November 7
The holy thirty-three martyrs at Melitene. Hieron was a devout Christian who cared diligently for his blind mother, Stratonica. He was forcibly impressed into the army, where he refused to worship idols. He was brought before the local governor with thirty-two other local Christians. They went to their death singing the psalm, “Blessed are those undefiled in their way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.” (298)
Our venerable father Lazarus the Wonderworker, who fasted in the hills of Galilee. He left for the Holy Land on pilgrimage and became a monk of the monastery of St. Sabbas the Sanctified. After ten years, he settled in Galilee and lived as a stylite. (11th century)
At Vespers
At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera for the holy martyrs, and three for the venerable father.
Tone 4, special melody Jako dobl'a. O flock brought together by God * to form a sacred troop, divine assembly, holy people, * inspired hosts of martyrs, * unbreakable line of shields, all-comely army: * thus have you appeared, O wondrous soldiers! * Because of your merits as citizens of the city on high, * we have the duty to call you blessed.
United on the day of their memorial, let us all venerate Nicander, * Athanásius, Hesýchius, Mámmas, and the divine Baráchias, * Callínicus, Theágenes, and Lónginus, * Theodócius, Valérius, Ostrýchius, Callímacus, Théodore and Níkon, Eugéne, Theódulus and Xánthias.
With harmonious voices, let us sing in faith of the true witnesses: * the noble Hiéron, the wondrous Epiphánius, * Maxímian, Theóphilus, Dúlcitus and Anicétus, * Theodótus, Gigántus the divine, * Eutýchius, Dorothéus, Cástricus, Themélius and Cláudian.
Tone 6, special melody Vsju otloživše. Having completely * renounced the irrational passions * and submitted the flesh to the spirit * you became a model of virtue, * the joy of ascetics, a support for monks, * the adornment of the holy fathers. * Now that you reflect the ineffable splendor of the Creator, * you taste the beauties of heaven in your spirit. * Thus in our hymns and chants, * we all celebrate your holy and sacred memory.
Having cast off * all material burdens * together with the pleasures of the flesh * and all desire for earthly possessions, * you set out on the road to the city on high. * You rose effortlessly in your ascent to the heights of virtue, * where you won the battle in a material body over the bodiless enemy. * Thus, O father Lazarus, you have joined the choirs of bodiless angels * where you intercede for our souls.
Loving the light, * like John the luminary and Elijah, * you observed stillness in the mountains and arid deserts, * ever learning divine ascent and excelling in the way of the virtues. * Therefore, you attained your ultimate desire, O all-wise one, * and, rejoicing, stand before the thrice-radiant light of the Trinity; * and directly receiving divine splendor, * you pray with boldness on behalf of our souls.
Glory – Tone 5. O venerable father, * you gave no sleep to your eyes nor any repose to your eyelids * until you had freed your soul and body of all passions, * to the point that you were prepared as a tabernacle for the Holy Spirit. * For Christ came to dwell in you together with the Father. * Having become the servant of the consubstantial Trinity, * which you preached with a loud voice, O Lazarus, * you now intercede before God for us.
Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos. Then, for the venerable father:
Glory – Tone 6. O venerable father, * the whole world is filled with the fame of your holy deeds; * through them, you have received the recompense of your labors in heaven. * You destroyed hordes of demons * and have been united to the holy angels, * whose pure lives you imitated. * By your boldness with Christ our God, ask peace for our souls.
Troparion, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory – Troparion, Tone 8. Your falling tears and constant prayers soaked the pillar, * and the thoughts of your heart produced fruit a hundred-fold. * You were a shepherd and you obtain remission for all. * O father Lazarus, beg Christ our God to save our souls.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the November Menaion
Troparion, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Troparion, Tone 8. Your falling tears and constant prayers soaked the pillar, * and the thoughts of your heart produced fruit a hundred-fold. * You were a shepherd and you obtain remission for all. * O father Lazarus, beg Christ our God to save our souls.
Glory – Kontakion, Tone 8. The radiant choir of martyrs in festal robes * adorns the Church today by their presence among us. * We celebrate their precious memory * and beg favor from you, O Savior. * By their prayers keep us from all troubles * so that we can sing to you: Alleluia!
Now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 4. The Church of Christ praises you with a host of psalms, * for you have become one of her lights. * Do not cease your prayers to Christ * that we may obtain the remission of our sins.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 115:6,3).
Precious in the eyes of the Lord * is the death of his faithful.
V. What can I return to the Lord for all he has given me?
Epistle: Galatians 5:22 - 6:2
Alleluia, Tone 6 (Ps. 111:1,2). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Happy the man who fears the Lord and greatly delights in his command.
V. His posterity will be mighty upon the earth.
Gospel: Matthew 4:25 - 5:12
Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!