Canon of the Indiction

Exapostilarion of the Indiction: Spec. Mel.: “To the disciples…”—

Irmos: Establish me, O Christ, upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, and illumine me with the light of Thy countenance, for there is none as holy as Thee, Who lovest mankind.

Kontakion of the Indiction, in Tone II—

Now and ever…, Theotokion—

Sessional hymn of the Indiction, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera for the Indiction, the composition of John the Monk—

Theotokion: We ever glorify thee, for thou alone didst, in manner surpassing nature, beyond human comprehension, receive grace in thy womb and didst, without changing, give birth unto Christ God.

O Good One, establish Thou that which Thy right hand hath lovingly planted on the earth, preserving Thy Church, the fertile vineyard, O Almighty One.

Glory…: Exapostilarion of the venerable one, in the same melody—

Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the Lord.

Kontakion of the venerable Symeon, in Tone II—

Now and ever…: Exapostilarion of the Indiction, in the same melody—

Another Sessional hymn, of the venerable one, in the same tone and melody—

In Tone III: O preëternal Word of the Father, Who art in the image of God, and Who, in Thine authority, hast fixed the times and seasons: Bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, granting peace unto Thy Churches and victories to Orthodox Christians, fertility to the earth and great mercy to us.

Theotokion: Piously we proclaim thee, knowing thee to be the most true Mother of God, O most immaculate one; for through thee hath the Creator deigned to commune with us.

O Master, God of all things, lead through this year which beginneth those who adorn themselves with divinely beautiful spiritual works, and who hymn Thee with faith.

Irmos: Plant Thou the fear of Thee in the hearts of Thy servants, O Lord, and be Thou the confirmation of us who call upon Thee in truth.

Now and ever…, of the Indiction, in Tone VIII, the composition of Germanus—

Glory…, another Sessional hymn, of the holy women, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

In Tone IV: Thy Kingdom is the Kingdom of all ages, O Christ God, and Thy dominion continueth through all generations; for Thou hast fashioned all things in wisdom, fixing the times and seasons for us. Wherefore, giving thanks for all things, we cry out: Bless Thou the crown of the year with Thy goodness, and vouchsafe us to cry aloud to Thee without condemnation: Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Theotokion: Ineffably didst thou conceive the Savior and Lord Who doth deliver from grievous circumstances us who call upon thee in truth, O Bride of God.

O compassionate Christ, grant me a tranquil year and fill me with Thy divine words which Thou didst reveal when Thou didst speak to the Jews on the Sabbath.

Irmos: I have considered Thy dispensation, O Almighty One, and with fear have I glorified Thee, O Savior.

By Andrew of Pyrrhus: Thy journeys are great and wondrous journeyings, O God. Wherefore, we magnify the power of Thy dispensation: for, being Light of Light, Thou didst come to Thy wretched world and didst destroy the primeval curse of ancient Adam, as Thou wast well pleased so to do, O Word; and in Thy wisdom Thou hast appointed times and seasons for us, that we may glorify Thy goodness, which accomplisheth all things. O Lord, glory be to Thee!

Theotokion: Let us all now hymn the Theotokos as the haven of our souls and our steadfast hope.

Made strong by the strength of the Almighty, ye trampled down the power of the adversary; wherefore, ye have been crowned by Christ as victors.

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Sticheron of the holy martyrs, by Germanus, in Tone II—

Theotokion: He of two natures, to Whom thou gavest birth, O all-immaculate one, descended into thy womb like rain upon the fleece, the divinely eloquent prophet said of old. To Him do we cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

By the divine power of Christ the mouths of the beasts were rendered impotent; and, honoring God, ye were delivered unharmed, O God-bearers.

Irmos: I have heard Thy report, O Lord, and I was afraid. I have considered Thy works and glorified Thy dominion, O Lord.

When by Thy Passion, O Lord, Thou didst establish the whole world, then were the weak girded about with power, and women stood forth manfully against the most cruel tyrant and won a maternal victory; and they entered into the delight of paradise, unto the glory of Thee Who wast born of women and hast saved the human race.

Theotokion: O all-pure Mary, do thou ever entreat God Whom thou didst bear, that He grant thy servants remission of sins.

Deified by looking to God, ye rejected the coldness of polytheism and attained unto the warmth of the glory on High, O athletes.

Irmos: Waking at dawn out of the night, we chant to Thee, O Christ, Who art consubstantial with the Father and art the Savior of our souls: Grant peace to the world, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Glory…, of the venerable one, in the same tone—

Theotokion: We set our hopes and our desire on thee, O pure Theotokos. Him Whom thou didst bear do thou render merciful unto us, O Virgin.

Swiftly fleeing the wintry vexations of the demons, thou didst make haste unto the salvific monastery, O Symeon, from whence thou didst receive life which ageth not.

Irmos: The ungodly perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but, waking at dawn out of the night, we hymn Thee, O Only-begotten One Who lovest mankind, Thou effulgence of the glory of the Father’s divinity.

The sacred Symeon sprang forth as good fruit from goodly stock, nurtured from infancy more by grace than by milk. And lifting up his holy body upon the pillar of stone, and elevating his mind up to God, he fashioned a heavenly dwelling-place with his virtues; and joining chorus with the hosts of God, he became an abode of Christ, the Savior of our souls.

Theotokion: O thou who alone art most immaculate, raise me up who have fallen into the pit of temptations, and set me aright, O thou that didst bear God the Pilot Who in His goodness first united disparate natures.

Rejoicing, thou didst incline thy dutiful ear to the Master Who blesseth, O most blessed one, and didst find the blessed life.

Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

O Christ, Word and God, Who hast created all things in Thine ineffable wisdom, and hast appointed times and seasons for us: bless Thou the works of Thy hands and with Thy power make glad all right-believing Christians, granting them might against the barbarians, in that Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.

Theotokion: Ever beseech thy Son and our God, O pure Mary who knewest not wedlock, that He send down great mercy upon us, the faithful.

Receiving the seed of the Word, and having watered it with thy tears, with the blades of thy heart thou didst reap the abundant grain of the virtues.

Irmos: Thou didst save the prophet from the sea monster, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Lead me up from the abyss of transgressions, I pray.

Then, the Great Doxology.

Theotokion: O all-pure and most immaculate Theotokos who gavest birth to the Lord, from misfortunes deliver us who hymn thee.

O Christ our King Who livest in the highest, Creator and Maker of all things, visible and invisible, Who hast fashioned days and nights, seasons and years: bless Thou now the crown of the year; preserve and keep in peace Orthodox hierarchs, this city and Thy people, O greatly Merciful One.

Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!

Theotokion: Beholding the fulfillment of thy words, O Mother of God, magnify exceedingly Him Who hath magnified thee; for all generations now truly bless thee.

O Thou Who bestowest fruitful seasons and rains from heaven upon those on earth, and dost now accept the supplications of Thy servants: from all want do Thou deliver this Thy city, for truly Thy compassions are evident in all Thy works. Wherefore, bless Thou our goings out and our comings in, set aright among us the work of our hands, and grant us forgiveness of offenses, O God. For, in that Thou art mighty, Thou didst bring all things from nonexistence into being.

Irmos: Grant me a robe of light, O Thou Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, O most merciful Christ our God.

Theotokion: We recognize thee as the mountain which Daniel beheld, whence Christ, the unquarried Stone of faith, was cut.

Having forsaken all things of the world, and while still bodily on earth, thou wast a heavenly angel in spirit; for, having slain the assailing passions with thy flesh, thou wast shown to be a favorite of the Trinity, O blessed one. Wherefore, thou dost heal the sufferings of the infirm and by thy word dost drive away the evil spirits through grace. O all-blessed Symeon, entreat Christ God that He grant forgiveness of offenses unto those who lovingly honor thy holy memory.

Irmos: The children raised together in piety, disdaining the ungodly command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Theotokion: As servants petitioning their Master, we set before Thee Thy pure Mother, O Christ, that Thou mayest deliver from every evil circumstance Thy servants who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having finished the race and kept the faith, O reason-endowed ewe-lambs, with faith ye brought yourselves to the Lamb and Shepherd through martyrdom. Wherefore, magnifying Christ, O right wondrous ones, we joyously praise your sacred memory today.

Irmos: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, slaying the Chaldæans whom justice rightly overtook: blessed art Thou!

Theotokion: Blessed is the Fruit of thy blessed womb, Whom hosts of heaven and the assemblies of men bless, and Who hath delivered us from the ancient curse, O blessed one.

To the path of repentance guide us who are ever inclined toward evil and trackless places, and who anger our all-good Lord, O blessed Mary who knewest not wedlock, thou refuge of despairing men and habitation of God.

Irmos: In Babylon, the pious youths did not worship the golden image, but, bedewed in the midst of the fiery furnace, they chanted a hymn, saying: O supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Theotokion: O pure Virgin, it became Him Who without seed was incarnate of thee to come forth, for thou wast shown to be greater than all in purity. And crying out to Him in hymns, we say: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

The beginning of the year do Thy people offer unto Thee, O Savior, glorifying Thee with angelic hymns.

Irmos: Christ God, Who saved the chanting children in the furnace and transformed the raging flames into dew, hymn ye and exalt supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: With the cycles and seasons of time, we, the assemblies of men, hymn thee in Orthodox manner as the Theotokos, the pure Virgin Mother of God, the salvation of all.

As Thou lovest mankind, O Christ, count those who begin the year worthy to complete it in a manner well-pleasing unto Thee.

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace — then in figure, but now in deed — and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: O most honored Bride of God, who alone knewest not wedlock, the women followed after thee, inhaling the fragrance of thy myrrh, and they truly reign with thee, hymning Christ, the only-begotten Son Who shone forth from thy womb, forever.

O only and almighty Lord, having calmed the world, grant it cycles of years.

Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain, and by the fire in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, hymn ye and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, who received joy from the angel, who gavest birth unto the Lord of glory, and shone forth Light upon the world: we all hymn thee for all ages.

Having endured torments and the destruction of your bodies in divers ways, and the dismemberment and immolation of your limbs, ye have inherited the kingdom of heaven, delighting in the tree of life, O right wondrous ones.

Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire yet was not consumed showed forth an image of thy pure birthgiving. And now we pray that the furnace of temptations which rageth against us may be extinguished, that we may magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.

Theotokion: O Savior of all, Maker, Creator, and Ruler of all creation: through the supplications of her who gave birth to Thee without seed, grant peace to Thy world, preserving Thy Church ever ­undisturbed.

The hosts of heaven marvelled at the struggle of the blessed virgins, for in their womanly nature they vanquished the foe, strengthened by the power of Him Who shone forth from a woman.

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Theotokion: O immaculate Maiden, thou hast been shown to be a dwelling-place of Wisdom, an animate throne and portal, surpassing the understanding of the greatest mind. Wherefore, the virgins loved thee as their queen, O Virgin, and have followed after thee, O divine Maiden.

Spurning all the vanity of the world, ye cleaved unto God alone with all your soul. Wherefore, ye endured the pangs of abstinence and suffering, O patient brides of Christ.

Irmos: Thy birthgiving, O Ever-virgin, which was revealed to the law-giver on the mountain in the fire and the bush, for the salvation of us, the faithful, do we magnify with unceasing hymnody.

Theotokion: Thou hast appeared as a bush burning with fire yet remaining unconsumed, O Mistress, having conceived without seed the God and Savior of the world, Whom we unceasingly magnify.

Bearing the Cross as a most mighty weapon, ye set yourselves against regiments of the adversary and carried away the victory, with Christ Who vanquished the world with the power of His divinity.

Laying the foundation of thine abstinence not on sand, but on thy most profound labors, O most blessed one, thou didst erect an unshakable tower of the virtues.

Causing thy body to dwell in a harsh abode, thou didst nail down thy spirit with fear and didst find a dwelling-place of divine inheritance, O venerable one.

Thou didst subdue the hidden passions of thy body, O thou who art most rich, and, lying in dung with worms, thou didst find sweet fragrance, O father.

Emulating the life-creating Dead One in thy voluntary suffering, thou didst commit thyself alive to a dark pit, as to a tomb.

O Christ, Who fillest all things with goodness: do Thou grant unto Thy servants a year of varied seasons, crowned with mildness, fruitfulness and blessings.

Yearly recompense, a turn for the better and a state of peace do Thou show unto us who know Thee to be Him Who became like unto men, O Word of God.

Thou didst come to earth proclaiming from the Father the release of captives, the recovery of the blind, and the acceptable time, O Thou Who with the Father art equally without beginning.

As unblemished ewe-lambs, as pleasing sacrifices, ye brought yourselves to the true Lamb and Shepherd, O martyrs, as offerings most rich and acceptable immolations.

Slain in the body, ye lived in soul for Him Who slew the might of death, O martyrs, for ye emulated His Cross, death and voluntary suffering.

One in mind, though in many bodies, though lacerated with divers wounds and burned by fire, the divinely wise ones confessed the Lord Jesus alone.

Christ showed thee forth as a new Daniel, O Symeon; for by an apparition He returned to thee unharmed from the den of wild beasts.

Casting thyself wholly upon the Lord, thou didst lay thyself bare to storm, cold and burning heat, and to the malice of the adversary.

Thou didst show thyself to be a new Moses and Elijah, taking food but once during the whole forty-day fast all throughout thy life, O venerable one.

Girded about with a rope as with a cincture of gold, O venerable Symeon, thou didst show thyself to one who traversed the heavens with divine wings.

O Master, with the beginning of the year vouchsafe us to begin a life well-pleasing unto Thee.

O compassionate Savior, show us forth who hymn Thee to be full of spiritual days in the study of Thy law.

Our first mother Eve, beholding him who of old drove her from paradise through deception wounded and trampled underfoot by women, ­rejoiceth in godly manner.

Diligently joining abstinence to suffering, ye have now incorruptibly united yourselves to the Bridegroom of souls and, with joyful spirit, ye dwell in the divine bridal chamber.

The raging and towering waves of torments were not able to sink the martyrs’ ships, for with mighty hands upon the tiller they reached the divine harbors.

Christ hath shown thee to be a worker of signs and wonders and an acceptable habitation of divine activity, O blessed one.

Thy body didst thou raise up upon thy pillar as upon a cross, O Symeon. Wherefore, thou hast been glorified with Christ Who was lifted up upon the Cross for thy sake.

Having found the path on high, O wondrous Symeon, raise up to the heights of heaven those who faithfully hymn thee.

Making of thy pillar a fiery chariot, searching the heights thou didst unite thyself to those who are on High. Wherefore, thou wast a converser with angels, O venerable one, praying unceasingly with them to Christ God in behalf of us all.

Ikos: What human tongue can ever suffice to confess in praise the unblemished life of Symeon? Yet, by the wisdom of God, I shall hymn the suffering and struggles on earth of this mighty giant; for he was shown to be a beacon to all men in his great patience, and hath shone forth in the angelic choir; for, unceasingly hymning Christ with them, and having acquired purity through abstinence, he ­prayeth without ceasing for us all.

O ye Orthodox people who now begin the year, let us set a beginning to our hymns to Christ Who reigneth over the everlasting kingdom; and let us piously chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

O Christ, Who before wast, shalt be and art the Lord: fill Thou this year with Thy good gifts for those who hymn Thee, the Source of goodness, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

How insuperable is thy wisdom, O God-bearing Ammon! For, the leader of the choir of virgins, thou didst not fear tortures, ending thy life with them; and as a deacon and initiate of the mysteries of divine glory, thou didst chant: O all-praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

As a wise bridal escort, with words of courage thou didst anoint the martyrs, urging them to gaze upon the Bridegroom and to endure the pain of their flesh, crying aloud: O all-praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

“Let us not grow slothful! Lo, the arena lieth open, ye maidens; let us stand forth manfully! Christ stretcheth forth His hand which beareth wreaths. Let us have no pity upon our bodies!” the valorous ones cried out in the stadium: O all-praised Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Thou didst loose drought for the doubting and didst open the gates of the rain for them; and by thy supplications thou didst restrain the quaking earth, and didst teach the people to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

As a most magnificent beacon of the Church and a most radiant sun, O Symeon, thou didst shine, scattering thy rays in all directions, and didst teach the people to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

A sea of humanity gathered in the garden of thine abstinence, flowing like water from all directions, O favorite of Christ, taught by thee to cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Of old Christ rested in the arms of the elder Symeon, and in His invisible power did He rest also within the tablets of thy heart, O venerable Symeon. Wherefore, thou didst cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

O Christ, the honored Church offereth Thee the beginning of the year, as to the Author of our salvation, crying: Hymn ye and supremely exalt Christ forever!

The Creator Who hath wisely renewed all that He brought into existence, and hath brought forth the cycles of the seasons by His will, hymn ye and supremely exalt forever!

Let us chant unto God, Who hath brought forth all things and Who changeth the seasons for the manifold prosperity of men: Praise and exalt Christ supremely forever!

In splendid robes, dyed with the blood of your martyrdom, did ye array yourselves, having truly put off the old man corrupted by sins, chanting: O ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O martyrs, illumined by the outpourings of abundant light and the divine splendors of the noetic sun: ye passed through the night of ungodliness, chanting with oneness of mind and soul: O ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

As ewe-lambs, as unblemished heifers, as divine turtledoves, as voluntary holocausts and immaculate sacrifices did ye offer yourselves to the Creator, O martyrs, chanting together: O ye works, hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

At the command of the most iniquitous tyrants ye were subjected to an undeserved death, your limbs severed, your fingers broken, beaten without mercy, consumed by fire, beheaded by the sword. Wherefore, with joy have ye received the rich rewards of immortality.

Having divorced thyself from every attachment, yet taking pity on thy mother’s weakness, after thy death thou didst appear to her while she was yet alive, crying: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!

Thou didst gird the paralyzed youth and didst command Phylarchus to take up his bed upon his shoulders, O most sacred one, crying out: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Purifying with the suffering of Job the foulness of thy putrid flesh, thou didst transform it into a pearl of great price, O Symeon, favorite of Christ, glorifying Him for all ages.

O Word of God, Power, true and hypostatic Wisdom, Who sustainest and directest all things wisely: do Thou now peacefully order the season which hath dawned for Thy servants.

All Thy works, O Lord — the heavens, the earth, light, and the sea, the waters and all the springs, the sun, the moon, darkness, the stars, fire, men and beasts — praise Thee with the angels.

Thou alone art preëternal, in that Thou art the Creator of the ages. O reigning Godhead, One, indivisible, in three Persons: through the supplications of the pure Mother of God, show forth this year as fruitful for Thine inheritance.

The most blessed ones put forth streams of healings, as from a wellspring, upon those in need; they put an end to the pestilence of infirmities and dispel the burning heat of the passions; and they water the hearts of those who love God, to render them fertile with divine works.

The divine beacon Ammon, and Celsina, and with them the forty godly and divinely wise women who suffered lawfully, have been crowned and now join chorus with the angels. Let us bless them as is meet.

Seizing dominion over the enemy, ye were exalted, and became like unto angels; and ye now delight freely in the tree of life in paradise, O brides of God, and have received the wellspring of good things, praying for the world.

When thou didst gain dominion over the passions through patience, O God-bearing Symeon, Christ accepted thee as a participant in His Kingdom. Wherefore, we honor thee with hymns.

Having been vouchsafed the grace of healing from among the inviolate treasures of the Spirit, O God-bearing Symeon, thou dost bestow healings upon those who celebrate thy memory.

Having trod the heavenly path on the air of the virtues, girded about with sufferings, thou didst take flight to the tabernacles of heaven. Pray thou that our souls be saved.

O Lord and God of gods, Being of three Hypostases, unapproachable, uncreated, almighty Creator and Ruler of all: before Thee do we all fall down, and Thee do we entreat: blessing this beginning year, in that Thou art good, do Thou preserve Orthodox Christians and all Thy people in peace, O Compassionate One.

Thy life, O venerable one, which shone like a radiant beacon, hath illumined all the world with rays of miracles; for, praying for us who honor thee, O blessed one, by thy pillar thou didst ascend unto God as by a ladder, to that place where there is truly the ultimate fulfillment of all desires, O Symeon.

O Maker and Ruler of all creation, Who in Thine authority hast fixed the times and seasons: crown the cycles of the year with blessings of goodness, O Compassionate One, preserving Thy people in peace, unharmed and whole, we pray, through the supplications of her who gave birth to Thee, and of the divine angels.

After the Trisagion: the troparion of the Indication; Glory…, of the saint; Now and ever…, of the Theotokos. Then the litanies, dismissal and First Hour.