At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera: 3 of the apostles, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “O all-praised martyrs…” —

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

Troparion of the apostles, in Tone III —

Throughout all the earth hath your proclamation of salvation gone forth, O glorious apostles of the Lord, illumining the ends of the whole earth with the radiance of grace, and dispelling the gloom of deception. Wherefore, make supplication, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion.

Glory…: Troparion of the martyr, in Tone IV —

The most godly Stachys, the preacher and apostle of Christ, and the wondrous Apellius, Aristobulus and Urban, Amplius and the divine Narcissus, who preached the most Holy Trinity, have enlightened the nations and delivered from bondage all who bless them with faith.

O most radiant beacons of Christ, most pure vessels who through your faith contained all the effulgence of the Spirit, O pillars of the Church, all-glorious heavens declaring the glory of God: Entreat Him, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

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

By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit thou wast shown to be a divine habitation, O glorious Epimachus, and, receiving from Him the ability to accomplish healings, thou dost richly impart health to the sick, who ever cry out: “O Jesus, Bestower of life, Thou art the gladness, the glory and boast of Thy martyrs.

With boldness didst thou preach the truth, O glorious one, as a most lawful warrior of Christ, unafraid of the bestial rage of him who judged thee. By thy divinely inspired words thou didst put to shame him who commanded thee to worship gods who do not exist, O athlete, and didst preach unto all our God Who reigneth over all.

In that thy feet are beautiful, they were adorned to tread the path of martyrdom without faltering. And, finishing thy course, thou didst keep the faith, and hast received a crown from the hand of the Master. Him do thou entreat, that those who with faith celebrate thine all-honored memory may be delivered from corruption and tribulations.

I have been cast down to the ground, I have been slain by sins, by passions, spiritual and bodily; wherefore, I am covered with the darkness of despair. But raise me up now, guiding me to the life of incorruption and to the homeland on high, where the pure voice of those who keep festival is heard, O all-holy Bride of God.

Stavrotheotokion —

When she beheld Thee, the Lamb and Shepherd, upon the Tree, the Ewe-lamb who gave birth to Thee lamented, and maternally exclaimed to Thee: “O my desired Son, O Long-suffering One, how is it that Thou art suspended upon the tree of the Cross? How is it, O Word, that Thy hands and feet have been pierced with nails by the iniquitous? How is it, O Master, that Thou hast shed Thy blood?”

O holy apostles, entreat the merciful God, that He grant to our souls remission of transgressions.

In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Epimachus received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he cast down the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.