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.