AT VESPERS

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

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…” —

The great Paul, the sun of the earth, shineth thee upon the world, O blessed and divinely wise one, like a radiant beam, to enlighten with the splendid effulgence of thy words those who of old languished in the night of ignorance.

Thy pure heart, O Aquila of godly eloquence, richly illumined by the brilliant rays of the divine Spirit, was shown to be truly luminous, and destroyed the cruel darkness of the heathen with the grace of God.

They who have recourse to thy divine temple and entreat thee therein with faith, O Aquila, are delivered from all manner of infirmities, from tribulations and sorrows, by thy sacred supplications and intercessions before God, O sacred one.

And 3 stichera for the martyrs, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…” —

With mature mind but a child’s body, O martyr Cyricus, thou didst put to shame the infantile tyrant with manly wisdom. Wherefore, grievously torturing thee at his tribunal, he imposed death upon thee who wast mindful of the life which groweth not old, into which thou hast entered, drenched forever with blood unstaunched.

O glorious Julitta, with spiritual outpourings thou didst bring forth Cyricus who sprang forth from thy womb like a fruitful vine, and is truly slain and trodden out in the tyrant’s wine-press. Pouring forth the wine of compunction with him, gladden the hearts of those who keep your memory with faith.

Having come close to wounds, O right wondrous one, thou didst likewise truly endure the convulsion of thy body; and beholding thy son’s end with thine own eyes, thou didst pass through a double torture, O Julitta. Wherefore, the Judge of the contest bestoweth twofold crowns upon thee, omnipotently granting the victory to those who contend.

Glory…, in Tone VI —

Come ye all, and behold a sight strange and all-glorious! Who hath ever seen a child three years of age putting a tyrant to shame? O, the wonder! He drank of his mother’s milk and cried out to her who had nourished him: “Fear not the tortures of the cruel ruler of this world, O my mother, for Christ is the strength of those who believe on Him!”

The pure Virgin Mother, beholding the most iniquitous men nailing Thee unjustly to the Tree, was wounded in her womb, O Savior, as Symeon foretold.