AT VESPERS

Glory...; Now and ever..., in the same melody—

On “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “Called from on high....”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Shedding the garments of mortality through divers manners of torture, O glorious martyrs, ye clothed yourselves in the divine vesture of incorruption; and ye now dwell in the heavens, ever standing before the throne of the Divinity, O divinely blessed and all-radiant ones. Wherefore, we celebrate with faith your most splendid memory and we kiss the shrine of your relics with reverence.

Healing from illness is imparted by divine power unto men who approach. The meager dust of the bodies of the passion-bearers through grace poureth forth a wellspring of miracles. Draw nigh, O ye people, and let us draw forth health of soul and health of body, giving utterance unto cries of thanksgiving, and saying: O Savior of the world, Thou long-suffering One, for Whose sake the honored athletes suffered; by their prayers remove us from all harm.

O right-victorious martyrs, your relics for many years lying hidden in the earth, ye have now been revealed as a treasure of great value, enriching the Imperial City above all other cities, borne in the hands of a wise hierarch, brought with honor into the church of God, given unto those who ask for their health and benefit, for the enlightenment and help of those who accept you as faithful favorites of God.

As thou art an intercessor for our whole race, O all-immaculate Theotokos, from every assault of the enemy save those who piously bow down before thy birthgiving; for thee have we all now acquired as our help, our refuge and confirmation, and mediatress before Christ our Lord and Master. Him do thou beseech, we pray thee, that He grant peace unto the world, and remission of sins unto those who have recourse to thy protection.

Or, this Stavrotheotokion—

Lament Me not, O Mother, seeing thy Son and God, Who suspended the earth unsupported upon the waters and fashioned all creation, suspended upon the Tree; for I shall arise and be glorified, and shall break the kingdom of hades with strength, and destroy its power; and as I am compassionate, I shall deliver those who are bound by its malice; and I shall lead them to My Father, in that I love mankind.

In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs have received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set at nought the tyrants, and have crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By their prayers save Thou our souls.