At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 for the martyrs, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “As one valiant among the martyrs…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Rejoice…”—

As is meet, O right glorious ones, ye were truly shown to be a divinely assembled regiment, a sacred army, a godly company, a holy nation, a legion of martyrs inspired by God, a comely gathering, an unbreakable alliance, inhabitants of the city on high. Wherefore, ye are called blessed, as is fitting.

Assembling together, let us all honor Nicander and Hesychius, Athanasius and Mamas, the divine Barachius and Callinicus, Theogenes and Nicon, Longinus and Theodore, Valerius and Xanthius, Theodulus, Callimachus and Eugene, the godly Theodochus and Ostrychius.

Together let us hymn with faith the true witnesses: the valiant Hieron, the glorious Epiphanius, Maximian and Ducitius, Claudian and Theophilus, and the godly Gigantius, Dorotheus and Theodotus, Castrycius, Anicetas and Themelius, as well as Eutychius.

And 3 stichera for the venerable one, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “Having set all aside…”—

Having set aside all the folly of the passions and made thy flesh subject to thy spirit, thou didst become a rule of virtue, the confirmation of monastics, a model for fasters, the adornment of the venerable. And now thou dost behold the ineffable beauty of thy Creator, ever nurtured by the Spirit on the beauties of heaven. Wherefore, having assembled, we celebrate thine honored and most festive memory in hymns, with sweet songs.

Thou didst cut off all the heavy burden of matter and the greatly riotous tumult of the flesh, and, controlling thy breathing, O wise one, thou didst remain unaffected by the passions, strong as a pillar, through spiritual armor and valorous mind. And now thou hast truly received the divine vision and splendor, and hast taken thy place before Him Whom thou didst desire, delighting in His never-ending radiance, deified by thy posture.

Loving the light, like Elijah and John the luminary, thou didst observe stillness in the mountains and arid deserts, ever learning divine ascent and excelling in the way of the virtues. Wherefore, thou hast attained thine ultimate desire, O all-wise one, and, rejoicing, dost stand before the thrice-radiant light of the Trinity; and receiving divine splendor directly therefrom, thou prayest with boldness in behalf of our souls.

Glory…, in Tone V—

O venerable father, thou gavest neither sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids, until thou didst free thy soul and body from the passions and didst prepare thyself to be a dwelling-place of the Spirit; and Christ, coming with the Father, made His abode within thee. As thou art a favorite of the consubstantial Trinity, O great preacher Lazarus our father, pray thou in behalf of our souls.

The ewe-lamb, beholding her Lamb hastening to the slaughter, followed quickly, crying out to Him these things: “Whither goest Thou, O Jesus, my Child most sweet? Wherefore, O Long-suffering One, dost Thou run this rapid course so straight? O sinless Jesus, greatly Desired One, most merciful Lord: grant speech unto me, Thy handmaid. O my compassionate Son most beloved, pass me not by in silence who gave birth to Thee in strange manner. O most compassionate God, grant great mercy unto the world!”