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.

Kontakion & ikos from the Pentecostarion.

Sessional hymn, in Tone VII—

Thou didst entrust thy kingdom to Christ, O Tamara; wherefore He established it immovable and gave thee glory greater than that of Solomon.

Theotokion: Thou didst hasten to go to the hill country, O all-pure Theotokos, to hear the radiant cry of Elizabeth, which we unceasingly chant.

Come, and during the season of nature’s spring let us gaze upon the noetic spring of the new martyrs, who produce for us all-glorious miracles like flowers.

Irmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the Well-spring of incorruption: Christ Who hath rained forth from the tomb, in Whom we are established.

Sessional hymn of the new martyrs, in Tone I—

Like a wise virgin thou didst acquire the oil of mercy, O all-glorious crown-bearer, and like a phial thou didst bring to Christ the fragrant ointment of the virtues.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion, or this Theotokion, in the same tone—

Now have all things been filled with light, made luminous together by the rising of the Creator. Let the assembly of the faithful celebrate with splendor the memorial of the three passion-bearers.

Glory…: Another sessional hymn, in the same tone—

Having fenced thy borders round about with peace, thou didst in nowise cease to wage war against the passions, O wise queen, Christ giving thee the victory.

Theotokion: Having beheld God, to Whom thou gavest birth in the flesh, risen from the dead as He said, dance thou and magnify Him as God, O pure and all-pure one.

Holding a palm-frond in thy hand as a token of victory, O wise Euphemius, thou didst fearlessly hasten to the slaughter with joy, afire with the love of Christ.

Now & ever…: Sessional hymn from the Pentecostarion.

The mountains gave rise to thee who desirest ever to ponder on things above, O Tamara; wherefore, with wings furnish thou my thoughts, which draw me down, that I may soar aloft, and teach me to appoint ascents in my heart every day, that, strengthened by thee, I may attain unto the habitations on high, where thou shinest in never-waning glory.

Protected by the weapon of the Cross, O holy and glorious Ignatius, like a lion thou didst hasten unto thy hanging; and having contended with the enemy, thou didst win the splendid trophy.

O Mistress, thy Son hath been angered by thy sinful servants, for we have turned the Compassionate One to wrath; yet move Him to mercy, O pure one. Have pity, O Mother of God, and with thine entreaties beseech Him Who is full of loving-kindness, that He deliver us who are in captivity.

“Yesterday Thou wast dead, O Christ,” Acacius cried out as he was beheaded, “and now I am slain for Thy sake! Do Thou Thyself glorify me, O Savior, in Thy kingdom!”

Stavrotheotokion—

Your honored memorial hath shone forth upon us like the sun, O godly new martyrs equal in number to the Trinity, illumining the faithful who celebrate it today; and we cry aloud: O passion-bearers, in our behalf entreat Him Who alone loveth mankind!

Beholding Thee crucified, O Lord, the Virgin cried out to Thee, weeping: “O my Son, I hymn Thine ineffable long-suffering and Thine extreme and divine condescension toward men!”

Cruel forms of torture did ye steadfastly endure, O godly martyred monks, Euphemius steadfast of mind, divine Ignatius and thrice blessed Acacius. Ye have been radiantly glorified in similar ways, and even after death have received from on high the grace to heal the sicknesses of those who with faith hasten to the shrine of your relics. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.