Orthodox Study
Isaac Lambertsen

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

Menaion — translated by Isaac Lambertsen

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¶1

Then the other troparion, in Tone IV—

¶2

Together let us praise the divinely elect twenty and six, the protectors of the Monastery of Zographou, the steadfast venerable athletes, the demolishers of falsehood and champions of Orthodoxy.

¶3

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

¶4

Troparion, in Tone I—

¶5

Glory..., that of the Hieromartyr, in Tone IV—

¶6

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

¶7

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

¶8

Glory…: Another troparion, in Tone IV—

¶9

Wielding divine discourse like a spiritual sword, O thrice-blessed ones, ye severed the heads of the Latin-minded enemies; and, utterly consumed, ye offered up sweet savor unto the Lord.

¶10

At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the martyrs, in Tone I—

¶11

Stichos: We went through fire and water, and Thou didst bring us out into refreshment.

¶12

Troparion of the Apostle, in Tone III—

¶13

Abiding with the angelic choirs, and standing before the throne of the Master, O God-bearers, with them do ye earnestly make entreaty, that those who honor your memory may be saved from misfortunes.

¶14

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone & melody—

¶15

O Trinity infinite in power, Unity in three Hypostases: through the supplications of Thy steadfast athletes and of the only Ever-virgin Theotokos, save us who hymn Thee.

¶16

Having honorably passed your life in asceticism at the Monastery of Zographou, O venerable regiment, ye twenty-six valiant fathers, ye offered yourselves as sacrifices to God in the fire with the steadfast resolve of piety. Wherefore, ye have received a twofold wreath from the Lord God, sending up glory unto Him Who hath crowned you.

¶17

Rendering honor today as is meet, O venerable martyrs, we offer up praise at your annual feast, for it is the cause of good things for us; and celebrating the all-night vigil we chant: O proclaimers of the Spirit, faithful servants of the Trinity, pray ye fervently to the Lord in our behalf!

¶18

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

¶19

Rejoice, O divine regiment of the Monastery of Zographou, victorious company, pillars of piety, and steadfast, unyielding and undaunted contenders against the enemy, who, taking your stand upon the tower, did most boldly condemn the falsehood of the Latins, of Michael, the vainglorious emperor of Byzantium, and with him the mindless Beccus, denouncing them all exceedingly, in that they had cast the flock of Christ to the lions. Wherefore, entreat ye the Savior, that He grant us great mercy.

¶20

Stichos: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

¶21

Rejoice, ye victorious multitude who prevailed in the sacred battle and have joyfully received a crown from the Lord! And now, gazing upon the ineffable glory of the blessed, deified by communion with God, emulating the singing of the immaterial seraphim, and offering up spontaneous entreaty for the world, in that ye made yourselves temples of the Holy Spirit, ye behold the mysteries of the exalted wisdom of God. Beseech Christ, that He send down great mercy upon our souls.

¶22

Stichos: Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the Church of the saints.

¶23

Rejoice, O Thomas, pastor of the honored Monastery of Zographou, O Barsanuphius, Cyril, Micah, Simon and Sabbas, Hilarion and Job, Martinian and James, Cosmas and Anthony, Joseph and Euthymius, Menas and Paul, Joannicius and Sergius, Dometian, Parthenius and Cyprian, and the other James, with four others: ye twenty-six valiant and glorious venerable martyrs! Praising you as is meet, we pray that ye will offer supplication in our behalf.

¶24

Glory…, in Tone V—

¶25

Today the Church of Christ is glad, adorned by the goodly valor of the venerable martyrs, and it summoneth all who struggle in stillness and the common life, saying: Come, rejoice ye all with me, O chosen Israel, for the Lord hath made my glory resplendent, exposing the blasphemy of the heretics against the all-holy Spirit, for these venerable athletes, standing upon the summit of the tower, boldly denounced it. Wherefore let us cry to them in thanksgiving: As ye have boldness before Christ Who hath glorified you, O saints, cease ye never to pray for your monastery, wherein ye took up your ascetic struggles and finished the course of martyrdom, that He grant it peace and save our souls.

¶26

We bless thee, O Virgin Theotokos, and we, the faithful, glorify thee as is meet, thou unassailable city, impregnable rampart, steadfast intercession and refuge of our souls.

¶27

Having honorably passed through life by asceticism in the Monastery of Zographou, O venerable regiment, ye twenty-six valiant fathers, ye offered yourselves as sacrifices to God in the fire, with the steadfast resolve of piety. Wherefore, ye have received a twofold wreath from the Lord God, sending up glory unto Him Who hath crowned you.

¶28

Rendering honor today as is meet, O venerable martyrs, we offer up praise at your annual feast, for for us it is the cause of good things; and celebrating the all-night vigil we chant: O proclaimers of the Spirit, faithful servants of the Trinity, pray ye fervently to the Lord in our behalf!

¶29

And “Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!…”, once.

¶30

O holy apostle Codratus, entreat thou the ­merciful God, that He grant to our souls remission of sins.

¶31

As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles and didst occupy their throne, thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, O divinely inspired one. Wherefore, ordering the word of truth, thou didst suffer for the faith even unto the shedding of thy blood, O hieromartyr Phocas. Entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.

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