At Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

A Reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera, in Tone VIII—

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

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Having cleansed thy soul and body of the passions, thou becamest a dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit; and having disdained the beautiful things of this world from thy youth, thou didst follow after Christ, rejoicing. Pray thou unto Him, as our intercessor, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy unto our souls. Thrice

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in Tone VI—

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

Mortifying thy flesh with great asceticism, thou wast shown to be the adornment of monks, O venerable martyr, guiding them well, that they might reach heaven. Wherefore, enlighten us now who are in the darkness of sin, and as thou hast boldness before the Lord our Savior, beseech Him, that our souls be saved. Thrice

Now & ever…, the dogmatic theotokion in the same tone—

We chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.

In thy life thou wast an unshakable pillar of the Faith of Christ and a true lover of the Traditions of the fathers, O venerable martyr, standing vigilantly for the holy Orthodox Faith. Confirm thou in the Faith our understanding, and us who honor thy memory with faith, unto the salvation of our souls. Offering thyself up as a sacrifice to God, in thy heart thou didst preserve the image of Christ, the ­unblemished Lamb Who gave Himself over to slaughter for the sins of the world, and emulating Him, thou didst sweetly commit thy soul into the hands of God. O thou who didst emulate the sufferings of Christ, beseech Him, that our souls be saved. Twice

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

A Reading from Genesis

Glory…, in the same tone—

A Reading from the Book of Judges

Loving the Lord God as it saith in the Gospels, thou didst adorn thy soul with spiritual virtues, becoming a model for thy faithful flock to emulate; and like a candle set upon a candlestand, thou hast enriched many with the understanding of divine knowledge. And having suffered for the Truth of Christ even unto the shedding of thy blood, thou hast been vouchsafed the grace of working miracles. In thy grace forget us not who are poor, that, glorifying the Lord Who gave thee such things, we may save our souls.

A Reading from the First Book of Kings

In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and cameth forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, two in nature but not hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O Mother unwedded, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:

Thus saith the Lord: all the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them. Who will declare these things, or who will declare to you things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth. Be ye My witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am He; before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none. I am God; and beside Me there is no Savior. I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you. Ye are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God, even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of My hands. I will work, and who shall turn it back? Thus saith the Lord God Who redeemeth you, the Holy One of Israel.

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 forever. 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.

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.

At Litia, these stichera, in Tone II—

Come, ye faithful, let us honor the memory of the venerable martyr Athanasius, for he is the priceless spiritual pearl who adorneth the Russian land with the luster of faith and piety. Let us hasten in prayer to him who suffered for the holy Orthodox Faith—the teacher of abstinence, the wellspring of compunction, the heavenly man and earthly angel, who grieveth for our land,—and let us cry aloud with tears unto him: instruct us how to praise the Lord with Orthodox faith, for the salvation of our souls.

After thy repose, O venerable martyr, thy relics, showing forth a torrent of healings for those who have recourse unto thee, bear eloquent witness to thy glory, guiding us to the path which leadeth to life and piety, and proclaiming: Love ye the Lord, and ye shall find everlasting glory and rest with the elect, which may we obtain through thy supplications, O holy Athanasius.

Glory…, in the same tone—

Zealous for the Orthodox Faith, thou didst grieve with great sorrow when the Faith was being trampled underfoot by the heterodox. And praying before the icon of the all-pure Mistress during the days of thy tribulation, thou didst place all thy trust in her aid. And hearing the voice of the Theotokos issuing forth from the holy icon during the hour of thy fervent prayer, and heeding its commands, thou didst not only commit thy whole earthly life to the defense of the Faith of thy forefathers, but didst endure many persecutions for it, continually strengthened by the help of the Mother of God. O holy one, bear thy supplications up to the all-holy Theotokos.

O Mistress Theotokos, thou art the defense and protection of Christians. With thy protection overshadow us who suffer cruelly, that we may unceasingly glorify thy loving-kindness.

At “Lord, I have cried…”, we chant 8 stichera: 4 for the prophet, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast granted a sign…”—

With the oil of anointing and holy vesture upon thyself, O ever-memorable Zacharias, thou didst minister unto God like an angel, mediating, O blessed one, between the Creator and His creation, and manifestly receiving the words of the divine Spirit. Wherefore, we call thee blessed, and celebrate today thy holy festival, glorifying the Savior. Twice

O divinely inspired Zacharias, thou didst behold born of a maiden a Babe Who is equally unoriginate with the Father; and unto thine own child thou dost prophecy manifestly beforehand: “A prophet shalt thou truly be, preparing His ways!” With him we call thee blessed and in sacred manner we celebrate thine honored festival, O God-bearer who art most rich.

Thou wast the living and animate temple of the divine Spirit; and, ministering unto God with a pure heart, O glorious one, in the midst of the temple thou wast unjustly slain, finishing thy godly course in martyrdom, O right-glorious one. Wherefore, with thine own blood thou hast entered into the temple of heaven, entreating cleansing for our souls.

And 4 stichera of the righteous Elizabeth, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

When thou didst call the Virgin who greeted thee the Mother of thy Lord, thou didst behold in her virginal womb Him, incarnate, Whose goings forth are from before time began. Pray with her, O righteous Elizabeth, that He save our souls. Twice

“”Blessed is the Fruit of the Virgin’s womb, Who filleth all things!”, thou didst exclaim, O all-blessed Elizabeth, moved thus to say by the Spirit of God. Wherefore, honoring thee in hymns, we magnify God Who is worshipped in Trinity.

That which was said by the Lord became reality in the Virgin, for she gave birth to Jesus Who saveth His people from their sins. “He shall be the fulfillment of those things which were said to her,” thou didst exclaim, inspired by the Holy Spirit, O Elizabeth. Wherefore, we crown thee with wreaths of praise, as is meet.

Glory…, the composition of John the Monk, in Tone VIII—

Truly arrayed in the vestments of the priesthood of the law, thou didst serve according to the order of Aaron; and, standing in the temple, thou didst clearly behold the countenance of the angel, O all-blessed one. Wherefore, hymning thy repose as is meet, O Zacharias, we all praise with songs thee who, in thine old age, begat the glorious John. Entreat thou the merciful God for us, that we be saved.

In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and cameth forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, two in nature but not hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O Mother unwedded, that our souls find mercy!

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:

God appeared to Abraham by the oak of Mambre, as he sat by the door of his tent at noon. And he lifted up his eyes and beheld, and lo! three men stood before him; and having seen them, he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and did obeisance to the ground. And he said: “Lord, if indeed I have found grace in Thy sight, pass not by Thy servant. Let water now be brought, and let them wash your feet, and do ye refresh yourselves under the tree. And I will bring bread, and ye shall eat, and after this ye shall depart on your journey, on account of which refreshment ye have turned aside to your servant.” And He said: “So do, as thou hast said.” And Abraham hasted to the tent, to Sarah, and said to her: “Hasten, and knead three measures of fine flour, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the cattle, and took a young calf, tender and good, and gave it to his servant, and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had dressed; and he set them before them, and they did eat, and he stood by them under the tree. And He said to him: “Where is Sarah thy wife?” And he answered and said: “Behold! in the tent.” And He said: “I will return and come to thee according to this period seasonably, and Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” And Sarah heard at the door of the tent, being behind him. And Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days, and the custom of women ceased with Sarah. And Sarah laughed in herself, saying: “The thing hath not yet happened to me, even until now, and my lord is old.” And the Lord said to Abraham: “Why is it that Sarah hath laughed in herself, saying: ‘Shall I then indeed bear? But I am grown old.’ Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarah shall have a son.”

And there was a man of Zorah, of the tribe of Dan, and his name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bore not. And an angel of the Lord appeared to the woman, and said to her: “Behold, thou art barren and hast not borne; yet thou shalt conceive a son. And now be very cautious, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat no unclean thing; for behold! thou art with child, and shalt bring forth a son; and there shall come no razor upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” And the woman went in and spoke to her husband, saying: “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was as of an angel of God, very awesome; and I did not ask him whence he was, and he did not tell me his name. And he said to me, ‘Behold! thou art with child, and shalt bring forth a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat no unclean thing; for the child shall be holy to God from the womb until the day of his death.’” And Manoah prayed to the Lord and said: “I pray Thee, O Lord my Lord, concerning the man of God whom Thou sentest. Let him now come to us once more, and teach us what we shall do to the child about to be born.” And the Lord heard the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came yet again to the woman; and she sat in the field, and Manoah her husband was not with her. And the woman hasted, and ran, and brought word to her husband, and said to him: “Behold! the man who came in the other day to me hath appeared to me.” And Manoah arose and followed his wife, and came to the man, and said to him: “Art thou the man that spoke to the woman?” And the angel said: “I am.” And Manoah said: “Now shall thy word come to pass. What shall be the ordering of the child, and our dealings with him?” And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah: “Of all things concerning which I spoke to the woman, she shall beware. She shall eat of nothing that cometh of the vine yielding wine, and let her not drink wine or strong liquor, and let her not eat anything unclean; all things that I have charged her she shall observe.” And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord: “Let us detain thee here, and prepare before thee a kid of the goats.” And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah: “If thou shouldst detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wouldst offer a whole-burnt offering to the Lord, thou shalt offer it.” For Manoah knew not that it was an angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord: “What is thy name, that when thy word shall come to pass, we may glorify thee?” And the angel of the Lord said to him: “Why dost thou thus ask after my name, whereas it is wonderful?” And Manoah took a kid of the goats and its meat-offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord; and the angel wrought a miracle; and Manoah and his wife were looking on. And it came to pass when the flame went up above the altar toward heaven, that the angel of the Lord went up in the flame; and Manoah and his wife were looking, and they fell upon their faces to the earth.

And Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and stood before the Lord; and Eli the priest was on a seat by the threshold of the temple of the Lord. And she was very much grieved in spirit, and prayed to the Lord, and wept abundantly. And she vowed a vow to the Lord, saying: “O Lord God of Sabaoth, if Thou wilt indeed look upon the humiliation of Thy handmaid, and remember me, and give to Thy handmaid a man-child, then will I indeed dedicate him to Thee till the day of his death; and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and no razor shall come upon his head.” And it came to pass, while she was long praying before the Lord, that Eli the priest noticed her mouth. And she was speaking in her heart, and her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; and Eli accounted her a drunken woman. And the servant of Eli said to her: “How long wilt thou be drunken? Take away thy wine from thee, and go out from the presence of the Lord!” But Hannah answered and said: “Nay, my lord. I live in a hard day, and I have not drunk wine or strong drink, and I pour out my soul before the Lord. Count not thy handmaid for a pestilent woman, for by reason of the abundance of my importunity I have continued my prayer until now.” And Eli answered and said to her: “Go in peace: the God of Israel give thee all thy petition, which thou hast asked of Him.” And she said: “Thy handmaid hath found favor in thine eyes.” And the woman went her way, and entered into her lodging, and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose early in the morning, and worshipped the Lord, and went their way. And Elkanah went into his house at Ramah, and knew his wife Hannah; and the Lord remembered her, and she conceived. And it came to pass when the time was come, that she brought forth a son, and called his name Samuel, and said: “Because I asked him of the Lord God of Sabaoth.”

At Litia, the sticheron of the temple, followed by these stichera, in Tone VI—

Seeing Jesus, John cried out: “Behold the Lamb of God!”, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. Thy son was the last of the prophets, O Elizabeth. Wherefore, the people call thee blessed, as is meet.

Jesus, Who is the Lord of lords and Master of masters, bowed His head beneath the right hand of thy son. Great is thy glory, O right-laudable Elizabeth!

The voice of one crying in the wilderness denounced the boastful Pharisees, saying unto them: “O generation of vipers, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance!” And he worshipped the Master. Of such a son art thou the mother, O holy Elizabeth!

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Keeping the commandments of God, thou didst bring forth the fruit of living faith which dwelt within thee, O divinely wise Elizabeth. With what worthy hymns, with what worthy praises can we, the faithful, crown thee?

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!