Event Information:
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Sat14Dec2024
The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, Philemon, Apollonius, and Callinicus.
Nativity Fast.
VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
The wondrous Thyrsus, the divinely wise Callinicus, and the glorious Leucius,* confessing the uncreated Trinity, with most courageous resolve* endured torments most grievous and intense,* and as victors have received crowns of victory,* becoming fellow citizens with the immaterial hosts.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The great Philemon, Adrian most rich, and the wise Apollonius* quenched the flame of polytheism with torrents of blood,* watered all the earth with divine streams of the knowledge of God,* and dried up rivers of the passions with showers of healing and grace divine,* in that they are our fervent defenders.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The glorious martyrs, the most beauteous flowers* blossomed forth in the meadow,* emitting the divine fragrance of the Spirit,* and perfuming the thoughts of those who with faith honour their annual memorial,* their sufferings and struggles, and their godly end.* Rejoicing, they dwell in never-waning light.
Tone 4
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Emulating the sufferings of Christ, the Lover of mankind, О passion-bearers,* you gave your bodies over to wounds, and bitter torments, and myriad pangs,* ever looking forward to the divine delight of paradise,* to ever-abundant sustenance and everlasting glory;* and having received this, pray for those who hymn you.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Emulating the sufferings of Christ, the Lover of mankind, О passion-bearers,* you gave your bodies over to wounds, and bitter torments, and myriad pangs,* ever looking forward to the divine delight of paradise,* to ever-abundant sustenance and everlasting glory;* and having received this, pray for those who hymn you.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
О most sacred pastors, as glorious emulators of Christ, the Chief Shepherd, the King of all,* you readily laid down your lives for the sheep,* and endured grievous misfortunes, О right blessed ones;* and as champions you save the divinely chosen flock unharmed by cruel wolves.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.
verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.
Aposticha
Tone 4
You are glorified in the commemorations of Your saints, O Christ our God:* by their intercessions send down upon us Your great mercy.
Wondrous is God in His saints,* the God of Israel.
You have accepted the patient endurance of the holy martyrs:* in Your love for mankind accept our hymns of praise,* and by their intercessions send down upon us Your great mercy.
Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and taken to Yourself, О Lord.
With the spirits of the faithful departed* grant rest, O Saviour, to the souls of Your servants,* and preserve them for a life of blessedness* with You, O Lover of mankind.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O inextinguishable lamp, and throne of righteousness* most pure Sovereign Lady:* pray that our souls be saved.
Troparia
Tone 4
O Lord our God, your holy martyrs* have deserved the crown of immortality* on account of their good fight.* Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created,* and saved our souls from death.
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: O Lord our God, your holy martyrs * have deserved the crown of immortality * on account of their good fight. * Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors * and crushed Satan’s dreadful might. * Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save 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 2: You showed the violence of the enemy in public * after you spat upon that barbarian torturer. * You upheld the holiness of the faith, * finding your strength in the help of Christ. * Now pray for us, all you martyrs.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
To the saints who are in His land, the Lord has made wonderful all His desires in them.
verse: I foresaw the Lord in my sight, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken. (Psalm 15:3,8)
Epistle
Ephesians 5:1-8
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions.
verse: The afflictions of the just are many, and out of them all will the Lord deliver them. (Psalm 33:18,20)
Gospel
Luke 14:1-11
Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)