Troparia and kontakia for January 3

Forefeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Troparion — Tone 4

Prepare, O Zebulon, / and adorn yourself, O Naphtali; / River Jordan, cease flowing / and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized. / Adam, rejoice with our First Mother / and do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise; / for having seen you naked, / He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment. / Christ has appeared to renew all creation.

Kontakion — Tone 4

Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to John: / “Do not be afraid to baptize me. / For I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man.”

Holy Prophet Malachi

Troparion — Tone 2

We celebrate the memory / of Your prophet Malachi, O Lord; / through him we entreat You, / save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)
Endowed with the gift of prophecy, O Malachi, / you clearly proclaimed the saving coming of Christ to the world. / His brightness has brought light to the whole universe.

Martyr Gordius at Caesarea, in Cappadocia

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Gordius, 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 8

(Podoben: “The universe offers You...”)
Holy Gordius, the earth has received the sweat of your labors; / the blood you shed has made the universe rejoice. / Save by your prayers those who sing of your glory in faith, / fittingly honoring you, divine and glorious martyr, worthy of all praise.

Venerable Genevieve of Paris

Troparion — Tone 1

Your abundant tears have watered and made fertile the desert of barren hearts, / your prayers and sighs have produced fruit a hundredfold. / Pray for your city, O Saint Geneviève, / and for those who lovingly venerate your holy memory.

Troparion — Tone 1

O Shepherdess and guardian of the flock at Nanterre against the horde of wolves and the Scourge of God,1 / you are the protector of the city of Paris. / O Saint Geneviève, do not forget to preserve your spiritual flock even now, / from Heaven where you live after death.


1 Attila the Hun.

Discovery of the Relics of the Holy Great Martyr Ephraim

Troparion — Tone 1

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)
You shone forth like the sun on Mount Amómon, O God-bearer, / and through martyrdom you departed unto God. / You endured the invasion of the barbarians, O Ephraim, Great Martyr of Christ. / Therefore, you gush forth grace forever to those who devoutly call upon you. / Glory to Him Who gave you strength. / Glory to Him Who magnified you. / Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all.

Kontakion — Tone 3

(Podoben: “Today the Virgin gives birth...”)
You contested on Mount Amómon, O godly-minded one, / and in this you followed the path of martyrdom. / Therefore, the Giver of Life has appropriately crowned you with double crowns.1 / O Hieromartyr Ephraim, / we entreat you earnestly to have mercy upon those who honor you.


1 That of a priest, and that of a Great Martyr.