Menaion

July 15

The holy martyrs Cyricus and Julitta. The holy martyrs are commemorated on July 14.

VigilThe holy great prince Vladimir, equal to the apostles, who was baptized Basil at Kiev in Rus’. Son of Prince Svyatoslav, grandson of Igor and Olga, he was pagan for the fist part of his life. He sent out envoys to find the religion best suited for his people, and he and his court were baptized in the orthodox faith. He bestowed care in spreading the orthodox faith among the peoples subject to him. (1015)

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

We sing “Blessed is the man.” There are six stichera at "O Lord, I have cried."

Tone 4, special melody Jako doblja.  In word and deed you were a second Constantine; for he was born in a Christian age, yet remained a pagan for many years, while you were born among pagans, yet came to love Christ who loved you, and you have ascended to him, rejoicing. Never cease to entreat him in behalf of those who honor your memory. (twice)

Mount Sinai is glad, shining eternally with splendor, having been sanctified by the law of Moses and having seen the Invisible One; and your great city, O Vladimir, rejoices and is glad, shining with splendor, beholding in itself and not in darkness, the Son glorified with the Father in the Spirit. Entreat him, that he save and enlighten our souls. (twice)

Spiritually you were the father, and materially you were the king of the people of Rus, O Vladimir; and as a true preacher, an apostle of Christ, you proclaim the baptism of salvation. Thus splendidly illumining all, you sanctified the people in all the lands of your kingdom, O blessed one.

You were a root of the true faith, O Vladimir, watered by the All-holy Spirit, putting forth for us divinely planted branches which emit the sweet fragrance of flowers: the wondrous Boris and Gleb, the lovers of piety. They pour forth miracles in abundance upon all the faithful. Standing with them before Christ, pray that he save and enlighten our souls.

Glory –  Tone 8.  Come, let us all hasten to the honored memorial of the father of Rus, Vladimir, our leader; for he was born of the heathen, but came to love Christ who loved him, and he has now gone up to him, in joy, with his grandmother Olga. For he taught all his people to believe in and worship the one God in Trinity. Destroying the idols, he trampled them underfoot, and produced for us his precious offspring, Boris and Gleb. Therefore, we faithfully honor their memory with hymns and splendor, and we celebrate them with love, that they may pray for us to the Lord, grant victory to the faithful over the pagan foe, bring peace to the whole world, and save our souls.

Now and ever – the dogmatikon of Saturday evening, in the same tone, or (on Friday night or Saturday night) in the Tone of the week

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

A reading from the First Book of Kings (1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30).

A reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:10 - 62:5).

A reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-16).

Stichera at the litija:

Tone 2 Bolhar. Today the memory of the pious Prince Vladimir has shone, poured forth like myrrh; for, having loved Christ and triumphed over the idols, he built churches in his land to him crucified for our sake, and has received a crown and kingdom in the heavens.

Glory –  Tone 6. Come, let us all hasten to the honored memorial of the father of Rus, Vladimir, our leader; for he was born of the heathen, but came to love Christ who loved him, and he has now gone up to him, in joy, with his grandmother Olga. Therefore, we also celebrate with love, entreating him to pray to the Lord for us, that he grant peace to the world and

Now and ever – the aposticha theotokion of Saturday evening, in the same tone.

The aposticha are for the feast:

Tone 8, special melody O preslavnaho čudese.  O all-glorious wonder! The vaunted mind is cast into the depths today, and all the armies of evil lament, beholding a most wild shoot divinely planted and glorified by the power of God, and crowned by God with splendor: Vladimir the great, our faithful leader.

V. I have exalted one chosen from my people.

Wondrous is the depth of miracles! For those who before were hardened in mind and raged in vain, are gladdened today in the honored Church by the face of Vladimir; and Christ God reigns, having acquired him like Paul of old, and in his land he has set him as a faithful prince, who enlightened his people with honorable baptism.

V. With my holy oil I have anointed him.

Rejoice, O boast of Russia! Rejoice, O helmsman of the faithful! Rejoice, O godly Vladimir, our leader! Rejoice, bulwark of the Faith! Rejoice, all-glorious wonder of wonders, calm haven of those who have recourse to you! Rejoice, most holy root of the Faith and intercessor for those who hymn you and magnify you with faith!

Glory – Tone 8.  Assembling today, O councils of Rus, let us praise Vladimir the Great, the author of piety and preacher of the faith, supreme among the princes of Rus, the equal of the apostles; and with praises and spiritual hymns let us crown him, saying: Rejoice, O all-valiant warrior of Christ, for, having utterly destroyed the tyrant enemy and delivered us from his deceit, you have led us to the King, Christ our God. O all-blessed and most praised one, beseech him to grant peace and health, steadfast might and victory over the heathen to your people, and great mercy to our souls.

Now and ever – in the same tone. O Lady, accept the prayers of your servants and deliver us from all want and grief.

Troparion, Tone 4.  You were like a merchant seeking a fine pearl * as you sat on the throne of the mother of cities, the God-redeemed Kiev. * Sending messengers to the capitol in your search for the faith, * you discovered the priceless Pearl which is Christ. * He chose you in turn as a second Paul. * You submitted to the rites of baptism, * and the scales of spiritual blindness fell from your eyes. * Now your people have come to celebrate your death. * Pray for the authorities in the land of Rus to be saved. (twice)

Glory, now and ever – Theotokion, Tone 4. Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! * Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! * Blessed are you among women, * and blessed is the fruit of your womb. * For you gave birth to Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the July Menaion

Troparion, Tone 4.  You were like a merchant seeking a fine pearl * as you sat on the throne of the mother of cities, the God-redeemed Kiev. * Sending messengers to the capitol in your search for the faith, * you discovered the priceless Pearl which is Christ. * He chose you in turn as a second Paul. * You submitted to the rites of baptism, * and the scales of spiritual blindness fell from your eyes. * Now your people have come to celebrate your death. * Pray for the authorities in the land of Rus to be saved.

Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 8.   You were like the great apostle Paul. * Late in life you gave up the foolish philosophy of idols * and became a perfect man through the water of baptism. * Now you stand with joy in the court of Christ. * We ask you to pray for the land of Rus * and for the salvation of its authorities.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3 (Ps. 46:7,2). Sing praise to our God, sing praise; * sing praise to our king, sing praise.
V. All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness.

Epistle:  Galatians 1:11-19

Alleluia, Tone 6 (Ps. 88:20c,22). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. I have exalted one chosen from my people.
V. My hand shall protect him and my arm shall make him strong .

Gospel: John 10:1-9

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