Thursday March 05, 2026 / February 20, 2026
The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith,/ a model of meekness and a teacher of abstinence/ wherefore thou hast attained the heights through humility/ and riches through poverty.// O hierarch Leo our father, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.
The Church hath thee, O most blessed one, as a great beacon shining more brightly than the sun./ By thy supplications preserve it invincible, unshaken and unharmed by any heresy,// in that thou art ever-memorable.
The Monastery of the Caves of Pskov, famous from of old for miracles of the icon of the Mother of God, hath raised many monks for God. There also the venerable Cornelius fought the good fight, glorifying the wondrous Mother of God, enlightening the heathen, and saving monks and many of the people, marvelously adorning and fortifying his habitation. And there also he bravely received the crown of martyrdom after many years as pastor. Wherefore, O ye people, let us hymn Christ God and give thanks unto His all-pure Mother, for He hath given us the glorious hieromartyr as a right blessed advocate for our souls.
Thou wast a radiant lamp of Orthodoxy and the twofold defense of the land of Pskov, O father, uprooting polytheism and guiding the people to God. By thee was the house of the Mother of God strengthened and made glorious; and, adorned with the virtues, thou didst receive the crown of martyrdom. O venerable martyr Cornelius, be thou mindful of us, thy children, as thou prayest to the Lord.