August 12
Postfestive day of the Transfiguration.
The holy martyrs Photius and Anicetus, who bore witness to the Christian Faith before the emperor Diocletian. Both of them were tortured, and then imprisoned for three years. Eventually they were thrown into an enormous burning furnace in the year 305.
Our venerable father Maximus the Confessor, in the fortress of Skhemaris on the river Hippus in the summit of the Caucasus. He was the hegumen of Chrysopolis near Constantinople, notable for his teaching and his zeal for the Catholic truth. When he vigorously fought against the Monothelites, he had his right hand cut off by the heretical Emperor Constans. Along with two of his disciples, both named Anastasius, after a harsh imprisonment and many tortures, he was exiled to the region of Lazica and rendered his spirit to God. (662) This feast is transferred from August 13 because of the leave-taking of the Transfiguration.
At Vespers
There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried": three for the holy martyrs, and three for the venerable father.
Tone 4, special melody Dal jesi znamenie. O brave sufferers of the passion, * you feared neither fire nor the ax, * nor the evil wrath of the shameless one, * nor the roarings of lions, the boiling cauldrons, nor the beheading, * nor the bitter death inflicted by the one who condemned you * and who gloriously sent you to the immortal God.
You achieved * the blessed, all-precious, and desired death, * the object of your eternal and courageous hope. * You pour out for us torrents of miracles, * calming down the fire of passions of the souls and bodies * of those who devoutly observe your feast, O exalted ones.
The glorious Photius * and the wise Anicetus, * the two courageous martyrs, * adorned with the splendor of the Trinity * and covered with the beauty of their wounds, * now rejoice with the angels. * They bestow enlightenment and mercy * on those who faithfully honor their glorious and sacred passion.
Tone 4, special melody Jako doblja. He who became incarnate out of love for us, * according to his good pleasure, * revealed himself as having two wills and two energies. * This is what you preached, O Maximus. * You stopped the spreading of evil by the shameless ones; * you continually preached against those who were tempted by the devil * to teach that Christ had only one will and one energy.
O ever-memorable Maximus, * you silenced the foolish liar, Pyrrhus, by the clarity of your teachings. * You suffered exile and tribulations; * you were deprived of your tongue which was cut off, * as was your right hand which was always raised to God in prayer, * and with which you wrote your sublime teachings.
Like a pen filled by the Spirit, * you were an accomplished writer, O blessed one. * Your gracious tongue preached the law of heavenly virtues * and fixed upon the tablets of our hearts the true teachings. * You revealed Christ the Incarnate as one person with two natures.
Glory – Tone 8. We venerate you, O father Maximus, * as a spiritual guide * who shows us how to walk on the right path. * You are blessed because you served Christ * and reproved the powerful enemy. * You speak with the angels and partake of the bliss * of the venerable and just ones. * Pray with them to the Lord to have mercy on our souls. Multiple translations; see January 17, December 5, etc.
Now and ever – in the same tone. The darkness of the law * has received the bright cloud of the Transfiguration. * Moses and Elijah witnessed the miracle. * Beholding the dazzling glory, they said to God: * You are our God, the King of ages.
The aposticha are for the post-feast:
Tone 2, special melody Dome Jefratov. Let us approach Mount Tabor * in order to see the glory of Christ, * who is our Redeemer and the King of all.
Yours are the heavens and yours is the earth.
O my Savior, you appeared on Mount Tabor * with Moses and Elijah. * The chosen disciples saw you shining brightly, * more radiant than the sun.
Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at your name.
The chosen disciples heard the voice of the Father * proclaiming your glory, * and they fell face down to the ground.
Glory – Tone 6. O venerable father, the news of your good deeds resounds throughout the earth. * You found the reward in heaven for your labors. * You destroyed the hosts of demons. * Now you are worthy to dwell with the angelic hosts * whose life you imitated without stain. * Because of your confidence in Christ our God, * we ask you to obtain peace for our souls. Multiple translations; see January 17, December 5, etc.
Now and ever – in the same tone. Having revealed a small ray of your divinity * to those who climbed the mountain with you, O Savior, * You made them partakers of your boundless glory. * Therefore, they cried out in awe to you: * It is good for us to be here. * Together with them, we shall forever praise you, O Christ our Savior, * who was transfigured for us.
The troparia:
Troparion of Photius and Anicetus, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received incorruptible crowns from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory – Troparion of Maximus, Tone 8. Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, * luminary for the world, * inspired adornments of monks, * O wise Maximus, harp of the Spirit, * you enlightened all by your teachings; * intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.
Now and ever – Troparion of the Transfiguration, Tone 7. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, * revealing as much of your glory to your disciples as they could behold. * Through the prayers of the Theotokos, * let your everlasting light also shine on us sinners. * O Giver of Light, glory to you.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the August Menaion
First Antiphon (Ps. 65:1-2, 76:19, 103:1-2):
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; sing praise to his name, give to him glorious praise.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, save us.
Your thunder rolled round the sky, your flashes lighted up the world. The earth was moved and trembled.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, save us.
You clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in light as in a robe.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, save us.
Glory... now and ever...
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, save us.
Second Antiphon (Ps. 47:3, 77:54, 68-69):
Mount Zion, slopes of the north, is the city of the great King.
Refrain: O Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!
So he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.
Refrain: O Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!
He chose the tribe of Judah, the hill of Zion which he loves. He built his shrine like the heavens.
Refrain: O Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!
Glory... now and ever...
O Only-begotten Son and Word of God...
Third Antiphon (Ps. 94:1):
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim God our Savior.
Refrain: O Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!
Entrance Hymn (Ps. 94:6):
Come, let us worship and bow before Christ.
Refrain: O Son of God, transfigured on the mount, save us who sing to you: Alleluia!
Troparion of the Transfiguration, Tone 7. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, * revealing as much of your glory to your disciples as they could behold. * Through the prayers of the Theotokos, * let your everlasting light also shine on us sinners. * O Giver of Light, glory to you.
Troparion of Photius and Anicentus, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received incorruptible crowns from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Troparion of Maximus, Tone 8. Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, * luminary for the world, * inspired adornments of monks, * O wise Maximus, harp of the Spirit, * you enlightened all by your teachings; * intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.
Glory – Kontakion of Photius and Anicetus, Tone 4. You crushed the rage of the vicious torturers * by your brave endurance of their torments. * Now you rejoice in the courts of heaven, * O blessed martyrs Photius and Anicetus. * You are blessed forever and ever, * praying for those who honor you.
Or:
Glory – Kontakion of Maximus, Tone 6. Taking its abode within your heart, * the thrice-brilliant light made you a chosen vessel. * It has revealed heavenly things in you, O blessed saint. * You made deep and complicated ideas clear to us, * and you preached the eternal Trinity to everyone, O Maximus.
Now and ever – Kontakion of the Transfiguration, Tone 7. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, * and your disciples beheld as much of your glory as they could bear, * that when they would see you crucified, * they would understand that you suffered willingly; * so they would preach to the world * that you are truly the radiance of the Father.
Prokeimenon of the feast, Tone 7 (Ps. 103:24,1).
How many are your works, O Lord? In wisdom you have made them all.
V. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Lord my God, how great you are.
Prokeimenon of the martyrs, Tone 4 (Ps. 15:3,8).
To all the saints in his land, * the Lord has shown all the wonders of his will.
V. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia of the feast, Tone 8 (Ps. 88:12,16). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Yours are the heavens and yours is the earth.
V. Happy are the people who can shout with joy.
Alleluia of the martyrs, Tone 4 (Ps. 33:18,20). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and rescued them from all their distress.
V. Many are the trials of the just, but from them all the Lord will rescue them.
Gospel: (of the day)
Magnification. Extol, O my soul, the Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor.
Irmos, Tone 4. Your childbirth was shown to be incorrupt, * for it was God who came forth from you, * appearing on earth in the flesh * and dwelling among us. * Therefore, O Theotokos, we all extol you.
Communion Hymn of the feast (Ps. 88:16,17). We shall walk in the light of your face, O Lord; we shall rejoice in your name forever. Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Communion Hymn of the martyrs (Ps. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!