Akathist to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions)

St. Anastasia the Great Martyr and Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions) (source)

Akathist to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions)

Note: The service below is a translation found online from the Russian text. I edited it for grammar and readability, but without having knowledge of Russian or access to that text, there may some significant changes compared to the original text. May the Saint bless, protect and heal all those who are suffering throughout the world!

Troparion, Tone 4

The true namesake of the victorious Resurrection are you called, O martyr of Christ, who were victorious over your enemies with patience, on behalf of Christ, your Bridegroom, Whom you loved, pray to save our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 2

Those who are amidst the temptations and sorrows of life hasten to your temple, and are granted gifts from the Divine grace that lives in you, O Anastasia: do grant speedy healing for the world.

Kontakion 1

To the chosen saint of Christ, the all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, we bring praiseworthy singing, as she who has much boldness to the Lord, deliver from all troubles, sorrows and illnesses, the faithful who cry out freely with love: Alleluia.

Ikos 1

You have become like an angel with a pure mind, having had your mind upon Him, Who is the Creator of all visible and invisible creation, eternal from the beginning and the One desired by all the righteous; we, praising your wise teaching from the holy martyr Chrysogonus, cry out with love:
Rejoice, you who loved the faith of Christ;

Rejoice, you who followed the piety of your mother Fausta.

Rejoice, you who preserved the purity of your virginity;

rejoice, you who were always guarded invisibly by the angels.

Rejoice, for you have drawn near to God by your purity;
Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 2

Saint Anastasia, beholding the many Christians suffering in dungeons for the name and teachings of Jesus Christ, began to serve them with zeal, but was helped by God to comfort and heal them, singing with reverence: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

O godly-wise Anastasia, you reasoned that this whole world is passing vanity and corruption, and for this, you despised precious clothing and possessions, and secretly clothed beggars, entering the dungeons to serve as a confessor of Christ; we follow her in our minds, and we appeal to her with love:
Rejoice, imitator of Christ;

Rejoice, visitor of prisoners in the dungeon.

Rejoice, consoler of the confessors of Christ;

Rejoice, you who have spent your gold and silver on them.

Rejoice, by them who have acquired the Kingdom of Heaven;

Rejoice, you who washed the hands and feet of the saints and cleaned their hair.

Rejoice, you who healed their ills and honestly buried their bodies; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by power from above, holy martyr, you blessedly served the saints, and shamed the hater of every virtue the devil, enduring enslavement from your impious husband; we, praising your goodness, Anastasia, sing along with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Have great love in the Lord for all who suffer for the Name of Christ in dungeons; we, marveling at her courage, crying to her:
Rejoice, chosen bride of Christ;

Rejoice, diligent keeper of the commandments of Christ.

Rejoice, for you have fulfilled this not in words alone, but in deeds;

Rejoice, you who were ready to lay down your life for your friends.

Rejoice, for you have received much bitterness for Christ;

Rejoice, for you have become like a strong diamond through your patience. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 4

Your husband held you like a captive and a slave, O Saint Anastasia, and raised up a storm of fury against you, as an impious tormentor; we, remembering the bitterness from him and your suffering, sing to the Lord who strengthened you: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 4

Hearing, O Blessed Anastasia, that your holy teacher Chrysogonus had endured much for Christ, you followed him with your sufferings and secretly sung to him: "Teacher, I will die with you, and nothing else remains, if you let go of the spirit, I will fall dead beside you." We, wondering at your patience, say these things:
Rejoice, you who did not spare your honest flesh;

rejoice, you who spent days and nights at the feet of Christ.

Rejoice, you who wished to spend your wealth on God for the sake of the poor;

Rejoice, the one who works wisely.

Rejoice, one who has the care of those who suffer in bonds;

Rejoice, you who entered the Heavenly mansion eternally. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 5

Like a godly star you appeared in the land of Rome, O great martyr Anastasia, and you visit those who suffer for Christ in dungeons and in their hearts confirm their faith, but they ever cry with you to God, the Savior of all: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing your God-bearing teacher Chrysogonus in persecution by this world, you commanded yourself, like the Prophet [David], to cry out: "Why are you downcast? Trust in God." (Psalm 43) we, remembering your grief and sorrow for your teacher, call out to you: 

Rejoice, you who have placed all your trust in the Lord;

Rejoice, you who endured the oppression of the earthly kingdom for the sake of the Heavenly.

Rejoice, through your purity, you have been honored to live in heaven with the Angels;

Rejoice, you who draw near to God through your sorrows.

Rejoice, for through your prayers you deliver us from many sorrows;

Rejoice, for by your intercessions you free from temptations. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 6

The whole Christian world preaches your honest exploits, Great Martyr Anastasia, and glorifies your sufferings, praises your martyrdom and sings to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You shone greater than the sun with your virtues in the great city of Rome, when the prediction of your teacher, Holy Chrysogonus, about the death of your godless husband was fulfilled. Freed by God, you began to care for the martyrs of Christ with increasing zeal; we, looking with love at your deeds, say to you these things:
Rejoice, zealous helper for the suffering;

Rejoice, you who comforted the friends of Christ with divine words.

Rejoice, who had great care for the three virgins: Agapia, Chionia and Irene;

Rejoice, for you have strengthened those for the trial of martyrdom.

Rejoice, you who bore grief in your mind;

Rejoice, you who made your heart a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, you who were completely consumed by the fire of love for God;

Rejoice, for through your blood you have found His heavenly mansion.

Rejoice, for you have brought down the enemy of salvation through your courage; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 7

The desire of holy Chrysogonus, the martyr, to die for Christ, was fulfilled with God's Providence: when you saw the honest relics of your passion-bearer teacher, kissing them kindly, you cried, from the depths of your soul you offered a song to God: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 7

Our Lord has given you a new grace and power, when you had perceived a calling to pass from city to city, visiting those sitting in chains. We, following your wandering, sweetly cry to you:
Rejoice, follower of the footsteps of Christ;

rejoice, servant of many saints.

Rejoice, you who were taken aback by Christ's purity;

Rejoice, glorified great martyr.

Rejoice, icon of your name-sake;

Rejoice, free cleansing of the faithful through your gold from the bonds of prison.

Rejoice, through your prayers you deliver us from the bonds of sinfulness;

Rejoice, you who sends forth healing to the sick.

Rejoice, for you raise up those near death by God's command; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 8

Your wandering with the holy martyr Theodota was a gift for many: for the sick the gift of healing, for many who have died, you prepared burial, for those living, the strengthening of deeds of virtue; make us worthy, we who are unworthy, O saint, through your prayers, to chant with our reason to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All the rooms of the dungeon were filled with your much weeping and wailing, when you came early according to your custom and did not greet even one prisoner, because that night, for the name of Christ, all those who were set aside by the command of the evil king, were all given death; we, remembering your grief for God's friends, cry out like this:
Rejoice, for you diligently searched for the servants of Christ in the dungeons;

rejoice, servant who found those in the Heavenly mansion.

Rejoice, you who had taken up the Lord's Cross with love on her body;

Rejoice, you who were honored everywhere to see the stripes of the Lord Almighty with intelligent eyes.

Rejoice, for through your love for your neighbors, you have acquired great boldness towards God; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 9

Though you were threatened with wicked torture, O invincible passion-bearer, for denying the idols, you fearlessly cried out to them: "I am the servant of Christ, and I sing to Him day and night: Alleluia."

Ikos 9

The chief priest of the idols has spoken with you, that with flattery he might catch your holy soul; But you, having learned of all the cunning of the enemy, shamed the tormentor and transformed all evil to good, unquestioningly gazing at the instruments of torment and all the tortures; we, marveling at your courage, cry out with tender voices:
Rejoice, you who voluntarily left this whole, fleeting world;

rejoice, you who longed to receive various torments for Christ.

Rejoice, for you had chosen to go unto death with love;

Rejoice, for you astonished the tormentors with your patience.

Rejoice, for you have adorned the Church of Christ with your sufferings;

rejoice, you who trampled the demons under your feet. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 10

Save all the people who desire you, help them with your prayers before the Lord, O great martyr, and ask for remission of the sins of those who honor your suffering, and who cry out with you: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 10

Saint Anastasia, you loved the Heavenly King with all your heart, and were thrown into prison on behalf of the Sweetest Jesus, crawling with hunger and melting away with thirst, you were strengthened by prayer; we, glorifying your great suffering, chant unto her these things:
Rejoice, follower of the passion of Christ;

rejoice, you who were adorned with victorious glory.

Rejoice, praise and glory of pious wives;

Rejoice, for you have transformed an earthly dungeon into the Heavenly Hall.

Rejoice, you who settled down there with the martyrs;

Rejoice, you who remember us by your prayer at the Throne of God.

Rejoice, speedy breaking of the bonds of sin;

Rejoice, you who drive away demons from people. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 11

We offer our all-heartfelt singing to you, glorifying your suffering for Christ, and we pray to you: holy passion-bearer, ask the merciful Lord for all people for health, longevity and victory over enemies. But to us, who praise your torments, give peace and salvation, as we sing unto God forever: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You followed with a bright and joyful face the suffering prepared for you by the tormentors, with a song with joy we cry out:
Rejoice, you who didst endure drowning in the sea by God's might;

Rejoice, you who were stretched out by your tormentors upon four pillars and thereby become like the Son of God Crucified on the Cross.

Rejoice, you who were burned with fire even unto death;

Rejoice, rich treasury of healings.

Rejoice, abundant vessel of the gifts of God;

rejoice, abundant performer of all good blessings.

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 12

Grace from above is sent down to all of us, flowing with love from the container of your relics, and we ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins, and to those who are sick and suffering healing, and in thanksgiving, we all cry out God, Who is wondrous in the Saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of the feats of your torments freely endured for Christ, we bow down to your sufferings, O great martyr,  and we honor your holy death and pray to thee: extend your help from heaven to us also, living in the darkness of passions and temptations, crying to you:
Rejoice, holy great martyr, who offered her body as a godly sacrifice in many different martyrdoms;

rejoice, dove, flying up to the Jerusalem on high.

Rejoice, pure and blameless bride of Christ;

Rejoice, spiritual censer, bringing incense to God for us.

Rejoice, for those who honor your memory and your sufferings have you as a mirror of the God-pleasing life;

Rejoice, you who speedily heal mental and bodily diseases.

Rejoice, bright image of life for all who hope to achieve a Christian end; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 13

O long-suffering and delightful, holy great martyr Anastasia! Receive our present little prayer from your unworthy servants, brought to you with love, and ask Christ God for the remission of our sinful bonds, and, through your prayers, may we escape God's wrath and eternal condemnation, and may we be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven with you forever, chanting to God: Alleluia ...

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia

O long-suffering and wise great martyr of Christ Anastasia, you stand with your soul in heaven at the throne of the Lord, and on earth, by the grace given to you, you perform various healings. Look with mercy on the people who are coming and praying before your relics, asking for your help: stretch out your holy prayers to the Lord for us, and ask us for the remission of our sins, healing for the sick, for the grieving and needy aid; pray the Lord, that He may He give all of us a Christian end and a good answer to His Terrible Judgment, that we may be honored with you to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

(source)

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Homily on Sts. Sophia and her Daughters, by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes

St. Sophia and her daughters: Sts. Faith, Hope and Love (source)

  
Homily on Sts. Sophia and her Daughters, by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes
After the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, our Church celebrates, my beloved, the memory of Saints Sophia and her three daughters: Faith, Hope and Love.

St. Sophia was born, according to the Synaxarion, in a great city of Italy. She lived during the era of early persecutions, which, as is known, lasted for at least three centuries.

During that era, for one to be a Christian, it was costly. It cost one positions, honors, money, and even this life. Millions were sacrificed then for the love of Christ. With this heroic spirit, St. Sophia lived as well, and thus raised her daughters.

It is not possible to not rouse the evil of persecutors. They seized her, therefore, together with her daughters, and led them before the governor. He gave them the opportunity of three days in order to make a response, and possibly change their minds. But, after three days, the mother and her daughters remained unshakable in their dedication towards our Lord Jesus Christ.

The mother had fear that her daughters might deny Christ, because they were very young. The first, Faith, was twelve years old. Hope was ten. and Love was nine. Despite this, their weak flesh was strengthened by the grace of God, and they endured martyrdom with unprecedented boldness.

They locked them in prison. They beat them with whips. They pierced them with fiery arrows. They threw them in cauldrons of boiling water. However, like the Three Youths in the Furnace, thus, these three girls hymned God, as those around heard the hymn harmoniously: "Praise ye the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages."

In the end, the three were beheaded by the sword of the tyrant. Their martyrdom was followed by that of their holy mother.

St. Sophia and her three daughters teach us, my beloved, that, if we wish to be faithful Christians, that Christianity will cost us. And the more faithful we are, the more it will cost us.

Many of us have become successful in this world. We find a myriad of ways to justify our seemingly proper and scandalous station. And later with think that we are Christians. Woe to us, if we do not set as a foundation the heroic mindset which defined the holy martyrs. These three little girls should censure the world. And their mother, St. Sophia, censures those mothers who are upset and tremble, thinking that through their fasting, prayer and reading, that the bodily strength of their little girls will be lessened.

The Martyrs are the greatest censure of our lukewarm, miserable and thrice-wretched Christianity.

However, St. Sophia and her three daughters teach us not only through their martyrdoms, but also through their names.

The name "Sophia", what does this teach us? "Wisdom", we hear in Church when the Priest holds the Gospel and raises it, showing it to the whole multitude of the faithful. The Gospel, in other words, is full of wisdom. There is no wiser book. Wisdom is Christ Himself, the Logos of God. Do you remember the wondrous apostolic reading which we read three days ago, on the feast of the Cross? He said: "But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (I Corinthians 1) Christ is wisdom, truth and life.

St. Sophia, therefore, through her name, brings to mind that we must seek from God the illumination of divine wisdom. The names of her three daughters bring to mind the three great theological virtues.

Faith! Awesome power, light, a star, foundation and root. Oh, if there were within our hearts this virtue! We could even bring down the stars from the heavens to the earth, and we could melt the mountains, and even the greatest hindrances would be solved. Do we have faith? If we had faith, 100% faith, the world would be different. But today, people don't even believe 1%. Take almost any Christian and ask him, and you would see that he is full of doubts, totally full of "ifs." If one has an "if", then you don't have faith. Faith is to believe 100% in reality that which our holy Church teaches us.

Hope also brings to mind that, in this world, we have a need for life-giving hope, which would warm us like the sun. The Christian who believes that God is a loving and nurturing Father, an almighty Father and all-wise, he would hope that all those things that God promised, all kinds of great and uplifted and indescribable good things, He will give to him.

And finally, Love, with her name reminds us of the fulfillment and the crown of the virtues. In this world of hatred, egotism, greed, and other evils, love today has grown cold. It is truly a terrible thing, as the sacred Chrysostom says, for us to see the sun be quenched one day. But it is even more terrible for love to be quenched. It is better for the sun to be quenched than for love to be quenched, because it is the sun for our souls. And Christ Himself prophesied, that there will come a cursed day, in which the sun of love will be quenched, and cold and frost will reign upon the earth. (Matthew 24:12)

We are speaking about love, but we don't possess love. Love is a heavenly thing, which is ineffably joined with humility, with obedience, with discipline, the great virtues. It is not something indiscriminate, like ecumenists reach, like worldly people teach. Love differs from love. There is carnal love, love of money, love of small and meaningless things. And there is furthermore love for one's father and mother, which, in the final analysis, also contains something physical. The love which Christ brings to the world, however, has the wings of an eagle, and flies to the third Heaven, and makes man a Cherubim and Seraphim.

Love, therefore, not only for relatives and friends, not just towards Christians, but love for the whole world. Love, even for those who crucify you! For we have Christ as our prototype, Who is love crucified. This love we must have as well.

My beloved, if one were to ask now which of these three virtues are the greatest, the greatest is the third, love. Its beauty is indescribable. The Apostle Paul paints all of this in his beautiful sayings on love, which we have properly heard in vain to this point. "If," he says, "I spoke in the tongues of men and Angels," even if I have done miracles, even if I distribute my earthly goods, even if I go to martyrdom and shed my blood, "and I have not love, then I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." "I am nothing." (I Corinthians 13:1-2)

These, my beloved, I have to tell you. Believe, in this age of faithlessness. Hope, in this age of hopelessness. Love, in this age of hatred. And first and foremost, keep love, which, as the Apostle Paul says, remains eternally. (ibid 13:7)

For what is Paradise? Is it rivers, crystalline springs? Is it the songs of the Angels, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, is it the Saints, the Martyrs, is it that whole and beautiful world, and indescribable good things? It is these things. But first and foremost, it is love, the love of God towards man. If I took out love from Paradise, immediately Paradise would become Hell.

That Paradise we ourselves should seek, if we sense the dawn of love, if we believe unshakably in the Lord, and if we have steadfast hope in the promises of God unto the ages.

Then, in the heights of Heaven, together with St. Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love, we will hymn the Triune God, saying: "Praise ye the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages."
(+) Bishop Avgoustinos

Recorded from a homily that occurred in the Chapel of St. Sophia of the Orphanage of the "Agape" Brotherhood of Florina on 9/17/1970, (source)

  

Sts. Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Homily II on St. Paraskevi by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes

St. Paraskevi the Great Martyr (source)

   
Homily II on St. Paraskevi by Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotes: "A Sacrifice out of Love"
Who, my beloved, was St. Paraskevi whom we are celebrating? What was her life, her words and her miracles? It is not easy to relate these in detail. But let us reverently approach her sacred face.

St. Paraskevi was born in the capital of the ancient world, in Rome, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus (138-161AD). Her upstanding parents, Agathon and Politia, were Christians, but were childless. They promised, therefore, if they would be granted a child, to dedicate it to the Lord. God in reality granted them this girl, and because she was born on Friday, they gave her the name "Paraskevi" [Greek for "Friday", literally the "Day of Preparation", i.e. for the Sabbath]. They raised her as a Christian. But this girl had the misfortune of losing her two parents while she was still young. She had, however, the great blessing to have had the faith in Christ taken root within her at the proper time. As she grew, her love for the Lord lit a fire within her soul. This holy fire, which is not from the earth, but which is lit from Heaven, was so great, that all the waters could not quench it (Song of Songs 8:7). Blessed are all those who experience this.

She loved Christ with her whole heart. Not simply with words, but with deeds. The sign of this was how she responded to the voice of the Gospel: "Sell your goods and give to the poor..." (Matthew 19:21). If this voice were heard in our community, would there be souls that would thus respond? St. Paraskevi, the orphan who inherited a great fortune, distributed her goods to the poor.

She embraced the monastic life and began to preach Christ in Rome, and the surrounding areas. She founded a convent, in which were gathered girls who loved the Lord, and she made a missionary sisterhood, whose goal was to show mercy on the poor and to teach women. With the good example of this sisterhood, and with the fiery preaching of St. Paraskevi, many women who were idolaters came to believe in Christ.

She shown like a star at dawn, like an Angel. Other women and girls of her time were dressed in silk. The patricians of Rome and the ladies of the great families would be seen with their adornments worth more than their whole fortunes. Vain women like these were like swallows who carried their whole nests on them, and thus they would carry the whole fortunes of their husband.

St. Paraskevi did not wear silk. She had another garment, one incorrupt and eternal. She was adorned with modesty, a garment which is not corrupted by time.

Other women then and today attempted to appear beautiful externally. They would pain with makeup and lipstick on their lips, put on their cheeks, their eyebrows, their eyelashes. But if you were to ask me which woman were more beautiful, I would respond that the more beautiful woman is she who weeps when she hears the name of Christ, when she prayers, when she beholds the Epitaphios and the Holy of Holies. This was the beauty that St. Paraskevi had. She was not adorned with accessories but only with tears, which ran from her eyes, when she arose at midnight and prayed beneath the stars of Heaven. These were her very precious diamonds, which were taken by the Angels and brought to Paradise, to adorn the garment of her virginity.

Other women adorn their ears with earings, very precious and very expensive. But if you were to ask me, which woman were more beautiful, I would say: It is not those ears adorned with that kind of earings, which eventually will be destroyed or stolen. The more beautiful woman is she who readily turns to hear the voice of her husband, and this readiness had the ears of St. Paraskevi, who hearkened to the voice of the Gospel, to the voice of Christ Who said: "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." (Luke 11:28)

Other women of her time, like the queens of Rome, wore luxurious belts on their waist. For St. Paraskevi, her belt was the self-control which she wore. This was the adornment of St. Paraskevi, and thus all women and girls who desire to be called Orthodox Christians should be adorned.
  

St. Paraskevi the Great Martyr (source)

  

Her activities, however, brought about a backlash; this is the law of life. Whoever is struggling, will be fought against. Only the dead do not fight. Those who struggle in the world "fighting the good fight" (I Timothy 6:12) will face all kinds of backlash from the enemy. Evil children don't throw rocks at fruitless, but at fruitful trees. And St. Paraskevi, who was a tree full of fruit, was next to receive the stones thrown by the instruments of Satan. She was fought first by Hebrews who were fighting Christianity. Two of them condemned her to the King Antoninus, that there was a woman who was stirring up his kingdom, and if she were to continue thus, there would remain no one who would not believe in Christ. According to the command of Antoninus, St. Paraskevi was seized, and led before the Emperor. He remained astonished before her physical beauty, and suggested to her: "Deny Christ and I will make you the Queen." She responded: "I would be very senseless to deny the light and to accept the darkness, to deny Christ and to worship the devil, because the idols are the devil."

He tried again with sweet words and promises to shake her, but she stood immovable. "I will give you three days to think properly and to decide, either to become Queen or to suffer martyrdom."

"O King, do not think that three days, or thirty days or thirty years that you might give me could change my mind. Whatever you have to do, do it immediately."
  
Do you see, my beloved, how this woman stood unshaken? Whoever believes in truth and loves Christ, either a woman or a man, does not fear neither seduction nor threats, neither men nor the devil, nor this whole world. The true Christian is a hero, because the Gospel brings forth heroes. A heroine and an unshakable rock of the faith was St. Paraskevi shown to be.

Her martyrdom is one of the most moving. I will only offer a small detail. Antoninus ordered that she be placed in a large cauldron, in which was boiling pitch. And even though the pitch was boiling over, St. Paraskevi was swimming in the cauldron. Many don't believe this, it is their right. We believe in Christ and in the wonders of the Saints. As soon as the Saint entered the cauldron, she made the sign of the Cross, and boiling was transformed into refreshment, as if in soothing water! Antoninus was astonished. He wondered whether this were a trick: "Throw me some of that", he said. She threw some into his face, and the Emperor was blinded, his whole face was burned, and he began to entreat the Saint. And she, with her prayer, healed him, and all the people cried out: "Great and true is the God of the Christians!" Thousands of people believed on the day of her martyrdom.

Ultimately, Antoninus believed, but his successor continued the persecution against the Christians, and because of this, the Saint was later martyred. A soldier led her to the place of her execution, and with the lightning strike of his sword, her precious head was cut off, but her holy soul flew like a dove to the Heavens, to be together with the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Saints and the Angels, and to pray on behalf of us sinners.

See, my beloved, what one woman accomplished! She astonished the whole world. And what are we doing today, clergy and laity? In comparison to her, we have not accomplished anything. On the occasion, however, of her memory, let us honor her with love, and be taught by her example, and let us live as true Christians, and work in our social circles with philotimo.

Let us entreat St. Paraskevi. And let us light a candle not just for our family and for our children, but for our homeland, that we might continue to walk the path of Christ, because only then there will be blessedness. May the Lord be with us. Amen.
  
(+) Bishop Avgoustinos
(Homily delivered at the Holy Monastery of St. Paraskevi, Milochoriou, Eordaias, on Wednesday July 26th, 1967, Source)
  

St. Paraskevi the Great Martyr (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Akathist to Sts. Joachim and Anna the Ancestors of God

Sts. Joachim and Anna with their daughter, the Most-holy Theotokos (source)

   
Note: A wonderful edition of this beautiful Akathist is available from St. Paisius Monastery in Arizona. Please consider supporting their endeavors.
  

Akathist to the Holy and Righteous Joachim and Anna
For Blessed Married Life

Kontakion 1:
O holy and righteous Joachim and you Anna, the forbears of Christ, elect among the human race, who gave birth to the all-blessed, holy Maiden, of Whom the Son of God was born in the flesh! In that you have great boldness before Christ God and stand before His heavenly throne, earnestly entreat Him, that we may be delivered from misfortunes and thus may ever cry aloud to you: Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Ikos 1:
An angelic messenger was sent to you by God, O holy and righteous ancestors of God, when you both expressed your sorrow – You, Joachim in the wilderness, and you Anna in the garden – offering up supplication unto God. Thus the incorporeal one brought the joyful tidings that you would give birth to an all-blessed daughter, in whom the whole human race would be blessed. And with him we also offer you joyful praise:
Rejoice, branches of the vine of life who blossomed forth in holiness from the root of David!
Rejoice, you who gave birth to a daughter more blessed than all the generations of men!
Rejoice, most honored forbears of the incarnate Son of God!
Rejoice, most excellent disclosers of the mystery hidden from before time began!
Rejoice, closest relatives in the flesh to the Consolation of Israel!
Rejoice, blood relatives of the Savior Who was promised to the world!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 2:
Seeing himself belittled by the high priest in the Temple of Jerusalem because of his lack of children, the holy Joachim was sorely distressed. In bitterness of soul he withdrew to his flocks in the wilderness, and there he offered fervent supplication with tears, that the Lord grant that he might be called father by a child of his own. And thus he added fasting to prayer and in the contrition of his heart cried aloud to God Almighty: Alleluia!
  

Sts. Joachim and Anna embracing the Most-holy Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 2:
Knowing the extent of her husband's grief, the holy Anna wept bitterly in her house and prayed that the Lord would remove from her the reproach of barrenness. And we, remembering the patience of the righteous ones, cry out:
Rejoice, O divinely chosen pair who gave birth to Her who would become the Mother of One of the Trinity;
Rejoice, you who produced an immaculate Mother for your creator!
Rejoice, you blessed pair who raised a Daughter who is most blessed among women!
Rejoice, you whom God heard amid your barrenness!
Rejoice, for your tearful entreaties passed up to heaven and reached the ear of the God of Israel!
Rejoice, for your temporal reproach has been transformed into eternal glory in heaven and on Earth!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 3:
Filled with the power of God, the angel of the Lord appeared to the holy Joachim in the wilderness and said to him, “God has heard your prayer and has been pleased to grant you His grace! Behold, Anna your wife will conceive and bear you a Daughter, who will be the joy of the whole world!” And having said these things the incorporeal one commanded him to return to the Temple of Jerusalem, where he would find his spouse praying, that with her he might also chant there the hymn of praise to the God of Israel: Alleluia!  

Sts. Joachim and Anna embracing Panagia (source)

  
Ikos 3:
Having great sorrow in your heart, O holy Anna, you entered the garden of your home, where your eye saw little chicks lying in a bird's nest in a tree, and you immediately added supplications to your prayers, that the Lord might permit you to become the mother of a child. And lo!! The angel of the Lord appeared to you, saying: “Your prayer has been heard, your sighs have passed beyond the clouds and your tears have come before God! Behold, you will conceive and bear an all-blessed Daughter, in whom all the peoples of the earth will be blessed, and through whom salvation will be given to the whole world! Her name will be Mary!” Mindful of these most angelic tidings, let us chant these things to the ancestors of God:
Rejoice, you who were chosen for ineffable glory!
Rejoice, you who walked blamelessly in all the commandments of the Lord!
Rejoice, you who received eternal consolation amid your fleeing sorrow!
Rejoice, you who were exalted beyond expectation by the right hand of God!
Rejoice, for your humility and tribulation the Lord remembered you!
Rejoice, for you were chosen to become the forebears of the Son of God!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 4:
Beset by a storm of doubt and perplexed by the angel's tidings to him, the righteous Joachim immediately set out for the city of Jerusalem, where he found before the gates of the Temple the holy Anna, greatly glorifying the Lord, who declared to him the joy of the angelic appearance and the prediction of her childbirth. Wherefore, when he had told his spouse of his own vision, he cried with her unto the Lord: Alleluia!
  

St. Anna holding the Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 4:
When Anna's relatives and friends heard of her all-glorious conceiving, they glorified the God of Israel. And he divinely wise Anna promised the fruit of her womb to the service of God and offered up fervent thanks to the Lord. And singing with splendor the most glorious conception of the holy Maiden Mary, we say upon her blessed parents:
Rejoice, joyous heralds announcing to us the Redeemer Who is come into the world!
Rejoice, grandparents of God Who in His mercy assumed our form!
Rejoice, you who through your blessed Daughter provided flesh for the Word of God!
Rejoice, you who called the incarnate God your grandson!
Rejoice, worthy servants of the great mystery of piety!
Rejoice, most excellent means of God's condescension to men!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 5:
You were chosen to give birth in the flesh to the all-holy Birth-giver of God, the divinely radiant star who showed forth Christ God, the Sun of Righteousness, O most blessed Joachim and Anna, and have received the enviable title of Ancestors of God. At her holy birth heaven and earth rejoiced and the whole human race was sanctified, crying out to the God of Israel Who is wondrous in His Saints: Alleluia!
  

St. Anna embracing the Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 5:
Looking as parents upon the Mother of the Creator, the holy Maiden Mary who was born of you, you reverently ministered unto her as the ark of God; wherefore, do not turn away from us who fall down before you in prayer and say:
Rejoice, you who were filled with radiant jubilation at the birth of the holy Maiden Mary!
Rejoice, you who were filled with delight at the sight of the holy Maiden!
Rejoice, you who were moved to compunction at the sound of her voice!
Rejoice, you who after these tidings were blessed by the high priest of God!
Rejoice, you who tended well the unblemished ewe lamb in your house!
Rejoice, you who received the Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd as your Daughter!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 6:
You were shown to be proclaimers of the wonders of God, O Saints, when you fulfilled your vow to God and with glory brought the three-year old holy Maiden Mary to the Temple of God, that She might abide there in the Holy of Holies; and for these things you hastened with joy to chant unto the God of your fathers, the glorification: Alleluia!
  

St. Anna embracing the Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 6:
The divine Maiden shown forth like the full moon at Her honored entry into the Temple of the Lord and the angels marveled at Her beauty. And taken Her from your hands, O holy Joachim and Anna, the High Priest Zachariah led Her into the Holy of Holies with honor, for She was truly the living ark of God; and he blessed you as is proper with such praises as these:
Rejoice, you who have given birth to the universal joy of the human race!
Rejoice, you who have nurtured the cause of the restoration of mankind!
Rejoice, you who brought the living ark of God to the Temple of the Lord!
Rejoice, you who gave your holy Daughter to dwell in the Holy of Holies!
Rejoice, you who are revealed as the relatives of God who will become incarnate!
Rejoice, you who conversed with the angels!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 7:
Having fulfilled the desire of your soul and given your promise to God, O al-blessed Joachim, you departed this earthly life in holiness and righteousness, passing on to the Lord. Wherefore, we ask you to petition Him that we also may be counted worthy to receive a peaceful and unashamed end, crying out to Him: Alleluia!
  

Sts. Joachim and Anna embracing the Most-holy Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 7:
You led a new and God-pleasing life in your widowhood, O holy Anna, abiding at the Temple of God and ministering to your all-blesses Daughter, wherefore, we praise you as a true and God-pleasing widow and the grandmother of Christ and with love we fervently honor you and your husband, Joachim the grandfather of God, and offer you such hymns as these:
Rejoice, you just ones whose righteousness shines like the sun forever!
Rejoice, you friends of the angels, who truly dwell with the Saints in the presence of God!
Rejoice, you who stand near to the throne of heaven!
Rejoice, you who have great boldness before Christ God!
Rejoice, adornment of the Church Triumphant in heaven!
Rejoice, good supporters of the Church militant on earth!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 8:
O holy and righteous Anna, having reached the end of your earthly journey, in the arms of your holy Daughter, the Birth-giver of God Mary, you slept the sleep of death and were transported unto God with hope; wherefore, glorifying your holy dormition, we entreat you, O most honored grandmother of God; When we also begin to fall into the sleep of death, beseech Christ the Savior that our soul may part gently from our body and escape the power of the demons, and that we may be granted eternal salvation, and may cry out to Him in the joy of the Saints: Alleluia!  

The first steps of Panagia, before her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna (source)

  
Ikos 8:
The whole Christian world blesses you as is proper, O holy righteous and ancestors of God Joachim and Anna and in prayer glorifies your honored names. The Church of Christ celebrates your memory with splendor and offers hymns of praises unto you:
Rejoice, beacons who graciously illuminate the darkness of our souls!
Rejoice, you who mercifully look down upon mortals from the heavenly heights of your glory!
Rejoice, you who ever pray with Mary the Birth-Giver of God!
Rejoice, you who with great might move Christ God to mercy!
Rejoice, you who save from all misfortunes those who cherish faith and love for you!
Rejoice, you who deliver those who call upon your help in prayer from a violent and sudden death!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 9:
All the angels of God and the choirs of the Saints of God in heaven greet you, O holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and on earth the generations of men praise you with prayerful hymns and cry out to God in thanksgiving for your intercession: Alleluia!
  

Sts. Joachim and Anna, with Christ and the Most-holy Theotokos (Source)

  
Ikos 9:
Our eloquence does not suffice to praise you fittingly, O holy forbears of Christ; yet as you are merciful, do not reject our inadequate praises, but be fervent intercessors and advocates for us before the Lord, fulfilling the deficiency of our souls with your holy supplications, that we may cry out to you this hymn of thanksgiving:
Rejoice, mediators who win for us the joy and eternal glory we desire!
Rejoice, fervent advocates before the Lord who acquire temporal and eternal blessings for us!
Rejoice, you who by your intercession preserve the faithful from deadly pestilence!
Rejoice, you who by your supplications dispel mortal plagues!
Rejoice, you who by your mediation cause earthquakes and violent storms to cease and restore calm!
Rejoice, you who amid all tribulations and misfortunes hasten to our aid!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 10:
 O holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, you have shown yourselves to be beneficial helpers of those who desire salvation of soul and diligently strive for this. Being called the guardians of monks and nuns, and offering unto God common supplication for all the faithful, that in thanksgiving into Christ the King of glory, Who has glorified you throughout the world, they all may cry out: Alleluia!
  

Sts. Joachim and Anna embracing at the Golden Gate (source)

  
Ikos 10:
With the bulwark of your prayers, O holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, preserve and protect us from the temptations of the diabolical who seeks the destruction of our souls; for we know that your petition before the face of Christ our God, your Grandson according to the flesh, is able to accomplish much. Never cease to make supplications to Him on behalf of all who with love honor you and cry aloud:
Rejoice, fruitful olive trees pouring forth the oil of the mercy of God upon us in abundance!
Rejoice, you two cypress trees of excellent foliage who turn the burning heat of our passions into the stillness of dispassion!
Rejoice, purple and fine linen of which the tabernacle of God's dwelling place was wrought!
Rejoice, turtle doves mated for life, who brought forth the immaculate dove!
Rejoice, you who reign eternally with your Daughter the Queen of all!
Rejoice, you who celebrate with Her in splendor in Her heavenly mansion in Sion on high!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 11:
Mercifully accept our hymns of praise and do not deprive us of your compassions, O holy Joachim and Anna, ancestors of Christ; for though we are unworthy of your holy intercessions because of our sins, yet as you are good and full of pity, grant it to us and help us to cleanse ourselves of defilement of sin through repentance, that in purity of heart we may chant unto our Creator the hymn of praise: Alleluia!
  

Sts. Joachim and Anna embracing the Theotokos (source)

  
Ikos 11:
O Brethren, let us recognize the holy ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, as two radiant candles which lit the universal Lamp. Illuminated with the brightness of their heavenly glory, let us sing to them such words as these:
Rejoice, you were counted worthy to raise Her who is beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim!
Rejoice, you who were resplendent with heavenly brightness!
Rejoice, you who were filled with the sweet fragrance of the Spirit!
Rejoice, you who bear unto God the incense of your prayers for the whole Christian world!
Rejoice, you who ever stand before the throne of Christ with Mary the God-Bearer and John the Baptist!
Rejoice, you who stand near the throne of heaven!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 12:
O holy ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, ask the Lord that He grant us divine grace and mercy, forgiveness of sins and correction of life; and never cease to entreat the countenance of Almighty God in our behalf, in that you have acquired great boldness before Him. Falling down before you with fervor for this purpose, we beseech you as our true intercessors and helpers and with real compunction cry out to the Creator of all: Alleluia!
  

St. Anna embracing Panagia (source)

  
Ikos 12:
Singing of the great might of your intercessions before God, O righteous Joachim and Anna, we magnify Christ the Lord Who has magnified you; we sing also the praises of His all-immaculate Mother who was born of you; and in our zeal we offer you these right fitting praises:
Rejoice, you who are glorified from the East even unto the West!
Rejoice, O our protectors whose vigilance in intercession is never wavering!
Rejoice, you who grant your gracious help to every Christian soul!
Rejoice, you who fulfill the entreaties and petitions of the pious!
Rejoice, most excellent healers of the infirmities of soul and body who exact no fee!
Rejoice, most diligent and pleasing mediators who obtain for us temporal and eternal good things!
Rejoice, O holy and righteous Joachim and Anna, Ancestors of God!

Kontakion 13:
O holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna! We entreat you with zeal and love, falling down before the footstool of your feet; we ask that you beseech the Lord God, that He will deliver us from the everlasting damnation prepared for sinners, that, saved by the loving-kindness of our God and aided by your holy prayers, we may sing in thanksgiving to Him the angelic hymn: Alleluia!

(Kontakion 13 is read 3 times, then read Ikos 1 è Kontakion 1)

The wondrous, myrrhstreaming icon of St. Anna embracing the Theotokos, treasured currently by St. Tikhon's Monastery in Waymart, PA (source)

  
Prayer to the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna:
O ever-glorious and righteous forbearers of Christ, holy Joachim and Anna who stand before the heavenly throne of the great King and possess boldness before Him; He was well pleased to become incarnate of your all-blessed Daughter, the all-pure Birth-giver of God and Ever-virgin Mary. We, the sinful and unworthy, come to you as mighty intercessors and diligent advocates for us. Entreat His goodness, that He turn away His wrath from us, which we deserve because of our deeds and that, overlooking our countless transgressions, He may turn us to the way of repentance and set us firmly upon the path of His commandments. By your supplications preserve our life in peace. Ask that we may be successful in good things. By your intercession, may God grant to us all things necessary for life and piety and may He deliver us from all peril, misfortune and sudden death. May He allow us to live out our lives in peace and tranquility, in all piety and purity. Having thus passed from this transitory life in peace, we may attain unto everlasting rest, where by your holy entreaty, may we be granted the heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship with the Father and all-Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages.
(source)
  

St. Anna holding the Theotokos (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Akathist to St. Marina the Great Martyr

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
Akathist to St. Marina the Great Martyr,
written by Dr. Charalampos Bousias

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
She who mindfully abandoned the impiety of her father, and followed the untrodden path of martyrdom out of love for her Bridegroom [Christ] in Heaven, O comely virgin Marina, we praise you who destroyed the enemy, and cry out with fervor: Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

O Marina, perfect and comely martyr and famed sheep of the Chief Shepherd and Word, (3) as His all-praised bride, you reclined your neck unflinchingly in the stadium and were beheaded on behalf of piety, rousing the faithful to cry out to you:
Rejoice, great champion and comely martyr,
Rejoice, greatly-suffering child martyr.
Rejoice, you who were nourished by the love of the Creator,
Rejoice, you who were delivered by the power of the King of all.
Rejoice, for you bore pains in your flesh gently,
Rejoice, for you followed the path of martyrdom.
Rejoice, the chastity of all spiritual champions,
Rejoice, the gladness of youth brave in soul.
Rejoice, greatly-flowing spring of graces,
Rejoice, unending source of wonders.
Rejoice, through whom Pisidia takes boast,
Rejoice, through whom the guile of the serpent is conquered.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

An all-beautiful offspring of Pisidia, O Marina, you saddened your father who was a priest of the idols, as you showed his belief to be utter delusion, and you proceeded towards faith in Christ until martyrdom, reclining your neck to beheading, while crying out to Him: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
Being founded upon the truth, O Marina, you remained unshaken by the assaults of the deceiving enemy, O Martyr, therefore you trampled upon his wretched attack through your struggle, therefore we cry out to you with fervor:
Rejoice, elite adornment of the youth,
Rejoice, the healer of all those suffering.
Rejoice, you who dispersed the darkness of your father,
Rejoice, you who struggled mightily and radiantly.
Rejoice, sweet fragrance of the love of Christ,
Rejoice, aromatic myrrh-vessel of manly*** martyrdom.
Rejoice, for you received your call to preach of your Bridegroom,
Rejoice, for you delivered from the delusion of the idols.
Rejoice, radiant jewel of youth,
Rejoice, joyous type of struggle.
Rejoice, bold vessel of the youth,
Rejoice, you who freeze the deception of the idols.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

As a tree steadfast in soul, you deposed Olymvrios, who was under the influence of the serpent, and was a faithless ruler, while you gladdened the multitude of the faithful through your godly-wise words and sacred sayings, crying out to the Redeemer: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
You willingly bore in your flesh the raking and being burnt by torches, O Marina, and you offered to Jesus a holy regiment of Martyrs, who denied delusion and who cry out to you out of fervent faith:
Rejoice, boast of steadfastness,
Rejoice, adornment of piety.
Rejoice, you who shone with the light of Christ,
Rejoice, you who dispersed the darkness of delusion.
Rejoice, very precious dwelling-place of spiritual manliness,
Rejoice, God-chosen boast of the martyric path.
Rejoice, for you were shown to be more steadfast than iron,
Rejoice, for you appeared as the bride of the Lord.
Rejoice, you who endured the raking of your flesh,
Rejoice, shaming of the multitudes of the faithless.
Rejoice, the wound of the soulless idols,
Rejoice, speedy dispeller of the demons.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

Being arrayed in the zeal of martyrdom, O Marina, you wisely put off the garment of fearful nature and manfully proceeded towards steadfast struggles, and the cutting off of your head, as you hastened to Christ, crying out from your depths: Alleluia.

St. Marina the Great Martyr and Christ's Vanquisher of demons (source)

You deposed the ancient enemy who appeared to you as one barren, O Marina, through the power of Christ God, to Whom you gave the beauty of your youth as a dowry, and therefore we cry out to you in joy:
Rejoice, the depth of mighty strength,
Rejoice, the measure of perfection.
Rejoice, rampart of martyrdom founded by God,
Rejoice, utter deposition of the enemy.
Rejoice, unconquerable Martyr, who dashed apart Olymvrios,
Rejoice, all-spotless girl, the sweetness of the pious.
Rejoice, for you endured painful blows,
Rejoice, for you were set afire with torches.
Rejoice, crown of grace plaited with flowers,
Rejoice, stream of healings flowing from God.
Rejoice, healing for the greatly-pained faithful,
Rejoice, great pain to the enemy.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

Divine light shined upon you, O Martyr Marina, transforming your dark and unspeakable [prison], filling you with joy as you beheld your wounds being greatly healed, O chaste one, and therefore you opened your all-sacred lips to cry out to Christ: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
You trampled upon the strength of Belial the enemy through the power of the Cross, O Marina, and through the sword of your fervent prayers, you speedily cut off the head of his guile, trampling upon him, and rousing all of the faithful to cry out to you:
Rejoice, virgin bearing virtues,
Rejoice, all-glorious champion.
Rejoice, the fellow-dweller with all the Martyrs,
Rejoice, speaker with the Holy Angels.
Rejoice, fervent boast of pious strugglers,
Rejoice, unassailable surrounding wall for mighty young people.
Rejoice, for you rejoice together with the choirs in Heaven,
Rejoice, for you shine upon the minds of those bearing the name of Christ.
Rejoice, fervent refuge of the faithful,
Rejoice, steadfast destroyer of enemies.
Rejoice, protection for pious souls,
Rejoice, lamp full of spiritual boldness.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

Bearing the beauty of virginity, and manliness in soul, you gave your spotless wealth to your Bridegroom Christ, O Marina, and you suffered terrible tortures for Him, ceaselessly changing to Him with a thankful tongue: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
Shining with love for the Most-high, O Marina, you bore the pain of tortures manfully as one without flesh, and the sharp cutting of your sacred neck with the sword you endured, therefore we magnify you, crying out in worthy manner:
Rejoice, perfect soul of Christ,
Rejoice, icon of radiant virginity.
Rejoice, the divine adornment of the stadium,
Rejoice, the all-spotless lamb of the Lord.
Rejoice, for you were patient out of your fervent reverence,
Rejoice, for you cast down the head of Satan through your faith.
Rejoice, you who in no way spared your flesh,
Rejoice, you who received the cutting of your neck.
Rejoice, jewel of the love of Christ,
Rejoice, boast of His faith.
Rejoice, chaste cypress of Paradise,
Rejoice, pure one, who tramples upon the enemy.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

O Martyr of Christ Marina, you lawfully struggled in the stadium, proclaiming your calling from your Bridegroom, and together with Him, you rejoice in the heavenly mansions, and you ever entreat Him, O one who greatly suffered, on behalf of those who cry out with faith: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
You bore the deadening of your flesh, O Martyr Marina, through your timely struggles, and through your divine might, you wondrously showed the enemy to be a weakly dog, and you open the mouths of the faithful to cry out to you:
Rejoice, the casting down of the worship of idols,
Rejoice, the deliverer of the ailing.
Rejoice, you who triumphed over the ancient enemy,
Rejoice, you who love to alleviate illnesses.
Rejoice, fruitful vine of the new life in Christ,
Rejoice, support showing athletic virtue.
Rejoice, for you received the crowns of reward for the virgins,
Rejoice, for you show forth the ways of salvation.
Rejoice, support of the faith of Christ,
Rejoice, driving out of the dangers of the enemy.
Rejoice, spring of many kinds of healings,
Rejoice, all-fragrant incense of wonders.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

A strange spring of all kinds of wonders, and a fountain of healings, you are seen to be, O Marina, working together with your Bridegroom Who is sacred and the One desired. We cry out to Him loudly, Who makes those lacking music to be composers, as we cry out to you, O Great Martyr: Alleluia.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr, and Christ's Vanquisher of the demons (source)

  
You have been numbered with the heavenly ranks, O Marina, for you passed through the great sea of life, with Christ being the guide towards peace in soul, and rejoicing, you ever entreat Him on behalf of those who cry out to you with faith:
Rejoice, the giver of healings,
Rejoice, the destroyer of demons.
Rejoice, the first champion in the stadium of martyrdom,
Rejoice, partaker of heavenly rejoicing.
Rejoice, for you despised the prime of youth,
Rejoice, for you offered your head as a gift to Christ.
Rejoice, the speedy protection of those who hymn you,
Rejoice, the guide of your entreaters towards the heavens.
Rejoice, you who shame the boldness of the enemy,
Rejoice, you who were raised through the power of Christ.
Rejoice, breath and helping hand for the youth,
Rejoice, wound of the faithless tyrants.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

With fervor in your nous, O Marina, you were directed towards Christ your pure Savior from childhood, and you speedily spat upon the vanity of the idols and the delusion of your father, as you shown with the light of Christ, to Whom you cry out unflinchingly: Alleluia.

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
As a fragrant and beautiful divine rose, you sprouted from a terrible and foul-smelling root, filling all the faithful with the breeze of your spiritual graces, O all-chaste Marina, and with the joy of your manliness, therefore we cry out:
Rejoice, you who struggled gloriously,
Rejoice, you who were rightly glorified.
Rejoice, fragrant vessel of springtime,
Rejoice, light-bearing Queen of graces.
Rejoice, for you endured the cutting of your head,
Rejoice, for you dyed the stole of your soul in your blood.
Rejoice, most delicious apple of goodness,
Rejoice, unemptying abyss of perfection.
Rejoice, you who emphatically loved Christ,
Rejoice, hypostasis of His love.
Rejoice, shame of the enemy that hates Christ,
Rejoice, victory of the choir of champions.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

You were adorned with the crown of incorruption as a steadfast Martyr and virgin, and you join pasture with the choirs of the Angels, in the bridal chamber above, in which, O all-praised one, you entreat the Lord on behalf of those who piously cry out: Alleluia.

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
You are a surrounding wall for the chaste youth and a precious protection, O joyous Marina, the comeliness of steadfast women and the sacred type of champions. Keep under your protection those who entreat you and who cry out in faith:
Rejoice, Queen of graces,
Rejoice, depth of healings.
Rejoice, God-inscribed statue of truth,
Rejoice, you who are the longed for piety founded in God.
Rejoice, foundation of famed women champions strengthened by God,
Rejoice, mighty bravery of athletes.
Rejoice, for you endured unbearable beatings,
Rejoice, for you trample upon the frost of the enemy.
Rejoice, you who dwell in the court of unwaning light,
Rejoice, nourishment for the whole world.
Rejoice, steady ray of Christ,
Rejoice, spring of boldness and well-being.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

We place the crowns of our hymns upon you for your struggles, O Marina, to the heavenly glory of your sacred Bridegroom, Christ God, Whose might we praise, we who are upon the earth, singing sweet songs and crying out with fervent voices: Alleluia.

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

   
You shine upon all creation with the rays of your virtues, and with the radiance of your beautiful youth, O comely and chaste Martyr Marina, and your soul was set aflame with the divine, therefore all who praise your memory cry out with faith:
Rejoice, creation of the love of the Lord,
Rejoice, sword against the delusion of the enemy.
Rejoice, example of the perfect truth,
Rejoice, adornment of the spotless way.
Rejoice, priceless emerald of spiritual beauty,
Rejoice, many-colored sapphire of athletic virtue.
Rejoice, you who bury the unclean spirits,
Rejoice, deliverance from incurable illnesses.
Rejoice, mighty strength of the faithful given by God,
Rejoice, ever-flowing spring of wonders.
Rejoice, container bestowing joy,
Rejoice, beautiful trophy of manliness.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

Rejoice, O Martyr Marina, for you counted the fire of tortures as nourishment, and the cutting off of your head as a cause for joy, as you proceeded to the heavenly mansions to meet your Bridegroom, crying out to Him: Alleluia.

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  
Having been enriched with your prayers as with gold, O Marina, we entreat the Giver-of-life that we be granted good things, though we are dead of good deeds, O child Martyr, chaste and full of faith and shining with light, and we cry out these things from our depths:
Rejoice, pillar of godly piety,
Rejoice, gate leading to God.
Rejoice, greatly-fragrant pasture of Christ,
Rejoice, juicy apple of His flower.
Rejoice, golden diadem of steadfast youth,
Rejoice, all-precious one lifted up by the Savior of souls.
Rejoice, the speedy protection of those who honor you,
Rejoice, healing from dangers for those who hymn you.
Rejoice, all-radiant light of struggle,
Rejoice, sheltered forest of manliness.
Rejoice, canon of steadfastness for those in dangers,
Rejoice, mystical verdant tree.
Rejoice, O all-spotless Martyr.

O Martyr of the Lord who suffered greatly, adornment of spiritual youth (3), unflinchingly entreat your Bridegroom that we be granted dual health [of soul and body], as the ranks of virgins praise you, and all cry out in reverence: Alleluia.
  
And again the Kontakion.
  
(source)
  
***Note: The author of the akathist, like many other hymnographers, praises the "manliness" of St. Marina. This does not minimize the attributes of her female gender, but means to praise her steadfastness and endurance of terrible martyrdom more than many men on behalf of her love for Christ.
  

St. Marina the Great Martyr (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!