Daily texts will return after June 20, 2024!
Event Information:
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Fri02Aug2024
Transfer of the Holy Relics of the First-martyr and Archdeacon Stephen (5th c.).
Dormition Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
VESPERS ON THURSDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
There are no appointed psalms to be chanted tonight.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O Stephen, first among the martyrs to suffer,* foundation of them that minister as deacons, elect of the apostles:* with unwaning light illumine them that celebrate your radiant festival with splendour,* bestowing grace and mercy upon your servants, O martyr,* guiding them to everlasting life by your supplications.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
O Stephen, martyr of Christ,* receiving upon your head a crown of graces* in accordance with your name,* having adorned your neck with a necklace of virtues as with one of gold,* you became an all-wise habitation of wisdom,* which you cherished, laying it up as something you loved;* wherefore, you have been honoured with glory and grace.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
O most honoured Stephen, first of the martyrs to suffer,* crowned with glory and grace, O apostle,* when you were stoned you offered to our King and Goda precious crown,* noetic and of greater value than gold and precious stones.* Sweet are your deeds and name.* Remember all of us.
Tone 2
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
First among deacons and first among martyrs*were you shown to be, O most holy Stephen;* for your path was to holy things,* and you lead many martyrs to the Lord.* Wherefore, heaven was opened to you, and God appeared to you.* Entreat Him that our souls be saved.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
In sanctity were thou clothed, O blessed Stephen,* protomartyr and protodeacon, converser with the angels.* Intercede with the sinless Saviour and Lord, and pray for us.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Let us honour the protodeacon Stephen,* the protomartyr and valiant favourite of Christ;* for, standing in the midst of the iniquitous,* he beheld the Son at the right hand of the Father.
Tone 6, Glory…
First among martyrs and deacons were you shown to be, O apostle Stephen,* adornment of athletes, confirmation of the faithful, glory of the righteous.* As you stand before the throne of Christ, the King of all,* ask that they that celebrate your honoured memory be accounted worthy* to be cleansed of their sins and to inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Now…
Seeing You crucified, O Christ, she that gave birth to You cried out:* What strange mystery is this that I see?* How is it that You die, suspended in the flesh upon the Tree,* O Bestower of life?
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
My help is from the Lord,* Who made heaven and earth.
verse: I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come.
Aposticha
Tone1
The Cross was set up on Golgotha,* and blossomed forth immortality for us from the ever-flowing fountain* of the Saviour’s side.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
The precious Cross of the Saviour is for us an indestructible rampart;* for, placing our trust in it, we all are saved.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
By the supplications of all the saints and the Theotokos, О Lord,* grant us peace, and have mercy upon us,* in that You alone are compassionate.
Tone 8, Glory…
Rejoice in the Lord, O crown-bearer Stephen,* emulator of the Master;* for you were the first martyr of Christ our King* and abolished the deception of the iniquitous Jews;* and you pray to the Lord in our behalf.
Now…
Beholding You nailed to the Cross, O Jesus,* accepting sufferings of Your own will,* Your Virgin Mother, O Master, cried out:* Woe is me, O my sweet Child!* How is it that You must unjustly endure wounding,* O Physician who cures the infirmity of man* and delivers all from corruption in Your lovingkindness?"
Troparia
Tone 4
O martyr Stephen, your head was crowned with a kingly crown* on account of all the struggles you endured for Christ our God.* You beheld the vision of your Saviour seated at the right hand of God.* Do not cease to intercede with Him for the salvation of our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin, all immaculate Mother of Christ God,* a sword pierced your all-holy soul* when you saw your Son and God willingly crucified.* Therefore, O blessed One,* never cease to pray to Him* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.
DIVINE LITURGY ON FRIDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: O martyr Stephen, your head was crowned with a kingly crown* on account of all the struggles you endured for Christ our God.* You beheld the vision of your Saviour seated at the right hand of God.* Do not cease to intercede with Him for the salvation of our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 6: O blessed Stephen worthy of all praise,* you are the very first to have been planted in the earth by the Divine Gardener,* the very first to have shed your blood for Christ,* the very first to have been crowned with the crown of victory by Christ in heaven.* You are the first to have suffered for Christ and to have received a martyr’s reward.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)
Epistle
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)
Gospel
Matthew 24:27-33, 42-51
Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)