THE 8TH DAY OF THE MONTH OF MARCH
COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY BISHOP FELIX, APOSTLE OF EAST ANGLIA
AT VESPERS
At ‘Lord I have cried’, 3 stichira in Tone VI:
BEARER OF GOD FELIX, COME FROM GAUL AND HALLOWED IN CANTERBURY, THOU DIDST SAIL TO THE EAST ANGLIAN LAND BY CALL OF THE HOLY KING SIGEBERT. CLOTHED IN THE RAIMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ENLIGHTENED WITH DIVINE SPLENDOUR, DO THOU WHO HAST ENTERED INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES AND PARTAKEN OF THE MYSTERIES OF GRACE, NOW BOLDLY INTERCEDE FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
RESPLENDENT WITH ALL VIRTUE AND GODLY MIND, THOU DIDST ENLIGHTEN AND BAPTISE THE LOST SHEEP OF THE EAST ANGLIAN KINGDOM, O BLESSED FELIX, DISPELLING THE INFELICITY OF THEIR HEATHEN WAYS, THOU HAST APPEARED AS THE LIGHT IN THE EAST, AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THOU HAST BECOME A SON OF THE DAY IN THE ETERNAL EAST. WHEREFORE WE CALL ON THEE NOW, DO THOU ENLIGHTEN THE LOST ANEW, AS WE CELEBRATE THY HOLY MEMORY.
STILL IN THY YOUTH IN BURGUNDY THY PURE MIND DWELT IN GOD THROUGH FAITH, AND WHILE STILL IN A MORTAL BODY THOU DIDST SEEK FOR IMMORTALITY. IN THY PASSIONLESSNESS THOU DIDST BECOME LIKE UNTO THE ANGELS, O FELIX THE BLESSED, WISE AND FELICITOUS APOSTLE OF THE EAST ANGLES, BRIGHT BEDESMAN FOR ALL THOSE WHO HONOUR THY HOLY MEMORY.
Glory, Tone VIII: O VENERABLE FATHER FELIX, THE FRUIT OF THY VIRTUES HAS ENLIGHTENED ALL EAST ANGLIA, FOR WHO WOULD NOT WONDER AT THY FOREBEARANCE AND GENTLE COMPASSION. THOU DIDST INSTRUCT ALL IN THE WAYS OF GOD AND THE PATHS OF VIRTUE, AND NOW THOU ART ADORNED WITH UNFADING CROWN, WHEREFORE DO THOU INTERCEDE FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God or this Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God in Tone VIII:
WE MAGNIFY THE VIRGIN WHO CRIED OUT THROUGH HER TEARS: O MY CHILD, I CANNOT BEAR TO BEHOLD THEE, THOU WHO GRANTEST STRENGTH TO ALL, DYING UPON THE CROSS. O THAT THOU WOULDEST GRANT DIVINE AND SAVING STRENGTH TO THOSE WHO SLEEP THE SLEEP OF THE LOST THROUGH THE FALL OF ADAM.
If there is a Polyeleion, then the Sunday Hymn to the Mother of God in Tone VIII, ‘FOR THE SAKE OF HIS LOVE…
Entrance, Joyful Light, Prokimenon of the Day.
Readings: Proverbs 3,13-16 and 8,6-10; Wisdom of Solomon 6,12-16 and 8,2-4,7-9 and 8,21 to 9,5,10-11,14; Wisdom of Slomon 4,10 and 6,17-18 and 7,15-16,22,26,29 and 2,1,10-17,19-22.
At the Aposticha Tone VIII:
O HOLY BISHOP FELIX, SPIRITUAL BRIGHTNESS OF THE EAST, MORNING LIGHT OF THE CHURCH OF EAST ANGLIA, BRINGER OF FELICITY TO THOSE IN INFELICITY, ADORNMENT OF BISHOPS AND MODEL OF MONASTIC LIFE, DO THOU DEFEND AND DELIVER OUR SOULS FROM THE ENEMY.
Verse: PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS
O BISHOP FELIX, BY THE POWER OF THE CROSS AND THE SPLENDOUR OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, THOU DOST DRIVE AWAY THE DEMON HORDES FROM THE EAST ANGLIAN LAND, NOW DO THOU ALSO DRIVE AWAY THE ASSAULTS OF THE ENEMY FROM THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK THEE IN PRAYER.
Verse: WHAT SHALL I GIVE IN RETURN TO THE LORD FOR ALL THAT HE HATH GIVEN ME.
WE CANNOT WORTHILY PRAISE THE APOSTOLIC LABOURS OF BISHOP FELIX, WHO, ENLIGHTENED BY GOD, ENLIGHTENS US WITH UNDERSTANDING, AS THE CONFESSOR OF DIVINE MYSTERIES, TO WHOM WE NOW SING: REJOICE, O FATHER OF FATHERS.
Glory, Tone VIII:
O BLESSED BISHOP FELIX, THOU WHO WAST A GOOD SHEPHERD AND FERVENT TEACHER OF THE EAST ANGLES, TO THEE WE CRY OUT IN PRAISE: THE LORD HATH ADORNED HIS CHURCH WITH THEE: WHEREFORE DO THOU PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR THOSE WHO VENERATE THEE, FOR THE FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God or this Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God also in Tone VIII:
O JESUS, WHEN THY VIRGIN MOTHER BEHELD THEE NAILED TO THE CROSS, WILLINGLY ACCEPTING THY PASSION SHE CRIED: ALAS, MY DEAR CHILD, THOU THE PHYSICIAN DOST ENDURE WOUNDS, THOU WHO HAST HEALED ALL MAN’S INFIRMITY AND SAVED ALL FROM CORRUPTION THROUGH THY COMPASSION.
Troparion Tone IV:
THE TRUTH OF THINGS REVEALED THEE TO THY FLOCK AS A RULE OF FAITH, MODEL OF MEEKNESS AND TEACHER OF TEMPERANCE. THEREFORE THOU HAST REACHED HEIGHTS BY HUMILITY AND RICHES BY POVERTY. O HOLY FATHER FELIX, APOSTLE OF EAST ANGLIA, INTERCEDE WITH CHRIST OUR GOD THAT 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:
AS THE SERVANT OF CHRIST, THE MASTER OF ALL, THOU DIDST TEACH THE FOLK OF EAST ANGLIA, ENLIGHTENING AND BAPTISING, INSTRUCTING THEM IN THE MYSTERIES OF GRACE, O HOLY BISHOP FELIX. WHEREFORE WE ACCLAIM THEE AS A PREACHER OF TRUTH AND FAVOURED BISHOP OF CHRIST.
Glory…Now and ever…Hymn to the Mother of God in the same tone:
O PURE UNWEDDED VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, ONLY INTERCESSOR AND PROTECTOR OF THE FAITHFUL: DELIVER THOSE WHO TRUST IN THEE FROM SORROW, CALAMITY AND ASSAULT AND SAVE OUR SOULS THROUGH THY HOLY INTERCESSIONS.
After the second reading from the Psalter, Sessional Hymn Tone IV:
SINCE THY YOUTH IN BURGUNDY, THOU DIDST TAKE UP THY CROSS AND FOLLOW CHRIST IN THE MONASTIC WAY, SUBDUING THE FLESH BY ABSTINENCE. WHEREFORE THOU WAST CONSECRATED TO THE THRONE BY THE DIVINE HONORIUS, AND DOST MAGNIFY THE LORD AND HIS VIRGIN MOTHER, O BLESSED FELIX.
Glory…Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
O MOST HOLY VIRGIN WHO GAVE BIRTH TO THE ETERNAL GOD, WITH THE HOLY BISHOP FELIX DO THOU BESEECH HIM TO GRANT US REMISSION OF SINS AND AMENDMENT OF LIFE BEFORE THE END, FOR THEE DO WE HYMN, O ALL-PRAISED VIRGIN.
The Magnification: WE MAGNIFY THEE, O HOLY BISHOP FELIX, AND WE VENERATE THY HOLY MEMORY, FOR THOU DOST PRAY FOR US TO CHRIST OUR GOD.
Verse: HEAR THIS, ALL YE NATIONS, GIVE EAR, ALL YE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: THOU DIDST SUBDUE THY FLESH AND GLORIOUSLY TEND THY FLOCK, ENLIGHTENING ALL THE EAST ANGLIAN KINGDOM WITH BAPTISM AND TEACHING ITS PEOPLE TO GLORIFY ONE GOD IN THREE PERSONS. WHEREFORE EVEN AFTER THINE EARTHLY LIFE THOU DOST BESTOW HEALINGS ON ALL THOSE WHO COME TO THE CHURCH OF GOD AND HONOUR THEE, O HOLY FELIX. BESEECH THOU CHRIST OUR GOD TO GRANT REMISSION OF SINS TO THOSE WHO KEEP THY FESTIVAL WITH LOVE.
Glory…Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
LET US PRAISE THE GATE OF HEAVEN, THE ARK, THE MOST HOLY MOUNTAIN, THE BRIGHT CLOUD, THE UNBURNT BUSH, THE SPIRITUAL PARADISE, THE DELIVERANCE OF EVE, THE GREAT TREASURE-HOUSE OF THE UNIVERSE; FOR IN HER WAS WROUGHT THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD AND THE REMISSION OF THE SINS OF OLD. WHEREFORE WE CRY TO HER: PRAY TO CHRIST OUR GOD TO GRANT REMISSION OF SINS TO THOSE WHO VENERATE THY MOST HOLY BIRTHGIVING.
Gradual, First Antiphon of Tone IV, From my youth…
Prokimenon, Tone IV:
MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK WISDOM AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART SHALL BE OF UNDERSTANDING.
Verse: THE MOUTH OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL MEDITATE WISDOM, AND HIS TONGUE SHALL SPEAK OF JUDGEMENT.
Let every breath. Gospel John 10,9-16. After Psalm 50, Stichiron Tone VI:
O HEIR OF GOD, COMPANION OF CHRIST, SERVANT OF THE LORD, BLESSED FELIX, THY LIFE ACCORDED WITH THY NAME, FOR THOU DIDST DELIVER THE KINGDOM OF EAST ANGLIA FROM THE INFELICITY OF HEATHENDOM TO THE FELICITY OF CHRISTENDOM, HOLDING ALOFT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND SHINING FORTH WISDOM, THY LIFE WAS GLORIOUS AND THY REPOSE IS WITH THE SAINTS, THEREFORE DO THOU INTERCEDE WITH CHRIST OUR GOD FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Canon Tone VI:
Ode I
Irmos: WHEN ISRAEL WALKED ON THE WATERS AS ON DRY LAND, SEEING THEIR PURSUER PHARAOH DROWNED, THEY CRIED ALOUD: LET US SING TO GOD A SONG OF VICTORY.
THOU DOST STAND AS A SERVANT OF GOD AMIDST THE CHOIRS OF HEAVEN AS THEY KEEP FESTIVAL THIS DAY. WHEREFORE THROUGH THINE INTERCESSIONS DO THOU BESEECH THE LORD TO BLESS THY LAND AS ITS APOSTLE AND ALL WHO SING THY PRAISES.
GOD CHOSE THEE TO PREACH THE HOLY RED BOOK, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, IN THE EASTERN KINGDOM, O BLESSED FATHER FELIX. WHEREFORE AS THOU HAST WISELY INSTRUCTED THE PEOPLE, DO THOU ALSO INSTRUCT US WHO HONOUR THY HOLY MEMORY.
AS THOU WAST ENLIGHTENED BY THE WISDOM OF GOD, O BLESSED BISHOP FELIX, AND THY HEART EVER FLOWED WITH THE WORDS OF LIFE, SO DO THOU ALSO ENLIGHTEN US WITH WORDS OF THE LIVING WISDOM AND WARM OUR SOULS THAT ARE FROZEN IN SIN.
Glory…Now and ever:
FROM AFAR THE HOLY CHOIR OF PROPHETS FORESAW THAT THOU, O PURE ONE, WOULD BECOME THE MOTHER OF GOD, EXALTED ABOVE THE CHERUBIM AND ALL CREATION.
Ode III
Irmos: THERE IS NONE HOLY AS THOU, O LORD MY GOD,WHO HAST EXALTED THE POWER OF THY FAITHFUL, O GOOD ONE, AND STRENGTHENED US ON THE ROCK OF THY CONFESSION.
WITH WORDS OF DIVINE SWEETNESS ON THY LIPS, O BLESSED FATHER, THOU DRIED UP THE BITTER DROPS OF HEATHENDOM IN THE EASTERN KINGDOM WHERE GOD GRANTED THEE TO PREACH, AND AS THERE THOU POURED FORTH THE HOLY DRINK, DO THOU NOW MAKE THE SPIRITUAL WILDERNESS TO BLOSSOM FORTH ANEW.
FORECHOSEN BY GOD TO SERVE HIM ACROSS THE SEA IN THE ISLES, IN THE EASTERN KINGDOM THOU DIDST OFFER THE BLOODLESS SACRIFICE TO HIM WHO OFFERED HIMSELF FOR OUR SAKES, O BLESSED FATHER, OUR APOSTLE AND INTERCESSOR BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD. AS THE PARADISE OF GOD, THY TOMB OF OLD SHED FORTH THE FRAGRANCE OF GRACE UPON THE FAITHFUL, O GLORIOUS BISHOP FELIX: WHEREFORE DO THOU NOW SHED FORTH THE FRAGRANCE OF THY PRAYERS ON THE EAST ANGLIAN LAND AND ALL WHO NOW HONOUR THY HOLY MEMORY.
Glory…Now and ever: O PURE ONE, WHO CAN FATHOM THE INEFFABLE DEPTHS OF THY BIRTHGIVING; FOR GOD HUMBLED HIMSELF IN COMPASSION AND RENEWED ME IN THY WOMB.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV:
THOU HAST PRESERVED THE ORTHODOX FAITH, TENDED CHRIST’S CHURCH AND TORN UP THE TARES OF THE HEATHEN, O HOLY FELIX, AND AS NOW THOU DWELLEST IN HEAVEN, DO THOU PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
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.
Ode IV
Irmos: CHRIST IS MY STRENGTH, MY GOD AND MY LORD, HOLY CHURCH SINGS IN GODLINESS AND CRIES ALOUD IN PURITY, KEEPING FESTIVAL IN THE LORD.
FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, O FATHER FELIX, THOU HAST DRIVEN BACK THE SPIRITS OF EVIL AND OVERTURNED THE ANCIENT IDOLS, INSTRUCTING THY GOD-GIVEN FLOCK IN THE WISDOM AND LIGHT AND GOSPEL OF CHRIST, LEADING THE EAST ANGLIAN KINGDOM TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
THOU HAST PREACHED THE UNCREATED UNITY AND INDIVISIBLE TRINITY, NEITHER TO BE SEPARATED NOR CO-MINGLED: AS THOU HAST ENLIGHTENED THE WHOLE EASTERN KINGDOM WITH THE WORD OF GOD, DO THOU NOW ENLIGHTEN US WHO SING UNTO THEE.
WITH PRAYERFUL TOIL AND FASTING THOU DIDST SUBDUE THE FLESH, TEACHING THY DISCIPLES BY THINE EXAMPLE TO DO LIKEWISE, BRINGING THE WHOLE EASTERN KINGDOM TO PRAY TO CHRIST, AND NOW THOU DOST STAND IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND INTERCEDE BEFORE THE TRINITY.
Glory…Now and ever:
THOU HAST ANNULLED THE ANCESTRAL CURSE, O HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, FOR THOU HAST BORNE FOR US THE SOURCE OF HOLINESS WHO IS LIFE ETERNAL.
Ode V
Irmos: I BESEECH THEE, O GOOD ONE, DO THOU ENLIGHTEN WITH THY DIVINE LIGHT THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO RISE EARLY TO PRAY TO THEE, THAT THEY MAY KNOW THEE AS THE TRUE GOD WHO CALLETH US BACK FROM THE DARKNESS OF SIN.
CALLED BY THE HOLY KING SIGEBERT AND SENT BY THE DIVINE HONORIUS, THOU WAST BLAMELESS IN THY MINISTRY, GRANTING THE GRACE OF BAPTISM TO THE NOBLE AUDREY, LEADING MANY TO THE MONASTIC LIFE, AND IN PURITY OF SOUL THOU DIDST SERVE THE HOLY MYSTERIES, O BLESSED FATHER.
BUILDING CHURCHES THROUGHOUT EAST ANGLIA AND RAISING A SCHOOL, THROUGH THY HOLY INSTRUCTION THOSE WHO WERE IDOLATORS CAME TO SERVE THE LIVING GOD. IN CALLING THEM BACK FROM THEIR FAITHLESS WAYS, THOU DIDST SHINE FORTH AS THE FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST.
THROUGH THINE INSPIRED TEACHINGS THOU DIDST ENLIGHTEN THE HEATHEN IDOLATORS, O HOLY FATHER FELIX, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT THOU DIDST MAKE BARREN HEARTS FRUITFUL AND BECOME THE APOSTLE OF THY PEOPLE, WHEREFORE FOLK NORTH AND SOUTH, FROM FEN AND COAST, FROM ELY AND DUNWICH, FROM EDMUND’S HOLY BURGH AND THINE OWN STOWE, WE CRY ALOUD TO THEE: SAVE US WHO SING UNTO THEE.
Glory…Now and ever: O MOST PURE MARY, THE BRIDE OF GOD, THOU DIDST REMAIN A VIRGIN BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THY DIVINE BIRTHGIVING, FOR THOU DIDST BEAR THE GOD WHO DOETH ALL THINGS AS HE WILLS.
Ode VI
Irmos: BEHOLDING THE SEA OF LIFE WITH THE FLOOD OF TEMPTATION, I RUN TO THY STILL HAVEN AND CRY TO THEE: RAISE MY LIFE UP FROM CORRUPTION, THOU WHO ART MOST MERCIFUL.
THY LIPS SPOKE WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND THOU HAST WRITTEN WORDS OF GRACE IN THE HEARTS OF THY DISCIPLES AND ALL THE FAITHFUL WHO THEN WENT FORTH TO DO LIKEWISE, CALLING ALL TO REPENTANCE BEFORE THE END.
LEARNING DIVINE TRUTH AND ENTERING INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES, THOU HAST LED THE FAITHFUL TO GOD BY THE LIGHT OF THE TRINITY AND THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHEREFORE TOGETHER WITH SIGEBERT AND FURSEY AND AUDREY AND ALL HER HOLY FAMILY, THE WHOLE EAST ANGLIAN LAND PRAISETH THY HOLY MEMORY.
O HOLY BISHOP FELIX, AS THE STRONG FLOW OF THINE INSTRUCTIONS BARRED THE TIDES OF WICKEDNESS ON EAST ANGLIAN SHORE AND STREAM, AND AS A SWEET DEW THY WORDS HAVE WATERED THE FLOCK OF THE FAITHFUL, DO THOU NOW PRAY TO CHRIST OUR GOD FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Glory…Now and ever:
O MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, THE WORD CAME TO DWELL IN THY VIRGIN’S WOMB AND GOD APPEARED THERE AS MAN, WHILE IN WAYS BEYOND TELLING HE HAS RESTORED THE HUMAN RACE.
Kondakion Tone II:
LEAVING THE LAND OF GAUL, O HOLY FATHER FELIX, THOU DIDST HEARKEN TO THE CALL OF GOD, AND THOU HAST COME AND ENLIGHTENED AS A FAITHFUL APOSTLE THE KINGDOM OF EAST ANGLIA, AS THROUGH THY TOIL AND PRAYER AND FASTING THOU HAST FOUND FAVOUR ON HIGH, SO DO THOU NOW INTERCEDE WITH CHRIST OUR GOD THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
Ikos: THROUGH SIN I HAVE FALLEN AWAY AND I SLEEP UNTO DEATH BUT, O GOOD SHEPHERD, DO THOU RAISE ME UP AND STILL THE PASSIONS THAT WICKEDLY TORMENT ME, THAT I MAY RISE AND HYMN THY BRIGHT FESTIVAL, FOR AS THE MASTER OF ALL CREATION HAS GLORIFIED THEE, O FAITHFUL SERVANT FELIX, DO THOU NOW INTERCEDE WITH CHRIST OUR GOD THAT OUR SOULS MAY BE SAVED.
Ode VII
Irmos: AN ANGEL MADE THE FURNACE TO BEDEW THE HOLY CHILDREN. BUT THE COMMAND OF GOD CONSUMED THE CHALDEANS AND PREVAILED UPON THE TYRANT TO CRY ALOUD: BLESSED ART THOU, O GOD OF OUR FATHERS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GAVE THEE INSIGHT INTO THE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS. AS A STAR IN THE EAST THOU DIDST ENLIGHTEN THOSE WHO SANG: BLESSED ART THOU, O GOD OF OUR FATHERS.
O HOLY BISHOP FELIX, WHO SHINETH WITH VIRTUES, THE UNCREATED TRINITY TOOK UP HIS ABODE IN THEE AND THEREFORE THOU DIDST SING: BLESSED ART THOU, O GOD OF OUR FATHERS.
THOU DIDST DRIVE AWAY SLEEP FROM THINE EYES AND RECEIVE THE DIVINE LIGHT FROM THE ANGEL OF LIGHT. HE MADE THEE INTO A PILLAR OF THE FATHFUL AND TRUE AND APOSTOLIC BISHOP OF THY FLOCK.
Glory…Now and ever:
O MOST PURE MAIDEN, THE UNCIRCUMSCRIBED WHO DWELLS ETERNALLY IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, NOW COMES TO DWELL IN THY WOMB CIRCUMSCRIBED AND BEARING THINE IMAGE, FOR HE CAME TO SAVE CREATION.
Ode VIII
Irmos: THOU DIDST MAKE THE FLAMES TO SPRINKLE DEW, THOU DIDST BURN THE SACRIFICE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN WITH WATER, FOR THOU ALONE, O CHRIST, DOEST ALL AS THOU WILLEST AND THEE DO WE EXALT THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES.
THOU, O BLESSED ONE, HAST HUMBLED THE PROUD SERPENT OF THE HEATHEN BY THY HUMILITY AND ART RAISED GODWARDS IN THY PURITY. THEE DO WE HONOUR AS WE EXALT CHRIST THROUGHOUT ALL THE AGES.
THOU DIDST PREACH THE INCARNATE WORD TO THE EASTERN KINGDOM THAT ONCE DWELT IN DARKNESS, THOU DIDST SAVE IT FROM THE INFELICITY OF FALSE WORSHIP AND IDOLATRY, BRINGING IT TO THE FELICITY OF CHRIST, O WISE FELIX.
THOU DIDST PATTERN THY LIFE AFTER THE MASTER’S AND LIKEWISE ORDER THY SPEECH AND INSTRUCTION. THOU DIDST FULFIL THINE EARTHLY COURSE AND ENTER THE REALM OF THE BLESSED.
Let us bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Now and ever…:
THY BIRTHGIVING HATH SET US FREE FROM THE ANCIENT CURSE, MOST BLESSED GRACE-FILLED MAIDEN. THEE DO WE GREET WITH THE WORDS OF GABRIEL: REJOICE, THOU O CAUSE OF THE SALVATION OF MANKIND.
Ode IX
Irmos: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR MEN TO BEHOLD GOD, UPON WHOM THE ANGELIC ORDERS DARE NOT GAZE. BUT THROUGH THEE, O PURE ONE, THE INCARNATE WORD APPEARED UNTO MEN, AND TOGETHER WITH THE HEAVENLY HOSTS WE MAGNIFY HIM AND CALL HIM BLESSED.
HAVING BEEN MEEK AND BLESSED ON EARTH, NOW THOU DWELLEST IN THE LAND OF THE BLESSED. STANDING AMONG THE HEAVENLY HOSTS THOU ART ENLIGHTENED BY THE SPLENDOUR OF THY VIRTUES AND ART ADORNED IN GLORY.
THOU APOSTLE OF EAST ANGLIA DOST BEHOLD THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD AND ANGELS AND THE SPLENDOUR OF PATRIARCHS AND MARTYRS: TOGETHER WITH THEM DO THOU BESEECH HIM WHO LOVETH MANKIND TO GRANT REMISSION OF SINS AND REPENTANCE TO THOSE WHO PRAISE THEE.
THY BRIGHTNESS HATH SHONE FORTH TO ALL. THOU DOST DWELL LIKE AN ANGEL IN THY LAND, FOR THOU HAST ADORNED IT AND HALLOWED IT WITH THINE UNCTION AND MADE THY PEOPLE WISE IN GOD.
Glory…Now and ever:
THE RAIN OF HEAVEN CAME DOWN AS DEW INTO THY WOMB, O VIRGIN, AND DRIED UP ALL THE STREAMS OF DECEIT. IT SHOWERED INCORRUPTION ON ALL MANKIND AND THROUGH THEE WE ARE GRANTED REDEMPTION.
Exapostilarion:
THY LIGHT-BEARING FESTIVAL MAKES GLAD THIS DAY, O HOLY BISHOP FELIX. AS THOU DOST STAND IN THE LIGHT OF THE COUNTENANCE OF GOD, DO THOU REMEMBER US WHO PRAISE THEE.
Glory…Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:
IN THEE WITH GOD WE TRUST, O MOST PURE VIRGIN. FOR THOU DIDST SUFFER WITH THY SON WHEN HE WAS CRUCIFIED. BESEECH THOU HIM TO PRESERVE US UNHARMED AND SAVE OUR SOULS.
At the Praises: 3 Stichira in Tone VIII:
O HOLY FATHER FELIX, THOU HAST ATTAINED UNTO THE HEIGHTS OF THE LADDER OF UNDERSTANDING AND DRAWN NIGH TO GOD, WHEREFORE THOU DOST HEAL ALL MANNER OF INFIRMITY AND EXPEL EVIL SPIRITS. AS WITH JOY AND GLADNESS WE CELBRATE THY FESTIVAL AND MAGNIFY THE LORD WHO HAS EXALTED HIS FAVOURED ONE, DO THOU NOW CALL US BACK TO THE FAITH OF CHRIST.
O WONDROUS FATHER FELIX, WITH MIND ENLIGHTENED THOU DIDST STILL THE SURGING SEA OF THE PASSIONS, WITH PURE WINGS OF GRACE THOU DIDST ATTAIN UNTO THE HEIGHTS OF APOSTOLIC GOODNESS, SAVE US WHO ARE SUBMERGED BENEATH THE SEA OF SIN, AND DO THOU NOW CALL US BACK TO THE FAITH OF CHRIST.
O FATHER OF FATHERS, THOU WAST A RULE OF PRIESTHOOD AND MODEL OF LOVE, STRONGHOLD OF MONASTIC LIFE AND STRENGTHENING OF THE CHURCH, LIGHT OF LOVE AND THRONE OF COMPASSION, SOURCE OF MIRACLES AND TONGUE OF FIRE, VESSEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL PARADISE, O BLESSED FELIX, DO THOU NOW CALL US BACK TO THE FAITH OF CHRIST.
Glory Tone 6:
O HOLY FATHER FELIX, GOOD SHEPHERD AND DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WHO GAVE THY LIFE TO THY FLOCK AND PREACHED FROM THE HOLY RED GOSPEL, O THOU WHO ART WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE, BESEECH THE LORD TO GRANT US GREAT MERCY AND DO THOU NOW CALL US BACK TO THE FAITH OF CHRIST.
Now and ever:
WE HAVE LEARNED TO KNOW THE GOD WHO BECAME INCARNATE OF THEE, O VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, BESEECH THOU HIM TO SAVE OUR SOULS.
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 Bishop.
Prokimenon Tone I:
MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK WISDOM AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART SHALL BE UNDERSTANDING.
HEAR THIS, ALL YE NATIONS! GIVE EAR, ALL YE THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH.
The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews 318 (7,26 – 8,2)
ALLELUIA TONE II
Verse: THE MOUTH OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL PROCLAIM WISDOM AND HIS TONGUE SHALL SPEAK OF JUDGEMENT.
Verse: THE LAW OF GOD IS IN HIS HEART, AND HIS STEPS SHALL NOT FALTER.
Gospel according to St John 10,9-16
Communion Verse: IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS BE; HE SHALL NOT FEAR EVIL TIDINGS.
The Three Old Testament Readings
READING FROM PROVERBS
HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO FINDS WISDOM, AND THE MAN WHO GETS UNDERSTANDING, FOR THE GAIN FROM IT IS BETTER THAN GAIN FROM SILVER AND ITS PROFIT BETTER THAN GOLD. SHE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN JEWELS, AND NOTHING YOU CAN DESIRE CAN COMPARE WITH HER. LONG LIFE IS IN HER RIGHT HAND; IN HER LEFT HAND ARE RICHES AND HONOUR. HEAR, FOR I WILL SPEAK NOBLE THINGS, AND FROM MY LIPS WILL COME WHAT IS RIGHT; FOR MY MOUTH WILL UTTER TRUTH; WICKEDNESS IS AN ABOMINATION TO MY LIPS. ALL THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ARE RIGHTEOUS; THERE IS NOTHING TWISTED OR CROOKED IN THEM. THEY ARE ALL STRAIGHT TO HIM WHO UNDERSTANDS AND RIGHT TO THOSE WHO FIND KNOWLEDGE. TAKE MY INSTRUCTION INSTEAD OF SILVER, AND KNOWLEDGE RATHER THAN CHOICE GOLD.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
WISDOM IS RADIANT AND UNFADING, AND SHE IS EASILY DISCERNED BY THOSE WHO LOVE HER, AND IS FOUND BY THOSE WHO SEEK HER. SHE HASTENS TO MAKE HERSELF KNOWN TO THOSE WHO DESIRE HER. HE WHO RISES EARLY TO SEEK HER WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY, FOR HE WILL FIND HER SITTING AT HIS GATES. TO FIX ONE’S THOUGHT ON HER IS PERFECT UNDERSTANDING, AND HE WHO IS VIGILANT ON HER ACCOUNT WILL SOON BE FREE FROM CARE, BECAUSE SHE GOES ABOUT SEEKING THOSE WORTHY OF HER, AND SHE GRACIOUSLY APPEARS TO THEM IN THEIR PATH, AND MEETS THEM IN EVERY THOUGHT. I LOVED HER AND SOUGHT HER FROM MY YOUTH, AND I DESIRED TO TAKE HER FOR MY BRIDE, AND I BECAME ENAMOURED OF HER BEAUTY. SHE GLORIFIES HER NOBLE BIRTH BY LIVING WITH GOD, AND THE LORD OF ALL LOVES HER. FOR SHE IS AN INITIATE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND AN ASSOCIATE OF HIS WORKS. AND IF ANY LOVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, HER LABOURS ARE VIRTUES; FOR SHE TEACHES SELF-CONTROL AND PRUDENCE, JUSTICE AND COURAGE; NOTHING IN LIFE IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN THESE. AND IF ONE LONGS FOR WIDE EXPERIENCE, SHE KNOWS THE THINGS OF OLD, AND INFERS THE THINGS TO COME; SHE UINDERSTANDS TURNS OF SPEECH AND THE SOLUTIONS TO RIDDLES; SHE HAS FOREKNOWLEDGE OF SIGNS AND WONDERS AND OF THE OUTCOME OF SEASONS AND TIMES. THEREFORE I DETERMINED TO TAKE HER TO LIVE WITH ME, KNOWING THAT SHE WOULD GIVE ME GOOD COUNSEL AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN CARES AND GRIEF. SO I CALLED TO THE LORD AND BESOUGHT HIM, AND WITH MY WHOLE HEART I SAID: O GOD OF MY FATHERS AND LORD OF MERCY, WHO HAST MADE ALL THINGS BY THY WORD, AND BY THY WISDOM HAST FORMED MAN TO HAVE DOMINION OVER THE CREATURES THOU HAST MADE, AND TO RULE THE WORLD IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND PRONOUNCE JUDGEMENT IN UPRIGHTNESS OF SOUL, GIVE ME WISDOM THAT SITS BY THY THRONE, AND REJECT ME NOT FROM AMONG THY SERVANTS. FOR I AM THY SERVANT AND THE SON OF THY HANDMAID. SEND HER FORTH FROM THE HOLY HEAVENS, AND FROM THE THRONE OF THY GLORY SEND HER, THAT SHE MAY BE WITH ME AND TOIL, AND THAT I MAY LEARN WHAT IS PLEASING TO THEE. FOR THE REASONING OF MORTALS IS WORTHLESS AND OUR DESIGNS ARE LIKELY TO FAIL.
READING FROM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
THERE WAS ONE WHO PLEASED GOD AND WAS LOVED BY HIM, AND WHILE LIVING AMONG SINNERS HE WAS TAKEN UP. THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM IS THE MOST SINCERE DESIRE FOR INSTRUCTION, AND CONCERN FOR INSTRUCTION IS LOVE OF HER, AND LOVE OF HER IS THE KEEPING OF HER LAWS, AND GIVING HEED TO HER LAWS IS ASSURANCE OF IMMORTALITY. MAY GOD GRANT THAT I SPEAK WITH JUDGEMENT AND HAVE THOUGHTS WORTHY OF WHAT I HAVE RECEIVED, FOR HE IS THE GUIDE EVEN OF WISDOM AND THE CORRECTOR OF THE WISE. FOR BOTH WE AND OUR WORDS ARE IN HIS HAND, AS ARE ALL UNDERSTANDING AND SKILL IN CRAFTS. FOR WISDOM, THE FASHIONER OF ALL THINGS, TAUGHT ME. FOR SHE IS A REFLECTION OF THE ETERNAL LIGHT, A SPOTLESS MIRROR OF THE WORKING OF GOD, AND AN IMAGE OF HIS GOODNESS. FOR SHE IS FAIRER THAN THE SUN, AND EXCELS EVERY CONSTELLATION OF THE STARS. COMPARED WITH THE LIGHT SHE IS FOUND TO BE SUPERIOR. BUT THE UNGODLY REASONED UNSOUNDLY, SAYING TO THEMSELVES, LET US OPPRESS THE RIGHTEOUS POOR MAN; LET US NOT SPARE THE WIDOW NOR REGARD THE GREY HAIRS OF THE AGED. BUT LET OUR MIGHT BE THE LAW OF RIGHT, FOR WHAT IS WEAK PROVES ITSELF TO BE USELESS. LET US LIE IN WAIT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS MAN, BECAUSE HE IS INCONVENIENT TO US AND OPPOSES OUR ACTIONS; HE REPROACHES US FOR SINS AGAINST THE LAW, AND ACCUSES US OF SINS AGAINST OUR TRAINING. HE PROFESSES TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND HE CALLS HIMSELF A CHILD OF THE LORD. HE BECAME TO US A REPROOF OF OUR THOUGHTS; THE VERY SIGHT OF HIM IS A BURDEN TO US, BECAUSE HIS MANNER OF LIFE IS UNLIKE THAT OF OTHERS, AND HIS WAYS ARE STRANGE. WE ARE CONSIDERED BY HIM AS SOMETHING BASE, AND HE AVOIDS OUR WAYS AS UNCLEAN; HE CALLS THE LAST END OF THE RIGHTEOUS HAPPY, AND BOASTS THAT GOD IS HIS FATHER. LET US SEE IF HIS WORDS ARE TRUE, AND LET US TEST WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF HIS LIFE. LET US TEST HIM WITH INSULT AND TORTURE, THAT WE MAY FIND OUT HOW GENTLE HE IS, AND MAKE TRIAL OF HIS FOREBEARANCE. LET US CONDEMN HIM TO A SHAMEFUL DEATH, FOR ACCORDING TO WHAT HE SAYS, HE WILL BE PROTECTED. THUS THEY REASONED, BUT THEY WERE LED ASTRAY, FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS BLINDED THEM, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW THE SECRET PURPOSES OF GOD, NOR HOPE FOR THE WAGES OF HOLINESS, NOR DISCERN THE PRIZE FOR BLAMELESS SOULS.