At Vespers

Glory..., in Tone VI—

On “Lord, I have cried...,” six stichera: three stichera to the martyrs, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “O most glorious wonder...”—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “On the third day...”—

O most glorious wonder! The comely Acepsimus, the minister to the martyrs, is crowned today with a wreath of hymns. He presenteth us with the suffering to which he was subjected for his worship of God, and doth wound the incorporeal foe. O, what liberal gifts of grace he hath received! Through his prayers save Thou our souls, O Christ, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness.

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this Stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel: “On the third day...” —

O most glorious wonder! Joseph hath shone forth from Persia like a star. Destroying the abomination of sorcery by the Spirit, he hath extinguished the ungodly worship of fire with the streams of his blood. O, the strength wherewith he cast down the demons! Through his prayers, O Christ, save Thou our souls, in that Thou art compassionate.

Glory..., to the Great Martyr, in the same tone—

O most glorious wonder! The steadfast Aïthalas, the namesake of a champion of suffering, is shown to be an ever-blossoming garden, which, cut down, doth bloom with wounds, and when slain doth but begin to live. O, the strength of nature which he endured! Through his prayers, O Christ, save Thou our souls, in that Thou art compassionate.

Now and ever..., Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…” —

And 3 stichera to the greatmartyr, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel: “As one valiant among the martyrs...”—

O passion-bearer George, converser with the angels, dweller with the martyrs, who art ever the refuge of the sorrowful: Be thou a haven of tranquility for me who sail through life, and direct my life, I implore thee, that with unwavering faith I may bless thy supernatural struggles.

Preserve me as I sail upon the sea, as I set out upon the way, and as I sleep at night; and when I am awake illumine my mind, O George, and teach me to do the will of the Lord, that on the day of Judgment I may find remission of the sins I have committed in my life, by fleeing to thy protection, O glorious one.

Arrayed in the breastplate of faith, armed with the shield of grace and the spear of the Cross, thou wast invincible to the adversary, O George. And, having conquered legions of demons as a divine warrior, thou dost hold chorus with the angels; and, entreated by the faithful, thou dost sanctify and save them, preserving them.

Thou didst live in accordance with the meaning of thy name, as is meet, O warrior George; for, taking the Cross of Christ upon thy shoulders, thou didst till well the ground which had been made barren by the deceit of the devil; and, having uprooted the thorns of idolatrous worship, thou didst plant the vine of the Orthodox Faith. Wherefore, thou dost pour forth healings upon the faithful throughout all the world, and hast been shown to be a righteous laborer of the Trinity. Pray thou, we entreat thee, for peace for the world and the salvation of our souls.

Beholding our Life suspended upon the Tree, the all-immaculate Theotokos cried out, lamenting maternally: O my Son and my God, save those who hymn Thee with love!

At the Aposticha: Glory..., of the martyrs, the composition of Ephraim of Karyes, in Tone VI—

The three children who were preserved unconsumed by the fire in Persia were mystically a foreshadowing of your thrice-radiant oneness of mind and your martyrdom in Christ, O athletes of the ineffable Trinity and the supernatural Unity; for as they braved the flame and did not rail against God, so ye also did not refuse to die, for the love of Christ not sparing your lives. But, as in their midst there appeared a Fourth Who bedewed them, so also Christ, Who is One of the Trinity, hath received them in a place of coolness. O Acepsimus, Joseph and Aïthalas, elect of God, pray ye for our souls.

Beholding Thee crucified, O Christ, she that gave Thee birth cried out: “What strange mystery is this that I see, O my Son? How is it that Thou dost die, hung aloft in the flesh, O Bestower of life?”

In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs have received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they cast down the tormentors and set at naught the feeble audacity of the demons. Through their prayers save Thou our souls.

O great martyr George, thou victor and champion of kings, as a liberator of captives, a defender of the poor and a physician for the afflicted, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

Beholding Thee crucified, O Christ, she who gave Thee birth cried out: “What is this strange mystery which I see, O my Son? How is it that Thou diest, suspended upon the Tree, O Bestower of life?”