Troparia and kontakia for August 20

Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God

Troparion — Tone 1

In giving birth you preserved your virginity, / in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. / You were translated to life, O Mother of Life, / and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, / who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. / For being the Mother of Life, / she was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.

Prophet Samuel

Troparion — Tone 2

You were given to a barren womb as a most precious gift, / and were sacrificed to your Lord as a whole burnt offering. / You served Him with holiness and righteousness; / therefore O Samuel, God's Prophet, we honor you as an intercessor for our souls.

Troparion — Tone 5

You arrived by your mother's prayers, bearing the name “God has heard.” / You were called by the Lord from infancy, O revered Prophet Samuel, / you shepherded the rebellious people well and became the founder of the kingdom of Israel; / entreat the True God for us who honor you with faith / that He may save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 8

You were dedicated to God as a revered gift before your conception, and from an early age you served Him like an angel, / O most blessed one, and you were worthy to prophesy concerning the future. / Therefore, we cry to you: “Rejoice, O Samuel, God's Prophet and great High Priest.”

Kontakion — Tone 8

O great Samuel, who anointed the holy God-seer David, / hasten to ask that we may be anointed with the peace of the Holy Spirit, / and to be strangers to evil, as David was for Saul's tormented soul.1


1 I Kings 16: 14 (I Samuel 16:15).

Hieromartyr Philip, Bishop of Heraclea and with him the Martyrs Severus, Memnon, and 37 Soldiers in Thrace

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!

Martyrs Heliodorus and Dosa of Persia

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs Heliodorus and Dosa, 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!

Martyr Lucius

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Lucius, 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 Lucius; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Holy New Martyr Theokhares at Neopolis in Asia Minor

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
Your Martyr Theokhárēs, O Lord, / by his contest has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God; / for, possessed of Your strength, / he laid the tyrants low and shattered the powerless boldness of the demons. / By his supplications, save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Seeking the things on high...”)
You shone forth in your splendor as a bright star, / proclaiming Christ to this temporal world, O Martyr Theokhárēs, / vanquishing the snares of false gods, / you revealed the true light to the faithful, / and you always intercede on behalf of us all.