June 18
The holy martyr Leontius, soldier at Tripoli in Phoenicia, who, having suffered patiently harsh tortures in prison, was granted the crown of martyrdom in the reign of the emperor Vespasian. (c. 73)
At Vespers
music (samohlasen)
At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the holy martyr.
Tone 8, special melody Čto vy narečem. What shall we call you, O illustrious martyr? * An oblation from Greece, since it is your homeland? * The purification of Phoenicia, since there you were sacrificed? * A light shining in the darkness, * a valiant combatant, unbowed beneath the blows? * Manifold is your glory, O blessed Leontius! * Intercede for the salvation of our souls.
How shall we invoke you, O victorious athlete? * A soldier of Christ, defeating the enemy? * A subduer of the passions, fighting for the Faith? * A friend of the poor, feeding the hungry, loving justice? * A divinely-minded martyr? * Countless were your sufferings, resplendent your struggles! * Intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Who would not admire you, O Leontius? * Attaining the Fountain of all truth as your dwelling, * you refresh believers with a veritable river of blessings. * You freely offer your gifts to all who thirst, * and you bring joy to those who drink from the streams of your goodness. * Intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Glory – Tone 1. O all-praised athlete Leontius! * Neither fire nor wounding now nor the sword * were able to separate you from the love of Christ; * but, suffering manfully in the midst of your torturers, * you abolished the offerings made to idols, * O divinely-wise bearer of the crown of martyrdom, * and now you dance in the heavens! * Intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos, concluding with:
Glory – Tone 4. Let heaven revel in splendor today, * and let us, the earthly faithful, * rejoice in the memory of the martyr Leontius; * for this day is crowned, not with the sacrifices of beasts, * but with the sacrifice of praise, with spiritual flowers. * For, standing with us as one adorned, * offering up the unbloody Sacrifice to the Bestower of Crowns, * he radiantly offers up intercession * that those who faithfully keep his memory * may attain the course of Paradise.
Troparion, Tone 4. Your martyr Leontius, O Lord our God, * in his struggle, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, he brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the June Menaion
Troparion, Tone 4. Your martyr Leontius, O Lord our God, * in his struggle, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, he brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 3. You showed the evil treachery of the torturers * and you prevailed against the false worship of the Greeks. * You presented the knowledge of God in piety to all people. * For all of this, we honor you with love, O wise Leontius.
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. Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!