day 3

May 3: Holy Martyrs Timothy & Maura

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same melody—

Troparion, in Tone VIII—

The 3rd Day of the MONTH OF MAY

True and blameless, venerable and guileless, and abstaining from every evil thing wast thou known to be, O blessed one, truly adorned with the virtues, and resplendent in piety. Wherefore, we bless thee, and, rejoicing, we celebrate today thy holy and honored repose. Twice

Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs

With faith let us all bless and praise the great Theodosius, who was blameless and most honorable, a most lofty tower untoppled by the machinations of the enemy, who was a favorite of Christ and His all-pure Mother, and earnestly entreateth Him to save our souls from misfortunes.

Timothy & Maura

Thou didst explain the monastic life, shining forth like the sun from the land of Russia; for, having protected thy body with abstinence, by prayers and vigils thou didst mortify the movements of the passions. Wherefore, we beseech thee, O all-blessed Theodosius: Fail us not, helping and visiting us, thy servants.

(on this same day we provide a service in honor of Our Holy Father Theodosius of the Kiev Caves)

Glory…, in Tone VI—

May 3: Venerable Father Theodosius, Abbot of the Monastery of the Caves

Come ye today in gladness, O company of the faithful! Come ye all joyously to the honored church! Let us hymn the God-bearing fathers, let us clap our hands on the all-radiant memorial of those whom Christ our God hath glorified. Wherefore, with a joyful voice and a pure conscience let us cry aloud, saying: Rejoice, O earthly angel and heavenly man, O all-blessed Anthony, dweller with the venerable! Rejoice, golden-rayed star of the East, O father Theodosius, thou beacon and pastor of monastics! Rejoice, O our boast, ye helpers and joy of the whole world, who with the angels abide in the light of the Holy Trinity Who hath crowned ye all! Earnestly pray that God deliver from enemies visible and invisible, and from every misfortune, us who celebrate your most festive memorial with faith and love.

Also on The 3rd Day of the month of May

Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.

Commemoration of Our Venerable Father Theodosius,

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Abbot of the Monastery of the Caves,

Thy feast hath been shown to be a dawn and a radiant morn, illumining the hearts of us who praise with faith thine honored struggles, O father Theodosius.

Initiator of the Cœnobitic Monastic Life in Russia

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

At Little Vespers

The day of salvation hath dawned, the feast of gladness! Let us hasten, O ye faithful, having purified our souls, to hymn the all-blessed Theodosius.

Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.

Having found Anthony on earth to be like the sun resplendent with the virtues, thou didst show thyself to be a most radiant star. Remember to the Master those who hymn thee, O venerable Theodosius.

Rejoice, O Virgin, who received the Joy of the world, Christ, the Bestower of life, Who hath assuaged the grief of our first mother.

Exalted in virtue, having loved the monastic life from childhood, and valiantly attained thy desire, thou didst dwell within a cave; and having adorned thy life with asceticism and splendor, like one of the incorporeal beings thou didst abide in prayer, shining like a radiant beacon in the Russian land. O father Theodosius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.