thou separate me from the love of my God, the Creator of all! For, lo! I place my trust in Him, and on Him do I set all my desire, that I may become an heir to His heavenly kingdom!” Wherefore, glorifying Christ the King, let us praise the martyr, and make earnest entreaty on this the day of his commemoration: O holy John, pray thou continually, that peace be granted to the world and great mercy to our souls.

O Mistress, accept the supplications of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and grief.

O wonder-worker John, thou hast been shown to be a right faithful servant and warrior of God, the all-good King; for, having manfully suffered for the Faith and finished thy course in blessedness, in the heavens thou beholdest the Lord and Creator of all most splendidly, and helpest men who suffer amid all manner of trials. And thou dost strengthen soldiers in battle, rescuing them from capture by the enemy, from wounds, sudden death and cruel misfortunes. Wherefore, entreat Christ the Master, O ever-memorable one, that He deal mercifully with us in every circumstance, that He lead us not into temptations, but save our souls, in that He loveth mankind.

Loving the blessedness of the Gospel, O divinely wise John, thou didst honor purity with virginity of heart; wherefore, spurning the vanity of this world, thou didst hasten to behold God, Who hath glorified thee with miracles in the healing of those who suffer divers ailments. Therefore, we beseech thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant us deliverance from all tribulations, that we may receive the kingdom of heaven.

O Good One, Who for our sake wast born of the Virgin and, having endured crucifixion, cast down death by death, and as God revealed the resurrection: Disdain not that which Thou hast fashioned with Thine own hand. Show forth Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who gave birth to Thee and prayeth for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Savior!