What sweet of life abideth unaccompanied with grief? what glory stayeth upon earth unchang’d? All is the feeblest shade, all the most cheating dream: one moment, and death taketh all these things. But in thy face’s light, O Christ, and in the sweetness of thy beauty, grant rest to him whom thou hast call’d, as lover of mankind.
Verse. The Lord tendeth me, and there is nothing lacking to me.
By deed, my Saviour, thou hast shewn that thou the resurrection art of all, who didst, O Word, by word raise Lazarus from the dead. Then were the fetters burst, and shatter’d hades’ gates; then human death declared was a sleep. Thou, therefore, who didst come thy creature, not to judge, but save, rest him whom thou received hast, as lover of mankind.
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Thou art made manifest, O Bringer-forth of God, a fervent advocate for all, for all a shelter, and a might of God for them that hie to thee, an aid for them that are in need, a quick deliverance for the bound. For thee against barbarians Christ hath placed as a fence, and barrier, and assailless wall; and for the weak a strength unovercome; and for our souls the arbitress of peace.
Stichera, tone ii.
Woe unto me, what agony hath the soul when it is from the body torn! alas, then how it weeps, and none is merciful to it! To Angels lifting eyes, without effect it prays; to men extending hands, it findeth none to help. Therefore, my brethren lov’d, musing on our brief life, let us for the departed ask for rest from Christ, and for great mercy for our souls.
Verse. When I was in affliction I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Come, let us all a wonder passing thought behold: he who but yesterday abode with us now lieth dead. Come, let us know that soon in funeral swathes we also at an end shall be; and they anointed with the fragrant myrrh shall lie of odour ill. How is it they adorn’d with gold lie unadorn’d and void of form? Therefore, my brethren well belov’d, musing on our brief life, let us of Christ entreat for rest for him who hence hath gone, and for great mercy for our souls.