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[Thou blessest] the righteous, O Lord; as with a shield of Thy favor Thou hast crowned them. Through the supplications of the holy martyrs, spare us and save [us].

Litany [*kʿaroz*]:

Today the holy Church celebrates your memory, O holy martyrs, who by the power of the Holy Spirit repelled the warfare of the Evil One, and having been crowned in the luminous vaults [of heaven, are worthy] to praise the Holy Trinity.

RUBRIC: [For] Saint Stephen.

RUBRIC: *Stełi* [melismatic/ornate chant style]

*Stełi* [ornate melody].

Today the ranks of angels rejoice over the martyrdom of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr. For Your [Church], O Christ, proclaims the victory of the contest of the shedding of his blood for the sake of Your great name, O Lord.

Great is his boldness before God through the shedding of his holy blood; for willingly he delivered himself up to cruel [torments].