Thursday, March 5, 2020

Akathist to Sts. Theodore the Great Martyrs

Sts. Theodore the Recruit and Theodore the Commander, the Great Martyrs of Christ (source)
  
Akathist to Sts. Theodore the Recruit and Theodore the Commander, the Great Martyrs of Christ
  
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The famed great martyrs of the faith, and the joyous lights that noetically beautify the firmament, as true members of the Church, and richly pouring forth rivers of miracles, Saints Theodore, O faithful, let us praise, as we cry out to them: Rejoice, O pair chosen by God.
  
The Bodiless Angels were truly astonished, (3) beholding your struggles surpassing nature, O Champions of Christ God, and as you are the namesake of His gifts, together you rejoice, as we cry out to you things like these:
Rejoice, precious dyad of God,
Rejoice, famed, holy pair.
Rejoice, O all-wise Theodore the Commander,
Rejoice, great and blessed Theodore the Recruit.
Rejoice, honored pair, and the joy of the Angels,
Rejoice, boast of the faith and adornment of the Saints.
Rejoice, true pride of the city of Euchaita,
Rejoice, blessed prestige of the Tyrian regiment.
Rejoice, dyad called by Christ,
Rejoice, you who preached Him as God.
Rejoice, through whom creation was struck with awe,
Rejoice, through whom the Creator is hymned.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
  
At the command of the King Licinius, O godly-minded Theodore, and Soldier of Christ, you were condemned to martyrdom, O wise one, and you achieved great feats while ridiculing the vanity of the idols, and crying out to God: Alleluia.

Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
  
Having been enriched with divine knowledge, as true Champions of the Lord, you bravely spat upon the false gods out of wisdom, and ridiculed them. Therefore, we cry out to you these things with joy:
Rejoice, Martyr and Soldier of Christ,
Rejoice, sure protector of the faithful.
Rejoice, you who deposed the command of Licinius,
Rejoice, you who hated the mute gods.
Rejoice, O Theodore the Recruit, the radiance of Champions,
Rejoice, glory and adornment of the sacred churches.
Rejoice, you who uprooted the delusion of the idols,
Rejoice, all-joyous dyad of Martyrs.
Rejoice, helper of all the faithful.
Rejoice, sure shield of piety,
Rejoice, lamp of the truth of Christ.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
  
You were clothed with power from on high, O Champions, and willingly ran the race of Martyrdom, and with God within your souls, you crushed the heads of the enemy, as you ceaselessly cried out to God the Pantocrator: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
  
Your godly life truly shown throughout the world as a radiant morning star, illumining all the faithful and driving out the darkness of impiety, therefore, with rejoicing, we cry out to you these things:
Rejoice, O dyad, the pride of Champions,
Rejoice, arrow against the faithless enemies.
Rejoice, you who trampled upon the idols,
Rejoice, you who did not shy away from the instruments of torture.
Rejoice, for you put to death the mighty dragon of the senses,
Rejoice, sword against noetic foes.
Rejoice, for you deposed the traps of Vriga,
Rejoice, for you foresaw the terrible dangers.
Rejoice, you who accepted slaughter for your Lord,
Rejoice, joyous vessel of the Trinity.
Rejoice, dissolver of the false gods,
Rejoice, divine preacher of the true God.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.

Having been arrayed in godly zeal, you endured the movements and every threat of tyrants as if children's toys, and you chanted to the Lord, O Champions, speaking to God, Who arrayed you with strength, as you cried out: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)

You were shown to be radiant suns, shining through the very Blood of Christ, O Champions. You illumine the Churches of the firmament and the ends of the earth, rousing us to cry out:
Rejoice, O famed dyad of Theodores,
Rejoice, gift of God to the faithful.
Rejoice, you who drive away invisible enemies,
Rejoice, you who surely shame sensible [foes].
Rejoice, for you prove the will of tyrants to be vain,
Rejoice, for you burn up the mute idols.
Rejoice, you who cast down the temples of the idols,
Rejoice, adornment of famed Martyrs.
Rejoice, the boast of all the faithful,
Rejoice, O dyad, the protecting wall of piety,
Rejoice, ever-flowing spring of wonders.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.

The divine Saints Theodore the Great Commander and the truly brave Theodore the Recruit, let us praise with hymns, O faithful, as ones who have been enriched by them, as our mighty protectors, who have received crowns of glory from Christ. Let us fervently cry out: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
You were shown to be mighty in battles, O Champions of the Lord, arrayed in the divine might of the Precious Cross, through which you conquered all vanity of the idols, and for which we cry out to you these things:
Rejoice, O dyad, torchbearers of the world,
Rejoice, steady tower of piety.
Rejoice, you who routed the ranks of the demons,
Rejoice, you who conquered the rage of the tyrants.
Rejoice, trumpet of great voice that preached Christ,
Rejoice, lyre that gladdens the hearts of the faithful.
Rejoice, greatly-flowing spring of healings,
Rejoice, O dyad of Martyrs, through whom the faith is strengthened.
Rejoice, you who dissipate the clouds of the idols,
Rejoice, you who cleansed from the filth of the demons.
Rejoice, our protectors amidst dangers,
Rejoice, healers of the faithful in afflictions.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
 
O wise Champions, you truly became stentorian preachers of Christ before tyrants, as you proclaimed the true God, and you therefore suffered for Him, ceaselessly crying out to Him: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
You shine throughout the world as radiant morning stars, driving out the darkness of terrifying ignorance through the rays of knowledge, bringing in divine illumination, through which we, who are illumined, cry out:
Rejoice, O glorified dyad,
Rejoice, you who were crowned by God.
Rejoice, O pair that censured delusion,
Rejoice, you who magnified Christ God.
Rejoice, you who boldly censured the tyrant Publios,
Rejoice, you who raised trophies against invisible enemies.
Rejoice, pair of divine athletes filled with divine fragrance,
Rejoice, rain that waters the earth from heaven,
Rejoice, O dyad, the defenders of the faithful.
Rejoice, you who fight against the many faithless,
Rejoice, through whom the faith blossoms,
Rejoice, through whom the weapons of the enemy have fallen.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
  
With all the Martyrs, Apostles, Venerable Fathers, and all the Prophets and Righteous, you now stand before the throne of God, O Champion Saints Theodore, entreating for salvation for the faithful, as you cry out to Him: Alleluia.
    
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
  
You truly bore on your shoulders divine victory and might against visible and invisible enemies, as you were translated to things divine, O wise and thrice-joyous Martyrs, having been granted God, Whom you immediately entreat on behalf of those who cry out:
Rejoice, pair bearing the same name,
Rejoice, flower of piety.
Rejoice, all-joyous dyad of Theodores,
Rejoice, true fellow-dwellers with the Angels.
Rejoice, sacrifice to Christ God, O General,
Rejoice, O Recruit honored by God, who conquered the enemies.
Rejoice, wondrous and chosen pair,
Rejoice, speedy help and protector of Euchaita.
Rejoice, the deliverer of faithful people,
Rejoice, deposer of faithless people.
Rejoice, O dyad that dwells in the Heavens,
Rejoice, O pair of champions of Christ.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
 
The sacred treasury of your Relics has become a two-edged sword against invisible enemies, driving away their assaults, and strengthening the ranks of the faithful, and therefore, to Christ Who granted them strength, we cry out: Alleluia.
    
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
The divine mass of Martyrs left all earthly things, and sin that greatly weighs upon us, and with patience, they wisely hastened towards the struggle of Martyrdom, and therefore, we cry out these things to them:
Rejoice, sacred pair of champions,
Rejoice, joyous pride of the Church.
Rejoice, O dyad, the dissolution of the idols,
Rejoice, you who cast down the enemies that afflict us.
Rejoice, glory and adornment of the churches of Christ,
Rejoice, boast and foundation of pious Christians.
Rejoice, O General, who partakes of unspeakable glory,
Rejoice, you whose divine head was crowned with an incorruptible crown.
Rejoice, O dyad that converses with the Martyrs,
Rejoice through whom the demons are driven out.
Rejoice, you who stand before the throne of Christ,
Rejoice, you who hymn the only God.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
 
All the ranks of Angels were astonished, beholding your divine struggles, clapped their hands, O Champions, and through your martyrdom, you were wisely lifted on high, O all-glorious Saints Theodore, and we, rejoicing together, cry out to Christ: Alleluia.
     
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
You were truly arrayed with divine power from Christ on high, O Saints Theodore, and you proceeded to the feats of martyrdom, O Champions, with manliness in mind and soul, and you departed, having astonished even the faithless, while the faithful cry out:
Rejoice, O chosen dyad of Martyrs,
Rejoice, sacred pair of lights.
Rejoice, you who trampled upon the serpent of impiety,
Rejoice, you who preached the word of piety.
Rejoice, for you proved the commands of the tyrants to be futile,
Rejoice, for you received the lot of incorruptible gifts.
Rejoice, all-joyous haven of the storm-tossed,
Rejoice, healing of many afflicted people.
Rejoice, you who drive away demonic foes,
Rejoice, O dyad that protects the faithful,
Rejoice, pair that adorns the heavens.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
  
Guide those who praise you towards the haven of salvation, O Champions of Christ, through your ready intercessions to God, O glorious Saints Theodore, Whom you now stand before together, ceaselessly crying out: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
  
You were shown to be mighty and brave soldiers of Christ, O divine Saints Theodore, as you steadfastly departed the vanity of this earthly life, deposing tyrants through martyrdom. Therefore, we cry out to you:
Rejoice, O dyad and shield of piety,
Rejoice, censure of impiety.
Rejoice, O pair, a sea of wonders,
Rejoice, you who crushed the head of the dragon.
Rejoice, O Martyr and protector worthy of praise for those who honor you,
Rejoice, O Recruit honored by God, and signature of the Champions.
Rejoice, divine sword drawn against the enemies,
Rejoice, lamp that enlightens the multitude of the faithful.
Rejoice, O dyad, the pride of the faith,
Rejoice, incurable cutting out of delusion.
Rejoice, you who are nourished in Eden,
Rejoice, you who stand on the right hand of Christ.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
 
While chanting a divine hymn to the Savior of the world, you departed this life through your sacred martyrdom, O divine Champions, and you were not swayed by the threats of the tyrants, but you deposed them, crying out to the Tri-hypostatic God: Alleluia.
  
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
You shine as lamps set in a high place by Christ, illumining the church of the nations and the whole earth, guiding all towards divine knowledge, O all-praised Saints Theodore, and for this we cry out to you these things:
Rejoice, O dyad, the radiance of Champions,
Rejoice, joyous followers of Christ.
Rejoice, you who shine like the moon upon the souls of the faithful,
Rejoice, you who drive away the assaults of enemies.
Rejoice, radiant star, O Champion General,
Rejoice, fragrant blossom, O Recruit and Martyr of Eden.
Rejoice, you who cast down the commands of Julian,
Rejoice, you who deliver the faithful from pains.
Rejoice, O dyad that shines like the light,
Rejoice, you who glorified Christ God.
Rejoice, you who obtained the nourishment of Paradise,
Rejoice, you who left the corrupt things of this life.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
  
You pour forth ready grace upon all, O wise Saints Theodore, through your intercessions to Christ the Son of God, and you preached Him as true God before faithless rulers, crying out to Him: Alleluia.
    
Saints Theodore the Great Martyrs (source)
 
We chant of your struggles, O Saints Theodore and Champions of Christ, and in faith we hymn your trophies as is right, which you raised against the foes and with which we are now enriched, as we fervently cry out to our deliverers:
Rejoice, O dyad, the surrounding wall of the people of Euchaita,
Rejoice, invincible pair of those bearing the name of Christ.
Rejoice, unsleeping intercessors for our souls before God,
Rejoice, unassailable foundation of piety.
Rejoice, gift granted by God, and breath of divine sweetness,
Rejoice, glory of the Martyrs, and deposer of demons.
Rejoice, tower that casts down the walls of the idols,
Rejoice, O dyad that shines through your struggles.
Rejoice, you who drive away the clouds of the enemies,
Rejoice, true fragrance of Christ,
Rejoice, joy of us the faithful.
Rejoice, O greatest Saints Theodore.
 
O divine Saints Theodore, and Champions of the Lord, (3) and comeliness of all the Champions, receive this our ode, and deliver from every danger all of us who take refuge in you, and who with fervor cry out to Christ: Alleluia.
  
And the Kontakion again.
(source)
  
Sts. Theodore the Great Martyr (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

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