Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saints, with 8 troparia.
Reading from the Gospel according to
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Of the divine Faith…”—
Thou wast the image of a new David, receiving the horn of royal anointing over thy head; for with the oil of the Spirit hath the transcendent Word and Lord anointed thee, O glorious one. Wherefore, thou hast also received a royal scepter, O all-wise one, asking great mercy for us. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion, or this theotokion—
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion from the Pentecostarion, twice; Glory…, that of the saints; Now & ever…, that from the Pentecostarion, once.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, In Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “The angelic hosts…”—
Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, O only all-pure Virgin Mother, who hast surpassed the angels in purity. With the divine waters of thy supplications cleanse me, who am become dust, defiled by carnal transgressions, O pure one, granting me great mercy.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion, or this theotokion—
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…”—
The Creator of the sun and creation, Who was wounded on the Cross, with the stars of heaven drew thee to Him like a radiant star, and invested thee as the first with royal dominion. Wherefore, we praise thee, O Constantine, thou most pious emperor, with thy divinely wise mother Helena. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Gideon prefigured thy conceiving, and David told of thy birthgiving, O Theotokos; for like the rain upon the fleece did the Word descend upon the womb, and without seed, O thou who art full of grace, didst thou put forth Christ our God, the salvation of the world, like holy ground.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We magnify you, right faithful sovereigns Constantine and Helena, equals of the apostles, and we honor the holy memory of you who enlightened the whole world 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
Thy harmonious memorial, made manifest unto us, illumineth the ends of the earth with the light of divine knowledge, O divinely inspired Constantine; for thou hast been shown to be one pious among kings, having kept the laws of the King of heaven. Wherefore, by thy supplications deliver us from temptations. Twice
By thy divine birthgiving, O pure one, thou hast renewed the mortal essence of those born on earth, which hath become corrupt in the passions, and hast raised all up from death to the life of incorruption. Wherefore, we all bless thee as is meet, as thou didst foretell, O all-glorious one.
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.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
St. John §36 [10:9-16]
The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
After Psalm 50—
Glory…: Through the supplications of the divinely crowned sovereigns, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of mine iniquities.
Now & ever…: Through the supplications of the Theotokos,…
Then: Have mercy on me, O God…
And this sticheron, in Tone II—
The memory of the pious Constantine hath shone forth today, poured out like myrrh; for, desiring Christ, he spurned the idols, raising up a temple on the earth to Him Who was crucified for our sake; and in the heavens he hath received the crown of hope.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.