Canon I, in Tone II

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

Katavasia: I will open my mouth…

Kontakion, in Tone IV—

Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

Theotokion: Thou didst conceive the Word of the Father, Who joined Himself to the flesh through thee without forsaking the divine Hypostasis, O pure Mother; and the venerable Elizabeth, desiring Him, acquired the glory of martyrdom.

Open Thou my lips, O Christ, that I may hymn the struggles of Thy favored one, the venerable martyr Elizabeth, that by her supplications she may dispel the cloud of mine ignorance.

Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses' arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Making thyself steadfast in the confession of God, as upon a firm rock, O holy Elizabeth, with Barbara thou didst suffer in the pit of Alapaevsk; wherefore, thou didst drown the noetic murderer and enemy in the abyss, and hast received the crown of victory as is meet.

Theotokion: Him Who became incarnate of thee and accepted the Cross and death, O Bride of God, have we come to know as Lord; and, blessing thee, we hymn Him as the Deliverer of our race.

Loving God with all thy soul, from thy youth thou didst serve Him, all the days of thy life, O venerable martyr; wherefore, He hath glorified thee, for the Lord knoweth how to glorify those who glorify Him.

Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.

We celebrate thy sacred memorial, for thou didst accept the love of Christ and His precepts, O venerable martyr, and didst proclaim the salvation of men’s souls. Wherefore, we venerate with faith the shrine of thy relics, O Elizabeth, which poureth forth grace in abundance upon those who have recourse unto it with faith and love.

Theotokion: In thy womb thou didst receive the one, infinite God, O all-pure Theotokos; wherefore, all of us, the faithful, bless thee with hymns.

Dwelling now with the choirs of the prophets and apostles, the martyrs and the venerable, in the light of the Holy Trinity, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, be thou mindful of thy children who keep thy memorial with faith.

Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my confirmation!

Blessed is the holy city and the convent of Gethsemane, unto which ye attained, O venerable martyr Elizabeth and Barbara the nun; and the temple which received your bodies hath been adorned as with a royal crown. O right pleasing protectors, who frighten away the enemy and drive them far away from your convent and city, pray that our souls be saved.

Theotokion: Having been purified beforehand by the Spirit, O pure one, thou gavest birth to the Word of the Father, unto the salvation of our perishing race.

Having made thy mind steadfast with goodly desires, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, thou wast borne up to God, away from things which last but a short time, as thou didst abide in prayer and labors within thy convent.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, O Thy glorious dispensation, and I have glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Having begun thy journey in the princely city of Darmstadt, thou didst reach the royal city of Moscow; and directing thy gaze with heart and mind toward the heavenly Jerusalem, thou didst organize the Convent of Martha and Mary. And when in thy lifeless body thou didst take another path through Siberia and China, thy relics were borne to the earthly Jerusalem and laid in the Convent of Mary Magdalene, O ever-memorable Elizabeth, thou glory and boast of the martyrs!

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

I approach thee with love, O honored and venerable martyr: By thine entreaties save me from the vanity of life and still thou the turmoil of my passions.

Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Glory…, in Tone III—

Theotokion: Thou art the boast of the faithful, O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock; thou art the intercessor and refuge of Christians. Entreat thy Son also for us who have recourse to thy protection.

Thy mind enlightened by wisdom and grace, strengthened by divine power thou wast undaunted by the threats of the tormentors, O holy and venerable martyr Elizabeth.

Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Assembling today, O ye assemblies of those who love the feasts of the Church, with joyful countenance and a pure heart let us spiritually form a choir, praising Christ our God Who glorifieth His holy passion-bearers: the Grand Duchess Elizabeth and the nun Barbara, the right wondrous venerable martyrs who offered their own blood to Christ, their Bridegroom, as most costly myrrh, and have received the crown of incorruption from Him as a reward.

Theotokion: O undefiled and pure one, by thy supplications raise up unto prayer my heart, which hath been defiled by thoughts of cowardliness and slothfulness.

The beginning of thine earthly life didst thou spend in the city of Darmstadt, where the pious martyred Tsar built a church to the holy Mary Magdalene, equal of the apostles.

Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Without seed didst thou conceive of the Holy Spirit; and glorifying thee, we chant: Rejoice, O all-holy Virgin!

Theotokion: We wield thee, O pure Theotokos, as an invincible sword against the enemy; and we have acquired thee as the confirmation and hope of our salvation.

Thou didst find everlasting peace in the holy convent of that same saint, in the holy city of Jerusalem, near the church of the Dormition of the All-holy Theotokos, whom thou didst love with all thy heart.

Irmos: Hearkening to the sound of the cries of entreaty which issue forth from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.

Theotokion: In manner transcending nature thou gavest birth to God in the flesh, O Virgin, as He Himself desired; wherefore, we, the faithful, entreat thee, that we may be delivered from everlasting torment by thine Offspring.

There now, in Holy Gethsemane, are thy holy relics preserved, before which we, thine unworthy and useless servants, bow down in piety.

Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy's sake, flowed from Thy side.

Theotokion: In behalf of us who piously bless thee, ever entreat Him Who became incarnate of thee, O Virgin Mother, that we may be delivered from misfortunes, from the soul-destroying passions and from everlasting torment.

Renouncing the world and carnal-mindedness, through lovingkindness and labors amid prayers thou didst acquire Christ in the convent of Martha and Mary, with the sisters entrusted to thee by God.

Irmos: When the golden image was worshiped on the plain of Dura, Thy three youths spurned the ungodly command, and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Theotokion: Thou wast obedient to the words of God, O all-pure Theotokos, and gavest birth in the flesh to the all-beginningless Word Who hath delivered us from irrationality.

Thou didst stand like an unshakable pillar amid grievous evil circumstances, forgiving the murderer and praying for thy tormentors, O all-blessed princess.

Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Theotokion: “Rejoice, O all-pure, all-blessed one!”, we cry to thee with Gabriel. Beseech thy Son, that by thy supplications He save our souls.

Neither fire, nor the sword, nor abasement, nor the cruel pit, nor the savagery of the tormentors were able to separate thee from the love of God.

Irmos: God, Who descended into the fiery furnace for the Hebrew children and transformed the flame into dew, hymn ye as Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: As thou art a temple of sanctity, O most immaculate one, thou gavest birth unto the most holy God Who resteth in the Holy of holies, Who sanctifieth all and delivereth from evils.

O passion-bearer, holy Princess Elizabeth, when they cast thee down, alive, into the pit at Alapaevsk with the holy martyrs of royal blood—Princes Sergius, John, Constantine, Igor and Vladimir—as well as the martyr Barbara and the holy martyr Theodore, and ye suffered long from your wounds, though thou wast barely alive, thou didst ease the sufferings of the dying, chanting sacred hymns, which were heard by those who passed by. Wherefore, we entreat thee: Beseech Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. Twice

Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions' mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Theotokion: Because of thee, O all-pure Bride of God, grief hath ceased, the curse hath truly died away through barrenness, and blessing hath blossomed forth for the faithful forever.

When I must needs stand before the face of my Creator on the day of His righteous judgment, O Mistress, be thou a mediatress before Him for me, delivering me from everlasting torments, lest I descend into hades. Save me by thine aid, O all-holy Theotokos.

Irmos: Thou art all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God, Son of the Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints. Wherefore, we magnify Thee and her who gave Thee birth.

Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, the divinely flowing Drop, which was born of thee and sanctifieth the world, hath poured forth upon us a drop of mercy, which sanctifieth our souls and thoughts.

Having set thy feet upon the rock of the pure Orthodox Faith, thou didst remain unshaken by the temptations and assaults of thine ungodly persecutors.

Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Theotokion: Through thy birthgiving hath the light of radiance shone forth and illumined the whole world, and destroyed the prince of darkness, O most pure Theotokos, for all who praise thee with never-ceasing voices.

From the time of thy widowhood thou didst love to abide in the house of the Lord, founding a convent in the royal city of Moscow wherein to serve thy neighbor.

Theotokion: All of us cry out to thee the cry of the angel, O Virgin, thou palace and throne of God: Rejoice, thou through whom we have been vouchsafed the kingdom of heaven, we who were rejected through corruption and mindlessly destroyed our primal beauty.

Thou didst withdraw from this vain world to the holy convent of Martha and Mary, that with unceasing hymnody and prayers thou mightest set at nought all the carnal passions, that with the company of women of like mind with thee thou mightest serve God and neighbor.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Girded about with the fear of God, thou didst serve God, humbling thy body with fasting and thirst, and making thy soul radiant through pure prayer.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thy relics lie before us like a precious pearl, imparting divers healings unto those who approach them and pray to thee with faith.

At the time when darkness beset the land of Russia, the Lord summoned thee to the feat of martyrdom, and thou wast faithful to Him to the end.

Crowned by an all-splendid wreath, thou standest before the throne of the King of all; wherefore, pray thou, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, for those who with faith and love celebrate thy holy memory.

Submitting to the laws of God, thou didst turn utterly away from sinful laws, and didst consider the beauties of this present life to be as dung, that thou mightest acquire Christ; wherefore, thou didst labor well, O crowned one of great renown.

Thou didst open mind and heart to the habitation of grace, didst receive the one Master, and didst obtain a crown of incorruption, which shineth with radiant splendors and rich gifts.

Truly magnificent was thy way of life: it hath been shown to be beloved of men and angels and incomprehensible to the savagery of the minions of Satan.

Having struggled on earth with thy sisters in God, and endured transitory pangs, O thou who art most rich, thou now receivest rewards with the angels in heaven, O invincible martyr.

Spurning the magnificence of this world, thou didst show thyself to be a guide for the lost and a sure haven for those being saved; and with thy blood thou didst dye a robe of great price, and clad therein dost stand now before the Bridegroom.

When bodily wounds were inflicted on thee by the godless murderers, in thy humble wisdom thou didst deal a grievous wound to the enemy which giveth birth unto death.

When thou wast led to the slaughter with thy faithful nun Barbara and the Grand Dukes, thou didst maintain strength of spirit, refusing to renounce Christ God, Whom thou hadst truly served.

O thou who didst hearken to the groans of the wounded in the pit of Alapaevsk and didst lovingly bind up their bodily wounds, come thou to the aid of us who are wounded by pride and boastfulness, and bind up the cruel sores of our souls.

Thou wast shown to be a precious vessel of the divine Spirit, bearing divine perfume in thy heart, and sweetening the hearts of those who keep thy memory with faith.

Thou didst break the jaws of the noetic wolves with the power of the Spirit, O venerable martyr Elizabeth. Shining forth never-waning radiance, guide us also in the paths of unshakable love for God.

Having traversed all of Siberia in thy martyred body, and visited far-flung lands in thy relics, thou didst arrive in the holy city, in the convent which thou hadst loved from of old.

Taking up the Cross of Christ, thou didst pass from royal glory to the glory of heaven, praying for thine enemies, O holy martyred Princess Elizabeth; and with the martyr Barbara thou didst find everlasting joy. Therefore, pray ye in behalf of our souls.

Ikos: Loving the commandments of Christ, and hating the delights of this world, O venerable martyr, thou didst hasten eagerly to the Lord; and illumining the land of Russia with spiritual radiance, thou didst bring to Him a flock of virgins who were instructed by thee in the love of God. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may hymn thy struggles, asceticism, vigils, tears, pangs and compassion, for the sake of the everlasting life which thou now enjoyest, and pray thou unceasingly for our souls.

Having ascended to the never-waning Light, like the sun thou illuminest the whole world, for thou didst do the works of light; wherefore, enlighten us also, the unworthy, who now cry out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Resting thy soul and mind on God alone, thou didst tread the narrow path; wherefore, thou hast received the delight of the heavenly kingdom, and now criest out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Shining with rays of grace, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, ask remission of sins for us who keep thy splendid feast and chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The unapproachable Light hath worthily enlightened thy soul, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, and with radiant lamps hath illumined those who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having trod the thorny path of this earthly life, O venerable mother, thou didst attain unto heavenly delight; and thou now joinest chorus with the angels, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Loving Christ with all thy heart, thou madest thine abode in the most splendid chamber of the Bridegroom, O thou who art blessed of God; and as an invincible martyr thou criest out to Him: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Today hath thine all-radiant memorial shone forth, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, holy Princess, which summoneth us to a celebration, that we may glorify the endurance wherewith thou, with the other martyrs, didst struggle in the pit of Alapaevsk, and that we may cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Like light hath thy feast shone forth out of the darkness of cruel godlessness, O venerable martyr revealed by heaven. With the light of thy love do thou also enlighten us who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Forsaking royal palaces, thou didst attain unto the heavenly bridal-chamber prepared for thee by Christ, thy beloved Bridegroom, Whom seeing, thou criest out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thou didst safely sail over the sea roiled by the assaults of the persecutions raised by the godless tyrants against the Faith of Christ, and didst reach the haven of paradise, crying out: Ye priests, hymn, ye people, exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Shining forth like a lamp of righteousness, thou didst dispel the darkness of godlessness, O divinely wise Elizabeth, and didst lead to Christ a multitude of God-loving women, who cry: Ye priests, hymn, ye people, exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Divine grace all-gloriously glorified thee, O Princess Elizabeth, with the nun Barbara and the many other new martyrs, teaching us to cry out with splendor: Ye priests, hymn, ye people, exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Hastening wholly to the heavenly Jerusalem, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, thou didst leave thy holy relics in the Gethsemane below, where in the monastic life thy pious sisters continually glorify God Who hath glorified thee.

Thou didst eagerly acquire everlasting life, O martyr of Christ, who shinest forth from afar in the blood of thy martyrdom; wherefore, thou also callest us to thy feast, O instructress of monastics, holy Elizabeth.

By thy supplications, O divinely chosen bride of Christ, break thou the bonds of mine offenses, and dispel the gloom of my passions.

Adorned with many virtues, thou didst destroy many of the snares of the hater of mankind, cleaving unto Christ with love and leading a multitude of Christ-loving women unto God.

Having joined the choirs of the incorporeal beings and the assemblies of martyrs, O glorious one, entreat Christ God in behalf of those who have fallen away and hate Him.

Thou didst pass through divers countries during thy lifetime, and now dost illumine with the splendors of the Spirit us who glorify thee in many cities and monasteries.

Strengthened by the Cross of thy Lord, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, suffering bravely thou didst destroy the pride of the tormentors; and thou hast received from Christ a crown of honor, praying for us who honor thee with love. Twice

The divinely wise virgins standing round about thee as the Queen of our race, O Theotokos Mary, have been led to thy Son, as to the King of all, O all-pure one. Him do thou beseech in our behalf, O Virgin Mother.

Great Doxology, troparia, litanies, dismissal, First Hour.