5th Saturday of Great Lent: of the Akathist to the Theotokos
Troparion — Tone 8
When the archangel understood the mysterious command, / he came to the house of Joseph with haste and proclaimed to the unwedded Lady: / The One Who bowed the heavens by His condescension / is contained wholly and without change in you! / As I behold Him in your womb, taking the form of a servant, I am frightened, but cry: / Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Kontakion — Tone 8
Victorious leader of triumphant hosts, / we your servants, delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to you, Theotokos! / As you possess invincible might set us free from every calamity, / so that we may sing: Rejoice, unwedded Bride!
Saint Basil of Poiana Marului
Troparion — Tone 8
O Teacher of the true worship of God, guide of monks, preacher of grace, / instructor of noetic prayer as one who labored with vigilance, / O Venerable Father Basil, always entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 8
(Podoben: “O Victorious Leader...”)
Let us honor the wondrous guide of monks, a most experienced teacher of prayer, / a heavenly man and earthly angel, a most renowned spiritual counselor, / and let us sing joyously to him: “Rejoice, Holy Father Basil, preacher of grace.”
Apostle and Evangelist Mark
Troparion — Tone 4
From your childhood the light of truth enlightened you, O Mark, / and you loved the labor of Christ the Savior. / Therefore, you followed Peter with zeal / and served Paul well as a fellow laborer, / and you enlighten the world with your holy Gospel.
Kontakion — Tone 2
When you received the grace of the Spirit from on high, O Apostle, / you broke the snares of the philosophers and gathered all nations into your net, / bringing them to your Lord, O glorious Mark, / by the preaching of the divine Gospel.
Venerable Sylvester, Abbot of Obnora
Troparion — Tone 4
As a good disciple of the blessed Sergius, you emulated his faith and godliness, / receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit and, for the Lord's sake, / you made great efforts for the salvation and consolation of the faithful. / Do not forsake us who come to you with faith, / O Venerable Father Sylvester.
Kontakion — Tone 6
By your struggles you have contested,1 and you brought your soul as a pure and unblemished sacrifice to God,2 / after your repose you are diligent for us before God in prayer; / therefore, turning to you with faith, we cry out: / “Rejoice, O Venerable Father Sylvester.”
1 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course.”
2 Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I beseech you, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable worship.”