Troparia and kontakia for March 15

4th Sunday of Great Lent: St John Climacus (of the Ladder)

Troparion — Tone 1

Dweller of the desert and angel in the body, / you were shown to be a wonderworker, our God-bearing Father John. / You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer: / healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith. / Glory to Him who gave you strength. / Glory to Him who granted you a crown. / Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all.

Kontakion — Tone 4

(Podoben: “The Angelic Choir...”)
The Lord truly set you on the height of abstinence, / O our instructor and Father John, / as an unerring star, guiding the ends of the earth by your light.

Martyrs Agapius, Publius, Timolaus, Romulus, two named Dionysius, and two named Alexander, at Caesarea in Palestine

Troparion — Tone 4

Your soul aflame with love for Christ, / you gathered a company of illustrious athletes, O glorious Agapius. / With them you excelled in righteous contest, / and together you were beheaded by the sword. / Henceforth always pray for the forgiveness of our sins!

Kontakion — Tone 4

Out of love for Christ / the eight-fold choir of martyrs spurned all earthly things. / As they were beheaded / they cried out together: / O compassionate One, give joy to your servants!

Hieromartyr Alexander of Sίdē, in Pamphylia

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 Alexander, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Martyr Nicander of Egypt

Troparion — Tone 4

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