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Icon of the Martyrdom of Holy
Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen
Feast Days: Dec. 26
(martyrdom), Aug. 3 (finding of his Relics)
Icon is a 9th-century fresco
from Gaul
Old English liturgical books
give the following texts for the Entrance of the Liturgy on St.
Stephen's day:
preamble...
Cantors: Thou in Whose
presence stand the white-robed choir, and every multitude waiteth for
their voices to ring out on high,
Deacons: We long to speak our canticles unto the King of kings, Who is
so mightily victorious in His soldier on this day.
Cantors: Worthy of praise it is to chant psalms unto the Christ: now
say with jubilation, O ye hymnists:
Deacons: Alleluya! Now let us rejoicing shout with jubilation unto the
Levite Stephen, whom the Most High chose amidst the number of the
seven:
Come forthwith and say:
officium...
Precentor: Today the glorious
martyr Stephen ascended into heaven crowned with a laurel wreath.
(All:) Forasmuch as princes sat and they spake against me,
Precentor: The ungodly people of the Jews
are risen up against me,
All: And the ungodly have persecuted
me.
Precentor: Out of envy have they crushed
me with their stones; do Thou help me, O Lord my God.
All: Receive my spirit in peace,
for Thy servant hath pondered on Thy statutes. (Psalm 118:23,161,23,
trope "Hodie inclitus")
From the complete Old Sarum Rite Missal, (c) 1998 St. Hilarion Press
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