AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera of the hieromartyr: 3 in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “The martyrs of the Lord…”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Abiding in the Faith, as in the vineyard of Christ, for a time thou didst accept the husbandry of pangs in divers forms, O martyr; wherefore, in accordance with thy name thou didst produce the fruit of salvation for the King and Husbandman, O glorious hieromartyr Clement.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Thy twenty-eight years of torture were truly shown to be precious to God and the angels, and to all men, O wise one. Going about the cities and countrysides, subjected to cruel burning and mutilation, and manifold wounds, thou didst not depart from the love of Christ.

Having excelled in pastorship, O hieromartyr of Christ, thou didst undertake feats of suffering, O valorous one, receiving a single crown for both, being adorned in both the priesthood and the pangs of martyrdom. Wherefore, pray thou, that we be saved.

And 3 stichera in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

Thou wast shown to be a branch of the vine of life, grafted thereon with mystic husbandry, O father; wherefore, having been pruned with the pangs of asceticism and cut down by the sword of martyrdom, thou hast mingled for us the wine of compunction, O blessed one. And all of us, having drunk our fill thereof, celebrate thy most sacred memory with faith.

When as priest thou didst offer the awesome, most perfect and transcendent sacrifice, thou didst also offer thyself as thou performed thine office, O most wise one; and with a most earnest heart thou didst mingle thy blood with the Blood of thy Master. And, sprinkled therewith, O blessed and divinely eloquent one, thou wast shown to be wholly pure and most sacred.

Offering in sacrifice the Lamb of God Who cleanseth the world of sin and hath destroyed ­corruption and death, like an innocent lamb thou wast sacrificed, O divinely wise and blessed one, joined to Him by the likeness of His life-bearing death. And now, O right blessed one, thou hast received His kingdom.

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

Thou wast taken about the cities and countryside for twenty-eight years, O thou who wast called by God, beaten, lacerated and crucified for Christ; yet neither the fire, nor the sword, nor wounds broke the firmness of thy soul, and thou didst destroy the might of the demons, O hieromartyr Clement. Wherefore, pray thou to Christ, that our souls be saved.

“I cannot bear to see Thee asleep upon the Tree, Who givest watchfulness unto all, that Thou mayest grant divine and saving watchfulness unto those who of old fell into the sleep of damnation by eating of the fruit!” said the Virgin, weeping, whom we magnify.

Aposticha stichera from the Octoechos; and, Glory…, the composition of Anatolius, in Tone I—

The martyr Clement, wondrous among priests, through long testing by torture hath been vouchsafed ever to receive sweetness and divine riches among the blessed, having anointed many for the contest by his own example, and subdued the flesh, that his mind might transcend death. To him let us cry out, O ye faithful: O glorious great martyr, by thy supplications unto the Lord release us from the chronic state of our passions, and deliver us from evils by thine entreaties.

Standing before the Cross of thy Son and God, and beholding His long-suffering, O pure Mother, thou didst say, weeping: “Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! How is it that Thou dost suffer unjustly, O Word of God, that Thou mightest save mankind?”

Thou hast been given to the faithful, O most sacred one, as a branch of holiness and a stem of struggle, a most sacred flower and divinely bestowed and ever-blossoming fruit. As a fellow sufferer of the martyrs and a fellow-prelate of hierarchs, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.