Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…” —
Loving the Bridegroom, thy Creator and God, thou didst forsake a corruptible bridegroom, O honored martyr Parasceva, and, rejoicing, didst endure torments, maiming and torture by fire. Wherefore, wearing a crown, thou hast entered into the divine bridal-chamber, asking remission of sins for all. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the martyr, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…” —
O all-immaculate Virgin who gavest birth to the transcendent God, with the passion-bearer do thou unceasingly entreat Him, that before the end He grant remission of transgressions and correction of life unto us who hymn thee with faith and love, O thou who alone art all-hymned.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the greatmartyr, with 8 troparia.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…” —
Loving Christ thy Bridegroom, and making thy lamp radiant with light, thou didst shine forth with the virtues, O glorious one; wherefore, thou hast ascended to the heavenly bridal-chamber, having received the crown of martyrdom. From misfortunes deliver us who celebrate thy memory, O Parasceva. Twice
Glory…, Now & ever;: Theotokion —
One canon from the Octoechos; and two for the saints, with 8 troparia.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone IV —
O Theotokos, after God it is to thy divine protection that I flee, lowly as I am; and, falling prostrate, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure Mistress, for my sins have passed over my head, and I fear the torments and tremble. Offer up supplication to thy Son, O pure one, that He deliver me from them.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
At “God is the Lord…,” the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone V —
Polyeleos, and this magnification —
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
After the Polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone VIII —
We magnify thee, O holy passion-bearer Parasceva, and we reverence thine honored sufferings, which thou didst endure for Christ.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Selected Psalm verses —
A Our God is refuge and strength. [Ps. 45: 2]
B A helper in afflictions which mightily befall us. [Ps. 45: 2]
A Therefore shall we not fear when the earth be shaken. [Ps. 45: 3]
B O God, who shall be likened unto Thee? Be Thou not silent, neither be still, O God. [Ps. 82: 2]
A For behold, Thine enemies have made a noise, and they that hate Thee have lifted up their heads. [Ps. 82: 3]
B Against Thy people have they taken wicked counsel, and have conspired against Thy saints. [Ps. 82: 4]
A They have made the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food for the birds of heaven. [Ps. 78: 2]
B The flesh of Thy saints for the beasts of the earth. [Ps. 78: 2]
A They have poured out their blood like water. [Ps. 78: 3]
B For Thy sake we are slain all the day long. [Ps. 43: 23]
A We are counted as sheep for the slaughter. [Ps. 43: 23]
B Thou hast made us a byword among the nations. [Ps. 43: 15]
A And I became a man scourged all the day long. [Ps. 72: 14]
B By fire hast Thou tried us even as silver is tried by fire. [Ps. 65: 11]
A We went through fire and water, and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment. [Ps. 65: 12]
B Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous. [Ps. 31: 11]
A For the Lord is in the generation of the righteous. [Ps. 13: 5]
B And their inheritance shall be for ever. [Ps. 36: 18]
A The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them. [Ps. 33: 18]
B A light hath dawned forth for the righteous man, and gladness for the upright of heart. [Ps. 96: 11]
A In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be. [Ps. 111: 6]
B In the saints that are in His earth hath the Lord been wondrous; He hath wrought all His desires in them. [Ps. 15: 3]
A Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel. [Ps. 67: 36]
B The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied. [Ps. 91: 13]
A The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him. [Ps. 63: 11]
B And all the upright in heart shall be praised. [Ps. 63: 11]
Glory…, Now & ever… Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Thrice
Wedded to the Lord in godly manner, thou didst offer Him thy blood and sacrifice as a gift, O passion-bearer and maiden Parasceva; and as is meet thou hast reached the divine bridal-chamber, continually full of ineffable radiance. Wherefore, spiritually celebrating thy holy and honored memory, we glorify the Savior and cry out to thee with faith: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice .
All of us, the generations of mankind, bless thee who without seed gavest birth to God in the flesh, as the one who alone among women was Virgin; for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, and thou didst give suck unto our Lord and Creator as a babe. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and of men, glorify thine all-holy birthgiving as is meet, and with one accord cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birthgiving.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV —
Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel.
Stichos: In congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Matthew, §62
[Mt. 15: 21-28]
At that time, Jesus went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David! My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying: “Send her away; for she crieth after us.” But He answered and said: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then came she and worshipped Him, saying: “Lord, help me.” But He answered and said: “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” And she said: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said unto her: “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone I —
Thou hast been reckoned among the ranks of those on high, O glorious one, having forsaken the world and loved Christ. O all-honored Parasceva, ask for us peace and great mercy.
The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.
Responding to the call of the Lord, thou didst forsake thy parents’ home, and didst pass from a sheltered life to one yet more greatly restricted; but thy heart is not so confined that it cannot hold all who flee unto thee. Wherefore, thy spiritual children have multiplied and rejoiced in the Lord, Whom do thou entreat, O Job our father, that He save the souls of those who honor thy holy memory with faith. Twice
By thy divine birthgiving hast thou renewed the mortal nature of men which hath been corrupted by the passions, O pure one; and thou hast raised all up from death to the life of incorruption. Wherefore, we all bless thee as is meet, O most glorious Virgin, as thou didst foretell.
Let us honor the venerable Job, the cave-dwelling recluse who kept vigil in prayer, who from childhood to old age humbled himself and glorified the Holy Church, who led thieves and malefactors to repentance, and prayeth fervently in behalf of our souls. Twice
Awesome is the wonder of thy conceiving, and ineffable the manner of thy birthgiving, O pure Ever-virgin. My mind is stricken with awe, and my reason is amazed! Thy glory, O Theotokos, extendeth in all things, unto the salvation of our souls.
Polyeleos, and this Magnification —
We bless thee, O Job, our venerable father, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser 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
Having acquired pastoral wisdom through humility of mind, thou didst become a teacher for many, a father to monks and comforter of those who sorrow, an instrument of the prayer of Jesus which never falleth silent; wherefore, the Lord Who granteth rewards hath glorified thee in the incorruption of thy relics. Him do thou unceasingly entreat, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice
Let us hymn the portal of heaven and the ark, the most holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the bush unburnt, the reason-endowed garden of paradise, the restoration of Eve, the great treasure of the whole world; for in her was wrought the salvation of the world and the remission of the ancient offenses. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Entreat thy Son, that He grant remission of sins unto those who piously bow down before thy most holy birthgiving.
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.
A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, §43 (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 that 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 —
O venerable father, word of thy corrections hath gone forth into all the earth. Wherefore, thou hast found the reward of thy labors in the heavens, hast destroyed hordes of demons, and attained unto the ranks of the angels, whose life thou didst blamelessly emulate. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, ask thou peace for our souls.
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia; and that of the venerable one, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof is the Slavonic alphabet; in Tone VIII —
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.