Irmos: Willingly didst Thou descend from on high to earth, O Thou Who art more highly exalted than every principality, and from the uttermost depths of hades thou didst raise up lowly human nature; for there is none more holy than Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Glory..., Now and ever..., Theotokion—
Sessional hymn, in Tone VI—
Thou wast a child obedient to thy parents, O Joasaph, yet, loving God more than them, thou didst depart from thy father’s home for the sake of thy salvation; and having received an education, thou didst confine thyself to a monastic community.
Theotokion: O thou who knewest not wedlock, who gavest birth unto God in the flesh, make me steadfast who am crushed beneath the assaults of the passions; for I have no helper save thee, O pure one.
Thou didst show thyself to be a stranger to pharisaic pride, O venerable father; and loving monastic humility from thy youth, thou didst humble thy flesh with secret struggles and didst illumine thy soul by prayer before the heavenly Father.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, thou didst say to thyself, O favorite of Christ; and when pangs wracked thy flesh thou didst add labors upon labors for the sake of the Lord.
Having received holy obedience and been arrayed in priestly vesture, Joasaph the favorite of Christ became a good instructor of children, teaching them piety by word and life, and manifesting a mature mind in his early years.
What virtue did not find a dwelling place in thy soul? In what struggle wast thou not a champion? For poverty of spirit, weeping for the kingdom of heaven, meekness of demeanor, the pursuit of righteousness, loving-kindness toward thy neighbor, and purity of heart shone forth in thy blameless life. Cause us who pray to thee to share in these gifts, and be thou an intercessor for our souls, O Joasaph, thou chosen one of God. twice
O Thou Who didst call Thy Mother blessed, of Thine own will Thou didst go to voluntary suffering, shining forth on the Cross, desiring to rescue Adam, saying to the angels: Rejoice with Me, for I have found the lost coin! O our God Who hast ordered all things with wisdom, glory be to Thee!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.