Troparia and kontakia for May 21

Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen

Troparion — Tone 8

Having seen the image of Your Cross in the heavens, / like Paul you did not receive your call from men. / O Lord, Your Apostle among kings, the Emperor Constantine, / has placed the Imperial City in Your hand; / always preserve it in peace, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only lover of mankind.

Kontakion — Tone 3

Today Constantine and his mother Helen / reveal the precious Cross, / the weapon of the faithful / against their enemies. / For our sakes, it has been shown to be a great sign, and fearsome in battle.

Venerable Cassian the Greek of Uglich

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Cassian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow rejoices radiantly, / for it receives your wonderworking Icon as a ray of the sun, O Lady. / Now, having recourse to it, we pray to you and cry: / O most wondrous Lady Theotokos, / pray to Christ our God, Who was incarnate of you, / that this city and all cities and countries be kept safe from all the assaults of the enemy, / and that our souls may be saved, for He is merciful.

Kontakion — Tone 8

O victorious Leader of triumphant hosts, / you have delivered us from evils by the coming of your honorable Icon, O Lady Theotokos, / radiantly we celebrate the festival of your meeting, and as usual we cry to you / Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride.

“Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God from the Pskov Caves

Troparion — Tone 4

Let all of us, who are burdened with sins, fall on our knees before the Theotokos, / bowing before her wonderworking Icon of Tenderness, / kissing it and crying aloud with tears: / “O Sovereign Lady, accept the prayer of your unworthy servants, / and grant to us who ask, your great mercy.”

Kontakion — Tone 6

We have no other help, we have no other hope but you, O Lady. / Help us, for in you do we hope, / and of you do we boast, for we are your servants. / Let us not be put to shame.