At Matins

Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

Grounded firmly in Orthodox piety, thou didst reign with mercy and love for thy people, uprooting from among them crimes of murder, and moving them to forsake the madness of idolatry. Wherefore, thou hast received recompense in the heavens for thy works of love and devotion on earth.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

On “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the resurrectional theotokion, in the same tone.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “The Word, Who with the Father and the Spirit is equally without beginning…”—

O all-holy Virgin, thou hope of Christians, with the heavenly hosts unceasingly entreat God, to Whom thou gavest birth in manner past understanding and recounting, that He grant the remission of all sins and amendment of life unto those who ever glorify thee with faith and love.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Both canons from the Octoechos, without the martyria; and this canon of the saint, with 6 troparia, in Tone VI—

After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

The malice of the enemy of the human race inspired thy jealous and ambitious brother to slay thee, O Wenceslaus. And, proffering a feigned hospitality, he invited thee to his home, and had his accursed minions fall upon thee with knives. But Christ God hath glorified thee with miracles, O wondrous martyr.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Troparion of the venerable one, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion.

After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the ­Wisdom…”—

O pure Ever-virgin, thou fervent and invincible intercessor, excellent and unashamed hope, rampart, protection and refuge of those who have recourse unto thee: with the angels entreat thy Son and God, that He grant peace, salvation and great mercy to the world.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up…”—

Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible, thou didst follow after Christ, and didst come to love the inhabitants of the desert more than the beauty of the world and passing delight. Hence, thou wast vouchsafed to bear witness and hast joined the choirs of fasters. With them pray that thy servants be saved. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

He Who sitteth upon the throne of the cherubim and abideth in the bosom of the Father, sitteth in thy womb as upon His own throne, O Mistress; for, incarnate, God truly reigneth over all nations; and we chant to Him now with understanding. Him do thou entreat, that thy servants be saved.

Emulating the ways of John the Baptist and the virtues and fasting of Elijah the Tishbite, thou didst live incorporeally, glorifying the unoriginate Trinity with the angels and vanquishing the assaults of the brigands with thy valor. Wherefore, thou didst struggle mightily in thy contest, worshipping the divine incarnation of Christ and His divinity, O blessed Chariton. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honor thy holy memory with love. Twice

All of us, the generations of men, call thee blessed who, alone among women, didst as Virgin give birth unto God in the flesh without seed; for the fire of the Godhead made Its abode within thee, and thou dost nourish the Creator and Lord as a babe. Wherefore, we, the race of angels and men, glorify thy most holy nativity as is meet, and together cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who hymn thy glory as is meet.

Polyeleos, and this Magnification—

We bless thee, O venerable father Chariton, and we honor thy holy memory, thou instructor of monastics and converser with the angels.

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

Having disdained the enjoyment of things earthly and corruptible, thou didst follow after Christ, and didst come to love the inhabitants of the desert more than the beauty of this world and passing delights. Hence, thou wast vouchsafed to bear witness and hast joined the choirs of fasters. With them pray that thy servants be saved.

After God it is to thy divine protection that I, the lowly, flee, O Theotokos; and, falling down, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure one, for my sins have gone over my head, and I fear and tremble before the torments. O pure Mistress, make supplication to thy Son, that He deliver me therefrom!

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 Matthew, § 10

[Mt. 4: 25-5: 13]

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 VI—

O venerable father, the report of thy corrections hath gone forth into all the earth; wherefore, thou hast found the reward of thy labors in the heavens, hast destroyed legions of the demons and attained unto the ranks of the angels, whose life thou didst blamelessly emulate. As thou dost possess boldness before Christ God, beg peace for our souls.