Troparia and kontakia for December 7

Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

Troparion — Tone 4

The truth of things revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, / a model of meekness, and a teacher of temperance. / Through humility, you attained the heights; / and through poverty, riches. / O Father and Hierarch Ambrose, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Troparion — Tone 1

Let us all honor the glorious Hierarch Ambrose, / the namesake of ambrosia, the instructor of Italy, / the protector of Christ's Church, and leader of Milan, / a son of his diocese, and the greatest supporter of the poor, / for he intercedes with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 3

(Podoben: “The Divine Faith...”)
Shining forth with godly doctrines, you drove off the darkness of the deception of Arius, / O shepherd and initiate of the sacred mysteries. / You worked miracles by the power of the Spirit, / wisely healing various passions; / O Righteous Father Ambrose, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy.

Venerable Anthony, Abbot of Siya, Novgorod

Troparion — Tone 1

You renounced the world in favor of the spirit, / seeking the one God with your whole heart, O Anthony. / You retreated to a far wilderness, near waters, / in tears and labors living the angelic life. / You gathered a multitude of monks in your wisdom. / Visit them and cease not to implore the Holy Trinity / to deliver us from evil / And to save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 8

From your youth you exhausted your flesh by fasting and prayer, / and taking up your cross, you followed Christ. / Having joyfully completed your journey to heaven, / you stand with the saints before the Holy Trinity. / Now visit your flock and remember those who honor you, / that all the faithful may cry out in thanksgiving: / Rejoice, O wise and righteous Anthony, guide of desert-dwellers!

Venerable Nilus of Stolbensk Lake

Troparion — Tone 4

You appeared as a bright light on the island of Lake Seliger. / From your youth you took Christ’s cross on your shoulder. / You followed him zealously, O Father Nilus, / and by your purity you approached the divine likeness. / You were enriched with the gift of miracles; / and now we run to your relics compunctionately crying: / Entreat Christ our God that he may save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 8

Leaving your fatherland you made your wilderness dwelling on the island of Lake Seliger. / Living in hardship and amazing men by your virtues, / you received Christ’s gift of working wonders. / Remember us who honor your holy memory, / that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Father Nilus!

Venerable John the Faster of the Kiev Near Caves

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 John, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Athenodorus, O Lord, / through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, / which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Athenodorus; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Venerable Paul the Obedient

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 Paul, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Saint Philothea of Thrace, Protectress of Romania

Troparion — Tone 8

The blessed Philothea cries out to her Lord with great love, / offering to Him the martyrdom which she endured for Him. / She was buried with Him in Baptism that she might rise with Him, / so, by her sufferings, she died that she might live in Him. / Having given the pure oblation of her life to Christ, now she reigns with Him in glory. / By her prayers, O Christ God, in Thy mercy, save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 8

O blessed Philothea, from your youth you offered yourself, / because of your great virtue, as a pure and spotless sacrifice unto God, Who truly knew you before your birth. / You were an adornment of virgins and of the inhabitants of the Bridal Chamber, worthy of praise. / Therefore, we cry to you: Hail, ever-memorable virgin.

Venerable Gregory, founder of Grigoriou Monastery, Mount Athos

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 Gregory, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!