A troparion (also tropar, plural: troparia) 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 (this may carry the further connotation of a hymn interpolated between psalm verses).

In casual, unqualified use, troparion usually refers to the apolytikion, or dismissal hymn, sung near the end of vespers which establishes an overall theme for the liturgical day. It is repeated at the beginning of matins, at several other services of the hours, and at the Divine Liturgy following the Little Entrance.

A troparion to the Mother of God (Theotokos) is called a theotokion (plural theotokia). A troparion that is intended to expound on a point of dogma is a dogmatikon. Since the dogmatikon is often found in a place where subject the troparion is normally the Theotokos, most dogmatika are also theotokia and so may be called a "dogmatic theotokion".

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

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.

"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.

Reference

• at OrthodoxWiki

Tropari Тропарь