The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

After the usual beginning, the following are said:

KONTAKIA and OIKOI:

Kontakion 1

To the defender of the assembly for the faith, the Forty Martyrs, who in the lake of Sebaste were cast by the idol-worshippers, come let us celebrate with love their memory. For they are worthy to deliver us from all danger through prayers to God, and let us sing: Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Oikos 1

Angels from heaven with crowns of honor appeared to your souls, unwithered by the pain of the body, for suffering you endured the harshness of the frost, like the Hebrew youths who once beholding the flame of fire, sang: praise the Lord, all works, and exalt Him above all forever! Therefore we also sing thus:

• Rejoice, flock of the true Shepherd;
• Rejoice, for through His teachings you found salvation;
• Rejoice, for through Him the gates of Paradise were opened to you;
• Rejoice, for you obtained immortal life;
• Rejoice, for you despised the promises of the barbarians;
• Rejoice, for you renounced the honor of the unbelievers;
• Rejoice, in suffering completely unwavering;
• Rejoice, in victory unequaled by many;
• Rejoice, in struggles perfectly unashamed;
• Rejoice, in temptations relentless and unbent;
• Rejoice, for in torments you stood undismayed;
• Rejoice, treasury of Christ not empty;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 2

To the commander who urged you by the emperor's command to offer sacrifice to the idolatrous temple, with one mind you answered fearlessly: for if for the earthly emperor, in battles you conquered enemies, how much more for the immortal Emperor striving, you will overthrow and conquer his wickedness, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Hearing these words, Agricola said to the Saints: one of two things lies before you to choose: either to offer sacrifices to the gods and receive great gifts, or being disobedient to be cast out of the army and punished, to whom they replied that "the Lord cares for us in what is profitable"; therefore we sing to them:

• Rejoice, soldiers of Christ;
• Rejoice, holy Martyrs;
• Rejoice, endurers of torments;
• Rejoice, faithful and wise ones;
• Rejoice, for you despised worthless denials;
• Rejoice, for you put the unbelievers to shame;
• Rejoice, for you fought against winter;
• Rejoice, for you aspired to the power of God;
• Rejoice, for you obtained His mercy and love;
• Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven;
• Rejoice, for you were deemed worthy of such grace;
• Rejoice, fulfillment of the holy order;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 3

Since you yourself confess, the holy soldiers said to the commander, that in our hand lies to obtain your love or hatred, do not love us for you are lawless and seized by the darkness of error; but let the mercy of almighty God be with us, for to Him we sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

The testimony of the Saints filling the pagan with anger, he commanded to cast them into prison. And Saint Kyrion said to him: from the emperor you have no authority to torture us, but only to examine our inclinations. After these words, he no longer dared to torment them, but immediately imprisoned them; and we, with devotion, sing thus:

• Rejoice, wise Kyrion;
• Rejoice, defender of the brotherhood;
• Rejoice, conqueror of arrogance;
• Rejoice, hope of those of one faith with you;
• Rejoice, praise of the law of Christ;
• Rejoice, pillar of the Church of the East;
• Rejoice, protector of your company;
• Rejoice, scatterer of heresies;
• Rejoice, unshaken suffering;
• Rejoice, chosen vessel for salvation;
• Rejoice, trumpet inspired by the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, guard of your company;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 4

Sitting in prison, the wise Kriton did not cease to guide the Saints saying: as with one soul and one mind we have lived, so also let us complete martyrdom together; and as we pleased the mortal emperor, so also to the Immortal One, Christ the King God, let us strive to be loved and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

The soldiers passing seven days imprisoned, on the eighth came Lycias the commander, sent by the emperor, to judge them together with Agricola. They, however, without fear, going to the trial, prayed together reading the psalm of David: "O God, by Your name vindicate us and by Your power judge us"; and we sing to them these things:

• Rejoice, little flock;
• Rejoice, holy company;
• Rejoice, for in mind you were of one zeal;
• Rejoice, and in body with one mind suffering;
• Rejoice, in battle keenly victorious;
• Rejoice, worthy conquerors of enemies;
• Rejoice, illuminating star of the pagans;
• Rejoice, helpful to all in needs;
• Rejoice, for in torments you were able to endure;
• Rejoice, for you did not wish to suffer for idols;
• Rejoice, terrible persecutor of heresies;
• Rejoice, eternal defender of Christians;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 5

Standing before Lycias, he said to them: do you perhaps expect greater dignities from the emperor? I am sent to give them to you, if you submit to the laws of the land to sacrifice to the gods. And Saint Candidus replied: Not only do we not desire the dignity with such words, but we give even our bodies to obtain the love of our Savior Christ, to Whom we sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

Immediately then, the commander commanded the servants guarding them to strike them with stones to stop their mouths; but the stones rebounded and turned back upon those who threw them, so that they killed each other. O marvel! cried the Saints, strengthening themselves in faith; and we sing to them:

• Rejoice, for you conquered Satan;
• Rejoice, for you put Lycias to shame;
• Rejoice, for you amazed his guards;
• Rejoice, for you encouraged all the army;
• Rejoice, for such a great deed;
• Rejoice, for you made the peoples marvel;
• Rejoice, for you enlightened the understanding of the beholders;
• Rejoice, for you terrified the idol-worshippers;
• Rejoice, for through you the power of the Holy Spirit was shown;
• Rejoice, for in you the ray of divinity shone;
• Rejoice, for through you many heretics turned to faith;
• Rejoice, you who today are equal to the angels;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 6

The commander seeing himself shamed and not knowing what more to say, cried to the people that they were sorcerers. And Saint Domnus answered him boldly, that God willed that the faces of the shameless who blaspheme His Son be crushed, and thus they might know the power of Christ and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

And again leading the Saints to prison, they prayed singing the psalm of the prophet which says: "As the eyes of servants are on the hand of their masters, so are our eyes toward the Lord..." Then the voice of the Lord spoke to them saying: "He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live"; therefore let us honor them and say thus:

• Rejoice, in the Lord, Who spoke to you;
• Rejoice, you who were deemed worthy of such honor;
• Rejoice, for you were strengthened by power from on high;
• Rejoice, for you were counted equal to the Apostles;
• Rejoice, for the word of God was uttered to you;
• Rejoice, for He Who ascended the Cross, also descended into prison;
• Rejoice, for the Son of the Virgin dwelt within you;
• Rejoice, for you showed yourselves victorious by the power of the Cross;
• Rejoice, for the Lamb of God appointed His patience for you;
• Rejoice, singers of spiritual songs;
• Rejoice, well-resounding instruments;
• Rejoice, articulate strings;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 7

After the long-desired day dawned for the Saints, they went from prison before the tyrants, to whom they spoke thus: Do to us what you will, for we are Christians and will not worship your gods. Then they saw the devil standing beside Agricola and whispering in his ears. After which, again with faith they cried: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Unable to bear longer the contempt the Saints showed them, Agricola and Lycias commanded soldiers to bind them and push them like a flock of sheep into the lake near the city of Sebaste, for there was a great storm and they did not think they could endure the harshness of the time, surrounding them with soldiers; they, however, with joyful face received this punishment, for which we sing to them:

• Rejoice, for you came out from the pagan hosts;
• Rejoice, for you enter into the heavenly legions;
• Rejoice, for the commanders of darkness drive you out;
• Rejoice, for the leaders of light receive you;
• Rejoice, for the angels beholding you rejoice;
• Rejoice, for the devils weeping lament;
• Rejoice, for the cherubim overshadow you with their wings;
• Rejoice, for the power of hell is crushed by your counsels;
• Rejoice, for the seraphim sing and celebrate;
• Rejoice, for Agricola and Lycias are reviled;
• Rejoice, for the waters of Sebaste washed away your sins;
• Rejoice, for in them you received baptism;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 8

After the first hour of the night, the frost becoming very severe, the bodies of the Saints had frozen so that they could be broken. One, however, of them, no longer able to endure this harshness, being weak in faith, separated from the holy company and ran to a bath which the commander had intentionally made on the shore of the lake for whoever should turn back from his faith, but all the rest with one voice said: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

The Saints setting themselves to prayer with humility, lest they be snatched away by the power of the devil, toward the third hour a great light shone over them so that the air grew warm, the ice melted and the water became favorable. And that one among them who had run to the bath dissolved like wax by the heat of fire; therefore let us sing to the Saints these things:

• Rejoice, for you tamed the elements;
• Rejoice, for the icy lake melted;
• Rejoice, for the bitter waters became favorable;
• Rejoice, for the north wind changed its power;
• Rejoice, for you were delivered from the winter of suffering;
• Rejoice, for you obtained the warmth of Paradise;
• Rejoice, for from darkness you came forth to light;
• Rejoice, for the leprosy of sins was cleansed from you;
• Rejoice, for the Sun of righteousness shone upon you;
• Rejoice, for the desire of the barbarians remained ashamed;
• Rejoice, for your resolve stood unshaken;
• Rejoice, for you obtained divine goodwill;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 9

At that time the jailer, seeing the light and looking up to heaven, saw thirty-nine crowns shining like the sun, descending upon the Saints, and understanding that the fortieth was lacking for him who had doubted, he cried to the guards, casting himself into the lake: And I confess Christ as true God and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

By this act of the jailer, the number of the Martyrs being fulfilled according to the ordinance decreed from on high, the devil no longer able to bear their greatness of soul, lamented on the shore in the form of a man, saying: How did the commanders leave these bold soldiers untormented before giving them to the water; and we, remembering their names, sing:

• Rejoice, Kyrion;
• Rejoice, Candidus;
• Rejoice, Domnus;
• Rejoice, Hesychius;
• Rejoice, Heraclius;
• Rejoice, Smaragdus;
• Rejoice, Evnoicus;
• Rejoice, Valens;
• Rejoice, Vivian;
• Rejoice, Claudius;
• Rejoice, Priscus;
• Rejoice, Theodulus;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 10

And the next day the impure tyrants coming to the lake, saw the Saints alive and unharmed by the harshness of the frost together with the jailer, at which marveling especially, being their most faithful servant, they asked the soldiers the reason and they told them what had followed after the light, and how he had cast himself into the water, confessing Christ and singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Then the tyrants filled with anger, commanded to bind them and drag them to the shore, and leading them to the place of torture, they judged to break their ankles with hammers, which torture being completed with great cruelty, the mother of one of the Saints named Meliton who was very young, happening to be present, with great lamentation encouraged him, crying to him and to the others:

• Rejoice, my beloved son who today are glorified;
• Rejoice, John, long-suffering one;
• Rejoice, Eutychius, wise one;
• Rejoice, Xanthius, just one;
• Rejoice, Aelian, most blessed one;
• Rejoice, Sisinnius, brave one;
• Rejoice, Aggias, beloved of God;
• Rejoice, Meletius, hospitable one;
• Rejoice, Flavius, of great name;
• Rejoice, Acacius, guileless one;
• Rejoice, Ecdicius, teacher;
• Rejoice, Lysimachus, scatterer of enemies;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 11

When the Martyrs were being tormented by soldiers, their mouth did not cease uttering this prayer: Our soul like a bird has been delivered from the snare of the hunters; the snare is broken and we have been delivered; our help is in the name of the Lord; and thus speaking they gave up their spirit into the hands of Christ singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

But after they departed from life as sacrifices of Christ, the commanders of darkness commanded the servants to place the bodies of the Saints in carts and take them to burning, lest any hope of consolation remain for the Christians, not knowing what would follow. We, however, glorifying them, sing these things:

• Rejoice, Alexander, defender;
• Rejoice, Elijah, companion of the Tishbite;
• Rejoice, Gorgonius, glory of Armenia;
• Rejoice, Theophilus, chosen of God;
• Rejoice, Domitian, venerable one;
• Rejoice, Gaius, most blessed one;
• Rejoice, Leontius, pride of emperors;
• Rejoice, Athanasius, sweetness of priests;
• Rejoice, Cyril, comforter;
• Rejoice, Sacerdon, most wonderful;
• Rejoice, Nicholas, merciful one;
• Rejoice, Valerius, standard-bearer of faith;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 12

And after the Saints were completed, that youngest, Meliton, still showing signs of life, the tyrants commanded not to take him to burning, wishing still to torment him; his mother, however, lifting him on her shoulders, carried him to the others, that together their bodies might be consumed; but on the way he gave up his spirit singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Neither fire nor waters could consume the holy Relics of the Martyrs. For, the wood burning, their bones remained unharmed. And casting them into water, on the third day they appeared to the bishop of Armenia, named Peter, in the middle of the night, shining like lights, from where he took them and placed them in places of honor, singing:

• Rejoice, Philoctemon, lover of honor;
• Rejoice, Severian, wonderworker;
• Rejoice, Chudion, consolation of the sick;
• Rejoice, Agalae, joy of the sorrowful;
• Rejoice, unfading stars of Armenia;
• Rejoice, unwithered lilies of Sebaste;
• Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven;
• Rejoice, for you were crowned by angels;
• Rejoice, for you overthrew the power of idols;
• Rejoice, for you increased Christian glory;
• Rejoice, immortal offshoots;
• Rejoice, victorious army;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

Kontakion 13

O thrice-blessed and most innocent company of Martyrs! To you we pray, hasten to strengthen our faith with your holy help, that through it we may obtain what is profitable, with divine mercy, preserving us from pains, diseases, dangers and other evils, that together with you we may sing: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)

Then again is said the first Oikos

Angels from heaven with crowns of honor appeared to your souls, unwithered by the pain of the body, for suffering you endured the harshness of the frost, like the Hebrew youths who once beholding the flame of fire, sang: praise the Lord, all works, and exalt Him above all forever! Therefore we also sing thus:

• Rejoice, flock of the true Shepherd;
• Rejoice, for through His teachings you found salvation;
• Rejoice, for through Him the gates of Paradise were opened to you;
• Rejoice, for you obtained immortal life;
• Rejoice, for you despised the promises of the barbarians;
• Rejoice, for you renounced the honor of the unbelievers;
• Rejoice, in suffering completely unwavering;
• Rejoice, in victory unequaled by many;
• Rejoice, in struggles perfectly unashamed;
• Rejoice, in temptations relentless and unbent;
• Rejoice, for in torments you stood undismayed;
• Rejoice, treasury of Christ not empty;
• Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!

And the first Kontakion

To the defender of the assembly for the faith, the Forty Martyrs, who in the lake of Sebaste were cast by the idol-worshippers, come let us celebrate with love their memory. For they are worthy to deliver us from all danger through prayers to God, and let us sing: Rejoice, all-radiant company of Martyrs!