Troparion

A troparion (Greek: τροπάριον, plural: troparia, τροπάρια; Church Slavonic: тропа́рь, tropar) in Byzantine music and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodoxy is a short hymn of one stanza, or one of a series of stanzas. The word probably derives from a diminutive of the Greek tropos (“something repeated,” “manner,” “fashion”). The early troparion was also called sticheron (probably from stichos, “verse”); but currently the two terms are treated separately, with different melodies used for each.

Most troparia are chanted to one of the Eight Tones used in the Eastern liturgical tradition, though some have unique melodies to which they are chanted. Sometimes, troparia will be interpolated between verses of a psalm or other scripture.

In casual, unqualified use, troparion usually refers to the apolytikion (Greek: απολυτίκιον), 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: Τριαδικιόν, 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: Θεοτοκιον, Slavonic: Bogorόdichen); plural: theotokia (θεοτοκια). 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

ApolytikionMatins
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 is the state religion, this troparion is often used as a national anthem with the name of the ruler occurring here.

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 Wednesday)