Most noble and sublime was your life and death, O Sovereigns; wise Nicholas and blest Alexandra, we praise you, acclaiming your piety, meekness, faith, and humility, whereby you attained to crowns of glory in Christ our God, with your five renowned and godly children of blessed fame. O passion-bearers decked in purple, intercede for us.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings on the feast of the Holy Royal Martyrs. Please ensure that you mark this feast with prayers and hymns, especially for our Russian Church Abroad, for whom the Royal Martyrs are a pillar of its spiritual identity, and for our own local community and its brothers and sisters.
Those who often know nothing of their lives and who are often indoctrinated with a perverted Soviet version of Russian history, sadly, continue to belittle and malign the Imperial family, who not only possessed deep and immovable Faith, but lived it in deeply and martyrically in their everyday lives up to their bloody and satanic martyrdom in the hours between 16th and 17th July 1918, according to new calendar reckoning. For us, they remain an inspiration and source of spiritual strength. May they pray for us and protect us by their prayers!
Considering the time of year, we were quite astounded at the number of faithful at yesterday’s Liturgy on the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus’, and I was so happy that we were able to celebrate the feast of this great wonder-worker together.
It was a joy to welcome back those who had been away on holiday, to share our service with new visitors, as well as seeing more recent faithful who are only able to be in Cardiff occasionally.
The previous four days saw many confessions, and this was reflected in the number of those communing on this festal day. We congratulate all of them on their confession and communion, and encourage all to struggle to preserve the Grace of Christ’s gift and foretaste of the resurrection!
Many thanks to our choir for their joyful singing and also to our oltarniky, among whom Stefan marked his six months serving in church. The posies made by Matushka Alla for the principal icons were much appreciated, as were Branka’s lovely small prosphory for the congregation, and the ‘Partridge prosphory’ for our proskomedia.
Thanks to our sisters for providing refreshments with which the faithful could break what is always a pretty long fast, given the late hour of communion.
A number of us were extremely interested to see the mementos that Margarita was able to bring from the Convent of the Annunciation, which having refused ROCOR’s union with the Moscow Patriarchate and its decline within an Old Calendar Greek jurisdiction is sadly being sold. Having been founded with the blessing of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, this sacred place was once a pillar of our Church Abroad. Some parishioners have been greatly saddened by this, given their fond memories of the convent, of Abbess Elizabeth – of blessed memory – and of the important place of the convent in their own lives. To the Abbess Elizabeth and all of the sisters, Memory Eternal!
As announced in church, I was unable to confirm the venue for Friday’s prayer talk, since our starosta was not in church yesterday, due to health issues. I will confirm whether our prayer talk is in Nazareth House or St Mary Butetown over the next day or two, but either way, we will meet this coming Friday at 19:00.
Making the most of my presence in the city on Friday, I will hear confessions in Nazareth House in the afternoon, with confessions for those attending the talk from 18:00. I would appreciate emails requesting confessions to reach me by 18:00 on Wednesday. Please indicate if you will stay for the talk, so that I can distribute confessions between the afternoon and early evening.
As next weekend will see me preparing to serve in Walsingham, I will not be in Cardiff for vespers on Saturday.
I and a number of parishioners will depart on our Norfolk Pilgrimage on Monday 24th July, making it impossible to celebrate the Liturgy for the feast of St Olga that day, but we return in time for the feast of St Vladimir on Friday, when the Divine Liturgy will be served in Nazareth House at 11:00. Sunday will see us honour the Holy Equals to the Apostles in the Convent Church, when we will greet our Olgas, serving moleben and chanting Many Years!
Looking forward to next month, may I remind parishioners that, on Saturday 5th August, we will make a pilgrimage to St Anthony’s Well in the Forest, before visiting St Mary’s Church at Kempley, with its remarkable series of Romanesque frescoes. We will meet at the well at 11:00, serving a moleben to St Anthony, and have received a kind invitation to Zoe’s home for lunch, before we go to Kempley.
A number of our usual pilgrims will be away, but anyone interested and perhaps seeking a lift should email Tracy: t_sbrain@icloud.com
As requested at Liturgy, may I ask all who wish to remain on our very out of date mailing list to send a short email making this clear, as the email address list is hopelessly out of date. Next week’s news will only be sent to addresses on the updated list.
Again, we ask your prayers for the sick and suffering servants of God, the Priest Anthony, the Reader David, Maxim, Phoevos, Andrey, Brigid (Mo) and Ludmilla; for Svetlana, Anna and Sofia, travelling in Russia; for Nataliya, who is visiting family in the USA; for Maria, who will be travelling on Wednesday; for the newly departed servants of God the Archpriest Alexander and the Nun Mina, and for Presbytera Cacilia, who’s Years Mind falls at this time: Memory Eternal!
The next few weeks will see a handful of parishioners head to Walsingham on pilgrimage, and then, before we know it, August will be upon us.
Apart from the trip to Walsingham, there is no parish pilgrimage this month.
Having not visited any accessible holy wells, thus far, our intention to make a pilgrimage and historic church visit, starting at St Anthony’s Well near Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean, on Saturday 5 August, and then make our way to the painted medieval church at Kempley.
St Anthony’s Well was once a celebrated, widely-known and respected healing spring, though the reformation and its iconoclasm has robbed us of its history and origins, and left people’s focus being a a practical and medical one, rather than a spiritual one… but I suppose, that’s largely the nature of holy wells, particularly before health care provision. We will hold a moleben with the akathist to St Anthony at the well, though we don’t expect anyone to submerge themselves in its notoriously cold waters. I’ll see how long I can endure them with my lower legs and feet.
St Anthony’s may well be the good place for a picnic lunch before we head north(ish) to the remarkable church of St Mary at Kempley.
Although it is a post-schism church, it is well worth visiting given that it is adorned with the most complete set of Romanesque frescos in northern Europe and the most complete Norman timber roof known in Britain.
The nearby Herefordshire market town of Ledbury, with its half-timbered medieval buildings, would be a lovely place for afternoon tea and some exploration before returning to Wales for those wishing to do so!
We will agree times once we know who is coming, but would aim to be meeting at the well around 11:00.
Anyone interested and perhaps seeking a lift is asked to email Tracy: t_sbrain@icloud.com
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour Peter and hymn Paul with understanding”, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O Lord, grant me the gifts of Thine all-holy Spirit like drops of rain, fitting discourse; and I shall rejoice, faithfully praising the corrections of Thy foremost apostles.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O all-praised Peter, zealously thou didst forsake transitory things and didst follow in the steps of Christ; and leaving behind thine unbelief, O Paul, thou didst follow Him Who called thee.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O apostles Peter and Paul, receiving the grace of the divine Spirit which descended upon you in essence, ye traversed the world, teaching the ends of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The most eloquent of orators and musical tongues of exalted sound are unable to honour or hymn thee, O pure one; for in thee alone have divine mysteries which transcend man been wrought.
Canon of the twelve apostles, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour the wise apostles of Christ”, the composition of Theophanes, in the same tone.
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O Christ, in that Thou art God grant unto me, who desire to hymn the choir of the apostles, the radiance of the all-holy Spirit and the light of Thy wisdom through their supplications.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by Thy power and grace, O Christ, Thine honoured apostles destroyed the power of the adverse foe, in that they have become seers of God through Thine expansive gesture.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Working healings by Thy name, O Master, the glorious apostles looked upon the multitudes of the nations and illumined them with Thy light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having learned heavenly wisdom, O all-wise and all-glorious apostles of Christ, with your successful preaching ye manifestly showed the overweening discourse of the ungodly to be foolish.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-pure Virgin Mother, thou gavest birth to One of the all-divine Trinity, Who through thee hath shown Himself to be like unto us in the flesh, through the good pleasure of Him Who begat Him, and through the activity of the all-holy Spirit.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine commemoration establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Andrew, thy kinsman, O Peter, showed thee Christ the Messiah, and thou didst approach Him with faith; and thou, O wondrous Paul, wast enlightened by Ananias with divinely ordained baptism.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
With the enlightenment of grace Peter brought in the race of Israel, which had fallen, deceived by the letter of the law; and Paul delivered the flock of the nations from falsehood.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Thou didst send Thy disciples to the nations naked and simple, bearing Thy holy name instead of a sword, O Christ; and with faith they set at nought the warfare of falsehood.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-praised apostles Peter and Paul, all the earth was full of the knowledge of the Lord Who shone forth from the Virgin and hath restored the world by your divine preaching.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Divinely proclaiming the heavenly and precious doctrines on earth, and declaring them with fiery tongues, O preachers of Christ, ye transmitted them.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O Master, Thou didst show forth Thy disciples as noetic heavens which declare Thy glory to all the ends of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O all-wise ones who were inscribed in the heavens and revealed as dwelling with Christ, preserve us now who honour you with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who dwelleth in the highest and hath made His abode among us, O all-pure one, hath manifested Himself, receiving flesh from thee without seed.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn of the 12 apostles, Tone IV: Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up upon the Cross…”: O ye who have made your abode in unapproachable Light, as habitations of the Light, ye ever illumine your holy temple with divine proclamations. Wherefore, with faith we cry out: Entreating the Creator, O apostles, deliver us from darkness, from all manner of misfortunes and the cruel invasion of pagans.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sessional hymn of the apostles Peter & Paul, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Let us praise Peter and the all-wise Paul, the great and radiant luminaries, who have been shown to be the preëminent disciples; for, shining with the fire of the divine Spirit, they have utterly consumed the darkness of falsehood. Wherefore, they have worthily been shown to be citizens of the kingdom on high, sharing the throne of grace. For this cause we cry out to them: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: All of us, the generations of men, bless thee as the Virgin who, alone among women, gavest birth without seed to God in the flesh; for the fire of the Godhead dwelt within thee, and thou didst nurture the Creator and Lord with milk as a babe. Wherefore, we, the generation of angels and men, glorify thine all-holy birth-giving as is meet, and cry out together: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birth-giving.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode IV, Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God – the Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virgin – the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Piously joining the mighty with the lowly, orators with the unlearned, O Peter and Paul, apostles of Christ, ye won the victory.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
The godly Peter denounced the cruel apostate Simon Magus as a lover of gold, and now the wise Paul hath rendered blind the steps of Elymas, who blasphemed Christ.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Though the fisherman and the tent-maker were coarse of speech, yet have they seasoned with divine salt the souls of those who love wisdom and led them to Christ by faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old, with divinely inspired speech the divine Habbakuk called thee the pure and overshadowed mountain of Him Who cometh from the south and is incarnate of thee, O Mistress, manifestly making declaration.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
The sound of the words of the divine apostles passed through the whole world like fire, burning up the tinder of falsehood and illumining the assemblies of the pious with grace.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The ungodly world, benighted in gloom, did the disciples of the Lord, the divinely radiant beacons, illumine with rays of grace, shown forth by the effulgence of their preaching.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the sacred rays of the noetic Sun, ye shine forth in the world like the sun, O all-praised ones, dispelling the gloom of falsehood with divine light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Possessing Thy Cross as a staff of power, O Word, those who themselves beheld Thee divided the salty sea of life, roiling the waters of polytheism like steeds.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The animate heaven of Thee, O Christ, the King of kings, adorned with divers effulgences, the all-pure Virgin is now glorified as the Theotokos.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode V, Irmos:All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
In that thou art steadfast, O Peter, Christ called thee a stone, and on thee did He set the Church, against which the gates of hell will not prevail; and thee, O Paul, He called His vessel, chosen to bear His name before the nations.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter denied the Teacher thrice, and thrice made himself His by declaring his love for Him; and Paul, who before was a blasphemer who grievously oppressed the faithful, later preached Him Whom he before had persecuted.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
An incorruptible name and everlasting glory have Peter and Paul obtained from Christ; for the one hath received the keys of heaven, and the other, caught up into paradise, heard ineffable words which surpass men’s understanding.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Full of the divine Spirit, Isaiah foretold the birth without father of Emmanuel, God with us, from thee, O pure Virgin, Whom thou didst bear. Wherefore, we all hymn thee.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
Thy divine and all-wise ministers hast Thou shown forth in the world as light, proclaiming Thee, the never-waning Light, unto all.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having manifestly passed through every virtue, O apostles, ye have destroyed the divers webs of the demons’ malice.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Speaking with fiery tongues, O apostles, ye have revealed to us the effulgence of the Trinity, the Godhead in unity.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thee do we present as an invincible weapon against our enemies for thou art our foundation and our hope of salvation, O divine maiden.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VI, Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Splendid were the miracles of Peter, and wondrous the signs of Paul: for their garments and handkerchiefs work healings when placed upon the sick.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
The truly glorious Peter and the truly wondrous Paul, the two godly ones, the most precious habitations of the life-creating Trinity, are commemorated by all.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Like a divine and excellent physician Peter hath healed the souls and bodies of the sick, and Paul hath enlightened the nations, signing them with the light of the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We must needs hymn thee, yet are truly unable to do so worthily; wherefore, we hymn thee with silence, honouring the ineffable mystery wrought in thee, O Virgin.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having made Thy disciples steadfast through wisdom and miracles, Thou didst make them stronger than the foolish prating of the Greeks; and they have abolished their false precepts.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The divine rivers of wisdom have filled all the vales of the Church with salvific waters of salvation, enriching them with streams from the wellsprings of salvation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Revealed as living stars, O all-praised ones, ye destroyed all the darkness of falsehood with radiant effulgence, shining forth the light of divine knowledge.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, the noetic Bridegroom found thee to be a perfect and all-comely turtle-dove, a radiant lily and blossom of the valley; and He made His abode within thee.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel. “Seeking the highest…”: Christ the Rock doth radiantly glorify the rock of Faith, the most excellent of His disciples, as He doth Paul and the assembly of the twelve today; and, faithfully celebrating their memory, we glorify Him Who glorified them.
Ikos:Celebrating now your most honoured and all-blessed memory, in hymns we earnestly cry out to you: O all-radiant and divinely luminous beacons of the world, ye twelve beloved disciples of Christ, in that ye have boldness before Him, pray for us; for to you hath been given the grace to heal and forgive sins. Wherefore, earnestly entreat Him, that we be delivered from sins and temptations, that we may glorify Him Who alone loveth mankind, Who hath glorified you.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VII, Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter was called blessed by Christ when he called Him the Son of the living God; and Paul was honoured as a right profitable vessel; and they cried: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter made wise the servants of the law as He was commanded, and Paul enlightened the gentiles; and both cleaved unto Christ through grace and cried: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
As a most excellent shepherd of Christ Peter hath received the flock, and Paul became their divine teacher; and they cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most immaculate Mary, excellent in holiness, O Virgin who gavest birth to God in the flesh, O pure one who knewest not wedlock: entreat Him, that He deliver us from every assault and from sin.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
O All-good One Who wast God before nature, making Thy disciples sons Thou didst lovingly show them to be heirs of the inheritance of the Father, and it was Thy good pleasure that they walk with Thee, their God and Master.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Bestowing an outpouring of wisdom, breadth of heart and right eloquent tongues upon Thy godly disciples, O Word, Thou didst send them forth to preach the Gospel of the kingdom to all the ends of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The apostles, shown to be clouds of the light of God, let fall life-creating water as rain upon all, crying: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast revealed as wholly adorned by the glory of God, O all-pure one, Mother and Virgin who alone didst conceive God the Word Who existed from before the beginning of time. Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VIII, Irmos: The birth-giving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace – then in figure, but now in deed – and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by divine power, Peter resurrected the dead Tabitha; and Paul raised up the dead Eutyches, who had fallen from a great height; and both cry out: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Having received an awesome and wondrous vision, Peter enlightened Cornelius, and Paul baptised Gaius, Crispus, Panestius and Stephaninus; and both cry out: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
At night, by His angel, Christ released Peter, who was fettered and kept under guard; and while Paul and Silas were praying, their feet made fast in stocks, He set them free and caused the prison to quake. Wherefore, they hymn Christ forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deliver us from the most pernicious passions, and break asunder now the bonds of offences wherewith each is bound; for we all have sinned, and, being guilty, we ask purification. Through thine entreaties, O Theotokos, grant it to us who exalt Christ supremely forever.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
With the fire of the Spirit the divine and all-wise choir of the apostles utterly consumed many of the sanctuaries of the demons as though they were tares, and have enlightened the hearts of the faithful, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O godly disciples and apostles of Christ, who together have thundered forth to us the commandments of God, ye havens of the faith and common benefactors of mankind: Serve ye the Savior, that we may honour you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us honour the most precious vessels, the receptacles of the virtues, the first-fruits of humanity, the clarions of preaching, the torrents of life incorruptible, the God-bearing flashes of lightning, the wellsprings of healing, the beautiful feet of the Gospel.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who is full humbleth Himself for our sake, that we may share in His fullness; for the Infinite One, entering into thine all-pure womb, became incarnate without leaving the bosom of the Father. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed, O Mary Bride of God.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honouring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Ye passed over all the world, soaring as on wings, preaching the Gospel of Christ to all tribes, nations and lands; and ye have brought them to the Faith, O all-blessed Peter and wondrous apostle Paul.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Having attained an advanced age, O Peter, discharging the debts of nature ye endured the cross in emulation of thy Teacher Christ. And when thy head was cut off, O Paul, — O the wonder! — instead of blood milk poured forth in torrents, converting the unbelieving.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O ye two godly ones, who wisely dedicated yourselves to the souls of the whole world, converting them from ungodliness to piety, and, even after your death, have saved the souls of the faithful: be ye now mindful of us, and intercede before Christ, O preëminent apostles.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O good Saviour Who lovest mankind by nature and art full of loving-kindness: through the divine entreaties of Thine all-hymned Virgin Mother and the supplications of Thine apostles Peter and Paul, send down Thy mercy and aid upon us from heaven.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
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 Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having received from the Master the authority to loose the bonds of transgressions, O ye who have beheld God, mercifully cleanse us of sins who hymn you, and vouchsafe unto us salvation.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O glorious apostles who learned exalted preaching and doctrine in the upper chamber, ye have all received the full effulgence of the Spirit which was made manifest to you essentially; and now ye are called blessed, as is meet.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now Christ bestoweth never-fading wreaths upon you, His friends, as ye rest; and He filleth you with divine vision. Entreat Him now, that He save all the Churches.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Desiring to come in the flesh, He Who hath adorned all things by His word made His abode within thee, found thee to be holier than all others, and hath shown thee to be the true Theotokos, O Virgin Mother.
Troparion of the apostles, Tone IV: O first-enthroned among the apostles and teachers of the whole world: Entreat the Master of all, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Two canons, the composition of John of Damascus: the first to the holy Peter, and the second for the holy Paul, with 6 troparia.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos: There is none like unto Thee, O all-glorious Lord; for with Thy mighty hand Thou didst deliver the people whom Thou hadst acquired, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
With divinely inspired songs let us hymn today the preëminent of the apostles as the first called of Christ.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Having foreknown thee, O most blessed Peter, the Preëternal One ordained thee from of old as the leader of His Church, the first-enthroned.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Neither flesh nor blood, but the Father inspired thee to theologize Christ as the true Son of God Most High, O apostle.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn thee, the holy mountain, the most exalted chariot, the Mother of God and true Virgin.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul, Tone VIII
Irmos: That which had been hewn down cut through the undivided, and the sun saw land which it had not seen before; the water engulfed the cruel enemy, and Israel traversed the impassable, and chanted the hymn: Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously is He glorified!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
When Christ called things into being out of non-existence, O most blessed Paul, He chose thee from thy mother’s womb to carry before the nations His divine name, which is above every name; for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Declaring to thee the imminent outpouring of piety and the cleansing away of falsehood, O Paul, Christ, Who showed Himself to be as bright as lightning on the mountain, dimmed thy bodily eyes while enlightening the eyes of thy soul with the understanding of the Trinity: for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Performing circumcision on the eighth day, as a zealot of the traditions of thy fathers, O Paul, and showing thyself to be a law-bound pharisee, a Jew by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, thou didst come to consider all such things as but dung, and didst acquire Christ: for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mistress, pure Mother of almighty God, who sprang forth from royal stock and gavest birth in the flesh, in manner transcending nature, to God Who alone reigneth over all: Save me from misfortunes, who chant unto thy Son: For gloriously hast Thou been glorified!
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode III, Irmos: Neither in wisdom, nor in power, nor yet in riches do we boast, but in Thee, O Christ, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father; for none is holy save Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
The sweet mouth of Christ God showed thee to be blessed and a sure treasure of the kingdom; wherefore, we hymn thee, O Apostle Peter.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
On the rock of thy theology hath Jesus the Master established the Church unshakably, and therein we glorify thee, O Apostle Peter.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
How greater than the angels was Peter in the body! For Christ God said that at His radiant coming he would be a judge and would be equally enthroned.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O thou who knewest not wedlock, who gavest birth unto God in the flesh: Render me steadfast and unshaken by the assaults of the passions, for we have none other helper than thee, O pure one.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Thou hast been set as a precious foundation stone for the souls of the faithful, a corner-stone of the Savior and Lord.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
O most blessed Paul, pray thou that on thy foundations the splendors of most laudable virtues may be set firmly.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ever perfectly bearing the mortality of Jesus on thy body, O Paul, thou wast vouchsafed true life.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thee have we all of us Christians acquired as our rampart and refuge, and glorify thee without ceasing, O thou who knewest not wedlock.
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.
Hypacoï, Tone VIII: What dungeon held thee not prisoner? What Church had thee not as an orator? Damascus extolleth thee, O Paul, for it knew thee blinded by the light; and Rome, which received thy blood, boasteth in thee; but Tarsus rejoiceth yet more and loveth thee, honoring thine infancy. O Peter, rock of the Faith, and Paul, boast of the whole world, coming together from Rome make us steadfast.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Irmos: This is our God, Who became incarnate of the Virgin and hath deified our nature! And, hymning Him, we cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
As He promised, Christ made thee a divine fisher of men for His Church, entrusting its helm to thee first.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Entreated by thee, O Peter, may Jesus, the Bestower of life, Who gaveth thee the authority to bind and to loose, be merciful unto me.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Pray thou earnestly, O Peter, that the kingdom of Christ be opened unto those who honor thy divine memory with unwavering faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most hymned Lady Theotokos, having cleansed away mine evil thoughts by thy supplications, show me forth as fruitful, O Mother of the God of all.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: Thou didst mount Thy steeds, Thine apostles, O Lord, and didst take their bridles in Thy hands; and Thy chariot hath become salvation for those who chant with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Once Saul crouched like a lion, wrathfully destroying the Church of Christ; but he was seized by the divine voice of the Lamb of God, Whom he had persecuted, and Who entrusted His flock to him as shepherd.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
He who would enlighten the whole world was struck blind; but Ananias was sent to him, imparting unto him enlightenment of soul and body through divine revelation, and showing him to be a chosen vessel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As is meet, Damascus is given drink by Paul; for from him, as from the garden of paradise, a great well-spring of divine waters once issued forth and irrigated the whole earth abundantly with knowledge divine.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord hath cast down the mighty from their thrones, as the Virgin Mother said, and with divine good things hath filled the hungry, who cry aloud with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode V, Irmos: O Lord Who acquired us, the chosen people, by Thy Blood, grant us Thy peace, preserving Thy flock in oneness of mind.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
He Who through love received boldness before God hath fittingly become wondrous, though he was an ignorant fisherman, and he now worketh all-glorious wonders through grace.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Thy godly apostle, O Christ, having acquired neither gold nor silver for Thy sake, but rather virtue, hath been enriched by the power of miracles.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
By thine effective word the feet and joints of the lame were set aright, for all-glorious things were accomplished by the divine Spirit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
God became incarnate, O pure one, hypostatically united to the flesh He received from thee, yet remaining immutable, incorporeal in His divine nature.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Thou didst choose true praise, O Apostle Paul, ever bearing the Cross of Christ the King as a trophy.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
For thee to live is Christ, and to die is an excellent acquisition; for through love thou wast crucified with Him Who was crucified for our sake, O all-glorious Paul.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou truly rejoicest in the Lord, O honorable Paul, having departed from the body and passed over to Christ God, the Bestower of life.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ever beseech thy Son and our God, O pure Mary who knewest not wedlock, that He send forth His mercy upon us, the faithful.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode VI, Irmos: Jonah, who was three days in the sea monster, prefigured Thee, the Immortal One, O Christ, for Thou didst die of Thine own will and wast three days in the heart of the earth.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
As of old with Thy right hand Thou didst save Peter who walked on foot upon the waters, O Christ, so do Thou save me, who am drowning amid the storm of cruel perils, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Thou didst forsake things which were not essential, O Peter, and didst attain unto those things which are essential; and as a certain merchant thou didst manifestly search for Christ: the Pearl beyond price.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
O Peter, thou didst slay those who mindlessly strove to tempt the all-holy Spirit, Whom before thou hadst theologized, openly confessing Him as God, O most blessed one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou gavest birth for us to the incarnate Word of God Who transcendeth all nature; wherefore, with lips and soul we profess thee to be the Theotokos.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Spurning all the beautiful things of the world, thou wast wounded by the love of the Master and by desire for the common salvation of man, wishing to bear witness unto Him, O blessed Paul. Pray thou now in behalf of the whole world.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
As an excellent emulator of the Master, clothed in Him, O Paul, thou wast truly all things to all men, that thou mightest acquire and save all the people; and pursuing the ends of the world for Christ, thou didst truly save them.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As is meet Christ hath given thee life in the heavens, O Apostle Paul; for thou didst not desire a city which abideth here, O blessed one, but wast a faithful minister and celebrant of His mysteries.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord looked down upon thee, restoring my nature, in that He is mighty; and doing mighty works, O most immaculate one, through thee my God hath saved me from corruption, in that He is full of loving-kindness.
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: The steadfast and divinely eloquent preachers, the foremost of Thine apostles, O Lord, hast Thou received into the delight of Thy good things and into rest; for Thou hast accepted their pangs and death as greater than any wholeburnt offering, O Thou Who alone knowest the hearts of men.
Ikos: Fill my tongue with light, O my Savior, and having expanded my mouth and filled it, have pity on my heart, that I may speak, follow, and teach that which I first do: for Thou didst say that he who doeth and teacheth is great. For if I speak only, and do not act, I am accounted as sounding brass. Wherefore, grant that I may speak fitting things and do that which is profitable, O Thou Who alone knowest the hearts of men.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode VII, Irmos: O unoriginate Word, only-begotten Son, Who existed in the beginning with the Father and the Spirit: blessed and supremely exalted art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Chastised by the divine providence of Christ, thou wast permitted to emulate the Merciful One, O Peter, that thy distress over denying Him before His suffering might be assuaged.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Having risen from the dead, Christ appeared to thee, the first-called and exceeding beloved, as the right glorious one who was first to preside over the apostles.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
The Master, healing thy threefold denial before His suffering, O Peter, confirmed His love by a threefold divinely uttered question.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Thou didst call the all-seeing God the Word as witness to thy love for Christ, O Peter; wherefore, He entrusted the beloved flock to thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We all bless thee as the Mother of the God of all, who conceived in the flesh of thy womb the preëternal Word Who shone forth from God the Father.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: On the plain of Dura the tyrant once built a furnace to torment the God-bearers; and therein the three youths chanted hymns unto the one God, and sang, all three together, saying: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
He who in latter times was called and surpassed all others in zeal became the seal and crown of Thine apostles, O Christ. With him the people of the Church chant unto thee: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Even though Paul the prisoner first persecuted Thy Church, O Christ, yet did he later replace his former ferocity with zeal for Thee; and he hath gathered together the nations, who chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Having from Jerusalem preached the Gospel unto all, thou didst take it round about the whole world, O Paul, and, teaching even unto the far ends of Illyricum, thou didst cry: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Caught up in awe, thou didst attain unto the third heaven, O thou who art all-rich; and hearing ineffable words, thou didst cry aloud: Glory to the transcendent Father and the Son, and to the equally-enthroned effulgence of the Spirit of God Who trieth the depths!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Like rain upon the fleece did Christ God descend upon thee, O Virgin, and He issued forth from thee in the flesh, uniting those things that before were separate, and granting peace on earth and in heaven. O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode VIII, Irmos: O Christ Who bearest all things by Thine unapproachable power, Thou didst bedew Thy venerable children who cried out amid the flame: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
“They shall stretch forth thine arms and bind thee to a cross,” the Master foretold, commanding thee to follow Him; and thou criest aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Working wonders, by the word of grace thou didst heal Æneus who was grievously paralyzed, and didst raise up Tabitha from the dead; and they cried: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
O Christ Who announced unto Peter that the nations were cleansed, by spiritual radiance purify my thoughts, for I cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most holy Virgin who gavest birth to God the Word in the flesh, driving the darkness away from my soul by thy supplications, illumine me who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mountain, and by the fire in the bush revealed to Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin, hymn ye and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Paul was bound to thee by Thy love and underwent a goodly change; for the glorious one lived not for himself, O Compassionate One, but had Thee living within him forever.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Thou didst betroth the Church unto Christ, presenting it to Him as a bride; for thou wast shown to be its wedding-escort, O God-bearing Paul. Wherefore, it glorifieth thee for all ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst fight the good fight, and finishing thy race lawfully, thou didst preserve the treasure of the Faith. Wherefore, thou hast been vouchsafed crowns of righteousness, O Paul.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O fiery throne of the Lord! Rejoice, O Virgin, unwedded Bride! Rejoice, cloud who shone forth the Sun of righteousness, Whom we exalt supremely for all ages!
Canon of the Holy Apostle Peter
Ode IX, Irmos: Thee, the all-glorious Bride and most holy Theotokos, who gavest birth to the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, do we magnify with hymns.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Thine excellent grace is rightly glorified, for thy very shadow dispelleth the sufferings of the sick, O Peter; wherefore, we magnify thee.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
Blessed is Peter, who with ineffable divine power cast down Simon Magus, who through sorcery had soared aloft into the air.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
By thy supplications grant remission of offenses, enlightenment of heart and gladness of spirit unto those who hymn thy memory, O apostle.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Peter, pray to God for us.
O Peter, all thy words, relics and dust are full of glory, sanctity and miracles for those who with faith bow down with love before thy divine chains.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Fruit of thy womb caused the heavenly chorister, who announced “Rejoice!” with a loud voice unto thee who gavest birth to joy, to hymn thy name.
Canon of the Holy Apostle Paul
Irmos: Thou didst transcend the laws of nature, conceiving the Creator and Lord, and didst become a portal of salvation for the world. Wherefore, we magnify thee unceasingly, O Theotokos.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
We bow down before thy chains, which thou didst bear for Christ like a malefactor, O Paul, and we kiss the wounds which thou didst bear on thy glorious and victorious body.
Holy all-praised Apostle, Paul, pray to God for us.
Now thou hast departed unto Him Whom thou didst unceasingly desire, O apostle; and dwelling with him as a servant, with unceasing entreaties draw thou thy servants to thyself.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
No longer is Christ visible to thee in shadows or in a reflection, but thou dost gaze upon Him face to face, and He perfectly revealeth to thee the understanding of the Godhead.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Mother of God, thou wast the boast of the apostles of Christ, the glory of the martyrs and the foundation of the prophets; wherefore, we all magnify thee as is meet.
Troparion of the apostles, Tone IV: O first-enthroned among the apostles and teachers of the whole world: Entreat the Master of all, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
The last four or five days have been busy, though not all has gone according to plan.
Thursday was the eve of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner, with the celebration of Vespers between confessions, for which I am grateful to George for acting as reader, and Friday morning saw a dozen of us assemble and celebrate a simple but prayerful Divine Liturgy, for which we are indebted to Margarita and Alexander for chanting on the kliros.
We were glad to be able to share Norman John’s name-day with him, and wished him “Many Years”.
I was greatly looking forward to celebrating the Divine Liturgy for Saints Peter and Fevronia in Cheltenham the following day, but, sadly a tyre blow-out on the motorway ended our journey before we had even reached Port Talbot, mercifully with no dire consequences.
Happily, Sunday saw a uneventful journey to Cardiff for the feast of the Tikhvinskaya Icon of the Mother of God, and – despite the impact of holidays and the end of term – saw forty of us gather for Liturgy. The boisterousness of our children was a reminder that mums and dads need to keep an eye on our young ones, and try and diffuse a little of the energy which was rather too audible, at times. Can we please make sure that EVERYONE, regardless of age is still during the readings, especially the Gospel, and that the children are with parents from the beginning of the anaphora until after Holy Communion? They need to grow into the Liturgy, even if it initially remains more of a mystery to them than for the adults, and they need to become accustomed to being quiet and prayerful.
With regard to discussions among parishioners over the last week, or so, I would like to address a pertinent question:
WHAT DO I DO IF I ARRIVE LATE FOR LITURGY?
Given the distances that some of our folks are travelling and problems with traffic and transport, a late arrival does not automatically cause parishioners to point a finger of blame at those who arrive late after the beginning of Liturgy, and we will always be understanding.
However, for those living in Cardiff, even if using public transport, things should be easier and more straight forward, though this may well mean that, in order to play, safe we start out earlier than might be necessary if all goes according to plan. As you know, apart from Sundays I usually have the joys and sorrows of public transport each and every day on which I am travelling into Cardiff – and I have to make compensatory allowances for the vicissitudes of our transport system.
So… what happens when – for whatever reason – we arrive after the beginning of Liturgy?
• It is important to be quiet and unobtrusive and to not distract anyone, endeavouring to make no noise and minimise any movement.
• Though it may sound harsh and prescriptive, the time for the initial veneration of icons and lighting candles is BEFORE Liturgy and not during the service – at least with regard to the icons and candle-stands at the front of the church.
This may not be the norm in other places or in large temples with a solea at the front and a sanctuary raising the liturgical eye-line above the nave and congregation. However, our setting is very different because of the physical “geography” of the church, pretty much all on one level.
With no raised pavement before the iconostasis and everything outside the sanctuary on the same level, people walking around the front of the church can be distracting and obtrusive once the Liturgy is under way.
• If you arrive late, please do not approach the front of the church during the deacons’ litanies/eketenias, but venerate the icons and light any candles quickly and quietly during the antiphons, and please DO NOT cross the church from one side to the other at the front of the church before the Holy Doors once the Liturgy has begun.
• As during the deacons’ ektenias, when the Little Entrance is made, there should be nobody venerating the icons or lighting candles – as at other times when the priests or deacons come out from the sanctuary.
• If you arrive during readings DO NOT MOVE from the entrance, and stop and wait wherever you happen to be. Before the readings we hear the exclamation “Let us attend” i.e. let us be attentive, so we need to stand, listen and allow others to be attentive as well as being so ourselves.
• After the Gospel, no one should venerate icons or light candles at the front of the church. The post-Gospel ektenias lead to the Cherubic Hymn, followed by the creed and the anaphora – so the deacons are constantly serving before the iconostasis. There should be no movement or distraction anywhere in church during the anaphora.
• There has been a convention that nobody who arrives after the Gospel is permitted to receive Holy Communion, but as Bishop Irenei has made clear, this is already a concession that undermines the integrity of the Liturgy and our participation in it.
In our ROCOR liturgical handbook Vladika makes it very clear that those who commune are to be at the Liturgy from the very beginning: the blessing, “Blessed is the Kingdom…”, and that this needs to be enforced and observed within our communities (with some possible economia for those of our parishioners travelling great distances).
• If you arrive late for Liturgy – for whatever reason – do not simply join the communion queue without a blessing. Those who commune do so with the blessing of their spiritual fathers and the agreement of the priest, if he is not their dukhovnik.
• Please, do not to ask for confession before Holy Communion, and that includes confessions for your children. I often spend five or six hours hearing confessions on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as for close to an hour before Liturgy. Please make the most of the opportunities given.
• Confessions for those who wish to commune will not be heard after Liturgy, and no one will receive Holy Communion then, apart from in the most exceptional circumstances. Once the chalice is returned to the altar, Holy Communion is over and one of the deacons consumes the Holy Gifts and cleanses the Holy Vessels.
Given that Liturgy does not begin until 11:00 travelling time is plentiful, and there is usually little reason for lateness if we plan accordingly and allow for the unexpected. Sometimes, things go wrong, and in those circumstances we certainly want to know, so that allowances might be made if extreme circumstances warrant economia – but this is an exception and not the norm.
In addition to these observations, may I remind ALL who commune that they should not venerate icons once the Holy Gifts have been brought out, that they should already be lined up for Communion and that they should not ordinarily leave before the Thanksgiving Prayers, which are usually shared between English and Slavonic readers and offered on behalf of all who have communed. There should not be conversations during the prayers.
Also, we do not kiss anything until we have had zapivka after communion, and even then, though we kiss the cross at the end of Liturgy we do not kiss the priest’s hand (or more correctly, the cross on the right cuff of his vestments).
Thank you in advance for your understanding, and I hope that we can all work together to preserve the sanctity, reverence and solemnity of the Liturgy and teach our customs to those who are new and are perhaps not used to our strictness around Communion and may be accustomed to rather more individualism and movement in church.
Our expectations of behaviour during Liturgy set our liturgical culture apart from places where conversation, constant movement, dropping in at any time and equally leaving according to whim are tolerated or entirely normal – and many of us have been shocked by the free-for-all in some other parishes, where the Liturgy is far from prayerful and bad behaviour goes unchallenged.
The earthly Liturgy is a concelebration with the heavenly Liturgy, and we join with the saints and angels as Christ our Great High Priest offers Himself in each and every Liturgy, on behalf of all and for all: united to the Upper Room and Last Supper, and to the redemptive Mystery of His Cross and Resurrection.
How can we possibly do or allow anything which undermines this awesome and wonderful Mystery and foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Looking forward to the week ahead, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, the Feast of the Hoy Apostles Peter and Paul, commencing in Nazareth House at 11:00. Like last Friday’s Liturgy, it will be simple, given the lack of singers and servers, but we greatly look forward to celebrating the feast. Those who confessed before last Sunday’s Liturgy are blessed to receive the Holy Gifts.
I will hear confessions on Thursday afternoon in Nazareth House, and would appreciate requests by noon on Wednesday, please. Anyone attending the Liturgy for the Holy Apostles is welcome to confess after lunch.
In your prayers, we ask for remembrance of the sick and suffering servants of God, the Priest Anthony, the Subdeacon Peter, the Reader David, Maxim, Phoevos, Andrey, Brigid (Mo) and Ludmilla.
Also, of you charity, please pray for the newly departed servants of God the Archpriest Alexander and the Nun Mina.
Thank you all who continue to labour for our parish, especially to our prosphora bakers, who provide the central offering for our Liturgy every week. Thank you also to Patrick (Dan) for so generously sharing surplus books and objects of piety with members of the community. We are so pleased to hear that he has finally found a new home in West Wales and pray for a successful completion.
Today saw the celebration of the Tikhvinskaya icon of the Mother of God, which was first revealed in Russia in the principality of Novgorod Veliky, suspended in the air above the waters of Lake Ladoga on this day in 1383.
Having miraculously appeared in other local towns before its final appearance in the town of Tikhvin, this wonderworking icon was enshrined in a wooden church, and later in a stone temple built at the behest of the Great Prince of Moscow, Vasily III Ivanovich, before its translation to a monastic stronghold built by his son, Tsar Ivan Grozny (the Terrible).
In the Russo-Swedish Wars of 1613-1614, when the Swedes invaded Novgorod and sought to destroy the Monastery, the Mother of God would not allow the monks to flee with her icon, and finding her precious image immovable, they sheltered within the walls of their coenobium fervently beseeching the help and protection of the Mother of God before her wonderworking image.
Their prayers were answered by the arrival of the Muscovite war-host and the retreat of the Swedes, without engaging in battle.
A copy of the wonderworking icon accompanied Russian emissaries to the village of Stolobovo, where a peace treaty was contracted with the Swedes, with this copy of the icon then resting in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, before its translation to the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Novgorod, which was thus protected from further Swedish attacks through the intercession of the Mother of God.
Having preserved her icon from destruction over the centuries, the Mother of God’s miraculous help was shown especially during the onslaught against Faith after the Russian Revolution, when the icon escaped destruction or being sold, but remained in the Tikhvin Monastery, loved and cherished by the faithful.
During German occupation, in World War II, the Nazis removed the icon from the Tikhvin Monastery, and after initially being taken to Pskov it was taken to to Riga, and entrusted to the Church.
When the Germans retreated, Bishop John of Riga, left Latvia before the advancing Red Army, and during the Soviet air bombardment, taking the wonderworking icon to Germany, where it was a source of blessing and comfort for displaced persons crowded into refugee camps.
When Bishop John moved to America, in 1949, he was able to take the icon to Chicago, where he became Archbishop Chicago and the Mid-West in the American Metropolia, now the OCA. The icon was treasured and venerated in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, as well as travelling to various places throughout the United States and Canada.
Bishop John retired in the late 1970s and died on Palm Sunday in 1982, with his adopted son, Archpriest Sergei Garklavs, becoming the custodian of the icon, caring for it in his home
In 2003, over a decade after the fall of communism, the momentous decision was made to return the precious icon to post-Soviet Russia, in accordance with Archbishop John’s stipulation, with the return journey taking a year as the icon travelled from place to place across North America, before the final journey to Russia, with Tikhvin as the final destination for the homecoming of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God.
The chronicles and journeys of this wonderworking icon, bare witness to a changing world – of wars, conflict divisions and hardship, but the return to its former place of sanctuary, in Tikhvin, is a powerful witness to the possibility of restoration and reconciliation, with the Mother of God overseeing the preservation and return of her wonderworking icon, as the distrust and enmity of the Cold War was replaced with a new era and a new relationship between peoples on different side of a great geo-political divide.
In the present conflicts and re-emerging rifts and sad return of east-west divisions, we should turn to the Mother of God as mediatrix and the Mother of reconciliation: to soften human hearts, to bestow reason and understanding, to be a guide and healer of division, a dispeller of fear and the hope of Christians.
Kontakion of the Icon, Tone 8: O ye people, let us make haste to the Virgin Theotokos and Queen, giving thanks to Christ our God; and gazing with compunction at her miraculous icon, let us fall down and cry out to her: O Mary our Mistress, visiting this land in the miraculous appearance of thy precious icon, save our Orthodox hierarchs and all Christians in peace and prosperity, showing us to be inheritors of the life of heaven. For to thee do we cry with faith: Rejoice, O Virgin, salvation of the world!
As the western-world militates against traditional marriage and family values, we turn to the Holy Wonderworkers of Murom, Peter and Fevronia, praying to them for the defence and strengthening of the Christian foundations of marriage and family-life.
The Holy, Right-Believing Wonderworkers, Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom
Canon of the Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is: “I chant praise unto the Life-bearing Maiden”, Tone I
Ode I, Irmos: Traversing the impassible, uncommon path of the sea dry-shod, Israel the chosen cried aloud: Let us chant unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The immaterial ladder of old, and the path of the sea made strangely firm, revealed thy birth-giving, O pure one. Her do we all hymn, for she hath been glorified!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The power of the Most High, the perfect Hypostasis, the Wisdom of God incarnate of thee, O all-pure one, hath conversed with men, for He hath been glorified!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The Sun of thy righteousness hath passed through the impassible door of thy locked womb, O pure one, and hath shone forth upon the world, for He hath been glorified!
Canon I of the saints, Tone VIII
Irmos:Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O God, grant that I may offer hymnody unto Peter, Who was pleasing unto Thee and glorified Thee on earth, that I may magnify Thee, the Giver of understanding, with hymns.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
To your homeland hath Christ shown you to be like an all-radiant sun, illumining with miracles all who have recourse to you with faith.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Having given no mind to the things of the body, hated earthly things as corruptible and renounced the world, ye have been vouchsafed the honour of the venerable. With them pray ye for the world.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O all-pure Ever-virgin Theotokos, who gavest birth in the body to the eternal Word of the unoriginate Father, unto Him do we now cry aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Canon II of the saints, the composition of Michael the Monk, Tone I
Irmos:Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvellous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Assembling, let us praise as it meet the crowned and pious Peter and Fevronia, the bestowers of abundant miracles, who save our souls.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
With hymns and spiritual songs let us praise the blessed ones, crying thus: Rejoice, O all-lauded ones, all-radiant luminaries and steadfast helpers of our homeland!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Even though in the latter years the newly-enlightened Russian land gave rise to these blessed ones, yet have they been vouchsafed the honour of the ancients; for they impart gifts of miracles in abundance unto those who flee to them.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most immaculate one, with thy light drive the gloom from my mind and deliver me from everlasting darkness, that I may hymn thy mighty works.
Ode III
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
He Who, as the Creator of time, is outside of all time, O Virgin, willingly made Himself a Child through thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Let us hymn the womb that is far more spacious than the heavens, through which Adam came to make his abode in the heavens, rejoicing.
Canon I of the Saints
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 Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Be thou a helper for the helpless and merciful consolation for the grieving, O blessed Peter, that, delivered by your supplications, we may honour thee.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As thou didst once commit the serpent to utter destruction, slaying him, O thrice blessed one, so now vanquish those who make war upon thy homeland, that we may glorify thee.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Behold our despondency; behold our grief; behold the misfortune that the enemy bringeth upon us! Wherefore, change it by thy prayer unto the Lord, O Peter, that we may piously honour thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thee have all of us Christians acquired as a refuge and bulwark, and thee do we unceasingly glorify, O thou who knewest not wedlock.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:Let my heart be made steadfast in Thy will, O Christ God, Who didst establish the second heaven above the waters and didst found the earth upon the waters, O Almighty One.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
To the Russian lands hath God shown thee to be glorious in miracles, O all-blessed Peter, and hath adorned thee with heavenly gifts. Him do thou now entreat, that He have mercy on us all.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O all-radiant beacons shining like another sun, illumine us who keep your memory, O all-blessed Peter and Fevronia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
A conduit of gladness hath opened for us: the splendid day of the all-wise Peter and Fevronia, who grant great mercy unto those who hymn them with faith.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Deliver us from all perils, from the many temptations of the serpent and from darkness, O most immaculate one who for us gavest birth to the never-waning Light.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: O ye faithful, let us hasten to the blessed and splendid solemnity of Peter and Fevronia as to the shining sun, and let us unceasingly cry out: Even though ye have passed from this earth, O all-glorious ones, ye have not parted from us, but stand with the angels before the Trinity, Whom do ye entreat, that our souls be saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ our God Who became incarnate of thee have we acknowledged to be the Word of the Father, O Virgin Theotokos who alone art pure, alone art blessed. Wherefore, chanting, we unceasingly magnify thee.
Ode IV
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation, and I have glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Behold! the most manifest Mother of God, the divine mountain of the house of the Lord, is exalted far above the hosts of heaven.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Virgin, who, alone outside the laws of nature, gavest birth unto the Ruler of creation: thou hast been vouchsafed a divine calling.
Canon I of the Saints
Irmos:I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As a mediator and helper of thy homeland, be thou as one who scattereth the adversary, as an ally of thy people, who glorify thee, O Peter.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As ye dwell in the mansions of heaven with the venerable and the righteous, O all-blessed Peter and Fevronia, never cease to pray for thy people.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Thee do we beseech, O all-blessed one: quell the uprisings of adversaries and ease the infirmities of men, that we may magnify thee with voices of praise.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Grant us cleansing from our transgressions, in that Thou art all-good, and bring peace to Thy world, O God, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Once, slaying the serpent, O blessed one, thou didst commit him to utter destruction. And so now also preserve thy homeland unassailed, O Peter, with Fevronia, by thy supplications.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Illumining thy splendid feast with the radiance of the grace of the threefold Sun, O blessed one, from the passion-fraught darkness of the demons deliver those who keep thy memory with faith.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Today the holy festal day calleth the flock of monks to gladness, to a spiritual banquet, to the food of life incorruptible, to the divine delight of the wonderworkers.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Understanding through the Spirit of God, the prophet described thee beforehand as the mountain overshadowed, O pure one. By thy mediation, O Virgin, cool thou my soul, which withereth beneath the burning heat of many transgressions, for thou alone art the correction of men.
Ode V
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:The burning Ember was revealed to Isaiah, and the Sun hath shone forth from the Virgin’s womb, granting the enlightenment of the knowledge of God to those who have gone astray in darkness.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Clouds of darkness rain down delight upon those who are on earth, for unto us hath a Child been given, Who hath existed from before the ages: our God, Who is incarnate of the Virgin.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Light hath shone forth upon my life and my flesh, and hath dispelled the gloom of sin: the most Exalted One, Who in the latter days was incarnate without seed of the Virgin.
Canon I of the Saints
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 Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
The ground that received your precious bodies hath been sanctified, O divinely blessed Peter and Fevronia; and receiving healing through you, men glorify Christ Who hath glorified you with might.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Even though ye have passed from this earth, yet have ye attained unto the abodes of heaven, where ye stand with the angels before the Trinity, Whom do ye entreat, that those who honour you with love may be saved, O blessed ones.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Having acquired you as all-radiant stars and a never-setting sun, your homeland boasteth, cherishing your all-honoured memory, O Peter and Fevronia.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
We hymn thee, who art virgin even after giving birth, O Theotokos; for for us thou gavest birth in the flesh to God the Word, to Whom we all cry out thus: Make straight our paths, we pray Thee!
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:Shine forth thy radiant and everlasting light upon us who rise early unto the judgments of Thy commandments, O Master Christ our God, Who lovest mankind.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O all-good twain! O all-radiant beacons! O goodly couple, who art a single light in two bodies! O ye who were goodly lamps unto your own life! Taking up the yoke of the Lord, ye followed Him with all your soul.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Your right wondrous and all-glorious memorial hath dawned in the Russian land, O blessed ones, and filleth with joy and gladness the assembly of the faithful, who earnestly glorify you in hymns, O holy ones.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ye hierarchs and priests, ye monks and lay folk, ye elders and youths, and people of every age: leap up with splendour, magnifying the memory of the all-glorious Peter and Fevronia in hymns.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Maiden, thou splendid temple of Christ, by thy supplications to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit make us also to be temples, O all-pure one, rendering us venerable.
Ode VI
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:Hearkening unto the sound of cries of entreaty from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Human nature, enslaved to sin, hath obtained freedom through thee, O pure Lady; for thy Son hath been sacrificed like a lamb.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
We all cry out to thee, the true Mother of God: Save thou thy servants, the objects of wrath, for thou alone hast boldness before thy Son.
Canon I of the Saints
Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, 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 Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O all-honoured couple! O great luminaries! Sanctify and glorify those who with love glorify you in hymns, O wonderworkers.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As an all-radiant twain and an all-honoured summit and couple, who took up the yoke of the Lord, ye served Him with all your soul.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As good counsellors for your own way of life, possessing a single mind in two bodies, ye illumine the world with miracles; wherefore, illumine us also by your supplications.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The voices of the prophets make clear that thou art the Mother of God, O Virgin; and beholding the fulfilment of their Honoured prophecies, we also hymn thee, who art truly the abode of virginity and purity.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:Imitating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free my life from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
From a most honourable root didst thou arise, an all-glorious scion, O Peter; and having lived on earth in piety, thou didst become a pure receptacle of the Holy Spirit, Who enlighteneth those who now hymn thy memory.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
The land of Russia is now filled with gladness on the appointed day of your feast, O all-glorious wonderworkers; and chanting, it saith thus: Entreat Christ to preserve your homeland from alien nations.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ye are the helpers of orphans and widows, unassailable allies amid tribulations, the calm haven of all who have recourse unto you, and their true consolation amid sins.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ our God hath wrought mighty works in thee, O pure one. Him do thou ever beseech, that in us also He may magnify His mercy, O all-immaculate Mistress.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone VIII: Pondering the transitory glory and governance of this world, for this thou didst live piously in peace with the all-wise Fevronia thy spouse, O Peter, pleasing God with almsgiving and prayers. Wherefore, lying inseparably in the tomb even after death, ye invisibly impart healing. Pray ye now unto Christ, that He preserve your city and the people who glorify you.
Ikos: Make clear my tongue and pacify my heart; enlarge my mouth and fill it with the Spirit and wisdom, that therewith I may give utterance and chant thus to Thy wonderworkers: Rejoice with the all-praised Fevronia, O blessed Peter; Rejoice, allies of the land of Russia and helpers of Orthodox princes! Rejoice, preservers of our homeland and confirmation of our city! O all-Honoured twain and goodly couple, pray ye to Christ, that He preserve the city and people who glorify you!
Ode VII
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:The youths of old showed themselves to be rhetors with the greatest love of wisdom, for, theologizing with their lips, they sang from the depths of their God-pleasing souls: O most divine God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
At night Jacob beheld God as in a dream, and He Who was incarnate of thee hath manifested Himself in splendour unto those who chant: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
He Who wrestled with Jacob, prefiguring the ineffable union in thee, O pure one, whereby He willingly united Himself to mankind, is the most divine and supremely glorified God of our fathers!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The vile one who had not proclaimed Thee, the Son of the Virgin, to be One of the all-hymned Trinity, cried out with steadfast thought and with his tongue: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!
Canon I of the Saints
Irmos:Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O all-blessed Peter and all-praised Fevronia, deliver those who flee unto you amid sickness and who cry out unto Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Be ye a refuge for all and tranquillity untouched by storms for those amid sins, that with you we also may cry out to Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Be ye a refuge for me on the day of wrath, O divinely blessed ones, for I walk among many snares; wherefore, deliver me from them, that I may hymn you.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Today the all-glorious memorial of Peter and Fevronia hath shone forth in the world like the sun; and gathering together for it, we all chant thus: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The Drop, divinely flowing, that was born of thee, O Virgin Theotokos, hath sanctified the world. Pour forth upon me the drops of mercy that sanctify the souls and minds of those on earth.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:The young men raised together in piety, disdaining the impious command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Among all lands did the word spread that all-glorious wonderworkers had appeared to the city of Murom, who grant a multitude of healings unto all who have recourse unto them and hymn them with faith.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Lo! From all cities and lands have hierarchs and priests, monks and lay folk, the rich and the poor, hastened now, all of them rejoicing together, to render praise unto you, O ye who are blessed of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Like a flower didst thou flourish in thy miracles, O all-glorious Peter, as saith the prophet: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree. Wherefore, all of us now glorify thee, O blessed one.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thee, O most holy and pure one, do thy servants ever entreat, day and night, with contrite mind, asking that we be granted deliverance from our sins through thy supplications.
Ode VIII
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image and beholding the immutable and living image of God, chanted in the midst of the fire: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Through thee did He Who is incomparable in grace and might become visible on earth and dwell with men. Chanting unto Him, O all ye faithful, let us cry out: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Truly proclaiming thee the pure one, we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou gavest birth to the One of the Trinity Who became incarnate. And to Him, with the Father and the Spirit, we sing: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Canon I of the Saints
Irmos:The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Wash away and forgive our offenses, O Sinless One, through the supplications of Peter and Fevronia who pleased Thee, that we may hymn Thee, O Christ, forever.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Accept the praise offered unto you with an unworthy hand from the depths of my heart, O blessed ones, and make entreaty in our behalf unto Christ God.
Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
Remit the offences of the singers who hymn Thee, O all-holy Trinity, in that Thou art all-good, through the supplications of Peter and Fevronia, that we may hymn Thee forever.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
As thou art the vessel of divinity, O pure one, enlighten me, that I may walk in the commandments of the Light Who shone forth from thy womb and hath illumined the hearts of the faithful, O all-pure one,.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
The ranks of angels praise you, O all-glorious ones, and the generations of men hymn you unceasingly, celebrating your memory with faith.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
O Christ God, grant me the intelligence and sense to hymn the all-glorious wonderworkers with worthy praises, that, rejoicing, I may hymn their memory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Truly victory hath been proclaimed by the faithful, for Peter and Fevronia have shown themselves to be mighty allies amid misfortunes.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Cure the passions of my heart, O all-pure one who gavest birth to God the King; and show me to share in the lot of the righteous, O Virgin Theotokos, entreating Christ thy Son.
Ode IX
Canon of the Theotokos
Irmos:Thou art all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God, Son of the Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints. Wherefore, we magnify Thee and her who gaveth Thee birth.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
In thy womb, O pure one, the Word of God was given to corruptible nature as a staff of strength. And He restored what had been dragged down to hell. Wherefore, we magnify thee, O all-pure one, as the Theotokos.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Master, mercifully accept Thy Mother as an intercessor in our behalf, as Thou hast willed, and all things will be filled with Thy goodness, that we all may magnify Thee as our Benefactor.
Canon I of the Saints
Irmos:Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Possessed of a conscience pure before God from your youth, ye therefore lived in piety and have passed over to the Most High. Entreat Christ God in our behalf, that we may Honour you with love.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
As ye stand before the Holy Trinity with the venerable and the righteous, O blessed ones, pray ye that He deliver us from wrath and every threat, that we may unceasingly magnify you.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Thy people beseech thee, O Peter blessed of God: with the all-wise Fevronia, with whom thou didst live a God-pleasing life in the world, entreat Christ to deliver us from all evils.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O great wonder! How did Christ God, Whom naught can contain, make His abode in thy womb? Beseech Him in behalf of those who praise thee, O Virgin, that He ever deliver us from misfortunes and from iniquitous men.
Canon II of the Saints
Irmos:The radiant cloud upon which the beginningless Master of all descended from heaven, like rain upon the fleece, and of whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Comely of soul and body, and resplendent in piety, O glorious Peter, full of divine understanding and wisdom thou wast an instrument of the Holy Spirit; and thou hast passed over, rejoicing, to immortal life, to endless bliss.
Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.
Your feast hath appeared like he morn, like the radiant day, O glorious ones, and all manner of healings pour forth from your shrine like a stream, watering the hearts of the faithful, who honour you with love.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast been found to be a great shield and a mighty fortress for the land of Russia, O blessed Peter and Fevronia, the boast of the Orthodox people and their glory among all the nations. And now we beseech you to preserve our homeland from barbarian invasion.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most immaculate one who gavest birth to the divine Light, enlighten me who am benighted by all the assaults of the evil one, who live in despondency and anger God, and guide me unto good works, for thou art the cause of all good things.
Troparion, Tone VIII: Having lived well in piety, O blessed Peter, thou wast like a most precious offshoot of the root of piety; and thus having pleased God in peace with thy spouse, the all-wise Fevronia, ye were vouchsafed the life of the holy monastics. With them pray ye to the Lord, that He preserve your homeland unharmed, that we may honour you unceasingly.
O great favourites of God and all-wondrous wonderworkers, right-believing Price Peter and Princess Fevronia, intercessors for the city of Murom, preservers of honourable marriage and diligent advocates for all of us before the Lord! In the days of your earthly life ye showed forth a model of piety, Christian love and fidelity one to another, and thereby glorified lawful and blessed marriage. Wherefore, we have recourse unto you and pray with mighty zeal: Offer your holy supplications unto the Lord God for us sinners, and ask for us all things of goodly benefit to our souls and bodies: right faith, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, success in good works*; and by your supplications grant even more unto those united by the bond of matrimony chastity, love for one another in the bond of peace, oneness of mind of souls and bodies, an unsullied marriage bed, an undisgraced sojourn, long-lived progeny, the favour of children, homes full of goodness, and the imperishable crown everlasting glory in eternal life. Yea, O holy wonderworkers, disdain not our prayers which are offered unto you with compunction, but be ye our faithful helpers before the Lord, and vouchsafe that through your intercession we may receive eternal salvation and inherit the kingdom of heaven, that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of God Who is worshiped in Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – unto ages of ages. Amen.
It was a joy to celebrate the feast of the Holy, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John in Nazareth House today, and even though there were only a dozen of us for Liturgy, in no way did it detract from the beauty of solemnity of this feast of the birth of the first among the saints.
Many thanks to George for reading at vespers of the eve of the feast and to Margarita and Alexander for chanting on the kliros for this morning’s Liturgy, and “Many Years” to our starosta, Norman John, whom we congratulated on his name day.
Recalling the Saviour’s own words, “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist”, in the spiritual hierarchy of God-pleasers, St John the Forerunner is always called upon first after the Mother of God and before all other saints, even though he was a figure from the Old Covenant of the House of Israel, though antithetical to its spiritually, morally and politically corrupt establishment; the last of the prophets and the messenger proclaiming the coming dawn of Christ, the Light of the world; a wild, difficult and disturbing character, prophesying, accusing and challenging the world and society around him; a link between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the Old Israel and the New Israel.
His arena was neither Temple nor synagogue, not even the physical environs of Jewish society, but the wilds and wastes of the Judaean desert, to which people flocked to hear his spiritual message as he “made straight the way of the Lord.”
Among the rocks and wadis, he had neither attachment or constraint, hardly belonging to the world, and labouring only for the coming of the Messiah: his authority coming only from God, and not from the establishment, for which he was a thorn in the side, and a challenge whom it could not control.
Such was the will of God, that the Forerunner was an essential part in the unfolding economy of salvation, proclaiming the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, baptising Him in the waters of the Jordan, and calling pious Jews to the repentance that would make them ready-soil for the seed of the Gospel.
In the third chapter of the Gospel of St John, we read the Forerunner’s words:
“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”
Such was his centrality in the unfolding of salvation, his intimate link to the Saviour, and his planning and arranging for the coming union of Christ and His yet to revealed bride, the Church, that she calls him the ‘Friend of the Bridegroom’ – who, in Judaism, would have been called the shoshbin: the trusted intermediary, wedding arranger and attester to the consummation of a marriage.
Making straight the way of the Lord, preaching repentance to Israel and performing the symbolic baptism of repentance, John prepared the future bride for her marriage to the Saviour, the Bridegroom of the Church.
His work done, he was glad to diminish in the world once his kinsman in the flesh, the God-Man, Jesus Christ had appeared, suffering martyrdom once his preparatory work was done.
Even though his very life was a miracle and he was set apart, in St John, there was no ego, no self-interest, no personal agenda – only selfless labour for Christ the Bridegroom, according to God’s will and purpose, not his own.
Let us emulate his selflessness and humility, seeking neither power, position, reputation, recognition or credit, but rather labour for Christ, fearlessly and with boldness, uncompromisingly witnessing to Christ the Light of the World, and seeking not to sycophantically please the modern Herods among politicians, political-paymasters, ideologues and pedagogues advocating spiritual relativism, woke-ism and moral degradation.
Inspired by St John, our challenge is not to allow politeness, niceness and political expediency, to stifle the voice of truth and righteousness, or to tempt us to embrace the growing spiritual and moral relativism of ‘tolerant’ society, but rather to maintain and defend the absolute Truths which have been revealed to us as Christians shaped by the Gospel and the Faith of the Church.
As some Church leaders and archpastors make peace and concord with the spirit of Herod, the Church and the world needs us all to be emulators of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, and it is the uncomfortable and challenging voices of those crying in the wilderness that will show the way to Christ’s Kingdom and the great wedding feast of the Bridegroom.
Greetings as we celebrate the feast of the Meeting of the Vladimirskaya icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, commemorating the deliverance of Moscow from the advancing armies of Khan Ahmet in 1480, through the intercessions of the Mother of God.
On arriving at the Ugra River in the region, with Ivan III, Grand Duke of Moscow waiting on the other bank, the Tartars were suddenly filled with fear and the Khan would not cross the river, but suddenly retreated to the steppe.
This feast, with an annual Cross procession bearing the Vladimirskaya icon from the Kremlin’s Cathedral to the Sretensky monastery was established.
We began the feast with the celebration of Great Vespers in Llanelli, this evening, and the canon for this most beloved icon is posted below.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The Canon of the Meeting of the Icon, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Mistress, illumine our souls with divine radiance, with thy grace which passeth understanding, and grant me the bountiful gift to hymn thee as the helper of human nature, O all-hymned one, faithful ally against all heresies for our pious Orthodox hierarchs.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Come ye, let us gather together, O ye assemblies of Russia, in the all-honourable temple of the most immaculate Mistress, and let us chant with compunction, praying before the precious image, and crying aloud: O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock, save those who praise thee!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The most godly Luke, the divinely eloquent recorder of the glad tidings of Christ, in painting thy most precious image, O Mother of God, depicted the Creator of all in thine honoured arms. And those who have recourse thereto thou deliverest from perils and grief, and coverest all with thy mercy.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Creator of all, finding thee alone to be an all-comely temple, made His abode within thee and hath deified men. Pray thou to Him for us, O Theotokos, that He save us from capture by the heathen and from every other tribulation which assaileth us, that with all honor we may celebrate the meeting of thine image today.
Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Putting aside all earthly thought, O ye divinely wise, come ye to greet the all-comely beam who holdeth the all-luminous Ray Who enlighteneth and enricheth the whole world with mercy.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Having acquired thy most precious and wonder-working icon as a mighty ally and an impregnable rampart, O Mother of God, the princes of Russia pray to thee, that thou grant victory over all heresies to our pious Orthodox hierarchs.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast been shown to be a radiant cloud washing clean the defilements of our bodies with the dew of grace and enlightening our souls, O thou who alone art most hymned.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou hast been revealed as a most fruitful tree delighting all with food which perisheth not, and gladdening men’s souls, O pure Bride of God. Pour forth goodly gifts upon all, and save us from violent tribulations.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn,Tone IV, Spec. Mel “Joseph marvelled…”: O ye God-loving people, come to greet the Virgin! For, lo! she who surpasseth all the prophets doth arrive, bearing in the arms of her precious image Him Who bestoweth life upon the world, that she might preserve her suffering city, cast down the boldness of the barbarians and show herself to be the steadfast guardian of all who entreat her might and protection with faith.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ode IV, Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God – the Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virgin – the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The true and radiant Sun hath shown forth the all-great mountain, from whence came the Stone that was cut not by the hand of man, which hath crushed all temptations to dust and illumined the faithful, shedding light in rays, O Ever-virgin Theotokos.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The children of Hagar arm themselves against thy people, O pure Theotokos, taking evil counsel, razing cities and destroying the faithful; yet do thou annihilate them all by thy mercy, O most hymned one, granting ascendancy to the Orthodox Faith over their false religion.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O only Mother of God, thou animate heaven who received the great Light, illumining all, dispel the darkness of the misfortunes which have beset us, and vouchsafe unto us communion with the Most High.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
David danced before the ark, and the Levites chanted hymns; and all the more doth Russia sing praises before thee as Queen, O pure Theotokos, earnestly giving utterance to thee with voices of entreaty: Rejoice, O ally of our city!
Ode V, Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thee, O Mother of God, did Isaiah, great among the prophets, behold in the Spirit as containing within thy womb the burning Ember Who illumineth the faithful and utterly consumeth all temptations, saving the human race.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Thou didst put forth the Rod of Aaron and hast uprooted the root of evil, O Virgin Bride of God, having given birth for the world unto the Bestower of life. Him do thou beseech, that this city be saved from manifold perils.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With gladness approach ye now the most honoured Mother of God, O divinely chosen flock, ye assemblies of Russia, and lovingly receive her precious image. For, lo! her grace is inexhaustible, pouring forth divine waters in abundance. Her do we honour, and we bow down before her precious image.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
From the root of Jesse the Tree of life hath grown forth for all, and thou didst produce its Fruit in thy womb, O pure Virgin, nurturing all men with thy mercy.
Ode VI, Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
From thee, O Mother of God, hath a Torrent of sweetness issued forth, giving drink to all men and washing their souls clean of defilement. O Mistress Theotokos, save all who with faith bow down before thy precious image.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Having assembled together, let us all hymn the pure Virgin, the divinely chosen Maiden of Jacob, the fleece of Gideon, the mediatress of joy, the might and boast of those who are saved, the pure Theotokos.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Behold, gladness now draweth nigh, and sorrow is destroyed! The faithful are saved, drawing forth joy as from a wellspring, and they chant continually in praise: Rejoice, O pure Mistress, thou inception of our salvation, bulwark and boast of all the faithful!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By thine entreaties grant us thine aid, O all-pure Theotokos, for sorrows descend upon us, griefs have multiplied, and the enemy array themselves against us. Yet, interceding, O all-pure one, deliver us: cast down the arrogance of our foes and grant us victory over our enemies, that all who do evil to thy servants may be put to shame.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “To thee, the chosen leader…”: As ones delivered from evils by the arrival of thy precious image, O Mistress Theotokos, do we splendidly chant hymns of victory to thee, the chosen leader, on the feast of thy meeting, and we cry to thee as is our wont: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Ikos: An angelic messenger was sent from heaven to say to the Theotokos: “Rejoice!”, with his incorporeal voice, O Lord; And perceiving Thee incarnate, he was filled with awe and stood, crying out to her such things as these: Rejoice, thou through whom Joy hath shone forth; rejoice, thou who didst annul the curse! Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam; rejoice, deliverance of Eve from tears! Rejoice, height not easily scaled by the thoughts of men; rejoice, depth not easily plumbed even by the eyes of angels! Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King; rejoice, for thou bearest Him Who bearest all things! Rejoice, thou star who revealest the Sun; rejoice, womb of the incarnation of God! Rejoice, thou through whom creation hath been restored; rejoice, thou by whom the Creator is worshipped! Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!
Ode VII, Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Arrayed by thee as in purple and fine linen dyed scarlet, O Mistress Virgin Theotokos, thy city magnifieth Christ and glorifieth the arrival of thy precious image, which hath appeared outshining the rays of the sun and illumining with light undimmed those who sing aloud thy praises.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The tablets divinely inscribed by the finger of the Spirit did Moses break in anger; yet the all-glorious Creator Who made His abode within thee, O pure one, preserved thee unharmed. To Him do we chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Accept the entreaties of thy servants, O all-pure Virgin Theotokos. By thy supplications still thou the restless tempest, and drive away the councils of the adverse foe who fall upon thy flock, O most immaculate Mistress.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By His nativity the Creator of all signified that thou alone art the helper of the human race, O Theotokos Mary, and the prophet prefigured thee: one as the gate, another as the bower of God. And we hymn thee as the Mother of God, our mediatress before God, our ally against all the evils which assail us.
Ode VIII, Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace – then in figure, but now in deed – and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
How can we hymn thee as is meet, O Virgin: our steadfast help, the preserver of our life, our sure mediatress before thy Son and our God? Him do we hymn and exalt supremely forever!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Mary Theotokos, thou all-comely flower, rich fragrance: thou fillest all with sweet savour, savest and deliverest from infirmities, and dispellest the demons; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O helper of all the faithful who pray to thee!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast shown thyself to be a tower repelling the assaults of the adversary, O Mother of God; for thou hast been revealed as a bulwark and rampart, a refuge of salvation for all who honour thee with ardent hearts.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Like David we chant a hymn to thee, calling thee the mountain of God, O all-pure Virgin; for thou hast poured forth upon us the ever-flowing Wellspring. Him do we hymn and exalt supremely forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O pure Theotokos, mediatress of Joy, gladden thou our minds, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O our guardian, might and protection, our refuge of salvation!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Let heaven and earth praise thee together, in that thou gavest birth to the Bestower of life for the world: Rejoice, O tranquil haven, thou inexhaustible wellspring of the water of life, O Mistress!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ye people, having assembled today to greet the all-pure Mother of God who bore the Fruit of the noetic vine Who ever exudeth the Wine which filleth all with gladness, let us glorify the Theotokos as is meet.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, thou divine river of the waters of life who watereth all valleys: drown thou our temptations, and destroy them utterly.
Troparion, Tone IV: Today the most glorious city of Moscow is adorned, having received thy wonder-working icon like the radiance of the sun; and we, hastening to it and entreating thee, O Mistress, do thus cry out: O all-wondrous Mistress Theotokos, entreat Christ our God, Who became incarnate through thee, that He deliver this city, and all cities and lands where Christians dwell, unharmed by all the assaults of the enemy, and save thou our souls, in that thou art compassionate.
Today is the anniversary of the finding of the precious relics of St Maximos the Greek – the New-Confessor – in the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra in 1997.
The Canon from his feast day service, in January, is posted below, for anyone who wishes to honour St Maximos, by chanting it today.
The Canon to the Venerable Maximos the Greek, 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.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
What tongue, O all-wondrous father, is able fittingly to hymn thy great corrections, sublime teaching, thy martyric suffering and long-suffering in prison and bonds?
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
What tongue, O all-wondrous father, is able fittingly to hymn thy great corrections, sublime teaching, thy martyric suffering and long-suffering in prison and bonds?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How shall we hymn and what shall we call thee, O all-valiant father? Prophet, in that thou didst easily foretell what we have come to know and recognise? Apostle, for by the teachings of divine Scriptures thou didst make steadfast the Christian Faith, which was shaken by contrary winds? Or teacher, for truly thou art an instructor no less than or inferior to the great œcumenical teachers.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O ye people, let us all hymn the holiness and glory of the all-pure and most hymned Mother of God, who is higher than the heavens and all the noetic hosts, and who bore Emmanuel in her all-pure womb, for she is holy and all-glorious!
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.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
In thy heart, O venerable Maximos, thou didst establish divine fear, having hated all carnal lusts; wherefore, as a simple child thou wast made wise, and thou didst hasten after the Lord.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Having the Lord Jesus Christ as thy confirmation, O venerable Maximos, to thy kinsmen, friends and acquaintance thou didst become like an unknown stranger, homeless, bereft of homeland and possessions, and misunderstood.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Anchoring thyself to the commandments of the Lord, through the bitterness of imprisonment thou didst become as one dead for a long time; yet thou didst make supplication in behalf of those of evil ways, saying: “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, hold not to account for this sin those who slander me with lies!”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Render us steadfast for thy laudation, O Virgin, and preserve us from harm and every wile of the evil one; and vouchsafe that we may stand at the right hand of thine only-begotten Son, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, unto the ages of ages.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone IV: Having adorned thy mind with the divinely inspired Scriptures, with watchful prayer and God-pleasing vigils thou didst confirm thy heart in the Lord by keeping His salvific commandments; wherefore, Athos and the people of Russia continually glorify thee, and the Monastery of Vatopedi crieth out with us: O all-wise Maximos, forsake us not who pray to thee!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: I beseech thee, O all-pure Mother of God Most High, only consolation of my soul, my hope, delight, divine protection, light, help and salvation: By thy supplications vouchsafe that I may hear the voice which calleth the blessed to enter the bridal-chamber of the Master.
Ode IV, Irmos:Great is the mystery of Thy dispensation, O Christ! For, foreseeing it with divine vision from above, Habbakuk cried out to Thee: Thou hast come for the salvation of Thy people, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
No secret false heretical teaching could stay concealed from thee, O venerable Maximos; but through the grace of the worshipful Holy Spirit they were all unmasked by thee.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Thou not only showed thyself to be a true and faithful champion of the mystical dogmas of the Orthodox Faith, but thou wast shown to be a finely honed scythe for the mowing down of all heresies under the sun.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast truly shown to be an initiate of the mysteries of the Holy Spirit, a lover of the life of heaven and a teacher of the law of the Lord, O all-wise Maximos.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Moses, who beheld God, was taught a great mystery when he saw the unburnt bush: the bush is the weakness of human nature, and the fire is the divinity of the only-begotten Son of God; for our God is a Fire which devoureth our sins, as the divine apostle saith.
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!
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
The moon at night and the sun during the day enlighten and gladden all visible creation; and the manner of life and the wisdom of the saints enlighten and gladden the souls of all men who desire to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. Thus also do the writings of the venerable Maximos the Greek sound forth like divinely blown trumpets.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
When thou didst pray at night in thy prison-cell, by the providence of the divine and all-good Trinity the angel of the Lord heard thee, and said: “O elder, thanks to these torments thou shalt avoid eternal torments.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
At night, O all-wise Maximos, thou didst sing like a sweet-voiced and melodious nightingale: “Be not grieved, neither sorrowful nor downcast, O my beloved soul! Thou sufferest unjustly, yet thy reward will be great in the heavens!”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rising at dawn, we hymn thee, O Virgin, the daughter of the King, arrayed in golden vesture inwrought with many colors, the ladder which Jacob beheld, the mountain whereon God was well-pleased to dwell, for the Lord made His abode there to the end.
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.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Like a prophet thou didst rebuke the people, O venerable Maximos, leading them to repentance, saying: “We have strayed, we strayed from the straight and unerring way of life which holy monks lead, and we mindlessly run after the honours of high positions.”
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a prophet of repentance, O venerable Maximos, acquiring watchfulness of soul through divine discourse, and leading up from the pit of the passions those benighted by sins.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The writings of the prophets, which were uttered in secret, didst thou make plain, O all-wise Maximos; wherefore, all men ever pay great heed to thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The prophets proclaimed thee beforehand, O pure Virgin, the apostles preached thee, all the saints called thee blessed, and we cry out with the archangel: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee!”
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone VIII: With divinely inspired writings and the preaching of theology didst thou denounce the vanity of the heretics, O thou who art most rich; and establishing them firmly in Orthodoxy, thou didst guide them to the path of true understanding. And like a divinely melodious harp thou didst delight and unceasingly gladden the minds of those who hearkened unto thee, O right wondrous Maximos. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Entreat Christ God, that He send down remission of sins upon those who with faith hymn thy most holy dormition, O Maximos our father.
Ikos: How can we hymn the all-valiant Maximos, the namesake of greatness, the beauteous crown of the venerable, the firm rule of athletes, the true humiliation of heretics, the unshakable pillar of the Church, the renowned instructor of the virginal and champion of honourable marriage, the all-wise sage of philosophers, the ever-flowing fountain of Truth, the boast of monks and true adornment of all men? Wherefore, we beseech thee, O right wondrous Maximos: Entreat Christ God, that He send down remission of sins upon those who with faith hymn thy most holy dormition, O Maximos our father.
Ode VII, Irmos: When the people were summoned with the sound of music to worship the image, the children of David, chanting the songs of Sion like their fathers, rejected the wicked edict of the tyrant and transformed the flame into dew, singing the hymn: O supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Giving utterance to a hymn of thanksgiving to the image of the providence of the all-holy Trinity, O venerable Maximos, thou didst summon us all to bless in purity the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the one God in three Hypostases.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
O holy Maximos, thou wast shown to be a model of the endurance of evils, and of patience and prayer, and even more of hope, for God the Judge is just, mighty and long-suffering, and He will render unto each according to his deeds.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst acquire the image of sublime theology, O all-wise Maximos, that is the dogmas of the divine apostles and fathers, poured forth by the Holy Paraclete, whereby thou teachest us with thy divine wise writings.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The image of thine all-pure birthgiving is ineffable and incomprehensible, O Virgin Mother; for thou didst become the dwelling-place of the preëternal and only-begotten Son of the Father, without being consumed by Him.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Hymn the Lord, Who preserved the children in the burning fiery furnace and descended unto them in the guise of an angel, and exalt Him supremely forever!
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Thou didst desire the radiance of the flame of the divine Paraclete, O venerable Maximos; wherefore, with the most sweet light of doctrine and the fire of miracles thou didst drive away all the darkness of the demons.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Thou didst teach men to flee the flame of Gehenna, O venerable Maximos, calling upon them to embody the commandments of Christ in deed, and to shun malice, fornication, lying, pride, falsehood and the unjust theft of things which belong to others.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As with flame thou didst burn up the ungodliness of heretics, O all-wise Maximos, making brilliant the divine confession of the unblemished Christian Faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Moses the God-seer beheld thee in the fiery flame of the burning bush, O all-pure Virgin, and proclaimed thy seedless birthgiving; wherefore, free us from the carnal passions.
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.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
We know thee to be a radiant lamp, an excellent mind and an unshakable pillar; and we proclaim thee an instructor of monks and a denouncer of heresies.
Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us.
Thou didst shine forth brilliantly from the noonday lands, O venerable Maximos, exhibiting a splendid manner of life, dispelling the darkness of evil, and shining forth in right pleasing supplication.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As a torch of divine understanding, thou didst attain unto the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming a perfect man according to the measure of the stature of Christ; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Truly blessed art thou in all things, through the struggles, glory and grace which thou didst receive from on high!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In hymns we magnify aloud thee who art a radiant beacon amid the night of the passions, a shelter of goodness, and an unassailable defence against the assaults of the enemy.
Troparion, Tone VIII: Made brilliant by the radiance of the Spirit, through divine wisdom thou wast vouchsafed the intelligence of the rhetors, enlightening with the light of piety the hearts of men, which were darkened by ignorance; and thou wast shown to be a most splendid lamp of Orthodoxy, O venerable Maximus. Wherefore, having become a stranger and wanderer in thy zeal for Him Who seeth all things, thou wast a sojourner in the land of Russia, suffering imprisonment and incarceration at the command of the sovereign; yet thou art crowned by the right hand of the Most High, and workest all-glorious miracles. Be thou also a true mediator for us who honour thy holy memory with love.
Having preserved her icon from destruction over the centuries, the Mother of God’s miraculous help was shown especially during the onslaught against Faith after the Russian Revolution, when the icon escaped destruction or being sold, but remained in the Tikhvin Monastery, loved and cherished by the faithful.
It was a joy to celebrate the feast of the Holy, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John in Nazareth House today, and even though there were only a dozen of us for Liturgy, in no way did it detract from the beauty of solemnity of this feast of the birth of the first among the saints.
