The concept of troparion and kontakion
Kontakion and troparion belong to the genres of church chant. The most famous author of kontakions was Roman the Sweet Singer, a Syrian by origin, venerable of St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople (VI century). Until the 8th century, poetic works served as the main form of preaching in musical form.
The poetic volume included from 20 to 30 stanzas, which had an introduction, chorus and conclusion. The main part of the musical verse was performed by the canonarch, the chorus by the laity present at the service.
Currently, the prayer consists of 2 stanzas, which reveal the essence of the celebration or appeal to the Heavenly Patron:
- Lord;
- Mother of God;
- to an angel;
- to the holy saint.
Kontakion is an integral part of the canon and akathist. In the canon it is sung after the 3rd and 6th songs. Kontakion is read separately at morning liturgy and Compline. It is read in multi-stanza form during the funeral service of a clergyman (priest, bishop).
The Akathist (hymn of praise) consists of 13 kontakia and 12 ikos. At the conclusion of each kontakion, “Hallelujah” is sung (which means “praise God”). The last (13th) kontakion is read three times, after which the first ikos is performed.
Troparion is a short and succinct chorus that reveals the essence of the biblical celebration or the peculiarity of the spiritual feat of the saint. The time of introduction into liturgical worship was the 4th century.
The Troparion serves as the basis for Orthodox chants:
- canon;
- Akathist;
- kontakion.
If the troparion is used in the first stanza of the canon, setting the melody and rhythm for subsequent chants (ikos), then it is called irmos.
The name “troparion” in church hymnography changes depending on the purpose of the poetic form.
Varieties of troparion:
- stichera (repetition of the lines of the psalm);
- kontakion (3rd, 6th in the canon);
- sedalen (separation between ikos);
- Theotokos (9th hymn in the canon or any troparion to the Theotokos);
- katavasiya (irmos, performed by 2 choirs).
A short prayer can be used in both rhymed and non-rhymed form. Troparions form the basis of the Menaion (the annual cycle of regular services) and are included in the Troparion collection for performance by church choirs.
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker changing fate in 40 days
“Chosen from birth, Wonderworker and true saint of Christ, you exude peace and your valuable mercy to all people, and an endless sea of miracles! I glorify you, Saint Nicholas: you, who have grace from God, deliver me from all troubles, so that I can sing to you in joy: Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
As if you lived on earth as an Angel, the Creator Lord showed in you many virtues and miracles, seeing the beauty of your soul bearing good fruits, O Saint Nicholas, let us all sing to you in joy and love:
Rejoice, purified while still in your mother’s womb; Rejoice, sanctified until the end of your life. Rejoice, you who made your parents happy with your birth and who healed your mother; Rejoice, you who showed the strength of the soul immediately after birth. Rejoice, garden of the promised land; Rejoice, flower planted by God. Rejoice, virtuous vine from the grapes of Christ; Rejoice, tree of heavenly abodes, bearing fruits of miracles. Rejoice, flower that blossomed from paradise; Rejoice, myrrh, fragrant with God’s grace. Rejoice, for you are driving away sobs; Rejoice, for you bring eternal joy. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, example to shepherds-priests and people; Rejoice, you who purify human morals with holiness. Rejoice, thou who embracest many virtues; Rejoice, you who have become a pure dwelling place for the holiness of God. Rejoice, bright lamp and beloved by all; Rejoice, light shining with gold, without blemish. Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of Angels; Rejoice, good mentor to people. Rejoice, model of faith and piety; Rejoice, example of true meekness. Rejoice, because with your help we are getting rid of suffering; Rejoice, because thanks to you we taste spiritual sweetness. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, deliverance of all people from sorrows; Rejoice, giver of grace. Rejoice, you who drive away sudden evil; Rejoice, you who send good wishes into the heart. Rejoice, good comforter in trouble; Rejoice, you who greatly punish unjust people. Rejoice, because through you God has given people an abyss of miracles; Rejoice, for you have fulfilled all the commandments of Christ with God’s help. Rejoice, you who restrain those who fall into sin; Rejoice, you who help those who stand in righteousness. Rejoice, because you make any deception obvious; Rejoice, for you fulfill all truth. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, source of healings; Rejoice, helper to those who suffer greatly. Rejoice, dawn, shining for those lost in the night of sin; Rejoice, dew from heaven during the heat for working people. Rejoice, you who give a good order of life to those who ask; Rejoice, you who give abundance to those who pray. Rejoice, you who have helped many times before being asked; Rejoice, you who give strength even to the elderly. Rejoice, you who reprove and bring back many who have strayed from the true path; Rejoice, faithful servant of God's great mysteries. Rejoice, because with your help we drive away envy; Rejoice, because with you we are correcting our lives for good. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, thou who deliverest from eternal poverty; Rejoice, giver of eternal wealth. Rejoice, you who give what they ask to those who desire righteousness; Rejoice, you who give drink from the fountain of life to those who thirst for truth. Rejoice, thou who removest from wars and rebellions; Rejoice, freer from captivity and imprisonment. Rejoice, glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, great defender during attacks. Rejoice, thou who has delivered many from destruction; Rejoice, for all the centuries you have saved thousands of people from harm. Rejoice, thanks to you, sinners who repent avoid terrible death; Rejoice, thanks to you those who repent receive eternal life. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, illuminated by the Light of the Holy Trinity; Rejoice, star shining with the light of Christ - the Sun of Truth. Rejoice, candle lit by God's flame; Rejoice, because you have extinguished the flame of the devil’s temptations. Rejoice, bright preacher of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, good radiance of the Gospel light. Rejoice, lightning that burns up heresies; Rejoice, thunder that terrifies the tempters. Rejoice, teacher of true reason; Rejoice, you who show the mysteries of God. Rejoice, for you free us from the worship of things; Rejoice, you teach us to worship only God in the Holy Trinity. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. Rejoice, reflection of all virtues; Rejoice, protector of all who come to you. Rejoice, our main hope after the Lord and Mother of God; Rejoice, health of our bodies and salvation of our souls. Rejoice, thanks to you we are getting rid of eternal death; Rejoice, thanks to you the Lord honors us with eternal life in paradise. Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker. O our holy and wonderful father Nicholas, who gives comfort to all who mourn, accept our prayer offering and beg the Lord to deliver us from hell at Your intercession, so that together with you we sing to Him: Hallelujah. Chosen from birth as a Wonderworker and a true saint of Christ, you exude peace and your valuable mercy to all people, and an endless sea of miracles! I glorify you, Saint Nicholas: you, who have grace from God, deliver me from all troubles, so that I can sing to you in joy: Rejoice, Saint Nicholas, great Wonderworker."
The meaning of the troparion and kontakion to St. Nicholas in Orthodoxy
Nicholas the Wonderworker has been praying for the suffering before God for 17 centuries. The life of a saint is an example of a merciful attitude towards people and meek piety. At the command of the Lord, he left his ministry in the temple of the city of Lycia and went to the city of Myra to glorify the name of God with good deeds.
Troparion and Kontakion are written evidence confirming the role of Nicholas the Pleasant in confirming the Savior’s covenants among people.
How and when to read correctly
There is no special ritual for praying to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. General rules for reading prayers should be followed. In the temple, a candle is lit in front of the icon and words addressed to the saint are spoken to oneself. At home, the icon of the saint is placed in the eastern corner or above the front door.
There should be no household items near the shelf. They pray in silence, when peace reigns in the soul, all thoughts are focused on saying the prayer. They read short prayers in the morning and evening, when there is no time to read the akathist. The clergy recommend reading prayers in Church Slavonic, “clean” of modern distortions, with emphasis observed.
Full text in Russian
In the Russian Orthodox Church, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is honored on the day of remembrance (December 19) and the transfer of relics (May 22), therefore, in the practice of divine services, two short prayer addresses with different contents are used.
Kontakion
In (the city of) Myra (Lycian), you, saint, appeared as the performer of sacred rites: having fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, you, venerable one, laid down your soul for your people and delivered the innocent from death. That is why he was sanctified as a great minister of the sacraments of God’s grace.
Your relics floated like a star from east to west, Saint Nicholas, the sea was sanctified by your procession, and the city of Bari received grace through you: for for our sake you appeared, a special miracle worker, most amazing and merciful.
Troparion
He who is the Truth of all things (i.e., Christ God) showed you to your flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness, and a teacher of self-control. And therefore, through humility you acquired greatness, through poverty - wealth: Father Hierarch Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
The day of bright celebration has come, the city of Bari rejoices, and with it the whole world sings with hymns and spiritual songs: for today is the sacred celebration of the transfer of the revered and multi-healing relics of the saint and wonderworker Nicholas, which, like the never-setting sun, shone with radiant rays, driving away the darkness of temptations and troubles from all those who call with faith: “Save us, as one who intercedes (before God) for us, great Nicholas!”
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
Akathist to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
Kontakion 1
Chosen Miracle-worker and a great servant of Christ, exuding to the whole world the valuable mercy of the ointment and the inexhaustible sea of miracles, I praise you with love, Saint Nicholas;
But you, because you have boldness in the Lord, free me from all troubles, and call: Rejoice, Nicholas, great Wonderworker.
Ikos 1
The Creator, in the form of an angel, an earthly being, reveals to you all creatures: having foreseen the fruitful kindness of your soul, the most blessed Nicholas, teach everyone to cry out to you:
Rejoice, purified from the womb of matter; Rejoice, even you who are completely sanctified.
Rejoice, you who surprised your parents with your birth; Rejoice, you who revealed spiritual strength at Christmas.
Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; Rejoice, flower of the Divine planting.
Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ’s grapes; Rejoice, miraculous tree of Jesus’ paradise.
Rejoice, thou land of heavenly vegetation; Rejoice, sweet-smelling ointment of Christ.
Rejoice, for you will drive away weeping; Rejoice, for you bring joy.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 2
Seeing your outpouring of peace, O God-Wise One, we are enlightened in our souls and bodies, your wondrous myrrh-bearer is life-giving, Nicholas, understanding: miracles for, like waters pouring out with the grace of God, you faithfully cry Those who pray to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Without understanding the mind about the Holy Trinity, you were in Nicaea with the holy fathers, a champion of the confession of the Orthodox faith: you were equal to the Father with the Son, co-existent and co-throne But Aria denounced the madman. Therefore, for the sake of faith, I have learned to sing to you:
Rejoice, great pillar of piety; Rejoice, refuge of the faithful in the city.
Rejoice, firm strengthening of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, the honorable One of the Most Holy Trinity was also praised.
Rejoice, you who preached the Son is of equal honor to the Father; Rejoice, you drove away Aria, who was enraged from the Council of Saints.
Rejoice, father, glorious beauty of the fathers; Rejoice, wise kindness to all the God-wise.
Rejoice, you who emanate fiery words; Rejoice, teach your flock well.
Rejoice, for through you faith is confirmed; Rejoice, for through you heresy is being overthrown.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 3
By the power given to you from above, you took away every tear from the face of the fiercely afflicted, God-bearing Father Nicholas: for you appeared to the hungry as a feeder, in the abyss of the seas, a powerful ruler for those who exist , healing to the sick and every helper appeared to everyone, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Truly, Father Nicholas, a song will be sung to you from Heaven, and not from earth: how can anyone from man preach your holy greatness? But we, overcome by your love, cry out to you:
Rejoice, image of lambs and shepherds; Rejoice, holy purifier of morals.
Rejoice, repository of great virtues; Rejoice, holy and pure dwelling.
Rejoice, all-bright and all-loving lamp; Rejoice, golden and immaculate light.
Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of the Angels; Rejoice, good teacher of people.
Rejoice, rule of pious faith; Rejoice, image of spiritual meekness.
Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions; Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual sweets.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 4
A storm of bewilderment confuses my mind, how is it worthy to sing your miracles, blessed Nicholas? No one can destroy me, even if I had many languages and wanted to speak; but we, marveling at God who is glorified in you, dare to sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing, God-wise Nicholas, the greatness of your miracles near and far, as if through the air with light grace-filled wings you have learned to anticipate those in troubles, soon delivering from them all who cry to you like this:
Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow; Rejoice, gift of grace.
Rejoice, banisher of endless evils; Rejoice, wishing good things to the planter.
Rejoice, quick comforter to those in trouble; Rejoice, terrible punisher of those who offend.
Rejoice, miracle abyss, poured out by God; Rejoice, the tablet of the law of Christ, written by God.
Rejoice, strong erection of those who fall; Rejoice, you who are rightly affirmed.
Rejoice, for by you all flattery is laid bare; Rejoice, for through you all truth comes true.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star appeared to you, instructing those floating on the sea, whose death was soon approaching sometimes, if only you had not appeared to those calling you for help, Miracle-worker Saint Nicholas; You are already unashamed of the flying demons and forbade those who want to load ships, you drove them away, but you taught the faithful to cry out to God who saves you: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the maidens, for the sake of a nasty marriage of poverty for the sake of what was prepared, your great mercy for the poor, blessed Father Nicholas, when you gave the bundles of three hidden gold to the elder parent of their night You, together with your daughters, deliver the sinful from the fall. For this sake, hear from everyone:
Rejoice, great treasure of mercy; Rejoice, friend, providence for people.
Rejoice, food and joy for those who come running to you; Rejoice, uneaten bread of the hungry.
Rejoice, wealth given to the poor living on earth, given by God; Rejoice, speedy rise of the poor.
Rejoice, quick hearing of the poor; Rejoice, pleasant care for those who mourn.
Rejoice, three virgins, undefiled by the bride; Rejoice, zealous guardian of purity.
Rejoice, unreliable hope; Rejoice, joy of the whole world.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 6
He preaches all peace to you, blessed Nicholas, who is a quick intercessor in troubles: how many times in one hour, to those traveling on earth and sailing on the sea, you have preceded, helped, and saved everyone from the evil ones. I, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou shalt shine as the living light, bringing deliverance to the warlords, to accept unrighteous death for those who have it, to you, good shepherd Nicholas, who call, when soon after appearing in a dream of the king, you frightened him, but these are innocent You commanded to release the money. For this reason we are united with them and we cry out to you in gratitude:
Rejoice, you who diligently call upon you to help; Rejoice, deliverer from unrighteous murder.
Rejoice, keep away from flattering slander; Rejoice, destroyer of unrighteous councils.
Rejoice, tear apart lies like a spider; Rejoice, gloriously exalting the truth.
Rejoice, release of the innocent from their bonds; Rejoice, and revive the dead.
Rejoice, demonstrater of truth; Rejoice, darker of untruth.
Rejoice, for through your disobedience you were delivered from the sword; Rejoice, for I have enjoyed the light through you.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 7
Although you drove away the blasphemous heretical stench, you truly appeared a fragrant, mystical ointment, Nicholas: you saved the people of Mireya and filled the whole world with your blessed peace. And take away from us the godless, sinful stench, so that we may cry out pleasingly to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
We mean the new Noah, the mentor of the ark of salvation, Holy Father Nicholas, who disperses the storm of all fierce ones with his direction, but brings Divine silence to those who cry out like this:
Rejoice, a quiet refuge for those who are overwhelmed; Rejoice, those who are drowning the famous repository.
Rejoice, good pilot of those floating in the middle of the depths; Rejoice, calmer of the troubles of the sea.
Rejoice, thou who leadest them into whirlwinds; Rejoice, warming of those who are in the abominations.
Rejoice, radiance that disperses the sorrowful darkness; Rejoice, luminary, illuminating all the ends of the earth.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest sinful men from the abyss; Rejoice, thou castest Satan into the abyss of hell.
Rejoice, for by you we boldly invoke the abyss of God’s mercy; Rejoice, for through you we have been delivered from the flood of wrath and have found peace with God.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 8
A strange miracle appears flowing to you, Blessed Nicholas, your holy church: in it we offer even small prayers, we receive healing from great illnesses, and even according to God, there is hope in you. We lie, truly crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are truly a helper to everyone, God-bearing Nicholas, and you have gathered together all those who come running to you, as a liberator, a nourisher and a quick doctor to all earthly, to the praise of all, striving to cry out to you:
Rejoice, source of all healings; Rejoice, dear helper to the suffering.
Rejoice, dawn, shining in the night of sinners who wander; Rejoice, non-flowing dew in the heat of the labors of beings.
Rejoice, give prosperity to those who need it; Rejoice, prepare abundance for those who ask.
Rejoice, preface the petition many times; Rejoice, renew the strength of old gray hairs.
Rejoice, many who have gone astray from the path of the true accuser; Rejoice, faithful servant of the mysteries of God.
Rejoice, for through you we trample on envy; Rejoice, for through you we correct a good life.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 9
Alleviating all illnesses, our great intercessor Nicholas, dissolving grace-filled healing, delighting our souls, and gladdening the hearts of all who diligently flock to your help, crying out to God: Alleluia .
Ikos 9
We see the vanity of the wicked being put to shame by you, God-wise Father Nicholas: Aria for the blasphemer, dividing the Divinity, and Sabellia, confusing the Holy Trinity, O Lord, strengthen us in Orthodoxy You are. For this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice, shield, defend piety; Rejoice, sword, slayer of evil.
Rejoice, teacher of Divine commandments; Rejoice, destroyer of ungodly teachings.
Rejoice, ladder established by God, from which we ascend to Heaven; Rejoice, protection created by God, with which many are covered.
Rejoice, thou who hast made the foolish with wisdom through thy words; Rejoice, having inspired the laziness with your morals.
Rejoice, unquenchable brightness of God’s commandments; Rejoice, bright ray of the Lord’s justifications.
Rejoice, for through your teaching the heretical heads are crushed; Rejoice, for through you the faithful have been granted glory.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 10
Although you may save your soul, you have subdued your flesh to the spirit, truly, our Father Nicholas: for be silent first and fight with thoughts, you have applied the thought of God to action, but the mind has been perfected by the thought of God You have gained this, in which you boldly talked with God and the Angels, always crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are a wall to those who praise, most blessed, your miracles and to all who resort to your intercession; Likewise, we, in the virtue of the poor, from poverty, misfortune, illnesses and needs of various freedoms, crying out to you with love like this:
Rejoice, take away from eternal misery; Rejoice, giver of imperishable wealth.
Rejoice, thou who art indestructible to those who hunger for righteousness; Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those thirsty for life.
Rejoice, keep from rebellion and warfare; Rejoice, freest from bonds and captivity.
Rejoice, glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, great protector in adversity.
Rejoice, thou who has snatched away many from destruction; Rejoice, you who preserved countless people unharmed.
Rejoice, for through you sinners escape cruel death; Rejoice, for through you those who repent receive eternal life.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 11
You brought the singing of the Most Holy Trinity to the Most Holy Trinity, more than others, most blessed Nicholas, in mind, word and deed: for many, through the experience of the orthodox commandment, you understood, by faith, hope and love Oviya instructing us in the Trinity to sing to the One God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
We see you as a shining ray in the darkness of life, unquenchable, chosen by God, Father Nicholas: with immaterial angelic lights you talk about the uncreated Trinity Light, enlightening the souls of the faithful Yeshi, those who cry out to you are like this:
Rejoice, illumination of the Trisolar Light; Rejoice, O Lucifer of the never-setting Sun.
Rejoice, O luminary, kindled by the Divine flame; Rejoice, for you have quenched the demonic flame of wickedness.
Rejoice, bright preaching of orthodoxy; Rejoice, bright light of the Gospel.
Rejoice, lightning that burns heresies; Rejoice, O thunderer, who frightens those who seduce.
Rejoice, true teacher of reason; Rejoice, mystical exponent of the mind.
Rejoice, for through you I have trampled upon the worship of creation; Rejoice, for through you we have learned to worship the Creator in the Trinity.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 12
The grace given to you from God, knowing, rejoicing, we celebrate your memory according to duty, glorious Father Nicholas, and we flow with all our souls to your wonderful intercession; But your glorious deeds, like the sand of the sea and the multitude of the stars, cannot be exhausted, but we cannot be overwhelmed by bewilderment, we cry to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your miracles, we praise you, O all-praised Nicholas: for in you is God, glorified in the Trinity, wondrously glorified. But even more and more, we bring you psalms and songs composed from the soul, O miracle-working saint, we do nothing equal to the granting of your miracles, and in wonder, we cry out to you like this:
Rejoice, King of kings and Lord of lords to the servant; Rejoice, cohabitant of His heavenly servants.
Rejoice, there is help for faithful people; Rejoice, rise of the Christian race.
Rejoice, victory of the same name; Rejoice, proud crowned one.
Rejoice, mirror of all virtues; Rejoice, the mighty took away all those who came to you.
Rejoice, according to God and the Mother of God, all our hope; Rejoice, health to our bodies and salvation to our souls.
Rejoice, for through you we are freed from eternal death; Rejoice, for through you we are worthy of endless life.
Rejoice, Nicholas, great miracle worker.
Kontakion 13
O most holy and wonderful Father Nicholas, consolation of all who mourn, accept our present offering and beg the Lord to deliver us from Gehenna through your pleasing intercession to God, so that we may sing with you: Alleluia .
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Angel in the image...” and the 1st kontakion “Chosen Wonderworker and a great servant...”
First prayer
O All-Holy Nicholas, the most wonderful servant of the Lord, our warm intercessor and everywhere in times of trouble a quick helper! Help me, the sinful and sad one, in this present life, beg the Lord God to grant me forgiveness of all my sins, as much as I have sinned from my youth, in all my life, in deed, in word, in thought. my mind and all my feelings; and at the exodus of my soul, help me, the accursed one, beg the Lord God of all creation, Creator, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment: that I may always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit ha, and your merciful intercession, now and ever, and unto ages of ages . Amen.
Second prayer
O all-merciful Father Nicholas, shepherd and teacher of all who flow with faith to your intercession and call upon you with warm prayer! Strive quickly and deliver Christ’s flock from the wolves that are destroying it; and protect every Christian country and save it with your holy prayers from worldly rebellion, cowardice, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from famine, flood, fire, sword and sudden death . And just as you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and you delivered them from the king’s wrath and the beating of the sword, so have mercy on me, in mind, word and deed, in the darkness of sins. now, and deliver me from the wrath of God and eternal punishment. For through your intercession and help, and through His mercy and grace, Christ God will give me a quiet and sinless life in this world, and will deliver me from this foolish state, and will give me the gift of all saints forever and ever. Amen.
Troparion, tone 4
The rule of faith and the image of meekness and self-control of the teacher will be revealed to your flock, even the things of Truth. For this reason, you have acquired high humility, rich in poverty. Father Superior Nicholas, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 3
In Mireh, the holy one, the priest appeared to you: O Lord of Christ, having fulfilled the Gospel, you laid down your soul for your people and saved the innocent from death: this day You have been sanctified, as the great hidden place of God’s grace.
Troparion for the Nativity of St. Nicholas, tone 4
Your wonderful and glorious Nativity, to Saint Nicholas, the Orthodox Church today brightly celebrates, for by standing on your feet the Lord will reveal you and proclaim you to be a lamp and teacher of the laity, enriching the whole world revealing and enlightening miracles. Therefore we cry out to you: pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion for the Nativity of St. Nicholas, tone 2
In Mireh, Saint Nicholas was born from a noble root, like a fruitful branch of the forest, having been filled with Divine gifts, like the sun at dawn, you enlightened the whole world with miracles. For this reason, we glorify you, as a disciple and hidden person of God’s grace.
Greatness
We magnify you, Holy Hierarch Father Nicholas, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us, Christ our God.
