Troparia and kontakia for February 17

Saturday of Cheesefare Commemoration of all our God-bearing Fathers and Mothers who shone forth in asceticism

Troparion — Tone 8

Only Creator, with wisdom profound, You mercifully order all things, / and give that which is needed to all men: / Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Your servants who have fallen asleep, / for they have placed their trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner, and our God.

Kontakion — Tone 8

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants, / where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, and no more sighing, / but life everlasting.

Great Martyr Theodore the Tyro (Recruit)

Troparion — Tone 2

Great are the accomplishments of faith, / for the Holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced in the fount of flames as though at the waters of rest;1 / for having been made a whole burnt offering in the fire / , he was offered as a sweet bread to the Trinity. / By his entreaties, O Christ God, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 8

(Original melody)
Having received the faith of Christ in your heart as a breastplate, / you trampled upon inimical forces, O much-suffering champion, / and you have been crowned eternally with a heavenly crown, as one invincible.


1 Psalm 22/23:2

Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia

Troparion — Tone 4

You were the First Hierarch of the Russian land and a tireless intercessor before God. / By laying down your life for the faith of Christ and for your flock, you delivered your land from lawlessness. / Therefore we cry out to you: “Preserve us by your prayers, O Hieromartyr Ermogénes, our Father.”

Kontakion — Tone 6

Exhausted by imprisonment and starvation, you remained faithful until death, O Blessed Ermogénes, / dispelling cowardice from the hearts of your people and calling all of them to a common struggle. / In this way, you suppressed the rebellion of the wicked, and you strengthened your land as well, / so that all of us may cry out to you: “Rejoice, intercessor for the Russian land.”

Venerable Theodore the Silent of the Kiev Caves

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Theodore, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Saint Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip

Troparion — Tone 8

In you the image was preserved with exactness, O Mothers, / for taking up your cross, you followed after Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, most venerable Mothers Mariamne and Perozhavra your spirits rejoice with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Having received the grace...“)
Because of your love of God you forsook a bed for rest, O Mothers Mariamne and Perozhavra, / you illumined your souls with fasting, thoroughly vanquishing your enemies; / but by your intercessions destroy the evil designs of our adversaries.

Uncovering of the relics of the Martyr Menas of Alexandria

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Menas, 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 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, / which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Menas; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Saint Joseph of Dionysiou

Troparion — Tone 8

In you the image was preserved with exactness, O Father, / for taking up your cross, you followed after Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away, / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, most venerable Father Joseph your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Seeking the Highest...”)
Having divinely armed yourself with purity of soul and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, / you have slain the armies of the demons. / Therefore, we beseech you, O Father Joseph: / “Always intercede for those who honor you.”

Saint Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus

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 Auxibius , / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

New Martyr Theodore

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Theodore, 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 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, / which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Theodore; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Saint Finan of Lindisfarne

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 Finan, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

Hieromartyr Theodore of Atchara

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Theodore, entreat Christ God to save our souls.