AT MATINS

After the 1st Reading of the Psalter, Kathismata of the Apostles.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

Tone 7

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

You declared your Apostles, Lord, to be husbandmen of your field by rooting out the idols; and so they proclaimed you, the Saviour, to the nations and devoutly magnified you.

Glory. Both now.

**Theotokion.**

Their sound has gone out into all the earth; and their words to the end of the world.

All-praised Disciples of the Lord, who like torches shed light throughout the earth, intercede for me amid the darkness of passions and faults.

The fruit of your womb, Immaculate, is the fulfilment of the Prophets and the Law; and so as we glorify you with knowledge as Mother of God we devoutly magnify you.

After the 2nd Reading of the Psalter, others.

As lamps of the world, Apostles of the Lord, you make the word flash out for the faithful, as you utterly dispel the fog of error; therefore as ever-honoured Heralds of the Trinity you enlighten the nations by Baptism.

The heavens confess your wonders, Lord; and your truth in the Church of the Saints.

Prophets have proclaimed beforehand, Apostles have taught, Martyrs have confessed and we have believed that you, O Christ, are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

The eye-witnesses of grace proclaimed you, Virgin, to be heaven new manifest on earth, for you contained in your womb the God of heaven, who made that which He had assumed a thing of heaven.

After the 3rd Reading of the Psalter, others.

On earth you did not love earth’s glory, Glorious ones; by proclaiming the God of heaven to humans you led them all to him.

God is wonderful in his Saints, the God of Israel. ****

Of the Martyrs.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, armed with the power of the Cross, wounded the foe and shamed the deception of idols; and so with the Angels they hymn you, shouting the triumphal hymn and glorifying you, O Christ. At their entreaties grant us your great mercy.

The fruit of your womb, O Bride of God, was shown to be the cause of salvation for humans; and so, glorifying you as Mother of God with mind and tongue, we faithful magnify you.