After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone IV, the composition of Pachomius the Monk: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…"—
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—
Troparion of the forerunner, in Tone IV —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Come, O ye faithful, and assembling spiritually today, let us praise our helpers as lovers of chastity who trampled down the all-prideful serpent, the pious Peter and Febronia, the wonderworkers of Murom, who entreat Christ for the salvation of our souls. Twice
Now & ever…: Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion.
Glory…: Troparion of the martyred nun, in the same tone —
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
The most splendid day of your commemoration hath arrived, O all-glorious Peter and all-wise Febronia, overshadowing the newly chosen people. Wherefore, beseech Christ for the salvation of all who unceasingly honor you with love, O blessed wonderworkers of Murom.
At first ye labored for Christ from your youth, O all-lauded ones, spurning the things of this world as though they were dung; wherefore, through almsgiving and prayers ye were well pleasing to Him. For this cause, even after death ye impart healing unto all who honor you with faith.
And 4 in Tone II, the composition of Michael the Monk: Spec. Mel.: "With what wreaths of praise…"
With what wreaths of praise shall we crown the blessed Peter and the all-wise Febronia, who though in separate bodies were united by grace? For the one vanquished the all-crafty serpent, and the other preserved her chastity. For this cause, having assembled, we chant hymns of joy, saying thus: Rejoice, O all-lauded ones, ye boast of the Orthodox, help of the land of Russia and preservers of your homeland, for, possessed of great mercy, Christ God hath crowned you with wreaths of immortal glory.
With what beauties of hymnody shall we praise the blessed Peter and the all-lauded Febronia? As on wings of divine understanding they soared aloft from the earth to heaven and drew nigh to the throne of the Holy Trinity, in gladness joining chorus with the angels, praying to Christ for the goodly order of the world and the preservation of the Russian land from hostile invasion and civil strife, O ye whom they praise with love and unceasingly honor, O wonderworkers of Murom.
With what spiritual hymns shall we praise the blessed ones who were joined together by love? With hymns of joy let us chant, saying thus: Rejoice, O blessed, thrice-blessed ones, who dwelt in godly love, who maintained humility and asceticism, giving alms, of which Christ Himself said: Blessed art the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. For this cause let us cry out to them thus: O all-glorious Peter and all-wise Febronia, entreat Christ in behalf of the city of your kin, that He send down upon us peace and great mercy.
With what humble mouths shall we hymn the blessed Peter and the all-honored Febronia, who in the Russian land were shown to be new wonderworkers and inextinguishable beacons? For they are the all-radiant stars of the noetic Sun, illumining the whole world with the radiance of miracles; the consolation of the grieving; the deliverance of captives from bitter slavery; the might and bulwark of our city. Wherefore, come, all ye faithful, and with psalms let us celebrate the feast of the blessed ones: that through their supplications Christ, Who hath great mercy, may cast down all the wiles of the enemy.
Glory…: Idiomelon, in Tone VI—
Blessed and thrice blessed is your homeland. Blessed is the city wherein ye dwelt. And blessed and holy is the church wherein your precious bodies were laid, O all-glorious Peter and all-wise Febronia. Pray ye to Christ, Whom ye loved from your youth, that He preserve your homeland and grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
The 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. 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.
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 armour, 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 who be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye who rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.
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.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the Forerunner, stichera idiomela, in Tone IV —
The Composition of John the Monk: When John was born, he loosed the muteness of Zechariah, for it was not fitting for the father to be silent when the voice of the Word arrived. But since, when the priest had not believed in the beginning, his tongue was bound, so, when John appeared, he set his father free. To him was announced and born the voice of the Word, the Forerunner of the Light, who prayeth for our souls. Twice
Today the voice of the Word looseth the voice of his father, which was restrained because of his unbelief; and he showeth forth fruitfulness to the Church, loosing the bonds of his mother’s barrenness. The lamp of the Light cometh forth; the splendor of the Sun of righteousness announceth His coming, for the edification of all and the salvation of our souls.
The composition of Anatolius: When the Word of God willed to be born of the Virgin, His angel, the highest of the prophets and greatest born of women, issued forth from elderly loins; for it was meet that he be the all-glorious beginning of things divine: an offspring produced past the age of fertility, a conception accomplished without seed. O Thou Who workest miracles for our salvation, glory be to Thee!
And 3 stichera of the martyred nun, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…” —
Thou didst endure a twofold suffering in thy contest, O most praised Febronia, mingling the blood of martyrdom with the sweat of thine ascetic endeavor; wherefore, the Benefactor hath bestowed upon thee a twofold crown. And thou hast entered in unto Him, splendidly adorned, as a most immaculate virgin and an invincible martyr.
The divine beauties of thy soul joined with the comeliness of thy body, and thou didst shine forth like a white lily in the habitations of the venerable, yet empurpled by the streams of thy blood, O most immaculate bride. Wherefore, the comely Bridegroom of heaven and the indestructible bridal-chamber have received thee as a virgin and martyr.
O most lauded Febronia, the angel of deliverance came round thee; for from childhood thou wast shown to fear the Lord, and didst bring thyself to the Almighty as a pure and cherished offering. Wherefore, thou didst trample the foolishness of Selenus underfoot and didst earnestly hasten to Christ, thy Bridegroom.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VIII —
Behold Elizabeth, who said to the Virgin Mary: “Why hast thou come to me, O Mother of my Lord? Thou bearest the King, and I, the warrior. Thou, the Law-giver; I, the transmitter of the law. Thou, the Word; and I, the voice proclaiming the kingdom of heaven.”
At the aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos; and, Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VI —
Elizabeth conceived the forerunner of grace, and the Virgin conceived the Lord of glory. Both mothers greeted each other with a kiss, and the babe leapt up within his mother, for the servant praised his Master. And the mother of the forerunner, marvelling, cried out: “Why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” That He might save the despairing people, in that He hath great mercy.
O prophet and forerunner of the coming of Christ, we who honor thee with love are at a loss how to praise thee worthily; for by thy glorious and honored nativity thou didst loose the barrenness of her who gave birth to thee and the muteness of thy father, and dost proclaim unto the world the incarnation of the Son of God.
Thy ewe-lamb Febronia cried out to Thee with a loud voice, O Jesus: “I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I pass through many struggles; I am crucified and buried with Thee in Thy baptism, and suffer for Thy sake, that I might reign with Thee; I die for Thee, that I might live with Thee. As an unblemished sacrifice accept me, who sacrifice myself with love for Thee.” By her supplications, save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.