Troparia and kontakia for April 29

Icon of the Mother of God of Mt. Athos, “Sweet Kissing”

Troparion — Tone 1

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”)
We praise thy holy Icon as a most honored gift, / and having acquired it, Philotheou Monastery rejoices exceedingly; / for in it we behold thee, O Pure One, kissing Christ as an infant; / and we magnify thy great glory, O Virgin, crying out to thee: / Glory to thy mighty works, O Pure One! / Glory to thy compassion! / Glory to thy care for us, O Spotless One!

Nine Martyrs at Cyzicus: Theognes, Rufus, Antipater, Theostichus, Artemas, Magnus, Theodotus, Thaumasius, and Philemon

Troparion — Tone 8

By Divine command, the Holy Nine Martyrs from various cities were united in a single alliance, and courageously suffered martyrdom for Christ; / by your patience, the invisible enemy1 was defeated, / the wicked princes and tormentors were put to shame, / the spiritual fire of love for God was kindled, and the material fire which tormented you was cooled. / Therefore, grace has been given unto you by Christ God to heal the plague, / and we pray that you will save us from it, and from other afflictions, by your protection.

Kontakion — Tone 2

The steadfast and most radiant Nine Martyrs, / confessing the three-sunned2 God at His judgment seat they cried out: / “We offer to You our blood, our souls, and our bodies, as an unblemished sacrifice, O Master.”


1 (Ephesians 6:12)
2 The three persons of the Holy Trinity.

Venerable Memnon the Wonderworker

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 Memnon, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Martyrs Diodorus and Rhodopianus—Deacons, at Aphrodisia in Anatolia

Troparion — Tone 4

O God of our Fathers, / always act with kindness towards us; / take not Your mercy from us, / but guide our lives in peace / through the prayers of Saints Diodorus and Rhodopianus.

Saint Basil, Bishop of Zakholmsk in Montenegro, Serbia

Troparion — Tone 4

From your youth you gave yourself completely to the Lord, / abiding in prayers, contests,1 and fasts, O God-bearing Father, / you were an example of virtue for your flock, / so God, seeing your good will, placed you as a shepherd and a most excellent Hierarch of His Church; / and after your repose, O Hierarch Basil, / your holy body was preserved incorrupt. / Therefore, as one having boldness, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.


1 Podvigs.

Kontakion — Tone 8

From childhood you submitted yourself to the Lord, / by fasting and vigil you subdued your body, O wise one, / you were shown to be a precious vessel of the Most Holy Spirit, / so he made you the shepherd of His Church, which you shepherded well. / Therefore, you departed to the Lord Whom you loved. / We beseech you to remember us who honor your holy memory with faith, / and we all cry out to you: “Rejoice, most revered Father Basil.”

Venerable Nectarius of Optina

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 Nectarius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Martyrs of Lazeti

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!

Saint Endellion, recluse of Cornwall

Troparion — Tone 8

In you the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother, / 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 Mother Endellion your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

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