Troparia and kontakia for April 24

Icon of the Mother of God of Mt. Athos, “Sweet Kissing”

Troparion — Tone 1

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)
We praise thy holy Icon as a most honored gift, / and having acquired it, Philotheou Monastery rejoices exceedingly; / for in it we behold thee, O Pure One, kissing Christ as an infant; / and we magnify thy great glory, O Virgin, crying out to thee: / Glory to thy mighty works, O Pure One! / Glory to thy compassion! / Glory to thy care for us, O Spotless One!

Martyr Savva Stratelates “the General” of Rome, and 70 soldiers with him

Troparion — Tone 5

You abandoned earthly rank and honor, / and as an athlete, confessed Christ God before the false and tyrannical emperors. / For His sake, you endured much suffering, O glorious one. / Therefore, splendidly adorned with the armies of heaven, / you have been crowned with a beautiful wreath of victory / by the King who reigns over all. / As you stand before Him, O Savva, / pray that He may save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

You were shown to be an invincible athlete, most blessed Savva, / overcoming the snares of the barbarians. / You contended with faithfulness, / conquering a multitude of the invisible enemy. / Therefore, you have woven a wreath of victory. / Most glorious one, entreat Christ for those who honor you with faith.

Venerable Savva the Recluse of the Kiev Far Caves

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 Savva, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Venerable Alexius the Recluse of the Kiev Far Caves

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 Alexius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Martyrs Valentine and Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs Valentine and Pasikrates, 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!

Martyrs Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, Longinus, and others, at Nicomedia

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!

Venerable Thomas the Fool of Syria

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 Thomas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Saint Elizabeth, Wonderworker of Constantinople

Troparion — Tone 8

In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what is according to the image; / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away; / but to care for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, O Venerable Elizabeth, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 8

(Podoben: “As the first fruits of our nature...”)
As a temple of virginity and a treasury of virtues, / you pour forth miracles abundantly, as an unfailing fountain of grace, O Mother Elizabeth, / and you purge all sickness from the souls and bodies of those who sing devoutly to the Creator: “Alleluia.”

Saint Iorest, Metropolitan of Ardeal, Confessor of Romania

Troparion — Tone 8

Confessors of Orthodoxy and good archpastors of the Church of Christ, / you directed the people, O blessed hierarchs and victory-bearers, Saints Iorest and Savva, / you who are worthy of the crown of life, / pray the Lord to save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Special Melody: “You have appeared today...“)
Most blessed Hierarchs of the Orthodox Faith, / and defenders of the Church of Christ, / protect all Orthodox Christians who always sing: / Rejoice, Holy Hierarchs Iorest and Savva, / wondrous Confessors of the Lord.

Saint Savva Brancovici, Metropolitan of Ardeal, Confessor of Romania

Troparion — Tone 8

Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship, / the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs: / all-wise father Savva, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

Hieromartyr and Confessor Elijah (Ilie) the Wallachian

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Elijah, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Icon of the Mother of God of Molcha

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the glorious city of Moscow rejoices resplendently, / and in Putivl there is a great celebration as they honor the Mother of God and her wondrous Icon, / which permits everyone to quench their spiritual thirst with the honey of grace.

Kontakion — Tone 6

Come, O people, let us run to our Sovereign Lady, / for she has given us her Molcha Icon, which exudes streams of healing, / granting all manner of help for spiritual and bodily illnesses, / and leading to eternal life.

Hieromartyr Branko (Dobrosavljevic) the Newmartyr

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Branko, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Saint Joseph the Confessor of Maramures

Troparion — Tone 4

Great servant of God, Holy Hierarch Father Joseph, / we honor and remember your name in songs. / For by confessing Christ in Maramureş1 and defending the true Faith, / you became the protector of your flock. / Therefore, pray to Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

You were revealed to your flock as a guide and most gentle teacher of the faithful, / and serving with humility, you confessed Christ. / Wherefore, with ceaseless praise we sing to you saying, / “Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Father Joseph, / protector of the Orthodox of Maramureş.”


1 Pronounced Mara MUR esh.

Hieromartyr Branko, parish priest of Veljusa

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Branko, entreat Christ God to save our souls.