After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 for the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—
Troparion, in Tone IV—
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
The most holy Cross, the invincible trophy, cometh forth today, revealed by the earth like a hidden treasure, enriching the whole world with the rays of its universal goodness. Wherefore, we glorify the all-good economy of Christ our God Who deigned to be crucified thereon.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Troparion of the feast.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Of old, the Cross, depicted by Moses, the faithful beholder and favorite of God, the divine prophet, routed the hordes of the aliens; and now, depicted in the divine elevation at the hands of the sacred ministers, it dispelleth the hordes of the demons and the assemblies of the Jews, and is the reproof of the audacity of the ungodly.
Troparion of the martyrs, in Tone VIII—
Thy Cross, O our Savior, is the invincible might of Christians, whereby multitudes of alien nations are vanquished, and the peace of Thy Church, O Christ is bestowed upon those who render goodly glory. Venerating it now, we entreat Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind: Count us worthy of a portion with Thy saints.
Glory…, Now & ever…, troparion of the feast, in Tone I—
And 5 of the saint, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—
When of thine own will thou didst forsake thine earthly kingdom, and didst desire to labor for the Lord in monasticism, then the enemy of the human race inflicted many and cruel tribulations upon thee; yet, firm as adamant, thou wast not shaken thereby, but didst manfully endure them all. And now thou standest before Christ, praying for those who honor thy memory. Twice
When thou didst commit thyself to the Monastery of Saint Theodore, and there gavest thyself over to monastic obedience, then the enemy of the human race incited lawless people against thee, who unjustly dragged thee forth to slaughter thee like an innocent lamb, though thou hadst done no wrong to anyone. But thou didst pray unto the Lord, emulating the first martyr of Christ, and crying out with him: “O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!” Twice
When thou wast praying on thy knees before the image of the all-pure one, thy murderers, like wild beasts, fell upon thee with rage; and thou gavest thyself over into their hands without complaint, accepting great suffering and torment from them with patience, and didst commit thy righteous soul to the Lord.
Glory…, in Tone VI—
The city of Chernigov, which preserveth thy holy and much-suffering body in the Church of the Savior, rejoiceth today and crieth out to thee with love: O passion-bearer Prince Igor, entreat Christ God, that He preserve our land in peace profound, and that He protect this city and save us all.
Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone IV—
Let us clap our hands today for the victory which is praised with hymns, and with radiant countenance and tongue let us openly cry: O Christ, Who for our sake didst deign to be tried, to be spat upon and scourged and arrayed in a purple robe, and Who ascended the Cross; Whom beholding, the sun and the moon hid their light, and the earth trembled with fear, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain: Do Thou now grant us Thine honored Cross as a preserver and protector, and a dispeller of the demons; that, kissing it, we may all cry out to it: Save us by thy power, O Cross! Sanctify us by Thy radiance, O precious Cross! And fortify us by thine exaltation, for thou hast been given to us as the light and salvation of our souls.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
Thus saith the Lord: All the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them. Who will declare these things? or who will declare to you things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth. Be ye My witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none. I am God; and beside Me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you. Ye are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God, even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of My hands: I will work, and who shall turn it back? Thus saith the Lord God Who redeemeth you, the Holy One of Israel.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—
Blessed art thou, O city of Kiev, and holy are thy streets which drank the precious blood of the passion-bearing Prince Igor, who there was unjustly slain.
Stichos: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.
Rejoice, O city of Chernigov! Be glad, O holy house of the Savior! For ye guard a priceless treasure: the holy relics of the passion-bearer Igor, who prayeth unceasingly in behalf of our souls.
Stichos: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God they shall blossom forth.
Suffering steadfastly and manfully enduring tribulations, thou didst behold the Lord face to face, Who adorneth thee with the crown of martyrdom and hath caused thee to dwell in the mansions of heaven.
Glory…, in Tone VI—
Come, all ye who love the martyrs, let us glorify the glorious Igor, the passion-bearer of Christ; for he hath crushed the head of the serpent, and with his blood hath sanctified the earth. And he hath passed over from that which is on earth to the eternal habitations, and received honors for his struggles from the hand of the Almighty; and he asketh that cleansing and great mercy be granted to our souls.
Now & ever…, of the feast, in Tone V—
The words of Thy prophets, Isaiah and David, are fulfilled, O God, which said: All nations will come, O Lord, and bow down before Thee. For, behold the people who have been filled with Thy grace in Thy courts in Jerusalem, O Good One. O Thou Who didst endure the Cross for us and hast imparted life through Thy resurrection, preserve and save us!
Illumined by divine baptism, enlightened by the splendors of the Holy Spirit, thou didst take the Gospel of Christ into thy heart, fulfilling the word of the Son of God by thy deeds, O right-believing Prince Igor. Entreat our all-good Savior, that He grant us peace and mercy, and the salvation of the souls of us who cherish thine honored memory.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the feast, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—
The most holy Cross, the invincible trophy, cometh forth today, revealed by the earth like a hidden treasure, enriching the whole world with the rays of its universal goodness. Wherefore, we glorify the all-good economy of Christ our God Who deigned to be crucified thereon.
Of old, the Cross, depicted by Moses, the faithful beholder and favorite of God, the divine prophet, routed the hordes of the aliens; and now, depicted in the divine elevation at the hands of the sacred ministers, it dispelleth the hordes of the demons and the assemblies of the Jews, and is the reproof of the audacity of the ungodly.
Thy Cross, O our Savior, is the invincible might of Christians, whereby multitudes of alien nations are vanquished, and the peace of Thy Church, O Christ is bestowed upon those who render goodly glory. Venerating it now, we entreat Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind: Count us worthy of a portion with Thy saints.
And 3 stichera of the martyrs, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Thy martyrs…”—
Desiring to take pleasure in inexhaustible food, O martyr Trophimus, thou didst strive with the pangs of thy body and didst pass over from corruption to incorruption, rejoicing and adorned with thy martyric witness. Wherefore, by thy supplications entreat great mercy for all.
The glorious Sabbatius, having endured many torments, hath now been vouchsafed to celebrate with great joy in the courts of heaven. Receiving honors for his struggles, he is numbered among the assemblies of the angels. By his supplications, O Christ, grant Thy people great mercy.
Setting at nought the counsel of the ungodly, thou didst make thy mind steadfast with divine counsels, O Dorymedon; and thou didst manfully enter upon the trials of tortures, receiving trophies of honor. And thou reignest ever with Christ, praying for us all.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone IV—
Let us clap our hands today for the victory which is praised with hymns, and with radiant countenance and tongue let us openly cry: O Christ, Who for our sake didst deign to be tried, to be spat upon and scourged and arrayed in a purple robe, and Who ascended the Cross; Whom beholding, the sun and the moon hid their light, and the earth trembled with fear, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain: Do Thou now grant us Thine honored Cross as a preserver and protector, and a dispeller of the demons; that, kissing it, we may all cry out to it: Save us by thy power, O Cross! Sanctify us by Thy radiance, O precious Cross! And fortify us by thine exaltation, for thou hast been given to us as the light and salvation of our souls.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—
The Cross is raised up, and the demons are driven away; the thief openeth the gates of Eden; death is slain, and now is shown to be void; and Christ is magnified. Wherefore, all mortals are glad, for the curse hath been annulled.
Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is holy.
Come, all ye who love God, and, beholding the precious Cross uplifted, let us magnify together, and give glory to the one Deliverer and God, crying aloud: O Thou Who wast crucified on the tree of the Cross, disdain not those who entreat Thee.
Stichos: God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
Moses, of old, sweetening bitterness, delivered Israel, prefigured the Cross in image; and all of us, the faithful, depicting it ever in our hearts in godly mystic manner, are saved by its might.
Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V—
The words of Thy prophets, Isaiah and David, are fulfilled, O God, which said: All nations will come, O Lord, and bow down before Thee. For, behold the people who have been filled with Thy grace in Thy courts in Jerusalem, O Good One. O Thou Who didst endure the Cross for us and hast imparted life through Thy resurrection, preserve and save us!
God Who is praised in Trinity hath glorified a trinity of martyrs: Trophimus, Sabbatius and Dorymedon. For, believing in Him, they cast down the enemy. By their supplications, O Christ our God, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant victory unto Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by the power of Thy Cross preserve Thou Thy commonwealth.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.