Common of many martyrs

 

            At Vespers: Common of many martyrs: unknown: perhaps 8^th Century

 

 

Sanctórum méritis ínclita gáudia

pangámus, sócii, géstaque fórtia;

nam gliscit ánimus prómere cántibus

  victórum genus óptimum.

 

Hi sunt quos rétinens mundus inhórruit,

ipsum nam stérili flore peráridum

sprevére pénitus teque secúti sunt,

  rex, Christe, bone cælitum.

 

Hi pro te fúrias sævaque sústinent;

non murmur résonat, non querimónia,

sed corde tácito mens bene cónscia

  consérvat patiéntiam.

 

Quæ vox, quæ póterit lingua retéxere

quæ tu martýribus múnera præparas?

Rubri nam flúido sánguine láureis

  ditántur bene fúlgidis.

 

Te, trina Déitas únaque, póscimus,

ut culpas ábluas, nóxia súbtrahas,

des pacem fámulis, nos quoque glóriam

  per cuncta tibi sæcula. Amen.

 

Friends, let us sing the glorious joys of the merits of the saints and their brave deeds; our soul is eager to relate in song this line of great victors. These are those whom the world rejected and hated because they spurned completely the dry flowerless world and followed you, O Christ, the good King of heavenly dwellers. These for you withstood anger and cruelty without protest or complaint, but with a silent heart and good conscience they persevered in patience. What voice or tongue can tell the gifts you have prepared for your martyrs. Red with the flow of blood they are given bright laurels.  To you, triune and one God, we pray that you will wash us from our sins, drive far way all that is harmful, grant peace to your servants and also grant that we give you glory forever. Amen.