Third Day of the Nativity of our Lord
Troparion — Tone 4
Your Nativity, O Christ our God, / has shone to the world the Light of knowledge; / for by it, those who worshipped the stars / were taught by a star to adore You, / the Sun of Righteousness,1 / and to know You, the Dayspring2 from on High. / O Lord, glory to You!
Kontakion — Tone 3
(Original Melody)
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, / and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! / Angels with shepherds glorify Him. / The wise men journey with a star, / since for our sake the Pre-Eternal God was born as a young Child.3
1 Malachi 4:2.
2 The beginning of day, dawn.
3 Literally: Since for our sake, God before the ages was born as a young Child.
Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Go quickly before...“)
Your head is crowned with a royal diadem, / because of the struggles you endured for Christ God, O first of the Martyrs to suffer; / for when you rebuked the fury1 of the Jews, / you saw your Savior at the Father's right hand. / Always pray to Him for our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 3
(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)
Yesterday the Master came to us in the flesh, / today His servant departs from the flesh; / yesterday the King was born in the flesh, / and today His servant is stoned; / for His sake, the Protomartyr and divine Stephen is perfected.
1 Acts 7:54
Venerable Theodore Graptus, “the branded,” Confessor
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 Theodore, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.
Saint Theodore, Archbishop of Constantinople
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 Theodore, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.