The Royal Martyrs

 

Great Vespers: Blessed is the man.

Lord I have Cried, Tone 6, on 8: Martyrs 8 (When Rus’, which from of old); G: Martyrs (O divinely elect); N: Dogmatic Theotokion, Tone 8 (In His love for mankind).

Entry; O Gladsome Light; Prokimenon of the day, Tone 4: The Lord will hearken unto me.

3 Readings for the Martyrs.

Litia: Sticheron of the Temple and the stichera of the Martyrs (True glory is suffering); Martyrs (The counsels of God); N: Theotokion (O unwedded Virgin).

Aposticha: Martyrs (Thy concern was not for glory); G: Martyrs (Who can recount thy labors and sufferings); N: Theotokion in Tone 6 (Christ the Lord, my creator and deliverer).

Troparia: Martyrs (Meekly didst thou endure) x2; O Theotokos and Virgin x1.

 

Matins: God is the Lord, Tone 4; Troparia: Martyrs (Meekly didst thou endure) x2; G: Venerable-Martyr Elizabeth (Causing meekness, humility and love); N: Resurrectional Theotokion, Tone 4 (The mystery hidden).

After each Kathisma: Sessional hymns of the Martyrs.

Polyeleos and Magnification of the Martyrs: We magnify you, O holy royal martyrs and passion-bearers, and we honor your venerable sufferings, which ye endured for Christ. Psalm verse: Our God is refuge and strength, a helper in afflictions which mightily befall us.

Sessional hymn of the Martyrs (When thou, O martyred Tsar); G/N: Theotokion (O all-pure Virgin).

Hymns of Ascents, First Antiphon, Tone 4: From my youth.

Prokimenon of the Martyrs, Tone 4: For Thy sake, O Lord, we are slain all the day long.

Matins Gospel: Matt. 10:16-22 (§36).

Psalm 50; G: Through the prayers of the Royal Martyrs; N: Through the prayers of the Theotokos; Have mercy on me, O God; Sticheron of the Martyrs (Great faith). Save, O God, Thy people.

 

Canon:   Theotokos                           6             O Most Holy Theotokos, save us.*

               Martyrs                               8             Holy Royal Martyrs, pray to God for us.

               Irmos: Having passed through the water as on dry land.

               Katavasia: I shall open my mouth.

 

After Ode 3, Kontakion to Venerable-Martyr Elizabeth (Taking up the Cross of Christ); Sessional Hymn of the Martyrs (O holy passion-bearer Princess Elizabeth) G/N: Theotokion (When I stand before my creator).

After Ode 6, Kontakion (Thou didst strengthen the hope of the martyred Tsar) and Ikos of the Royal Martyrs.

At Ode 9, More Honorable.

 

Exapostilaria: Martyrs (The royal martyrs); G/N: Theotokion (After God it is on thee).

Praises, Tone 3: Martyrs 4 (O royal passion-bearers and martyrs); G: Martyrs (Causing meekness, humility and love); N: Theotokion (O Theotokos, thou art the true vine). After the Great Doxology, the troparia: Royal Martyrs; G: Venerable-martyr Elizabeth; N: Theotokion (The mystery hidden); the two remaining Litanies and the dismissal; First Hour.

 

*from the Supplicatory canon of the Theotokos: Distressed by many temptations.

 

Hours: Troparia: Royal Martyrs; G: Venerable-martyr Elizabeth; Kontakion: Venerable-martyr & Royal Martyrs, alternating.

 

Liturgy: Beatitudes on 8: From the canon of the Martyrs: 4 from Ode 3; and 4 from Ode 6.

After the entrance: Troparia & Kontakia as in Appendix I, C. 

Prokimenon, Tone 7: For Thy sake, O Lord, we are slain all the day long.

Epistle: Romans 8:28-39 (§99).

Alleluia, Tone 1.

Gospel: John 15:17 - 16:2 (§52).

Communion Hymn: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.