ON FRIDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Master.
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
Spare me, who now implore You, O Christ, * when You command it and my soul will be parted from * my body, since it was You, Lord, who in Your wisdom as God * joined the earth and spirit and created man. * I pray You to rescue me from invisible enemies, * when they attack me and attempt to lay hold of me, * and to do me harm, and to catch and devour me. * Please count me worthy to attain refreshment forevermore, * where there is no pain, nor sighing, nor any sorry, but only joy, * where there is the water * of delight and voices echo of those who celebrate. [GOASD]
Fearing my final hour, O Lord, * when frightful demons will be fiercely attacking me, * with pain in my sorry soul, I cry out to You and implore: * Crush the traps and hurdles they will lay for me, * by Your divine power, O God and Master, I pray to You, * and please do not let me, Your servant, be victimized * by their wickedness, lest they gleefully injure me. * See how dejected I become. Take notice of my distress, * and free my pitiful soul from the pain and sorrow afflicting me, * in Your great compassion, O my God, as He who gives the great mercy to the world. [GOASD]
Savior, I cry to You and implore, * as did the Canaanite woman, to heal my soul, * and rescue me from demonic assaults and harm and from my foes * who try to disturb me by abnormal means, * defacing Your image, O Lord, in which You created me, * and who allure me into choosing to ponder on * useless recollections and bad thoughts and memories. * Fervently I beseech and pray * You blot them out from my heart, * and I entreat You, replace them purest fear and respect for You. * I pray You to grant me * to complete my life in peace and humility of soul. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
Armed with the shield of faith, and rousing themselves to action with the sign of the Cross, O Lord, Your Saints of their own accord went forth courageously to the tortures, and they abolished the delusion and the audacity of the devil. At their entreaties, O omnipotent God, send peace down upon the world, and great mercy upon our souls. [SD]
Intercede on our behalf, O holy Martyrs, * that we be delivered from our iniquities. * For to you has the grace been given to intercede on our behalf. [SD]
Refusing to deny Christ, O holy Martyrs, you endured the various painful tortures with an insatiable willingness of soul. You humbled the impudence of the tyrants, having kept your faith steadfast and invulnerable, and you were translated to heaven. Since you therefore have obtained confidence before the Lord, entreat Him that great mercy be granted to us. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
In the Red Sea long ago, there was a prefigurement of the ever-virgin Mary. There, it was Moses parting the water, and here, Gabriel took part in the wonder. Israel walked through the sea as on dry ground. The Virgin, without seed, gave birth to Christ. The sea remained impassable after the passing of Israel. The blameless Mother remained immaculate after conceiving Emmanuel. O God, the One who is and ever was and who appeared as man, have mercy on us. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.
You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me.
Verse: Rescue me from my enemies, O God, and redeem me from those who rise up against me. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Aposticha. Mode pl. 1.
For the Martyrs.
You disdained all earthly things, and you manfully defied the tortures. And hence you failed not in your blessed hopes, but became heirs of the Kingdom of heaven, O Martyrs, extolled throughout the world. Since to our humane God you speak with freedom, ask for peace for the world, and great mercy upon our souls. [SD]
For the Dead.
Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]
I remembered how the Prophet once said: “I am but dust and ashes”; and then I looked into the graves and saw the naked bones, and in turn I exclaimed: “Who can tell, which one was a king, which one a soldier, rich or poor, a righteous man or a sinner?” Nevertheless, O Lord, grant that Your servants may rest with the righteous, in Your benevolence. [SD]
Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]
You fashioned me, O Lord, and laid your hand upon me, and You commanded me and said: You shall return again to earth. Lead me in Your straight way; forgive me my offenses, and absolve me, I entreat You, O benevolent God. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
We importune you since you are God’s Mother. O blessed one, intercede for our salvation. [SD]
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ON SATURDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading. Kathismata for the Martyrs.
Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.
All the hosts in the heavens were utterly amazed * by the feats and the contests the holy Martyrs won. * For by the power of the Cross, they competed very well; * they invisibly defeated the bodiless foe, * while in their own mortal bodies. * Now they intercede with the Master, * that He be merciful to our souls. [SD]
You have given us the miracles of Your holy Martyrs as an impregnable fortress, O Christ our God. At their entreaties, frustrate the plots of foreign enemies, and strengthen our nation, for You alone are good and benevolent. [SD]
Lord, Your medal-winning martyrs longed to drink the cup of Your Passion. So they forsook the delights of this life, and they became partners with the Angels. At their supplications, grant to our souls forgiveness of sins and the great mercy. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. As the Father and Spirit.
Hail, gate of the Lord, through which no man has passed! * Wall and shelter of all who rely on you, rejoice! * Port and haven undisturbed by any tempest, rejoice! * You gave birth to your Creator and God in the flesh, * ever remaining a virgin. * Never cease interceding for us who worship and extol your Son. [GOASD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For the Martyrs.
The medaled Martyrs’ commemoration is splendid today, for it is illumined with a heavenly light. The chorus of Angels is celebrating, and the human race is also observing the feast. And therefore they intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]
For the Dead.
O Savior, let Your servants repose with the righteous, and let them dwell in Your courts, according to the Scriptures. Overlook their voluntary and involuntary offenses, every sin committed knowingly or unknowingly, benevolent Lord. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. As the Father and Spirit.
You conceived and you carried the Savior of the world, * born in two perfect natures in one hypostasis, * O all-holy, ever-virgin Mother of God. * Pray to Him as do the Prophets, the Martyrs, and devout * monastic Saints, and implore Him * for lasting peace in the whole world, * and entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]
Canon for all Saints.
Mode pl. 1. Ode i. Heirmos.
Over land on which the sun had never shone or ever seen * and the abyss which the vault of heaven had not seen exposed before, * Israel perambulated without getting wet; * and You led them and You gave them entry unto Your Holy Mountain, * as they sang and chanted songs of victory, O Lord. [SD]
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased.
To our Savior and God.
Theotokion.
Ode iii. Heirmos.
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased.
Theotokion.
Ode iv. Heirmos.
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased.
Theotokion.
Ode v. Heirmos.
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Arising very early.
Theotokion.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
O Lord, You rescued from the whale the Prophet long ago. * I pray that You also let me rise from the sea of passions oppressing me, * so that with favor I may once again look toward Your holy temple. [SD]
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. The deep abyss.
Theotokion.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Inside the furnace.
Theotokion.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. Before the ages.
Theotokion.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
For He who is all-powerful, as God almighty, has done * great things for me, and holy is His name. * And his mercy is on those who truly fear Him * from generation to generation. [SD]
Troparia.
For the Dead.
Theotokion.
Canon for the Deceased. You, transcending mind.
Theotokion.
Aposticha of Lauds.
For the Martyrs. Mode pl. 1.
The holy Martyrs competed on the earth, endured exposure to the air, were delivered to the fire, and the water received them. To them belong the words, “We went through fire and water, and You led us into a refreshing place.” By their intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. [GOASD]
O Lord, Your medal-winning Martyrs imitated the angelic orders, by enduring the tortures as if they themselves were also bodiless. There singular hope was to obtain the promised blessings. At their intercession, grant peace to Your world, and great mercy to our souls, O Christ our God. [SD]
As the holy Martyrs were being tortured, they sang in exultation, “These will all be exchanged when we meet the Master. Instead of the physical injuries we are sustaining, He will dress us with a luminous garment in the resurrection. Instead of prison there is Paradise. And instead of being sentenced with criminals, we will be in the company of Angels.” O Lord, we pray You save our souls, at their supplications. [GOASD]
For the Dead.
There is not a single thing in this life that will not pass away, neither wealth, nor tyranny, nor the bloom of youth. For death destroys them all alike, and then come things immovable. It is sown in corruption, it rises in incorruption; it is sown in indignity, it resurrects in glory. Therefore, O Christ, grant rest with the righteous to Your servants whom You have taken, as our benevolent Lord. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Beneath your tender compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos. Despise not our supplications in distress, but deliver us from all peril. You alone are pure; you alone are blessed. [SD]
When Alleluia is sung at Matins, we sing the foregoing hymns for the Martyrs as Lauds, and the following Aposticha.
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
Settle the souls of those who have passed * where the resplendence of Your countenance shines on them, * to lie down in greenest pastures, O most compassionate Christ, * beside the still waters of divine delight. * And grant them to be at rest in the bosom of Abraham, * there where Your light is most especially visible, * and the fountains of Your benevolence overflow, * there where the choirs of the just continually celebrate, * ever extolling Your goodness, in exultation and songs of joy. * We pray You have mercy * on Your servants and You grant them to dwell with all Your saints. [GOASD]
Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]
Grant to your departed to sing * your praise, O Lord, with a voice that is harmonious, * to give glory to your great might and mercy to those who are now * taking leave of their cares * and turning to you, * O Master and loving Lord, * as you give beauty and your light, * bestowing sweetness * and communion with divine joy. * Grant as well to them * as a loving God that they may * take rest and take enjoyment of your all-holy purity. * At your throne the angels and the saints attend you with songs of praise; * with them grant your servants * your great mercy and as well, O Lord, sweet rest eternal. [RB]
Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]
Grant rest to those asleep now in faith, * where prophets’ choirs and ranks of martyrs and apostles * and all from the ages who have been made in you justified * in your saving passion and salvific blood, * through which you redeemed humanity from our captivity, * as many sins as we commit, you forgive them all; * loving God you are, and the friend of all humankind; * for you alone are without sin, the earth you have civilized, * you alone may we call holy and you alone are made free in death; * therefore grant your servants * your great mercy and as well, O Lord, sweet rest eternal. [RB]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Lady, when you conceived in your womb * the very Giver of the Law, namely Christ the King, * O only Mother and Virgin, you freed the human race * that had been in bondage to the law of sin. * Through Him we are justified by His free gift and grace divine. * Will you implore Him to inscribe in the book of life * those extolling you as the one who gave birth to God, * so that we who are saved through your entreaties, all-blameless one, * may thus obtain what we long for, namely redemption from Christ your Son, * whom we rightly worship * as the Savior who is granting great mercy to the world. [SD]
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LITURGY
The Beatitudes. Mode pl. 1.
When the robber had believed * that You the crucified were truly God, * he wholeheartedly and sincerely confessed You, * and he cried aloud to You, O Christ, “In Your kingdom, remember me.” [SD]
Holy Martyrs, as you died, * you destroyed the evil archenemy, * and you passed away into the heights of heaven, * where you stand near God the King of all, * with halos of victory. [SD]
Being illumined with the light * of the holy priesthood, the Hierarchs * have been glorified; and the Saints who were monastics * have attained eternal life on high. * Hence they are beatified. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
Master, grant a place of rest * to those whom You have taken from this life * with the hosts of the elect in heaven, overlooking * all their sins committed while on earth, * O Logos and Savior Christ. [SD]
Glory.
Holy Trinity, we pray, * be implored by sacred struggles endured * by the Hierarchs and Martyrs, and grant Your great mercy * and salvation to the souls of all * who have died with faith in You. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Lady, full of grace divine, * you contained the uncontainable God, * and you bore Him, transcending nature and reason. * Earnestly entreat Him now to be * merciful toward us all. [SD]
END OF MODE PL. 1