Month of July
THE
2ND DAY
COMMEMORATION OF THE DEPOSITION OF THE PRECIOUS
ROBE OF THE ALL-HOLY THEOTOKOS
COMMEMORATION
OF THE DEPOSITION OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS SWITHUN, BISHOP OF WINCHESTER
Composed by Reader Isaac Lambertson
At Vespers
At Lord, I have cried, 6 stichera: 3 of the Deposition, Tone IV: Spec. Mel: Thou hast given a sign
In that Thou art compassionate, O Thou Who lovest mankind, Thou hast given Thy Mother as a help to Thy servants, and through her hast wrought Thine ineffable and awesome dispensation, and hast restored our pristine and divine estate. Wherefore, honouring her most-honoured festival, we hymn Thy might, O almighty Jesus, Saviour of our souls.
O all-hymned one, with thy precious robe thou dost ever protect the city, which doth honour and glorify thee as is meet, from godless barbarians, famine and earthquake and civil strife, O pure Virgin who knewest not wedlock. Wherefore, it doth glorify thee, O all-holy Bride of God.
O Mistress, full of grace divine, thy precious robe hast thou given to thy city as a treasure which cannot be taken away, protection and glory, an impregnable rampart, a treasury of healings, an ever-flowing fount of miracles and an ever-saving haven for those who are tempest-tossed. Wherefore, we hymn thee, O all-hymned and pure one.
And 3 of the holy bishop, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: Joy of the ranks of Heaven
Joy of royal Winchester and adornment of all the English lands wast thou, O wondrous Swithun. Save us who have recourse to thee with faith, for on thee, after God and the Theotokos, do we set our hope with confidence.
Great was the meekness of the holy bishop Swithun, for, shunning all earthly glory and pomp, he walked barefoot to the churches he hallowed, concealing his great piety from the eyes of men under cover of the darkness of night.
Great was the humility of the holy one, for, conscious of his lowliness, he commanded that his holy body be buried in a place where the people would tread his grave underfoot, and the rains of heaven would pour down thereon from the lofty eaves of the church.
Glory: Idiomelon of the holy bishop, in Tone II
Come, O ye who love the saints of the Church, and with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs let us glorify those who were pleasing to the Lord, among them the all-praised Swithun; for in his love for God and neighbour he wrought miracles of healing for the poor and distressed, restoring them to health of body and soul, dispelling incurable maladies and repelling the assaults of the dark demonic hordes. And with one mind and heart let us sing unto Christ, Who greatly favoured the holy bishop: Wondrous art Thou in thy saints, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Now & ever: Idiomelon of the Deposition, in the same tone
Having cleansed mind and thought, let us celebrate with the angels, radiantly beginning the hymn of David to the Maiden Bride of Christ our God, the King of all, saying: Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness! For, having adorned her like unto a comely palace, Thou didst appoint her to Thy city, O Master, to make it steadfast and by Thy mighty power to protect it from barbarian adversaries through her supplications.
Aposticha stichera of the Deposition, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: O all-praised Martyrs
Thou alone didst become the animate palace of God, and thy precious robe, preserved in thy holy abode, hast thou given to the faithful as sanctification and an unassailable rampart. For its sake is thy city saved, O Mother of God, hymning thy divine might.
Stichos: Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness.
Thy precious robe which covered thine honoured and holy body, O pure one, hast thou given to all as a vesture of glory and a well-spring pouring forth the immortal waters of grace. And we celebrate its deposition, honouring thee, O Theotokos, who art the most honoured of all of God's creations.
Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
Thy temple, O Mistress, which holdeth thy sacred robe as a treasure of holiness, doth ever sanctify all who have recourse to it with faith, and who therein, as is meet, ever bless thee, the hope, steadfast protection and might of our souls.
Glory: Idiomelon of the holy bishop, in Tone II
After his blessed repose, the holy Swithun appeared in a vision to his kinsman, commanding that his sacred remains be exhumed and borne into the great cathedral, that reverent Christians might resort to them with faith and receive the curing of all their infirmities and the answers to their God-pleasing petitions. Wherefore, the holy bishop Ethelwold, the successor of the saint, and the pious King Edgar, translated the healing relics of the wonderworker into the great church of Winchester, where they became as a fountain ever pouring forth miracles upon those who had recourse to them with faith and love.
Now & ever: Idiomelon of the Deposition, in the same tone
Covered by thy precious robe as with a most splendid crown, O all-pure Theotokos, the Church of God doth adorn itself today, rejoicing, and mystically joineth chorus, crying out to thee, O Mistress: Rejoice, precious diadem and crown of divine glory! Rejoice, thou sole perfection of glory and eternal gladness! Rejoice, haven and deliverance of those who have recourse unto thee, and our salvation!
Troparion of the holy bishop, in Tone IV
The grace of God manifestly revealed thee to thy flock as a teacher of compunction, a model of meekness and a champion of piety; for by thy surpassing humility thou didst attain the summit of holiness, and for thy manifold virtues thou hast received a crown on high. O holy bishop Swithun our father, entreat Christ God, that He save those who honour thy memory with love.
Glory, Now & ever: Troparion of the Deposition, in Tone VIII
O Ever-virgin Theotokos, protection of mankind: thou hast given to thy city a mighty legacy, the robe and cincture of thy most honoured body, which have remained incorrupt through thy seedless birthgiving; for in thee are nature and time renewed. Wherefore, we beseech thee to grant peace to thy city and great mercy to our souls.
At Matins
At God is the Lord, the troparion of the Deposition, twice; Glory, that of the holy bishop; Now & ever, that of the Deposition, once.
After the first reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel: Awed by the beauty of thy virginity
Having given birth to the most comely Word in the beauty of thy virginity, thou didst wrap Him as an infant in thy robe, O pure one. This robe hast thou given to thy servants, O Mistress, as a protection, aid and source of sanctification. And we all faithfully celebrate its honourable deposition.
Glory..., Now & ever...: The foregoing is repeated.
After the second reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone III: Spec. Mel: Awed by the beauty of thy virginity
Thou alone didst have virginity and birthgiving free from corruption, O blessed one. And as a vesture of salvation hast thou given mankind thy holy robe, which even now remaineth incorrupt, O Bride of God. For its sake, O pure one, do we, thy servants, receive from God great mercy.
Glory..., Now & ever...: The foregoing is repeated.
Two canons of the Deposition, with 8 troparia; and the canon of the saint, with 4 troparia.
Ode I
Canon I of the Deposition, the acrostic whereof is: I honour the robe of the all-pure Virgin, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV
Irmos: O Thou Who wast born of the Virgin, drown Thou, I pray Thee, the three parts of my soul in the depths of dispassion, as of old Thou didst drown the mounted captains of Pharaoh; that, in the mortality of my body, as upon a timbrel, I may sing a hymn of victory.
Thy precious robe hast thou given unto the people that ever honour thee, O Virgin Theotokos, as a sacred bulwark which ever repelleth every evil machination of the adversary by the power of the Spirit.
Thou didst hallow thy sacred robe by the touch of thy body and the touch of Him Who for our sake revealed Himself on earth in the flesh through thy pure blood. For its sake dost thou sanctify all thy servants who hymn thee, O Virgin.
A precious treasure hast thou bestowed upon all who faithfully honour thee, O good Virgin: thy truly precious robe, which doth enrich all with the gifts of the divine Spirit and the working of many miracles.
O ewe-lamb without blemish, who gavest birth unto the Lamb of God in manner transcending nature: thou hast given us thy precious robe, which truly ever washeth away the spots and wrinkles from those who bow down before thee, O all-immaculate.
Canon II of the Deposition, also the composition of Joseph, in the same Tone
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses' arms outstretched in the form of the Cross.
The temple of the all-pure one, a radiant and inextinguishable lamp, having acquired her precious robe as a luminous heaven, doth today sanctify the whole world with rays of grace.
Thy city, having acquired thy divine robe, hath invincible might and strength and a bond of confirmation. Wherefore, it boasteth in thee, O all-pure one.
Truly
thy most precious shrine hath appeared on earth as the ark of old, O Theotokos,
bearing its signs, but keeping the faithful in true knowledge of God.
Canon of the holy bishop, the acrostic whereof
is Let fall divine grace upon us, O Swithun, in Tone III
Irmos: O ye people, let us sing a new song unto Him Who was born of the Virgin for our salvation and hath made those on earth one with those in heaven, for He hath been glorified.
Let all Christian people sing unto the Son of God, Who for our salvation hath endowed His holy bishop Swithun with the great grace of His favour, for He hath been glorified.
Every voice is full of the praise of the saint of God, who having spurned earthly things hath been translated to the mansions of paradise on high, as one who hath been glorified.
Truly doth royal Winchester rejoice in the memory of its glorious bishop, the holy Swithun, who intercedeth for it before the throne of the Lord, in that he hath been glorified.
Theotokion: Fitting is every song offered in praise of the Virgin Mother of Him Who became incarnate for our salvation and hath made His favoured ones bold advocates before His exalted throne.
Katavasia: I will open my mouth
Ode III
Canon 1 of the Deposition
Irmos: Like a barren woman hath the Church of the nations given birth, and she could scarce bear the great assembly of children come forth from her cry out to our wondrous God: Holy art Thou, O Lord!
Let us hymn the Mother of God, the beauteous adornment and portal of Heaven, as well as her robe, which poureth forth divine gifts, which we lovingly venerate.
O pure one, with the garment of incorruption thou hast by thine incorrupt birthgiving clothed all who have been stripped naked by corruption. And to them thou hast given thy precious robe as a treasure which cannot be taken away.
Him Who clad all of Heaven in clouds didst thou wrap in thy robe, O all-pure one. And faithfully bowing down before it, we glorify thee, O protection of our souls.
A treatment which costeth nought is this divine temple for the afflicted, O pure one; for it hath acquired thy robe as a well-spring which doth unceasingly pour forth healings, O all-immaculate one.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my confirmation!
Ye faithful, let us honour today, as a bond of our union with God, the robe of the pure one, venerating it with faith.
Through grace doth the most precious robe of the pure one today pour forth healings upon us, the faithful.
Like the morning dew doth thine ever-flowing joy ever quench the furnace of the passions of those who hymn thee.
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: Make firm our hearts, O Lord, and enlighten us to hymn Thee, that we may glorify Thee, O Saviour, unto the ages of ages.
Ascetic struggle made firm thy heart in all the Christian virtues, O Swithun, who hast been glorified by the Saviour.
Loving wisdom more than all earthly power, the holy bishop Swithun rejoiced to give godly counsel to the pious king.
Light divine shone forth with splendour from thy sacred relics, O saint of God, illumining the hearts of those who honoured thee.
Theotokion: Defend thy children, O Mother of God and Mother of us all, that, delivered from damnation, we may glorify thee worthily.
Kontakion of the holy bishop, in Tone II
With hymns the Church glorifieth thee, O Swithun most great, as the adornment of bishops and a model of all the virtues. Since thou hast acquired great boldness with the Lord Most High, in thine entreaties beseech Him earnestly to grant speedy deliverance from every tribulation and peril unto those who lovingly honour thy sacred memory.
Ikos: Throughout the Christian world hath the fame of the wondrous Swithun spread, so that the pious of many and divers nations avail themselves of his great boldness before the King of kings; for by the power of the Holy Spirit which rested in him he gave speech to the mute, hearing to the deaf, made withered limbs whole and restored the paralysed, and he granteth speedy deliverance from every tribulation and peril unto those who lovingly honour his sacred memory.
Sessional hymn of the holy bishop, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: Having been lifted up
Thou wast a champion of the righteousness of the Lord, O Swithun most wise, for by a miracle thou didst restore the sight of one whose eyes had been unjustly put out, and thou didst sternly rebuke one who mocked and blasphemed the holy things of God; wherefore, we entreat thee, O saint, to beg Him to forgive our every offence.
Glory, Now & ever: Sessional hymn of the Deposition, in the same tone & Melody
Rivers of miracles, proceeding from thy most precious shrine as from Eden, water the face of the earth, pouring forth grace upon those who honour thee with faith, O Theotokos. Wherefore, we hymn and praise thee faithfully, and with thanksgiving ever cry out: Rejoice, O thou who art the only hope of those who hymn thee!
Ode IV
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: Out of love for Thine image Thou didst stand affixed to the Cross, O Compassionate One, and the nations melted away; for Thou art my strength and boast, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Let us exalt her who alone is blessed, and let us touch her robe in faith, that we may draw forth the grace of the Spirit.
The city which honoureth thee, O Maiden, having acquired thy robe as a priceless treasure, doth venerate it in faith and receiveth grace.
O all-immaculate one, we honour thy robe, for it is a vesture of glory that poureth forth incorruption upon all who praise thee in hymns.
O all-immaculate one, who alone art blessed, who hast been shown to be more holy than the cherubim: from every evil circumstance save the souls of those who honour thee in faith.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Having established thee as a most honoured firmament, O Theotokos, the Creator and Fashioner hath adorned thee with shining rays as with stars, whereby thou dost adorn the ends of the earth.
From earth to heaven doth thy divine robe draw us who have been fervently enkindled with love for it, O pure Theotokos. Wherefore, we glorify thee as the cause of Him Who is greater than all.
Behold inexhaustible grace! Come, all ye who love the feasts of the Church, and with contrite heart draw ye forth the divine streams which pour forth abundantly from the precious shrine of the all-hymned one!
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
In thy surpassing love for the poor of thy flock thou didst constantly distribute alms for their relief, O Swithun; wherefore, with thankful cries they exclaimed: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Very greatly didst thou mortify thy flesh, O blessed one, for the sake of the Lord Who gave Himself over to death for our sake; and thou didst ever cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
In hymns of praise and thanksgiving didst thou give voice to thy love for the only-begotten Son of God, O wonderworker, singing unto Him with love and zeal: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Theotokion: Now let us show our constant love for the Lord, Who in His great condescension deigned to take flesh in the Virgin's womb; and let us cry out to Him in thanksgiving: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Ode V
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.
To us, thy servants, O pure Mistress, hast thou given thy robe and thy precious cincture as a divine foundation and a wall of defence.
O all-pure one, thou hast shown forth the temple which doth enshrine thy robe to be a beauteous paradise which emitteth the fragrance of the Spirit.
O all-holy one, sanctify the souls and bodies of us who with faith honour thy holy robe as most precious.
O Theotokos, show thou forth, as temples of God Who dwelt within thee, us who faithfully bless thee in the divine temple.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing.
Thou hast magnified Thy Mother, O Lord; beyond compare hast Thou exalted her glory above all the heavenly powers.
O
all-pure Theotokos, thou art she who doth abundantly pour forth the grace
of God from thy holy shrine upon those who bow down before thee with love.
With thy power are faithful kings girded about. And thy city, having thee
as a bond between it and heaven, is honoured by thy robe.
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: Having dispelled the gloom of my soul with Thy light, O Christ Who alone art full of lovingkindness, receive me. Out of the night I cry unto Thee: Illumine my thoughts!
Ever mindful of the needs of his flock, the holy Swithun built a bridge across the River Itchen; and by his holy life he hath become for us a bridge conducting us to paradise.
Girding the Minster about with a wall of defence, holy Swithun protected his church from every evil assault; and he now girdeth us about with his prayers as with a rampart.
Restoring the churches of God brought to ruin by the predations of the heathen, and building new temples where none before had stood, Swithun dispelled the gloom of ungodliness.
Theotokion: As ones beshrouded by the deep gloom of sin, we cry out to thee for pity, O most immaculate Theotokos, exclaiming in our great distress: Illumine our minds, O Mother of the Light!
Ode VI
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the Prophet Jonah, praying within the sea monster, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King of hosts!
O thou who gavest birth unto the King and Lord of all, thou hast shown forth thy precious and holy robe as an indestructible rampart for the city which ruleth over all.
Rejoicing, let us glorify the grace of the Virgin, and let us honour her most holy robe, from whence proceedeth all health for the afflicted.
We know thee to be a well-spring pouring forth living waters, and we honour thy divine robe, from whence we, the faithful, ever draw forth healing.
O Theotokos, the Lord Who was with thee assumed human nature; and all the evils of the one who is alien to our race hath He dispelled.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy's sake, flowed from Thy side.
The Lord hath wholly glorified thee in manner surpassing nature, adorning thee withal, O Maiden Theotokos; and with thy cincture, robe and their divine shrine hath He honoured thee completely.
The faithful, having acquired thee as their strength and boast, are robed in glory through thy precious robe, O Theotokos, having obtained thee as an honoured and most splendid adornment.
Of old, all the prophets divinely strove to behold thine ineffable glory, O Theotokos; and in times past He Who transcendeth time revealed Himself to us through thee.
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: The abyss of the passions and the tempest of contrary winds have risen up against me; but going before me, save me, O Saviour, and deliver me from corruption, as Thou didst save the prophet from the beast.
Canterbury rejoiced exceedingly, O Swithun, when the holy Ælphege brought thither thy precious head, to be its treasure and a source of miracles, delivering the pious from the tempest of passions and infirmities.
Emma the queen, falsely accused of surrendering to the carnal passions, placed her trust in the intercession of the saint of God; and, lo! protected by his holy prayers she emerged unscathed from her ordeal by fire.
Unto the grave of the holy bishop did the crippled priest flee, setting his hope on the grace of God which shone forth therefrom, and at the prayers of the saint the Saviour delivered the suffering one from his deformity.
Theotokion: Prayers and supplications do we offer unto thee, O Virgin Mother of Christ, earnestly beseeching thy loving-kindness, that by thy mediation we may all be delivered from the abyss of the passions and corruption.
Kontakion of the Deposition, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: Having been lifted up
O pure one, full of divine grace, thou hast given all the faithful a garment of incorruption: thy sacred robe, wherewith thou didst cover thy sacred body, O protection of all mankind. With love do we celebrate its deposition, and cry out to thee with fear, O pure one: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians!
Ikos: With faith let all of us who have been saved by her birthgiving bless Mary, the Theotokos, the pure vesture and tabernacle of the Word of God, the animate cloud and jar of manna; and let us touch the precious robe, wherewith holding the Master, she bore as a babe Him Who hath arrayed Himself in our flesh. Through Him was human nature caught up to the life and Kingdom that are above all. Wherefore, we cry aloud with joy: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of Christians!
Ode VII
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the children of Abraham trampled upon the flame of the furnace, crying aloud in hymns: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
With an elevated mind and a contrite heart let us glorify the most exalted throne of the King, the all-holy and highly favoured Maiden.
O chosen abode of God, thy robe, which lieth in this thine honoured abode, do we honour as the holy ark and protection of the pious.
Every man is renewed who approacheth and kisseth the holy shrine which containeth thy splendid robe, O pure Virgin.
O pure Theotokos, from all famine, earthquake, affliction, foreign invasion and the malice of the adversary save thou the city that honoureth thee.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
O Good One, Thou alone, as the Sun of righteousness, hast divinely adorned with Thy divers gifts the temple of the pure one, wherein she emitteth brilliant rays from her robe.
Thy divine vessels truly pour forth the grace of miracles upon the faithful, O all-pure one, and from thy shrine spiritual streams flow forth abundantly, as from another Eden, upon those who honour thee.
O all-immaculate Virgin, who dost clothe thy precious body in a protecting mantle, thy shrine is cleansed of all spiritual defilement.
"Now draw ye all nigh with gladness! Come, ye who are on earth, the shrine crieth mystically, and embrace the Lady's most glorious robe, which is laid up as a treasure within me!
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: The children quenched the flame in the furnace, and through faith received a heavenly dew. Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
O the wonder! A drownèd man is revived when his lifeless body hath lain three days by the grave of the saint! Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Now dwelling on high, the holy Swithun poureth divine grace down upon us like a heavenly dew, quenching the burning flames of all our iniquities.
Unto Christ our Redeemer, Who ever heedeth the entreaties of His servant, the holy Swithun, let us cry in jubilation: Blessed art Thou, O God!
Theotokion: Salvation from spiritual peril hast thou granted us, O Theotokos, for the dew of thine intercessions hath quenched the fiery furnace of our passions.
Ode VIII
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending into the midst of the flame Thou didst bedew the pious youths and didst teach them to sing: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works!
With thankful voices we hymn thee, the mediator of all that is good for us; and, kissing thy precious robe, O Maiden, we cry out: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Having the sacred garment of the all-pure Virgin set as a spiritual candle upon the candlestick of the altar, we ever illumine the eyes of our hearts.
In
no wise hast thou left thine unworthy servants bereft of thy sacred touch,
O Virgin; for in place of thy living body thou hast given thy robe unto
all.
With hymns divine let us honour the spacious dwelling-place of God: her
who is most pure among mothers, the portal of heaven whereby the gate
that leadeth to death hath been shut.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions' mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
The angels now join chorus in thine honoured temple, O all-pure one, and surround thy precious and holy robe with joy and love, O pure Mistress.
And we bow down with great gladness, hymning thee, the glory of our race. O most pure one, thou art the most honoured joy of all, the staff which budded forth the Flower of Life, the phial of the myrrh of the Spirit, the treasury of good things, the well-spring of fragrance, whence thy divine shrine doth pour forth the myrrh of healing.
The spiritual armies hymn thy mighty works, O pure and all-pure one; and all the patriarchs, prophets and apostles, and the choirs of martyrs and the venerable openly proclaim the fullness thereof. And with them we also bow down before thee.
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt supremely for all ages Him Who is borne upon the throne of the cherubim!
O ye priests of God, and all ye faithful people, lift up your voices in exultation, hymning Swithun most great!
Stavanger in distant Norway is filled with gladness today, for it hath named its great church for the holy Swithun.
With the cherubim and all the angelic orders doth Swithun now stand in prayer before the throne of the Most High.
Theotokion: If thou wilt not make entreaty for us before the throne of thy Son, O Lady, to whom else can we turn for deliverance?
Ode IX
Canon I of the Deposition
Irmos: Eve, through weakness, abode under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast put forth blessing for the world through the Offspring of thy child-bearing. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.
Lo! with hymns of joy we honour thee, the bower of Solomon; and surrounding thy precious robe as it were a second ark of holiness, we receive saving healings, O Ever-Virgin.
Now, O Virgin, thy divine shrine, which containeth thy precious robe, is revealed as a source of light emitting rays of healing, dispelling the darkness of infirmities; and with love do we venerate it. Today do all the powers of heaven rejoice with us at the veneration of thy robe, as do all the apostles, prophets, martyrs, the righteous and the venerable, O Mistress who alone art Ever-virgin.
Thou hast bestowed thy robe as a radiant garment and a wall of defence upon the city that reigneth over all cities and honoureth thee as Queen of all creation, O Theotokos, Mother and Virgin.
Canon II of the Deposition
Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
O Theotokos, thy shrine hath been shown to be a most honoured chamber, for it containeth thy precious robe, thy virginal and bridal garment, and preserveth it as a treasury of life.
Having come today to the temple which portrayeth all the celestial adornment of the Virgin, O ye faithful, illumined with rays of wonders as by the stars, we are enlightened with splendour and grace.
O Theotokos, thy city hath thy cincture and thy precious robe as a rampart, the bond of unity of divine teachings, the boast of the Orthodox and the hymn of victory of kings.
We hymn thine ineffable glory and thy boundless grace; for thou art the source of wisdom from whence the Word doth come unto all who honour thee and magnify thy birthgiving, O all-pure one.
Canon of the Holy Bishop
Irmos: Commemorating the saints, we magnify thee, the Theotokos who knew not wedlock, as she who gave birth to the Salvation of our souls.
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise; wherefore, let us magnify Swithun, whom the Saviour of our souls hath blessed.
Hallowed is Sens in the land of the French, for by God's providence it hath preserved a portion of the relics of Swithun, His saint.
Uplift thy voice with all the heavenly choirs, O holy Swithun, magnifying the unwedded Theotokos, who surpasseth all creation in holiness.
Theotokion: Now let us magnify the Theotokos, through whom salvation hath come to all generations, for she gave birth to the Saviour of our souls.
Exapostilarion of the Deposition: Spec. Mel: O Light immutable O ye mortals, come ye, let us with hymns honour today the robe of the divine Maiden, Mary the Theotokos, which sheltered Christ, that we may ever be blessed by the grace thereof.
Glory...: Exapostilarion of the holy bishop, in the same melody
With cries of compunction and heartfelt prayer let us lift up our voices, entreating Swithun, the God-pleasing bishop of Christ, to intercede with his Master, that He mercifully forgive our offences.
Now and Ever...: Another exapostilarion of the Deposition
Thou hast renewed nature and time, O Mother of God; for thy birthgiving was incorrupt, and incorrupt is thy robe, wherewith thou dost protect thy city and uphold the sceptres of piety.
At the Praises, four stichera of the Deposition, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: As valiant among the martyrs
The shrine which containeth thy robe, is every day acknowledged to be an ark of sanctification, a sacred wall of defence, the boast and glory of thy servants, O all-pure one. And having gathered together thereat in sacred manner, we hymn thy many mighty works and the abyss of thy wonders. (Twice)
Behold, a most glorious place! Behold, an ever-splendid house wherein a treasure hath been laid up by grace: the precious robe of the divine Maiden. Approach, O ye people, and manifestly draw forth healing and enlightenment therefrom, and with thankful heart cry out: O all-holy Virgin, we who are saved by thy birthgiving bless thee!
In gladness have we attained the feast of the deposition of thy robe, O Mistress; for today hast thou vouchsafed that thy sacred vesture be given to thy city, as an inviolate treasury, a precious gift, wealth that cannot be taken away, a river of healing full of the gifts of the Spirit.
Glory: Idiomelon of the holy bishop, in Tone V
Though of princely rank and lineage, the wondrous Swithun spurned the fleeting glory of this transient world and with zeal and love cleaved wholly unto Christ, Who in His great condescension had assumed mortal flesh to accomplish man's salvation. Wherefore, exercising himself in ascetic struggles and the mortification of the carnal passions, the holy one completed his earthly contest, hath received a crown from the right hand of the Lord, and standeth, victorious, with the holy martyrs and ascetics, making tireless entreaty in behalf of those who honour his memory with love.
Now & ever: Idiomelon of the Deposition, in Tone II
Having cleansed mind and thought, let us celebrate with the angels, radiantly beginning the hymn of David to the Maiden Bride of Christ our God, the King of all, saying: Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness! For, having adorned her like unto a comely palace, Thou didst appoint her to Thy city, O Master, to establish it and protect it by Thy mighty power from barbarian foe, through her supplications.
Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour.
At the Liturgy
At the Beatitudes, eight troparia, from Ode III of the first canon to the Theotokos, and Ode VI of the second canon.
Prokimenon of the Robe, in Tone III, the Hymn of the Theotokos
My
soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Stichos: For He hath looked upon the lowliness
of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall
call me blessed.
And that of the holy bishop, in Tone I
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Epistle to the Hebrews, § 320 [Heb. 9:1-7]
Brethren: The first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.
Epistle to the Hebrews, §318 [Heb. 7:26-8:2]
Brethren: Such a high priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, Who is consecrated for evermore. Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Alleluia of the Theotokos, in Tone VIII
Stichos: Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness.
Stichos: The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, and He will not annul it.
And that of the holy bishop, in Tone II
Stichos: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak of judgement.
Gospel according to Luke, § 54 [Lk. 10: 38-42, 11: 27-28]
At that time, Jesus entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said: Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto he: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him: Blessed is the womb that bare Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked. But He said: Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Gospel according to Matthew, §11 (Mt. 5:14-19).
The Lord said to His disciples: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Communion Verses
I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
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