At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, these stichera of the martyrs, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast given a sign…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Troparion, in Tone V—

The most wise Abibus, the wondrous Samonas and the glorious Gurias, the passion-bearers who have formed a common choir for the faithful, now join chorus with us in joy and are glad, for it hath been given by God to the souls of the martyrs to behold noetically things that are taking place.

Now & ever…: Theotokion.

Having endured pangs and unbearable torments, and suffered valiantly, O ye who are equal in number to the Trinity, Samonas, Abibus, and Gurias the divinely wise, ye now enjoy eternal and beautiful delight, Christ presenting to you the reward for your labors. Him do ye fervently entreat, that our souls be saved.

Now & ever…: Theotokion.

Having put in at the calm haven, life untroubled and right tranquil serenity, O blessed passion-bearing martyrs, ye have now exchanged that which is below for an abiding sojourn in dispassion, receiving honors from God, as is meet, as reward for your labors and pangs.

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 martyrs, in the same tone & melody—

Rain down upon me, O Mistress, the abyss of thy mercy, and as thou art merciful, O Maiden, water thou my heart, which is consumed by the heat of the passions, I pray, and cause it to pour forth unceasingly drops of compunction, whereby, O pure one, I may be vouchsafed consolation which they receive who shed tears of sincerity.

O Mistress, take pity upon me who am shaken by the demons’ assaults and am thrust into the pit of perdition, and establish me upon the rock of the virtues; and, destroying the councils of the enemy, vouchsafe that I may follow the precepts of thy Son and our God, that I may receive remission on the day of judgment.

Wash away the defilement of my wretched heart, O most hymned Theotokos; cleanse my wounds and sores, which are the result of sin, O pure one, and calm the inconstancy of my heart, that I, thy passion-plagued and useless servant, may magnify thy power and thy great protection.

The weakness and despondency of my soul do thou transform into health and power, O most immaculate Virgin Mother, that with fear and love I may work and perform the justifications of Christ, that I may escape the unbearable fire, and, ever rejoicing, through thee may receive the portion of heaven and life which passeth not away.

Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Seeing Christ, Who loveth mankind, crucified, His side pierced by a spear, the all-pure one cried out, weeping: “What is this, O my Son? How have the thankless people rewarded Thee for the good things Thou hast done for them? And dost thou hasten to leave me childless, O most Beloved? I marvel at Thy voluntary crucifixion, O Compassionate One!”

But if “God is the Lord…” be chanted, we sing: Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone II—

Edessa rejoiceth, for it hath been enriched by the shrine of the holy Gurias, Samonas and Abibus, and, summoning the Christ-loving flock, it crieth out: Come, ye who love the martyrs, and illumine yourselves on their splendid memorial! Come and rejoice, ye who love the feasts of the Church! Come and behold the heavenly luminaries who lived on earth! Come and hear what a bitter death the valiant and steadfast ones endured for the sake of everlasting life! Wherefore, as guarantors of the Truth, they saved the virgin cast alive into the grave, and committed to damnation, as a pitiless murderer, the vile one who reviled them. And they pray earnestly to the Holy Trinity, that those who with faith celebrate their memory be delivered from corruption and temptations, and from all manner of tribulations.

At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos; and Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone II—

Come, all ye who love the martyrs, let us honor with hymns the warriors of Christ, Gurias, Samonas and Abibus, who all-gloriously work miracles; for they did not refuse to respond to the oath of the maiden, but, fulfilling her petition, saved the virgin, wreaking vengeance upon the all-iniquitous Goth. Through their supplications, O Christ God, save us, in that Thou art good and lovest mankind.

O Christ God, Thou hast given us an impregnable rampart in the miracles of Thy holy martyrs. Through their supplications destroy Thou the councils of the heathen and strengthen the scepters of kingdoms, in that Thou art good and lovest mankind.