Troparion

The different forms of troparia and their ritual function

In casual, unqualified use, troparion usually refers to the apolytikion (Greek: ἀπολυτίκιον), or 'dismissal hymn', a troparion chanted near the end of Vespers which establishes the overall theme for the liturgical day, for which it is called the "troparion of the day". It is chanted again at the beginning of Matins, read at each of the Little Hours, and chanted at the Divine Liturgy following the Little Entrance.

A troparion in honor of the Trinity is called a Triadicon (Greek: Τριαδικόν, Slavonic: Troíchen). Often the penultimate in a series of troparia will be a triadicon, usually preceded by, "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." There are also special Triadica ("Hymns to the Trinity") which are chanted after Alleluia at the beginning of Matins on weekdays of Great Lent, which differ according to the tone of the week and the day of the week.

A troparion to the Mother of God (Theotokos) is called a Theotokion (Greek: Θεοτοκίον, Slavonic: Bogoródichen); plural: Theotokia (Θεοτοκία). Theotokia will often occur at the end of a series of troparia, usually preceded by "Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." If a Theotokion makes reference to the Crucifixion of Jesus, it is called a stavrotheotokion (Greek: σταυροθεοτοκίον, Slavonic: krestobogoródichen).

The stanzas of a Canon are troparia, as are the verses interspersed between the Beatitudes at the Divine Liturgy.

History

A famous example, whose existence is attested as early as the 4th century, is the Vespers hymn, Phos Hilaron, "Gladsome Light"; another, O Monogenes Yios, "Only Begotten Son", ascribed to Justinian I (527 - 565), occurs in the introductory portion of the Divine Liturgy. Perhaps the earliest set of troparia of known authorship are those of the monk Auxentios (first half of the 5th century), mentioned in his biography but not preserved in any later Byzantine order of service.

Occurrence

At the present time, troparia occur at the following points in the Divine Services:

Vespers

• Apolytikion

Matins

• Apolytikion (after "God is the Lord")
• Sessional Hymns (following readings from the Psalter)
• Canon
• Sessional Hymns (after the Third Ode of the Canon)
• Apolytikion (at the end of Matins)

Little Hours

• Apolytikion
• (the Royal Hours have special troparia added to them)

Divine Liturgy

• Beatitudes
• Apolytikion

Famous troparia

Paschal troparion, Tone V

Christ is risen from the dead,

trampling down death by death,

and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.

Troparion of the Holy Cross, Tone I

O Lord, save Thy people,

and bless Thine inheritance!

Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians*

over their adversaries,

and by virtue of Thy cross,

preserve Thy habitation.

*In monarchies where Eastern Orthodoxy was the state religion, this troparion was often used as a national anthem with the name of the ruler occurring here.
The original Greek text at this point uses one of two alternative forms: tois basileusi kata barbaron, 'to the Emperors over the barbarians' when referring to an Orthodox Christian sovereign, or tois eusebesi kat' enantion, 'to the pious ones against their adversaries', otherwise.

Troparion of Holy Saturday (The Noble Joseph), Tone II

The noble Joseph,

when he had taken down Thy most pure body from the Tree,

wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices,

and placed it in a new tomb.

"Axion Estin", a theotokion

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos,

ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God:

more honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim.

Without corruption thou gavest birth to God, the Word.

True Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Troparion of Kassiani (Chanted during Holy Week on Great and Holy Tuesday)

Sensing Thy divinity, O Lord,

a woman of many sins,

takes it upon herself

to become a myrrh-bearer

and in deep mourning

brings before Thee fragrant oil

in anticipation of Thy burial; crying:

"Woe to me! What night falls on me,

what dark and moonless madness

of wild-desire, this lust for sin.

Take my spring of tears

Thou Who drawest water from the clouds,

bend to me, to the sighing of my heart,

Thou who bendedst down the heavens

in Thy secret Incarnation,

I will wash Thine immaculate feet with kisses

and wipe them dry with the locks of my hair;

those very feet whose sound Eve heard

at the dusk in Paradise and hid herself in terror.

Who shall count the multitude of my sins

or the depth of Thy judgment,

O Saviour of my soul?

Do not ignore thy handmaiden,

O Thou whose mercy is endless".

Troparion of the Nativity (in Church Slavonic language)