Troparia and kontakia for May 4

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.

Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus, in Asia Minor

Troparion — Tone 3

Through your knowledge of the Faith you abandoned the darkness of ignorance, / fairest virgin of Christ. / You were refreshed by dew and finished your contest by fire. / Glorious martyr Pelagia, / entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy!

Kontakion — Tone 2

Abandoning your mortal betrothed in order to wed the Immortal One, / as your dowry you offered chastity and your contest. / Therefore, we acclaim you, Pelagia.

Venerable Alphan, with his brothers, of Novgorod, founders of the Sokolnitzky Monastery

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

Holy Confessor Erasmus, Bishop of Formia in Campania

Troparion — Tone 8

Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship, / the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs: / all-wise father Erasmus, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

Hieromartyr Albian, Bishop of Anaea in Asia Minor

Troparion — Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, / you became a successor to their throne. / Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; / by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, / even to the shedding of your blood. / Hieromartyr Albian, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Hieromartyr Silvanus, Bishop of Gaza, and 40 Martyrs 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!

Venerable Nikēphóros 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 Nicephorus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!