Supplicatory Paraklesis to the Holy Martyrs
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things with Thy grace, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. *
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release us from our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
O Lord, attend to my prayer: hearken to my supplication in thy truth; hear me in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark place, as those that have been long dead. Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all thy doings: yea, I meditated on the works of thine hands. I spread forth my hands to thee; my soul thirsts for thee, as a dry land. Pause. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away thy face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit. Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in thee; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to thee. Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to thee for refuge. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God; thy good Spirit shall guide me in the straight way. Thou shalt quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake; in thy righteousness thou shalt bring my soul out of affliction. And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies, and wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Troparion, Tone 4.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Verse 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever. Verse 2: All the nations compassed me about, and in the name of the Lord I withstood them. Verse 3: I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Verse 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
Thy martyr (name), O Lord, in his contest received from Thee, our God, the crown of incorruption; for, having Thy strength, he overthrew the tyrant and crushed the powerless might of the idols. Through his intercession, O Christ God, save our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The same troparion.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We will never cease, O Theotokos, we the unworthy, from speaking of thy mighty acts; for hadst thou not stood before us to intercede, who would have delivered us from so many dangers? And who would have kept us free until now? We will not depart from thee, O Lady, for thou ever savest thy servants from all misfortunes. Ode 1, irmos. Ode 3, irmos.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given it: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
Let us sing to the Lord, who led His people through the Red Sea; to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
O holy martyr, or virgin-martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
Before the Holy Trinity thou shinest in divine beauty with a crown, O martyr of Christ (name); we who are poor entreat thee.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O thou who art enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit and made radiant among the holy angels, by the grace of thine intercession help those who entreat thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy soul rejoiceth with the holy apostles, O crown of the martyrs (name); make us worthy of eternal joy by thy prayer.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lady Mary, God-radiant, glorified with glory, through the prayers of the holy martyrs make us worthy to behold thy glory.
Thou art the strength of those who entreat Thee, O Christ; Thou art the light of those in darkness, and my soul magnifieth Thee.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O victor in the contest, martyr of Christ (name), glorified among the angels and praised among men, we confess thee and entreat thee: have mercy on us.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O holy martyr (name), enlightened by the radiance of the unapproachable Light, entreat Jesus Himself to have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O thou who art adorned with the manifold crowns of the contest, with uplifted hands we entreat thee: raise up us who have fallen through the passions.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O priceless pearl, Mary Theotokos, together with the martyr (name), crowned with pearls, we entreat thee: have mercy on us.
Deliver thy servants from dangers, O most holy Virgin Theotokos, for after God we all flee unto thee, as to an unbreakable wall and protection.
Look upon us, O all-praised Theotokos, and heal the grievous wounds of our bodies and the sicknesses of our souls.
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God… with the exclamation.
Sessional hymn. Tone 4. Ode 4, irmos. Ode 5, irmos. Ode 6, irmos.
O intercessor of those who entreat thee and glorify thee, honourable martyr, who didst suffer for the faith of Christ, entreat Jesus who crowned thee to grant peace to those who sing to thee and great mercy to those who honour thee.
I have heard, O Lord, of the dispensation of Thine ineffable mysteries; I have considered Thy works and confessed Thy Godhead.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
Thou singest Hosanna to the Lord with the hymn of victory, O victor in the contest (name); thou didst appear as conqueror of the passions, O most mighty martyr.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
In the Holy of Holies, in the kingdom, before Christ, thou art glorified with a crown, O blessed one; intercede for us also, that we may be made worthy of the glory of the kingdom.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Lifted up from glory to glory, O martyr of Christ (name), raise thy hands, anointed in the contest, and lift up those who entreat thee.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O fragrant myrrh, Mary, sweeter than manna, through the intercession of the martyrs pour out thy grace upon us, O Lady.
Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord: save us, for Thou art good; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O glorious martyr of Christ (name), entreat Jesus, who made thee radiant with brightness, to have mercy on the children of the Church.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O jewel of the martyrs (name), who shinest more brightly than the eye of the sun, enlighten the eyes of our souls, that we may behold the radiance.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O precious carbuncle, adorned with a crown of pearls, open thy lips and intercede that we may be adorned with the crown of virtue.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou hast put on a God-radiant crown, O Lady Mary; grant us the flowering crown of virtue through the intercession of the martyrs.
Give me a shining garment, O God, who puttest on light as a garment, through the intercession of the martyrs.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O radiant star, luminary among the martyrs (name), we entreat thy holiness: intercede for us before God.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O thou who wast strengthened by Jesus in the contest and crowned by Him with stars in the heavens, hear our supplication and have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How beautiful a crown of glory Christ hath set upon thee, O holy martyr (name); entreat Him to grant a crown to us also.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The choirs of the martyrs entreat thee, O Virgin Mary, to unite us poor ones to the choir of those who sing to thee.
Deliver thy servants from dangers, O most holy Virgin Theotokos, for after God we all flee unto thee, as to an unbreakable wall and protection.
Look down upon us, O all-praised Theotokos, and heal the evil wounds of our bodies and the sicknesses of our soul. Tone 4. Prokeimenon before the Gospel… The Gospel according to Matthew. Ode 7, irmos. Ode 8, irmos. Ode 9, irmos.
And the kontakion of that martyr, or this common kontakion:
Thou didst shine forth as a radiant star, proclaiming Christ, the Sun who leadeth not astray, O contender (name), enlightened by His rays; thou didst wholly quench the multitude of error, and thou givest us the twofold light, interceding unceasingly for us all.
Priest: Let us attend. Wisdom.
God is wonderful in His saints, the God of Israel.
Verse: The saints shall boast in glory and shall rejoice upon their beds.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord. For holy art Thou, O our God… Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord… And that He may make us worthy… Wisdom! Aright!
The Lord said to His disciples: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the intercessions of the holy martyr (name), O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression, and have mercy on me, O God.
Sticheron: Do not deem unworthy our zealous supplication, O King, who entreat Thee through the mediation of the martyrs, for they endured torments to the end for Thy holy name; but through their intercession have mercy on us and save us, O God.
Priest: O God, save… with the exclamation.
The Hebrew youths walked in the furnace upon the fire with boldness, and, bedewed, they cried out thus and said: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O rose, blossoming with divine beauty, made radiant and crimson with blood, O martyr of Christ (name), we magnify thy contest and call upon thy name: have mercy on us.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
Thou art worthily glorified with hymns in the Church, and thou hast blossomed in divine radiance in paradise; we entreat thee, remember us before Christ, for longing of whom thou didst shed thy blood, O blessed one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O fragrant sardius, ointment springeth from thy relics, O martyr (name); pour upon us the radiant light of thy prayer, that we may attain to the true light.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The hosts of the martyrs rejoice in thy radiance, O Theotokos Mary, and, made radiant with crowns, they ask for us ineffable joy. Hear them and have mercy on us, O immaculate one.
The King of heaven, whom the choirs of angels serve, praise ye and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O martyr of Christ (name), beautifully crowned, pour upon us the rays of thy prayer, that we may delight with thee unto the ages.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
O thou who art radiant in spirit and bright in mind, and whose speech is seasoned with grace, entreat Emmanuel to have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O (name), kindled with love for the Lord and martyred out of longing for Him, entreat Him, O blessed one, for us, the unworthy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary, all-immaculate, sweeter than honey, desirable manna, ask of sweet Jesus for us to be united with the martyrs.
We confess thee as Theotokos, we who have been saved through thee, O immaculate Virgin, and with the choirs of the bodiless we magnify thee unceasingly.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
With the Cherubim thou singest to the King of the angels, O holy martyr (name); remember before Him those who glorify thy memory, O glorious one.
O holy martyr (name), entreat Christ God for us.
They girded thee with the belt of martyrdom, and with a divinely beautiful crown thou keepest festival in the heavens; show us forth as partakers of that spotless radiance, we entreat thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Our tongue cannot praise thee worthily, O martyr (name); but entreat Jesus, who glorified thee, to make us partakers of His glory.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mary, who gavest birth to the Light, pour out upon us the radiant light, that with the choir of the martyrs we may magnify thee, O Mother of the Light.
It is truly meet that we should magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-immaculate and the Mother of our God. Thee, more honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the only Theotokos, we magnify in song.
The priest censes.
Thou didst contend beyond nature, O martyr of Christ (name); therefore the Lord exalted thee above the heavens, and before Him thou delightest with a crown. Entreat Him, O blessed one, for us, the unworthy.
Thou singest to the Lord united with the angels, O holy martyr (name); entreat Him who giveth mercy abundantly to make us worthy to hear that longed-for hymn.
Thou didst embrace the sweet yoke of Christ, O all-blessed martyr (name); we, thine unworthy servants, entreat thee: set us wretched ones free from the yoke of the enemies.
O holy martyr (name), fairer than the moon and more radiant than the firmament, enlighten us who glorify thee with longing, that we may behold thy glory more fully.
O most blessed Mary, more honourable than the Cherubim and higher than the Seraphim, through the prayers of the victorious martyrs make us worthy to dwell in the kingdom of God unto the ages.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, deliver us and release us from our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, being without any defence, this supplication do we sinners offer to Thee, the good Master: have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust; be not exceedingly angry with us, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us in mercy, as Thou art good, and deliver us from Thy just wrath; for Thou art our God and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and Thy name is called upon us: have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the doors of compassion, O blessed Theotokos, that hoping in thee we may not perish, but through thee be delivered from our adversaries, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race. A prayer to be said kneeling
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Priest: Have mercy on us and hear us, O God.
O all-glorious martyr (name), crowned by God, united with the angels and honoured with the apostles, perfection of the martyrs, glory of the fathers, beauty of virgins, swift helper of those who entreat thee, fulfiller of petitions and giver of mercy!
O all-radiant martyr of Christ (name), with the radiance of the brightness of thy holiness make radiant our God-protected people; by thine all-enlightening prayer enlighten the Most Holy and Most Blessed Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazeti, the great lord, our father Ilia, the most reverend metropolitans, archbishops and bishops and all the priestly and monastic ranks; by thy mighty power strengthen the Christ-loving armed forces and all Orthodox Christians; magnify those who bear thy name and those who entreat thee. Entreat, O holy martyr of Christ, the sweetest Jesus, whom thou didst love, to grant us His grace and His countless mercy.
O all-praised and honoured holy martyr (name), by thy divinely glorious wonders, signs and miracles set free the captives, heal the infirm, deliver those in trials, save those who sail on the sea, convert sinners and bring them to Christ God, who receiveth all; and glorify and exalt in soul and body all who glorify thy holy name, that we may all be made worthy of the glory of the kingdom and of the magnificent radiance of God, sing with the angels, glorify with the saints, and, crowned together with thee, bless the Father who crowned thee, the Son who strengthened thee and the Holy Spirit who spoke in thee, to whom befitteth all glory, honour and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
It is truly meet that we should magnify thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-immaculate and the Mother of our God. Thee, more honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the only Theotokos, we magnify in song.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our venerable and God-bearing fathers and of all Thy saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
And at the kissing of his icon we sing this:
O helper and guide in every good thing for all who entreat thee, holy martyr (name), with all our hope we flee to thee, since thou didst shed thy blood for love of Christ. Thou hast boldness before Him: entreat Him, O blessed one, that He may keep us unharmed from all trials of soul and body, and that we may be made worthy of the kingdom of heaven and with thee glorify the All-Holy Trinity unto the ages.
O all-radiant Lady Mary, through the prayers of the holy martyr (name) direct the days of our life to the glory of thy Son and our God.
