St. Basil the Great 

January 1st

Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order  the character of people.  Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy.

The Circumcision in the Flesh of our Lord

January 1st

O most compassionate Lord, God in Essence, You unalterably clothed Yourself with human form. Fulfilling the Law, You willingly accepted circumcision of the flesh  that you might dispel  the obscure and uncover the mask of our passions. Glory to Your goodness; glory to Your compassion; glory O Logos, to Your condescension which is beyond expression.

The Epiphany of our Lord and Savior

January 6th

Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed.  For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened  the world.

Synaxis of the Prophet & Forerunner John the Baptist

January 7th

The Just are celebrated with praises but for you O Forerunner, witnessing the Lord was adequate. Truly, you were proven to be more honorable  than the prophets, for you were deemed worthy to baptize in the river, Him who you proclaimed. Wherefore, having mightily contended for truth, you joyously brought to those in Hades the glad tidings of God who appeared in the flesh, and who takes away the sins of the world and grants us great mercy.

St. Anthony the Great

January 17th

O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed thee universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. 

St. Athanasius and Cyril Patriarchs of Alexandria

January 18th

You became radiant by your Orthodox deeds, quelling all heresy and becoming conquering champions. Your piety enriched all, and the Church became greatly beautified. You have worthily found Christ our God who by your prayers, grants all great mercy.

St. Gregory the Theologian

January 25th

The pastoral flute of your theology conquered the trumpets of orators. For it called upon the depths of the Spirit and you were enriched with the beauty of words. Intercede to Christ our God, O Father Gregory, that our souls may be saved.

The Three Hierarchs - Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom

January 30th

The three great luminaries of the One Divinity, portrayed as three suns, set the universe aflame with their rays of divine teaching. They are rivers of wisdom, flowing like honey, streams of divine knowledge whose waters nourish the Universe.  They are Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and the renowned John from whose tongue words flowed like gold. Let us all who are devoted to their teachings join together in hymns and honor them, for they shall ever intercede for us before the Holy Trinity.

The Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

February 2nd

Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned  from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in Your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us resurrection.

St. Photios the Great Patriarch of Constantinople

February 6th

As a teacher to the world, being one with the Apostles, intercede with the Lord of all, O Photios, that He may grant the world peace, and to our souls His great mercy.

St. Haralambos the Priest-Martyr

February 10th

O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an everlasting lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry O blessed One. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be saved.

The Holy Forty Martyrs

March 9th

Be entreated, O Lord, by the sufferings endured for You by the Saints, we pray You, heal all our pain.

The Annunciation of the Theotokos

March 25th

Today marks the crowning of our salvation  and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace.  Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you."

Saturday of Lazarus

O Christ our God, before Your passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all. Therefore, we carry the symbols of victory as did the youths, and we cry out to You, the victor over death, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

St. George the Great Martyr

April 23rd

(Sometimes celebrated on Monday of Bright week)

As liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the ailing, and champion of Kings, beseech Christ our God, O great martyr George, Standard Bearer, for the salvation of our souls.

St. John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist

May 8th

Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.

Mid-Pentecost

Mid-way in the feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the flowing waters of piety. For You cried out to all, O Savior, "Let him who thirsts come to me and drink." You, O Christ our God, are the Fountain of Life, glory to You.

Ascension of the Lord

O Christ our God, You ascended in Glory and gladdened Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.  Your blessing assured them that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Saturday of the Souls

Only Creator who out of the depths of wisdom lovingly govern all things and upon all bestow what is accordingly  best for them, give rest to the souls of Your servants, for they have placed their hope in You, our Author  and Maker and God.

Pentecost

Blessed are You,  O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.

SS. Constantine and Helen

May 21st

He beheld the image of Your Cross in the Heavens and, as Paul, he too did not receive the call from men. Your Apostle among Kings placed the care of the Royal City in Your hands. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Loving Lord, keep it ever in peace.

St. Bartholomew and Barnabas the Apostles

June 11th

O wise Bartholomew, you followed Christ and prominently served as His Apostles and wise servant. Wherefore, by planting the principles of piety, you conformed to the passion of the Lord. We pray you, intercede to Him for our souls.

The Nativity of the Forefunner

June 24th

O Prophet and Forerunner of the presence of Christ, we who fervently honor you cannot worthily  praise you. For by your revered and glorious birth  the barrenness of your mother and the muteness of your father were unbound, and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world. 

SS. Peter and Paul the Apostles

June 29th

First in prominence among Apostles, and teachers to the Universe, intercede to the Master of all for peace in the world and for our souls great mercy.

Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

June 30th

O Holy Apostles, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls, forgiveness of sins.

St. Ephemia

July 11th

O Ephemia beauteous virgin of Christ, you brought great joy to the Orthodox and shame to the heretics, for you confirmed all that the Fathers of the Fourth Council had well decreed. O glorious martyr, beseech Christ God to grant us great mercy.

St. Marina

July 17th

O Glorious Marina, once betrothed to the Logos, you relinquished  all worldly  concerns and brilliantly gave struggle  as a virginal beauty. You soundly trounced the invisible  enemy who appeared to you, O Champion, and you are now the world's wellspring of healing grace.

Prophet Elias

July 20th

The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias, who from above sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds  therefore in healing  for those who honor him.

St. Paraskevi

July 26th

Appropriate to your calling, O Champion Paraskevi, you worshipped with the readiness  your name bears. For an abode you obtained faith, which is your namesake. Wherefore you pour forth healing and intercede for our souls.

St. Panteleimon

July 27th

Panteleimon, saintly champion healer, intercede with our merciful  God, grant our souls remissions of sins.

St. Irene Chrysovalantou

July 28th

Holy Transfiguration of the Savior

August 6th

You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ our God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illumine us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to You.

Dormition of the Theotokos

August 15th

In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.

Beheading of John the Baptist

August 29th

The just are recalled with songs of praise. But for you, O Forerunner, the Lord's testimony is enough. For you proved yourself more honored even than the Prophets, since you were found worthy to baptize in the river the One you had foretold. Thus, having  more than upheld  the truth, you had the joy of preaching, even to those in the Hades, the good news: of God manifested in flesh, who takes  away the sin of the world and grants us His great mercy.

The Day of Indiction

September 1st

Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercessions of the Theotokos, save us.

Nativity of the Theotokos

September 8th

Your birth, O Theotokos brought joy to the whole world, for from you  dawned  the sun  of righteousness, Christ our God.  Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessing. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.

Elevation of the Holy Cross

September 14th

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

St. Luke the Evangelist

October 18th

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

St. Iakovos Brother of the Lord

October 23rd

As the Lord's disciple, O righteous One, you received  the Gospel, as Martyr, you have unwavering  courage, as the Lord's brother, you have forthrightness, as Hierarch, intercession. Intercede with Christ our God, that our souls  may be saved.

St. Demetrios the Great Martyr the Exhaler of Myrrh

October 26th

The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught  the boasts  of Lyaios, imparting  courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy One, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us,  that He may grant us His great mercy.

Sts. Cosmas and Damian

The Holy Wonderworking Unmercenairies

November 1st

Sainted unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard our infirmities; freely you have received, freely share with us.

The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel

and all the Heavenly Powers

November 8th

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of your wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently  bow before you crying us: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high!"

St. Nektarios Bishop of Pentapolis the Wonder Worker

November 9th

O faithful, let us honor Nectarios, divine servant of Christ, offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was manifested  as the true friend of virtue. All manner  of healing wells forth for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who, through you, wrought wonders; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all."

St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople

November 13th

The grace of your words illuminated the universe like a shining beacon. It amassed treasures  of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of humility, teaching us by your own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede to Christ the Logos for the salvation  of our souls.

St. Philip the Apostle

November 14th

O Holy Apostle Philip, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

The Entry of the Theotokos to the Temple

November 21st

Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin  is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

St. Katherine the Great Martyr

November 25th

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.

St. Andrew the Apostle and First-Called

November 30th

As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy.

St. Barbara the Great Martyr

December 4th

Let us honor the holy Barbara for, with the aid of the Cross as her weapon, she crushed the snares of the enemy, and was rescued  from them like a bird.

St. John of Damascus

December 4th

You are a guide of Orthodoxy, a teacher of piety and modesty, a luminary of the world, the God-inspired pride of monastics.  O wise John, you have enlightened everyone by your teachings. You are the harp of the Spirit. Intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

St. Nicholas Archbishop of Myra of Lycia and Wonder-Worker

December 6th

A model of faith and the image of goodness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on  high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

The Conception of St. Anna

December 9th

Against all hope, the bonds of barrenness are loosed today. For, God has hearkened  unto Joachim and Anna clearly promising  that they would bear a godly maiden. He who commanded the angel to cry out to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord  is with you," will be born of her, the infinite One Himself, becoming man.

St. Spyridon the Wonder-Worker

December 12th

O Father, God-Bearer, Spyridon, you were proven a champion and Wonder worker of the First Ecumenical Council. You spoke to the girl  in the grave and turned  the serpent to gold.  And when  chanting your prayers, most sacred one, angels ministered with you. Glory to Him who glorified you; glory to Him who crowned you; glory to Him who through you, works healing for all.

St. Eleftherios the Priest-Martyr

December 15th

Adorned with flowing priestly vesture and with dripping streams of blood you at once went to your Lord Christ, O blessed wise Eleftherios, annihilator of Satan. Wherefore do not cease to intercede for those who honor your blessed struggles in faith.

The Nativity of Christ - Christmas

December 25th

Your Birth, O Christ our God, dawned the light of knowledge  upon the earth. For by Your birth  those who adored the stars, were taught by a star, to worship You, the Sun of Justice and to know You, Orient from on High. O Lord, glory to You.

Qeotoke Parqene...

O Theotokos, ever-virgin.  Rejoice Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.  Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. For you have given birth, to the savior of our souls.

Plousioi Eptwceusan...

The rich have become poor and hungry, but those who seek from the Lord, shall nothing be kept which is righteous.

Doxa Patri...

Su ei o QeoV hmwn...

Glory to the Father...

You are our God who descended into hades, and ended the sufferings of all who were in prison.  O Savior, also rest the soul of your servant. 

Makaria h OdoV...

Blessed always be the road that you travel on today; for you has been prepared an eternal resting place.

Aiwnia, h Mnhmh...

May your memory, be eternal, may your memory be eternal, may your memory be eternal!

Meta twn Agiwn...

With the saints, give rest, O Christ, to the soul of your servant, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no lament, but everlasting life.

Osoi eiV Criston...

All who have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia!

What is the Triodion?

The Triodion (Book of Three Songs) contains the Prayers and Hymns of the Vespers and Matins of the Movable feasts from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee until Holy Saturday.

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

4th Sunday before Lent

Let us run away from the words of the boastful Pharisee, and learn the humility of the Publican, crying with sighs to the Saviour. Have mercy upon us. O You alone are true reconciliation.

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

3rd Sunday before Lent

When I disobeyed in ignorance your fatherly glory, I waster in iniquities the riches that you gave to me.  Therefore I cry with the voice of the prodigal son, saying, I have sinned before you, O compassionate Father, receive me the repentant, and make me as one of your hired servants.

Saturday of Meatfare

1st Saturday of the Souls

O only Creator, who directs all in the depth of the wisdom of your love to mankind, and rewards all according to their worth, grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of your servants, for in you have they placed their hope, O God our Author and Creator

Meatfare Sunday

2nd Sunday before Lent

When you come, O God, to earth with glory, and all creatures tremble before you, and the river of fire flows before the Altar, and the books are opened and the sins revealed, deliver me then from the unquenchable fire, and make me  worthy to stand at your right hand, O righteous Judge.

Saturday of Cheesefare

2nd Saturday of the Souls

O God of our Fathers, who ever deals with us according  to your meekness, remove not your mercy from us, but their intercessions direct our lives into the way of peace.

Cheesefare Sunday

Sunday before Lent

You who guides to wisdom, and gives understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant, and Helper of the poor, strengthen  my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to you O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.