Canon of the Passion-bearer

Exapostilarion of the saint—

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Kontakion of the Cross, in Tone IV—

Having strengthened thyself with prayer before the image of the all-pure one, thou didst go forth to thine enemies who were seeking thee; and like an innocent lamb thou didst suffer at their hands, unjustly slain.

Sessional hymn of the saint, in Tone V—

On the Praises, 6 stichera: 3 of the feast, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—

Theotokion: Grant me the purifying water of tears, O all-pure one, and having cleansed me of the mire of iniquities, present me pure to thy Son and God, O Theotokos.

Forsaking the miry water of ungodliness, thou didst hasten to the water of purification, O holy Igor. Cleanse thou our hearts, that in purity we may hymn thy sufferings.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Exapostilarion of the feast—

Irmos: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by its budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church, which before was barren, the Tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for her might and confirmation.

Kontakion, in Tone VI—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Sessional hymn of the feast.

We bow down before the place where the feet of Christ stood, exalting the thrice-blessed Cross whereon was shed the blood of the Master Who hath poured forth resurrection upon the world.

Theotokion: In giving birth to the Creator of heaven, O most hymned Theotokos, thou wast shown to be more spacious than the heavens. Turning me away from the broad path of destruction, guide me to the heavenly way, I pray.

Washed with the water of baptism, thou wast delivered from the ancestral sin and didst unite thyself unto Christ, the pure Master. Unite us also unto Him by thy supplications.

Exapostilarion of the feast—

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.

Kontakion of the martyrs, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “As the firstfruits…”—

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

Having mortified the passions of the flesh and spirit, having crucified yourselves with Christ the Master, O ye divinely wise, let us strive to elevate ourselves, through the elevation of the Cross, to the rest of heaven.

Theotokion: Hearken, O all-pure Mistress, to mine entreaty, and deliver me from evils; and count me worthy to hear the voice which summoneth the blessed to the kingdom.

Emulating Him Who drowned the wicked serpent in the waters, thou didst drown the power of the enemy in the blood of thy martyrdom, O passion-bearer. Entreat thou the Savior, that we also may be delivered therefrom.

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

Kontakion of the feast, in Tone IV—

Glory…, Now & ever…: sessional hymn of the Cross, in the same tone—

A life-bearing wellspring hath manifestly welled forth from the divine side of the Savior, giving drink to the souls of those who with faith worship His divine Passion, Cross and Resurrection.

Theotokion: In giving birth to the true Light, O Theotokos, thou hast enlightened our darkened nature; wherefore, having enlightened me with Light, free me from the dark foe.

The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hardhearted people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the Cross is the might and confirmation.

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

And 3 of the saint, in Tone VIII—

Theotokion: Accept thou our prayer, O all-pure one, and with thine omnipotent supplication beseech God Who was born of thee, Who loveth mankind, that He deliver us from enemies, visible and invisible, from sins and all torments.

When Christ’s all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.

Irmos: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was crucified, and whereby he who beguiled mankind by the tree did fall, when God was nailed in the flesh, Who granteth peace to our souls!

Rejoice, O Igor, passion-bearer of Christ, for thou didst consider the glory of this world as but nought, and at the eleventh hour of thy life thou didst serve the Lord well in monasticism. And thou standest now with the martyrs and the venerable before the throne of God, earnestly praying in behalf of our souls. Twice

Theotokion: I marvel at thine Offspring, Who hath preserved thee a virgin even after giving birth, O Theotokos. Show forth as wondrous the mercy of thy Son upon men, that, treated compassionately by thee, I may chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Giving thy whole life to the Fashioner of the vault of heaven, thou didst love Him utterly. Vouchsafe that, by thy supplications, O passion-bearer, we also may love the Lord until the end of our days.

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

Rejoice, O Igor, passion-bearer of Christ, boast of the city of Chernigov, and sacred adornment of the whole land of Russia, O thou who didst shed thine innocent blood! Pray thou earnestly in behalf of our souls!

Theotokion: O all-pure one, conquer the enemies, visible and invisible, who strive to bring us down; and deliver me from all the passions, that I may solemnly chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Desiring the heavenly life, thou didst reject all things in thine earthly life. Vouchsafe, O holy one, that by thy supplications we may be counted worthy of the life of heaven.

Irmos: Stretching forth his arms in the form of the Cross in the belly of the sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving passion. And issuing forth after three days, he foreshadowed the transcendent resurrection of Christ God, Who was nailed in the flesh and hath enlightened the world by His rising on the third day.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

Theotokion: Thou didst truly give birth to the true God in the flesh, O Theotokos. Move Him to mercy for us on the day of judgment, that we may unceasingly magnify thee with Him.

Desiring the heavenly bridal-chamber, thou didst preserve the purity of thy virginity; and now thou joinest chorus with the virginal in the bridal-chambers of heaven.

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!

Today the glorious city of Chernigov is enlightened with the rays of the passion-bearer, and the holy house of the Savior, adorned, crieth out to thee, O favorite of Christ: Cease thou never to pray for all who celebrate thy holy memory with love!

Theotokion: Splendidly illumined with thy radiant and flowing grace, O only divinely joyous portal of the Light, the valiant martyrs passed through the uttermost darkness of unbearable sufferings, chanting hymns unto thee.

O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly on the Cross, bestow Thy compassions upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they have as an ally the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.

Irmos: The mad command of the ungodly tyrant, breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet the three youths feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the raging blaze; but in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it, they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Now & ever…, of the feast.

Theotokion: Submitting to the laws of the Master Who became incarnate of thee, O most immaculate Maiden, the valiant athletes conquered the iniquitous ones, having as their helper thee who dost save our souls.

Ikos: He Who was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what writeth he to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both read and come to understand? God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save only in the Cross of the Lord, whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord; for this Wood is our salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

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

On the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—

Theotokion: The company of the three martyrs, calling upon thee as the pure palace of the King, O all-pure Virgin, destroyed the temples of the demons and have passed over to the temple of glory on high, ever honoring thee in praises.

Enlightened by the splendors of the virtues, and adorned with the light of martyrdom, O all-wise one, thou shinest forth steadily, more brightly than the sun, and truly illuminest those who celebrate thy radiant memory with faith. O all-glorious passion-bearer Igor, save us by thy supplications.

Irmos: O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the Father and Creator; hymn ye the Word, Who came down and transformed the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who imparteth life unto all, exalt ye supremely forever!

We bow down before the place where the feet of Christ stood, exalting the thrice-blessed Cross whereon was shed the blood of the Master Who hath poured forth resurrection upon the world.

Theotokion: The mighty warriors, calling for help upon the holy Virgin, the divinely joyous and most immaculate one, with steadfast wisdom passed through the oppression of tortures and the violence of wounding.

Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert, showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.

Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant and the flame by Thy grace, taking exceeding care to keep Thy commandments, the children cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Stichos: Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet, for it is holy.

Theotokion: Enlivened by the power which doth emanate from Thee, O Christ, Thine athletes suffered lawfully, hymning Thy pure Mother who gave birth to Thee ineffably.

Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and baptism.

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical garden of paradise, which, untilled, didst put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.

Having mortified the passions of the flesh and spirit, having crucified yourselves with Christ the Master, O ye divinely wise, let us strive to elevate ourselves, through the elevation of the Cross, to the rest of heaven.

Theotokion: As the Mistress who is more pure than all creation thou didst receive the Word Who was ineffably born of thee. And, loving Him, the valiant martyrs endured multitudes of torments.

In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions; and preceding in this fashion the tabernacle of the witness, they were glorified in the cross-like formation of their ranks.

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

Stichos: God is our King before the ages; He hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.

Theotokion: O all-pure Virgin, thou gavest birth unto Christ our God as a little babe, Who is understood to be one in essence with the Father and the Spirit. And the valiant martyrs, confessing Him, suffered in sacred manner. With them the people, tribes and nations bless thee with faith for all ages, O most holy one.

Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun’s, and the heavens declared the glory of our God.

Irmos: Tracing an upright line with his staff, Moses divided the Red Sea for Israel, which was travelling on foot; and striking it a transverse blow, he brought the waters together over the chariots of Pharaoh, thereby inscribing the invincible weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.

A life-bearing wellspring hath manifestly welled forth from the divine side of the Savior, giving drink to the souls of those who with faith worship His divine Passion, Cross and Resurrection.

Theotokion: He Who kept thee a virgin, truly shining forth from thy womb as the never-waning Sun, O Virgin, most manifestly illumined the athletes who struggled with endurance; and with them do thou entreat Him, that He have pity upon us who piously magnify thee.

Hearing the heavens declare the glory of God, O Igor, thou didst desire to glorify God on earth. Vouchsafe His glory also unto us.

Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone V—

Hearing that thine enemies had risen up against thee, thou wast not daunted by their savagery, but didst meekly give thyself over into their vile hands, crying out to the Lord: “Lay not this sin to their charge!”

Irmos: The rod of Aaron is taken to be an image of the mystery, for by its budding forth it chose one priest over others; and for the Church, which before was barren, the Tree of the Cross hath now budded forth, for her might and confirmation.

The words of Thy prophets, Isaiah and David, are fulfilled, O God, which said: All nations will come, O Lord, and bow down before Thee. For, behold the people who have been filled with grace in Thy courts in Jerusalem, O Good One. O Thou Who didst endure the Cross for us and hast imparted life through Thy resurrection, preserve and save us!

Hearing the threats of thine enemies, and enduring torments at their hands, thou didst remain unshaken. Make me unshaken in the virtues.

Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched: the whirling sword which guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread cherubim withdrew, when Christ was nailed to thee, Who granteth peace unto our souls.

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

The adverse powers of the nether world are stricken with fear when the sign of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, as are the generations of the earthborn and the heavenly, who bend the knee to Christ, Who granteth peace unto our souls.

Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.

Irmos: O thrice-blessed Tree, whereon Christ, our King and Lord, was crucified, and whereby he who beguiled mankind by the tree did fall, when God was nailed in the flesh, Who granteth peace to our souls!

Illumining the path of thy life with the light of divine knowledge, thou didst love Christ the Lord with all thy soul, O passion-bearer. Vouchsafe that I also may be an emulator of thee therein.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

The faithful were enlightened, beholding thee valiantly enduring unbearable torments. Vouchsafe that I also may have such endurance, O athlete.

Irmos: Stretching forth his arms in the form of the Cross in the belly of the sea monster, Jonah clearly prefigured the saving passion. And issuing forth after three days, he foreshadowed the transcendent resurrection of Christ God, Who was nailed in the flesh and hath enlightened the world by His rising on the third day.

Enlighten me, O splendid martyr Igor, who am benighted by the darkness of sin, and cause me to be illumined with never-waning light, I pray thee.

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.

Bent with age and weighed down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when he crossed his arms, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God Who was nailed in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the law of the Scripture which was written in shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-destroying disease of deception.

Irmos: The mad command of the ungodly tyrant, breathing forth threats and blasphemy hateful to God, cast the people into confusion. Yet the three youths feared not the fury of the wild beasts, nor the raging blaze; but in the midst of the fire, when the dew-bearing wind blew upon it, they sang: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Divine Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young, revealed that the people who hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people of Christ God surpass them.

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Hearkening to thy suffering entreaty, O Igor, Christ gave thee the strength and power to bear thy sufferings. By thy supplications vouchsafe that I too may be steadfast amid the sufferings of life.

Irmos: O children, equal in number to the Trinity, bless ye God, the Father and Creator; hymn ye the Word, Who came down and transformed the fire into dew; and the all-holy Spirit, Who imparteth life unto all, exalt ye supremely forever!

Everyone who bringeth supplication unto thee with faith, O athlete, quickly receiveth the healing of the sufferings of their souls and bodies. Grant this also richly unto us, we pray.

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Thou didst exchange the glory of an earthly princedom for the humble habit of a monk, and, ending thine earthly life in martyrdom, thou now rejoiceth in the heavens, earnestly praying for those who honor thee, O Igor, boast of athletes.

Irmos: O Theotokos, thou art a mystical garden of paradise, which, untilled, didst put forth Christ, by Whom the life-bearing Tree of the Cross was planted. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee.

Ikos: Thou didst stain thy princely diadem with thy blood, O divinely wise passion-bearer Igor; and, taking the Cross in thy hand instead of a scepter, thou wast shown to be a victor. And didst offer thyself to the Master as an unblemished sacrifice; for like an innocent lamb thou wast slain by thine own subjects. And now, rejoicing, thou standest before the Holy Trinity. Pray thou that our souls be saved.

Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.

The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain taint as a corruption to the whole race. But we mortals, gaining utterance through the tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph’s staff, revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for those who cry out with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

The Angel Who preserved the Hebrew children unconsumed by the fire strengthened thee in thy suffering, O Igor, and thou didst chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Considering torments to be like childish games, thou didst not spare thy body, but, manfully enduring sufferings, thou didst chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Emulating the tortured children, O Igor, I also praise Christ, Who gave thee strength. Strengthening me for the contest of the virtues, vouchsafe that I may chant with thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

O hosts of heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched in the blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those on earth. Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is accomplished forever!

O ye mortal stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God, glorifying Him forever!

O faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And having received from God the precious Cross, rejoice in it, the weapon of victory, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.

Thou wast shown to be a victor over the enemies who tormented thee, O glorious Igor; for, suffering long and cruel tortures, thou didst unceasingly cry aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

By thy courage thou didst vanquish all the machinations of the tyrant, O glorious passion-bearer Igor; wherefore, entreat Christ the Master, we beseech thee, that He grant victory over the enemy to all the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thou wast shown to be victorious over the cruel-hearted murderers, O glorious Igor; for they have been cast down into the flames of hell by heavenly fire, while thou hast ascended into heaven, where thou chantest now with the angels: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Let all the trees of the forests rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by Him Who planted them in the beginning—Christ Who was stretched out upon the Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

A sacred horn hath been lifted up, the chief horn for all the divinely wise—the Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken asunder. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Truly confessing God, O passion-bearer, thou hast inherited a dwelling-place in heaven. Vouchsafe that we also may eternally magnify Christ with thee.

In thee, O blessed Igor, hath truly been fulfilled the prophecy of Christ: “He who endureth to the end shall be saved.” For with all the saved thou dost now eternally magnify Christ.

No one who truly hath recourse unto thee departeth without thy grace, O passion-bearer. Fill me also therewith, that I may magnify thee.

Like the radiant sun hath thy memorial now shone forth, O passion-bearer, filling all the faithful with gladness; and they cry out to thee in supplication: Pray thou earnestly, that we be saved.

The Cross is the preservation of the whole world; the Cross is the adornment of the Church; the Cross is the might of kings; the Cross is the confirmation of the faithful; the Cross is the glory of angels and the wounding of demons.

Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. First Hour.

Of old, Moses prefigured in himself the image of Christ’s most pure sufferings, standing between the priests; for, forming a cross with his outstretched arms, he raised up victory, vanquishing the might of the tyrant Amalek. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.

Upon a pole did Moses set the cure of the deadly and venomous sting of the serpents, and the deliverance therefrom; for to the tree, in the image of the Cross, he bound a serpent which crawleth upon the ground, triumphing over the sinister bane therein. Wherefore, let us hymn Christ God, for He hath been glorified.

The sky showed forth the victory of the Cross to the divinely wise Emperor Constantine, the pious ruler; and therein the audacity of the hostile foe was cast down, delusion was destroyed and the divine Faith spread to the ends of the earth. Wherefore let us hymn Christ our God, for He hath been glorified.

Canon of the Martyrs, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the thrice-radiant splendor of the martyrs”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII—

O Christian martyrs of great renown, illumined with the all-radiant lightning-flashes of the Spirit, dispel the clouds from my soul, enlighten my mind, and open my lips for hymnody, that I may praise you.

With steadfastness of mind did ye oppose the vain-minded one who sought to force you to render alien worship to his gods, O martyrs, and ye brought yourselves to the King of all as perfect sacrifices through divers torments.

Strength was given you by almighty God to cast down all the strength of the serpent, O honored great-martyrs, warriors of the Trinity, right wondrous Sabbatius and godly Dorymedon and Trophimus.

The rough stone, struck, put forth water for a disobedient and hardhearted people, and showed forth the mystery of the divinely elect Church, whereof the Cross is the might and confirmation.

When Christ’s all-pure side was pierced by the spear, blood and water flowed therefrom, renewing the covenant and washing sin away, for the Cross is the boast of the faithful, the might and confirmation of kings.

With most beautiful resolve and a firm conscience, ye proceeded to the trial of martyrdom; and, lacerated exceedingly and afflicted with wounds, ye remained immovable in your invincible resolve.

Having dyed most sacred purple robes in the outpourings of your blood, O valiant warriors, ye now stand before the immortal King and Lord, unceasingly making supplication for us.

Subjected to tortures, lacerated bodily in divers ways, cruelly bound, and cast to the wild beasts, ye did not deny Christ, O most glorious warriors, holy great-martyrs.

As the foundation of athletes and confirmation of piety the Church doth honor and glorify thy luminous suffering, O right wise and glorious Trophimus, ever-hymned and blessed athlete. With those who suffered with thee ask cleansing for those who hymn thee, in that thou art invincible.

Having manfully endured the pain of martyrdom, ye have now passed over together to a life without pain, O glorious Dorymedon, Trophimus and Sabbatius. Wherefore, the Church of Christ, celebrating your sacred memory, rejoiceth today in godly manner.

Having heaven as Thy throne on high, in that Thou art God, and bearing the earth as Thy footstool, O Christ our Savior, Thou hast shown us the Cross as the footstool of Thy feet. Before it do we all bow down like David, and, having it as a protector and helper, we faithfully glorify Thee.

Of old, Moses transformed with a tree the bitter springs in the desert, showing forth the conversion of the gentiles to piety through the Cross.

Jordan, having hidden in its depths an axe-head, gave it forth again through the power of a stick, signifying the cutting off of deception by the Cross and baptism.

In a sacred manner did the people encamp in four divisions; and preceding in this fashion the tabernacle of the witness, they were glorified in the cross-like formation of their ranks.

Wondrously stretched forth, the Cross emitted rays like the sun’s, and the heavens declared the glory of our God.

Illumined by the endurance of tortures, ye were suspended upon a tree, O martyrs; and, your sides raked with iron claws, O glorious ones, in the nakedness of your bodies ye were invested with divine incorruption, and stand ever before the throne of the Trinity.

Wounded for Christ, O martyr Trophimus, thou didst take delight in intense pain, looking to the divine rewards of heaven and inexhaustible sweetness. And now, having completed thy race, thou hast been counted worthy thereof, as food for the Master.

Enduring torments in thy youth, O Sabbatius, rejoicing, thou didst surrender thy soul into the hands of God, and hast come to rest well in the mansions of heaven, having vanquished the accursed one who was expelled therefrom; and thou hast received the honors of victory.

O ever-hymned Tree, whereon Christ was stretched: the whirling sword which guarded Eden stood in awe of thee, O Cross, and the dread cherubim withdrew, when Christ was nailed to thee, He Who granteth peace unto our souls.

The adverse powers of the netherworld are stricken with fear when the sign of the Cross is traced in the air in which they live, as are the generations of the earthborn and the heavenly, who bend the knee to Christ Who granteth peace unto our souls.

Having shone forth a divine light and revealed itself in rays of incorruption unto the benighted gentiles astray in error, the divine Cross acquireth them for Christ Who was nailed thereto, and granteth peace unto our souls.

Having withdrawn from bodily love, O most lauded ones, through all manner of pangs and wounds ye achieved union with the most compassionate God, Who loved you with mercy and hath slain the passions with your sufferings.

Thy steps were directed to the paths of martyrdom, O most wise martyr Trophimus; and made beautiful therein, shod with sandals pierced with nails, thou didst crush the head and sting of Belial.

Giving voice to divine speech, O much-suffering Trophimus, thou didst put the tyrant to shame; and, thy feet flowing with blood, thou didst sanctify the earth. And joyfully thou dost pass over to paradise, asking salvation for us.

Bent with age and weighed down with infirmity, Jacob drew himself up when he crossed his arms, showing forth the power of the life-bearing Cross; for God Who was nailed in the flesh hath set aright the obsolescence of the law of the Scripture which was written in shadows, and hath dispelled the soul-destroying disease of deception.

Divine Israel, laying his hands cross-wise upon the heads of the young, revealed that the people who hath the honor of being the elder is a slave to the law. Wherefore, when suspected of erring in so doing, he did not alter the life-bearing image, for, he said, protected by the Cross, the newly established people of Christ God surpass them.

Sailing peacefully over the abyss of torments through the piloting of the Spirit, O right glorious athletes, in sacred manner ye reached the tranquil harbor of salvation.

Seeing thy members falling to the ground, O Trophimus, and having vinegar poured into thy nostrils, thou didst greatly receive the sweet fragrance of the love of Christ.

As a counsellor of the justifications of Christ, thou didst utterly reject the counsels of the ungodly foe, O martyr Dorymedon, and, wounded, didst give thyself over to tortures.

O Thou Who wast lifted up willingly upon the Cross, bestow Thy compassions upon the new community called after Thee, O Christ God; gladden by Thy power Orthodox Christians, granting them victory over all adversaries. May they have as an ally the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

Ikos: He who was caught up to the third heaven of paradise and heard unspeakable and divine words which the human tongue cannot utter, what writeth he to the Galatians, which, as lovers of the Scriptures, ye have both read and come to understand?—God forbid, saith he, that I should glory, save only in the Cross of the Lord,—whereon having suffered He slew the passions. Let us all then firmly hold this boast, the Cross of the Lord; for this Wood is our salvation, the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace.

The first man, tasting of the tree, made his abode in corruption; for, having condemned himself by an inglorious rejection of life, he imparted a certain taint as a corruption to the whole race. But we mortals, gaining utterance through the tree of the Cross, cry out: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Disobedience violated the commandment of God, and the tree brought death to man by its being partaken of unseasonably, for, for the preservation of that which is most precious, the tree of life was forbidden; but God disclosed it to the hapless thief who cried out rightly: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Israel, foreseeing things to come, laid hold of the tip of Joseph’s staff, revealing beforehand that the most glorious Cross would seize the power of the kingdom, for it is the victorious boast of kings and a light for those who cry out with faith: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Made beauteous in every way by thy gestures to God, O blessed Dorymedon, thou didst endure mightily, seared with heated goads, thy sides unjustly lacerated.

Desiring to behold the ineffable glory of God, O Trophimus, thou wast blinded in thine eyes by heated irons, and didst cry out to the Lord in thanksgiving: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Enflamed with love for the worshipful Trinity, ye three completed the greatest of struggles and now rejoice with the myriads of heaven. With them be ye mindful of us, ever asking that we be released from our transgressions.

O hosts of heaven, chant ye to the exalted Tree which was drenched with the Blood of God the Word incarnate, celebrating the restoration of those on earth. Ye people, worship the Cross of Christ, whereby the resurrection of the world is accomplished forever!

O ye mortal stewards of grace, in sacred manner raise on high with your hands the Cross whereon Christ God stood and the spear which pierced the body of God the Word, that all the nations may see the salvation which is of God, glorifying Him forever!

O faithful Christian kings, forechosen by divine decree, be ye glad! And having received from God the precious Cross, rejoice therein, the weapon of victory, for thereby tribes of warriors seeking courage are scattered abroad forever.

Having struggled against wounds with your naked bodies, ye received the adornment of incorruption, having clad the eternal enemy in shame, O crowned ones; and having passed over to the places of God’s rest, ye cry out: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Driven along on foot, the witnesses to Christ’s sufferings were bound to trees and endured laceration with valiant resolve; and with the streams of their blood they drowned legions of the evil demons, chanting in godly manner: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Let Trophimus be praised, let Sabbatius be glorified, and let Dorymedon be magnified today: the unshakable pillars, the ramparts of the faithful, the splendid beacons of the Church, which they honorably illumine with the rays of their magnificent struggles, for all ages.

Let all the trees of the forests rejoice, for their nature hath been sanctified by Him Who planted them in the beginning—Christ Who was stretched out upon the Tree. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

A sacred horn hath been lifted up, the chief horn for all the divinely wise—the Cross, whereby all the horns of the sinful are noetically broken asunder. Wherefore, worshipping it as it is now raised aloft, we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

With the might of the Creator of all ye restrained the ragings of the wild beasts and remained unharmed by them, O martyrs, despite their constant assaults. Wherefore, ye have been enrolled in the flock of the martyrs and ever pray in our behalf.

Most gloriously beheaded with the sword, ye offered yourselves as sacrifices for the mystical altar; and ye now dwell most joyously in the habitations of the firstborn, beholding the glory of God and receiving the fruits of your pangs and honors for your suffering.

Assembling together, come, ye faithful, and let us praise Dorymedon, Sabbatius and the glorious Trophimus, the mighty witnesses to the truth, the grapes of the noetic Vine, from whence the wine of gladness poureth forth upon us through the grace of God.

The most festive memorial of the wise athletes, shining forth today, doth truly illumine all more brightly than the rays of the sun, dispelling the darkness of the passions and the clouds of despondency. Through their supplications, O Christ, grant Thy mercies unto us all.

The Cross is the preservation of the whole world; the Cross is the adornment of the Church; the Cross is the might of kings; the Cross is the confirmation of the faithful; the Cross is the glory of angels and the wounding of demons.

Glory…, Now & ever…: the foregoing is repeated.