Sunday before the Nativity
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / for the Three Holy Youths rejoiced in the source of the flame, as if by restful waters,1 / and the Prophet Daniel appeared / as a shepherd of lions as of sheep. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 6
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 18-19)
You would not worship an image made by hands, O thrice-blessed youths; / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, you were glorified through your ordeal by fire. / In the midst of the unbearable fire you called upon God, crying: / "Hasten, O compassionate One, / and in Your mercy come to our aid, / for if You will, You can do so."2
Kontakion — Tone 1
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 20-24)
Be glad, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha; / for the Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Great Shepherd she carries in her womb. / The God-bearing Fathers will rejoice, beholding Him, / and with the shepherds, they will praise the Virgin who nurses Him.
1 Psalm 22/23:2
2 Luke 5:12
Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Troparion — Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! / Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! / Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; / if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ is born to raise up again what fell in former times, His image.
Kontakion — Tone 2
He who holds the earth in the hollow of His hand / now is beheld in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling bands. / We offer pre-festal hymns to His Mother, who maternally rejoices / having held to her bosom the Son of God.
Virgin Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia, and 500 men and 130 women with her
Troparion — Tone 4
All-blameless bride and venerable trophy-bearer, / you are wedded to the Word of the immortal Father, O glorious Juliana. / For having wisely disdained your mortal bridegroom, / you strove beyond nature to destroy the serpent, / and now you delight in the joys of your Bridegroom!
Kontakion — Tone 1
You were a beautiful virgin, wise Juliana, / and as your soul was wounded with divine love, / your body was also pierced with the wounds of martyrdom adorning you as a bride of Christ and His martyr. / Now as you dwell in the heavenly bridal chamber, / you pray for us all.
Repose of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia
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 Peter, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Right-believing Princess Juliana of Vyazma
Troparion — Tone 2
Living devoutly according to the Law, and adorned with good deeds, / you appeared as a hard diamond, O Holy Right-believing Princess Juliana, / despising perishable glory and bodily beauty, / you defeated the insidious Enemy, and you were martyred for the sake of chastity. / Therefore, you were crowned by Christ God with an imperishable and eternal crown, / and now you rejoice in the assembly of the Martyrs. / Therefore, we cry out to you: / “Entreat Christ God for all of us, who with faith and love revere your sufferings.”
Kontakion — Tone 2
Today let us sing to God, the Benefactor of all, / Who glorified the divinely-wise Juliana in Russia, / that by her prayers He may grant to our souls / the forgiveness of sins and great mercy.
Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr Themistocles, 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 Themistocles; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.
Venerable Macarius the Faster, Abbot of the Khakhuli Monastery
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 Macarius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!