Troparia and kontakia for January 26

New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the Church of Russia joyfully forms a chorus, / praising her New Martyrs and Confessors; / hierarchs and priests, royal passion-bearers, right-believing princes and princesses, / venerable men and women, and all Orthodox Christians. / Having laid down their life for faith in Christ during the days of godless persecution, / they preserved the truth by the shedding of blood. / By their protection, O long-suffering Lord, / preserve our land in Orthodoxy until the end of the age.

Kontakion — Tone 3

Today the New Martyrs of Russia stand in white robes before the Lamb of God, / and with the angels they sing to God the hymn of victory: / "Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and praise, and honor, / and power, and strength be to our God / unto the ages of ages. Amen."

Venerable Xenophon, his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Arcadius and John, of Constantinople

Troparion — Tone 4

O God of our Fathers, / always act with kindness towards us; / take not Your mercy from us, / but guide our lives in peace / through the prayers of Venerable Xenophon and his family.

Kontakion — Tone 4

Having avoided the sea of life, / the righteous Xenophon and his august wife rejoice in Heaven along with their children, / magnifying Christ.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You appeared today...“)
You kept the commandments of the Master vigilantly, 1 together with your wife and children, / and gladly distributed your wealth to the poor, O blessed one. / Therefore, you have inherited divine joy.

1 Matthew 26:41

Translation of the relics of Venerable Theodore, Abbot of Studion

Troparion — Tone 8

Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, luminary of the world, / God-inspired adornment of monastics, O most wise Theodore, / you have enlightened everyone with your teachings, O harp of the Spirit; / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Your truly ascetical life equalled that of the Angels, / you were made radiant by contesting with your foes, / and you were seen to dwell with the Angels, / O Theodore blessed by God, pray unceasingly with them to Christ God for all of us.

Saint Xenophon of Robeika

Troparion — Tone 4

You appeared as a beautiful growth in the wilderness, O Venerable Father, / for from your youth you chose a life of purity. / Following your Spiritual Father, your mind was turned toward heavenly things by his teaching; / you dwelt in the wilderness and established a monastery, / and you were a most wise shepherd to your flock, / but to Novgorod, its boast and its strength. / Therefore Christ, like a bright lamp, has enriched you with miracles and glorified you. / O Xenophon, our Father, / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Martyrs Ananias the Presbyter, Peter, and seven soldiers, in Phoenicia

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!

Saint Simeon “the Ancient” of Mount Sinai

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

Saint Joseph, Bishop of Thessalonica, and brother of Saint Theodore of Studion

Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; / your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Joseph, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
O Hierarch Joseph, divine thunder, spiritual trumpet, / planter of faith and pruner of heresies, great favorite of the Trinity, / while standing with the Angels before God, / pray unceasingly for us all.

Saint Theodore of Ajareli

Troparion — Tone 8

In you the image was preserved with exactness, O Father, / for taking up your cross, you followed after 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, most venerable Father Theodore your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Having divinely armed yourself with the purity of your soul, / and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you pierced the armies of demons. / O our Father Theodore, pray unceasingly for us all.

Saint Paula

Troparion — Tone 8

In you, O Mother, was preserved with exactness what was according to the image; / 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 for the soul, since it is immortal. / Therefore, O Venerable Paula, your spirit rejoices with the Angels.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Having divinely armed yourself with purity of soul / and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you slew the hordes of demons. / Therefore, we beseech you, O Mother Paula: / “Always intercede for those who honor you.”