Troparia and kontakia for June 24

Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John

Troparion — Tone 4

Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, / although we cannot praise you worthily, / we honor you in love at your nativity, / for by it you ended your father’s silence and your mother’s barrenness, / proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!

Kontakion — Tone 3

Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ’s Forerunner, / who is the fulfillment of every prophecy; / for in the Jordan, / when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets, / he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.

Venerable Anthony, Abbot of Dymsk, Novgorod

Troparion — Tone 4

You were a zealot of virtue, a desert dweller, and ascetic of faith in Christ our God, / and by fasting and labors you deadened carnal lusts. / O namesake of Anthony the Great, / you emulated his life and built a divine church in his name; / now together with the venerable Anthony, / beseech the Savior of all, / that He may make us victorious over the lusts of the flesh, / and temples of the Holy Spirit, / according to His great mercy.

Kontakion — Tone 6

You were a peer and emulator of Venerable Barlaam, / and when you attained true obedience to him, you were shown to be worthy of him, / and you shepherded his flock until the time, / when having been zealous for his virtues, you attained the same age; / and loving silence, you were shown to be pleasing to the Lord, / and became the first Superior in the wilderness at Lake Dymsk; / therefore, we cry out to you: / “With Saint Barlaam, O Father Anthony, / entreat God for us, so He may grant us to please Him as you did, / an image of obedience and a zealot for stillness.”

Seven Martyred Brothers: Orentius, Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Cyriacus, and Longinus, in Georgia

Troparion — Tone 4

Your holy martyrs, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received an incorruptible crown 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 Athanasius Parios

Troparion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “Go quickly before...”)
Piously adorned with every kind of wisdom, O divinely-inspired teacher of the Church, / and one of most upright life, you were seen as a bright pillar, O Father Athanasios. / Wherefore, the island of Paros boasts of your glory and we honor your gifts.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “You have appeared today...”)
You shone forth from Paros like a new star, / and you enlightened the faithful by your holy teachings, / through the inspiration of grace, as a divinely-speaking sage, O Athanasios.

Venerable Barlaam of Khutin

Troparion — Tone 3

Exhausting your body by sleeping on the earth, praying, and keeping vigil, O Venerable one, / you dispelled all carnal thoughts / and become a copious stream of healing for those who come to you with faith; / O Barlaam, our Father, / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 8

As a second Elijah, O Father, you brought down rain from the heavens, / for he brought down fire and astonished the king, / but you pleased your people and instituted a festival. / Great Novgorod takes pride in you, having your relics in itself, / preserving it unshaken by enemies, so that we may cry out to you: / “Rejoice, Venerable Barlaam, our Father.”