denarius?

Take what is yours and

go on your way.

Thelo de touto to eshato doune os ke I wish to give this last man the same as
si. I ouk exesti mi piise O thelo en
tis emis? I O ofthalmos sou poniros
estin oti Ego Agathos Imi?

you. Is it not lawful for Me to do

what I wish with My own Things?
Or is your eye evil because I Am
Good?

Outos

So shall the last be first, and the first

Polli gar isi Kliti, oligi de Eklekti.

Many are Called, but few are Chosen.

esonte i eshati proti ke i proti

eshati.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa

Archdiocese of Good Hope

last.

Matins & Divine Liturgy Hymns & Readings

USED

TOGETHER WITH THE

SERVICE BOOKS

9 March

40 Holy Martyrs of
Sebaste
By the Grace of God
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16.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING

THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE

TO

ST MATTHEW 20: 1 16

THE FIRST & THE LAST TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD

To
In 313 Emperor Constantine the Great issued an Edict granting Christians religious
freedom.
However,
his pagan co-ruler, Emperor Licinius, wanted to annihilate all
Christians in his part of the Roman Empire, and while preparing to go into
battle against Emperor Constantine, he decided to remove all Christians from
his army in fear of a mutiny.
One of the Military Commanders of that time in the Armenian city of Sebaste was
Agricola - a zealous champion of idolatry.
Under his command was a company of forty Christian Cappadocians, who were
brave soldiers who had distinguished themselves in many battles, but when
they refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola had them arrested
and imprisoned.
The Forthy Faithful Christian Soldiers occupied themselves with Prayer and
Psalmody, and during the night they heard a Heavenly Voice saying:
Persevere until the end, then you shall be Saved.
The following morning, the Forty Soldiers were taken to Agricola, who, knowing of
their splendid military achievements, praised their valour, their youth and
their strength, before urging them to renounce Christ and thereby win the
respect and favour of their Emperor.
Seven days later, the renowned judge and Roman Governor, Licius, arrived at
Sebaste to try these brave, faithful soldiers who steadfastly responded to all
the efforts of persuasion and threats: Take not only our military insignia, but
also our lives, since nothing is more precious to us than Christ God!
Governor Licius then ordered his servants to stone the Holy Martyrs, but the stones
missed the Saints and instead struck those who had thrown them.
One stone thrown with great force by Governor Licius hit Agricola in the face and
smashed his teeth and the torturers realized that the saints were guarded by
some invisible power. In prison, the soldiers spent the night in prayer and
again they heard the voice of the Lord comforting them: He who believes in
me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you
shall obtain imperishable crowns.
On the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of the torturer,
but the soldiers remained unyielding.
It was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy soldiers, threw
them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to prevent them from coming
out of the water. In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath-house
was set up on the shore. During the first hour of the night, when the cold had
become unbearable, one of the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but
no sooner had he stepped over the threshold, than he fell down dead.
During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the martyrs.
Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the lake
became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who was
keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had
appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine crowns
and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown.
Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to them, I too
am a Christian, and he joined the martyrs. Standing in the water he prayed,
Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these soldiers believe. Add me to their
number, and make me worthy to suffer with Your servants. Then a fortieth
crown appeared over his head.
2.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

kero ekino, ipen O Kyrios in

paravolin taftin:
...Omia gar estin i Vasilia ton
Ouranon anthropo ikodespoti, ostis
exilthen ama proi misthosasthe
ergatas is ton Ampelona Aftou.

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ said:

Ke

simfonisas meta ton ergaton ek

dinariou tin imeran apestilen
aftous is ton Ampelona Aftou.

And

Ke

exelhon peri Tritin Oran iden

allous estotas en ti agora argous,
ke ekinis ipen: Ipagete ke imis is
ton Ampelona, ke O ean i Dikeon
doso imin.

And

de apilthon palin exethon peri ektin

ke Enatin Oran epiisen osaftos.

Peri

de tin endekatin oran exelthon

evoen allous estotas argous, ke legi
aftis:
Ti ode estikate olin tin
imeran argi?

Legousin

afto:
emisthosato.

Oti

oudis

imas

... the Kingdom of Heaven is like a

Landowner Who went out early in
the morning to hire Labourers for
His Vineyard.
when He had agreed with the
Labourers on one denarius a day,
He sent them into His Vineyard.
He went out about the Third
Hour, and saw others standing idle
in the marketplace, and He said to
them: You also, go into the
Vineyard, and whatever is right, I
will give you.

Again,

He went out, about the Sixth

and the Ninth Hour, and did
likewise.

About the Eleventh Hour He went out

and found others standing idle, and
said to them: Why have you been
standing here idle all day?

They said to Him: Because no one has

hired us.

Legi

aftis:
Ipagete ke imis is ton
Ampelona, ke O ean i Dikeon
lipsesthe.

He said to them: You also go into the

Vineyard, and whatever is right,
you will receive.

Opsias de genomenis legi O Kyrios tou When

evening had come, the Lord of

the Vineyard said to His Steward:
Call the Labourers and give them
their Wages, beginning with the last
to the first.

Ampelonos to Epitropo Aftou:

Kaleson tous Ergatas ke apodos
aftis ton misthon., arxamenos apo
ton eshaton eos ton proton.

Ke elthontes i peri tin Endekatin Oran And

when those who had been hired

about the Eleventh Hour came, they
each received a denarius.

elavon ana dinarion.

Elthontes

And

Lavontes

Having

de i proti enomisan oti

pliona lipsonte, ke elavon ke afti
ana dinarion.
de egongizon kata tou
ikodespotou legontes: Oti outi i
eshati Mian Oran epiisan, ke isous
imin aftous epiisas tis vastasasi to
varos tis imeras ke ton kasona.

O de apokrithis ipen eni afton:

ouk adiko Se.
sinefonisas mi?
ipage.

Etere,
Ouhi dinariou
Aron to son ke

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

when the first came, they

supposed that they would receive
more; yet they likewise received
each a denarius.

received it, they complained

against the Landowner, saying:
These Labourers have worked only
one Hour, and Thou made them
equal to us who have borne the
Burden and the heat of the day.

He

answered one of them, saying:

Friend, I Am doing you no wrong.
Did you not agree with Me for a

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 15.

THE EPISTLE

OF

ST PAUL

HEBREWS 12: 1 10

TO THE

PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO GODS CHASTENING AS WELL ARE HIS

DIVINE PROMISES

Adelphi:

Brethren:

Analogisasthe

Consider

Oupo

You

tosouton ehontes perikimenon

imin
Nefos
Martyron,
ogkon
apothemeni panta ke tin evperistaton
amartian, di Ipomonis trehomen ton
Prokimenon imin Agona, aforontes is
ton tis Pisteos Arhigon ke Teliotin
Iisoun, os anti tis prokeimenis afto
haras Ipemine Stavron, eshinis
katafronisas, en Dexia te tou
Thronou tou Theou kekathiken.

gar
ton
tiaftin
Ipomenenikota ipo ton amartolon is
Afton antilogian, ina mi kamite tes
psihes imon ekliomeni.
mehris ematos antikatestite pros
tin amartian antagonizomeni.

since we are surrounded by

so great a Cloud of Witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight and the sin
that so easily ensnares us, and let us
run with Endurance the Race that is
set before us, looking to Jesus
Christ, the Author and Finisher of
our Faith, Who for the Joy that was
set before Him, Endured the Cross,
despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right Hand of the
Throne of God.

Him Who Endured such

hostility
from
sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and
discouraged in your soul.

In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were still alive, and
their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together with them. They led the
soldiers out of the water and broke their legs. During this horrible execution
the mother of the youngest of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to
persevere until death.
They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to fire. Young
Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on the ground. His mother
then picked up her son, and on her own shoulders she carried him behind the
cart. When Meliton drew his last breath, his mother put him on the cart with
the bodies of his fellow sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the
fire, and their charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians
would not gather them up.
Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste,
and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop together with several
clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious martyrs by night and buried them
with honor.
There is a pious custom of baking skylarks (pastries shaped like skylarks) on this
day, because people believed that birds sing at this time to announce the
arrival of spring. Forty skylarks are prepared in honor of the Forty Martyrs.

have not yet resisted bloodshed

striving against sin.

http://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/03/09/100706-40-holy-martyrs-of-sebaste

Ke eklelisthe tis parakliseos, itis imin os And

you
have
forgotten
the
Exhortation that speaks to you as to
sons: My son: do not despise the
Chastening of the Lord. Do not be
discouraged when you are rebuked
by Him; for those Loved by the Lord,
He Chastens, and scourges every son
whom He receives.

iis dialegete: ... Iie mou: mi oligori

pedias Kyriou, mide ekliou ip Aftou
eleghomenos. On gar Agapa Kyrios
pedevi, mastigi de panta iion on
paradehete.

I pedian ipomenete, os iis imin prosferete If

O Theos. Tis gar estin iios on ou
pedevi Patir?

you endure Chastening, God deals

with you as with sons; for what son
is there whom a Father does not
chasten?

Kindly use the Matins Service Book until this

point and then carefully follow the instructions with
regard to the following Hymns and Readings.

I de horis este pedias, is metohi gegonasi If you are without Chastening, of which
pantes, ara nothi este ke ouh ii.

Ita

all have become Partakers, then you

are illegitimate and not sons.

tous men tis sarkos imon Pateras

ihomen pedeftas e enetrepometha.

Furthermore,

we have had human

Fathers who corrected us, whom we
respected.

Ou pollo mallon ipotagisometha to Patri Shall

we not much more readily be in

subjection to the Father of Spirits,
and Live?

ton Pnevmaton ke Zisomen?

14.

men gar pros oligas imeras kata to

dokoun aftis epedevon, O de epi to
simferon, is to Metalavin tis Agiotitos
Aftou.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

For

they indeed for a few days

chastened us as seemed best to
them, but He Chastens us for our
Profit so that we may be Partakers of
His Holiness.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 3.

PSALM 117 /118

PRAISE

TO

GOD

FOR

*Theos

Kyrios ke Epefanen imin.

Evlogimenos O erhomenos en
Onomati Kyriou!
S TIHO S
1 : Exomologisthe to Kyrio, oti
Agathos, oti is ton eona to Eleos
Aftou!*
S T I H O S 2 : Panta ta Ethni ekiklosan me,
ke to Onomati Kyriou inamin aftous.*

Para Kyriou egeneto afti, ke

esti Thavmasti en ofthalmis imon.*

S TIHO S

THEOTOKION

HIS EVERLASTING MERCY

3:

*The

Lord is God, and has Appeared

to us. Blessed is He Who comes in
the Name of the Lord!
VE RS E 1 :
Confess the Lord, for He is
Good;
for His Mercy endures
forever!*
V E R S E 2 : All the Nations surrounded
me, but in the Name of the Lord I
drove them back.*
V E R S E 3 : This is the Lords doing, and
it is Marvellous in our eyes.*

FESTAL APOLYTIKION 40 SEBASTE MARTYRS

Tas

The

Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Tas

algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou

epathon, disopithiti, Kyrie, ke pasas
imon tas idinas, iase Filanthrope,
deometha.

The

nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton

eonon.

Now

algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou

epathon, disopithiti, Kyrie, ke pasas
imon tas idinas, iase Filanthrope,
deometha.

Ke

Amin

THE CONGREGATION MUST STAND

Makarizomen

Se, Theotoke
Parthene, ke Doxazomen
Se, i Pisti kata hreos, tin
polin tin asiston, to Tihos to
arrikton,
tin
arragi
prostasian, ke katafigin ton
psihon imon.

Tas

algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou

epathon, disopithiti, Kyrie, ke pasas
imon tas odinas, iase Filanthrope,
deometha.

FESTAL APOLYTIKION

SEASONAL KONTAKION -

SMALL LITANY

FIRST TRIODION

KATHISMA TONE 2

Met irinis dielthin imas tous tapinous, tin

prokatharsimon
evdokison
ton
Nistion, ti afato Filanthropia Sou
Hriste O Theos, katavale tou ehthrou
ta panourgevmata, ke to Stavro Sou
pantas diasoson, O monos ginoskon
4.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

Grant us to pass in Peace and Humility

through the days of Cleansing that
prepare us for the Fast. In Thine
Ineffable Love for mankind, O Christ
our God, destroy the evil plans of
the enemy. Preserve us all by Thy

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

THE

Prostasia

ton Hristianon akateskhinte,

mesitia pros ton Piitin ametathete, mi
Paridis, amartolon deiseon fonas, alla
profthason os agathi, is tin voithian
imon, ton
pistos kravgazonton Si:
Tahinon is presvian, ke spefson is
ikesian, i prostatevousa ai, Theotoke,
ton timonton Se.

When Gabriel uttered Hail to Thee, O

Virgin, then with the Voice the Lord
of all became Incarnate in Thee
whom the Holy Ark of old
prefigured, as Righteous David said.
Thou carried Thy Creator and
proved to be more spacious than the
Heavens. Glory to Him Who dwelt
within Thee!
Glory to Him Who
came forth from Thee! Glory to Him
Who through Thy Childbirth has set
us free.

Holy Martyrs suffered painful

tortures for Thy Sake, O Lord; be
compelled by what they endured,
and heal our every pain, we Entreat
Thee, as the Only One Who Loves
humanity.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

algidonas ton Agion, as iper Sou

epathon, disopithiti Kyrie, ke pasas
imon tas odinas, iase Filanthrope,
deometha.

Amen

Gavriil fthegxamenou Si Parthene

to Here, Sin ti Foni esarkouto O ton
olon Despotis, en Si ti Agia kivoto, os
efi O Dikeos David, edihthis platitera
ton Ouranon, vastasasa ton Ktistin
Sou. Doxa to enikisanti en Si! Doxa to
proelthonti ek Sou!
Doxa to
elefthreosanti imas dia tou Tokou
Sou!

OF THE

Tas

THEOTOKION TONE 1

Tou

The

Festal Divine Liturgy Hymns & Reading

and to the Holy Spirit

and ever, and to the Ages of

ages.

Virgin Theotokos, and we

Glorify Thee, duty bound
as Believers; the City
Unshakable,
the
Wall
Indestructible, the Firm
and Steadfast Protection,
and the Refuge for our
soul.

THE GREAT DOXOLOGY

FESTAL APOLYTIKION FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS

Holy Martyrs suffered painful

tortures for Thy sake, O Lord. Be
compelled by what they endured,
and Heal our ever pain, we entreat
Thee, as the Only One Who Loves
humanity.

Holy Martyrs suffered painful

tortures for Thy sake, O Lord. Be
compelled by what they endured,
and Heal our ever pain, we entreat
Thee, as the Only One Who Loves
humanity.

Now we call Thee Blessed, O

Be

OF

SEBASTIA

Entrated, O Lord, by the Sufferings

endured for Thee by Thy Saints, and
we pray Thee: heal all our pain.

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS

Protection
of
the
Christians
unashamable, Mediation to the
Creator Immovable, despise not, the
pleading voices of those in sin, but
hasten O Good One, to the Aid of
all who in Faith cry out to Thee:
speed up Thine Intercession, and
press on Thy Supplication, O
Theotokos who forever protects all
those who honour Thee!

PROKEIMENON PSALM 11/12 TONE (8) PLAGAL 4

Si,

Kyrie, filaes imas ke diatirises imas

apo tis geneas taftis ke is ton eona.

Soson

me, Kyrie, oti eklelipen Osios, oti

oligothisan e alithie apo ton Iion ton
Anthropon

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

Thou

shall Guard us, O Lord. Thou

shall Preserve us from tis generation
forever.

Save

me, O Lord, or the Holy Man has

ceased. The Truthful are diminished
from among the sons of mankind.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 13.

Army Corps. O Forty Martyrs of the

Lord, all equal in suffering, in frame
of mind You were equal, and You
received equal Laurel Crowns. To
Christ pray intently, and Entreat that
His Great Mercy be granted to our
soul.

dexameni, Hriston disopite, tes psihes

imon dothine, to Mega Eleos.

Enite

Afton en kimvalis evihis; enite

Afton en kimvalis
alalagmou.
Pasa pnoi inesato ton Kyrion.

Heris

tropeoforos plithis, i en polemis

andrikos
aristevsasa,
asteres
i
dielthontes, dia piros ke krimou, ke
idaton pixin dialisantes, i gin
Ouranosantes, ke ta panta fotisantes.
Ien
tis
kolpis,
Avraam
nin
Thalpomeni,
i
horevontes,
Sin
Angelon Stratevmasi.
Martyres
Tessarakonta, ta Anthi ta pneonta,
tin evodian tis ontos, pnevmatikis
diadoseos, Hriston disopite, tes psihes
imon dothine, to Mega Eleos.

Doxa Patri, ke Io, ke Agio Pnevmati

Athlofori

Hristou, tin pnsepton nistian

fedroteran apirgasasthe, ti mnimi tis
endoxou
imon
athliseos.
Tessarakonta
gar
ontes,
tin
Tessarakonthimeron Agiazete, to
Sotirion Pathos mimisameni, dia tis
iper Hristou imon Athliseos.
Dio
ehontes parrisian presvevsate, en
irini katantise imas, is tin trimeron
Anastasin tou Theou, ke Sotiros ton
psihon imon.

Ke

nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton

eonon.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Amin

Amen

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.

Rejoice,

O Holy Prize-winning band,

manfully fighting in the battles with
excellence, O Stars who, after You
passed through the test of fire and
cold, by Your Ardent Faith melted
the frozen lake. A Heaven You made
of earth;
You Illumined the
Universe. You now are kept warm in
the Bosom of Abraham, and in
chorus
dance
with
Angelical
regiments. O Forty Martyrs of the
Lord, the Flowers of Paradise
emitting Spiritual Fragrance indeed
dispensing the Spirits Gifts.
To
Christ pray intently, and Entreat that
His Great Mercy be granted to our
soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit

Victorious Martyrs of Christ, You

have made the All Holy Fast even
more cheerful by the memory of
Your Glorious Contest. Being forty
in number, You Sanctify the Forty
Day Lenten Fast, for You imitated
the Saving Passion of Christ by
Contesting for His sake. Therefore,
since You have confidence before
Him, Intercede for us that we may
peacefully reach the Three Day
Resurrection of our God and the
Saviour of our soul.

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.

THEOTOKION TONE 2

Parestosa

to Stavro Sou, i asporos

tekousa Se, ke mi ferousa oran adikos
pashonta, olofireto klavthmo ke
anevoa Si.
Pos pashis O ti fisi
apathies, glikitate Iie? Imno Sou tin
akran Agathotita.

Thy

Virgin Mother, standing by Thy

Cross, could not bear to see Thee
suffering unjustly.
Weeping and
lamenting, She cried out to Thee: O
Child, so dear to my heart, how dost
Thou suffer Thy Passion when by
Nature Thou art Impassible? I sing
the Praises of Thy Perfect Love!

SECOND FESTAL KATHISMA FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS TONE 4

Andriotato

With

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Amin

Amen

logismo ipelhontes, tin

Martyrian Thavmasti Athlofori, dia
piros
ke
idatos
diilthete,
ke
dievivasthite, Sotirias pros platos,
liron komisameni, Ouranon Vasilian,
en i piisthe tas iper imon Thias deisis,
Sofi Tessarankonda.

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.

courageous minds, O Wondrous

Martyrs,
You
undertook
Your
Testimony as Christians, and You
went through both fire and water, as
the Psalmist said. You were led into
that wide place of Rest and
Salvation, receiving the Inheritance
of the Kingdom of Heaven. O Holy
Forty Martyrs, being there, pray to
our Saviour, Entreating on our
behalf.

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.

THEOTOKION TONE 4

Tou

Efharistos animnin ek kardias, ke

exetisthe ektenos Theotoke, ta Sa elei
dorise tis doulis Sou, karzousi ke
legousi.
Panagie
Parthene,
profthason ke litrose, ex ehthron
aoraton, ke oraton ke pasis apilis. Si
gar iparhis, imon i antilipsis.

Now

and ever, and to the Ages of

ages.

That

we may gratefully and wholeheartedly praise Thee, O Theotokos,

and Entreate Thee in earnest, O All
Holy Virgin, grant Thy Tender
Mercies to us, Thine unworthy
servants who now cry out to Thee,
saying: Quickly come and Save us
from all threatening dangers, and
from our enemies, both seen and
unseen.
For Thou art truly our
Helper in times of need.

THIRD FESTAL KATHISMA FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS- TONE (5) PLAGAL

Amin.

12.

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Praise

Him with tuneful cymbals;

praise Him with loud cymbals. Let
everything that has breath praise
the Lord.

Cross, for Thou alone know the

secrets of our heart.

ta egkardia.

Amen

FOR THE

40 HOLY MARTYRS

Ton

Agion Martyron to egkallopisma, i

Theosteptos afti ke Theosillektos, ton
Tessarkonda plithis, anevfimisthosan
nin.
Dia krimou gar ke piros,
dokimasthntes i Sofi, edithisan
stratiote, Hristou tou pamvasileos, ke
presvevousi tou sothine imas.

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

Let

the favourite Ornament of the

Martyred Saints this Divinely
recruited, Divinely Crowned Platoon
of Forty Martyrs now be extolled
with Hymns. Truly Wise, these men
were tested by icy cold and fire, and
they were shown to be Soldiers of

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 5.

PSALM 150

Christ, our Almighty Ruler.

And
they Intercede that we may be Saved.

LET

VERSES

TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

ALL THINGS PRAISE THE LORD!

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Enite

Praise Him for His Mighty Acts.

Amin

Amen

Vromaton

In

ke nin ke ai ke is tous Eonas ton

eonon.

and to the Holy Spirit, now and

forever, and to the Ages of ages.

THEOTOKION TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Tin

Taxian Sou Skepin, ke tin voithian,

ke to Eleos dixon epi ton doulon Sou.
Ke ta kimata Agni katapravnon, ton
mateon logismon. Ke tin tesousan
mou psihin, anastison Theotoke. Ida
gar oti Parthene, ishiis osa ke voulio.

implore Thee to show forth Thy

promptness
to
provide
Thy
Protection and Help, and Thy Mercy
to me, O Pure Maiden, and calm the
waves of unruly thoughts, and
resurrect the fallen soul of me, Thy
servant, I Entreat Thee, O All Holy
Theotokos.

SMALL
LITANY
&
FESTAL
ANTIPHONS

FESTAL PROKEIMENON PSALM 65/66 -

Diilthomen

dia piros ke idatos

exigages imas is anapsihin. (2)

ke

Epirosas imas, os piroute to arigirion.

Diilthomen

dia piros ke idatos

exigages imas is napsihin.

To

tried us in the fire, as silver is

purified by fire.

kero ekino, ipen O Kyrios tis eaftou

Mathites: Tafta entellome imin, ina
agapate allilous

We

went through fire and water, and

Thou led us into a refreshing place.

TO

ST JOHN 15:17- 16:2

At

that time, our Lord said to His

Disciples: This I command you:
Love one another!

O Kosmos imas misi, ginoskete oti eme

proton imon memisiken.

If

the world hates you, know that it

hated Me before it hated you.

ek tou Kosmou ite, O Kosmos an to

idion efili.

If

you were of this world, the world

would love its own.

Oti de ek tou Kosmou ouk este, all ego

But because you are not of this world,

eelexamin imas ek tou Kosmou, dia

touto misi imas O Kosmos.

for I chose you out to the world,

therefore the world hates you.

Mnimonevete

tou logou ou ego ipon

imin: Ouk esti doulos mizon tou
Kyriou aftou.

Remember the Word that I said to you:

A servant is not greater than his
Master.

I eme edioxan, ke imas diozousin.

If
I ton logon mou etirisan, ke ton imeteron
If
tirisousin.
Alla

tafta panta piisousin imin dia to

Onoma Mou, oti ouk idasi ton
pempsanta me.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

nistevousa psihi mou, ke

pathon mi katharevousa, matin
epagalli ti atrofia. I mi gar aformi Si
genite pros diorthosin, os psevdis
misise para Theou, ke tis kakistis
demosin omiouse, tis midepote
sitoumenis. Mi oun amartanousa, tin
nistian ahriosis, all akinitos, pros
ormas atopous mene, dokousa
parestane estavromeno to Soiri,
mallon de sistavrousthe, to dia Se
stavrothenti, ekvoosa pros afton.

went through fire and water, and

Thou led us into a refreshing place
(2)

Thou
ke

Afton epi tes Dinasties Afton.

Enite Afton kata to plithos tis
Megalosinis Aftou.

We

SMALL LITANY PRAISES TO GOD

THE HOLY GOSPEL

FESTAL MATINS GOSPEL ACCORDING

6.

- TRIODION

they persecuted
persecute you;

Me,

they

will

they kept My Word, they will keep

yours also.

But

all this they will do to you on My

Account, because they do not know
Him Who sent Me.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

PSALM 150

Praise
Him according to the greatness of
His Majesty.

vain dost thou rejoice in not eating,

my soul! Thou abstain from ood,
but are not Purified from Passions!
If thou hast no desire for
improvement, thou will be despised
as a lie in the Sight of God! Thou
will be compared to evil demons,
who never eat! If thou continue in
sin, thou will perform a useless Fast.
Therefore, remain in Constant
Warfare, that thou may stand before
our Crucified Saviour, or rather, that
thou may be Crucified with Him Who
died for our sake.

- FESTAL VERSES 40 SEBASTE MARTYRS

TONE (5) PLAGAL 1

Enite Afton en iho salpingos; Enite Praise

Him with the sound of the

trumpet; praise Him with lute and
harp.

Afton en psaltirio ke kithara.

Defte

Martyrikin
Adelphi,
met
egkomion animnisomen falanga, to
krii pirpolithisan, ke ton tis planis
krimon, diapiro zilo pirpolisasan.
Straton
genneotaton,
ierotaton
sintagma, sinaspismon te arragi ke
anikiton. Tous tis Pisteos, perivolous
ke filakas, Martyras Tessarakonda,
horian tin entheon. Tis Ekklisias tous
presvis, tous dinatos iketevontas,
Hriston katapempse, tes psihes imon
irinin, ke Mega Eleos.

Enite Afton en timpano ke horo.

Enite

Afton en hordes ke organo.

Heris

sinagogi kratea, ke iera ke

tropeouhos parataxis.
I pirgi tis
evsevias, i stratiote Hristou, i sterri
oplite ke aittiti, ton noun evtonotati
ke psihin andriotati, to ontiThii, ke
Theo pothinotati. Horos Agios ke
Thelekton
sistima.
Martyres
Tessarakona, i isi tin Athlisin, isi tin
gnonin ke isous, ke tous stefanous

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

Come,

O Brethren, let us sing Praises

with Hymns extolling the Platoon of
Martyred Saints, for they were
consumed by freezing, and they
themselves thus consumed the chill
of delusion by their ardent Zeal. An
Army most Valorous, a Contingent
Most Hallowed, they fought as
Comrades all for one and invincible.
They were Guardians of the Faith, a
Protective Wall. Such arte the Forty
Martyred Saints a Chorus Inspired
by
God,
the
Churchs
Great
Intercessors, who make Entreaties
Most Powerful to Christ, that He
send down Lasting Peace upon the
world and Great Mercy on our soul.

Praise

Him with timbrel and dance;

praise Him with strings and flute.

Hail,

O Mighty, Sacred Assembly! O

Decorated and unbeatable Regiment,
the Towers of True Religion, You are
the Soldiers of Christ, rugged men in
armour and invincible.
Most
focussed in intellect, and most
manly in soul are You, Truly Divine
Men, and exceedingly Loved by God,
and a Holy Choir, and a God-Chosen

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 11.

Pedas

evagis en ti kamino O tokos tis

Theotokou
diesosato,
tote
men
tipoumenos, nin de
energoumenos
tin
ikoumenin
apasan
agiri
psallousan.
Ton Kyrion imnite ta
Erga ke iperipsoute is pantas tous
eonas.

The Offspring of the Theotokos saved

the Holy Children in the furnace.
He Who was then prefigured has
since been born on earth, and He
gathers together all Creation to sing:
O ye Works of the Lord: Bless ye the
Lord and exalt Him above all
forever!

I mi ilthon ke elalisa aftis, amartian ouk If I

ihon.

Nin

de profasin ouk ehousi peri tis

amartias afton.

OF THE

9TH ODE FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS

Apas

gigenis, skirtato to pnevmati,

lampadouhoumenos. Panigirizeto de,
ailon Noon fisis gererousa, ta iera
Thavmasia tis Theomitoros, ke voato.
Heris Pammakariste, Theotoke Agni
Aiparthene.

All

you who are born on earth, with

Festive Lamps in hand, in spirit leap
for Joy; Heavenly Intelligences of
Incorporeal Angels, celebrate and
honour thus the Sacred Feast of the
Mother of God, crying loudly: Hail! O
All Blessed One, Ever Virgin and
Pure, Who gave Birth to God!

THE SMALL LITANY

PRAISES

TO THE

Agios Kyrios O Theos imon! [3]

Ipsoute Kyrion ton Theon imon

pepiiken, amartian ouk ihon.

ke
proskinite to ipopodio ton podon
aftou.

Now they have seen and hated both Me

All

Indeed,

Otan

de elthi O Paraklitos on Ego

Pempso imin para tou Patros - to
Pnevma tis Alithias O para tou Patros
ekporevete - ekinos Martyrisi peri
Emou.

When

Ke

imis de Martyrite, oti ap arhis met

Emou este.

And

de ke eorakasi ke memisikasi ke
Eme ke ton Patera Mou.
ina
plirothi
O
Logos
O
gegrammenos en to Nomo afton:
...oti emisisan Me dorean!

before His footstool

Oti Agios esti!

tetradekarithmos,
Martyron
Tessarakonda, tis ipertheou Triados,
ton areton tetraktii, piros aeros
idatos, ke gis stihion tetradox, asmasi
Thiis imnistho, iper Hristou os
Athlisas, tou ton apanton Despotou.

The

Unit of the two score men of the

All Holy Trinity, the Choir of Forty
Martyrs contended fro Christ our
Saviour. Let them be praised in
Sacred Songs, for they endured the
elements, firs and air and water and
earth with the fourfold Virtues, all
for the Almighty Maker.

Aposinagogous piisousin imas.

kataras Litrosis, ke tou Adam

anaklisis! Here, Agni Theotoke, Elpis
ke Skepi tou kosmou! Here, Semni
Mitrothee!
Here, to Thion Shima!
Here i Klimax ke Pili! Here, Koufi
Nefeli! Here, tis Evas i Lisis!

Hail,

O Redemption from the Curse,

and Adams re-establishment! Hail, O
Pure Theotokos, the Hope and
Shelter of the world! Hail, O Mother
of our God! Hail, O Ladder and East
Gate! Hail, O Swift and Light Cloud!
Hail, O Release of Eve!

LAUDS: THE PRAISES

TO GOD - PSALM 148 TONE

ALL CREATION PRAISES THE LORD OUR GOD

Pasa

pnoi enesato ton Kyrion. Enite

ton Kyrion ek ton Ouranon. Enite
Afton en tis Ipsistis. Si prepi imnos
to Theo.

Enite

Afton, pantes i Angelli Aftou.

Enite Afton, pase e Dinamis Aftou.
Si prepi imnos to Theo.

10.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

(5) PLAGAL 1

Let

everything that has breath praise

the Lord. Praise the Lord from the
Heavens; praise Him in the Highest.
To Thee praise is due, O God.

Praise Him, all His Angels; praise Him,

all His Powers. To Thee praise is
due, O God.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

it is to fulfil the Word that is

written in their Law: ...for they
hated Me without cause!

the Counselor comes, Whom I

shall send to you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth, Who
Proceeds from the Father - He will
bear Witness concerning Me.

you are also Witnesses because

you have been with me from the
beginning.

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

have said all this to you to keep you

from falling away.

They

will put
Synagogues.

you

out

of

the

All erhete ora ina pas O apoktinas imas Indeed,

the Hour is coming when

whoever kills you will think he is
offering service to God!

Doxi latrian prosferin to Theo!.

INTERCESSORY HYMNS

FOR

DIVINE MERCY

Doxa Patri ke Io ke Agio Pnevmati

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

Tes

TON
A THLOF RORON
Presvies,
Eleimon, exalipson ta plithi ton emon
egklimaton.

Through

Ke

nin ke Ai ke is tous eonas ton

eonon.

Now

THEOTOKION

Here

and My Father.

Tafta lelalika imin ina mi skandalisthite. I

For He is Holy!

FESTAL EXAPOSTEILARION FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS TONE 2

Horos

Works that no one else did, they

would not have sin.

Nin

LORD

Holy is the Lord our God [3]

Exalt the Lord our God; and bow down

Now they have no excuse for their sin.

O Eme mison ke ton Patera Mou misi.

He who hates Me, hates My Father also.
I ta Erga mi epiisa en aftis a oudis allos If I had not done among them the

THE MAGNIFICAT

FESTAL KATAVASIA

had not come and spoken to them,

they would not have sin.

Amin
Tes

tis Theotokou Presvies, Eleimon,

exalipson
ta plithi
ton emon
egklimaton.

and to the Holy Spirit

the Intercessions of THE

H OLY M ARTYRS , O Merciful One, blot
out
the
multitude
of
our
transgressions.

and ever, and to the Ages of

Ages.

Amen
Through

the Intercessions of the

Theotokos, O Merciful One, blot out
the multitude of our transgressions.

FESTAL IDIOMELON FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS

Eleison

me, O Theos, kata to Mega

Eleos Sou ke kata to plithos ton
iktirmon Sou Exalipson to anomima
mou.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

Have

mercy upon me, O God,

according to Thy Great Mercy;
according to the multitude of Thy
Mercies do away mine offences.

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 7.

Profitikos

anevoa O David en Psalmis:

Diilthomen dia piros ke idatos, ke
exigages imas is anapsihin, imis de
Martyres Hristou, di afton ton ergon
to logion plirountes, diilthete dia
piros te ke idatos, ke isilthete is tin
vasilian
ton
Ouranon.
Dio
presvevsate,
Tessarakonda
ontes
Athlite, dorithine imin to Mega Eleos.

In the Psalms, David prophetically said:

We went through fire and water,
and Thou led us into a refreshing
place.
And You, O Martyrs of
Christ, fulfilled this saying in very
deed. For You went through fire and
water, and you entered the Kingdom
of Heaven.
Therefore, O Forty
Athletes, Intercede on our behalf,
that Great Mercy be granted to us.

PRAYER OF SALVATION

FESTAL KONTAKION FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS -

TONE (6) PLAGAL 2

Ti

afti imera, Mnimi tou

Kesariou, adelphou tou
Grigoriou tou Theologou.

Agiou
Agiou

On

Ti

afti imera i Agii Martyres, Pappos,

Mammi, Patir, Mitir, ke dio tekna,
xifi teliounte.

On

You had forsaken every worldly

battalion, You joined Yourselves
unto our Master in Heaven, as our
Lords forty-numbered Contenders
who won the Prize. Inasmuch as
You have gone through fire and
water, O Blessed Ones, You worthily
received HEAVENLY GLORY FROM
ON
HIGH,
AND
MANIFOLD
CROWNS.

By their Holy Intercessions, O God, have

Amin

Amen

afton Agies presvies, O Theos,

eleison imas.

KATAVASIA

en Throno astekto epohoumeno, to

ektinanti ton Ouranon kathaper
derrin, to tin gin edrasanti, ke
sinaxanti ta idata is tas sinagogas
afton, to ta panta ek mi onton
piisanti iparhin, ke pasi horigounti
pnoin ke zoin. To prosdehomeno
ton Arhangelon ton imnon, ke ip
Angelon Doxazomeno, ke ipo
panton proskinomeno, Hristo to
Pantokratori, to Plasti ke Theo imon,
prospipto O anaxios prosagon mou
tin deisin, logou harin eton, ina
ishiso evsevos imnise kago tous
Agious, ous aftos edixas nikitas,
DORISAMENOS AFTIS DOXAN EK
TON OURANON, KE STEFANON
PLITHIN.

SYNAXARION

Ti tou aftou minos, Mnimi ton Agion

Megalon Tessarakonda Martyron,
ton
en
Sevastia
ti
poli
Martyrisanton.

Ti
8.

afti imera, Mnimi tou

Martyros Ourpasianou.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

Agiou

FOR THE

Christ the Ruler over all, our

Creator and God the One Who is
carried on an Insufferable Throne,
Who stretched out the Heavens
like a curtain, establishing the
earth, and gathered the water into
its places, Who brought all things
from nothingness into being, and
Who gives breath and life to all,
Who receives the Praise from
Archangels and Who is Glorified by
Angels and Worshipped by all
Creation: I, the unworthy, come
before Thee and bring my Prayer,
asking for the Grace of speech, so
that I may piously extol the Holy
Martyrs, whom Thou showed tobe
Victorious, and to whom Thou has
granted HEAVENLY GLORY FROM
ON HIGH, AND MANIFOLD
CROWNS.

- 9 MARCH

On

40 HOLY MARTYRS

OF

of

SEBASTE 9 MARCH

I shall open my mouth and the

Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter
the words of my song to the Queen
and Mother:
I shall be seen
radiantly
keeping
Feast
and

ODE 1

TAFTIS TA THAVMATA.

JOYFULLY PRAISING HER MIRACLES

Tous

ODE 3

Tin anexihniaston Thian Voulin tis

ek tis Parthenou sarkoseos Sou to
Ipsistou
O
Profitis
Abbakoum
katanoon ekravgaxe. Doxa ti Dinami
Sou, Kyrie

ODE

Exesti ta simpanta epi ti Thia Doxi

Sou.
Si gar, apirogame Parthene,
eshes en Mitra ton epi Panton Theon
ke tetokas ahronon Iion, pasi tis
imnousi Se Sotirian vravevousa.

ODE 5

ODI 4

ODI

ODI

ODI 7

ODI

O Mother of God, Thou living and

plentiful Fount, grant strength to
those united in Spiritual Fellowship,
who sing Hymns of
Praise to
Thee: and in Thy Divine Glory grant
them Crowns of Glory.

Sous Imnologous, Theotoke,

izosa ke Afthonos Pigi, Thiason
Sigkrotisantas
Pnevmatikon,
stereoson. Ke en ti Thia Doxi Sou
Stefanon Doxis axioson.

ODI 3

On this day we Commemoratethe Holy

Urpasianos

Mercy on us.

EVER BLESSED THEOTOKOS - TONE 4

Anixo to stoma mou ke plirothisete

Pnevmatos ke logon erevxome ti
Vasilidi Mitri. Ke ofthisome fedros
Panigirizon ke aso gnothomenos

the 9th day of this month we

Commemorate the Great Holy
Forty Martyrs, who were Martyred
in the city of Sebastia.
Martyr,
St
Nicomedia.

OF THE

ODI 1

FESTAL IKOS FORTY SEBASTE MARTYRS

To

this day the Holy Martyrs, a

Grandfather, Grandmother, Father,
Mother and two Children were
Perfected in Holy Martyrdom by
sword.

Tes

Pasan stratian tou kosmou katalipontes, When

to en Ouranis Despoti prosekollithite,
Athlofori Kyriou Tessarakonta. Dia
piros gar ke idatos, dielthontes
makarii,
epaxios
ekomisasthe,
DOXAN EK TON OURANON, KE
STEFANON PLITHIN.

this day we Commemorate St

Caesarios, brother of St Gregory
the Theologian.

Tin Thian Taftin ke Pantimon

Telountes Eortin i Theofrones tis
Theomitoros,
defte
tas
hiras
krotisomen, ton ex aftis
tehthenta
Theon Doxazontes.

Ouk elatrefsan ti ktisi i Theoforones

para ton Ktisanta. Alla piros apilin
andrios patisantes, herontes epsallon.
Iperimnite, O ton Pateron Kyrios ke
Theos, Evlogitos i
8
Enoumen, Evlogoumen
Proskinoumen ton Kyrios.

FESTAL HYMNS & READINGS

FOR THE

ke

4
Perceiving the Unsearchable
Purpose of God concerning Thine
Incarnation from a Virgin, O Most
High, the Prophet Habakkuk cried:
Glory to Thy Power, O Lord!

The whole world was amazed at

Thy Divine Glory: for Thou, O
Virgin, Who has not known wedlock,
has been Translated from earth to
the Eternal Mansions to the Life
without end, bestowing Salvation
upon all who sing Thy praises.
As we celebrate this Sacred and
Solemn Feast of the Theotokos, let
us come, clapping our hands,
O
people of the Lord, and Glorifying
God Who was Born of her.

ODE 6

ODE

8We Praise, we Bless and we

Worship the Lord!
M A R T Y R S O F S E B A S T E 9 M A R C H 9.

ODE

40 HOLY

7
The Holy Children bravely
trampled upon the threatening fire,
preferring not to worship created
things rather than the Creator, and
they sang in Joy: Blessed art Thou
and praised above all: O Lord God of
our Fathers!