May 16
Our venerable father Theodore, disciple of St. Pachomius, hegumen of Taberna, called “the Sanctified.” Theodore became the hegumen of all Pachomius’ monasteries, and lived to a great old age, guiding a multitude of monks on the way of salvation. (368)
The holy martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia. Vitus, a child, with his nurse Crescentia and her husband Modestus, were driven out of the home of Vitus’ parents when they found out their child had become a Christian. They were martyred under the emperor Diocletian. (c. 302) The relics of St. Vitus are venerated in Prague in the Czech Republic.
The holy priest-martyr Vitalis Vladimir Bajrak. Born in Galicia, he entered the Basilian monastery in 1933. He was made hegumen in 1941. In 1945, the Soviets arrested him and sent him to a labor camp at Drohobych, where he died in Great Week. (1946)
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the May Menaion
Troparion, Tone 1. You made the wilderness your dwelling, * O father Theodore, the bearer of God. * You became an angel in the flesh and a wonder-worker. * Through fasts, vigils and prayers, you obtained from God special graces to heal the sick * and to sanctify the souls of those who come you with trust. * Glory to the One who gave you strength! * Glory to the One who crowned you! * Glory to the One who through your intercession grants healing to all!
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 3. You bloomed like a flower in the house of God, * bearing the fragrant fruit of virtue through your fasting. * You have been made an equal of angels for this, O venerable father.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 115:6,3).
Precious in the eyes of the Lord * is the death of his faithful.
V. What can I return to the Lord for all he has given me?
Epistle: (for the day)
Alleluia, Tone 6 (Ps. 111:1,2). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Happy the man who fears the Lord and greatly delights in his command.
V. His posterity will be mighty upon the earth.
Gospel: (for the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!