Canon of the Venerable Theoctiste, in Tone VI—

Exapostilarion: Spec. Mel: “Hearken, ye women...”—

Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart is established in the Lord.

Kontakion to the venerable Matrona, in Tone II: Spec. Mel: “Having received grace...”—

Glory..., Sessional hymn to the venerable one, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel: “That which was commanded...”—

Sessional hymn to the martyrs, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Thy tomb, O Savior...”—

Confessing the Word equally with the Father and the Spirit, the martyrs manfully repelled the threefold waves of torments in the arena.

Theotokion: Look down and save me, O all pure one, for, in manner past recounting and past understanding, thou gavest flesh to God the Word, Who ordereth all things, at the divine behest.

Thou hast shown the childless to be fruitful and hast made barren women to rejoice in children, O Mary, who art quick to hear. Who, therefore, doth not marvel at thy mighty works, O Virgin?

Exapostilarion—

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the Light of the benighted, and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Kontakion to the martyrs, in Tone II: Spec. Mel: “Seeking the Highest...”—

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

Sessional hymn, in Tone I—

Having set thy feet firmly upon the rock of confession and faith, O martyr Onesiphorus, thou wast not moved by the winds of wounds.

Theotokion: The Creator united Himself to the flesh in thy womb, O all-pure one; and, abiding there, He became man, that He might give men that which is good.

Bulgaria proclaimeth the wonders of thine image to the East and to the West, O thou who art quick to hear; for thou hast become a wellspring pouring forth grace upon all who invoke thy name.

Irmos: For love of Thine image, O Compassionate One, Thou didst ascend Thy Cross, and the Gentiles melted away; for Thou, O Thou Who lovest mankind, art my strength and boast.

Kontakion, in Tone VIII—

Glory..., to the venerable one—

Striving towards Christ, the Desired One, with all thy mind, O blessed martyr, thou didst not feel the pangs of thy wounds, O all-blessed one.

Theotokion: O Maiden, thou gavest birth to God the Word incarnate, Whose good pleasure it was to become like us all in the loving-kindness of His mercy, O all-immaculate Mistress.

The disease of cancer vanished from the arm of the honorable woman through thine enlightenment, O Virgin; wherefore, the afflicted one, freed from her infirmity, pronounced hymns of thanksgiving, rejoicing.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have considered Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Now and ever..., Theotokion—

With the staff of divine faith didst thou cleave the sea of the passions in godly manner, creating a straight passage for men’s souls.

Theotokion: Without departing from the heavens, O all-pure one, God poured Himself forth into thy womb, and the Infinite became finite, loosing the boundless transgressions of the world.

Wondrously hath thine icon been adorned, O thou who art quick to hear, and more brightly than the rays of the sun doth it illumine all with thy grace, O all-pure one. Who, therefore, doth not praise thee, who art glorified in heaven and on earth?

Irmos: Thou hast come, a Light to the world, O my Lord, a holy Light which bringeth forth from the gloom of unbelief those who hymn Thee.

Glory..., Now & ever...: The foregoing is repeated.

Having attained the pure and blameless life of the monks, O all-honored one, thou wast manifestly shown to be the adornment of solitaries.

Theotokion: The Infinite One, limiting Himself, made His abode in thee, O Virgin, and showed thee to be more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, we call thee blessed.

Lift thine eyes, O Mary, and look with compassion upon those who stand before thine icon and call upon thee with faith; and hearken unto them, O thou who art quick to hear.

Irmos: Rising at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee!

Glory..., Now & ever..., in Tone VIII—

Thou didst strip thyself of the mortality of destructive passions, and by thy pious life didst strip the enemy naked.

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth unto the Master of the living and the dead, O all-immaculate one. Slay thou the passions of my heart.

Grant us strength, O pure one, that we may do the will of thy Son with fear and love; for thou strengthenest thy servants, in that thou art the Mother of our omnipotent God.

Irmos: I have come upon the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath overwhelmed me; but, as God, lead up my life from the abyss, O greatly Merciful One.

For love of the Lord, O venerable Matrona, thou didst ignore thy desire for rest, illumining thy spirit with fasting. By thy supplications cast down the arrogance of the adversaries, for mightily didst thou vanquish the wild beasts.

Theotokion: In manner transcending the laws of nature, O Virgin, thou gavest birth unto the Bestower of the Law, Who renewed our damaged nature. Him do thou entreat, that He save me who am crushed down by sins.

Assailed as we are by the passions and the invisible powers of evil, we are ever in need of thine invincible help, whereof leave us not bereft, O thou who art graced by God.

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief, for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Ikos: O my God, grant me a stream of discourse, make my mind a wellspring of goodly order, and bless Thou my tongue, that I may hymn the ewe-lamb whom Thou hast crowned with Thy goodness; for if Thou dost not grant me fitting words, how will I be able to offer even a meager gift unto her who is rich in both words and deeds? Wherefore, grant me the power to describe her contest, for mightily did she vanquish the wild beasts.

Theotokion: Human nature was enslaved to sin; but thou hast delivered it from evil bondage, O Theotokos, giving birth unto the Master of all, Who hath shown us the ways of entering into life, O all-immaculate one.

O Lady, grant us the shield of salvation, thy mighty assistance, whereby, vanquishing the wiles of the author of evil, we are vouchsafed crowns of glory.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the children of Abraham trod down the flame of the furnace, crying aloud in hymns: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Consumed with the fire of divine desire, ye were in no wise scorched by the touch of material fire, O blessed ones, and ye burned up deception. Mercilessly stretched out, O passion-bearers, ye received an ever-memorable end, and have obtained glory.

Theotokion: Thou gavest birth unto the Word Who was incarnate of thy blood, and Whose good pleasure it hath been to deify those who chant on earth: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

We know thee to be the Mistress of the world, O most lauded Mary, for thou gavest birth for us to the Creator and Savior of the world, Who hath glorified thee, His all-pure Mother, granting grace and mercy through thee to those who honor thee and pray to thee, O Theotokos.

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod upon the flame and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O mother, elect of God, thou didst pass through the tempest of life without foundering, guided to the harbor of life, where thou hymnest the Deliverer and prayest unceasingly in our behalf, that Christ grant us grace and mercy; and thou preservest the flock which thou didst gather together with effort.

Theotokion: He Who lifted the curse of Eve made His abode in the all-immaculate Virgin, pouring forth a fountain of blessings upon those who cry out: Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, O all-pure one!

Throughout all the ends of the earth thy miraculous image hath been glorified, and now with their mouths all declare thee to be she who is quick to hear.

Irmos: Christ our God, Who was nailed to the Cross in the flesh and Who showed it to us as a sword of salvation, O ye children, exalt supremely forever!

O good one, who gavest birth to the immutable God, by thy maternal supplications make steadfast my heart, which is ever changeable through sin, sloth and the assaults of the evil one, that I, too, may glorify thee with thanksgiving, O Mary Theotokos. Have mercy upon the flock which thou hast acquired, O all-immaculate one.

Theotokion: The Word of God found thee to be a choice flower in the vales of life, and He desired thy beauty and, incarnate, perfumed the whole world.

Appearing in dreams and openly, O Queen of all, who art quick to hear, thou performest most glorious miracles in the world.

Irmos: Victors over the tyrant and the flame through Thy grace, and paying careful heed to Thy commandments, the children cried aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Or this Stavrotheotokion—

Theotokion: Behold, as Isaiah saith in the Spirit, a Virgin shall conceive in her womb Him Who delivereth from the belly of hades us that piously cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Who hath uttered thy name in any need, O Virgin, and hath not quickly been heard by thee, who art she who is quick to hear?

Irmos: Eve, through weakness, dwelt under the curse of disobedience; but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, hast budded forth blessing upon the world with the Offspring of thy pregnancy. Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Ever preserved by the Cross of thy Son and God, O Virgin, we vanquish the assaults and wiles of the demons; and hymn thee who art truly the Theotokos; and with love all of us, the generations of man, bless thee, O all-pure one, as thou didst foretell. Wherefore, by thy prayers grant us remission of our offenses.

Theotokion: Having clothed Himself wholly in me, O all-immaculate one, the Master issued forth from thy divine womb like a Bridegroom; and He Who sustaineth all creation with a gesture, is fed with milk, O blessed ever-Virgin.

Blessed art thou, O glorious Monastery of Dochiariou; for thou hast been enriched by the most precious icon of her who is quick to hear.

Irmos: Every ear is awed to hear of the ineffable condescension of God, that the Most High willingly did lower Himself even unto taking flesh, becoming man through the Virgin’s womb. Wherefore, O ye faithful, let us magnify the all-pure Theotokos!

Emitting the effulgence of thy pangs, O blessed martyr Onesiphorus, by thy love thou didst inspire the blessed Porphyrius to suffer with thee.

Theotokion: O Maiden, who didst hold in thine arms Him Who upholdeth all things with but a gesture: Deliver me from the hands of the alien by thy mediation, illumine my mind with thy light, and dispel the passions which persistently war against me.

Falling down before thy holy icon, O Virgin, I cry out to thee with a contrite heart: Let me not perish, who have wasted my life in sins, O most merciful Lady!

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Laying them on a fiery gridiron, the tormentors bound together the warriors of Christ, who rejoiced and burned in spirit.

Being a lover of sin, O Mistress, I have departed from thy Son, and lack any boldness before Him. Wherefore, having led me to repentance, vouchsafe that I receive that which I have destroyed.

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Rejoicing, O passion-bearers, ye offered yourselves to the Master of all as a perfect immolation and pure sacrifice; wherefore, ye are blessed.

O divinely chosen Maiden, who wast foreseen in the fleece moist with dew: With the dew of grace moisten thou the arid ground of my heart, and render my soul right fruitful.

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Deceitful discourses were in no wise able to deceive thee who wast knowingly inclined toward the Master, O divinely wise, all-wise and most rich Porphyrius.

Rejoice, O Bride of God, who art all adorned with the virtues, as with golden vesture! Rejoice, O vessel of myrrh, whereby they that cry: Glory to thy power, O Christ! are healed.

Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine hath come on a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Having watered thy heart with the drops of thy tears, O Matrona, with the grace of God thou didst cultivate the grain which beareth the fruit of the virtues an hundredfold.

How can I gaze with mine impure eyes upon thine all-pure image, unworthy as I am, O thou who art quick to hear?

Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Setting the steps of thy thought towards Christ, O right glorious one, thou didst remain unperverted by the temptations of the wicked demons.

The sea and the land proclaim the wonders of thine icon, O Queen of all; for they have both been filled with thy grace.

Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

Having left behind a husband and the tumults of life in thy valorous wisdom, thou didst love the yoke of Christ and didst follow in His steps.

Thou didst reveal the thief who stole money from his neighbor, O Mother and Virgin, and didst return it to the rightful owner.

Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

O immovable pillars of the Church of Christ, through the might of the Spirit ye were shown to be unmoved by the leverage of tortures.

What shall we render unto thee for the great grace which thou hast revealed to us, O most good one, having given us thine icon, the sacred treasure?

Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honored festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.

Ye shattered the idols of abominable gods and were shown to be models of piety and manliness, O honorable great martyrs.

There is no one who, having had recourse with faith to thy loving-kindness, O most merciful Lady, would be deprived of thy compassion. Wherefore, we earnestly entreat thee: Vouchsafe thy mercy even unto us sinners!

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Having through faith forsaken transient might, ye were girt about by God with a true warrior’s skill, and, rejoicing, ye suffered.

As the propitiation for the whole world, O Virgin, entreat thy Son, the Judge of all, that He be not mindful of our sins, that, through thee, we be delivered from His every threat against sinful people.

Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!

Having been vested in the holy habit, O Matrona, thou didst clothe the malefic enemy in shame.

Thy mountain and this monastery, which possess thine image, O all-good one who art quick to hear, do thou protect from every evil, preserving thy servants in unity of spirit, in all goodness and truth.

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Thou didst trade transitory things for things of the future, and a husband for the immortal Bridegroom, Who leadeth our souls to God.

O Mistress, who gavest birth unto the Reconciler of all, by thine almighty intercession reconcile us to Him, to our neighbor and to each other, in that we hymn thee who grantest us peace.

Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace — then in figure, but now in deed — and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Offering up night-long praise to the Master, O Matrona, thou didst lull to sleep the pleasures of the flesh.

Showing thyself to be a Mother of abundant love, thou didst call the child to thyself until thou hadst delivered him out of the hands of the thieves, O Mother and Virgin. May we also acquire thee as a Mother of abundant love.

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

The pangs of wounds didst thou endure, O martyr Onesiphorus; and having finished the contest and emerged a victor, thou didst receive heavenly honors.

We, thy servants, have no other intercession or protection than thee. Wherefore, O pure one, we cry out from the depths of our heart: From every misfortune free thy flock and the faithful who have recourse to thee!

Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Bound to one another by love, bound and led forth together, united to the Lord, as mighty athletes ye achieved separation from your bodies.

As thou didst save from the tempest at sea those who invoked thy divine name, O Virgin, so also save us from physical and spiritual wreck and guide us to the calm haven of salvation.

Bound to horses and forcibly dragged thereby to the most cruel of torments at the behest of the judge, ye were vouchsafed a blessed end, O right glorious martyrs of the Lord.

The world hath acquired thee as its refuge and salvation; wherefore, O pure one, men hasten to thy precious icon from every quarter, and all obtain thee as one who hearkeneth quickly to them.

Like a melodious bird which sweetly lifteth up its voice in the meadow of fasting, thou didst attract an assemblage of most sacred women, as though they were noetic sparrows, escaping the net of the enemy with the aid of the Spirit, O Matrona.

Thou art the consolation of thy servants, O most blessed one; thou art their light, adornment and hope of salvation. In thy foreknowledge do thou therefore deliver us from all want and tribulation.

Restraining the flesh through love of wisdom, reining in the passions, splendidly bedecking thy soul as a most comely adornment for Christ, thou art known to be beauteous and magnificent in the Spirit, O Matrona.

Knowing our weakness, O Theotokos, fill thou our spiritual and material lack, that we may glorify God, Who giveth all good things to us through thee.

Thou didst love the angelic life on earth, unceasingly hymning Him Who for our sake became incarnate of the holy Virgin in the magnitude of His goodness and Who strengthened thy womanly nature against the wicked foe.

Abandon us not, O most compassionate one, when our strength is lacking; at our departure from this life depart not from us, who place our hope in thee; and after our departure, show us the power of thy goodness.

Having suffered mightily, the two martyrs cast the arrogance of the enemy down to the ground, being illumined by the grace of the uncreated Trinity, O glorious Onesiphorus and Porphyrius. Pray ye unceasingly in behalf of us all.

O all-blessed Mary, thou sealed book of God, vouchsafe that we be written in the book of eternal life, that we may glorify God Who was born of thee.

Ikos: Made steadfast by divine might, the warriors of Christ were able to set at naught the counsels and devices of the enemy; bound together to wild horses and suffering in accordance with the law, they ask of God for us the remission of debts, freedom from the trials to come, and deliverance from evils. Wherefore, we ever praise them, as great favorites of God who pray unceasingly in behalf of us all.

Tempest-tossed on the sea of life, we sink beneath the threefold waves of the passions and temptations. Wherefore, grant us a helping hand, O Lady, as thy Son did to Peter, and haste thou to deliver us from misfortunes, that we may cry out to thee: Rejoice, O most good one, who art quick to hear!

Manifesting the noble traits of thy most noble soul, thou didst confess the incarnate God before thy tyrant, O Onesiphorus.

Ikos: Where the shadow of thy grace falleth, O Mistress, there do the infirm recover their health, the unfortunate come into prosperity, and all the sorrowful are filled with joy. Wherefore, with thy grace overshadow us also, who utter unto thee such joyous cries as these: Rejoice, thou who art full of divine grace, dwelling place of the unapproachable Godhead; rejoice, holy table nurturing us with the Bread of life! Rejoice, costly myrrh perfuming the faithful; rejoice, olive tree anointing us with the oil of loving-kindness! Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of gifts; rejoice, calm haven of the tempest-tossed! Rejoice, hearing of the deaf and light of the blind; rejoice, strengthening of the paralyzed! Rejoice, liberation of captives; rejoice, thou hope of all the world! Rejoice, O most good one, who art quick to hear!

Enamored of the everlasting freedom of God, as a right obedient slave thou didst share in thy master’s suffering, and with Him dost thou now join chorus, O most blessed Porphyrius.

Thou hast given sight to blind eyes, that they may see, O Virgin. Enlighten thou also the eyes of our body and soul, that we may ever hymn thy mighty works.

Having extinguished the burning flame of godlessness with drops of your divine blood, O all-praised ones, ye cried out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Hearing hast thou given to the deaf, O Mary, who art quick to hear. Open thou also the spiritual and bodily ears of us all, that we may ever hymn thy mighty works.

That ye might receive blessed and immortal glory, ye suffered a blessed death, O divinely radiant stars of the noetic Sun.

As of old thou didst deliver from locusts those who fled to thee, O all-pure one, so also deliver us from the devastation thereof, that we may ever hymn thy mighty works.

Like a most comely turtledove, for God thou didst protect the fruitfulness of chastity from the barrenness of the passions, O blessed one, having truly deified those saved by thee.

As thou didst set aright him who before was paralyzed, so by thy fervent intercession set us also aright who are doubly paralyzed, that we may hymn thy mighty works.

Having left behind the world and all the things of the world, in the hope of God thou hast now inherited a heavenly bequest, O honored Matrona, who art truly the adornment of solitaries.

O Lady, thou guide of thy servants to salvation, set aright the three parts of our soul, that, counted worthy of the grace of dispassion, we may chant: O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Giving your members over to rendings, ye tore out the insensitive heart of the enemy, remaining unshaken in mind, O greatly renowned and crowned ones.

Direct the power of our souls’ desire to divine love, that we may thereby love God wholly and ever strive towards Him as the all-good End of desire.

The fire of ignorance was extinguished by your blood, O sufferers, and ye have watered the hearts and souls of all the faithful with the restoration of the knowledge of God.

O Virgin, help us to turn the power of our souls’ anger against the invisible enemies of our salvation, and fill our hearts with salvific love towards our neighbors and God.

By the guidance of Christ ye passed through the waves of cruel torments, and in incorruption ye found shelter in the harbor of God’s heavenly kingdom.

Delivering us from thoughts contrary to God, O Mistress, furnish thou the intelligence of our souls with pinions, that we may take wing to God-pleasing contemplation, and strengthen us all to think, speak and do that which is good.

A coal burning with the fire of the Paraclete were the martyrs manifestly shown to be; and they burned up the deceit of the enemy and illumined the whole world.

Deliver us from every illness, O thou who art quick to hear, as thou hast delivered many therefrom.

Having adorned thy soul with qualities of piety, O pure Matrona, through the divine Spirit thou didst lead to God a choir of virgins, who sing: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely forever!

Thine icon, O Virgin, hath been shown to be a wellspring of miracles, whence those who thirst are abundantly provided.

Through divine grace the torrents of thy sweat dried up the turbid torrents of the passions, and they ever water the hearts of those who approach thee with faith. Wherefore, we honor thee for all ages.

Thou revealest what is lost and givest joy to those who have found. How great is the grace of thine image!

Having arrayed thyself in the armor of faith and abstinence, thou wast not wounded by the arrow of pleasure, abiding, though thou didst, among men; and him who of old wounded Eve thou didst wound with the spear of chastity, O blessed Matrona.

All the elements obey thy command, O Mistress, that thou mayest deliver from the harm thereof those who call upon thee.

The hard diamonds and pillars of the Faith, strengthened by the might of Christ, were able to do battle with the bodiless foe while in the flesh, and now they rejoice in the heavens with those who suffered from of old.

Under thy direction the flock findeth fertile pasture, O Mother of God, and the soul-destroying wolves are unable to carry off the reason-endowed sheep, who are preserved by the grace of thy Son and God.

Like a sacred chariot of the Word, ye were tied to irrational beasts, O divine martyrs, and, rejoicing, ye attained unto the refuge of heaven and received crowns of honor. Wherefore, ye are fittingly blessed.

Blessed is the man whose help is from thee, O Bride of God; for such a one ever appointeth ascents in his heart until he seeth himself saved and chanteth: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The glorious city of Pankeanon now hath your bodies, O divine martyrs, and it is enriched by you, its helpers and physicians, who ever heal the infirmities of the souls and bodies of those who approach with faith.

O thou seven-branched candlestick, resplendent with the seven gifts of the Spirit, vouchsafe that we, also, may be adorned with the fruits of the Spirit, that, having won compassion of God through thee, we may chant: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

O ye divine and splendid pair, ever-glorious passion-bearer Porphyrius and right wise Onesiphorus: Entreat the all-holy Trinity, that peace and deliverance from evils be granted to our souls.

O mountain of God, wherein it was God’s good pleasure to live, pray to Him for us, that, doing good by His help, we may be accounted worthy to behold the mountains which transcend the earth and there chant: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

As a divine dove, O glorious Matrona, thou hast soared aloft on golden wings of virtue, and dost now abide where the choirs of the venerable are, and the ranks of the righteous, and eternal gladness and ineffable joy.

Assemble with diligence in the divine Monastery of the Archangels, ye who are sick; for the physician who chargeth no fee abideth there.

Loving the Sun of righteousness, Who, in the loving-kindness of His compassion, shone forth from a woman, O pure one, thou didst easily traverse the hot and barely passable path of fasting, burning the demons and withering the passions of the flesh.

Thy sacred icon hath been shown to be another Pool of Siloam, O Virgin, washing away and healing sickness of soul and body.

Thy divine memorial hath shone forth upon us more brightly than the sun, illumining our hearts and minds; thereon be thou mindful of us that celebrate it faithfully, O glorious Matrona, who truly hast boldness before God.

May I behold thee comforting me at the time of my death and driving away the visages of the demons, O all-good one, who art quick to hear.

Let us honor the glorious martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, who shone forth in sufferings and have enlightened the world with the splendors of martyrdom, for they pray for us who celebrate their memory with love.

I am enflamed by the zeal to behold the gracious splendor of thine image, and I cannot magnify thee sufficiently.

Amongst men didst thou dwell, O ever-glorious Matrona, receiving the monastic habit. O strange wonder! How, O venerable one, didst thou hide from the tyrant, who doth ever persistently spread bitterness? By fasting, prayer and unceasing vigils thou didst crush his head.

O Lady, remember thy servants who glorify thee with love; hearken unto those who pray to thee, and by thy supplications render thy Son and God well-disposed toward us, now, and at His dread judgment, O pure and ever-virgin Theotokos.

Rejoice, palace of God! Rejoice, mountain overshadowed! Rejoice, bush unburnt! Rejoice, throne of glory! Rejoice, divine table! Rejoice, golden jar! Rejoice, most splendid candlestick! Rejoice, O Mary, Virgin Mother, thou light cloud!

O joy of angels and men, set us free from the griefs of life, and by thy mediation deliver us from the endless torments, that delivered by thee from temporal and eternal misfortunes, we may cry out: Rejoice, O most blessed and pure ever-virgin Theotokos!

On the Praises, 4 stichera, in Tone V—

Standing visibly before thine image and invisibly before thee, who standest at the right hand of thy Son, lifting up our mind, we entreat thee earnestly: Beseech Him, that we be counted worthy of the blessedness of paradise, O most blessed and pure ever-virgin Theotokos!

Wondrous are Thy works, O Lord! Thou hast given Thine all-holy Mother to the helpless as a speedy helper, to the defenseless as a mighty defender, and to those who cannot give answer for themselves as a fervent intercessor; for standing before Thee is the Mistress of all, who prayeth for us all. Twice

O good Mother of the good King, with thine invincible protection do thou overshadow our Orthodox hierarchs and our lawful civil authorities, O most blessed and pure ever-virgin Theotokos.

What fitting thanks can we offer thee, O divinely chosen Ever-virgin, for the multitude of the gifts of thy loving-kindness, which is revealed to those who have recourse unto thee with faith? For thou curest infirmities of soul and body and deliverest us from misfortunes, praying ever to God in behalf of us all.

Beholding thee now on thine icon with the preëternal Infant, we entreat thee, O Bride of God: Deprive us not in the age to come of the sight of thine all-blessed countenance and that of the Son of God, Who became incarnate through thee, that, with those who were well-pleasing unto Him, we may magnify His name and thine.

O excellent Mistress of the world, who as a mighty ruler watchest over those who inhabit thy mountain and the faithful in every place: Do thou never fail to be mindful of thy servants in thy compassion and to send down upon us all good things, temporal and eternal; and ever pray to God in behalf of us all.

The splendid and joyful feast which today hath passed, illumined by the glory of the chief commanders of the hosts of heaven, hath been made resplendent by the grace of the image of the Mother of God and the Almighty held in her arms, which is reverenced even by the angels. For as He hath told us, Ask, and it shall be given you; so His all-good Mother hath commanded us to flee to her in every need and hath promised to hearken quickly unto those who pray with reverence before her holy icon, which she hath glorified by many miracles, granting great mercy to the faithful.