AT GREAT VESPERS

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

A Reading from Proverbs

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…” —

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

At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the saint, in Tone IV —

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

A Reading from Proverbs

When, before thy birth, she who had conceived thee went to the church of God, thou didst cry out thrice within her womb, glorifying the Trinity, O divinely wise father Sergius. And before thou didst come to know the world, thou didst know God, and wast known of God, O all-blessed one, making manifest unto all the radiance of the grace of God which would descend upon thee, and showing forth the purity of thy soul and body through the splendors of thy countenance, for which thou becamest a chosen vessel of Christ our God. Him do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice

Now & ever…: Theotokion.

Troparion of the martyrs, in Tone IV —

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

When the zeal of God came upon thee, O divinely wise and most blessed father Sergius, thou didst overcome all things in the world, and, loving Christ alone with all thy soul, and following His life-bearing footsteps, thou didst attain unto the wilderness; and having planted it with the seed of thy labors and watered it with showers of thy tears, thou didst multiply the fruits of the virtues; and, having fed thy children therewith, thou didst lead them unto Christ God. Him do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah

When thou, O divinely wise one, didst hear the divine voice saying to thee: “Lo! the all-pure one cometh!”, then, in great ascetic struggle, thou didst earnestly pray that thou be vouchsafed her awesome visitation; and straightway a light outshining the sun in brightness illumined thee, O venerable one, and thou wast vouchsafed to behold the Mistress Mother of God with both spiritual and bodily eyes, and with thine ears thou didst hear her sweet voice saying: “I shall ever be in this place, and thy monastery shall lack for nothing!” Her do thou beseech, that she save and enlighten our souls. Twice

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

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

When the time arrived for thy departure unto God, then thou didst hasten, like an all-radiant star, to the mansions of heaven, and there thou standest with the choirs of the saints before the throne of the consubstantial Trinity; and thy blessed and precious body, which for many years was covered by the earth, hath now been surrendered by the ground and emitteth the splendor of miracles upon those who honor thine uncovering, O divinely wise Sergius. Grant victories over all heresies to our Christ-loving hierarchs, and ask of Christ our God forgiveness of sins for all the faithful. Him do thou entreat, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice

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

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Glory…, in Tone VIII —

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…” —

Come, all ye faithful, ye assemblies of the Church of Russia, and let us delight in the present splendid festival! Come, ye fullness of the priesthood, ye company of monks, and see how the Church of God is adorned, filled with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; and the honored and glorious monastery of the divinely blessed father Sergius is filled with gladness and joy at the uncovering of his precious relics. And giving voice to praise, it calleth the whole world joyfully to cry out to the Lord: O Christ our Master, Thou hast given to Thy holy Orthodox Church a mighty warrior, an invincible weapon against our enemies, visible and invisible, and an infinite treasury of inexhaustible gifts for the Christian people. Through his supplications grant great mercy to our souls.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion, Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —

In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and came forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, two in nature but not hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O Mother unwedded, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. 3 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 VI: Come, ye who love the feasts of the Church, ye company of fasters; and, assembling with faith today, let us honor Sergius the true faster, who gladly following in his Master’s footsteps, trod the narrow path and the life of dispassion; and let us cry out with faith: O most blessed one, companion of the venerable and boast of fasters, entreat the Lord in our behalf, that our souls find mercy.

O venerable and God-bearing Sergius, thou didst forsake all for the sake of Christ’s love, and, having entered the wilderness, wast in nowise affrighted by the machinations of the invisible foe; for even though they descended upon thee many times, gnashing their teeth and displaying their rage, by thy supplications thou didst cause them to vanish like smoke without a trace. O thine immaculate soul and mighty endurance! Unceasingly beseech Christ, that our souls be saved.

O most sacred and great Church of Russia, having drunk of the streams of the wellspring of the Gospel with the Orthodox princes, monks and layfolk, let us be glad in the Spirit on this appointed feast of the good shepherd and teacher; and, surrounding his healing relics, let us lovingly venerate them and crown them with hymns and praises as with flowers, saying: Rejoice, O blessed Sergius, thou heavenly man and earthly angel, dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, for thou hast guided man to the path of salvation! Rejoice, thou boast and confirmation of our Orthodox hierarchs, O venerable and God-pleasing Sergius, all-radiant lamp unto thy native land, and intercessor for our souls!

In Tone VIII: Today heaven is glad on high, and the earth rejoiceth with men. Let the newly-elect assemblies of Russia join chorus, and let the companies of monastics hold splendid festival! And the Holy Church of God, wondrous in righteousness, illumined as with all-radiant beams, filled with the manifold miracles which flow forth from the precious and healing relics of the venerable father Sergius, calleth the whole world to praise his struggles. Wherefore, assembling all together, we who with gladness celebrate his uncovering in hymns and songs do hymn Christ our God, that through his supplications He grant us peace and great mercy.

Today the festival of the translation of the relics of our divinely blessed father Sergius hath dawned! Come, all ye faithful, let us crown the Church of God with hymns, and therein let us glorify Christ our God, Who is hymned in Trinity, crying out and saying: O Christ our Master, Thou hast given Thy favorite unto the city of Moscow as a steadfast rampart; to all the parts of Russia Thou hast shown him to be a mighty intercessor, and to the Christian people Thou hast revealed him as a bestower of miracles, a healer of incurable infirmities, an expeller of demons, and an intercessor for our souls.

Glory…, in Tone VI —

Come, ye multitude of monastics, and with songs and hymns let us praise Sergius today, the emulator of piety; and, surrounding his precious and healing shrine, let us lovingly venerate it, saying: Rejoice, O all-glorious Sergius, all-radiant beacon for thy native land! Rejoice, for in purity thou hast united thyself to the most pure Light! Rejoice, for thou standest with the angels before the Trinity, to Whom do thou unceasingly pray, that great mercy be granted to our souls.

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine which hath budded forth for us the Fruit of life. We beseech thee, O Mistress: Pray thou with the holy royal passion-bearers and all the new martyrs, that the Lord have mercy upon our souls.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast granted a sign…” —

O Lord, Thou hast granted to Thy Church an adornment: the precious and much-healing relics of Thy favorite, the venerable Sergius, and possessing them like a royal ornament, she is adorned, and bearing them like an all-splendid crown she rejoiceth, summoning her children, whom she begat in the Gospel by water and the Spirit. Wherefore, we glorify Thy loving dispensation, O Jesus Who lovest mankind, Thou Savior of our souls.

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

O Lord, Thou hast given invincible might to the reigning city of Moscow, and confirmation to all the lands of Russia, and to Thine honored monastery steadfast fortification and an unshakable bulwark: the healing and holy relics of the all-blessed Sergius who loveth Thee. Wherefore, we glorify Thy loving compassions, O omnipotent Jesus, Thou Savior of our souls.

Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.

O Lord, Thou hast given to Thy faithful servants, our Orthodox hierarchs, steadfast defense and weaponry of salvation, and to all pious Orthodox people great victory over the adversary, a precious adornment to priests, and free healing to all the sick: the holy relics of the venerable and thrice-blessed Sergius, which we now venerate with joy, receiving divers healings; and we glorify Thine ineffable loving-kindness, O kind-hearted Jesus, Thou Savior of our souls.

Glory…, in Tone VIII —

We honor thee as the instructor of a multitude of monks, O Sergius our father; for by thy steps have we learned how to walk aright. Blessed art thou who, having labored for Christ, hast denounced the power of the enemy, O converser with the angels and companion of the righteous and the venerable. With them do thou entreat the Lord, that our souls find mercy.

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.

From thy youth thou didst receive Christ within thy soul, O venerable one, and didst desire more than all to withdraw from the tumult of the world. Thou didst manfully dwell in the wilderness, and therein didst produce the fruit of humility, the children of obedience. Wherefore, as thou becamest the abode of the Trinity, thou hast illumined with thy miracles all who have recourse to thee with faith, granting healing in abundance unto all. O Sergius our father, entreat Christ God, that He save our souls. Twice

And “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…”, once.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 in Tone IV—

O divinely wise Elizabeth, having acquired boldness before God, pray for us, thy sinful servants, for Him to open our unworthy mouths, that we may chant a hymn of praise unto thee.

Having loved the Creator of the heavens from thy youth, thou didst take care to exercise thyself in prayer and contemplation of God even before thou camest to know the true, Orthodox Faith; and, though reared by thy family in heterodox doctrine, thou didst richly bedew thy soul with the word of God, and didst remain utterly faithful to Christ God.

Having opened thy bodily eyes in the land of Germany, thou was raised in the erroneous religion of thy family; but the sensibility of thy soul led thee with thy husband to Orthodox Russia, where thy spiritual eyes were opened, and thou didst find the true Faith.

And 3 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

In Russia, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, thou didst discover the priceless pearl, the pure Orthodox Faith, which thou didst accept with all thy heart and spirit; and standing now before God in the heavens, pray to Him for us, who are sinful and useless.

From thy youth faith in God Almighty God prepared thee for the struggle of love and lovingkindness; wherefore, thou didst forgive the slayer of thy husband, and gavest thyself over to the monastic life.

We do homage to thy struggle and thy compassionate lovingkindness, O divinely wise Elizabeth, praising thy courage in the face of the torments and thine ardent love for thy neighbors even in the midst of suffering.

And 2 stichera, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “O the great power of Thy Cross…”—

Come, ye who love the feasts of the Church, let us offer laudation to the venerable martyr Elizabeth in Darmstadt, her native city; and let us hymn her in the church of Saint Mary Magdalene, the peer of the apostles. Here the little flock of Orthodox Christians offereth thee a hymn of victory.

Now repenteth the city of Moscow, wherein thy holy convent existed, for it did not oppose its destruction. But Martha and Mary rejoice in the heavens, having found thee and thy faithful nun Barbara to be fervent fellow advocates with them.

Glory…: Idiomelon, in Tone II—

Thou didst offer thy blood to Christ, thy Bridegroom, like costly myrrh, O holy passion-bearer Elizabeth, and hast received an imperishable crown from Him as thy reward. O right wondrous one, pray thou our souls be saved.

The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so the Virgin gave birth and yet remained a Virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the Salvation of our souls.

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.

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 instead of an helmet. He shall take holiness 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 fly to the mark. And hailstones full of wrath shall 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 of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, Who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the venerable martyr, in Tone VIII—

O divinely wise Elizabeth, having received in thy heart the words of truth—Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you—thou didst visit the slayer of thy husband in prison, and with a most perfect forgiveness didst forgive him the sin of princely murder.

Having forsaken thine own land in thy youth, thou didst come to love the land of Russia, where thou didst find the pearl of the One, Apostolic, Orthodox Church; and when thou was deprived of an earthly bridegroom, thou didst not turn away from the Russian people, but didst embrace the Cross of Christ and walk the narrow path to salvation.

The brilliant splendor of the royal court did not delude thee with its pernicious beauty; wherefore, forsaking all such things and holding them to be as dung, thou didst follow Abraham the forefather; and leaving the house of thy father and thy native German land, thou didst go to the land of Russia, and didst find Christ, the never-waning Light.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Thy venerable martyr Elizabeth, O Lord, gave no more thought to her earthly life, paying no heed to bodily torments for the save of the life which is to come, and hath been shown to be an heir thereto; wherefore, she rejoiceth with the angels. At her supplications grant us great mercy.

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!

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —

O venerable martyr Elizabeth, having taken thy cross upon thy shoulder, and being obedient even unto death for Him Who loved thee, thou didst say: No one shall separate me from His love! Twice

The venerable martyr Barbara, faithful to her abbess during this transitory life, remained loyal even unto her end, following the saying of Christ, the Judge of the contest: He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. Twice

O martyred kinsmen, ye scions of a goodly root, Subdeacon John, Constantine and Igor, who suffered well and received crowns: Pray ye unto the Lord, that we also may offer Him spiritual fruit.

Today we celebrate the feast of the venerable Sergius in honor of the translation of his relics, and the martyred Grand Duke Sergius is translated to the eternal mansions, together with the faithful Theodore. And they all make supplication in our behalf.

Glory…, in Tone VI —

Revealed as sheep of the true Shepherd, O passion-bearers and venerable martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara, O Princes John, Constantine, Igor and Sergius, O martyrs Theodore and Vladimir, ye remained steadfast amidst savage wolves; and having finished well the course, O divine ones, ye have made your abode in the heavenly fold.

The Virgin, Thy pure Mother, beholding the most iniquitous people unjustly nailing Thee to the Tree, O Savior, was wounded in her womb, as Symeon foretold.

Stichera aposticha from the Octoechos; and Glory…, in Tone VIII —

O all-praised martyrs of Christ, who reckoned as nought the assaults of the persecutors and violent death, and right boldly armed yourselves for battle with manly mind, ye clothed yourselves with the glory of victory, and have been numbered among all the righteous. And praising you ever with them, we call you blessed.

Beholding thee, O Jesus, nailed to the Cross and accepting suffering of Thine own will, O Master, the Virgin Thy Mother cried aloud: Woe is me, O my sweet Child! How is it that Thou dost endure wounds unjustly inflicted, O Thou Who healest human infirmities and dost deliver all from corruption in Thy loving-kindness?

Causing meekness, humility and love to dwell in thy soul, thou didst earnestly serve the suffering, O holy passion-bearer Princess Elizabeth; wherefore, with faith thou didst endure sufferings and death for Christ, with the martyr Barbara. With her pray for all who honor your with love.