day 17

February 17: Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O all-praised martyrs…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same melody—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

The 17th Day of the Month of February

O all-praised martyr Hermogenes, prison could not conceal thee, but the grace of the Spirit of God received thee. Thou wast filled with the spirit of understanding, and didst contemplate the kingdom of God which was within thee. Pray thou to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same melody—

Commemoration of the Holy Great Martyr

O all-praised martyr Hermogenes, prison could not conceal thee, for thou didst sit therein as upon a throne, and while incarcerated therein thou didst open thy mouth; and didst call upon all Russia to fight for Faith and homeland. Pray thou to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

Theodore the Recruit

O all-praised martyr Hermogenes, prison could not wear thee out, but the great zeal of God seized upon thee, and thou wast filled with fire which would devour the adversary; and while incarcerated in thy dungeon, thou didst shine before God like a lamp. Pray thou to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.

(for this day we provide also the service in honor of St. Hermogenes of Moscow)

Today the hieromartyr Hermogenes standeth before the Mother of God and with us and for us he doth invisibly pray: “O fervent ally, help, save and have mercy on Orthodox Russia, and preserve it beneath the protection of thy goodness!”

February 17: Holy Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia

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

Also on The 17th Day of the Month of February

O city of Moscow, heart of Orthodox Russia, city of great hierarchs, be thou adorned by the new wonder-worker Hermogenes.

Commemoration of the Holy Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

At Little Vespers

O house of gloom, O house of holiness wherein the holy hierarch reposed, be thou glad, for thou hast found grace: the throne of the temple of God.

Stichos: In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.

O sacred house, O holy tomb, glory of the Orthodox, throw thyself open, and be thou a wellspring of ever-flowing life!

O fervent helper, Mother of our God, pure intercessor: with the holy hierarch entreat thy Son in behalf of thy servants.

O foremost hierarch of the Russian land and tireless advocate for it before God, laying down thy life for the Faith of Christ and thy flock, thou didst deliver thy land from ungodliness. Wherefore, we cry aloud unto thee: Save us by thy supplications, O hieromartyr Hermogenes our father!

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.