Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.
Kontakion, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Thou hast appeared today…” —
Theotokion: He Who was ineffably arrayed in the flesh He took from thee so as to unite Himself with mankind, O thou who knewest not wedlock, shone forth majesty from Sion on high and hath illumined the world.
Marked with the blood of Christ, the holy and glorious martyrs fervently shed their own blood and have now been counted worthy to reign with Him.
Mute tongues prophetically spake peace, speechless babes preached Christ, and divinely wise virgins offered themselves to God for piety’s sake.
The light which richly shineth forth healings from Christ was meted out to thee, O divinely eloquent Arethas; and thou didst depart thereto, still exuding the sweat of thy contest.
A multitude of martyrs was divinely led to Thee, O Savior; and dancing in chorus around Thee, the choirs of the saints ask remission of sins for those who ever glorify them.
The feast of the passion-bearers hath dawned upon us today as the harbinger of gladness; and celebrating it, we glorify the Lord Who liveth in the highest.
Ikos: Illumine my mind with the splendor of the struggles of the valiant Arethas and all the saints who suffered with him; for he, first of all, showed himself to be faithful, manfully doing battle with those who reject the incarnation of Thee Who, in manner transcending nature, took flesh and wast born, that Thou mightest deliver us from deception and show us how to walk without wavering the path of witness which the athletes trod, hymning Thee, the Lord Who livest in the highest.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.