AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Thou wast an invincible commander, a valiant athlete, and a universal beacon, illumining the ends of the world with the dawning of thy miracles and dispelling the heavy darkness of the demons, O great Sabbas, thou adornment of martyrs, fellow citizen of the holy incorporeal ones, who prayest for our souls.

Or this troparion, in Tone V—

Incarcerated in prisons, burned with fire, tortured with many torments, torn asunder upon a tree, afflicted with winter’s cold, and unceasingly afflicted with frequent wounds, thou didst remain unshaken, O athlete, ­receiving with fervor a blessed end in the ­waters.

A comely youth wast thou, O thou who art most rich, ever marvelled at by all. Thou didst fearlessly set thyself apart for the labors of suffering, and with thy holy and great struggles didst raise up standards of victory against all enemies. Wherefore, O right wondrous one, we honor thee in praise.

With the outpourings of the all-holy Spirit bedew thou my thought, O thou who gavest birth to Christ, the Rainfall Who, by His compassions, hath washed away the infinitely countless iniquities of men. Dry up the well-spring of my passions, and, by thy supplications, do thou ever vouchsafe unto me a torrent of living nourishment.

Stavrotheotokion—

When she saw Thee, the Lamb and Shepherd, upon the Tree, the ewe-lamb who gave Thee birth lamented and maternally exclaimed to Thee: “O my Son most desired, how is it that Thou art hanging upon the tree of the Cross, nailed by the iniquitous, and hast shed Thy blood, O Master?”

In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs have received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they cast down their torments and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By their supplications save Thou our souls.

Abandoning earthly rank and honor, O athlete, thou didst confess Christ God before the false and tyrannical emperors, and for His sake thou didst undergo many sufferings, O glorious one. Wherefore, splendidly adorned with the armies of heaven, thou hast been crowned with a most beautiful wreath of victory by the King Who reigneth over all. Standing before Him, O Sabbas, pray thou that He save our souls.