Saint with Six Stichera.

VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 1, Podoben “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”

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

Now, as we celebrate the prefeast, * let all human nature leap with joy,* for the Tree of the Cross, the assurance of healing,* which gives release from all sickness, suffering and affliction, * will be set before all the faithful!

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

Come, O faithful, let us behold the strange wonder:* How the Tree of the Cross quenches the fire of every infirmity* and extinguishes the burning heat of the passions* in those who celebrate its prefeast with faith* and honour the celebration!

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

All the living celebrate the prefeast with those who have died.* For the Tree of Life, the protector of all,* the Resurrection of the dead, which killed hell,* now comes to give true grace and healing to all.

Tone 8, Podoben “O all-glorious wonder…”

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

O blessed, divinely-wise Eudocimus,* your pure soul, shining with orthodox understanding,* and shedding the light of the radiance of virtue,* illumined the fullness of the faithful,* and dispelled the darkness of demons.* Therefore, we all honour you, O wondrous one,* for you share in ever-present grace.

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

Possessed of a compassionate soul, a chaste mind,* a vigilant heart, unwavering faith and truly sincere love,* you passed over from earth to the heavens,* and made your abode with the choirs of the righteous.* Therefore, we all honour you with sacred hymns* and call you blessed, O holy Eudocimus.

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

Strengthened by divine teachings,* you drove carnal passions away from your soul* and became a pure abode of the Holy Trinity.* Therefore, you have departed into divine delight,* since God has preserved your body incorrupt* by godly judgments known to Him alone,* Who clearly glorifies you, O Eudocimus.

Tone 1, Glory… Now…

How can we not wonder at your goodness and wisdom?* How can we fail to praise your angelic life,* your pure thoughts, meekness, humility and inner stillness,* your constant almsgiving, O venerable Eudocimus?* For you were adorned with all the virtues, O blessed one.* Therefore, ineffable joy and the Kingdom of Heaven await you.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5

O Lord, save me by Your name,* and in Your power be a judge for me.

verse: O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.

Aposticha

Tone 6

Once, the apostles trolled the depths of the sea with nets, О Lord,* and likewise the heights of the kingdom for the sake of their doctrines.* In the first, they skilfully tested the unfathomable depths;* and in the other they attained through faith Your infinite bosom,* and they proclaimed Your timeless Son to the world.* By their supplications and those of all the saints,* have mercy on us.

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.

Once, when Your disciples were tempest-tossed in a boat, О Christ,* they cried out: “O Master, save us! For we are perishing!” *And we now cry aloud:* We pray You, О our Saviour and Lover of mankind,* deliver us from our tribulations!

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 Cross was the invincible weapon of the martyrs, О Lord;* for they looked upon imminent death, foreseeing the life which is to come,* and they were strengthened by hope in You.* By their prayers have mercy upon us!

Tone 2, Glory… Now…

You are my mighty protection, O three-branched Cross of Christ.* Sanctify me with your power,* that I may bow down and glorify you with faith and love!

Troparia

Tone 4

He Who called you from earth to heaven* keeps your body unharmed after death, holy Eudocimus;* for you lived a sober and holy life* and did not defile your flesh;* so with boldness intercede with Christ that we may be saved!

Tone 1, Glory… Now…

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.

DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 1: Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.

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 Eudocimus,* your spirit rejoices with the angels.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: The heavens surpassed the sun in brilliance, * for the Cross illumines everything with its radiance; * enlighten our minds and senses by its power, * O true Lover of Mankind, Saviour of all creation. * We have the Cross as an armour of peace and a trophy of strength.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: Divinely armed with purity of spirit* and mightily wielding the lance of unceasing prayers,* you overcame the powers of demons,* Venerable Eudocimus, pray without ceasing for all of us.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

Exalt the Lord our God,* and bow in worship at the footstool of His feet for it is holy.

verse: The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble. (Psalm 99:5,1)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 10:28-11:7

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.

verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 74:2,12)

Gospel

Matthew 16:24-28

Communion Hymn

Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord,* shine upon us.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 4:7)