AT VESPERS

**At** Lord, I have cried**, Prosomia. Tone 4. As noble among martyrs.**

Cross-Theotokion

As noble among Martyrs with the dye of your blood you made for yourself a garment of salvation, O all-praised, and radiant by the Spirit you were betrothed to the immortal King, who keeps you as a most fair and spotless virgin unblemished, uncorrupt to age on age in heavenly bridal chambers.

Acquainted with tortures, close neighbour to fire, steadfast under the rending of the flesh, nobly enduring the boiling of cauldrons, you were not worsted by thoughts, you did not sacrifice to wooden idols; but bowing your neck to God, by the punishment of the sword, bearing the wreath of victory you mounted to the heights.

Resplendent with the splendours of virginity, all-praised Martyr, you blazed in the struggles of martyrdom, for you were not persuaded to worship idols, but endured the unjust slaughter, made scarlet by your own blood; and now, wearing the garland of victory, you stand before God, the Master, made radiant by the brightness that floods from him.

I call you blessed, O All-pure, who snatched mortals from the deep of evil and despair; I hymn you, Bride of God, the ever-blest, and I glorify your revered and ineffable child-bearing, for you, O Virgin, gave birth to the Saviour of the world, and freed humanity from the ancestral curse.

When the Virgin, your Mother, saw you, Lord, hanging upon the Cross, she was amazed and gazing intently at you she said: How have they repaid you, those who enjoyed your many gifts, O Master? But I beg, do not leave me alone in the world; hasten to arise, raising with you the forefathers.