After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from Proverbs
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…” —
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
Troparion, in Tone IV —
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from Proverbs
When the divine calling came upon thee, O divinely wise Jonah, thou didst forsake the world and that which is in the world, and didst follow after Christ with unwavering resolve. Wherefore, the all-seeing Eye, beholding thy goodly intentions, invested thee with the episcopacy. Entreat Him and pray unto Him, that He save and enlighten our souls. Twice
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
When divine effulgence made its abode within thy heart, O holy hierarch Jonah, thou didst acquire all-radiant joy and all-honorable glory. Wherefore, thou didst hold all things to be fleeting, and with all thy heart thou didst cleave unto God alone. Entreat Him and pray unto Him, O thou who art great among hierarchs, that He save and enlighten our souls.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
A Reading from Proverbs
When love divine came upon thee, O holy hierarch, inclining thyself wholly unto Christ the Master from thy youth, thou didst desire Him, cleansing thyself of all the passions which drag us down. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be the abode and habitation of the all-holy Spirit, working all-glorious miracles. Entreat Christ, that He save and enlighten our souls.
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from Proverbs
And 4 stichera, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…” —
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Having dwelt on earth like an angel, O most blessed and holy hierarch Jonah, thou didst gain mastery over the passions, and didst make what is baser subject to that which is higher; wherefore, having passed over to the kingdom which passeth not away, ever pray that Christ send down cleansing of sins and great mercy upon those who honor thee with faith. Twice
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
By thy teachings thou didst nurture well with the grass of life the flock given thee by God, O holy hierarch Jonah; and having now passed over into never-waning radiance and everlasting gladness, be thou mindful, O all-blessed one, of those who honor thine honorable repose, and pray that our souls be saved.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Celebrating today the sacred memory of the blessed Jonah, the great hierarch, come, let us all honor with divine hymns, him who ever prayeth for us, that salvation and a multitude of compassions be sent down upon our souls.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Glory…: Idiomelon, in Tone VI —
The divine shrine of thy relics is redolent with sweet fragrance, O holy hierarch Jonah, imparting healing to the souls and bodies of all. Wherefore, we beseech thee to preserve in peace thy God-given flock, our civil authorities and all of Orthodoxy, that we may all unceasingly magnify thee as our true pastor and advocate before God.
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; those who 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.
When the righteous is praised, the people will rejoice; for his memory is immortality, because it is known with God, and with men; for his soul pleased the Lord. Love wisdom, therefore, O men, and live; desire her, and ye shall be instructed. For the beginning of her is love and the observation of the law. Honor wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore. I will tell you, and will not hide from you the mysteries of God, for he it is who is the instructor of wisdom, the director of the wise, the master of all understanding and activity. And wisdom teacheth all understanding; for in her is a spirit understanding and holy, the brightness of the everlasting light, and the image of the goodness of God. She maketh friends of God, and prophets; she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the constellations of the stars; compared with the light, she is found preëminent. She hath delivered from pain those who please her, and guided them in right paths, given them knowledge of holy things, defended them from their enemies, and given them a mighty struggle, that they might all know that godliness is stronger than all; vice shall never prevail against wisdom, neither shall judgment pass away without convicting the evil. For they said to themselves, reasoning unrighteously: Let us oppress the righteous man, let us not spare his holiness, neither need we be ashamed of the ancient gray hairs of the aged, for our strength shall be a law unto us; let us lie in wait for the righteous, for he is displeasing to us, opposeth our doings, upbraideth us with our offending the law, and denounceth to our infamy the transgressions of our training. He professeth to have the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the child of the Lord. He is become a reproof to our thoughts, and is grievous even for us to behold; for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion. We are accounted by him as a mockery, and he avoideth our ways as filth, and pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed. Let us see if his words be true; let us test what things happen to him. Let us examine him with mockery and torture, that we may know his meekness and prove his forbearance. Let us condemn him with a shameful death, for by his own words shall he be visited. Such things did they imagine, and were deceived; for their own wickedness blinded them. As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not; neither bethought they that Thou alone art God, who hast the power of life and death, savest in time of tribulation, and deliverest from all evil; who art compassionate and merciful, givest grace to Thy saints and opposest the prideful with Thine own arm.
At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —
O divinely wise and holy hierarch Jonah, by thy prayers and fasting, and by keeping vigil and giving alms, thou didst unite thyself unto God; wherefore, thou wast shown to be the abode and dwelling of the all-holy Spirit. As thou wast a hierarch of the Church of Christ, pray thou that our souls be saved.
Stichos: My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Thou didst submit to the commandment of God Almighty, following in His steps from thy youth, O holy hierarch; wherefore thou didst receive from Him the grace to work all-glorious miracles and to expel evil spirits from all who honor thee with love.
Stichos: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the earth.
Thou didst remain meek and innocent throughout thy whole life, O holy hierarch Jonah; wherefore, as thou didst desire, thou didst find rest with the saints in the heavens. For this cause we honor thy divine memory, celebrating it with faith, O divinely blessed and most honored one.
Glory…: Idiomelon, in Tone IV —
When with God’s aid, O holy hierarch, thou didst reach the Imperial City, thou wast received with honor by the patriarch, and from thence wast sent back to the lands of Russia, bearing with thee peace and blessing. Wherefore, the Russian land lovingly received thee as its father, and in accordance with the sovereign’s will, thou wast most gloriously elevated to the hierarchal cathedra, whereon thou didst remain for many years, until thy departure to the Lord. Him do thou entreat, that He save those who hymn thee.
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!
Having dedicated thyself wholly to the Lord from thy youth, thou becamest a model of virtue in prayers, labors and fasting; wherefore, beholding thy goodly intent, God appointed thee the hierarch and pastor of His Church: and for this cause, thy precious body hath been preserved whole and incorrupt after thy repose. O holy hierarch Jonah, entreat Christ God, that He save our souls.
The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, we chant 8 stichera: 4 in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —
O holy hierarch, father Augustine, thy life was in accordance with thy name. Thou didst preach the greatness of God, wast adorned with the greatness of deeds, wast crowned with the greatness of struggles, and wast illumined with the greatness of thy love for Christ. Wherefore, pray thou that great mercy be given to us who honor thee. Twice
O holy hierarch, father Augustine, even though the land of Hippo hath fallen silent, yet do we glorify thee as the uprooter of heresies, the confirmation of the Orthodox Faith, the great boast of monastics, the adornment of hierarchs, the lover of poverty, the elucidator of the Scriptures, and as our fervent intercessor. Pray thou that we be granted great mercy.
Bedewed by the divine words of Ambrose, thou didst put forth the grain of the virtues an hundredfold, and wast an ornament for the Church, a blazing beacon, a flame burning up heresies and warming the hearts of the faithful, O bishop of the city of Hippo, blessed father and holy hierarch. And now ask of Christ great mercy for us who honor thee.
And 4 stichera in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “With what wreaths of praise…” —
With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the holy bishop, the earthly angel and heavenly man, the hierarch of the Church of Christ most great, the prelate of Hippo and adornment of the whole world, who was full of the love of Christ and exalted wisdom, the elucidator of dogmas, the confirmation of the Faith, the true guide of monastics, whom Christ our God, Who hath great mercy, hath crowned? Twice
With what precious crowns shall we bless our instructor, whose sound hath gone forth into all the world, whose divinely eloquent mouth was filled with the Spirit, which the grave, the bringer of oblivion, hath not stopped, but which even now uttereth mellifluous teachings and indicateth the path of life? Him hath Christ our God crowned, Who hath great and rich mercy.
With what ornamental wreaths shall we crown the hierarch, the honored boast of the great Ambrose, the excellent luminary of the whole world, the all-wondrous pastor of the Church, the fervent comforter of the sorrowful, the unshakable confirmation of the timid, the steadfast opponent of Pelagius, the utter uprooting of heresies, the vigilant lover of the purity of the Church, whom Christ our God, Who hath great mercy, hath crowned?
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Come, ye multitudes of monastics, let us bless our guide and honor his holy memory, for he ever prayeth for us who keep his most honored memory and cry out to him with love: Pray for us to the most compassionate God, Whom thou didst ever serve, Whose field thou didst cultivate, Whose sheep thou didst tend, Whose talant thou didst increase; and ever beseech Him in our behalf, O holy hierarch Augustine, that our souls find mercy.
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 who love me; those who seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye who 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 who understand, and right to those who 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.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera of the prophet, in Tone II: Spec. Mel. : “When from the Tree…” —
The spiritual splendor of thy mind, O all-wondrous prophet, hath revealed a purity which manifestly shineth like a mirror, and hath illumined the world, being resplendent with the brilliance of divine knowledge, prefiguring images of the divine mysteries, and causing grace to be bestowed upon all men.
As the mouth of God, following righteous teachings and divine judgments, thou didst openly denounce the doers of iniquity, condemning them with an inescapable sentence, O thou who art most rich. Wherefore, seeing the fulfillment of thine all-wise words, O blessed one, we praise thee with hymns, as is meet.
Standing before the throne of the Master, full of ineffable and divine glory, and beholding the good things of heaven, filled with light, O divinely eloquent Amos, be thou mindful of all who honor thee with faith, asking that salvation of soul and remission of offenses be granted them all, O thou who art acceptable to God.
Or, if Alleluia is to be chanted at Matins instead of “God is the Lord…”, the following stichera to the Theotokos are chanted first, in the same tone and melody, followed by the stichera to the prophet —
Rejoice, O star of solar radiance! Rejoice, O all-immaculate one, who art the cause of all good things! Rejoice thou who didst contain the uncontainable God, causing Him to spring forth as a shoot of immortality! Rejoice, divine chariot and most splendid portal! Rejoice, O Maiden who, as the mediatress of good things, art the abolisher of the curse of our first mother!
O all-pure one, the joy of all who sorrow, intercessor for the oppressed, feeder of the poor, comfort of travellers, staff of the blind, visitation of the ailing, protection and helper of those who labor and assister of the orphaned art thou, O Mother of God Most High. Haste thou, we pray, to save thy servants!
Thou art the protection and help and a mighty refuge for us Christians, O Mother of God Most High. And now, as ever, cease not to pray with thy ready supplication, to save thy servants from all evil circumstances: for with God all of us Christians have thee as a help and refuge.
No other mighty refuge, or tower of strength, or unassailable rampart have we acquired than thee, O all-pure one. To thee do we flee, and to thee do we cry out: O Mistress, help us, lest we perish! Show forth upon us thy grace, and the strength of thy glory, and the magnitude of thy loving-kindness.
Or this Stavrotheotokion —
When the unblemished ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb led to the slaughter of His own will as a man, weeping, she said: “Now Thou hastenest to leave me childless who gave birth to Thee, O Christ! Why hast Thou done this, O Deliverer of all? Yet I hymn and glorify Thine utter goodness, which passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind!”
On “Lord, I have cried…”, we chant 6 stichera: 3 in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —
Having been vouchsafed heavenly blessedness, the venerable Jerome, possessed of heavenly intelligence, prayeth with boldness to the one King of all in behalf of us who piously celebrate his memory.
Adorned on the day of thine honorable memorial, O father Jerome, we, the choirs of monastics, offer thee hymnody, asking thine intercession, whereof do thou not deprive us who honor thee with love.
Knowing thee to be a treasury of divinely wise doctrine and a treasury of exalted insight, we cry aloud unto thee: Rejoice, O inhabitant of the city of God, who sharest the lot of the all-wise preachers and the venerable who shone forth in ascetic feats.
And 3 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…” —
Thou didst offer to thy Creator, O venerable one, uprightness of mind, purity, abstinence, concentrated prayer, the outpouring of tears, for whose sake thou hast been vouchsafed to behold the glory of God, upon which His most excellent servants gaze, and to sing the thrice-holy hymn, which is chanted in heaven by the angels, O divinely wise Jerome.
Taking the cross upon thy shoulder, and valiantly enduring tribulations, thou wast well-pleasing unto God; and thou didst lead to Him a multitude of virgins, in that thou art the adornment of the venerable, the receptacle of the divine Spirit. Wherefore we, the faithful, celebrate thy yearly memorial, asking thine aid.
Glorious Bethlehem, the city wherein the Lord was born in the flesh, received thy labors and the sweat of thine ascetic feats; and therein did thy repose take place, O divinely wise one. And, wholly illumined, O Jerome, thou hast taken thy stand in gladness before the Judge of the contest, the Savior of the world, entreating Him in our behalf.
Glory…, in Tone II —
Truly desiring the wisdom of God, thou didst diligently heed the words of the great Gregory, the rhetor and theologian; and thus learning that which was divine, thou didst struggle well, O venerable father, and to all thou wast shown to be honorable and pleasing unto Christ, as His sincere servant. Cease thou never to beseech Him in behalf of those who with faith and love cherish thine honored memory.
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:
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. Those who 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.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.