Great and Holy Saturday
Troparion — Tone 2
The Noble Joseph, / when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, / wrapped it in fine linen, / and anointed it with spices, / and placed it in a new tomb.
Troparion — Tone 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal, / You slayed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead, / and when from the depths You raised the dead, / all the Powers of Heaven cried out, / O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!
Troparion — Tone 2
The Angel came to the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb and said: / “Myrrh is fitting for the dead, / but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption.”
Kontakion — Tone 6
He who shut in the depths is beheld dead, / wrapped in fine linen and spices. / The Immortal One is laid in a tomb as a mortal man. / The women have come to anoint Him with myrrh, / weeping bitterly and crying: / “This is the most blessed Sabbath / on which Christ has fallen asleep to rise on the third day!”
Commemoration of the Apparition of the Sign of the Precious Cross Over Jerusalem, in 351 AD
Troparion — Tone 8
Now the image of Your Cross has shone brighter than the sun, / spreading from the Holy Mountain1 to the Place of the Skull,2 / and in it O Savior, You revealed Your power, thereby strengthening us. / Keep us always in peace, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Christ God, and save us.
1 The Mount of Olives.
2 Golgotha.
Kontakion — Tone 8
The Most Pure Cross has opened Heaven which was closed, / and has dawned upon the earth, shining its brilliant rays to the heavens; / therefore, receiving the radiance of its power as our guide to the unwaning light, / we have it in battles as a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.
Repose of Saint Alexis Toth, Confessor and Defender of Orthodoxy in America
Troparion — Tone 4
O righteous Father Alexis, / our heavenly intercessor and teacher, / divine adornment of the Church of Christ! / Entreat the Master of All / to strengthen the Orthodox Faith in America, / to grant peace to the world / and to our souls, great mercy!
Kontakion — Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise the Priest Alexis, / a bright beacon of Orthodoxy in America, / a model of patience and humility, / a worthy shepherd of the Flock of Christ. / He called back the sheep who had been led astray / and brought them by his preaching / to the Heavenly Kingdom!
Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr Acacius, 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 Acacius; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.
Repose of Venerable Nilus, Abbot of Sora
Troparion — Tone 4
You forsook the world, concealing yourself like David,1 / and you considered all worldly things to be as filth, / and after settling in a quiet place, / you were filled with spiritual joy, our Father Nilus, / and desired to serve the One God, flourishing like a palm tree,2 / and as a prolific vine, you increased the number of monks in the wilderness. / Therefore, we cry out with gratitude: / “Glory to Him Who strengthened you in the contest of desert living. / Glory to Him Who chose you as a special founder of the Rules for solitary monks. / Glory to your intercessions for us with the Savior.”
1 1 Kings 23:14, Septuagint.
2 Psalm 91:13, Septuagint.
Venerable Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Lavra of Mount Athos
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 Nilus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Monastic Martyr Pachomius of Mount Athos
Troparion — Tone 3
Your godly life was made radiant by the trials of holy martyrdom, / O glorious, righteous Martyr Pachomius. / Through your ascetical deeds you shone forth on Athos / and shed your blood as an Athlete. / Intercede with the Lord Who has glorified you / that He may grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion — Tone 4
You became illustrious on Athos through your ascetic life and later excelled in martyrdom. / For you were given wings by your love for God, / O divinely-wise Martyr, glorious Pachomius.
Icon of the Mother of God of Zhirovits
Troparion — Tone 2
Do not despise those who entreat your help, O Sovereign Lady, / and open the unfathomable depths of mercy to all who hasten to your healing Icon. / Assuage the sorrows of our life, O most bountiful one, / and guide your faithful from this vale of tears to everlasting joy. / For in you, all have acquired hope and assurance, O Fount of mercy, protection and salvation of our souls.
Martyr Quadratus and his companions
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyr Quadratus and his companions, 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!