Ode III

Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the Lord.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Go thou quickly before…” —

Having acquired a right beautiful character, wisdom and grace from God, O Leontius, thou wast shown to be a true athlete and a chosen martyr.

Theotokion: Rejoice, O Mother who knewest not wedlock, who contained God the Word within thy womb and gavest birth to Him incarnate, both God and man.

“Lay down your life for the living God,” thou didst say to thy peers, O Leontius, “and as soldiers serve ye the King Who abideth ­eternally!”

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Thy honeyed and God-loving tongue poured forth words of piety and brought down the blasphemers, the minions of ungodliness.

Taking up the Cross as a weapon, thou didst go off to do battle with invisible foes, suffering valiantly. Wherefore, having destroyed their power, thou hast received the grace of miracles, O all-glorious martyr Leontius, praying that we be saved.

O pure and most immaculate one who knewest not man, and who alone gavest birth in time to the timeless Son and Word of God: With the holy and honored patriarchs and martyrs, with the prophets and the venerable, entreat Him, that He grant us cleansing and great mercy.

Stavrotheotokion —

Thine all-pure Mother, as she beheld Thee, O Word of God, suspended upon the Cross, cried out, lamenting maternally: “What is this new and awesome wonder, O my Son? Why is it that Thou, the Life of all, dost taste of death, desiring to bring life to the dead, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness?”