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.