February 15
The holy apostle Onesimus, a fugitive slave whom St. Paul the apostle caught and gave birth to in Christ, a son in the faith, as Paul himself wrote to his master Philemon.
At Vespers
music (samohlasen)
At "O Lord, I have cried", there are three stichera for the holy apostle.
Tone 1, special melody Nebesnych činov. Today we celebrate in hymns the sacred memory * of the divine apostle Onesimus, a martyr for God. * He was adopted by God through grace for the sake of your faith, * and begotten by the faith of Paul, * let us praise him.
Naturally escaping the slavery of deception, O wise one, * you became a child of God by grace, * the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ, * joining the holy and all-praiseworthy disciples of Paul, * O most profitable Onesimus.
O thrice-blessed Onesimus, * you became a disciple of the Word * thanks to the most praised Paul, preacher and apostle. * Three times you received a twofold crown from Christ. * You were adorned as a priest, a preacher, and an athlete, * O praised apostle.
Glory, now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos.
Troparion, Tone 3. O holy apostle Onesimus, intercede with the merciful God * that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the February Menaion
Troparion, Tone 3. O holy apostle Onesimus, intercede with the merciful God * that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 4. You came upon the world like a radiant glow, * and you shine with the rays of the sun, O blessed saint. * You follow the illumined world of blessed Paul, * and for this we honor you, O glorious Onesimus.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8 (Ps. 18:5,2).
Through all the earth their voice resounds; * their message reaches to the end of the world.
V. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia, Tone 1 (Ps. 88:6,8). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The heavens declare your wonders, O Lord, and your truth in the assembly of the holy.
V. God is glorified in the council of the holy, great and awesome above all who surround him.
Gospel: (of the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 18:5). Through all the earth their voice resounds; * their message reaches to the end of the world.