AT VESPERS

Now and ever…: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “On the third day…”—

At “Lord, I have cried…,” 6 stichera: 3 in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder…”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Now and ever…: Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder…”—

O Stephen, first among the martyrs to suffer, foundation of those who minister as deacons, elect of the apostles: with unwaning light do thou illumine those who celebrate thy radiant festival with splendor, bestowing grace and mercy upon thy servants, O martyr, guiding them to everlasting life by thy supplications.

O Stephen, martyr of Christ, receiving upon thy head a crown of graces in accordance with thy name, having adorned thy neck with a necklace of virtues as with one of gold, thou didst become an all-wise habitation of wisdom, which thou didst cherish, laying it up as something thou didst love; wherefore, thou hast been honored with glory and grace.

O most honored Stephen, first of the martyrs to suffer, crowned with glory and grace, O apostle, when thou wast stoned thou didst offer to our King and God a precious crown, noetical and of greater value than gold and precious stones. Sweet are thy deeds and name. Be thou mindful of us all.

And 3 stichera, idiomela, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone II —

First among deacons and first among martyrs wast thou shown to be, O most holy Stephen; for thy path was to holy things, and thou didst lead many martyrs to the Lord. Wherefore, heaven was opened to thee, and God appeared to thee. Him do thou entreat, that our souls be saved.

In sanctity wast thou clothed, O blessed Stephen, protomartyr and protodeacon, converser with the angels. Intercede with the sinless Savior and Lord, and pray for us.

Let us honor the protodeacon Stephen, the protomartyr and valiant favorite of Christ; for, standing in the midst of the iniquitous, he beheld the Son at the right hand of the Father.

Glory…, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone VI—

First among martyrs and deacons wast thou shown to be, O apostle Stephen, adornment of athletes, confirmation of the faithful, glory of the righteous. As thou standest before the throne of Christ, the King of all, ask thou that they who celebrate thine honored memory be accounted worthy to be cleansed of their sins and to inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Seeing Thee crucified, O Christ, she who gave birth unto Thee cried out: “What strange mystery is this that I see? How is it that Thou diest, suspended in the flesh upon the Tree, O Bestower of life?”

At the Aposticha, stichera from the Octoechos; and Glory…, the composition of Cyprian, in Tone VIII—

Rejoice in the Lord, O crown-bearer Stephen, thou emulator of the Master; for thou wast the first martyr of Christ our King, and didst abolish the deception of the iniquitous Jews; and thou prayest unto the Lord in our behalf.

Beholding Thee nailed to the Cross, O Jesus, accepting sufferings of Thine own will, Thy Virgin Mother cried out, O Master: “Woe is me, O my sweet Child! How is it that Thou must needs unjustly endure wounding, O Physician Who curest the infirmity of man and deliverest all from corruption in Thy loving-kindness?”

For the sufferings which thou didst endure for Christ God, thy head hath been crowned with a royal diadem, O Stephen, first among those who have suffered; for, having denounced the insanity of the Jews, thou didst behold thy Savior at the right hand of the Father. Him do thou therefore entreat in behalf of our souls.

After the dismissal of vespers, the priest vesteth in phelonion and the deacon in sticharion, and, accompanied by candles and censer, they bear the precious Cross into the sanctuary, whilst the troparion “O Lord, save Thy people…” and the kontakion are chanted; and it is placed upon the altar table.