For the Martyr Andrea of Rome in Trebizond (February 5)

Edward Yong has related the story of the neo-martyr, Fr. Andrea Santaro, of the Diocese of Rome, who was sent to Trebizond in what is now Turkey, and who was lately martyred there. A brief story of his life and martyrdom may be found here, here and here.

Edward has suggested that a petition be sent to Rome (in perfect Latin), requesting of Pope Benedict for a new line to be added to the Litaniae Sanctorum - 'a tyrannide Hagarenorum, libera nos Domine'. He has also suggested that a troparion and a kontakion be written for the martyr.

It will probably be three years before I would be able to write the petition (at least by my present schedule of studies), but I offer this troparion and kontakion for the holy martyr:

Troparion (Tone 4)

O Holy Martyr Andrea,
You gave your life for the sake of your Church,
As another Nicholas you defended the poor from dishonor,
And in the Church of the Lord you received your crown.
You turned your back on your persecutors,
Because your eyes were fixed upon the Lord.
Pray that our souls be saved.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

Let us praise the holy Martyr Andrea
For by the witness of his life Christ our God has shown forth,
He went to a distant land to protect the poor,
And preached our Lord Christ to those who but knew Him in part,
Let us cry to him: “Rejoice in Christ God, O glory of martyrs.”