At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

The wondrous Thyrsus, the divinely wise Callinicus, and the glorious Leucius, confessing the uncreated Trinity, with most courageous resolve endured torments most grievous and intense, and as victors have received crowns of victory, becoming fellow citizens with the immaterial hosts.

The great Philemon, Adrian most rich and the wise Apollonius quenched the flame of polytheism with torrents of blood, watered all the earth with divine streams of the knowledge of God, and dry up rivers of the passions with showers of healing and grace divine, in that they are our fervent defenders.

The glorious martyrs, the most beauteous flowers, blossomed forth in the meadow, emitting the divine fragrance of the Spirit, and perfuming the thoughts of those who with faith honor their annual memorial, their sufferings and struggles, and their godly end. Wherefore, they dwell, rejoicing, in never-waning light.

But if Alleluia is to be chanted at Matins instead of “God is And three stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone and melody—

[These stichera are only chanted on weekdays during the Nativity Fast, if the pastor elect to serve the services in lenten fashion, with the chanting of “Alleluia” at Matins instead of “God is the Lord.” In such a case, at Vespers the stichera of the Theotokos are chanted first on “Lord, I have cried...,” followed by the stichera of the saint.] the Lord…”, the following stichera of the Theotokos are chanted before the foregoing stichera of the martyrs, in the same tone & melody—

O Mistress, rain down upon me the depths of thy mercy, and as thou art merciful, O Maiden, give drink to my heart, which hath been consumed by the burning heat of the passions; cause drops of compunction to pour forth continually, I pray, whereby I may be vouchsafed the consolation, O pure one, which those who shed tears in sincerity shall receive.

O Mistress, take pity on me who am shaken by the assaults of the demons and cast into the pit of destruction; and establish me upon the rock of the virtues. *And destroying the counsels of the enemy, vouchsafe that I may follow the precepts of thy Son and our God, that I may receive remission on the day of judgment.

I have fallen among vile and murderous thieves, O most immaculate one, and by their assaults, O Maiden, I have been stripped of the incorrupt garments of heavenly splendor, and have been pitilessly wounded by them and cast down in a place of affliction, barely alive. Yet go thou before me, extend thy hand and raise me up, I pray.

I lie upon the bed of despondency, O most immaculate one, and pass my life in slothfulness, and I fear the time of mine end, O Theotokos. Let not the most evil serpent mercilessly rend my lowly soul asunder like a lion. Wherefore, going before me in thy goodness before mine end, raise me up to repentance.

Stavrotheotokion—

Beholding Christ crucified, Who loveth mankind, O all-pure one, His side pierced by a spear, thou didst cry aloud, weeping: “What is this, O my Son? How hath the ungrateful people rewarded Thee for the good Thou didst do them? And dost Thou hasten to leave me childless, O most Beloved? I marvel, O Compassionate One, at Thy voluntary crucifixion!”