AT VESPERS

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera of the hieromartyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Thy martyrs, O Lord…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

The most glorious Therapon, illumined by divine acts, was vouchsafed to behold the beauty of Christ with the eyes of his heart, having pleased Him by his suffering. Wherefore, by grace he ever healeth sufferings of soul and body for those who have recourse unto him with faith.

As a wellspring of living water the all-rich Therapon poureth forth streams of healings and utterly washeth away the defilement of grievous ailments from all who have recourse to him with faith. By his entreaties, O Lord, grant unto all great mercy.

The wondrous Therapon, soaked in the dye of his blood, fashioned a truly most splendid garment of sanctity; and arraying himself magnificently therein, he hath entered the Holy of holies. Through his supplications, O Lord, grant great mercy unto all.

But if Alleluia is to be chanted at Matins instead of “God is the Lord…”, we sing first the following stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone & melody—

O Mistress, rescue me from the hands of the serpent, the slayer of men, who warreth against me with deception, to slaughter me utterly. Crush his jaws, I pray, and set his machinations at nought, that, delivered from his talons, I may magnify thy power.

O most immaculate one, I am the barren tree which produceth not the fruit of salvation; wherefore, I tremble at the thought of being felled, that, wretch that I am, I shall be cast into the unquenchable fire. Wherefore, I fall down before thee: Deliver me therefrom, and by thy mediation before thy Son show me forth as fruitful.

The deadly dart of desire hath wounded my heart: I have been wounded by ignorance and am incurably ill. O Mother of God, disdain not me, accursed as I am, but grant me healing, in that thou gavest birth to the only merciful Lord and Savior.

My thoughts are impure, my lips deceitful, and all my deeds defiled. What then shall I do? How shall I meet the Judge? O Virgin Mistress, entreat thy Son, Creator and Lord, that He accept my soul in repentance, for He alone is compassionate.

Stavrotheotokion—

“I cannot bear to behold Thee asleep upon the Tree Who gavest vigilance unto all, that Thou mightest give divine and saving vigilance unto all who of old fell into the sleep of perdition through tasting the fruit of disobedience!” the Virgin said, weeping, whom we magnify.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 from the Pentecostarion, and 5 for the saint, in Tone IV—

The day of thy commemoration hath now shone forth, O righteous John, illumining the hearts and minds of the faithful; wherefore, we bless thee as one forbearing, unshaken in the right Faith, adorned with the virtues, and glorified by incorruption and wonders. And we earnestly beseech thee, O saint: pray thou for the salvation of our souls. Twice

Thou didst live on the earth like an angel, causing thy body to wither through abstinence, and coming to share in the divine mysteries through vigilance, standing whole nights in prayer and the constant remembrance of death; and, dedicating thyself to these things every Saturday, thou wast shown to be well pleasing to God. Pray thou that we also may be well pleasing to Him, and that our souls may be saved.

Thou wast tried like gold in the crucible of tribulations, O thou of valiant mind, ill-treated by those who held thee captive; wherefore, after thy repose thy holy soul came to dwell with the angels and rejoiceth with them as is meet. And thou dost gladden those who have recourse to thy relics with the gift of healings. Therefore, gazing upon the beauty of the Master with the righteous, pray thou for the salvation of our souls.

Neon Prokopion of Eubœia possesseth thy holy relics as a great treasure, O John; and, assembling to venerate them, we honor thy repose with hymns, crying out to thee: Rejoice, O star who shone forth from Russia and hast illumined Asia with thy struggles! Rejoice, boast and adornment of the faithful! Rejoice, O thou who prayest for the salvation of our souls!

Glory…, in Tone I—

How can we fail to praise the goodly courage thou didst show in the midst of bodily captivity, whereby thou didst put to shame the cause of men’s spiritual captivity; the meekness, innocence and humility whereby thou didst cast down the enemy; the inner stillness and asceticism, and thy prayers which lasted for whole nights, in which thou didst bathe the pavement of the church’s porch with the streams of thy tears and didst quench the fire of the passions, receiving the fire of divine love within thy heart, and becoming radiant through grace-bearing ascents? As thou now joinest chorus amid the splendors of the saints, O John, be thou mindful of those who remember thee.

Now & ever…: doxasticon from the Pentecostarion, or the dogmaticon in Tone I—

Let us hymn the Virgin Mary, the glory of the whole world, who sprang forth from men and gaveth birth unto the Master, the portal of heaven, and the subject of the hymnody of the incorporeal hosts; for she hath been shown to be heaven and the temple of the Godhead. Having destroyed the middle-wall of enmity, she hath brought forth peace and opened wide the kingdom. Therefore, having her as the confirmation of our faith, we have as champion the Lord born of her. Be of good courage! Yea, be ye of good cheer, O people of God, for He vanquisheth the foe, in that He is almighty!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:

Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (3:1-9)

But 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. They that 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.

But 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 instead of an helmet. He shall take holiness 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 fly to the mark. And hailstones full of wrath shall 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 of the Lord, and sovereignty from the highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

But 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 loved 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 it 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.