The last few days have certainly been busy, and I hope that those who made the journey to Birmingham to venerate the Trojeručica-Hilandarska icon of the Mother of God, in Bournville, have been spiritually buoyed and encouraged in their Faith by a wonderful day, with a moleben with the akathist before the icon.
Our pilgrimages over the last ten months have been such an encouragement and a common celebration of our Faith, bringing the different generations of our parish together for prayer, Liturgy and social time. I hope and pray that we will continue in these pilgrim endeavours, especially now that we have an active and energetic core of young people.
With so many things going on in December, our plan is to make a local pilgrimage to the Cardiff Oratory, to venerate their portion of the relics of St Alban, enshrined in the church of St Alban-on-the-Moors. Given that this is so local, I wonder whether we may do this on a mutually convenient weekday evening, and we will discuss this over the next week or so. Father Sebastian and his confreres are very keen that we avail ourselves of the shrine and church for devotions to the Protomartyr of Britain, having welcomed us so many times in the past. I will approach him with our request.
For anyone who may be interested in travelling further afield, the ‘Midlands Orthodox Christians’ group (of which we met some members in Bournville), will be making a December pilgrimage to Stoke St Milborough, near Ludlow on Saturday 16th December, and I hope to join them, possibly blessing St Milburgha’s Well. They would be delighted for any of our parishioners to join them!
We were happy to welcome past visitors to yesterday’s Liturgy, as well as welcoming new people to our worship, and welcoming home those who have been away. We are grateful for those who helped set up the church in such a short time, not to mention packing things away.
In future, we will start chanting the Hours before the Roman Catholic service, as the more than doubling of the length of the mass makes it impossible for us to set up, chant the Hours and celebrate the Liturgy at such a late hour, though the confession situation continues to work extremely well.
Tomorrow sees the beginning of the Nativity Fast. There are some variations in local practice, but the common foundation is that food is vegan, without wine and oil, though with wine/oil or fish as permitted additions on certain days.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are essentially ‘dry days’, Tuesdays and Thursdays ‘oil days’, and Saturdays and Sundays ‘fish days’. Whenever fish is permitted, so is wine and oil.
I know that many of our parishioners follow the St Herman Calendar, which has some differences in the fasting rules, but we will be publishing rules according to ROCOR’s printed calendars, and encourage you to follow these guidelines.
Tuesday 28 (15) November: Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias (299), Samonas (306), and Abibus (322), of Edessa. St. Paisiy (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia and Mt. Athos (1794). Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits etc)
Wednesday 29 (16) November: Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (60). Wine and oil allowed.
Thursday 30 (17) November: Venerable Nikon, abbot of Radonezh, disciple of St. Sergius (1426). Wine and oil allowed.
Friday 1 December (18 November):Martyr Platon of Ancyra (266). Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits etc)
Saturday 2 December (19 November): St. Philaret, metropolitan of Moscow (1867). Fish, wine and oil allowed.
Sunday 3 December (20 November): Forefeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. Venerable Gregory Decapolites (816). Fish, wine and oil allowed.
I hope that we will all add to our prayer-life and spiritual reading, to focus Advent and our preparation for the Lord’s Nativity.
This Friday would usually be our discussion group, but as there is a rail-strike, I will not be venturing beyond Llanelli – already having such a regrettable time using the railways for travel to and from Cardiff. So, I will hear confessions on Thursday, and will offer an Advent moleben at 16:00, as well as hearing confessions before celebrating vespers at 16:00, on Saturday.
As announced by Marina on Sunday, the next deadline for blanket collection for children in Ukraine is 8th December, and new fleece blankets will be greatly appreciated.
Another charitable focus over the next few weeks will be the concert in St John’s, Canton, on Wednesday 13thDecember at 19:30, with all proceeds supporting suffering Christians in the Holy Land, where the Bethany Christian School is suffering immense hardship
Please endeavour to support these worthy causes!
Next Sunday will be the forefeast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple, and the following morning the Liturgy for the feast will be in Llanelli, with the Hours starting at 10:00. Given the challenges we face before every morning service in Cardiff, our weekday Liturgies will be in Llanelli for the foreseeable future.
May I ask for confession requests for Thursday to get to me by noon on Wednesday, please?
May God bless you all. Good strength for the fast!
One of our children recently asked dad why there were seven swords in the icon of “Our Lady of Sorrows” of which we have two that are commonly venerated in the East Slavic Churches: the “Softener of Evil Hearts” and the “Seven Swords/Arrows” (differing in their arrangement of the swords: three each side and one central for the former icon, rather than being divided into four and three).
As adults, we hopefully all know that they represent the seven sorrows of the Mother of God, but do we know what her seven sorrows were?
In Nazareth House, we are blessed to see the seven sorrows above us every time we celebrate the Divine Liturgy, in the beautiful stained glass of the east end of the convent church. The sorrows of the Mother of God are plain for all to see.
The Prophecy of Simeon (in Luke 2), in which he tells that the heart of the Mother of God will be pierced by sorrow, like a sword, in the course of her son’s earthly life.
The Flight into Egypt in Matthew 2, in which the Holy Family became refugees in a foreign land.
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, also in Luke 2;
Mary meeting Jesus as He carried his cross to Golgotha;
The Crucifixion of Jesus on Golgotha in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19;
Jesus’s Descent from the Cross in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19;
The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea also in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.
Not only are the icons of Our Lady of Sorrows extremely popular in our Church, but also the akathist hymn in honour of the icon of Mother of God, the Softener of Evil Hearts, especially in times of our own sorrows.
Акафист Пресвятой Богородице перед иконой «Умягчение злых сердец»:
It seems a rather odd time at the moment, with family commitments, colds and viruses, and travels keeping parishioners away, and some of our brothers on pilgrimage, but parish life carries on regardless – whether services, study group, book-club, confessions, pastoral visits or social time.
Thanks to our choir and readers who sang so beautifully and prayerfully yesterday, with the use of both Church-Slavonic and English in the cherubic hymn being greatly appreciated. Thank you also to two of our youngest gentlemen, who despite being only teenagers were extremely industrious and instrumental in setting up the church in the absence of our usual helpers – moving and arranging furniture, lighting candles and lamps, and being a great help to Father Deacon Mark.
It was lovely to have so many children in church yesterday, and for them to commune of the Most Pure Mysteries, and we were able to welcome George back after his pilgrimage to the Bulgarian Athonite monastery of Zographou, to celebrate the dedication-feast of this house. Two of our brothers remain on the Holy Mountain and will be blessed to be part of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael in the monastery of Docheiariou, tomorrow. We were also pleased to have Mike back with us, after some weeks of ill-health.
Over the last few days, I have been especially pleased to visit the Cardiff Oratory, whose Fathers very much miss being alongside our Orthodox presence, and who were updated with news of parish life, reminding us that we are always welcome to visit the shrine containing a portion of St Alban’s relics and the icon of Saints Alban and Amphibalus, painted by Misha.
Until our return to Nazareth House, weekday confessions were heard in St Alban’s Church, and some our parishioners made a weekly visits to the shrine. I hope that this might return, with a book of Orthodox prayers and intercessions being left in the church for our parishioners to pray and use.
Advent draws near, with various pre-Christmas activities beginning to fill the gaps in our diaries, whether school, community or church events, and it is always too easy for our Orthodox Nativity Fast to be overshadowed or even dominated by these events and shopping for western Christmas celebrations with non-Orthodox family and friends.
The lack of an equivalent of the Lenten Triodion shaping prayer and services can make the Nativity Fast a little haphazard and lacking the direction and momentum of Great Lent. This is precisely why we need to plan and prepare.
Last year, I encouraged parishioners to intensify their Advent prayer-life by praying the canon for the saint of each day, and I will repost the canons again, this coming Nativity Fast, together with fasting rules each week.
We should all seek to make extra offerings in our spiritual life – not only in terms of prayer, but also in actions: charitable giving, finding time to help others, supporting those who need it – which is the cue to report that after an extremely successful collection and dispatch of fleece blankets to Ukraine, Marina is organising another blanket collection. So… the donation of new fleece blankets for the winter will be greatly appreciated. Please bring any offerings to church.
Advent spiritual reading needs to be planned, with plenty of online resources available in addition to books – whether in printed or electronic form, but no matter how much or how little we be able to read in what may be busy and active lives, spiritual reading is important as an enriching and nourishing part of our Nativity Fast.
I hope that we may recommend books to one another on our WhatsApp pages or in the comments here, but I will start by recommending a few resources and classics known and already appreciated by some our parishioners.
As a prayer-resource, as plugged at our discussion on Friday evening, I wholeheartedly recommend the two volume Book of Akathists from Jordanville:
Looking forward to the week ahead… I am greatly looking forward to our parish-pilgrimage to the Church of St Lazar, in Birmingham on Saturday (92 Griffins Brook Ln, Birmingham B30 1QG), where the Divine Liturgy will commence at 09:00. We are a little unclear about possible lifts for our students, though things will hopefully become clearer as the week progresses. After the Liturgy, we will pray before the Trojeručica (Three Handed) icon of the Mother of God – a copy of the original, in the Athonite monastery of Hilandar, visited by our brother, Alexander, yesterday!
This week, I will be free to hear confessions on Wednesday and Friday. The church will be in use from 18:00 on Wednesday, so any confessions after this time will be in the sacristy, requiring anyone confessing to wait outside for me to collect them. I am happy to hear confessions at times earlier than we generally start, knowing the duties that some of our parishioners have. Please, just ask. Obviously confessions for Wednesday need flagging asap, and Friday requests by noon on Wednesday, please. Please be mindful that long confessions are not practical on Sundays, though all if working well at the moment.
Though I will be in Cardiff this Wednesday, there will be the usual mid-week service each Wednesday evening in Llanelli, and will chant compline at 19:00 on Wednesday night in the chapel of St David and St Nicholas in Llanelli.
In our prayers, we continue to remember the newly-departed handmaids of God Nadezhda and Photina; Margarita, Ludmilla and Brigid, among those unwell; Olga and Andrew, Alexander and Aldhelm on their travels; and for Patrick’s impasse in moving house.
Saints Cosmas and Damian were natives of Asia Minor. Their father, a pagan, died while they were still quite small children. Their mother, Theodotia, raised the brothers in Christian piety. The example of their mother and the reading of holy books preserved them in chasteness of life in accord with the command of the Lord, and Cosmas and Damian grew up into righteous and virtuous men.
Trained and having become skilled as physicians, they acquired a graced gift of the Holy Spirit – to heal by the power of prayer people’s illnesses both of body and soul, and they treated even animals. With fervent love for both God and neighbour, the brothers went forth into social service. For the maladies which the brothers treated they never took payment, and they strictly observed the command of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Freely have ye received, freely in turn give”. The fame of Saints Cosmas and Damian spread throughout all the surrounding region, and people called them – unmercenaries.
One time the saints were summoned to a grievously ill woman – whom all the doctors had refused to treat because of her seemingly hopeless condition. Through faith Palladia (thus was her name) and through the fervent prayer of the holy brothers, the Lord healed the deadly disease and she got up from her bed perfectly healthy and giving praise to God. In gratitude for being healed and wanting them to accept a small gift from her, Palladia went quietly to Damian. She presented him with three eggs and said: “Take this small gift in the Name of the Holy Life-Creating Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. Hearing the Name of the Holy Trinity, the unmercenary one did not dare to refuse.
Cosmas, however, when he learned of what had happened, became very sad. He thought that his brother had broken their strict vow. And soon approached the time when Saint Cosmas was to expire to the Lord. Dying, he gave last instructions that his brother should not be buried alongside him. After a short while Saint Damian also died. All were greatly perplexed where Saint Damian’s grave should be. But through the will of God a miracle occurred: there came to the people a camel, which the saints had treated for its wildness, and it spoke with an human voice saying – that they should not doubt to put Damian alongside Cosmas – because it was not for the reward that Damian accepted the gift from the woman, but on account of the Name of God. The venerable remains of the holy brothers were buried together at Theremanea (Mesopotamia).
Many miracles were worked upon the death of the holy unmercenaries. There lived at Theremanea, nearby the church of Cosmas and Damian, a certain man by the name of Malchos. One day in setting off on a distant journey, and leaving behind his wife all alone for what would be a long time – he prayerfully entrusted her to the heavenly protection of the holy brothers. But the enemy of the race of mankind, having taken hold over one of Malchos’ friends, planned to destroy the woman. A certain while went by, and this man went to her at home and said that Malchos had sent him, – to take her to him. The woman believed him and went along. He led her to a solitary place and wanted to molest and kill her. The woman – seeing that disaster threatened her – called upon God with deep faith. Two fearsome men then appeared, and the cunning man let go of the woman, and took to flight: he fell off a cliff! The men led the woman home. At her own home, bowing to them deeply she asked: “What name do they call you? –my rescuers, to whom I shalt be grateful to the end of my days!” “We are the servants of Christ, Cosmas and Damian” – they answered and became invisible. The woman with trembling and with joy told everyone about what had happened with her, and glorifying God she went up with tears to the icon of the holy brothers and offered up prayers of thanks for her deliverance. And from that time the holy brothers were venerated as protectors of the holiness and inviolability of Christian marriage, and as givers of harmony to conjugal life. And from ancient times their veneration spread also to Russia.
The Canon of the unmercenaries, the acrostic whereof is: “With hymns I honour the wise unmercenaries”, the composition of John of Damascus, in Tone I
Ode I, Irmos:O ye people, let us all chant a hymn of victory unto Him Who delivered Israel from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh, and led them dry-shod in the depths of the sea, for He hath been glorified.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the grace of the ruling Trinity, the two wondrous and honoured unmercenaries grant healing unto all who approach with faith, ever pouring it forth.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Taught the mysteries by life-bearing discourse, shining forth like beacons in the world with the fervour of faith, ye easily drive away the darkness of suffering, O most blessed ones.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Submitting to the law of the Saviour, O most glorious ones, ye rejected the enjoyment of pleasures; and, resplendent most radiantly with virtuous souls, ye achieved preëminence in the world, O right wondrous ones.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The all-divine Son Who shone forth timelessly from the Father, and Who made His abode within thy womb, O Mother of God, ineffably clothed Himself wholly in man. To Him do we chant, for He hath been glorified.
Ode III, Irmos:Establish me, O Christ, upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, and illumine me with the light of Thy countenance, for there is none as holy as Thee, Who lovest mankind.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
As is meet, let us all hymn the well-springs of healings, the streams of divine gifts, the most splendid receptacles of the immaterial Light.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
As benefactors curing sufferings and pangs of body and soul, O most honoured ones, ye heal those who have recourse to you now with fervour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Adorned with the fruits of the virtues, ye manifestly pruned away every corrupting pleasure of life, looking unceasingly toward the beauty of God.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who before was invisible appeared in our form, O Theotokos, when He united His Godhead to the flesh in thine all-holy womb, O Bride of God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Beautifully drawing forth streams of miracles from your deep wellspring, with mystical showers ye drive away the dark passions, and grant healings to ailing men. Wherefore, having received the gladness of health through you, O all-glorious ones, we cry out, amazed: O God-bearing unmercenaries, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who celebrate your holy memory with love. (Twice)
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.
Theotokion: As the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, as the Mother of the Deliverer, who knewest not man, as the receptacle of the Comforter, O all-hymned one, haste thou and deliver me—who am the vile habitation of iniquity and am become in mind the plaything of the demons—from their malice, and make me the splendid abode of the virtues. O luminous and incorrupt one, drive away the clouds of the passions and vouchsafe through thy supplications that I may partake of the never-waning light of the Most High.
Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on 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 doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion, which Thou endurest in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy. O long-suffering Lord, abyss and inexhaustible wellspring of mercy, have pity, and grant remission of offences unto those who with faith hymn Thy divine sufferings!”
Ode IV, Irmos:I have considered Thy dispensation, O Almighty One, and with fear have I glorified Thee, O Saviour.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Manifestly ascending to divine love, O godly ones, ye acquired neither the lustre of gold nor silver.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Resplendent with divine miracles, the unmercenaries do good unto all, bestowing grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Stretching forth your healing hands, ye showed yourselves to be wise physicians of the pain of sufferings.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let those who do not confess thee to be the Theotokos now be smitten in the face, O all-pure Mistress.
Ode V, Irmos:Waking at dawn out of the night, we chant to Thee, O Christ, Who art consubstantial with the Father and art the Saviour of our souls: Grant peace to the world, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
As torrents poured forth by God, O glorious unmercenaries, ye pour forth the waters of benefaction upon the faithful, healing infirmities both of body and of soul.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
O honoured unmercenaries, releasing springs of grace, ye impart health unto all who with faith and love now have recourse to you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The radiant and most wise stars, who have manifestly rendered the earth celestial, unceasingly illumine us with the likeness of the splendour of the angels.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having conceived the Lord and Saviour of the world, Who with the Father is equally without beginning, and given birth to Him, O Virgin Mother, thou hast shown thyself to be more exalted than all things.
Ode VI, Irmos:Thou didst save the prophet from the sea monster, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Lead me up from the abyss of transgressions, I pray.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Let us fervently honour the godly Cosmas and Damian, the saving healers, the divinely wise benefactors.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Having preserved their chastity, the godly Cosmas and Damian rejoice with Christ, adorned with understanding.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Having lived in oneness of mind and fasted in oneness of soul, together ye have been given to us to grant us healings.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-pure one, thou gavest birth in the flesh to the unapproachable Light Who illumineth the whole world with rays of divinity.
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. “The steadfast…”: Having received the grace of healings, ye extend health to those in need, O all-glorious physicians and wonder-workers. By your visitation cast down the audacity of the enemy, healing the world with miracles.
Ikos:The discourse of the wise physicians surpasseth all reason and wisdom and imparteth understanding to all; for, having received the grace of the Most High, they invisibly grant health to all. Wherefore, even unto me hath grace been given to sing of how the God-bearing favourites and ministers of Christ bestow a multitude of healings; for they deliver all from sickness, healing the world with miracles.
Ode VII, 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.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
In divine wisdom ye were shown to belong wholly to God, in that ye both contain God; for for God’s sake ye abandoned the world, following divinely in the steps of the Saviour, O most glorious ones, honouring the God of our fathers.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
O most excellent physicians, with mystical handiwork ye supernaturally heal all the wounds of infirmities, drawing forth saving cures from the divine treasuries and hymning our all-glorious God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
With the crown and radiant purple robe of Thy kingdom, O Christ Master, Thou hast divinely adorned those who loved exceedingly the unapproachable beauty of Thy comeliness, and hast shown them to be universal benefactors of the faithful.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When the Orient appeared on earth from on high, O all-pure one, thou wast shown to be the most magnificent and all-radiant gate, illumining the world with beams of purity and ever sending forth rays of miracles upon the faithful.
Ode VIII, Irmos:The children of Israel in the furnace, shining more brightly than gold in a crucible in the beauty of their piety, said: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord; hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Having died to the beauties of this world and cut off the sickness of avarice, O wise ones, ye have been called unmercenary by all who cry out: Hymn the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Ye have most manifestly become partakers of everlasting life; for ye forsook all the beauties of corruptible life, crying together: Bless the Lord, all ye works! Hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
O Master Christ, through the supplications of the unmercenaries deliver us all from grievous ailments, and ever vouchsafe that we may cry to thee together: Bless the Lord, all ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoicing, and strengthened by grace, and delivered by thy birth-giving, O pure Virgin Mother, we cry out unceasingly: Bless the Lord, all ye works! Hymn and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Ode IX, Irmos:Thee, the Mother of God, the radiant lamp, the all-wondrous glory more exalted than all creatures, do we magnify with hymns.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
With hymns we unceasingly bless the two wise ones who shine forth the radiance of noetic Light and impart enlightenment unto all.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
Creating the strength of spiritual health for the faithful, as saviours ye also cure the bodily sufferings presented to you; wherefore, ye are ever hymned.
Holy unmercenary healers, Cosmas and Damian, pray to God for us.
The beacons of divine radiance, who now without ceasing impart light, noetically illumine the heaven of the honoured Church with an outpouring of effulgence.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The two praised ones divinely called by the worshipful Trinity pour forth gifts of healing upon all who ask and bless them with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With hymns we magnify thee as the Theotokos: the cloud of the Light, the holy ark, the most radiant portal of the noetic Sun.
Troparion, Tone VIII: O holy unmercenaries and wonder-workers Cosmas and Damian, visit ye our infirmities: Freely ye have received, freely give unto us!
Greetings for the feast of the Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cosmas and Damian, a day for us to intensify our prayers for those sick or unwell in our community – especially for Ludmilla, Brigid (Mo), Andrew, Margarita and Mike.
I would usually be in Walsingham, this week, but with the tail-end of a throat infection and deafness in one ear, I remain in Llanelli.
We congratulate Norman John, for whom this feast is his ‘Orthodox’ birthday, having finally been united to the Church on this feast in Walsingham in 2020 after over a decade of lingering on the threshold and peaking over the wall!
Thank you to everyone in Cheltenham and Cardiff for their labours for Christ, in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in both places. I am particularly grateful to our young servers and the enthusiasm they show to serve in the altar. Even our little ones in Cheltenham were at my elbow for the proskomedia, absorbing what happens before Liturgy.
Despite a twenty minute late start for Sunday Liturgy, I was pleased that our celebration passed quite routinely and without any surprises – other than a rather reduced congregation.
The windy and rainy weather, and rather dark day were dramatically different to our sunny Cheltenham on Saturday, and the cosiness of the church at Nazareth House offered quite a contrast to the world outside. Though the temperature often seems excessive, it was greatly appreciated, yesterday.
On confession days, each week, we will chant vespers or a moleben in the afternoon – having chanted a moleben to Saints Demetrios and Nestor last week, and this week, confessions will be heard on Friday, both before and after the celebration of vespers at 16:00.
As I have an early evening obligation on Saturday, vespers will be celebrated at the earlier time of 15:00, with time for confessions before the service. As usual I will hear confessions from 10:15 on Sunday morning.
As announced, Saturday 25th November, will see a parish pilgrimage to the beautiful Serbian Orthodox church of St Lazar in Bournville, Birmingham, which houses a wonder-working copy of the Trojeručica (Three Handed) icon of the Mother of God enshrined in the monastery of Hilandar, on Mount Athos. The Divine Liturgy commences at 09:00, and we will offer a moleben before the icon afterwards.
Though I know that some of our students are keen to make this pilgrimage, as well as our own Serbian faithful and their usual companions, there have only been a few other declarations of interest. I would be grateful to know who would like to join us for this wonderful occasion.
Many thanks to all who donated so generously to the collections for the Bethany Convent and Orthodox School, raising £473 for this needy cause in a time of great uncertainty and hardship.
In your prayers, please remember the newly-departed handmaiden of God, Nadezhda, mother of our parishioner Olga (McKellar) and we pray for Olga and Allan, who are in Italy for the funeral, and for all of their family. Please also pray for the newly departed Photina. Memory Eternal!
Please remember that we have a mid-week service each Wednesday evening in Llanelli, and will chant compline at 19:00 on Wednesday night in the chapel of St David and St Nicholas in Llanelli, with a litia for the newly departed Nadezhda and Photina.
Please contact us for directions if you wish to attend and are unsure of the location. Please note that the front door is locked once we retire to the garden chapel for the service.
Dear brothers and sisters, at 16:00 tomorrow, we will chant a moleben to the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrios, whose feast is today, and the Holy Martyr Nestor – his friend and fellow soldier – whose feast is tomorrow.
The combined canons for the Holy Martyrs and posted below.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr Demetrios, the acrostic whereof is: “I give utterance concerning the right victorious Demetrios!” the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos:Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Crowned with a divine wreath of martyrdom, thou makest merry in the presence of God, shining with splendours therefrom and filled with radiance, O right wondrous great-martyr .
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
The Master hath received thee who art a witness to the truth, who struggled with endurance even to the shedding of thy blood, and steadfastly showed forth opposition to the tyrants, O blessed one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
The author of evil didst thou lay low, O Demetrios, slaying him with the spear of thy martyrdom, strengthened therefor with divine grace and power which passeth understanding, O blessed one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who, as God, was before time begotten without mother hath come among us, receiving flesh and uniting Himself thereto through thee without father, O all-hymned Theotokos, which transcendeth comprehension and recounting.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour the grace of the myrrh of Demetrios,” the composition of George of Skilitsa, 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.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
O Demetrios, thou freely flowing wellspring of fragrant and precious myrrh, who washest my heart clean of the filth of the passions: Having shown me to be the fragrance of Christ through the exercise of the virtues, fill my mind with grace, that I may hymn thy divine graces.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Rivers of living water flow from the midst of the faithful, saith the word of God. Wherefore, the ever-flowing springs of thy myrrh are poured forth, whose streams gladden the city of God, which doth glorify thy martyric boldness.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Of old, the staff of Moses, striking the rock in the desert land, released gushing streams of water; and, pierced by a spear, thy body, O Demetrios, hath revealed a wellspring of myrrh, refreshing the new Israel.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
O Demetrios, who hast received a recompense for the wounds of thy martyrdom such as eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, thou now pourest forth a sea of myrrh, the rewards of purity, upon the ends of the earth, washing away the passions of our souls.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
made His abode in thy womb; and having anointed with His divinity that which He took from thee, He issued forth One comprising both, and hath been called the Myrrh which was poured forth, for Christ is both God and man.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: He Who is mighty in battle cast the chariots of Pharaoh and his power into the sea. Let us chant a new hymn, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
By thy blood wast thou vouchsafed to mount the fiery chariot, rejoicing, and with joy didst thou ascend to the heights of heaven, where Jesus, the ageless Light, doth dwell.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Having arrayed thyself in the breastplate of faith, O Nestor, and wielding the Cross in thy hands as it were a spear, thou didst mightily hew down legions of the enemy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strengthened with the fervour of Christ’s love, thou didst stride forth into the midst of the arena and didst set at naught the wiles of Lyæus and didst win the trophy of victory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In thy womb didst thou conceive Him Who is with the Father is equally without beginning, and in manner transcending nature thou didst give birth unto Him in the flesh, O thou who hast not known man, remaining truly a pure Virgin. Wherefore, we all honour thee.
Canon I of the Great-Martyr
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou didst account the tyrant’s command but naught, for thou didst honour the word of God above all, O passion-bearer.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
A splendid lamp-stand in the midst of the tabernacle of martyrdom wast thou, shining with divine light, O Demetrios, martyr and athlete.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Having acquired thee as a sacred and wondrous fountain of healings and an inviolable treasure, thy city hath been enriched with all gladness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure one, restoring the corrupted image of mortals, He Who loveth mankind clothed Himself therein with flesh taken from thee, though remaining as He was before.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Begotten from on high by God, thou wast an heir of divine blessings, being called His son, a co-heir with Christ; and thou dost reign with Him, for thy myrrh is a token thereof, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Planted by flowing waters like the tree whereof David spake, O glorious one, thou didst put forth the great fruit of martyrdom, and art now shown to be a wellspring of myrrh, which floweth unto the ends of the earth.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Drawing forth the grace of Christ, from Whose side flowed forth blood and water, pierced for His sake, thou didst shed thy blood, and thou now pourest forth fragrant myrrh like water upon our hearts, O Demetrios.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure one, thy sacred and spiritual vessels are full of fragrance and the myrrh of the divine Spirit Who descended upon thee. For, having given birth unto God, thou hast rescued the faithful from the stench of the passions.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: O Lord Who dost establish the thunder and formest the wind: make me steadfast, that I may hymn Thee in truth and do Thy will; for none is as holy as Thee, O our God.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Strengthened with the power of Him Who shattered the gates and portals of hades with might, with zeal didst thou enter into the arena and didst shatter the wiles of the enemy with might.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
With thy feet thou didst trample down the ancient author of deception, for as a youth thou didst bend thy neck to be beheaded by the sword, O Nestor, boast of martyrs. Wherefore, we praise thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Setting at naught the pride of the most iniquitous, O martyr, thou didst sacrifice a sacrifice unto God, shedding thy sacred blood as an offering. Wherefore, He hath rewarded thee with rich gifts.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, Jesus, Whom thou didst bear in thy womb, having supernaturally transformed the ugliness of the race of Adam which resulted from eating, hath granted us our primal beauty.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion of St Nestor, Tone II, Spec. Mel. “Seeking the highest…”: Having fought the good fight, thou hast now inherited immortal glory, for thou didst become an excellent warrior of the Master through the supplications of the martyr Demetrios. Wherefore, cease not to pray for us all, O wise Nestor.
Ikos: From childhood didst thou tread the path of the Lord, O thrice-blessed one, and didst piously desire His testimonies; and, having zealously taken the Cross upon thy shoulders, O divinely wise Nestor, thou didst destroy the wicked delusion of the madness of idolatry, breaking and destroying the snares and nets of Lyæus. Wherefore, we flee to thy protection with faith, crying aloud: O thou who art most rich, entreat Christ God in behalf of us all!
Sessional hymn for the Great-Martyr , Tone IV, Spec. Mel: “Joseph was amazed…” – With psalms do we cry out to the valiant athlete, the mighty warrior of Christ, Who reigneth over all: Rejoice, adornment and comeliness of martyrs! Rejoice, radiant star of the Church! Rejoice, rampart and refuge of those who have recourse to thee! O glorious great-martyr Demetrios, from every wound and affliction of the alien save all who hymn 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.
Sessional hymn for St Nestor, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up…”: Thou wast undaunted by the tyranny of the enemy, nor wast thou afraid of the wounding of thy body, but didst hasten fearlessly to the conflict, O wise one, banishing the invincible divine weapon of the Cross. Wherefore, having slain the deceiver straightway, thou wast thyself slain, O Nestor, and, standing before Christ, thou hast been vouchsafed life.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Beholding thee, the vanquisher of the delusion of ungodliness, the most exalted Word of God hath crowned thee with glory, O Demetrios, who chantest: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Having won a victory over delusion, thou didst receive a victor’s crown of righteousness, O Demetrios, crying out to Thy Creator: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Steered by God’s life-bearing hand, thou didst reach the most calm harbours, where, rejoicing, O Demetrios, thou dost now cry out: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As the most sacred of all created beings, thou alone wast vouchsafed to become the Mother of God; for, in giving birth unto Him, thou hast illumined the world with the grace of knowledge divine.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
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 Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Having washed away all the defilement of thy birth in the laver of regeneration, thou didst show thyself to be one who preserved his purity even unto the end. Wherefore, Christ hath transformed thy natural goodness into myrrh, just as He changed water into wine.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Just as the nature of fire is bestowed upon all, preserving its whole power, so is thy myrrh drawn forth by all, yet remaineth undiminished, O athlete. Wherefore, bowing down in worship, we piously hymn God, Who hath given thee grace.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Who can render Thee audible praises, O Christ, Thou Word of God, beholding the graces which Thou hast bestowed upon Thine athletes? For, lo! the myrrh of the martyr Demetrios floweth like a fountain, and his fragrance wafteth forth, and he dispelleth the gloom of wickedness.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
A fountain springing up from the earth gave thee to drink before watering all the face thereof; and having been hidden beneath the earth, thou hast been shown to be a wellspring of fragrant myrrh, O martyr Demetrios; for a multitude of spears opened thy veins, and thou dost now water the ends of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Theotokos, we know thee to be the Bride and Mother of God, for the Word of God, finding thee to be a fragrant rose blossoming amid the lowly valley of humanity, desired thy beauty and, having issued forth from thee, He hath perfumed the faithful.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O God, and I was afraid; I understood Thy works, O Lord, and I was filled with awe, for the earth is full of Thy praise.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Made radian by the splendid teachings of Demetrios, thou didst escape the gloom of pagan vainglory and wast illumined with the light of martyrdom.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Thou didst stir up the salty sea of unbelief with the sweetness of thy good faith, O martyr, and didst drown an army of the ungodly in the depths of thy blood.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast shown to be a tree reared up for life, nourishing the fullness of the faithful with the bounty of thy struggles, O Nestor of Christ, thou boast of martyrs.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Be thou unto me for the cleansing of sins and extend thou a helping hand unto me who am in distress, O most holy Mistress, sure aid of Christians.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode V, Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Receiving the fire of divine love in thy heart, thou didst quench the fire of the ungodly madness of idolatry, O glorious Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou hast shown thyself to be one who delivereth us from misfortunes, O Demetrios, protecting by thy supplications those who praise thee with faith and love.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
They who earnestly have recourse unto thy temple in faith, O Demetrios, are speedily delivered from infirmities and soul-destroying passions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Word of God, Who is one in essence with the Father, O Mother of God, hath, in manner past comprehension and recounting, become thy Son, of one essence with thee.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
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.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a cistern collecting the mercy of Him Who descended from the heavens, as it were rain or dew; and thou didst gush forth with mystical gifts, and now thou dost put forth a wellspring of myrrh from thy tomb, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Following the practice of athletes, thou didst strip thyself bare, but of all earthly love, O martyr; and thou didst anoint thyself with the oil of grace, and, having vanquished the prince of darkness, thou didst receive as reward the exuding of fragrant myrrh, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a rose blooming in the midst of the Master’s meadow, O Demetrios, dyed with the blood of thy torment and with the piercings of thy wounds, with thy pangs of suffering and the burning of the furnace; and now thou dost pour forth ever-flowing myrrh.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Lo! the martyr’s temple is again seen to be a divine ark wherein is a lamp, his tomb, which holdeth myrrh and oil, and around which we exult in spirit; and, joining chorus, we praise the great Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Wounded with zeal for the love of Christ, like a new Elijah thou dost denounce the emperor and dost give thyself over to death. Yet thou livest and hast shown thy tomb to be a wellspring of myrrh, like unto the inexhaustible cruse of oil.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old thine ancestor, chanting, described thy mystery and all the glory within the daughter of the King, glorifying thee as her who is blessed among men. Rejoice, thou restoration of the whole world.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: Send Thou a radiant dawn upon us, in that Thou art good; and guide us to the fear of Thee, O Master.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Having watered thy thoughts with words of divine understanding, O glorious Nestor, thou didst produce the harvest of martyrdom.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
With the healing of thy words, O Demetrios, martyr for Christ, Nestor put an end to the great iniquity of ungodliness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Locked in combat with a visible foe, thou didst invisibly acquire the help of God, O glorious Nestor.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, thou who without seed gavest birth unto our God! Rejoice, thou who alone art the all-pure Mother of God! Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode VI, Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Assembling together, we chant thy glorious and luminous memorial which is full of wonders and of the gifts of the honoured and holy Spirit, O most blessed one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
By thy supplications loose the bonds of mine offences, for, as an invincible martyr, thou hast boldness before the Master; and be thou my refuge and protection, O Demetrios.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Finding thee, O pure one, to be a most pure lily, a lily of the valley, growing among the thorns, the Bridegroom, the Word, made His abode in thy womb, O Mother of God.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
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.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou didst flourish spiritually, like a fruitful olive-tree, and wast violently pressed by the hands of soldiers. But now thou dost comfort the faithful, O Demetrios, pouring forth myrrh from thy divine tomb.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Like a bee, thou didst show thyself to be a cultivator of all the virtues wrought by God, O blessed one, preserving thine immaculate soul like a honeycomb; and now thou pourest forth myrrh, delighting our souls.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou didst love Christ with all thy soul and didst follow Him to the myrrh of sweet fragrance; and thou didst partake thereof through a higher union. And now thou pourest forth never-ending streams of myrrh, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
The droplets of the blood of thy sufferings, falling upon the ground, have made it a wellspring of fragrant myrrh. And now thou dost continually pour it out for those who draw it forth, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Drenched with the outpouring of thy blood, O wise one, like another, new, wellspring, like a river, thou dost richly put forth thy myrrh for the healing of those who ask it and who earnestly approach, O blessed one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Beholding the golden and ever-burning lamp of the Light, we who have darkened our souls with a multitude of sins draw nigh, for she giveth us illumination and driveth away all darkness.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos:The tempest of evil thoughts, having overtaken me, doth drag me down into the abyss of my countless sins; but, going before me, O good Helmsman, govern me and save me, as Thou didst the Prophet Jonah.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Having stamped thy heart with a seal, thou didst courageously wound the heart of Lyæus with the spear of thy valour, O passion-bearer; and, rejoicing, thou wast slain for Christ, the Life of all.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Like a bridegroom didst thou issue forth from the chamber of thy flesh, O wise one; and manifestly arrayed in garments woven of thy sacred blood, O martyr, thou hast taken thy place before Christ the Master.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having set thy feet upon the rock of piety, Christ, the Rock of life, guided thy steps to Himself, O Nestor, and put thine enemies to shame.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mary, who gavest birth unto God Who taketh away the sin of the world, thou hast broken the chains of my transgression, for on thee have I set my hope of salvation.
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 of the Great-Martyr, Tone II: He Who gave thee invincible strength, O Demetrios, hath dyed the Church in the streams of thy blood, and hath preserved thy city unharmed, for thou art its confirmation.
Ikos:Assembling in faith, let us all hymn the great Demetrios as a warrior and martyr of Christ, crying out together in hymns and songs unto the Master and Creator of the universe: Deliver us from earthquake and want, O Thou Who lovest mankind, at the supplications of the Theotokos and of all Thy holy martyrs, for on Thee do we all set our trust, that we may be delivered from misfortunes and tribulations. For Thou art our confirmation.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode VII, Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
All-adorned with divine glory and grace, O martyr and passion-bearer, thou dost shine forth brilliantly and dost illumine those who cry out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Arrayed in thy blood as in a purple cloak, and holding the Cross instead of a sceptre, O glorious one, thou now reignest with Christ, O martyr Demetrios, crying out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-glorious and radiant Mother of God: Protect all who honour thee as the Theotokos, for blessed art thou among women, O all-immaculate Mistress.
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
In prophecy Isaiah commandeth the thirsty to draw forth water, O Demetrios. And if he had seen thy tomb, he would certainly have cried: Come ye to the wellspring of myrrh and draw forth salvation!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou wast born of earth and hast made thine abode in the land of the meek, where the water of sweetness is found; and having drunk thy fill thereof, thou now pourest forth an ever-flowing wellspring of myrrh, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou dost grow like the branch of a vine, remaining joined to God, without being cut off. And filled with the ineffable sap thereof, thou now pourest forth myrrh in streams upon all, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
O, thy new struggles! O, the strange sufferings of thy martyrdom! For, accepting the drops of sweat which thou didst pour forth for Him, Christ hath shown thee to be a wellspring of myrrh, O blessed one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Exuding the flow of thy myrrh, O Demetrios, thou hast spread out a great abyss of miracles and dost drown therein the infirmities of our bodies and souls, stilling every tempest of temptation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With thy milk didst thou nourish thy God, Who was born of thee incarnate, that He might lighten the affliction in hades of Adam, who ate of the tree of knowledge and transgressed God’s commandment.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers, Who spake on the mountain with Moses and revealed an image of the Virgin in the bush.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers, Who hast illumined the hearts of the faithful with the splendour of the passion-bearer’s struggles.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Having quenched the flame of ungodliness with the dew of thy blood, O divine martyr Nestor, thou dost chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Offering a living sacrifice as an odour of sweet fragrance to the Lord, O martyr Nestor, thou didst cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou hast been shown to be more holy than the cherubim, O most holy Mistress who gavest birth unto the Word of God Who doth sanctify us.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode VIII, Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Arrayed for battle with the indelible power of Christ, O glorious one, thou didst blot out all the wrath of the enemy, and as a victor thou didst cry out, O martyr Demetrios: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Having shown the steadfastness of the martyrs, thou didst inherit the high station of the martyrs, O martyr, having been washed in the holy laver which is not defiled by further attacks of sin; and, pierced by a spear, thou didst cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
The multitude of thy miracles and the gifts that Christ gave thee, which surpass comprehension, are evident to all, O glorious one, and the grace of healings, which transcendeth recounting, clearly proclaimeth thy grace unto us who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us hymn the pure Theotokos, who, alone among all generations, is a Virgin Mother; for she is the mediatress of our salvation, in that she gave birth unto the Word, the Deliverer of the world, to Whom we cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Canon II to the Great-Martyr
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!
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
May God reveal thee to those in this world, O Demetrios, as one who hath kept the lamp of thy soul alight, ever filled with the oil of good works. Doors, as of a chamber, have been opened unto thee, and He showeth thee to be an ever-flowing wellspring of divine myrrh, imparting grace thereto as reward for thy purity.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Not of blood, nor of the lust of the flesh, O Demetrios, wast thou born, as the Gospel saith, but of God; for thou dost worship the incarnate God, and zealously exhausting thyself for His sake, thou didst receive wondrous grace from on High, and dost pour forth divine myrrh, perfuming men’s souls.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou art shown to be an animate ladder firmly anchored to the ground by pillars of flesh, but reaching to the heavens; for thou wast enriched by God, Who was established within thee, O martyr. And having been shown to be a pillar anointed with the oil of the struggles of martyrdom, thou now pourest forth a wellspring of divine myrrh upon those who approach with faith.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Chanting prophetically, O Demetrios, David described thee as the river of God full of waters; for, lo! the outpouring of thy myrrh is inexhaustible. Wherefore, the watery multitude of rivers lift up their voices and clap their hands to the glory of God, Who hath glorified thee by all of these.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou alone art the thrice-holy Lord, O Almighty God, concerning Whom the athlete Demetrios theologised while locked in prison, having slain the noetic serpent with a material lash and cast down the audacity of Lyæus through the godly Nestor; and he was pierced by a spear, and now myrrh floweth forth from his tomb.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In place of Adam, the Lord; in place of Eve, thee, O all-pure one; instead of the lying serpent, Gabriel; instead of the tree, the Cross; instead of Eden, the garden of the tomb; Rejoice! instead of grief; the spear instead of the fiery sword, and the purple robe instead of the fig leaves! Therefore, we hymn thee, O Maiden, as the cause of these things.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos:O earth and all that is therein, O ye seas and every shower and dew, ye heavens of heavens, light and darkness, frost and burning heat, ye children of men and priests: bless ye the Lord, praise and exalt Him supremely forever!
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
The earth received thy precious blood which was shed for Christ; the heavens received thy soul which was adorned like a bride; and the choirs of martyrs and the souls of all the righteous greeted thee with joy, O martyr.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Oh, thy God-loving soul which reckoned a temporal death to be but naught and chose to live in the Lord! Oh, thy divine courage which prevailed over the cowardice of the foe! For thou hast reproved those who do not confess Christ!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having fought the good fight, thou didst truly finish thy course, O wise martyr, and didst keep the faith. And now a crown of righteousness doth lie before thee, which Christ shall give thee forever.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I fear not the pursuit of the enemy, for I have thy help; I fear not evil men, but flee to thee, O Theotokos. For in thee do I boast, and in thee do I cross the wall of sin, saved by thy prayers.
Canon I to the Great-Martyr
Ode IX, Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Loose the bonds of the transgressions of those who hymn thee, O passion-bearer; bring an end to the assaults of the passions; cause the tumult of heresies to cease, and still the tempest of temptations by thy supplications.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
O crowned martyr Demetrios, guide thy most sacred flock along the straight paths to the kingdom of heaven, to the pasture of salvation, to the eternal fold.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
O martyr Demetrios, entreat the Lord, the Bestower of life and King of hosts, those who that hymn thee may obtain crowns of glory and the kingdom of heaven.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Trusting in thee, O Virgin, all of us, the faithful, honour thee as the root, the wellspring and source of incorruption; for thou hast poured forth upon us the hypostatic Immortality.
Canon II to the GreatMartyr
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.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Thou didst receive a soul like unto an alabaster box filled with the divine myrrh of virtue, and Christ bowed His head toward thee, O martyr; for thy life was calmed by the brilliance of the purity of thy life. Wherefore, thou wast blessed and filled with the grace to pour forth myrrh upon the ends of the earth.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Behold the splendid types of ineffable rewards which await thee! Behold the wellspring of ever-flowing myrrh, O athlete! Wherefore, standing before God with the boldness of a martyr, beg thou victory for Orthodox Christians over their adversaries.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
With the sign of the Cross of the Victor thou didst vanquish the savagery of Lyæus, setting over him as victorious thy fellow contender Nestor. And now, do thou subject every barbaric nation to holy Orthodoxy, O Demetrios.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
Us who have recourse with fervent love from the depths of our hearts to the shrine of thy relics, which poureth forth rivers of myrrh, O martyr of Christ, do thou deliver from soul-destroying deeds and from the fœtid wave of the passions by thy supplications, and transform them into sweet fragrances before the Lord.
Holy Great-Martyr, Demetrios, pray to God for us.
We celebrate a day of spiritual joy, O Demetrios, beholding the outpouring of thy myrrh, which floweth unceasingly. Driving away the gloom of the passions as one filled with divine light, grant that we may walk nobly, as in daylight, that we may behold the unapproachable light of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou, O all-pure one, art a golden dove bearing the Word of God like an olive sprig, anointing thy flesh with the oil of divinity. And the athlete, having taken Him into his heart, as into a coffer, doth pour forth myrrh from his tomb and anoint the faces of the faithful.
Canon to the Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica
Irmos: For He Who is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him, throughout all generations.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
In sacred manner hast thou arrayed thyself in a purple cloak dyed in thy blood; and, holding the Cross in thy right hand as a sceptre, thou dost reign with Christ, O blessed Nestor.
Holy Martyr, Nestor, pray to God for us.
Thou art shown to be a ripe cluster on the noetic Vine; and, squeezed out by the winepress of martyrdom, thou hast poured forth the wine of compunction upon us who ever praise thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Joining chorus with the angels in the presence of Jesus and delighting in His glory, O Nestor, be thou ever mindful of those who with faith keep thine honoured memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast revealed as the abode of the Light which hath truly driven away the gloom of the ancient ignorance, O pure one, ark of holiness and golden candlestick, O thou who art more spacious than the heavens.
Troparion of the Great-Martyr, Tone III: The whole world hath found thee to be a great champion amid misfortunes, who conquered the pagans, O passion-bearer. Therefore, as thou didst cast down the pride of Lyæus and didst appoint the bold Nestor for the struggle, thus, O Demetrios, beseech Christ God to grant us great mercy.
Troparion to St Nestor, Tone IV: In his sufferings, O Lord, thy martyr Nestor received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at naught his tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.
Ikos I: Angels were astonished in heaven, beholding the godless rage of the tyrant and as thou wast put to death by his decree, O Demetrios, we cry out to you thus:
Rejoice, sacred pinnacle of the martyrs,
Rejoice, joyous radiance of the saints.
Rejoice, for thou wast placed in a pit as one condemned,
Rejoice, for thou didst ascend to Heaven as one without a body.
Rejoice, dweller in the ranks of the angels,
Rejoice thou who didst bear the tortures of the tyrant.
Rejoice, for thou despisest the wiles of the enemies,
Rejoice, for thy soul now dwellest in Heaven.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion II: The divine Nestor, beholding himself in manliness, approached the king with boldness: “Thine exceeding danger appears as an abomination to my soul. For I will put to death the godless Lyaios, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos II: Having godly knowledge, O Demetrios the boast of martyrs, thou didst say to the tyrant: “From soulless matter [i.e. idols], how is possible to give birth to God? Speak to me.” To [the Martyr], the faithful who honour God cry out with fear:
Rejoice, most-radiant lamp of Thessaloniki,
Rejoice, for thou didst overcome Lyaios in victory.
Rejoice, thou who pourest forth divine myrrh from thy grave,
Rejoice, thou who bearest divine zeal in thy heart.
Rejoice, for thy blood was a purifying bath,
Rejoice, for through thee there is blotting out of sins.
Rejoice, thou who deposest the delusion of the idols,
Rejoice, thou who hast censured the mania of tyrants.
Rejoice, for thou healest the suffering of bleeding,
Rejoice, thou who hast offered thy soul from its depths.
Rejoice, for thou hast delivered Marinon from leprosy,
Rejoice, thou who didst send forth thy beloved Istron.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion III: Power from heaven then strengthened Nestor to fight, and he took up arms against the utterly strong Lyaios, and with swift hand, he struck him down as dead, and therefore cried out to the Saviour, chanting: Alleluia.
Ikos III: Having the divine desire to obtain the body of Demetrios, the pious Emperor [Justinian] went, but as he did not desire this, fire came forth from his grave threatening death. And he said to him such words in fear:
Rejoice, unemptying river of wonders,
Rejoice, irrevocable icon of traumas.
Rejoice, for thou didst not grant thy relic to him who didst seek,
Rejoice, for thou grantest sanctification to those who venerate thee.
Rejoice, for thou didst summon fire from thy divine grave,
Rejoice, for thou who didst censure the mania of the tyrant.
Rejoice, for thou deposest the worship of the idols,
Rejoice, for thy body was pierced with spears.
Rejoice, for thy blood was given as drink to the godless,
Rejoice, for thou sanctifieest the whole world with thy body.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion IV: Having godless confusion and evil thoughts, the senseless king was enraged, beholding the martyr not preaching the delusion of the idols. We, beholding the unjust slaughter of the saint at his hands, cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos IV: The ends of the world heard of the murder of Demetrios at the hands of the senseless tyrant, and beholding him dead, they hastened to him, seeing the sacred wonders that he pourest forth throughout the whole world, as they honour him, saying:
Rejoice, thou who tradest the corruptible things for the heavenly,
Rejoice, thou who hast deposed the counsels of the evil ones.
Rejoice, thou who joinest chorus with the bodiless angels,
Rejoice, thou who didst enter the land of the greatly-suffering saints.
Rejoice, thou who servest together with the spotless cherubim,
Rejoice, thou who walkest together with the pure seraphim.
Rejoice, for thou hast served the Lord of Lords,
Rejoice, for thou bearest within the seat of divine thrones.
Rejoice, most-fervent fellow servant with the angels,
Rejoice, most-wise fellow counsellor with the archangels.
Rejoice, sacred adornment of the venerable,
Rejoice, radiant rejoicing of the martyrs.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion V: Perceiving Demetrios to be a God-bearer, the most fervent man hastened to be delivered through him from the terrible demon. And having touched his deliverer, he rejoiced in the Lord, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos V: Leontios, the son of the Orthodox, formerly saw the unspeakable might of the martyr, and desiring to come to him, he sought for Istron to hasten to pass by him with his robe, and cried out to him:
Rejoice, thou who through thy robe didst work awesome wonders,
Rejoice, thou who didst not bear stains of offences.
Rejoice, for thy streams have become our own.
Rejoice, for thou didst drive back the campaigns of barbarians,
Rejoice, for thou dwellest amongst the thrones of the Martyrs.
Rejoice, thou who didst drive away the plague from Thessaloniki,
Rejoice, our sun which shinest upon the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest from the love of idols,
Rejoice, thou who deliverst all from the bonds of slavery.
Rejoice, thou who grantest grace to all those who approach thee,
Rejoice for thou ever dwellest with those who praise thee.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion VI: The deluded became preachers of the corruption of souls, as they hastened through Thessaloniki, performing idolatrous acts and preaching godlessness everywhere, and as the martyr left the tyrant like a mule, he said: Alleluia.
Ikos VI: The divine Nestor, shining together with the sacred Demetrios, drove away the darkness of error, for they anathematised the idols steadfastly, and cast them down, whilst the faithful who were saved cried out to those strugglers:
Rejoice, Demetrios, O firm support,
Rejoice, Nestor, O splendid pride.
Rejoice, thou who didst grant strength to Nestor,
Rejoice, thou who didst grant corruption to Lyaios.
Rejoice, thou who didst firstly censure the blind tyrant,
Rejoice, thou who secondly didst keep St. Demetrios’s example.
Rejoice, thou who didst receive death by spears,
Rejoice, thou who receivest incorruptible life through the sword.
Rejoice, thou who wast murdered in prison like a convict,
Rejoice, thou who wast preached throughout the world as one immortal.
Rejoice, thou who before death didst work awesome deeds,
Rejoice, thou who after death workest wonders.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion VII: The holy twain of martyrs then passed from this world, as the sacred martyrs had greatly endured lawless murder. Therefore, those who behold this are astonished, and cry out to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos VII: A new song was found, as we bitterly sing the funeral hymn to Demetrios, for he was slaughtered by a godless tyrant, and did not sacrifice to the idols. We therefore hymn him and fervently cry out:
Rejoice, thou who wast placed dead in a grave,
Rejoice, thou who ridest throughout the world as one alive.
Rejoice, for thy blood wast shown to be a new cleansing bath,
Rejoice, for thy soul hast company with the Angels.
Rejoice, for thou art hymned from the ends of the earth,
Rejoice, for they draw forth from thy fragrant myrrh.
Rejoice, lamp amidst the martyrs,
Rejoice, ray of divine graces.
Rejoice, thou who wast dyed with your holy blood,
Rejoice, thou who wast sanctified in thy divine body.
Rejoice, thou who didst receive diamond crowns,
Rejoice, for thou now dwellest in the halls of the ever-memorable.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion VIII: Beholding a strange wonder, the idols were moved by the bravery of the martyrs. Therefore, he who now dwellest on high givest bravery to those who dwell on the earth to take courage, and aim their arrows at the idols. To him we now cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos VIII: Having his mind wholly on things above without departing from the earth, was the most-pure martyr, for he didst clearly conquer the delusion of the idols, and preached Christ with boldness, hearing thus:
Rejoice, for thou wast killed for the sake of Christ thy God,
Rejoice, for thou desirest the joyous things of Paradise.
Rejoice, for thou didst travel the upper road to Heaven,
Rejoice, for thou inhabitest the dwelling-places of the pure.
Rejoice, for thou dost now travel with the angels,
Rejoice, for thou hast come to dwell with the saints.
Rejoice, for thou didst preach thy Christ like a holy trumpet,
Rejoice, for thou dwellest in the spotless mansions of Paradise.
Rejoice, thou who dost put forth myrrh from thy godly body,
Rejoice, thou who dost scoff at the rubbish of the godless,
Rejoice, for thou didst break asunder the intrigues of rulers,
Rejoice, for thou didst trample upon the delusion of the idols.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion IX: Thou hast received every grace from heaven, O Martyr Demetrios, and preached, paradoxically, that the inaccessible God didst become man, being the Son of God. Therefore, to Him let us cry: Alleluia.
Ikos IX: O Martyr Demetrios, thou didst show the many words of the orators of the tyrants to be foolish, for they were astonished at how thou didst strongly condemn the delusion of the idols. We, being astonished at this paradox, cry out to thee:
Rejoice, rose of virginity,
Rejoice, pinnacle of continence.
Rejoice, thou who didst live purely before thou wast killed,
Rejoice, thou who after thou wast wast killed wast led towards God.
Rejoice, thou in whom the light of God was planted,
Rejoice, thou in whom the grace of the Trinity didst make its dwelling.
Rejoice, length and breadth of the pious,
Rejoice, sharp sword against the faithless.
Rejoice, thou who shinest with the rays of the sun,
Rejoice, thou who drivest away the mania of the tyrant.
Rejoice, tree bearing the fruits of many graces,
Rejoice, for thou didst bear the shoots of many victories.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion X: Saving the Orthodox from the delusion of the godless idols, thou didst come straightaway, O Martyr, and didst preach the Lord as perfect God to the deluded and idiotic tyrant, crying out to him: Alleluia.
Ikos X: Thou art the shelter of the Martyrs, O Champion and Martyr, and all those who take refuge in thee, for thou hast revealed the Maker of heaven and earth to all, and deposed the tyrant and the idols. Therefore, we cry to thee:
Rejoice, deliverance for those in sickness,
Rejoice, saviour of those continuously bleed.
Rejoice, thou who sowest grace among all those who hymn thee,
Rejoice, for thou art a pillar of grace.
Rejoice, divine power, the casting-down of idols.
Rejoice, pure dwelling-place of God,
Rejoice, chaste type of Christ.
Rejoice, for thy blood didst become as a new baptism,
Rejoice, thou whose body didst receive death.
Rejoice, bridge leading those who die from earth to heaven,
Rejoice, for thou art a guide to the faithful.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion XI: We thy servants all offer funeral hymns at thy grave, O Martyr, shedding tears and offering odes and psalms to thee, for we are not at all worthy of what has been accomplished through thee, as befittest thy grave, but we cry out to the Saviour: Alleluia.
Ikos XI: Thy grave, O martyr, hast been shown to be light-bearing, shining forth with grace like light. For all who approach are suddenly granted joy and health, whilst we who approach thee cry out:
Rejoice, thou who preservest thy Church unharmed,
Rejoice, thou who didst trample upon the wiles of the evil one.
Rejoice, for thou hast driven back the nation of the Slavs,
Rejoice, for thou hast trampled upon the rule of the idols.
Rejoice, thou who hast uprooted the pride of the barbarians,
Rejoice, thou who castest out the conceit of the tyrants.
Rejoice, thou who hast preserved thy city unharmed,
Rejoice, thou who didst shake the delusion of the godless one.
Rejoice, thou who didst punish Onesiphoros for his theft,
Rejoice thou who hast uprooted the danger of the idols from the earth.
Rejoice, sure consolation of those who take refuge in thee,
Rejoice, salvation of the souls of those who approach thee.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion XII: Bearing grace from above, O Demetrios, thou didst drive out all the campaigns of enemies. Thou hast preached Christ to the ranks as a steadfast foot-soldier of grace, and didst cast down the idols, chanting with everyone: Alleluia.
Ikos XII: We hymn the wonder thou hast worked, O Martyr, as thy city was preserved victorious, as thou didst appear like a god to the faithless, sending forth angels speedily, saying: “Drive them far away from the city”. Therefore, we cry out:
Rejoice, for by thy will thy city was saved,
Rejoice, for through thy strength the enemy wast cast down.
Rejoice, thou who didst meet Achilleos in thy flight,
Rejoice, thou who didst send out Nestor with thy strength.
Rejoice, thou who drownest Lyaios in blood,
Rejoice, thou who didst rage against the faithless in spirit.
Rejoice, thou who strengthenst thy city through thy presence,
Rejoice, for if thou wouldst leave her, thy city would be lost.
Rejoice, thou whose grave is beloved by the writers of hymns,
Rejoice, thou who puttest to death falsehood through thy might.
Rejoice, thou who dost grant us a sea of graces,
Rejoice, thou who sowest the mercy of thy myrrh within all.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion XIII: O twain of Martyrs, who didst preach Christ as the surpassing Word before all, receive these funeral hymns and odes, and through thy prayers deliver us from every danger, and from the coming trial those who cry out to the Lord: Alleluia. (Thrice)
Ikos I: Angels were astonished in heaven, beholding the godless rage of the tyrant and as thou wast put to death by his decree, O Demetrios, we cry out to you thus:
Rejoice, sacred pinnacle of the martyrs,
Rejoice, joyous radiance of the saints.
Rejoice, for thou wast placed in a pit as one condemned,
Rejoice, for thou didst ascend to Heaven as one without a body.
Rejoice, dweller in the ranks of the angels,
Rejoice thou who didst bear the tortures of the tyrant.
Rejoice, for thou despisest the wiles of the enemies,
Rejoice, for thy soul now dwellest in Heaven.
Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Kontakion I: O faithful, let us praise with hymns and divine praises the Myrrhstreamer, who hast deposed the cruelty of the tyrant, and conquered the audacity of Lyaios, and preached Christ as God clearly, and let us cry out to him: Rejoice, O Martyr Demetrios.
Yesterday, we were blessed by a sun bathed Liturgy in the morning, with our extended celebration of the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God – the first celebration of the altar feast since before the misery of covid and lockdown.
We were pleased to have Deacon Mark back, after serving in Sanremo, last weekend, Nazareth House being quite a contrast to the pre-revolutionary splendour on the Italian Riviera. We were also glad to welcome Father Luke and three of the brothers from Llanelli.
Our lack of facilities limited this autumn feast, though we look forward to keeping the summer feast as our main celebration in future. In the past, the dynamics of our parish, and the summer exodus to Russia and Ukraine made sense of the focus on the autumn feast, but the changing membership of our parish and the change in people’s travel habits makes it time to change.
The café across the road was certainly lively with our takeover in lieu of trapeza, and we were pleased that Emma and her staff reserved the large tables for us. It was wonderful to have such a large gathering, with so many conversations over drinks and food. Thanks to Deacon Mark for juggling so many different orders and looking after everyone, especially our students and young people.
Thanks also to our singers, servers, and flower arrangers, and to all who facilitated a quick set up and put away. I think we have to accept that the situation is NOT going to improve regarding time pressures, and starting on time is now incumbent on our quicker and more streamlined set-up after the end of mass.
I have greatly enjoyed time with our students, this evening – this having become a fixture of Sundays, and I hope that in future we may add to our numbers.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the collection for our suffering monastics and their pupils in Bethany. Their plight is miserable – with only periodic electricity, and paucity of supplies, whilst living under siege and facing great danger from the Israeli security forces by simply going out into the street. We thank Masha for her communications with Mother Mary of the Russian Orthodox Convent and School, in Bethany, and also for organising a Sisterhood on-line prayer meeting for all who are suffering in the present conflict in the Holy Land.
Masha and Ed will be giving a concert in St John’s Church, Canton, on Wednesday 13 December, and we will advertise this, with a programme in the next week. We very much hope that as many people as possible may attend, bringing friends to support this worthy cause.
This week will be relatively quiet after a very busy few weeks.
Wednesday (the feast of St Demetrius) will see the usual mid-week service in the Chapel of St David and St Nicholas, in Llanelli (11 New Rd, Dafen, Carms SA14 8LS)
I shall hear confessions on Thursday, and though I advertised vespers, we will in fact chant a moleben to the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrios and St Nestor of Thessalonica at 16:00 – hopefully with some of our young brothers assisting. Emails requesting confessions by noon on Wednesday, please. I will be free to hear confessions before and after the service.
On Friday, our parish book club will meet in the Wenvoe Arms, Old Port Road, Wenvoe, CF5 6AN, and will be discussing the second of St Philaret of Moscow’s Sermons on the Spiritual Life, available on Amazon:
Saturday sees our Cheltenham November Liturgy for the feast of the Virgin-Martyr Anastasia the Roman at Prestbury URC Church, Deep St, Cheltenham GL52 3AW. I will hear confessions from 09:15 with the Hours at 10:00, followed by the Divine Liturgy as soon as confessions are completed. After, the Liturgy, we will have our usual bring-and-share lunch, welcoming everyone around the parish table.
I am pleased to confirm the parish pilgrimage to the Church of St Lazar in Birmingham’s Bournville Village on Saturday 25th November, where we will participate in Liturgy in the beautiful Serbian Orthodox Church, and venerate the Trojeručica Hilandarska icon of the Mother of God. The Liturgy commences at 09:00. As Tracy, our pilgrimage coordinator is busy in her new home, may I ask anyone interested to email me. As usual, we will do our best to try and sort lifts for non-drivers.
With the Nativity Fast beginning at the end of the month, I would encourage everyone to prepare some spiritual reading materials in advance.
Finally – your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the newly-departed handmaiden of God Photina. Memory Eternal!
Greetings as we celebrate the autumn feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, though we will celebrate the feast as a parish tomorrow, following our custom of keeping the feast on the first Sunday after 4th November, New Style.
This is a day for us to ensure that we honour the Mother of God, whether we can be in Cardiff, or not, and light a candle before her Kazan Icon and say a canon or akathist, find some prayers, or say the Rule of the Mother of God /Bogorodichnaya pravilo.
From 2024, we will keep our altar feast on the day (and Sunday after) of the apparition of the Kazan Icon: 8/21 July – allowing for a picnic or other outdoor celebration, now that we have no opportunity for trapeza.
Thine all-pure icon, O Virgin Theotokos, is spiritual healing for the whole world; and having recourse thereto, we bow down before thee, and venerate, kiss and honor it, drawing forth therefrom the grace of healing of bodily infirmities and the passions of the spirit; and thus are we freed by thy supplications.
May God and the Mother of God bless us and protect us!
Canon for the Apparition of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Tone 4.
Ode 1, 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 Mother of God, save us.
The leaders of the angels reverence thee, O Theotokos; and the ranks of the saints serve thee with honour; the righteous adorn themselves and bless thee as the mediatress of heavenly things; heaven and earth together praise thee splendidly in gladness. And we sinners ask mercy: Illumine our hearts, O Lady, that we may chant a hymn to the revelation of thy holy icon.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Come ye, O Christian people, having mystically cleansed your minds, and assemble in the holy church of the Mother of Christ our God; for from her holy icon there poureth forth upon us inexhaustibly a spiritual well-spring which healeth the souls and bodies of those who cry out in song: Blessed is our God Who was born of thee!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The strange wonder of thy divine birthgiving striketh every ear with wonder and awe, O most immaculate one: how thou didst conceive the Creator of the cherubim; how thou didst bear in the flesh Him Who is life and for the whole world didst give birth to life: the God-man!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Beneath thy shelter do all we, the generations of mankind, flee, O Virgin Sovereign Lady. With the light of thy birthgiving enlighten us, thy sinful servants who earnestly pray, bowing down before thy most pure icon, asking to receive from thee great mercy.
Ode 3, 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 Mother of God, save us.
What worthy praise can our utter infirmity offer thee? For through the manifestation of thy most pure, divine icon thou pourest forth bountiful streams of healing upon thy servants who faithfully have recourse to thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The holy revelation of thy divine icon, O Virgin Theotokos, hath shone upon us like a radiant sun, emitting rays of most glorious miracles, and dispelling a myriad of evil circumstances by thy sacred intercessions, O Lady.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst once fill thy first-painted icon with grace, O Virgin Sovereign Lady Theotokos; and now that same grace speaketh forth truly in the effulgence of the wonders of faith, as the first one did for the sake of thee who wast first depicted thereon, unto those who with faith have recourse to thee after God.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We bow down before the most pure image of thee and thy Babe the sweetest Christ the pre-eternal and never-waning Light, O Theotokos, by Whom thou hast saved all human nature from cruel evils and mortal corruption.
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom …”: The divine apostles of the Word, the trumpet voiced universal heralds of the Gospel of Christ, having founded a divine church in thy most holy name, O Theotokos, approached thee, entreating thee to come to its consecration. But thou didst say, O Mother of God: “Go in peace, and I shall be with you there!” And they, going forth, found there, on the wall of the church, the likeness of thine image drawn powerfully in coloured hues; and seeing it, they did thee homage and glorified God. And we also, with them, bow down before thy divine icon, asking of thee great mercy. Grant thou remission of sins to thy servants, O thou who alone art blessed.
Glory …, Now & ever …, the above Sessional Hymn is repeated.
Ode 4, 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 Mother of God, save us.
O ye pure people, in purity let us honour the icon of the Virgin Theotokos and of the divine Infant Christ our God; and let us kiss it and glorify her with fear and trembling; for we right honourably venerate the icon and honour even more the pure Mother of God.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
David, the divine and wondrous prophet, foreseeing as from a great distance, said: The rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance. And let us, O ye faithful, bow down and venerate the precious icon, sanctified in body and soul.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Luke, the divinely eloquent recorder of the Gospel, at the behest of God set down Thine all-immaculate image, O Theotokos, depicting the pre-eternal Infant in thine arms; and from temptations and misfortunes thou deliverest those who have recourse thereto, protecting and saving them all by thine image.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou art the boast and crown of all the saints, O Queen; after God, thou art our hope and helper, and in thee have we all set our hope of salvation. Thee do we entreat as the Mother of God: Rain down thy rich and soul-saving mercies upon thy sinful servants.
Ode 5, 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 Mother of God, save us.
Every being is at a loss how to hymn thee, O most pure one, for thou art exalted far above the heavenly intelligences, having given birth unto the unapproachable and dread King and God of all, but as thou art merciful and the ready helper of mortals, attend unto the entreaty of thy servants, and grant us thy help.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Where thy grace over-shadoweth, O Theotokos, the demons vanish in fear and their wickedly devised fantasies are destroyed; the dark demons flee and the whole multitude of the faithful rejoice, crying out a hymn of praise to thee from their hearts: Rejoice, thou divine protection of our souls!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sweet sight is given to the eyeless, hearing to the deaf, good speech to the mute, the ability to walk to the lame, cleansing to the leprous, chastity to the demonized, and healing to those who suffer from divers sicknesses, through the overshadowing of thy most pure icon, O Theotokos.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O joyous Theotokos, let us never fail to hymn thy mighty works with psalms and hymns; for thou hast truly given birth unto the incarnate God for our universal salvation and deliverance.
Ode 6, 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 Mother of God, save us.
O Virgin Sovereign Lady, by thine exclamation of old thou didst impart to thy most pure image the abundantly rich grace of thy divine birthgiving, such that it abundantly worketh great and most glorious miracles, unto the salvation of those who set their hope on thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Where the holy name of the joyous Theotokos is glorified, streams of every good thing pour forth. Come O ye people in purity, for lo, by the manifestation of the divine icon of the Virgin, the presence of the Queen is revealed, unto the salvation of all the faithful.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Approaching with faith, O all-immaculate Lady and Mother of God, from thy most pure icon we receive healing of maladies, the dispelling of the passions, salvation which nourisheth the soul, forgiveness of sins, and everlasting deliverance.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
To thee, O Sovereign Lady, do the generations of the earthborn flee, and ask great mercy; and they that are infirm receive healing in abundance, release from the passions, and consolation amid grief. O Lady, let fall upon me a drop of soul-saving rain, that with all I may also hymn thy magnitude.
Lord have mercy. (thrice)
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, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “To thee, the champion leader …” O ye people, let us flee to the calm and goodly haven, * the speedy helper, fervent and ready salvation, * the protection of the most pure Virgin, * and let us make haste to prayer and speed to repentance. * For the Theotokos poureth forth upon us inexhaustible mercies; * going before us to help and deliver her goodhearted and God-fearing servants ** from great misfortunes and evils.
Ikos: Having cleansed thought and mind, let us make haste to the Theotokos,calling her blessed in hymns; and let us glorify and honour her most pure icon, and falling down before it, let us do homage as to herself; for the veneration shown an icon ascendeth unto the Prototype, and he that honoureth and boweth down before it, honoureth the Prototype Himself, as the divine fathers have said. And if one doth not reverence the most holy Theotokos, and doth not venerate her icon, let him be anathema; for she putteth to shame and destroyeth those who honour her not, and delivereth from great misfortunes and evils her good-hearted and God-fearing servants.
Ode 7, 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 Mother of God, save us.
Come ye, let us draw forth forgiveness from the inexhaustible well-spring which poureth forth sanctity, the most pure Virgin and her most pure Infant, God the Word, Who assumed flesh for our sake. And let us cry out to Him: O Creator and Redeemer Who art God glorified with the Father and the Spirit, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Possessed of ever-vigilant and God-pleasing prayer, O pure one, and an undefeatable dominion of might, crush thou the audacity of the enemy which is directed against us, that we, thy servants, may rejoice in thee, crying out to thy Son: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ye faithful people, let us rejoice and be glad in the wondrous appearance of the icon of the most pure Lady, the Theotokos; for it hath been shown to be an inexhaustible river pouring forth the water of healing, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the ability to walk to the lame, and free healing to all amid their infirmities.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The unapproachable image of thy conception is an unfathomable abyss, an incomprehensible mystery, O Virgin, for thy conception was seedless; having given birth without a husband, the Incorporeal One became incarnate, the Pre-eternal One became an infant, the Son of God became thy Son, O Virgin. To Him do we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God!
Ode 8, 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 Mother of God, save us.
The minds of angels and mortals are filled with awe, O Theotokos, at how thou hast given flesh to the God of heaven, containing Him within thy womb, and how, having given birth unto Him as a babe, thou didst bear Him as a Son in thine arms, Him before whom creation doth stand in awe and the heavenly thrones tremble, crying out unceasingly: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God Who art all-hymned and supremely exalted above all throughout the ages! Rejoice, thou who art the joy of all the world!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
With the Archangel Gabriel we cry out to thee, O Theotokos: Rejoice, thou who didst contain the Infinite One! Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace, bearer of the whole Divinity! Rejoice, restoration of Adam, the Lord is with thee, saving us for thy sake! Him do we hymn and supremely exalt throughout the ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O sanctified root of Jesse, thou hast plucked forth the root of our sin, O rod of Aaron which blossomed, giving rise to a Blossom, Christ the Bestower of life! O jar which received the Manna, thou hast crushed all the power of death, and brought the human race to the regeneration of life. Wherefore, we hymn thee, the cause of that which is good.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou art the boast of Christians, O Lady; thou art a sword against our enemies and a rampart for those who have recourse unto thee. We now call upon thee for aid, O Sovereign Lady: permit not the foe to rise up against thy people, for they praise neither thee nor thy Son, O Theotokos, nor do they bow down before thine icon. Vanquish them, and save thou our souls.
Ode 9, 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 Theotokos, thou pure Ever-Virgin.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thee, the steadfast helper of the human race, O Theotokos Mary, did the choir of the prophets foretell in many and divers ways, as the holy tabernacle more spacious than the heavens, the tablet divinely inscribed, the bush unconsumed by Fire, the portal through which God hath passed, the mountain and the ladder, the bridge and the rod which blossomed forth. And we truly magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The mystery of the depth of thy birthgiving moveth the mind of the angels to awe, O Virgin, and thy most pure icon driveth away the demons, darkening the countenances of the ungodly, and putting them to shame. For they cannot bear to look upon its power, and they flee and vanish away. And we lovingly bow down and venerate it, and magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As a constant intercessor before the King Most High, in that thou art possessed of undaunted boldness, establish thou the life of the Orthodox in profound peace, exalt our right believing hierarchs, and ever grant unto thy servants all things that are profitable, that we may magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most merciful helper of Christians, the mind of mortals or that of the angels cannot hymn thee as is meet, for thou art more honourable than all creation, more glorious than all things of heaven and earth; for thou hast given birth unto the Creator and God of all. O Lady, mercifully accept the hymn which we have composed for thee from the depths of our heart, and ever save us, for we have set our hope on thee.
Troparion, Tone 4: O earnest helper, Mother of the Lord Most High, thou dost entreat Christ, thy Son and our God, in behalf of all, and causest all to be saved who have recourse to thy mighty protection. O Lady, Queen and Mistress, help us all who, amid temptations, sorrows and sickness, are heavy laden with many sins, who stand before thee and with tears pray to thee with compunctionate soul and contrite heart before thine all-pure image, and who have unfailing hope in thee: grant deliverance from all evils, and things profitable unto all, O Virgin Theotokos, and save us all, for thou art the divine protection of thy servants.
Kontakion 1: We praise thy life and miracles unceasingly with song, O all-praised Father Gabriel, for thou hast shown forth as a great luminary of Iberia, and now in heartfelt supplication we earnestly cry to thee, for thou art our all-powerful protector and mediator before the Lord, look down upon us, holy father, and protect us who are in sorrow and temptations, and with thy fatherly boldness defend us from sickness and misfortune, propitiate for us the all-powerful God that He keep us from wandering along sinful paths, and deliver from evil those who praise and chant to thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Ikos 1: As the Lord revealed the prophets to Israel as denouncers of evil and advocates before God, Christ blessed thee for great works, having beheld thine boundless heart. Thou wast revealed to us as a Fool-for-Christ, teacher, intercessor, and a rebuker of this iniquitous age and its generation. Wherefore from youth wast thou devoted to the service of God for the sake of our salvation, delivering us from sinful passions and danger. Even after thy holy death thou persistently fulfillest thy vow, warmly caring for those who come to thee, and as an eagle gives shelter beneath its wings thou dost help those in sadness and sorrow and those tormented by evil spirits, and generously thou bestowest healings on those who cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst from youth love meekness and humility. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of the purity of body and soul. Rejoice, chosen vessel of holiness. Rejoice, thou who from youth wast a great bearer of the mysteries of the Almighty. Rejoice, double-edged sword of God destroying the danger of unbelief. Rejoice, champion of truth and strengthener of those weak in faith. Rejoice, all-wondrous preacher of love. Rejoice, counsellor of repentant sinners. Rejoice, true servant of Christ the Saviour in the struggle against the enemies of God. Rejoice, radiant pillar of the last times. Rejoice, great archimandrite and elder, spiritual father of Ιberia. Rejoice, messenger from above who atoned for thy people. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Kontakion 2: The enemies of the true faith who seized power in our land persecuted the Church of Christ and its flock, and only chosen people were able to endure such a trial, those who were unshakable confessors of the faith. But thou, although a son of unbelievers, wast a God-chosen vessel filled with the Holy Spirit, and in the time of persecution didst thou receive with gladness of the fragrant fountain of eternal life, at all times magnifying the Giver of Light and Creator of the world: Alleluia!
Ikos 2: From youth, blessed father, thou wast an image of humility and godly-mindedness, far from all childlike nonchalance; having heard in thine early youth the name of Christ, thou didst come to the Church of Saint Barbara and beheld the Saviour on the Cross, and with tears didst thou cry to Him as though He were alive: “Why wast Thou crucified?” And having heard the reply of a watchman, thou didst firmly decide to learn about Christ. Thus, on a divine impulse didst thou purchase a Holy Gospel and from that time to the end of thy days thou didst study the Word of God. Implore Him, merciful father, to sprinkle on us the dew of His grace, that our hearts may burn with the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Gospel as we thus praise thee in song:
Rejoice, thou who like Samuel the prophet wast dedicated to God from thy mother’s womb. Rejoice, radiant spiritual light that shone as a ray of knowledge upon those in the darkness of godlessness. Rejoice, thou who wast near to God and didst distance thy mind from worldly cares. Rejoice, chosen one who from thy youth wast illumined by God’s grace. Rejoice, thou who with a sincere soul and pure mind wast ever moved by thy thirst for the Word of God. Rejoice, thou whose soul wast a dominion marked for Christ the King. Rejoice, thou who from youth wast distinguished by thy yearning for God and quickening by the Holy Scriptures. Rejoice, thou who as a child didst bear spiritual armour upon thy shoulders. Rejoice, thou who didst exchange childlike playfulness for the building of churches. Rejoice, thou who didst hate the joys that defile the soul. Rejoice, thou who didst crucify thine heart and desires of the flesh. Rejoice, for thou hast revealed the strength and wisdom of the Gospel as truth, and by thy life knowledge of holiness. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 3: Having beheld the unquenchable fire of thy love for the Lord, the insidious beast and enemy of holiness furiously assaulted thee, struck thy head with his unclean fist, and cried out indignantly: “Raise not thine eyes to the sky any longer!” But as a youth, boldly arming thyself with the Cross of the Lord and His strength, thou didst firmly stand up to the onslaught of the enemy. Having been directed in a heavenly vision to the Church of Saint George, which had been destroyed by thy forebears, with reverent prayer didst thou miraculously lift the stones of the church with thine own hands and lay them aside, in a feat beyond human comprehension, and with joy and love thou gavest thanks to the Lord, praising Him in song: Alleluia! Ikos 3: Ashamed of thy zeal, thy mother casted the Holy Gospel to an unseemly place, but thou didst recover it like an honourable treasure that was made clean by thy tears, departed thy house in tears and hurried to a monastery as a youth of twelve years; thou didst greatly desire the monastic life, but didst not receive the blessing to embark upon it. Thou spent thy days and nights amidst the stones in the churchyards, magnifying God, giving no thought to the cold and hunger thou didst endure. And now, our father, entreat the Lord God that He grant us wisdom of the heart so that we may distinguish good from evil, travel the paths of our lives righteously, and that blessed inspiration be granted to us who praise and sing to thee:
Rejoice, fiery confessor who wast persecuted for the faith. Rejoice, reprover of those raging with unbelief. Rejoice, strong defender of those passionately seeking the faith. Rejoice, thou who didst abhor empty desires and accept reproach with gratitude. Rejoice, thou who didst spend nights in prayer and subjected thyself to rest upon a hard bed. Rejoice, thou who didst defeat youthful nonchalance by fasting and hard work. Rejoice, thou who dost protect us from legions of invisible demons. Rejoice, imitator of Abraham’s hospitality. Rejoice, thou who savest from hunger and art merciful to the poor. Rejoice, thou who teachest sinners the sweetness of abstinence. Rejoice, hope of the poor and afflicted. Rejoice, thou who drivest away sinful thoughts. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 4: Thou didst always seek seclusion in a small cell, struggling in diligent prayer and reading the Holy Gospel. Thou didst keep thine eyes fixed upon heaven, filling thy soul with the life-giving dew of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and remaining zealous in thy life of struggle didst thou acquire virtues abundantly; in thy humility thou didst reach the depths of the knowledge of God, and having beheld a radiant cross in the sky, thou didst accept the heavenly vision as a sign of thine own Golgotha cross, magnifying the Creator and Life-Giver Christ God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4: By God’s providence, father, thou camest to the holy mountain, Mtatsminda, to the Church of Saint David Gareja, learned to read the Psalter and established thyself in Christian teaching; sparing no effort, thou didst labor tirelessly serving the holy temple, and, by God’s providence, as a seedling near a brook, thou didst bear good fruit in due season. Thus protect us, blessed one, from sins and temptations of the world, that we may always live according to God’s will, acquiring heavenly blessings, lest we perish in feeblemindedness. For this we reverently cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst unceasingly behold the Lord with noetic vision. Rejoice, thou who wast clothed in humility as if by light. Rejoice, thou who knewest what was hidden from the learned and wise. Rejoice, for thou toughened thyself by zealous fasting and relentless works, and wast filled with ceaseless prayer. Rejoice, thou who didst scorch emerging sins with sorrow, lamentations and tears. Rejoice, unshakeable strength and helper of the fainthearted and weak. Rejoice, thou who strengthenest the souls of the faithful and frightenest the evil forces. Rejoice, extoller of Christ’s magnificence and defeater of the licentious enemies of God. Rejoice, scorner of vainglory and worldly power that cometh from the evil one. Rejoice, thou who didst encourage Christian souls who suffered long under the ungodly. Rejoice, strengthener of the weak and feeble. Rejoice, teacher of those seeking the Truth on the Lord’s path. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 5: With the increase of ungodliness and persecution of the faithful, many turned away from the monastic life, and out of fear of death settled in distant villages to begin worldly lives, but thou didst firmly choose for thyself the narrow path that leads to everlasting joy, and thus didst thou steadfastly guard the Sioni temple, faithfully serving in the altar. God’s temples were being destroyed by the ungodly, but thou didst build a church in thy house, and without rest didst thou seek icons and crosses; finding them profanely discarded in unseemly places, thou didst magnificently decorate them and place them in thy temple, where we now joyously venerate them, warmly chanting to God: Alleluia! Ikos 5: With furious vengeance for thy fervour, the insidious beast heaped much tribulation upon thee to put out thy flame of zeal for the Lord. Like Job the Long-Suffering, the Lord permitted sorrows to befall thee so that, like Job, thy faith would be put to test, but thou wast not afraid of the demons’ schemes, and thou didst restore three ravaged churches such that they exceeded their original beauty. The Lord didst bless this good work, and by His grace sand filled buckets were lifted by angels for thee, who wast standing aloft; and now, father, pray to Christ God that He drive away from us all evil and that we be strengthened in our sorrows and put on the path of repentance, for with gladness and love we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst reject the temptations of the world like a hermit while in the midst of a great city. Rejoice, thou who didst burden thyself with the weaknesses of others. Rejoice, thou who by zealous prayer didst drive away all despair that cometh from the evil one. Rejoice, thou who wast inspired by the Holy Spirit and didst destroy the multitude of invisible enemies. Rejoice, thou who wast fortified by the Holy Scripture and didst become perfect in wisdom. Rejoice, cohort of angels and corrector of evil brethren. Rejoice, thou who callest all to watchfulness and sobriety. Rejoice, thou who didst love the miraculous Gatekeeper of Iveron, the chief protectress of Georgia. Rejoice, thou who didst adorn thy church with sacred icons saved by thee. Rejoice, thou who settest ablaze a fiery love for God in our hearts. Rejoice, sweet intercessor before God for the Georgian people. Rejoice, offeror of our love at the Lord’s banquet in heaven. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 6: Having seen thy zeal for God, Bishop Gabriel of Kutaisi appointed thee as a novice to Motsameta Monastery, for from youth thou didst come to know Christ and desired His grace above all, and sought the monastic life to leave aside worldly cares, magnifying the Lord at all times, to save thy soul. And by God’s providence thou didst receive the blessing to be clothed in a monk’s cassock, and according to thy wish wast thou named in honour of Gabriel of Athos, and now together ye behold the glory of God our Saviour; pray to Him, O ye saints, that according to your example we may walk the path of this fleeting life blamelessly, always praising God the Trinity in one essence: Alleluia! Ikos 6: Having been ordained a priest by God’s goodwill, thou didst direct thy mind to God while serving the Liturgy and at the hour of prayer, never ceasing to call upon Him. But fearing the authorities, thy family plotted thy return to the world and intended to force thee into marriage, but thou didst pretend to be insane and by this didst thou destroy their schemes, for thou irrevocably dedicated thyself to the only Most High God, and thus thou wast victorious over thy family’s temptations and they no longer dared to go against thy will. Thus, we place our hope in thee, that by thy prayers our hearts may be ablaze with divine zeal, that we may please the Lord; wherefore we praise thee in song:
Rejoice, zealot of true monastic works known only to God. Rejoice, thou who didst strengthen thy soul with harsh vows. Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the strength of God through thine infirmities. Rejoice, thou who didst tirelessly acquire heavenly gifts and study God’s precepts. Rejoice, thou who didst see hidden kindness and gifts in others. Rejoice, thou whose words didst disperse the darkness of sin like lightning. Rejoice, thou who didst overcome the eloquence of rhetoricians by true theology. Rejoice, thou who wast a preacher of the holy Orthodox Faith equal to the apostles. Rejoice, teacher of spiritual strength and humility. Rejoice, thou who didst entreat the cruel and heartless by thy meekness. Rejoice, thou who with the Word of God preparest salvation for the faithful. Rejoice, quick hearer of those who are afflicted with sorrow and danger. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 7: Thou didst not renounce God despite calamities, tribulations, persecution and the devil’s intimidation, Father Gabriel, for from youth God called thee to serve as a priest, and zealously keeping God’s commandments and joyfully preaching the Gospel, thou didst always reveal sins, direct, warn and graciously console thy flock, and preaching like the Apostle Paul, thou didst gather many souls and turn them to Christ, visiting them on holy days in the holy monasteries and churches of the Iberian land, and teaching all to chant to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 7: Though scorned and insulted by the ungodly, thou didst keep thy resolve at all times, Father Gabriel. Thus, once at the Black Sea thou didst pray to God with tears for help in thy sufferings, but suddenly didst find thyself in the depths of the sea, because the shore collapsed beneath thee. The icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker wast in thy hands, and Saint Nicholas appeared to people standing nearby showing them the place of thy trouble; they hurried to thy rescue, and pulling thee ashore, they cried out in astonishment: “A magnificent elder called us to thine aid,” and together ye glorified God for this miracle. And now beseech the Lord to protect thy flock, enlighten our minds, and hasten to the aid of us who thus praise and magnify thee:
Rejoice, friend of Christ and tireless labourer of His vineyard. Rejoice, thou who didst acquire heavenly grace by confession of the Orthodox Faith. Rejoice, shining light of divine worship. Rejoice, thou who didst conceal thy wisdom and holiness with great humility. Rejoice, thou who didst bear the yoke of a cross adorned with sorrows for the salvation of thy people. Rejoice, leader of the faithful and advocate of priests. Rejoice, power and strength of the sceptre of kings. Rejoice, powerful vanguard and helper of monks. Rejoice, invincible warrior of Christ and great protector of the Georgian Church and people. Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the fathers of old according to thy piety and courage. Rejoice, thou by whose prayers all right-believing people shall trample upon the devil’s schemes, be united by love for Christ, and together serve Him in the struggle against the Antichrist and enemies of the Holy Church. Rejoice, image of righteousness and courage, and the praise and glory of Georgia. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 8: Thou wast sent to the Betania Monastery to the venerable and God-bearing wonderworking fathers George and John, and having strengthened thyself by their prayers, thou didst proceed to serve God as a zealous monk, and in the fight with evil thou wast tempered more than steel; by the Lord wast thou granted the gift of seeing into the heart, thus attracting a storm of fury from the enemy forces, who in vain tried to turn thee away from the monastery since they could not overcome the power of thy prayer and hope in the Lord, nor tarnish thy purity; thou wast loved exceedingly by thy spiritual fathers for thy virtues and together with them we give thanks to God:Alleluia! Ikos 8: Venerable John was first to stand before God; when George rushed to his grave and cried out to him, “Christ is risen!” he heard a voice gladly replying: “Truly He is risen!” Soon George’s strength left him and thou, O blessed one, didst administer to him the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and He in turn blessed thee for the last time and peacefully passed on, entrusting his pure soul to God. The authorities persecuting the Church rejoiced greatly at the death of the holy elders and hastened to end the monastery’s divine services, commissioning a guard for the monastery, thus converting it from a house of God to a museum. But thou didst return to Sioni, and again gathered thy flock at services. Likewise, support and teach us to place our hope in the wisdom and providence of God, that He lead along the path of righteousness those who sing to thee:
Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the ascetics of old. Rejoice, great advocate and preacher of the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, good shepherd of lambs of the chosen herd, for whom thou didst shine as a beacon in the darkness. Rejoice, sure hope of sheep that have fallen away. Rejoice, thou who returnest to the path of truth those who denied God and the faith. Rejoice, God-bearing father who didst multiply the fruits of the Lord’s harvest by thy works. Rejoice, faithful imitator of the Lord Who by His blood saved us from the curse of the law. Rejoice, thou who hewest asunder the guileful powers of darkness by thy prayers. Rejoice, thou who deliverest the Orthodox from the temptations of the adversary. Rejoice, indestructible fortress, victor over godless authorities and conqueror of worldly passions. Rejoice, bulwark and praise of the faithful and servants of God. Rejoice, adornment of reverent priests and intercessor of meek servants. Rejoice, thou who drivest away despondency and healest those condemned to death. Rejoice, shelter and protection of travellers and calm harbour for the suffering. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 9: Seeing the increase of ungodliness taking hold of thy nation, good pastor, thou didst appear to a small flock, for faithlessness and abominable sin ensnared many, but thirsting for their return to piety, thou didst boldly call all to repentance, ceaselessly crying with sorrow: “O miserable ones sitting in darkness, ye are bound by your fear and silence, how could ye not see the light of Christ and His Glory? Receive your sight, and beholding Christ our God, repent, turn away from your evil paths and ceaselessly glorify God”: Alleluia! Ikos 9: A storm of disquiet struck thee as a result of the ungodly iconoclasts, for they satanically desecrated the holy icons of the Master Lord Jesus Christ, His all-pure Mother and the saints of God, and persecuted those who venerated them. But thou, not fearing death, didst burn the image of the idol God-hater and servant of Satan as if it were a whole-burnt offering to God, and for this audacious deed the authorities possessed unrivalled hatred for thee, and so thou didst expect an inevitable death for Christ, boldly preaching: “Such grandeur is not befitting a human corpse, it is only meet for Christ our Saviour and God, who wast resurrected from the dead!” Pray to Him now, all-praised father, for the salvation of our souls and to keep us from pernicious heresies, and bestow thy zeal for the Lord on those who thus praise thee:
Rejoice, shepherd of a small flock, who helped the unlearned understand the Word of God. Rejoice, thou who didst ceaselessly admonish sinners on God’s path. Rejoice, bold accuser of hateful rulers and dishonest judges. Rejoice, chastiser of evildoers and guide of heretics to the path of Truth. Rejoice, thou who didst reprove those who turned away from the hand of God and the worldly-hearted. Rejoice, reproach of the rising pride of this age. Rejoice, destruction of the iconoclasts’ sedition. Rejoice, protector against Satan’s schemes and foreign invasion. Rejoice, calmer of unbridled people and abolisher of the trickery of superstition. Rejoice, thou who awakenest thy people from spiritual sleep by reproof. Rejoice, thou who healest prideful souls and scatterest the darkness of our minds. Rejoice, thou who dost bless faithful spouses and reproach adulterers. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 10: Ungodly blasphemers of Christ and servants of the atheistic authorities who hated thee sought to drive thee from the path of truth by submitting thee to temptations, and locked thee in prison, but courageously didst thou denounce their craftiness and thou didst instruct and strengthen those imprisoned for the sake of their faith in Christ, and together with them thou didst glorify God. The pride of those who tried to ruin thee in their rage was soon abated, for they could do nothing to thee because the Lord miraculously protected thee from death by thy confinement to a medical ward, amongst the lowly of this world, the rejected, unpredictable and insane, where thou didst endure innumerable tortures. But this satanic cruelty shook not thine unbreakable faith, O holy father, and amidst the tortures, like the three youths in the Babylonian furnace, thou didst continue to glorify and magnify God: Alleluia!
Ikos 10: Granted freedom by the patriarch’s intercession, thou didst straightway hasten to the Church of Saint Barbara seeking the Lord’s consolation, and in exhaustion thou didst fall asleep and heard a wondrous voice say thrice: “Gabriel, I cry for thee!” and upon wakening didst thou hurry to a crucifix and behold a miracle: Jesus weeping tears; kneeling in tears, thou didst offer praise and prayers to the Lord. Having received such consolation, thou didst return to serve at Sioni, and nourished a multitude of people, preaching repentance and administering to them the Holy Mysteries. But even there the enemy drove thee away from serving the Lord, according to the will of the ungodly authorities, and thou didst become poor and shelterless for many years, enduring unbearable heat and deadly cold, remaining amongst the tombs, taking up the cross of foolishness-for-Christ, preaching the Kingdom of Heaven and delighting the heavens by thy ceaseless prayer. People saw the beauty of thy soul, served thee with love, and desired to meet thee, a zealous servant of God and defeater of passions. Thus we marvel at thy Godly resolve and we cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who scorchest like fire the thorns of passions with few words. Rejoice, fierce reproacher of clergy that have fallen into temptations of the world. Rejoice, reprover of those who have fallen away from God. Rejoice, thou who wast humiliated and insulted by priests. Rejoice, knower of inner thoughts, who protectest the people from temptations and offences. Rejoice, thou who, deified by grace, richly bestowest treasures of the Spirit. Rejoice, thou who didst acquire heavenly gifts by honesty and goodness of soul and abidest in heaven. Rejoice, thou who didst understand the language of the birds of the sky and beasts of the earth. Rejoice, thou who didst open the closed church gates by the sign of the cross. Rejoice, successor of the immortal podvig of thy spiritual fathers and brothers-in-Christ John and George of Betania, with whom thou wast bound by an oath in the struggle for truth. Rejoice, thou who revealest the ungodly enemies of Christ and the chosen land of Iberia. Rejoice, thou who like Saint Spyridon of Trimythous didst glorify the miraculous power of the Holy Consubstantial Trinity by changing bread into wheat, fire and water. Rejoice, thou who by wise counsel didst edify many priests and form true monks. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 11: Thou wast a chosen light among the holy fathers, O wondrous elder, for words of heavenly wisdom and the vision of the Holy Spirit were granted thee, and thou didst help others by thy gift of healing, seeing into peoples’ hearts, the gift of healing the soul, and the exalted gift of love. But as God marked thee with especial humility and wondrous modesty, thou didst deign to live according to the teaching of Saint Paul the Apostle that “The wisdom of the world is madness in the eyes of God,” and thou didst appear to others as a Fool-for-Christ, pretending to be a good-for-nothing and drunkard, calling thyself a dog of the Saviour, but in thine heart singing to God: Alleluia! Ikos 11: Like Saint Andrew the Blessed, thou didst acquire thy good name by meekness and humility, and according to the multitude of thy virtues thou didst become a Fool-for-Christ, O our brave elder, and bore the double burden of life as a hermit and Fool-for-Christ, unfathomable to the world, often feigning drunkenness, whereby thou didst conceal thy holiness and spiritual gifts. And though, O wise monk, thou didst appear as a fool to the world, now thou art numbered among the saints of the Church, and having great boldness before the Lord, pray to Him to again reveal to us worthy fathers and wise leaders, lest Iberia, the Mother of God’s possession, be corrupted, and that we do what is right before God; wherefore with tenderness we thus call upon and praise thee:
Rejoice, thou who revealest heavenly mysteries, for thou didst shine with divine light in the wicked times of persecution of the truth and denigration of piety, and hast enlightened thy people by thy holiness. Rejoice, our astute father full of prayer and spiritual wisdom, for the mind of man cannot attain to the unreachable heights that were revealed to thee. Rejoice, thou who wast engulfed with divine fire, who didst reproach clergy that were wolves in sheep’s clothing, as did the prophet Elias to the priests of Baal. Rejoice, thou who like Moses didst bear thy cross for forty years, for thou kept within thyself the word of God, an indestructible pillar, revealing not the strength of man but of God. Rejoice, thou who like David the Prophet didst receive God’s mercy, and as if with a sling, didst defeat the godless by preaching the Gospel of Christ. Rejoice, thou who like John the Baptist didst tirelessly take sinners from the devil and by repentance returned them to God. Rejoice, thou who like St. John the Theologian, the apostle of love, wast granted together with the gift of love the mysteries of God and power over unclean spirits. Rejoice, thou who didst rejoice in tribulations and teach us to strengthen ourselves in sufferings by patience and faith. Rejoice, thou who like the first martyrs wast always persecuted and in sorrows, always weeping only for thine own sins. Rejoice, thou who wast in sorrow concerning thy soul as over one dead, weeping and crying out like the good thief: “Remember me, O Saviour, in thy kingdom!” Rejoice, heavenly man who didst avoid worldly greatness, for thus from this time forth and forevermore people flock to thee to praise thy wondrous deeds. Rejoice, thou who didst entreat the most pure Mother of God for the increase of the Georgian people, and saw a vision of countless infants killed in their mothers’ wombs, and being horrified, beheld the most pure Queen with angels and heard her mournful voice say: “Why art thou asking me to multiply thy people while infants are being killed in their mothers’ wombs?” Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Kontakion 12: In thy humility and meekness, thou didst patiently wait many years for the blessing to again serve in church, and seeing thy modesty and burning desire to serve God, Patriarch Ephraim invited thee again to the altar, clothed thee in priests’ garments, and administered to thee the Mysteries of Christ, and inspired by God he sent thee to the holy Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, where thou didst settle in a small cell, O resident of the heavenly New Jerusalem, near the bush of Saint Nino the Enlightener of Iberia, where thou didst again devote thyself to offering the bloodless sacrifice and preaching the Kingdom, enlightening the nuns and thy flock, and teaching them about visible and invisible enemies. By ceaseless prayer didst thou protect the monastery from trouble, and thou didst adorn the tower of Saint King Mirian with crosses and icons found by thee, day and night glorifying the one God in Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 12: Thou didst see the future as though present, O wondrous father, and by power from on high didst thou work many miracles out of love for us, strengthening faith and revealing the power of God made perfect in weakness; being gravely ill, our blessed elder, thou didst endure insufferable pains, and until the end of thy days didst thou bear the cross of grievous bodily suffering. When the time of thy death wast revealed to thee by the Holy Spirit, O holy father, thou didst pray before the icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for the Georgian nation and quietly departed this world, filled with thy good works, and thou didst join the great ranks of holy fathers, and according to thy will, like a monk of old wast thou buried wrapped in a mat. Thy holy relics became an inexhaustible source of miracles for the people of God and a fount of healing from illness and disease, like a treasury of grace of the Holy Spirit and sign of the forgiveness of our many sins and deliverance from sicknesses of body and soul. Therefore, we hasten with great joy to the Samtavro Monastery, thy resting place, where every person that cometh to thee with faith, being anointed with oil from thy lamp, as a blessing from thee, receives the healing of soul and body, and we thus ceaselessly glorify thee:
Rejoice, thou who by patience didst acquire graceful peace, and as an elder often stood against evil at the risk of thine own life, always praying to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. Rejoice, thou who hast remained close to us even after thy death as an angelic helper in this difficult age. Rejoice, thou who wast crowned with thorns, and after death shineth upon us like a hot ray of sun, ceaselessly calling us to Christ. Rejoice, for thy resting place near a blackberry bush is a wondrous tower and strength, and for those who visit it a fragrant treasury and source of true grace for the glory of God. Rejoice, for by God’s providence thy mother followed thee on the path of confession and monastic struggles, and wast buried in the holy monastery near thy relics. Rejoice, thou who art a refuge for those in misfortunes, whose tomb emanates divine fire scorching the wiles of the godless and shining like a warm jubilant light protecting us from sinful darkness. Rejoice, for not only believers, but also the lazy and those of little faith hasten to venerate the vessel of thine incorrupt blood, and pray to thee for mercy; and thou hearest their prayers, fulfilling their good wishes and giving joy abundantly to those in sorrows. Rejoice, for hierarchs beheld the miracles flowing from thy tomb and the multitude of miracles occurring by thy mercy, and they glorified thee as a great monk, confessor and Fool-for-Christ, numbering thee among the saints. Rejoice, for many priests saw healings occur from venerating thy tomb, and now together with their flock glorify thee as a great saint, offering prayers and praise to thee. Rejoice, thou who didst work miracles for the people of God abundantly, and whose icons and images stream myrrh by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for now the royal city of Mtskheta is full of joy and the Samtavro Monastery rejoices at the presence of thy holy relics, and the Georgian people tirelessly gather there praising thy holiness, healings and prophecies. Rejoice, calm harbour of salvation for those perishing and the hope of the hopeless, for thou hast been revealed as a great intercessor for those suffering in misfortune; thou givest divine strength abundantly to all who come to thee, and soarest watchfully above thy homeland and people. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Kontakion 13: O most glorious and most wonderful shepherd and pleaser of Christ, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ, our Father Gabriel! Our Lord Jesus Christ blessed thee to do great works, unfathomable to the mind of man, and He granted thee rich mercy in this temporal life and upon thy death He granted thee the gift of boldly interceding for the souls of sinners. And now accept our small prayer that we offer thee with love, and as thou art a fervent intercessor, implore Christ God to deliver us from sin and wickedness, from trouble and tribulations, and that He make us heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom, so that together with thee we may cry out to God: Alleluia!
(This Kontakion is recited thrice, whereupon Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated)
Ikos 1: As the Lord revealed the prophets to Israel as denouncers of evil and advocates before God, Christ blessed thee for great works, having beheld thine boundless heart. Thou wast revealed to us as a Fool-for-Christ, teacher, intercessor, and a rebuker of this iniquitous age and its generation. Wherefore from youth wast thou devoted to the service of God for the sake of our salvation, delivering us from sinful passions and danger. Even after thy holy death thou persistently fulfillest thy vow, warmly caring for those who come to thee, and as an eagle gives shelter beneath its wings thou dost help those in sadness and sorrow and those tormented by evil spirits, and generously thou bestowest healings on those who cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst from youth love meekness and humility. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of the purity of body and soul. Rejoice, chosen vessel of holiness. Rejoice, thou who from youth wast a great bearer of the mysteries of the Almighty. Rejoice, double-edged sword of God destroying the danger of unbelief. Rejoice, champion of truth and strengthener of those weak in faith. Rejoice, all-wondrous preacher of love. Rejoice, counsellor of repentant sinners. Rejoice, true servant of Christ the Saviour in the struggle against the enemies of God. Rejoice, radiant pillar of the last times. Rejoice, great archimandrite and elder, spiritual father of Ιberia. Rejoice, messenger from above who atoned for thy people. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Kontakion 1: We praise thy life and miracles unceasingly with song, O all-praised Father Gabriel, for thou hast shown forth as a great luminary of Iberia, and now in heartfelt supplication we earnestly cry to thee, for thou art our all-powerful protector and mediator before the Lord, look down upon us, holy father, and protect us who are in sorrow and temptations, and with thy fatherly boldness defend us from sickness and misfortune, propitiate for us the all-powerful God that He keep us from wandering along sinful paths, and deliver from evil those who praise and chant to thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
Canon I to the Great-Martyr Demetrios, the acrostic whereof is: “I give utterance concerning the right victorious Demetrios!” the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV
