3rd Sunday of Great Lent: Veneration of the Cross
Troparion — Tone 4
O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance. / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians, / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of Your Cross / preserve Your habitation!
Kontakion — Tone 7
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden; / it has mysteriously been quenched by the wood of the Cross! / The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished; / for You, O my Savior, have come and cried to those in hell: / “Enter again into paradise.”
The Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson: Basil, Ephraim, Capito, Eugene, Aetherius, Elpidius, and Agathodorus
Troparion — Tone 5
Since You have given us the miracles of Your Holy Hieromartyrs of Cherson as an invincible rampart, / foil the machinations of the ungodly, O Christ our God, / and strengthen the faith of the Orthodox Christians, / for You are good and love mankind.
Kontakion — Tone 2
The radiant day of the hierarchs and pastors in Cherson has dawned! / Let us sing hymns for the feast of those who suffered for the sheep of Christ! / Hieromartyrs, entreat Christ, the chief Shepherd, that He may number us with the sheep on His right hand, / so that we may cry aloud to you: / Rejoice, holy fathers, for you shed your blood for Christ!
Venerable Paul the Simple, disciple of Venerable Anthony the Great
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 Paul, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Saint Paul the Confessor, Bishop of Plousias in Bithynia
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 Paul, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.
Saint Emilian of Rome
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 Emilian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Icon of the Mother of God “the Surety of sinners” of Odrino, Orlov
Troparion — Tone 3
To You, the ever-flowing fount of mercy and Intercessor for sinners, / O Theotokos, we your unworthy servants, kneel in sorrow, crying out: / "Save us from troubles, O Sovereign Lady, / and through your maternal intercession beg eternal salvation for all of us."
Kontakion — Tone 1
You have been an honorable dwelling of the inexpressible Divine nature, beyond words and beyond understanding; / and are a Surety for sinners, granting grace and healing; / as the Mother of Him Who rules all, / pray to your Son that we may receive mercy on the Day of Judgment.