Song of ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Reading from the Gospel
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared…”—
After the first chanting of the Psalter, these sessional hymns, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—
Now & ever…: Theotokion:
On “God is the Lord…”, the first troparion of the martyrs, twice; Glory…, the second troparion; Now & ever…: Resurrectional theotokion, in the tone of the second troparion.
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III—
With veneration let us honor the martyrs of Christ, the venerable fathers, as our tireless intercessors and preservers; for having courageously denounced the falsehood of the Latin-minded, they were accounted right worthy of a godly end.
Now & ever…: Theotokion:
Canon of supplication to the all-holy Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and two canons of the venerable martyrs, with 8 troparia.
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—
O wise ones, ye have been shown to be radiant stars of the Church of Christ, illumining it with the beams of your teachings and the splendors of your sufferings; for ye made plain the doctrines of the fathers. Wherefore, with faith we celebrate your sacred memory today.
Now & ever…: Theotokion:
On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saints, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.
Thou wast a true virgin before giving birth, O Virgin; thou wast a true virgin in giving birth, O Virgin; and after giving birth thou didst remain a virgin, O Ever-virgin. Wherefore, I beseech thee, in that thou art the Virgin Mother: Strengthen me, O Virgin Maiden, that I may be virginal in soul and body.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the venerable fathers, with 8 troparia, in Tone VIII—
After the second chanting of the Psalter, these sessional hymns, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…”—
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
The army of the angels truly marvelled at the courage of the wise fathers who suffered venerably: how, standing upon the tower, they denounced the iniquitous emperor, the cruel Beccus and the cardinals, and valiantly endured being reduced to ashes, as though it were someone else who was suffering. Wherefore, Christ hath crowned them with never-fading wreaths.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—
The steadfastness of your courage doth amaze every mind, O venerable athletes of Christ, ye adornment of the Monastery of Zographou, who with valor of mind vanquished the minions of the pope, who reviled their arrogance and vain counsels, and in goodly fashion formed a divine regiment; wherefore, celebrating your sacred memory, we have you as fervent intercessors, O most lauded ones.
O Theotokos, thou alone art the joy of the angels, the adornment of the incorporeal ones, the salvation of men and the effulgence of the faithful. Wherefore, we bless thee with faith, honoring thee as the divine Maiden, O pure one. From all need deliver thou thy servants, O blessed Bride of God, vouchsafing them the eternal good things of heaven.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We magnify you, O holy and venerable martyrs of Zographou, and we reverence your honored sufferings, which ye endured for Christ.
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
After the Polyeleos, these sessional hymns, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…”—
Let the brilliant diamonds of Orthodoxy, who were patiently tried in the temporal fire, be praised today, for they were proclaimers of the Trinity.
Today the Monastery of Zographou doth celebrate the honored solemnity of its venerable martyrs; for they proclaimed the divine dogmas of Orthodoxy.
O invincible intercessor for the oppressed and fervent aid of those who trust in thee: Deliver me from misfortunes, for thou art the helper of all.
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 Luke, § 24 [Lk. 6: 17-23]
At that time, Jesus stood in the plain, and the company of His disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all. And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye who hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye who weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone II—
Loving that which is incorrupt and abiding, instead of that which is corrupt and transitory, and honoring the things of heaven over those of earth, O venerable fathers who suffered: From barbarian invasions, and from the assaults and incursions of brigands deliver those who honor you, we pray, that we may ever honor your most honorable memory.
With many tribulations ye traversed the path of this life, and, having reached the goal of your noetic desire, ye have made your abode in the bridal-chamber of divine glory. And, rejoicing now with the King and God of all, pray ye, that we also may share in your gladness who honor your company, O most blessed fathers.
By thy supplications, O joyous one, mediate and ask for our souls a multitude of compassions and cleansing of transgressions for all who hymn thee, the pure Mother and Virgin.
Having heard of the wedding of the Lamb in the bridal-chamber of heaven, when the summons of the King Most High went out to all, ye forsook all earthly attachments, O God-bearing fathers; and having cleansed your garments with streams of tears, ye entered, purified, into the banquet of Christ God. Before the doors are closed and entry thereto is denied, pray ye, that we also, entering in with repentance, may partake of it with you.
Ever beholding the wedding-chamber adorned with everlasting glory, we desire to enter therein; yet lacking wedding garments, we are ashamed. Let us not be bound by the angels and cast out, O Virgin Mary, but as thou art the vesture of boldness for the naked, adorn us and lead us into the kingdom of Christ.
Polyeleos, and this magnification—
We magnify you, O our venerable fathers of the Caves, and we honor your holy memory; for ye entreat Christ God in our behalf.
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
Following the call of your Lord, and taking the Cross in your hands like a staff, ye were undaunted by the fear which lay in wait in the darkness, but passed through it with trust to the calm haven; and having found the reward of your struggles, ye rejoice in unapproachable light. Wherefore, we honor you, O most blessed fathers, as ones who ever entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Having thee, O Virgin Bride of God, who alone among women art blessed, as the boast and adornment of virgins, an invincible ally in battle, the confirmation of the afflicted and speedy visitation of the grieving, we fall down today in thy temple and offer thee our entreaties, that thou beseech Christ God to grant remission of offenses unto those who piously 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.
according to St. Matthew (4:25-5:12)
At that time, there followed Jesus great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VIII—
Who can describe the powers of the Lord? What tongue of mortal men can recount your wondrous life, O our God-bearing fathers of the Caves: how ye endured sufferings, and what struggles ye undertook, laying waste to your flesh by vigils, fasting and tears, crushing the pride of the enemy by prayers and humility? And having shone forth like angels in your mortal bodies, ye have made your abode in the mansions of heaven; wherefore, visit today those who with praises hymn you, the honorable company of fasters in God, and entreat Christ God, that we may receive great mercy.
One canon from the Octoechos, and two for the saints.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.