Prayer to Venerable Martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara

O Venerable Martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara, pray unto God for us!

 holy new-martyrs of Russia, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, and thou, O most honored nun Barbara, her sister in Christ: ye who finished your path amid many torments, who observed the commandments in deed at your convent, who contended for the Orthodox Faith even unto death in these latter times, and in the endurance of sufferings offered goodly fruit unto Christ! Entreat Him, as the Conqueror of death, that He establish in this and every land the Holy Orthodox Church, which hath been redeemed by the blood and sufferings of the new-martyrs, and that He not give our inheritance over to be plundered by the enemies of our faith. For, lo! the evil foe hath armed himself against us, desiring to destroy us amid civil strife, tribulations, unbearable griefs, sickness, want and cruel misfortunes. Beseech the Lord, that He set at nought all their feeble audacity. Make faith strong in the hearts of the Orthodox people, that when the hour of trial shall find them, they may receive the gift of courage through your supplications, and may deny themselves and take up their cross, and follow Christ, crucifying their flesh with the passions and lusts. Preserve us from all evil; sanctify the ways of our life; grant unfeigned repentance, tranquility and peace to our souls; beg the Lord to deliver us all from the bitter way-stations and from everlasting torment, and to make us heirs to the heavenly kingdom with all the saints who have pleased God from ages past: that, rejoicing, we may give praise, honor and worship to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Martyrdom of Saints Elizabeth & Barbara
Icon from Saint Elisabeth Convent, Minsk, Belarus (catalog.obitel-minsk.com)