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.
40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste
Troparion — Tone 1
(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)
Let us honor those noble soldiers of the Master of all, / for they were united by their faith as they passed through fire and water; / and being enlisted by Christ, they entered into divine refreshment. / Now those pious warriors stand and intercede with Christ God for those who cry out: / “Glory to Him Who strengthened you. / Glory to Him Who crowned you. / Glory to Him Who made you wondrous, O Forty Martyrs.”
Troparion — Tone 1
For the sake of the sufferings of Your Saints, / which they endured for You, O Lord, / we entreat You to heal all our infirmities, / O Lover of mankind.
Kontakion — Tone 6
(Podoben: “When You fulfilled the dispensation for our sake...” - Ascension)
Leaving all earthly armies, / you cleaved to the Master in Heaven, O Forty prize-winners of the Lord; / for passing through fire and water, O blessed Martyrs, / as is meet, you received glory from Heaven, and a multitude of crowns.
Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyr Urpasianus, O Lord, / through his sufferings 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 Urpasianus; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.
Saint Caesarius, brother of Saint Gregory the Theologian
Troparion — Tone 4
You were meek, blameless, without malice, / and righteous, most wondrous Caesarius, / gracious and calm in spirit, / imposing upon yourself the most secret patience, / and you were a martyr without bloodshed. / Therefore, we entreat you: / “By your prayers, beseech Christ God to grant us healing and great mercy.”
Kontakion — Tone 6
Adorned with the true Faith, / you shone forth with almsgiving and a virtuous life, / with chastity and righteousness. / Therefore, we cry out: / “O most blessed Caesarius, / standing before Christ with your relatives, / pray for all of us.”
Righteous Tarasius of Liconium
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 Tarasius, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Venerable Vitalius of Castronovo
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 Vitalius your spirit rejoices with the Angels.
Kontakion — Tone 2
(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Having divinely armed yourself with the purity of your soul, / and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you pierced the armies of demons. / O our Father Vitalius, pray unceasingly for us all.