Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
Troparion — Tone 8
You are most glorious, O Christ our God! / You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth! / Through them you have guided us to the true faith! / O greatly Compassionate One, glory to You!
Kontakion — Tone 8
The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one faith for the Church. / Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from heavenly theology, / it defines and glorifies the great mystery of Orthodoxy!
Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria
Troparion — Tone 1
With all reverence let us praise a light of the world, / the great orator and champion of the Mother of God. / For by his fiery teachings / he burned up the heresy of Nestorius; / therefore, let us cry out to him: / “Divine Cyril, intercede with Christ to strengthen the Orthodox Faith.”
Kontakion — Tone 6
You have openly poured out upon us the depth of the teachings of theology, / drawing from the well-springs of the Savior; / you drowned heresies / and saved your flock unharmed from triple waves. / Blessed and venerable Cyril, / you are shown to be a guide for all lands, revealing things divine
Venerable Cyril, Igoumen of White Lake
Troparion — Tone 1
You blossomed like a flower in the desert, even as David,1 O Father Cyril, / uprooting the thorns of evil passions, / and there you gathered a multitude of disciples, who were instructed in the fear of God and in your teaching; / whom you, as a loving father, did not abandon until death, visiting them that we all may sing: / "Glory to Him Who gave you strength. / Glory to Him Who crowned you. / Glory to Him Who, through you, works healing for all.
1 A possible reference to Psalm 101/102:15, or perhaps to Psalm 62/63, written when David was in the desert of Idumea.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Rejecting pernicious worldly philosophies which dragged you down, O Father, / you hastened joyously to the path of heavenly ascent; / and there, as you stand with the Saints before the All-Holy Trinity, / pray that your flock may be protected from enemies, / that we who celebrate your holy repose may cry out to you: / "Rejoice, most blessed Cyril, our Father."
Venerable Alexander, Abbot of Kushta, Vologda
Troparion — Tone 4
Desiring to serve God with your entire being, you settled in the wilderness, / and there with many labors and sweat, you attained a life similar to that of the Bodiless Angels, / having been seen by God, you were honored by the gift of miracles during your life and after your repose, / you received power to drive away unclean spirits from those who come to you with faith; / therefore, O Father Alexander, pray for us all, that our souls may be saved.
Troparion — Tone 8
As an Angel in the flesh, contesting on earth with spiritual struggles, / you dwelt in the wilderness and lived with the animals, and were wholly Christ's. / You followed Him irrevocably, and were led to Heaven, following the Divine paths, / O blessed Father Alexander, as a wondrous one, you pour forth miracles, / driving away diseases from those who come to you with faith; / and as one having boldness before the Lord, remember us who honor your revered memory.
Kontakion — Tone 8
Forsaking all worldly things, you lived in the wilderness, / and diligently followed in Christ's footsteps, / taking up His revered Cross on your shoulders, O glorious one, / you put to death the tumult of the flesh by arduous ascetical labors and spiritual endeavors; / therefore we cry out to you: “Rejoice, O desert-dweller Alexander.”
Kontakion — Tone 6
O desert-dweller, by your powerful prayer to God, / purify our hearts devoid of good thoughts by the attacks of the Enemy, / so that we may cry out to you in gratitude: / “Rejoice, Alexander, who by your earthly life in the wilderness have obtained the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Five Nuns beheaded in Persia: Martyrs Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, and Ennatha
Troparion — Tone 1
As reasonable lambs, you were guided by Christ, the Chief Shepherd, / along the path of martyrdom. / You finished your course and kept the faith; / therefore, honored Thecla, Mariamne, Martha, Mary, and Ennatha, / with joyful hearts, we magnify Christ today, as we honor your holy memory!
Saint Columba of Iona, Enlightener of Scotland
Troparion — Tone 5
By your God-inspired life / you embodied both the mission and the dispersion of the Church, / most glorious Father Columba. / Using your repentance and voluntary exile, / Christ our God raised you up as a beacon of the True Faith, / an apostle to the heathen and an indicator of the Way of salvation. / Wherefore O holy one, cease not to intercede for us / that our souls may be saved.
Saint John of Shavta-Gelati
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 John, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Saint David Gareji, and Venerable Lucian, spiritual son of Saint David
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 David, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!