Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen - 27 December
🎶troparion🎶
Your head is crowned with a royal diadem,
because of the struggles you endured for Christ God, O first of the Martyrs to suffer;
for when you rebuked the fury1 of the Jews,
you saw your Savior at the Father's right hand.
Always pray to Him for our souls.
Second Day of the Nativity of our Lord - 26 December
🎶troparion🎶
Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
has shone to the world the Light of knowledge;
for by it, those who worshipped the stars
were taught by a star to adore You,
the Sun of Righteousness,
and to know You, the Dayspring from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!
Eve of the Nativity of our Lord - 24 December
🎶troparion🎶
Mary was of David’s seed,
so she went with Joseph to register in Bethlehem.
She bore in her womb the Fruit not sown by man.
The time for the birth was at hand.
Since there was no room at the inn,
the cave became a beautiful palace for the Queen.
Christ is born, raising up the image that fell of old.
10 Holy Martyrs of Crete - 23 December
🎶troparion🎶
Let us show forth our great praise of Crete
that brought forth these precious Christians: the pearls of Christ!
And these blessed ten, the offspring of martyrs,
who though few in number, overcame all the deceits of powerful demons.
Therefore these martyrs of Christ have been crowned with victory!
Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord - 23 December
🎶troparion🎶
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.
Christ is born to raise up again what fell in former times, His image.
Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Poisons, her teacher, Martyr Chrysogonos, and many with them - 22 December
🎶troparion🎶
As a Martyr you emulated the deeds of the Martyrs
to whom you ministered,
and, striving valiantly, you overcame the Enemy.
You are an abundant and overflowing source of grace
for all who come to you, O godly-minded Anastasía.
Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord - 22 December
🎶troparion🎶
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.
Christ is born to raise up again what fell in former times, His image.
Orthodox priest with a cat, Greece, 1954
https://piefed.social/c/historyphotos/p/1595569/orthodox-priest-with-a-cat-greece-1954
Honoured to have been invited to the Council on Foreign Relations webinar and speak about the #Russian Orthodox Church in global affairs with a fantastic panel of experts.
In 2025, the ROC elevated the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to a high-level political stake, now formally featuring in Ukraine peace talks.
daomah
kravietz 🦇
PugJesus
Andreja Bogdanovski