AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera of the martyrs, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O most lauded martyrs…” —

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —

The cruel children of those who put the Lord to death, consumed with envy, betrayed thee, O glorious one; but, invincibly brave, thou hast received the delight of paradise, O Lucillian. Wherefore, pray thou, that Christ grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

The most sacred children and the glorious and holy Paula, the right wondrous martyr, who submitted to thee as to their father, suffered steadfastly with thee; and with them thou now dwellest in the heavens. Entreat Christ, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

Thy shrine ever poureth forth the waters of healing upon those who have recourse thereto, O much-suffering martyr, and washeth away sufferings and drowneth hordes of the demons through the activity of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore, pray thou, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

But if Alleluia be chanted at matins instead of “God is the Lord…”, the foregoing stichera are preceded by the following stichera of the Theotokos, in the same tone & melody —

Rejoice, O pure one, thou strange report! Rejoice, O holy portal, garden of paradise planted by God! Rejoice, destruction of evils demons! Rejoice, two-edged sword severing the head of the enemy with thy strange birthgiving! O most holy and all-immaculate one, call us back who have wandered astray!

O all-holy one, heal thou my soul which hath become sick with wicked passions, for thou gavest birth unto Christ, the Healer and Savior of all, Who hath healed every wound inflicted by the devil’s malice, and hath rescued us from death.

O all-holy temple of God, who art more spacious than the heavens and holier than the cherubim, O divinely joyous and most holy Maiden, fill my mind with grace and illumine the eyes of my heart, granting me forgiveness of all offenses by thy right acceptable mediations.

Woe is me! What shall I become, having defiled mind, soul and body with my transgressions? What shall I do? How shall I abide the unbearable flame and the unbreakable and everlasting bonds? O most immaculate one, before the end entreat thy Son, that He grant me remission!

Stavrotheotokion —

The ewe-lamb and immaculate Mistress, as she beheld her Lamb upon the Cross, bereft of form and beauty, said, lamenting: “Woe is me! Whither hath thy beauty gone, O Thou Who art most sweet? Where is Thy magnificence, where the shining grace of Thy countenance, O my most beloved Son?”