AT VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING 

At Psalm 140 

Tone 1, Podoben “O most lauded martyrs…” 

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered. 

O divinely wise and blessed one,* with the dye of your blood you have brightened your sacred and divine vesture.* For piously have you gone from strength to strength and from glory to glory.* And now pray that peace and great mercy be given to our souls. 

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord. 

You offered to God the unbloody sacrifice, as a most lawful priest;* and later, as a martyr most true, you offered yourself to Christ with blood,* as an acceptable sacrifice and a whole burnt offering,* O divinely eloquent and most honoured one.* Entreat Him on behalf of them that sing to you. 

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord. 

You led legions of martyrs to Christ, O father Anthimus,* teaching and instructing by your doctrines and instructions,* and manifestly presenting yourself as an example, O divinely wise one.* You pray with them that peace and great mercy* be given to our souls. 

Tone 1 

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities. 

O father Theoctistus, your radiant memory* gladdens the assemblies of monks* by the beauties of your life, the riches of your wonders, and the splendours of your gifts.* Entreat Christ, that peace and great mercy* be given to our souls. 

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people. 

O father Theoctistus, the demons stood in awe of your patient abstinence,* and they were set at naught by your unceasing supplications, O most lauded one;* for you acquired Christ as a companion.* Beseech Him that peace and great mercy* be given to our souls. 

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure. 

O father Theoctistus, you were a dwelling place of God;* for, having preserved that which is in His image,* proclaiming the truth by your life,* you showed forth the calling of your holy model, O most wondrous one.* Entreat Christ, that peace and great mercy* be granted to our souls. 

Tone 6, Glory… 

You were a most lawful priest even to your end, O blessed Anthimus;* for, celebrating the divine and ineffable mysteries as a priest,* you shed your blood for Christ God, and brought yourself to Him as a right acceptable sacrifice.* Therefore, as you possess boldness before Him,* earnestly pray for them that with faith and love keep your all-honoured memory,* that they who honour it be delivered* from all temptations, misfortunes and evil circumstances. 

Now… 

The recovery of the sorrowful * and the release of the ailing are you, * O all hymned Theotokos. * Save this city and people, * O pacification of those who are embattled, * the quietude of the tempest-tossed, * who alone are the intercession of the faithful. 

Aposticha 

Tone 5 

As eyewitnesses to the mysteries of the Saviour, О disciples,* you preached the Invisible One who has no beginning, saying:* In the beginning was the Word.* You were not created before the angels, nor were you taught of men,* but by the wisdom of the Most High.* Wherefore, as you have boldness, pray on behalf of our souls. 

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us. 

Together let us praise the apostles of the Lord with hymns,* for, having arrayed themselves in the armour of the Cross,* they abolished the delusion of the demons* and were revealed to be crowned victors.* By the supplications of them and all the saints, О God, have mercy on us. 

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud. 

Your souls filled with insatiable love, О holy martyrs,*you did not deny Christ;* and enduring the diverse wounds of sufferings,* you cast down the audacity of the tormentors;* and having preserved the Faith intact and unharmed,* you were translated to the heavens.* Wherefore, as you have boldness before Him, ask that He grant us great mercy. 

Tone 6, Glory…  

O venerable father, word of your corrections has gone forth into all the earth;* therefore, you have received the reward of your labours in the heavens.* You have routed legions of demons and attained to the ranks of the angels,* whose life you blamelessly emulated.* As you have boldness before Christ God, ask peace for our souls. 

Now… 

You were deemed worthy of great gifts, * O pure Virgin Mother of God, * for you gave birth in the flesh * to One of the Holy Trinity, * Christ, the Giver of life, * for the salvation of our souls.  

Troparia 

Tone 4 

Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Anthimus.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. 

Tone 8, Glory… 

Your abundant tears made the wilderness bloom,* and your sufferings made your labours fruitful a hundredfold;* you became a shining torch over the world.* O venerable father Theoctistus,* pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls. 

Now… 

O pure Mother of God, you are the gate of spiritual life,* save from all dangers those who run to you with confidence* to glorify your holy birthgiving* for the salvation of our souls. 

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING 

Troparia and Kontakia 

Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Anthimus.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. 

Troparion, Tone 8: The divine image was faithfully preserved in you, O father,* for taking up the Cross you followed Christ.* By your deeds you have taught us to see beyond flesh which passes,* and care for the soul, a thing immortal.* and so, O venerable father, Theoctistus,* your spirit rejoices with the angels. 

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Anthimus. 

Now and for ever and ever. Amen. 

Kontakion, Tone 2: As a pious and tested ascetic* and as an honoured voluntary sufferer and as a model inhabitant of the desert,* let us rightly praise in song the all-blessed Theoctistus,* for he has overcome the passions. 

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones. (Psalm 115:15) 

verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:12) 

Epistle 

Galatians 3:23-4:5 

Alleluia, Tone 2 

verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice. (Psalm 131:9) 

verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands. (Psalm 111:1) 

Gospel 

Mark 6:30-45 

Communion Hymn 

The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. (Psalm 111:6)