Canon of the Theotokos, in Tone VI—

Exapostilarion—

Irmos : Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!

Katavasia: I will open my mouth…

Kontakion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “To thee, the champion leader…”—

Having renewed the ground of thy heart with the plough of prayer, O venerable one, and sown it with the seed of thy labors, thou wast shown to be the all-comely wheat of the Word, and hast attained unto the dwelling-place of never-waning light.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…”—

Theotokion: In manner transcending the laws of nature, thou gavest birth to God, the Giver of the law Who became man. O most immaculate one, entreat Him, in that He is good, that He overlook the iniquities of us who ever cry: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

When Eve partook of the forbidden fruit of the tree, she brought about the curse; yet thou hast annulled it, O pure one, having given birth to Christ, the Firstfruits of blessing.

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

By unceasing prayer thou hast hastened to God, and hence thou hast been illumined with the effulgence of the threefold Sun, waging war against the enemy, and leading to new life the assemblies of fasters who cry aloud to Christ: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

When the divine calling came upon thee, O thou who art most rich, thou didst make subject to thy spirit all the understanding of thy flesh, making thyself steadfast through the sufferings of ascetic labor; and thou wast shown to be tested, shining like gold in the crucible. Thou wast a dwelling-place of the all-holy Spirit, gathering together multitudes of monastics, and leading them to the summit of the virtues by thy teachings, as by a ladder which leadeth up to heaven. O Sergius, remember us who honor thy memory, and save and enlighten our souls. Twice

Theotokion: Rejoice, O wellspring of grace! Rejoice, O ladder and portal of heaven! Rejoice, O golden lampstand and jar, thou mountain unquarried, who for the world gavest birth to Christ, the Bestower of life.

Having given birth to Christ the Pearl by the lightning-flash of God, O pure one, dispel the darkness of my passions and the vexation of transgressions with the light of thy splendor.

Irmos : Thy victorious right arm hath in godly manner been glorified in strength; for as almighty, O Immortal One, it smote the adversary, fashioning anew the path of the deep for the Israelites.

Today hath shone forth thine all-radiant and most festive memory, O all-glorious Sergius, summoning the numerous company of fasters and the choirs of the venerable, wherein the angels glorify our God Who is worshipped in Trinity, and those who have recourse to the sacred shrine of thy relics receive gifts of healing. And we glorify Christ Who hath crowned thee, the Savior of our souls.

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be more exalted than the cherubim and the seraphim, O Theotokos; for thou alone didst receive the infinite God in thy womb, O undefiled one. Wherefore, all of us, the faithful, bless thee with hymns, O pure one.

With noetic eyes Jacob mystically foresaw God, the Expectation of the nations Who is incarnate of thee, Who hath delivered us through thy mediation.

Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.

O all-blessed God-bearer, father Sergius, in accordance with the words of the prophet thou didst water thy couch with tears; thou gavest no sleep to thine eyes, neither slumber to thine eye-lids, showing that the desire of thy heart was for Christ Whom thou hadst loved from childhood; and thou didst show forth the accomplishment of every virtue. Wherefore, we bless thee, magnifying Christ Who hath glorified thee.

Theotokion: From thee, O pure one, did the never-fading Flower bloom, perfuming all mankind with the divine myrrh of His nature: He Who with the Father is equally without beginning came under time through thee, O most immaculate one.

When the tribe of Judah was bereft of leaders, O all-pure one, thy Son and God, issuing forth as a prince, truly reigneth now over the ends of the earth.

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Glory…, in Tone II—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Canon I of the Venerable Sergius, the acrostic whereof is: “O my God, grant that I may praise Sergius”, in Tone VIII—

Irmos: O Thou Who alone hast known the weakness of human nature, having in Thy mercy formed Thyself therein: Thou dost gird me about with power from on high, that I may chant to Thee: Holy is the living temple of Thine ineffable glory, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Inclined toward asceticism from childhood, O venerable father, thou didst fast, becoming the instrument of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, receiving gifts of miracles, thou didst teach men to spurn those things which are transitory, and thou shinest now radiantly with ineffable light. Illumine our thoughts by thy mediation, O wise Sergius.

Theotokion: Grant us the washing away of our ignorance, in that Thou art sinless, and bring peace to the world, O God, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.

Emulating Christ, Who willingly abased Himself for our sake, even to assume the guise of a servant, thou didst love humility; and having mortified soul-destroying passions with extreme vigilance and supplications, thou didst ascend the mountain of dispassion, O Sergius who art most rich.

Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.

All my hope do I set upon thee, O Mother of God. Keep me under thy protection.

Theotokion: Arriving from heaven, the angelic commander announced joy to thee, O pure one, saying: “God shall issue forth from thee in the flesh, O all-pure Virgin, for the salvation of those who hymn thee with love! Glory to thy power, O helper of men!”

Adorning thy soul with torrents of tears, as it were a beacon of light, O venerable one, thou didst offer thyself like another Isaac, and didst sacrifice thy heart to God.

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Theotokion: Having thee as a rampart, we bless thee, preserved by thy help, boasting in thy divine glory; for thou, O all-pure one, pourest forth gladness and joy upon our souls.

O all-blessed Sergius, who by thy threefold exclamation in thy mother’s womb wast shown to be a servant of the Trinity: illumined with the light of the threefold Sun, thou hast destroyed the hordes of the demons as though they were a spider’s web.

Irmos: Habbakuk, gazing with the eyes of foresight upon thee, the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come forth from thee, for our salvation and restoration.

Theotokion: By thy birthgiving, O Virgin, thou didst abolish the curse of Eve, the first mother of all, shining forth Christ, our Blessing, upon the world. Wherefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, confessing thee with tongue and heart to be the true Theotokos.

Thou wast made steadfast by the love of Christ, O venerable and divinely blessed Sergius, and wast shown to be like a river which abundantly watereth all the earth with the discourse of teaching; wherefore, we bless thy memory with love.

Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.

Theotokion: Thou hast truly elevated human nature, which had fallen, O Mother of God, having borne without seed in thy womb the invisible and immutable Son, the divine Image, the Equal of the Father.

Blessing flowed from thy hand at the behest of God; for by thy supplication arid ground poured forth water, and drawing it forth, we now receive healing in abundance, O venerable Sergius.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Theotokion: The whole choir of the prophets, instructed by God, hath proclaimed the mystery of thine ineffable and divine conception, whereby the Word came forth from thee, O Virgin Mother; for thou hast given birth to the true and primal Light.

Thou wast wholly dedicated to God from thy youth, drawing nigh unto Him by the virtues; for, having forsaken things corruptible on earth, thou hast found the riches of heaven.

Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.

Theotokion: O Virgin, thou hast grown forth as a rod, the most blessed fruit, from the root of Jesse, bearing the Flower of salvation for those who with faith cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The Good One, ineffably receiving my corrupt and mortal flesh from thy womb, O most pure Mother of God, hath bound it eternally to Him, rendering it immortal.

Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!

Theotokion: Rejoice, O pure daughter of Adam; for from thee is come forth the Shepherd Who hath truly clothed Himself wholly in my humanity: the blessed God of our fathers, Who is supremely exalted for His unapproachable loving-kindness.

Beholding God incarnate of thee, O Virgin, the angelic choirs were stricken with awe and fear; and with constant hymnody they honor thee as the Mother of God.

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Theotokion: O pure Theotokos, cleanse my soul of the wounds and temptations of sin, washing it in the springs which flow from the side of thine Offspring; for to thee do I cry, to thee do I flee, and thee do I invoke, who art full of the grace of God.

The Prophet Daniel was filled with awe, perceiving thee as the noetic mountain from whence the Stone was cut without the aid of men’s hands. And He hath crushed the temples of the demons with might, O Mother of God.

Irmos: The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.

Theotokion: The rich Word, Who is glorified by angelic hymns, beggared Himself for our sake, choosing thee, the beauty of Jacob, to be His Mother, O blessed one; wherefore, chanting, we sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Neither the words nor the tongue of men can praise thee as is meet, O Virgin; for from thee, O all-pure one, was Christ, the Bestower of life, pleased to become incarnate without seed.

Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Theotokion: We hymn thee with psalms, O joyous one, and unceasingly cry out to thee: Rejoice! For thou hast poured forth joy upon all.

Providing thy disciples with a model of goodness in thyself, thou didst draw to salvation many souls who cut themselves off from passionate attachment to the world, and they have received the consolation of delight in paradise.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Theotokion: O thy strange wonder! For, having given birth ineffably to God the Word, O Virgin Theotokos, thou wast shown to be the mystery hidden and concealed before all ages and generations, in God Who hath created all things.

Thou didst flourish like a right fruitful olive-tree in the house of God, O blessed one, anointing with oil the souls of those who lovingly hymn thee, O all-blessed Sergius, and cry out to Christ with love: There is none more holy than Thee, Who lovest mankind!

Irmos: O Theotokos, we, the faithful, perceive thee to be a noetic furnace; for, as the supremely Exalted One saved the three youths, in thy womb the praised and most glorious God of our fathers wholly renewed the world.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thou didst lull to sleep the soul-destroying passions with vigils of wakefulness, O blessed one; and therefore thou hast made thine abode in the mansions of heaven, O divinely wise Sergius, receiving the gift of healing.

Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt ­supremely for all ages!

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Having spurned corrupt glory, O blessed one, thou wast vouchsafed to become an heir to divine glory; for having trampled the beauty of life underfoot, thou partakest of divine glory with the angels in the highest.

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Honored by the effulgence of the Holy Spirit, thou didst adorn thyself with a radiant life, O venerable father, giving freely to those in need, and receiving the ranks of monastics with love.

Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace showed forth the image of a supernatural wonder; for it burned not the youths whom it had received, just as the fire of the Godhead burned not the Virgin, whose womb it entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Having truly forsaken the inconstancy of corrupt things, thou didst follow after Christ with all thy soul, living like an incorporeal being through pangs, labors and extreme asceticism. O venerable Sergius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved. Twice

Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.

O Theotokos, thou art more exalted than the cherubim and the seraphim, more spacious than heaven and earth, and hast been shown to surpass creation, visible and invisible, in transcendent comparison; for the expanse of the heavens cannot contain Him Whom thou didst contain in thy womb. O pure one, entreat Him, that thy servants be saved.

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

O all-pure one, saved by thee, we hymn thee, the most immaculate one, and chanting piously, we cry aloud: Blessed art thou who gavest birth unto God, O Ever-virgin!

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.

O most blessed Virgin, thou gavest birth to the never-waning Light which shineth forth in the flesh upon those in the darkness of life; and thou hast poured forth joy upon those who hymn thee, O Ever-virgin.

Through thee, O most holy one, grace hath blossomed forth, and the law hath ceased; for thou, O pure Ever-virgin, gavest birth to the Lord Who granteth us remission.

The eating of the tree hath shown me to be mortal; but the Tree of life, Who appeared from thee, O all-pure one, hath risen from the dead and made me an heir to the sweetness of paradise.

Thou wast a temple of the all-holy Spirit, O right wondrous father Sergius, a river full of the waters of life, the unshakable foundation of the Church, and the confirmation of monastics.

Every day thou didst drench thy bed with the drops of thy tears, as said the prophet, O glorious Sergius, until thou didst utterly dry up the depths of the passions; wherefore, we honor thine ever-honorable and sacred memory.

Thou wast vouchsafed to see Christ face to face, O Sergius, reflections having truly been abolished; for this separated thee from the world unto thy desired Beloved.

Illumined with radiant beams of light, O all-blessed one, rejoicing thou hast received heavenly delight; for thou wast truly more pure bread for the Creator, O wise Sergius, crying out to Him: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Having passed above the soul-corrupting passions and entered the depths of stillness, the child who had died thou didst raise up before the departure of his soul from his body, and beyond hope didst bring joy to his father. Wherefore, marvelling, thou didst cry out to the Creator: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Having given wings to the understanding of thy soul and guided thy senses to the path of heaven, O wise one, thou didst declare the holiness of piety to those on earth.

Shining forth with radiance in purity, O most hymned one, thou becamest the divine abode of the Master; for thou alone wast shown to be the Mother of God, bearing Him in thine arms as a babe.

Bearing the noetic beauty of thy most beautiful soul, thou wast the Bride of God, thy virginity sealed, O pure one, illumining the world with the light of purity.

Let the assembly of the ungodly lament, who do not proclaim thee openly to be the pure Mother of God; for thou hast been shown to us as the portal of the divine Light, dispelling the darkness of transgressions.

Thou wast steadfast in ascetic labor, O wise one, continuing it carefully until thy departure; and thereby thou hast manifestly been vouchsafed the blessedness of incorruption.

Possessed of a mind keen to attend unto God, thou didst lull the soul-corrupting passions to sleep, O father, and hast reaped sheaves of fruitfulness, feeding those who piously praise thee, O venerable father Sergius.

Thy life was splendid, O venerable Sergius, and is shown forth to all the ends of the earth as famous, and as full of divine beauty through prayer and fasting, and love for Christ, Who loveth mankind.

Thou didst manifestly put off the old man, O father, casting him away as though he were a garment defiled by sinful passions, and thou didst clothe thyself in the new man, in accordance with the likeness of Christ, O most honorable one.

Having broken asunder the chains of the passions by thine angelic life, O Sergius, receiving the gift of the working of miracles from on high, beg the cleansing of our offenses.

Moses, great among the prophets, described thee beforehand as the ark, the table, the lampstand and the jar, signifying in images the incarnation of the Most High through thee, O Mother and Virgin.

Death is slain, and the corruption of Adam’s condemnation is abolished, broken by thy Fruit, O Mistress; for thou gavest birth to the Life which delivereth those who hymn thee from corruption.

The law failed, and the shadow passed away, when, in manner past understanding and thought, there appeared to me the grace which came from thee, O most hymned Virgin, through the nativity of God the Savior.

Cease not to entreat the Deliverer, that He grant remission of offenses to those who keep thy sacred memory, O father, that they receive the kingdom of heaven, where the voice of those who keep festival gladdeneth all.

Strengthened by Christ, with steadfast mind thou didst rend asunder all the wiles of the evil one like a snare, O father Sergius, and wast shown to be an all-radiant beacon to the world.

Illumined with divine light, and dwelling now with the angels in the heavens, O ever-memorable and venerable Sergius, be thou mindful of those who honor thy memory with faith.

With mercy thou dost illumine us, thy flock, from on high, O father, by thy supplications granting victory to our pious hierarchs over all heresies, and lifting high the horn of the ­Orthodox. Accept also from us this small entreaty offered unto thee.

The grace to heal divers ailments hath been given to thee, and the authority from Christ over unclean spirits, O wise one, for as a godly victory thou hast received the crown of victory from Him Who reigneth over all.

Wounded with the love of Christ, O venerable one, and following Him with unwavering desire, thou didst despise all the delight of the flesh, and hast shone forth like the sun upon thy native land; wherefore, Christ hath enriched thee with the gift of miracles. Be thou mindful of us who honor thine all-radiant memory, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!

Ikos: Having heard the words of the Gospel, O father, thou didst forsake all carnal mindedness and, considering riches and glory to be as dust, thou didst contend against the passions like an incorporeal being, and wast vouchsafed to join the choirs of the bodiless hosts. Thou didst receive the gift of understanding, which do thou grant unto those who hymn thee thus in song: Rejoice, O venerable and God-bearing Sergius, thou heavenly man and earthly angel; rejoice, thou dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, thou who through prayer received a gift divinely bestowed; rejoice, thou who before thy birth didst glorify with thine exclamation the Holy Trinity, Who hath glorified thee in this life and after death! Rejoice, pillar of chastity beneath which every passion hath been crushed; rejoice, for from earliest childhood thou didst follow after Christ! Rejoice, mediator of salvation for those who have recourse to thee; rejoice, beacon of great radiance, guiding multitudes of monks to Christ! Rejoice, thou boast of thy homeland; rejoice, thou who wast adorned with prophecy, to foretell things of the future as though they were present! Rejoice, for by thy supplications are the adversary vanquished; rejoice, boast and confirmation of our Christ-loving hierarchs, whom do thou by thine entreaties preserve unharmed by the enemy, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!

The furnace did not consume the three youths who prefigured thy birthgiving; for the divine Fire dwelt within thee without consuming thee, and hath taught all to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

The ends of the earth bless thee, O most immaculate Mother, as thou didst foretell, and, illumined by thy brilliant radiance and grace, they who hymn thee cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

The most wicked serpent hath sunk his deadly fangs into me; yet thy Son hath broken them, O Mother of God, and given me the might to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Thou art the purification of nature, O only blessed one of God; for, having borne in thine arms God Who sitteth upon the shoulders of the cherubim, thou criest aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Divine grace bedewed thee in the furnace of burning temptations, O venerable one, and showed thee to be greatly luminous with desire for the Trinity, crying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Spurning the world, O glorious Sergius, thou didst dwell on earth like one incorporeal, and hast been vouchsafed to join the choirs of the angels. Wherefore, we honor thee with faith, O right wondrous one.

Entering the calm haven, O divinely wise one, thou didst find rest from the voyages of life, and thou hast become a saving helmsman for those tossed upon the waves of life, who chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

By the hand of God thou wast shown on earth to be another heaven, O all-blessed one, and thou didst nurture thy reason-endowed flock, living in the flesh like an angel, O divinely wise one.

Having thee as a mighty advocate before God, a comforter amid sorrows, a champion and intercessor, and a mediator of piety, O blessed and venerable Sergius, we, thy children, are saved from all misfortunes.

Thy Son, illumining thee as Queen with the radiance of the Spirit as in a robe of gold, O most pure one, hath set thee at His right hand. Him do we exalt supremely for all ages.

He Who hath founded the world by His will alone doth borrow flesh from thine all-pure womb, desiring to set it on high. Him do we exalt supremely for all ages.

Through the uniting of the Word to my humanity thou becamest the dwelling-place of God, O all-pure one, manifestly resplendent with the radiance of virginity. Wherefore, we hymn thee for all ages.

The golden lampstand prefigured thee who ineffably received the unapproachable Light which illumineth all things with His knowledge. Wherefore, O pure one, we hymn thee for all ages.

Fill thou thy radiant festival with joy and spiritual gladness, with sweet fragrance and enlightenment for the monastics who have thee as their helper and ruler, O all-blessed Sergius.

O Sergius, thou didst show forth on earth might in ascetic labor, diligence in prayer and endurance amid temptations, crying: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Chanting zealously, we beseech thee, O venerable one: Pray thou that victory be given to our pious hierarchs over all heresies, majesty to the Church, and peace to the world.

The grace of the Holy Spirit dwelt within thee, made thee an expeller of evil spirits, and showed thee forth as an instructor of monastics, who cry: O all creation, bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!

Shining from afar with the light of the threefold Sun, grant peace to the world, and light and salvation to those who at thy commemoration hymn thee, O venerable father, crying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The Star shining forth from Jacob with rays of divinity through thee, O all-pure one, shone forth upon those held fast by darkness: Christ God, the incarnate Word. And, illumined by Him, with the armies of heaven we call thee blessed.

Strengthened by thy power and grace, I have ardently set forth hymnody from my heart. Accept it, O pure and divinely blessed Virgin, bestowing thy greatly radiant grace from the treasuries of incorruption.

Thou hast manifestly been shown to be the loom of the Godhead, whereon the Word wove the garment of His body, deifying my guise, O Virgin. And clothing Himself therein, He hath saved all who magnify thee with a pure mind.

Resurrection hath now been given to the dead through thine ineffable and indescribable birthgiving, O most pure Theotokos; for He Who wrapped Himself in flesh through thee hath shone forth light upon all and hath manifestly done away with the gloom of death.

Full of the light of the effulgence of the Spirit, O wise Sergius, thou wast shown to be a beacon shining from afar, illumining us with noetic beams; and thou hast been shown to be the dwelling-place of the all-divine Trinity.

Truly hath Christ given thee to the lands of Russia as a great guide, steering thy homeland with a rudder firmly held, pouring forth teachings sweeter than honey; and we, the faithful, draw them forth in abundance as with a dipper.

Having vanquished the soul-corrupting passions, as a true shepherd thou didst tend the reason-endowed flock of Christ, nurturing them continually with the grace of the Spirit, as with the flowers of paradise, O venerable one.

Illumined by the love of Christ, and enlightened by the virtues, O wise one, thou didst not defile the beauty of thy soul. Thou didst pass over to the fathers in goodly old age, and standest before God with the angels, O Sergius.

Wash away our offenses, O Word, and enlighten the eyes of our heart, that in purity we may behold the radiance of Thy divine effulgence, through the supplications of Sergius thy favorite, that we may all magnify Thee.

Thou didst flourish like a palm-tree, as David said, O father, and wast shown to be the abode of the most Holy Spirit, Who hath shown thee to the whole world as glorious. Unceasingly beseech Christ in behalf of us who with faith honor thine all-honorable memory, O venerable Sergius. Twice

O Virgin Theotokos, we bless thee with unceasing hymns, for thou gavest birth to One of the Trinity, and thou bearest in thy divine embrace the all-rich Word Who is immutable and unchangeable.