A troparion (Greek: τροπάριον, plural: troparia, τροπάρια; Church Slavonic: тропа́рь, tropar′) in Byzantine music and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodox Christianity 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.
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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.
At the present time, Troparia occur at the following points in the Divine Services:
Troparion of the Holy Cross, Tone I:
*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.
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:
"Axion Estin", a theotokion
Troparion Of Kassiani (Chanted during Holy Week on Great and Holy Wednesday)
Troparion of the Nativity (in Church Slavonic language):
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