A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О Theotokos, grant me contrition and spiritual tears, that I may weep for my many transgressions and my failure to correct my conscience. О Maiden, I entreat thy loving-kindness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Stumbling over my thoughts, I fall headlong into the abyss of destruction. О Virgin, I now entreat thy help: set thou unshakeably the weakness of my mind upon the firm rock of the commandments of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I bear the barrenness of the fig tree, and fear felling and disputation, lest my Creator and God send me into the fire. О Lady, anticipating my needs, render me fruitful in works of repentance, that I may glorify thee.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I beseech thee, О most pure one who art full of grace, in that thou art the immaculate temple of the King, with chastity and a pure life cleanse thou my heart, which hath been defiled by unseemly passions, and enrich it with grace.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by Thy Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in Thy love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Many are they who war against me and afflict me, and I can find no ease of deliverance from those who beset me; yet disdain not my prayer, О pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Weighed down by a multitude of evils and my manifold transgressions, I am unable to lift up mine eyes to the heights of heaven; yet do thou grant me remission, О most pure one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All my days the evil serpent strives to destroy my lowly soul; yet do thou break his soul-destroying fangs, О Theotokos.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Theotokos, deliver me from all the misfortunes which beset me, thy servant, and from tempests of sin, and by thy supplications direct me to the haven of salvation.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lord!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I tremble, considering the depths of my sins and the grievous and great billows of mine adverse thoughts; yet do thou direct and pilot me to the calm haven, О most pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grievous ignorance, incomprehension and the heedlessness of mine evils have now come upon my soul; yet do thou, О most pure one, lead me to repentance for those things which I have done.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With streams of tears extinguish the fire of the passions and with the fire of the Spirit bum up the thorns and billows of life which choke my mind, О Theotokos, for thou art my protection and boast.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I am wholly engulfed by the tumult and threefold billows of perils and evil thoughts, and ever dragged down into the abyss of despair, I cry to thee: О Lady, save me, thy servant!
Ode V, Irmos: The Invisible One hath appeared on earth, * and the Unapproachable One hath willingly dwelt among mankind; * and, rising early at dawn, we hymn Thee, * O Lover of mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou knowest the pain of my soul, the weakness of my flesh and the corruption and inconstancy of my mind, О Lady. Wherefore, grant me thy mercy and grace, that, saved by thy protection, I may glorify thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deny me not thy loving-kindness and compassion, О all-immaculate Lady; but grant thy mercies, and the release and forgiveness of mine evil deeds to me who approach thee in compunction, that I may hymn thy mighty acts with thanksgiving.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Those who hate me in vain and oppress me have now increased in number more than the hairs of my head, О pure Virgin, seeking to destroy me and make of me food for them to devour; wherefore, turn them back, filling them with shame.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О pure Virgin who hast given peace to the world and salvation unto all, having given birth to divine Peace, with the peace and love of Christ the Saviour quell thou the battle of the passions against my soul and body.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perisheth. * but do Thou, O Master, stretch forth Thy lofty arm * and like Peter O Helmsman, * do Thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
There is no one on earth who lives as wickedly as I do in deed, word and action. Wherefore, О Lady, I beg thee to grant me the mercies of thy love for mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Actions of evil transgression beget grief for all; wherefore, we are now beset by bitter perils. Help us, О thou who alone art the salvation of Christians!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast given birth, yet hast remained pure after birth-giving, О Virgin Theotokos; wherefore, do thou ever entreat thine Offspring, that we, thy servants, may be delivered from all the harm of the enemy.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the supplications of Thy most pure Mother, of all the prophets, martyrs and sacred disciples, О Word of God, grant us peace and the cleansing of transgressions.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, Tone III: I have passed my whole life in great slothfulness, О most pure one, and have now drawn nigh unto my departure from this time; and I am afraid of mine enemies, lest they destroy my soul, О all-immaculate one, and cast me into the abyss of destruction. Yet take pity on thy servant, О Virgin, and deliver me from their affliction.
Ode VII, Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew * the three pious children in the Chaldean flames, * so also with the radiant fire of Thy divinity * illumine us who cry to Thee, * ‘Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Defiled in body and soul, and sullied by mine unclean acts, I beseech thee, the pure and immaculate Mother of God, О Lady, trusting in thy mercy: Have pity on me, О most pure one!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The multitude of my transgressions and temptation of evils fill me greatly with perplexity and drag me down into the abyss of despondency; but do thou, О most pure Lady, save me who am perishing and cruelly drowning.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In the magnitude of the compassions of thy goodness, О Good One, overlook the multitude of our sins, and be thou well disposed toward those who cry out unceasingly: Blessed art Thou, О Lord God of our fathers!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О pure and blessed one, from the mire of the passions and the depths of sorrows and the perils of life do thou draw toward dispassion and gladsome joy us who cry: Thou alone art full of the grace of God!
Ode VIII, Irmos: The flame of material fire withered * through the immaterial flame brought about by the god-seeing children, * wherefore they chanted: * Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The bitterness of pleasures, overcoming all the senses of my body, doth foully sully my soul, drawing me toward death. О Sovereign Lady of the world, be thou my salvation!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
To thee have I entrusted soul, heart and body, for I have no other help than thee, О Lady, through whom I obtain mercy; wherefore, grant me thy rich mercy and grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Poisoning me with his venom, the serpent hath grievously slain my wretched soul with bodily death; yet bring it to life again, using thy supplications as remedies to counter the adversary.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О thou who hast given birth to God the Saviour, the Prince of peace, beseech Him, that He quickly bestow peace upon the world, that we may glorify Him in peace.
Ode IX, Irmos: We magnify thee, the unburnt bush, * the holy Virgin, * and the Mother of the Light, * the Theotokos, the hope of us all.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Wash away the defilement of passionate thought from my mind, О pure one, clothing me in the splendid robe of dispassion.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Open unto me the divine portals of repentance, О Virgin, terminating and hindering my passions and pleasures.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Hearken unto the voice of my groaning, the voice of my lamentation, and grant cleansing and salvation to my wretched soul, О all-immaculate Virgin.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Verily and in truth Daniel the Prophet beheld thine Offspring, О Virgin, and he called Him Who sitteth on the throne the Ancient of days.
Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
The great benefactions and gifts, the graces and divine illuminations of Thine incomprehensible and divine Incarnation, do Thou abundantly pour forth and shine upon us, O Master.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
At Mid-feast Thou hast come, O Christ, manifestly sending forth the radiant flashes of Thy Godhead; for Thou art the joyous Festival of the saved and the Cause of our salvation.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou art become wisdom, righteousness from God, and redemption for us, O Lord. Thou dost convey us from earth to the height of Heaven, and dost grant us the Divine Spirit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy flesh knew not corruption in the sepulchre, O Master. Rather, inasmuch as it was formed without seed, it received not corruption, for in a transcendent manner it was not subject to the order of nature.
Second canon, in tone VIII – a composition of Andrew of Crete
Irmos: Thou didst make the sea a wall…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Clap your hands, O ye nations; lament, O ye Hebrews. For Christ, the Giver of Life, hath broken asunder the bonds of Hades, and hath raised up the dead and healed sicknesses by a word. This is our God, Who granteth life unto them that believe in His Name.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst show a wonder by changing the water into wine, O Master, Who didst change the rivers of Egypt into blood. Thou didst also raise up the dead, accomplishing this sign in these latter times. Glory be to Thine ineffable counsel, O Saviour; glory be to Thy self-abasement, whereby Thou hast renewed us.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou art an ever-flowing stream of true life, O Lord; Thou art our Resurrection. Willingly didst Thou become weary, O my Saviour, and willingly didst Thou thirst, submitting to the laws of nature. And when Thou didst come to Sychar in the flesh, Thou didst ask the Samaritan woman for water, that Thou mightest drink.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst bless the loaves and multiply the fish, O incomprehensible God; Thou didst fill the people bounteously and didst promise an ever-flowing spring of wisdom to them that thirst. Thou art our God, O Saviour, Who givest life unto them that believe in Thy Name.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I glorify the Three Who are co-Unoriginate and of equal sovereignty: the Father, Who is Unoriginate God; the Son, Who is co- Unoriginate; and the Spirit, Who is co-eternal with the Son; one essence in three Hypostases. I praise and honour one supreme sovereign Principle of the Unoriginate Godhead and Essence.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou alone didst contain within thy womb the Creator, O Theotokos, ineffably conceiving Him in the flesh yet remaining a Virgin, while thy virginity in no wise suffered harm. Do thou ever entreat Him unceasingly on behalf of thy flock, since He is thy Son and God.
Katavasia: Thou didst make the sea a wall; * Thou didst overwhelm boastful Pharaoh in the deep * together with his chariots. * Thou didst save the people dry-shod, O Lord, * and didst lead them forth to a mountain of sanctification, as they cried: * We shall sing a song of victory to Thee, our God, * for Thou hast been glorified.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church, O Christ, rejoiceth in Thee crying aloud: * Thou, O Lord, art my strength, * my refuge and foundation.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst open unto the Church the springs of life-creating waters, O Good One, and didst cry: If any zealous man thirst, let him come and drink.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst say plainly that Thou wouldst be lifted up from earth unto Heaven, and Thou didst promise to send the Holy Spirit from thence.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Lord, Who by nature is life-creating and Who was born of a Virgin, hath granted incorruption unto all the faithful, since He is compassionate.
Irmos: My heart is established…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O ye Jews; thus, as it is written, said the Master when He came unto the temple and taught at the Judaic Mid-feast.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Do not judge a judgment according to appearance, O ye Jews, for Christ is come. The Prophets named Him: He that cometh from Sion and hath restored the world.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Even though ye believe not His Words, O ye Jews, be convinced by the works of the Master. Why do ye deceive yourselves and disregard the Holy One, of Whom Moses wrote in the Law?
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
If the Messiah must assuredly come, O ye Jews, then the Messiah hath now come, Who is Christ. Why do ye deceive yourselves and disregard the Righteous One, of Whom Moses wrote in the Law?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship Thee, O Father, Who art Unoriginate in Thine essence, and we piously praise Thine Unoriginate Son and the all-holy Spirit, O ye Three Who are by nature one God.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Though Thou art one of the Trinity, Thou didst assume flesh, neither undergoing change in Thine essence nor burning the uncorrupted womb of her that gave birth to Thee, O Lord, Who art wholly God and Fire.
Katavasia: My heart is established in the Lord, * my horn is exalted in my God, * my mouth is enlarged against mine enemies, * and I rejoice in Thy salvation.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymns, Tone VIII: At Mid-feast Thou didst stand in the temple’s court * in a god-befitting manner * and didst cry aloud: * Let him who doth suffer thirst now draw nigh unto Me and drink. * He that drinketh of the sacred water that I shall give, * from within shall the springs of My teachings issue forth. * Whosoever doth believe that the Divine Father hath sent Me, * and that I came forth from Him, * with Me he shall be glorified. * Therefore we cry unto Thee: * Glory be to Thee, O Christ God, * Who dost cause the streams of Thy great love for mankind, * to abundantly well forth unto us, Thy servants.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Tone VIII: Thou, O Saviour, dost pour out for all the world living waters * of wisdom and endless life, * inviting all to partake and to drink thereof; * for he who receiveth and keepeth Thy holy law * doth thereby quench the coals of deception. * Wherefore, he shall not thirst throughout the ages, * nor fail to be filled with Thee, O Master King of Heaven. * For this cause we glorify Thy power, O Christ God, * asking that the forgiveness of sins ** be abundantly granted unto us, Thy servants.
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Having shattered the gates of death by Thy might, Thou hast made known the ways of life; and Thou didst open the gates of immortality unto them that cry with faith: Glory be to Thy power, O Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Since Thou Who art Unoriginate dost have in the grasp of Thy hand the beginning of all things, and dost hold fast their middle and final end as well, Thou didst stand in the midst and cry aloud: Come, O ye of godly mind; enjoy the divine gifts.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Since Thou as God hast authority over all things, and as one mighty didst destroy the dominion of death, O Christ, Thou didst promise to send the Holy Spirit, Who proceedeth from the Father.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-immaculate Mother who knewest not wedlock, thou dost bestow grace abundantly upon those who praise thee; and from the Word Who is before the ages and Who was born from thee, thou dost entreat for the forgiveness of their offences.
Irmos: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
If the Messiah must come, then Christ is the Messiah, O ye lawless ones; Why do ye not believe in Him? Behold, He is come, and the things He doth bear witness to Him: He made the water into wine and strengthened the paralytic by a word.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Since ye do not understand the Scriptures, ye are all deceived, O ye lawless Hebrews; for Christ is truly come and hath enlightened all mankind, showing forth many signs and wonders among you. In vain do ye deny Him Who is the true Life.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Christ cried unto the Jews: One work have I shown unto you, and already ye marvel. Ye circumcise a man even on the Sabbath, He saith; Why then do ye accuse Me, Who have raised up a paralytic by a word?
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
I have done many works; for which work, then, do ye stone Me? cried Christ unto the Jews, reproaching them. For by a word I have made a man completely whole; judge not according to appearance, O ye men.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou Who workest through the Apostles and Who, together with the Spirit, dost Thyself rest in the Prophets, O Christ, Thou immaculate Offspring of the Father’s nature, Thou didst lead the nations up unto knowledge of Thee through Thy signs.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Trinity, undivided Unity; Unoriginate Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Thou Trinity in Unity; O life-creating, uncreated God, equal in honour and in rank: Save those who praise Thee, and deliver them from dangers and afflictions.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Bride of God and pure Virgin Mother, who didst contain God in thy womb while He yet remained uncircumscribed: Cease not to intercede on our behalf, that through thee we may be delivered from adversities, for unto thee do we ever flee for refuge.
Katavasia: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk * foresaw Thy coming, O Lord; * wherefore he cried aloud: * “God shall come out of Thaeman!” Glory to Thy power! * Glory to Thy condescension!
Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who didst come into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Having reached the middle of the divine feasts, let us be godly-wise and zealously adorn ourselves with the perfection of divine virtue.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
How truly sacred is this present feast; for it marketh the mid-point of the great feasts and doth shine forth from both.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The mind of the Archangel is not able to comprehend Thine ineffable and most pure birth-giving from a Virgin, O my greatly merciful Saviour.
Irmos: O Lord our God, bestow Thy peace…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Having adorned Thine Apostles with miracles and magnified Thy disciples with wonders throughout the World, Thou hast glorified them and bestowed upon them Thy Kingdom, O our Saviour.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
The disciples have enlightened all the ends of the earth with miracles and teachings, and in diverse ways they preached the word of Thy Kingdom, O Christ Saviour.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
We send up praise unto Thy Kingdom, and we offer a hymn unto Thee Who didst appear on earth for our sake and didst enlighten the World and restore Adam.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Glory be to Thee, O holy Father, unbegotten God. Glory be to Thee, O timeless, only-begotten Word. Glory be to Thee, O Divine Spirit, of one throne and of one essence with the Father and the Son.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thy womb is become a holy table which holdeth the Heavenly Bread, whereof he that eateth dieth not, as the Nourisher of all hath said, O Theotokos.
Katavasia: O Lord our God, bestow Thy peace upon us; * O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession; * O Lord, besides Thee we know none other: * and we call upon Thy Name.
Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * “I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
The mid-point of Pentecost hath come this day. By the former feast it is illumined with the most divine radiance of the divine Pascha, and by the latter feast it is made to shine with the grace of the Comforter.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
While standing in the temple, O Christ, Thou didst speak unto the assemblies of the Jews and didst reveal Thine own glory, thereby manifesting Thy consubstantiality with the Father. Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be thou my protection and mine unshaken rampart, O only Mother of God. Redeem me from the stumbling-blocks of the world, and illumine me by thy divine effulgence.
Irmos: The billows of life trouble me…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
O Jesus, Who takest care for all the ends of the earth, Thou didst go up to the temple at Mid-feast, as John hath said, and taught the multitudes the Word of truth.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst open Thy lips, O Master, and didst preach to the world the most pure Father and the all-holy Spirit, preserving Thy kinship with both even after Thine Incarnation.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst accomplish the work of the Father and didst confirm Thy words by Thy deeds, for Thou didst perform healings and signs, O Saviour, raising the paralytic, cleansing lepers, and resurrecting the dead.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
The Unoriginate Son received a beginning and became a man, taking upon Himself that which is proper to our nature. And at Mid-feast He taught and said: Hasten ye unto the ever-flowing Spring, that ye may draw forth life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We all glorify the one Godhead in Trinity, the uncreated and undivided essence in three Hypostases, even the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Who while being Three are One.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We praise thee who didst remain a virgin after giving birth; thee alone do we glorify as both Virgin and Mother, O pure Maiden, Bride of God; for from thee God truly became incarnate and thus Quickened us.
Katavasia: The billows of life trouble me like the waters of the sea, * O Lover of Mankind. * Wherefore, like Jonah I cry unto Thee, O Word: * Raise up my life from corruption, O compassionate Lord.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone IV: Having come to the Mid-feast of the Judaic Law, * O Master and Creator of all things, * Thou didst cry unto those present, O Christ God: * Come hither and draw forth the water of immortality. * Wherefore, we fall down before Thee and faithfully cry aloud: * Grant unto us Thy compassions, ** for Thou art truly the Well-spring of our life.
Ikos: With the streams of Thy Blood do Thou Water my soul, which is grown dry and barren because of mine iniquities and offences, and show it forth to be fruitful in virtues. For Thou didst tell all to draw nigh Thee, O all-holy Word of God, and to draw forth the water of incorruption, which is living and which washeth away the sins of those who praise Thy glorious and divine arising. Unto them that know Thee as God, O Good One, grant from on high the strength of the Spirit, which verily was borne by Thy disciples, for Thou art truly the Well-spring of life for all.
Ode VII, Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety * rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Having dispelled the power of death by Thy might, O Saviour, Thou hast made known unto all mankind the path of life. With thankfulness they cry to Thee: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Beholding Thee bearing flesh, the assemblies of the Hebrew people did not recognise Thee, O Word of God; but we sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice O sanctified and divine tabernacle of the Most High; for through thee, O Theotokos, joy hath been granted to those who cry: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Lady.
Irmos: The Chaldean furnace, burning with fire…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou Who art rest for all didst grow weary in the flesh; Thou Who art the well-spring of miracles didst willingly thirst. Thou didst seek after water, O Jesus, promising living water.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst converse with a Samaritan woman, O Lord, thereby reproving the mindlessness of the lawless Hebrews, insofar as she believed Thee to be the Son of God, and they denied Thee.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
O Saviour, Thou ever-living well-spring, Thou didst promise to grant living water which springeth forth, the water of immortality, unto those who with faith receive Thy Spirit, which proceedeth from the Father.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
With five loaves Thou didst feed the thousands that hungered, and made the child’s morsels to be more than enough for yet another multitude, O Saviour. Thus showing Thy glory unto Thy sacred disciples.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
He that eateth Thy Bread shall live forever, and he that drinketh Thy Blood abideth in Thee, my Saviour, and Thou abidest in him, and Thou shalt raise him up at the last day.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou madest Thy dispensation wondrous, O Master, confirming by miracles Thy divine authority. Thou didst drive out illnesses, raise up the dead, and enlighten the blind, since Thou art God.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst cleanse the lepers and restore the lame; Thou didst strengthen the paralytics and heal the blood-streaming woman, and didst walk upon the sea. Thus showing Thy glory unto Thy sacred disciples.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship Thy timeless Father and the grace of the Spirit, which Thou as God didst apportion unto Thine Apostles, sending them forth to preach, O Lord.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou didst contain within thy womb the uncontainable Word, thou didst suckle at thy breasts Him that nourisheth the world and didst hold in thine arms our Sustainer, O pure Theotokos.
Katavasia: The Chaldean furnace, burning with fire, * was bedewed by the Spirit * through the presence of God; * and the children chanted: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions’ jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Having arisen from the grave as one comely, and adorned with the glory of the Godhead, O Lord, Thou didst appear unto Thine Apostles and didst promise to send the power of the Spirit unto those who cry aloud: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
In a manner befitting Thee, since Thou as God art the Supreme Author of life, Thou didst slay Hades and didst well forth eternal life unto all, wherefore the graces of these radiant days now constitute a most clear image of the everlasting life of those who cry: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou didst cause rays of righteousness to shine upon the world like the sun, O Christ, in that Thou didst send Thine Apostles unto the world. Bearing Thee, the incomprehensible Light, they drove away the darkness of ignorance, and cried: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Behold now, a prince and ruler hath manifestly come from the tribe of Judah, for thou, O all-immaculate one, hast given birth to Him Who is the Expectation of the nations which were set aside for Him aforetime. Yea, thou hast borne Christ, to Whom we chant: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Irmos: O ye angels and ye powers of heaven…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Come, O ye peoples, and behold Him Who is praised upon a throne of glory, being blasphemed by lawless people. And as ye behold Him, praise Him as the Messiah, Who was foretold by the Prophets.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Thou art truly the Christ, Who hast come into the world. With Thee there is salvation and the remission of the failings of our fathers; Thou art indeed the Life of those who have come to believe in Thee.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
As it is written, the Wisdom of God came into the temple at Mid-feast and taught that He is truly Christ the Messiah, from Whom there cometh salvation.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
On the Sabbaths and on all days Christ wrought manifest signs, healing those in diverse illnesses. But the deceitful people were consumed with malice and wrath.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
The Jews bitterly reviled Christ and said: On the Sabbath did this Man hath healed the paralytic who had lain sick for many years, therefore He hath transgressed the Law.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Christ said to the Jews: Did not Moses in giving you the Law command that ye be circumcised? Yet ye circumcise on the Sabbath, lest the Law of your fathers be broken.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
They that were wholly ungrateful and who of old had sojourned in the wilderness, out of malice cast blasphemies at their Benefactor. They wagged their unjust tongues while they meditated vain things.
We bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord
Of a truth, the Trinity is one God, without the Father leaving that which is proper to Himself and assuming Sonship, nor with the Son transforming His attributes into procession. But I glorify the Three apart and together, as Light and God, throughout the ages.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Tell us, O Theotokos: How didst thou give birth unto Him Who hath shone forth timelessly from the Father and Who is praised together with the Holy Spirit? – except in a manner known only to Him Who was well-pleased to be born from thee.
Katavasia: Seated upon the throne of glory, * and unceasingly glorified as God, * O ye angels and heavens bless, ** hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!.
Ode IX, Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from thee the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who hath joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify thee, * O Theotokos.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Since we have learned from Christ a new and unprecedented way of life, let us all be especially diligent to preserve it until the end, that We may enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
O Life-Giving Saviour, Thou didst clothe my mortal nature with the garment of immortality and the grace of incorruption, and didst raise it up together with Thyself. Thou didst lead it unto the Father, having dispelled my warfare of many years.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Since we have been restored again to the life of Heaven by virtue of the mediation of Him Who emptied Himself even so far as to assume the form of a servant and hath exalted us, let us magnify Him as is meet.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
All we the faithful have put our trust in thee, and we acclaim thee with songs of praise as the root, source, and cause of incorruption, O Virgin, for thou didst well forth for us the Hypostatic Immortality.
Irmos: Virginity is alien to motherhood…
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
At the Judaic Mid-feast, O my Saviour, Thou didst go up to Thy temple and didst teach all. And the Jews marvelled and said: Whence knoweth this Man letters, having never learned?
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
My Redeemer performed wonders and signs, welling forth gifts of healings. He drove away illnesses and healed the ailing, but the Jews raged with frenzy at the multitude of His miracles.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
My Redeemer cried out as He reproached the disobedient Jews: Judge not according to appearance, but judge ye a righteous judgment. For the Law also commandeth that every man be circumcised, even if it be on the Sabbath.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
As Thou didst promise, O Saviour, Thou didst grant the greater miracles unto Thy disciples when Thou didst send them to preach Thy glory unto the nations. And they proclaimed unto the world Thy grace and Resurrection and Incarnation.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
Christ said unto the Jews: If ye circumcise a man on the Sabbath that the Law might not be broken, why are ye now angry with Me, in that by a word I have made a man completely whole? Ye judge according to the flesh.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
O Word, Who didst heal the withered hand by a word, do Thou heal the earth of my heart, which hath long ago become parched, and show me forth as one fruitful, that I also might bring forth fruit in fervent repentance, O Saviour.
Glory to Thee our God; glory to Thee.
I lie upon my bed of pain, O Word. Make me to stand aright by cleansing my leprous heart and enlightening the eyes of my soul, even as Thou didst raise up the paralytic who lay upon his bed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
It is alien to the lawless to reverence the Unoriginate Trinity, even the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the uncreated Omnipotence, through Whom the whole world was established by the might of His power.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou, O Virgin Mother, didst contain in thy womb Christ, the Giver of life, Who is One of the Trinity; Whom all creation praiseth and before Whom the thrones on high tremble. Do thou beseech Him, O all-blessed one, that our souls be saved.
Katavasia: Virginity is alien to motherhood, * and childbearing is a thing strange to virgins: * yet in thee, O Theotokos, both have come to pass. * Therefore we, and all the nations of the earth, * without ceasing call thee blessed.
Troparion, Tone VIII: At Mid-feast give Thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of piety; * for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry out to all: * Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. ** Wherefore, O Well-spring of life, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Knowing thee, the Mother of God, to be a wellspring of loving-kindness and mercy, approaching thy goodness, I pray: Grant me compunction, that I may grieve and weep over my transgressions, О all-pure Lady.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant me drops of spiritual tears to wash away all the defilement of my acts and wicked thoughts, to cleanse my soul of impurity and make me a temple of the divine Spirit.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Beset by the waves and threefold billows of my transgressions, and ever cruelly drowned by the works of the adversary, sinking now into the abyss of destruction, I cry to thee, О most immaculate one: Save me!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
For the sake of thy tender compassion, О Lady of all, have mercy on my wretched soul, and deliver me from everlasting fire and the assault of the demons, for I flee now beneath thy protection, О Theotokos.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by Thy Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in Thy love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With divine light illumine my mind, which hath been darkened by evil thoughts, О all-hymned one; for thou hast given birth to the everlasting Light Who hath shone forth from the Father.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Tripping the feet of my soul, the enemy of the righteous hath caused me to fall to the ground; yet with thy right hand, О pure Lady, raise me up again.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the voice of the publican I cry to thee, wretch that I am: Cleanse me, О Lady, and by thy supplication grant remission of sins unto thy servant.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal thou the wounds of my soul, О Lady, and still the most turbulent waves of my thoughts; and grant me the armour of peace.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lord!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I have defiled my flesh with pleasures and luxuries, and have besmirched the purity of my soul with vile thoughts, darkening my mind. О Lady, disdain not thy servant.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be thou my deliverance, refuge and might, the horn of my salvation, О pure helper, ever delivering me from all sorrow and putting all mine enemies to shame.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I am now beset by many perils, wretch that I am, and am ever engulfed by the wiles of the demons; yet I flee to thee now; by thy fervent supplication save me, thy servant.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The night of the passions, devoid of light, embraceth me, wretch that I am; yet by thy light, О good one, dispel the clouds of my soul and guide me to the light of the precepts of God, О all-immaculate one.
Ode V, Irmos: The Invisible One hath appeared on earth, * and the Unapproachable One hath willingly dwelt among mankind; * and, rising early at dawn, we hymn Thee, * O Lover of mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The time of my life hath vanished like smoke, and I have arrived at the gateway of death. I fear the assault of the demons, for I have ever done their works. О all-immaculate one, have pity and save me!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Drying up the abyss of mine evils, О Virgin, grant me rivers of tears. Quench all the flame of my passions, О Maiden, and grant that I may be delivered from fire and other torments on the day of judgment.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the oil of thy mercy heal my soul which is tormented with the pain of my sins, and grant that I may ever observe the precepts of thy Son in humility, that I may receive His goodness.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
“Thy divine Church, stripped of its bridal raiment, О my Son, hath been arrayed in the holy blood which flowed from Thy side. And I, beholding all Thy pain on the Cross, do likewise suffer!” said the Mother of the Word, lamenting.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perisheth. * but do Thou, O Master, stretch forth Thy lofty arm * and like Peter O Helmsman, * do Thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Son of God, assuming flesh from thy pure blood, hath shown thee, О Bride of God, to be a great refuge; wherefore, be thou merciful to thy servants.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О good one, with thy radiance illumine the eyes of my heart which have been darkened by unseemly thoughts; make me a child of the Light, and cause me to dwell in a place of light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Waves of passionate thoughts ever batter me, О most pure one, and the tempests of the evil spirits engulf me; yet set me firmly upon the rock of dispassion.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I have fallen asleep in the death of my soul, and lie in the grave of despondency; but grant me thy hand, I pray, and raise me up, guiding me to the life of repentance.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, Tone III: We who have acquired the Cross of thy Son as a staff of power, О Theotokos, thereby cast down the arrogance of the enemy, magnifying thee unceasingly with love.
Ode VII, Irmos: Of old the three children did not worship the golden image, * of the Persian idol, * but chanted in the midst of the furnace: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О pure one, with strength do thou gird my soul, which hath grown weak through sins, and save me who cry out to thy Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Fearing the hour of death because of eternal and everlasting torment, I fall down before thee: О Lady, Theotokos, save me from the snares of those who pursue me!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Theotokos who didst contain the infinite God within thy womb, free my mind, which hath been confined by many transgressions, from their condemnation.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The race of mankind entreateth thee, О Theotokos: О Lady, have mercy on thy servants who with faith cry out to thy Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Ode VIII, Irmos: United together in the unbearable fire, * yet not harmed by the flame, * the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn: * O all ye works of the Lord, * bless ye the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having truly emulated the prodigal and ended my whole life in sins, I now cry out: I have sinned against thee! О Lady, make me as one of the hirelings of thy Son and Creator, that I may glorify thee throughout all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
My soul hath been filled with evils, and I have been reckoned with all who go down into the pit; yet do thou, О Virgin Theotokos, lead me up from the pit of the passions and from the miry clay of mine evils.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Pray thou to Christ, О Theotokos who hast given birth to Him from thy holy womb, that He grant me forgiveness of my manifold transgressions, that I may chant: О all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When my soul must needs depart from this life at the command of God, from the snares of those who pursue us, О most pure one, rescue those who cry out to thee: О all ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * let us, the faithful, discern a figure: * every male child that openeth the womb * shall be sanctified to God. * Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word * and Son of the unoriginate Father, * the firstborn Child of a Mother who hath not known a man.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The race of mankind, now enriched by thine invincible supplication, О most immaculate one, crieth out day and night: Cease thou never to entreat thy Creator and Son, that He take pity on those who hymn thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The darts of unseemly passions have wounded my soul with demonic assaults, and ever trouble my mind with the arrows of adverse thought; wherefore, heal mine incurable wounds, О Maiden.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure Bride of God, quickly remove from me the wounds inflicted upon me by the enemies who war against me, for, wretch that I am, I can no longer bear their assaults, their great wickedness and insolence; yet hasten thou to deliver me.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou knowest the weakness of my lowly body, the wounds of my soul, the groaning of my heart, and the error and deception of my mind; wherefore by thy tender compassion grant me healing of them all.
Ode I, Irmos: Let us sing unto the Lord Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Edward the King, who shone forth in piety and was glorified by God with many miracles, let us hymn with songs of divine beauty.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Now let the English land keep festival, and let the Church be glad, glorifying the memory of the divinely wise king.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having suffered out of season a murder unrighteous, thou didst acquire boldness before God, O Edward. Wherefore, thou dost bestow healings upon them that honour thee.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The ranks of angels and the choirs of the righteous, monks and laymen, paupers and kings, together hymn the Theotokos.
Ode III, Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of them that flee to Thee, O Lord. Thou art the Light of the benighted, and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Born in accordance with the providence of God, that thou mightest shine forth in the virtues and show forth an example of piety unto thy people, thou didst bring to a good end the short course of thy life.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
To Christ, the King of all, thou wast a good and faithful servant who increased the talent given thee by Him, O wise King Edward. Wherefore, thou didst enter into the joy of thy Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Like unto Abel who was slain in his innocence, thou didst endure unrighteous murder; yet deprived of thy fleeting life, thou now dost dwell in the mansions of Heaven.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Virgin Theotokos, Queen of Heaven and boast of earthly kings, unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ and unassailable rampart of the Kingdom of God, let us unceasingly hymn.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone III: As said the pre-eminent Peter, in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is acceptable to Him; thus, from the ends of the earth, the saints and the righteous have entered into the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherefore, do thou also, O holy passion-bearer and king, partaking of everlasting joys together with them, now remember us that honour thee and cry out: Truly wondrous in Thy saints art Thou, O God!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion, same tone: As an uncultivated vine, O Virgin, thou hast put forth the most comely Cluster of grapes Which poureth forth the wine of salvation for us, gladdening the souls and bodies of all. Wherefore, blessing thee as the cause of good things, with the Angel Gabriel we ever cry out to thee: Rejoice, O greatly joyous one!
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard of the mystery of Thine Providence, O Lord; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy Divinity.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Emulating a lamb led to the slaughter, O holy Edward, thou didst not struggle against the evildoers that slew thee, but yielded up thy soul into the hands of God in a moment.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Celebrating thy joyous memory, we call thy wonders to mind, O Edward, for thou dost heal the leprous, the paralysed and them that are blind from birth by thy most bold supplications to Christ.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Desiring to glorify thee openly, Christ God bestowed healing power upon thy precious relics, that, beholding the miracles worked thereby, the pious people might praise the Lord for ever.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The divine prophets have announced thee, O Theotokos; the apostles have proclaimed thee; the martyrs have confessed thee, and the divine minstrels and the venerable have hymned thee in songs of beauty divine.
Ode V, Irmos: Waking early, I cry to Thee: Save me, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee!
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
A divine light enlightened the woman who was blind from birth when she touched thy body, O King Edward. Wherefore, her eyes were opened, and she glorified God and thine assistance.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Thy tomb hath been shown to be a wellspring of healings for all that have recourse to it and call upon thee in prayer, O king, beseeching enlightenment and consolation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Open thou the eyes of our hearts, O Edward who gavest light to the eyes of the blind woman, that we may perceive God’s most wise providence concerning us, and glorify his power.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us not fall idle in our unceasing praise of her that is more honourable than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, gazing with the eyes of our minds upon her greatness, and magnifying her loving-kindness with ardent heart and love divine.
Ode VI, Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the nethermost abyss, O Christ our God, as Thou art the Lover of mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
When the impious learned of the uncovering of thy relics and of the miracles which had come to pass, O Edward, they desired to fall prostrate in repentance before them, but the power of the Lord forbade them.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
With other kings, thou didst bring glory to the Heavenly Jerusalem, O Edward, laying at the feet of the Lord the twofold crown of kingship and martyrdom, and receiving fitting honour from Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst escape the vile pit of destruction, rendering justice and righteousness and feeding the wretched, claiming for thyself a throne of royal honour, O Edward most wise and right glorious.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
May they that do not honour thee as the Theotokos be clothed with shame and confusion, denounced by all creation which unceasingly doth hymn 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 & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone IV: Celebrating the memory of the holy Edward today, and honouring his bright image, let us radiantly weave a wreath of hymns for the twice-crowned king and passion-bearer, crying out to him with fervour: Never cease to beseech Christ our God, that He establish thy homeland in the Orthodox Faith!
Ikos: Lo! the fullness of time is come! Arise, ye Christian people, and, putting off your sackcloth, gird yourselves in gladness, heaping not ashes upon your heads, but joining chorus in God. For behold! the righteous Judge, Who seeth all things, mindful of His mercies and compassion, and wishing to fill the dried-up wellspring of piety with life-bearing streams, hath disclosed unto us the relics of His favourite and passion-bearer, Edward the King, which for many years lay hidden beneath the earth; for when the tempest of persecution was raised against the saints of God by impiety and the holy shrines were destroyed, they were buried in the convent of the Mother of God as a priceless treasure, and there they remained even until these days. But now, through the providence and good pleasure of God, the holy relics are once more given to the faithful, and again the light of Orthodoxy shineth forth in the English land. Wherefore, stand fair adorn thyself, O England, thou land of kings! And all ye that dwell therein, rejoice, crying out to the blessed King Edward, whom the King of kings would fain glorify: Cease not to beseech Christ our God, that He return thy homeland to the Orthodox Faith
Ode VII, Irmos: O Lord God of our fathers, Who in the beginning founded the earth and established the heavens by a word: blessed art Thou unto the ages.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Having fought against the foe, and battling the passions yet more, thou wast shown to be a victor over both: but conquered by humility thou didst render glory unto God, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
The ranks of angels and the choirs of the righteous, accompanying the holy king who is received into the Kingdom of Christ, hymn God Who is wondrous in His saints, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Departing the sin-loving world out of season, thou didst reach the heavenly home, O Edward, where thou dost pray unceasingly to the blessed God of thy fathers on behalf of thine earthly homeland.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Fearing not the fiery furnace, the children that prefigured thee, O Virgin, cried out in thanksgiving concerning thee: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Ode VIII, Irmos: The Lord Who was glorified on the holy mount and Who revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin in the fiery bush, hymn and supremely exalt ye unto all ages!
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Celebrating the memory of the divinely honoured king, and marvelling at the wonders that have been wrought by him, rejoicing in God we cry aloud: Hymn ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Having vanquished all the wiles of hades and put to shame the schemes of the impious, called to the Heavenly Kingdom thou didst sing, O holy king: Hymn ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Bowing down before thy precious image and calling upon thy name in prayer, O Edward most God-loving king, we hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
To men thou didst reveal Him upon Whom the angels dare not gaze. Reveal to us also His ineffable mercy, that we may exalt thee supremely for all ages.
Ode IX, Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be the true Theotokos, magnifying thee with the bodiless choirs.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Thou pourest forth healings and receivest the prayers of the faithful, earnestly praying for them that honour thy memory; wherefore, O Edward, we thankfully magnify thee.
Holy, right-believing king, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us.
Thy memory is glorious and thy rest is with the saints, for thou dost ever stand before the throne of God. Wherefore, we magnify Christ Who gaveth thee to the people as a new intercessor.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
From the East even unto the West the Orthodox Faith doth reach. Wherefore, the saints of God are glorified throughout the world.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thy kinswoman Elizabeth hath taught us to cry out to thee, O all-pure Theotokos: blessed art thou among women and blessed is Christ, the Fruit of thy womb, Whom we magnify unceasingly.
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Troparion, Tone IV: Celebrating the newly-manifest commemoration of the holy King Edward who shone forth of old in the virtues and suffered undeservedly, and bowing down before his precious image, in gladness we cry out: Truly wondrous art Thou in Thy saint, O God!
Greetings at the end of a joyful day which saw a few of us in Wessex make a pilgrimage to Shaftesbury, where we visited the site of the former abbey, where the relics of King Edward the Martyr were enshrined until the desecration of the great religious house and its dissolution at the reformation. Mercifully, through the grace and mercy of God, the Royal-Martyr’s relics were found during the excavation of the abbey by John Wilson-Claridge in 1931, and enshrined in the former ROCOR Monastery of St Edward, at Brookwood, in 1984.
The abbey ruins, surrounded by green lawns and herb and flower-filled borders are an oasis of tranquility, and we were overjoyed to be able to offer prayers to St Edward-the-Martyr close to the place where his relics were found, and the site of his medieval shrine. Having been greeted with warmth and friendly enthusiasm, we were invited to arrange and “after hours” pilgrimage, and look forward to returning and solemnly offering prayers in a holy place of as once great renown. Many thanks to the wonderful staff.
In the evening, we enjoyed our end of month gathering on Porphyrios’s narrow boat, chanting compline with the canon to St Edward chanted after the supplicatory canon to the Mother of God. We enjoyed an evening of conversation and fellowship, with a lovely supper ending a blessed and grace-filled day.
Holy Right-Believing King, Edward the Martyr, pray to God for us!
Despite half-term, our Liturgy was well attended, even though the kliros and sanctuary were reduced to a minimum. We are grateful to all who contributed to our celebration, particularly for all who facilitated such a quick packing away and rearrangement of furniture. This was very much appreciated and we need this to continue.
As I will only be returning to Wales tomorrow, there will be no celebration of vespers in Cardiff in the afternoon. After a day preparing for our meeting,I will be in Cardiff on Thursday, and will celebrate the ninth hour and vespers in St Alban’s church at 14:30. Confessions will be arranged around the service. If required, I will hear evening confessions in Nazareth House. Please email me by 18:00 on Wednesday and be clear if you cannot confess until the evening.
Sunday will see our General parish meeting, with the elections of our new starosta and senior sister.
Deacon Mark and I have been struck by the lack of realisation of the responsibilities and tasks assumed by the starosta, and feel that parishioners should be made aware of serious duties that can be time consuming and sometimes require considerable input.
Maintaining the church building and property: This may include overseeing cleaning and repairs, as well as ensuring the security of the church.
Financial oversight: Church wardens/starostas assist the treasurer in managing the church’s budget, collect donations, and ensure financial accountability.
Supporting the clergy: They may assist the clergy with administrative tasks, .
Coordinating volunteers: Church wardens/starostas play a key role in recruiting and coordinating volunteers for various tasks required in delivering services and maintaining an efficient parish life.
Liaison with the community: They may serve as a point of contact for community partners to promote the parish, represent the parish at community events. Liaising with local churches to arrange and schedule their use for services as needed
Liaison with the congregation: They may serve as a point of contact for parishioners and address their concerns.
Church Council: The Church wardens/starosta will occupy a seat on the parish council and vote on parish matters outside of the AGM
Traditions and Protocols: As the clergy are unable to stop/interrupt services the Church warden/starosta will assist in ensuring those in attendance adhere to church traditions and protocols during services.
Contact and welcoming: The Church warden/starosta will be a contact for general queries which do not require the clergy, eg service times, events etc. They should also welcome visitors and newcomers to the parish.
Legal and Administrative duties: They may be involved in tasks like creating reports, attending meetings, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Smooth Running: They will have oversight of the items which require regular ordering to ensure that services and specific feasts run smoothly. Eg. ordering wine, candles, palm crosses, candle guards etc
Attendance: The Churchwarden/starosta should be present at the majority of services to ensure consistency and stability in their role
Both Branka and Menna were nominated by various individuals to both positions, with Menna accepting the nomination for starosta, and Branka accepting that of senior sister. Another sister declined candidature for the position of senior sister, having been nominated by various individuals, but kindly offered support and guidance, and her considerable practical knowledge and expertise.
As such, the meeting will be asked to approve these sisters and ratify their assumption of positions of office. Regular baptised and communicant members of our parish, who will be absent next weekend, but wish to communicate their approval are asked to message our treasurer, Olga Azzopardi via WhatsApp, or request her email details from me or Father Deacon Mark (rather than our disclosing it here!).
May we have any items for the agenda by Wednesday, please.
Due to the pressures of time, may we keep refreshments on Sunday to tea/coffee and biscuits/baked goods., allowing people to break their fast and replenish their energy reserves before the service?
As we look forward to Deacon Mark’s ordination of Wednesday 17th July, we would like to remind those who have requested places on the bus to give their deposit of £10 to Olga McKellar, and to do so as soon as possible. We have been much encouraged by the numbers hoping to travel from South Wales, the west of England, and perhaps even from Poole. This will be a great blessing, and will see much of the parish travel to the cathedral for this momentous occasion in the life of our community.
We hope that those who are away for various half-term breaks have a restful and relaxing time, praying for our travellers heading for France, the Lake District, Scotland and wherever else the week may have taken them.
A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having lived out my life in slothfulness, I have drawn nigh unto the end of my life; yet do thou thyself, О most pure one, if but one last time, grant me compunction, I pray, that I may weep bitterly over my countless transgressions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With the passions of my flesh, О Virgin, I have mindlessly defiled the beauty of the divine image, and am afraid of God’s displeasure and the terrible threat of fire; yet do thou thyself have mercy upon me who flee to thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Falling to my knees, wretch that I am, I beg thy help, О most holy Virgin: hearken thou to my pain-wracked soul, and by the radiance of thy prayers dispel the cloud of grief which weighs heavily upon me.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Grant that the furrows of my passion-plagued soul may be watered abundantly with tears, and grant that I may produce fruit an hundredfold, О Lady; and fill my heart with all manner of gladness, that I may glorify thee.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by Thy Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in Thy love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О good Theotokos, grant me a torrent of tears, and thereby quench the furnace of my passions, and wash away all defilement from my soul.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In iniquities have I defiled the nobility of my soul, О most pure one, and I tremble at the thought of the interrogation, when the Word will examine the state of my worthiness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Beset now by the tempest of transgressions, I have been brought down into the abyss of despair; yet grant me thy hand, О pure one, and lead me to repentance.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Deliver thy servant from Gehenna and every other threat at the hour of judgment, О most immaculate one, and cause me to share in the kingdom of thy Son and God.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lord!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The waters of unseemly deeds have flooded my wretched soul, О pure one; wherefore, beset by worldly thoughts, I cry out in pain: Spurn not thy servant, О Lady!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Noetic beasts have now mercilessly surrounded me and have striven pitilessly to seize my lowly soul, О all-immaculate one; yet do thou, О most pure one, break their soul-destroying jaws.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О all-pure Lady, be thou merciful to thy servant, I pray, and rescue thy people from the coming threat, that we may cry out to thee in thanksgiving: Glory to Thee, О Queen of all!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When the Bridegroom will come at night to judge the earth, О most pure one, then be thou well-pleased that I may go forth to meet Him with a lighted lamp, and may worship His coming.
Ode V, Irmos: The Invisible One hath appeared on earth, * and the Unapproachable One hath willingly dwelt among mankind; * and, rising early at dawn, we hymn Thee, * O Lover of mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Many dogs have truly set themselves against me, and a horde of evil spirits have surrounded me; yet set their counsels now at naught, О most pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having dug now a pit for me, the evil one strives to cast me into it; yet with thy right hand, О Lady, may he fall into the pit which he hath made.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let me not be denounced by the wrath of thy Son at the time of His coming, neither let me be punished by His anger, О all-hymned one; but save me by thine entreaties.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Behold my weakness, behold the lowliness of my soul, О pure one, and the uprising of mine incorporeal enemies; and deliver me from their harm.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perisheth. * but do Thou, O Master, stretch forth Thy lofty arm * and like Peter O Helmsman, * do Thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
At the behest of the Creator of all, when my soul must needs part from the flesh, О all-immaculate and all-hymned Theotokos, free me from the hands of those who hate me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With streams of compunction dry up the turbulent rivers of my wicked deeds, О Birth-Giver of God, and guide me to the waters of tranquility on the day of judgment.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou knowest the weakness of my soul, the feebleness of my mind and the infirmity of my flesh, О most pure one. Wherefore, save thy servant, for thee have I acquired as an invincible ally.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Grant me streams of spiritual tears, О most immaculate Lady, whereby I may wash away the mire of my transgressions, the tumult of the passions and the defilement of my body.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, Tone III, Spec. Mel. “Awed by the beauty of thy virginity …”: О Lady who bore the Merciful One within thy womb, have pity on me who flee beneath thy protection and with all my soul ask thy divine help, and grant mercy unto me when we will stand before the Author of creation, О pure one, and deliver me from everlasting fire and all condemnation.
Ode VII, Irmos: Of old the three children did not worship the golden image, * of the Persian idol, * but chanted in the midst of the furnace: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The waters of transgressions have been poured out upon me and my soul drowns, O pure one, and the uttermost abyss hath engulfed me; yet rescue me from its threefold billows.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Sprinkle me with the blood which flowed from the side of thine Offspring and by the multitude of thy mercies; wash thou and cleanse me of all defilement with streams of tears.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Grant thou contrition to my soul and humility to my heart, О all- pure one, that I may be delivered from all the wiles of those who ever pitilessly pursue me.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As thou art merciful, О Lady Mother of God, grant mercy to those who with faith cry out to thy Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Ode VIII, Irmos: United together in the unbearable fire, * yet not harmed by the flame, * the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn: * O all ye works of the Lord, * bless ye the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With the might of thy Son thou hast broken the arrows of the archer, О pure one. Let his unrighteousness now descend upon his own head, that I may cry out: All ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With thy light do thou illumine my darkened heart, О Maiden, and with the sword of light open thou the portals of light to me who cry: All ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Falling into the sleep of death, I lie in the grave of despondency; yet do thou thyself raise me up, О Virgin, and grant that I may chant with vigilance: All ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О pure one, cease thou never to pray for those who honor thee, that, delivered in compunction from the snares of the devil, we may cry out to thy Son: All ye works of the Lord, hymn the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * let us, the faithful, discern a figure: * every male child that openeth the womb * shall be sanctified to God. * Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word * and Son of the unoriginate Father, * the firstborn Child of a Mother who hath not known a man.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The turbulence of the passions and the turmoil of vile thoughts bestorm my soul, and evil men ever smite me like a tempest; yet as thou lovest mankind, О Virgin, quickly deliver me from my besetting needs
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О my lowly soul, leave off thy wicked deeds and cease from doing evil and angering God; but earnestly embrace His commandments, for thou hast the Theotokos directing thy ways.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou hast given birth to the Lord of all, free me from the passions and from grievous sins, and in thy surpassing loving-kindness enrich me wholly with good works, that, rejoicing, I may magnify thee, О all-immaculate one.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The end approacheth, О my soul, judgment is at the door! Forsake thy shameful works and undertake to live a good life; for thou hast the Theotokos as thine ally, delivering thee from all oppression.
A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О cloud of the Light Who fashioned the great luminaries in the universe: with thy rays dispel all the darkness, day and night, of all my passions and transgressions, and show me to be a child of the light, О Birth-Giver of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
By the Rain which descended from heaven into thy womb, О Theotokos, enlighten and bedew my soul and heart, and extinguish the flame of passions and sorrows, that I may glorify thee fervently throughout all ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure one, thou didst give birth ineffably to the Wisdom of God which united the earthly and the heavenly, bringing all things forth from nonexistence; by His word grant me wisdom and understanding, that I may hymn clearly thy divine birth-giving.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Sovereign Lady of the world, I cry aloud and pray that my soul and body may be bedewed through thy supplications, and that I may be quickly delivered from the pangs of sin and the evil of the passions; for thou art the healing of all mankind.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by Thy Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in Thy love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Master and Lord Who hath dominion over fire hath been called thy Son, О pure one; wherefore, deliver me from the works of the passions by thine intercessions, О Lady.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
From the tempest of carnal passions do thou quickly deliver me, thy servant, О most pure one who hast given birth to the Calm of salvation and the Wellspring of dispassion.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As the luminous lamp-stand of the never-waning Light, О most pure one, thou hast enlightened the world. Wherefore, with thy beams dispel the clouds from my soul.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Lady who hast given birth ineffably to Christ, the Bestower of life, enliven me who am dead of soul because of the multitude of mine evil passions.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lord!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The siege of carnal understanding hath beset me and made my soul captive; yet do thou, О Lady who hast given birth to the Mind which transcendeth all the understanding of the world, grant me thy peace.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
From thy womb thou didst pour forth the noetic Myrrh upon the world; wherefore, free my soul from the defilements of the passions, О most pure one, and grant me the myrrh of dispassion by thy supplications.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Knowing thee to be the golden jar manifestly holding Christ, the God-man, the Manna of life, I pray: feed thou my soul which is famished with hunger, and give it the torrent of the Spirit to drink.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of old, unrestrained, Eve brought about death; but thou hast brought about true life by thy pure virginity. Wherefore, deliver me from a sinful death by thy supplications.
Ode V, Irmos: The Invisible One hath appeared on earth, * and the Unapproachable One hath willingly dwelt among mankind; * and, rising early at dawn, we hymn Thee, * O Lover of mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As our deliverance, thy Son hath delivered all from corruption, О Virgin; wherefore, deliver me from a carnal understanding and from the presence of the passions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.By the fire of thy prayers burn up all the thorns of my passion-filled thoughts, О Theotokos who hast purified the nature of man as with tongs and ember.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou art the divine heifer of the divine Bullock Who in His love for mankind was slaughtered for our sake. With His divine blood do thou purify my heart.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of old I acquired the beautiful robe of the virtues, yet I have cast it off in my slothfulness; but do thou, О Virgin, now clothe me in one that is yet more splendid by thy supplications.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perisheth. * but do Thou, O Master, stretch forth Thy lofty arm * and like Peter O Helmsman, * do Thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The cruel wiles of evil have shaken the temple of my soul, yet do thou who hast given birth to Christ, Who established the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast by thy prayers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In giving birth to the Pearl of great price, thou hast released mortals from their debt; wherefore, О most pure one, quickly loose the bonds of my transgressions, passions and sorrows.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The supremely good God Who was born from thy womb hath given thee to the faithful as a refuge and divine protection; wherefore, О most pure one, cover me with thy hands, and preserve me.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Often engulfed in frenzy by the billows of life, and ever tempest- tossed by the works of the enemy, I now cry out to thee: О Theotokos, help me!
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn,Tone III, Spec. Mel. “Of the divine Faith …”: Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, * O only all-pure Virgin Mother * who surpassed the angels in purity. * By the divine waters of thy supplications * cleanse me who, more than all others, * have become dust, defiled by carnal transgressions; ** and grant me great mercy, O pure one.
Ode VII, Irmos: As of old Thou didst bedew * the three pious children in the Chaldean flames, * so also with the radiant fire of Thy divinity * illumine us who cry to Thee, * ‘Blessed art Thou, the God of our fathers!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Crowds of wicked demons and hordes of carnal passions have surrounded me; yet as thou hast given birth to Christ, Who is mighty in battles, deliver me from frequent griefs and cruel falls.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who alone cannot be approached by the cherubic beings and is held in awe by the ranks of the angels made His abode within thee, О pure one, and hath renewed us. О Lady, through Him render me terrible to invisible foes.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Virgin, thou wast a noetic garden of paradise which put forth the Tree of life; and Adam, partaking thereof, hath been delivered from, the fruit of death. Wherefore, bring sweetness to me now, and deliver me from the taste of the passions.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Deliver me from the mire of the passions of my body, and from the temptations of the demons, О thou who hast given birth to the Redeemer for our sake, as the habitation of the Most High and hallowed temple of the God of our fathers.
Ode VIII, Irmos: United together in the unbearable fire, * yet not harmed by the flame, * the children, champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn: * O all ye works of the Lord, * bless ye the Lord and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О cloud of the Light Who fashioned the great luminaries in the universe: with thy rays dispel all the darkness, day and night, of all my passions and transgressions, and show me to be a child of the light, О Birth-Giver of God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.By the Rain which descended from heaven into thy womb, О Theotokos, enlighten and bedew my soul and heart, and extinguish the flame of passions and sorrows, that I may glorify thee fervently throughout all ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure one, thou didst give birth ineffably to the Wisdom of God which united the earthly and the heavenly, bringing all things forth from nonexistence; by His word grant me wisdom and understanding, that I may hymn clearly thy divine birth-giving.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Sovereign Lady of the world, I cry aloud and pray that my soul and body may be bedewed through thy supplications, and that I may be quickly delivered from the pangs of sin and the evil of the passions; for thou art the healing of all mankind.
Ode IX, Irmos: Upon Mount Sinai Moses saw thee in the bush, * as one who didst conceive the fire of the Godhead within thy womb, * and yet remained unconsumed. * Daniel saw thee as a mountain not cut by the hand of man, * and Isaiah proclaimed thee as the Rod that blossomed forth * from the root of David.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou wast shown to be cloth divinely woven for Christ, from whence the Spirit prepared the divine raiment of the flesh. Wherefore, by thy supplications, О pure one, clothe me also in the vesture of chastity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О noetic vine who hast put forth for us the divine Grapes, by Whom we have been given the water of incorruption to drink: by thy prayers pour forth upon my soul compunction and the wine of purification.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure and holy bridal chamber, by whose nature God wedded His nature to that of mortals, I beseech thee: unite me to thy Son, and impart unto me divine life by thy prayers.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Virgin who hast given birth to Christ, the Wellspring of incorruption, thou hast transformed the pasture of corrupt human nature. Wherefore, by thy supplications deaden the stormy assaults of the passions which consume me.
As some of you are aware, the octoechos (the book of the eight tones) has a supplicatory canon to the Mother of God for compline each evening of the tone cycle – giving fifty six canons.
We have previously posted some canons in the hope that parishioners might sometimes pray compline with the appointed canon for the day, or integrate the canon into their evening/night prayers.
We will endeavour to post all fifty six of these canons, and very much hope that they will enrich the prayer lives of the members of our community, and contribute to a growing level of liturgical literacy, allowing people to share prayers together across the wide geographical diaspora of our community.
A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: He who of old gathered the waters * into one by His divine decree, * divided the sea for the people of Israel. * For He is our God and supremely glorious, * to Him alone let us sing, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With pure hymns, О most pure Bride of God, we, the faithful, crown thee as her who, through the divine Spirit and at the good pleasure of the Father, wast revealed to be the Mother of God; and with the archangel we greet thee with hymns, unto our salvation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old, Eve was formed from the side of Adam by God’s creative action, and Christ, Who is our God, appeared out of the womb of the Theotokos and became immutably man: the Pre-eternal came under time.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He Who is our God condemned the womb of Eve to give birth amid grief and pain, yet He made His abode within thy womb, appeared in the flesh in a manner past all telling, and loosed the debt of our first mother.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having fallen, heavy laden, into the abyss of despair, О Birth-Giver of God, we earnestly cry out to thee: О Lady, help us who are drowning because of our deeds of wicked transgression! For thee alone do we have as our hope after God.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Ruler of all, * who out of nothing hath established all things, * fashioned by Thy Word, * perfected by the Spirit, * confirm me in Thy love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The staff of Aaron, which blossomed forth without being watered, showed thee forth, О most pure Theotokos, who without seed hast given birth to God Who became incarnate without undergoing change.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In the Spirit, О most pure one, the prophet foresaw thee as a lamp-stand bearing the divine Fire, conveying sweet fragrance and life everlasting to those in the world.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us approach the Archangel Gabriel, in hymns declaring to the Theotokos: Rejoice! for through thee the curse of our first parents’ condemnation hath been loosed!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee as a bulwark of salvation, О most holy Theotokos, we sinners are saved. О Lady, disdain not, neither spurn thou our supplications!
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us steadfast love, O Lord, * for Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son over to death for our sake. * Wherefore with thanksgiving we cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lord!’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old, Habbakuk, perceiving thee with divine vision, О most pure one, proclaimed thee to be the noetic mountain, the tabernacle of the virtues, for the Word Who came forth from the south received flesh from thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In the Spirit Daniel beheld thee as a great and unquarried mountain, revealing the purity of thy virginity as remaining inviolate, О Lady, from whom Christ the Word, the Rock, was cut, casting down the falsehood of idolatry.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
David foretold thee to be a wondrous and rich mountain; for the only-begotten Son of the Father was well-pleased to make His abode within thee, in the flesh. Wherefore, in the Spirit we cry out to thee: Rejoice!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As thou art the wholly good and fervent intercessor for the sinful and lowly, О most pure Lady and Birth-Giver of God, save Thy servants from misfortunes, sorrows and sins.
Ode V, Irmos: In a vision Isaiah saw upon a throne, * God lifted up on high * borne aloft by angels of glory; * and he cried: ‘Woe is me! * For I have foreseen God made flesh, * the Lord of the never-setting light * and the King of peace.’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Virgin Mary, the rod of Jesse, without seed, through the divine Spirit of the Father, put forth the never-fading Blossom of the Unoriginate God, Who hath dominion over the mighty kingdoms of the nations, and upon Whom the gentiles set their hope.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Taking flesh from thee, О Theotokos, the Prince of peace hath come to reign upon the throne of David. О the wonder! He hath shown thee to be the Queen who gave birth to Him Who set warfare at naught, striking down the princes of Moab.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Revealing thine immaculate goodness, through which Christ was clad in the flesh without seed, О Virgin, Isaiah cried out, exclaiming: The Lord of glory cometh upon a light cloud, and dispelling the darkness of delusion, He hath bestowed light upon us!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having conceived by the Holy Spirit the Word Who is consubstantial with the Father, О Virgin, thou hast given birth to Him in two natures, perfect God and perfect man. His manifestation in the flesh do we honour with faith.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost depths of sin have surrounded me, * and my spirit perisheth. * but do Thou, O Master, stretch forth Thy lofty arm * and like Peter O Helmsman, * do Thou save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In hymns the most wise one described thee beforehand, О all-hymned one, as the couch whereon God, Who was hypostatically incarnate from thee, did rest; and He Who was born from thee without commingling hath glorified thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О all-hymned Virgin, as one chosen thou didst become the chosen vesture of the Word, for, taking flesh from thee as it were a robe of divine purple, He hath reigned, arrayed in majesty.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Bride of God, thou didst become the receptacle of the divine Union, more lustrous than gold; for through thee God became a man and conversed with mankind as a man.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The evil of heresy hath brought death upon those who refuse to honor thee, О all-hymned Virgin; for in their malice they hide at the sight of the most glorious likeness of thine image.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone III: In the fervour of faith I cry out to thee with unworthy lips and a defiled heart, О Theotokos: Save me who am drowning in sins! Take pity on one who is slain by despair, that, saved, I may cry aloud to thee: Rejoice, О Virgin, thou help of Christians!
Ode VII, Irmos: Of old the three children did not worship the golden image, * of the Persian idol, * but chanted in the midst of the furnace: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having been united conformably and been revealed to be incorrupt, the bush and the flame manifestly show thee forth, О Virgin; for thou hast given birth to God, yet remained a virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The fleece and the dew, shown forth in change, prefigured thy birth-giving for Gideon; for thou alone hast borne the divine Word in thy womb, as though He were rain, О Virgin Mother.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The fire of my sin created a flame surpassing that of Gehenna for me, О pure one. By thy mercy do thou quench it, guiding me to the light by repentance.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Venerating the appearance of thy countenance as the primal image, О most pure Theotokos, we all have thee as a helper and a right effective protection before God forever.
Ode VIII, Irmos: The Babylonian furnace burnt not the children, * neither did the fire of the Godhead consume the Virgin, * wherefore with the faithful children we cry aloud: * ‘Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord’.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Finding thee as an all-radiant lily amid thorns, shining with the splendour of beauty through the divine Spirit, the Father desired thee, the Bride who knew not wedlock, as a habitation for His Son.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Without hesitation I manifestly glorify thee, the most immaculate Virgin, as more holy than the host on high; for thou didst bear in thy womb their Creator, Who in an uncommingled union received flesh from thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having preserved thy virginity intact, О Virgin, thou wast truly shown to be the Mother of the Son of God, becoming a Bride through the Father’s good pleasure and the incorrupt receptacle of the Spirit of glory.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
God Who is immaterial and invisible by nature was ineffably and supra-naturally born as a man from the holy Virgin, becoming visible, two natures in a single hypostasis, wherein He is seen and depicted.
Ode IX, Irmos: New is the wonder and befitting of God: * for the Lord clearly passes through the closed gate of the Virgin: * naked at His going in and God bearing flesh at His coming out, * while the gate remaineth closed. * As ineffably the Theotokos and Mother of our God we magnify her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
A holy fruit sprang forth from the holy root of the barren and sanctified one: the Maiden Theotokos who, by the law of God the Father, hath blossomed forth never-withering and perfecting Life. And Anna rejoicing, receives in her old age a babe, the Mother of God, whom we glorify.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
New and godly is the birth-giving of thy holy and God-bearing womb, О pure one; for therein the incarnate holy Son was depicted in human image by the finger of the Father and by the Holy Spirit. Him do we magnify as both God and man without commingling.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All judgment crieth out against me, for the deeds of my sinful actions lift up their voice to forbid me, and my whole soul knoweth those things whereby it will be condemned, and it trembleth before the flame of Gehenna. О Lady, before the end, from which do thou deliver me by thy prayers.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
After giving birth thou wast shown to be incorrupt, О pure one, for in a manner transcending nature, О Theotokos, thou hast given birth immutably to the Creator of all as a man in the flesh, though He was not separated from the essence of the Father; and through the divine Spirit thou didst remain a Virgin. Wherefore, glorifying thee, we lift our voices in hymnody.
Ode I, Irmos: He Who of old gathered the waters into one at His divine behest, and parted the sea for the people of Israel, is our God and is most glorious. To Him let us chant, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
At a loss how to traverse the waters of life’s tumult, O venerable Methodius, thou didst abandon all the beauties of this world and, fighting the invisible foe in the angelic habit, thou didst serve the one God, joyously singing: to Him alone let us chant, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a chosen vessel from thine infancy, O blessed Cyril, in nowise desiring to receive milk from a stranger’s breasts, thereby showing that thy mind would not be deceived by a strange doctrine, but would be illumined by the teaching of the holy Orthodox Church, and that thou thyself wouldst become the teacher and enlightener of many.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Bedewed by the waters of your teachings, even to this day the Slavic lands bring forth fruit right pleasing unto Christ the Master; wherefore, the Holy Church doth bless you, crying aloud: Deliver us from tribulations, for ye have been glorified!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The waters of sin have entered in unto my soul, O Mistress, and I am sunk in the mire of the passions. To thee do I flee, O most immaculate one: still thou the turmoil of impure thoughts and grant me peace of mind.
Ode III, Irmos: O Most High, Thou Ruler of all, Who out of non-existence hast brought all things, which are fashioned by Thy Word and made perfect by the Spirit: Confirm me in Thy love!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
O venerable Methodius, hearing with the ear of thy heart: “He who would come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow after Me,” thou didst follow Christ, shouldering the cross of the monastic life. Him do thou entreat, that in His love He establish me, who am cold.
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
He Who of old showed Jacob, in a dream, a ladder which extended up into the heavens, O holy Cyril, when thou wast a boy also in a wondrous dream betrothed thee to a maiden more lovely than all others, Sophia by name. And, behold! the wisdom which sitteth at His throne hath established thee in the love of the Most High.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He Who hath brought all things out of non-existence, O right wondrous fathers, sanctified you for Himself as chosen vessels from your mother’s womb, that ye might bring His name before the nations. Wherefore, celebrating your honored memory, we entreat you, O Cyril and Methodius, to establish your wavering mind in the confession of the right Faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one, who hast given peace to the world and given birth to the Origin of tranquility, still the waves of my passions and establish me upon the rock of dispassion.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn of the saints, Tone IV: Thou didst liken the holy consubstantial Trinity to the sun, O divinely inspired Cyril, declaring that the visible, created sun in the sky is an image of the Holy Trinity, saying: “The solar disc is an image of God the Father, Who hath neither beginning nor end; and as a ray of light issueth forth from the solar disc, illumining the earth, so is the Son, the Effulgence of the Father, begotten of God the Father; and the warmth which giveth life to the whole world, and with the ray is poured forth from the same disc, is an image of the Holy Spirit, Who proceedeth from the same Father.” Heeding thy wondrous teaching, we also worship the one God in Trinity, blessing thy memory, O right wondrous one. Twice
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Repeat the foregoing hymn.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou hast shown us constant love, O Lord, for Thou didst give Thine only-begotten Son over to death for us. Wherefore, in thanksgiving we cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst set the keeping of the commandments as thy corner-stone, O venerable Methodius, and building the house of thy soul thereon thou didst make it a habitation of the Holy Spirit. And I, who am the abode of sin, fall down before thee, O most blessed one: cleanse me with the dew of thy prayers, that I may cry out in thanksgiving: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
“Grant that I may understand what is pleasing unto Thee, O Master!”, thou didst cry out, O blessed Cyril, when thou wast given over to study with the young emperor; wherefore, in addition to outward philosophy, thou didst receive the wisdom of the Spirit and the fear of God from on high, and didst regard earthly wisdom as nought, crying: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst set love for thy Creator like a seal upon thy heart, O most blessed Cyril; wherefore, thou didst reject an earthly betrothal and the glory of this world, and, escaping like a bird from the hunters’ snares, thou didst attain unto the calm haven of monastics and wast clothed in the robe of joy, chanting with Methodius: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Setting mine iniquities and injustices before me, I see that they have multiplied more than the sands of the sea. To thee do I flee, O most immaculate one: heal the sores of my soul, that in thanksgiving I may cry out to Him Who was born of thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Ode V, Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: O accursed am I, for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst flower like a fragrant lily in the wilderness, O venerable Methodius, adorning thy soul with prayer, vigils and fasting; and, having lived angelically upon the earth, with the angels thou dost now contemplate in splendour the never-waning Light Who reigneth with peace.
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Praying in the wilderness to Him Who is upborne by the angels of glory, O Cyril, thou wast prevailed upon to return to the Imperial City and adorned with priestly rank, that thou mightest show the way of salvation to men, illumining them with the light of doctrine and offering up the unbloody sacrifice to the never-waning Light Who reigneth with peace, for all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast shown to be an inexhaustible well of wisdom, O God-bearing Cyril, when thou wast sent by the emperor to dispute with the Saracens, who blaspheme the all-holy Trinity; and they were unable to drown in the turgid waters of their false religion thee who art illumined from on high by the never-waning Light.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
How can I fail to fear the dread felling, since I am a barren tree, wretch that I am? Make haste quickly to her who is full of grace, O my soul; for if she will not help thee, thou wilt never behold the never-waning Light Who reigneth with peace!
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost abyss of sins hath engulfed me, and my spirit doth perish. But, stretching forth Thine upraised arm, O Master, save me as Thou didst Peter, O Helmsman!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
“Our God is like the deep of the sea, unfathomable by the mind and indescribable in words,” thou didst say to the Moslems who disputed with thee, O all-wise Cyril; “and some who attempt to sail across this deep in the leaky boats of their own intellect are drowned, falling into errors and heresies, while others are buffeted by incomprehension and doubt, knowing not how to chant: O Helmsman, save us, as Thou didst Peter!”
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Sunk deep in the abyss of their false understandings, the Moslems secretly offered thee deadly poison. But He Who said: “If ye drink anything deadly, it will not harm you”, preserved thee whole and returned thee with honor to the Imperial City. And, fittingly blessed by the emperor and patriarch, thou wast supremely exalted, crying: “O Helmsman, Thou hast saved me as Thou didst Peter!”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit once said to the disciples: “Separate for Me Barnabas and Saul for the task to which I have called them,” the enlightenment of the nations who are perishing in the abyss of ignorance of God; and He likewise commanded that ye be sent to the lands of the Slavs, O venerable fathers. And, illumined by the light of your teaching, people who sat in darkness and the shadow of death have cried out: “O Helmsman, Thou hast saved us as Thou didst Peter!”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The uttermost abyss of sins hath encompassed me, and, beset with trembling and terrified of utter drowning, I offer thee entreaty, O all-immaculate one: Have mercy upon my passion-plagued soul! Stretch forth thy hands, in that thou art good, and as Thy Son saved Peter, so do thou save me, O thou who dost steer my soul.
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 III: Let us honour our two sacred enlighteners, who poured forth upon us a spring of divine knowledge through their translation of the divine Scriptures. Drawing forth abundantly therefrom to this very day, we bless you, O Cyril and Methodius, who stand before the throne of the Most High and fervently pray for our souls.
Ikos: Come, ye faithful, let us praise our God-bearing fathers Methodius and Cyril, the preachers of piety who shone forth in virtue, the true pillars and foundation of the Church, the divine clarions of Christian dogmas; for having driven the darkness of unbelief away from us and burned up the impieties of heresy with the fire of the Spirit, by their translation of the Scriptures they transformed the Slavic race from wild olive-trees into a fruitful grove, through divine baptism have brought them into the Christian Faith, and have filled the whole world with a multitude of miracles; wherefore, they stand, crowned, before God Almighty. And we cry out to them: O divine fathers, peers of the apostles, entreat Christ, that He grant all the Slavic peoples steadfastness in Orthodoxy and oneness of mind, bring peace to the world, and save Thou our souls.
Ode VII, Irmos: The three children would not bow down before the golden image, the object of the Persians’ worship, but chanted in the midst of the furnace: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Abiding alone in solitude before, O Methodius, thou didst make thy soul like a divinely planted garden; but later, undertaking the apostolic preaching with the divinely wise Cyril, thou didst labor in the lands of the Slavs, where, unburnt by the fire of impiety like the youths in the furnace, ye chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Thou didst best the Jews and Saracens in argument, O all-wise Cyril, and didst enlighten the land of the Khazars with holy baptism, freeing a multitude of captives, and didst transform brackish water in an arid wilderness into potable water; and, saved by thee, the people chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O venerable fathers, ye were vessels chosen to bear the name of the Lord before the nations; wherefore, the Slavic peoples desired to be illumined by the light of your doctrine. And ye deemed it better to exchange the sweetness of solitude for apostolic labor, that ye might win a great many for Christ; and together with them ye chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I am a vessel full of the passions, O all-holy Virgin Theotokos, and fear ultimate death and the threat of the fire. But do thou save me who am perishing, O all-pure one, and gird my spirit about with strength, that, bursting the bonds of sin, I may chant in thanksgiving: Blessed art thou who gavest birth to Him Who hath delivered the captives!
Ode VIII, Irmos: With immaterial flame the God-seeing children caused the flame of the material fire to die out, and they chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Continually illumined by the immaterial fire of grace, thou didst receive the rank of priest, O blessed Cyril; and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, thou didst devise an alphabet for the Slavs, that the people, enlightened by the translation of divinely inspired books into their native speech, might chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
O most lauded fathers, ye first thundered out the chief heading of our Faith, the unearthly words of the son of thunder: “In the beginning was the Word”, and then the melodious Psalter, wherewith the Holy Church crieth out in gladness: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ye have enriched us with an immaterial treasure, O right wondrous fathers, for thanks to you the divine liturgy began to be celebrated in the Slavonic language; and partaking of this grace to this day, we bless you, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The fire of temptations and evil perils hath surrounded me. To thee do I flee, O Virgin Theotokos. Disdain not the supplications of thy servant, O pure one, but deliver me from the cruel ones who beset me, that, uttering blessing, I may bless thee and exalt thy name supremely forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: Thee, the unconsumed bush, the holy Virgin, the Mother of the Light, the Theotokos, the hope of us all, do we magnify!
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
Who can praise thee fittingly, O most glorious Methodius? And who can reckon the labours thou didst apostolically undertake for the salvation of an erring people, O Cyril? We who have been taught by you to glorify God Most High in our native tongue magnify you in oneness of mind.
Holy Fathers, Cyril and Methodius, pray to God for us.
When thou hadst completed thy work and finished the race, O blessed Cyril, thou didst receive word of thy repose from on high, and, accepting it joyfully, thou didst chant: “My spirit was glad because of them that said unto me, Let us go into the courts of the Lord!” And yearning for the heavens, thou wast borne aloft in soul, where with the hosts of heaven thou dost continually magnify the consubstantial Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Receiving the episcopacy of the Church of Moravia, O venerable Methodius, in proclaiming the Holy Faith thou didst undertake many labours and struggles, and didst endure many tribulations and persecutions; and, rejoicing now in the highest with the holy Cyril, pray for us, that we may continually magnify you as our helpers and mediators.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O thou who art more exalted than the angels and more honourable than the cherubim, we pray thee: through the intercession of the holy Cyril and Methodius have pity on our lowliness, lead us up from the depths of sin, and deliver us from everlasting damnation, that with them we may magnify thee, the Theotokos and Mother of the Light, and our hope.
Troparion, Tone IV: In that ye share the ways of the apostles, O divinely wise Cyril and Methodius, ye teachers of the Slavic lands, entreat the Master of all, that He confirm all the Slavic nations in Orthodoxy and oneness of mind, grant peace to the world and save our souls.
Ode I, Irmos: O ye people, let us send up a hymn unto our wondrous God, Who freed Israel from bondage, singing and crying out a hymn of victory unto Thee Who alone art Master.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Accept Thou the song of my lips, O Christ my Benefactor, and cleanse Thou my tongue, being not mindful of my manifold sins; that I may extol in song the honourable life of Thy hierarch, in memory of the translation of his relics.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Having received the gift of working miracles, and crowns of patience, and being adorned with thy hierarchal office, do thou beseech God, O our Father, that He grant remission of transgressions to us who glorify the translation of thy relics.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
O Father, shepherd of the flock of Christ, thou art sent to other sheep, of the Latin tongue, that thou mayest astonish all with thy wonders and lead them to Christ. O blessed one, pray thou unceasingly in our behalf.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The heathen nations formerly far removed have drawn nigh unto God through thy birth-giving, O Theotokos; and, deified and set free from the ancient curse by thy blood, I have been given rebirth by thee.
Another Canon to the Holy Hierarch, Tone IV
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.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Illumine my soul and heart, I pray thee, O Bestower of light and Fashioner of creation. Grant unto me the gift of praising in song Thy most honoured favourite, by whom do Thou deliver the world from misfortune.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Illumine my soul and heart, I pray thee, O Bestower of light and Fashioner of creation. Grant unto me the gift of praising in song Thy most honoured favourite, by whom do Thou deliver the world from misfortune.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having acquired heavenly wisdom, thou didst invest it as a talent entrusted to thee; for, having set at nought the guile of those opposed to God, thou didst enlighten the people with divine instruction.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
From a Maiden is the Infant born, pre-eternal of origin and preserved in perfection, Whom thou didst preach in two Natures and in one Hypostasis, O divinely blessed one.
Ode III, 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.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Guileless in manner and meek in demeanour, possessed of an angelic life, O divinely blessed Nicholas: cease thou never to pray to Him Who loveth mankind, in behalf of us all.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
What city doth not have thee as a helper, O blessed one? What soul uttereth not thy name? And what place dost thou not visit in spirit, astounding all with thy wonders, O Nicholas?
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Though the city of Bari hath received thy body, yet thy spirit dwelleth in the heavenly Jerusalem, where thou exultest with the prophets, apostles and holy hierarchs, praying in our behalf to Him Who alone loveth mankind.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Beg thou enlightenment for me who am engulfed in darkness because of my many sins, O all-pure Lady who gavest birth to the Light of the whole world; and drive far from me the gloom of the passions, O divinely blessed one.
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.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
The grieving have found great consolation; they that are in darkness have acquired the light; and those assailed by sorrows have in thee received deliverance from evils, O most sacred father.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
The grieving have found great consolation; they that are in darkness have acquired the light; and those assailed by sorrows have in thee received deliverance from evils, O most sacred father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O holy hierarch Nicholas, who wast the mouth of God: thou hast delivered men from the maw of the diabolic wolf, O glorious one, and hast borne them to the Creator as a gift, granting healing unto all.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure Mother of God: the Word Who chose for Himself a servant, the hierarch Nicholas, as a teacher of His people, did will to be born of thee alone in the flesh, in manner past all recounting.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone I, Spec. Mel. “Thy tomb, O Saviour…”: The translation of thy precious relics is for us an occasion of splendid celebration, O Nicholas, holy hierarch of the Lord whom we piously praise, joyously honouring thee, the light of the never-setting Sun, thou adornment of the faithful.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Repeat the foregoing hymn.
Ode IV, 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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Enlighten my heart and dispel from it the gloom of sin, O holy hierarch who art illumined by the light of the Most High, that I may joyously hymn the holy translation of thy relics.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Having ascended the ladder of the virtues, O blessed one, thou wast revealed to all the world as a wonder-worker, O Nicholas; wherefore the people of Bari removed thy holy relics from Myra.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Faithful priests rejoice in thee, and Christ-loving princes call upon thee as an ally in battle; and we, unworthy though we are, exhort thee to pray to God in our behalf, O Nicholas.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The depth of thy mystery doth astound the ranks of the angels, O Theotokos, and thine icon doth cast the demons into confusion; and honouring thee as the Mother of God, we bow down before it.
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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
O herald of God, through partaking of the primal light of God, thou wast shown to be a secondary luminary, enlightening with thy splendour them that are in darkness, in that thou art a lover of virtue, soaring aloft in glory.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
O herald of God, through partaking of the primal light of God, thou wast shown to be a secondary luminary, enlightening with thy splendour them that are in darkness, in that thou art a lover of virtue, soaring aloft in glory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Deliver thy flock from the tempests of sins, from waves of tribulation and hostility, guiding us ever to the calm haven by thy saving prayers.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He to Whom thou gavest birth in an ineffable manner is by nature the unutterable Light of the Most High, Who is rich in mercy, and hath enriched us, impoverished as we are, with the gifts of God.
Ode V, Irmos: O Christ God, Bestower of light, Who didst dispel the primeval darkness of the abyss: disperse the gloom of my soul, and grant me the light of Thy commandments, O Word, that, rising early, I may glorify Thee.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thy cathedra was in Myra, but thy body was transported to Bari; yet in spirit thou dwellest with the apostles in heaven, in that thou art their successor. With them pray for us who hymn the translation of thy relics.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
O hope of all Christians and great defender of the oppressed, healer of the afflicted, consolation of the grieving and intercessor before the Lord for the human race: beg thou peace for our land, and save us from the incursions of the aliens.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Through thine intercessions, O Nicholas, do thou enliven my soul which hath drowned because of its many passions and hath been slain by the fall; and guide it to repentance, that I may glorify the translation of thy relics with all the faithful.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Virgin, thou dost nourish as a babe Him Whom the myriads of angels and multitudes of the seraphim fear, and before Whom all reason-endowed creatures tremble; and, beholding Him in thine arms, we ever worship Him, as is meet.
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.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Having acquired beautiful feet through the working of many wonders, thou didst bring glad tidings of good things to all. Freeing all from the ancient enmity by thy divine teaching, save us, O sacred hierarch.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Having acquired beautiful feet through the working of many wonders, thou didst bring glad tidings of good things to all. Freeing all from the ancient enmity by thy divine teaching, save us, O sacred hierarch.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Embarking upon the crest of the sea by God’s will, thou didst arrive at the city of Bari, having traversed the deep with many pious men, O blessed Nicholas.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We truly glorify thee, O Virgin Mother of God, as the shield of the faithful, crying out to thee as did the angel: Rejoice, thou who art blessed and full of grace, awesome rumor and report, wondrous place of rest for the Master of all creation!
Ode VI, Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the uttermost abyss, O Christ God, in that Thou lovest mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Health of body and cleansing of soul do we receive abundantly from thy divine church as from a pool, O holy hierarch Nicholas; for through grace wonders pour forth upon them that trust in thee with faith unfeigned.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
As thou art the most glorious favorite of Christ, O father, deliver thy servants, who honour the translation of thy holy relics, from all manner of danger, from grievous misfortunes and the sorrows that beset us.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Blighted by the frost of sin and driven by the wind of life, let me be warmed by thy prayers, gazing upon the likeness of thy divine image; for thou art a second sun, O father Nicholas, thou servant of Christ.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
The earthly mind cannot comprehend heavenly mysteries; neither can a creature attain to knowledge of the Creator: for the birth of the Lord from the Virgin passeth man’s understanding. And entreating her with faith, we shall receive remission of sins.
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.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Save us by thy guidance, O Nicholas, preacher and teacher of the nations, who hast led to salvation the people of God Who appeared in the flesh for the benefit of many.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Save us by thy guidance, O Nicholas, preacher and teacher of the nations, who hast led to salvation the people of God Who appeared in the flesh for the benefit of many.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O thou who didst have the sea as thy way and the waters as thy paths: beseech the Lord, that we may navigate the sea of life unharmed, and may reach the heavenly kingdom by the waters of our tears.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou art the portal of the King of the heavens and the temple of His glory, O all-hymned Virgin. Open thou the gates of mercy, and lead us into the abode of heavenly glory by thy supplications.
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 III, Spec. Mel. “Today the Virgin…”: Thy relics have moved like a star, from the East unto the West, O holy hierarch Nicholas; and the sea hath been sanctified by thy passage. The city of Bari receiveth grace through thee, for thou hast been shown forth for us as a wonder-worker: illustrious, most wondrous and merciful.
Ikos: Let us now praise with hymns the holy hierarch, pastor and teacher of the people of Myra, that by his entreaties we may be enlightened. For he is shown to be wholly pure, incorrupt of spirit, bringing unto Christ an unblemished sacrifice, pure and well-pleasing unto God, in that he is a hierarch pure of both body and soul. Wherefore, he is truly an intercessor and champion for the Church, and a wonder-worker: illustrious, most wondrous and merciful.
Ode VII, 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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Today the angels of God rejoice and a multitude of demons lamenteth; for He hath delivered the people from temptation and hath driven away the spirits of darkness. Wherefore, thou, O Nicholas, art worthily called victor; for which cause we chant unto the Lord: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
They that are taken with the grief of sickness, who are heavy laden with divers afflictions, hasten to thy shrine with faith, and, having received thy mercy, depart in haste, joyfully chanting unto the Lord: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
The assemblies of the people stand before thee, O blessed one, and the teachers of the Church rejoice in thee. Kings glorify thee as their defender; and we entreat thee, O Nicholas: Save us who chant unto the Lord: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O how can I chant unto my Saviour, Whom even the angels praise with trembling? But do thou, O Mother, direct me, and by thy compassion move the mercy of thy Son to have pity on us who set our hope on thee. As thou dost beseech Him in our behalf, deliver us from torment.
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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
By thy word grant healing to the whole human soul which, like salt, hath lost its savor through the vanity of things; and teach us to chant unto the Lord: O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
By thy word grant healing to the whole human soul which, like salt, hath lost its savor through the vanity of things; and teach us to chant unto the Lord: O all-hymned Lord and God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O most glorious are the wonders thou hast wrought! For thou healest infirmities and deliverest from misfortunes, commanding all to chant unto the Lord: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Theotokos, thou art the defender and rampart of our lowliness, and we, thy servants, ever cry unto the Lord: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Ode VIII, Irmos: O ye angels and heavens, bless, hymn and exalt supremely Him Who sitteth upon the throne of glory and as God is glorified unceasingly forever!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
The angels of the heavens accept thee as a minister, and the prophets greet thee as a fellow servant. The Lord Himself receiveth thee. And we sinners ask thee for mercy.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Great is the authority given thee by God, O Nicholas: the sea is subject to thee; the winds obey thee; and the nations, beholding thy most glorious wonders, submit themselves to thee.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
O Saviour, Thou hast shown Thy holy hierarch Nicholas to be more glorious than Moses, delivering from all tribulation the New Israel, the Christian people.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
In that thou art the Mother of God, ask for us remission of sins, O Lady, and stretch forth thy hand unto me, who am sunk in the abyss of despair, that, raised up by hope, I may exalt thee supremely for all ages.
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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst grow as a sweet-smelling flower in the land of Myra, O glorious one, wafting gifts of healing like fragrant perfume upon all that praise thee and sing: O ye works, chant unto the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst grow as a sweet-smelling flower in the land of Myra, O glorious one, wafting gifts of healing like fragrant perfume upon all that praise thee and sing: O ye works, chant unto the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having poured out the sweetness of God’s grace like oil from the Mount of Olives, thou didst have in the sea a path made safe by the grace of the Lord, to Whom we sweetly cry: O ye works, chant unto the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou gavest birth, yet remainest ever Virgin, to the astonishment of the choirs above; for thou didst bear the Word, Who was man unaltered by His divinity, and to Whom we sing: O ye works, chant unto the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, Who hath exalted the horn of salvation for us in the house of David His child, wherein the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, and directed us to the path of peace.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Blessed be the Lord our God, for He hath glorified His holy hierarch throughout all lands, who gusheth forth streams of wonders, who worketh healing in all the lands of Myra and of the Latins, who visiteth us with mercy.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Blessed be the Lord our God, for He hath glorified His holy hierarch throughout all lands, who gusheth forth streams of wonders, who worketh healing in all the lands of Myra and of the Latins, who visiteth us with mercy.
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst fall into an honourable sleep and didst permit thy body to go to Bari for the good of all; for by thy supplications thou art an ever-vigilant defender for all that call upon thee with faith, O Nicholas.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
At a loss for words, I am unable to praise thee fittingly, who art higher than the heavenly hosts and more honourable than all creation, who gavest birth to God the Creator in the flesh. Entreat Him, O Theotokos, to have mercy upon us on the day of judgment.
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!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thy memorial is for us an occasion of festivity this day. The choir of the apostles, the assembly of martyrs and the spirits of the righteous rejoice; and we, the faithful, glorify thee with hymns, crying aloud: O holy hierarch of Christ, deliver us from all sorrows!
Hierarch of Christ, Nicholas, pray to God for us.
Thy memorial is for us an occasion of festivity this day. The choir of the apostles, the assembly of martyrs and the spirits of the righteous rejoice; and we, the faithful, glorify thee with hymns, crying aloud: O holy hierarch of Christ, deliver us from all sorrows!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy most glorious memory hath shown forth upon us, illumining the faithful with splendour, O wise Nicholas, holy hierarch of Christ. Wherefore, we beseech thee: be thou mindful of us all, and deliver us from all the temptations of the adversary by thine intercessions.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Mortify our carnal passions and lusts, O pure Theotokos; still the tempest of our passions; calm the tumult of our thoughts; and strengthen the hearts of them that honour thee as their defender, O most pure and blessed one.
Troparion, Tone IV: The day of splendid solemnity is come; the city of Bari rejoiceth, and with it the whole world doth exult with hymns and spiritual songs. For today is the sacred feast of the translation of the precious and much-healing relics of the hierarch Nicholas the wonder-worker. For like the never-setting Sun, he shineth with brilliant beams of light, driving away the darkness of temptations and misfortunes from them that cry out with faith: Save us, O Nicholas, for thou art our intercessor!
The first canon, in tone IV
The Canon of the Saint, Tone VIII