At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the forefeast, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O all-praised ­martyrs…”—

Troparion of the greatmartyr, in Tone IV—

Beholding the condescension of God, all the earth is glad: the magi bring Me gifts; the sky proclaimeth it from on high with a star; the angels render glory; the shepherds, piping, are amazed; the manger holdeth Me like a fiery throne. Seeing these things, O Mother, rejoice!

Glory…, Now & ever…: troparion of the forefeast, in the same tone—

O mine unoriginate Son, ineffable Offspring of the all-unoriginate Father, clad in the likeness of mine aspect, Thou hast come, the Light of revelation for the nations. For Thou comest to make rich humanity which hath become poor through poverty, wherewith Thou art clad. I hymn Thy loving-kindness, O Lord!

Beholding Me as a Babe resting in thine arms, O Mother, be thou glad; for I have come to take away all the pain of Adam, which he suffered because of the evil counsel of the serpent, tasting of the tree, finding himself removed from the sweetness of paradise, and prey to corruption.

And 3 stichera of the greatmartyr, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “What shall we call you…”—

Disdaining the beautiful things of the world and sparing not thy flesh for them, O honored one, thou didst commit thyself wholly to minister to the saints in godly manner, patiently tending their sores amid their sufferings, and most wisely urging them with thy wise words to be courageous. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Thou didst dispense thy transitory wealth to those in need, O honored one, fervently seeking those things which are eternal, and following the divine steps of Christ with undaunted faith; and thou didst cry out: “I have been wounded with desire for Thee, O Immortal One! Show me forth as a partaker of the divine glory of Thy sufferings, as Thou art compassionate and lovest mankind.”

Having endured a blessed suffering, O Anastasia, thou dost truly ever cleanse our sufferings with the outpourings of thy healings. Wherefore, we call thee blessed, as is meet; we lovingly celebrate thy memory, and bow down before thy relics, drawing forth sanctity therefrom. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, of the greatmartyr, in Tone II—

Having suffered at the tribunal, thou didst receive the gift of resurrection, O all-praised Anastasia. For, routing a multitude of demons, thou didst commit them to the sea, O right-wondrous athlete and martyr.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in Tone IV—

Adorn thyself, O Bethlehem! Sing thou, O city of Sion! Rejoice, O wilderness, betrothing thyself beforehand unto joy! For the star shall come to Bethlehem, announcing Christ Who is to be born; the cave shall receive Him Whom nothing can contain; and the manger is ready to accept Life everlasting. To Him let us all chant and cry aloud: Save Thou our souls, O Jesus our God, Who hast become incarnate for our sake!

On the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

Christ cometh to crush the evil one, to enlighten those in darkness, and to loose those in bonds. Let us go forth to meet Him!

Stichos: God shall come out of Thaeman, and the Holy One out of a mountain overshadowed and densely wooded.

Dance, O Sion! Adorn thyself well, O cave! Make ready, O Bethlehem! For, lo! the Virgin cometh to give birth unto the Christ!

Stichos: O Lord, I have heard Thy report, and I was afraid; O Lord, I considered Thy works, and I was amazed.

Sing praise and glory, ye nations of the gentiles! Ye magi, make haste in earnest, bearing gifts, while the shepherds pipe.

Glory…, of the greatmartyr, the composition of the Studite, in Tone IV—

As the namesake of the life-bearing resurrection of Christ, thou didst most excellently fulfill thy calling with an honorable life, strengthening thy nature. Acquiring courage through wisdom, thou didst weave for thyself a robe dyed purple in thy blood; and, bearing the Cross royally, like a scepter, thou dost reign with God the Savior, O most blessed Anastasia. Him do thou entreat, that He illumine us with His divine glory.

Now & ever…, of the forefeast, in the same tone—

Rejoice, O Isaiah, receiving the word of God; and prophesy unto the maiden Mary, that she is the bush which burned with fire yet was not consumed by the radiance of the Divinity. Adorn thyself well, O Bethlehem! Open wide thy gates, O Eden! Ye magi, come see Salvation wrapped and laid in the manger! The star of the life-giving Lord Who saveth our race hath shone upon the roof of the cave.

Thy martyr Anastasia, O Jesus, crieth out with a loud voice: “I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I suffer; I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism; I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; and I die for Thee, that I may live with Thee. Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice, who offer myself to Thee with love!” Through her supplications save our souls, in that Thou art merciful.

Make ready, O Bethlehem! Open unto all, O Eden! Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave. Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, wherein lieth a divine garden, eating from whence we live, not dying like Adam. Christ is born to raise up His image which before was fallen.