O right wondrous and venerable mother Euphrosyne, desiring gladness, thou didst tread the path which bringeth it; for thou didst trade riches for great poverty, a betrothed in the flesh for One Who liveth eternally, corruptible food for abstinence, rest for the pangs of ascetic endeavor, that which is in the world for the life of heaven, which thou hast received with the wise virgins, keeping thy lamp continually alight, and hast been vouchsafed the bridal-chamber as a virgin, in that thou art the bride of Christ, O most lauded one.

¶8

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

¶9

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

¶10

Quenching the thirst of thy mind with the streams of thy tears, through fasting thou didst produce the fruits of virtue, and as a most comely vine thou hast given rise to beautiful grapes, O honored one. Manifestly delighting our spiritual senses with the divine juice thereof, we take true delight in thy likeness and rejoice with divine gladness, putting aside the drunkenness of sin, and crying out to thee, O most honored one: Ever entreat Christ, that He grant unity of mind, peace and great mercy to the whole world.

¶11

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

¶12

O strange vision difficult for nature to accept! How didst thou hide from the ancient seducer of Eve and his cruel machinations, dwelling in the midst of men with perfect mind? How didst thou pass through the fire without being consumed? How didst thou conceal thy womanly weakness, strengthened by the divine power of Him Who took our weakness upon Himself and shone forth from the Maiden who knew not wedlock? Him do thou beseech, joining chorus with the angels, that He grant unity of mind, peace and great mercy to the whole world.

¶13

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

¶14

Glory…, the composition of the Studite, in Tone II—

¶15

As the bride of Christ, thou didst preserve the pure treasure of thy purity unsullied by men, O most blessed Euphrosyne; for having caused the beauty of thy body to wither away through feats of fasting, thou didst adorn thy soul with the goodly countenance of grace; for, having manifestly concealed thy womanhood under the guise of a man, thou didst hide from the pursuit of Belial, living an angelic life. Ask peace for those who praise thee with love, in that thou art the namesake of gladness, O divinely blessed one.

¶16

When thou didst behold hanging upon the Tree the most ripe Cluster, Whom thou didst bear as a babe in thy womb without being cultivated, thou didst exclaim, lamenting and crying aloud: “O my Child and Benefactor, through Thy divine consolations pour forth the sweetness whereby all the drunkenness of the passions is made sober, for the sake of me who gave Thee birth, in that Thou art compassionate.

¶17

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 4 in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set aside…”—

¶18

Having forsaken the tumult of the world and taken up thy cross, thou didst follow after Christ with unwavering resolve, O venerable one, and didst make thine abode in the wilderness, cutting off the passions of the soul at the root and rendering bitter the bodily senses; and through frequent vigils and supplications, O venerable one, thou didst receive the grace to heal divers ailments. O venerable Sergius, converser with the angels and companion of the venerable, entreat the Lord, that our souls find mercy.

¶19

O venerable father, who can recount thy labors and pangs? What tongue can describe thy strict life, thy keeping of vigils and subsistence on food uncooked, thy lying on the ground, thy purity of body and soul, thy perfect silence of mouth and mind, thine unfeigned humility, thy constant prayers and right prudent discernment, the raggedness of thy raiment, and thy remembrance of death? O Sergius our father, pray thou, that our souls be saved.

¶20

O venerable father Sergius, thou hast been shown to be a physician of souls and bodies, pouring forth streams of healing, adorned with the gift of prophecy, perceiving the things of the future as though they were present; for, having armed the prince with prayer, that he might vanquish the barbarians who boasted that they would destroy his land, as the psalmist said they fittingly fell like corpses into hell, stricken down by a divinely inflicted wound, O venerable one.

¶21

O divinely wise Sergius, having abandoned that glory which lasteth not, thou madest thine abode in the wilderness and mountains, and becamest the pure home of the Trinity, O blessed one, by Whose power thou didst raise up all-holy temples and didst erect folds for the salvation of monastics. And Christ our God dwelt within thee, Whom thou didst desire from thy youth. Him do thou beseech, O venerable Sergius, that our souls be saved.

¶22

And 4 stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Enduring torments…”—

¶23

Manfully enduring the present, and rejoicing in things to come, O venerable Sergius, thou didst say unto all: “Shall we not freely struggle, expecting to receive life eternal? Tribulations are grievous, but paradise is sweet; labors are painful, but their reward is everlasting! Wherefore, let us not become slothful, O fasters: let us endure for a little while, that we may be crowned by Christ God, the Savior of our souls, with never-fading wreaths!” Twice

¶24

Looking upon tribulations as delight, and treading the narrow path, O all-blessed Sergius, thou didst say to thy disciples: “Let us not be afraid of the contest of fasting, that we may avoid the dread torment of Gehenna. Let us fold our hands, that they may be stretched out toward God; and let our feet stand rooted in prayer. Let us not spare our corrupt nature, but let us embrace the struggle, that we may be crowned by Christ God, the Savior of our souls, with never-fading wreaths!”

¶25

Having cast off the garments of corruption, thou didst go about in winter without warm vesture, as though it were summer, O Sergius, saying with patience: “Let us now lay aside soft clothes for paradise, which we have lost; let us now put them away for the sake of the garments of incorruption, O brethren, and let us pay no heed to the winter which passeth away. Let us lay waste to our flesh, that we may be crowned by Christ God, the Savior of our souls, with never-fading wreaths!”

¶26

Glory…, in Tone VI—

¶27

Having kept intact that which was created according to the image of God, through fasting thou didst set thy mind as master over the pernicious passions; for doing violence manfully to thy nature, thou didst strive to subject that which is baser to that which is higher, and to enslave the flesh to the spirit. Wherefore, thou hast been shown to be the summit of monastics, a dweller in the wilderness, the trainer of those who run the good race, a most excellent rule of virtue. And now, in the heavens, reflections having been abolished, O Sergius our father, thou gazest in purity upon the Holy Trinity, praying unceasingly for those who honor thee with faith and love.

¶28

Who doth not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not hymn thine all-pure birthgiving? For the only-begotten Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth, ineffably incarnate, from thee, the pure one; and being God by nature, He became man for our sake, not divided into two Persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Him do thou beseech, O pure and most blessed one, that our souls find mercy!

¶29

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. 3 Readings:

¶30

The memory of the just is praised, and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who knoweth prudence. For it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver. And she is more valuable than precious stones: no precious thing is equal to her in value. For length of existence and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are wealth and glory: out of her mouth righteousness proceedeth, and she carrieth law and mercy upon her tongue. Hearken to me, O children, for I will speak solemn truths. Blessed is the man who shall keep my ways; for my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. Ye, O men, do I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, have built up; upon counsel, knowledge and understanding have I called. Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine. I love those that love me; they that seek me shall find grace. O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge. Hearken unto me again; for I will speak solemn truths. For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse. They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge. For I will instruct you in truth, that your hope may be in the Lord, and ye may be filled with the Spirit.

¶31

The mouth of the righteous droppeth wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable unto Him. Wherever pride entereth, there will also disgrace: but the mouth of the humble doth meditate wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the overthrow of the rebellious shall spoil them. Possessions shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. When a just man dieth, he leaveth regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy and causeth joy. Righteousness traceth out blameless paths: but ungodliness encountereth unjust dealing. The righteousness of upright men delivereth them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction. At the death of a just man his hope doth not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perisheth. A righteous man escapeth from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place. In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare for citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous. In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospereth, but at the destruction of the wicked there is exultation. At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted, but by the mouths of ungodly men it is overthrown. A man void of understanding sneereth at his fellow citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.

¶32

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.

¶33

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, and these stichera of the venerable one, in Tone VI—

¶34

Come, ye company of fasters, who love the feasts of the Church, and, assembling with faith today, let us honor Sergius the true faster, who, gladly following in his Master’s footsteps, trod the narrow path and the life of dispassion; and let us cry out with faith: O most blessed one, companion of the venerable and boast of fasters, entreat the Lord in our behalf, that our souls find mercy.

¶35

O venerable and God-bearing Sergius, thou didst forsake all for the sake of Christ’s love, and, having entered the wilderness, wast in nowise affrighted by the machinations of the invisible foe; for even though they descended upon thee many times, gnashing their teeth and displaying their rage, by thy supplications thou didst cause them to vanish like smoke without a trace. O thine immaculate soul and mighty endurance! Unceasingly beseech Christ, that our souls be saved.

¶36

O most sacred and great Church of Russia, having drunk of the streams of the wellspring of the Gospel with the Orthodox princes, monks and layfolk, let us be glad in the Spirit on this appointed feast of the good shepherd and teacher, and, surrounding his healing relics, let us lovingly venerate them and crown them with hymns and praises as with flowers, saying: Rejoice, O blessed Sergius, thou heavenly man and earthly angel, dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, for thou hast guided man to the path of salvation! Rejoice, thou boast and confirmation of our Orthodox hierarchs, O venerable and God-pleasing Sergius, all-radiant lamp unto thy native land, and intercessor for our souls!

¶37

Glory…, in Tone VI—

¶38

Come, ye multitude of monastics, and with songs and hymns let us praise Sergius today, the emulator of piety; and, surrounding his precious and healing shrine, let us lovingly venerate it, saying: Rejoice, O all-glorious Sergius, all-radiant beacon for thy native land! Rejoice, for in purity thou hast united thyself to the most pure Light! Rejoice, for thou standest with the angels before the Trinity, to Whom do thou unceasingly pray, that great mercy be granted to our souls.

¶39

Christ the Lord, my Creator and Deliverer, Who came forth from thy womb, O all-pure one, and robed Himself in me, hath freed Adam from the curse. Wherefore, like the angel do we unceasingly cry out to thee, O most pure one, who art truly the Mother of God and Virgin: Rejoice! Rejoice, O Mistress, thou intercession, protection and salvation for our souls!

¶40

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

¶41

Thy festival hath dawned today more radiant than the sun, O God-bearer, illumining those who have recourse to thee with faith, and it emitteth immortality like perfume. It poureth forth incorruption upon men’s souls from thy holy body, O venerable Sergius, who prayest for our souls.

¶42

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

¶43

Thou didst restrain the sensuous passions of the body with the reins of abstinence, O wonder-worker Sergius. On earth thou didst show forth zeal like that of the incorporeal ones, and didst make all carnal desires subject to thy spirit. Wherefore, dwelling now in the courts of heaven, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

¶44

Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.

¶45

Laying the foundation of virtue, O blessed Sergius, thou didst strip off the old man and the lusts of the flesh, and didst clothe thyself in Christ, the Truth. Wherefore, O venerable one, thou didst destroy many hordes of the enemy, as a guide of monks. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

¶46

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

¶47

We honor thee as the instructor of a multitude of monks, O Sergius our father; for by thy steps have we learned how to walk aright. Blessed art thou who, having labored for Christ, hast denounced the power of the enemy, O converser with the angels and companion of the righteous and the venerable. With them do thou entreat the Lord, that our souls find mercy.

¶48

O unwedded Virgin who ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High: accept the entreaties of thy servants, O most immaculate one, granting unto all cleansing of transgressions; and, accepting now our supplications, pray thou that we all be saved.

¶49

O thou who wast a struggler for the virtues, as a true warrior of Christ God thou didst contend greatly against the passions in this transitory life, becoming a model for thy disciples in chanting, the keeping of vigils and fasts. Wherefore, the all-holy Spirit made His abode within thee, by Whose activity thou wast splendidly adorned. As thou hast boldness before the Holy Trinity, be thou mindful of the flock which thou hast assembled, O wise one, and forget it not, as thou hast promised, visiting thy children, O Sergius, our venerable father. Twice

¶50

And “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…”, once.

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.