Sunday of the Forefathers

Commemorated on December 13.

The Sunday that falls between December 11-17 is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. These are the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, “In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3, 22:18).

Troparion

By faith You justified the Forefathers,
when through them You betrothed Yourself beforehand to the Church of the Gentiles.
The saints boast in glory,
that from their seed there is a glorious fruit:
she who bore You without seed.
By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Kontakion

(The Original Melody)
You did not worship the graven image,
O thrice-blessed youths,
but shielded by the ineffable
Essence,
you were glorified in your trial by fire.
In the midst of the unbearable fire you called
upon God, crying:
"Hasten, O compassionate One.
and in Your mercy, come to our aid,
for You
can do so if You will."
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Luke 5:12.