THE 2OTH DAY OF THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY MARTYR EDMUND, KING OF EAST ANGLIA
AT VESPERS
At ‘Lord I have cried’, 6 stichira in Tone I:
NOW COME LET US WORSHIP THE KING OF KINGS, GLORIOUS IN HIS SERVANT KING EDMUND, THROUGH WHOM HE HATH MADE STRONG HIS CHURCH AND GIVEN JOY TO THE HOSTS OF HEAVEN AND THE FAITHFUL ON EARTH.
FOUND TO HAVE GROWN TO YOUTH IN GRACE AND ENLIGHTENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD RAISED EDMUND TO THE THRONE OF THE EASTERN KINGDOM, ESTABLISHING HIM AS THE NOBLE GUARDIAN OF THE CHURCH, FOR WHICH HE STROVE EVEN UNTO THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD.
REJOICE, O SERVANT-KING OF THE ANGLES, SERVANT OF THE KING OF ANGELS, O EDMUND, FLOWER OF MARTYRS LIKE UNTO THE ROSE AND THE LILY, THOU WHO WAST EVER MINDFUL OF THE TRUE FAITH, POUR FORTH PRAYERS TO THE LORD OF ALL FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
EXULT NOW, O HOLY CHURCH OF THE ENGLISH LAND, BEHOLD TO THEE IT IS GIVEN TO SING OF THE NOBLE KING AND MARTYR EDMUND, WHO TRIUMPHING OVER THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, WENT UP TO HEAVEN WITH GREAT VICTORY AND NOW INTERCEDETH FOR OUR SOULS.
THE RIGHTEOUS SERVANT OF CHRIST EDMUND, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SPOKE TO THE EVIL HEATHEN: THY FRIENDSHIP BENDETH NOT MY WILL AND THY THREATS TORMENT ME NOT, FOR IT IS GLORIOUS TO DIE FOR THE LORD AND FIRE AND SWORD ARE SWEET TO ME ABOVE HONEY AND THE HONEYCOMB.
THE NOBLE EDMUND, FULL OF VIRTUE AND ADORNED WITH HOLY GODLINESS, SPOKE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT: THREATS OF BANISHMENT MAKE ME NOT AFRAID. IT IS PLEASANT TO DIE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, BEHOLD MAY IT BE GRANTED TO ME TO BECOME A SACRIFICE FOR GOD.
Glory, Tone VI:
BOUND WITH CHAINS TO THE TREE, THE HUMBLE EDMUND IS PITEOUSLY MOCKED AND SCOURGED. FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST HE GLADLY EMBRACETH THE MANY WAYS OF DEATH, AS A TARGET HE IS COVERED WITH ARROWS. BUT HE PRAYETH WITHOUT CEASING TO CHRIST OUR GOD WITH COUNTENANCE SERENE.
Now and ever…, Hymn to the Mother of God or this Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God in Tone VI:
WHEN THE MOST PURE SOVEREIGN LADY BEHELD HER LAMB RAISED UP ON THE CROSS, LIKE THE UNBLEMISHED LAMB OF OLD, AMAZED SHE CRIED ALOUD WITH A MOTHER’S LOVE: O MY SWEETEST CHILD, WHAT IS THIS NEW AND GLORIOUS WONDER? THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEREFT OF GRACE, SHOULD DELIVER TO PILATE’S JUDGEMENT AND CONDEMN TO DEATH THE LIFE OF ALL! YET, O WORD, I PRAISE THINE INEFFABLE CONDESCENSION.
If there is a Polyeleion, then the Sunday Hymn to the Mother of God in Tone VI, ‘WHO WILL NOT BLESS THEE…’
Entrance, Joyful Light, Prokimenon of the Day. Readings: Isaiah 43, 9-14 (Beginning ‘Thus saith the Lord’ and ending ‘saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel’); Wisdom 3,1-9; Wisdom 5, 15-23 and 6, 1-3.
At the Aposticha, in Tone IV:
THE HOLY ONE OF GOD GROWETH BOLDER AS THE PAIN GROWETH FIERCER; SET AS A TARGET HE IS SHOWERED WITH ARROWS LIKE UNTO A NEW SEBASTIAN. YET THROUGH ALL, THE MARTYR STANDETH UNCONQUERED AND THE SOLDIER OF CHRIST IS VICTORIOUS.
Verse: THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE AND WILL GROW LIKE A CEDAR IN LEBANON.
THE TYRANT ORDERETH THE BEHEADING OF THE MARTYR, WHO STILL BREATHETH BUT CONFESSETH CHRIST, AND SO EDMUND CONSUMMATETH HIS MARTYRDOM AND REJOICING IN SPIRIT HE GOETH UP TO GOD, AND HIS SEVERED HEAD MOST HOLY UTTERETH WORDS OF PRAYER.
Verse: THOSE WHO ARE PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WILL FLOURISH IN THE COURTS OF OUR GOD.
THE FAITHFUL FOLK SET OUT TO SEEK THE HEAD THAT IS PARTED FROM THE BODY BUT LIVETH STILL, AND THEY CRY ALOUD: ALAS, GOOD SHEPHERD, ALAS, KIND FATHER KING EDMUND, WHERE ART THOU? BUT THE LORD HEARETH THE CRIES OF THE FAITHFUL AND RECEIVETH THE PRAYERS OF HIS SERVANTS.
Glory, Tone VI:
THE HEAD OF THE HUMBLE MARTYR UTTERETH THESE WORDS: BEHOLD THE ONE WHOM YE SEEK, THE KIND FATHER HATH COMPASSION ON HIS BELOVED WHOM HE CONSOLETH WITH GENTLE WORDS. WONDROUS IS THE HAND OF GOD, FOR THERE LIETH A WOLF WATCHING WITH SORROW OVER THE MARTYR AND FROM JOY THE PEOPLE BURST FORTH INTO TEARS AT THIS WONDER MOST STRANGE.
Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God, or this Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God also in Tone VI:
WHEN THE MOST PURE ONE BEHELD THEE NAILED TO THE CROSS, SHE CRIED OUT THROUGH HER TEARS: O MY SON AND MY GOD, MY CHILD MOST DEAR, HOW IS IT THAT THOU DOST ENDURE THIS SHAMEFUL DEATH?
Troparion Tone IV:
IN HIS SUFFERINGS THE MARTYR KING EDMUND, EXCHANGED AN EARTHLY CROWN FOR A HEAVENLY ONE. AND MAKING GLAD IN THY STRENGTH, O CHRIST OUR GOD, HE OVERCAME HIS TORMENTORS AND LAID LOW THE VANITIES OF THE DEMONS. NOW LET ALL THE PEOPLES OF THIS LAND MAKE GLAD WITH HIM, THAT THROUGH HIS PRAYERS OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
AT MATINS
At ‘God is the Lord’, the Troparion of the Saint twice, Glory… Now and ever…, and the Hymn to the Mother of God or to the Cross and the Mother of God in the same tone.
After the first reading from the Psalter Sessional Hymn Tone I:
LOATHING THE ARMIES OF THIS WORLD AND SEEKING THE GLORY OF HEAVEN, THOU DIDST ENDURE TORTURE AND DEATH, O HOLY MARTYR EDMUND, WHEREFORE THIS DAY WE CELEBRATE THY HOLY MEMORY AND OFFER PRAISE TO CHRIST. (Twice)
Glory … Now and ever … Hymn to the Mother of God in the same tone:
WE PRAY TO THEE, TRUE MOTHER AND VIRGIN; WITH LOVE WE BESEECH THY COMPASSION AND FLEE UNTO THY GOODNESS, O PURE ONE, FOR IN THEE DO WE SINNERS FIND PROTECTION AND SALVATION IN AFFLICTION.
After the second reading from the Psalter, Sessional Hymn Tone IV:
O INVINCIBLE MARTYR AND INDOMITABLE WITNESS EDMUND, THIS DAY SET THEE FREE FROM THE BONDS OF THE EARTH AND WITH TRIUMPH LED THY SOUL UP TO HEAVEN, NOW AS THOU DOST SHINE BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD IN THY BRIGHT RAIMENT, DO THOU INTERCEDE FOR US ON EARTH WHO SING THY PRAISES.
Glory … Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
TO THEE WE SING A HYMN OF PRAISE, O VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE WORD OF THE FATHER CHRIST OUR GOD, WAS INCARNATE OF THEE THE ONLY PURE AND BLESSED ONE.
The Magnification:
WE MAGNIFY THEE, O HOLY MARTYR EDMUND, AND WE HONOUR THY VENERABLE SUFFERINGS, WHICH THOU DIDST ENDURE, FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Verse: GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND OUR STRENGTH, OUR HELPER IN THE TROUBLES THAT GRIEVIOUSLY BEFALL US.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV:
IN FAITH LET US PRAISE THE ROYAL MARTYR OF CHRIST EDMUND, THE INVINCIBLE SOLDIER FAMED FOR HIS MIRACLES AND GREAT CONQUEROR OF THE ENEMY, FOR HE BESTOWETH HEALING ON ALL WHO COME TO HIM IN FAITH, AND TAKING AWAY ALL PAIN HE INTERCEDETH FOR THE AFFLICTED.
Glory … Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
THOU ART AN UNASSAILABLE BULWARK FOR US CHRISTIANS, O VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, FOR FLEEING UNTO THEE WE REMAIN UNHARMED, AND SHOULD WE FALL AGAIN WE HAVE THEE AS OUR INTERCESSOR, WHEREFORE WE GIVE THANKS AND CRY ALOUD TO THEE, REJOICE O THOU WHO ART FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE!
Gradual, First Antiphon of Tone IV, From my youth …
Prokimenon, Tone IV:
THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE AND WILL GROW LIKE A CEDAR IN LEBANON.
Verse: THOSE WHO ARE PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WILL FLOURISH IN THE COURTS OF GOD.
Let every breath. Gospel: Luke 12,2-12. After Psalm 50, Stichira Tone VI:
TODAY THE ENGLISH LAND IS ENLIGHTENED WITH THE RAYS OF THY PASSION-BEARER, AND ADORNED WITH FLOWERS THE CHURCH OF GOD CRIETH TO THEE O HOLY MARTYR EDMUND: AS THOU ART FAVOURED BY CHRIST O FERVENT INTERCESSOR, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Canon Tone VIII:
Ode I
Irmos: CROSSING THE WATER AS IF ON DRY LAND, THUS FLEEING THE TOILS OF EGYPT, THE ISRAELITES CRIED ALOUD PROCLAIMING: NOW LET US SING TO OUR GOD AND OUR REDEEMER.
THY MEMORIAL HATH NOW SHONE FORTH BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN, O ROYAL MARTYR OF CHRIST. FOR IT HATH CAST THE BEAMING RAYS OF THY MIRACLES OVER ALL THIS LAND, O BEARER OF LIGHT ALL-WISE EDMUND.
HERO IN RIGHTEOUS COMBAT, WINNER OF COUNTLESS VICTORIES, GRANT ME TO SING OF THY SUFFERINGS AND STRUGGLES VALIANTLY ENDURED, THOU HAST DIED FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN PRAYER AND JOY AND GLADNESS.
EVER SKILFUL IN HAND, THOU HAST BOLDLY APPEARED IN BATTLE LIKE A NEW DAVID, FOR AS DAVID WRESTLED WITH GOLIATH, SO HAST THOU PREVAILED AGAINST THE ARROWS OF THE FOE BY THE ARROWS OF THY WORDS, O THRICE-CROWNED EDMUND.
O HOLY MAIDEN AND MOTHER, THY CHILDBIRTH IS UNSEARCHABLE AND FAIR, DREAD AND STRANGE. FOR THOU HAST FED THE PERFECT GOD FROM THY BREASTS: O WONDER BEYOND ALL WORDS, FOR THOU GAVEST SUCK WITHOUT HAVING KNOWN A MAN.
Ode III
Irmos: AS THOU ART THE FASHIONER OF THE VAULT OF THE HEAVENS, O LORD, SO TOO THOU ART THE FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH; DO THOU THEREFORE ESTABLISH ME IN UNFEIGNED LOVE FOR THEE WHO ART THE HEIGHT OF THINGS SOUGHT FOR AND THE STAFF OF THE FAITHFUL, THOU WHO ALONE LOVEST MANKIND.
O GLORIOUS AND BLESSED MARTYR EDMUND, THE HUMBLE AND RIGHTEOUS KING WHO SHINETH WITH THE CROWN OF MARTYRDOM, PRAY TO GOD THAT THOSE WHO CALL ON THEE IN GODLINESS MAY BE DELIVERED FROM EVERY AFFLICTION.
ENLIGHTENED BY ABUNDANT RADIANCE, THOU O ALL WISE EDMUND DOST DRIVE AWAY THE GLOOMY DESPONDENCY OF THE PASSIONS FROM THOSE WHO IN FAITH HYMN THEE.
CONFIRMED IN HOPE AND LOVE, FENCED AROUND BY FAITH, THOU WHO ART STRONG IN THE STRENGTH OF CHRIST, THOU, O EDMUND, HAST PREACHED THE KINGDOM AND THUS OVERTHROWN THE ERRORS OF HEATHENDOM.
O MOST HOLY VIRGIN, THOU HAST BORNE IN THE FLESH HIM WHO HATH ENLIGHTENED ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, WHO WAS BEGOTTEN FROM THE FATHER BEFORE ALL THINGS WERE, AND THEREFORE WE HONOUR THEE AS THE TRUE BIRTHGIVER OF GOD.
Sessional Hymn Tone V:
ENLIGHTENED WITH THE LUSTRE OF VIRTUE AND ADORNED WITH THE GLORY OF MARTYRDOM, THOU SHINEST BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN AND DOST ENLIGHTEN THOSE WHO IN FAITH CELEBRATE THY LIGHT-BEARING MEMORY, O GLORIOUS MARTYR EDMUND.
Glory … Now and ever … Hymn to the Mother of God:
O EVER-VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, THE GREAT MIRACLE OF THY CONCEPTION AND THINE INEFFABLE CHILDBIRTH WAS SHOWN FORTH IN THEE AND I AM FILLED WITH AWE AND AMAZEMENT, FOR THY GLORY SHINETH FORTH ON ALL FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Ode IV
Irmos: I HAVE HEARKENED AND I HAVE HEARD OF THE AWESOME MYSTERY OF THY DISPENSATION, O LORD, FOR I HAVE COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THY WORKS AND SING THE PRAISES OF THY DIVINITY.
AFFLICTIONS BEYOND NUMBER BESET THY SAINTS IN THE ENGLISH LAND, O LORD, AND THE HORDES OF HEATHEN ROSE TO SLAUGHTER THE FAITHFUL. BUT THOU DIDST NOT SUFFER DARKNESS TO OVERCOME THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL THAT THY SAINTS HAD KINDLED, FOR THOU DIDST RAISE UP THE GLORIOUS EDMUND, THE MIGHTY PROTECTOR OF THY CHURCH AND PEOPLE.
RAISING UP THY CROSS IN THE SIGHT OF THE HEATHEN, O LORD, THE NOBLE KING EDMUND BESOUGHT THY MERCY AGAINST THE INSOLENT FOEMEN. FOR HE ENTRUSTED TO THEE THE JUST CAUSE OF HIS NATION, THAT KINGS AND PRIESTS AND PEOPLE MIGHT BLESS THEE O GOD FOR EVERMORE.
THE ENEMY FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THY REPROVING WORDS AND ORDERED THY BODY TO BE PIERCED WITH ARROWS LIKE UNTO A NEW SEBASTIAN. THUS PIERCED, O NOBLE EDMUND, THOU HAST CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE SAVIOUR IN UNCEASING PRAYER.
THOU ART BLESSED UNTO ALL GENERATIONS, O MOTHER AND VIRGIN, O MOUNTAIN OVERSHADOWED BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WHO FOR OUR SAKES DIDST GIVE BIRTH TO CHRIST, THE LIGHT OF THE NATIONS, SAVE US BY THINE INTERCESSIONS.
Ode V
Irmos: ENLIGHTEN US BY THY PRECEPTS AND THY COMMANDS, O LORD, AND BY THE LOFTY POWER OF THINE ARM, BESTOW THY PEACE UPON US ALL AS THOU ALONE LOVEST MANKIND.
DO THOU, WHO HAST BEEN RICHLY ADORNED BY CHRIST FOR THY BOLDNESS AS A MARTYR, NOW BESEECH HIM EARNESTLY FOR THE SALVATION OF THOSE WHO SING THY PRAISES, O ALL BLESSED EDMUND, OUR NOBLE GUARDIAN.
EVER REJOICING WITH THE ANGELIC HOSTS, O HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS MARTYR, AND FILLED TO THE FULL WITH UNDYING AND BLESSED GLORY, DO THOU GUARD THY KINGDOM FROM EVERY STIRRING OF THE NEW HEATHEN AND PROTECT ALL THOSE WHO FLEE TO THEE FOR REFUGE.
DO THOU WHO ART MERCIFUL, O CHRIST OUR GOD, DELIVER US FROM EVERY NEED, CALMING THE MANY TURMOILS OF SIN AND PERIL, AND ACCEPT, O LORD, THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF THY HOLY SERVANT EDMUND.
O MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, THOU HAST APPEARED FAR ABOVE THE CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM, FOR THOU, O MOST PURE ONE, HAST ALONE RECEIVED IN THY WOMB THE GOD WHO CANNOT BE CONTAINED. NOW STRENGTHEN BY THY BOLD INTERCESSIONS THOSE WHO HYMN THEE TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY MARTYR EDMUND.
Ode VI
Irmos: I POUR FORTH MY ENTREATIES TO THE LORD AND TO HIM I PROCLAIM MY SORROWS, FOR MANY WOES FILL MY SOUL AND MY LIFE DRAWRTH NIGH TO ITS END, THEREFORE, DO THOU NOW RAISE ME UP FROM CORRUPTION, O LORD MY GOD.
THY MANLY AND NOBLE DEEDS ARE UNSURPASSED, FATHER TO THE WIDOW, THE ORPHAN AND THE POOR, RIGHTEOUS GUARDIAN OF THE CHURCH, O ROYAL MARTYR EDMUND, WE PRAISE THEE IN SONG, O ALL BLESSED ONE.
NOT YIELDING TO SHARP AND GRIEVIOUS TORTURES, THOU HAST GONE TO THEM AS IF THEY WERE PLEASURES, ABIDING WITH THE LORD IN PRAYER AND CALLING UNCEASINGLY ON HIS HOLY NAME. THOUGH PIERCED BY ARROWS TO THE TREE, YET THY PRAYERS RING OUT IN VICTORY DOWN ALL THE AGES.
NOW LET US DANCE AND MAKE GLAD LIKE DAVID OF OLD, SINGING A HYMN OF PRAISE, O YE PEOPLE, FOR WE HAVE FOUND THE THRICE-CROWNED EDMUND, VIRGIN, KING AND MARTYR, WHO PRAYETH TO GOD FOR THE SALVATION OF US ALL.
NOW DO WE SEEK REFUGE IN THEE, O MOST PURE VIRGIN. SAVE AND GUARD US BY THY PRAYERS, FOR AS MOTHER OF HIM WHO HATH POWER OVER ALL THINGS, THINE INTERCESSIONS ARE MIGHTY INDEED.
Kondakion Tone II:
AS A FIELD TILLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THOU HAST BEEN SHOWN FORTH A MOST PRECIOUS HUSBANDMAN OF GRACE, GATHERING IN SHEAVES OF VIRTUE, FOR SOWING IN TEARS THOU DOST REAP IN GLADNESS, AND HAVING FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT UNTO THE SHEDDING OF THY BLOOD, THOU HAST RECEIVED CHRIST, WHERFORE DO THOU INTERCEDE FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Ikos: HAVING UPHELD THE TRUE FAITH AT THE HANDS OF THE HEATHEN NORTHMEN, O MARTYR EDMUND, THOU WAST FOUND WORTHY TO EXCHANGE AN EARTHLY CROWN FOR A HEAVENLY ONE. THUS INSPIRED BY THINE EXAMPLE, WE TOO BESEECH THEE THAT WE MAY RECEIVE THE REWARD OF ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS, WHEREFORE DO THOU INTERCEDE FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Ode VII
Irmos: ONCE, FROM OUT OF JUDEA, THE CHILDREN WENT DOWN TO BABYLON. THERE THEY TRAMPLED DOWN THE FLAMES OF THE FIERY FURNACE, WHILE SINGING THEIR FAITH IN THE TRINITY: O GOD OF OUR FATHERS, BLESSED ART THOU.
WORTHILY EMULATING THY MASTER ON THE CROSS, O HOLY MARTYR EDMUND, THOU WAST BOUND TO THE TREE, THOU GLORIOUS SAINT OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AND CARRYING OFF THE VICTORY, THOU ART HER GUARDIAN, THEREFORE DO THOU PRESERVE HER THROUGH THINE INTERCESSIONS.
AS MARTYR UNVANQUISHED, O EDMUND ALL WISE, AND AS CONQUEROR OVER SUFFERING AND UNDEFEATED CHAMPION OF THE FAITH, DO THOU FENCE AROUND ALL THOSE WHO PRAISE THEE WITH THY HOLY PRAYERS.
PRUDENTLY HUSBANDING THE DIVINE SEED, THOU DIDST MAKE IT TO INCREASE BY WATERING IT WITH THE STREAMS OF THY BLOOD, AND BY THE ZEAL OF THY SACRIFICE THOU HAST QUENCHED THE INSOLENCE OF THE HEATHEN.
THOU ART THE GLORY OF ALL, O PURE AND SPOTLESS VIRGIN, THOU ART THE STRENGTH OF THOSE WHO CONFESS THEE TO BE THE MOTHER OF GOD, WHOM THOU DIDST BEAR.
Ode VIII
Irmos: THE KING OF HEAVEN, WHOM ALL THE HOSTS OF ANGELS HYMN IN GLORY, NOW LET US PRAISE AND EXALT FOR EVERMORE.
THE FLOOD OF GRIEVIOUS PASSIONS, TROUBLES AND PERILS AND ALL DEVICES OF THE DEMONS NOW CEASE AT THINE INTERCESSIONS, O ROYAL MARTYR AND RIGHTEOUS SERVANT OF CHRIST EDMUND.
O INVINCIBLE THRICE-CROWNED MARTYR EDMUND, ENLIGHTENED BY THE THREEFOLD SUN OF THE TRINITY, THOU CHAMPION OF GODLINESS AND TRUE FAITH, PRAY FOR US WHO SING UNTO THEE.
ADORNED BY A HEAVENLY CROWN AND DIADEM AND SCEPTRE, CLOTHED IN PURPLE RAIMENT DYED RED BY THY BLOOD, THOU DOST REIGN WITH THE KING OF HEAVEN, O ALL BLESSED ONE.
NO EVER BLESSED AND MOST PURE VIRGIN MOTHER, THOU HAST BORNE THE GOD BEGOTTEN BY THE FATHER FROM BEFORE ALL AGES, HE WHO SHONE FORTH BEFORE TIME. THEREFORE ALL PEOPLES GLORIFY THEE AS THE TRUE MOTHER OF GOD.
Ode IX
Irmos: MOST RIGHTLY DO WE CONFESS THEE AS THE MOTHER OF GOD, WE WHO THROUGH THEE SEEK SALVATION, O MOST PURE VIRGIN, THEREFORE WITH ALL THE CHOIRS OF HEAVEN WE MAGNIFY THEE.
O BLESSED EDMUND, DO THOU BESEECH CHRIST OUR GOD WITHOUT CEASING, FOR WE SING THY PRAISES AS MARTYR, AS SCOURGE OF HEATHEN TYRANTS, AS HEALER OF BLIND AND SICK, AS PROTECTOR OF THE POOR, AS VIGILANT GUARDIAN OF THE TRUE FAITH, AND AS ADVOCATE WHO CAN NEVER BE CONFOUNDED.
O THRICE BLESSED SAINT OF GOD, THE MASTER OF ALL HATH GIVEN THEE THE RICH PRIZES OF THY CONTESTS, STANDING BY HIS SIDE AS MARTYR WITH BOLDNESS AND JOY, GUARD THOSE WHO CALL UPON THEE WITH FAITH AND HONOUR.
RESPLENDENT IN THINE INCORRUPT BODY, O EDMUND, THE GLORY AND LIGHT OF THY RELICS SHONE FORTH UPON THE BURGH NAMED AFTER THEE, AND FROM THERE THROUGHOUT ALL THE ENGLISH LAND. O LIGHT FROM THE EAST, THOU HAST SHONE FORTH TO MANY PEOPLES DOWN ALL THE AGES, NOW PROCLAIMING THE INCORRUPTIBLE VICTORY OF CHRIST, WE AWAIT THY RETURN BEFORE THE END AS WE PROCLAIM THY MARTYRDOM TO ALL THE NATIONS.
YEA, THE ARK OF TESTIMONY, O MOST PURE VIRGIN, IN WHICH THE TABLES, THE JAR AND THE GOLDEN TABERNACLE FOREFIGURE THEE, FOR THUS THOU HAST HELD IN THY WOMB, O BIRTHGIVER OF GOD, THE WORD MADE FLESH, WHO HATH NO BEGINNING.
Exapostilarion:
O ALL PRAISED EDMUND, NOBLE PROTECTOR OF THE ENGLISH LAND, THOU HAST NEVER FAILED ANY MAN. WATCHING OVER THIS THY LAND, INTERCEDE WITH CHRIST OUR GOD THAT THE NEW HEATHEN MAY BE DRIVEN BACK, AND OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
Glory… Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
WITH THY MIGHTY PROTECTION EVER GUARD US THY SERVANTS FROM ALL ASSAULTS OF THE ENEMY, O PURE ONE: FOR IN THEE ALONE DO WE HAVE A REFUGE FROM ALL DANGER.
At the Praises: 4 Stichira in Tone IV:
TODAY ALL THIS LAND IS MADE BRIGHT BY THE RAYS OF THY MARTYR O CHRIST, AND ADORNED WITH FLOWERS OF VICTORY THE CHURCH CRIETH ALOUD TO THEE O NOBLE EDMUND, THE SERVANT OF CHRIST AND FERVENT INTERCESSOR, WHO THROUGH THY MIRACLES DOST MOVE EVERY TONGUE TO GLORIFY HIM WHO HATH HONOURED THEE, DO THOU EVER PRAY TO THE LORD FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
O THRICE-CROWNED EDMUND, VIRGIN, KING AND MARTYR, TRIUMPHANT AND THRICE-BLESSED, HAVING GIVEN THYSELF UP AS THE LORD AT GETHSEMANE, BOUND TO THE TREE AND PIERCED BY ARROWS, THOU HAST HURLED BACK THE HEATHEN HOST OF ERROR AND CONFESSED CHRIST IN GLORY, PRAY THOU THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
O BRETHREN, LET US PRAISE IN SPIRIT THE LIVING ARROW OF SHARP FAITH EDMUND THE FAMOUS MARTYR KING, THE WISE AND HONOURABLE ONE, WHO WAS PIERCED FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST. DANGERS FORGED, TORTURES BURDENED, ALL MANNER OF CHASTISEMENT SMOTE HIS VIRGIN BODY AS HIS HEAD FELL, BUT LOVE CONQUERED NATURE AND THE HOLY ONE MADE HIS WAY THROUGH DEATH TO THE COMPANY OF CHRIST, THE SAVIOUR OF OUR SOULS.
Glory: CHRIST THE KING OF KINGS, HAVING LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE WORLD, EDMUND THE KING WHO LOVED THEE MADE HASTE TO DIE FOR THEE, FOR HAVING DIVINE ZEAL IN HIS HEART, HE OFFERED HIMSELF UP TO THEE, THEREFORE LET US SING OF THE FAITH OF THIS GLORIOUS AND HONOURABLE SERVANT OF CHRIST WHO EMULATED THE MASTER, THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
Now and ever: LET US NOW SING WITH FAITH AND JOY A HYMN TO THEE, THE MOTHER OF GOD WHO ART PRAISED BY ALL, DO THOU BESEECH THE LORD THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.
AT THE LITURGY
At the Beatitudes, 8 Troparia from Odes III and IV of the Canon of the Martyr.
Prokimenon Tone VII:
THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL BE GLAD IN THE LORD, AND SHALL HOPE ON HIM.
Verse: HEARKEN, O GOD, UNTO MY PRAYER, WHEN I MAKE SUPPLICATION UNTO THEE.
The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy 292 (2,1-10)
Alleluia in Tone IV:
Verse: SHOUT WITH JUBILATION UNTO THE LORD ALL THE EARTH; SING YE UNTO HIS NAME, GIVE GLORY IN PRAISE OF HIM.
Verse: FOR THOU HAST PROVED US, O GOD, AND BY FIRE THOU HAST TRIED US EVEN AS SILVER IS TRIED BY FIRE.
The Gospel according to St John 52 (15,17 – 16,2).
Communion Verse:
IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS BE; HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS.
The Three Old Testament Readings:
READING FROM ISAIAH:
THUS SAITH THE LORD: LET ALL THE NATIONS GATHER TOGETHER AND LET THE PEOPLES ASSEMBLE. WHO AMONG THEM CAN DECLARE THIS, AND SHOW US THE FORMER THINGS. LET THEM BRING THEIR WITNESSES TO JUSTIFY THEM, AND LET THEM HEAR AND SAY, IT IS TRUE. ‘YE ARE MY WITNESSES’, SAITH THE LORD, ‘AND MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, THAT YE MAY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM HE. BEFORE ME NO GOD WAS FORMED, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY AFTER ME. I, I AM THE LORD, AND BESIDES ME THERE IS NO SAVIOUR. I DECLARED AND SAVED AND PROCLAIMED, WHEN THERE WAS NO STRANGE GOD AMONGST YOU; AND YE ARE MY WITNESSES’, SAITH THE LORD. ‘I AM GOD, AND ALSO HENCEFORTH I AM HE; THERE IS NONE WHO CAN DELIVER FROM MY HAND; I WORK AND WHO CAN HINDER IT’, THUS SAITH THE LORD, YOUR REDEEMER, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON:
THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD, AND NO TORMENT WILL EVER TOUCH THEM. IN THE EYES OF THE FOOLISH THEY SEEMED TO HAVE DIED, AND THEIR DEPARTURE WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN AFFLICTION, AND THEIR GOING FROM US TO BE THEIR DESTRUCTION; BUT THEY ARE AT PEACE. FOR THOUGH IN THE SIGHT OF MEN THEY WERE PUNISHED, THEIR HOPE IS FULL OF IMMORTALITY. HAVING BEEN DISCIPLINED A LITTLE, THEY WILL RECEIVE GREAT GOOD, BECAUSE GOD TESTED THEM AND FOUND THEM WORTHY OF HIMSELF, LIKE GOLD IN THE FURNACE HE TRIED THEM, AND LIKE A SACRIFICIAL BURNT OFFERING HE ACCEPTED THEM. IN THE TIME OF THEIR VISITATION THEY WILL SHINE FORTH, AND WILL RUN LIKE SPARKS THROUGH THE STUBBLE. THEY WILL GOVERN NATIONS AND RULE OVER PEOPLES, AND THE LORD WILL REIGN OVER THEM FOR EVER. THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM WILL UNDERSTAND TRUTH, AND THE FAITHFUL WILL ABIDE WITH HIM IN LOVE, BECAUSE GRACE AND MERCY ARE UPON HIS ELECT, AND HE WATCHES OVER HIS HOLY ONES.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON:
THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE FOR EVER, AND THEIR REWARD IS WITH THE LORD; THE MOST HIGH TAKES CARE OF THEM. THEREFORE THEY WILL RECEIVE A GLORIOUS CROWN AND A BEAUTIFUL DIADEM FROM THE LORD, BECAUSE WITH HIS RIGHT HAND HE WILL COVER THEM, AND WITH HIS ARM HE WILL SHIELD THEM. THE LORD WILL TAKE HIS ZEAL AS HIS WHOLE ARMOUR, AND WILL ARM ALL CREATION TO REPEL HIS ENEMIES; HE WILL PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS AS A BREASTPLATE, AND WEAR IMPARTIAL JUSTICE AS A HELM; HE WILL TAKE HOLINESS AS AN INVINCIBLE SHIELD, AND SHARPEN STERN WRATH FOR A SWORD, AND CREATION WILL JOIN WITH HIM TO FIGHT AGAINST THE MADMEN. SHAFTS OF LIGHTNING WILL FLY WITH TRUE AIM, AND WILL LEAP TO THE TARGET AS FROM A WELL-DRAWN BOW OF CLOUDS, AND HAILSTONES FULL OF WRATH WILL BE HURLED AS FROM A CATAPULT; THE WATER OF THE SEA WILL RAGE AGAINST THEM, AND RIVERS WILL RELENTLESSLY OVERWHELM THEM; A MIGHTY WIND WILL RISE AGAINST THEM, AND LIKE A TEMPEST IT WILL WINNOW THEM AWAY. LAWLESSNESS WILL LAY WASTE THE WHOLE EARTH, AND EVIL-DOING WILL OVERTURN THE THRONES OF RULERS. LISTEN THEREFORE, O KINGS, AND UNDERSTAND; LEARN, O JUDGES OF THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. GIVE EAR, YE THAT RULE OVER MULTITUDES, AND BOAST OF MANY NATIONS. FOR YOUR DOMINION WAS GIVEN YOU FROM THE LORD, AND YOUR SOVEREIGNTY FROM THE MOST HIGH, WHO WILL SEARCH OUT YOUR WORKS AND ENQUIRE INTO YOUR PLANS.