Saints Cyril and Methodius

 

O God, who enlightened the Slavic peoples through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius: grant that our hearts may grasp the words of your teaching and perfect us as a people of one accord in true faith and right confession: through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit: one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Ad Officium lectionis: Marbodus 1123

Dum sacerdótum célebrant fidéles

festa sollémni veneránda cultu,

in tuas laudes honor hic redúndat,

  summe Sacérdos.

Cuius ex dono potuére patres

sémitas lucis pópulos docére,

móribus sanctis régere atque verbo

  páscere vitæ.

Sed nec advérsis póterant movéri

a tuæ certo fídei tenóre,

quos futurórum rata præmiórum

  spes animábat.

Unde post vitæ frágilis labóres

rite decúrsos, pátrias adépti

cælitus sedes, sólida beáti

  pace fruúntur.

Glóriæ summum decus atque laudis,

rex, tibi, regum, Déitas perénnis,

quicquid est rerum célebret per omne

  tempus et ævum. Amen.

Whenever the faithful celebrate the venerable feasts of priests with solemn worship, this honor redounds in your praise, O great High Priest. For it is only by your gift that the Fathers teach the people the paths of light, that they are able to direct with holy lives, and nourish with the word of life. But they would not be able to be aroused in adversities but by holding securely faith in you, these pastors whom hope animates with the certainty of future rewards. Wherefore after the frail labors of life, rightly finishing their course, going to the fatherland, blessed and seated in heaven, they enjoy lasting peace. Highest honor and praise of glory, to you, O King of kings, eternal Godhead, whom all things celebrate, now and forever. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas: Marbodus

Hi sacerdótes Dómini sacráti,

consecratóres Dómini fidéles

atque pastóres pópuli fuére

  ímpigro amóre.

Namque suscéptæ benedictiónis

dona servántes, studuére, lumbos

fórtiter cincti, mánibus corúscas

  ferre lucérnas.

Sicque suspénsi vigilésque, quando

iánuam pulsans Dóminus veníret,

obviavérunt properánti alácres

  pándere limen.

Glóriæ summum decus atque laudis,

rex, tibi, regum, Déitas perénnis,

quicquid est rerum célebret per omne

  tempus et ævum. Amen.

These were holy priests of the Lord, consecrated to be faithful to the Lord and pastors of the people with eager love. For preserving the gifts of blessing received, with their loins girded they were zealous to bear in their hands brightly shining lamps.  And so waiting and watching for the Lord to come knocking on the door, ready they hurry to meet him who opens the threshold.  Highest honor and praise of glory, to you,  O King of kings, eternal Godhead, whom all things celebrate, now and forever. Amen.

Ad II Vesperas: Petrus Piacenza

Sacráta nobis gáudia

dies redúxit ánnua,

laudántur in qua débito

cultu duces ovílium.

En pro gregis custódia

nullos labóres néglegunt,

tutántur illum, sánius

impertiéntes pábulum.

Arcent lupos e fínibus,

procul latrónes éxigunt,

replent oves pinguédine,

ovíle numquam déserunt.

Tot nunc potíti gáudiis,

gregum duces sanctíssimi,

nobis rogáte grátiam

apud tribúnal iúdicis.

Ætérne, Christe, póntifex,

tibi sit æqua glória

cum Patre et almo Spíritu

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

The holy day year by year returns to us joys, when the pastors of the sheepfold are praised with due honor. See the guardians of the herd do not neglect any work, they watch over the flock, imparting to it healthier food.  They keep the wolves from the sheepfold,  drive far way the robbers, feed the sheep with finest fat, never deserting the flock. Now the most holy pastors of the flock who have obtained so many joys, pray grace for us before the tribunal of the Judge. O Christ, eternal High Priest, to you be equal glory, with the Father and Holy Spirit, in eternal ages. Amen.