Ode III

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Sessional hymn, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Thy tomb, O Savior…”—

Thou wast shown to be a sacred speaker of divine mysteries and a theologian, disputing with the assemblies of the Jews and mightily denouncing their godlessness and their disposition which opposeth God, O most excellent martyr Stephen.

Theotokion: Thou hast been shown to be the portal of the noetic Orient, the Most High, Who appeared on earth, O Virgin; for through thee, O all-pure one, the Word hath entered in unto us, to save all from ignorance.

Come ye all, and together let us honor with divine hymns the protomartyr of Christ, the first to minister as deacon, the converser with angels, who hath splendidly shown to the martyrs the starting-point of the race.

Glory…, Now and ever…: Theotokion—

The first of the martyrs, the first of those who were chosen to serve as deacons, appeareth as a treasure hidden in the earth; and he hath filled the world with divine fragrance and the Church with rich gifts.

Resurrect my mind which hath been slain, through the activity of life which was preached by thee, O wise one, that I may hymn thine honored solemnity, and account me worthy to follow in thy footsteps, O blessed Stephen.

O apostle of Christ, first among deacons, wise protomartyr, chief among the martyrs: having sanctified the ends of the earth by thy sufferings, thou hast enlightened the souls of men by thy miracles. From all misfortunes deliver those who honor thee, O most laudable Stephen. Twice

O all-holy Virgin, thou hope of Christians, with the hosts on high unceasingly entreat God, to Whom thou gavest birth in manner past understanding and recounting, that He grant remission of all our sins and amendment of life unto all who glorify thee with faith and love.

Stavrotheotokion—

The unblemished ewe-lamb, beholding the Lamb and Shepherd hanging dead upon the Tree, exclaimed, weeping and maternally crying out: “How is it that Thou endurest this abasement and voluntary suffering which are past recounting, O my Son, O all-good God?”