Troparia and kontakia for April 9

Bright Tuesday

Troparion — Tone 1

The audacity of those who hated the Icon of the Lord and the might of the godless came to Nicaea, / and those who were sent there inhumanly tortured a widow who devoutly revered the Icon of the Mother of God; / but by night, she and her son cast the Icon into the sea, crying out: / “Glory to you, O pure one, for the impassable sea has given you its shoulders.1 / Glory to your straight way,2 O you who alone are incor­rupt.”


1 The waves.
2 Psalm 5:8.

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Go quickly before...”)
You strove in contest on Lesbos for the sake of Christ God; / sanctifying her by the discovery of your relics, O blessed martyrs. / Therefore, we honor you, God-bearer Raphael, / together with Nicholas the deacon, and the virgin Irene, / as our divine protectors, and intercessors with the Lord.

Kontakion — Tone 8

Although your holy Icon was cast into the sea by the widow who could not save it from its enemies, O Theotokos, / it has been shown as the Guardian of Mount Athos and the Gate-Keeper of Ivḗron Monastery, / driving the Enemy away and delivering those who honor you from all misfor­tunes and dangers.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You Who were lifted up...”)
Let all of us honor the Holy Martyrs / who contended for Christ as our protectors and wonderworkers, / whose relics were hidden beneath the earth for many years, / and who have revealed themselves to us in wondrous ways: / Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene, as well as those who contended with them, as protectors and wonderworkers.

Martyr Eupsychius of Caesarea, in Cappadocia

Troparion — Tone 3

With steadfast heart you finished your course and cast down the wily foe, / for you were armed with the power of the Cross, blest Eupsychius. / You were numbered with the host of martyrs and have attained eternal glory. / Always entreat Christ our God to save us who honor you.

Kontakion — Tone 2

As a living temple of Christ the Lord / you destroyed the ungodly temple, / and through your steadfast toils, Martyr Eupsychius, / you built a dwelling in Paradise.

Hieromartyr Desan, Bishop in Persia, and 272 others with him

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!

Monastic Martyr Bademus (Vadim) of Persia

Troparion — Tone 1

The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father, / for you took up the Cross and followed Christ. / By so doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away / but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore your spirit, venerable Bademus, rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

As a venerable and proven ascetic, as an honorable and renowned martyr, / and as a model of the desert life, O most exalted Bademus, / we sing hymns of praise to you, / for you have trampled upon serpents.

Saint Eleni (also called Susanna), New Martyr of Lesbos

Troparion — Tone 4

Your lamb Eleni calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice: / “I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering. / In Baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You, / and I died so that I might live with You. / Accept me as a pure sacrifice, / for I have offered myself in love.” / Through her prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.

New Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene of Lesbos

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!