SEPTEMBER 15TH

Commemoration of the Great Martyr Niketas.

AT VESPERS

Of the Feast. Tone 5. Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

Hail, life-bearing Cross, unconquerable trophy of true religion, door of Paradise, support of the faithful, rampart of the Church. Through you corruption is wiped out and destroyed, the power of death is swallowed up, and we are exalted from earth to heaven: invincible weapon, opponent of demons, glory of martyrs, true ornament of monks, harbour of salvation, bestowing on the world God’s great mercy.

Hail, Cross of the Lord! Through you humanity has been released from the curse; sign of true joy, who shatter enemies by your exaltation, O all-venerable: our help, strength of Kings, power of the just, majesty of priests. Those who are marked with you are freed from dangers; rod of power, under which we are shepherded; weapon of peace, round which Angels stand in fear; divine glory of Christ, who grants the world his great mercy.

Hail, guide of the blind, physician of the weak, resurrection of all the dead, O precious Cross, who raised us up when we had fallen into corruption. Through you corruption has been destroyed and incorruption has flowered; we mortals are made divine and the devil is utterly cast down. To-day, as we see you raised up in the hands of High Priests, we exalt him who was exalted in your midst, and we venerate you, as we plenteously draw from you his great mercy.

Of the Martyr. Tone 1. Τῶν οὐρανίων.

By enduring tortures you defeated the avenging spirit, inspired Martyr, with the all-valiant faith of the Saviour; and so, wise Saint, you turned barbarians back to the Master and Maker of all things, and they devoutly glorify him.

You appeared, most holy Martyr, as the spoils from the barbarians bringing glory to Christ, inspired champion, in dying for the Trinity; and so you received the garland of victory and you shine like a beacon in the world.

Clothed in the devout panoply of Christ the King, O champion Niketas, you were presented for war; as Gedeon the most mighty you cast down the hordes of foreigners by your valiant boldness.

We acknowledge you to a be a beacon among Martyrs, Niketas, athlete of Christ; for you abandoned the glory of earthly rank, despising your ancestral godlessness, and you destroyed their gods and victoriously shamed the barbarians by accomplishing the witness of confession for Christ; and you have become a soldier of the God of heaven, as you implore the benefactor of all to have pity and to save our souls.

The voices of the Prophets foretold the holy Tree, through which Adam was freed from the ancient curse; while creation today raises its voice as the Cross is exalted, as it asks for God’s rich mercy. But Master, alone measureless in mercy, be our atonement and save our souls.

Entrance. Prokeimenon. Tone 7.

Our God is in heaven and earth: he has done whatever he willed.

At the Aposticha, Prosomia. Tone 6. Ὅλην ἀποθέμενοι.

The Cross, raised up, urges all creation to praise the immaculate suffering of him who was raised upon it; for by it he slew the one who slew us, gave back life to the dead, adorned them and granted them the life of heaven through his surpassing goodness, as he is compassionate; and so let us gladly exalt his name and magnify his supreme condescension.

When he stretched out his hands on high and routed the tyrant Amalek, Moses prefigured you, O precious Cross, boast of the faithful, strength of athletes, ornament of Apostles, champion of the Just, salvation of all the Saints; and so creation, seeing you raised up, rejoices and keeps festival, glorifying Christ, who through you joined together by his supreme goodness what had been parted.

All-honoured Cross, round which the ranks of Angels stand with gladness, exalted to-day by divine command, you raise up all who had been thrust out by the theft of food and slipped down to death; and so with heart and lips we faithfully embrace you as we draw from you sanctification, crying out: Exalt Christ the God supremely good, and worship his divine footstool!

All-honoured Martyr Nikitas, you were revealed as named after victory when you proclaimed Christ our God in the stadium and confessed him before kings and tyrants; therefore do not cease to intercede with the only lover of mankind for the peace of the world, and for Christ-loving monarchs and all who faithfully celebrate your memory to be delivered from all wrath.

The word of your Prophet Moses is fulfilled, O God, which said: You will see your life hang before your eyes. To-day the Cross is exalted, and the world has been freed from error. To-day the Church of Christ’s resurrection is dedicated, and the ends of the earth rejoice, as they offer you a hymn with cymbals like David and say: You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O God: Cross and Resurrection, through which you have saved us, O good one who love mankind. All-powerful Lord, glory to you!

Apolytikion of the Saint. Tone 4.

Your Martyr, O Lord.

And of the Feast. Tone 1.

Lord, save your people.

And Dismissal.

After the 1st reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.
Tone 1. Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

We worship the tree of your Cross, O Lover of mankind, because you, the life of all, were nailed upon it. You opened Paradise, O Saviour, to the Thief when he came to you with faith, and he was granted its delight when he confessed to you: Remember me, O Lord. Receive us too like him, as we cry: We have all sinned; in your compassion do not despise us.

After the 2nd reading from the Psalter, Kathisma.
Tone 1. Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

When you stretched out your hands on the Cross, O Merciful, the nations that had gone far from you, you gathered together to glorify you goodness; but look upon your inheritance and cast down those who war against us by your precious Cross.

And the Canons of the Feast and of the Saint, of which the acrostic [including the Theotokia] is:

Ode 1. Tone 4. Θαλάσσης τὸ ἐρυθραῖον.

As noblest victor slay my carnal thought and flood my mind with your illuminating brightness, to hymn your festival, Nikitas, as you intercede with Christ.

Rejecting the poison which comes from the passions, you bravely endured tortures, and put on as a martyr the honoured tunic, woven from your blood.

Nailed for us to the tree, you showed a new and wondrous way of contest; for you became, Master, the first fruits of the Martyrs’ confession and courage.

Theotokion.

The gate of your condescension towards us, Lord, made you flash out like lightning, who are mystically named Dayspring, Sun and Light, double in nature, the Lover of mankind.

Ode 3. Εὐφραίνεται ἐπὶ σοί.

With courage of soul you bore the threats of the tyrants, glorious Martyr of Christ, strengthened by divine power.

You bore the laceration of your flesh and the severing of your limbs, all-praised Martyr of Christ; while you kept your soul close-knit.

The company of Christ’s Martyrs rejoices over you, as it sees your memory being celebrated to-day.

Theotokion.

O Mary, the pure and holy dwelling of virginity, heal the deep wounds of my heart.

The Irmos.

Your Church rejoices over you, O Christ, as she cries, ‘You are my strength, Lord, my refuge and my foundation’.

Kathisma. Tone 4. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

By taking your delight in the toils of the flesh, blessed Martyr, you have fittingly received the divine delight without toil of Paradise, accepting from God a garland of immortality; and so you well up with rivers of wonders for those who with love take refuge under your protection.

Come swiftly to our aid, Christ our God, before we are enslaved to foes who blaspheme you and threaten us; by your Cross destroy those who make war on us; let them know the strength of the faith of the Orthodox, at the prayers of the Mother of God, O Lover of mankind.

Ode 4. Ἐπαρθέντα σε ἰδοῦσα.

Taking his pleasure in the contemplation of the Lord, and his delight in his radiance, the Martyr was unaware of suffering and cried aloud with joy: Glory to you power, O Lord!

Redeemed by the blood of the Master, the athlete Nikitas brings his own blood joyfully to Christ; and while being slain for him cried out: Glory to you, my God!

On fire with love for the Saviour, the Martyr trampled down the flame of idolatry and all the strength of the demons, and he cries out to the creator: Glory to your power, O Lord!

Theotokion.

Made beautiful by the outpouring of many-coloured light, your living heaven, O Christ, the King of kings, the immaculate Virgin is now glorified as Mother of God.

Ode 5. Σὺ Κύριε μου φῶς.

Who can recount your triumphs, all-praised Nikitas, the crowns which Christ bestows on you, who competed for his sake?

The Martyrs, having on earth accomplished their struggles, received from you, O Giver of life, a heavenly reward in the highest.

Now, O all-praised Nikitas, you shine like a beacon, declared to be second light as you stand gloriously beside the great light.

Theotokion.

Mother of God, you bore the timeless light, subject to time for us in the darkness of life, and you shed light on the world.

Ode 6. Θύσω σοι, μετὰ φωνῆς.

You were enraptured by the beauties of the Creator, glorious Martyr, and having received reflections from them, you took wing, blessed saint, and despising death, departed to him.

With sober reasoning, O Martyr Nikitas, you preferred things that are never exhausted to those that flow away, and you handed over your body to the tortures with joy.

Theotokion.

The spiritual Bridegroom, when he found you as an apple in the forest, a most pure lily, a flower of the valleys, O Mother of God, in you he took up his dwelling.

The Irmos.

I will sacrifice to you with a voice of praise, the Church cries out to you, cleansed from the filth of demons by the blood that flowed through pity from your side.

Kontakion. Tone 2. Τὰ ἂνω ζητῶν..

Having cut down the might of error by your exertion, and received the garland of victory by your struggle, you rejoice glorious Nikitas, named for victory, with the Angels, as with them you intercede with Christ God unceasingly for us all.

The Ikos.

By putting knowledge in my soul, make my mind pure, O Saviour, and me a worker of your commandments, that I may have strength to wrestle victoriously with the many different assaults of my passions and to receive the victor’s prize of incorruption at the prayers of your noble champion Nikitas, O Lover of mankind; for he has called us together in his memory, as he intercedes unceasingly for us all.

Synaxarion.

On the 15th of the same month, Contest of the holy Great Martyr Nikitas.

He was born in the reign of Constantine the Great and brought up in the country of the barbarians called Goths, beyond the Danube. But he did not join with the barbarians, but was of the devout just as was outstanding by race and property. He was arrested by the ruler of the nation Athenariches because of his faith in Christ, savagely tortured and he died by fire.

On the same day, commemoration of our venerable Father Philotheos, Presbyter and wonderworker.

He was from a village called Myrmix, of the district of Opsikios, and had a name which corresponded to his father’s. For he was called Theophilis. Having married and become the father of children, he was found worthy of the priesthood. From then on he fasted and was devoted to prayer and became the author of mighty wonders. He provided bread for the destitute poor, he changed a stream of water into wine, he moved a huge stone and a year after his death, as he was being moved to a another place, he stretched out his hands, as though alive, and having grasped the shoulders of the two priests who wished to move him, he arose and having walked three paces, he was put down in the place where he lies. He also causes a wondrous and unending spring of sweet myrrh to gush out, so providing a marvellous proof of his way of life.

On the same day commemoration of St Porphyrios the Actor.

He was ordered by Julian, during the celebration of his birthday, to insult and mock at Christians rites, and as he was about to plunge into water and be baptised he shouted: Porphyrios is baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He came up out of the water and put on white garments, and having boldly confessed himself a Christian his head was cut off.

On the same day the Finding of the relics of Saint Akakios, Bishop of Melitini.

On the same day the holy Martyr Maximos died by the sword.

On the same day, two holy Maidens died by the sword.

On the same day, Finding of the relics of the holy Protomartyr Stephen.

Our father among the saints Vessarion, archbishop of Larissa, died in peace.

The venerable Gerasimos, founder of the monastery of the Holy Trinity, known as Sourvia, which is near Makrynitsa of Zagora, died in peace.

The holy new martyr, John the Cretan, was martyred in New Ephesus in 1811 and died by the sword.

Ode 7. Ἐν τῇ καμινῳ.

Now bathed in the unapproachable radiance, O Martyr, shine with your light on those who now hymn your feast, as you cry: Blessed are you, my God and Lord!

The armies of the Angels were utterly amazed at your courage, blessed Martyr, as they watched you bravely struggling and crying: Blessed are you in the temple of your glory, O Lord!

Theotokion.

With the choir above, the bodiless Gabriel rejoicing cries to you: Hail, all-pure Mother of God. Blessed are you among women, O All-blameless!

Ode 8. Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας.

You offered yourself, unconquerable Martyr, as a complete and acceptable victim, and became a whole burnt-offering of sweet savour to your Master who was crucified for us, as you cried out with joy: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!

As a godly warrior you routed the regiments of the foe like a professional and so fittingly received the unfading crown of victory from the life-bearing right-hand, beside which you now stand and sing: All you works, bless the Lord!

In your unquenchable love for Christ you mingled your blood with his, cut down by scourgings and slain in divers ways; with him now, as his imitator, you now reign as you cry aloud: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!

Theotokion.

By bearing Christ, the only immaculate, you clearly washed away the filth of our nature, all-blameless Mother of God; and you have become higher than the Cherubim and Seraphim, who cry aloud: All you works, bless the Lord!

The Irmos.

Daniel, stretching out his hands, stopped up the jaws of lions in the den; while the Youths, lovers of true religion, armed with virtue, quenched the power of fire as they cried, All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!’

Ode 9. Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

I offer myself wholly to you, Nikitas blessed by God, that I may be rich with you as champion before the Master who has power to save from every circumstance and as advocate of divine salvation.

Truly, brave Champion, you were declared to be a martyr for the truth, and now you stand rejoicing beside the honoured and empersonned truth, having by boldness obtained the rewards of your contests.

You have come to anchor in a calm anchorage, where you have found rest from your toils, and bearing a crown your dance in Paradise with Christ’s Martyrs; and so, all-blessed, fittingly we all glorify you.

Vouchsafe, I pray, unstinted grace to me, who have eagerly woven for you crowns of praise in words, delivering me, all-blessed, from my sin and from my dreadful deeds by your prayers.

Theotokion.

Outside the laws of nature, O blessed Immaculate, you bear the lawgiver, through his unsearchable compassion incarnate without change and known in two natures.

The Irmos.

A cornerstone uncut by hand, O Virgin, was cut from you, the unhewn mountain, Christ who joined together separated natures; and so with gladness, Mother of God, we magnify you.

Exapostilarion of the Martyr. Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

As you routed the insolence of barbarians and the raving of tyrants, all-wise Martyr, by the power of the Cross, stop the rebellions of our flesh, noble champion Nikitas, and the assaults of the passions by your prayers, granting us release from sins, as you have gained unlimited boldness towards God.

And of the Feast. Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώτων σε.

The Cross is the guardian of the whole world; the Cross is the beauty of the Church; the Cross is the might of Kings; the Cross is the support of the faithful; the Cross is the glory of Angels and the wound of demons.

At the Aposticha, Prosomia.
Tone 2. Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

To-day the Cross of Christ, the life-bearing tree is exalted, on which to call all back he was nailed in the flesh.

Hail, divine guard of the faithful, invincible wall, Cross of the Lord, through which we have been raised from earth.

Come, let us all in harmony greet the saving tree, on which Christ, our redemption was stretched out.

To-day the whole inhabited world is gladdened by the struggle of the champion; and the Church of Christ, made beautiful with flowers, cries out to you, Martyr of Christ: Servant of Christ, fervent protector, do not cease to intercede for all your servants.

To-day the tree of life on which Christ was nailed is lifted up from the hidden places of the earth, confirming the resurrection; and lifted up by priestly hands declares his raising to the heavens, by which our matter, raised from its fall to the earth, becomes a citizen of heaven. And so with thanksgiving let us cry aloud: Lord, who were lifted up upon it, and through it lifted us up with yourself, make those who sing your praise worthy of the joy of heaven!