2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas
Troparion — Tone 8
O luminary of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, / ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians, / O wonderworker Gregory, boast of Thessalonika and herald of grace, / always intercede for all of us that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Now is the time for action! / Judgment is at the doors! / So let us rise and fast, / offering alms with tears of compunction and crying: / “Our sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea; / but forgive us, O Master of All, / so that we may receive the incorruptible crowns.”
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Podoben: “O Victorious Leader...”)
Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, / radiant and harmonious trumpet of theology, / we praise you in song, O divinely-speaking Gregory. / As a mind standing before the Primal Mind, guide our minds to Him, Father, / so that we may cry aloud to you: “Rejoice, herald of grace.”
Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Lavra
Troparion — Tone 2
When you gathered in the Caves and enclosed yourselves therein, / then, O God-bearers, having died to carnal passions, you buried yourselves with Christ. / There in the Caves, you destroyed the snares of the devil. / Therefore, the angels gave you heavenly crowns.
Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion
Troparion — Tone 4
You were a firm pillar and an undaunted guardian of sacred tradition, O Nicetas; / you were adorned with holy dispassion and became an illustrious confessor of the Faith. / Accept the prayers of those who cry to you, / interceding for them with Christ our God.
Kontakion — Tone 2
You acquired a heavenly mind and life, / shining as brightly as the sun in the splendor of your deeds! / Father Nicetas, you enlighten those in the darkness of life guiding them all to God. / Pray without ceasing for us all!
Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosίa of Tyre
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
Through your struggles in the contest, / you offered the God-given gift of your virginity to the Word; / therefore, He brought you to the heavenly Bridal Chamber. / O prize-winner, intercede with the Master of all, / that He may deliver us from all manner of misfortunes.
Kontakion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
As a pure virgin and prize-winner, / you were spiritually betrothed to the King of Heaven, / O all-praised Theodosίa, entreat Him for the salvation of our souls
Martyr Irene
Troparion — Tone 4
Your lamb Irene calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In Baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.
Saint Illyricus of Mount Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus
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 Illyricus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Martyrs Elpidephorus, Dius, Bithonius, and Galycus
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!
“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God
Troparion — Tone 5
Rejoice, O Bride of God, / rejoice, mystical rod which blossomed the Unfading Flower;1 / rejoice, O Sovereign Lady, / through whom we are filled with joy and inherit life.
1 This is a quotation from the Saturday of the Akathist Hymn, Canon to the Theotokos, Ode 7.