Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the holy hierarch, with 6 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “Athanasius was the boast of the Orthodox”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII—
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, In Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Of the divine Faith…”—
Having received the confession of the divine Faith from the most illustrious Photius and been instructed in knowledge and action, thou dost raise us up to piety by thy bold supplications. O right-believing King Boris, entreat Christ God, that we be granted great mercy.
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion from the Pentecostarion, twice; Glory…, that of the saint; Now & ever…, that from the Pentecostarion, once.
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “Forsaking his kingship, Boris received the kingdom”, in Tone VIII—
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VI—
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…, the troparion from the Pentecostarion.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
Having received the name of an angel, thou didst live angelically in thy kingship and in the wilderness; wherefore, God raised thee up to be His excellent favorite, a peer of the apostles and fellow laborer with the venerable and the righteous; and for thy sake He moveth us to cry unto Him: Glory be to thee, O our God!
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We magnify thee, O holy King Boris, equal of the apostles, and we honor the holy memory of thee who trampled the idols underfoot and hast enlightened the whole land of Bulgaria with holy baptism.
Selected Psalm verses—
A The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands. [Ps. 18: 2]
B The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord. [Ps. 88: 6]
A In the stead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee. [Ps. 44: 17]
B The God of gods, the Lord, hath spoken, and He hath called the earth. [Ps. 49: 1]
A From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised. [Ps. 112: 3]
B Thy lightnings have shone forth throughout the world. [Ps. 96: 4]
A The heavens declared His righteousness. [Ps. 96: 6]
B And all the peoples saw His glory. [Ps. 96: 6]
A The princes of Judah are their rulers. [Ps. 67: 28]
B God is King over the nations. [Ps. 46: 9]
A God is glorified in the council of the saints. [Ps. 88: 8]
B Great and terrible is He toward all who are round about Him. [Ps. 88: 8]
A Say among the nations that the Lord is King. [Ps. 95: 10]
B Declare among the heathen His glory, and among all peoples His wonders. [Ps. 95: 3]
A Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth. [Ps. 18: 5]
B Their words unto the ends of the world. [Ps. 18: 5]
A He hath subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. [Ps. 46: 4]
B Great is our God, and great is His strength, and of His understanding there is no measure. [Ps. 146: 5]
A He will give power and strength unto His people. Blessed be God. [Ps. 67: 36]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Having earnestly sought divine wisdom, thou didst find it within the gates of the Orthodox Church of Christ; wherefore, thou didst turn away from Rome, and didst receive the persecuted teachers of the pious tongue of Slavonic learning, and thou didst water the thirsty earth of thy people with the waters of everlasting life. O right-believing King Boris, entreat Christ God, that He establish us upon this unshakable foundation and grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love honor thy precious memory.
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
I have raised up one chosen out of My people; I have found David my servant.
Stichos: Wherefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness more than thy fellows.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to John, § 35 [Jn. 10: 1-9]
The Lord said to the Jews that came to Him: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
After Psalm 50, we chant this sticheron, in Tone VI—
By thee was fulfilled the prophecy of thy kinsman, the martyred Prince Boyan of Enravota, that the Christian Faith would increase in the land of Bulgaria, that the sign of the Cross would be planted, and temples raised up to the true God, wherein honorable priests would offer up the sacrifice of praise and confession unto the life-creating Trinity. Wherefore, bearing witness to these things and giving thanks unto God, we now bless thee, O right-believing King Boris, as the chosen vessel of the judgments of God.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.