Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable one, with 8 troparia, in Tone IV—
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I—
Diligently assembling today, O brethren, let us form a spiritual choir in honor of the memory of our father, and, fashioning hymns and goodly praises for him, let us reverently honor his spiritual struggles, victories and conflicts, whereby he vanquished the most crafty foe and was splendidly crowned as victor by Christ God, the Savior of our souls.
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the troparion from the Pentecostarion.
Canon from the Pentecostarion, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the Cross, with 6 troparia.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III—
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn in Tone IV—
Celebrating today a splendid festival, O brethren, let us hymn Christ our Deliverer, offering Him praise and crying aloud: Thou hast magnified Thy favored one, O Christ, showing him to be a wellspring of miracles; for he poureth forth a stream of healings from his holy grave upon those who have recourse to him with faith and lovingly honor and glorify him and Thee, O Savior, Who dost glorify those who glorify Thee.
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We bless thee, O venerable father Nilus, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monastics and conversor with the angels.
Selected Psalm Verses—
A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]
B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]
A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]
B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]
A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps 101: 8]
B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]
A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]
B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]
A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]
B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]
A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]
B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]
A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]
B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]
A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]
B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]
A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]
B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]
A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]
B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
Thou hast filled us with wonder, O Master Christ, showing us such a luminary in our father; for, emitting rays of miracles like the sun, he illumineth the assemblies of the faithful and enlighteneth the councils of monastics with the splendor of his life. Wherefore, we lovingly cry out to him: O God-bearing and most blessed Nilus our father, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy most honored memory.
Glory…, Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV—
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to St. Luke, § 24
[Lk. 6: 17-23]
At that time, Jesus stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all. And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples and said: “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—
Joyfully assembling today, O brethren, and forming a spiritual choir, let us hold splendid festival, and with divine hymns let us honor the annual memorial of the God-bearing father, our pastor and teacher: let us crown his sacred head with praises, as with flowers, and, surrounding his most precious shrine, let us cry aloud, saying: Rejoice, O right eloquent Nilus, who with the outpouring of thy discourse dost gladden the councils of monastics! Rejoice, O radiant beacon of monks! Rejoice, O adornment and confirmation of fasters! Come thou now among us invisibly, and bless thy children, vouchsafing the immaterial gifts which thou hast received from Christ in abundance unto us who honor thee with faith and love and all-joyously celebrate thy most honored and luminous feast. Deliver us from the tyranny of the passions and from all tribulations and evil circumstances, preserve thy community unharmed, and by thy supplications to the Lord grant us all things profitable.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.