Troparia and kontakia for March 24

3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross

Troparion — Tone 4

O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance. / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians, / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of Your Cross / preserve Your habitation!

Kontakion — Tone 7

Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden; / it has mysteriously been quenched by the wood of the Cross! / The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished; / for You, O my Savior, have come and cried to those in hell: / “Enter again into paradise.”

Forefeast of the Annunciation

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the beginning of universal joy moves us to sing the prefestal hymn; / for Gabriel is coming and will cry to her: / "Rejoice, O Virgin full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Greek)
At the great Archangel’s voice, O Theotokos, / the All-holy Spirit came upon thee / and thou didst conceive Him Who is one in essence and co-enthroned with God the Father, / O you who are the recall of Adam.

Kontakion — Tone 8

(Slavic)
O Virgin Theotokos, you are the beginning of salvation for all of us on earth; / for God's servant, the great Archangel Gabriel, was sent from Heaven to stand before you bringing you joy. / Therefore we all cry to you: “Rejoice, unwedded Bride.”

Venerable Zachariah the Recluse

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

Saint Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia

Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; / your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Artemon, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

Venerable Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev 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 Zachariah, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Martyr Stephen of Kazan

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Stephen, 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 Stephen; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Martyr Peter of Kazan

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Peter, 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 Peter; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.