Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Theotokion: O Virgin, be thou the hope, the intercession and protection of thy people, that, delivered from misfortunes by thee, we may magnify thee with splendor as the true Mother of the true Light.
With hymns let us radiantly hymn and praise the honored memory of the holy hierarch of Christ, for, having loved the great Christ, the Shepherd of the sheep, he did not fear the brigands, but laid down his life for his sheep.
Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest, and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!
Theotokion: The waters of sin have entered in unto my soul, O Mistress, and I am sunk in the mire of the passions. To thee do I flee, O most immaculate one: still thou the turmoil of impure thoughts and grant me peace of mind.
When the robbers and criminals forced their way into Astrakhan, they committed great acts of malevolence and horror; but thou, O good archpastor, didst give shelter to men of peace in thy residence.
Thou hast passed over to the everlasting life which ageth not, O divinely wise and holy hierarch Joseph. By thy supplications vouchsafe it also unto us who entreat thee.
At a loss how to traverse the waters of life’s tumult, O venerable Methodius, thou didst abandon all the beauties of this world and, fighting the invisible foe in the angelic habit, thou didst serve the one God, joyously singing: to Him alone let us chant, for He hath been glorified!
Thou wast shown to be a chosen vessel from thine infancy, O blessed Cyril, in nowise desiring to receive milk from a stranger’s breasts, thereby showing that thy mind would not be deceived by a strange doctrine, but would be illumined by the teaching of the holy Orthodox Church, and that thou thyself wouldst become the teacher and enlightener of many.
Bedewed by the waters of your teachings, even to this day the Slavic lands bring forth fruit right pleasing unto Christ the Master; wherefore, the Holy Church doth bless you, crying aloud: Deliver us from tribulations, for ye have been glorified!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.