At Vespers

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

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Thou didst desire the goodly name given to martyrs, O much suffering passion-bearer, and didst endure pangs with bold resolve, O most blessed one, expecting to be translated to the rest which is devoid of pain, and seeking to receive heavenly honors, a dwelling-place in paradise, never-waning light and everlasting life.

Thou didst endure the most savage of pangs: the tearing away of thy finger-nails, cruel piercing, molten lead and the severing of thy head, and didst join the choir of athletes, rejoicing, O much suffering one. Wherefore, we celebrate thine annual memorial, O athlete Boniface, converser with the angels.

Sending thee, her manservant, before her, O Boniface, Aglaïs acquired a divine master who tamed the passions, attained mastery over tyrants, cast down the enemy, and was arrayed in a crown of victory. Wherefore, having constructed for thee a holy temple all-adorned, she enshrined thee therein, praising thee in sanctity.

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.]

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 have been cast into the pit of destruction; and establish me upon the rock of the virtues. 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 rend my lowly soul asunder without pity, like a lion. Wherefore, going before me in thy goodness, before mine end raise me up to repentance.

Stavrotheotokion—

Beholding Christ, Who loveth mankind, crucified, 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!”