2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas
Troparion — Tone 8
O luminary of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, / ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians, / O wonderworker Gregory, boast of Thessalonika and herald of grace, / always intercede for all of us that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 4
Now is the time for action! / Judgment is at the doors! / So let us rise and fast, / offering alms with tears of compunction and crying: / “Our sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea; / but forgive us, O Master of All, / so that we may receive the incorruptible crowns.”
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Podoben: “O Victorious Leader...”)
Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, / radiant and harmonious trumpet of theology, / we praise you in song, O divinely-speaking Gregory. / As a mind standing before the Primal Mind, guide our minds to Him, Father, / so that we may cry aloud to you: “Rejoice, herald of grace.”
Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Lavra
Troparion — Tone 2
When you gathered in the Caves and enclosed yourselves therein, / then, O God-bearers, having died to carnal passions, you buried yourselves with Christ. / There in the Caves, you destroyed the snares of the devil. / Therefore, the angels gave you heavenly crowns.
Hieromartyr Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, who suffered under Julian the Apostate
Troparion — Tone 3
In preparation for the contest, you anointed an assembly of martyrs / and bolstered them by your steadfastness, O glorious Mark. / You finished your course together with them / and all of you were found worthy of the joy of heaven. / Righteous father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.
(The Typikon does not prescribe a Kontakion.)
Martyr Cyril the Deacon of Heliopolis, and those with him, who suffered under Julian the Apostate
Troparion — Tone 3
In preparation for the contest, O glorious Cyril, / you anointed an assembly of martyrs / and strengthened them by your steadfastness. / You finished your course with them. / And you were all found worthy of the joys of heaven. / O righteous Father, / pray to Christ our God to grant us his great mercy!
Kontakion — Tone 4
Having been illumined by the grace of truth, / you radiantly instruct the ends of the earth in piety, O glorious Hieromartyrs. / Therefore we bless you in faith.
Venerable John the Anchorite of Egypt
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 John, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Saint Eustathius (Eustace) the Confessor, Bishop of Bithynia
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 Eustathius, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things. / Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.
Venerable Mark, Jonah, and Bassa of the Pskov Caves
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 Mark, Jonah, and Bassa, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
Saint Nikḗtas of the Roslavl Forests
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 Niketas, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!