Menaion

August 24

The holy bishop-martyr Eutyches, disciple of St. John the Theologian. Although he was not included among the Seventy, he was called an apostle by virtue of having been a disciple of the great Apostles, and because he showed true apostolic zeal in the service of the Gospel. He was tortured and finally beheaded in Sebastopol.

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the holy bishop-martyr.

Tone 8, special melody O preslavnoho čudese. O blessed martyr Eutyches, * instructed in a holy manner * by the Theologian of the Word, the venerable preacher, * you received from that disciple * a complete initiation into the things of God. * You shone forth with grace as a lamp, * enlightening all hearts with your divine teachings. * Thus we celebrate your sacred memory.

With the levers of your constant endurance, * you tore down the ramparts of error. * You endured chains and your death was glorious. * Now, O blessed one, you have found immortality * in company with all the angels in the choirs of the martyrs. * By a divine communion with the supreme Good, * you are completely deified in a wondrous manner.

Enclosed in prison, you received the bread of life from heaven. * Thrown into the furnace, you were not burned. * O blessed Eutyches, you endured the wounds with which you were cruelly afflicted. * As you prayed, you calmed the rage of the savage beasts. * When the sword finally beheaded you, * your blood, like a divine chariot, * carried you up, to heaven.

Glory, now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion

The aposticha are from the Octoechos.

Troparion,  Tone 4. You shared in the apostles’ way of life * and succeeded to their throne, * divinely inspired bishop. * You found access to contemplation in the active life. * Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth * and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. * O priest-martyr Eutyches, * pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the August Menaion

Troparion,  Tone 4. You shared in the apostles’ way of life * and succeeded to their throne, * divinely inspired bishop. * You found access to contemplation in the active life. * Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth * and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. * O priest-martyr Eutyches, * pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory – Kontakion, Tone 3.  You sat on the chair of the apostles, and you were the honor of pastors. * You decorated all your labors with martyr’s blood, * and you shine with the brilliance of the sun. * You disperse the night of godlessness and enlighten all people. * Therefore, we honor you as a true priest.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 149:5,1). Let the faithful rejoice in glory, * shout for joy, and take their rest.
V. Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Epistle:  (of the day)

Alleluia, Tone 2 (Ps. 131:9,13). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Your priests will be clothed with righteousness and your saints will rejoice.
V. The Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling.

Gospel: L(of the day)

Communion Hymn (Ps. 111:6,7). The just man will be remembered forever; evil news he will not fear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


On the same day:

Our blessed confessor Dominic Methodius Trčka. A Redemptorist priest and peacher of popular missions, he was sent by his superiors to L'viv to work among the Greek Catholic faithful, where he learned the people's language and took the name Methodius. After many years in Michalovce, he was accused by the Communists in 1952 of collaboration with Bishop Pavel Gojdič, and sent to prison. Placed in solitary confinement for singing a Christmas carol, he died in his cell, after forgiving his persecutors. (1959)

At Vespers

music (samohlasen)

At "O Lord, I have cried": three stichera from the Octoechos, and three for the blessed confessor.

Tone 6, special melody 6. From Michalovce * all the faithful gather together * singing our blessed confessor's fame * and praising Christ, who called him. * True son of Saint Alphonsus, * working fervently among the souls displaced by war, * he encountered the lost sheep of the Eastern Church, * and was sent to study the eastern ways. * Mentored by the holy Nicholas Charnecskyj,* he took the name Methodius, * to be guided by the Apostle of the Slavs. * Through his prayers, may Christ has mercy on our souls.

Preaching the Gospel, * the confessor renewed our Eastern teachings * and worked in Prešov, Užhorod, and Križevci. * He lived to the full the monastic life, * as he strove to guard the Sisters of Saint Basil. * Zeal for souls took him into the lives of the poor, * and there he showed forth the Redeemer's love. * Through his prayers, may Christ has mercy on our souls.

When persecution came, * our confessor was faithful to his vows, * despite the hardships placed before him. * Through imprisonment and torture, * he persevered and nurtured his brethren. * “But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, * that you may also shout for joy * when the glory of the Redeemer is revealed.” * Through his prayers, may Christ has mercy on our souls.

Glory –  Tone 6.   Charged with treason and thrust into prison, * blessed Methodius suffered for Christ with joy, * enduring torture and painful illness. * Approaching the feast of the Savior's birth, * even prison could not hold back his song * which burst forth in the carols of our people, * enraging the guards, who treated him with spite. * At the end, our confessor, following his Lord, * forgave all those who had done him wrong, * and was taken by his Lord into heaven's realm.

Now and ever – Theotokion, or Stavrotheotokion

The aposticha are from the Octoechos.

Troparion,  Tone ??. Lord, our God, who bring forth in every age the martyrs who bear witness to your boundless love, you gave your priest-martyr Dominic Methodius outstanding bravery in the face of trial and torture. May his prayers for your Byzantine Catholic Church give strength to the Faith for which he gave his life and keep us true to you, O God, forever

At the Divine Liturgy

music - see the August Menaion

Troparion,  Tone 4. You shared in the apostles’ way of life * and succeeded to their throne, * divinely inspired bishop. * You found access to contemplation in the active life. * Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth * and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. * O priest-martyr Eutyches, * pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Glory – Kontakion, Tone 2.  Divinely wise Methodis, you practiced self-control * and stilled the desires of the flesh, O holy father. * You flourished in faith and flowered like the tree of life in Paradise.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 (Ps. 149:5,1). Let the faithful rejoice in glory, * shout for joy, and take their rest.
V. Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Epistle:  (of the day)

Alleluia, Tone 6 (Ps. 111:1,2). Alleuia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Happy the man who fears the Lord and greatly delights in his command.
V. His posterity will be mighty upon the earth.

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!