Menaion

August 14

Prefestive day of the Dormition of the Theotokos.

The holy prophet Micah. Of the tribe of Judah and from the village of Morasth, he was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. He denounced the vices of his people, foretold the fall of Samaria, and was a seer of the coming Messiah. He named Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. He was buried in his own village, and his relics were found in the time of the emperor Theodosius.

PolyeleosTranslation of the relics of our venerable father Theodosius, hegumen of the Monastery of the Caves.

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

There are eight stichera at "O Lord, I have cried": three for the pre-feast, and three for the translation.

Tone 4, special melody Jako doblja.  At the sound of the cymbals, * let us sing resounding hymns, * anticipating the feast of her departure. * Let us lift our voices in a brilliant chorus before her sepulchre. * For the Theotokos and the golden Tabernacle * now prepares to pass from earth to heaven, * to the new life and the divine splendor.

O choir of the holy apostles, * you are gathered together from the ends of the earth. * The Living City of the One who reigns over all * departs in glory to the heavens. * She goes to rejoice with her Son, the King. * With the angelic hosts, * sing a farewell hymn to her divine burial.

O choir of the holy priests, * O kings, princes, and ranks of virgins, now come together! * All you people, let us come before her holy tomb and sing a hymn, * for the Queen of all entrusts her soul into the hands of her Son * to be taken to the heavenly home.

Tone 4, special melody Zvannyj svyše byv. O venerable father, when you accepted the ascetic life for your salvation, * then you were enlightened invisibly from heaven * and were shown to be an exorciser of evil spirits. * By divine will you received gold, * which, in your generous mercy, you gave to those in need. * You filled their empty vessels with produce, ' preparing for the Savior, those who were in distress. ` O preacher of the faith of Christ our God, * pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

The appearance of your holy relics came like a great light, * understood to be like the angelic splendor. * The great Stephen ran quickly with longing and joy, * seeing them coming in the distance. * He found your body whole and incorrupt * and glorified Christ our God. * O Father, pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

When those who wished to bear your body * came to the cave where you were buried, * they rejoiced on opening the tomb; * for they saw your most holy remains whole and untouched by corruption, * the hair framing your glorious face, * and your eyes and mouth joined in praises of Christ our God. * Pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

The MCI stichera used the wrong podoben (taken from the stichera for Micah on the same day) and need to be reset.

Glory – Tone 6.  In faith we are all called together to celebrate this feast. * Let us hasten today to commemorate * the transferral of your holy relics, O venerable father, * and let us say: * Rejoice, O consecrated dwelling of the divine Spirit and pillar of piety; * rejoice, boast of ascetics, * for you increased the talent given you by God; * rejoice, bright beacon to the world and our consolation. * As you now stand before the throne of Christ, * beg Him to deliver us from all trouble and distress * and to attain the future glory; * for we celebrate your memory in faith.

Now and ever – Tone 4.  O pure and most holy Virgin, * the choirs of angels in heaven and the assembly of people on earth * sing the praise of your glorious Dormition; * for you have become the Mother of the Creator of all, Christ our God. * We beg you to intercede constantly for us; * for, next to God, we have placed our hope in you, * O most glorious and ever-virgin Theotokos.

Entrance with censer, and prokeimenon of the day.  Then three readings:

A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom 5:15 - 6:3).

A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom 3:1-9).

A reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom 4:7-15).

The aposticha are for the pre-feast:

Tone 2, special melody Dome Jefratov. O marvelous wonder! O new sign of mystery! * How is it that the life-bearing Maiden * has been given over to death * and is now being concealed in a tomb?

Go up, Lord, to your rest, you and your holy ark.

May all creatures sing out * because the Virgin, the daughter of Adam, * is going up into heaven.

The Lord swore a true oath to David; he will not go back on his word.

Let us imagine the Virgin's bier * surrounded by the apostolic choir, * and let us sing at her departure.

Glory – Tone 8.  The multitude of monks praise you as their teacher, * O Theodosius our father, * for by your paths you truly showed us the way we should go. * You are a blessed servant of Christ; * you unmasked the power of the enemy. * O dweller with angels and companion of the monks and the just, * pray with them that the Lord grant mercy to our souls. Multiple translations.

Now and ever – Tone 2.  She is higher than the heavens, * more glorious than the Cherubim, * and more honorable than all creation. * Her outstanding purity became the dwelling place of the eternal divinity. * Today she places her all-pure soul into the hands of her Son. * With her, the universe is filled with joy, * and the grace of salvation is given to us.

The troparia:

Troparion of Theodosius, Tone 8.  Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, * luminary for the world, * inspired adornments of monks, * O wise Name, Harp of the Spirit, * you enlightened all by your teachings; * intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory, now and ever – Troparion of the pre-feast, Tone 4. O peoples, clap your hands in anticipation * and dance with faith and joy. * Gather together today in eagerness and jubliation, * and let us all exult with godly glee, * for the Theotokos, whom we always glorify in hymns, * is about to be taken up in glory * from earth to heaven.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the August Menaion

Troparion of the pre-feast, Tone 4. O peoples, clap your hands in anticipation * and dance with faith and joy. * Gather together today in eagerness and jubliation, * and let us all exult with godly glee, * for the Theotokos, whom we always glorify in hymns, * is about to be taken up in glory * from earth to heaven.

Troparion of Theodosius, Tone 8.  Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, * luminary for the world, * inspired adornments of monks, * O wise Name, Harp of the Spirit, * you enlightened all by your teachings; * intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory – Kontakion of Theodosius, Tone 8.  You are a successor to the fathers, O holy monk, and you followed them in your life and teachings, your character and temperance, prayer and intercession. Since you have found favor with God, obtain the remission of our sins and salvation for those who sing to you: Rejoice, O father Theodosius.

Now and ever – Kontakion of the Pre-feast, Tone 4. Celebrating your glorious memory today, * the world mystically dances for joy, * and cries out to you, O Theotokos: * Rejoice, Virgin, Boast of Christians.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 115:6,3). Precious in the eyes of the Lord * is the death of his faithful.
V. What can I return to the Lord for all he has given me?

Epistle:  Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 6 (Ps. 111:1,2). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Happy the man who fears the Lord and greatly delights in his command.
V. His posterity will be mighty upon the earth.

Gospel: Matthew 11:27-30

Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!