Saint Stephen the Archdeacon, the First Martyr

After the usual beginning, we say:

KONTAKIA and OIKOI:

Kontakion 1

Apostle of Christ, foremost among deacons, strength of Martyrs, you who sanctified the ends of the earth with your torments and wonders; you enlightened the souls of the faithful, save those who honor you with faith from all distress, that we may sing to you: Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Oikos 1

The Angels, seeing your passion, marveled at your patience, and with love praised your struggles, saying:

• Rejoice, incarnate angel;
• Rejoice, for you loved God truly;
• Rejoice, for you followed His passions;
• Rejoice, guide to good deeds;
• Rejoice, for you laid down your soul for the law;
• Rejoice, for through passion you urged all to follow you;
• Rejoice, door of the Martyrs;
• Rejoice, strength of the faithful;
• Rejoice, praise of the ascetics;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 2

Unable to bear your divine zeal, with which you spoke against them and rebuked them boldly, the Jews rushed upon you to kill you, for they knew not to sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

The stubborn malice of the Jews and the place of their madness they poured out upon you; and they set out with stones to kill you, as an innocent lamb; but we, honoring your zeal, say:

• Rejoice, soul of diamond;
• Rejoice, body undefiled;
• Rejoice, will inflamed toward Christ;
• Rejoice, for He crowned you beautifully;
• Rejoice, for you saw the ray of Divinity;
• Rejoice, for you proclaimed the Son of God to the Jews;
• Rejoice, for because of this they went mad;
• Rejoice, for their face grew pale;
• Rejoice, for their soul was embittered;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 3

The holy Apostles, speaking boldly in their assembly to the Christians, said: It is not fitting to serve tables, but God; then you were chosen to be a protector of the poor, to teach them to sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

Being chosen archdeacon, you performed many wonders with the gift given you by God, for the strengthening of those who saw you; therefore you are worthy of these:

• Rejoice, archdeacon;
• Rejoice, wondrous apostle;
• Rejoice, for you healed the sick;
• Rejoice, for you strengthened the faithful;
• Rejoice, for you rebuked the Jews with boldness;
• Rejoice, for you showed Christ to be the true Messiah;
• Rejoice, for the Pharisees were thereby moved to kill you;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 4

All the nations being gathered in the Temple of Solomon and in their synagogue, you were accused of destroying the Law and dishonoring the holy place, being blasphemed unjustly; but you sang from the heart: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

Standing in the midst of the unjust, like an angel among murderers, you said: "O men, do not deceive yourselves, for Jesus Christ the Messiah dwells not in places made by human hands, but in the souls of those who cry with faith: Christ is True God"; and we say to you these things:

• Rejoice, for standing among the Jews you appeared as an angel;
• Rejoice, for you stopped their venomous mouth;
• Rejoice, for their eyes bled looking at you;
• Rejoice, for you showed them all the history from Adam and Moses;
• Rejoice, for hearing these things, they stopped their ears;
• Rejoice, for you rebuked them like the zealous Elijah;
• Rejoice, for you showed them to be resisters of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 5

Divine grace strengthening you, you said boldly before the Jews that the true Messiah had come; but they, not believing, rushed upon you with anger. But you, being joyful, laughed at their madness, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

In vain the Jews were troubled against you, for standing in a high place you cried with a loud voice: "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of God standing at the right hand of the Father"; and we, marveling at your boldness, say to you these things:

• Rejoice, angelic man;
• Rejoice, earthly angel;
• Rejoice, unbreakable stone;
• Rejoice, preacher of Christ;
• Rejoice, follower of the gentle Jesus;
• Rejoice, for you conquered with His power;
• Rejoice, for He prepared for you the crown of patience;
• Rejoice, for you dwell in the heavens;
• Rejoice, for there you see the Holy Trinity;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 6

Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, to strengthen the faithful, you offered prayers for your murderers; therefore pray also for us and deliver us from all distress and from our enemies, and guard the faithful Christians from heresies, that they may sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

The Jewish race, taught in the killing of prophets, rushed upon you with a storm of anger, and cast you out of the city to kill you; but we honor you with praises such as these:

• Rejoice, follower of the passions of Christ;
• Rejoice, for like Him you were mocked;
• Rejoice, for you suffered outside the gates;
• Rejoice, for you depicted all His torments in your body;
• Rejoice, for you wisely considered the trade of the soul;
• Rejoice, for you kept the right faith until the end;
• Rejoice, for your patience pierced the heavens;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 7

Saul, being very zealous for the ancestral Law, breathed terror upon you, wishing with a thousand hands to kill you; but unable to do this, he guarded the clothes of the murderers, for he knew not to sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

The valley of Jehoshaphat being filled with stones, the accursed Jews led you there to kill you, as an innocent lamb; but grieving for you, with tears we say to you these things:

Reveal, innocent soul;

• Rejoice, body undefiled;
• Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit overshadowed you;
• Rejoice, for Saul, your kinsman, came to the Christian faith;
• Rejoice, for he also suffered likewise;
• Rejoice, for your patience strengthened many;
• Rejoice, for through you the Lord was glorified;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 8

The all-holy Virgin, the Mother of the Lord Jesus, together with the beloved disciple standing in a high place and looking upon your passion, prayed for you, teaching us to pray for one another and to sing with faith to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

Martyr of Christ Stephen, sweet and easy seemed the torments to you, when you saw Jesus looking upon you and His holy Mother praying for you; and we, trusting in your boldness toward God, sing to you these praises:

• Rejoice, for they became for you flowers for crowning;
• Rejoice, for through them you gained great boldness before God;
• Rejoice, intercessor for our souls;
• Rejoice, you who deliver us from enemies;
• Rejoice, you who reconcile the souls of the hostile;
• Rejoice, pure friend of God;
• Rejoice, for praying for us you will be heard;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 9

The sons of perdition, drinkers of blood, darkened in mind by their father Satan, fulfilled their desire by stoning you who prayed for them and sang to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

Divine providence planted His fear in your heart, and urged you to endure the throwing of stones, to strengthen us toward the love of God and to say to you these things:

• Rejoice, bearer of torments;
• Rejoice, conqueror of the Jews;
• Rejoice, fervent intercessor of the Savior;
• Rejoice, you who have mercy on all the faithful;
• Rejoice, most wondrous Apostle;
• Rejoice, revealer of true mysteries;
• Rejoice, for praying you fell asleep;
• Rejoice, for God received your soul as a sacrifice;
• Rejoice, refuge of the afflicted;
• Rejoice, protection of deacons;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 10

The King of glory, the Lord Jesus, receiving your holy soul into the heaven seen by you opened, and dwelling you near the throne of Divinity, forget not us who are encompassed by many distresses and temptations of life; but pray for us and strengthen us in patience and love toward God, to sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Your body crushed by stones, thrown for food to beasts and birds, lay unburied; but the glorious Gamaliel, with his son, buried it with honor, saying to you thus:

• Rejoice, shining sun;
• Rejoice, gentle lamb;
• Rejoice, savior of souls;
• Rejoice, scatterer of enemies;
• Rejoice, preacher of the Gospel;

Reveal, support of widows;

• Rejoice, rebuker of the Jews;
• Rejoice, benefactor of all;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 11

The Empress Eudocia, coming to the city of Jerusalem and finding the place where you were killed, with tears kissed the earth once reddened with your blood; and building a most beautiful church, that the God of wonders might be glorified, she placed in it your venerable relics, that the faithful, seeing you, might sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

Holy King, most sweet Jesus, receive Your sufferer as an intercessor for our salvation and for progress in good works; that, directing our life, we may say with love to Your sufferer such things as these:

• Rejoice, valiant soldier;
• Rejoice, preacher of God;
• Rejoice, heir of the heavenly kingdom;
• Rejoice, teacher of the world;
• Rejoice, guardian of the ancestral law;
• Rejoice, protector of Christian lands;
• Rejoice, strength of Christian soldiers;
• Rejoice, you who overthrow enemies visible and invisible;
• Rejoice, adornment of churches;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 12

Being a luminous lamp, we cannot praise you, who amazed the angels through your passions; but you, with the gift given you by God, teach us to have piety and faith toward all the Saints, that together with you we may sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

The Son of God becoming incarnate, poured forth a multitude of Martyrs, among whom you were the first, showing them the way to passion and urging us to say to you such things as these:

• Rejoice, fervent intercessor for the Christian race;
• Rejoice, you who conquered every counsel of the devil;
• Rejoice, you who comfort all with your prayers;
• Rejoice, you who drive away demons through your sufferings;
• Rejoice, for you make those who honor you healthy;
• Rejoice, for those who praise you will gain your mercy;
• Rejoice, comfort of the sorrowful;
• Rejoice, swift helper of those who call upon you;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

Kontakion 13

O most sweet Martyr of Christ, Stephen, receive this small prayer from our mouths of clay and pray for us unworthy, that through your prayers we may be saved from the wrath of God and the fearful hour of Judgment; that together with you we may sing to God: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)

Then again is said Oikos 1

The Angels, seeing your passion, marveled at your patience, and with love praised your struggles, saying:

• Rejoice, incarnate angel;
• Rejoice, for you loved God truly;
• Rejoice, for you followed His passions;
• Rejoice, guide to good deeds;
• Rejoice, for you laid down your soul for the law;
• Rejoice, for through passion you urged all to follow you;
• Rejoice, door of the Martyrs;
• Rejoice, strength of the faithful;
• Rejoice, praise of the ascetics;
• Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

And Kontakion 1 Apostle of Christ, foremost among deacons, strength of Martyrs, you who sanctified the ends of the earth with your torments and wonders; you enlightened the souls of the faithful, save those who honor you with faith from all distress, that we may sing to you: Rejoice, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen!

After this is said this:

PRAYER

Holy Great Martyr of Christ Stephen, who glorified God in your martyric members, do not overlook us, who are encompassed by distresses and temptations; but pray for us to the most merciful God that He may pacify the world, and remove from us every enemy risen against us through the wrath of God for our sins. Pray, holy one of God, with the same warmth with which you prayed for your murderers; pray that He may remove from us the fury of the godless and defend us, His new chosen people, that through your prayers being saved, we may praise the unspeakable goodness of God and magnify you forever and ever. Amen!