At Vespers

Glory..., in Tone II, the composition of Anatolius—

At “Lord, I have cried...,” 6 stichera; 3 for the apostle, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “As one valiant among the martyrs...”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Now and ever..., in the same tone—

Having enlightened thy thought with the grace of the spirit, thou didst appear like an angel in countenance, O Stephen, thy body, luminous with inner splendor, emitting spiritual radiance upon those who beheld thee, for which cause thou didst receive a vision of light, for the heavens were most gloriously opened to thee, thou first among martyrs and their boast.

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

The castings of stones were to thee like steps and a stairway leading up to heaven; for, mounting thereupon thou didst behold the Lord standing at the right hand of the Father, stretching forth to thee the crown for which thou wast named with His life-bearing right hand. Close before Him dost thou stand as a worthy victor, the foremost of athletes.

Now and ever..., in the same tone and melody, the composition of Gerasimus—

Radiant with signs and wonders, thou didst utterly destroy the assembly of the most iniquitous with thy dogmas; and, slain by them, put to death by stoning, thou didst pray for the forgiveness of those who slew thee, emulating thereby the Savior’s cry, into Whose hands thou didst commit thy spirit, O sacred Stephen.

Glory..., the Troparion of the Venerable One, in Tone VIII—

And three stichera to the venerable one, in the same tone and melody—

Now and ever..., the troparion of the feast, in Tone IV:

To the bitterness of thine exile was added the most grievous misery of imprisonment, O venerable one, when he who iniquitously usurped the lawful throne grievously perverted the laws of the Faith and cast down the all-pure image of the Savior. But by the grace of God, O favorite of Christ, thou didst put him to shame.

Neither prison, nor confinement, nor lightless gloom, nor wounds, nor beatings, nor affliction grievous, long and unbearable, nor lack of food, could separate thee from thy love for God, O divinely eloquent father Theodore; for thou didst steadfastly endure them, foreseeing the reward of thy labors.

In place of tribulation hath the just Judge of the contest given thee liberty; in place of darkness, radiance. And for that which was incised upon thy face, O wondrous one, thou hast been inscribed in the Book of Life, and hast been numbered among the firstborn of the Church in the highest, and hast most joyously come to the feast of the angels.

A most splendid crown is offered to the King and Master of all, Who was born on earth, fashioned not of rubies, but resplendent with the drops of thy blood, O Stephen. Come, ye who love the martyrs, and, taking up hymns as they were flowers, let us crown him, and chanting hymns, let us say: O protomartyr, who illumined thy soul with wisdom and grace, entreat Christ God that He grant us peace and great mercy!

A great and most glorious wonder is wrought today: A Virgin giveth birth, yet her womb suffereth no corruption! The Word is incarnate, yet is not separated from the Father! Angels give glory in company with shepherds; and with them we cry out: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...”—

Let us hymn Him Who is now worshipped by angels, shepherds and magi, Who shone forth from the Father before the ages, and, as the Son, ever existeth in the bosom of the Father, Who in latter times hath sat upon His Mother’s arms as upon a throne.

Stichos: From the womb before the morning star have I begotten Thee.

Assembling in Bethlehem, O ye faithful, let us behold the Creator of all lying in a manger and those who bear a choice gift of three substances from the land of Chaldæa to the King and God, Who for our sake was to lie three days dead.

Stichos: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand.

Of the Virgin wast Thou born in the cave, and, surrounding Thee, the angelic armies cried out: Glory to Thee, O God, in the highest, Who hast been born in the guise of a servant, and hast made the world new in the womb of the Virgin, the Mother who hath not known man.

First among martyrs and deacons hast thou been shown to be, O apostle Stephen, adornment of athletes, confirmation of the faithful, glory of the righteous. In that thou standest before the throne of the King of all, beg thou cleansing of transgressions for us who celebrate thine honored memory, that we may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of heaven.

Today all the angels hold chorus in heaven, and men rejoice, and all creation leapeth for joy because of the Lord and Savior born in Bethlehem. For all the falsehood of idolatry hath ceased, and Christ reigneth forever.

Thou didst fight the good fight, and didst denounce the impiety of the tyrants, O protomartyr and apostle of Christ; for, stoned at the hands of the iniquitous, thou hast received from on high a crown from the right hand of the Lord, and didst exclaim to God, crying aloud: O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!

Instructor in Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, beacon for the whole world, divinely inspired adornment of monastics, O Theodore most wise, by thy teachings hast thou illumined all. O harp of the Spirit, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Thy nativity, O Christ our God, hath shone forth the light of reason upon the world; for therein those who worship the stars have been taught by a star to worship Thee, the Son of righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee! Thrice