Irmos: Jonah was swallowed, but was not held fast in the belly of the monster; for, serving as an image of Thee, Who didst suffer and wast given over for burial, he issued forth from the whale as from a bridal chamber. And he said to the watchmen, the vain and false guardians: Ye have forsaken His mercy!
Kontakion, in Tone I —
Theotokion: He Who was born of thee in the flesh made thee holier than the angels and higher than all creation; wherefore, as thou art our Mistress, with the new-martyrs of the land of China entreat thy Son and God in our behalf.
[O holy hieromartyr Metrophanes, pray to God for us!]
It is especially worthy to sing thy praise, O first hieromartyr for the Orthodox Faith in China. Bless us from on high, O right laudable father, and offer up prayer unto God for us.
[O holy hieromartyr Metrophanes, pray to God for us!]
Born to a family of Orthodox Christians, thou wast raised well in piety, and from thy youth didst love the True Faith, O right blessed Metrophanes.
[O holy hieromartyr Metrophanes, pray to God for us!]
Remaining unshaken in the Faith of Christ, thou wast counted worthy to suffer for Christ unto death. Wherefore, rejoice, O rule of faith, model of meekness, boast of piety!
[O holy hieromartyr Metrophanes, pray to God for us!]
Even though thou didst consider thyself unworthy of the priestly calling, Nicholas, the great apostle of Japan, raised thee up upon the mountain of pastoral service to thy people; and now, standing before the Trinity with thine all-sacred instructor, do thou earnestly pray, that our souls be saved.
[O holy hieromartyr Metrophanes, pray to God for us!]
Having first watered the field of souls with the sweat of thy ministry, and later strengthened the weak plants with the outpouring of thy blood, even after death thou carest for thy people, O glorious one.
O martyrs of these latter times, ye whitened your garments in the blood of the Lamb, and shed your own blood for Christ; for which cause ye now minister unto Him day and night in the Church of heaven. Wherefore, entreat Christ for us, O glorious martyrs, that He hide His little flock from the beguilement of Antichrist, and that He lead all of us out of great tribulation into a land of never-waning light.
Ikos: The armies of the angels rejoiced when ye fled from the darkness of paganism to the light of Orthodoxy, cleansing your souls and bodies of sins through holy baptism. And having accepted the heavy lot of serving Christ in this age of new paganism, we offer up before your icon such hymns as these: Rejoice, confessors of Christ amid this blasphemous age; rejoice, radiant stars of the East! Rejoice, faithful worshippers of the true God; rejoice, mighty contenders against the demons! Rejoice, beacons dispelling pagan darkness; rejoice, ye who trampled the vile idols underfoot! Rejoice, all-wondrous lilies of China; rejoice, ye who pray fervently for the enlightenment of your race! Rejoice, much-suffering sheep of the Shepherd Who was slain for us; rejoice, towers of God-loving patience! Rejoice, fiery suns of divine love; rejoice, ye who from the night of ignorance attained unto the dawn of the knowledge of God! Rejoice, O glorious martyrs of China, who strengthen us to endure unto the end!
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.