Note: We see the Church of Christ praise in such beautiful hymns these two great friends and Great Martyrs of Christ. Unfortunately, some have misconstrued the love that the Saints showed each other as something earthly and filial, or worse yet, as something passionate or erotic. This is a grave error! These Saints suffered their passion for Christ, and conquered the passions of the flesh. As these hymns below demonstrate, their love was not natural or physical, but pure and enlightened and spiritual and heavenly. Through their intercessions, may Christ deliver us from all the passions of our soul and body!
Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Fourth Tone (all amateur translations below)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Sergius and Bacchus, the tidings and joyous radiance of the Martyrs, who deposed the boldness of tyrants, and despired the error of the idols, and most-exaltedly proclaimed the perfect mystery of the knowledge of God. Through their intercessions, O Christ, You Who are their law-giver and setter-of-contests and crown-bestower, make us worthy to conquer the invisible and visible powers, and to be granted the kingdom.
Doxastikon of the Aposticha in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The Martyrs of Christ are established as ranks against enemies, in whom with lights the world is illumined, the righteous and perfect Champions, Sergius and Bacchus. They inclined their backs to the evil ranks of the demons. They astonished tyrants, and amazed Angels, beholding the bodiless walking in flesh. And the faithful of the Church, celebrate this all-radiant feast with the joy of the whole world, crying out: You Who bound the strong one in afflicted flesh, through the intercessions of Your Saints, save our souls.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Your nous trampled upon the enemies, and all of their deceits you dissolved, and you were granted victory from above, O most-praised Martyrs, and cry out together: How good and pleasant it is to be numbered with Christ.
Oikos
In the heavens, O Christ, dwell Sergius and Bacchus, and they are arrayed by you in divine light. Hasten speedily to me, who walk in the darkness of ignorance, to heal the passions, O only Immortal One, and grant me the garment of incorruption, that being arrayed in white, I might praise their light-bearing feast, and cry to You, O Lord: How good and pleasant it is to be numbered with Christ.
Synaxarion
On the seventh of this month (October), the Memory of the Holy great Martyrs, Sergius and Bacchus.
Verses
You nerves as bronze, O Bacchus, your nerves towards torture
And towards the sword, O Sergios, your heart was fire.
Sergios died on the seventh by the sword, and Bacchus by nerves.
Idiomela of the Praises
First Tone by Germanos
Crying out like David, O Sergius and Bacchus the Martyrs: Behold how good or how pleasent it is for Brothers to dwell together, for you were not bound by physical means, but in the manner of the faith. Therefore the Saints trampled upon the enemy, and taking up the cross, they followed Christ, and intercede to the King and God, that the great mercy may be granted to our souls.
Third Tone
How good, or how pleasent is the brotherly knowledge of Your Martyrs, O Lord. For they did not know natural brothers in the flesh, but for the faith were considered brothers who struggled until death. Through their prayers, O God, have mercy on us.
Fourth Tone by Anatolios
Prophetically, let us gather together to cry the hymn to the Saints: Behold how good, or how pleasent it us for bretheren to dwell together, not by natural service, but united in faith of the Holy Spirit. For all corruptible things they abhored, taking up the cross upon their shoulders, and they followed Christ, Serius and Bacchus the brave Martyrs, and being granted boldness in the heavens, they intercede on behalf of us, that we be sent the great mercy.
Doxastikon of the Praises in the Fourth Tone
O Sergius, having shod your feed in preparation of the Gospel of peace, with the shoes with nails, you pouring forth blood from your feet, instead of raising your heel against the one who tortured you, who was blinded, and you were granted the crown of martyrdom. Through his prayers, O Christ God, nail down our flesh with Your fear, and have mercy on us.
Doxastikon of the Stichera of Orthros in the Second Tone by Anatolios
Beholding your former struggles, O universal Martyrs, the Church of God is today radiantly decorated, and faithfully celebrates your memory, for having borne dishonor by a worldly king, who placed [iron chains] upon your divine necks in jest, through these you were made worthy of the things of heaven, and endless blessedness.
Doxastikon of the Praises in the Fourth Tone
O Sergius, having shod your feed in preparation of the Gospel of peace, with the shoes with nails, you pouring forth blood from your feet, instead of raising your heel against the one who tortured you, who was blinded, and you were granted the crown of martyrdom. Through his prayers, O Christ God, nail down our flesh with Your fear, and have mercy on us.
Doxastikon of the Stichera of Orthros in the Second Tone by Anatolios
Beholding your former struggles, O universal Martyrs, the Church of God is today radiantly decorated, and faithfully celebrates your memory, for having borne dishonor by a worldly king, who placed [iron chains] upon your divine necks in jest, through these you were made worthy of the things of heaven, and endless blessedness.
Sts. Sergius and Bacchus the Great Martyrs (http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/icons/StKatherinesMtSinaiSergius-Bacchus-Oct-7.jpg)
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
1 comment:
A nice post.
The icon at the top looks a lot like icons of Ss George and Demetrius, even down to one being on a white horse (usually George) whilst the other is on a chestnut-coloured horse. The likeness is especially striking as the saint on the white horse carries a flag with the "St George's Cross" on it.
Here's an icon of Ss George and Demetrius to compare:
http://www.teachablehearts.co.uk/members/gallery/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=861&fullsize=1
A remarkable similarity, I think.
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