Praise be to Thee, o Christ, to Whom is wisdom what to others seemeth folly: in Whose congregation every sex and age gathereth together!
Thy fresh and tender soldiers, cut down by Herod’s sword, preached Thee today: Although their tongues allowed not yet, nevertheless they proclaimed Thee, o Christ, by the shedding of their blood, pouring forth milk with gore to cry unto God, Who pitieth even the wet cheeks of the innocent child.
Which of athletes the bravest ever won so mighty a victory, o Christ, with his soldiers, as Thou, mewling, bestowed on Thy agemates, dispatching them to rule in heaven for ever?
O illustrious preachers of Christ and the glorious flowers of martyrs… and the distinguished jewels of holy confessors and virgins barren in the world, dear little children, sweet little boys, help ye us with your prayers!
May Christ, pitying your innocent death, ripened for His sake, be gracious to hear them and make us worthy of His kingdom!
