Troparia and kontakia for May 7

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.

Commemoration of the Apparition of the Sign of the Precious Cross Over Jerusalem, in 351 AD

Troparion — Tone 8

Now the image of Your Cross has shone brighter than the sun, / spreading from the Holy Mountain1 to the Place of the Skull,2 / and in it O Savior, You revealed Your power, thereby strengthening us. / Keep us always in peace, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Christ God, and save us.


1 The Mount of Olives.
2 Golgotha.

Kontakion — Tone 8

The Most Pure Cross has opened Heaven which was closed, / and has dawned upon the earth, shining its brilliant rays to the heavens; / therefore, receiving the radiance of its power as our guide to the unwaning light, / we have it in battles as a weapon of peace, an invincible trophy.

Repose of Saint Alexis Toth, Confessor and Defender of Orthodoxy in America

Troparion — Tone 4

O righteous Father Alexis, / our heavenly intercessor and teacher, / divine adornment of the Church of Christ! / Entreat the Master of All / to strengthen the Orthodox Faith in America, / to grant peace to the world / and to our souls, great mercy!

Kontakion — Tone 5

Let us, the faithful, praise the Priest Alexis, / a bright beacon of Orthodoxy in America, / a model of patience and humility, / a worthy shepherd of the Flock of Christ. / He called back the sheep who had been led astray / and brought them by his preaching / to the Heavenly Kingdom!

Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium

Troparion — Tone 3

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

Repose of Venerable Nilus, Abbot of Sora

Troparion — Tone 4

You forsook the world, concealing yourself like David,1 / and you considered all worldly things to be as filth, / and after settling in a quiet place, / you were filled with spiritual joy, our Father Nilus, / and desired to serve the One God, flourishing like a palm tree,2 / and as a prolific vine, you increased the number of monks in the wilderness. / Therefore, we cry out with gratitude: / “Glory to Him Who strengthened you in the contest of desert living. / Glory to Him Who chose you as a special founder of the Rules for solitary monks. / Glory to your intercessions for us with the Savior.”


1 1 Kings 23:14, Septuagint.
2 Psalm 91:13, Septuagint.

Venerable Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Lavra of Mount Athos

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 Nilus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Monastic Martyr Pachomius of Mount Athos

Troparion — Tone 3

Your godly life was made radiant by the trials of holy martyrdom, / O glorious, righteous Martyr Pachomius. / Through your ascetical deeds you shone forth on Athos / and shed your blood as an Athlete. / Intercede with the Lord Who has glorified you / that He may grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 4

You became illustrious on Athos through your ascetic life and later excelled in martyrdom. / For you were given wings by your love for God, / O divinely-wise Martyr, glorious Pachomius.

Icon of the Mother of God of Zhirovits

Troparion — Tone 2

Do not despise those who entreat your help, O Sovereign Lady, / and open the unfathomable depths of mercy to all who hasten to your healing Icon. / Assuage the sorrows of our life, O most bountiful one, / and guide your faithful from this vale of tears to everlasting joy. / For in you, all have acquired hope and assurance, O Fount of mercy, protection and salvation of our souls.

Martyr Quadratus and his companions

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyr Quadratus and his companions, 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!