AT VESPERS

**At** Lord, I have cried **Prosomia.**

Or Cross-Theotokion.

Tone 1.

Blessed Martyr, inspired by God, with the dye of your own blood you have made bright your sacred and godly robe; you have advanced with true religion from power to power and from glory to glory; and now intercede that there may be given to our souls God’s peace and great mercy.

As a lawful priest you once offered to God the sacrifice without shedding of blood; but later as a true martyr, through shedding of blood you offered yourself, O inspired and all-honoured, as a whole burnt offering and an acceptable sacrifice to Christ: implore him for those who sing your praise.

Armies of martyrs you offered to Christ by your counsels and exhortations, glorious Martyr inspired by God, urging and teaching and providing your own self as an example; with them intercede that there may be given to our souls his peace and great mercy.

Hemmed in on every side by dangers, whither shall I, miserable and wretched, flee, O Lady? Unless I flee to you, pure Virgin, as my only help, hope of the hopeless, bride of God; and do not despise me, your unworthy servant, O ready help of the afflicted.

‘A sword has passed through my heart’, said the Virgin, as she saw Christ hanging on the tree, ‘and it rends me, as Symeon foretold to me of old. But arise, O Immortal, and glorify your Mother and handmaid with yourself, I implore’.