At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the martyrs, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

The glorious Hermylus and the divinely wise Stratonicus, the wondrous pair, confessing the uncreated Trinity, vanquished the falsehood of polytheism after many wounds and tortures, and, having been crowned with the wreath of victory, they pray that peace and mercy be granted to the ends of the earth.

As a servant of the Word, O martyr Hermylus, the choice of the divine Spirit, staining the vesture of the priesthood with the flow of thy blood, thou didst truly make it more sacred and splendid. And thou hast now passed over to the noetic kingdom, becoming a most fervent intercessor for those who honor thee.

Having endured the blows of the hammer at the command of the tyrant, ye were cast into a basket; and, receiving a blessed end, both being drowned in water, ye thereby wisely choked the exceeding crafty foe. And ye now dwell most joyously in the heavens, praying for all, o most valiant athletes.

And 3 stichera of the venerable martyrs, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “What shall we call you, O holy ones…”—

Ye struggled greatly, O saints, and valiantly endured the invasions of the barbarians; and, earnestly rendering up your souls at the stroke of the sword, ye were crowned with martyrs’ wreaths and dwell with the angels, as is meet. Great was your endurance and greater still your gifts! Pray ye, that our souls be saved.

O saints of Christ, ye struggled, willingly spurning the fleeting pleasures of life and valiantly subduing carnal knowledge; and, perishing by the sword for Christ, ye have received crowns from heaven. Ye lawfully disdained the sword, and trampled tortures underfoot, that ye might be arrayed together in crowns of suffering. Pray ye, that our souls be saved.

Valiantly emulating the struggles of the martyrs, ye lived a life of goodness, O holy ones, and have received crowns from heaven. And ye lawfully disdained the sword as ones who trampled torments underfoot, that together ye might be arrayed in crowns of suffering. Pray ye, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, the composition of the Studite, in Tone VIII—

O venerable fathers, having studied the law of the Lord day and night, ye were vouchsafed to be grafted onto the tree of life, and the fruit of your suffering hath budded forth wreaths. As ye have boldness before God, the Judge of the contest, ask for us cleansing and great mercy.

Now & ever…, the composition of John the monk, in the same tone—

The hand of the Baptist trembled when it touched Thine all-pure head. The River Jordan turned back, not daring to minister unto Thee; for if it was in awe of Joshua son of Nun, how could it not have been stricken with awe by its own Creator? O our Savior Who alone lovest mankind, Thou hast fulfilled all Thy dispensation, that Thou mayest save the world by Thine epiphany.