Troparia and kontakia for March 29

Great and Holy Monday

Troparion — Tone 8

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight, / and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, / and again unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. / Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep, / lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom. / But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, O our God! / Through the Theotokos have mercy on us!

Kontakion — Tone 8

Jacob lamented the loss of Joseph, / but his noble son was seated on a chariot / and honored as a king. / For when he refused to be enslaved / by the pleasures of the Egyptian woman, / he was glorified by the Lord who beholds the hearts of men, / and bestows upon them an incorruptible crown.

Hieromartyr Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, who suffered under Julian the Apostate

Troparion — Tone 3

In preparation for the contest, you anointed an assembly of martyrs / and bolstered them by your steadfastness, O glorious Mark. / You finished your course together with them / and all of you were found worthy of the joy of heaven. / Righteous father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

(The Typikon does not prescribe a Kontakion.)

Martyr Cyril the Deacon of Heliopolis, and those with him, who suffered under Julian the Apostate

Troparion — Tone 3

In preparation for the contest, O glorious Cyril, / you anointed an assembly of martyrs / and strengthened them by your steadfastness. / You finished your course with them. / And you were all found worthy of the joys of heaven. / O righteous Father, / pray to Christ our God to grant us his great mercy!

Kontakion — Tone 4

Having been illumined by the grace of truth, / you radiantly instruct the ends of the earth in piety, O glorious Hieromartyrs. / Therefore we bless you in faith.

Venerable John the Anchorite of Egypt

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

Saint Eustathius (Eustace) the Confessor, Bishop of 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 Eustathius, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

Venerable Mark, Jonah, and Bassa of the Pskov 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 fathers Mark, Jonah, and Bassa, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Saint Nikḗtas of the Roslavl Forests

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