At Matins

Song of Ascents, in Tone IV, the first Antiphon.

Canon to the Theotokos, in Tone VIII, with six troparia, including the Irmos, which is chanted twice; and two canons to the incorporeal hosts, with a total of eight troparia, also in Tone VIII.

Glory..., in the same tone: Spec. Mel: “The choir of angels...”—

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Thy tomb, O Savior...”—

Standing ever before the dread throne, illumined with the brilliant rays of the three-Sunned Godhead, dispelling the gloom of sin, enlighten us who celebrate your assembly with splendor; and pray ye earnestly that we be delivered from misfortune, O most radiant intercessors.

At “God is the Lord...,” the troparion of the angels, twice; Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion “The mystery hidden from before the ages...”

The choir of angels, having the divine Michael as supreme commander, doth with him offer hymnody unto the Holy Trinity, for the Creator of all, by a word, brought forth out of non-existence the host of the fiery ranks.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone II: Spec. Mel: “When Thou didst descend...”—

O all-holy Virgin, hope of Christians, with the heavenly hosts unceasingly entreat God to Whom thou didst give birth, in manner beyond comprehension and recounting, that He grant remission of all our sins and correction of life unto those who ever glorify thee with faith and love.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

After the Polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII:

Thou hast been revealed as foremost among the legions of the angels, O Michael, supreme commander. Unceasingly entreat the King Most High, that He cast down the pride of tyrants here below. And as thou hast boldness at the fiery throne, pray for us, thy servants, without ceasing.

Glory..., in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Go thou quickly before...”—

The cherubim and seraphim, the many-eyed hosts of ministering archangels, together with the virtues, thrones, dominions, angels, powers and principalities, entreat Thee, our Creator, God and Master, that Thou disdain not the supplication of sinful people, O most merciful God.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

O all-immaculate Virgin, who gavest birth to the transcendent God, with the incorporeal ones unceasingly pray that He grant remission of transgressions and correction of life before the end unto those who with love hymn thee as is meet, O thou who alone art all-praised.

Glory..., Now and ever...

After the Polyeleos, this Megalynarion to the bodiless hosts—

Glory..., in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Go thou quickly before...”—

We magnify you, O archangels and angels, and all the hosts, cherubim and seraphim, which glorify the Lord.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

Or this Megalynarion—

Glory..., Through the prayers of the archangels...

We magnify you, O archangels and angels, principalities, virtues, thrones, dominions, powers, cherubim and awesome seraphim, who glorify the Lord.

Now and ever..., Through the prayers of the Theotokos...

The Selected Psalm—

A I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

B And before angels will I chant unto Thee,

A Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

B Bless the Lord, all ye His angels.

A Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts.

B Worship Him, all ye His angels.

A Thou Who sittest on the cherubim, manifest Thyself.

B The angel of the Lord will encamp round about those who fear Him.

A By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established,

B And all the might of them by the Spirit of His mouth.

A And He mounted upon cherubim and flew.

B With glory and honor hast Thou crowned him.

A Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest.

B Praise Him, all ye His angels.

A Praise Him, all ye His hosts.

B Let every breath praise the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice

Having worthily become, at the command of thy Creator, the master of the ranks of heaven and minister of divine glory, thou art a saving mediator for Christians, watching over those who are on earth with thine immaterial glory. Wherefore, we all praise thee as is meet, hymning thy divine festivity today. O Michael, supreme commander, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy feast.

The ranks of angels stand with fear before Thy throne, O Master, Christ God, and, ever illumined with rays therefrom, they unceasingly chant to thee a hymn of victory. Through their sacred prayers do Thou grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

O pure and immaculate Virgin Mother, who knewest not man, who alone gavest birth within time to the timeless Son and Word of God. With the honorable bodiless hosts of heaven beseech Him to grant us cleansing of our sins and great mercy.

Prokimenon, in Tone IV—

He maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

Stichos: Praise the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou art become exceeding glorious.

Let every breath praise the Lord!

Gospel according to Matthew, §52 (13:24-30, 36-43)

The Lord said this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him: ‘Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?’ He said unto them: ‘An enemy hath done this.’ The servants said unto him: ‘Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?’ But he said: ‘Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.’” And His disciples came unto Him, saying: “Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said unto them: “He who soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI—

Thine angels, O Christ, standing in fear before the throne of majesty, ever illumined by Thine effulgence, Thy chanters of hymns on high, and the ministers of Thy counsel sent down by Thee from on high, bestow illumination upon our souls.