1st Saturday of Great Lent: The Miracle of the Boiled Wheat
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / the Holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced in the flames as though at the water of rest, / for having been made a whole-burnt offering in the fire, / offered to the Trinity as a sweet loaf. / By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Original melody)
Having carried the faith of Christ within thy heart as a breastplate; / thou didst trample underfoot the forces of the Enemy. / Therefore thou art crowned with a heavenly crown, as one who is joyfully invincible.
Venerable Alexis the Man of God
Troparion — Tone 4
You budded from a famous and glorious root; / you blossomed from a royal and illustrious city, O supremely wise Alexis; / you disdained everything on earth as corruptible and fleeting, / and you hastened to Christ the Master. / Always entreat Him to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Today with hymns and praise / we celebrate the feast of Alexis the blessed and we cry aloud: / Rejoice, gladsome adornment of the righteous!
Venerable Macarius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Kalyazin
Troparion — Tone 8
You deadened your carnal mind by abstinence and vigil. / The place watered by the sweat of your labors proclaims your admonitions like God’s trumpet. / After your repose your relics pour forth healings. / Therefore we cry to you: pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved!
Kontakion — Tone 2
You desired the life of heaven / and delighted in abstinence, labors and sweat. / You bridled the flesh and received the grace to work wonders. / You appear as a radiant light, O righteous Father Macarius. / Therefore the Church of Christ glorifies you!
Martyr Marinus
Troparion — Tone 3
Your holy martyr Marinus, 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 Marinus; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.
Saint Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, Enlightener of Ireland
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick, / faithful shepherd of Christ’s royal flock, / you filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel: / The mighty strength of the Trinity! / Now that you stand before the Savior, / pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!
Kontakion — Tone 4
From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ’s service: / He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil’s bondage. / You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts. / In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul! / Having received the reward for your labors in heaven, / never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth, / Holy bishop Patrick!
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Podoben: “O Victorious leader...”)
Let us come together joyously to praise the luminary of Ireland, / the most brilliant emulator and equal of the Apostles; / for having found boldness before the Lord, / he beseeches Him to free from all their sorrows those who cry out: “Rejoice, Father Patrick.”
Hieromartyr Gabriel the Lesser
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 Gabriel, entreat Christ God to save our souls.