Celebrated, 5/18 July

Ode I, Irmos: Parting the abyss of the Red Sea, God drowned Pharaoh therein, but led Moses across to the wilderness dry-shod, and rained down manna as food for the people of Israel, in that He is mighty.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

With the light of Thee, the three-Sunned Godhead, O my Creator, illumine the darkened eyes of my soul, I beseech Thee, and cleanse Thou my heart, that I may hymn the uncovering of the precious relics of the venerable Sergius, who loved Thee.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Grant me words for the opening of my mouth, O Word of God, make my tongue brilliant, O Merciful One, and be Thou not mindful of the multitude of my sins, that, guided by Thy grace, I may hymn Thy venerable saint, Sergius.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As thou didst preach the Trinity by crying out within thy mother’s womb, so did the Trinity glorify thee. Lo! thy precious relics, hidden for so many years beneath the ground, were found to be incorrupt, filling the faithful with sweet fragrance and miracles.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O all-pure Mistress who art more exalted than the hosts of heaven, and gavest birth to the Saviour and Creator of all, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit: grant us discourse, O all-hymned one, that we may hymn thee who art the helper of our race.

Ode III, Irmos: Let the vainglorious sage boast not, but let him consider this: There is none as holy as God, Who exalteth our horn, granting might to our rulers.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Strengthened by the power of the Cross of the Lord, thou didst make the spiritual passions and reasoning of the flesh subject to thy spirit; wherefore, thou didst become an all-comely habitation of the all-holy Spirit and the chosen resting-place of the indivisible Trinity.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

By thy life in this world having become a model for all who have laboured for Christ with all their soul, thou didst shine forth in purity like the sun; wherefore, thou hast received recompense an hundredfold from the hand of the Almighty, O divinely wise Sergius, for which cause we joyfully call thee blessed.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Come, let us now come together on this present feast, and let us behold and be filled with joy, that we may glorify Christ Who hath so glorified those who glorify Him, and hath given us the divinely blessed Sergius as an invincible rampart and bestower of miracles.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoicing, we offer thee thanks together with hymnody, O Mother of God, for in the flesh thou gavest birth to Almighty God, Who hath given thee to Christians as a steadfast intercessor.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Sessional hymn, Tone VIII: With great abstinence thou didst sail across the sea of life, and thou hast put in at the calm harbour, the mansions of heaven. Thou shinest like a radiant star, and like a never-setting sun dost illumine the whole world with the lightning-flashes of thy miracles, and enlightenest the flock of thy disciples. To our pious Orthodox hierarchs and all the faithful thou grantest forgiveness of sins, correction of life, and victory over the adversary, that, standing joyfully round about thine honoured and much-healing shrine, we may lovingly venerate thy holy relics and cry aloud to thee, as to a solicitous father: O divinely wise and all-blessed father Sergius, entreat the Holy Trinity, for Whom thou didst labour in this life, that we who honour the uncovering of thy precious relics with love may be granted remission of sins. (Twice)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: All of us, the generations of men, bless thee who gavest birth to God in the flesh, without seed, as the only Virgin among mothers; for the Fire of the Godhead made His abode within thee, and with milk thou didst feed the Creator and Lord as a babe. Wherefore, we, the generation of angels and men, glorify thine all-holy birth-giving as is meet, and cry out to thee together: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy Offspring.

Ode IV, Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, and the earth hath been filled with Thy glory, O Christ. Wherefore, we cry out with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Thou didst cleave unto God from thy mother’s womb, O blessed father Sergius, and loving poverty of spirit didst have in thy heart the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom, the root and foundation of all good things. Wherefore, Christ the Master hath enriched thee with miracles.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Like a fragrant lily thy precious relics have emerged from the bosom of the earth, O all-blessed Sergius, and like a treasure they emit the radiance of miracles, gladdening thy spiritual children.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Today the royal city of Moscow rejoiceth, and the whole world is filled with gladness; and thy monastery, O divinely blessed Sergius, boasting, is adorned, having thy precious relics within it as an inexhaustible and all-wondrous treasure.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin Lady, Queen of all creation, who wast foretold by many prophets and gavest birth to the King of the hosts of heaven: Grant victory to thy servants, our pious Orthodox hierarchs, over all heresies, O Lady, and by thy supplications vouchsafe unto us all the kingdom of heaven.

Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Thou art my portion and the glory of my countenance; for by the knowledge of God Thou alone hast delivered me from the darkness of ignorance. I pray to Thee, O Christ: Grant peace to Thy servant, in that Thou lovest mankind!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

The Holy Church, wondrous in righteousness in the Trinity our God, is splendidly adorned, O divinely wise Sergius, and a multitude of the people spiritually rejoice, beholding thee carried with honour in the arms of the hierarch of God, upborne upon the shoulders of the priests.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Filled with joy at the visitation of the Mother of God, thou didst become a light for thy flock and a guide for the new Israel, O father, leading us from earth to the mansions of heaven, where thou now enjoyest ineffable effulgence.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thy mother’s womb was sanctified by thine honoured conception, and the glorious city of Rostov was rendered splendid by thy nativity; thy great and most glorious monastery hath been glorified by thy struggles, and the whole world hath been filled with thy miracles, O venerable father Sergius.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O all-pure Mother of God, thou steadfast helper of those who set their hope on thee, O protection and guardian of our city, invincible bulwark of this holy community, and weapon of salvation for our devout hierarchs: Save all who piously venerate thy holy image.

Ode VI, Irmos: Let not the watery tempest drown me, nor the abyss destroy me; for I have been cast into the depths of the heart of the sea. Wherefore, like Jonah I cry aloud: Let my life ascend to Thee out of the corruption of evils, O God!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having loved Christ from childhood, O father Sergius, following His life-bearing footsteps thou didst flee this world, and didst attain unto the never-waning light of understanding, where thou now standest with boldness before the Holy Trinity, Whom do thou beseech on behalf of us all.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

The ranks of the incorporeal ones marvelled at thy life in the flesh, and the hordes of the demons were affrighted by the victory which God gave thee over them; and we glorify thee, O venerable Sergius, standing round about the shrine of thy precious relics, and we magnify Christ who hath glorified thee with miracles.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

By thy supplications, O all-blessed father Sergius, ask what is beneficial for all who venerate the honoured and glorious uncovering of thy holy relics with love and pure faith, and who celebrate thy sacred memory with splendour.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Having conceived the Creator and Saviour of all without seed in thy womb, O Mistress Mother of God, and given birth to Christ God in the flesh, by thy supplications render Him merciful unto us, that we all may be counted worthy of His revelation and kingdom.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “To thee, the champion leader…”: Thy precious relics, shining forth from the ground today like the all-radiant sun, have been found to be incorrupt, resplendent with a multitude of miracles like a fragrant flower, pouring forth divers healings upon all the faithful, and gladdening thy chosen flock, which, having wisely assembled, thou didst shepherd well. On their behalf thou now standest in supplication before the Trinity, praying that victory be granted to our Orthodox hierarchs over all heresies, that we may all cry out to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!

Ikos: Having disdained that which is in the world, O divinely wise father, thou didst acquire incorrupt habitations which are above the world, and having been enriched with abundant gifts by the right hand of the Almighty, in accordance with the number of thy virtues, and been crowned with the wreath of honour as a victory, thou dost enrich with miracles all who hymn thee thus: Rejoice, O thou who, before thy nativity, didst glorify the Holy Trinity by a threefold exclamation; rejoice, thou who didst consider the beauty and glory of the world to be as dung! Rejoice, for thou didst make thine abode in the wilderness; rejoice, for thou didst make of it a city! Rejoice, for therein thou didst erect an all-honoured temple for the praise of the Holy Trinity; rejoice, for, having assembled therein multitudes of monastics, thou didst lead them to the Lord! Rejoice, for thou wast vouchsafed the merciful visitation of the Mother of God; rejoice, for thou didst serve her in the flesh like an angel! Rejoice, for thou prayest to the Lord on behalf of those who honour the uncovering of thy precious relics; rejoice, for thou art a weapon of salvation for our Orthodox hierarchs and a vanquisher of all heresies! Preserve them ever in health and gladness, that we may all celebrate thine uncovering with splendour, joyously crying: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!

Ode VII, Irmos: Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy holy name’s sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, O Lord God of our fathers, Who art supremely hymned forever.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

By divine preservation was thy precious body kept intact, O divinely wise Sergius, which was covered wholly by the earth for many years, and it emerged, untouched by any harm. And we, thy children, beholding it, cry out with joy: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Thou wast clothed in the raiment of gladness, and thy precious head was crowned with a wreath of joy; and thou hast entered in splendour into the heavenly bridal-chamber of Christ the King, receiving honour for thy labours, and chanting to the Lord: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Resplendent in thy radiant life, O wondrous Sergius, in this life thou didst attain unto the ranks of the incorporeal ones; and thou now joinest chorus with them before the throne of the God of all, Whom do thou beseech, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate the memory of the uncovering of thy precious relics.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Offer supplication, O all-pure Virgin Mistress, unto our God Who was born of thee, and Who through thee hath restored Adam and renewed our nature, that we may all cry out to thee: O all-pure one, blessed is the Fruit of thy womb!

Ode VIII, Irmos: O Master Who hast created all things in Thy wisdom, Thou hast established the earth as a weight upon the deep, planting its foundation upon the boundless waters. Wherefore, we all cry out, chanting: Bless the Lord unceasingly, O ye works of the Lord!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

The Church of God is glad today, arrayed as in a robe of royal purple; and thy holy monastery, O divinely blessed Sergius, doth possess as a treasure beyond price thy precious body which imparteth divers healings unto all who chant with faith: Bless the Lord unceasingly, O ye works of the Lord!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

The temple of God is illumined with heavenly light, and therein the assemblies of the pious rejoice, beholding thee, O divinely blessed Sergius, borne in the hands of the hierarchs and venerated with mouth and soul by all the faithful who cry out to Christ: Bless the Lord unceasingly, O ye works of the Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Standing now with the armies of heaven before the Trinity, and dwelling with the choirs of all the saints, ask thou for forgiveness of sins to be given to those who honour thy memory with faith; and to us who celebrate with splendour the uncovering of thy precious relics grant salvation, that, rejoicing, we may chant: Bless the Lord unceasingly, O ye works of the Lord!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Preëternal One is conceived in thy womb, O pure Virgin, and the perfect God, Who is born an Infant in the flesh, of thee, the Maiden who knew not wedlock, is seen by men to be perfect God and man, equally enthroned with the Father and the Spirit. Him do we exalt supremely forever.

Ode IX, Irmos: On the mountain did Moses behold the unconsumed bush; and in the cave did Joseph hear the ineffable birth. O Theotokos, Virgin undefiled, Mother who knewest not man: thee do we magnify!

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

Thou wast taken up to the heights of heaven by the virtues, O divinely wise Sergius, and in gladness of heart thou standest before the throne of the Holy Trinity. Forget not thy servants, but grant perfect health and wondrous victory over all heresies to our pious Orthodox hierarchs, that we may all magnify thee unceasingly with hymns.

Venerable Father, Sergius, pray to God for us.

More brightly than the rays of the sun, O God-bearer, doth thine all-glorious memory illumine the faithful who piously honour thee, who venerate the shrine of thy precious relics with faith and love, and praise thee in hymns, O divinely wise Sergius.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O divinely blessed father Sergius, accept thou this small supplication, offered to thee by mine unworthy hand and with heartfelt love, and by thy supplications grant salvation for our souls, health for our bodies and peace for the world, that we may magnify thee all the more in hymnody.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O most hymned Virgin Mistress, Mother of Christ our God, save all who set their hope on thee, who have recourse to thine aid, and in hymns piously magnify thee, who art the Theotokos.

Troparion, Tone IV: From thy youth thou didst receive Christ within thy soul, O venerable one, and didst desire more than all to withdraw from the tumult of the world. Thou didst manfully dwell in the wilderness, and therein didst produce the fruit of humility, the children of obedience. Wherefore, as thou didst become the abode of the Trinity, thou hast illumined with thy miracles all who have recourse to thee with faith, granting healing in abundance unto all. O Sergius our father, entreat Christ God, that He save our souls.

Canon: the Lamentation of the Martyred-Tsar, the acrostic whereof is “Take pity, O God, upon Thy sinful people,” in Tone II

Ode I, Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Beholding the mockery and spoliation of thy land by the godless foe, the pious Tsar wept from the depths of his heart, like the Prophet Jeremiah and the three youths, praying for the sinful people and groaning bitterly: O merciful Lord, forsake us not!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

O how hath the Russian land, which before was prosperous and glorious in the world, been made captive by those who contend against God? All who were her friends have forsaken her and have become her foes. The Lord hath rejected tsar and prince and priest. Behold, O Lord, look down and have mercy!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Great is the abyss of the Lord’s compassion. The Lord doth not reject us forever, but taketh pity on the humbled and penitent, in accordance with the multitude of His mercies, and He delivereth His people, as of old He delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Mistress, hearken unto the cry of prayer of those who with faith and love have recourse to thee and hymn thee with fear.

Ode III, Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

At God’s behest, the guardian angel was taken away from the land of Russia, her enemies assumed the rule over it, and they that despise her prosper, because of the multitudes of the impieties of what before was a pious land; and her princes languish among alien peoples. Spurn not utterly Thy suffering people, O Lord, but turn Thou and establish them on the rock of Thy commandments.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

How long, O Lord, will the way of the wicked prosper? How long will the land weep because of the evil of those who dwell therein? Hierarchs, priests, princes and faithful people have been cast down and slain. How long, O Lord, O true and holy Master, wilt Thou refrain from condemning Thine enemies for their blood? Have mercy and deliver us all from Thine enemies, and save our souls.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Bereft of deliverance, the land which before was called Christian hath been filled with tribulation and groaning, saying amid its suffering: We have sinned and transgressed, falling away from Thee, O Lord, and have not obeyed Thy commandments, nor kept them. Turn us to repentance, O God, and establish us upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou art our hope and trust, O all-holy Mistress. Save our suffering homeland and thy people who entreat and call upon thy name.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Kontakion to the holy martyr Grand-Duchess Elizabeth, Tone IV: Taking up the Cross of Christ, thou didst pass from royal glory to the glory of heaven, praying for thine enemies, O holy martyr  Grand-Duchess Elizabeth; and with the martyr Barbara thou didst find everlasting joy. Therefore, pray ye in behalf of our souls.

Sessional hymn, Tone VII: O holy passion-bearer Grand-Duchess Elizabeth, when they cast thee alive into the mine shaft at Alapaevsk, together with the holy martyrs of royal blood, the princes Sergius, John, Constantine, Igor and Vladimir, as well as the martyr Barbara and the holy martyr Theodore, though all were long enfeebled because of their wounds, thou though barely alive, didst alleviate the suffering of the dying, chanting sacred hymns which they that passed by did hear. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who celebrate thy holy memory with love.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: When I stand before my Creator on the day of His righteous judgement, then, O Mistress, stand before me and deliver me from everlasting torment, that I may not go down into hades, but may be saved by thine assistance, O all-holy Theotokos.

Ode IV, Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

The great iniquities of Thy people were before Thine eyes, O Lord; and the godless foe hath defiled and razed Thy sanctuaries, as the Prophet Isaiah said: Your feasts My soul hateth; I will no more pardon your sins; when ye stretch forth your hands to Me, I will turn away Mine eyes from you. These people draw nigh to Me with their mouths, but their heart is far from Me. Mindful thereof, we now repent and turn to Thee, that Thy wrath may cease, and that we may prevail over those who assail us and say: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

O how the time of the iniquities of Thy people hath increased, O Lord, for Thou hast taken away our strength, Thou hast given us into the hands of transgressors and hast made us all slaves. Only Thou alone, O Lord, canst, if Thou wishest, free us, when we acknowledge our sins and turn to Thee, our Creator, and glorify Thee.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Only in God is there blessed life which is everlasting, but narrow is the way which leadeth to that life. Thy people, O Lord, have forgotten these things, and have not obeyed Thy words, O Christ our King, but have taken the wide path of sin. And perdition and violence have come upon us, yea, exile and death, that we may come to acknowledge Thee to be the only true path, O our Saviour, and convert, and glorify Thee.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou art our refuge and consolation, O all-pure Theotokos. Beseech thy Son and our God to grant us salvation and the remission of sins.

Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

When the Lord rejected tsar, prince and priest, He did not spare His temples and holy things, and they were then laid waste. My heart hath been troubled within me; I sigh, but there is none to console me. O Lord, look down and take pity; enlighten us with Thy commandments, that we may turn to Thee and serve Thee.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Thy people, O Lord, wished to escape the violence of the foe, but were unable, and others have sojourned among alien peoples. This hath taken place, for false leaders have spoken vain things and foolishness, and have not spoken of sin, to avert the wrath of God, captivity and exile. And now all the lips of our enemies are opened against us, their teeth have gnashed and said: Let us swallow them up! Arise and cry out at night, pouring forth prayer unto the Lord and stretching forth thine hands unto Him, saying: Behold our destruction, O Lord! Enlighten, look upon us, and have mercy!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Youths and virgins, elders and innocent babes have been slain; the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life to the earth; he hath set me in dark places, like the dead of old, and my soul hath been despondent within me; within me my heart is troubled; but strength hath perished, yet my hope is in the Lord. Be Thou mindful, O Lord, of my poverty and embitterment. These things I spake within my heart; wherefore, I endure suffering from God, that the Lord may regard my humility.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O all-pure Mary, entreat God Whom thou hast borne, that He grant thy servants remission of sins.

Ode VI, Irmos: Stuck fast am I in the abyss of sin, O Saviour, and tempest-tossed on the deep of life; yet lead me up from the passions and save me, as Thou didst Jonah from the sea monster.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

The Lord hath granted consolation, for the mercy of the Lord hath not forsaken us and His compassion hath not ended; for they are renewed with each passing day. Wherefore, let us trust in God; the Lord is our portion, let us hope in Him Who is able to deliver us from all misfortunes, as He did Jonah from the sea monster.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

It is a good thing to seek God, for the Lord is good to those who trust in Him, and good it is for the soul which awaiteth in patience the salvation of God, who giveth his face to the smiter and accepteth abuse, that the Lord not utterly reject it, but deliver from destruction the souls of the humble who trust in Him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The Lord hath sent woe upon sinful people, but He hath mercy according to His great goodness and love in His care, for He hath smitten and rendered bitter the lot of the children of men not out of the volition of His heart, but when they trampled upon His commandments; for from the Most High come punishment and prosperity alike. Let not every mortal complain concerning his chastisement, but let his face be downcast because of his sins and let him lament until he sinketh down in death and beholdeth the Lord from heaven.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Now do I flee unto thee, O all-pure one. Save me by thy supplications, and preserve me; for what thou wishest, thou canst do, as thou art the Mother of the Almighty.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone VI: Thou didst strengthen the hope of the martyred Tsar, his Tsaritsa and children, and it took flight to Thy love, proclaiming beforehand their future rest. Through their supplications, O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Ikos: Beholding the faith of Christ made mighty throughout the land of Russia by the pious Tsar, and unable to endure it, the enemies of God pondered how they might destroy the Christ-loving Tsar-martyr Nicholas, and they gave him over to an undeserved death with his pious Tsaritsa, children and servants, and with all the royal race; yet were they deceived, for the way of the iniquitous shall perish, but the righteous shall live for ever. Instead of destruction and harm, they made them glorious martyrs and intercessors before God, and by their blood and that of all the new martyrs, the land of Russia, oppressed by those who contend against God, shall be saved; for this blood is the seed of new life in Christ. Through their supplications, O Lord, have mercy upon us!

Ode VII, Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, Thy three youths spurned the ungodly command, and, cast into the midst of the fire, bedewed, they sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Turn us to Thee, O Lord, and we shall repent; renew our days by our ministering unto Thee as before, for Thou art blessed, and Thy name is praised and glorified for ever. For just art Thou in all that Thou hast wrought for us, and all of Thy works are truth, and straight are Thy paths; and all of Thy judgements are true. Wherefore, with contrite heart and humble spirit, let us say: Blessed art Thou, O God, Who art supremely hymned and exalted for ever!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

O Lord God, blessed art Thou; for with true judgement hast Thou brought all of these sufferings upon us because of our sin. For we have sinned and transgressed, and have neither preserved nor kept that which Thou hast commanded us, that all may be well with us, and that we may glorify the holy name of Thy glory, which is supremely hymned and exalted for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord, Thou Remitter of all the debts of sin, grant the grace of forgiveness unto the sinful land of Russia which Thou hast punished with bitter wounds. Yet not in Thy wrath, but according to the multitude of Thy compassions and Thine ineffable mercy cleanse the Orthodox land of the godless foe; raise up, O Compassionate One, thine anointed tsar, and hearken unto us; grant peace to the Church and salvation to Thy people, the Tsar and all the countless assembly of new martyrs entreat Thee, the one blessed God of our fathers.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the Word, thy Creator, in manner past recounting: Him do thou entreat, together with the great martyred Tsar, the Tsaritsa, their children, servants, and the other royal martyrs, and all the new martyrs of Russia, that He have mercy upon our souls.

Ode VIII, Irmos: God, Who descended into the fiery furnace for the Hebrew children and transformed the flame into dew, hymn ye as Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Deliver us from standing at Thy left hand, O Lord Who orderest all things for our good and hast sent fiery purification upon our land, that we may cry out unceasingly: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

A great treasure have we in the holy Faith which Christ hath given us, unworthy though we are; and we cherish it amid prosperity and amid sufferings, as the great assembly of new passion-bearers preserved the Faith even unto death. And let us cry out with them: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The all-good God, desiring to reveal the strength of the faith and the power of the patience of the royal martyrs, gave them a cup of bitter sufferings to drink and a martyr’s death to undergo; and they did not murmur, but, like innocent lambs, opened not their mouths; and with patience and joy they endured all things, crying out: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the Saviour and Master of all, thou hast been shown to us to be the mediatress of our salvation; wherefore, we beseech thee: Intercede, that the grievously suffering land of Russia be delivered from the godless, and vouchsafe salvation unto all that faithfully hymn thee forever!

Ode IX, Irmos: O ye faithful, with hymns let us magnify in oneness of mind the Word of God, Who from God came in His ineffable wisdom to renew Adam who had grievously fallen into corruption, and Who became ineffably incarnate of the holy Virgin for our sake.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

Wide is the path which leadeth to perdition, and many are they that enter thereupon, said the Lord. The people of Russia did not hearken unto this saying of the Gospel, and the wrath of God hath overtaken them; deliver us therefrom, O Christ, the holy and great martyred Tsar Nicholas and those slain with him pray, and as Thou lovest mankind, save Thou our souls.

Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

O Jesus Christ our God, in accordance with the multitude of Thy mercies turn us, and we shall be saved; look down from heaven with mercy and love, and behold, for Thou hast given us over into the hands of the iniquitous, and we are humbled throughout all the earth because of our sins. And now we shall follow Thee and fear Thee, and seek Thy countenance. Put us not to shame, but save our souls, through the supplications of the holy royal passion-bearers.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Show forth Thy power, the passion-bearing Tsar beseecheth Thee; rescue us from our godless enemies by Thy wonders, and deal with us according to Thy meekness and the multitude of Thy mercies; and let all that act evilly against Thy servants be put to shame, and let their might be cast down, that they may understand that Thou art the one Lord God of all the world, Who art glorious and savest our souls!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou art our strength, thou art our boast and joy, our preserver, aid, refuge, invincible intercessor and protection of the Russian land. O all-pure Theotokos, with the martyred Tsar and the great multitude of the new martyrs, pray that thy servants be saved.

Troparion, Tone V: Meekly didst thou endure the loss of thine earthly kingdom, the bonds and divers sufferings inflicted upon thee by those opposed to God, and didst bear witness for Christ even unto death, O great passion-bearer, divinely crowned Tsar Nicholas; wherefore, Christ God hath crowned thee in the heavens with a martyr’s crown, together with thy queen, thy children and thy servants. Him do thou beseech, that He have mercy upon the Russian land and save our souls.

Ode I, Irmos: With an upraised arm Christ drowned the chariots of Pharaoh and his power, and saved Israel, who sent up the hymn: Let us sing unto our wondrous God!

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Deign Thou to fill my mouth with eloquence, O Christ, that I may praise the wondrous David, who enjoineth us, saying: Let us sing unto our wondrous God!

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

A youth comely and full of divine grace, thou didst undertake to study well the Scriptures, O holy David, that thou mightest sing unto our wondrous God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Verily did thy fellows behold a dove with beak of gold playing at thy holy lips, O glorious David, teaching thee to sing the praises of our wondrous God.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

In voices of exultation let us hymn the all-pure and immaculate Theotokos, that, saved by her supplications, we may sing unto our wondrous God.

Ode III, Irmos: All the heavens, which were established by Thee, O Word and Power of God, confess Thine ineffable glory and the creation of Thine all-accomplishing hands; for there is none holy save Thee, O Lord.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Despising the vanity of the world, O sacred one, thou didst flee to the venerable Paulinus, great among ascetics, and he taught thee to cry out to the Master of all: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Destroying his bodily eyes by constant weeping, the elder Paulinus fell blind; but, full of the power of the Word of God, the holy David healed him, crying out: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Replete with the grace of God, David most great set it as his holy task to build many churches and to establish many monasteries, wherein the pious might sing: There is none holy save Thee, O Lord!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O the heavenly glory of thine ineffable birthgiving, O holy Virgin and Mother For in manner beyond the comprehension of man thou gavest birth to thine own Creator, the Word and Power of God.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Withdrawing from the tumults of the world, O holy David, thou didst willingly bend thy neck beneath the yoke of Christ, submitting in obedience to the holy Paulinus, who trained thee to contend with skill against the adversary of our race. Glory to the Judge of thy contest! Glory to Him Who gave thee the victory over Satan! Glory to Him Who hath awarded thee the wreath of victory!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Stretching forth thy divine hands wherewith thou didst bear the Creator Who in His goodness became incarnate, O all-holy Virgin, beg thou that He deliver from temptations, sorrows and tribulations us who praise thee with love and cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt within thee! Glory to Him Who came forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath delivered us by thy birthgiving!

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion of Wednesdays and Firdays): In awe at Thy great and awesome forbearance, O Saviour, the all-pure one lamented bitterly and cried out to Thee Who wast crucified on the Cross by the iniquitous and Whose side was pierced with a spear by the soldiers: Glory to Thy love for man! Glory to Thy goodness! Glory to Thee Who by Thy death hast rendered man immortal!

Ode IV, Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ, and all things have been filled with Thy praise, O Lord.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Pious men offered up praise to Christ at Glastonbury when the holy David restored the monastery there.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Poisonous had the waters at Bath become, but by the power of Christ, David made them fit for use again.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Enlightening all the Britons, everywhere the holy one went he built churches, wherein to praise the Lord.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Theotokos was full of the beauty of all the virtues; wherefore, the heavens resound with her praises.

Ode V, Irmos: Enlighten me who rise at dawn out of the night, I pray, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and guide me in Thy precepts; and teach me to do Thy will, O Saviour.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Having filled the land with monastic habitations, the pious David made his abode in Menevia, where he taught the Saviour’s sacred precepts unto all..

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Mortifying all carnal-mindedness, O God-bearer, rising at dawn out of the night thou didst show thyself to be a worthy model of all the Christian virtues.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Imitating the austerities of the ascetics of the Thebaïd, thy monks, bending their will to thine, O saint, committed themselves to fasting and constant prayer.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Rising at dawn out of the night, I beg the merciful Mother of God with tears and sighs, that by her intercession I may learn to do the will of her Son.

Ode VI, Irmos: With all my heart I cried out to the compassionate God, and He heard my cry from the uttermost depths of hades, and hath led my life up from corruption.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Abstaining from all but bread and pulse, and slaking their thirst with water alone, led by thee thy monks attained deliverance from corruption.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Constant was thy mental prayer, O saint, for thou didst follow the injunction of the Apostle to pray without ceasing; and God led thee up from hades.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Leading the sheep of thy flock like a good shepherd, O wondrous pastor, thou didst drive from them the demonic wolves, delivering their souls.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Every true Christian crieth out in anguish to the compassionate Bride of God; and, hearkening to our pleas, she entreateth her Son to lead up their life from corruption.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion, in Tone IV: O thou who didst willing take up thy cross and follow Christ the Lord, and didst fill thy land with new communities dedicated to Him, send down from heaven the grace of God, O great and wondrous David, that we Christians may prevail over all heresies, having thee as an invincible ally amid our struggle for piety.

Ikos: Let us now fittingly praise David, the bishop of Christ, for he was called by God from his mother’s womb to sanctify the people of Wales, and by them was chosen to be their chief bishop; and conducting his ministry in a God-pleasing manner, he brought multitudes to salvation by the gifts of the Spirit which abode in him; wherefore, he is the great boast of all the Welsh, and an invincible ally amid our struggle for piety.

Ode VII, Irmos: We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, we have dealt unjustly before Thee. We have neither done nor acted as Thou hast commanded us. But forsake us not utterly, O God of our fathers.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Sinful and iniquitous is the accursed heresy of Pelagius, who belittled the power of divine grace and exalted the feeble efforts of man’s will; but David set his blasphemy utterly at nought.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Like mute fish did the defenders of Pelagius become, being utterly silenced when the holy one made clear the doctrines of piety by the grace and power wherewith Christ filled his godly mouth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Inspiring the faithful of Wales to turn from heresy and embrace the Truth, David was acclaimed as a champion of piety, who would in nowise forsake the true worship of the God of our fathers.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Knowing the magnitude of our sinfulness and the multitude of our iniquities, we would despair of all mercy; but forsake us not utterly in thy supplications, O all-immaculate and merciful Lady.

Ode VIII, Irmos: In the flame the youths gave the command to hymn God the Father and Creator, the consubstantial Son and the Spirit of God: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Ever did the holy David exhort his flock to worship the All-holy Trinity the unoriginate Father, His only-begotten Son, and the all-holy Spirit in Orthodox manner exalting Him supremely for all ages.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Having taken up the saving yoke of Christ with single mind, bear it to the end, the holy David cried out to his brethren, and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep it and fulfill.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O the love of the saint for the sheep which Christ, the Chief Shepherd, had given into his care! For, dying, he earnestly besought them to bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lambent is the light of thy grace, and though the furnace of our fiery passions rageth mightily, rescue us from its flames, O Mother of our God Who is exalted supremely for all ages.

Ode IX, Irmos: Finding everlasting deliverance from the dread sentence brought upon our race by our first father Adam, with the bodiless ones we glorify thine Offspring Who was begotten from on high, magnifying thee, the Theotokos, with hymns.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Ye saints of Wales, like bees returning with all speed to the hive at the approach of a storm were ye, forewarned by God that thy father and bishop David would soon depart to his Master and Creator; wherefore, ye magnified him with hymns.

Hierarch of Christ, David, pray to God for us.

Dying in body, O holy bishop, thy pure soul took wing, and the venerable Kentigern beheld it, soaring aloft, upborne to the heights of heaven by the hands of angelic beings; wherefore, we praise and glorify thy holy memory with hymns of joy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Empty now lieth thy holy tomb, O protector of Wales, and over the ages thy precious relics have been dispersed near and far; yet in spirit thou abidest with all the saints of the Most High, ever sending heavenly aid to us who magnify thee with hymns.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

When we must needs stand before the dread tribunal of thy Son and give answer for our countless crimes, O daughter of Adam and Mother of Christ, stand thou with us, and plead for us who magnify thee, the all-holy Theotokos, with hymns.

Troparion, Tone III: Let the Christians of Wales join in gladsome chorus, uplifting their voices in joyous jubilation, as we celebrate the feast of the wondrous David, their holy father and enlightener, who now dwelleth with the saints on high, and doth ever earnestly intercede for us sinners.

Troparion, Tone I: Having worked miracles in thy youth, founded monasteries and converted the pagans who had sought to destroy thee, O Father David, Christ our God blessed thee to receive the episcopate at the place of His Resurrection. Intercede for us, that our lives may be blessed and our souls may be saved.