AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Beholding the beauties of paradise, and richly delighting in the flowers of incorruption, thou didst bud forth for the world the knowledge of God, partaking whereof with spiritual love, O venerable Isaacius, we cause our souls to grow.

Protecting thy body with abstinence, O father, with thy prayers and vigils thou didst mortify the uprisings of the passions. Wherefore, the power of the Spirit within thee, covering thee, showed thee to be a noetic and universal luminary.

Shining forth upon the city from the desert like the sun, O father, thou didst adorn the monastic life; wherefore, with thy teachings thou hast enlightened the faithful to bless the Father and the Son, and the consubstantial Spirit.

If Alleluia is chanted instead of “God is the Lord…”, we chant the following stichera to the Theotokos first, in the same tone & melody—

Though we are beset by hopeless falls, O pure Virgin, yet do we have thee alone as our intercessor, and we cry aloud in thanks­giving: Cleanse us, O all-holy Bride of God, for thou art the refuge of the world and the help of our race.

With the rod of thine intercession, O pure Theotokos, quickly drive the bestial passions away from my wretched soul, guiding my life in peace; and reckon me among the holy flock of thy chosen sheep.

Drowning in the abyss of offenses, yet fleeing to the calm haven of thine all-pure prayer, O Theotokos, I cry out to thee: Save me, giving unto thy servant thy mighty right hand, O all-immaculate one!

Having stumbled in my corrupt morals, I lie prostrate on the ground, yet do I hasten to thy serenity, O Virgin. Deliver me from the storm of the adversary and from multifarious temptations, that I may unceasingly hymn thy goodness, O Ever-virgin Mother and Theotokos.

Stavrotheotokion—

Standing at the foot of the Cross of Thy Son and God, and gazing upon His long-suffering, thou didst say, weeping, O pure Mother: “Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! How is it that thou sufferest these things undeservedly, O Word of God, that Thou mayest save mankind?”