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 a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; / if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ is born to raise up again what fell in former times, His image.
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.