Sunday, November 1, 2026; Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 6; Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha, Bishop of Mukachevo; The Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

When

November 1, 2026

12:00 am – 11:59 pm

Polyeleos Feast. Resurrectional Gospel 1.

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 6

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,* You ascended the cross so that You might raise up with Yourself* all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.* Almighty Saviour, You are free from death* and bestow life by Your divine light.* We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Today Christ has conquered Death.* He has risen from the grave as He had foretold,* bestowing great joy upon the world.* Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:* O Fount of Life, O Light whom no one can approach,* Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,* for You are present in all creation?* You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.* Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.* O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.* Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?* We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:* O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We exult in Your cross, O Christ,* and we sing the glory of Your resurrection.* For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

Tone 6

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Father and priest-martyr Theodore,* you took the yoke of Christ upon your shoulders,* and served Him faithfully,* courageously defeating the attacks of the faithless,* and entering eternal life;* there, you shine like a star, before the throne of the King above all who reign,* and the Lord over all who rule.* Pray to Him unceasingly for the salvation of our souls.

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

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

Having gathered in faith today, we all praise you, O priest-martyr Theodore;* you were revealed to be a good shepherd, not retreating from the truth,* you were an honest overseer, and so we sing to you in faith:* O all-blessed one, the praise of truly orthodox Christians,* pray for us to the Lord that He have mercy on 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.

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

Father and Priest-Martyr Theodore,* for the sake of the Church of God, and of the future life,* you entered the den of thieves without fear.* You were never afraid of ferocious enemies,* and although, coming to you, they caused you much affliction,* yet, praying and trusting in the Lord, you did His will.* You suffered even unto death, O long-suffering one, and now you dwell in the heavens,* and so, praising you faithfully, we honor you.

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

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

Father and Priest-Martyr Theodore,* you steadfastly obeyed the commandments of Christ.* Your ascetic labor was great, O pillar of our Church,* and our hope in Heaven,* in whom faithful Christians place their trust.* For, you imitated Christ, always walking upon His way,* accepting and carrying the Cross,* and now you glorify Him together with the ranks of angels.* You are our praise in the Kingdom of God,* and the joy of those who honor you this day.

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

Tone 6, Glory….

Come, O Christians of the Carpathian lands.* Let us give praise to the wondrous adornment of our Church.* For, among the angels and choirs of saints in the heavens, there is joy;* and for the ferocious demon – embitterment.* For the good one completed the path, preserving the undivided faith unblemished.* He accepted the bright crown of victory from the hands of the almighty God.* And has settled in the radiant heavenly dwellings.* Therefore, in true faith and with fervent prayers, we run to you, O Theodore,* praying that you obtain from Christ God, salvation for our souls.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

Readings

(1) Proverbs 10:6-7; 3:13-17; 8:6, 32-35; 8:4, 12, 14, 17; 8:5-9; 22:19-21; 15:4 (2) Proverbs 10:31-11:12 (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,* the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your resurrection;* make us on earth also worthy* to extol and glorify You with a pure heart.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,* and raised up fallen mankind.* Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:* O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old* by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.* When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:* O, what sorrow afflicts us!* O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?* If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?* How were You removed?* What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?* O Lord, appear to us as You promised* and put an end to our tears.* As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:* Do not weep, but tell the apostles that the Lord is risen,* granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Christ, You were crucified of Your own free will,* and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.* As God, You rose in glory on the third day,* granting life and great mercy to the world.

Tone 5, Glory…

Ineffable and indescribable is the grace* that you received, O Priest-Martyr Theodore.* Today, glorifying you, we pray to God:* to forgive our sins, and accept us into His courts,* and show us His glory.* So that faithfully, with you, the all-blessed one, we may be satiated with divine food.* O Most Reverend Hierarch of Christ, worthy of praise,* make us worthy to be partakers in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,* you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.* Christ, my Deliverer and Lord,* appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.* For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,* wished to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands* according to His own image.* Therefore, we beseech you, whom we always praise in song,* to unceasingly intercede with Christ that our souls may be saved;* for, as His mother, you can approach Him with the greatest boldness.

Troparia

Tone 6

Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Tone 4, Glory…

You followed the apostles’ way of virtue, O priest-martyr Theodore,* and as a good Shepherd you protected the flock of Christ,* giving up your soul for it.* You, O blessed one, were killed by the godless,* thus entering eternal joy.* Adorned with wounds, O long-suffering one,* you received the crown of glory from the Lamb of God,* pray to Him for the salvation of our souls.

Now…

O Theotokos, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the Cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 6

Troparia, Tone 6

Tone 4, Glory…

Now…

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 6

While the tomb lay open and Hades lamented,* Mary, cried to the Apostles who were in hiding saying:* “Come forth, you workers of the vineyard,* proclaim to the world the word of the Resurrection,* for the Lord is risen,* granting the world His great mercy!”

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

Mary Magdalene stood by Your tomb O Lord,* and mistaking You for the gardener,* weeping she cried aloud to You:* “Where have You hidden the Life eternal?* Where have You placed He who sits on the Cherubic Throne?* For those who were guarding Him have become as dead-men through fear.* Either give me my Lord or cry out with me:* O You who were numbered among the dead and have raised the dead,* glory be to You!”

Glory… Now…

Gideon foretold of your conception,* and David revealed your ineffable child-bearing, O Theotokos;* for the Word descended like a dew upon the fleece of your womb,* and you O Virgin full of grace,* like unto a holy and fertile earth,* budded forth without seed our salvation, Christ God.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 6

Life was laid in the tomb* and a seal was set upon the stone;* the soldiers stood guarding Christ like a sleeping King;* and having invisibly struck His foes the Lord arose.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

Jonah foretold of Your tomb,* and Symeon revealed Your divine Arising, O immortal Lord;* for You descended as One dead into the tomb,* and having smashed the gates of Hades,* You arose without corruption as Master, for the salvation of all the world,* O Christ our God,* enlightening those lying in darkness.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Theotokos, entreat your Son Christ our God,* who was willingly nailed upon the Cross,* and freed the world from deception,* that He have mercy upon our souls!

Polyeleos

Exaltation

We magnify you,* holy heiromartyr Theodore,* and we honour your glorious sufferings,* which you endured for the sake of the Faith of Christ.

Verse: Hear this, all you nations;* give ear, all you inhabitants of the world.

verse: Your priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness,* and your venerable ones will exult in glory.

Verse: The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.* He shall not fear evil tidings.

Glory: Now: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory be to You, O God! (3)

And immediately, this Bulgarian verse, Tone 2:

Come today* all Christians of our land,* let us praise the holy heiromartyr Theodore,* who suffered under the hands of the godless.

Evoglitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 6

By Your voluntary and life-giving death, O Christ,* You shattered the gates of Hades,* and as God You opened to us the Paradise of old;* and by arising from the dead,* You delivered our lives from corruption.

Sessional Hymns, Tone 4

Today is a glorious and holy day,* for the passion-bearer humbled the enemy to the end and steadfastly suffered martyrdom,* Theodore, worthy of wonder.* Let us, the faithful, glorify him,* for the glorious crown-bearer has ascended to Christ,* enriched with virtues, and he prays for the salvation of our souls.

Come, let us solemnly praise today* the divinely blessed Theodore,* the courageous servant of the truth of Christ,* for he was an unwavering preacher of the faith,* who cast down the wiles of the ancient enemy.* Let us offer him hymns and praises,* and with one mind celebrate his honourable memory.* With one voice let us sing:* Rejoice, O Theodore, our boast.

Tone 6, Glory…

Today we proclaim your life,* father and heiromartyr Theodore,* for your save from all misfortunes,* those who weep, you comfort,* you are the pastor and head of the lost sheep,* and us by your prayers you save from all trials;* pray to Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins* to those who with love honour your memory.

Now…

Most Holy Theotokos, we glorify you,* for through Him who was born of you we have been delivered from corruption.* The ranks of angels were amazed:* how did the Burning Coal dwell within you, while you remained unconsumed?* Therefore the races of Angels and of men worthily glorify your childbearing,* and sing with one accord:* Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.

Gradual Hymns, Tone 6

Antiphon 1

Unto heaven I raise my eyes, even unto You, O Word;* have pity on me,* that I may live for You.

Have mercy upon us who are filled with contempt O Word,* repairing Your broken vessels* that we may be found useful.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is the cause of all salvation,* if He sees fit to breathe on one of His creatures,* He swiftly raises him from the things of this earth, and having given him wings,* makes him to flourish and raises him on high.

Antiphon 2

If the Lord had not dwelt among us,* none could have withstood the attacks of the enemy,* for those who are victorious* are exalted by Him.

Let not my soul be taken like a sparrow by their teeth, O Word;* Woe unto me!* How shall I, the lover of sin, be delivered from the power of the enemy?

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit all find divine inspiration,* goodness, understanding, peace, and blessing;* for He is equal in activity* to the Father and the Word.

Antiphon 3

They that put their trust in the Lord look upon high* and are thus fearful to their foes* and wondrous to all mankind.

Unto the pursuit of iniquities* the righteous stretch not the hands,* having You, O Saviour, as their helper.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is sovereignty over all creation;* Him the armies of hosts above worship* and by everything that has breath below* is He worshiped.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

O Lord, stir up Your might* and come to save us.

verse: O Shepherd of Israel, attend, You that lead Joseph like a sheep.

Let everything that lives, Tone 6

Matins Gospel 1

Matthew 28:16–20

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Tone 6, Have mercy on me…

Let every tongue be called to praise today,* the great struggle of the most glorious hierarch Theodore.* Let every generation and every age form a choir,* and with sweet singing offer thanksgiving, saying:* ‘Rejoice, O child of Christ, for you gave up your soul for His sheep.* Rejoice, O sacred mystery.* Rejoice, for you delight in ineffable joy.* Rejoice, and pray for those who celebrate your glorious memory.

Canon, Tone 6

Ode 1

Irmos: Israel, marching on foot in the sea as on the dry land,* saw Pharaoh the pursuer overthrown in the deep,* and raised a triumphant shout:* Let us sing to God a hymn of victory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Good Jesus, with your arms stretched wide upon the cross, you have fulfilled in all things the Father’s good pleasure; therefore let us all sing to you a hymn of victory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Death, the end of life, as a slave under orders, in fear approaches you, the Lord of life, whereby you award to us life without end and resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Pure one, who beyond understanding received your Creator, of his own will made flesh in your seedless womb, you are declared to be in truth creation’s sovereign Lady.

Ode 3

Irmos: None is holy but you, O Lord my God,* the one who is the Good;* you have exalted the horn of your faithful people,* and founded them on the rock of their confession of you.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Creation, seeing God crucified in the flesh, was dissolving in fear, but by the strong hand of the Crucified it was firmly held together.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Sorry death, destroyed by death, lies lifeless; unable to withstand the God-filled assault of Life, the strong one dies. And so to all is given resurrection.

Glory… Now…

O pure one, the wonder of your divine child-bearing surpasses the laws of nature: marvellous was your conceiving of God in your womb, and marvellous the birth and your abiding virginity.

Small Litany

Kontakion, Tone 3

As a flower longs for the sun, so you loved the sun of truth, Christ God,* as a zealous Shepherd, you taught the wisdom of virtue through-out the Carpathian lands* revealing the deepest humility of life:* like a rock of faith, you blocked the way of the godless,* as a precious pearl, you accepted suffering even to the shedding of your blood,* and so today with heartfelt reverence we call upon you, O priest-martyr Theodore,* that you intercede for our sinful souls before the Throne of the All-Merciful One.

Ikos

How can I, sinful and unworthy, praise your life, O all-blessed Theodore, which you courageously lived? Yet, trusting in your gracious regard, I sing: Rejoice, for by your humility you conquered the devil. Rejoice, for you loved Christ, God above all. Rejoice, for you followed Him without wavering. Rejoice, O divinely wise Theodore.

Sessional Hymn

Tone 1

The whole world celebrates your memory,* most-wondrous hierarch Theodore.* For you took divine grace from the King of All.* Release from us all tramplings of the devil,* and save us from all our enemies,* for with faith* we call you blessed.

Glory… Now…

When Gabriel cried out to you: Rejoice O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of all became incarnate of you, the Holy Tabernacle,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him who came forth from you!* Glory to Him who has set us free through your life-giving birth!

Ode 4

Irmos: Christ, my strength, my God, my Lord,* most fittingly your holy Church keeps festival,* singing, dancing, crying out with pure minds,* feasting in the Lord.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Truly, O Christ, the tree of life has blossomed for the cross, planted in the earth, fed with blood and water from your pure side, has put forth life for us.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

No more the serpent’s lying whisper: You shall be like God; for Christ, divine Creator of man’s nature, now has opened out before me, with none to hinder, the pathway of life.

Glory… Now…

Ever-virgin Mother of God, truly beyond speech and incomprehensible to heaven and to earth are the mysteries of your God-befitting child bearing.

Ode 5

Irmos: Shine with your divine splendour, I pray you, O you who are good,* on the souls of those who rise early to you* and long to know you, O Word of God,* as in truth the God who calls them back from sin’s deep darkness.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Now the Cherubim withdraw from me, and the flaming sword is turned back at sight of you, O Word of God, in truth the God who makes for the Thief the path to Paradise.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

I fear no longer the return to the dust, Lord Christ, for in your great mercy through your resurrection you have led me, forgotten, from the dust to the heights of incorruption.

Glory… Now…

O good Lady of the world, keep safe those who from the heart confess you God-bearer, for we have gained you, true Mother of God, for our invincible protection.

Ode 6

Irmos: Watching life’s sea rising in the surging waves of temptations,* fast making for your calm harbour, I cry out to you:* Lead my life up from corruption,* O you of many mercies .

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Crucified, O Lord, by the nails which fastened you, you annulled the curse upon us; pierced in the side by the spear, you tore up the written scroll against Adam, and set the whole world free.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Deception tripped up Adam and brought him to the depth of Hell. But you, God and compassion by nature, came down to seek him and, lifting him up on your shoulders, raised him up with yourself.

Glory… Now…

All-holy Lady, who bore to mortal man his Lord and pilot, quieten the fearful and unresting tumult of my passions, and grant to my heart tranquillity.

Small Litany

Kontakion

With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Ikos

O Giver of life, we sing and we worship your cross and your burial, for you entered Hell, O deathless one, as God of all power, and raising the dead with yourself and shattering the gates of Hell, as God you demolished the might of death. Therefore with love and with longing we who are born of the earth praise you as risen from the dead, overthrowing the might of the all-destroying foe, raising up all who believe in you, delivering the world from the stings of the serpent and us from the wiles of the enemy, as the one who alone possesses the power. Devoutly we sing, therefore, the praises of your resurrection, for by this, as God of all, you have saved us.

Ode 7

Irmos: As falling dew the angel made the furnace to the holy children,* and the command of God burned the Chaldeans;* and the tyrant was convinced, crying aloud:* Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The sun lamenting your Passion, O Lord, drew darkness around him and the light of the day was darkened over the whole of the earth, which cried aloud: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

At your descent, O Christ, the underworld was clothed in splendour; our first father, filled with gladness of heart, sprang up, dancing and crying out: Blessed are you, the God of our fathers.

Glory… Now…

Through you, O Virgin Mother, light has risen and joy to all the inhabited earth, for you gave birth to God the Creator of all; ask him for us, All-pure, to send down to your faithful people great mercy.

Ode 8

Irmos: Dew from the flames you shed on the holy ones,* burning thus with water the sacrifice of the righteous.* All things, O Christ, you bring about according to your holy will;* we highly exalt you throughout the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Envy has finished its work on the people of the Jews: of old the slayers of the prophets now they are slayers of God; they set you upon the cross, O Word of God, you whom we highly exalt throughout the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, without leaving the courts of Heaven you came to Hell. Together with yourself you awakened the whole man, lying m corruption, and he highly exalts you now throughout the ages.

Glory… Now…

From light you conceived the light-giving Word, ineffably you gave him birth, and are glorified. For the Holy Spirit dwelt in you, O Maid, and therefore we praise you throughout the ages

Magnificat

Ode 9

Irmos: No man can see God, on whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze;* but, through you, All-holy One, the Word made flesh is seen of mortal men.* Magnifying him with all the heavenly hosts,* we call you blessed.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Free from passions you remained, O Word of God, when you held converse with passions in the flesh. But having dealt to passion a Passion, you loosed man from his passions. For you alone are impassible and almighty, our Saviour.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Accepting the corruption of death, O Lord, you kept your body from tasting corruption, and your soul, life-giving, divine, was not left in Hell. But, as from sleep arising, you raised us up with yourself.

We bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

With pure lips we mortal men give glory to God the Father, to the Son with him without beginning, and we worship the inexpressible power, most glorious, of the All-holy Spirit; for you alone subsist almighty, undivided Trinity.

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

O faithful, let us gather with the disciples on the mountain in Galilee to behold Christ as He says to them: I have received all power over all things on high and those below. Let us learn how He taught them to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit, and how He promised His disciples to be present with them to the end of the world.

Glory… Now…

You rejoiced with the disciples, O virgin Mother of God, for you beheld Christ risen from the tomb on the third day as He said. He appeared to His disciples, teaching them and revealing things sublime. He commanded them to baptize the believers in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit so that we may believe in His resurrection and that we may glorify you, O Theotokos.

Praises

Stichera of the Praises, Tone 6

To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.

Your Cross, O Lord, is the life and resurrection of Your people,* and trusting in it we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.

Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Your burial, O Master, opened Paradise to mankind,* and thus delivered from corruption we sing Your praises:* O our risen God, have mercy upon us.

Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

With the Father and the Spirit* let us hymn Christ risen from the dead,* and let us cry out to Him:* You are our life and resurrection, have mercy upon us.

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;

On the third day You arose from the tomb, O Christ, as it was written,* raising together with Yourself our Forefather;* therefore the race of mankind glorifies You, and hymns Your Resurrection.

Tone 2, Podoben: ‘When from the Tree…’

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

As Christ, foreseeing His own death, came to the Jews in Jerusalem,* to the Temple of the Living God,* so you also, O blessed father,* foreseeing your death, came to your sheep to bless the temple of Christ the King;* and just as Christ was led forth from Jerusalem to offer Himself as a sacrifice,* so you also went out from the village,* were beaten and wounded by the raging godless,* and, offering no resistance upon your bed, were slain by evildoers;* and you gave up your soul into the hand of the Eternal Father.* Today, we magnify you, O Christ-like Theodore.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

As Christ once taught the Twelve,* so also you, O Archpastor Theodore,* seeing before the assembly of your priests the grievous danger of godlessness,* gave them on Cherechna Mountain a covenant upon two tablets:* ‘Arm yourselves, taking in one hand the spiritual sword of prayer,* and in the other the law which you received from the eternal Master,* that you might not enter into temptation,* but may remain strong when evildoers enter the sheepfold’.* Foreseeing you own death as a prophet,* you promised help from on high;* and, like the Good Shepherd, you laid down you life for the sheep.* O blessed one, pray for the salvation of our souls.

Your priests, O Lord, shall clothe themselves with righteousness,* and your venerable ones will exult in glory.

The fire of faith illumined you,* O blessed Theodore,* being a martyr through your death,* you tended your flock for forty years in the desert of the godless,* like Moses tended God’s people for forty years,* following the fire kindled from on high,* like Moses you did not enter the promised land,* you died, and entered into the court of God,* so also you did not see good times for the Church,* through a martyr’s death you entered into the joy of Christ the Lord,* beseech Him that He give us life eternal.

Tone 8

Precious in the sight of the Lord,* is the death of His saints.

Rejoice, O heiromartyr Theodore.* Rejoice, for you have suffered the wounds of Christ.* Rejoice, for you gave your life for the Christ of Christ.* Rejoice, as before, in peace.* Rejoice, for even today you preach the Gospel.* Rejoice with Christ Jesus.* Rejoice, for you reign in the heavenly mansions.* Rejoice and pray for our salvation.

Tone 1, Glory…

The Lord appeared to His disciples who had hastened to the mountain for His ascension from here below, and they bowed before Him. They learned of His universal power and were sent to all the peoples of the earth to announce His resurrection from the dead and His return from earth to heaven. He also promised to be with them always, and His word is truth; for He is Christ our God, the Savior of our souls.

Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

You came forth from death, destroying the eternal bonds of Hades, O Lord.* You broke the curse of Death* and thus delivered us from the snares of the Evil One.* Then You appeared to your apostles and sent them forth to preach,* and through them You have bestowed your peace upon all the world,* for You alone are rich in mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Troparion, Tone 4: You followed the apostles’ way of virtue, O priest-martyr Theodore,* and as a good Shepherd you protected the flock of Christ,* giving up your soul for it.* You, O blessed one, were killed by the godless,* thus entering eternal joy.* Adorned with wounds, O long-suffering one,* you received the crown of glory from the Lamb of God,* pray to Him for the salvation of our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 3: As a flower longs for the sun, so you loved the sun of truth, Christ God,* as a zealous Shepherd, you taught the wisdom of virtue through-out the Carpathian lands* revealing the deepest humility of life:* like a rock of faith, you blocked the way of the godless,* as a precious pearl, you accepted suffering even to the shedding of your blood,* and so today with heartfelt reverence we call upon you, O priest-martyr Theodore,* that you intercede for our sinful souls before the Throne of the All-Merciful One.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6

Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.

verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 1

My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding.

Epistle

Ephesians 2:4-10; Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 6

verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.

verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)

verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment.

Gospel

Luke 8:26-39; Luke 12:2-12

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.