AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “What shall we call you…” —

Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —

What shall we call thee, O glorious one? Offering of Hellas, in that thou didst hail therefrom? Cleansing of Phœnicia, in that thou wast martyred there? Lamp, for thou didst shine forth in the darkness? Valiant one, in that thou wast not vanquished by those who beat thee? Far-reaching is thy fame, O most blessed Leontius! Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

What shall we name thee, O passion-bearer? Soldier of Christ, in that thou wast a destroyer of the enemy? Ruler of the passions, in that thou wast an athlete of piety? Feeder of the hungry, in that thou didst love the poor? righteous one, in that thou wast a zealot of heavenly wisdom? Divers were thy sufferings and most splendid thy contest. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Who doth not marvel at thee, O Leontius? For, receiving a wellspring of incorruption as a dweller in paradise, thou pourest forth rivers of benefaction upon the faithful, without fee dost offer abundant gifts to all those who thirst, and dost gladden those who partake of the waters of goodness. Pray thou, that our souls be saved.

Glory…, in Tone I —

O all-praised athlete Leontius, neither fire, nor wounding, nor the sword were able to separate thee from the love of Christ; but, suffering manfully in the midst of the tormenters, thou didst abolish the offerings made to idols, O divinely wise crown-bearer, and now dost dance in the heavens. Earnestly pray thou for our souls.

Standing before the Cross of thy Son and God and gazing upon His long-suffering, the pure Mother said, weeping: “Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! How is it that Thou ­sufferest undeservedly, O Word of God, that Thou mayest save mankind?”