April 23
THE HOLY AND VICTORIOUS GREAT MARTYR GEORGE THE WONDERWORKER, whose glorious contest at Lydda in Palestine all the Churches from East to West have celebrated since antiquity. (303)
At Vespers
“Blessed is the man” is sung. There are eight stichera at "O Lord, I have cried":
Tone 4, podobn Jako dobl'a. Having gathered to gether today, * we praise you, O George, as a valiant martyr. * You kept the faith and completed the course * and received from God the crown of victory.* Entreat him to deliver from tribullations and corruption * those who faithfully observe your precious memory.
Drawing hope from your firmness of mind, O glorious one, * you willingly persevered to martyrdom like a lion. * Scorning the body as something that would wither, * you were wisely concerned with your incorruptible soul. * Covered with wounds by various forms of torture, O George, * like gold you were purified sevenfold.
You suffered martyrdom in behalf of the Savior, O glorious one, * by a death similar to his voluntary death. * You reign gloriously with him, * clothed with the resplendent purple robes of your blood, * and you are adorned with the scepter of your suff'rings. * O great martyr George, * you are resplendent in your crown of victory * throughout all generations.
With faith as your armor and grace as your shield, * with the cross as your spear, * you waged war. * You were invincible in facing the foes, O George. * Like a mighty warrior, you destroyed the camps of the demons. * Now you are dancing joyfully with the angels. * Indeed you defend, sanctify, and save the faithful who invoke you.
We recognize you as a very bright star, * a sun shining in the firmament of the heavens, * a very precious pearl, sparkling more than a gem. * O George, the conqueror, we glorify you * as a son of the day and courageous martyr.
Glory – Tone 6. You were true to your name, O warrior George, * for you took the cross of Christ up on your shoulders. * You ploughed well the land made barren by the deceits of the devil; * you rooted out the weeds of idol worship * and plant ed the vine of the true faith. * There fore your healing overflows to the faithful throughout the whole world, * and you have shown yourself to be the righteous gardener of the Trinity. * Pray for peace in the world and salvation for our souls. .
Now and ever – the dogmatikon of Saturday evening, in the same tone, or (on Friday night or Saturday night) in the Tone of the week.
Entrance with censer, and prokeimenon of the day. Then three readings:
A reading from the Prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 43:9-14).
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9).
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 4:7-15).
Stichera at the Litija:
Tone 1. Because of his glorious suffering, * the brilliant warrior George rejoices with the powers above. * At this time we also rejoice with them. * He has inspired the faithful on earth * to observe the fast and to celebrate with them. * Because of that he was considered a servant of Christ. * Let us therefore, worthily venerate him * who prays unceasingly to the God of all * to grant us great mercy.
You produced the best by valiant sufferings * and offered up your fruitful toils, 0 blessed martyr George. * Strengthening your yearning by faith and scorning fear by hope, * you revealed your love for heaven. * You showed courage to us. * By your fervent prayers ask for peace for our souls, * the cleansing of our sins, and great mercy for us.
Tone 4. Come, O assembly of the faithful. * Come, let us celebrate the feast. * Today is manifested the glorious memory of George the martyr.* Sparkling with virtues, he is in visibly illuminating our hearts. * Therefore, let us cry out with one mind: * Rejoice, O warrior of Christ the great king! * Rejoice, O most splendid and rich one! * O most blessed one, on our behalf, implore Christ our God the Master of all,* that we may be preserved from the temptations of the Evil One * and that our souls may be saved.
Glory, now and ever – Tone 5. Come, let us be filled with delight. * Spring has come and brought forth the Resurrection of Christ. * Come, let us be joyful. * The commemoration of the martyr has arrived and illumined the faithful. * Therefore, come, O lovers of the feasts; * let us celebrate that mystery. * For, as a good soldier, he courageously overcame and confounded the torturers. ( He was an imitator of the passion of Christ the Savior. * He did not spare his earthen vessel, * but exposed it naked, allowing it to suffer tortures. * Let us cry out to him: * O Martyr, pray that our souls may be saved.
The aposticha are for the feast:
Tone 4 samohlasen. With psalms and hymns * the people are praising your glorious memory, O George; * for you shone forth as a beautiful bearer of the light, * and you are radiant with grace. * Therefore, the angelic ranks now dance with joy. * The martyrs and apostles are praising the struggles * of the suffering ones, O Martyr. * They are exalting the Savior, Christ our God, who glorified you. * Impore Him to save and illumine our souls.
The just will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon..
You have put on the shield of Christ, O George, * and you were not found by those who were hunting you. * Inflamed with the fire of Christ, * you scoffed at the barbarity of the meaningless idols. * You exclaimed to Christ, to the warrior king, and to the transgressors: * Neither wild beasts nor wheels of torture, * neither fire nor sword shall ever separate me from the love of Christ my God. * Implore Him now to save and enlighten our souls.
Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courtyard of our God.
truments of torture and the terrifying weapons. * Therefore, we crown your resplendent memory with flowers of hymns, * and we kiss your precious relics with faith. * Since you stand before the Master's throne, * pray unceasingly that He save and enlighten our souls.
Glory – Tone 4. Let us spiritually praise the qreat-martyr George, * the living steel of endurance. * He was tried by fire and branding irons * and sharp instruments of torture for the sake of Christ. * These various tortures ravaged the body which is perishable by nature; * but love conquered nature, * persuading the beloved to make his way through death to Christ our God, * the Savior of our souls.
Now and ever – of the Pentecostarion.
Troparion, Tone 4. You fought the good fight with faith, O George, martyr of Christ. * You convicted the tyrants of their wickedness. * You offered yourself as an acceptable sacrifice to God. * Therefore, you received a crown of victory, * and through your prayers, O holy one, * you obtain forgiveness of sins for all.
At the Divine Liturgy
Troparion, Tone 4. You fought the good fight with faith, O George, martyr of Christ. * You convicted the tyrants of their wickedness. * You offered yourself as an acceptable sacrifice to God. * Therefore, you received a crown of victory, * and through your prayers, O holy one, * you obtain forgiveness of sins for all.
Or this troparion in Tone 4. O victorious Great-Martyr George, * protector of the poor, liberator of prisoners, * physician of the sick, and champion of kings, * intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.
Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 4. Cultivated by God, you became an excellent gardener of religion, * harvesting sheaves of virtues for yourself. * You sowed in tears but reaped in joy. * You fought to the shedding of your blood, * and through your prayers, O holy one, * you obtain forgiveness of sins for all.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 63:11,2).
The just man will rejoice in the Lord * and will put his trust in him.
V. Hear my voice, O God, when I pray to you.
Epistle: Acts 12:1-11
Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 91:13,14). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just man will flourish like the palm tree * and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
V. Planted in the house of the Lord, he will flourish in the courts of our God.
Gospel: John 15:17 - 16:2
Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!