At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.

Canon to the Theotokos (the Paraclisis), with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and the canon to the apostle, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I marvel at Thomas, who is full of wonders,” the composition of the venerable Theophanes, in Tone IV.

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel: “The Word Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning...” —

All of thy most glorious mysteries are beyond comprehension, O Theotokos; for, thy purity sealed and thy virginity intact, thou art known to be a true Mother, having given birth unto God. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

At “God is the Lord...,” the troparion, twice; Glory..., Now & ever..., the resurrectional theotokion —

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “O Thou Who wast lifted up...” —

With hymns let us all praise the memory of the apostle and disciple of Christ; for, having in godly manner touched the print of the nails and acquired true faith, he hath made our thoughts steadfast in the world and doth beseech the Savior that our souls find mercy. Twice

Glory..., Now & ever...: Theotokion —

After the polyeleos, this Sessional hymn, in Tone III —

O pure one, ever entreat the God and Lord, Who, for the sake of us who have become corrupt through transgressions, became incarnate of thee, that He take pity and turn away His anger and wrath from those who with faith unceasingly hymn thy greatness, O thou who art full of grace.

Having touched the Savior’s side and drawn forth therefrom knowledge of God, O glorious apostle, by thy disbelief hast thou drawn those of earth unto the Faith as faithful; and having been pierced with spears throughout thy whole body, thou dost enlighten the souls of all who praise thy holy repose.

O unashamed hope of those who trust in thee! O thou who alone didst, in manner transcending nature, give birth in the flesh unto Christ our God: With the holy apostles entreat Him, that He grant to the world cleansing from their transgressions and to us all correction of life before the end.

With the radiance of the Spirit of God thou didst destroy the darkness of polytheism and didst illumine the hearts of the faithful, chanting the commandments of salvation, O most wise Apostle Thomas. Beseech Christ God, that He grant us great mercy. Twice

Every one who seeketh salvation rightly maketh haste unto a place where such is found. And what refuge that giveth shelter unto our souls have we other than thee, O Theotokos?

Prokimenon, in Tone IV —

Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Stichos: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands.

Let every breath praise the Lord.

Reading from the Gospel According to St. John § 67 (21:15-25).

At that time, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead, and said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?” He said unto Him: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He said unto him: “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again the second time: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” He said unto Him: “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” He said unto him: “Feed My sheep.” He said unto him the third time: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me? And he said unto Him: “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” Jesus said unto him: “Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee: When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said unto him: “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who had also leaned on His breast at supper, and said: “Lord, which is he who betrayeth Thee?” Peter seeing him said to Jesus: “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus said unto him: “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me.” Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” This is the disciple who testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone IV —

Christ, the great Sun, doth emit thee upon India as a brilliant ray of light, O initiate of the mysteries, and thou dost quickly dispel the gloom of deception, O most wise Apostle Thomas, and dost enlighten the people to honor the divine Trinity, by Whom all are preserved.