day 26

October 26: Holy Greatmartyr Demetrius of Thessalonica & Commemoration of the Great Earthquake at Constantinople in 740 AD

Glory..., in Tone VI —

On “Lord, I have cried...,” 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel: “Joy of the ranks of heaven...” —

Now & ever…: Theotokion —

Troparion of the greatmartyr, in Tone III —

The 26th Day Of The Month Of October

Glory..., Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone —

O God, Who shakest the foundations of the whole earth, Who alone dost cause the seabed tremble as the Creator of all: Deliver us from the earthquake of Thy righteous wrath, O Thou Who lovest mankind, being ever entreated in Thy loving-kindness. Twice

Commemoration Of The Holy And Glorious Greatmartyr Demetrius The Myrrh-Gusher Of Thessalonica

Glory..., Now & ever…: Troparion of the earthquake, in Tone VIII —

Thessalonica joineth chorus on the day of thy commemoration, O thrice-blessed Demetrius, and calleth upon all the surrounding cities to keep thy splendid festival. And, assembling with them, we praise thy struggles in song.

Commemoration Of The Great And Dreadful Earthquake At Constantinople In 740 A.D.

Come, ye faithful, and, assembling, let us praise the warrior of Christ, the valiant luminary Demetrius, who trampled down all the might of the enemy, and with faith let us cry out to him: Entreat Christ in our behalf, O martyr!

If the pastor or abbot so desireth, he holdeth vigil.

Today is the whole universe illumined with the passion-bearer’s rays; and the Church of God, adorned with flowers, crieth out to thee, O Demetrius: O favorite of Christ and most fervent intercessor, cease thou never to pray for thy servants!

At Little Vespers

O Theotokos, thou art the true vine which hath budded forth for us the Fruit of life. We entreat thee, O Mistress: Pray thou with the holy apostles, that He have mercy on our souls.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel: “O House of Ephratha...” —

Thee have we as a bestower of many gifts, O favorite of Christ, for thou dost ever fulfill the requests which we have.

Stichos: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.

O blessed Demetrius, accept these offerings, sweet hymns, praises of thy sufferings, and thanks for thy graces.

Stichos: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the Lord they shall blossom forth.

O beauty of athletes, splendor of martyrs, protector of kings: Accept now the praise of those who glorify thee with love.

O thing of comeliness divine! A Virgin, who remained so after giving birth! God the Word, Who hath been born, taketh human nature upon Himself and revealeth material things!

The whole world hath found thee to be a great champion amid misfortunes, who conquered the pagans, O passion-bearer. Therefore, as thou didst cast down the pride of Lyæus and didst appoint the bold Nestor for the struggle, thus, O Demetrius, beseech Christ God to grant us great mercy.

O Christ our God, Who lookest on the earth and makest it tremble: Deliver us from the dreadful threat of earthquake, and send down upon us thy rich mercies and save us, through the supplications of the Theotokos.