Troparia and kontakia for December 16

Sunday of the Forefathers

Troparion — Tone 2

By faith You justified the Forefathers, / when through them You betrothed Yourself beforehand to the Church of the Gentiles. / The saints boast in glory, / that from their seed there is a glorious fruit: / she who bore You without seed. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 6

(The Original Melody)
You did not worship the graven image, / O thrice-blessed youths, / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, / you were glorified in your trial by fire. / In the midst of the unbearable fire you called upon God, crying: / "Hasten, O compassionate One. / and in Your mercy, come to our aid, / for You can do so if You will."1


1 Luke 5:12.

Prophet Haggai

Troparion — Tone 2

We celebrate the memory / of Your prophet Haggai, O Lord; / through him we entreat You, / save our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”)
Enlightened by the Spirit, your pure heart became the dwelling place of most splendid prophecy; / for you saw things far off as if they were near. / Therefore, we honor you, blessed and glorious Prophet Haggai.

Martyr Marinus of Rome

Troparion — Tone 4

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

Saint Theophanó the Wonderworker, wife of Emperor Leo the Wise

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You were lifted up on the Cross...”)
Preferring heavenly things to the earthly, O Theophanó, / while on earth you lived an angelic life; / therefore, you were found worthy of heavenly gifts. / As you stand before the King of all with the Angelic hosts, / and the choirs of the Saints, entreat Him to grant us mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You appeared today...”)
Celebrating your most radiant Feast today, O Theophanó, / we cry aloud to you most devoutly: / “Preserve your servants, who sing to you, from all dangers.”

Venerable Sophia of Suzdal, the Wonderworker

Troparion — Tone 4

Clearly, you were adorned with heavenly beauty, O Venerable Sophia, / for you struggled in feats of fasting, inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, / and you entered the Heavenly Bridal Chamber in order to delight in the comeliness of Christ. / Entreat Him to protect the city of Suzdal from pagan attacks and from civil war, / and to grant our souls great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 1

Having escaped the darkness of the passions, O divinely-wise Sophia, / and having come to Christ the Unsetting Sun, you put carnal wisdom to death; / through fasting, abstinence and prayers, you proved to be an equal of the Angels, / for while living on earth you drove away unclean spirits from people, / and bestowed various healings, delivering them from many troubles and evils. / O Venerable Sophia, / pray for the salvation of our souls.