Troparia and kontakia for December 17

Sunday of the Forefathers

Troparion — Tone 2

By faith You justified the Forefathers, / when through them You betrothed Yourself beforehand to the Church of the Gentiles. / The saints boast in glory, / that from their seed there is a glorious fruit: / she who bore You without seed. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 6

(The Original Melody)
You did not worship the graven image, / O thrice-blessed youths, / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, / you were glorified in your trial 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 You can do so if You will."1


1 Luke 5:12.

Prophet Daniel

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.


1 Psalm 22/23:2

Kontakion — Tone 3

(Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”)
Cleansed by the Spirit / your pure heart became a vessel of clearest prophecy; / you saw things far away as if they were near. When cast into the den you tamed the lions. / Therefore we honor you, O blessed Prophet, glorious Daniel.

The Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and Misael

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 2

(The Original Melody)
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


1 Psalm 22/23:2
2 Luke 5:12

Venerable Daniel the Confessor (in Schema Stephen) of Spain, and Egypt

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 Daniel, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

Venerable Dionysius of Aegina

Troparion — Tone 1

(Podoben: “When the stone had been sealed...”)
Let all the faithful honor with one accord Dionysios, / the offspring of Zákynthos, the Bishop of Aegina, the guardian of the Holy Monastery of Strophada, / crying out to him sincerely, / “By your prayers, save those who celebrate your memory, crying to you: / ‘Glory to Christ, Who glorified you. / Glory to Him Who made you wondrous. / Glory to Him Who has granted you to us as an unsleeping intercessor.’”

Martyr Avakum the Deacon of Serbia

Troparion — Tone 4

As true soldiers of Christ, / you shone forth with meekness and humility / and for Christ you suffered courageously, / O Holy Martyrs Paisius and Avakum, / but your deaths proclaim to all / that it is better to die for Christ and for one’s country / than without Christ to gain the whole world.

Kontakion — Tone 3

In this world you lived like angels / and by your lives fulfilled the Gospel. / You laid down your souls for faith and country, / in death you showed yourselves to be stronger than your tormentors, / therefore we celebrate your memory, / O holy venerable martyrs Paisius and Avakum.

Saint Paisius

Troparion — Tone 4

As true soldiers of Christ, / you shone forth with meekness and humility / and for Christ you suffered courageously, / O Holy Martyrs Paisius and Avakum, / but your deaths proclaim to all / that it is better to die for Christ and for one’s country / than without Christ to gain the whole world.

Kontakion — Tone 3

In this world you lived like angels / and by your lives fulfilled the Gospel. / You laid down your souls for faith and country, / in death you showed yourselves to be stronger than your tormentors, / therefore we celebrate your memory, / O holy venerable martyrs Paisius and Avakum.