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TheApolytikion (Greek:Ἀπολυτίκιον) orDismissal Hymn is atroparion (a shorthymn of onestanza) said or sung atOrthodox Christianworship services. The apolytikion summarizes thefeast being celebrated that day. It ischanted atVespers,Matins and theDivine Liturgy; and it isread at each of theLittle Hours. The name derives from the fact that it is chanted for the first time before thedismissal (Greek:apolysis) of the first service of the liturgical day, Vespers, the liturgical day beginning at sunset in the Orthodox Church.
Although the term apolytikion is used in the Greek language, there is no equivalent word inChurch Slavonic where variously are used such terms as "отпустительный тропарь" (dismissal troparion), "тропарь праздника" (troparion of the feast), "тропарь святого" (troparion of the saint), and so on.[1]
The apolytikion of theFeast of theNativity (December 25):
Your birth, O Christ our God, dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth. For by Your birththose who adored stars were taught bya star to worship You, the Sun of Justice, and to know You, Orient from on High. O Lord, glory to You.[2]
The apolytikion for the Feast of theAnnunciation (March 25):
Today is the crowning of our salvation and the manifestation of the Mystery which is from eternity; the Son of God becometh the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announceth the glad tidings of grace: wherefore let us cry out with him to the Mother of God; Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
The apolytikion ofPascha (Easter):
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
There are also eight Resurrectional Apolytikia for the Lord's Day, Sunday[3] written in each of theEight Tones.
