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THE HIERATIKON

 

TROPARIA AND KONTAKIA

FOR THE GREAT FEASTS

 

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THE BIRTH OF THE MOTHER OF GOD 8th September

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

Thy birth, O Mother of God, has brought joy to all the inhabited earth: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He has loosed us from the curse and given the blessing; He has made death of no effect, and bestowed on us eternal life.

 

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

O Undefiled, by thy holy Nativity Joachim and Anna were set free from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. Delivered from the guilt of sin, Thy people keep the feast as they sing unto thee: The barren woman bears the Theotokos who sustains our life.

 

THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS 14th September

 

TROPARION

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, granting them victory over their enemies; And by Thy Cross, do Thou, protect Thy commonwealth.

 

KONTAKION

Lifted up of Thine own will upon the Cross, do Thou bestow Thy compassions upon the new commonwealth, that bears Thy name, O Christ our God, make glad with Thy strength, our pious rulers, granting them victory over their enemies; may they have as an alliance, that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace.

 

ENTRY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD 21st November

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

Today is the foreshadowing of the good pleasure of God and the herald of the salvation of men. The Virgin is revealed in the temple of God, and beforehand she announces Christ to all. Let us therefore cry to her with mighty voice: Hail! Thou fulfilment of the Creator’s dispensation.

 

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

The all-pure Temple of the Saviour, the precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of the glory of God, is led today into the house of the Lord, and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit. Of her God’s angels sing in praise: ‘She is indeed the heavenly Tabernacle.’

 

PRE-FEAST OF THE NATIVITY

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth ineffably to the pre-eternal Word. Hearing this, be of good cheer, O inhabited earth, and with the angels and the shepherds glorify Him whose will it was to be made manifest a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

 

THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST 25th December

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone upon the world with the light of knowledge: for thereby they who adored the stars through a star were taught to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory to Thee.  

 

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Today the Virgin gives birth to Him who is above all being, and the earth offers a cave to Him whom no man can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory, and Magi journey with a star. For unto us is born a young Child, the pre-eternal God.

 

THEOPHANY 6th January

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee the beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His word as sure and steadfast. O Christ our God who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.

 

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Thou hast appeared today to the inhabited earth, and Thy light, O Lord, has been marked upon us, who with knowledge sing Thy praise: Thou hast come, Thou art made manifest, the Light that no man can approach.

 

THE MEETING OF OUR LORD 2nd February

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

Hail, O Mother of God, Virgin full of grace: for from thee has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, giving light to those in darkness. Be glad also, thou righteous Elder, for thou hast received in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who bestows upon us resurrection.

  

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Thou who hast sanctified by Thy birth a virgin womb and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon, Thou art come, O Christ our God, and on this day hast saved us. Give peace to Thy commonwealth in time of battle and strengthen the Orthodox people whom Thou hast loved, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.

 

THE ANNUNCIATION 25th March

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

Today is the crown of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery that is from all eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good tidings of grace. Therefore let us also join him and cry aloud to the Mother of God: Hail, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee.

KONTAKION

As our victorious leader of triumphant hosts, and our deliverer from evil we thy flock ascribe to thee, songs of thanksgiving O Mother of God. Inasmuch as thou hast invincible might, keep us free from every danger, that we may cry to thee; Hail, O Bride Unwedded. 

 

THE TRANSFIGURATION 6th August

TROPARION

Thou wast transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they were able to sustain. Shine forth also upon us sinners, Thine everlasting light, by the prayers of the Mother of God. O Giver of light, glory to Thee.

  

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Thou wast transfigured upon the mountain, and Thy disciples beheld Thy glory, O Christ our God, as far as they were able so to do: that when they saw Thee crucified, they might know that Thy suffering was voluntary, and might proclaim unto the world that Thou art truly the Brightness of the Father.

 

THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD 15th August

 

TROPARION From The Festal Menaion

In giving birth, O Mother of God, thou hast retained thy virginity, and in falling asleep thou hast not forsaken the world. Thou who art the Mother of Life hast passed over into life, and by thy prayers thou dost deliver our souls from death.

 

KONTAKION From The Festal Menaion

Neither the tomb nor death had power over the Theotokos who is ever watchful in her prayers and in whose intercession lies unfailing hope. For as the Mother of Life she has been transported into life by Him who dwelt within her ever virgin womb.

 

APOLYTIKION FOR ST. LAZARUS (LAZARUS SATURDAY AND PALM SUNDAY)

Reassuring us before thy Passion of the General Resurrection,* from the dead Thou hast raised Lazarus, O Christ our God:* Therefore like the children we also,* carry tokens of victory,* And cry to Thee the Victor of death.* Hosanna in highest,* blessed is He that cometh* in the Name of the Lord.

 

TROPARION FOR HOLY MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,* and blessed is that servant whom he shall find watching,* unworthy however, is he whom he shall find slothful.* Thus beware, O my soul, be not overcome by sleep,* lest thou be* given over to death and find the door of the Kingdom shut against thee.* But arouse thyself and cry aloud:* Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God,* through the Mother of God, have mercy upon us.

 

*Through the protection of the holy Angels, save us.

*Through the prayers of the holy Forerunner, save us.

 

TROPARION FOR HOLY THURSDAY

When the glorious Disciples,* at the washing of feet at supper were illumined,* then the ungodly Judas,* was darkened by the disease of avarice,* and to lawless judges* he delivered thee the righteous judge.* See, O lover of wealth,* how for the sake of money he hanged himself.* Flee that insatiable soul that dared to do such things against the Master.* Thou who art good towards all men, O Lord, glory to thee. 

 

THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

 

TROPARION

Christ is risen from the dead, by death he hath overcome death, and to them in the graves hath he given life.

 

KONTAKION

Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades, and as victor didst rise again, O Christ our God, and the Myrrh-bearing women Thou didst greet with ‘Rejoice’, and to Thine Apostles Thou didst bestow peace: O Thou who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.

 

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

 

TROPARION

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, bringing joy to Thy disciples, for Thou didst reassure them through Thy blessing of the promise of the Holy Spirit. For Thou art the Son of God, the redeemer of the world.

 

KONTAKION

When Thou didst fulfil Thy dispensation for our sakes, and united the things on earth with the things in heaven, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, in no way divided, but remaining inseparable, and crying to those that love Thee ‘I am with you and no one shall be against you.

 PENTECOST

 

TROPARION

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, who hast made manifest the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Ghost: and by them hast drawn the world into Thy net. O Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

 

KONTAKION

When the Most High descended He confounded the tongues and divided the nations, but when he parted the tongues of fire He called all to unity: Wherefore with one voice we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.