Glory..., in Tone VI —
On “Lord, I have cried...,” these stichera, in Tone VIII —
Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…” —
Troparion, in Tone I —
Wed to the preëternal Word, and having utterly forsaken the folly of idolatry, in the silence of your mouth did ye abide, that ye might hear the word of God in your hearts; and like reason-endowed ewe-lambs were ye sacrificed unto God in your innocence. Wherefore, we cry out to you: Rejoice, ye partakers of the ineffable glory of paradise!
Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Great is the power of Thy Cross…” —
Troparion, in Tone IV —
Like the wise virgins did ye go forth to meet Christ, the Bridegroom Who cometh at midnight, O martyrs; and having woven wedding garments for yourselves from the blood of your suffering, as a dowry to Him did ye offer your lives. Wherefore, we cry unto you: Rejoice, ye who have been crowned in the mansions of heaven!
Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion —
O martyr Valeria, as thy name signifieth strength, stronger than adamant didst thou remain in the endurance of martyrdom. Wounding the proud prince of darkness with the power of the Cross, and entering the heavenly mansions with honor, thou dost look down from the heavens upon those who struggle for the faith, granting them strength. Wherefore, we cry to thee: Rejoice, thou mighty champion of the faithful!
The most pure and precious mouth of Christ hath said: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; fear not those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Laying up these words of the Lord in your hearts, O all-praised martyrs Cyriaca, Valeria and Maria, ye bent your necks beneath the sword in expectation of a crown from God and of life eternal. Wherefore, your hope did not put you to shame; and now, delighting in the mansions of paradise, forget us not who with love hymn your sufferings, that by your bold mediation and fervent supplications we may find great mercy with Christ.
Of old, when the unblemished Ewe-lamb, the immaculate Mistress, beheld her Lamb uplifted upon the Cross, she exclaimed maternally and, marvelling, cried aloud: “O my Child most sweet, what is this new and all-glorious sight? How is it that the ungrateful assembly hath betrayed Thee to the judgment of Pilate, and condemneth Thee, the Life of all, to death? Yet do I hymn Thine ineffable condescension, O Word.”
At the Aposticha: stichera from the Octoechos; Glory... of the martyrs, in Tone III —
Come, ye who love the martyrs, let us hymn those who are crowned with the diadem of suffering! Come, ye lovers of silence, let us glorify those who set a watch before their mouths! Come, ye virgins, with gladness let us praise those who preserved their virginity undefiled! Come, all ye faithful, let us honor the holy memory of those who endured suffering, crying out to them with heartfelt love: Rejoice, O Cyriaca, Valeria and Maria, ye brides of Christ!
A sword pierced thy heart, O all-pure one, when thou didst behold thy Son upon the Cross; and thou didst cry out: “Show me not to be childless, O my Son and God, Who didst keep me a virgin even after I gave birth!”
O reason-endowed ewe-lambs of the Lamb and Shepherd, who finished the race and kept the Faith, by martyrdom ye were brought before Christ; wherefore, with joyous soul we keep your holy memory today, magnifying Christ, O right marvellous ones.
On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera of the hieromartyr, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…” —
With joyful heart and steadfast resolve, O martyr, thou didst truly brave the torments, undaunted by the pangs of the torturers or a violent death; wherefore, having contended lawfully, thou hast been crowned with splendor, O Theodotus.
By the testing of thy flesh thou didst wound the adversary, O blessed one, and didst pierce their hearts with thy rebukes; and with the drops of thy blood which thou didst shed thou didst utterly dry up torrents of ungodliness, O all-blessed one.
Burned steadily with torches and your back lacerated with stripes, thou didst endure, O martyr, crying aloud: “Naught shall ever separate me from the love of Christ — neither death, nor life, nor any other torment!”
If Alleluia be chanted at Matins instead of “God is the Lord…”, we chant these stichera of the Theotokos before the foregoing stichera of the hieromartyr, in the same tone & melody —
Beset by hopeless falls, yet having thee alone as an intercessor, O pure Virgin, we cry out in thanksgiving: Cleanse us, O all-holy Bride of God, for thou art the refuge of the world and the help of our race!
With the rod of thine intercession, O pure Theotokos, quickly drive the bestial passions away from my wretched soul, governing my life in peace, and reckon me among the holy flock of thy chosen sheep.
Sinking in the deep of offenses, yet fleeing to the calm harbor of thine all-pure supplication, O Theotokos, I cry unto thee: Save me, O all-immaculate one, extending thy mighty right hand to thy servant!
Having stumbled headlong through my corrupt character, I lie prostrate, O Virgin, yet I flee to thy serenity. Deliver me from the storm of the adversary and from multifarious temptations, that I may unceasingly hymn thy grace, O ever-virgin Mother and Theotokos.
Stavrotheotokion —
Standing before the Cross of thy Son and God, and beholding His long-suffering, weeping, thou didst say, O pure Mother: “Woe is me, O my Child most sweet! What are these things Thou dost suffer unjustly, O Word of God, that Thou mightest save humanity?”
As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles and didst occupy their throne, thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, O divinely inspired one. Wherefore, speaking aright the word of truth, thou didst suffer for the Faith even to the shedding of thy blood. O hieromartyr Theodotus, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.