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!”
Hieromartyr Basil, Bishop of Amasea
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben “You Who were lifted up...”)
As a minister of the King of glory, / you withstood the lawless Emperor, O blessed and glorious Hieromartyr Basileus. / When you were beheaded with a sword, / you entered the heavenly mansions rejoicing. / Pray that we who honor your holy memory may be found worthy of a similar reward.
Kontakion — Tone 4
(Special Melody: "Today You have shown forth...")
O Basileus, by defying the Emperor’s decree, / you obtained the Kingdom of Heaven; / as you rejoice there, remember us who honor your holy memory.
Saint Stephen, Bishop of Perm
Troparion — Tone 4
Aflame with divine desire from childhood, / you took up Christ’s yoke, O wise Stephen. / You sowed the good seed in a hardened people grown old in unbelief / and gave birth to them in the Gospel. / Celebrating your memory, we pray to you: / Entreat him whom you proclaimed / that our souls may be saved!
Kontakion — Tone 8
You were found to be a hierarch to those who sought you not. / You freed your people from idols and brought them to faith in Christ. / You shamed the sorcerer, Pansotnik, and became first bishop and teacher of Perm. / Therefore the faithful hymn you with thanksgiving, crying: Rejoice, O wise teacher Stephen!
Righteous Virgin Martyr Glaphyra
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Joseph was amazed...”)
Your lamb Glaphyra, / 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.
Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Finding your most revered temple to be a source of healing for our souls, / we the faithful cry out to You with a loud voice: / “O most renowned Virgin Martyr Glaphyra, / entreat Christ God unceasingly on behalf of us all.”
Saint Joannicius of Devich, Serbia
Troparion — Tone 1
You were enlightened by divine grace through prayer and fasting, / radiantly illuminating the ends of the earth. / Having received the gift of miracles from God, / you heal the sick and drive away demons from the souls of those who have recourse to your holy relics with faith, O venerable Father Ioannikios. / Glory to Him Who gave you grace. / Glory to Him Who strengthened you. / Glory to Him Who through you, works healings for all.
Kontakion — Tone 8
From your youth, O godly-minded one, you loved the angelic life, / forsaking all earthly goods, you rose like a star from the world, / and you ascended to Christ, the spiritual Sun of Righteousness,1 and from Him you received the grace of healing, curing the illnesses of those who run to your holy shrine with love. / Therefore, we also honor your holy memory and cry out to you: “Rejoice, O Father Ioannikios.”
1 Malachi 4:3.
6,000 Martyrs of Saint David Gareji Monastery, Georgia
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!