Irmos: I have come unto the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.
Kontakion, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—
Theotokion: O most immaculate one, the most excellent Matthew announceth glad tidings, describing thee as the Virgin who gave birth without seed and corruption unto Him Who fashioned all things.
By Thine omnipotent might, O Maker of all, the divinely eloquent and most excellent Matthew was transformed from a publican into an evangelist, in that he followed Thee.
By the spiritually nourishing words of thy glad tidings, O most blessed Matthew, a multitude of the gentiles are lifted up and directed to the lofty summit of the virtues.
With the divinely woven nets of the disciple Matthew are assemblies of the faithful ever drawn up, guided to the knowledge of Thee, O our Benefactor.
Casting off the yoke of thy publican’s office, thou didst shoulder the yoke of righteousness and wast shown to be a most excellent merchant, bringing in the wisdom from on high as riches. Wherefore, thou didst preach the Word of truth and hast uplifted the souls of the despondent, describing the hour of judgment.
Ikos: The tyranny of the enemy oppresseth me constantly and seizeth all the seed of my soul, O Matthew, friend of Christ; yet, providing me with the seed of thy prayers, render me fruitful to serve thee, and show me to be if only the least of those who hymn thee and a recounter of thy many and great corrections, for, forsaking all things for the love of Christ without hesitation, thou didst ardently follow after Him Who called thee, being the first evangelist in the world, describing the hour of judgment.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.