AT VESPERS

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Steered by the Word the blessed hieromartyrs sailed easily across the threefold waves of the passions, and were entrusted with the task of healing the sufferings of men with the waters of fervor. Their relics were given sacred burial, and richly pour forth healings upon those in need. O ye faithful, let us unceasingly honor them as is meet, for they pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Wearing purple robes dyed in the blood of martyrdom, and wielding the precious Cross as a scepter, rejoicing, the godly martyrs reign with Christ, having desired willingly to suffer for Him: Polyenus manifest in holiness, Acacius and Menander, and the divinely wise Patrick. And, rejoicing now, they stand before the throne of Christ, praying with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Desiring the kingdom of Christ, the blessed and valiant ones preferred a temporary death as though it were food, manfully enduring starvation and the pain of wounds. Wherefore, they have become the helpers of all the faithful, imparting health in abundance to their souls and bodies. O ye faithful, as is meet let us now joyfully hymn them, for they pray to the Lord in behalf of our souls.

But if this day fall within the fast, the following stichera of the Theotokos are chanted before the above stichera of the saints, in the same tone & melody—

Rejoice, O thou fulfillment of the law! Rejoice, O temple of the Holy Trinity, thou incorrupt Bride! Rejoice, thou divine chariot of the King of all! Rejoice, O immaterial fire, bearing the burning Coal in thine arms as with tongs, O new paradise of Him Who closed the garden of Eden, O divine and all-radiant table, undefiled dove, throne of the Most High, noetic bower of God, O Maiden whom the Holy Spirit overshadowed.

Do thou quickly visit me who have been wounded by the assaults of the demons, as by robbers, and who ever lie, unable to move, on the path of this inconstant life, O all-immaculate one, asking mercy; and do thou pour forth wine and oil upon mine incurable wounds, and restore me to health, that I may glorify thee and hymn thy mighty words with love, as is meet, O pure one, thou Ever-virgin Mother.

Because of mine evil character I have fallen headlong and been enslaved by wicked falsehood, O Bride of God; yet, wretch though I am, O all-holy Maiden, I flee to thine all-wondrous loving-kindness and fervent aid. Deliver me from the bonds of temptations and grief, and save me from the attacks of the demons, O all-immaculate one, that I may glorify and hymn thee with love, and do thee homage and magnify thee, O ever-blessed Mistress.

From the sea-monster’s belly of wicked sin do thou lead me up, O Mistress, who contained the Infinite One in thy womb. Deliver me from the cruel waves of temptations, and rescue me from the tempest of falls, O Maiden, drying up the abyss of mine iniquities, and repelling the present hordes of the demons by thy divine assistance, O pure one, that I may unceasingly glorify thee, the ever-blessed one.

Stavrotheotokion—

When of old the unblemished ewe-lamb, the immaculate Mistress, beheld her Lamb upon the tree of the Cross, she exclaimed maternally and, marvelling, cried aloud: “O my Child most sweet, what is this new and all-glorious sight which I behold? How is it that the ungrateful assembly hath betrayed thee to the judgment of Pilate, and condemneth to death the Life of all? Yet do I hymn Thine ineffable condescension, O Word!”