Service for the Uncovering of the Relics of Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Sergius of Radonezh, Abbot and Builder of the Lavra of the Holy Trinity

We sing “Blessed is the man”, the first antiphon.

At “Lord, I have cried”, the stichera

on 8, Tone 5.

To the venerable Sergius.

Today, O venerable father, the Church of Christ rejoiceth radiantly, made bright by thy relics, O Sergius clothed with life; and the assembly of the faithful keepeth festival with praises in faith for the uncovering of thy relics, and giveth thanks to God, who through thee bestoweth great mercy.

From the ever-flowing and unfailing springs of the Holy Spirit thou didst draw abundantly, O God-bearing one, the graces of healings; and the end of thy life was precious before Christ the King; and now the uncovering of thy relics hath become glorious and renowned among all men, O Sergius.

Today thy monastery hath received thy relics as a royal adornment, O venerable father Sergius; it is adorned by them and boasteth radiantly, and it maketh all the world partake of its joy, and shareth out the riches of thy graces, and crieth: O Jesus Almighty, glory to Thy mercies.

As the Sun of righteousness Christ God shineth in thee, and at the uncovering of thy relics He enlighteneth beyond understanding; wherefore we cry to thee: O radiant lamp and gleaming angel of light, be our intercessor for the salvation and enlightenment of our souls.

The glorious Church was mystically gladdened by the uncovering of thy relics, O father, which she hath kept like precious stones, and she bestoweth without fail on those who sing thy praise, through thine intercession, the grace of healings.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now be glad, O lovers of the monastic life, and with songs of praise let us sing and extol the boast of priests and the glory of Russia, the nourisher of the poor and the lawful guide of the rich, the staff of those who stand and the raiser of the fallen, the healer by his word of the passions of the soul, the strength and power of the despondent, the good helmsman of life, who enricheth barren souls with fruits and filleth them with teaching; let us all praise the uncovering of his precious relics and magnify the holy shrine of his bones, that through his intercessions Christ God may grant us great mercy today.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Who will not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not praise thine all-pure childbearing? For the only-begotten Son, who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth ineffably incarnate from thee, the pure one; being God by nature, and for our sake becoming man by nature, not divided into two persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Entreat Him, O honoured and all-blessed one, for the salvation of our souls.

1. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon. (The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God…)

2. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon. (The righteous live for evermore, and with the Lord…) It is written under 9 March.

3. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest…). It is written under 7 May.

O angel on earth and man of God in heaven, fair adorner of the world and good in sweetness, O father Sergius, we praise thee, who didst appear as the chief of monks and maker of cities in the empty deserts, and who healest the passions of our infirmity for those who sing to thee with faith: Rejoice, all-radiant star of the north, enlightener, lamp and shepherd of monks; rejoice, boast of the fasters by thy good works and joyful radiance of the land of Russia; intercede for those who sing thy praise.

Thou didst forsake the world, O saint, and take up the cross, in which thou didst glory, O thrice-blessed father Sergius; and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the foreknowledge of God thou didst direct thy steps to the region of Radonezh, and didst raise in the desert a monastery and a church in the name of the Holy Trinity for the salvation of souls and as a refuge for many; and the brethren gathered in it attained a great measure by their humility, and cast out evil spirits, and healed all the sick, and sang thy praise in hymns as a great shepherd and preacher of the faith.

Like the sun shone forth the powers of the wonders worked by thee in the desert by divine grace, O venerable father Sergius: the dumb beasts obeyed thee as though they had reason, wild beasts were driven off by thy rebuke, and men healed by thee glorified God.

Thy holy relics, made radiant and fragrant by thy struggles, were given to thy Church, O all-wise and God-bearing Sergius; they became for us a herald of the feast of thy going forth, and filled with joy and spiritual light those who fervently praise thee.

Though thou wast raised from the flesh to God whom thou didst long for, thou didst not leave thy children and those who love thee as orphans, for thou hast granted us the blessing of thy precious relics, whose uncovering we celebrate, and we entreat thee: make us partakers of thy joy and radiance.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Though thou wast raised from the flesh to God whom thou didst long for, thou didst not leave thy disciples and those who love thee as orphans, O father Sergius, for thou didst bestow thine all-praised divine relics on the Church as a light and a crown of graces; and we venerate them, who had lain long ages hidden in thy lavra, but thou didst reveal them by a wondrous vision to drive away evil spirits. We keep the feast of their uncovering year by year and entreat thee: since thou hast boldness before the all-merciful King, remember before Him us who ever fall down before thy fatherly grace and help, and by thine intercession deliver our people, beset by trials and afflictions.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice, O Virgin, cloud and chariot of the Word; rejoice, O holy dwelling of God, beyond the mind and beyond every bound; rejoice, O unwedded one, who didst conceive by the Spirit God who is above all gods; rejoice, thou who didst give birth without seed and didst give suck without corruption; rejoice, ever-virgin and blessed one.

Thou didst settle in a solitary desert and keep thy soul spotless, O blessed Sergius, and didst appear as a servant of the Holy Trinity, and didst build a church to its glory and raise a glorious lavra for the life of an assembly of monks, in which thy holy relics lie and thy memory is ever praised, O venerable one; and with them we cry to thee, O all-blessed one: Shelter us from evils and cast down our enemies invisible and visible.

Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Come, ye lovers of the desert and seekers of the divine life, come, let us adorn the venerable father Sergius of Radonezh, who by bold courage put to death the deceit of the demons, and, having crossed the abyss of error, reached the divine haven, and now with the light of wonders maketh his relics shine gloriously.

Verse: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he will delight greatly in His commandments.

We hold thy tomb, in which thy relics are treasured, as spiritual riches and a divine treasure, O glorious Sergius, strength and boast of monks: entreat Christ God to grant peace to all the Orthodox peoples and to deliver our souls from torments, for He is merciful and the Lover of mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The region of Radonezh now rejoiceth, and yet more doth the Lavra of the Holy Trinity exult because thou didst dwell in it, for it was ever watered by thy tears, O God-bearing Sergius, and now thy bones lie in it and richly pour forth healings of souls and bodies.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O unwedded Virgin, who didst ineffably conceive God in thy womb, O Mother of God Most High, accept the supplication of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, who grantest to all the cleansing of sins; accept our supplication also, and ask great mercy for us.

Thou didst struggle in virtue as a victorious soldier of Christ and didst scorn all the vanity of the world, but by prayer and vigil becamest an example to thy disciples and wast shown a rule for monks and a radiant luminary for all the world: now we entreat thee, as one who hath boldness before the all-holy Trinity, keep unshaken all the Orthodox people that rejoice in thy radiant memory, O venerable father Sergius.

A citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker wast thou shown to be, O God-bearing father Sergius; thou didst receive from heaven the grace of fasting, vigil and prayer, and thou healest the sicknesses of the infirm and the souls of them that run to thee with faith. Glory to Him who gave thee strength; glory to Him who crowned thee; glory to Him who worketh wonders for all through thee.

The troparion of the venerable one. Glory… The same. Both now…

The mystery hidden from eternity and unknown to the angels, O Theotokos, was revealed through thee to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake, and thereby raised up the first-formed and saved our souls from death.

Thou didst complete a life of piety on earth, and didst appear as a rule for monks and a radiant light for all the world, O God-bearing father, and thou enlightenest those who swiftly flee to thee, O holy Sergius; now also make the true light to shine in our hearts, and be the unceasing intercessor of those who praise thee.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The mystery hidden from all ages is revealed to the Archangel, that he may declare it with trembling to the Virgin; and he bringeth glad tidings to her who is blessed among women; with him let us cry out: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Thou shinest with light unapproachable, and as a star thou didst shine forth in the desert of Radonezh and multiply the flock of Christ, O venerable father; ask deliverance from transgressions for those who honour thy relics, since thou standest before God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O all-immaculate and holy one, thou didst conceive by the divine Spirit God the Maker and Creator of all, and didst bear Him without corruption; wherefore we magnify thee and sing thy praise, O Virgin, as the palace of the King of all and the helper of the world.

Like John the Baptist thou didst make the desert thy dwelling, O venerable one, and didst live in poverty, for thou hadst no bodily food at all, O blessed one, but wast nourished by the Holy Spirit; wherefore thou didst raise up countless souls to imitate thee and didst gather them to glorify God and give thanks for thy courage. O glory of the desert of Radonezh, entreat Christ God to grant remission of sins to those who with longing keep the feast of the uncovering of thy precious relics.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Word of the Father, who is co-eternal with Him, taketh from thee the beginning of our nature, O Theotokos; the Timeless One entereth into time, the Word becometh flesh, and the Son of God is called thy Son. O this incomprehensible mystery! Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

From my youth unclean passions war mightily against me; therefore I entreat Thee: be my helper and save me, O Good One.

Ye that hate Zion, be put to shame by the Lord, and like withered grass shall Gehenna devour you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened and exalted in purity, and is made radiant by the Trinity, one in essence, in a manner befitting God and mystically.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Verse: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?

“Let every breath…” The Gospel according to Luke, chapter 6, verse 17 (At that time Jesus stood…); it ends at verse 23 (…your reward is great in heaven…).

Aflame with love for Christ the Saviour, thou didst hasten to the life free of care and didst enter the divine rest; and today thou hast given us thy relics as a wall and a stronghold, to drive away evil spirits and to banish every pain.

Irmos: By a wonder the Lord saved His people and of old dried up the surging sea by His word; and today He is born incorruptibly of the Virgin and leadeth us up to heaven, equal in nature to the Father; to Him let us sing.

A river of myrrh hath sprung up for us today, a spring of fragrance, and a torrent of delights hath been poured out upon us, and an abyss of graces — thine all-praised divine relics, O God-minded Sergius.

The Creator of the angels foreknew thee as a zealous fulfiller of His will; and while thou wast yet in thy mother's womb He proclaimed to all the earth by thy threefold cry that thou wouldst be a true servant of the Trinity.

Thou didst acquire the beginning of wisdom at the very beginning of thy youth, O venerable father, and didst nail thy flesh with the fear of the Lord, O holy Sergius; and thence thou didst rise to that fearless love of the saints and shine forth by the grace of God.

Today all the Orthodox people and thy lavra, which thou didst commend to the all-holy Mother of God, keep the feast of the radiant uncovering of thy relics.

The treasure once hidden in the bosom of the earth hath appeared and filled the world with the riches of gifts, and enriched the Church with the fragrance of graces — the great guide of the land of Russia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We know thee as a divine spring of wonders, and we receive abundantly the healing of sicknesses, we who venerate with faith thine all-precious relics, O all-praised Sergius.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Heal my soul, fallen through many pains, O all-glorious Theotokos, that with a voice of thanksgiving I may eagerly magnify thee for ever.

Irmos: O God, look upon the hymn of Thy servants, humble the insolence of the deceiver, exalt the Church today, and establish unshaken in Orthodoxy them that trust in Thee.

God, the beholder of minds, foresaw the purity of thy soul, O venerable one; wherefore He shed light upon thy mind and filled thee with divine wisdom, and granted thee to speak of hidden mysteries.

As a divine priest thou wast radiantly clothed in the priestly vesture of righteousness and grace; wherefore the Church, which thou didst adorn by thy divine struggle, delighteth in the uncovering of thy relics.

By fasting thou didst fence in the flesh, O blessed one, and didst put to death the stirrings of the passions by prayer and vigil; wherefore the power of the Holy Spirit made its dwelling in thee and showed thee forth as a luminary to the ends of heaven.

With the angels thou didst celebrate the service on earth, and with the angels Christ honoured thee, O glorious Sergius, and numbered thee with the apostles and the saints.

Thine all-holy relics, O venerable father Sergius, luminaries of the world, have been given today to the Church as a light and a radiance, a crown of graces and riches, and she singeth of them with eagerness.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou didst become a fruitful branch, O God-bearing one, sprung from roots of servants of God, planted by the streams of the divine Scriptures, and thou didst bring forth as sweet fruit the understanding of them.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Ezekiel foresaw thee as the gate of light through which the King passed, as He alone knoweth, O incorrupt Virgin; wherefore I entreat thee: open to me the gates of repentance that lead into the Kingdom.

Thou didst make thy days radiant, O blessed one, by mighty struggle in the desert, whereby thou didst draw near to the divine radiance, O God-bearing father Sergius; ask of Christ the remission of our countless sins for those who keep the feast of the uncovering of thy relics.

Irmos: Of old Habakkuk foretold prophetically the salvation of men and said: In wrath Thou hast remembered mercy; from the shaded mountains Thou camest, O Saviour, the Word, the Creator of this people.

God did not hide thy labours, but by signs and wonders proclaimed the radiance of thy struggles, and made thy word and thy sight longed for among all, O father Sergius, blessed of God.

When thy disciple saw thee concelebrating with an angel in the sanctuary, he opened his silent lips, O venerable father, and glorified aloud Him who glorified thee.

Thou didst become like God, O blessed one, a father to orphans and food for the hungry, clothing for the naked and helpless, and a physician for the diseases of the sick, O father Sergius.

The flocks of Christ hold thee, O father, as a weapon of courage and patience, and by thee they are strengthened for their struggles; and thy relics have been given us for the healing of our wounds, and thou shinest ever in spirit before God in heaven.

To souls covered with the darkness of sin thou didst become an unerring light, and didst drive from them the mist of desires with light; thou didst become their surety and reconciler with God, and the lightener of the burden of labours.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The Light of the Father made thee shine forth as a radiant lamp for those in the world, and thou didst spread the lustre of thy virtues to the ends of heaven, as His radiance, O venerable father Sergius; wherefore He was well pleased today to make thine all-holy relics His throne.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

As a virgin thou didst give birth, and wast not corrupted as a mother; but thou didst become a Mother and remain a Virgin; wherefore we sing to thee: Rejoice, O Theotokos.

Irmos: Thou camest, O Christ, to forgive the dark deceptions of the night; rising early we offer Thee a hymn, as Thou art worthy, that Thou mayest guide us on the way of peace to enter the Kingdom which Thou didst promise us.

As a star thou didst shine forth in the desert of Radonezh, and thou swiftly helpest those who flee to thee with faith; wherefore we call thee blessed and magnify thee in songs as a fervent intercessor.

Thou didst acquire the spring of the Holy Spirit in thy heart, filled with the mystery of wisdom and the riches of grace, O thrice-blessed father: deliver from afflictions and trials those who honour thee.

The flock entrusted to thee thou didst shepherd with a meek and humble spirit, O holy father Sergius, and like Christ didst teach all to scatter their passing riches, O blessed one, that they might share them generously with the poor, O wise one, and fill the bellies of the needy.

As was his wont, the devil was kindled to make war upon thee, O venerable one; but thou, illumined by the radiance of spiritual graces, didst part the seas of trials like a pillar of fire, O blessed Sergius, and didst finish thy course.

The Lord, mighty in power, gave thee, O Sergius, power over evil spirits, and thou didst cast them out; and those whom they had tormented were set free and with a voice of thanksgiving glorified the power of Christ.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As thou didst keep unshaken thy land when it was shaken by the assaults of enemies, O venerable father Sergius, so now deliver all the Orthodox people who praise thee and trust with hope in thine intercession.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

God sanctified thine all-holy womb, O Bride, when He dwelt therein in holiness; and, lifted up on the Cross, He lifted up creation with Himself.

Irmos: Jonah went down into the depth of the sea and cried to God in supplication: Bring me up from drowning, O Lord; and I, O Christ, cry unto Thee: Overlook the multitude of my transgressions.

Thou didst complete a life of piety on earth, and didst appear as a rule for monks and a radiant light for all the world, O God-bearing father, and thou enlightenest those who swiftly flee to thee.

O great hermit of the glorious deserts of Radonezh, cease not now also to labour for us before Christ, for thou canst help in all things all who hope in thy prayers and flee to thine intercession.

Thou rejoicest with the angels and delightest with the venerable, and beholdest most radiantly the glory of God who appointed the contest, O venerable father Sergius; cease not now to intercede for us, and ask for us grace, blessing and mercy.

For long ages thine all-spotless relics lay hidden, O all-praised Sergius, but today thou hast revealed them by a wondrous vision to drive away evil spirits; now also make the true light to shine in our hearts, and be the intercessor of those who honour thy relics.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

When thou didst hear the lament of the father and see his child dead of sickness, thou wast moved with pity, like Christ, for that wretched man who fell down before thee with tears, and thou didst pray fervently before Him; then the abyss of mercy heard, and raised the child, and granted him life.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou didst bear for us a new Child, O Theotokos, Him who is before the ages and sitteth timelessly with the Father, who by the Cross renewed men grown old through sin and made them partakers of the Godhead.

Through revelations from on high thou didst make shine upon us like a radiant sun, out of the tomb, a precious treasure, thy holy relics, a priceless and inexhaustible wealth and God-radiant gold, and didst fill thy land and all the Orthodox people with divine joy; and the holy shrine of thy relics, like an unfailing spring, poureth forth the fragrance of graces and granteth healing to them that honour it. Forget not us who magnify thee, O father; remember us before the all-holy Trinity and ask peace for us, that we may cry: Rejoice, O God-wise father Sergius!

Irmos: Through love for the Saviour of all the youths counted as nothing the wrath of the God-hating tyrant, and, cast into the fire, they were not burned, and thus they cried: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

God hath glorified thy holy memory, and yet more the shrine of thy precious bones, for it is venerated worthily and with honour by hierarchs and princes, who sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Thou didst cut off the root of evils with the axe of thy words and plant divine wisdom in souls, O venerable Sergius; wherefore we magnify with praises the uncovering of thy radiant relics and cry to the Lord: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Thou didst cut down the hosts of demons, O God-bearing one, as a valiant soldier of the Saviour, with the sword of labours, and didst burn up their camps as with fire in the furnace of thy prayers: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

The power of thy relics driveth away the demons, for, unable to look upon the power, they flee and are drowned; but we venerate and kiss them with love and cry to the Lord: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We know thee as a divine spring of wonders, and we receive abundantly the healing of sicknesses, we who touch thy relics with faith and are made whole in soul and body.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

In the grace of thy prayer, O saint, we glory with mouth and soul, O glorious one, for through thee we are all delivered from trials and billows, from grievous sorrows and from the passions of sin.

Irmos: The youths in Babylon, unburnt, were of old a figure of thee, O all-glorious Virgin, when the fire of the Godhead was born of thee and kept thee unharmed and spotless; all the people ever bless thee.

Thou didst appear as a destroyer of sorceries, O father, like the great apostle Peter, by the sign of the holy cross, and didst put to shame all the enemies of God, and wast glorified by the God-wise.

The incorruptible ark that contained God chose thee from among many fathers to behold the Mother of God walking as one alive and going bodily with John and Peter, O Sergius chosen of God: cease not, O venerable one, to intercede for those who extol thee.

Offer our supplication to the Mother of God before Christ, with the help of the heavenly hosts and of the apostles Peter and John, O blessed father Sergius; ask peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.

The power of thy relics stilleth the billows of trials, O venerable and God-bearing Sergius, and proclaimeth the great boldness which thou hast before God.

I have no word worthy to adorn thy radiant virtues, O blessed one; but forgive this unworthy one, accept this small and feeble song, and in return grant me thy grace, O venerable father Sergius.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.

When the choir of thy disciples gathered at thy repose, O blessed one, thou wast filled with joy at the sight of them, and didst bless all, and didst teach them faithfully and plainly to sing thus: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him unto the ages.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou didst deliver human nature from the curse by thy childbearing, O incorrupt Virgin, for thou didst bear the only Blessed One, who blesseth us and filleth heaven and earth with grace.

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, singing and supremely exalting Him unto all the ages.

Irmos: Silence were fitting, since we cannot praise thee worthily today, O Theotokos; yet let us not be silent from fear, but according to our weakness let us offer praise, wherewith we magnify thee.

Thou didst appear as the strength and boast of the churches, O God-wise Sergius, and by the wonders of thy divine relics thou ever strengthenest the mind of the faithful.

Reigning before Christ, illumined by the lightning of the Spirit and adorned with the steadfastness of thy great struggles, look down upon us from on high, O God-bearing father Sergius, and still the stirrings of the passions, visible and invisible, and drive away from us trials and the assaults of demons.

Multitudes of demons, O all-blessed Sergius, are driven away by thine all-precious bones; wherefore one sorely afflicted by them, when he touched thy tomb with faith, at once found freedom.

Thy disciple, the all-wise Epiphanius, left us thy “Life” in writing as a radiant mirror, and made us beholders of thy radiance, of which he partook in spirit, imitating thee in virtue, O blessed Sergius.

The tongue of man cannot recount thy struggles, O saint, well-pleasing to God, for thou didst pass through this world worthily, O wondrous father, and now, united with the delight of paradise, thou rejoicest with the angels and reignest with Christ for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Ask, O worthy one, from Christ God for the whole world peaceful preservation, for our devout people victory and the strengthening of Orthodoxy, and for our souls great mercy abundantly.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou carriest in thy holy hands Him who beareth all things; entreat Him, O holy one, that we may live unharmed by the evil-doing of strangers.

Behold, we the faithful have the tomb of thy bones as a spring of grace and of a multitude of signs, richly unfailing, as a wall of strength, a treasury of grace and a driver-away of demons; wherefore today the choirs of monks rejoice and the ranks of the fathers are glad at thy feast, and they proclaim the grace of thy good deeds and offer praise to the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The holy Church now keepeth the feast of the uncovering of thy relics, O blessed one, and crieth to thee: Look down upon us from heaven, O blessed father, and deliver us from the billows of the world, that we may not be drowned.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

We confess thee truly as the Theotokos, O Lady, we who have been saved through thee, for thou didst ineffably bear God, who delivereth from death by the Cross and draweth to Himself the assembly of the venerable, with whom we praise thee, O Virgin.

O God-bearing father, holy Sergius, thou didst take the yoke of Christ upon thy neck and with courage didst crush the assaults of the enemies and show forth the deserts as a city; wherefore we call thee blessed and cry to thee with faith: O beautiful glory of Radonezh, Christ hath made thee to dwell with the bodiless: be our intercessor.

O God-bearing father, holy Sergius, dispel now the darkness of transgressions and passions, grant grace and mercy to those who love thee, and by thine intercession guide to eternal salvation those who honour thee and venerate thy holy relics with love.

We the faithful gathered in faith honour thee as a great abbot, O God-bearing father, holy Sergius, and entreat thee with faith: O hermit like unto holy Anthony, who didst go forth with joy into the trackless desert and in place of wild beasts didst settle men equal to the angels, be our intercessor before God, that He may save us.

O God-bearing father, holy Sergius, thou didst appear as a rule for monks and the boast of the Orthodox, a sweet and radiant luminary of all Russia, and a most skilful and honoured physician for the infirm; for thou didst not fear the terror of the deceiving enemy, but didst break the bows and arrows of the demons and weaken their cruel snares by thy divine struggle. O the gifts given thee, O blessed one, whereby thou didst put the evil demons to shame and make the glory of Christ shine forth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Let us sound the trumpet of hymns, let us leap for joy and be glad, rejoicing in the all-holy feast of our all-praised teacher. Gather together, O ye faithful, and let us adorn and praise with spiritual acclaim our blessed father, as one who hath made rivers of teaching flow forth for us, and let us sing: the infirm, to the healer of sicknesses; the afflicted, to their deliverer; sinners, to their fervent intercessor; the sorrowful, to their comforter; travellers, to their companion; sailors, to their helmsman; and all everywhere, magnifying with faith the hope of all, let us say: Be our intercessor, O venerable father Sergius, that through thy prayers and petition the Lord God may arm us with His invincible power against all our enemies visible and invisible, and save us.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion by Demetre, King of the Georgians, of the Bagrationi line.

Theotokos and all-honoured, Mother and Virgin, lovely lily, to thee the winged angel brought glad tidings; in thee the crowned King delighteth, and Him do kings with many subjects serve.

The Great Doxology, and the Dismissal.

At the Liturgy: at the Beatitudes, from the canon of the venerable one, Odes 3 and 6.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Verse: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?

The Epistle: 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 7 (Brethren, to each one of us…); it ends at verse 12 (…to every man severally as He will…).

Alleluia, Tone 6: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.

Verse: His seed shall be mighty upon the earth.

The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 11, verse 27 (The Lord said to His disciples…); it ends at chapter 12, verse 1 (…My burden is light…).

Communion hymn: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance…