Troparion and Kontakion of the Twelve. When should the troparia and kontakia be read for the twelve feasts? Troparion of the Baptism of the Lord

Troparions at the entrance There are many different kinds of mistakes here. Usually the charter for these troparions is stated in a very cumbersome and unintelligible way. I will try to present it as briefly as possible. Troparions at the entrance (of course, at the Small Entrance) at the weekly liturgy without red

Troparia of the Trinity Rising from sleep, we fall down to Ti, the Blessed, and cry out to Ti, the Mightier, the angelic song: Holy, Holy, Holy art thou, O God, through the Theotokos have mercy on us. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: Thou hast raised me up from bed and sleep, O Lord, Enlighten my mind and my heart and open my lips to sing

Troparion Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; Bewildered by any answer, we offer this prayer to You as the Master of sin: have mercy on us. Glory: Lord, have mercy on us, for we trust in You; Do not be angry with us, remember our iniquities, but look at us now as if you are well-behaved, and

Troparion for the “Immaculate Ones” Following the “Immaculate Ones”, “Blessed Are You,” which are profound in their theological content, are solemnly sung, so called according to the words of the 12th verse of Psalm 119, (p. 355) which are performed at the end of each troparion: “Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me

Troparia of the Trinity Rising from sleep, we fall down to Ti, the Good, and cry out to Ti, the Mightier, the angelic song: holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, have mercy on us by the Mother of God. Glory: From bed and sleep thou hast raised me up, O Lord; Enlighten my mind and heart and open my lips to sing to You, Holy Trinity: holy, holy,

Troparia for the Repose, ch. 5 Chorus: Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me by thy justification. Thou hast found the face of the saints, the source of life and the door of heaven, that I may also find the way of repentance, I am the lost sheep, call me, O Savior, and save me. Blessed are you... You preached the Lamb of God and slain

Sunday Troparions With the Theotokos, Kontakia, Dogmatics, Prokeemnas and

Troparions of the day With kontakia, prokeimnas, alleluia and

They are divided into the Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ or other Persons of the Holy Trinity, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Mother of God.

Lord's Twelve Feasts 7 : Exaltation of the Cross, Nativity of Christ, Epiphany, Entry into Jerusalem, Ascension, Trinity, Transfiguration.

Twelve Feasts of the Theotokos 4 : Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Entry into the Temple, Annunciation, Assumption.

And one twelfth feast - the Presentation of the Lord - in church tradition is considered not only a feast in honor of Christ, but also the Mother of God, although due to the peculiarities of the service it gravitates more towards the twelfth feasts of the Theotokos.

The Lord's twelve feasts are higher than the Theotokos, and in the peculiarities of the service on these holidays, and this is manifested as follows: if the Lord's feasts fall on a Sunday, then only the festive service is sung, the Sunday service is canceled, and on the Theotokos feasts that happen on Sunday, the Sunday service takes precedence service. In addition, all the Lord's feasts have special holiday antiphons (initial chants of the Liturgy), which are sung at the Liturgy on the day of the holiday itself, while on the feasts of the Mother of God the usual Sunday antiphons are sung.

All twelve feasts, both the Lord's and the Theotokos, have special days: pre-feast, post-feast and giving of the holiday.

Forefeast- these are the days preparing the holiday, after-feast - continuation of the holiday and giving- it’s like the holiday itself again, a kind of final point in the celebration of the holiday.

Some of the Lord's holidays, in addition, are preceded and concluded by special Saturdays and weeks (Sundays).

The twelfth holidays each have one forefeast day, with the exception of the Nativity of Christ, which has 5 forefeast days, and Epiphany, which has 4 forefeast days.

The number of days of post-feast varies from 1 to 8 days, depending on the greater or lesser proximity of some holidays to others or to days of fasting. The last day of the post-feast is called the giving of the holiday and differs from the other days of the post-feast in the greater solemnity of the divine service, having in the service most of the chants and prayers of the holiday itself.

The structure of the holiday is the ancient perception of time as a living, pulsating entity, in which each event is gradually prepared, gradually decreases and, before disappearing, flares up once again as a bright point. And the more important the event, the larger the holiday, the more developed this structure is.

Musically, this festive structure manifests itself especially clearly and prominently.

During the pre-feast period, at services dedicated to the ordinary days of Menaion, chants of the coming great holiday begin to appear, increasing in number and culminating on the day of the holiday itself, when only these festive chants are sung. On the days of the post-feast, the content of the services again returns to the saints and the events of the Menaion, but also has festive chants, the number of which decreases, and on the day of the celebration they again predominate.

Temple choir

Among the special chants of the twelve holidays, it is worth noting the festive irmos of the canons, which, interspersed with the reading of the troparia of the canon, reveal the meaning and place of this holiday in Sacred History and human life. At the Liturgy, instead of the chant “It is worthy to eat,” a special Zadostoynik is sung (i.e., “for” (instead of) “It is worthy ...”), which, like “It is worthy to eat,” glorifies the Mother of God, but in the light of this holiday. The text of the saint is the irmos of the 9th song of the festive Canon.

In terms of their music, these chants are most often original compositions or adaptations of spiritual composers. In addition, each twelfth holiday has its own special stichera, troparia, kontakia and magnification, which, even if sung in the indicated voice, always have a festive version of the sound.

For all twelve holidays there are so-called

At a children's matinee in the church - the future choir

Temple choir

At the festive All-Night Vigil of all twelve feasts, litia is served (which means “intensified prayer”). At the litia, church-wide and local saints are remembered, and special petitions are made for deliverance from all sorts of disasters. At this time, a special litany is sung with repeated “Lord, have mercy.” Then there is a blessing of five loaves (in memory of the Gospel miracle of feeding 5,000 people with five loaves), as well as wheat, wine and oil (oil). This custom dates back to ancient times - it is the consecration of the “fruits of the earth,” during which people pray to God to send abundance, prosperity and peace. During the burning of the bread, the troparion of the holiday is solemnly sung three times.

In ancient times, when the All-Night Vigil lasted all night, the blessing of the loaves was performed to strengthen the strength of those praying at the fraternal meal at the end of Vespers before Matins. This custom continues to this day in some monasteries, for example, on Mount Athos. In our churches, crushed pieces of bread, poured with wine, are distributed to worshipers during anointing.

Litiya is celebrated not only on the twelve feasts, but also on the feasts of great saints and venerated icons of the Mother of God, as well as patronal feasts (feast of the temple). According to the church charter, lithium is celebrated on every Sunday, but in modern parish practice of the Russian Orthodox Church it is omitted.

TROPARIA OF THE TWELENTH HOLIDAYS

Your Nativity, Virgin Mary,
joy to proclaim to the whole universe:
from You has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
and, having broken the oath, I will give a blessing,
and having abolished death, he gave us eternal life.

Holy Mother of God! You were born, and all people rejoiced, because Christ, our God, our light, was born from You. He lifted the curse from the people and gave a blessing; He abolished the torment of death in hell and gave us eternal life in heaven.

Save, Lord, Your people,
And bless Your heritage,
Granting victories to the opposition,
And preserving Your residence by Your Cross.

On the day of God's favor the transfiguration
and preaching the salvation of men;
in the temple of God the Virgin clearly appears,
and foretells Christ to everyone.

We too will cry out loudly:
Rejoice, the vision of the Creator is fulfilled.

Today the Virgin Mary came to God’s temple, and people learned that God’s mercy would soon appear, God would soon save people. We will praise the Mother of God like this, Rejoice, You give us the mercy of God.

Your Nativity, Christ our God,
the rise of the world and the light of reason:
in it for the stars who serve as stars learn
I bow to you to the Sun of Truth,
and lead you from the heights of the East.
Lord, glory to You.

Your Nativity, Christ our God, illuminated the world with truth, because then the wise men, who bowed to the stars, came with the star to You as to a real sun, and recognized You as a real sunrise. Lord, Glory to You.

In the Jordan I am baptized to You, Lord,
trinitarian worship appeared:
Your parents' voice bears witness to You,
naming your beloved Son,
and the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
Your statement is known in your words.

Appear, O Christ God,
and the world of enlightenment, glory to You.

When You, Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, people recognized the Holy Trinity, because the voice of God the Father called You the beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words. You, Lord, came to earth and gave people light, glory to You.

Rejoice, blessed Virgin Mary,
from You has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God,
enlighten those who are in darkness;
rejoice and you, righteous elder,
received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls,
giving us resurrection.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, who has received the mercy of God, for from You was born Christ our God, our sun of truth, who illuminated us dark people. And you, righteous elder, rejoice, because you carried in your arms the Savior of our souls.

The day of our salvation is important,

and the appearance of the sacrament from the ages:
The Son of God is the Son of the Virgin,
and Gabriel preaches grace.

In the same way we cry out to the Mother of God:
rejoice, full of grace,
The Lord is with you.

Today is the beginning of our salvation, today is the revelation of the eternal mystery: the Son of God became the Son of the Virgin Mary, and Gabriel speaks of this joy. And we will sing to the Mother of God; Rejoice, merciful one, the Lord is with you.

ENTRY OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM (Sunday before Easter)

General resurrection

first assuring Your passion,
You raised Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God.

In the same way we, like youths, bear the sign of victory,
To you, the Conqueror of death, we cry:
hosanna in the highest,
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

You, Christ God, before your suffering, raised Lazarus from the dead, so that everyone would believe in their resurrection. Therefore, we, knowing that we will rise again, sing to You, as the children sang before: Hosanna in the highest, glory to You, who came for the glory of God.

ASCENSION OF THE LORD (40th day after Easter, Thursday)

Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God,
joy created by the student,
the promise of the Holy Spirit,
the former blessing notified to them:
for You are the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

You, Christ God, rejoiced your disciples when you ascended into heaven and promised to send them the Holy Spirit, You blessed them, and they truly learned that You are the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

DAY OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
PENTECOST (50th day after Easter)

Blessed are you, Christ our God,
likewise wise fishers of phenomena,
sending down the Holy Spirit upon them,
and with them catch the universe,
Lover of humanity, glory to Thee.

You, Christ God, made simple fishermen wise when you sent them the Holy Spirit. The apostles taught the whole world. Glory to You for such love for people.

You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God,
showing Your glory to Your disciples,
like mozhahu; may it shine upon us sinners too
Your ever-present light,
prayers of the Mother of God,
Light giver, glory to You.

You, Christ God, were transfigured on the mountain and showed the apostles Your Godly glory. Through the prayers of the Mother of God, show Your eternal light to us sinners. Glory to You.

You preserved your virginity at Christmas,
in the Dormition you did not forsake the world, O Mother of God,
Thou art reposed to the belly, Mother of the essence of the Belly,
and through Your prayers You deliver our souls from death.

You, Mother of God, gave birth to Christ as a virgin and did not forget people after death. You began to live again, because You are the Mother of Life itself; You pray for us and save us from death

Troparion of the Great Non-Twelfth Feasts

(troparion - a short chant dedicated to a holiday or saint)

Troparion to the Circumcision of the Lord, tone 1

On the throne of fire /
sit in the Highest with the Father Without Beginning and Thy Divine Spirit. deigned this one to be born on earth, from the Unskilled Youth, Your Mother, O Jesus, /
For this reason you were circumcised, like a man of every day. /
Glory to Your all-good advice, /
glory to Thy looking, /
glory to Thy condescension, O One Lover of Mankind.

Troparion to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today people are blessed /
let's celebrate brightly, /
overshadowed by Your coming, O Mother of God, /
and looking to Your most pure image, we say touchingly: /
cover us with Your honest Cover/
and deliver us from all evil, /
praying to Thy Son, Christ our God, /
save our souls.

Troparion to John the Baptist (Nativity), tone 4:

Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, /
It is worthy to praise you, we are perplexed, honoring you with love: /
the barrenness of the one who gave birth and the silence of the father was resolved /
Have a nice and honest Christmas, /
and the incarnation of the Son of God into the world is preached.

Troparion to John the Baptist (Beheading), tone 2:

The memory of the righteous with praise, /
The testimony of the Lord, Forerunner, suffices you: /
showed that you are truly and most honest of the prophets, /
for even in the streams of baptism you were worthy of the Preached One. /
Having also suffered for the truth, rejoicing, /
You preached the good news to those in hell of God made manifest in the flesh, /
take away the sin of the world /
and who gives us great mercy.

Forefeast, tone 4

From the root of Jesse and from the loins of David, the Virgin Mary is born to us today: for with joy everyone rejoices and is renewed. Rejoice greatly, heaven and earth, praise the homeland of languages. Joachim rejoices and Anna triumphs, calling: the Mother of God gives birth to barrens, and the Nourisher of our Life.

To the holiday, voice 4

Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, is a joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life.

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor your holy parents, and glorify Your Nativity with all glory.

Kontakion, tone 4

Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, O Most Pure One, in Thy holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate, freed from the guilt of sins, never to call Thee: the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life bears barren fruits.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Forefeast, tone 4

The life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which You have given to us unworthy, Lord, we offer to You in prayer, save the people and your praying city, the Mother of God, the One Lover of Mankind.

To the holiday, voice 1

Save, Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, victories to the Orthodox
a Christian to the resistance, bestowing and preserving Your residence through Your Cross.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, through which You saved us from the work of the enemy.

Kontakion, tone 4

Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant Thy bounty to Thy new residence of the same name, O Christ God, making us glad with Thy power, giving us victories as counterparts, aid to those who have Thy weapon of peace, invincible victory.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple

Forefeast, tone 4

Anna now betroths joy to everyone, the opposite fruit of the vegetated sorrow, the only Ever-Virgin, and brings, fulfilling prayers, now rejoicing, to the temple of the Lord, as the real temple of God the Word and the Pure Mother.

To the holiday, voice 4

On the day of God's favor, the transfiguration, and the preaching of salvation to men, the Virgin clearly appears in the temple of God, and announces Christ to everyone. To that we too will cry out loudly: Rejoice in seeing the Creator’s fulfillment.

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, /God's chosen Youth, and we honor Your entry into the Temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 4

The Most Pure Temple of the Savior, the valuable Chamber and the Virgin, the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, bringing grace, even in the Divine Spirit, even as the Angels of God sing: This is the village of heaven.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Nativity of Christ

Forefeast, tone 4

Get ready, Bethlehem, open to everyone, Eden, show off, Euphratho, like the tree of the belly in the den of prosperity from the Virgin: paradise for Her mental womb appeared, in which is the Divine Garden, from what is poisonous, we will live, not like Adam we will die. Christ is born before the fallen to restore the image.

Sometimes written with the elder Joseph, as from the seed of David, in Bethlehem, Miriam, bearing the seedless Birth. It was Christmas time, and the place was not a single dwelling, but, like a red chamber, a den appeared to the Queen. Christ is born before he fell
resurrect the image.

To the holiday, voice 4

Thy Nativity, Christ our God, arises the world's light of reason: in it, for serving the stars, learning from the stars, I bow to Thee, the Sun of righteousness, and I lead Thee from the heights of the East: Lord, glory to Thee.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now born in the flesh from the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.

Kontakion, tone 3

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Essential, and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable, Angels and shepherds praise, and wolves travel with the star: for for our sake the youth was born young, the Eternal God.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Baptism of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4

Get ready, Zebulun, and show off, Naphtali, River of Jordan, stand, rise, leap, be baptized by the coming Master. Rejoice, Adam with the primordial matter, do not cover yourself, as you did in paradise before, for, having seen you naked, appearing, let him put on the first garment: Christ has appeared, although he will renew all creation.

Forefeast (Evening Eve), tone 4

Sometimes the Jordan River returned by the mercy of Elissa, Elijah ascended, and the waters parted here and there, and the path was dry for him, even if it was wet, in the image of truly Baptism, by which we pass through the procession of our current life: Christ appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.

To the holiday, voice 1

In the Jordan I am baptized to Thee, O Lord, the Trinitarian adoration appeared, for the voice of the Parents testified to Thee, naming Thy beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove, telling the affirmation of Thy words. Christ our God appears, and the world is enlightened, glory to You.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now in the flesh Baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan.

Kontakion, tone 4

Thou hast appeared this day to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has appeared upon us, in the minds of those who sing Thee: Thou hast come, and Thou hast appeared, an unapproachable light.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Presentation of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 1

The heavenly face of the Heavenly Angel, descending to the earth, having come to see like a Child, is carried to the temple. The first-born of all creation from Mater, the Unskilled One, sings the pre-feast song with us, rejoicing.

To the holiday, voice 1

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlighten those in darkness. Rejoice also, O righteous elder, received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Most Pure Mother, Who, according to the law, has now been brought into the temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 1

You sanctified the womb of the Maiden with Your birth, and blessed the hand of Simeon, as befitting, having preceded it, and now you have saved us, O Christ God, but die in battle, the only one who loves mankind.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4

On this day of universal joy, the first fruits of the pre-feast command to be sung: behold, Gabriel comes, bringing good news to the Virgin, and cries out to Her: Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.

To the holiday, voice 4

The day of our salvation is the main thing, and since the beginning of time the mystery has been revealed, the Son of God, the Son of the Virgin, is born, and Gabriel preaches the good news, and we also cry out to the Mother of God with him: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Greatness

The Archangel's voice cries out to You, Pure One: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You.

Kontakion, tone 8

To the chosen victorious governor, as having been delivered from the evil, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Troparion and Kontakion for the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, tone 1

General resurrection before Your Passion assuring from the dead
You raised up Lazarus, O Christ God. So do we, as
The youths of victory bearing signs, We cry to You, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, Hosanna in the highest, and we cry out to You, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Troparion, tone 4

Having been buried in You through baptism, O Christ our God, immortal life is made like Your resurrection, and we sing in praise: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 6

On the throne in heaven, borne on earth as foals, O Christ God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the children’s singing of those calling Thee: blessed art thou, who cometh to call Adam.

Ascension of the Lord, tone 4

Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciple by the promise of the Holy Spirit, informed by the former blessing, for Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor You in heaven, with Your Most Pure
flesh, Divine Ascension.

Kontakion, tone 6

Having fulfilled your concern for us, and having united us on earth with the heavenly, you ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departing, but remaining persistent, and crying out to those who love You: I am with you and no one is against you.

Troparion and Kontakion On the Sunday of Pentecost (Holy Trinity Day), tone 8

Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, Who art wise as fishers of things, having sent down unto them the Holy Spirit, and with them caught the universe, Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Greatness

We magnify Thee, O Life-Giving Christ, and honor Thy All-Holy Spirit, whom Thou didst send from the Father as Thy divine disciple.

Kontakion, tone 8

When the tongues of fire descended, dividing the tongues of the Most High, and when the fiery tongues were distributed, the whole calling was united; and accordingly we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Transfiguration of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4

The Transfiguration of Christ is foreshadowed, the light and triumphant pre-feast day is faithful, and we cry out: the day of Divine joy has come: the Lord ascends to Mount Tabor, to envelop the beauty of His Divinity.

To the holiday, tone 7

Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto a man: may Thy ever-present light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Light-Giver, glory to Thee.

Greatness

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your most pure flesh, the glorious Transfiguration.

Kontakion, tone 7

You were transfigured on the mountain, and as if You were the recipient of Your disciples, O Christ God, you saw: so that when they see You crucified, they will understand free suffering, and the world will preach that You are truly the Father’s radiance.

Troparion and Kontakion to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4

People, lead the way, splash your hands faithfully, and gather together in love, today rejoicing and brightly exclaiming with all joy: For the Mother of God has to pass gloriously from earthly to the Highest, even with songs we glorify the Mother of God.

To the holiday, voice 1

At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your dormition you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God: you reposed yourself to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers you delivered our souls from death.

Greatness

We magnify Thee, Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and glorify Thy Dormition all-gloriously.

Kontakion, tone 2

In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God, and in intercessions, the immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, repose to the life, into the womb of the Ever-Virgin One.

In the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians, the twelve holidays have special significance. The entire believing people and the Orthodox Church experience greatness, all their fullness, both in the liturgical life of the Church and in the everyday life of every Christian believer. This is fully reflected in the spiritual life of Christians - it is part of the cell prayer rule.

The troparia of the twelve feasts are included in morning and evening prayers. Very often, prayers before meals are replaced by troparia. holidays are read as part of the Rules for Holy Communion. The twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle are considered to be the twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle - the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple, the Nativity of Christ, Baptism, the Presentation of the Lord, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the Ascension, Trinity, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. . These holidays are accompanied at solemn services by the performance Troparions of the Twelve Feasts, distinguished by their special triumph and lyricism.

The meaning of the troparia of the twelve feasts

The great twelve holidays are second in importance only to the Bright Resurrection of Christ. All twelve holidays are divided by the Orthodox Church into great, medium and small and have symbolic meaning. The services of the great holidays are filled with chants that reflect the heights of theology, the holy experience of the saints of God, and teach true prayer that brings Christian believers closer to God.

The hymns of the troparia of the twelve feasts are a conversation with the Lord and all the saints revered by the Holy Church. If the prayer is sincere and said from the heart, then all the prayer requests of believers will be heard and fulfilled.

The troparia and kontakia of the twelve feasts give every believer the opportunity to enjoy communion with the Lord, to join in the experience of prayer, which has raised many holy saints in the Church of Christ.

Texts of troparia and kontakia for the twelve feasts

Troparion to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4:

From the root of Jesse and from the loins of David, the Virgin Mary is born to us today: for with joy everyone rejoices and is renewed. Rejoice greatly, heaven and earth, praise the homeland of languages. Joachim rejoices and Anna triumphs, calling: the Mother of God gives birth to barrens, and the Nourisher of our Life.

To the holiday, voice 4:

Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God, is a joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor your holy parents, and glorify Your Nativity with all glory.

Kontakion, tone 4:

Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, O Most Pure One, in Thy holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate, having been freed from the guilt of sins, never to call Thee: the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life bears barren fruits.

Troparion to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Forefeast, tone 4:

The life-giving Cross of Thy goodness, which Thou hast bestowed upon us, We bring to Thee in prayer, save the people and Thy praying city, O Theotokos, the One Lover of Mankind.

To the holiday, voice 1:

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories to Orthodox Christians against resistance and preserving Thy life through Thy Cross.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Holy Cross, through which You saved us from the work of the enemy.

Kontakion, tone 4:

Having ascended to the Cross by will, grant Your bounty to Your new residence of the same name, O Christ our God, making us glad with Your power, giving us victories as counterparts, an aid to those who have Your weapon of peace, an invincible victory.

Troparion for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple

Forefeast, tone 4:

Anna now betroths joy to everyone, the opposite fruit of the vegetated sorrow, the only Ever-Virgin, and brings, fulfilling prayers, now rejoicing, to the temple of the Lord, as the real temple of God the Word and the Pure Mother.

To the holiday, voice 4:

On the day of God's favor, the transfiguration, and the preaching of salvation to men, the Virgin clearly appears in the temple of God, and announces Christ to everyone. To that we too will cry out loudly: Rejoice in seeing the Creator’s fulfillment.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, /God's chosen Youth, and we honor Your entry into the Temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 4:

The Most Pure Temple of the Savior, the valuable Chamber and the Virgin, the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, bringing grace, even in the Divine Spirit, and the Angels of God sing: This is the village of heaven.

Troparion to the Nativity of Christ

Forefeast, tone 4:

Get ready, Bethlehem, open to everyone, Eden, show off, Euphratho, like the tree of the belly in the den of prosperity from the Virgin: paradise for Her mental womb appeared, in which is the Divine Garden, from what is poisonous, we will live, not like Adam we will die. Christ is born before the fallen to restore the image.

Sometimes written with the elder Joseph, as from the seed of David, in Bethlehem, Miriam, bearing the seedless Birth. It was Christmas time, and the place was not a single dwelling, but, like a red chamber, a den appeared to the Queen. Christ is born before the fallen to resurrect the image.

To the holiday, voice 4:

Thy Nativity, Christ our God, arises the world's light of reason: in it, for serving the stars, learning from the stars, I bow to Thee, the Sun of righteousness, and I lead Thee from the heights of the East: Lord, glory to Thee.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now born in the flesh from the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary.

Kontakion, tone 3:

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Essential, and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable, Angels and shepherds praise, and wolves travel with the star: for for our sake the youth was born young, the Eternal God.

Troparion to the Baptism of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4:

Get ready, Zebulun, and show off, Naphtali, River of Jordan, stand, rise, leap, be baptized by the coming Master. Rejoice, Adam with the primordial matter, do not cover yourself, as you did in paradise before, for, having seen you naked, appearing, let him put on the first garment: Christ has appeared, although he will renew all creation.

Forefeast (Evening Eve), tone 4:

Sometimes the Jordan River returned by the mercy of Elisse, Elijah ascended, and the waters parted here and there, and the path was dry for him, even if it was wet, in the image of truly Baptism, by which we pass through the procession of our current life: Christ appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters.

To the holiday, voice 1:

In the Jordan I am baptized to Thee, O Lord, the Trinitarian adoration appeared, for the voice of the Parents testified to Thee, naming Thy beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove, telling the affirmation of Thy words. Christ our God appears, and the world is enlightened, glory to You.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, for our sake now in the flesh Baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan.

Kontakion, tone 4:

Thou hast appeared this day to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has appeared upon us, in the minds of those who sing Thee: Thou hast come, and Thou hast appeared, an unapproachable light.

TROPARION to the Presentation of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 1:

The heavenly face of the Heavenly Angel, descending to the earth, having come to see like a Child, is carried to the temple. The first-born of all creation from Mater, the Unskilled One, sings the pre-feast song with us, rejoicing.

To the holiday, voice 1:

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlighten those in darkness. Rejoice also, O righteous elder, received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your Most Pure Mother, Who, according to the law, has now been brought into the temple of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 1:

You sanctified the womb of the Maiden with Your birth, and blessed the hand of Simeon, as befitting, having preceded it, and now you have saved us, O Christ God, but die in battle, living in battle, the only Lover of Mankind.

Troparion to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4:

On this day of universal joy, the first fruits of the pre-feast command to be sung: behold, Gabriel comes, bringing good news to the Virgin, and cries out to Her: Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.

To the holiday, voice 4:

The day of our salvation is the main thing, and since the beginning of time the mystery has been revealed, the Son of God, the Son of the Virgin, is born, and Gabriel preaches the good news, and we also cry out to the Mother of God with him: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Magnification:

The Archangel's voice cries out to You, Pure One: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You.

Kontakion, tone 8:

To the chosen victorious governor, as having been delivered from the evil, let us write thanks to Thy servants, the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Troparion for the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, tone 1:

Before Thy passion, assuring the general resurrection, Thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead, O Christ God. Likewise, we, like the youths of victory bearing signs, cry out to You, the Conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, Hosanna in the highest, and we cry out to You, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Troparion, tone 4:

Having been buried in You through baptism, O Christ our God, immortal life is likened to Your resurrection, and we cry in song: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 6:

On the throne in heaven, borne on earth as foals, O Christ God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the children’s singing of those calling Ty: Blessed art Thou, who cometh to call Adam.

Troparion to the Ascension of the Lord, tone 4:

Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciple by the promise of the Holy Spirit, informed by the former blessing, for Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor You in heaven, with Your Most Pure flesh, the Divine Ascension.

Kontakion, tone 6:

Having fulfilled your concern for us, and having united us on earth with the heavenly, you ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departing, but remaining persistent, and crying out to those who love You: I am with you and no one is against you.

Troparion for the Sunday of Pentecost (Trinity Day), tone 8:

Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, Who art wise as fishers of things, having sent down unto them the Holy Spirit, and with them caught the universe, Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Magnification:

We magnify Thee, O Life-Giving Christ, and honor Thy All-Holy Spirit, whom Thou didst send from the Father as Thy divine disciple.

Kontakion, tone 8:

When the tongues of fire descended, dividing the tongues of the Most High, and when the fiery tongues were distributed, the whole calling was united; and accordingly we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

TROPARION to the Transfiguration of the Lord

Forefeast, tone 4:

The Transfiguration of Christ is foreshadowed, the light and triumphant pre-feast day is faithful, and we cry out: the day of Divine joy has come: the Lord ascends to Mount Tabor, to envelop the beauty of His Divinity.

To the holiday, tone 7:

Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto a man: may Thy ever-present light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Light-Giver, glory to Thee.

Magnification:

We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor Your most pure flesh, the glorious Transfiguration.

Kontakion, tone 7:

You were transfigured on the mountain, and as if You were the recipient of Your disciples, O Christ God, you saw: so that when they see You crucified, they will understand free suffering, and the world will preach that You are truly the Father’s radiance.

TROPARION to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Forefeast, tone 4:

People, lead the way, splash your hands faithfully, and gather together in love, today rejoicing and brightly exclaiming with all joy: For the Mother of God has to pass gloriously from earthly to the Highest, even with songs we glorify the Mother of God.

To the holiday, voice 1:

At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your dormition you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God: you reposed yourself to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers you delivered our souls from death.

Magnification:

We magnify Thee, Most Immaculate Mother of Christ our God, and glorify Thy Dormition all-gloriously.

Kontakion, voice 2:

In prayers, the never-sleeping Mother of God, and in intercessions, the immutable hope, the coffin and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, place it in the life,\ into the womb of the Ever-Virgin One.

In the liturgy of the Orthodox Church there are twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except for the holiday of Easter, which is specially highlighted), these include: the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (hereinafter in order from the beginning of the church year), the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of Christ, Baptism (Epiphany) of the Lord, Presentation of the Lord, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Ascension of the Lord, Trinity (Pentecost), Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The great supra-twelfth holidays include: the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Circumcision of the Lord, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the day of the holy chief apostles Peter and Paul, the beheading of John the Baptist.

Read also:

***

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - September 8/21

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Icon, 18th century

Troparion, tone 4

Thy Nativity of the Virgin Mother of God, joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from Thee has arisen the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, and having destroyed the oath, given blessing, and having abolished death, given us eternal life.

Kontakion, tone 4

Joachim and Anna were reproached by childlessness, and Adam and Eve were freed from mortal aphids, Most Pure One in Thy Holy Nativity. Then Thy people also celebrate, having been freed from the guilt of sins, always calling upon Thy: the Mother of God and the nourisher of our life gives birth to barren fruits.

Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross - September 14/27

Troparion voice 1st

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance, granting victories against resistance and preserving Thy Life through Thy Cross.

Kontakion, tone 4

Having ascended to the cross by will, grant to Your namesake new residence Your bounty, O Christ God; make us glad in Thy power, giving us victories as adversaries, aid to those who have Thy, weapons of peace, invincible victory.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple - November 21 / December 4

Troparion, tone 4

On the day of God's favor, the transfiguration and the preaching of human salvation, the Virgin clearly appears in the temple of God and announces Christ to everyone. To that we too will cry out loudly: Rejoice in seeing the Creator’s fulfillment.

Kontakion, tone 4

The most precious temple of the Savior, the valuable palace and the Virgin, the sacred treasure of the glory of God, is today introduced into the house of the Lord, co-leading with grace, even in the Divine Spirit, which the Angels of God sing; This is the Heavenly Village.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - March 25 / April 7

Troparion, tone 4

The day of our salvation is the greatest, and the sacraments have been revealed since the ages; The Son of God is the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel preaches grace. In the same way, we cry out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Kontakion, tone 8.

To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from the evil, let us write thanks to Thy servants to the Mother of God, but as having an invincible power, free us from all troubles, let us call Thee: Rejoice, Unmarried Bride.

Christmas - December 25 / January 7

Troparion, tone 4

Thy Nativity, Christ our God, rises up into the world's light of reason, in which the stars who serve as stars learn to bow to Thee, the Sun of truth, and lead thee from the heights of the East. Lord, glory to You!

Kontakion, tone 3

The Virgin today gives birth to the Most Essential, and the earth brings a den to the Impregnable; Angels and shepherds praise, while wolves travel with a star; For our sake, the Young Child, the Eternal God, was born.

Epiphany - January 6/19

Epiphany. Icon, early 17th century

Troparion, tone 1

In the Jordan I am baptized to Thee, O Lord, Trinitarian adoration appeared: For the voice of the parents testified to Thee, naming Thy beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, announced the affirmation of Thy words. Appear, O Christ God, and enlighten the world, glory to Thee.

Kontakion, tone 4

Thou hast appeared this day to the universe, and Thy light, O Lord, has appeared upon us, in the minds of those who sing Thee; You came and you appeared, the impregnable Light.

Presentation of the Lord - February 2/15

Troparion, tone 1

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, for from You has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God, enlighten those in darkness. Rejoice also, O righteous elder, received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who gives us resurrection.

Kontakion, tone 1

You sanctified the womb of the Maiden with Your birth, and blessed the hand of Simeon, as befitting, before you, and now you have saved us, O Christ our God; but die in battle, life alone, Lover of Mankind.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ - August 6/19

Troparion tone 7th

Thou art transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, showing Thy disciples Thy glory, as unto a man; May Your ever-present light shine upon us sinners too, through the prayers of the Mother of God, Light-Giver, glory to You.

Kontakion, tone 7

You were transfigured on the mountain, and as a host of Your disciples, You saw Your glory, O Christ God; Yes, when they see You crucified, they will understand that suffering is free, and the world will preach that You are truly the Father’s radiance.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15/28

Troparion, tone 1

At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your dormition you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God: you reposed yourself to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers you delivered our souls from death.

Kontakion, voice 2

In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God, and in intercessions, the immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, repose to the life, indwelling the Ever-Virgin Womb.

Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) - the last Sunday before Easter

Troparion Tone 4

Having been buried in You by baptism, O Christ our God, we have been made worthy of immortal life by Your resurrection, and we cry in song: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Kontakion, tone 6

On the throne in heaven, worn by the lot of the earth, O Christ God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the children’s chanting of those calling Thee: Blessed art Thou, who cometh to call Adam.

Ascension of the Lord - 40th day after Easter

Ascension of the Lord. Icon, mid-15th century

Troparion Tone 4

Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciple by the promise of the Holy Spirit, informed by the former blessing, for Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Kontakion, tone 6

Having fulfilled his concern for us, and having united us on earth with the heavenly, He ascended in glory, Christ our God, never departing, but remaining persistent, and crying out to those who love Thee: I am with you and no one is against you.

Pentecost (Trinity) - 50th day after Easter

Troparion tone 8

Blessed are you, Christ our God, who are all wise fishers of things, having sent down to them the Holy Spirit, and with them you caught the universe, Lover of mankind, glory to you.

Kontakion, tone 8

When the tongues of the Most High descended, dividing the tongues, and when the fiery ones were distributed, they all called into union; and with agreement we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

All Saints - first Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday of All Saints. Icon, 16th century

Troparion, tone 4

Even as Thy martyr throughout the whole world, Thy Church has been adorned with scarlet and fine linen, with the blood of Thy one, O Christ God; Send down Thy bounties upon Thy people, grant peace to Thy living and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion, tone 8

Like the firstfruits of food, the God-bearing martyrs offer to You, the Planter of creation; by those prayers in the deep world Thy Church, Thy life has been preserved by the Mother of God, Omni-merciful.