Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded…” —
Having subdued the irrational passions by the powers of your spirit, O venerable ones, ye bestow benefactions upon your reason-endowed flock, having been enriched by Christ God with the gift of healing. Wherefore, celebrating your sacred and luminous festival, we ask cleansing for our souls. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of the saints, with 4 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the unity of brother and sister”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV —
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded…” —
O divinely joyous, pure and blessed one, with the venerable fathers, the elders, and all the saints, in our behalf unceasingly entreat Him Who, in the loving-kindness of His compassions, was born of thee that, before the end, He grant us forgiveness of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the venerable ones, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…” —
Having been vouchsafed great gifts, O venerable ones, ye lived a life of humility upon the earth, freely healing the sufferings of the infirm; and ye were shown to be conversers with the angels, O most blessed fathers of Optina. By your supplications do ye also heal our passions. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], in Tone VIII, with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable fathers, with 8 troparia, in the same tone —
O Theotokos, with the venerable ones entreat the unapproachable Word, the Son of God, Who, past understanding, was ineffably born of thee, that He grant pure peace to the whole world, and that, before the end, He bestow upon us forgiveness of transgressions and, in His exceeding great goodness, vouchsafe to thy servants the kingdom of heaven.
Polyeleos, and this magnification —
We bless you, O venerable fathers of Optina, and we honor your holy memory, O instructors of monastics and conversers 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
Ineffable is the grace which the saints have received from Christ! Wherefore, invoked with faith, they heal incurable diseases, and with divine power their relics work miracles. Through their supplications, O Lord, free us also from passions of soul and body, in that Thou lovest mankind. Twice
All of us who with love have recourse to thy goodness know thee to be the Mother of God who, even after giving birth, wast shown to be a true virgin; for we sinners have thee as our intercession, and we have acquired thee as our salvation amid dangers, O thou who alone art most immaculate.
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 Matthew, §43
[Mt. 11: 27-30]
The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of my Father; and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI —
Having rejected all the tyranny of the passions and trampled every plot of the wicked serpent underfoot through Christ, O venerable fathers of Optina, ye were shown to be radiant with light, illumining the whole world like beacons, dispelling the darkness and healing infirmities through grace, showing yourselves to be the helpers of all who celebrate your holy memory with faith.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.