VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 8, Podoben “O all-glorious wonder…”

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Martyr and athlete, Hermolaus,* once you hid yourself in fear from the evil ones.* You rejoiced to reveal the hidden mystery of devotion and understanding* to the passion-bearer Panteleimon.* Then you revealed yourself and zealously died for Christ* who was well-pleased to suffer for us in his goodness.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Martyr and athlete, Hermolaus,* you desired a holy life in sanctity.* You became a bishop of the almighty Jesus,* and by your life-bearing sermons and grace* you saved the people from the darkness of impurity.* You have passed over to the heavens, washed in the blood of your suffering,* blessed one of God!

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Let us praise in faith with holy words the martyrs of the Lord,* Hermippus, Hermolaus and Hermocrates!* They suffered in a wonderful way, killing the evil one* and washing themselves in the water of baptism!* They were not defiled again with other impurities.* Therefore let us keep the feast* and celebrate their memory!

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.

Rome presents you as a garden of sweet-smelling flowers,* greatly-suffering Parasceve,* perfuming the thoughts of the faithful* with the fragrance of your virtues,* ever dispelling the stench of the passions with grace!* You are the beauty of martyrs, glorious one,* the boast of virtues and a sea of miracles!

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Greatly suffering Parasceve,* you have been given to all by Christ our God as a priceless treasure!* You suffered in Rome and remained there.* Glorious martyr, by your assistance, * you drive the wickedness of demons from men!* Therefore today we all bless you and praise your holy sufferings.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Preserved by the power of Christ, most glorious Parasceve,* you ignored the pain of your body.* You entered upon your struggle with a courageous intention,* paying no heed to your feminine weakness!* Strengthened by hope, together with those who came before you,* you have received illumination!

Tone 6, Glory…

O most glorious Parasceve, victorious virgin martyr,* through your mediations before God,* pray that, those who celebrate your suffering as is meet* may be delivered from temptations, and tribulations* and the judgment which is to come,* O most hymned martyr.

Tone 5, Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride* was revealed in the Red Sea.* There, Moses divided the waters;* here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.* There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;* here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.* There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;* here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.* Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,* have mercy on us!

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 5

Intercede on our behalf, O holy martyrs,* that we may be delivered from our sins:* for to you is granted the grace to pray on our behalf.

Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and have taken to Yourself, О Lord,

Your souls, O holy martyrs, were filled with an insatiable love;* not denying Christ you endured great sufferings and torment,* and casting down the tyrants’ pride,* you kept the faith unaltered and unharmed,* and dwelling now in the heavens,* you have boldness before Christ,* pray that He grant us great mercy.

Their souls shall dwell* amid good things.

I called to mind the words of the Prophet:* ‘I am but dust and ashes.’* I went also to the tombs, and saw the naked bones, and said:* ‘Which now is the king or the soldier,* the rich man or the beggar,* the upright or the sinner?’* But grant rest with the righteous, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants,* since You are the Lover of mankind.

Glory… Now…

O you who are full of grace,* intercede by your supplications,* and beg that a multitude of compassions be granted to our souls* and the cleansing of our many sins,* we entreat you.

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.

Tone 3

Your personal pledge is like a marriage, for you promised your fidelity to the one faith,* and you inherited life, O Parasceve, the martyr named for Christ.* From your heritage you bestow health,* and you pray for the salvation of our souls.

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.

Troparion, Tone 3: Your personal pledge is like a marriage, for you promised your fidelity to the one faith,* and you inherited life, O Paraskevia, the martyr named for Christ.* From your heritage you bestow health,* and you pray for the salvation of our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Living like a good pastor, you received a martyr’s crown.* You scattered the sacrifices before the idols* and proved yourself a good shepherd of your flock.* You were an honest teacher for Panteleimon, O wise saint.* We venerate you on this account, O father Hermolaus, and cry out:* Deliver us from misfortunes by your prayers.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Come, you faithful, let us praise Paraskevia the martyr.* She shines with miracles in the world, dispelling the mist of lies,* and she gives bountiful grace to those who sing:* Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr.

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

Romans 12:1-3

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

Matthew 10:37-11:1

Communion Hymn

Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)