For nearly twenty years we have been using our own English translation from the original Slavonic of the service to the English King, St Edward the Martyr. Now we are free from the straitjacket of oppression, it is time to publish it.

In it we corrected the many mistranslations, omissions and additions in the foreign translation and also omitted references to venerable Russian saints, like Sts Boris and Gleb, who are not relevant here (the service was composed by a Russian and so gives that perspective). We have also corrected again the Russian cultural confusion between ‘British’ and English’ and sometimes replaced the word ‘relics’ (which exist in only one place) by ‘precious image’, and included the original Epistle and Gospel.

Above all, we have omitted the censorious negativity in the misinformed original in its unproven accusations of murder against St Edward’s stepmother, which were a Norman invention. We have replaced those judgemental accusations, which are so shocking in a liturgical context, with the anonymous word ‘the impious’, leaving God to judge the guilty.

As usual, we do not use the Victorian inversions of the American Hapgood style. She was trying to be more English than the English, with her archaic use of ‘eth’ for the third person verb endings, unnecessary ‘ye’, ‘unto’, ‘upon’, and Latinate Anglicanisms. These are imitations of the style of the old Establishment Anglicanism, to which she as an Episcopalian belonged and which is inimical to our Orthodox Christian Faith.

We also leave aside the use of esoteric and purposely obscure language, which represents the style of the pharisees. Equally, we do not use the ‘anything goes’, ‘make it up as you go along’ style of translation of modernism. The first such translations represent the desire of some for the Establishment religion of old-fashioned Anglicanism and Catholicism, which is political conservatism and old calendarism, the second translations representing political liberalism and new calendarism.

Orthodoxy is and cannot be any of these. Orthodoxy is Christianity. The Church is for all, which is why our translations represent the mainstream and not tiny fringe groups, which try to spread an ideology, and not the Word of Christ. There are those individuals who arrogantly impose and try to force us to speak a foreign language. They do not respect other nations as their equals. We reject their jargon or ‘idiom’ and do not use it in our services.

 

Service to the Holy Martyr Edward, King of England

Commemorated on 18 March

At Vespers

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 at the dawn of its enlightenment, thou didst shine forth in many virtues and wast pleasing to God: therefore, 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 visit the sick, rendering judgement and justice to thy people, O Edward, Who honours God.

Thou didst grant thy precious relics like a great treasure to those who honour thy memory, O Edward. Therefore, thou dost heal the divisions of those who have recourse to them and by thy prayers to God fulfil their petitions which are of profit.

And these stichera, in Tone II.

The iniquitous took counsel against thee, O Edward, likening themselves to 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 envy 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 the slaughter.

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

Glory… Tone VIII.

It is not on a hunt that thou goest 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 beast-like traitors. Yet leaving 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… Dogmatikon to the Mother of God in the same tone.

Three readings from Isaiah.

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

Come, let us make haste to King Edward, he who was pleasing to 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, praying unceasingly.

Glory… in Tone VI.

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

Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone.

Thou, O pure Bride of God, dost meet and comfort all who suffer sorrows in this earthly life, bringing them consolation and drying every tear from their eyes. Therefore, intercede for all who are in misfortunes and sufferings, granting them swift deliverance, for thou dost assuage every sorrow.

At the aposticha, these stichera, Tone VIII: Special Melody: ‘O most glorious wonder …’

O, glorious wonder! O Divine Providence! A most precious treasure, hidden beneath the earth to preserve it from desecration, is uncovered at the end of the times; for, lo! the holy relics of the martyred king are revealed as a new and much-healing wellspring for all who 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, I have found David my servant.

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

Verse: For this I have anointed thee, O God, thy God with the oil of joy more than thy partakers.

O, the wealth of the wisdom of God! O, the Providence of God! The holy relics of the martyred Orthodox king are entrusted to the Orthodox Church! Therefore, let us now bow down with faith, calling on the crowned passion-bearer in prayer: and let us fervently offer thanksgiving to Christ God, Who has granted us such a treasure and ever shows us forth His mercy.

Glory … Tone III.

A valiant warrior who fought against the armies of the foe, O Edward, thou didst array thyself yet more against sinful passions; and revealed as a glorious victor over both, clothing thyself with humble wisdom as with a breastplate, thou didst render glory and honour to Christ God.

Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone.

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

Troparion, Tone IV.

Celebrating the newly-revealed memory of the holy Edward, who of old shone forth in the virtues and suffered innocently, and bowing down before his precious image, in gladness we cry aloud: truly Thou art wondrous in Thy saints, O God! (Twice)

Rejoice, O Mother of God…

At Matins

At God is the Lord, troparion to the saint twice. Glory… Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone, ‘The mystery hidden from the ages…

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

Passing through the time of the fast in spiritual feats, thou, O Edward, didst ready thy soul for a meeting worthy of the feast of feasts, the holy Easter Festival. But leaving thy life on earth of a sudden, thou didst glorify the Resurrection of Christ in His Kingdom, rejoicing with the angels and the righteous and watching over thy people from heaven.

Glory… Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone.

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

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

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

Glory… Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone.

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

Polyeleos and Magnification:

We magnify thee, O holy passion-bearer King Edward, and we honour thy precious sufferings, which thou didst suffer for the sake of Christ.

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 those who honour thee may through Him receive the Kingdom of Heaven.

Glory… Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God, in the same tone.

O Sovereign Lady, accept the prayers of thy servants, and deliver us from all want and sorrow.

After Psalm 50, this sticheron, Tone VI.

Though thou didst toil but a little while in the field of Christ, yet having toiled diligently, thou didst receive the promised payment from the hand of God, and didst show thyself to be a faithful steward. Therefore, thou hast entered into the joy of the Lord and acquired boldness before Him, ever interceding for thy people.

Canon to the holy King Edward, the original acrostic of which is: ‘I sing of the memory of the pious King Edward’, Tone VIII.

Ode I

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

Let us worthily hymn with songs Edward the King, who shone forth in piety and was glorified by God with many miracles.

Now let the English land keep festival and let the Orthodox Church make glad, glorifying the memory of the divinely wise king.

Having suffered out of season unrighteous killing, thou didst acquire boldness before God, O Edward. Therefore, thou dost grant healings to those who honour thee.

Hymn to the Mother of God: The ranks of angels and the choirs of the righteous, monks and laypeople, poor people and kings, together hymn the Birthgiver of God.

Ode III

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who flee to Thee, O Lord. Thou art the Light of the benighted and my spirit hymns Thee.

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

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. Therefore, thou didst enter into the joy of thy Lord.

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

Hymn to the Mother of God: Let us unceasingly hymn the Virgin Birthgiver of God, Queen of Heaven and boast of earthly kings, unshakeable pillar of the Church of Christ and unassailable rampart of the Kingdom of God.

Sessional Hymn, Tone III.

As the pre-eminent Peter said, in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is acceptable to Him; thus, the saints and the righteous from the ends of the earth have entered into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, O holy passion-bearer and king, come from the West and living righteously, was slain unrighteously out of bitter envy, now partaking of everlasting joys remember also us who honour thee and cry out: Truly art thou wondrous in Thy saints, O God!

Glory… Now and ever… in the same tone.

As an uncultivated vine, O Virgin, thou hast put forth the fairest cluster of grapes, which pours forth the wine of salvation for us, gladdening the souls and bodies of all. Therefore, blessing thee as the cause of good things, with the Angel we ever cry out to thee: Rejoice, thou art full of grace.

Ode IV

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

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

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

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

Hymn to the Mother of God: 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 divine beauty.

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 shone on the woman who was blind from birth when she touched thy body, O King Edward. Therefore, her eyes were opened and she glorified God and thine intercession.

Thy tomb has been shown to be a wellspring of healings for all who have recourse to it with faith, beseeching enlightenment and consolation.

Open the eyes of our hearts also, O Edward, who gavest light to the eyes of the woman born blind, that we may behold God’s most wise providence for us and glorify His power.

Hymn to the Mother of God: Let us not fall idle in our unceasing praise of her who is more honourable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, gazing with the eyes of our minds on her greatness and magnifying her mercy with ardent hearts and warm love.

Ode VI

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the nethermost abyss, O Christ God, as Thou lovest 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 down in repentance before them, but the power of the Lord then forbade them.

With other kings, thou didst bring thy 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 perdition, rendering justice and righteousness and feeding the wretched, showing thyself worthy of a royal throne, most wise and right glorious Edward.

Hymn to the Mother of God: May they who do not honour thee as the Birthgiver of God be clothed with shame and fear, denounced by all creation which unceasingly hymns thee.

Kontakion, Tone IV.

As a faithful king and bright martyr, thou didst shine forth in the English land; suffering the wounds and blows of the enemies of the Church and the Sovereign Land, who fell upon thee, thou didst soon pass over to our Saviour; now thou workest a multitude of wonders for those who cry to thee with faith: Cease not to beseech Christ God, that He may return thy homeland to the Orthodox Faith!

Ikos: Lo! the fullness of time is come! Arise, people who bear the name of Christ. For behold! the righteous Judge Who sees all things, mindful of His mercies and compassion, and wishing to fill the dried-up wellspring of piety with life-bearing streams, has revealed to 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 as a priceless treasure and there they remained even until these days. But now, by the providence and good pleasure of God, the holy relics are once more given to the faithful and again the light of Orthodoxy shines forth in the English land. Therefore, stand fair, O England, thou land of kings! And all you who dwell therein, rejoice, crying out to the blessed Edward, whom the King of kings would fain glorify: Cease not to beseech Christ our God, that He may 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 foes, and battling the passions yet more, thou wast shown to be a victor over both: but urged on by humility thou didst render glory to 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.

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

Hymn to the Mother of God: Fearing not the fiery furnace, the youths who prefigured thee, O Virgin, cried out in thanksgiving for 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 burning bush to Moses, hymn and exalt Him supremely unto all ages!

Celebrating the memory of the godly king and marvelling at the wonders that have been wrought by his precious relics, rejoicing in God we cry aloud: Hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely unto all ages!

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

Bowing down before thy precious image and calling on thy name in prayer, O Edward the king most dear to God, we hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely unto all ages!

Hymn to the Mother of God: Thou didst reveal to men Him, on Whom the angels dare not gaze. Reveal to us also His unutterable mercy, that we may exalt thee supremely unto 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 dost pour forth healings and receive the prayers of the faithful, earnestly praying for those who honour thy memory; therefore, O Edward, we gratefully magnify thee.

Thy memory is glorious and thy rest is with the saints, for thou ever standest before the throne of God. Therefore, we magnify Christ Who gave thee to the people as a new intercessor.

The Orthodox Faith reaches from the East even unto the West. Therefore, the saints of God are glorified throughout the world.

Hymn to the Mother of God: Thy kinswoman Elizabeth has 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 shone forth on the house where the impious had concealed thy body, and the eyes of the woman blind from birth were opened and giving thanks to God she cried out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Who hast revealed to us Thy new favourite!

Glory… Now and ever… Hymn to the Mother of God.

Thou dost cover all the earth with thy radiant stole and embrace the whole world with thy love, O Birthgiver of God, receiving the prayers and entreaties of all who call on thee, and helping all before the throne of thy Son, for He has given thee to mankind as an intercessor forever.

At the Praises, these stichera, Tone II.

Thou dost abide with pious kings in the Kingdom of Heaven, with the fasters and ascetics thou art praised, with the martyrs thou art glorified and with all the righteous thou art blessed, O glorious king 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 for thine intercession and help, O righteous king Edward.

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

Glory… Tone VI.

Lo! the time is shortened: judgement is at the door! 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 completed and the mystery of iniquity is revealed; then will come the Judge, Who will render to each according to his deeds. Thou, O most blessed king, shalt receive the portion of the blessed. Therefore, beseech Christ the Master, that we may be vouchsafed to stand at His right hand.

Now and ever… in the same tone. O Queen and Birthgiver of God, who openest to us the doors of divine mercy, pray to thy Son, with the king and passion-bearer to have mercy on our souls.

At the Liturgy

At the Beatitudes, eight troparia from Odes III and Ode VI.

Prokimenon, Tone VII: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.

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

Epistle to the Romans, Section 99.

Alleluia, 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 John, Section 52.

Communion Verse.

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