Troparia and kontakia for June 23

Martyr Agrippina of Rome

Troparion — Tone 4

Your lamb Agrippina calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / "I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love." / Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)
The day has come on which the Church commemorates your radiant contest and martyrdom. / She calls upon all to cry to you with gladness: / “Rejoice, all-honored virgin-martyr Agrippina.”

Righteous Artemius of Verkola

Troparion — Tone 2

By the will of the Almighty, Heaven was darkened by a stormcloud, / lightning flashed, and in the threatening sound of thunder, / you surrendered your soul into the hand of God, O most wise Artemios. / And now you stand before the Throne of the Master of all, / speedily granting healing to all who come to you with faith and love, / and entreating Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Second Translation of the relics of Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan

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

Martyrs Eustochius, Gaius, Probus, Lollius, and Urban, of Ancyra

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Synaxis of the Saints of Vladimir

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the chosen city radiantly rejoices with the Most Holy Theotokos, / and the entire land of Vladimir triumphs with them, / celebrating the memory of the great assembly of the Saints glorified by God, / in the contests of the Orthodox from ancient times, / and in the company of those who have pleased God; / with them they cry out with love: / "O wondrous intercessors with Christ God, who have received bright crowns from Him, / beseech Him to grant peace and prosperity to your homeland, / and to our souls great mercy."

Kontakion — Tone 4

As bright stars of the Church of Russia, / shining forth in all the holy lands of Vladimir by your confession of faith, / O divinely-wise Saints: / Orthodox Princes, Venerable Fathers and Mothers, Passion-bearers, and you Righteous: / earnestly entreat Christ God to grant remission of sins to those who lovingly revere your holy memory.

Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in memory of the Saving of Moscow from the Invasion of Khan Achmed

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the most glorious city of Moscow rejoices brightly, / like the radiance of the sun, O Sovereign Lady, on receiving your wonderworking Icon, / to which we now come and pray to you, crying out: / "O most wondrous Lady Theotokos, pray to Christ our God, Who was incarnate of you, / that this city and all Christian cities and countries may be preserved unharmed / from all of the Enemy's snares, / and that He may save our souls, for He is merciful."

Troparion — Tone 4

O Sovereign Lady, / defend all who are in danger and misfortune / or weak from many sins, / and who stand before your holy Icon / praying with tears, humility, repentance, and invincible hope, / free them from every evil, / give them the grace they need, / and save us all, O Virgin Theotokos, / for You are the divine refuge of those who follow you.

Kontakion — Tone 8

We sing a song of victory to the Leader who defends us, / for we are delivered from troubles by the coming of your revered Icon, O Sovereign Lady Theotokos, / and joyously celebrate this meeting with you, and as is customary, we cry out to you, / "Rejoice, O Bride, who has not known marriage."

Kontakion — Tone 8

To our Protector and Intercessor, the Virgin and the Theotokos, / with a clear conscience, having established the Russian land in the Faith, / and having unfailing hope, let us come to her wonderworking and most pure Icon, / that we may cry out to her: "Rejoice, O Bride who has not known marriage."

Kontakion — Tone 8

O victorious Leader of triumphant hosts, / you have delivered us from evils by the coming of your honorable Icon, O Lady Theotokos, / radiantly we celebrate the festival of your meeting, and as is customary we cry to you / "Rejoice, O Bride who has not known marriage."

“Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God of the Pskov Caves

Troparion — Tone 4

Let all of us, who are burdened with sins, fall on our knees before the Theotokos, / bowing before her wonderworking Tenderness Icon, / kissing it and crying aloud with tears: / “O Sovereign Lady, accept the prayer of your unworthy servants, / and grant to us who ask, your great mercy.”

Kontakion — Tone 6

We have no other help, we have no other hope but you, O Lady. / Help us, for in you do we hope, / and of you do we boast, for we are your servants. / Let us not be put to shame.

Nikḗtas of Thebes and those with him

Troparion — Tone 1

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)
From childhood you followed the Lord, O Nikḗtas, / through prayers, vigils, and all forms of asceticism, / earnestly keeping His commandments, / for which you received the divine Schema, and were seen by Theodore, enveloped in perceptible light. / Glory to Christ Who glorified you. / Glory to Him Who made you wondrous. / Glory to Him Who has shown you to be a godly Elder.

Saint Etheldreda of Ely

Troparion — Tone 8

In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what is according to the image; / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing, you taught us to disregard the flesh, for it passes away; / but to care for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, O Venerable Etheldreda, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Having received the grace of healing...”)1
Having discarded a bed for rest, for the sake of your love for God, O Mother Etheldreda, / and illuminating your spirit with fasting, / you have completely vanquished your enemies; / and by your intercessions you destroyed the evil schemes of our adversaries.


1 See Nov. 1 (Holy Unmercenaries)