April 5
The holy martyrs Theodulus, lector, and Agathopedus, deacon, at Thessalonica in Macedonia. Under the emperor Maximian, by order of the governor Faustinus, they had stones fastened to their necks and were drowned in the sea, on account of their confession of the Christian faith (303)
At the Divine Liturgy
music - see the April 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 8. Brothers to each other by the Spirit * and united together in a bond of faith, * you passed through life in prayer and fasting * and attracted many people to knowledge of the holy. * By your bravery you imprisoned guile, * and, suffering under the law, you received crowns. * O truly great saints, * beg God to forgive the sins of those who honor your sacred memory.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4 (Ps. 15:3,8).
To all the saints in his land, * the Lord has shown all the wonders of his will.
V. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Epistle: (of the day)
Alleluia, Tone 4 (Ps. 33:18,20). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and rescued them from all their distress.
V. Many are the trials of the just, but from them all the Lord will rescue them.
Gospel: (of the day)
Communion Hymn (Ps. 32:1). Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is fitting. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!