day 11

June 11: Holy Protomartyrs of China, Slain during the Boxer Rebellion

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Troparion, in Tone V —

Also on The 11th Day of the Month of June

From Christ, the Judge of the contest, have ye received wreaths woven in the heavens, O all-­glorious new-martyrs of the land of China, who in love for God are emulators of the angels. Pray ye in our behalf, that we may navigate the sea of this deceptive life and reach the harbor of heaven. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in Tone V —

Troparion, in Tone IV —

Commemoration of the Holy Protomartyrs of China,

O choir worthy of heaven, ye sacrificed yourselves for the risen Christ, that ye might obtain higher things; and by your pangs and sufferings ye have gladdened multitudes of angels and men. Wherefore, heal the many pangs and sufferings of those who celebrate your memory.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Slain during the Boxer Rebellion

Like stars shining on high in the firmament of the Church of God, ye shed your light upon the Orthodox faithful, gladdening them during their earthly struggle, and filling their souls with the joy which awaiteth those who endure to the end.

At Little Vespers

Glory…, in the same tone & melody —

June 11: Commemoration of the Wonder-working Icon of the All-holy Theotokos, Known as "It is truly meet"

Ye were shown to be luminaries of the Far East, full of heavenly light, and ye destroyed the hellish gloom of the dark madness which is from of old. Disdain not the meagerness of our praises, but ever enlighten with rays of heavenly wisdom the souls of those who honor your struggle.

Also on The 11th Day of the Month of June

Through thee are abundant healings bestowed upon all who have recourse unto thee with faith, O all-pure one, in that for us thou gavest birth unto Christ, the Healer of infirmities. Wherefore, by thy supplications heal thou my soul, that with a pure heart I may hymn thy loving-kindness.

Commemoration of the Wonder-working Icon

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

of the All-holy Theotokos, Known as “It is truly meet”,

Hymning the beautiful corrections of the martyrs of China, we find the faithful intercessors for the faithful to be curative springs of heavenly dew.

& the Miracle Wrought by the Archangel Gabriel

Stichos: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them.

At Little Vespers

Having received enlightenment through the laver of regeneration, ye were later more perfectly baptized in your own blood, O passion-bearers.

June 11: Holy Apostles Bartholemew & Barnabas

Stichos: Many are the tribulations of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver them out of them all.

The 11th Day of the MONTH OF JUNE

Mounting the chariot of your blood, O glorious new-martyrs, ye traveled the path to heaven, and thereby have come to dwell in the new Jerusalem.

Commemoration of the Holy Apostles

Who can worthily hymn the abyss of thy loving-kindness, O all-immaculate Bride of God? Even the wise fall silent and the eloquent are at a loss. But as thy children we cry out to thee: Rejoice, joy of the sorrowful, wealth of the poor, mother of orphans and glory of the downtrodden!

Bartholemew & Barnabas

In a pagan land ye were enlightened by the Orthodox Faith, and having lived in the Faith but a little while, ye have inherited the eternal kingdom. By the purity of your Christian ways ye put to shame false Confucian piety and trampled demon-inspired Buddhism underfoot as refuse, sanctifying the Chinese land with your blood. Wherefore, we pray: Entreat the Master of all, that He enlighten your land with Orthodoxy in these latter times, and strengthen us therein.

(for this day we provide also services in commemoration of the Icon “It is Truly Meet”

Rejoice, impassable gate of the Lord! Rejoice, rampart and protection of those who have recourse unto thee! Rejoice, haven untouched by storms, thou who knowest not wedlock, who gavest birth in the flesh to thy Creator and God! Fail not in thy supplications for those who hymn and worship thy birthgiving!

and the Protomartyrs of China)

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…” —

Come now, O ye who love the feasts of the Church! Ye monastics, come, let us chant the hymn which the archangel hath taught us to sing to the pure Virgin! Come, and with fervor let us hymn her divine majesty, and with love let us bless the truly ever-blessed one, rejoicing today in her temple of the Protaton. Twice

Weaving the hymnody which the Archangel Gabriel chanted to amplify the hymn of Cosmas, O ye divinely wise, with goodly voices today let us together, with love and reverence, hymn this her great miracle, which she wrought this day in the kellion of the hymn; for he taught the novice monk a song unknown to him.

We now bless thee, O ever-blessed Mistress, and with faith we bow down before thy most precious icon, the preserver of the mountain, before which, in the guise of a stranger, Gabriel suddenly came down from heaven and chanted: “It is truly meet to hymn and bless thee, the Mother of the Creator!”

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone I —

Be glad today, O ye multitude of desert-dwellers and cœnobites of the Holy Mountain, and leap up in gladness, chanting hymns of thanksgiving to the Virgin. For, lo! by her forethought, through the coming of the archangel, she hath composed a new angelic hymn for us. It is truly meet to bless and honor her as the Mother of Christ our God, the Creator of all. She is more exalted than the cherubim and beyond compare more holy than the seraphim; and she saveth our souls from misfortunes.

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

It is truly meet ever to bless thee, the Mother of God, who savest those who honor thee, O Theotokos.

Stichos: I shall commemorate thy name in every generation and generation.

O most glorious icon of the Mother of God the Word, protectress of the Protaton, protect us, preserving us from all misfortunes.

Stichos: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.

Coming down from heaven, the Archangel Gabriel sang an angelic hymn before thy precious icon, O pure one.

Glory…, Now & ever, in the same tone & melody —

O all-holy Virgin, hope of Christians, through the grace of thine icon keep thy servants from all harm.

O ye faithful, with boldness let us hasten to the Theotokos, our merciful Queen, and with compunction let us cry out to her: Send down upon us thy rich mercies; preserve our Church; maintain the people in prosperity; deliver our land from every evil circumstance; and grant peace to the world and salvation to our souls.