1st Saturday of Great Lent: The Miracle of the Boiled Wheat
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / the Holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced in the flames as though at the water of rest, / for having been made a whole-burnt offering in the fire, / offered to the Trinity as a sweet loaf. / By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Original melody)
Having carried the faith of Christ within thy heart as a breastplate; / thou didst trample underfoot the forces of the Enemy. / Therefore thou art crowned with a heavenly crown, as one who is joyfully invincible.
Saint Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza
Troparion — Tone 4
Who can tell of your labors and illnesses leading to godly devotion, O Father? / For you labored incessantly day and night, cleansing Gaza of its wickedness, / and planting piety; / therefore, as the protector of your flock, O Porphyrios, / entreat Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Troparion — Tone 4
Adorned with the royal purple of your virtues, / you were glorious as a hierarch and shone forth resplendently, O wise Porphyrios. / You were excellent in word and deed / strengthening all with the grace of godliness. / Since you always serve Christ, do not cease to pray for the world.
Kontakion — Tone 2
[Podoben: “With the streams of your blood...” (See the Kontakion for the Great Martyr Demetrios)]
Adorned with a most holy disposition, / you were resplendent in the vesture of the priesthood, O most blessed and godly-minded Porphyrios, / and you are renowned for your miracles of healing, / ceaselessly interceding for all of us.
Venerable Sebastian of Poshekhonye
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 Sebastian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Martyr Christodoulos
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyr Christodoulos, O Lord, / through his sufferings 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 Christodoulos; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.
New Martyr John Kalphes, the Apprentice
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr John, 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 John; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.