At the Aposticha, Stichera from the Octoichos.

**By Anatolios.**

Glory. Tone 4.

**Theotokion. As noble among Martyrs**

With the Prophet you watered your couch with tears and made repentance the concern of your life, showing us by actions and through words the fear of judgement. Therefore as we come together, All blest and honoured Ephrem, worker of wondrous deeds, we honour your memory; and now we beseech you: Intercede with Christ God on behalf of our souls.

Or Cross-Theotokion.

All-holy Bride of God, deliver me from condemnation, and free my wretched soul from dread offences and from death by your prayers and grant that on the day of trial I may obtain the justification that the companies of the Saints gained by repentance, when I cleansed by floods of tears.

**Theotokion. When from the Tree.**

When the Lamb who gave you birth saw you, the Lamb and Shepherd on the tree she grieved, and cried out as a mother, ‘My Son so dearly loved, how have you been suspended on the tree of the Cross, O long-suffering? How have your hands and feet been nailed by lawless men? How, Master, have you poured out your blood?’

Or Cross-Theotokion.

Apolytikion. Tone 8.

With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert, and with your deep groans your made your toils bring forth fruit a hundredfold, and you have become a beacon, shining in all the world by your wonders: Venerable Father Ephrem, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

**Tone 2. By Kyprianos.**

You flourished like the palm tree in the psalm, Venerable Father Ephrem, cutting out the tongues of the blasphemers with the sword of your words; by self-mastery you dried up the deeps of the passions; you were revealed as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, taking up the weapon of the Cross. Without ceasing implore Christ for us who celebrate your all-festive memory.

Joy of all the afflicted, defence of the wronged, nourishment of the hungry, consolation of strangers, haven of the storm-tossed, visitation of the sick, protection and assistance of the drowning and staff of the blind your are, O Mother of God. We implore you, O Immaculate, hasten to deliver your servants.

When you saw the Maker of the universe enduring many affronts and hanged on Cross, O All-immaculate, you groaned and cried, ‘Lord beyond praise, my Son and my God, how, when you wish to honour what you fashioned, do you bear dishonour? Glory to your great compassion and condescension, Lover of humankind!’

The rest of the Office of matins as usual and Dismissal.