September 27
The holy martyr Callistratus and his companions. Raised a Christian, he became a soldier. Reported by one of his cohort as a believer, he was imprisoned and ordered to offer sacrifice to idols. He refused. He was repeatedly tortured and still remained faithful—so much so that forty-nine of his fellow-soldiers came to believe in Christ. They were killed by the sword. (304)
At Vespers
At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the holy martyr.
Tone 8, special melody O preslavnaho čudese. O martyr Callistratus, * enlightened in your spirit by the radiance of faith, * you unswervingly followed the path * leading to the blessedness of the future life, * triumphing over all the snares of the enemy. * Thus we call you blessed, O holy one, * and glorify your sacred memory.
O martyr Callistratus, * having heard the word of Life in your contemplation, * you guided those who had been held in death through ignorance * toward the true Life. * We believe that those who are eager to die for Christ are really alive in him * who is the Resurrection of all. * With them, remember us * in the presence of the Lord, the Highest Good.
O martyr Gymnasius [a companion of Callistratus], * beheaded by the sword, * you drowned the treacherous Pharaoh in the streams of your own blood. * You pour forth healing for the faithful who approach your temple, O blessed one, * to glorify your illustrious struggles * and to celebrate your sacred memory.
Glory – Tone 4. Before your venerable death on the Cross, * mankind stood in terror of death. * But after your glorious Passion, * it is death that stands in fear of man. * Thus, your holy martyr stood fast and overthrew all the strength of the enemy. * By his prayers, O Lord, * grant salvation to our souls.
Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion
The aposticha are from the Octoechos.
Troparion, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the September Menaion
Troparion, Tone 4. Your holy martyrs, O Lord our God, * in their struggles, received an incorruptible crown from you. * With your strength, they brought down the tyrants * and broke the cowardly valor of demons. * Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Glory, now and ever – Kontakion, Tone 4. You suffered deep wounds and received crowns from God. * Pray to Christ for those who keep your dear memory alive, * O great Callistratus, * and you blessed martyrs who suffered with him. * Pray also that Christ might give peace to his people and his flock, * for he is the strength of the faithful.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 63:11,2).
The just man will rejoice in the Lord, * and will put his trust in him.
V. Hear my voice, O God, when I pray to you.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia of a martyr, Tone 4 (Ps. 91:13,14). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just man will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
V. Planted in the house of the Lord, he will flourish in the courts of our God.
Gospel: (of the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!