Aposticha of Lauds, of the Martyrs.

Tone 1.

Of the Dead.

Come, all you peoples, and let us honour with hymns and spirituals songs Christ’s Champions, the beacons of the world and heralds of the Faith, the everflowing source from which healings spring up for the faithful. At their intercessions, Christ our God, grant peace to your world and to our souls your great mercy.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

These soldiers of the great King opposed the decrees of tyrants, nobly despised their torments, and having trampled on every error, been fittingly crowned, they ask of the saviour peace and for our souls his great mercy.

If Alleluia is sung we say the above Verses of the Martyrs at Lauds; but at the Aposticha the following Prosomia, composed by Theophanes. Their Acrostic is: [1]

All-praised Martyrs, nor tribulation, nor suffering, nor starvation, nor persecution, nor scourgings, nor the rage of wild beasts, nor sword nor threatening fire could separate you from God; rather through love for him as though in bodies not your own you struggled and surpassed nature, despising death; and so you have fittingly received the reward of your toils and have become heirs of the Kingdom of heaven. Intercede unceasingly for our souls.

All-praised Martyrs.

Be glad in the Lord, you Martyrs, because you have fought the good fight; you have stood against Kings and defeated tyrants; you were not frightened by fire and sword; when wild beasts were devouring your bodies you raised a hymn with the Angels to Christ and received the crowns from heaven, asking that peace be given to the world and his great mercy.

Verse: Blessed are those whom you have chosen and taken, O Lord.

Showing by deed, my Saviour, that you are the resurrection of all, by a word, O Word, you raised up Lazarus from the dead. Then the bars were smashed, the gates of Hell confounded; then the death of mortals was revealed to be a sleep. But do you, who came to save your creature and not to judge, give rest to those whom you have chosen, for you love mankind.

Verse: Their souls will dwell among good things.

Hail Mary, Mother of God, for you gave birth to the King, the Saviour and radiance of all the ages.

Verse: And their memorial is from generation to generation.

Write your servants, O Christ, in the book of the living.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

We entreat you, Saviour, grant to the departed sweet participation with you. Settle them in the tents of the Just, in the mansions of your Saints, in the heavenly dwellings, in your compassion overlooking their offences and granting them repose.

No one is sinless, no one, save you, O only Immortal; therefore as you are a merciful God, establish your servants in light, with the choirs of your Angels, in your compassion disregarding their iniquities and granting them repose.

Far above visible things are those which you have promised, O Saviour, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered the heart, O Master. Be well-pleased that they who have passed over to you may enjoy a loving share in them, O Master, in your merciful compassion.

Joyful and trusting in your Cross, O Saviour, your servants have departed to you. Grant it, O Master, as a ransom for their offences. For them you poured out the life-giving and precious stream of your Blood: grant them also the enjoyment of your glory that knows no evening.

Implore Christ, your child, O Virgin Mother, to grant pardon of offences to your servants, who devoutly proclaimed you and with true reason declared you to be Mother of God, and count them worthy of the splendour and brilliance of your Saints in your Kingdom.

[1] This acrostic goes through all eight tones.