The Transfiguration
At Vespers, on the Eve.
The Stanzas (Stikhiri) for: Lord, I have cried: In Tone IV. Before thy Crucifixion, O Christ, the Mount became like unto the heavens, and a cloud was outspread like a canopy, while thou wast transfigured, and while the Father bare witness unto thee. There was Peter, together with James and John, inasmuch as they desired to be with thee at the time of thy betrayal also; that, having beheld thy marvels, they might not be affrighted at thy sufferings. Make us also worthy to adore the same in peace, for the sake of thy great mercy.
Before thy Crucifixion, O Lord, having taken thy disciples into a high mountain, thou wast transfigured before them, dazzling them with rays of might; being desirous to show unto them the radiance of the Resurrection; both because of thy love toward mankind and for the sake of thy power. Vouchsafe the same unto us in peace, O God, inasmuch as thou art merciful and lovest mankind.
The mountain that of old was gloomy and smoking is now honourable and holy, for thereon thy feet have stood, O Lord; for the mystery which was hidden from eternity, even thy dread Transfiguration, was made manifest in these last days unto Peter and John and James, who, unable to endure such splendour of thy countenance and radiance of thy garments, fell with their faces to the earth, and covered themselves: and overcome with dread, they were amazed when they beheld Moses and Elijah talking with thee, touching those things which should happen unto thee. And a voice also from the Father, bare witness unto thee, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him, who also giveth unto the world great mercy.
When the Saviour was transfigured on the high mountain, having with him the chief disciples, he became most gloriously radiant, showing that inasmuch as he was radiant with the height of virtues, they also would be vouchsafed divine glory. Moses and Elijah, who talked with Christ, made manifest that he ruleth both the quick and the dead, and that he is the God who spake of old through the Law and the Prophets. And unto him also did the voice of the Father from the cloud bear witness, saying: Hear ye him, who hath taken Hell captive by his Cross, and giveth life everlasting unto the dead.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(By Anatolius.) Tone VI. Thou didst prefigure thy Resurrection, O
Christ-God, when thou didst take three of thy disciples, Peter and James and John, and didst ascend Mount Tabor. And when thou wast transfigured, O Saviour, Mount Tabor was covered with light, and thy disciples, O Word, did throw themselves prone upon the earth, being unable to bear the sight of that which may not be looked upon. Angels ministered with fear and trembling; the heavens were affrighted, and the earth did quake, when they beheld on earth the Lord of glory.
The Gradual (Prokimen) for the Day.
The Parables (Paremii). Exodus xxiv. 12-18, xxxiii. 11-23, xxxiv. 4-6, 8; I Kings xix. 3-9, 11-13, 15-16.
The Stanza at the Litiyd, in Tone II. Thou who didst illumine the whole universe with thy light, wast transfigured on a high mountain, O Good One, manifesting unto thy disciples thy power, inasmuch as thou deliverest the world from transgression: For which cause we cry aloud unto thee: O merciful Lord, save thou our souls.
The Hymn (Tropdr), in Tone VII. Thou wast transfigured upon the Mount, O Christ-God, revealing unto thy disciples thy glory in so far as they were able to bear it. Let thy light everlasting illumine us sinners also; through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God. O Light-giver, glory to thee!
The Collect-Hymn (Konddk), in Tone VII. Upon the Mount wast thou transfigured, and thy disciples, in so far as they were qualified, beheld thy glory, O Christ-God; that when they should see thee crucified they might comprehend that thy suffering was voluntary, and proclaim it unto the world: For thou art, of a truth, the effulgence of the Father.
The Exaltation. We magnify thee, O life-giving Christ, and we do homage to the exceedingly glorious Transfiguration of thy Body most pure.
The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name.
Verse (Stikh): Thine are the heavens, and the earth is thine.
The Gospel. Luke ix. 28-36.
The First Canon. Tone IV. (St. Cosmas of Maium.)
Theme-Songs (Irmosi). I. The hosts of Israel, when they had passed with foot unwet through the watery abyss of the Red Sea, and beheld the warriors and the horsemen of the enemy drowned therein, sang aloud with joy: Let us sing praises unto our God, for gloriously hath he been glorified!
III. The bow of the mighty is become feeble, and those who had no strength have girded themselves with might. For which cause my heart is become steadfast in the Lord.
IV I have given heed to thy glorious providence, O Christ-God, how
that thou wast born of a Virgin, to the end that thou mightest deliver from error all those who cry unto thee: Glory to thy might, O Lord.
V. O thou who didst disseminate the primeval radiance of the light, that thy works might sing thee in the light, O Christ their Creator: Guide thou our paths in thy light.
VI. I cried unto the Lord in my trouble, and the God of my salvation heard me.
VII. The Children of Abraham in Babylon of old trampled upon the flame of the furnace, and raised the song of praise: Blessed be thou, O God of our fathers!
VIII. The Children in Babylon, flaming with zeal divine, valiantly trampled under foot the threat of their tormentor, and the flame; and when they were cast into the midst of the fire, being watered with dew, they cried: O all ye works of the Lord bless ye the Lord!
In place of: My soul doth magnify the Lord: The Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Lord who was transfigured on Tabor.
IX. Thy birth-giving was shown to be without defilement; God came forth from thy loins, manifested himself as a bearer of the flesh upon earth, and dwelt among men: Wherefore we all do magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God.
The Benediction. May he who on Mount Tabor was transfigured in glory in the presence of his holy disciples and apostles, Christ, our true God, through the prayers of his most holy Mother: and the rest, as usual. (See page 122.)
At the Liturgy.
Antiphon I., Tone II.
Verse 1: O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands: sing praises unto the honour of his Name; make his praise to be glorious.
Refrain. Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O Saviour, save us.
Verse 2: The voice of thy thunder was heard round about, thy lightnings illumined the universe; the earth was moved and shook withal.
Verse 3: Thou art clothed with majesty and confession: thou deckest thyself with light as it were a garment.
Antiphon II., Tone II.
Verse 1: On the north side of Mount Zion lieth the city of the great King.
Refrain. O Son of God who wast transfigured upon the Mount, save us who sing unto thee, Alleluia.
Verse 2: And he brought them unto the mount of his sanctuary, even the mountain which he had purchased with his right hand.
Verse 3: The hill of Zion which he loved, and built there like the unicorn his sanctuary.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Only-begotten Son and Word of God!... (See page 170.)
Antiphon III., Tone VII.
Verse 1: They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the Mount Zion, which may not be removed forever.
Refrain: The Hymn (Tropdr), in Tone II. Thou wast transfigured upon the Mount, O Christ-God, revealing unto thy disciples thy glory in so far as they were able to bear it. Let thy light everlasting illumine us sinners also; through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God. O Light-giver, glory to thee!
Verse 2: The hills stand about it, and the Lord about his people, forevermore.
Verse 3: Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle, or who shall rejoice upon thy holy hill?
Verse 4: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall rise up in his holy place?
The Introit. O Lord, send forth thy light and thy truth, and they shall instruct me and shall lead me unto thy holy hill.
The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. O Lord, how marvellous are thy works: in wisdom hast thou made them all.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art greatly exalted.
The Epistle. 2 Peter i. 10-19.
Alleluia. (Tone VIII.) The heavens are thine, and the earth is thine.
Verse: Blessed are the people who understand the shout of joy.
The Gospel. Matt. xvii. 1-9.
In place of: Meet is it: The Ninth Theme-Song of the Canon. Thy birth-giving was shown to be without defilement;. (See page 260.)
The Communion Hymn (Pritchdsten). O Lord, in the light of thy countenance will we walk, and in thy Name will we rejoice forevermore.
After the Liturgy on this day it is customary to bless the fruits. The Prayer at the Partaking of Grapes, on August 6th.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Bless, O Lord, this new fruit of the vine, which thou hast graciously been pleased to permit to come to maturity, through salubrious seasons, and drops of rain, and propitious weather: and let it be unto joy for those of us who shall partake of this offspring of the vine; and may we offer it as a gift to thee unto the purification of our sins, through the sacred and holy Body of thy Christ: with whom thou art blessed, together with thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
This Prayer is said over grapes which are brought into the Temple to be blessed on the sixth day of August, at places where there are vineyards. But in Great Russia, where there are no vineyards, apples are brought into the Temple on that day, and the Prayer for those who bring the first-fruits of vegetables is said.
Each vegetable is brought to the Temple in its season, and the Prayer is said over it also.
The Prayer for those who bring the first-fruits of vegetables.
O Master, Lord our God, who hast commanded that we should bring unto thee an offering of each of thine own things, and who requitest the same with the gift of thine eternal good things; who didst graciously accept the offering of the widow, according to her ability: Accept thou now also these things which are offered unto thee by thy servant, N., and vouchsafe to place the same among thine eternal treasures; granting unto him (her) an abundant harvest of thy worldly benefits, together with all things profitable unto him (her).
For blessed is thy Name, and glorified is thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.