Sunday before the Nativity
Troparion — Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, / for the Three Holy Youths rejoiced in the source of the flame, as if by restful waters,1 / and the Prophet Daniel appeared / as a shepherd of lions as of sheep. / By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 6
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 18-19)
You would not worship an image made by hands, O thrice-blessed youths; / but shielded by the ineffable Essence, you were glorified through your ordeal 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 if You will, You can do so."2
Kontakion — Tone 1
(For when the Sunday before the Nativity falls on December 20-24)
Be glad, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha; / for the Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Great Shepherd she carries in her womb. / The God-bearing Fathers will rejoice, beholding Him, / and with the shepherds, they will praise the Virgin who nurses Him.
1 Psalm 22/23:2
2 Luke 5:12
Martyr Boniface at Tarsus in Cilicia, and Righteous Aglaϊa of Rome
Troparion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
Fervently, you followed the renowned Martyrs / steadfastly confessing Christ before unbelievers, O wise Boniface. / You returned your relics to the august Aglaϊa / as an imperishable treasure; / from them flow healing and mercy for the world.
Kontakion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Be quick to anticipate...”)
You offered yourself voluntarily as a blameless sacrifice / to Him Who is about to be born of the Virgin for your sake, / O Saint, and wise crown-bearer Boniface.
Venerable Elias of Murom, Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves
Troparion — Tone 4
Come, all ye faithful, let us honor our Venerable Father Elias of Murom with spiritual songs, / the lamp of the Monastery of the Caves, and great intercessor for all Russia, / who has shown us the image of military and spiritual feats, / and who now shines with miracles of grace. / In the same way, flocking to the shrine of his relics, / we kiss them and cry out with love: / “Entreat Christ God to preserve our land / and to grant us great mercy.”
Troparion — Tone 3
Today the Russian land rejoices, / glorifying its warrior and wonderworker Elias of Muromets, / for he abides in the Church Triumphant, / and is its kinsman in the Church Militant, / asking the Lord for help against the visible and invisible enemies of Holy Russia, / so that the Russian people may glorify and honor Christ God without hindrance.
Kontakion — Tone 8
As a great luminary of the Russian land, / you appeared as an invincible commander of the Heavenly King, / and divinely inspired adornment of monastics. / And now, standing with the Angels before the Throne of God, / entreat the Master Christ, the Creator of all, / that we may be delivered from all troubles and sorrows, / that those who honor your holy memory may cry to you: “Rejoice, Venerable Elias, our Father.”
Martyrs Elias, Probus, and Ares in Cilicia
Troparion — Tone 4
Your holy martyrs Elias, Probus, and Ares, 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 Boniface the Merciful, Bishop of Ferentino
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 Boniface, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Saint Gregory, Archbishop of Omirits
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 Gregory, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.
Venerable George the Scribe, and Venerable Savva, of Khakhuli
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 fathers George and Savva, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!