AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…” —

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…” —

Troparion, in Tone IV —

Like stars of surpassing splendor, O all-praised passion-bearers, ye illumine the ends of the world with divine radiance, dispelling the darkness of the demons, the corrupting passions and misfortunes. Wherefore, assembling today, O glorious ones, we praise your luminous, light-bearing and holy festival.

With sacred hymns let the wondrous Manuel, the blessed Sabel and the all-wise Ismael, be honored; for, confessing the uncreated Trinity in sacred manner in the face of the enemy, they extinguished the falsehood of polytheism with the outpouring of their blood, and have received glory which fadeth not away.

O blessed Manuel, Ismael and Sabel of great renown, ye wisely put to shame the lawless king who iniquitously commanded you to worship and render honor to his mindless, inanimate gods; and, having suffered patiently and lawfully, ye have woven for yourselves wreaths of victory, praying for the world.

Glory…, in Tone VIII —

The glorious martyrs, loving Thee in purity, O Word of God, having forsaken the worship of fire and spurned the land of Chaldæa, were illumined by Thy light; and having armed themselves with the weaponry of faith, they put the tyrant Julian to shame. The glorious Manuel, the wondrous Sabel, and Ismael thrice rich, hymning Thee with the Father and the Spirit, do pray that our souls be saved.

“What is this sight that I see, which mine eyes behold, O Master? Thou Who sustainest all creation, dost die, lifted up upon the Tree, granting life unto all!” weeping, the Theotokos said when she beheld the God and man, Who had shone forth from her ineffably, uplifted upon the Cross.

In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set the tyrants at nought and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By their supplications save our souls.