With choirs and timbrels do we greet thee, O Queen, who comest to the heavenly Jerusalem, crowned by the hand of the Almighty, entering into the holy and eternal city; and, according to the words of the apostle, thou bringest thine own glory into it, as a gift to Christ God.

¶8

Now & ever…: Doxasticon from the Pentecostarion, or Theotokion; or this stavrotheotokion, in the same tone—

¶9

Troparion, in Tone II—

¶10

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

¶11

Adorn thyself, O land of Iberia! Ye mountains and hills, leap up! Ye torrents, clap your hands in gladness! Ye people, hold festival! For, lo! your queen is received with honor into the eternal mansions and standeth forth before the dread throne of the King of kings, that she may ever offer supplications for her race.

¶12

Glory…, Now & ever…: from the Pentecostarion, or this theotokion, in the same tone & melody—

¶13

O holy Nina, who didst emulate the apostles and enlighten the land of Iberia with the Christian Faith, come now and greet the glorious Tamara, who hath increased thy goodly sowing, hath brought forth fruit an hundredfold for Christ, and hath reaped both earthly and heavenly glory.

¶14

Glory…, in Tone V—

¶15

Who is this who is as brilliant as a beam of light, like the right luminous moon, shining like the sun, as terrible as a legion with banners? She is the mighty mistress of the land of Iberia, the humbly wise handmaiden of Christ, the earnest servant of His Church, the wise lover of Orthodoxy, the ease and consolation of the prudent and the pious, the fear and humiliation of the impious, the tireless advocate of our race. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Rejoice, O Tamara, divinely beauteous queen!

¶16

Wholly assuming my form, God the Creator clothed Himself therein, desiring to restore the form of Adam which fell of old; and though innocent He was lifted up upon the Cross and stretched forth His hands, healing the hands of old stretched forth in their weakness to eat of the tree. And the most pure one, beholding Him, exclaimed: “What is this Thy long-suffering, O my Son? I cannot bear to see Thee suspended aloft upon the Cross Who holdest all the ends of the earth in the palm of Thy hand!”

¶17

At the aposticha, the stichera from the Pentecostarion; and Glory…, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O venerable father…”—

¶18

Christ blessed thy kingdom with prosperity, and thy glory reached even unto the ends of the earth, O Tamara of great renown; for while protecting thy borders with peace thou didst not cease to wage war against the spiritual passions; wherefore, having vanquished the enemies of thy land and the enemies of thine immortal soul, and delighting in tranquility, thou didst offer up unceasing thanksgiving to God.

¶19

When the unblemished ewe-lamb beheld her Lamb led to the slaughter of His own will as a man, she said, lamenting: “Dost Thou now hasten to leave me childless, who gave Thee birth, O Christ? What is this Thou hast done, O Deliverer of all? Yet do I hymn and glorify Thine extreme goodness which passeth understanding and recounting, O Thou Who lovest mankind!”

¶20

Having served the King of kings diligently on earth, O Tamara, queen of great renown, thou didst enter with honor into the heavenly Jerusalem and didst bring to Christ thy glory as a gift; wherefore, celebrating and joining chorus today, with joy we unceasingly cry: Glory to Him Who hath given thee glory! Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee! Glory to Him Who granteth unto all the fullness of forgiveness by thine intercession!

¶21

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 8 stichera: 3 from the Pentecostarion, and 5 for the martyred monks, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

¶22

Celebrating today the new and joyous feast of Thy new martyrs in this time of spring, O Christ Who lovest mankind, with faith we offer their struggles unto Thee as most fragrant flowers, as right melodious larks graciously hymning Thy divinity and filling the hearts of the Orthodox with joy. Twice

¶23

Today the material spring hath gladdened material creation, while the resurrection of Christ, the noetic spring, hath shone forth and, spiritually restoring the nature of men, noetically spreadeth gladness. And now a threefold springtime hath come: the celebration of the three athletes imparteth threefold delight to the senses of our souls and bodies.

¶24

O beauteous and goodly youths, ye blessed new martyrs, ye stand before Christ, wearing the forms of your tortures like ornaments of kingship, the wounds of your pure flesh like precious stones, the outpouring of your blood like a robe of purple, and bearing the Cross with glory like a scepter; and ye rejoice with the angels.

¶25

O glorious new martyrs equal in number with the Trinity, unvanquished and most steadfast athletes, truly divine Euphemius, Ignatius and steadfast Acacius, who have now founded a new festival: Cease ye never to offer supplications for us unto the Master of all, O right wondrous ones.

¶26

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

¶27

Today three radiant and most beautiful suns have shone forth in the firmament of the Faith: the all-radiant trinity of the wise new martyrs of Christ! Assembling in their honored temple, O ye faithful, let us crown them with hymns of spring, saying: Rejoice, O ye three most glorious athletes, ye newly erected fortresses and most renowned foundations of the Orthodox Faith! Rejoice, O great Euphemius, who explained the divinity of Christ before the infidels and wisely refuted the demonic falsehood of the Moslems, and who, going before the Passion of the Lord with palm-fronds and branches, didst show thyself to be a victorious athlete, and didst open the most splendid contest of martyrdom to the three fellow athletes who came after thee! Rejoice, O glorious Ignatius, who didst emulate the true sufferings of Christ and with the noose of thy hanging didst strangle the devil! Rejoice, O most honored Acacius, who in the outpouring of thy blood didst dye for thyself a royal robe of purple, wherein thou standest before the throne of the Godhead! O ye three true habitations of the unconfused Trinity, cease ye never to pray to the Lord in our behalf.

¶28

Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.

¶29

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings—

¶30

But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well-drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill-dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

¶31

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign forever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.

¶32

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.

¶33

At Litia, these stichera—

¶34

In Tone I: O wondrous ones, ye have been shown to be the boast of holiness and the glory of martyrdom; for, having taken up the Cross of Christ as ascetics, ye passed through the most glorious contest of martyrdom, and having gloriously accomplished the cleansing of yourselves through as martyrs, ye stand, purified, before the pure throne of Christ. O most glorious crowned ones, ye three new martyrs—great Euphemius, Ignatius steadfast of mind and most radiant Acacius,—rejoicing with the martyrs and the venerable ones, pray ye to the Lord in our behalf.

¶35

In Tone II: Like springtime of gladness hath the thrice radiant festival of the new martyrs shone forth today! Come, therefore, O ye who love the feasts of the Church, and let us celebrate with splendor, spiritually delighting in their struggles and battles for Christ: for, having constrained their nature, they surpassed all in holiness; and, consumed by the love of the Lord, they hastened to martyrdom of their own will; and, having joyfully drained the glorious cup of death, they have received the crown of victory, as most glorious victors and champions. Yea, O Euphemius, Ignatius and Acacius, joining chorus now with the angels in the heavens in the never-ceasing dance, ask peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.

¶36

Glory…, in Tone V—

¶37

Sing unto the Lord a new song! Chant unto Him, all the earth! For His three new martyrs Euphemius, Ignatius and Acacius, setting forth a new feast, with love of wisdom receive those who love them and have come together, and, setting before them an immaterial banquet, they offer them their struggles for Christ like divers foodstuffs. Come ye, therefore, and, tasting thereof noetically, let us rejoice in spirit and say unto Christ the Master with all our heart: Blessed art Thou forever, O Lord Who hast shown these who loved Thee to be vanquishers of sin and hast set upon them crowns of glory! Wherefore, vouchsafe that we also may emulate their virtues and receive an equal glory. O greatly merciful Lord, glory be to Thee!

¶38

Now & ever…, from the Pentecostarion.

¶39

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O Lord, even though at the tribunal…”—

¶40

O Lord, Thou didst know the glorious Jeremiah even before he was created, and Thou didst sanctify the prophet before his birth, and from infancy, as one who knew freedom of understanding beforehand. Through his supplications save our souls, in that Thou art merciful.

¶41

O Lord, even though the holy Jeremiah was cast into a cesspool, yet did he noetically acquire a beautiful sweet fragrance, for he dwelleth in the mansions of paradise. By his supplications preserve us all, in that Thou art our Benefactor.

¶42

O Lord, the prophet, shining with Thine all-radiant beams, was seen even by his opponents to be blessed and honorable; for the adversary was put to shame by his virtues; and he foresaw the things of the future as though they were present ascents.

¶43

O Bride of God, regard thou the sighing of my contrite heart; accept the lifting up of my hands, O pure Virgin Mary, in that thou lovest mankind, and reject it not, O most immaculate one, that I may hymn and magnify thee who hast magnified our race.

¶44

Stavrotheotokion—

¶45

Standing at the foot of Thy Cross, the all-immaculate one cried aloud: “O my Son, unoriginate Word of the Father, Who art equally enthroned with the Spirit, how is it that Thou hast stretched out Thine all-pure hands upon the Tree? How hast Thou impoverished Thyself so greatly, O All-good One?”

¶46

Celebrating the memory of Thy prophet Jeremiah, O Lord, through him do we entreat Thee: Save Thou our souls.

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.