AT VESPERS ON TUESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 6, Podoben “Having set all aside…”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Having dyed your sacred vesture in the blood of your martyrdom,* you entered into the holy of holies, O right wondrous martyr,* where there is ineffable light, divine glory, and the voice of one who keeps festival,* receiving there the reward of your labours:* an imperishable crown, glory which is everlasting* and a dwelling-place in paradise, O wise Gregory.* Pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Having dyed your sacred vesture in the blood of your martyrdom,* you entered into the holy of holies, O right wondrous martyr,* where there is ineffable light, divine glory, and the voice of one who keeps festival,* receiving there the reward of your labours:* an imperishable crown, glory which is everlasting* and a dwelling-place in paradise, O wise Gregory.* Pray with boldness in behalf of our souls.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The threefold waves of tortures did not shake your soul,* nor did your long imprisonment, enclosed in a gloomy pit, O glorious athlete.* But you have shone forth like light upon those who languish in the darkness of vainglory,* and have shown them to be children of the day through the font of baptism,* through higher and saving regeneration, and truly divine life,* in that you are a God-pleasing hierarch, O most wise Gregory.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The threefold waves of tortures did not shake your soul,* nor did your long imprisonment, enclosed in a gloomy pit, O glorious athlete.* But you have shone forth like light upon those who languish in the darkness of vainglory,* and have shown them to be children of the day through the font of baptism,* through higher and saving regeneration, and truly divine life,* in that you are a God-pleasing hierarch, O most wise Gregory.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Rhipsimia, loving You, the Master of all, the immortal Bridegroom,* accepted the flaying of the skin of her body,* having first through abstinence rent asunder the dark hairshirt of the passions;* and with her the ever-memorable Gmana also struggled,* leading an assembly of virgins who suffered mightily* and cast down the ancient deceiver of Eve.* Praising them as is meet,* we glorify You, O Christ.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Rhipsimia, loving You, the Master of all, the immortal Bridegroom,* accepted the flaying of the skin of her body,* having first through abstinence rent asunder the dark hairshirt of the passions;* and with her the ever-memorable Gmana also struggled,* leading an assembly of virgins who suffered mightily* and cast down the ancient deceiver of Eve.* Praising them as is meet,* we glorify You, O Christ.
Tone 6, Glory…
Who can recount the victories of your virtues as is meet?* What mouth can describe your endurance of torture?* For in both were you triumphant, O Gregory, O saint of God,* never cease to pray that our souls be saved,* for you have great boldness, O hieromartyr.
Now…
When of old the unblemished ewe-lamb, the immaculate Lady,* beheld her Lamb lifted upon the Cross,* she exclaimed maternally and, marvelling, cried out:* What is this sight, new and all-glorious, O my sweet Child?* How is it that the ungrateful people have betrayed You to the judgment-seat of Pilate* and condemn the Life of all to death?* Yet I sing of Your ineffable condescension, O Word!
Aposticha
Tone 8
О Christ God who was lifted up upon the Cross,* You saved the race of mankind.* We glorify Your sufferings!
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
You were nailed to the Cross, О Christ God,* opening the gates of paradise.* We glorify Your divinity!
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Your martyrs, О Lord, were no longer mindful of the things of life,* but ignored their tortures for the sake of the life which is to come,* and were shown to be inheritors thereof;* therefore, they rejoice with the angels.* By their supplications grant great mercy to Your people.
Tone 6, Glory…
Noetically entering into the impenetrable cloud of ineffable light,* the martyr and pastor learned the ineffable mysteries of Christ,* for he was enlightened as a martyr and taught the mysteries as a pastor.* That is why he has been crowned with a twofold wreath of heavenly glory,* ever beseeching Christ in behalf of our souls.
Now…
Seeing You crucified, O Christ, she who gave You birth cried out:* ‘What is this strange mystery which I behold, O my Son?* How is it that You die on the Tree, suspended in the flesh,* O Bestower of life?
Troparia
Tone 4
Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Gregory.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin, all immaculate Mother of Christ God,* a sword pierced your all-holy soul* when you saw your Son and God willingly crucified.* Therefore, O blessed One,* never cease to pray to Him* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.
AT DIVINE LITURGY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Gregory.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Gregory.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The venerable ones will exult in glory* and they shall be joyful in their beds.
verse: Sing to the Lord a new song; let His praise be in the assembly of the venerable ones. (Psalm 149:5,1)
Epistle
Philippians 1:12-20
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)
Gospel
Luke 5:33-39
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)