Sunday before the Nativity
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / for the Three Holy Youths rejoiced in the source of the flame, as if by restful waters,1 / and the Prophet Daniel appeared / as a shepherd of lions as of sheep. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 6
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 18-19)
You would not worship an image made by hands, O thrice-blessed youths; / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, you were glorified through your ordeal by fire. / In the midst of the unbearable fire you called upon God, crying: / "Hasten, O compassionate One, / and in Your mercy come to our aid, / for if You will, You can do so."2
Kontakion — Tone 1
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 20-24)
Be glad, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha; / for the Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Great Shepherd she carries in her womb. / The God-bearing Fathers will rejoice, beholding Him, / and with the shepherds, they will praise the Virgin who nurses Him.
1 Psalm 22/23:2
2 Luke 5:12
Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Troparion — Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! / Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave. / Her womb is shown as a noetic Paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; / if we eat of it we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ comes to restore the image which fell before!
Kontakion — Tone 3
(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)
Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth ineffably to the Pre-Eternal Word. / Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O inhabited earth. / With the Angels and the shepherds, / glorify Him Who for our sake wills to appear as a young child – / God before the ages.
10 Holy Martyrs of Crete
Troparion — Tone 3
Let us show forth our great praise of Crete / that brought forth these precious Christians: the pearls of Christ! / And these blessed ten, the offspring of martyrs, / who though few in number, overcame all the deceits of powerful demons. / Therefore these martyrs of Christ have been crowned with victory!
Kontakion — Tone 3
The noble struggle of the martyrs / shines forth as the morning star, / shedding brilliant light for us / on the One who was born in the cave / to whom the Virgin gave birth without human seed.
Repose of Saint Theoktistos, Archbishop of Novgorod
Troparion — Tone 3
You were an excellent servant of the Wisdom of God the Word, / a true emulator of the Angelic life, / a true follower of the Divine lover of purity, / sharing a throne with the Hierarchs, living with monastics, splendor of pastors, / and glory of Novgorod the Great, / O Venerable Hierarch Theóktistos, our Father, / entreat the Word of God, Whom you served during your lifetime, / for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 8
O splendor of Hierarchs, and divinely inspired adornment of Great Novgorod for the people who dwell in it, / in the pastures of the life-bearing law of the Lord; / therefore, you were vouchsafed to dwell in the assembly of the Saints, / and have kept your holy memory pure for many years; / revering you from the bottom of our hearts, we cry out to you: / “Rejoice, O Hierarch Theóktistos our Father, the glory and strength of Great Novgorod.”
Saint Niphon, Bishop of Constantia, Cyprus
Troparion — Tone 4
You were chosen by God as the shepherd and herald of the Church, / and taught repentance to the fallen. / By your prayers you revealed the deceit of the demons, / and your countenance shone like that of Moses. / O Father Nḗphon, pray to Christ God for those who honor you.
Kontakion — Tone 2
You subdued the flesh with the fear of God, / and soared to the heights of knowledge. / You attained your desire, O blessed Nḗphon. / Intercede with Christ God for those who honor you.
Saint Paul, Bishop of Neocaesarea
Troparion — Tone 4
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; / your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Paul, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Saint Nahum of Ochrid, disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Equal of the Apostles
Troparion — Tone 4
Forsaking the world, you were united with Christ, / crucifying the flesh, and living in the Spirit, / most blessed Nahum, you sought the apostolic path and led countless Bulgarians to the Faith. / Therefore, by your prayers, / deliver us from temptation.