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Slava Isusu Khrystu!

I thought that many of the good members of the Forum would enjoy this Troparian in honor of Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr.

You rejected wordly vanity and glory, having chosen the way of the ascetics, and you were guided by Saints Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, how to unite the teachings of Christ with good deeds. Together with Vavara, you fellow struggler, you also received a martyr's death. Wherefore, Christ crowned you with a two-fold crown, O humble and wise Abbess Elizabeth.

I do hope that many like it and benefit from it!

Dear John,

It is a beautiful Troparian, thank you for posting it. Does anyone know where I could find more info on Saint Elizabeth the New-Martyr?

God bless and keep you!

There are actually several different troparia and kontakia to St Elizabeth alone, or to St Elizabeth and her companion, the Nun-Martyr Barbara. Here is the troparion and kontakion we sing in our parish. They come from the service which is sung at the Gethsemane Convent (ROCOR) in Jersusalem, where the bodies of Ss Elizabeth and Barbara are enshired in the Church of St Mary Magdalene.

Troparion of the New-Martyr Elizabeth (Tone 4)
Causing meekness, humility and love to dwell in thy soul, * thou didst earnestly serve the suffering, O holy passion-bearer Princess Elizabeth; * wherefore, with faith thou didst endure sufferings and death for Christ, * with the Martyr Barbara. * Pray with her for all who honour you with love.

Kontakion of the New-Martyr Elizabeth (Tone 4)
Taking up the Cross of Christ, * thou didst pass from royal glory to the glory of heaven, * praying for thine enemies, O holy martyred Princess Elizabeth; * and with the Martyr Barbara thou didst find everlasting joy. * Therefore pray ye in behalf of our souls.


Fr David Straut
St Elizabeth the New-Martyr Orthodox Church (ROCOR)
Rocky Hill, New Jersey
www.saint-elizabeths.org [saint-elizabeths.org]

I have a different translation of the troparion John provided. I believe this troparion comes from the service to St Elizabeth that is done by the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. For those who like traditional liturgical English, I will provide the translation I have. I will also add the kontakion that goes with it.

Another Troparion of St Elizabeth the New Martyr (Tone 4)
Thou didst reject worldly vanity and glories, * having chosen the way of the ascetics, * and thou wast guided by Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, * how to unite the teachings of Christ with good deeds. * Together with Barbara, thy fellow-struggler, * thou didst also receive a martyr's death. * Wherefore, Christ didst crown thee with a two-fold crown, O humble and wise Abbess Elizabeth.

Another Kontakion of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr (Tone 8)
Elizabeth and Barbara, her faithful fellow-sufferer, * served Christ God in this life with ascetic labors and good deeds * and shone in death like the passion-bearers. * Behold, now they have received the crowns of monastic martyrs from the hands of the Saviour.


Fr David Straut

Here is yet another set of a Troparion and Kontakion to St Elizabeth the New-Martyr, also, I believe, from a Slavonic source:

Another Troparion of St Elizabeth the New Martyr (Tone 1)
Concealing the rank of a princess with humility, O divinely-wise Elizabeth, * thou didst honour Christ with the two-fold service of Martha and Mary. * Having purified thyself with charitable works, patience and love, * thou wast brought to God as an offering of righteousness. * As we venerate thy virtuous way of life and thy sufferings, * we earnestly ask thee, as our true teacher: * O holy martyr and Grand Duchess Elizabeth, * entreat Christ our God to save and enlighten our souls.

Another Kontakion of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr (Tone 2)
Who can tell the greatness of this act of faith? * In the depths of the earth the Grand Duchess Elizabeth, the passion-bearer, * rejoiced with the angels in psalms and hymns, * as though she were in the radiance of paradise.* As she endured being slain, she prayed aloud for her godless tormentors: * Lord forgive them this sin, for they know not what they do. * Through her prayers, O Christ God, * have mercy and save our souls.

Fr David Straut

The last set of troparia and kontakia to St Elizabeth the New-Martyr that I will be posting (some of you might have been asking yourselves: When will this ever end? ) is from a Greek source: The Great Horologion published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Another Troparion of St Elizabeth the New Martyr (Tone 5)
Emulating the Lord's self-abasement on the earth, * thou didst forsake royal mansions to serve the poor and distained, * overflowing with compassion for the suffering. * And taking up a martyr's cross, * thou in meekness didst perfect the Saviour's image within thee. * Wherefore, with Barbara, entreat Him to save us all, O wise Elizabeth.

Another Kontakion of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr (Tone 3)
Special Melody - On this day the Virgin....
In the midst of worldliness, * thy mournful heart dwelt in heaven; * in barbaric godlessness, * thy valiant soul was not troubled; * thou didst long to meet thy Bridegroom * as a confessor, * and He found thee worthy of thy martyric purpose. * O Elizabeth with Barbara, * thy brave companion, * pray to thy Bridegroom for us.


We used this troparion and kontakion at the very beginning of our Mission before we had the translation of the Slavonic troparion and kontakion used at the Gethsemane Convent in Jerusalem (where Ss Elizabeth and Barbara's relics are enshrined.)

Fr David Straut
St Elizabeth the New-Martyr Orthodox Church
Rocky Hill, New Jersey
www.saint-elizabeths.org [saint-elizabeths.org]