Sunday before the Nativity
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / for the Three Holy Youths rejoiced in the source of the flame, as if by restful waters,1 / and the Prophet Daniel appeared / as a shepherd of lions as of sheep. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 6
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 18-19)
You would not worship an image made by hands, O thrice-blessed youths; / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, you were glorified through your ordeal by fire. / In the midst of the unbearable fire you called upon God, crying: / "Hasten, O compassionate One, / and in Your mercy come to our aid, / for if You will, You can do so."2
Kontakion — Tone 1
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 20-24)
Be glad, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha; / for the Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Great Shepherd she carries in her womb. / The God-bearing Fathers will rejoice, beholding Him, / and with the shepherds, they will praise the Virgin who nurses Him.
1 Psalm 22/23:2
2 Luke 5:12
Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Troparion — Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! / Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! / Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit: / If we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning!
Kontakion — Tone 3
Today the Virgin comes to the cave / to give birth ineffably to the pre-eternal Word. / Hearing this, rejoice, O inhabited earth! / With the angels and the shepherds glorify / the pre-eternal God, Whose will it was to appear as a young child!
Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, Bishop of Antioch
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 Ignatius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 3
The stirring celebration of your victorious fight / is an announcement of the One who is to be born of the Virgin. / In your eagerness to possess Him forever, / you hastened to be devoured by the wild beasts. / Therefore, O glorious Ignatius, you were called the bearer of God!
Venerable Ignatius, Archimandrite 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 Ignatius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Saint Philogonius, Bishop of Antioch
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 Philogonius, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Saint Daniel II, Archbishop of Serbia
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 Daniel, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Repose of Saint John of Kronstadt
Troparion — Tone 1
As a zealous advocate of the Orthodox faith, / as a caring Solicitor for the land of Russia, / faithful to the rules and image of a pastor, / preaching repentance and life in Christ, / an awesome servant and administer of God’s sacraments, / a daring intercessor for people’s sake, / O Good and righteous Father John, / healer and wonderful miracle-worker, / the praise of the town of Kronstadt / and decoration of our Church, / beseech the All-Merciful God / to reconcile the world and to save our souls!
Troparion — Tone 4
With the apostles your message has gone out to the ends of the world, / and with the confessors you suffered for Christ! / You are like the hierarchs through your preaching of the word; / with the righteous you are radiant with the grace of God. / The Lord has exalted your humility above the heavens / and given us your name as a source of miracles. / O wonder-worker, living in Christ for ever, / have mercy on those beset by troubles; / and hear us when we cry out in faith, O our beloved shepherd John!
Kontakion — Tone 3
This day the pastor of Kronstadt / appears before the throne of God / praying fervently on behalf of the faithful / to the chief pastor Christ, who has promised: / “I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it!”
Icon of the Mother of God the “Rescuer of the Drowning”
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Thou Who wast raised up...”)
Let us, who are sinful and humble, now flee fervently to the Theotokos, / bowing down to her, crying out in repentance from the depths of our soul: / Hasten, O Sovereign Lady, help us and take pity on us, / for we are perishing from a multitude of transgressions. / Do not turn your servants away empty-handed, for we have you as our only hope.
Kontakion — Tone 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, / constant advocate before the Creator, / do not despise the entreaties of us sinners, / but in your goodness hasten to help us who cry out to you with faith: / Speedily hear our petition and intercede for us, O Theotokos, / for you always protect those who honor you.
New-martyr John of Thasos
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr John, 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 John; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.