AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the Apostle Bartholemew, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Now & ever…: theotokion, or this stavro­theotokion—

Troparion, in Tone III—

Earnestly let us bless the glorious Bartholemew, the never-setting star of the Sun of great splendor, the animate heaven which proclaimeth the saving glory of God, the divine preacher, the beacon of the nations, the river which poureth forth a stream of understanding and watereth the hearts of the faithful.

Thy paths were revealed in the sea, O apostle, and shown to be beyond the understanding of men; for, cast into the sea in a casket, thou didst make thy way to the West, O most renowned Bartholemew, right glorious martyrs following thee from the East on either side, and rendering homage to thee, at the behest of the Master of all.

With thy wondrous ascents thou didst purify the water, and didst arrive at the island of Lipari, pouring forth myrrh, O glorious one, and healing incurable diseases; and thou becamest for the faithful in that place a savior and refuge, a deliverer and intercessor before the King and Savior of all, O Apostle Bartholemew.

And 3 stichera of the Apostle Titus, in the same tone: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Proclaiming the one Godhead in three Hypostases, thou didst roil the sea of polytheism, and those drowning in the abyss of ungodliness thou didst guide to calm havens, O blessed one. Wherefore, thou hast received heavenly recompense, entreating Him Who loveth mankind, in behalf of those who hymn thee.

Having illumined thy mind with divine radiance, thou didst travel with the sun like a ray thereof, with Paul illumining the benighted, O godly Titus; and with him thou didst deliver the world from deepest night. Wherefore, we call thee blessed, as a God-pleasing hierarch, a divine apostle and fervent ­intercessor.

Hailing from Crete and returning thereto, thou didst establish the true Faith therein as an unshakable foundation, and didst edify the faithful therewith by the divine power of heaven, O blessed Titus, first hierarch of thy homeland, companion of Paul and consolation of the faithful.

Glory…, in Tone I—

Forsaking earthly things, thou didst follow after Christ; and having been marked by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, thou wast sent by Him to the nations who were perishing, to turn the people to the light of the knowledge of God, O Apostle Bartholemew. And having completed the divine feats of thy suffering and undergone divers tortures, thou didst surrender thy soul to Christ, Whom do thou entreat, O most blessed one, that He grant us great mercy.

She who knew not wedlock, beholding Thee nailed to the tree of the Cross, O Jesus, said, weeping: “O my sweet Child, Thou unapproachable Light of the all-unoriginate Father, wherefore hast Thou forsaken me who alone gave Thee birth? Haste Thou, and glorify Thyself, that those who glorify Thy divine sufferings may receive divine glory!”

O holy apostles, entreat the merciful God, that He grant to our souls remission of ­transgressions.