Saint with Six Stichera. Apostles’ Fast
VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
There are no appointed psalms to be chanted tonight.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
With hymns let us all honour Cyrus and with him the great John,* the two martyrs who possessed the radiance of the Trinity,* the foundation of the Faith, the flowers breathing forth* the true fragrance of the understanding of Christ,* for they pray unceasingly for us to the Lord.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
With hymns let us all honour Cyrus and with him the great John,* the two martyrs who possessed the radiance of the Trinity,* the foundation of the Faith, the flowers breathing forth* the true fragrance of the understanding of Christ,* for they pray unceasingly for us to the Lord.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
With fasting and radiance of life you shone forth,* and later you adorned your soul with suffering, O glorious Cyrus.* You forsook an earthly army, O wise John,* and found the army of heaven.* And, entreating the Saviour, O blessed ones,* you both pray for those who bless your memory.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
With fasting and radiance of life you shone forth,* and later you adorned your soul with suffering, O glorious Cyrus.* You forsook an earthly army, O wise John,* and found the army of heaven.* And, entreating the Saviour, O blessed ones,* you both pray for those who bless your memory.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You were shown to be physicians of the infirm, O blessed ones,* and never-waning luminaries of the divine Faith,* uttering confession together* and sharing in the lot of the martyrs.* Having truly received crowns from Christ, O glorious Cyrus and wise John,* unceasingly entreat the Saviour* in behalf of those who hymn you with faith.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You were shown to be physicians of the infirm, O blessed ones,* and never-waning luminaries of the divine Faith,* uttering confession together* and sharing in the lot of the martyrs.* Having truly received crowns from Christ, O glorious Cyrus and wise John,* unceasingly entreat the Saviour* in behalf of those who hymn you with faith.
Tone 8, Glory…
Two martyrs have shone forth upon us today, healing the pangs of our souls:* Cyrus and John, the wonder-workers.* The one, embracing the angelic life and living it to the end,* united himself to Christ by the blood of martyrdom;* and the other, shining forth among the military ranks,* is now enrolled in the armies of heaven.* Therefore, they impart healing to those who with faith celebrate their memory,* praying for our souls.
Tone 1, Now…
Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,* glory of the whole world!* She was herself formed by human seed,* yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,* the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.* She was seen as being heavenly* and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.* She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,* and brought peace in its place.* She opened up the kingdom of heaven.* Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,* and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.* Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,* for He will fight our enemies for us,* He is all-powerful!
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 1
O all-praised martyrs, you were not buried in the earth,* yet heaven has received you;* the gates of Paradise were opened to you,* and entering within you have partaken of the tree of life.* Pray to Christ that He grant peace* and great mercy to our souls.
Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and taken to Yourself, О Lord.
What pleasure in this life remains unmarked by sorrow?* What glory can endure upon this earth unchanged?* All is feebler than a shadow,* more deceptive than a dream;* for death in a single moment takes away all things.* But in the light of Your countenance, O Christ,* and in the joy of Your beauty,* grant rest to those whom You have chosen,* for You are the Lover of mankind.
Their souls shall dwell* amid good things.
No man is free from sin,* none save You, who alone art immortal.* Therefore, O compassionate God,* grant to Your servants a dwelling-place in the Light,* with the choirs of Your angels.* In Your loving-kindness overlook their transgressions,* and grant them forgiveness.
Tone 2, Glory…
Come, O assembly of the faithful,* and with hymns let us crown Cyrus and John today:* the soldiers of grace and most generous fulfillers of petitions;* for in manifold ways they have been shown to all as most splendid physicians.* Therefore, they pray for our souls.
Now…
Save from misfortunes, your servants, O Virgin Theotokos,* for after God it is to you that we flee,* as to an impregnable rampart and protection.
Troparia
Tone 5
O Christ God, through the wonders of your holy martyrs,* You have given us an invincible rampart.* By their prayers disperse the council of unbelievers;* strengthen the rule of your kingdom,* for You alone are good and the Lover of mankind.
Now…
Rejoice, Virgin, impassable gateway of the Lord!* Rejoice, protective wall of those who take refuge in you!* Rejoice, peaceful haven untroubled by storms!* Rejoice, O Virgin who has not known wedlock* and yet has given birth in the flesh to your Creator and God!* O Mother of God, never cease to intercede* for those who praise and worship your Son.
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: O Christ God, through the wonders of your holy martyrs,* You have given us an invincible rampart.* By their prayers disperse the council of unbelievers;* strengthen the rule of your kingdom,* for You alone are good and the Lover of mankind.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 3: After receiving the divine gift of healing, O holy ones,* you ceaselessly work wonders in the world* and invisibly remove all our sufferings by the art of your hands.* O Cyrus, filled with God’s wisdom, and O glorious John,* you are truly divine healers.
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 always in my sight, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken. (Psalm 15:3,8)
Epistle
Romans 3:28-4:3
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together.
verse: For the Lord confers His blessing and life for ever. (Psalm 132:1,3)
Gospel
Matthew 7:24-8:4
Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.