Also on The 15th Day of the Month of June
Commemoration of Our Venerable Father
Jerome the Blessed, of Stridon
At Great Vespers
After the Introductory Psalm, we chant “Blessed is the man…”, the first antiphon.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, we chant 6 stichera: 3 in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —
Having been vouchsafed heavenly blessedness, the venerable Jerome, possessed of heavenly intelligence, prayeth with boldness to the one King of all in behalf of us who piously celebrate his memory.
Adorned on the day of thine honorable memorial, O father Jerome, we, the choirs of monastics, offer thee hymnody, asking thine intercession, whereof do thou not deprive us who honor thee with love.
Knowing thee to be a treasury of divinely wise doctrine and a treasury of exalted insight, we cry aloud unto thee: Rejoice, O inhabitant of the city of God, who sharest the lot of the all-wise preachers and the venerable who shone forth in ascetic feats.
And 3 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…” —
Thou didst offer to thy Creator, O venerable one, uprightness of mind, purity, abstinence, concentrated prayer, the outpouring of tears, for whose sake thou hast been vouchsafed to behold the glory of God, upon which His most excellent servants gaze, and to sing the thrice-holy hymn, which is chanted in heaven by the angels, O divinely wise Jerome.
Taking the cross upon thy shoulder, and valiantly enduring tribulations, thou wast well-pleasing unto God; and thou didst lead to Him a multitude of virgins, in that thou art the adornment of the venerable, the receptacle of the divine Spirit. Wherefore we, the faithful, celebrate thy yearly memorial, asking thine aid.
Glorious Bethlehem, the city wherein the Lord was born in the flesh, received thy labors and the sweat of thine ascetic feats; and therein did thy repose take place, O divinely wise one. And, wholly illumined, O Jerome, thou hast taken thy stand in gladness before the Judge of the contest, the Savior of the world, entreating Him in our behalf.
Glory…, in Tone II —
Truly desiring the wisdom of God, thou didst diligently heed the words of the great Gregory, the rhetor and theologian; and thus learning that which was divine, thou didst struggle well, O venerable father, and to all thou wast shown to be honorable and pleasing unto Christ, as His sincere servant. Cease thou never to beseech Him in behalf of those who with faith and love cherish thine honored memory.
Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone —
The shadow of the law passed away when grace arrived; for, as the bush wrapped in flame did not burn, so the Virgin gave birth and yet remained a Virgin. In place of the pillar of fire, the Sun of righteousness hath shone forth. Instead of Moses, Christ is come, the Salvation of our souls.
Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. Those who put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.
A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon
Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.
At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…” —
Rejoice, O pure intelligence, who received the effulgence of God, imparting it to the faithful who honor thy holy memory, O wise Jerome. For by thy most wise writings, O venerable one, thou movest all the intelligent to the praise of God, as a skillful teacher of the Christian people and their unshakable confirmation.
Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Rejoice, thou who wast made steadfast by the fear of God, for thereby thou didst come to recognize wisdom divine, and with love and loving-kindness didst make thyself thy Creator’s own, O Jerome, as one full of divine understanding, virtue and zeal. Wherefore, O all-blessed one, by thy supplications to the Lord free those who hymn thee from all want and sorrow.
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.
Rejoice, O goodly scion of Dalmatia, who wast nurtured in holiness in the Holy Land, and who lived for many years in ascetic struggles, which thou didst undertake, laying waste to thyself. Wherefore, thou now rightly dwellest in heaven, full of glory, as an initiate of the divine mysteries and an heir to the kingdom of Christ.
Glory…, in Tone VI —
Though a lover of secular wisdom, thou wast vouchsafed that which was greater and higher than it, O right glorious Jerome. Wherefore, when thou didst achieve excellence in both, thy God-pleasing life was recognized by all; for thy victories over the adversary proclaim thee a child of the light and a favorite of Christ, the Bestower of light, Who by thy supplications granteth enlightenment, peace and great mercy to our souls.
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
O Theotokos, thou art the true vine which hath budded forth for us the Fruit of life. Beseech Him with the holy apostles, we pray thee, O Mistress, that He have mercy upon our souls.
Troparion, in Tone III —
The assembly of the Orthodox hath thee as a great intercessor, O divinely wise one, for as thou art a converser with the venerable and sharest in wisdom divine, so, O all-wondrous Jerome, entreat Christ God that He grant us great mercy.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
We hymn thee who hast mediated the salvation of our race, O Virgin Theotokos; for thy Son and our God, accepting suffering on the Cross in the flesh He had received of thee, hath delivered us from corruption, in that He loveth mankind.
At Matins
At “God is the Lord…”, the troparion of the saint, twice; Glory…, Now & ever…: the resurrectional theotokion in the same tone.
After the first chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Thy tomb, O Savior…” —
Having been taught well by the divinely wise Gregory, in holiness the most excellent Jerome hastened from the West to the East; and having struggled in God-pleasing manner, he now prayeth to the Savior for us who celebrate his glorious memory, which we honor with faith.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
We all know thee to be the Mother of God, who wast truly shown to be a Virgin even after giving birth; and with love we have recourse unto thy goodness. For thee do we sinners have as an intercessor; thee have we acquired as our salvation amid perils: the only most immaculate one.
After the second chanting of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared…” —
For the faithful thy sacred and splendid memorial hath arrived today, O venerable father, enlightening the souls of those who honor thee, O wise Jerome.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
O blessed one, thou restoration of men, thou didst conceive when the most Holy Spirit, Who is equally enthroned and consubstantial with the Father, came upon thee, and the archangel spake.
Polyeleos, and magnification —
We bless thee, O venerable father Jerome, and we honor thy holy memory, O instructor of monks and converser with the angels.
Selected Psalm verses —
A With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication. [Ps. 39: 2]
B He set my feet upon a rock, and He ordered my steps aright. [Ps. 39: 3]
A Lo, I have fled afar off and have dwelt in the wilderness. [Ps. 54: 8]
B I am become like a pelican of the wilderness. [Ps. 101: 7]
A I have watched, and am like a sparrow that sitteth alone upon the housetop. [Ps. 101: 8]
B My knees are grown weak through fasting. [Ps. 108: 24]
A And my flesh is changed for want of oil. [Ps. 108: 24]
B With tears will I water my couch. [Ps. 6: 4]
A For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil doers hath surrounded me. [Ps. 21: 17]
B They have bent their bow, a bitter thing. [Ps. 63: 4]
A That they may shoot in secret at the blameless man. [Ps. 63: 4]
B I beheld the Lord ever before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. [Ps. 15: 8]
A All the nations compassed me round about, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. [Ps. 117: 10]
B Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. [Ps. 123: 6]
A Let all Thy works, O Lord, give praise to Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
B And let the righteous ones bless Thee. [Ps. 144: 10]
A Know also that the Lord hath made wondrous His righteous one. [Ps. 4: 4]
B He hath labored forever, and shall live to the end. [Ps. 48: 9-10]
A The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints. [Ps. 96: 10]
B The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds. [Ps. 149: 5]
A Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. [Ps. 115: 6]
B Chant unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. [Ps. 29: 5]
Glory…, Now & ever…
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God! Thrice
After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled…” —
Thou wast filled with amazement when, having left thy body, thou wast vouchsafed to behold the city of God and, appearing to thy friend Augustine, didst recount these things unto him. And he, obtaining his desire, cried “Rejoice!” unto thee, the divinely wise one who standeth before the throne of the Master of all and prayeth for those who have recourse unto thee with faith.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcended nature, and thy seedless conception reminded him of the rain upon the fleece, the bush which burned with fire without being consumed, and the rod of Aaron which budded forth. And thy betrothed and protector cried aloud to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, yet remaineth a virgin even after birthgiving!”
Song of Ascents, the first antiphon of Tone IV.
Prokimenon, in Tone IV —
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let every breath praise the Lord.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 43
(Mt. 11: 27-30)
The Lord said to His disciples: “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI —
O venerable father, God-bearing Jerome, initiate of the mysteries of Christ, who knowest ineffable things, most skillful guide of the Orthodox: Cease thou never to pray for us who celebrate thy memory with love.
Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos [the Paraclysis], with 6 troparia, including the irmos; and that of the saint, with 8 troparia, the acrostic whereof, excluding the theotokia, is “I chant hymnody unto thee, O Jerome”, in Tone VIII —
Ode I
Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Unto thee, the divine preacher, do I offer praise, and I pray that discourse be granted unto me through thy prayers unto God, that I may proclaim the mighty works of thine honored life, O divinely wise one.
Thou didst spring forth from the land of Dalmatia, rich in grace and adorned with the virtues, with wisdom and the understanding of the messages of the Spirit, O glorious Jerome, in that thou wast dear to God.
The words of the godly Gregory didst thou bear within the treasury of thy heart, in that thou wast the initiate of the Mysteries, a follower of Christ and His apostles, and a partaker of theology, O blessed one who art rich in light.
Theotokion: Death hath fallen upon us with unrestrained assaults; yet, drawing nigh to thine Offspring, it hath perished and, wounded, hath been set at nought, O Virgin Theotokos. For thou truly gavest birth to everlasting Life incarnate.
Katavasia according to the Typicon.
Ode III
Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Adorned with beauty of character, thou wast loved by all, a venerable favorite of God, and one glorious among the saints, O all-blessed one.
Enriched with a pure mind, thou didst study the wisdom of the Greeks, the Jews and the Latins, the Chaldæans and the Persians, O glorious one, yet didst commit thyself to Christ, Who is wisdom itself.
Thou didst apply thyself to fasting and to every labor of abstinence out of love for Christ, for which sake thou wast divinely wise, a sweet savor unto God and a consolation unto men.
Theotokion: In thee, O Virgin, there is no blemish or defilement, and thou hast been shown to be a dwelling-place transcending the virtues of heaven. For all holiness abode within thee, O Mistress.
Sessional hymn, in Tone V: Spec. Mel.: “The Word, Who is equally unoriginate…” —
O ye faithful, with hymns let us honor Jerome, who honored the works of Christ the Lord, and hath taught us the ways of salvation and piously to believe in the true God; for as our fervent intercessor he prayeth for peace and the salvation for our souls.
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
Rejoice, O holy mountain whereby God hath travelled! Rejoice, animate bush which was not consumed! Rejoice, only bridge between God and the world, leading mortals to life everlasting! Rejoice, O incorrupt Maiden who without knowing man gavest birth to the Savior of our souls!
Ode IV
Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Thou didst arrive in Bethlehem, O God-bearer, and there, in accordance with the Gospel, thou didst struggle to the end; and having made thine abode in heaven with the venerable, in that thou art venerable thou prayest there for those who hymn thee with faith.
As one of the elect, as a companion of the holy fathers, thou didst live in the Holy Land, wherein Christ dwelt as a man and saved us as God; wherefore, O right blessed one, we honor thy memory.
With hymns do I bless Jerome the patient-minded as a favorite of God, who loved the narrow way and accepted exile. By his supplications, O Lord, grant us remission of sins, in that Thou art a merciful God.
Theotokion: We know thee to be the Bride and Mother of God, O Theotokos; for the Word of God found thee to be like a rose redolent of myrrh, blossoming in the vale of lowly humanity, and He desired thy beauty and, issuing forth from thee in the flesh, hath perfumed the faithful.
Ode V
Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Thy most honored memorial hath been established anew, O venerable one, for it is older than these times. Wherefore, O all-praised one, as thou wast of old, so now be thou rightly lauded.
Thou dost surpass many in divine wisdom, O most excellent one, dost fill the faithful with gladness and sweetness, and leadest them to divine heights, to the abode of grace divine.
As one full of compassion and mercy, giving rest to strangers and the homeless, helping the poor and clothing the naked, thou hast been counted worthy of blessedness, O right blessed one.
Theotokion: Thou hast been adorned, O Virgin, in that thou gavest birth to the most beautiful Word. Him do thou ever entreat, that He take pity on those who have recourse unto thee, and preserve those who place their trust in thee from all the harm wrought by the demons.
Ode VI
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.
The Lord hath glorified thee on earth, O holy one; for in thy divinely wise writings thou shinest forth upon the ends of the world like the radiant sun, O Jerome.
Mortifying the carnal passions by asceticism, O right wise one, thou didst write books and scrolls teaching and explaining the word of God.
Splendid in fasting and great in wisdom, O divinely eloquent one, thou hast received the title of instructor of the faithful, and art now rightly praised by us.
Theotokion: Thou didst truly conceive the Word of God in thy womb, O all-pure one, and gavest birth unto Him in manner transcending nature. Render Him merciful unto us on the day of judgment.
Kontakion, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “To thee, the champion leader…” —
With hymns let us praise the right laudable Jerome, the most venerable among the venerable and the most blessed among the blessed, the instructor and helper of the faithful, crying out to him with love: Rejoice, O divinely wise father!
Ikos: O father Jerome, on earth thou wast seen to be like an angel; wherefore, unbelievers and heretics maliciously cried out against thee. But we Orthodox, rejoicing, cry out to thee such things as these: Rejoice, scion of godly Dalmatia! Rejoice, thou who art its goodly fruit and son! Rejoice, thou who in holiness in the Holy Land wast nurtured! Rejoice, boast of the pious! Rejoice, for thy writings shine forth like light! Rejoice, for thine asceticism is rightly praised! Rejoice, close friend of the wise Augustine! Rejoice, thou who fulfilled his requests! Rejoice, teacher of the faithful! Rejoice, opponent of the ungodly foe! Rejoice, thou who didst behold the city of heaven! Rejoice, thou who therein chantest divine hymnody unto God! Rejoice, O divinely wise father!
Ode VII
Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
With purity of mind thou didst receive rich grace from God, to do and say all for the profit of men’s souls, O divine preacher, blessing the God of our fathers.
Emulating the industrious bee, thou didst gather flowers of literature like honey, laying it up in thy heart and mind, and thereby thou hast sweetened the faithful.
Full of the grace of the Lord, in that thou art His true chosen one, be thou a mediator for us who cry out and chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Theotokion: Rightly considering thee, O Theotokos, we acknowledge thee to be in manner past recounting the all-pure Bride of the incarnation of the Word, and His bridal-chamber and throne; and we glorify thy birthgiving.
Ode VIII
Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
O city of David, fashion hymns to thy Savior today in sacred manner, for thou hast with thine other saints the divinely wise Jerome within thy walls, crying out: Ye people, exalt the Lord supremely for all ages!
Having appointed ascent within thy heart, O divinely wise one, constantly uniting thyself to the Creator, thou didst ascend from action to spiritual vision; and standing before thine ultimate Desire, thou chantest: Ye people, exalt the Lord supremely for all ages!
Wondrous things were wrought by thee, O venerable one; for, thou didst hasten from the West to the East, struggling patiently in asceticism within Bethlehem, where thou wast the superior of two monasteries; and even after thy repose thou givest utterance to heavenly things.
Theotokion: O Theotokos, who gavest birth to the primal Light Who created the angels, the secondary luminaries, Who brought forth light in the beginning and the two great lights of the heavens, and like light hath animated all: Enlighten the darkness of my mind!
Ode IX
Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.
The divine choir of the angels rejoiceth, receiving thee, O most excellent one; for thou didst live like an angel on the earth, O blessed one, adornment of sacred teachers and boast of ascetics.
Thy memory is piously glorified on earth, and thou dwellest now in heaven with Augustine, praying for us and thy namesakes, who honor thee, O God-bearer, and venerate thine image.
Thou didst dawn like the morning, and like the sun didst set in the heavens, where thou didst desire to be, leaving thy writings behind as a treasure, O wondrous one, from whence grace and heavenly gladness pour forth.
Theotokion: The never-setting Sun, Who shone forth from thy womb, preserving thee a virgin, caused His servant to share in His light and ineffable joy. With him pray thou, that He have pity upon those who magnify thee.
Exapostilarion —
Making thy flesh subject to thy spirit, thou didst labor ascetically in the flesh as though thou wast one of the incorporeal beings; wherefore, on high, O Jerome, thou hast been vouchsafed with the angels to praise the Master of all.
Glory…: Another exapostilarion —
Anointed with thy labors and sweat, Bethlehem crieth out to thee, O God-bearer: O divinely wise Jerome, thou art my boast and the adornment of monastics!
Now & ever…: Theotokion —
O Virgin Mother of the Lord, delight of the angels, joy of the sorrowful, intercessor for Christians: Help us and deliver us from everlasting torments by thy supplications.
On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —
O wise father Jerome, having cleansed thy mind, thou didst transcend the flesh and didst draw wisdom upon thyself, wherewith thou didst recognize Christ our God, Who knoweth and bestoweth wisdom. O thy divinely wise struggles, wherewith thou didst magnify that which is God’s and didst put to shame that which is of the enemy!
O wise father Jerome, through thine understanding of wisdom in five languages and thy divine asceticism thou wast shown to be a great champion of the Holy Orthodox Faith; wherefore, by thy words and deeds thou hast glorified the Lord and Savior Who strengthened thee.
O wise father Jerome, instructor of the faithful, true friend of Augustine, most diligent pupil of Gregory: thy writings emit rays of divinely wise teaching, and, studying them, we piously praise thee.
O wise father Jerome, having struggled for many years on the earth, thou didst hasten to the heavenly city of God, which thou didst describe to thy friend in a dream. Pray thou, that we also who cherish thine honored memory may be counted worthy to dwell there.
Glory…, in the same tone —
Come, and with hymns let us praise the divinely wise Jerome, the preacher of piety; for, having first studied secular wisdom and been purified by God-pleasing struggles, he became an instrument of the Holy Spirit and a dwelling-place of the Trinity all-divine. Him do we appoint as our advocate before Thee, God in three Hypostases, that Thou grant us great mercy.
Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —
O unwedded Virgin who ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High: accept the entreaties of thy servants, O most immaculate one, granting unto all cleansing of transgressions; and, accepting now our supplications, pray thou that we all be saved.
AT Liturgy
On the Beatitudes, 8 troparia: 4 from Ode III and 4 from Ode VI of the saint’s canon.
Prokimenon, in Tone VII —
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Stichos: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Epistle to the Galatians, § 213
(Gal. 5: 22-6: 2)
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Alleluia, in Tone VI —
Stichos: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; in His commandments shall he greatly delight.
Stichos: His seed shall be mighty upon the earth.
Gospel according to Matthew, § 10
[Mt. 4: 25-5: 12]
At that time there followed Jesus great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: and He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.”
Communion Verse —
In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.