5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos
Troparion — Tone 8
When the archangel understood the mysterious command, / he came to the house of Joseph with haste and proclaimed to the unwedded Lady: / The One Who bowed the heavens by His condescension / is contained wholly and without change in you! / As I behold Him in your womb, taking the form of a servant, I am frightened, but cry: / Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion — Tone 8
Victorious leader of triumphant hosts, / we your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, Theotokos! / As you possess invincible might set us free from every calamity, / so that we may sing: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of Saint Savva
Troparion — Tone 4
As chosen and holy lambs of the Savior, / you were gathered together in wise Savva’s flock from many lands. / You were put to death by the cruelty of the barbarians / and you departed joyfully to the heavenly fold. / As righteous athletes you now pray for our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
You openly disdained the pleasure of earthly and corruptible things, / choosing instead a life in the desert. / You despised the beautiful things of this world / together with the food that passes away. / Therefore, all-blessed ones, you were counted worthy of the Kingdom of heaven, / where you rejoice with the choirs of martyrs and ascetics. / As we honor your memory, / we earnestly cry out to you: / deliver us, O Fathers, from tribulations!
Monastic Martyr Euphrosynus of Blue Jay Lake, Novgorod
Troparion — Tone 4
From your youth you directed your mind toward God, O blessed Euphrosynos, / by renouncing the world; you settled in an impenetrable wilderness, / where you dwelt valiantly in abstinence, prayer and fasting, as is meet, being strengthened by God; / and you ended your life by suffering murder innocently at the hands of the enemies' sons. / Therefore, you have been crowned together with holy monks and martyrs, / with whom you stand before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity. / We entreat you to pray that we may receive forgiveness of our transgressions, / and that we may be granted great mercy.
Kontakion — Tone 2
As a venerable and proven ascetic, as an honorable and renowned martyr, / and as a model of the desert life, O most exalted Euphrosynus, / we sing hymns of praise to you, / for you have trampled upon serpents.
Martyr Photini the Samaritan Woman, her sons, and those with them
Troparion — Tone 3
(“Your confession of the Divine Faith...”)
Illumined by the Holy Spirit, / and refreshed by the streams of Christ the Savior, O all-praised one, / you drank the water of salvation and gave it abundantly to those who thirsted. / O Great Martyr and Equal of the Apostles Photinḗ, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Virgin Martyrs Alexandria, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia, and Theodora
Troparion — Tone 1
As rational sheep of Christ, the Lamb and Shepherd, you suffered martyrdom, / and completing your course, you preserved the Faith; / therefore, O Virgin Martyrs, worthy of praise, / we honor your holy memory today with joyous hearts, magnifying Christ.
Kontakion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “You appeared today...”)
We who honor the memory of Christ’s Virgin Martyrs now pray with faith for their help, / that we may be delivered from every affliction, crying out: / “God, Who willed to glorify them, is with us.”
Saint Nikḗtas the Confessor, Archbishop of Apollonias 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 Niketas, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.
Saint Cuthbert, Wonderworker of Britain
Troparion — Tone 3
While still in your youth, you laid aside all worldly cares, / and took up the sweet yoke of Christ, / and you were shown forth in truth to be nobly radiant in the grace of the Holy Spirit. / Therefore, God established you as a rule of faith and shepherd of His radiant flock, / Godly-minded Cuthbert, converser with angels and intercessor for men.
Kontakion — Tone 1
Having surpassed your brethren in prayers, fasting and vigils, / you were found worthy to entertain an angel in the form of a pilgrim; / and having shown forth with humility as a bright lamp set on high, / you received the gift of working wonders. / And now as you dwell in the Heavenly Kingdom, our righteous Father Cuthbert, / intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
New Martyr Myron of Crete
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr Myron, O Lord, / through his suffering 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 Myron; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.