Greetings on this glorious feast of the Conception of the Mother of God. Our joyful Liturgy was not only a thanksgiving to the Lord, but a worthy offering to the Mother of God as we celebrated the very beginning of her life, through God’s gift of a long-awaited child to her parents, Joachim and Anna.
We must always remember that in her conception, the Mother of God was no different to us, so that the fulness of humanity could be redeemed through her Child. She was the mediatrix of the Incarnation as one who was no different to each of us in our humanity, even though different to us in the fact that she did not sin.
The glory of the Mother of God lies not in the belief that she was somehow miraculously protected from sin, and the ability to do so, but rather in her wonderful and victorious conscious rejection of sin, and her battle against temptation, in a life in which her will was aligned with that of God; a life in which she had free will and choice: choosing to fight temptation and reject sin; choosing to struggle and labour for holiness and righteousness; choosing selfless dedication to God; choosing to cultivate sacrificial love for Him – serving Him, by choice in becoming the Handmaiden of the Lord, and the Gate of our Salvation.
Her obedience was not imposed upon her as an involuntary pre-programmed inevitability, but a voluntary human choice; her holiness was the fruit of that choice; her place in our salvation was through a sacrificial and selfless choice: a choice that was free, willing and conscious.
As the Hodegitria, “She who shows us the way”, let us choose to not only turn to her intercession and merciful care, but follow her example – in thought, in word, and in deed.
This will lead us forward on our spiritual journey, not only through the remaining days of Advent to the feast of the Nativity, but also to the eternal glory of the Heavenly Jerusalem: the Kingdom of God.
Many thanks to those who contributed to such a glorious Liturgy, particularly to our musical visitors from Bristol’s Ukrainian Orthodox parish. May the blessings and graces of the Mother of God reward your labours.
We must extend our congratulations to Maxim on making his first communion. Many, blessed years!
Having shared the feast of St Nicholas with Father Luke, in Llanelli on Thursday, it was a blessing to honour him with the akathist gathered around his icon in Nazareth House in the evening, and then to venerate his icon that had been placed in his original tomb in Myra, in modern-day Turkey, at today’s Liturgy.
Today’s celebration followed a visit to Cheltenham, yesterday, where we pleased to follow Liturgy with a litia to St Nicholas, where the children showed their knowledge of the Wonderworker.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us!
As you are aware, with holiday timetables limiting public transport, there will be no weekday services in the Oratory this week, though I will be there at 15:00, on Saturday to chant vespers.
I am happy to hear confessions beforehand, as well as after the service. Given Father Mark’s absence next weekend, there will only be very limited time for confessions. Those who confessed in preparation for this week’s Liturgy are blessed to commune next weekend, unless a specific need for confession arises.
Please pray for Father Mark, matushka Alla and Yuriy as they travel to Minsk, and for Vlad and Daniel, as he travels to Romania, and for Joseph on his trip to Arizona. May guardian angels of peace protect them and speed them on their way!
We look forward to our Nativity services in the Oratory Church, and will have a bring-and-share lunch after Liturgy on Tuesday 7 January, and an extended festive trapeza in St John’s after Liturgy on Sunday 12 January, presuming I can get confirmation of the booking from a silent booking-secretary.
Monday 6 January: Christmas Eve (Rozhdestvenskyi Sochelnik) Vigil at 18:30.
Tuesday 7 January: Nativity Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for the Synaxis) at 15:00
Wednesday 8 January: Synaxis of the Mother of God, Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for St Stephen) at 15:00.
Thursday 9 January: St Stephen: Liturgy at 10:30. Vespers at 15:00.
(Additional services may be celebrated if support is forthcoming)
The Liturgy for the feast of the Holy Innocents, will be celebrated in Warminster on Saturday 11 January.
We must begin by congratulating the newly-enlightened servants of God, Maxim and Joseph on their baptism after yesterday’s Liturgy: the community’s first, and presumably last adult baptism in St John’s. We pray that God may grant them many, blessed years!
The weekend’s services were blessed by the presence of a small relic of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, and we were very happy to have this blessing: in Splott, in Warminster and in Canton.
God’s Grace continues to touch the world through the relics of those who became living temples of the Holy Spirit, and tabernacles of His glory, and to be able to worship in the presence of the relics of the saints is a great blessing and inspiration.
Holy Glorious Apostle, Andrew the First-Called, pray to God for us!
This week will be a quiet week, in which I will catch up with some medical appointments before western Christmas.
As I forewarned last week, I will assist Father Luke as he celebrates St Nicholas’s feast this Thursday: one of the Llanelli altar-feasts.
Having travelled to Cardiff after Liturgy, I will head to Nazareth House, where will chant the akathist to St Nicholas. Confessions will be heard after the service and on Friday in the Oratory, where will chant the Advent moleben at 15:00.
This lovely service of supplication, centred on the canons of the forefeast of the Nativity has been a great blessing and encouragement during the Fast.
Next Saturday sees the Cardiff clergy serve in Cheltenham, where the Hours and Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:30 in Prestbury United Reformed Church, Deep St, Cheltenham GL52 3AN.
We will enjoy lunch together after the service, and welcome all who are able to join our little Gloucestershire community.
Again, as announced, with the oddities and limitations of transport in western Christmas week, I will not venture onto the very limited public transport, and will spend the week close to Lazarica, in Bournville, so as to be able to pray in church during the week. I will return to Cardiff on Saturday 28 December.
As Father Mark the younger is away that weekend, the opportunity for morning confessions on Sunday 29 December will be extremely limited as I have to perform the proskomedia.
Just a reminder that ALL of our Nativity week services are in the Oratory Church, in Splott – not in St John’s.
Monday 6 January: Christmas Eve (Rozhdestvenskyi Sochelnik) Vigil at 18:30.
Tuesday 7 January: Nativity Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for the Synaxis) at 15:00
Wednesday 8 January: Synaxis of the Mother of God, Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for St Stephen) at 15:00.
Thursday 9 January: St Stephen: Liturgy at 10:30. Vespers at 15:00.
(Additional services may be celebrated if support is forthcoming)
The Liturgy for the feast of the Holy Innocents, will be celebrated in Warminster on Saturday 11 January.
We will have a bring-and-share lunch after Nativity Liturgy on Tuesday 7 January, and we will have an extended trapéza on Sunday 12 January, welcoming hot food. Please let Branka know what you are able to bring.
Next Sunday will be the feast of the Conception by St Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the variables may be found at:
The Canon to the Theotokos, in Tone IV; the acrostic whereof is: “I dare to offer thee praise, O Theotokos”
Ode I, Irmos: I shall open my mouth, * and be filled with the Spirit, * and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother; * and be seen radiantly keeping festival, * joyfully praising her wonders.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Disdain not my lowliness, O Theotokos, and compensate for my weakness; sanctify my heart and mind, and open thou my lips, that I may make bold to offer thee a hymn.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With heartfelt faith we honour thy most pure image, and bowing down before it with compunction, as though beholding thee, the Theotokos, in very truth, and shedding drops of tears, we cry aloud: Rejoice, O Mary, full of grace, blessed Mother of God!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Emulating the angelic hosts, let us surround thine image with fear and love, magnifying thee, the prototype, together, and calling upon thy most sweet name: Rejoice, O all-immaculate Bride of God!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Come, O ye faithful, and let us kiss the holy icon of the Mother of God with love, for she doth pour forth healings therefrom abundantly, and doth work innumerable miracles for those who have recourse to it with faith and love. Wherefore we cry out to the ever-Virgin: Rejoice!
Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and plentiful fount, * establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to thee, * and in thy divine glory * grant them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The eyes of our mind rushing headlong into the abyss of the ages, we see there thine icon, O most pure one, shining more brightly than the sun with rays of mercy, illumining thy home, the Russian land, O Theotokos. Wherefore, we cry unto thee: Rejoice, O our protection and defence!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In its bosom the dark oak of Kursk kept the radiant wonder, the most pure icon of the Mother of God, which had been cut in twain by the impious and grew back together through the power of God. Wherefore, recovering it like a great treasure, the Russian people cried out: Rejoice, O our protection and defence!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Whence is this, that the most blessed Mother of God cometh unto us? A spring of living water sprang forth at the place where the image of the Theotokos abode, refreshing the faithful with streams of healing and curing every wound and infirmity. Wherefore, we cry aloud to her who is full of grace: Rejoice, thou true life-bearing fount!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
At the root of a tree was discovered the icon of her who ineffably gave rise to the Tree of life and budded forth for the world the blessed Fruit. Wherefore, now celebrating the feast of its appearance, we cry out to the most pure one: O most blessed Lady, sever our evil passions at the root, implanting in us good habits, setting out a garden of virtues in us, granting us to be partakers of the life of paradise!
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VII: What feast is more radiant or more beautiful than those of the most pure Mother of God? And what name, apart from the name of sweetest Jesus, is more sweet than the name of Mary? For lo! surpassing all the choirs of angels in purity and glory, resplendent as the Mother of the Almighty, she embraceth the whole world, saving sinners and leading the righteous to the heavenly mansions, she casteth down enemies and most gloriously crusheth the head of the serpent. Wherefore, we cry out to her: Every creature doth rejoice in thee, O thou who art full of grace! Glory be to 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.
Repeat the Sessional Hymn
Ode IV, Irmos: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Today the Church of Russia doth celebrate, adorned in a godly manner with the glory of the newly-revealed icon of the Theotokos; and chanting divinely beauteous hymns, it calleth to all the faithful, saying: Come, let us rejoice in the Mother of our God, and let us bow down before her precious image, through which the most pure Virgin doth richly bestow gifts of grace upon the Christian people who cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O chosen one of the Mother of God, venerable Father Seraphim, ever-vigilant intercessor for the Russian land, thou seest our fervent eagerness, thou hearest the entreaties we offer up before the most pure icon, through which, as a grievously suffering child, thou wast granted healing. Wherefore, stand thou with us, lifting up thy venerable hands, and cry out on our behalf to the Theotokos, that for thy sake she may be well pleased to accept our prayers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By thy divine power thou didst confound the mad scheme of the impious atheists to destroy thine icon, O Lady, and didst preserve it unharmed by any destructive action; and while the earth quaked and pillars were cast down, thine icon but turned, averting its face from the vile deeds of men. Wherefore, marvelling at this most glorious wonder, we earnestly entreat thee: Turn not thy most pure face away from us, for lo! with contrite hearts we flee to thee and weep, and cry out in compunction: Let not our wickedness prevail over thy tender compassion, but have mercy and save us!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou didst preserve thy precious icon unharmed by the hands of the evildoers and cruel atheists who trampled down the holy things of God, and upon thy people didst thou bestow it, which we keep as the apple of our eye. Wherefore, O Lady, do thou ever reveal the sign of thy mercy unto us therein.
Ode V, Irmos: All creation stands in awe of thy divine glory; * for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, * didst contain within thy womb the God of all, * and gave birth to the timeless Son, * bestowing peace, upon all who hymn thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us radiantly celebrate this light-bearing day, whereon a spiritual ray hath shone forth unto the salvation of the world in the nativity of the most pure Bride of God, whereon also the icon of the Theotokos, like the morning star, announcing the day of deliverance, hath appeared to the land of Russia which languished in the darkness of misfortunes and sorrows. Wherefore, we cry to the most blessed one: Rejoice, for thou hast lighted a beacon of hope for us which cannot be extinguished!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Where sin increaseth, there doth the grace of God exceedingly abound. Wherefore, O Lady, look down upon our weakness, see our boundless abasement, but behold also our faith, and hearken to our cry; and hasten thou to assist us who are helpless, illumining us with thy mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us not fear the dark powers of Hades, but having put on the armour of light, let us manfully stand against them, having the all-hymned Theotokos as commander. For lo! she doth mightily war against the enemy, helping the faithful who call upon her most pure name.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We confess thee in truth to be the Theotokos, and we honour the form of thy most pure countenance in an Orthodox manner. We turn away from every sin and vile act; we pray to be granted to do good, and, humbling our souls, we cry: Most holy Theotokos, save us!
Ode VI, Irmos: Celebrating the divine and solemn feast * of the Mother of God * O ye divinely wise, * let us come, clapping our hands, * and glorify God who was born of her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let despondency depart from us, O brethren, and let the showers of adverse thoughts be dispelled by the Spirit of God; for lo! the Mother of God herself doth openly dwell amongst us, worshipped in her wonderworking icon, and shining brighter than the sun in the miracles that proceed therefrom. Wherefore, we cry out from the depths of our hearts: O most holy Lady, ever abide with us in thy grace!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
When temptation doth assail us, when we fall into sorrow and pain, when patience doth fail within us and our spirit is troubled, let us make haste to the image of the most holy Virgin and, pouring forth tears, cry out to her from our hearts: Stretch forth thy hands which held God unto us, and lead us up from the abyss of evil!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O thou who didst bear the everlasting Joy of the world, thou art the joy of joys who hast driven away the grief of sin and dost grant our troubled souls divine relief. Cease not thy supplications for the Christian world, for, after God, it is through thee that each is saved and led forth from the depths of offences.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lo! the hordes of evil demons that besiege Christians stand far off, watching, not daring to approach, fearing the glory of the icon of the Theotokos, which burneth the vile demons, but doth mightily aid the faithful, protecting them from all enemies.
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 VI: Come, ye faithful, let us radiantly celebrate * the wondrous appearance of the most precious image of the Mother of God, * and drawing grace therefrom, * let us cry out with compunction: * Rejoice, O Theotokos, ** blessed Mary, Mother of God!
Ikos: Through thee, O Theotokos, the pre-eternal Word was made flesh; through thee men have beheld the Sun of righteousness, upon Whom the angels dare not gaze: for in thine arms was borne Him Whom the cherubim bear aloft, and by thy most pure hands was held the Almighty Creator of all. O daughter of mortal Adam, thou wast called the one who gaveth birth to God. Wherefore, as one who alone hath maternal boldness before Him, pause not in thy prayers for the whole world, lifting up thy God-pleasing hands to thy Son, and inclining His love for mankind towards thy servants who cry out to thee with thankful mouths: Rejoice, O Theotokos, blessed Mary, Mother of God!
Ode VII, Irmos: Refusing to worship created things * in place of the Creator, * the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire * and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, Blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The angels in thy service revere thee, the seraphim glorify thee in fear, O Theotokos; and how can we who dwell on earth dare to hymn thee with our impure lips? Yet we hope in thy mercy, and through thee unceasingly cry out to the Master and Creator of all: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Christ, accept Thy most pure Mother whom Thou hast given us as a help and who now doth fervently pray for us, that having attained unto life everlasting through her intercessions, we may cry aloud with all who have obtained salvation: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, Who callest Thy Mother blessed, be Thou entreated by her intercessions, and may the light of Thy countenance be signed upon us, that, rising from the sleep of sin, we may piously begin to walk towards the day, unceasingly crying out in our hearts: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Emulating the children in Babylon, let us not bow down before the golden image of man-pleasing and Mammon, but let us venerate the image of the immaculate Mother of our God and, filled with heavenly joy, let us cry out to Christ, the Benefactor of all: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Ode VIII, Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos * saved the holy children in the furnace. * He who was then prefigured hath now been born on earth, * and He gathereth all creation to hymn thee: * all ye works praise ye the Lord * and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With unceasing voices the seraphim hymn thee, O ever-Virgin; the choirs of the saints know not their fill of thy praises; all creation doth glorify thee without ceasing. And shall we alone remain silent? Yet, daring to hope on thy mercy, though unworthy, we glorify thee throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
All creatures shall in no wise cease to rejoice in thee, O Theotokos; for lo! as the Apostle hath said, tongues may cease and knowledge vanish away, but love never faileth. Wherefore, throughout all ages they shall chant praises offered to thee in love.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Tell us, O most pure one, what fitting praise can our infirmity offer thee? With what eyes dare we gaze upon thy precious image? Yet, as thou art good, disdain not now our hymns, and in the land of our earthly sojourn reveal to us the form of thy most radiant countenance, that we may glorify thee throughout all ages.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Surrounding thine ever-adored image in fear and love, O Sovereign Lady, laying aside all earthly cares and raising our spiritual eyes to the heavens, we taste the sweetness of paradise aforetime, which do thou grant us to enjoy that, obtaining everlasting life and salvation, we may joyfully hymn thee throughout all ages.
Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth, * radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; * and let the host of the angelic powers * celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God, * and let them cry aloud: * Rejoice! O all-blessed Theotokos, * thou pure Ever-Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-hymned Virgin, accept our hymns as thy Son did the widow’s mite, and grant us ever to offer them to thee, guiding our life in the world and granting remission of sins, that entering the heavenly mansions through thee, we may magnify thy loving- kindness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let those who do not confess thee to be the Theotokos and who do not honour thine icons be everlastingly put to shame; but let the faithful rejoice in thee. Let the Russian land be thine abode as of old; let holy monasteries abound and churches be beautifully adorned; and let the people be sanctified, that they may celebrate with gladness, magnifying thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Theotokos, our Queen, standing at the right hand of Christ God in the Kingdom of heaven, establish thou a Christian kingdom on earth, setting at naught the counsels of the impious and strengthening faith and piety, that all who dwell on earth may magnify thee with one mind.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Have we offered thee a worthy hymn, O Lady? Have we glorified thy precious icon as is due? For we know that even hymns a thousand-fold do not suffice for thy glorification, O Virgin. For if we hearken to the fervour of our hearts, our hymns should only be beginning. What, therefore, shall we do? We are at a loss and are in doubt. We glorify the sign of thy mercy, yet with never silent lips and heartfelt love we ever hymn and magnify thee.
Troparion, Tone IV: Having acquired thee as an unassailable rampart * and a fount of miracles, * we, thy servants, set at naught armies of adversaries, * O most pure Theotokos. * Wherefore, do we entreat thee: * Grant peace to our native land ** and great mercy to our souls!
Having been buffeted and soaked for several days, it was lovely to travel to Cardiff on such a beautiful, sunny morning, and after doubts about numbers to still muster around thirty locals for Liturgy, despite the lack of parishioners from Gwent and the English side of the Severn. Father Mark and I drove into the most beautiful blue and fiery orange sunset on our westward home journey, and it was hard to believe that a storm had passed through a day earlier.
Thanks to all who contributed to our celebration.
When we gather next week, we look forward to baptising Joseph and Max after Liturgy, and welcoming them to the Holy Mysteries, as we did today with Sasha’s twins Alexander and Danil for their first Holy Communion in the parish. Glory to God!
This week’s services will be on Thursday and Friday in the Oratory Church at 15:00. In a reversal of the usual pattern, we will celebrate Great Vespers for the feast of St Andrew on Thursday, venerating the house’s relic of the Holy First called Apostle, and the Advent Moleben on Friday.
Confessions will be heard after Thursday’s service and BEFORE Friday’s, given that I have to travel to Warminster. Please let me know if you require confession on Friday.
To give a little advance notice, the following week, the feast of St Nicholas falls on Thursday 19th (6th Old Style) and as I will assist Father Luke with the altar feast Liturgy in Llanelli in the morning, I will not be in Cardiff until later in the afternoon than usual. The akathist to St Nicholas will be chanted in Nazareth House at 18:00, and I will then hear confessions.
Given the significant change to public transport in western Christmas week, there will be no weekday services, as already long travelling days (typically six hours) will grow significantly longer.
On Saturday 28th December, there will be an early celebration of the Ninth Hour and Vespers, in the Oratory Church at 14:00, followed by confessions. Given that Father Mark the younger will be away in Minsk, there will only be VERY limited time for confessions in the morning, as I will have to celebrate proskomedia. Those who confess in preparation to commune the previous Sunday, will be blessed to commune the following week, unless something arises and they need confession before they next commune.
Our Orthodox Nativity services will be in the Oratory Church in Swinton Street, so that all services of the week can be in the same location.
Monday 6 January: Christmas Eve (Rozhdestvenskyi Sochelnik) Vigil at 18:30.
Tuesday 7 January: Nativity Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for the Synaxis) at 15:00
Wednesday 8 January: Synaxis of the Mother of God, Liturgy at 10:30. Great Vespers (for St Stephen) at 15:00.
Thursday 9 January: St Stephen: Liturgy at 10:30. Vespers at 15:00.
(Additional services may be celebrated if support is forthcoming)
The Liturgy for the feast of the Holy Innocents, will be celebrated in Warminster on Saturday 11 January.
The arrival of January is uncomfortably close, and we are currently disappointed by the lack of any move forward on the question of where we will worship in February, so we may have to look at options less central to the city.
We have been very fortunate to have been so central for the history of the parish thus far, and so convenient for students, but this may change as our options become limited. Please pray fervently for God’s guidance. Perhaps we are simply not praying hard enough! With tomorrow being a feast of the Kursk-Root Icon, we should all turn to the Mother of God with renewed dedication and prayer!
I am very grateful that Father Sebastian has already suggested that the portable shrines that form or iconostasis should be kept at the Oratory Church until we have a place of worship where they may remain in place, and these would be then used during our weekday services, which we are pleased to be able to celebrate in St Alban’s.
I hope that the first days of the Nativity Fast have been ones of concerted and concentrated prayer and reflection as we begin our spiritual journey towards the celebration of the Saviour’s birth, and trust that our brothers and sisters have been able to put aside earthly cares through fasting, to focus on what is needful in the spiritual life.
After services for the first two days of the Fast in the Oratory Church, and Liturgy in Lazarica in Bournville with the chance to collect much-awaited prayer and service-books, it was a joy to celebrate the first Sunday of the fast in Cardiff, with so many confessing and communing. Congratulations to all who partook of the Holy Mysteries!
I was particularly glad to have the support of Father Mark the Younger, freeing me for extensive confessions, and – indeed – for completing the Liturgy, after my blood pressure seemed to have very unusually and rather unexpectedly dropped. Thank you Father!
Having discussed plans with Joseph and Maximilian, it is our intention to baptise them after Liturgy on Sunday 15 December. Max will be named for the Holy New-Martyr, St Maxim Sandovich, and Joseph for the Holy and Righteous Patriarch. Please keep them in your prayers.
Tomorrow, the eve of the feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God in the Temple, we will chant Great Vespers in the Oratory Church at 15:00, with the Liturgy being celebrated the following morning at 10:00 in Llanelli. As Masha, our usual weekday chanter for Liturgies is away, and a funeral has meant that Father Luke’s chanter for the feast also has to be away, I will fulfil this role for Father, so that the Liturgy can be celebrated. As usual, the Liturgy is in the Chapel of St David and St Nicholas, in the garden of Father Luke’s home, at 11 New Rd, Dafen, Llanelli SA14 8LS.
There will be afternoon services at 15:00 in the Oratory Church on Thursday and Friday: the Advent Moleben on Thursday, and Great Vespers for the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Catherine on Friday. I will, of course be glad to hear confessions after the service, and ask that any requests for evening confessions in Nazareth House are made today or tomorrow, so that I can give Sister Marie notice.
As many of you will be aware, there are some fasting differences between calendars, and we simply ask that the faithful stick to the calendar that they ordinarily use, mindful of some differences. As previously stressed, when we have the consolations of wine and oil, or fish, we should be honouring the saints whose feasts have these blessings – doing something additional in prayers and devotions to celebrate the memory of the saints.
Using the St Herman Calendar, as a pretty typical norm for fasting, this week’s order is below…
Monday 4 Dec – Prophet Obadiah: strict fast.
Tuesday 5 Dec – St Proclus – Forefeast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple: wine and oil.
Wednesday 4 Dec – Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple: fish, wine and oil.
Thursday 5 Dec – Holy Apostle Archippus: wine and oil.
Friday 6 Dec – St Amphilochios of Iconium: strict fast.
Saturday 7 Dec – Great Martyr Catherine: fish, wine and oil.
Sunday 8 Dec – Hieromartyr Clement of Rome – fish, wine and oil.
I hope that parishioners are finding spiritual reading to nourish the soul and focus the mind during the Fast, and I was glad to hear parishioners talking about the works of St Ignaty Brianchaninov, readily available to buy in English translation. (Amazon link only for ease of information, not to necessarily encourage purchasing form the said retailer!)
Other excellent resource, always valuable for the spiritual life are the Spiritual Psalter of St Ephraim the Syrian, and the Paradise of the Holy Fathers (available online as well as easily ordered in book form). The second volume of the Paradise addresses the spiritual life in thematic chapters.
As posted on WhatsApp, the excellent and soul-profiting works of St Paisios of the Holy Mountain are available in English translation for White Horse Wares – the source of our church candles.
Please endeavour to read something spiritual each day, and to add to your prayers.
In our prayers, among the Orthodox, we continue to pray for the newly departed Archbishop Peter, and for the newly-departed Maureen, of the Father Dean’s Anglican Parish in Butetown – also holding her children Daniel and Nicole, as well as the whole family in our prayers. She will be greatly missed by the St Mary’s clergy and parishioners. May the Lord God remember her in His Kingdom.
Praying for you struggle well and pray fervently in the week ahead, and asking your forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
Magnification: We extol Thee, O Christ, the Giver of Life for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Emmanuel, Thou didst reveal Thyself as Saviour, by prophets foretold.
Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord, for He cometh, He cometh to rule the earth. (Magnification)
He hath remembered His truth and His love for the house of Israel. (Magnification)
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Magnification)
The Lord remembers His covenant forever, His promise for a thousand generations. (Magnification)
He lowered the heavens and came down, He came enthroned upon the Cherubim. (Magnification)
The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Magnification)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Magnification)
Both now and ever and and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Magnification)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to thee, O God. (Thrice with bows)
Troparion of the Forefeast, Tone IV: Make ready, O Bethlehem! * Be thou opened unto all, O Eden! * Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! * For in the cave the Tree of Life hath sprung forth from the Virgin. * Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, * in the midst of which is the divine Tree, * whereof eating, we shall live, and not die as did Adam. * Christ is born, that He might restore His image ** which fell of old!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Sticheron, Tone VI: The sayings of the prophets have now been fulfilled, *for in the morning our God is born of the Virgin Mary in manner past description, *and she remaineth as she was before birth-giving. *The magi come together, bearing gifts, *and the shepherds pipe, that we also may chant: *O Lord Who wast born of the Virgin, **glory be to Thee!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the Forefeast, Tone III: Today the Virgin cometh to the cave * to ineffably give birth unto the pre-eternal Word. * Having heard this, be glad, O thou inhabited earth, * and with the angels and shepherds glorify the pre-eternal God, ** Who is to appear as a little babe.
Prayer: O God and Father, the Almighty One, Thou didst create the human race in Thine image and likeness, and when we fell through disobedience, Thou didst promise to send a Saviour. When the fullness of time had come, Thy favour rested on Thine Only-Begotten Son, and He was born of the Virgin Mary. Thus, that which Isaiah the prophet foretold was fulfilled: “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.'” His birth filled all creation with light; He gave us the baptism of repentance, and didst restore our ancient dignity. Now, most compassionate Lord, Thou bringest us to these honoured days of the Nativity Fast, that we may do battle with the desires of the flesh and draw strength from the hope of the resurrection. Receive us, then, as penitents and forgive our iniquities, whether done knowingly and unknowingly, through malice and through weakness. And may our prayers, our fasting, and our works of mercy rise up before Thee as incense, as a sweet spiritual fragrance, that in company with the Magi and the shepherds, we too, with pure hearts, may be found worthy to bow down before the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son. To Whom, together with Thee and Thine All-Holy Spirit, belong glory, honour, and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, good strength as we begin the first day of the Nativity Fast!
Our winter Lent is not reduced to the twenty four chocolate-promise days of the consumerist, western Advent calendar, but forty days of fasting and prayer, not of treats and commercial predation; forty days in which we should endeavour to eat and cook less, and pray and spend more time on ‘food’ for the soul through scriptures and spiritual reading; forty days of fasting rather than seasonal fare; forty days of seeking to maximise silence and look for seclusion, rather than succumbing to and immersing ourselves in seasonal entertainment and noise.
Mirroring the days of Great Lent, these days are the Church’s period of preparation for the Nativity, but unlike Great Lent, we have no dedicated book of hymns and services, as we do in the Lenten Triodion. With its canons and hymns providing for the special Sundays of the Great Fast, the Triodion gives a great sense of direction for the Great Fast, concentrating on repentance and holding up great teachers of the spiritual life: St Gregory Palamas, St John of the Ladder, St Mary of Egypt.
The Nativity Fast, has no such provision other than the Sundays of the Holy Fathers and Forefathers preceding the Nativity, so that there a temptation and risk for us to lose the impetus and inner-unity of this winter fast unless we make the conscious effort to ensure that we maintain and concentrate on keeping its momentum, ensuring that we have a firm rule of prayer and spiritual reading.
Pray before the icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, with the Christ-child within the womb of the Mother of God – the advent of His coming in the flesh.
Have time away from television, limit news consumption, and try to keep surroundings quiet, using time away from entertainment for daily spiritual reading, whether on paper or online… but ensure that on-line time is only for specified reading and not a safari of distraction and tangents.
Cut down on trips to cafés and pubs, reduce socialising and give more time to the Lord!
Stick to only one cooked meal a day and avoid snacking and treats – though mindful that halva, dried fruits and some sweet things can be useful in the fast re: sugar levels and energy.
Eat simple foods and do NOT think that forty days of expensive meat and dairy substitutes are an honest fast.
Ensure that charitable alms giving is part of the forty days, which should save money that can help others.
Remember that wilfully rejecting the Fast is to reject the Lord Himself and to trample on the lives and teachings of the saints, the Holy Councils and the Sacred Tradition which the Holy Spirit has established as the life of the Church. If there are issues speak to the clergy!
Pray the the troparion of the Forefeast as you begin and end each day, reminding yourself that this is our spiritual journey to Bethlehem to adore and worship the Word Made Flesh.
Troparion of the Forefeast, Tone IV: Make ready, O Bethlehem!/ Open unto all, O Eden!/ Adorn thyself, O Ephratha!/ For the Tree of life hath blossomed forth from the Virgin in the cave./ Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise,/ wherein lieth a divine garden,/ eating from whence we live,/ not dying like Adam.// Christ is born to raise up His image which before was fallen.
Предпразднство Рождества Христова. Тропарь, глас 4: Гото́вися, Вифлее́ме,/ отве́рзися всем, Еде́ме,/ красу́йся, Евфра́фо,/ я́ко дре́во живота́ в верте́пе процвете́ от Де́вы:/ рай бо Óноя чре́во яви́ся мы́сленный,/ в не́мже Боже́ственный сад,/ от него́же я́дше, жи́ви бу́дем,/ не я́коже Áдам у́мрем./ Христо́с ражда́ется пре́жде па́дший возста́вити о́браз.
Despite fierce weather, flooded roads, viruses, colds and various ailments, yesterday saw the core of the parish gather for the celebration the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Menas, whose icon is here before me on my travels.
We would do well to turn to him in prayer in our present trials, having received the blessing of Father Mark’s diaconal ordination on this feast (Many years to Father!), and we were originally offered use of St John’s after a week of prayers to the Wonderworker.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us and for our community!
It was good to have Hierodeacon Avraamy back with us, after the virus that kept him away for several weeks, though we missed those who were unable to be with us, due to weather and road conditions.
As we look to Nativity Fast, we should consider prayers and readings to focus us during the forty days, and I will touch upon this during this evening’s last 2024 “end-of-month visit” to the Wessex parishioners, after which I will share reflections and thoughts on our WhatsApp page.
As we fast and pray, simplifying and limiting the food we consume, we should all endeavour to devote time to spiritual reading and increase our prayers during the season, so that spiritual nourishment fortifies us and renews us.
As we approach the Fast, we need to remind ourselves that the Church calls us ALL to fast as a basic practice of the Christian life, and to do so is obedience to he Law of God, and the Calling of the Holy Spirit in the living, sacred Tradition of the Church.
We are not called to fast for a token week, then ignore the fast until the week before Christmas and then resume is. This is a disingenuous insult to Christ, Whose obedience to the Father – even to the death of the Cross – is realised in His Incarnation to redeem us and raise us up to heaven..
Our basic diet is free of meat, fish, seafood, dairy, alcohol and eggs – unless fish and wine are permitted according to the typikon, and this week’s fasting regulations are:
Thursday 28 November: Wine and oil permitted.
Friday 29 November: Food without oil.
Saturday 30 November: Fish, wine and oil permitted.
Sunday 1 December: Fish, wine and oil permitted.
On Thursday, the first day of the Fast, an Advent moleben will be chanted in the Oratory Church at 15:00 and I will be available for confessions after the service, as well as in the evening, and on Friday the akathist to the Precious and Life-Giving Cross will be chanted at the same time, with the possibility of confessing before and after prayers.
As announced in church and in previous newsletters, this year’s St Herman Calendar is dedicated to the Saints of Wales, and will cost around £10. We will be ordering soon and to avoid excess copies would ask for requests from those who wish to purchase them. This is excellent resource contains lives of saints, as well as an explanation of Orthodox fasting.
As you know, the last month has been one of funerals and memorials, and I ask you to remember the soul of Nikola, whose funeral and burial were on Friday, as well as the newly departed matushka Annemieke and Olga, and – of course – Archbishop Peter of Chicago.
Please pray for Ambrose and Piran in their search for work, with St Xenia being our trusted helper in finding employment, and for Masha and husband, Neil, as they travel to Egypt.
Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and quick helper in sorrows, O holy great martyr Menas: we, the unworthy, bring thee songs of praise from our hearts; but do thou, as one who hast boldness before the Lord, save from all troubles those who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Ikos 1: An angel in the flesh thou didst appear on earth, O glorious Menas, for thou didst receive the word of Christ with a pure soul, and didst flee into the desert from the wickedness of the idols, where thou didst serve God like an incorporeal being: and we, remembering thy wondrous life, sing to thee with joy:
Rejoice, bright star of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, blessed ray of the sun of Truth.
Rejoice, holy lamp, who enlightenest the faithful with thy life;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us to fulfil the commandments of God.
Rejoice, O image of Christian piety for the faithful;
Rejoice, thou who guidest those who have gone astray to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the wrong-minded to reason;
Rejoice, correction of money-loving hearts.
Rejoice, thou who delightest our souls with spiritual peace;
Rejoice, thou who always comfortest us in our sorrows.
Rejoice, quick deliverance from troubles;
Rejoice, thou who drivest away our evil thoughts.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 2: Seeing the dominance of pagan polytheism in thy city, all-glorious Menas, thou didst languish in thy righteous soul; but in the midst of the darkness of sin, like a light, shining with a virtuous life, thou didst sing unceasingly to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 2: Having an enlightened mind, having fulfilled the commandments of God, O passion-bearer of Christ, thou didst spend thy blameless life among lawless people, serving the Lord day and night with love, and we, glorifying God who strengthened thee, call to thee from the heart thus:
Rejoice, thou who teachest the faithful Christian hope;
Rejoice, thou who destroyest the wiles of the enemy through thine intercession.
Rejoice, thou who dissolvest our sorrows with the sweetness of thy prayers;
Rejoice, for in thy wondrous life thou didst give the despondent courage to drink.
Rejoice, faithful guardian of the Lord’s commandments;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of piety and the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, thou who coverest with love those who honour thee;
Rejoice, thou who always helpest us in temptations.
Rejoice, glorious creator of spiritual peace;
Rejoice, honourable vessel, filled with grace.
Rejoice, thou who waterest the faithful with the currents of thy miracles;
Rejoice, thou who anointest the wounds of our souls with the oil of thy prayers.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 3: Guided by the power of God, thou didst forsake worldly glory and military honour for Christ’s sake and chose to serve the Lord in the deserts and mountains, like an angel unceasingly calling to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3: Having thy heart inflamed with zeal for the glory of God, thou didst stand boldly before the impious prince, O long-suffering one of Christ, denouncing the madness of the idols; but he, inflamed with rage and unable to bear the words of grace coming from thy lips, betrayed thee to many torments, but we, remembering the feat of thy confession, with love call to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who wast wounded by thorns at the hands of the lawless;
Rejoice, thou who wast scorched by fire for the sake of confession.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure the cutting of thy members;
Rejoice, for thy body was pierced by sharp needles.
Rejoice, thou who wast cruelly struck on the head with a hammer;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive many wounds for Christ’s sake.
Rejoice, for thy feast of struggles satisfiest the faithful with courage;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us patience in temptations.
Rejoice, for by thy sufferings thou didst convert many to Christ;
Rejoice, thou who didst conquer thy tormentors with the firmness of thy faith.
Rejoice, for in thy labours thou hast revealed an image of spiritual strength;
Rejoice, thou who hast put to shame the vanity of idolatrous wickedness.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 4: The storms of persecution against the Church of Christ passed through the days of Constantine the Great, and Christians erected a church in Alexandria in honour of thy glorious name, most honourable Menas, where they placed thine honourable relics, which we now venerate and sing to God, wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 4: Hearing of the feat of thy confession, O glorious martyr, we sing to thee with warm love and glorifying thy wondrous patience, with tenderness we bring thee songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who enrichest our poverty with faith;
Rejoice, thou who showest thy merciful intercession to the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who revealest to us the treasure of the spiritual world;
Rejoice, thou who coverest the cities and villages in which thy name is revered.
Rejoice, protector of Christian homes from fiery destruction;
Rejoice, comforter of those who suffer unjustly.
Rejoice, good guide of travellers;
Rejoice, carefree passage for those sailing upon the sea.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest the faithful from sudden death;
Rejoice, gracious intercessor for the grieving.
Rejoice, thou who always helpest us in our sorrows;
Rejoice, for by thy prayers thou turnest our sorrows into joy.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 5: Thou hast passed through thy life as a God-bearing star, O all-praised Menas, day and night serving the Lord with ardent love; therefore, at the end, by the feat of martyrdom, thou hast sealed thy faith and received from God a crown of incorruptible glory, and in heaven with the faces of the saints thou singest to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5: Seeing our sorrows and illnesses, blessed Menas, thou intercedest for us before the Throne of the Lord and with thy constant prayers thou protectest those who honour thy name from many troubles and misfortunes. Therefore, even now, protect those who come to thine intercession, so that we always may cry to thee thus:
Rejoice, unashamed intercessor of the faithful;
Rejoice, excellent helper of the suffering.
Rejoice, merciful intercessor for us before God;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of the Law of God.
Rejoice, fragrant incense of prayer unto God;
Rejoice, chosen vessel of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, thou who through thy prayers reconcilest those in enmity;
Rejoice, thou who protectest the faithful with peace and love.
Rejoice, for by thy righteous life thou teachest pious living;
Rejoice, constant helper of good deeds.
Rejoice, good teacher of repentance;
Rejoice, tireless intercessor for us.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 6: A preacher of the truth of God, a certain Jew, appeared to be blessed by thee, O glorious Menas; for he, having seen a miracle by which a Christian, who unlawfully wanted to hide his treasures, was exposed, having renounced his wickedness and having received the faith of Christ, sang to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6: The light of the Christian faith shone in the heart of that Jew, when thou miraculously returned, O victorious Menas, his treasures, unlawfully hidden by the Christians, his friends: for by thine intercession evil was turned into good; and the Jew received Christian baptism and forgiveness of sin. And we, constantly remembering this wondrous thing, say to thee from the heart:
Rejoice, thou who transformest evil into good through thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who turn evildoers to repentance.
Rejoice, enlightener of those blinded by passions;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of God’s truth.
Rejoice, thou who correctest evil paths through thine intercession;
Rejoice, thou who guide our feet to the haven of the law of the Lord.
Rejoice, O noble adornment of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, constant help of God’s servants.
Rejoice, tireless intercessor for us;
Rejoice, God-given protector in sorrows.
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles;
Rejoice, gracious comforter of those who honour thy memory.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 7: Wishing to reveal to the world the inexhaustible sources of Thy mercy, O Christ our God, Thou hast granted us advocates and intercessors before Thee, Thy bold holy martyrs, who have testified to the firmness of their faith, even to the point of suffering blood; in whom, glorifying Thee, the only good God, we tenderly cry out to thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 7: Filling thy heart with the evangelical grace of the New Testament, O Great Martyr Menas, thou wast burnt with the fire of love for the Divine Lord, and united with the ranks of the holy martyrs, with whom, standing before the Throne of the Almighty, do thou pray for those who honour thy memory with faith, who bless thou with songs such as these:
Rejoice, glorious martyr of the Lord;
Rejoice, victorious warrior of Christ.
Rejoice, merciful intercessor of Christians;
Rejoice, our constant intercessor.
Rejoice, merciful healer of our ailments;
Rejoice, holy deliverer from various misfortunes.
Rejoice, powerful helper in the struggle with passions and enemy attacks;
Rejoice, for by thy prayers thou preservest us from sinful falls.
Rejoice, O All-Rich Treasury of God’s Gifts;
Rejoice, O cup filled with spiritual consolation.
Rejoice, thou who dispelest our sorrows with thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who kindlest our hearts with love for God.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 8: Thou hast appeared as a wanderer on earth, O glorious Menas, always seeking the Lord with a pure heart; therefore, having received the crown of martyrdom, thou hast gloriously ended thy life; and now, being established in the Kingdom of Heaven with the angels, thou cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8: Having submitted thyself entirely to God, O victorious Menas, thou hast passed harmlessly through the sea of earthly temptations and wast established in the haven of Divine peace in the Abode of the Heavenly Father. Therefore, remember us, who honour thy memory, at the Throne of God, who praise thee with songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who hast revealed an image of immaculate service to God;
Rejoice, thou who hast strengthened many for the feat of confession.
Rejoice, for thou now teachest us patience through thy life;
Rejoice, thou who instructest each one to bear his cross without complaint.
Rejoice, perfect teacher of spiritual poverty;
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest our hearts with the light of humility;
Rejoice, excellent champion of Orthodox Christians;
Rejoice, protection of faithful people from misfortunes and evils.
Rejoice, constant help to those who suffer;
Rejoice, merciful healing of the sick.
Rejoice, most honourable sufferer of Christ;
Rejoice, intercessor, given to us by the Lord.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 9: Thou hast cast away all worldly sweetness from thy soul, O Martyr Most Rich, and therefore, having left behind thy military honour, thou hast appeared as a warrior of the Heavenly King, shining forth with firmness of faith and righteous courage. Now in Heaven, standing before Christ, thou criest out with the angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 9: The wordy orators cannot recognise the power of Christ, with which thou hast clothed thyself like a weapon, O glorious Menas, and have conquered the lawless tormentors in thy patience. But we, with humble hearts and contrite souls, praising thy feat, with tenderness we call out to thee such songs:
Rejoice, consolation of those who suffer unjustly;
Rejoice, all-effective admonition to those who have offended.
Rejoice, good land, which hast brought forth the fruit of virtues;
Rejoice, for with thine honest sufferings thou hast illuminated the Syrian land.
Rejoice, for thou hast shown many glorious miracles after thy death;
Rejoice, holy lily, which didst flourish in the midst of idolatrous impiety.
Rejoice, for thou wast tested like gold in the furnace of sorrows;
Rejoice, thou who didst shine with the light of the truth of the Gospel.
Rejoice, thou who warmest those who flow to thee with the warm rays of thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who protectest those who honour thee from unexpected evils.
Rejoice, praise of the Holy Mountains of Athos;
Rejoice, constant protection of Orthodox people.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 10: Thou didst miraculously grant salvation to a merchant who was coming to venerate thy local relics; for he suffered death from a lawless money-lover, and, resurrected by thou, sang to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10: Thou didst appear as a warm protector and defender to that merchant, O Holy Menas; for having raised him who was killed for gold, thou didst expose the unjust murderer; and we, remembering this miracle, tenderly sing to thee:
Rejoice, glorious miracle worker;
Rejoice, O gracious intercessor.
Rejoice, terrible rebuke of evildoers;
Rejoice, constant protection of those who honour thee.
Rejoice, thou who didst resurrect the murdered merchant;
Rejoice, thou who didst convert a lover of money and a murderer to repentance.
Rejoice, thou who hast made good sacrifices;
Rejoice, thou who givest warmth from thine heart to thine intercessor.
Rejoice, quick listener to those who humbly pray before thine icon;
Rejoice, O faithful guardian from the wiles of the evil one and evil people.
Rejoice, thou who destroy life’s misfortunes with thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who dissolvest our sorrows with spiritual peace.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 11: We bring thee a song of praise, O praiseworthy martyr, opening the lips of our humble heart with love: we glorify thy wondrous life and glorify thy martyr’s death, calling out to God who strengthenst thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 11: With the light of the glorious miracle of the appearance, thou hast enlightened the heart of Eutropius, darkened by the love of money, O Saint, for he thought to leave for himself the silver plate with thy name prepared as a gift to thee, and he saw his beloved servant and that plate sinking in the depths of the sea; but nevertheless, by thine intercession, the servant was again saved, singing songs of gratitude to thee; and we, praising this miracle, tenderly cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who turned the heart of Eutropius to repentance;
Rejoice, thou who didst save that slave in the depths of the sea.
Rejoice, for by the manifestation of thy miracle thou didst transform sorrow into joy;
Rejoice, thou who didst save thy faithful servant from drowning.
Rejoice, constant helper of the upright in heart;
Rejoice, O intercessor before God for those who honour thy name.
Rejoice, thou who protectest us from evil misfortunes;
Rejoice, thou who showest thy help to Orthodox people.
Rejoice, thou who teachest truthful and honest living;
Rejoice, thou who helpest in the fulfillment of good undertakings.
Rejoice, thou who protectest us from the temptations of sin;
Rejoice, thou who fulfillest our requests for good and salvation.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 12: A certain woman named Sophia recognised the grace of thy merciful intercession, O glorious Menas, for she, coming to thy church to worship, was saved by thee from the dishonour of the lawless soldier and cried out to God in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 12: Singing of thy many miracles, all-praiseworthy great martyr, we remember the lame and the mute who prayed fervently in thy church; for thou didst appear to them and didst miraculously heal them; and we, remembering this miracle, fervently pray to thee: and strengthen our feet, weakened by many iniquities, and open the lips of our hearts worthily to sing to thee with songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who didst strengthen the paralytic’s legs;
Rejoice, thou who didst loosen the bonds of the mute tongue.
Rejoice, merciful healer who hast appeared to many;
Rejoice, thou who didst bring many unbelievers to faith with glorious miracles;
Rejoice, joy and praise for the lovers of God;
Rejoice, refuge and consolation of strangers.
Rejoice, gracious feeder of the poor;
Rejoice, unashamed intercessor for widows and orphans.
Rejoice, deliverance of the faithful from misfortunes and evils;
Rejoice, O firm protection of those who honour thee.
Rejoice, good comforter in times of trouble;
Rejoice, holy helper in life’s sorrows.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 13: O holy and glorious Great-Martyr of Christ, Menas, accept now this small song brought to thee with zeal, and cover with thy prayers those who come running to thy holy icon and who lovingly honour thy honourable memory, so that by thine intercession we may always be protected from evil in peace and piety for the rest of our life, praising God, who is wondrous in His saints, singing the Angelic song: Alleluia. [This kontakion is said three times.]
Ikos 1: An angel in the flesh thou didst appear on earth, O glorious Menas, for thou didst receive the word of Christ with a pure soul, and fled into the desert from the wickedness of the idols, where thou didst serve God like an incorporeal being: and we, remembering thy wondrous life, sing to thee with joy:
Rejoice, bright star of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, blessed ray of the sun of Truth.
Rejoice, holy lamp, who enlightenest the faithful with thy life;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us to fulfil the commandments of God.
Rejoice, O image of Christian piety for the faithful;
Rejoice, thou who guidest those who have gone astray to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the wrong-minded to reason;
Rejoice, correction of money-loving hearts.
Rejoice, thou who delightest our souls with spiritual peace;
Rejoice, thou who always comfortest us in our sorrows.
Rejoice, quick deliverance from troubles;
Rejoice, thou who drivest away our evil thoughts.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and quick helper in sorrows, O holy great martyr Menas: we, the unworthy, bring thee songs of praise from our hearts; but do thou, as one who hast boldness before the Lord, save from all troubles those who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Prayer to the Great Martyr Menas: O passion-bearer, holy martyr Menas! Looking at thine icon and remembering the healings thou givest to all who come to thee with faith and reverence, we fall down before thou and, bending the knees of our hearts, with all our souls we pray to thee, be our intercessor before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for our infirmities, accompany and comfort us in times of our sorrows, granting us the memory of our sins, help in misfortunes and troubles of this world, and in all the troubles that befall us in this vale of tears. Amen.
The last week has been a celebratory one of much activity and great blessings, having seen the visit of the Myrrh-Streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon to Cardiff and its veneration in the Oratory Church before its subsequent short visit to Chippenham, where it was also venerated and the faithful anointed, as they were in Cardiff the previous evening.
Several hundred people gathered at St Alban’s, greeting the icon with hymns and flowers, before a full moleben chanted according to the typikon, with both canon and akathist – the service being celebrated by the South Wales clergy, with the welcome presence of Father Sorin, and Father Youhanna from Risca.
We were pleased to have so many visitors from across South Wales and the West of England, and especially to have so many families, and to see people stay until so late.
Though there was little evidence of myrrh streaming on Tuesday, on Wednesday morning the icon streamed much myrrh, soaking a cloth on Branks’s sideboard, allowing us to soak it up with our prayer-ropes and cotton wool pads.
Even though the visit to Chippenham was very short, with the icon heading to our new monastic podvorie in Abingdon, those gathered enjoyed a festal day of chatting in the sun, enjoying a meal together, before the Cardiff pilgrims returned to South Wales and a few Wessex parishioners chanted the akathist hymn in honour of the Mother of God.
Back in Cardiff, the Marian festal-mood continued with the public offering of the Rule of the Mother of God in the Oratory Church, on Thursday.
On Saturday, the Cardiff clergy celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Gloucestershire faithful, marking the feast of the Dedication of the Church of the Holy Great-Martyr George, in Lydda.
Back in Cardiff, it was wonderful to have a full complement of singers on the kliros, and we are grateful to them for their chanting, and – of course – for all who contributed to our Sunday service, which ended with another anointing of the faithful with myrrh from the Hawaiian Icon. We were glad to have new faces among the faithful, making up a little for those absent due to the virus that is doing the rounds.
Tomorrow, I will offer a moleben before our copy of the Hawaiian Icon here in Wiltshire, where I am staying so that I am able visit some of the local faithful, before continuing visits in Glastonbury and serving a moleben and house-blessing. I pray that the grace of the Mother of God will touch those who were unable to visit the icon, but who will be anointed in tomorrow’s visits.
On Thursday, we will gather in St Alban’s Church at 15:00 and offer a moleben for the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers: the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel. Confessions will be heard after the service, and can also be heard in the evening for those who make a prior arrangements. Please ask, if needed.
I will serve a funeral in Newport on Friday morning, asking your prayers for the newly departed Nicholas, and back in Cardiff we will chant the akathist to the Precious and Life-Giving Cross at 15:00.
Saturday will see our local pilgrimage to the churches of St Cadoc and Merthyr Dyfan, in Barry – early Christian sites associated with Saints Cadoc, Deruvian and Teilo. Our pilgrimage will start with a bring-and-share lunch at Tracy’s house at noon, before heading to St Cadoc’s for pilgrim prayers at 14:00, and then devotions in Merthyr Dyfan. Please contact me or Tracy if you require further details.
I am very happy that next Sunday coincides with the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Menas, and look forward to offering prayers for the future of the parish before his icon. Some of us have received great favours and blessings through his prayers, and know him to be a fervent and swift intercessor.
As Advent approaches, we look forward to baptising our catechumens, Max and Joseph, and formalising catechesis with the other young people who would like to enter the catechumenate, considering Holy Baptism.
May I remind you that we need an indication of how many people would like to order a copy of the 2025 St Herman of Alaska Calendar, dedicated to the Saints of Wales and costing around £10. Please let us know asap, so that a order may be submitted.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Dear brothers and sisters,
Magnification: We extol Thee, O Christ, the Giver of Life for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Emmanuel, Thou didst reveal Thyself as Saviour, by prophets foretold.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Several hundred people gathered at St Alban’s, greeting the icon with hymns and flowers, before a full moleben chanted according to the typikon, with both canon and akathist – the service being celebrated by the South Wales clergy, with the welcome presence of Father Sorin, and Father Youhanna from Risca.