On this day, the Second Sunday of Matthew, we commemorate all the Saints who shone forth in Palestine.
Verses
Be magnified, O Zion, as you honor the Saints who shined all together in Palestine,
Zion, the Mother of Churches, celebrates a godlike host.
Zion, the Mother of Churches, celebrates a godlike host.
On the Second Sunday after Pentecost, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrates the memory of the Saints who had lived and died in the region of the three Palestines, namely Galilee, Judea, and Arabia Petraea. These Saints include those of the Old and New Testaments, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Preachers, Evangelists, both eponymous and anonymous. Upon the Patriarchate’s request, the ever-memorable hymnographer of Mount Athos, Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis, had composed a special service for the feast.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Let us honor the multitude of Saints in Palestine, who shone forth at different times, the Prophets, the Apostles and the Athletes, Venerable Monastics and Hierarchs and Ascetics, those whom we know and those who remain anonymous, and let us cry out to them: Glory to Him Who gave you strength, glory to Him Who crowned you, glory to Him Who leads the whole world to the light through you.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
On this day, the Church in Zion celebrates the sacred festival of all the God-bearing Saints, whom Palestine presents to the world, and honoring them together, all on one and the same day, she magnifies the Savior, who glorifies His Saints.
Oikos
All the Saints of Palestine emerge like bright stars, shining the light of piety on the world; and driving away the darkness of error, they rouse the whole Church to give praise and glory to God. These men and women denied themselves and followed Christ, and so distinguished themselves at various times, by diverse forms of virtues, struggles and contests. They manifested the beauty of divine love, and they glorifies the Savior's Passion and Resurrection by their own labors and sufferings; and they, in turn, were marvelously glorified by the enriching energy and grace of the Paraclete. They grant everyone their requests to lead to salvation, being everywhere when needed, as most genuine imitators of the Lord. O Prophets and Apostles, Martyrs, Hierarchs and Venerable Monastics, you whom we know, and you who remain anonymous, as holy Zion's brightest torches and guardians, her sacred boast and support, ever supplicating for her and the whole world, to the Savior, who glorifies His Saints.
Megalynarion
Rejoice, all you renowned Prophets of God, divinely-inspired Apostles, and most-divine Hierarchs, the Lord's holy Martyrs, Venerable Monastic Fathers, for you are the splendor of the country of Palestine.
