Tone 4: O ye holy hierarchs, royal passion-bearers and pastors, / monks and laymen, men, women and children, / ye countless new-martyrs, confessors, / blossoms of the spiritual meadow of Russia, / who blossomed forth wondrously in time of grievous persecutions / bearing good fruit for Christ in your endurance: / Entreat Him, as the One that planted you, / that He deliver His people from godless and evil men, / and that the Church of Russia / be made steadfast through your blood and suffering, // unto the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion:
Tone 2: O ye new passion-bearers of Russia, / who have with your confession finished the course of this earth, / receiving boldness through your sufferings: / Beseech Christ Who strengthened you, / that we also, whenever the hour of trial find us / may receive the gift of courage from God. / For ye are a witness to us who venerate your struggle, / that neither tribulation, prison, nor death // can separate us from the love of God.
What is a “hieromartyr” as opposed to a regular martyr?