Service to the Holy Martyr Edward, King of England

Commemorated on 18 March
At Great Vespers

After the Introductory Psalm, we sing "Blessed is the man'', the first antiphon.

At " Lord, I have cried", eight stichera: four in Tone I -

As a most fruitful vine of the new vineyard of Christ, planted in thy land in the splendour of
its enlightenment, thou didst shine forth in many virtues and wast pleasing unto God:
wherefore, with praises we call thee blessed, O Edward, thou most pious king. (twice)

Travelling the royal way, O holy king, adorned with the love of Christ, the queen of virtues,
thou didst watch over the poor and wretched, and didst visit the sick, rendering judgement
and justice to thy people, O Edward, devout of God.

Thou didst give thy precious relics, like a great treasure, unto them that honour thy
memory, O Edward. Wherefore, thou dost heal the divisions of them that have recourse to
them, and by thine intercessions before God dost fulfil their petitions which are of profit.

And these stichera, in Tone II -

O Edward, the iniquitous took counsel against thee, likening themselves unto those who
strived to slay the prophets of God, and they plotted thy murder, for they were not daunted
by thy youth, nor by thy meek demeanour, nor yet by thy piety, but benighted through
bitter hatred they followed the prompting of the devil. (twice)

Like Judas who betrayed Christ with a kiss, so the impious, plotting evils against thee and
taking counsel with their retainers, with deceitful intent invite thee, O king, in full
knowledge that they lead thee to slaughter.

What, then, did ye acquire, O foolish ones, who wrested the throne from the lawful king and
placed his gory crown upon the head of another? For, lo! Edward shineth forth in the
Kingdom of Heaven, adorned with a martyr's crown, whilst ye, repenting in sackcloth and
ashes, pray to receive his forgiveness and intercession.

Glory, in Tone VIII -

It is not on a hunt that thou dost forth, O most innocent king, but thou art treacherously
called to a council of the iniquitous; thus thou dost not encounter a wild beast, but receivest
a cruel death at the hands of bestial rebels. Yet departing thine earthly kingdom, thou art
crowned with a martyr's crown and dost inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, making thine abode
with the saints and the righteous.
Now and ever : Theotokion, the Dogmaticon in the same tone.

At the Litia, the sticheron of the church, and this sticheron to the saint, in Tone IV -

Come ye, let us make haste to King Edward, he that was pleasing unto God, and who in the
years of his youth received a martyr's crown, that he may intercede for his people, ever
standing before the Heavenly King, making unceasing supplication.

Glory , in Tone VI -

Let the impious lament, rending their garments and hair, beholding thee, unjustly slain, O
Edward, and glorified by God with miracles; for thou art vouchsafed a martyr's crown,
whilst they, mindful of their great guilt, and trembling before the impartial Judge, strive to
cleanse their souls with repentance.

Now and ever : Theotokion, in the same tone -

All who suffer sorrows in this earthly life thou dost meet and comfort, O pious Bride of God,
bringing relief to them, and drying every tear from their eyes. Wherefore, help all that are in
tribulation and suffering, granting them speedy deliverance, for thou art the ceasing of all
grief.

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VIII: Special Melody.: "O most glorious wonder "

O, most glorious wonder! O, providence divine! A most precious treasure, hidden beneath
the earth to preserve it from mockery, is discovered in the fullness of time; for, lo! the holy
relics of the martyred king are revealed as a new and much-healing wellspring for all that
with faith bow down before them and glorify God Who is wondrous in His saints.

Verse: I have raised up one chosen out of My people.

O wondrous solemnity! O most joyful feast! For we celebrate the most splendid memorial of
Edward the King, the merciful healer of the afflicted and the diseased, the defender of the
orphaned, the consoler of the grieving, uprooter of irreverence and sower of piety, the bold
intercessor and advocate for our generation.

Verse: With my holy oil have I anointed him.

O, the richness of the great wisdom of God! O, the providence of God! The holy relics of the
martyred king are entrusted to the Church! Wherefore, let us now bow down with faith,
calling upon the crowned passion-bearer in prayer: and let us fervently offer thanksgiving
unto Christ God Who hath given us such a treasure and doth ever show forth His mercy to
us.
Glory , in Tone III

A valiant warrior who fought against incursions of the foe, thou didst array thyself yet more
against sinful passions; and manifest as a glorious victor over both, clothing thyself with
humble-mindedness as with a breastplate, thou didst render glory and honour unto Christ
God.

Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone -

In accordance with the will of the Father, through the Divine Spirit thou didst without seed
conceive the Son of God Who without mother was begotten before the ages of the Father.
And for our sakes thou didst give birth in the flesh to Him Who was begotten of thee without
father, and with milk thou didst nourish the Infant. Wherefore, cease not to pray that our
souls be delivered from misfortune.

Troparion, in Tone IV -

Celebrating the newly-manifest commemoration of the holy King Edward who shone forth of
old in the virtues and suffered undeservedly, and bowing down before his precious image, in
gladness we cry out: Truly wondrous art Thou in Thy saint, O God!

Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone: "The mystery hidden from the ages "

At Matins

After the first reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone VII -

Passing the time of the fast in spiritual feats, O Edward, thou didst prepare thy soul for a
worthy meeting with the holy Paschal Feast, the feast of feasts. But deprived of thy life on
earth of a sudden, thou didst glorify the Resurrection of Christ in His Kingdom, joining
chorus with angels and the righteous, watching over thy people from the Heavens.

Glory , Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone -

Rejoice, O Virgin Birthgiver of God, full of grace, haven and intercession for the human race,
for from thee is incarnate the Saviour of the world, for thou alone art Mother and Virgin,
ever-blessed and most glorious. Beseech Christ our God to grant peace to all the world.

After the second reading of the Psalter, this sessional hymn, in Tone V -

Lo! spring hath blossomed forth on earth, marking the end of winter; and the celebration of
the spiritual spring, the Resurrection of Christ, hath shone forth upon the world. But thy
people, O King, are filled with grief, stricken by thine untimely end; wherefore, make haste
and speedily comfort them, revealing to them that thou dwellest in the Kingdom of Heaven
with the Risen Master, Who hath granted them to obtain thy sacred relics as pledge of thy
care for them that love thee; that, fleeing unto them in reverence, they may receive gifts of
healing.

Glory , Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone -

O Birthgiver of God, Bride unwedded, thou that changed the grief of Eve into joy: we, the
faithful, praise and bow down before thee, for thou didst lead us forth from the ancient
curse. Pray now unceasingly, O all-hymned one, that we may be saved.

After the Polyeleos, this sessional hymn, in Tone VIII -

Having suffered death out of season, O blessed one, instead of the cup of treachery thou
didst receive an unquaffed cup of joy from the hands of the Saviour. Now, therefore,
delighting in the sight of Christ's most radiant countenance at His banquet, pray that they
that honour thee may through Him receive the Kingdom of Heaven.

Glory , Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone -

O Mistress, accept the prayers of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and grief.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, in Tone VI -

Though thou didst labour but a little while in the field of Christ, yet having laboured without
sloth, thou didst receive the promised payment from the hand of God, and didst show
thyself to be a faithful steward. Wherefore, thou hast entered into the joy of the Lord, and
hast acquired boldness before Him, ever interceding for thy people.

Canon to the holy King Edward, the acrostic whereof is: "I hymn the memory of the pious
King Edward", in Tone VIII -

Ode I

Irmos: Let us sing unto the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath
gloriously been glorified.

Edward the King, who shone forth in piety and was glorified by God with many miracles, let
us hymn with songs of divine beauty.

Now let the English land keep festival, and let the Church be glad, glorifying the memory of
the divinely wise king.
Having suffered out of season a murder unrighteous, thou didst acquire boldness before
God, O Edward. Wherefore, thou dost bestow healings upon them that honour thee.

Theotokion: The ranks of angels and the choirs of the righteous, monks and laymen,
paupers and kings, together hymn the Birthgiver of God.

Ode III

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of them that flee to Thee, O Lord. Thou art the Light of the
benighted, and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Born in accordance with the providence of God, that thou mightest shine forth in the virtues
and show forth an example of piety unto thy people, thou didst bring to a good end the short
course of thy life.

To Christ, the King of all, thou wast a good and faithful servant who increased the talent
given thee by Him, O wise King Edward. Wherefore, thou didst enter into the joy of thy Lord.

Like unto Abel who was slain in his innocence, thou didst endure unrighteous murder; yet
deprived of thy fleeting life, thou now dost dwell in the mansions of Heaven.

Theotokion: The Virgin Birthgiver of God, Queen of Heaven and boast of earthly kings,
unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ and unassailable rampart of the Kingdom of God,
let us unceasingly hymn.

Sessional Hymn, in Tone III -

As said the pre-eminent Peter, in every nation he that feareth God and worketh
righteousness is acceptable to Him; thus, from the ends of the earth, the saints and the
righteous have entered into the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherefore, do thou also, O holy
passion-bearer and king, partaking of everlasting joys together with them, now remember us
that honour thee and cry out: Truly wondrous in Thy saints art Thou, O God!

Glory , Now and ever , Theotokion, in the same tone -

As an uncultivated vine, O Virgin, thou hast put forth the most comely Cluster of grapes
Which poureth forth the wine of salvation for us, gladdening the souls and bodies of all.
Wherefore, blessing thee as the cause of good things, with the Angel Gabriel we ever cry out
to thee: Rejoice, O greatly joyous one!

Ode IV
Irmos: I have heard of the mystery of Thine Providence, O Lord; I have understood Thy
works, and have glorified Thy Divinity.

Emulating a lamb led to the slaughter, O holy Edward, thou didst not struggle against the
evildoers that slew thee, but yielded up thy soul into the hands of God in a moment.

Celebrating thy joyous memory, we call thy wonders to mind, O Edward, for thou dost heal
the leprous, the paralysed and them that are blind from birth by thy most bold
supplications to Christ.

Desiring to glorify thee openly, Christ God bestowed healing power upon thy precious relics,
that, beholding the miracles worked thereby, the pious people might praise the Lord for
ever.

Theotokion: The divine prophets have announced thee, O Birthgiver of God; the apostles
have proclaimed thee; the martyrs have confessed thee, and the divine minstrels and the
venerable have hymned thee in songs of beauty divine.

Ode V

Irmos: Waking early, I cry to Thee: Save me, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know
none other than Thee!

A divine light enlightened the woman who was blind from birth when she touched thy body,
O King Edward. Wherefore, her eyes were opened, and she glorified God and thine
assistance.

Thy tomb hath been shown to be a wellspring of healings for all that have recourse to it and
call upon thee in prayer, O king, beseeching enlightenment and consolation.

Open thou the eyes of our hearts, O Edward who gavest light to the eyes of the blind
woman, that we may perceive God's most wise providence concerning us, and glorify his
power.

Theotokion: Let us not fall idle in our unceasing praise of her that is more honourable than
the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, gazing with the eyes of
our minds upon her greatness, and magnifying her loving-kindness with ardent heart and
love divine.

Ode VI

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the nethermost abyss, O Christ our God, as
Thou art the Lover of mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.
When the impious learned of the uncovering of thy relics and of the miracles which had
come to pass, O Edward, they desired to fall prostrate in repentance before them, but the
power of the Lord forbade them.

With other kings, thou didst bring glory to the Heavenly Jerusalem, O Edward, laying at the
feet of the Lord the twofold crown of kingship and martyrdom, and receiving fitting honour
from Him.

Thou didst escape the vile pit of destruction, rendering justice and righteousness and
feeding the wretched, claiming for thyself a throne of royal honour, O Edward most wise and
right glorious.

Theotokion: May they that do not honour thee as the Birthgiver of God be clothed with
shame and confusion, denounced by all creation which unceasingly doth hymn thee.

Kontakion, in Tone IV -

Celebrating the memory of the holy Edward today, and honouring his bright image, let us
radiantly weave a wreath of hymns for the twice-crowned king and passion-bearer, crying
out to him with fervour: Never cease to beseech Christ our God, that He establish thy
homeland in the Orthodox Faith!

Ikos: Lo! the fullness of time is come! Arise, ye Christian people, and, putting off your
sackcloth, gird yourselves in gladness, heaping not ashes upon your heads, but joining
chorus in God. For behold! the righteous Judge, Who seeth all things, mindful of His
mercies and compassion, and wishing to fill the dried-up wellspring of piety with life-bearing
streams, hath disclosed unto us the relics of His favourite and passion-bearer, Edward the
King, which for many years lay hidden beneath the earth; for when the tempest of
persecution was raised against the saints of God by impiety and the holy shrines were
destroyed, they were buried in the convent of the Mother of God as a priceless treasure, and
there they remained even until these days. But now, through the providence and good
pleasure of God, the holy relics are once more given to the faithful, and again the light of
Orthodoxy shineth forth in the English land. Wherefore, stand fair adorn thyself, O England,
thou land of kings! And all ye that dwell therein, rejoice, crying out to the blessed King
Edward, whom the King of kings would fain glorify: Cease not to beseech Christ our God,
that He return thy homeland to the Orthodox Faith!

Ode VII

Irmos: O Lord God of our fathers, Who in the beginning founded the earth and established
the heavens by a word: blessed art Thou unto the ages.

Having fought against the foe, and battling the passions yet more, thou wast shown to be a
victor over both: but conquered by humility thou didst render glory unto God, crying out:
Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
The ranks of angels and the choirs of the righteous, accompanying the holy king who is
received into the Kingdom of Christ, hymn God Who is wondrous in His saints, crying out:
Blessed art Thou, O God.

Departing the sin-loving world out of season, thou didst reach the heavenly home, O
Edward, where thou dost pray unceasingly to the blessed God of thy fathers on behalf of
thine earthly homeland.

Theotokion: Fearing not the fiery furnace, the children that prefigured thee, O Virgin, cried
out in thanksgiving concerning thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Ode VIII

Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mount and Who revealed the mystery of the
Ever-Virgin in the fiery bush, hymn and supremely exalt ye unto all ages!

Celebrating the memory of the divinely honoured king, and marvelling at the wonders that
have been wrought by him, rejoicing in God we cry aloud: Hymn ye the Lord, and exalt Him
supremely for all ages!

Having vanquished all the wiles of hades and put to shame the schemes of the impious,
called to the Heavenly Kingdom thou didst sing, O holy king: Hymn ye the Lord, and exalt
Him supremely for all ages!

Bowing down before thy precious image and calling upon thy name in prayer, O Edward
most God-loving king, we hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Theotokion: To men thou didst reveal Him upon Whom the angels dare not gaze. Reveal to
us also His ineffable mercy, that we may exalt thee supremely for all ages.

Ode IX

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be the true Birthgiver of God,
magnifying thee with the bodiless choirs.

Thou pourest forth healings and receivest the prayers of the faithful, earnestly praying for
them that honour thy memory; wherefore, O Edward, we thankfully magnify thee.

Thy memory is glorious and thy rest is with the saints, for thou dost ever stand before the
throne of God. Wherefore, we magnify Christ Who gaveth thee to the people as a new
intercessor.
From the East even unto the West the Orthodox Faith doth reach. Wherefore, the saints of
God are glorified throughout the world.

Theotokion: Thy kinswoman Elizabeth hath taught us to cry out to thee, O all-pure
Birthgiver of God: blessed art thou among women and blessed is Christ, the Fruit of thy
womb, Whom we magnify unceasingly.

Expostilarion -

Meet it was for thee, who beheld the unwaning Light, to show thy first miracle through light,
O most blessed king; for, lo! a heavenly light enlightened the house wherein the impious had
concealed thy body, and the eyes of the woman blind from birth were opened, and giving
thanks unto God she cried out: Wondrous art Thou, O Lord, Who hast revealed to us Thy
new favourite!

Glory , Now and ever , Theotokion -

Thou coverest all the earth with thy radiant stole and dost embrace the whole world with thy
love, O Birthgiver of God, and receivest the prayers and entreaties of all that call upon thee,
and dost help all before the throne of thy Son, for He hath given thee to man as an
intercessor forever.

At the Praises, these stichera, in Tone II -

Thou dost abide with pious kings in the Heavenly Kingdom, with the fasters and ascetics
thou art praised, with the martyrs thou art glorified, and with all the righteous thou art
blessed, O glorious Edward.(twice)

Earnestly we bow down before thine image, celebrating the commemoration of thine
untimely end; and mindful of the wonders worked thereby, we ask thine aid and assistance,
O Edward, thou righteous king.

O thou that with martyr's blood didst adorn thy royal raiment more than with purple and
amethyst, and who hath received a crown of suffering from the hand of God, thou didst
recline at the banquet of Christ with the elect. Pray thou, O Edward, for our souls.

Glory , in Tone VI -

Lo! the time is shortened: judgement is at the gates! Lo! the souls of the slain cry out for the
justice of God: How long, O Lord, dost Thou not avenge our blood? But they are instructed
to wait patiently until the number of the saved is justified and the mystery of iniquity is
revealed; then the Judge will come, Who will render unto each according to his deeds. Thou,
O most blessed king, shalt receive the portion of the blessed. Wherefore, beseech Christ the
Master, that we may be vouchsafed a place at His right hand.
Now and ever , Theotokion -

O Birthgiver of God and Queen who dost open the portals of God's loving-kindness unto us,
do thou pray to thy Son on our behalf.

At the Divine Liturgy

At the Beatitudes, eight troparia: four from Ode III and four from Ode VI.
Prokimenon, in Tone VII -

The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

Verse: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto Thee.

Epistle to Timothy, Section 292 (II Tim. 2: 1-10).

Alleluia, in Tone IV -

Verse: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall
he be multiplied.

Verse: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God shall they
blossom forth.

Gospel according to Luke, Section 63 (Luke 12: 2-7).

Communion Verse -

In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be, he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.