Visit of the Kursk-Root Icon to Warminster – 17 November
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings on this wonderful occasion on which the ancient Kursk-Root Icon rests beneath the roof of our much-loved spiritual home of the Chapel of St Lawrence, which – in its original fabric, of which the tower remains – is more or less contemporary with our cherished wonderworking Hodegetria of the Russian Church Abroad.
It’s always inspiring to hear today’s section of the Epistle from St Paul to the Hebrews, and to contemplate the furnishings of the Temple, which the Church has historically recognised as very specific prophetic images of the Most Holy Mother of God.
The forshadowings and prophetic signs of the Mother of God, and her role as a mediatrix of our salvation was not only proclaimed in the words of the prophets, but also in the sacred imagery of the Old Covenant, especially in the ordering of the Tabernacle and the Temple: in the seven-branched candlestick, the Table of Shewbread; the golden Altar of Incense, and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant containing the golden-pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and topped with the Mercy Seat, overshadowed by the carved and gilded cherubim,
Through types, signs and symbols, these prefiguring, prophetic images of the Old Covenenant, reveal the place of the Mother of God in the Lord’s unfolding Economy of Salvation, and the allegorical and typological reading of Divine Scripture also reveals the vast gulf between our Church’s ancient approach to Biblical interpretation and understanding, and the anti-traditional hermeneutic, by which reformation-thinking and reform theology robbed believers of the rich, multi-layered understanding of God’s Word, already established in the Judaism of late antiquity .
In all of these images listed in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we see a relationship between the sacred items and that which they contained or held, for they were all functional, designed with a purpose, to hold or reserve sacred things, and to perform a God-given sacred purpose. The items mentioned, carved or cast and covered with the purest gold, were not simply ornaments, but were each revealed by God as part of the worship central to the covenenant-relationship between Him and the Old Israel.
Beyond the first veil, the great seven-branched menorah was fashioned with oil-cups in the form of almond blossoms, which were filled with the olive oil that fed the wicks whose flames filled the Holy Place with Light – a prophetic image of the Mother of God as the lampstand that bore Christ the Light of the World.
The Table of Shewbread bore the sacrificial Bread of the Presence, the sign of God’s dwelling in the midst of His people, the bread-offering filled by God’s with “infectious holiness” and grace – just as the Mother of God, as the Mystical-Table, bore Christ, the Bread of Life, Who Himself proclaimed, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)
Though its exact position is debated, the golden Altar of Incense stood in the Holy Place for the morning and evening incense-offerings, whose smoke filled not only the Holy Place, but also perfumed the area around the Tabernacle and the Temple. The incense rising from the altar was a sign of unity and reconciliation between man and God, and the union of the physical and spiritual worlds.
The Mother of God has long been seen as a noetic altar, which by its sacrificial nature encapsulates her self-offering for our salvation, sacrificing her whole life in order to bear the Saviour Who is both our Great High Priest and Sacrifice for the Life and Salvation of the World. We pray, each evening, “Let my prayer arise in Thy sight, as incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.” …and turn to the Mother of God as our intercessor, as she ever offers prayers for her children, lifting up her hands in intercession to the Saviour as a living sacrifice of prayer.
Beyond the second veil, the Ark, was the most holy furnishing of both Tabernacle and Temple, and the earthly throne of God’s abiding Presence in the midst of His people. He spoke from between the cherubim which overshadowed the Mercy-Seat, and this was the place of Divine-Human encounter, when the High-Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Mother of God became both the new Ark of the Covenant and Ark of the New Covenant, in which the Almighty Creator dwelt, hidden within the Holy of Holies of her womb, as we see in the Kursk-Root Icon, and then nurtured and raised by her, whose lap became an earthly throne of the King of all, the Mercy Seat of the world. The Mother of God became not simply a place of Divine-Human encounter, but a place of the Divine-Human union in the Incarnation of the God-Man within the chosen sanctuary of her womb, nursing the Saviour at her breast, and nurturing Him in His childhood and youth.
The contents of the Ark of the Covenenant – the jar of manna, the tablets of the law and the budded staff of Moses – were all prophetic-images of Christ, the Heavenly Bread, the Giver of the Law, and the bud from the root of Jesse, but we should recall that at the time in which the holy apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews, the original temple furnishings had all been lost in the Babylonian exile, and the Holy of Holies contained absolutely nothing, and was nothing more than a dark, empty cube. There was no Ark of the Covenant, no earthly Divine Throne, no Mercy Seat, and no manna, no stone tablets of the Law of Moses, no staff of Aaron.
According to God’s Economy, this bare absence was necessary, so that the Holy of Holies could be restored and reconsecrated through the Entrance of the infant Theotokos, as He prepared for the coming of the Messiah and the passage of His blessing and election from the Old Israel to the New Israel.
The first Ark, and the vanished sacred relics were superceded as the infant Mother of God was led into the Temple, walked through the Holy Place, and was taken beyond the Second Veil into the Holy of Holies, which received the true Ark of God’s Presence, the Ark of the New Covenant, who would be more honourable the cherubim, and truly more glorious than the seraphim, the Living Temple and Mystical Paradise.
The world needed no gilded acacia chest reliquary, no Mercy Seat, no relics of the first Passover journey from Egyptian captivity to the freedom of the promised land, for the world received the Theotokos, in whom God would dwell in the flesh, and come as the new Paschal Lamb, to lead us from death to life and from earth to heaven.
The types and shadows of the Old Testament passed away; the Temple with its liturgies, sacrifices, priesthood rites and rituals was abolished, having served its purpose.
It would soon be destroyed, having no further role in the spiritual life of the world: an anomaly tied to those from whom the vineyard would be taken, and given to the new Israel of God, the Old Israel having forsaken its birthright and the inheritance of the forefathers, patriarchs and prophets, with the promise of Christ’s Kingdom now offered to all believers regardless of language, race and nation. As the New Israel of God, Christ’s Church, would unite all who approach in Faith.
The Kursk-Root Icon, is an icon of this new reality and fulfillment, an icon of the inclusivity of God’s salvific plan: an icon of both oldness and newness, looking back, but also forward,with the surrounding prophets turning to Mother of God with the scrolls of their prophecy, looking forward to the Incarnation, and a new era in the relationship between God and man, and to the passing from the Old Covenant to the new.
We will soon begin the Advent Fast, looking forward to the Nativity, contemplating the prophecies of the Old Testament and looking forward to their fulfillment in the Incarnation of the Saviour, and week-by-week we will pray the Advent Moleben before the Icon of the Sign, contemplating Emmanuel within the womb of the Mother of God, the great Sign forespoken of by Isaiah:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
And shall call His name Immanuel.
(Isaiah 7:14)
…and it is as that great Sign that we behold her in her ancient Kursk-Root Icon, surrounded by the prophets, who guided the people of the Old Covenant through the long Advent of the Old Testament centuries. We contemplate this wonderworking icon as the representation of the cosmic changing point summed up in those wondrous words of St John’s Gospel… “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” John 1:14.
When we celebrate the birth of Christ, and the union of God and Man in the Incarnate Saviour, we will celebrate the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, the abolition of the Temple and its rites, and the beginning of God’s new relationship with humanity, as one Who has enterered Creation: God Who is not only truly with us, but through the selfless offering and obedience of the Mother of God in the Incarnation has truly become one of us
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shined.
For unto us a Child is born; to us a Son is given.
And the government shall be upon His shoulder, and of His peace there will be no end.
And His name shall be called the Messenger of Great Counsel, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the World to Come.
God is with us! Understand this, O nations, and submit yourselves! For God is with us!
(from the Song of the Holy Prophet Isaiah)
Through the Mother of God, the New Ark, whose sacred Icon stands before us, the Great Sign raised up in the spiritual darkness of the old Israel to usher in a new age; through her selfless giving and living-sacrifice; though her boundless love and conformity to God’s sovereign will; and through the Nativity whose celebration we will soon anticipate… we can truly exclaim with great joy, that thanks to her, “God is with us!”
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings for the autumn feast of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, when we commemorate the deliverance of Moscow from the Polish occupation of 1612, during which our Holy Patriarch, St Germogen, met a martyric death by starvation, but not before he had given instruction to the faithful to fast and pray, and for the Wonderworking Icon to be brought from Kazan to Moscow by the army, headed by Prince Dimitriy Pozharsky.
Muscovy had been laid to waste by the Poles, who mocked the Orthodox Christian Faith, burning towns and villages and despoiling and desecrating churches and monasteries, just as the Tatars had done centuries before.
The Time of Troubles saw confusion, anarchy and fear in every aspect of national life, which was undermined and eroded, even spiritually.
This is why the most needful thing for the people to acquire in order to overcome occupation, enslavement and such great sorrows was the repentance to which the Hieromartyr, Patriarch Germogen, called them.
It would be in spiritual renewal and newness of life, re-centred on living in the power of the Holy Trinity, according to the Gospel and the Law of God, in spiritual union with the Most Holy Mother of God, and the saints, that liberation and freedom would be found.
In our own Time of Troubles, fraught with political, educational, ideological, financial and technological tyranny and attacks on our spiritual life, on the Holy Church and the people of God, our hope, answer and liberation lies in behaving exactly as in 1612: in prayer, fasting, assiduous and active spiritual labour and spiritual life.
The true Christian life is one of resistance and swimming against the tide, refusing to bow down and give in to the spiritual tyranny of sin.
This God-centred life will bring down God’s blessing and Divine Grace, and in this obedience to the Will of God, the Mother of God (as the perfect and primary example of spiritual obedience) will come to our aid, as our Champion Leader and Invincible Protectress, to whom has been given power by her Son, according to the will and counsel of the Holy Trinity.
Let us not despair in the sea of the fallen world’s madness, but have great hope, joy and resolution to resist sin, temptation and godlessness, as children of the Resurrection, walking in the Light of Christ!
Let us repent, with faith and compunctionate hearts, heeding the words of St. Dimitriy of Rostov about the events of this feast:
“The Mother of God delivered from misfortune and woe not only the righteous, but also sinners, but which sinners? Those who turn themselves to the Heavenly Father like the Prodigal Son, make lamentation beating their bosom, like the Publican, they weep at the feet of Christ, like the Sinful Woman washing His feet with her tears, and they offer forth confession of Him, like the Thief upon the Cross. It is such sinners whom the All-Pure Mother of God heeds and hastens to aid, delivering them from great misfortunes and woe.”
Let us turn to the Father with resolution, determination and the heartfelt desire to correct all that is wrong and dysfunctional in our lives, knowing that not only is the Heavenly Father joyfully awaiting us, but that the Mother of God will be with us and go before us, step by step, protecting and interceding for us on that wonderful, salvific journey of spiritual-return!
Let us be comforted by her maternal protection, but not as some sort of vague, warm, rosey-tinted, sentimental idea… but understanding that her protection is powerful, mighty and invincible, and let us ensure that we turn to her, as children worthy of her protection and help, emulating her humility and obedience, living as the Lord wishes us to live, and knowing that the He will exult the humble and meek, and will give them spiritual victory over their adversaries.
Today has been one of great joy, and though I was unable to concelebrate, it was wonderful to be back in church, to hear our choir chanting even whilst confessing, to see new faces and so many people, and to share not only in the Eucharistic Mystery, but to then celebrate Ezra’s baptism.
What a wonderful baptism, and what a peaceful and cooperative baby Ezra was, totally unperturbed, by his triple-immersion in the font, and we are very happy that Ezra was able to commune of the Holy and Divine Mysteries. Congratulations to Joseph and McKenna, and also to Ezra’s godp arents, Father Mark and Joanna. May the Lord bless and protect Ezra, and grant him, his parents, and godparents many blessed years! Многая и благая лета!
As you are aware the weekend also saw the Liturgy for St Demetrios Saturday in Cheltenham, where we also celebrated a general memorialfor the departed, and were very happy to be with our mission faithful after having to cancel the Liturgy a couple of weeks ago.
As wonderful as the weekend has been for me, after two weeks largely spent lying down, it has made me realise that I am still rather limited in terms of energy and capability. Unfortunately, it is very clear that travelling to and from Warminster, next weekend, and celebrating the Divine Liturgy on consecutive days, is beyond my strength for the moment. So, sadly, our Wessex Liturgy will have to be cancelled. We will, however, celebrate the Liturgy in Warminster in the presence of the Kursk-Root Icon, at 10:00, on Tuesday 18 November.
We look forward to greeting the Kursk-Root Icon in Cardiff in the preceding days, but even before that, as the ROCOR shrine-priest for the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, I will have the very great joy of welcoming the Icon in “England’s Nazareth”, in North Norfolk.
Given the long association of our Russian Church Abroad with the shrine, this will be a very great blessing.
Together with our chancellor, Archpriest Paul, I will join the celebration of Founder’s Day, at the College of Our Lady of Mettingham in Suffolk, on Saturday 15 November, after which we will journey from Suffolk to Cardiff.
Given the length of the journey, we have arranged for the greeting of the Icon before the late celebration of Great Vespers, in St Philip’s at 19:00. Please be in church for 18:45 at the very latest.
I’m sure that Joanna will be looking for volunteers to set up the church, ready for the greeting of the icon.
Our Liturgy on Sunday 16 will be blessed by the presence of the Icon, which will make home visits after Liturgy and several the following morning, before its overnight visit to Wessex, and Tuesday evening journey to Llanelli and Swansea, from whence we will travel to Geneva.
All in all, this will be a rather busy month!
We look forward to celebrating the translated Autumn feast of the Kazan Icon, next Sunday, with our festal Liturgy being followed by full trapéza. All food offerings for the table will be greatly appreciated, and our sisterhood has posted a request list on our WhatsApp page. I will cross post this to Facebook.
As well as thanking everyone for today’s lovely celebration, I would particularly like to give special thanks to Father Mark the Younger for his attentive, pastoral management of the parish over the last few weeks. We are fortunate and blessed to have the support of a second priest, and it brings peace of mind to have the flexibility to manage unforeseen challenges.
I very much hope to come together with parishioners for prayers and to hear confessions on Thursday and Friday, but will confirm this as this week progresses, as at this very moment, my chest is beginning to be uncomfortable, with concerns that another infection may be beginning.
Asking your prayers and forgiveness Christ’s sake.
Greetings as we celebrate the Translation, into Moscow, of the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1648).
It’s so very encouraging that a month and a few days after starting our gofundme campaign, we have raised over £5,000 on that platform alone, with additional larger donations by bank transfer, which is -perhaps – worth pointing out as a better alternative for larger amounts.
Donations show that people all around the world have supported our campaign, and we hope this continues.
Though Facebook is considered rather old fashioned and a bit retrograde, it’s been a powerful tool over the last four or five years, introducing our parish to Christians across the world, so that they contact us for prayers and resources, and enjoy sharing news, and even how they have been inspired to do things by our own parish life in Cardiff – St Calogéro celebrations in New York being a colourful example.
Praise God that people far from Wales, are inspired to invest in the spiritual future of our ancient and God-preserved land.
The last nine or ten days have been a strange whirlwind of cramps, aches, pains, temperatures, sleeplessness, delirium, feeling better, then worse, then better again. Despite a continuing wheeze, it seems that normality is returning, after the first normal night’s sleep of the whole period.
So, I look forward to returning to parish life, but ask that you keep an eye on announcements, as I will decide on possible usual services later in the week, as the week unfolds.
Monday update: I learned today that industrial action on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will result in no First Bus services. Rather difficult, given the first and last hour of each journey is by road and First Bus!
Thanks to all who have been keeping in touch, and equally, thanks to those who have been sending commemorations and requests for prayers. Sick clergy can still pray, and the extra time to do so is a hidden blessing and consolation during sickness.
Next Saturday is St Demetrios Saturday, and will see our rearranged Cheltenham Liturgy, in Prestbury United Reformed Church, at 10:00. This is a memorial day, and will see the commemoration of the faithful departed.
Saturday is also the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Varus of Egypt, to whom we pray for our non-Orthodox departed ones, making it a doubly special day for remembering the departed.
Sunday will see the rearranged baptism of baby Ezra straight after Liturgy, and even though Joe was only baptised last advent, we will welcome Ezra as a second generation Orthodox Christian in the Melhuish family, reflecting that he has been with us in Liturgy and parish life all through McKenna’s pregnancy!
As Father Mark the Younger has already requested, a personal lunch box to go with a cup of tea or coffee will ensure sustenance, but also participation in this wonderful event.
We pray for the newly departed Dumitru, and for Daniel, as he flies to Romania: memory eternal!
Thanks to Father Mark the Younger for another very early Sunday start, to ensure that everything worked smoothly, and thanks to all who contributed to today’s celebration.
As some of you have seen in our diocesan news, the Kursk-Root Icon is already travelling around our continental communities, and we greatly look forward to welcoming it to our own parish and its missions.
As shrine-priest for our Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, I look forward to welcoming the icon in Walsingham on Thursday 13 November.
It will be a joy to welcome the Icon to England’s Nazareth, and to serve the Divine Liturgy in our tiny shrine chapel in the presence of the Icon on Friday 14th November.
After the Icon’s visit to the College of Our Lady of Mettingham, and Divine Liturgy in its lovely garden church on Saturday 15th November, Father Paul and I will drive from Suffolk to Cardiff, where the Icon will be greeted before Vespers in St Philip’s at 19:00. We will serve the Divine Liturgy in the presence of the Icon on the morning of Sunday 16th November, before local home visits.
After some morning visits in the Cardiff area on Monday 17th November, the Icon will visit Wessex homes before an evening service in the Chapel of St Lawrence, in Warminster.
We are pleased that we will be able to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the chapel the following morning, Tuesday 18th November, on which day an evening service will be held in the Chapel of St David and St Nicholas, in Llanelli, at 19:00.
The following day – Wednesday – we will travel with the Icon to Geneva, where the diocesan clergy convocation will assemble from Wednesday to Friday.
The next month will certainly be busy and challenging, and we place ourselves very much in the hands of the Mother of God. May she help us and strengthen us!
It’s been very interesting to see the developing links that our parish media has established across the miles, building an ever-expanding relationship between our community and both parishes and individuals across the continents. This has, in part, being linked to the sharing of liturgical resources and pilgrimages. Whilst the latter fell off the edge of the map in the year gone by (though some of us are looking forward to some simplified pilgrimages in the year ahead), activity on the liturgical front has remained constant. In fact, the post that follows is the result of a little correspondence about service materials.
Last Saturday was the feast of St Martin the Merciful of Tours (though the life below sensibly suggests this is an error, given that the traditional date of ‘Martinmas’ is definitely in November!), and I would have ordinarily ensured the availability of the canon, which only exists in English to my knowledge. Given ongoing health issues, I was unable to do so, but am talking the opportunity to sit down and do a little catching up.
Commemorated on October 12/25
Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.
At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.
Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. Saint Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.
He traveled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Martin an exorcist. After several years of the ascetic life, Saint Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, Saint Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels, and had visions of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.
After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast) at Tours. During the Middle Ages, many Western churches were dedicated to Saint Martin, including Saint Martin’s in Canterbury, and Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of Saint Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution, together with the relics of Saint Martin and Saint Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of Saint Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of Saint Gregory’s relics.
Saint Martin’s name appears on many Greek and Russian calendars. His commemoration on October 12 in the Russian calendar appears to be an error, since ancient sources give the November date.
The Canon of the Holy Hierarch, in Tone VI
Ode I, Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Illumined by divine radiance and dancing in the light of the all-just Godhead, O wise Martin, enlighten those who with piety honour thy luminous memory.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
The Creator of all, Who knoweth all things before they happen, foreseeing the uprightness of thy heart, took thee from an earthly army and hath enlisted thee among the choirs of angels, O blessed one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
My soul is done to death by the sting of sin, O father, yet by thy life-bearing supplications move the Life of all to raise me up to hymn thy godly memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Maiden and Mistress most favored by God, who didst bear the Bestower of light Who enlighteneth the earth which is cast into darkness by many passions: Illumine mine accursed soul!
Ode III, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Since thou didst mount to the summit of most noble deeds, O wise one, Christ hath raised thee up to sit upon a throne in the highest, from whence in sacred manner thou dost enlighten all creation with the brilliance of thy wonders.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
As a child of the day and of the light, O holy hierarch, when thou didst behold as a naked beggar Him Who covereth Himself with light as with a garment, thou didst cut thy cloak in twain and didst cover Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The carnal passions were mortified in thee, and thou didst thus become a most pure abode of the Trinity. Wherefore, I beseech thee, O holy hierarch: By thine intercessions quench thou the passions of my soul.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure palace of God, most holy Virgin, I entreat thee: Cleanse and enlighten my wretched soul, which hath been sullied by carnal pleasures and imaginings.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV: When the emperor of the West heard report of thy virtues and wondrous works, he would fain have met with thee; but his consort clung to the vile heresy of Arius, and confounded her husband’s goodly desire. Thus, for the sake of thy flock and the ruler’s salvation, thou didst resort to fasting and fervent prayer, O holy hierarch, and our merciful Saviour opened unto thee the doors which had been shut. Then the sovereign, greeting thee as was meet, hearkened unto thy wise counsel and received edification from thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcendeth nature, and in mind he pondered, O Theotokos, upon thy seedless conception, as the dew upon the fleece, the bush which burned with fire yet was not consumed, and the rod of Aaron which put forth branches. And, bearing witness, thy betrothed and protector cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, yet remaineth a virgin even after birthgiving!”
Ode IV, Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honoured Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Delighted by thy godly life, the Most High bestowed upon thee the grace of all-glorious miracles, O wondrous hierarch, whereby thou art revealed unto the ends of the earth as marvelous.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Resurrected by thine intercessions, the dead man who had been slandered beheld his accuser struck dead, O holy hierarch; and he magnified thy grace, O father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Accept us who hymn thy divine memory, O holy hierarch, and deliver us from sufferings, perils and temptations; for with faith do we now have recourse unto thy protection.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With drops of thy loving-kindness, O immaculate one, sprinkle thou my soul, which is withering up in the burning heat of sin; and vouchsafe that I may produce the fruits of repentance.
Ode V, Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Having forsaken earthly riches and transitory glory which fadeth away, O blessed Martin, thou hast acquired heavenly riches and eternal and immutable glory, wherein be thou mindful of us.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
One who had endured a cruel death by hanging was raised up from the dead as from sleep by thy life-giving supplication; and he won this life and that which is to come.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst restore to life him who – O the horror! – had been struck dead by a serpent, O father. So also by thy supplications restore life even unto me, who have been slain by the sting of sin.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Shining from afar, thou wast revealed unto Moses as a burning bush, O Mistress; and having given birth unto the divine Fire, thou wast shown to be unconsumed even after giving birth. Wherefore, do thou burn up the roots of my passions.
Ode VI, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
O Martin, thy relics pour forth healings upon those who approach them with devotion, and the legions of the demons are put to flight; but the choirs of the faithful who fervently raise up hymns unto thee are bedewed with grace.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Full to overflowing with the vivifying waters of the All-Holy Spirit Who accomplisheth all things, O Martin, thou dost give life unto those who were slain by the deception of the evil one, purifying them with the healing waters of the Saviour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The woman whom thou didst free from everlasting punishment blessed the Lord, O Martin, and, dispensing with her wealth, she exchanged it for the bliss of heaven.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, in that thou didst bear the hypostatic Wisdom and Power of the Father, with godly wisdom and power divine fill thou the hearts of all who hymn thee with faith.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Thou didst flourish in the virtues like a palm-tree, and in thy miracles didst multiply like a cedar, O wondrous father, bedewing the ends of the world, and burning up legions of the demons. Wherefore, entreat the Lord in our behalf.
Ikos:In proclaiming the glad tidings of man’s salvation, O most merciful hierarch, thou wast not daunted by the threats of the Druids and their deluded followers; but, having armed thyself with the pure confession of Christ, thou didst courageously show their vile graven images to be common stones, powerless against the might of the Most High, and thou didst bring multitudes of the heathen to the knowledge of God. Wherefore, mindful of thine apostolic zeal, we beseech thee: Entreat the Lord in our behalf.
Ode VII, Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Shining forth more brightly than the sun, thy memory, O all-hymned Martin, dispelleth the night of the passions and enlighteneth the faithful, who chant unto Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
As an emulator of thy Lord, O father, thou didst save the harlot who had recourse unto thee with faith, and didst present her to Christ as a pure bride who chanted with faith: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Blessing thee, the ends of the world give utterance to thy praises, O all-hymned Martin, and celebrate thy memorial, chanting with faith unto Christ Who hath made thee wondrous: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of grace divine, thou art a new heaven more spacious than the one on high, for thou didst contain the Creator of heaven and earth. Entreat Him, that we who honour thee may be vouchsafed the good things of heaven.
Ode VIII, Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Of old, Christ transformed water into wine by His divine power; and by His energy, O wise Martin, thou didst transform a living dove into one of gold. O awesome wonder!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Beholding a dead ass restored to life by thy supplications, O glorious one, he who did not trust in the resurrection believed on God Who is risen from the dead, and he now liveth unto the ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O father, by thy supplications free from all want and difficulty, temptations and perils, those who piously chant in memory of thee: We exalt Thee supremely, O Christ, forever!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Dry up the raging flood of my passions, O Virgin, Mistress, and rain down upon me streams of tears, freeing me from the punishment of everlasting fire, that I may glorify thee forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Arraying thyself in the might and power of Christ, thou didst repel the impotent strength of the enemy, O glorious Martin, and art therefore called a most mighty defender of the faithful, freeing them from tribulations, perils, temptations and difficulties.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Adorning the temple of heaven like a sacred and divine treasure, O holy hierarch, thou standest before the great Light, chanting with the incorporeal beings: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O consubstantial Trinity, Thou Creator of all!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Way, the Truth and the Resurrection, the Light and Life art Thou, and the joy of the saints. Wherefore, through their intercession lead all along the narrow way, and vouchsafe unto them life and the never-waning light, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou art shown to be the most beautiful temple and the most pure palace of the Word, O all-pure one. And hastening to thy holy temple we praise thee with love, and cry aloud: Fulfill our entreaties which are for the good, O Mistress.
Troparion, Tone IV: The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and a teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou hast acquired exalted things through humility and riches through poverty. O father Martin, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
If you are able to contribute to our building fundraising campaign, any donation – however small – would be greatly appreciated, and bring us closer to our vision of a dedicated temple and centre for Orthodox life and mission in South Wales, Gloucestershire and Wessex: https://gofund.me/3a3bf1613
This weekend started with our sunbathed Liturgy for the feast of Saints Chariton the Confessor and St Wenceslaus in Warminster, following Great Vespers for the feast in the Oratory Church the previous afternoon. As always, it was a joy to serve in the Chapel of St Lawrence, where we look forward to a pair of eighteenth century “Tables of the Law” (Ten Commandments) being fixed to the east wall, either side of the stained-glass window.
Yesterday saw the celebration of the Uncovering of the Relics of St John the Wonderworker of Shanghai, Brussels and San Francisco, sometime bishop of our God-protected diocese, and one of the greatest shepherds of the Orthodox Church in the twentieth century.
As I reflected in the homily, in the wake of the revolution, the systematic attempt to destroy the Church, and the mass displacement of people, with ensuing poverty, hunger, homelessness, arrests, imprisonment, fear, and uncertainty, God raised up great hierarchs who stand out as outstanding shepherds of their flocks.
Together with St John, we remember the likes of St Basil of Kineshma and Patriarch St Tikhon.
The calling of these great pastors was not to organise, polemicise, or to leave a corpus of theological writings, but to lead, teach, unite, protect and nurture the Lord’s flock in adversity and trial.
They shone with selfless, sacrificial love, devotion, dedication and the willingness to not only defend their flocks, but to suffer and to die for their sheep. They knew their sheep and their sheep knew them.
St John protected his flock in their sheepfold in Shanghai, guiding them through the horrors of Japanese occupation, later leading his spiritual sheep and lambs (some of them the orphaned and abandoned children he saved from poverty, squalor, and even dustbins and starving dogs) to safety from the Red horror of Maoism to refuge in the Philippines, and then through negotiation and campaigning to safety in the United States.
St John was then set as arch-pastor over the Western European flock, ruling our diocese, building and developing spiritual life, visiting his parishes, consoling and healing, encouraging education and learning, expanding the flock through openness and mission to the people of Western Europe, just as he would later do in Western America.
Not only did his sheep knew him, but others recognised him as a man of God, overflowing with grace and holiness.
In the “Vita Prima” of St John, Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina wrote that,
“Vladika loved to visit the sick and did so every single day, hearing confessions and giving Holy Communion. If the condition of a patient should become critical, Vladika would go to him at any hour of the day or night to pray at his bedside…
Vladika visited the prison also, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the convicts on a primitive little table. But the most difficult task for a pastor is to visit the mentally ill and the possessed – and Vladika sharply distinguished between the two. Outside Shanghai there was a mental hospital, and Vladika alone had the spiritual power to visit these terribly sick people. He gave them Holy Communion, and they, surprisingly, received it peacefully and listened to him. They always looked forward to his visits and met him with joy.“
We see St John not only as a dedicated but also fearless shepherd – eating little and usually only once a day, never sleeping in a bed from the day of his consecration in May 1934 to his death in July 1966.
In his labours he risked life, he faced persecution and what could have been seen as humiliation, had his deep humility not made this impossible.
We continue to turn to him as a shepherd, remembering his words. “Although I am dead, I am alive…” encouraging his spiritual children to continue to come to him and talk to him, just as St Seraphim had done.
Thus, he continues as a great shepherd of souls for us, now even more capable of working miracles and hearing our pleas, freed from earthly limitations (which he already superseded in earthly life!) now in he glory of the Kingdom of heaven!
Having celebrated his memory, we would do well to seek St John’s intercession for Metropolitan Tychikos, who has travelled to Constantinople today for his appeal against his anti-canonical deposition. Please keep him in your prayers.
We look forward to celebrating the feast of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God in the Oratory Church tomorrow, and will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at 10:45, after the second morning mass. I will complete the proskomedia do that I am able to hear confessions from 10:00.
Given tomorrow’s feast, I will not be in Cardiff on Friday, but confessions and our 18:00 celebration of Small Compline will be in Nazareth House, as usual, on Thursday, and we will chant the akathist to the Protecting Veil.
Our next Cheltenham Liturgy will be on Saturday, and – following the practice of the last few years – we will again honour the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God, and we look forward to our celebration, and time together over our usual bring-and-share lunch. The Liturgy will be in Prestbury United Reformed Church, Deep St, Cheltenham GL52 3AN, commencing at 10:00.
We will also chant a litia in honour of the Protecting Veil after Sunday’s Liturgy in Cardiff, the day being the feast of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
Thanks to those who baked cakes for after last week’s Liturgy. The simplifying of refreshments made cleaning so much easier, allowing us to leave on time. Oddly, despite, this change being announced at Liturgy, posted on Facebook and WhatsApp, and emailed in the news bulletin, there were still those who claimed they did not know. There’s only so much we can do to share news without resorting to letters through your letter box. Please read the parish news!
We look forward to a shared lunch on feasts, but should remember that as Becky, the treasury, of the St Mark’s – St Philip’s community has informed us, there will be six weeks of weekday internal alteration work which will mean there is no operative kitchen in St Philip’s. The start date is yet to be confirmed.
Despite some reservations, the expanded opportunities for parish giving continue to make a considerable difference to our parish collections, as Father Mark has reported, total electronic donations this week of £1,245, are split as follows
Monday 06/10 – Online Donations from website: £10 – General Collection; £30 – Building Fund.
Friday 10/10 – Online Donations from website; £20 – Stipend Fund; £1,000 – Building Fund; £5 – Candles.
Sunday 12/10 – Digital collection plate Machine; £115 General Collection; £40 – Building Fund; £10- Stipend Fund; £15 – Candle Purchases. DCP TOTAL = £180
£1,160 of the donations were gift aided, giving an additional £290
Therefore, total donations (cash and electronic) total of £1,298 (£1,588 incl. gift aid).
Again, for weekly analysis purposes removing the large one off donation, weekly total donations are £298 (£338 incl. gift aid).
Thanks to Fr Mark for this report.
The last few days have seen further plannings and discussions regarding the visit of the Kursk-Root Icon, which Father Paul and I will bring from East Anglia, arriving for vespers on Saturday 15 November.
The Icon will grace our Liturgy on Sunday 16 November, before afternoon Cardiff home visits and several visits on Monday morning (17 November), after which it will depart for afternoon visits in Somerset and Wiltshire, before our evening service in the Chapel of St Lawrence in Warminster at 18:30.
The following morning, Tuesday 18 November, we have requested the use of the chapel to celebrate a morning Liturgy, and as the chapel will already be set up from the previous evening, I have scheduled the service for 10:00, rather than 10:30. I will confirm this once confirmation is received. That evening, there will be a service in Llanelli at 19:00, and this will be in Father Luke’s home chapel.
We pray for Olga, Valentina Nikolaevna, Svetlana, matushka Alla and Nataliya as they travel; for the health of Liza, Irina, Pavel and Brigid; and for Masha and Neil as they soldier on with house restoration.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode I, Irmos: Overwhelming power once laid low the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep, and the incarnate Word hath destroyed pernicious sin. All-glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Choosing thee as one beautiful, all-comely and immaculate among women, God made His abode within thine immaculate womb. Him do thou beseech, O most immaculate one, that He deliver all who hymn thee from the reproach of sins.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As saith the psalm, thou didst stand as Queen at the right hand of the King Who shone forth from thy womb. Him do thou beseech, O most immaculate Bride of God, that He show me as standing on His right side on the day of retribution.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O thou who gavest birth to the Rain of heaven, thou hast renewed all of human nature which hath withered utterly away through all manner of unseemly deeds; but pray thou, O Bride of God, and show forth as fertile the dry furrow of my soul.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Slain by the tree of knowledge, O pure one, we have been restored to everlasting life by the Tree of life, Christ God, Who, through thee, O Theotokos, blossomed forth in manner past understanding. Him do thou entreat with boldness, that our souls be saved.
Canon I of the apostle, the acrostic whereof is: “With Christian beauty I hymn the son of thunder”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone II
Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Having received the kingdom of heaven which thou didst preach, O blessed one, and as a converser with the Word of heaven, by thy supplications preserve those who believe in thine honoured preaching and theology.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Exhibiting a mighty mind, thou didst spurn all things on earth and the bonds of nature, O most wise one, and abiding noetically and spiritually with the Word thou hast freed from irrationality those who live senselessly.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Receiving most theologically an understanding of heavenly things, thou didst preach God the Word; and, proclaiming the glad tidings, thou didst teach: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with His Father, and the Word was God!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The choir of divine maidens hymn thee most divinely, O Mistress Theotokos, who art comely among women and art adorned with the beauties of divinity; for in manner past recounting thou gavest birth to the Word and Benefactor.
Canon II of the apostle, the acrostic whereof is: “I bear entreaties to the divine initiate of the mysteries”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VI
Irmos:Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Illumined in mind, thou didst penetrate the depths of the Spirit, O theologian, and hast manifestly told us of the awesome begetting, crying out: In the beginning was the Word of God!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Crushed beneath a multitude of temptations and sufferings, tribulations and grievous assaults, we flee with faith to thee. O theologian, be thou a helper to thy servants!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Healing the cruel sufferings of our souls as an excellent physician, O wise one, deliver us from everlasting condemnation and fire through thy mediation.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one who didst conceive God Who became man for our sake, entreat Him, that on the day of judgment He take pity upon us who have committed many sins against Him.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode III, Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations, blossomed like a lily at Thine advent, O Lord; and therein hath my heart been established.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Issuing forth from thy womb, O most immaculate one, the Creator clothed Himself in me, a man, granting the vesture of incorruption unto one stripped naked by many unseemly deeds.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mistress, thou gavest birth to God, the all-honoured Word. Him do thou earnestly beseech, that He have pity on my lowly soul, which is downcast because of the indignities of pleasures.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure one, heal thou the wounds of my soul; and my lowly heart, which hath been poisoned by the venom of the serpent, cure thou with the medicine of thine activity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou hast boldness before thy Son, in that thou art His Mother, O Mistress, ask thou help for the oppressed people, and cast down the arrogance of the iniquitous.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
With the tongue of thy theology thou didst reveal the mystery of the Trinity which passeth understanding, O divinely blessed John; and therein hath my heart been established.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thy tongue became the scribe’s pen of the most Holy Spirit, recording thy precious and divine Gospel with godly script.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Reclining against the Well-spring of wisdom with divinely wise boldness, O most wise one, thou didst draw forth an abyss of wisdom; and thou becamest His godly herald.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We honour thee as the only Virgin Mother who hast been for us the mediatress of salvation, delivering the world by thy supplications.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Conversing with the Word with radiant and pure mind, O thrice-blessed theologian, thou wast taught mysteries by Him which manifestly transcend human speech; and thou hast enlightened all creation.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Deliver me from the cruel bonds of sin, O thrice-blessed one, binding me with love to God the Master, Whom thou didst fervently love, for thou hast been called His theologian.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast been given to us as a defender, a mediator and deliverer, an intercessor before the Lord, a worker of miracles and a source of healings, O theologian. Wherefore, we honour thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When the Word Who was ineffably incarnate of thee was lifted up upon the tree of the Cross, O Theotokos, He entrusted thee, as a Virgin Maiden, to the virginal disciple.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Having reclined against the breast of Wisdom and learned an understanding of things, thou didst thunder forth divinely: “In the beginning was the Word!”, being the first to record the begetting which hath no beginning; and thou hast proclaimed to all the incarnation of the Word. Wherefore, fishing for the nations, using thy tongue as a net, thou teachest the ends of the earth by the grace of the Spirit, and dost enlighten them with miracles. O theologian and apostle, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Having fallen into perils of great complexity through enemies visible and invisible, beset by the tempest of my countless offences, I flee to the haven of thy goodness as to my fervent help and protection, O pure one. Wherefore, pray thou earnestly to Him Who became incarnate of thee without seed, on behalf of thy servants, O all-pure one, ever beseeching Him to grant remission of offences unto those who hymn thy glory as is meet.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode IV, Irmos: Thou didst come forth from the Virgin, neither as a mediator nor an angel, but Thyself incarnate, O Lord, and hast saved me, the whole man; wherefore, I cry to thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rain down drops of compunction upon me, O Mistress, removing the burning heat from my heart, and driving away my grief and the assaults of vexation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Disdain me not, O all-pure one, who have been pierced with the sword of pleasure and lie in my wounds, but heal me with the spear and blood of thy crucified Son, our God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O thou who hast been enriched by dominion over every created thing, count me worthy of divine grace who have been reduced to grievous beggary, that I may magnify thee as my good intercessor, O most immaculate one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Christ, the effulgence of the Father, shone forth from thy womb, O Maiden who tasted not of wedlock, and, crucified, hath illumined the world and destroyed the darkness of the demons.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Having taught thee most excellently the mysteries of His divinity and instructed thee in His ineffable dispensation for man, as is meet the Word showed thee forth as His theologian.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst acquire a godly mind and a virginal body, O glorious one, and didst become the living and animate temple and most sacred dwelling-place of the most hymned Trinity.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
O blessed virgin apostle, thou wast honoured in being appointed the son of the all-pure Virgin, and wast shown to be the brother of Him Who chose thee and made of thee His disciple and theologian.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Healing the ancient crime of Eve, the All-divine One made His abode in thee, the most immaculate and all-pure one, to restore me, a fallen man.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honoured Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
With the Word, as with drops of rain, thou didst water the whole earth, O glorious one, and didst piously dry up the turbid waters of impiety; wherefore, we honour thee.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
With strength and might, O most wise one, gird thou my soul, which hath been paralysed by many assaults by unclean enemies, and hath recourse to thy protection, I pray.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art the temple of the Divine Spirit, O theologian, by thy mediation show forth as temples of God those who present themselves with faith in thy divine temple.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us hymn the divine temple of God, and, deified and delivered from evils, let us all manifestly bless the holy Virgin.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode V, Irmos: Thou art a Mediator between God and man, O Christ God; for by Thee, O Master, are we led up out of the night of ignorance to Thy Father, the Source of light.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure one who gavest birth to the Path of light, guide me now to the straight path, who have irrationally fallen among trackless wastes and defiles.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Mindlessly estranging myself from the understanding of God, I have prodigally squandered my substance in a far land, straying through the passions; but return and save me through thy consolations, O pure Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With thy life-giving waters drench me, thy servant, who am burning with the flame of sins and am set afire by the assaults of the demons, O all-pure Virgin Mother.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Behold! in manner past recounting, O all-pure Theotokos, thou didst contain Christ God in thy womb, as Isaiah proclaimed beforehand, and thou gavest birth to Him supernaturally, O Theotokos.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Through grace thou wast shown to be a heavenly mind, O theologian, becoming wholly light through drawing nigh unto the Origin of light, deified by the pure sight of Him.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst preach thy Gospel with pure mind, holy lips and an all-pure mouth, O divinely inspired one, and thou hast set forth universal salvation before all the faithful.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Living with Christ from thy childhood, instructed in theology and having learned the glory of the Trinity which transcendeth nature, thou didst become an instrument of grace set forth by Him.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Mindful of thy words, we now call thee blessed; for through thee, O most immaculate one, we have truly received ineffable blessedness and life which groweth not old.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst shine forth like the dawn upon those on earth, manifestly proclaiming to the world the noetic Orient Who hath come in the flesh and destroyed the darkness of polytheism.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
With thy sacred theology thou hast given drink to every soul, O sacred herald and apostle; wherefore, I cry to thee: Water my whole heart, which hath been withered by sins.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I have been wounded by the darts of the enemy. By thine intercession, O wise one, heal me wholly, I pray, and guide to the path of God me who have ever gone astray in iniquities.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When thou didst stand with the beloved disciple at the Cross of thy Son, O most immaculate one, thou didst sigh, weeping, and didst marvel at His surpassing sympathy for men.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode VI, Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mistress, show me not to be a joy to the demons at the coming judgment, but lifting thy gaze kindly upon me, entreat the Judge, thy Son.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
By my wicked and iniquitous thoughts and acts I have angered Thee, O Lord. Yet do I bring Thy Mother before Thee to intercede. Taking pity, save me!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that thou gavest birth to the Judge, the God of all, O most hymned Mistress, from condemnation deliver me, who have condemned myself through my transgressions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Entreat Jesus the Saviour, to Whom thou didst supernaturally give birth in the flesh, O all-pure Virgin Mother, that thy servants be delivered from tribulations.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Jesus, my God and Lord, accepting thy purity and most perfect holiness, received thee as His brother, O theologian.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Having crowned thy life with holiness, and trusting therein, O glorious one, thou didst recline against the breast of Wisdom, and didst draw forth grace therefrom.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
The great and divine radiance of thy theology hath enlightened the whole world, O glorious one, and hath illumined it with the light of the threefold Sun.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who stretched forth heaven, O pure Mother of God, hath stretched thee forth as another, earthly heaven, and, shining forth from thee, hath revealed Himself.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thy tongue of theology was truly like a writer’s pen, inscribing on the tablets of our hearts true understanding and the law which is truly new, O theologian.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
O glorious one who, like a most excellent husbandman, hast caused the offshoots of impiety to wither at the root, plant thou the fear of God in my soul, the blossoming fruitfulness of the virtues.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He Who had most manifestly issued forth from the Virgin called thee her son. With her make thou entreaty, that those who do that which is well-pleasing unto Him become children of God by adoption, O ever all-memorable one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, O most immaculate one, God appeared to men in the likeness of the flesh. Him do thou ever entreat, that He slay the pernicious wisdom of our flesh, O most pure one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Who can recount thy mighty works, O virgin apostle? For thou pourest out miracles and dost cause healings to flow forth; and thou prayest for our souls, in that thou art a theologian and the friend of Christ.
Ikos:It is a bold and unattainable thing to study the heights of heaven and to plumb the depths of the sea; for as it is impossible to calculate the number of the stars and the sands of the shore, so is it impossible to speak sufficiently of the theologian, whom Christ loved and hath crowned with so many crowns. For, reclining against His breast, he ate with Him at the mystical supper, in that he is a theologian and friend of Christ.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode VII, Irmos: The command of the iniquitous tyrant, opposed to God, raised up a lofty flame; but Christ, Who is blessed and all-glorious, spread a spiritual dew upon the pious youths.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou art my strength and song, my salvation and steadfast aid, and an invincible rampart, O Mistress, do battle with the demons who make war upon me and ever seek to slay me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given flesh to God, O Virgin, thou hast deified mankind by thy virginal blood. Wherefore, I beseech thee: By thy supplications deliver me, who have been defiled by the passions and ruined by the wiles of the enemy.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The furnace prefigured thy birthgiving, O most immaculate one; for it did not consume the youths, just as the unbearable Fire did not consume thy womb. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Deliver thy servants from everlasting fire.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou alone didst show forth thy conceiving as all-pure and thy birthgiving as incorrupt, remaining a virgin; for thou didst conceive God Who is over all and Who became man, O pure one, thou salvation and deliverance of the faithful.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Shining with divine effulgence, thou didst manifestly theologise concerning the Holy Spirit Who proceedeth from the unoriginate Father and resteth inseparably in the Son, in that He is consubstantial with them.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
In thee, O blessed one, Christ, the all-glorious Sun of righteousness appointed His dwelling, Who hath made thee an ever-moving heaven, and is proclaimed by the tongue of thy theology.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
The power of thy words hath sent forth a divine sound, O most blessed and right wondrous one, and thy universal Gospel hath embraced the whole earth with the magnificence of thy dogmas.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou alone didst show forth thy conceiving as all-pure and thy birthgiving as incorrupt, remaining a virgin; for thou didst conceive God Who is over all and Who became man, O pure one, thou salvation and deliverance of the faithful.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Let us hymn the theologian, the thunder which hath resounded to all the ends of the earth, whereby every ear is truly caught up from the earth, and Christ, the Creator of all, is magnified.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
The manifest splendour of thy house illumineth every mind; and, ever assembling therein, we hymn the Creator of all in godly manner, and praise thee with faith, who art our intercessor.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We know thee to be a star of radiant light, O disciple of Christ, and we pray that we will be enlightened by thy luminous radiance, and delivered from the darkness of the passions and all manner of perils by thy mediation.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most immaculate one, we bless thee who gavest birth to the blessed Lord, Who with divine blessings hath annulled the curse on human nature, and hath renewed us, who have grown old through corruption.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode VIII, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fiery furnace divided its activity at the command of God, consuming the Chaldæans, but bedewing the faithful, who chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be zealous for the good, avoiding what is evil, by care for godly works, O my soul, having the Mother of God praying for thee, the unashamed intercessor for all, who is merciful and loveth mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast released mankind from the bonds of the ancient condemnation, O Theotokos. Wherefore, I pray to thee: Loose every evil bond of my heart, O all-pure one, binding me with the divine love of the Creator.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given birth to the Effulgence of the Father’s glory, O Theotokos, illumine my heart, which is weighed down by the disgrace of transgressions; and show me forth as a partaker of everlasting glory, that I may glorify thee with love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Most High, the true Sun of righteousness, hath appeared to us incarnate of thee, O Theotokos, illumining all things with the rays of His divinity. To Him do we chant hymns.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Issuing forth like dazzling lightning, thou wast revealed to the whole world in the radiance of purity and the brilliance of virginity, O beloved of Christ God, illumining the world with the dogmas of piety.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Having purified body, soul and mind, thou didst proclaim the glad tidings of the heavenly Gospel of Christ; and, dwelling with the angels in the heavens, thou now criest out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a pillar of light, a divine oblation of the heavenly temple, a throne of perception, a receptacle of wisdom and an instrument of theology, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
That Thou mightest annul the primal curse and the ancient condemnation of our first mother to death, O Word of God, thou wast born of the Virgin Mother of God, granting indestructible immortality unto all.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst bring forth goodly abundance through the speech of thy tongue, O blessed one, and thou didst bring to life those dead through evil, who accepted thy sacred preaching. Wherefore, we honour thee as an initiate of ineffable mysteries.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thy house, O apostle, hath been shown to be another divine garden of paradise, gladdening the souls of all with miracles, as with flowers, and dispelling the fœtor of the passions.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O God, my God, hearken unto me and deliver me from the enemies who assail me every day and crush my lowly heart, for I have Thy divine disciple praying to Thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O divinely joyous one, beseech Jesus the Saviour, Who was incarnate of thy pure blood, that He take pity on us, thy servants, and rescue us from everlasting torment.
Canon of the Theotokos, Ode IX, Irmos: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father, hath revealed Himself to us incarnate of the Virgin, to enlighten those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Wherefore, we magnify the all-hymned Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Tasting of the forbidden fruit of the tree, Adam bitterly found death through the tree; but thy Son, Who was nailed to the Tree, O all-pure one, hath poured forth the sweetness of immortality. Wherefore, we honour thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art a Queen, having in manner past recounting given birth to Christ the King and Lord Who hath destroyed the kingdom of hell. Him do thou earnestly entreat, O Maiden, that He count those who honour thee worthy of the heavenly on high.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Mistress, in that thou gavest birth to the Good One, and art thyself good, make my lowly heart good, which hath been vexed by inundations of pleasures, and open unto me the doors of goodness, that I may repent.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who was lifted up, dead, upon the Cross hath slain the serpent thereby; wherefore, I cry out to Thee: Have mercy on my soul, which hath been slain by wicked deeds, O Word, and bring it to life through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.
Canon I of the Apostle, Irmos: Same as that of the preceding canon.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou hast now been counted worthy to behold the Torrent of sweetness, the River of peace and the Well-spring of immortality, not in indistinct images, but face to face; and, watered thereby, thou dost now enjoy deification.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst ask Christ for a throne on earth, but He gave thee His breast instead; and, reclining against it, thou wast enriched with a steadfast, abiding and goodly seat, O theologian, thou adornment of the apostles.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Thou didst burn up the ungodliness of pagan wisdom, O wise one, proclaiming: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was truly God, through Whom all things came into being, visible and invisible!”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Amid the night of life thou wast found to be like the break of dawn, O most pure Mother of God, shining forth with rays of virginity and revealing to us the Orient of the noetic Sun of righteousness.
Canon II of the Apostle, Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
As the Lord of times and seasons, the Deliverer hung upon the Cross at noontime, and entrusted the Ever-virgin to thee, O blessed one, in that thou art virginal, granting immutable glory to those who magnify thee.
Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
Dwelling with the hosts of God on high, and giving utterance with them to divine hymnody, O apostle of Christ, by thine honoured mediations save those who chant and hymn the All-Good One in thy holy house.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
From all misfortunes save us who entreat thee with faith, O blessed theologian, directing our steps to the Lord through the Spirit, and guiding us to the path of peace by the commandments of the Almighty.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With splendour we offer a cry of thanksgiving to thee, the Mother of God, and we cry aloud: Rejoice, O most exalted throne of God! Rejoice, cloud of the Light! Rejoice garden of paradise, whereby we have been vouchsafed the sweetness of paradise!
Troparion, Tone II: O beloved apostle of Christ God, haste thou to deliver a defenseless people. He Who permitted thee to recline against His breast receiveth thee, prostrate in supplication. Him do thou beseech, O theologian, that He dispel the gloom of the nations which doth beset us, asking for us peace and great mercy.
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Ode I, Irmos : Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
When Eve partook of the forbidden fruit of the tree, she brought about the curse; yet thou hast annulled it, O pure one, having given birth to Christ, the Firstfruits of blessing.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given birth to Christ the Pearl by the lightning-flash of God, O pure one, dispel the darkness of my passions and the vexation of transgressions with the light of thy splendour.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With noetic eyes Jacob mystically foresaw God, the Expectation of the nations Who is incarnate of thee, Who hath delivered us through thy mediation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
When the tribe of Judah was bereft of leaders, O all-pure one, thy Son and God, issuing forth as a prince, truly reigneth now over the ends of the earth.
Canon I of the Venerable Sergius, the acrostic whereof is: “O my God, grant that I may praise Sergius”, in Tone VIII
Irmos:The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Emulating Christ, Who willingly abased Himself for our sake, even to assume the guise of a servant, thou didst love humility; and having mortified soul-destroying passions with extreme vigilance and supplications, thou didst ascend the mountain of dispassion, O Sergius who art most rich.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Adorning thy soul with torrents of tears, as it were a beacon of light, O venerable one, thou didst offer thyself like another Isaac, and didst sacrifice thy heart to God.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
O all-blessed Sergius, who by thy threefold exclamation in thy mother’s womb wast shown to be a servant of the Trinity: illumined with the light of the threefold Sun, thou hast destroyed the hordes of the demons as though they were a spider’s web.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In manner transcending the laws of nature, thou gavest birth to God, the Giver of the law Who became man. O most immaculate one, entreat Him, in that He is good, that He overlook the iniquities of us who ever cry: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!
Canon II of the Venerable One, in Tone I
Irmos : Thy victorious right arm hath in godly manner been glorified in strength; for as almighty, O Immortal One, it smote the adversary, fashioning anew the path of the deep for the Israelites.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou wast made steadfast by the love of Christ, O venerable and divinely blessed Sergius, and wast shown to be like a river which abundantly watereth all the earth with the discourse of teaching; wherefore, we bless thy memory with love.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Blessing flowed from thy hand at the behest of God; for by thy supplication arid ground poured forth water, and drawing it forth, we now receive healing in abundance, O venerable Sergius.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast wholly dedicated to God from thy youth, drawing nigh unto Him by the virtues; for, having forsaken things corruptible on earth, thou hast found the riches of heaven.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O wellspring of grace! Rejoice, O ladder and portal of heaven! Rejoice, O golden lampstand and jar, thou mountain unquarried, who for the world gavest birth to Christ, the Bestower of life.
Ode III, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Good One, ineffably receiving my corrupt and mortal flesh from thy womb, O most pure Mother of God, hath bound it eternally to Him, rendering it immortal.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Beholding God incarnate of thee, O Virgin, the angelic choirs were stricken with awe and fear; and with constant hymnody they honour thee as the Mother of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Prophet Daniel was filled with awe, perceiving thee as the noetic mountain from whence the Stone was cut without the aid of men’s hands. And He hath crushed the temples of the demons with might, O Mother of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Neither the words nor the tongue of men can praise thee as is meet, O Virgin; for from thee, O all-pure one, was Christ, the Bestower of life, pleased to become incarnate without seed.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Providing thy disciples with a model of goodness in thyself, thou didst draw to salvation many souls who cut themselves off from passionate attachment to the world, and they have received the consolation of delight in paradise.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst flourish like a right fruitful olive-tree in the house of God, O blessed one, anointing with oil the souls of those who lovingly hymn thee, O all-blessed Sergius, and cry out to Christ with love: There is none more holy than Thee, Who lovest mankind!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst lull to sleep the soul-destroying passions with vigils of wakefulness, O blessed one; and therefore thou hast made thine abode in the mansions of heaven, O divinely wise Sergius, receiving the gift of healing.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast been shown to be more exalted than the cherubim and the seraphim, O Theotokos; for thou alone didst receive the infinite God in thy womb, O undefiled one. Wherefore, all of us, the faithful, bless thee with hymns, O pure one.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: O Thou Who alone hast known the weakness of human nature, having in Thy mercy formed Thyself therein: Thou dost gird me about with power from on high, that I may chant to Thee: Holy is the living temple of Thine ineffable glory, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Having spurned corrupt glory, O blessed one, thou wast vouchsafed to become an heir to divine glory; for having trampled the beauty of life underfoot, thou partakest of divine glory with the angels in the highest.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Having renewed the ground of thy heart with the plough of prayer, O venerable one, and sown it with the seed of thy labours, thou wast shown to be the all-comely wheat of the Word, and hast attained unto the dwelling-place of never-waning light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Honoured by the effulgence of the Holy Spirit, thou didst adorn thyself with a radiant life, O venerable father, giving freely to those in need, and receiving the ranks of monastics with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
From thee, O pure one, did the never-fading Flower bloom, perfuming all mankind with the divine myrrh of His nature: He Who with the Father is equally without beginning came under time through thee, O most immaculate one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up…”: Having truly forsaken the inconstancy of corrupt things, thou didst follow after Christ with all thy soul, living like an incorporeal being through pangs, labours and extreme asceticism. O venerable Sergius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Theotokos, thou art more exalted than the cherubim and the seraphim, more spacious than heaven and earth, and hast been shown to surpass creation, visible and invisible, in transcendent comparison; for the expanse of the heavens cannot contain Him Whom thou didst contain in thy womb. O pure one, entreat Him, that thy servants be saved.
Ode IV, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honoured Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure one, saved by thee, we hymn thee, the most immaculate one, and chanting piously, we cry aloud: Blessed art thou who gavest birth unto God, O Ever-virgin!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most blessed Virgin, thou gavest birth to the never-waning Light which shineth forth in the flesh upon those in the darkness of life; and thou hast poured forth joy upon those who hymn thee, O Ever-virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Through thee, O most holy one, grace hath blossomed forth, and the law hath ceased; for thou, O pure Ever-virgin, gavest birth to the Lord Who granteth us remission.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The eating of the tree hath shown me to be mortal; but the Tree of life, Who appeared from thee, O all-pure one, hath risen from the dead and made me an heir to the sweetness of paradise.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habakkuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a temple of the all-holy Spirit, O right wondrous father Sergius, a river full of the waters of life, the unshakable foundation of the Church, and the confirmation of monastics.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Every day thou didst drench thy bed with the drops of thy tears, as said the prophet, O glorious Sergius, until thou didst utterly dry up the depths of the passions; wherefore, we honour thine ever-honourable and sacred memory.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou wast vouchsafed to see Christ face to face, O Sergius, reflections having truly been abolished; for this separated thee from the world unto thy desired Beloved.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant us the washing away of our ignorance, in that Thou art sinless, and bring peace to the world, O God, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: Habakkuk, gazing with the eyes of foresight upon thee, the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God, prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come forth from thee, for our salvation and restoration.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Illumined with radiant beams of light, O all-blessed one, rejoicing thou hast received heavenly delight; for thou wast truly more pure bread for the Creator, O wise Sergius, crying out to Him: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Having passed above the soul-corrupting passions and entered the depths of stillness, the child who had died thou didst raise up before the departure of his soul from his body, and beyond hope didst bring joy to his father. Wherefore, marvelling, thou didst cry out to the Creator: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having given wings to the understanding of thy soul and guided thy senses to the path of heaven, O wise one, thou didst declare the holiness of piety to those on earth.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Arriving from heaven, the angelic commander announced joy to thee, O pure one, saying: “God shall issue forth from thee in the flesh, O all-pure Virgin, for the salvation of those who hymn thee with love! Glory to thy power, O helper of men!”
Ode V, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Shining forth with radiance in purity, O most hymned one, thou didst become the divine abode of the Master; for thou alone wast shown to be the Mother of God, bearing Him in thine arms as a babe.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Bearing the noetic beauty of thy most beautiful soul, thou wast the Bride of God, thy virginity sealed, O pure one, illumining the world with the light of purity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let the assembly of the ungodly lament, who do not proclaim thee openly to be the pure Mother of God; for thou hast been shown to us as the portal of the divine Light, dispelling the darkness of transgressions.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou wast steadfast in ascetic labour, O wise one, continuing it carefully until thy departure; and thereby thou hast manifestly been vouchsafed the blessedness of incorruption.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Possessed of a mind keen to attend unto God, thou didst lull the soul-corrupting passions to sleep, O father, and hast reaped sheaves of fruitfulness, feeding those who piously praise thee, O venerable father Sergius.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thy life was splendid, O venerable Sergius, and is shown forth to all the ends of the earth as famous, and as full of divine beauty through prayer and fasting, and love for Christ, Who loveth mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having thee as a rampart, we bless thee, preserved by thy help, boasting in thy divine glory; for thou, O all-pure one, pourest forth gladness and joy upon our souls.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: As God of peace and Father of compassion, Thou didst send Thine Angel of Great Counsel, Who granteth us peace. Therefore, guided to the light of knowledge divine, and waking at dawn out of the night, we glorify Thee, Who lovest mankind.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst manifestly put off the old man, O father, casting him away as though he were a garment defiled by sinful passions, and thou didst clothe thyself in the new man, in accordance with the likeness of Christ, O most honourable one.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst manifestly put off the old man, O father, casting him away as though he were a garment defiled by sinful passions, and thou didst clothe thyself in the new man, in accordance with the likeness of Christ, O most honourable one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having broken asunder the chains of the passions by thine angelic life, O Sergius, receiving the gift of the working of miracles from on high, beg the cleansing of our offences.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By thy birthgiving, O Virgin, thou didst abolish the curse of Eve, the first mother of all, shining forth Christ, our Blessing, upon the world. Wherefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, confessing thee with tongue and heart to be the true Theotokos.
Ode VI, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Moses, great among the prophets, described thee beforehand as the ark, the table, the lampstand and the jar, signifying in images the incarnation of the Most High through thee, O Mother and Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Death is slain, and the corruption of Adam’s condemnation is abolished, broken by thy Fruit, O Mistress; for thou gavest birth to the Life which delivereth those who hymn thee from corruption.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The law failed, and the shadow passed away, when, in manner past understanding and thought, there appeared to me the grace which came from thee, O most hymned Virgin, through the nativity of God the Saviour.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Cease not to entreat the Deliverer, that He grant remission of offences to those who keep thy sacred memory, O father, that they receive the kingdom of heaven, where the voice of those who keep festival gladdeneth all.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by Christ, with steadfast mind thou didst rend asunder all the wiles of the evil one like a snare, O father Sergius, and wast shown to be an all-radiant beacon to the world.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Illumined with divine light, and dwelling now with the angels in the heavens, O ever-memorable and venerable Sergius, be thou mindful of those who honour thy memory with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast truly elevated human nature, which had fallen, O Mother of God, having borne without seed in thy womb the invisible and immutable Son, the divine Image, the Equal of the Father.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: The sea monster thrust forth, like a babe from the womb, Jonah whom it had swallowed; and the Word, Who dwelt within the Virgin and took flesh of her, issued forth, preserving her incorrupt. He kept her who gave Him birth unharmed, for He Himself was not subject to corruption.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
With mercy thou dost illumine us, thy flock, from on high, O father, by thy supplications granting victory to our pious hierarchs over all heresies, and lifting high the horn of the Orthodox. Accept also from us this small entreaty offered unto thee.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
With mercy thou dost illumine us, thy flock, from on high, O father, by thy supplications granting victory to our pious hierarchs over all heresies, and lifting high the horn of the Orthodox. Accept also from us this small entreaty offered unto thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The grace to heal divers ailments hath been given to thee, and the authority from Christ over unclean spirits, O wise one, for as a godly victory thou hast received the crown of victory from Him Who reigneth over all.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The whole choir of the prophets, instructed by God, hath proclaimed the mystery of thine ineffable and divine conception, whereby the Word came forth from thee, O Virgin Mother; for thou hast given birth to the true and primal Light.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “To thee, the champion leader…”: Wounded with the love of Christ, O venerable one, and following Him with unwavering desire, thou didst despise all the delight of the flesh, and hast shone forth like the sun upon thy native land; wherefore, Christ hath enriched thee with the gift of miracles. Be thou mindful of us who honour thine all-radiant memory, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!
Ikos:Having heard the words of the Gospel, O father, thou didst forsake all carnal mindedness and, considering riches and glory to be as dust, thou didst contend against the passions like an incorporeal being, and wast vouchsafed to join the choirs of the bodiless hosts. Thou didst receive the gift of understanding, which do thou grant unto those who hymn thee thus in song: Rejoice, O venerable and God-bearing Sergius, thou heavenly man and earthly angel; rejoice, thou dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, thou who through prayer received a gift divinely bestowed; rejoice, thou who before thy birth didst glorify with thine exclamation the Holy Trinity, Who hath glorified thee in this life and after death! Rejoice, pillar of chastity beneath which every passion hath been crushed; rejoice, for from earliest childhood thou didst follow after Christ! Rejoice, mediator of salvation for those who have recourse to thee; rejoice, beacon of great radiance, guiding multitudes of monks to Christ! Rejoice, thou boast of thy homeland; rejoice, thou who wast adorned with prophecy, to foretell things of the future as though they were present! Rejoice, for by thy supplications are the adversary vanquished; rejoice, boast and confirmation of our Christ-loving hierarchs, whom do thou by thine entreaties preserve unharmed by the enemy, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise Sergius!
Ode VII, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The furnace did not consume the three youths who prefigured thy birthgiving; for the divine Fire dwelt within thee without consuming thee, and hath taught all to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The ends of the earth bless thee, O most immaculate Mother, as thou didst foretell, and, illumined by thy brilliant radiance and grace, they who hymn thee cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The most wicked serpent hath sunk his deadly fangs into me; yet thy Son hath broken them, O Mother of God, and given me the might to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the purification of nature, O only blessed one of God; for, having borne in thine arms God Who sitteth upon the shoulders of the cherubim, thou criest aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Divine grace bedewed thee in the furnace of burning temptations, O venerable one, and showed thee to be greatly luminous with desire for the Trinity, crying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Spurning the world, O glorious Sergius, thou didst dwell on earth like one incorporeal, and hast been vouchsafed to join the choirs of the angels. Wherefore, we honour thee with faith, O right wondrous one.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Entering the calm haven, O divinely wise one, thou didst find rest from the voyages of life, and thou hast become a saving helmsman for those tossed upon the waves of life, who chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, thou hast grown forth as a rod, the most blessed fruit, from the root of Jesse, bearing the Flower of salvation for those who with faith cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: O Theotokos, we, the faithful, perceive thee to be a noetic furnace; for, as the supremely Exalted One saved the three youths, in thy womb the praised and most glorious God of our fathers wholly renewed the world.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
By the hand of God thou wast shown on earth to be another heaven, O all-blessed one, and thou didst nurture thy reason-endowed flock, living in the flesh like an angel, O divinely wise one.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
By the hand of God thou wast shown on earth to be another heaven, O all-blessed one, and thou didst nurture thy reason-endowed flock, living in the flesh like an angel, O divinely wise one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having thee as a mighty advocate before God, a comforter amid sorrows, a champion and intercessor, and a mediator of piety, O blessed and venerable Sergius, we, thy children, are saved from all misfortunes.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O pure daughter of Adam; for from thee is come forth the Shepherd Who hath truly clothed Himself wholly in my humanity: the blessed God of our fathers, Who is supremely exalted for His unapproachable loving-kindness.
Ode VIII, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy Son, illumining thee as Queen with the radiance of the Spirit as in a robe of gold, O most pure one, hath set thee at His right hand. Him do we exalt supremely for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who hath founded the world by His will alone doth borrow flesh from thine all-pure womb, desiring to set it on high. Him do we exalt supremely for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Through the uniting of the Word to my humanity thou didst become the dwelling-place of God, O all-pure one, manifestly resplendent with the radiance of virginity. Wherefore, we hymn thee for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The golden lampstand prefigured thee who ineffably received the unapproachable Light which illumineth all things with His knowledge. Wherefore, O pure one, we hymn thee for all ages.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Fill thou thy radiant festival with joy and spiritual gladness, with sweet fragrance and enlightenment for the monastics who have thee as their helper and ruler, O all-blessed Sergius.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
By unceasing prayer thou hast hastened to God, and hence thou hast been illumined with the effulgence of the threefold Sun, waging war against the enemy, and leading to new life the assemblies of fasters who cry aloud to Christ: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
O Sergius, thou didst show forth on earth might in ascetic labour, diligence in prayer and endurance amid temptations, crying: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure Theotokos, cleanse my soul of the wounds and temptations of sin, washing it in the springs which flow from the side of thine Offspring; for to thee do I cry, to thee do I flee, and thee do I invoke, who art full of the grace of God.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: The dew-bearing furnace showed forth the image of a supernatural wonder; for it burned not the youths whom it had received, just as the fire of the Godhead burned not the Virgin, whose womb it entered. Wherefore, chanting, let us sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Chanting zealously, we beseech thee, O venerable one: Pray thou that victory be given to our pious hierarchs over all heresies, majesty to the Church, and peace to the world.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
The grace of the Holy Spirit dwelt within thee, made thee an expeller of evil spirits, and showed thee forth as an instructor of monastics, who cry: O all creation, bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely forever!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Shining from afar with the light of the threefold Sun, grant peace to the world, and light and salvation to those who at thy commemoration hymn thee, O venerable father, crying: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The rich Word, Who is glorified by angelic hymns, beggared Himself for our sake, choosing thee, the beauty of Jacob, to be His Mother, O blessed one; wherefore, chanting, we sing: Let all creation bless the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Ode IX, Canon of the Theotokos, Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Star shining forth from Jacob with rays of divinity through thee, O all-pure one, shone forth upon those held fast by darkness: Christ God, the incarnate Word. And, illumined by Him, with the armies of heaven we call thee blessed.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Strengthened by thy power and grace, I have ardently set forth hymnody from my heart. Accept it, O pure and divinely blessed Virgin, bestowing thy greatly radiant grace from the treasuries of incorruption.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast manifestly been shown to be the loom of the Godhead, whereon the Word wove the garment of His body, deifying my guise, O Virgin. And clothing Himself therein, He hath saved all who magnify thee with a pure mind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Resurrection hath now been given to the dead through thine ineffable and indescribable birthgiving, O most pure Theotokos; for He Who wrapped Himself in flesh through thee hath shone forth light upon all and hath manifestly done away with the gloom of death.
Canon I of the Venerable One, Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Full of the light of the effulgence of the Spirit, O wise Sergius, thou wast shown to be a beacon shining from afar, illumining us with noetic beams; and thou hast been shown to be the dwelling-place of the all-divine Trinity.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Truly hath Christ given thee to the lands of Russia as a great guide, steering thy homeland with a rudder firmly held, pouring forth teachings sweeter than honey; and we, the faithful, draw them forth in abundance as with a dipper.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Having vanquished the soul-corrupting passions, as a true shepherd thou didst tend the reason-endowed flock of Christ, nurturing them continually with the grace of the Spirit, as with the flowers of paradise, O venerable one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn thee with psalms, O joyous one, and unceasingly cry out to thee: Rejoice! For thou hast poured forth joy upon all.
Canon II of the Venerable One, Irmos: The bush which burnt with fire yet was not consumed showed forth an image of thy pure birthgiving. And now we pray that the furnace of temptations which rageth against us may be extinguished, that we may magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the love of Christ, and enlightened by the virtues, O wise one, thou didst not defile the beauty of thy soul. Thou didst pass over to the fathers in goodly old age, and standest before God with the angels, O Sergius.
Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the love of Christ, and enlightened by the virtues, O wise one, thou didst not defile the beauty of thy soul. Thou didst pass over to the fathers in goodly old age, and standest before God with the angels, O Sergius.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Wash away our offences, O Word, and enlighten the eyes of our heart, that in purity we may behold the radiance of Thy divine effulgence, through the supplications of Sergius thy favourite, that we may all magnify Thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thy strange wonder! For, having given birth ineffably to God the Word, O Virgin Theotokos, thou wast shown to be the mystery hidden and concealed before all ages and generations, in God Who hath created all things.
Troparion, Tone IV: O thou who wast a struggler for the virtues, as a true warrior of Christ God thou didst contend greatly against the passions in this transitory life, becoming a model for thy disciples in chanting, the keeping of vigils and fasts. Wherefore, the All-Holy Spirit made His abode within thee, by Whose activity thou wast splendidly adorned. As thou hast boldness before the Holy Trinity, be thou mindful of the flock which thou hast assembled, O wise one, and forget it not, as thou hast promised, visiting thy children, O Sergius, our venerable father.
If you wish to support our Orthodox mission in South Wales, especially as we fundraise to buy our own church, you may make a donation here:
Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
The sound of man’s tongue is unable to recount the most glorious sufferings of the protomartyr, for it falleth short of fitting praise.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
The all-prideful superstition of the tyrant hath been set at nought, for in Christ women have piously prevailed like men against him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Instructed in the Gospel by thine ineffable words, O most blessed Paul, the virgin betrothed herself to Christ.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
The Virgin gave birth unto Thee, O Christ, the life-bearing Cluster of grapes, Who pourest forth the sweetness of universal salvation.
Ode III, Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
O thy love which passeth understanding, O most honoured one, whereby, having united thyself in the Spirit, thou didst bind thyself to Paul in Christ!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
The intention of the tyrant was unable to wound thee who wast wounded with the desire of the Spirit, O delight of mortals.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having rejected all fleshly attachments, thou wast not softened by the conversations of thy mother, O most laudable athlete.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Thou wast the correction of our first mother Eve, O Theotokos, having given birth unto the Author of life for the world.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “As first-fruits…”: In the beauty of thy virginity thou didst shine forth, and thou wast adorned with the crown of martyrdom; as one all-glorious, O virgin, thou didst entrust thyself to the Apostle Paul, and didst transform the flame of the fire into dew; and by thy supplication, O thou who wast the first among women to suffer, thou didst quell the raging of the bull.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Transforming thy womanhood into manliness through the virtues and the love of Christ, by both thou becamest a dwelling place of God; for, having diminished the gloom of the passions by fasting, by martyrdom thou wast shown to be the boast of suffering. Wherefore, thou shinest forth with twofold radiance upon the world like a beacon, illumining all with rays of the Spirit, O most lauded protomartyr. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love honour thy holy memory. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: All we, the generations of men, bless thee as the Virgin who, alone among women, gavest birth without seed to God in the flesh; for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, and thou gavest suck unto the Creator and Lord as a babe. Wherefore, as is meet, we, the race of angels and men, glorify thy most holy birthgiving; and together we cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of transgressions to those who hymn thy glory as is meet.
Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion of Wednesdays and Fridays): The Ewe-Lamb, beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Deliverer upon the Cross, exclaimed, weeping, and, bitterly lamenting, cried out: “The world rejoiceth, receiving deliverance through Thee; but my womb is in pain, beholding the crucifixion which Thou endurest in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy! O longsuffering Lord, abyss and inexhaustible wellspring of mercy: have mercy, and grant remission of transgressions unto those who hymn Thy divine sufferings!”
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Paul, as the arranger of marriage, joined thee, O most honoured Thecla, who hadst been betrothed to Thamyris, to the heavenly Bridegroom, as one undefiled.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Thou wast brought to the love of piety by the words of Paul, O martyr, and didst spurn the words of Thamyris as foolishness.
Holy Great-Martyr, Thecla, pray to God for us.
By the sprinkling of the divine Blood hath the race of Adam been blessed; and Eve rejoiceth, seeing the deceitful serpent brought down by women.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Loving piety, the protomartyr cast away all the beautiful things of life: riches, family, beauty, and the pleasures of a betrothed.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
All we, the enlightened, know thee to be the Theotokos, O most pure one; for thou, O Ever-virgin, gavest birth to the Sun of righteousness.
Ode V, Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
With most grievous suffering thou didst struggle in the arena, O most blessed Thecla, and wast counted worthy of honours.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
The wicked serpent hath been laid waste, for the virgin learned obedience by divine sufferings.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By divine boldness hath thy shame been overcome, for the fire at the heart of the Trinity set thee aflame.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
O Mary, unwedded Theotokos, make vain the hopes of our enemies and gladden those who hymn thee.
Ode VI, Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Having fortified the weakness of her nature with the might of the Cross, and repudiated youthful adornment by divine love, at night the maiden took courage and ran away, seeking the fragrant teachings of Him Who was her Desired One.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
With love, of her own will, the right glorious protomartyr Thecla supernaturally left her bridal chambers to dwell in a dungeon with malefactors; for her desire for the Creator overcame her desire for comforts.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Drinking in the words of Paul in prison as in a divine meadow, the martyr kissed the chains of her divine teacher; and she grew and truly brought forth most comely fruit for the Master.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Choosing thee from among the beautiful valleys of the world as a rose, a most comely lily, a sweet-scented fragrance, O Maiden, the Creator made His abode within thy womb; and, having been born, He hath filled all things with a sweet savour.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II, Spec. Mel. “Seeking the highest…”: Having wounded thy heart with the love of Christ, O good virgin, thou didst spurn a transitory betrothal as of no account; and didst brave the fire and shut the mouths of the wild beasts. And, saved from them, O Thecla, first among women to suffer, thou didst take care to seek out Paul.
Ikos:Having learned the path of truth from Paul, thou didst follow after him without wavering, O all-glorious one, and having abandoned thine own people as strangers, with manly mind and in manly guise thou didst follow a stranger. Wherefore, the Master hath shown thee forth as the first to suffer among women contenders in the world, wherein thou didst remain, O Thecla, first among women to suffer, going about the ends thereof in search of Paul.
Ode VII, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Like a prisoner thou wast bound to Paul with unbreakable bonds by love, O most blessed one, piously crying out with faith and chanting with him: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Thou didst stand with Paul before the unjust tribunal, O good virgin, and moved by love of the Master, thou didst cry out in awe, rejecting what was unseemly: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Thou gavest thy body over to the furnace for divine love, O martyr, and by the power of Him Whom thou didst desire thou didst remain unconsumed, crying out: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The storm cloud, dousing the flame with rain and hail, rightly consumed the mindless ones and saved the martyr, who chanted thy hymn: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
A rod sprung forth from the root of Jesse wast thou, O all-blessed one, putting forth the Fruit of salvation for those who with faith cry out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Ode VIII, Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Strange was thy thought; for thou, O virgin martyr, madest thine abode in a grave as in Eden, hymning Christ forever.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Unable to endure that the magnificence and splendour of the beauty of thy virginity be dimmed, thou didst will to die and to live forever.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Having united thyself to Christ the life-creating and supernatural Bridegroom, O protomartyr, thou wast pleased that wild beasts be the preservers of thy virginity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having shed thy garment of corruption, O beautifully clad runner of Christ, thou didst pass on to the life which ageth not, forever.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
In manner transcending nature thou gavest birth unto God the Word, the Creator and Saviour, O Virgin; wherefore, we honour thee, O pure one, forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: With unceasing glorification we magnify thee, the Mother of the Most High, who knewest not wedlock, who didst truly give birth unto God the Word in manner past understanding, and art more highly exalted than the all-pure hosts.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
Who doth not marvel at thine invincibility, O protomartyr? For, having made subject the passions, the noetic beasts, to thy soul, thou wast not afraid of the unrestrained assaults of wild beasts, but remained incorrupt in their midst.
Holy Great-Martyr Thecla, pray to God for us.
At the command of God, the hard and impassible rock split apart for thee, O Godbearing martyr who wast sealed by the laver of regeneration as a blessed bride, and it received thee like a chamber as thou didst flee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Heal thou the wounds of my soul, O protomartyr; grant peace to the world, bestowing victories over heresies and schisms to all true Orthodox hierarchs, and bring peace to the Churches by thy prayers.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
With unceasing hymns all of us, the faithful, glorify thee, the all-glorious and most holy Theotokos, and we hymn thee as her who gave birth unto the Lord of all, unto the salvation of those who praise thee.
Troparion, Tone IV: Taught by the words of Paul, O Thecla, bride of God, and confirmed through faith by Peter, O divinely called one, thou wast shown to be the protomartyr and first sufferer among women. Thou didst enter the flame as it were a place abloom with flowers, and the wild beasts and bulls stood in awe of thee, for thou didst arm thyself with the Cross. Wherefore, O most lauded one, entreat Christ, that our souls be saved.
If you wish to support our Orthodox mission in South Wales, especially as we fundraise to buy our own church, you may make a donation here:
Thank you to everyone who has supported the shared life of our community over the past week, and to both parishioners, friends and benefactors of the parish, who have been generous in so many different ways.
In the absence of both Olga and Masha, we are grateful to our young men, who in Joe’s case defied a sore and croaky throat to sing parts of the Liturgy, including a lovely Athonite setting of the first antiphon. Thanks also to Father Hierodeacon Avraamy for chanting on the kliros and lending his support. We look forward to our gentlemen contributing more traditional Russian and Byzantine chants to our Liturgy, and broadening our musical tradition.
For a second week, both the “digital collection plate” (card reader) and remote-giving greatly increased our weekly offering, and Father Mark reports that this week’s total electronic payments were £1,735, which we most definitely don’t expect to happen too often, but which does show the benefits of multiple options for donating to the parish.
From next week Joanna will be organising volunteers to take the candle and prosphora offerings and look after the candle tray, and we will hopefully expand this to reinstate our parish lavka/kiosk, once we have acquired suitable items.
Joanna has written to Vladyka Irenei, updating him about our bid offer on the building in Taff’s Well, and I will personally update him on the progress of the gofundme page, hoping that together with other proactive individuals, he will promote our fundraising, regardless of the outcome with the chapel.
Thanks to our parish youth, for their ongoing labours around fundraising and social media. It’s very good to see them involved and dedicated to parish life.
Branka has asked me to announce that on forthcoming ordinary Sundays, refreshments after Liturgy will be limited to cake and hot drinks, given the time it is taking to wash up and clean, which usually sees us leaving later than our planned exit.
Though we previously asked offerings to be limited to finger-food for ease of clearing up and cleaning, this went unheeded, making a fair amount of work for a relatively small handful of people, so as of next week, let’s please stick to this simplified trapeza, and look forward to feast days for shared meals together. We will be strict in keeping to this plan for ease of clearing and cleaning St Philip’s, and to make this easier, may we also ask that parishioners take any used cups, plates etc., to the kitchen hatch when they have finished, so that our sisters are spared the task of having to go round church picking things up. Thank you.
We are grateful to those who pack things away after Liturgy, but I would like to clarify an important point. Can we please not remove principal icons from the stands until the end of the thanksgiving prayers and the priest’s dismissal? Our worship has not finished until that point, and the dismissal is given on the “solea” (liturgical are between he screen and the nave), which must remain complete until then. By all means, pack away the peripheral icons, but please wait until the last “amen” before removing the icons from the stands.
As announced, this week should hopefully see our usual meeting to pray Small Compline and an akathist to the Mother of God in Nazareth House at 18:00, with confessions before and after the service.
We shall chant vespers for the eve of the feast of St Vyacheslav (Wenceslaus) on Friday at 15:00, and given my journey to Warminster after the service, it would be a great help to hear confessions beforehand, if possible.
On Saturday, we will continue the feast, and also honour St Chariton the Confessor, with the celebration of our monthly Warminster Liturgy for parishioners living in Wessex, the service in the Chapel of St Lawrence at 10:30. Confessions will be heard before the service, and we will have our customary bring-and-share lunch afterwards.
On Sunday, we will have the joy of celebrating the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco (1993), and the variables for Liturgy may be found here:
As announced on WhatsApp, through the generosity of the Oratorian Fathers, we will have the blessing of celebrating the feast of the Protecting Veil (Pokrov) on the Oratory Church on Tuesday 14 October (1st Old Style) and will commence the Hours and Liturgy at 10:45. It will be a joy to celebrate this wonderful feast of the maternal protection, and loving care of the Theotokos, and we will share refreshments in the lower sacristy after the Liturgy.
We ask your prayers for Olga, Valentina and Svetlana on their holiday travels; for the sick servants of God Pavel and Brigid; for Liza as she has a hospital visit and procedure tomorrow (Monday); and for the newly departed servants of God, Protodeacon Peter and Natalia of our Geneva parish.
Don’t forget that we across the miles we pray together for the future mission-base for our parish at 20:00 each evening.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Dear brothers and sisters, 
Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.
In the absence of both Olga and Masha, we are grateful to our young men, who in Joe’s case defied a sore and croaky throat to sing parts of the Liturgy, including a lovely Athonite setting of the first antiphon. Thanks also to Father Hierodeacon Avraamy for chanting on the kliros and lending his support. We look forward to our gentlemen contributing more traditional Russian and Byzantine chants to our Liturgy, and broadening our musical tradition.
Though we previously asked offerings to be limited to finger-food for ease of clearing up and cleaning, this went unheeded, making a fair amount of work for a relatively small handful of people, so as of next week, let’s please stick to this simplified trapeza, and look forward to feast days for shared meals together. We will be strict in keeping to this plan for ease of clearing and cleaning St Philip’s, and to make this easier, may we also ask that parishioners take any used cups, plates etc., to the kitchen hatch when they have finished, so that our sisters are spared the task of having to go round church picking things up. Thank you.
As announced on WhatsApp, through the generosity of the Oratorian Fathers, we will have the blessing of celebrating the feast of the Protecting Veil (Pokrov) on the Oratory Church on Tuesday 14 October (1st Old Style) and will commence the Hours and Liturgy at 10:45. It will be a joy to celebrate this wonderful feast of the maternal protection, and loving care of the Theotokos, and we will share refreshments in the lower sacristy after the Liturgy.