3rd Sunday After Pentecost / Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates
Beatitudes on 10 Octoechos: 6; Great Martyr: 4, from Ode 3.
1. We offer Thee the cry of the thief, and we pray: Remember us in Thy kingdom, O Savior.
2. For the forgiveness of transgressions we offer unto Thee the Cross which Thou didst accept for our sake, O Thou who lovest mankind.
3. We bow down in worship, O Master, before Thy burial and rising, whereby Thou hast delivered the world from corruption, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
4. By Thy death hath death been slain, O Lord, and by Thy resurrection hast Thou saved the world, O Savior.
5. Risen from the tomb, Thou didst meet the myrrh-bearing women; and Thou didst tell Thy disciples to announce Thine arising.
6. Those who slept in darkness, beholding Thee, the Light, in the nethermost parts of hades, O Christ, were raised from the dead.
7. Like a mighty commander thou didst vanquish the legion of the ungodly, and didst trample down all the wiles of the pernicious serpent.
8. In that thou wast earnest of soul, O glorious one, with pious intent thou didst destroy the adulterous temples of the ungodly.
9. With force of mind didst thou endure the assaults of the cruel foe, emulating the life-creating death of the Judge of the contest.
10. O Mother of God, in manner transcending nature thou alone hast become the mediatress of blessings for those on earth. Wherefore, we cry to thee: Rejoice!
Troparia & Kontakia Tone 2: When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, /
then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. /And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, /all the Hosts of the heavens cried out: //O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
[Troparion of the Temple]
Tone 4: Through true recruitment /
didst thou become a most comely general of the heavenly King, /
O passion-bearer Theodore; /
for with the weaponry of faith thou didst wisely array thyself, /
didst vanquish legions of demons /
and didst show thyself forth as a victorious athlete. //
Wherefore, we ever bless thee with faith.
Tone 2: Thou didst rise from the tomb, O omnipotent Savior, /
and Hades was terrified on beholding the wonder; /
and the dead arose, /
and creation at the sight thereof rejoiceth with Thee. /
And Adam also is joyful, //
and the world, O my Savior, praiseth Thee for ever.
[Kontakion of the Temple]
Glory… Tone 2: Arrayed in faith with manliness of soul, /
and taking in hand the word of God as a spear, /
thou didst vanquish the enemy, O Theodore, /
great among the martyrs. //
With them cease thou never to entreat Christ God in behalf of us all.
Both now... Tone 6:
O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, /
O mediation unto the Creator unfailing, /
disdain not the suppliant voices of sinners, /
but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who in faith cry unto thee; /
hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, //
thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
The Epistle
Reader: The Prokimenon in the 2nd Tone: The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.
Choir: The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.
Reader: With chastisement hath the Lord chastened me, but He hath not given me over unto death.
Choir: The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.
Reader: In the 7th Tone: The righteous man shall rejoice in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
Choir: The righteous man shall rejoice in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans:
[Rom. 5:1-10 (§88); II Tim. 2:1-10 (§292)]
Reader: Alleluia in the 2nd Tone: The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: O Lord, save the king, and hearken unto us in the day when we call upon Thee.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reader: In the 4th Tone: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm tree, and like a cedar of Lebanon shall he be multiplied.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Gospel [Matt. 6:22-33 (§18); Matt. 10:16-22 (§36)]
Communion Verse: Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest! In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!