The Canons to St Peter and St Fevronia

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As the western-world militates against traditional marriage and family values, we turn to the Holy Wonderworkers of Murom, Peter and Fevronia, praying to them for the defence and strengthening of the Christian foundations of marriage and family-life.


The Holy, Right-Believing Wonderworkers, Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom

Canon of the Theotokos, the acrostic whereof is: “I chant praise unto the Life-bearing Maiden”, Tone I

Ode I, Irmos: Traversing the impassible, uncommon path of the sea dry-shod, Israel the chosen cried aloud: Let us chant unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The immaterial ladder of old, and the path of the sea made strangely firm, revealed thy birth-giving, O pure one. Her do we all hymn, for she hath been glorified!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The power of the Most High, the perfect Hypostasis, the Wisdom of God incarnate of thee, O all-pure one, hath conversed with men, for He hath been glorified!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The Sun of thy righteousness hath passed through the impassible door of thy locked womb, O pure one, and hath shone forth upon the world, for He hath been glorified!

Canon I of the saints, Tone VIII

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O God, grant that I may offer hymnody unto Peter, Who was pleasing unto Thee and glorified Thee on earth, that I may magnify Thee, the Giver of understanding, with hymns.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

To your homeland hath Christ shown you to be like an all-radiant sun, illumining with miracles all who have recourse to you with faith.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Having given no mind to the things of the body, hated earthly things as corruptible and renounced the world, ye have been vouchsafed the honour of the venerable. With them pray ye for the world.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O all-pure Ever-virgin Theotokos, who gavest birth in the body to the eternal Word of the unoriginate Father, unto Him do we now cry aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Canon II of the saints, the composition of Michael the Monk, Tone I

Irmos: Let us all chant a hymn of victory unto God, Who hath wrought marvellous wonders with His upraised arm and saved Israel, for He is glorious.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Assembling, let us praise as it meet the crowned and pious Peter and Fevronia, the bestowers of abundant miracles, who save our souls.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

With hymns and spiritual songs let us praise the blessed ones, crying thus: Rejoice, O all-lauded ones, all-radiant luminaries and steadfast helpers of our homeland!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Even though in the latter years the newly-enlightened Russian land gave rise to these blessed ones, yet have they been vouchsafed the honour of the ancients; for they impart gifts of miracles in abundance unto those who flee to them.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O most immaculate one, with thy light drive the gloom from my mind and deliver me from everlasting darkness, that I may hymn thy mighty works.

Ode III

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

He Who, as the Creator of time, is outside of all time, O Virgin, willingly made Himself a Child through thee.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Let us hymn the womb that is far more spacious than the heavens, through which Adam came to make his abode in the heavens, rejoicing.

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Be thou a helper for the helpless and merciful consolation for the grieving, O blessed Peter, that, delivered by your supplications, we may honour thee.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As thou didst once commit the serpent to utter destruction, slaying him, O thrice blessed one, so now vanquish those who make war upon thy homeland, that we may glorify thee.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Behold our despondency; behold our grief; behold the misfortune that the enemy bringeth upon us! Wherefore, change it by thy prayer unto the Lord, O Peter, that we may piously honour thee.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Thee have all of us Christians acquired as a refuge and bulwark, and thee do we unceasingly glorify, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: Let my heart be made steadfast in Thy will, O Christ God, Who didst establish the second heaven above the waters and didst found the earth upon the waters, O Almighty One.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

To the Russian lands hath God shown thee to be glorious in miracles, O all-blessed Peter, and hath adorned thee with heavenly gifts. Him do thou now entreat, that He have mercy on us all.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O all-radiant beacons shining like another sun, illumine us who keep your memory, O all-blessed Peter and Fevronia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

A conduit of gladness hath opened for us: the splendid day of the all-wise Peter and Fevronia, who grant great mercy unto those who hymn them with faith.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Deliver us from all perils, from the many temptations of the serpent and from darkness, O most immaculate one who for us gavest birth to the never-waning Light.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: O ye faithful, let us hasten to the blessed and splendid solemnity of Peter and Fevronia as to the shining sun, and let us unceasingly cry out: Even though ye have passed from this earth, O all-glorious ones, ye have not parted from us, but stand with the angels before the Trinity, Whom do ye entreat, that our souls be saved.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Christ our God Who became incarnate of thee have we acknowledged to be the Word of the Father, O Virgin Theotokos who alone art pure, alone art blessed. Wherefore, chanting, we unceasingly magnify thee.

Ode IV

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of Thy glorious dispensation, and I have glorified Thine unapproachable power, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Behold! the most manifest Mother of God, the divine mountain of the house of the Lord, is exalted far above the hosts of heaven.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O Virgin, who, alone outside the laws of nature, gavest birth unto the Ruler of creation: thou hast been vouchsafed a divine calling.

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As a mediator and helper of thy homeland, be thou as one who scattereth the adversary, as an ally of thy people, who glorify thee, O Peter.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As ye dwell in the mansions of heaven with the venerable and the righteous, O all-blessed Peter and Fevronia, never cease to pray for thy people.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Thee do we beseech, O all-blessed one: quell the uprisings of adversaries and ease the infirmities of men, that we may magnify thee with voices of praise.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Grant us cleansing from our transgressions, in that Thou art all-good, and bring peace to Thy world, O God, through the supplications of her who gave Thee birth.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: Foreseeing in the Spirit the incarnation of the Word, O Prophet Habbakuk, thou didst announce, crying out: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth! Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Once, slaying the serpent, O blessed one, thou didst commit him to utter destruction. And so now also preserve thy homeland unassailed, O Peter, with Fevronia, by thy supplications.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Illumining thy splendid feast with the radiance of the grace of the threefold Sun, O blessed one, from the passion-fraught darkness of the demons deliver those who keep thy memory with faith.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Today the holy festal day calleth the flock of monks to gladness, to a spiritual banquet, to the food of life incorruptible, to the divine delight of the wonderworkers.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Understanding through the Spirit of God, the prophet described thee beforehand as the mountain overshadowed, O pure one. By thy mediation, O Virgin, cool thou my soul, which withereth beneath the burning heat of many transgressions, for thou alone art the correction of men.

Ode V

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The burning Ember was revealed to Isaiah, and the Sun hath shone forth from the Virgin’s womb, granting the enlightenment of the knowledge of God to those who have gone astray in darkness.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Clouds of darkness rain down delight upon those who are on earth, for unto us hath a Child been given, Who hath existed from before the ages: our God, Who is incarnate of the Virgin.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Light hath shone forth upon my life and my flesh, and hath dispelled the gloom of sin: the most Exalted One, Who in the latter days was incarnate without seed of the Virgin.

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

The ground that received your precious bodies hath been sanctified, O divinely blessed Peter and Fevronia; and receiving healing through you, men glorify Christ Who hath glorified you with might.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Even though ye have passed from this earth, yet have ye attained unto the abodes of heaven, where ye stand with the angels before the Trinity, Whom do ye entreat, that those who honour you with love may be saved, O blessed ones.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Having acquired you as all-radiant stars and a never-setting sun, your homeland boasteth, cherishing your all-honoured memory, O Peter and Fevronia.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

We hymn thee, who art virgin even after giving birth, O Theotokos; for for us thou gavest birth in the flesh to God the Word, to Whom we all cry out thus: Make straight our paths, we pray Thee!

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: Shine forth thy radiant and everlasting light upon us who rise early unto the judgments of Thy commandments, O Master Christ our God, Who lovest mankind.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O all-good twain! O all-radiant beacons! O goodly couple, who art a single light in two bodies! O ye who were goodly lamps unto your own life! Taking up the yoke of the Lord, ye followed Him with all your soul.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Your right wondrous and all-glorious memorial hath dawned in the Russian land, O blessed ones, and filleth with joy and gladness the assembly of the faithful, who earnestly glorify you in hymns, O holy ones.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O ye hierarchs and priests, ye monks and lay folk, ye elders and youths, and people of every age: leap up with splendour, magnifying the memory of the all-glorious Peter and Fevronia in hymns.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O Maiden, thou splendid temple of Christ, by thy supplications to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit make us also to be temples, O all-pure one, rendering us venerable.

Ode VI

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Hearkening unto the sound of cries of entreaty from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from my grievous sins, for Thou alone art the Cause of our salvation.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Human nature, enslaved to sin, hath obtained freedom through thee, O pure Lady; for thy Son hath been sacrificed like a lamb.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

We all cry out to thee, the true Mother of God: Save thou thy servants, the objects of wrath, for thou alone hast boldness before thy Son.

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O all-honoured couple! O great luminaries! Sanctify and glorify those who with love glorify you in hymns, O wonderworkers.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As an all-radiant twain and an all-honoured summit and couple, who took up the yoke of the Lord, ye served Him with all your soul.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As good counsellors for your own way of life, possessing a single mind in two bodies, ye illumine the world with miracles; wherefore, illumine us also by your supplications.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The voices of the prophets make clear that thou art the Mother of God, O Virgin; and beholding the fulfilment of their Honoured prophecies, we also hymn thee, who art truly the abode of virginity and purity.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: Imitating the Prophet Jonah, I cry out: O Good One, free my life from corruption! O Savior of the world, save me who cry out: Glory to Thee!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

From a most honourable root didst thou arise, an all-glorious scion, O Peter; and having lived on earth in piety, thou didst become a pure receptacle of the Holy Spirit, Who enlighteneth those who now hymn thy memory.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

The land of Russia is now filled with gladness on the appointed day of your feast, O all-glorious wonderworkers; and chanting, it saith thus: Entreat Christ to preserve your homeland from alien nations.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Ye are the helpers of orphans and widows, unassailable allies amid tribulations, the calm haven of all who have recourse unto you, and their true consolation amid sins.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Christ our God hath wrought mighty works in thee, O pure one. Him do thou ever beseech, that in us also He may magnify His mercy, O all-immaculate Mistress.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion, in Tone VIII: Pondering the transitory glory and governance of this world, for this thou didst live piously in peace with the all-wise Fevronia thy spouse, O Peter, pleasing God with almsgiving and prayers. Wherefore, lying inseparably in the tomb even after death, ye invisibly impart healing. Pray ye now unto Christ, that He preserve your city and the people who glorify you.

Ikos: Make clear my tongue and pacify my heart; enlarge my mouth and fill it with the Spirit and wisdom, that therewith I may give utterance and chant thus to Thy wonderworkers: Rejoice with the all-praised Fevronia, O blessed Peter; Rejoice, allies of the land of Russia and helpers of Orthodox princes! Rejoice, preservers of our homeland and confirmation of our city! O all-Honoured twain and goodly couple, pray ye to Christ, that He preserve the city and people who glorify you!

Ode VII

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The youths of old showed themselves to be rhetors with the greatest love of wisdom, for, theologizing with their lips, they sang from the depths of their God-pleasing souls: O most divine God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

At night Jacob beheld God as in a dream, and He Who was incarnate of thee hath manifested Himself in splendour unto those who chant: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

He Who wrestled with Jacob, prefiguring the ineffable union in thee, O pure one, whereby He willingly united Himself to mankind, is the most divine and supremely glorified God of our fathers!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The vile one who had not proclaimed Thee, the Son of the Virgin, to be One of the all-hymned Trinity, cried out with steadfast thought and with his tongue: Most divine and supremely glorified is the God of our fathers!

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O all-blessed Peter and all-praised Fevronia, deliver those who flee unto you amid sickness and who cry out unto Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Be ye a refuge for all and tranquillity untouched by storms for those amid sins, that with you we also may cry out to Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Be ye a refuge for me on the day of wrath, O divinely blessed ones, for I walk among many snares; wherefore, deliver me from them, that I may hymn you.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Today the all-glorious memorial of Peter and Fevronia hath shone forth in the world like the sun; and gathering together for it, we all chant thus: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The Drop, divinely flowing, that was born of thee, O Virgin Theotokos, hath sanctified the world. Pour forth upon me the drops of mercy that sanctify the souls and minds of those on earth.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: The young men raised together in piety, disdaining the impious command, feared not the threat of the fire, but, standing in the midst of the flame, they chanted: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Among all lands did the word spread that all-glorious wonderworkers had appeared to the city of Murom, who grant a multitude of healings unto all who have recourse unto them and hymn them with faith.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Lo! From all cities and lands have hierarchs and priests, monks and lay folk, the rich and the poor, hastened now, all of them rejoicing together, to render praise unto you, O ye who are blessed of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Like a flower didst thou flourish in thy miracles, O all-glorious Peter, as saith the prophet: The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree. Wherefore, all of us now glorify thee, O blessed one.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Thee, O most holy and pure one, do thy servants ever entreat, day and night, with contrite mind, asking that we be granted deliverance from our sins through thy supplications.

Ode VIII

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: The thrice-blessed youths, disdaining the golden image and beholding the immutable and living image of God, chanted in the midst of the fire: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Through thee did He Who is incomparable in grace and might become visible on earth and dwell with men. Chanting unto Him, O all ye faithful, let us cry out: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Truly proclaiming thee the pure one, we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou gavest birth to the One of the Trinity Who became incarnate. And to Him, with the Father and the Spirit, we sing: Let all existing creation hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Wash away and forgive our offenses, O Sinless One, through the supplications of Peter and Fevronia who pleased Thee, that we may hymn Thee, O Christ, forever.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Accept the praise offered unto you with an unworthy hand from the depths of my heart, O blessed ones, and make entreaty in our behalf unto Christ God.

Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.

Remit the offences of the singers who hymn Thee, O all-holy Trinity, in that Thou art all-good, through the supplications of Peter and Fevronia, that we may hymn Thee forever.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

As thou art the vessel of divinity, O pure one, enlighten me, that I may walk in the commandments of the Light Who shone forth from thy womb and hath illumined the hearts of the faithful, O all-pure one,.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: Him of Whom the angels and all the hosts of heaven stand in awe as their Creator and Lord, hymn, ye priests; glorify, ye children; bless, ye people, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

The ranks of angels praise you, O all-glorious ones, and the generations of men hymn you unceasingly, celebrating your memory with faith.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

O Christ God, grant me the intelligence and sense to hymn the all-glorious wonderworkers with worthy praises, that, rejoicing, I may hymn their memory.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Truly victory hath been proclaimed by the faithful, for Peter and Fevronia have shown themselves to be mighty allies amid misfortunes.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Cure the passions of my heart, O all-pure one who gavest birth to God the King; and show me to share in the lot of the righteous, O Virgin Theotokos, entreating Christ thy Son.

Ode IX

Canon of the Theotokos

Irmos: Thou art all desire, all sweetness, O Word of God, Son of the Virgin, God of gods, all-holy Lord of the saints. Wherefore, we magnify Thee and her who gaveth Thee birth.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

In thy womb, O pure one, the Word of God was given to corruptible nature as a staff of strength. And He restored what had been dragged down to hell. Wherefore, we magnify thee, O all-pure one, as the Theotokos.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O Master, mercifully accept Thy Mother as an intercessor in our behalf, as Thou hast willed, and all things will be filled with Thy goodness, that we all may magnify Thee as our Benefactor.

Canon I of the Saints

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Possessed of a conscience pure before God from your youth, ye therefore lived in piety and have passed over to the Most High. Entreat Christ God in our behalf, that we may Honour you with love.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

As ye stand before the Holy Trinity with the venerable and the righteous, O blessed ones, pray ye that He deliver us from wrath and every threat, that we may unceasingly magnify you.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Thy people beseech thee, O Peter blessed of God: with the all-wise Fevronia, with whom thou didst live a God-pleasing life in the world, entreat Christ to deliver us from all evils.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O great wonder! How did Christ God, Whom naught can contain, make His abode in thy womb? Beseech Him in behalf of those who praise thee, O Virgin, that He ever deliver us from misfortunes and from iniquitous men.

Canon II of the Saints

Irmos: The radiant cloud upon which the beginningless Master of all descended from heaven, like rain upon the fleece, and of whom He was incarnate, becoming man for our sake, let us all magnify as the pure Mother of God.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Comely of soul and body, and resplendent in piety, O glorious Peter, full of divine understanding and wisdom thou wast an instrument of the Holy Spirit; and thou hast passed over, rejoicing, to immortal life, to endless bliss.

Holy Wonderworkers, Peter and Fevronia, pray to God for us.

Your feast hath appeared like he morn, like the radiant day, O glorious ones, and all manner of healings pour forth from your shrine like a stream, watering the hearts of the faithful, who honour you with love.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou hast been found to be a great shield and a mighty fortress for the land of Russia, O blessed Peter and Fevronia, the boast of the Orthodox people and their glory among all the nations. And now we beseech you to preserve our homeland from barbarian invasion.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O most immaculate one who gavest birth to the divine Light, enlighten me who am benighted by all the assaults of the evil one, who live in despondency and anger God, and guide me unto good works, for thou art the cause of all good things.

Troparion, Tone VIII: Having lived well in piety, O blessed Peter, thou wast like a most precious offshoot of the root of piety; and thus having pleased God in peace with thy spouse, the all-wise Fevronia, ye were vouchsafed the life of the holy monastics. With them pray ye to the Lord, that He preserve your homeland unharmed, that we may honour you unceasingly.

O great favourites of God and all-wondrous wonderworkers, right-believing Price Peter and Princess Fevronia, intercessors for the city of Murom, preservers of honourable marriage and diligent advocates for all of us before the Lord! In the days of your earthly life ye showed forth a model of piety, Christian love and fidelity one to another, and thereby glorified lawful and blessed marriage. Wherefore, we have recourse unto you and pray with mighty zeal: Offer your holy supplications unto the Lord God for us sinners, and ask for us all things of goodly benefit to our souls and bodies: right faith, good hope, unfeigned love, unshakable piety, success in good works*; and by your supplications grant even more unto those united by the bond of matrimony chastity, love for one another in the bond of peace, oneness of mind of souls and bodies, an unsullied marriage bed, an undisgraced sojourn, long-lived progeny, the favour of children, homes full of goodness, and the imperishable crown everlasting glory in eternal life. Yea, O holy wonderworkers, disdain not our prayers which are offered unto you with compunction, but be ye our faithful helpers before the Lord, and vouchsafe that through your intercession we may receive eternal salvation and inherit the kingdom of heaven, that we may glorify the ineffable love for mankind of God Who is worshiped in Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Nativity of St John the Forerunner

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It was a joy to celebrate the feast of the Holy, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John in Nazareth House today, and even though there were only a dozen of us for Liturgy, in no way did it detract from the beauty of solemnity of this feast of the birth of the first among the saints.

Many thanks to George for reading at vespers of the eve of the feast and to Margarita and Alexander for chanting on the kliros for this morning’s Liturgy, and “Many Years” to our starosta, Norman John, whom we congratulated on his name day.

Recalling the Saviour’s own words, “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist”, in the spiritual hierarchy of God-pleasers, St John the Forerunner is always called upon first after the Mother of God and before all other saints, even though he was a figure from the Old Covenant of the House of Israel, though antithetical to its spiritually, morally and politically corrupt establishment; the last of the prophets and the messenger proclaiming the coming dawn of Christ, the Light of the world; a wild, difficult and disturbing character, prophesying, accusing and challenging the world and society around him; a link between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the Old Israel and the New Israel.

His arena was neither Temple nor synagogue, not even the physical environs of Jewish society, but the wilds and wastes of the Judaean desert, to which people flocked to hear his spiritual message as he “made straight the way of the Lord.”

Among the rocks and wadis, he had neither attachment or constraint, hardly belonging to the world, and labouring only for the coming of the Messiah: his authority coming only from God, and not from the establishment, for which he was a thorn in the side, and a challenge whom it could not control.

Such was the will of God, that the Forerunner was an essential part in the unfolding economy of salvation, proclaiming the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, baptising Him in the waters of the Jordan, and calling pious Jews to the repentance that would make them ready-soil for the seed of the Gospel.

In the third chapter of the Gospel of St John, we read the Forerunner’s words:

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice; this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”

Such was his centrality in the unfolding of salvation, his intimate link to the Saviour, and his planning and arranging for the coming union of Christ and His yet to revealed bride, the Church, that she calls him the ‘Friend of the Bridegroom’ – who, in Judaism, would have been called the shoshbin: the trusted intermediary, wedding arranger and attester to the consummation of a marriage.

Making straight the way of the Lord, preaching repentance to Israel and performing the symbolic baptism of repentance, John prepared the future bride for her marriage to the Saviour, the Bridegroom of the Church.

His work done, he was glad to diminish in the world once his kinsman in the flesh, the God-Man, Jesus Christ had appeared, suffering martyrdom once his preparatory work was done.

Even though his very life was a miracle and he was set apart, in St John, there was no ego, no self-interest, no personal agenda – only selfless labour for Christ the Bridegroom, according to God’s will and purpose, not his own.

Let us emulate his selflessness and humility, seeking neither power, position, reputation, recognition or credit, but rather labour for Christ, fearlessly and with boldness, uncompromisingly witnessing to Christ the Light of the World, and seeking not to sycophantically please the modern Herods among politicians, political-paymasters, ideologues and pedagogues advocating spiritual relativism, woke-ism and moral degradation.

Inspired by St John, our challenge is not to allow politeness, niceness and political expediency, to stifle the voice of truth and righteousness, or to tempt us to embrace the growing spiritual and moral relativism of ‘tolerant’ society, but rather to maintain and defend the absolute Truths which have been revealed to us as Christians shaped by the Gospel and the Faith of the Church.

As some Church leaders and archpastors make peace and concord with the spirit of Herod, the Church and the world needs us all to be emulators of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, and it is the uncomfortable and challenging voices of those crying in the wilderness that will show the way to Christ’s Kingdom and the great wedding feast of the Bridegroom.

The Meeting of the Vladimir Icon

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings as we celebrate the feast of the Meeting of the Vladimirskaya icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, commemorating the deliverance of Moscow from the advancing armies of Khan Ahmet in 1480, through the intercessions of the Mother of God.

On arriving at the Ugra River in the  region, with Ivan III, Grand Duke of Moscow waiting on the other bank, the Tartars were suddenly filled with fear and the Khan would not cross the river, but suddenly retreated to the steppe.

This feast, with an annual Cross procession bearing the Vladimirskaya icon from the Kremlin’s Cathedral to the Sretensky monastery was established.

We began the feast with the celebration of Great Vespers in Llanelli, this evening, and the canon for this most beloved icon is posted below.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us!

 

The Canon of the Meeting of the Icon, in Tone IV

Ode I, Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O Mistress, illumine our souls with divine radiance, with thy grace which passeth understanding, and grant me the bountiful gift to hymn thee as the helper of human nature, O all-hymned one, faithful ally against all heresies for our pious Orthodox hierarchs.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Come ye, let us gather together, O ye assemblies of Russia, in the all-honourable temple of the most immaculate Mistress, and let us chant with compunction, praying before the precious image, and crying aloud: O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock, save those who praise thee!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The most godly Luke, the divinely eloquent recorder of the glad tidings of Christ, in painting thy most precious image, O Mother of God, depicted the Creator of all in thine honoured arms. And those who have recourse thereto thou deliverest from perils and grief, and coverest all with thy mercy.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The Creator of all, finding thee alone to be an all-comely temple, made His abode within thee and hath deified men. Pray thou to Him for us, O Theotokos, that He save us from capture by the heathen and from every other tribulation which assaileth us, that with all honor we may celebrate the meeting of thine image today.

Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine glory establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Putting aside all earthly thought, O ye divinely wise, come ye to greet the all-comely beam who holdeth the all-luminous Ray Who enlighteneth and enricheth the whole world with mercy.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Having acquired thy most precious and wonder-working icon as a mighty ally and an impregnable rampart, O Mother of God, the princes of Russia pray to thee, that thou grant victory over all heresies to our pious Orthodox hierarchs.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou hast been shown to be a radiant cloud washing clean the defilements of our bodies with the dew of grace and enlightening our souls, O thou who alone art most hymned.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thou hast been revealed as a most fruitful tree delighting all with food which perisheth not, and gladdening men’s souls, O pure Bride of God. Pour forth goodly gifts upon all, and save us from violent tribulations.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Sessional hymn,Tone IV, Spec. Mel “Joseph marvelled…”: O ye God-loving people, come to greet the Virgin! For, lo! she who surpasseth all the prophets doth arrive, bearing in the arms of her precious image Him Who bestoweth life upon the world, that she might preserve her suffering city, cast down the boldness of the barbarians and show herself to be the steadfast guardian of all who entreat her might and protection with faith.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Ode IV, Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God – the Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virgin – the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The true and radiant Sun hath shown forth the all-great mountain, from whence came the Stone that was cut not by the hand of man, which hath crushed all temptations to dust and illumined the faithful, shedding light in rays, O Ever-virgin Theotokos.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The children of Hagar arm themselves against thy people, O pure Theotokos, taking evil counsel, razing cities and destroying the faithful; yet do thou annihilate them all by thy mercy, O most hymned one, granting ascendancy to the Orthodox Faith over their false religion.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O only Mother of God, thou animate heaven who received the great Light, illumining all, dispel the darkness of the misfortunes which have beset us, and vouchsafe unto us communion with the Most High.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

David danced before the ark, and the Levites chanted hymns; and all the more doth Russia sing praises before thee as Queen, O pure Theotokos, earnestly giving utterance to thee with voices of entreaty: Rejoice, O ally of our city!

Ode V, Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Thee, O Mother of God, did Isaiah, great among the prophets, behold in the Spirit as containing within thy womb the burning Ember Who illumineth the faithful and utterly consumeth all temptations, saving the human race.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Thou didst put forth the Rod of Aaron and hast uprooted the root of evil, O Virgin Bride of God, having given birth for the world unto the Bestower of life. Him do thou beseech, that this city be saved from manifold perils.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

With gladness approach ye now the most honoured Mother of God, O divinely chosen flock, ye assemblies of Russia, and lovingly receive her precious image. For, lo! her grace is inexhaustible, pouring forth divine waters in abundance. Her do we honour, and we bow down before her precious image.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

From the root of Jesse the Tree of life hath grown forth for all, and thou didst produce its Fruit in thy womb, O pure Virgin, nurturing all men with thy mercy.

Ode VI, Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

From thee, O Mother of God, hath a Torrent of sweetness issued forth, giving drink to all men and washing their souls clean of defilement. O Mistress Theotokos, save all who with faith bow down before thy precious image.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Having assembled together, let us all hymn the pure Virgin, the divinely chosen Maiden of Jacob, the fleece of Gideon, the mediatress of joy, the might and boast of those who are saved, the pure Theotokos.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Behold, gladness now draweth nigh, and sorrow is destroyed! The faithful are saved, drawing forth joy as from a wellspring, and they chant continually in praise: Rejoice, O pure Mistress, thou inception of our salvation, bulwark and boast of all the faithful!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

By thine entreaties grant us thine aid, O all-pure Theotokos, for sorrows descend upon us, griefs have multiplied, and the enemy array themselves against us. Yet, interceding, O all-pure one, deliver us: cast down the arrogance of our foes and grant us victory over our enemies, that all who do evil to thy servants may be put to shame.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “To thee, the chosen leader…”: As ones delivered from evils by the arrival of thy precious image, O Mistress Theotokos, do we splendidly chant hymns of victory to thee, the chosen leader, on the feast of thy meeting, and we cry to thee as is our wont: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!

Ikos: An angelic messenger was sent from heaven to say to the Theotokos: “Rejoice!”, with his incorporeal voice, O Lord; And perceiving Thee incarnate, he was filled with awe and stood, crying out to her such things as these: Rejoice, thou through whom Joy hath shone forth; rejoice, thou who didst annul the curse! Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam; rejoice, deliverance of Eve from tears! Rejoice, height not easily scaled by the thoughts of men; rejoice, depth not easily plumbed even by the eyes of angels! Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King; rejoice, for thou bearest Him Who bearest all things! Rejoice, thou star who revealest the Sun; rejoice, womb of the incarnation of God! Rejoice, thou through whom creation hath been restored; rejoice, thou by whom the Creator is worshipped! Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!

Ode VII, Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Arrayed by thee as in purple and fine linen dyed scarlet, O Mistress Virgin Theotokos, thy city magnifieth Christ and glorifieth the arrival of thy precious image, which hath appeared outshining the rays of the sun and illumining with light undimmed those who sing aloud thy praises.

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

The tablets divinely inscribed by the finger of the Spirit did Moses break in anger; yet the all-glorious Creator Who made His abode within thee, O pure one, preserved thee unharmed. To Him do we chant: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Accept the entreaties of thy servants, O all-pure Virgin Theotokos. By thy supplications still thou the restless tempest, and drive away the councils of the adverse foe who fall upon thy flock, O most immaculate Mistress.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

By His nativity the Creator of all signified that thou alone art the helper of the human race, O Theotokos Mary, and the prophet prefigured thee: one as the gate, another as the bower of God. And we hymn thee as the Mother of God, our mediatress before God, our ally against all the evils which assail us.

Ode VIII, Irmos: The birthgiving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace – then in figure, but now in deed – and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

How can we hymn thee as is meet, O Virgin: our steadfast help, the preserver of our life, our sure mediatress before thy Son and our God? Him do we hymn and exalt supremely forever!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O Mary Theotokos, thou all-comely flower, rich fragrance: thou fillest all with sweet savour, savest and deliverest from infirmities, and dispellest the demons; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O helper of all the faithful who pray to thee!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou hast shown thyself to be a tower repelling the assaults of the adversary, O Mother of God; for thou hast been revealed as a bulwark and rampart, a refuge of salvation for all who honour thee with ardent hearts.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Like David we chant a hymn to thee, calling thee the mountain of God, O all-pure Virgin; for thou hast poured forth upon us the ever-flowing Wellspring. Him do we hymn and exalt supremely forever.

Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honoring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

O pure Theotokos, mediatress of Joy, gladden thou our minds, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O our guardian, might and protection, our refuge of salvation!

Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

Let heaven and earth praise thee together, in that thou gavest birth to the Bestower of life for the world: Rejoice, O tranquil haven, thou inexhaustible wellspring of the water of life, O Mistress!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O ye people, having assembled today to greet the all-pure Mother of God who bore the Fruit of the noetic vine Who ever exudeth the Wine which filleth all with gladness, let us glorify the Theotokos as is meet.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Mother of God, thou divine river of the waters of life who watereth all valleys: drown thou our temptations, and destroy them utterly.

Troparion, Tone IV: Today the most glorious city of Moscow is adorned, having received thy wonder-working icon like the radiance of the sun; and we, hastening to it and entreating thee, O Mistress, do thus cry out: O all-wondrous Mistress Theotokos, entreat Christ our God, Who became incarnate through thee, that He deliver this city, and all cities and lands where Christians dwell, unharmed by all the assaults of the enemy, and save thou our souls, in that thou art compassionate.

The Canon to St Maximos the Greek

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The Canon to the Venerable Maximos the Greek, in Tone I 

Ode I, Irmos: O ye people, let us all chant a hymn of victory unto Him Who delivered Israel from the bitter bondage of Pharaoh, and led them dry-shod in the depths of the sea, for He hath been glorified. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

What tongue, O all-wondrous father, is able fittingly to hymn thy great corrections, sublime teaching, thy martyric suffering and long-suffering in prison and bonds? 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

What tongue, O all-wondrous father, is able fittingly to hymn thy great corrections, sublime teaching, thy martyric suffering and long-suffering in prison and bonds? 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

How shall we hymn and what shall we call thee, O all-valiant father? Prophet, in that thou didst easily foretell what we have come to know and recognise? Apostle, for by the teachings of divine Scriptures thou didst make steadfast the Christian Faith, which was shaken by contrary winds? Or teacher, for truly thou art an instructor no less than or inferior to the great œcumenical teachers. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O ye people, let us all hymn the holiness and glory of the all-pure and most hymned Mother of God, who is higher than the heavens and all the noetic hosts, and who bore Emmanuel in her all-pure womb, for she is holy and all-glorious! 

Ode III, Irmos: Establish me, O Christ, upon the immovable rock of Thy commandments, and illumine me with the light of Thy countenance, for there is none as holy as Thee, Who lovest mankind. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

In thy heart, O venerable Maximos, thou didst establish divine fear, having hated all carnal lusts; wherefore, as a simple child thou wast made wise, and thou didst hasten after the Lord. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Having the Lord Jesus Christ as thy confirmation, O venerable Maximos, to thy kinsmen, friends and acquaintance thou didst become like an unknown stranger, homeless, bereft of homeland and possessions, and misunderstood. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

Anchoring thyself to the commandments of the Lord, through the bitterness of imprisonment thou didst become as one dead for a long time; yet thou didst make supplication in behalf of those of evil ways, saying: “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, hold not to account for this sin those who slander me with lies!” 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Render us steadfast for thy laudation, O Virgin, and preserve us from harm and every wile of the evil one; and vouchsafe that we may stand at the right hand of thine only-begotten Son, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, unto the ages of ages. 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Sessional hymn, Tone IV: Having adorned thy mind with the divinely inspired Scriptures, with watchful prayer and God-pleasing vigils thou didst confirm thy heart in the Lord by keeping His salvific commandments; wherefore, Athos and the people of Russia continually glorify thee, and the Monastery of Vatopedi crieth out with us: O all-wise Maximos, forsake us not who pray to thee! 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Theotokion: I beseech thee, O all-pure Mother of God Most High, only consolation of my soul, my hope, delight, divine protection, light, help and salvation: By thy supplications vouchsafe that I may hear the voice which calleth the blessed to enter the bridal-chamber of the Master. 

Ode IV, Irmos: Great is the mystery of Thy dispensation, O Christ! For, foreseeing it with divine vision from above, Habbakuk cried out to Thee: Thou hast come for the salvation of Thy people, O Thou Who lovest mankind! 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

No secret false heretical teaching could stay concealed from thee, O venerable Maximos; but through the grace of the worshipful Holy Spirit they were all unmasked by thee. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Thou not only showed thyself to be a true and faithful champion of the mystical dogmas of the Orthodox Faith, but thou wast shown to be a finely honed scythe for the mowing down of all heresies under the sun. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

Thou wast truly shown to be an initiate of the mysteries of the Holy Spirit, a lover of the life of heaven and a teacher of the law of the Lord, O all-wise Maximos. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Moses, who beheld God, was taught a great mystery when he saw the unburnt bush: the bush is the weakness of human nature, and the fire is the divinity of the only-begotten Son of God; for our God is a Fire which devoureth our sins, as the divine apostle saith. 

Ode V, Irmos: Waking at dawn out of the night, we chant to Thee, O Christ, Who art consubstantial with the Father and art the Saviour of our souls: Grant peace to the world, O Thou Who lovest mankind! 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

The moon at night and the sun during the day enlighten and gladden all visible creation; and the manner of life and the wisdom of the saints enlighten and gladden the souls of all men who desire to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth. Thus also do the writings of the venerable Maximos the Greek sound forth like divinely blown trumpets. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

When thou didst pray at night in thy prison-cell, by the providence of the divine and all-good Trinity the angel of the Lord heard thee, and said: “O elder, thanks to these torments thou shalt avoid eternal torments.” 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

At night, O all-wise Maximos, thou didst sing like a sweet-voiced and melodious nightingale: “Be not grieved, neither sorrowful nor downcast, O my beloved soul! Thou sufferest unjustly, yet thy reward will be great in the heavens!” 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Rising at dawn, we hymn thee, O Virgin, the daughter of the King, arrayed in golden vesture inwrought with many colors, the ladder which Jacob beheld, the mountain whereon God was well-pleased to dwell, for the Lord made His abode there to the end. 

Ode VI, Irmos: Thou didst save the prophet from the sea monster, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Lead me up from the abyss of transgressions, I pray. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Like a prophet thou didst rebuke the people, O venerable Maximos, leading them to repentance, saying: “We have strayed, we strayed from the straight and unerring way of life which holy monks lead, and we mindlessly run after the honours of high positions.” 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Thou wast shown to be a prophet of repentance, O venerable Maximos, acquiring watchfulness of soul through divine discourse, and leading up from the pit of the passions those benighted by sins. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

The writings of the prophets, which were uttered in secret, didst thou make plain, O all-wise Maximos; wherefore, all men ever pay great heed to thee. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

The prophets proclaimed thee beforehand, O pure Virgin, the apostles preached thee, all the saints called thee blessed, and we cry out with the archangel: Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee!” 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Kontakion, Tone VIII: With divinely inspired writings and the preaching of theology didst thou denounce the vanity of the heretics, O thou who art most rich; and establishing them firmly in Orthodoxy, thou didst guide them to the path of true understanding. And like a divinely melodious harp thou didst delight and unceasingly gladden the minds of those who hearkened unto thee, O right wondrous Maximos. Wherefore, we beseech thee: Entreat Christ God, that He send down remission of sins upon those who with faith hymn thy most holy dormition, O Maximos our father. 

Ikos: How can we hymn the all-valiant Maximos, the namesake of greatness, the beauteous crown of the venerable, the firm rule of athletes, the true humiliation of heretics, the unshakable pillar of the Church, the renowned instructor of the virginal and champion of honourable marriage, the all-wise sage of philosophers, the ever-flowing fountain of Truth, the boast of monks and true adornment of all men? Wherefore, we beseech thee, O right wondrous Maximos: Entreat Christ God, that He send down remission of sins upon those who with faith hymn thy most holy dormition, O Maximos our father. 

Ode VII, Irmos: When the people were summoned with the sound of music to worship the image, the children of David, chanting the songs of Sion like their fathers, rejected the wicked edict of the tyrant and transformed the flame into dew, singing the hymn: O supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou! 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Giving utterance to a hymn of thanksgiving to the image of the providence of the all-holy Trinity, O venerable Maximos, thou didst summon us all to bless in purity the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the one God in three Hypostases. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

O holy Maximos, thou wast shown to be a model of the endurance of evils, and of patience and prayer, and even more of hope, for God the Judge is just, mighty and long-suffering, and He will render unto each according to his deeds. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

Thou didst acquire the image of sublime theology, O all-wise Maximos, that is the dogmas of the divine apostles and fathers, poured forth by the Holy Paraclete, whereby thou teachest us with thy divine wise writings. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

The image of thine all-pure birthgiving is ineffable and incomprehensible, O Virgin Mother; for thou didst become the dwelling-place of the preëternal and only-begotten Son of the Father, without being consumed by Him. 

Ode VIII, Irmos: Hymn the Lord, Who preserved the children in the burning fiery furnace and descended unto them in the guise of an angel, and exalt Him supremely forever! 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Thou didst desire the radiance of the flame of the divine Paraclete, O venerable Maximos; wherefore, with the most sweet light of doctrine and the fire of miracles thou didst drive away all the darkness of the demons. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Thou didst teach men to flee the flame of Gehenna, O venerable Maximos, calling upon them to embody the commandments of Christ in deed, and to shun malice, fornication, lying, pride, falsehood and the unjust theft of things which belong to others. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

As with flame thou didst burn up the ungodliness of heretics, O all-wise Maximos, making brilliant the divine confession of the unblemished Christian Faith. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Moses the God-seer beheld thee in the fiery flame of the burning bush, O all-pure Virgin, and proclaimed thy seedless birthgiving; wherefore, free us from the carnal passions. 

Ode IX, Irmos: Thee, the Mother of God, the radiant lamp, the all-wondrous glory more exalted than all creatures, do we magnify with hymns. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

We know thee to be a radiant lamp, an excellent mind and an unshakable pillar; and we proclaim thee an instructor of monks and a denouncer of heresies. 

Venerable Father, Maximos, pray to God for us. 

Thou didst shine forth brilliantly from the noonday lands, O venerable Maximos, exhibiting a splendid manner of life, dispelling the darkness of evil, and shining forth in right pleasing supplication. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

As a torch of divine understanding, thou didst attain unto the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming a perfect man according to the measure of the stature of Christ; wherefore, we cry out to thee: Truly blessed art thou in all things, through the struggles, glory and grace which thou didst receive from on high! 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

In hymns we magnify aloud thee who art a radiant beacon amid the night of the passions, a shelter of goodness, and an unassailable defence against the assaults of the enemy. 

Troparion, Tone VIII: Made brilliant by the radiance of the Spirit, through divine wisdom thou wast vouchsafed the intelligence of the rhetors, enlightening with the light of piety the hearts of men, which were darkened by ignorance; and thou wast shown to be a most splendid lamp of Orthodoxy, O venerable Maximus. Wherefore, having become a stranger and wanderer in thy zeal for Him Who seeth all things, thou wast a sojourner in the land of Russia, suffering imprisonment and incarceration at the command of the sovereign; yet thou art crowned by the right hand of the Most High, and workest all-glorious miracles. Be thou also a true mediator for us who honour thy holy memory with love. 

 

 

Weekly News: Monday 3rd July

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Dear brothers and sisters, 

The beginning of the holiday-season is evident from the rolling absence of parishioners as they enjoy a break from the usual excitement of South Wales. We miss familiar faces, but parish life goes on and we continue to have visitors and new inquirers to welcome.

Yesterday saw visitors from London, who had made their journey to honour St Calogero. It was an honour to welcome them, and I am very happy that Elijah will be able to share his Orthodox Sicilian heritage with his family. 

Our wonderful icon of St Calogero remains in church, and even though we are (as guests) struggling to find space for icons, I hope it will be constantly available for veneration. I will print some hymns and prayers and leave them with the icon, so that the faithful may use them in their devotions. 

Tangentially, this leads me to remind you that Wednesday is the feast of St Alban, a portion of whose relics are enshrined in the Oratory Church in Splott. Though I will not be in Cardiff on Wednesday, I encourage you to visit and venerate the protomartyr’s relics, and to pray for our parish and its parishioners. The canon for the martyr may be found on our parish blog: 

https://russianorthodoxchurchcardiff.com/st-alban-canon?fbclid=IwAR0bmxNDtj86YoAM8QmyV3G2BRy3WNXxsnR1Y9_RCuiDigAtk_Cck4w2MNI 

Thursday will be the feast of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, so we will celebrate Great Vespers of the feast at 19:00 on Wednesday evening in the Chapel of st David and St Nicholas, in Llanelli. I have not been available on Wednesdays, recently, but Father Luke celebrates a midweek service in the chapel every week of the year, apart from when he is on holiday.  

We celebrate the feast of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner on Friday this week, and I will celebrate Great Vespers in Nazareth House at 17:00 on Thursday with the Divine Liturgy at 11:00 on Friday morning, when any confession time before the service will be extremely limited. However, I am happy to hear confessions after post-Liturgy refreshments for those preapring for Sunday communion. Confession requests by email please, and by noon on Wednesday, as usual. 

Saturday – the feast of St Peter and Fevronia – sees our monthly mission Liturgy in Cheltenham, with the Divine Liturgy in the United Reformed chapel in Deep Sreet. Confessions will be heard from 09:15, with the Hours at 10:00 and Liturgy around 10:30, after the end of confessions. I appreciate your patience and understanding, as a single visit a month means that our Cheltenham parishioners have to make the most of the chance to confess and this sometimes means that Liturgy starts late. 

Next Sunday is the feast of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, and we look forward to celebrating the feast of this great Wonderworking Icon in Cardiff. The variables for the service may be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13CYfz8X5jb9kuhMH60I7D2hHyhmoz6bw/view 

Looking forward to the following week, Wednesday 12th July, New style, is the feast of the Holy Chiefs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, and we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at 11:00 in Nazareth House. 

There are some calendric variations regarding fasting, but according to the Jordanville Calendar, the remaining days of the fast follow the following rule. 

Monday 3rd July: By monastic charter, strict fast – bread, vegetables, fruits (Hieromartyr Methodios, bishop of Patara) 

Tuesday 4th July: Food with oil, and wine (Martyr Julian of Tarsus) 

Wednsday 5th July: By monastic charter, strict fast (bread, vegetables, fruits) 

Thursday 6th July: Fish, wine and oil (Meeting of the Vladimir Icon) 

Friday 7th July: Fish, wine and oil (Nativity of St John he Forerunner) 

Saturday 8th July: Fish, wine and oil (Saints Peter and Fevronia) 

Sunday 9th July: Fish, wine and oil (Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon) 

Monday 10th July: By monastic charter, strict fast (bread, vegetables, fruits) 

Tuesday 11th July: Fish, wine and oil (Feast of the Mother of God of the Thee Hands) 

Wednesday 12th July: Fish, wine and oil (Saints Peter and Paul) 

Of course, our spiritual fasting comes first, as there is much to abstain from before we even consider food and drink. 

Many thanks to all who labour so much in our parish, especially to sisters Menna and Tracy who were so busy at the weekend, and to our oltarniky and kliros. 

Finally – among the sick, your prayers are asked for our parishioners Brigid (Mo) and Ludmilla, and for Reader David and Andrey. We continue to pray for all of our persecuted fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters in Ukraine – especially for Metropolitan Pavel and the brotherhood of the Kiev-Caves Dormition Lavra, and for Metropolitan Feodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev.  Also, please remember the newly departed servants of God, the Archpriest Alexander and the nun Mina (Catalin’s aunt): memory eternal!

May God bless you all. 

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark 

Celebrating St Calogero the Wonderworker

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What an immense joy it was to return to Llanelli buoyed by our celebration of the memory of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco and St Calogero the Wonderworker of Sicily. We were very happy to welcome Elijah, Eleanor and Domenico from the cathedral, who will no doubt be sharing the news of the celebration with Sicilian family members in London.

After the homily, we chanted a moleben to St Calogero, including the whole ancient canon, by Sergios the Monk, telling the story of st Calogero’s life and miracles, blessing the bread ex votos baked by the children.

As I explained in the homily, our parish’s relationship with St Calogero is rooted in the family-holidays of our churchwarden, Norman, his wife Georgina and his then young children – memories which prompted our first celebration of the feast three or four years ago, complete with baked ex votos offered on behalf of the sick.

This simple first celebration, in the refectory of the much-missed Newman Hall, prompted iconographer Efraim Augello (now happily Father Efraim) and his wife Olympia to offer the parish the gift of a painted icon to replace the little printed santino, which was all we had.

The wonderful icon of St Calogero from father and matushka was at the centre of our Sunday festivities in Nazareth House, complete with the usual bread offerings baked by the children – which was poignant, given our prayers to St Calogero for the sick and infirm. Metropolitn Pavel and the brotherhood of the Kiev Caves Dormition Lavra also held a special place in our prayers to St Calogero, as we asked his protection for the Lavra and brotherhood.

As I observed in conversations, after the Liturgy, we sometimes find that the saints push their way into our lives, with the power and authority that the All-Merciful Lord gives them, and this seems the case with st Calogero.

How was it that matushka Olympia picked up on news of the first Cardiff celebration just hours after we had gathered in Newman Hall?

It seems that St Calogero remembered the devotions of a Cardiff family decades before, responding to the fondness with which his feast and its local traditions were remembered and shared at home.

Like our beloved St John the Wonderworker, St Calogero was forced from his homeland by persecution, and wasted no time in preaching the Gospel in the place of his refuge – not mourning or moping, but springing to action and taking hold of his situation – with its challenges and uncertainties – to serve the Lord and bring the Light of Christ and Orthodox teaching to his newly-found neighbour, given him by God. Living a life of prayer, asceticism and holiness, those around him were touched by God’s Grace and cherished the wonderful teacher God had given them.

We should emulate the examples of both St Calogero and St John, whatever our circumstances and the challenges of our lives – accepting whatever God has allowed, and refusing to let it be an obstacle or distraction for serving Him to the best of our abilities.

We are far from being wonderworkers, but we can all be the hands of the Saviour, helping our neighbours in His world; giving them an ear when they need somebody to listen; being a voice when they need an advocate; feeding, tending, defending all, in the Name of Christ. We can all be the voice of true Faith – defending Orthodox dogmatic Truths from heresy and schism. We can all love, care, show compassion and generosity.

The great wonderworkers, St John and St Efraim, did not waste time or opportunity. The same should be true of our lives.

Stichera, Tone 4: As a true ascetic of Christ, O Blessed One, wast thou crowned; verily, with mortifications thou didst purify the eye of the soul, and wast therefore made worthy to see the God whom thou didst love and whom Moses had once seen; thou also receivest from him, O Calogero, the grace of thy miracles, through which thou hast made thyself known to us, and thee we celebrate with hymns.

Holy, Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us.

Thou wast made truly worthy to receive the gifts of the Spirit, O Father, and dost reward the faithful who celebrate thy holy memory by bestowing upon them peace and mercy; also, freeing them from all dangers, O glorious Calogero, thou leadest them by thy thy prayers to the never-waning light, O Blessed One.

Holy, Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us.

O Holy Father Calogero, taking the yoke of Christ upon thy shoulders, thou didst come into the cave, having no fear of the assaults the enemy launched with beatings and vain noises, O holy one; but thou didst refute them with thy prayers, O mighty soul, pride of ascetics; therefore, constantly beseech Christ to have mercy upon us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O unwedded Virgin, bulwark and boast of those who praise thee, save the faithful who beseech thee, and free them from all misery, O thou who didst didst give birth to God who of his good pleasure wast made incarnate.

Troparion, Tone 8. By the streams of thy tears, thou didst make the soil of the desert fertile / and with thy deep groans didst make thy labours to bear fruit an hundredfold; / and thou didst became a beacon for the whole world, /radiating light by miracles, O Calogero, our Father; / intercede with Christ-God to save our souls.  

Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion. Tone IV: Celebrating today the sacred memory of Calogero with songs,/ we give glory to Christ /, Who grants him the grace of miracles to heal infirmities. 

Parish News: 26 June

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Having already celebrated the Sundays of All Saints and of All Saints of the lands of Rus’, yesterday was the Sunday of All Saints have who have shone forth in the Isles of Britain – though some Orthodox parishes across different jurisdictions celebrated this the previous Sunday.

Through prayer and pilgrimage over the last year, as groups and individuals, we have been blessed to deepen our relationships with our local saints who are part of the vast cloud of witnesses we celebrated – St David, St Non, St Teilo, St Illtyd, St Brigid, St Melangell, St Aldhelm and other saints of the British Isles: visiting their shrines and the places where they lived, venerating their relics, chanting their hymns and services. We look forward to continuing building on this wonderful foundation of holiness.

Next Sunday, as well as celebrating the saints of the day, we will also celebrate the memory of St Calogero, the refugee-saint of Sicily, whose icon was gifted to us by Father Efraim Augello and matushka Olympia, who serve in Sicily. At this time, when so many refugees have found temporary refuge in South Wales, our Venerable Father, Calogero (wherever he hailed from… North Africa, Byzantine Asia Minor?) reminds us that many saints fleeing heresy, persecution, war and revolution have sowed the seeds of Faith in foreign fields far from home, and have brought an abundant harvest to Christ.

Given the ongoing hot weather and its effects on health and mobility, to say nothing of the transport system, I am limiting my movements this week – especially as my weekend continued with a pastoral visit in Cheltenham last night and several more today, with the temperature and humidity on the trains and in hotel accommodation being a challenge.

Norman and Georgina have confirmed that we are able to resume our discussion group, on prayer, this Friday at 19:00 in the parish room at the church of St Mary the Virgin, North St, Butetown. I shall hear confessions before the service, making time for any longer confessions – as needed –  in Nazareth House in the afternoon, as well as for those who are unable to come later on. Please email me regarding confessions by Wednesday midday.

As there will be visitors from London next Sunday, I would also appreciate knowing who wishes to confess that morning. If impediments make weekday confession impossible when I am not in Cardiff on Saturdays, please check regarding Sunday morning. There is usually a gap of twenty minutes before anyone arrives for confessions, which potentially provides time for several people. As announced at Liturgy, please persist in trying the door-handle if you are struggling to enter the church, turning it to the left. Yet again, this work, we had people unable to access the church for confessions because of recurring problems.

As our numbers are already dented by parishioners’ travels and knowing of the holidays booked by our “pilgrimage-core”, looking forward to July, there is no organised parish pilgrimage apart from the visit a few of us will make to Walsingham.

However, I am always happy to go on pilgrimages should those round next month wish to visit a local holy place, and would like to encourage parishioners to, perhaps, visit the Serbian Orthodox Church in Birmingham for the weekly Friday akathist before the Three-Handed Icon of the Mother of God, painted in the Athonite Monastery of Hilandar. It is a copy of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God, and has itself been a source of grace for the faithful.

Happily, after Liturgy and trapeza, yesterday saw Steve being admitted to the catechumenate, and we congratulate him on this step towards Holy Baptism.

May God bless you all, and the week ahead.

In Christ – Fr Mark

Liturgy in the Christian Home: Praying the Canons

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I was very happy that one of our parish-brothers asked for a blessing to chant the canons to the saints of the day during Thursday’s confessions in Nazareth House, with another young brother formatting the canons to St Cyril of Alexandria and St Columba for them to chant together.

As I turned to welcome each penitent before their confession, it was wonderful to see four of our parish brothers praying before the shrine containing an icon of the Saviour and the analoy bearing the icons of the icons of the saints of the day, and to hear the refrains of the canons from the other end of the temple.

On our Facebook page, we are always keen on publishing such liturgical canons: cycles of hymns based around the themes of the Biblical Odes, or Canticles, as they are often called in the west.

A good explanation is to be found on orthowiki, so we will simply quote:

“There are nine Biblical Canticles that are chanted at Matins These form the basis of the Canon, a major component of Matins.

The nine Canticles are as follows:

Canticle One – The (First) Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-19)

Canticle Two – The (Second) Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43)

Canticle Three – The Prayer of Hannah (I Kings 2:1-10) KJV: 1+Samuel 2:1-10

Canticle Four – The Prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:1-19)

Canticle Five – The Prayer of Isaiah (Isaiah 26:9-20)

Canticle Six – The Prayer of Jonah (Jonah 2:2-9)

Canticle Seven – The Prayer of the Three Holy Children (Daniel 3:26-56)

Canticle Eight – The Song of the Three Holy Children (Daniel 3:57-88)

Canticle Nine – The Song of the Theotokos (the Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55); the Song of Zacharias (the Benedictus Luke 1:68-79)

Originally, these Canticles were chanted in their entirety every day, with a short refrain inserted between each verse. Eventually, short verses (troparia) were composed to replace these refrains, a process traditionally inaugurated by Saint Andrew of Crete.

Gradually over the centuries, the verses of the Biblical Canticles were omitted (except for the Magnificat) and only the composed troparia were read, linked to the original canticles by an Irmos. During Great Lent however, the original Biblical Canticles are still read.

Another Biblical Canticle, the The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32), is either read or sung at Vespers.”

Source: https://orthodoxwiki.org/Biblical_Odes

The canons – usually, but not always appointed to be chanted during matins – are a great liturgical treasure of our Church, and a great accomplishment of Byzantine hymnography, associated with some great hymnographers: St Andrew of Crete, St John of Damascus, St Joseph the Hymnographer.

The first two names are, of course, particularly associated with two of the great liturgical canons: the Great Canon of Repentance, and the Paschal Canon – both of which have a very important place in Orthodox liturgico-spiritual life.

Other canons, which we know particularly well are the Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion, the Penitential Canon included in most Slavic type prayerbooks, and the “three canons”, chanted as part of preparation for Holy Communion in the East Slavic tradition: the Supplicatory Canon to the Saviour (O Sweet/Sweetest Jesus, in the Old and New Rites respectively), the Small Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God), and the Small Supplicatory Canon to the Guardian Angel).

Current East Slavic praxis tends not to know the Greater Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God (not a standard part of liturgical tradition in the centuries of the spiritual formation of Rus) known and loved in the Greek world, and the Greater Supplicatory Canon to the Guardian Angel, to be found in Slavic Old Rite prayerbooks.

Pre-Nikonian Psalters contained the canons for the departed, for those who give us alms, and to St Nicholas – so these were, at one time a common component in the prayer-life of the literate.

The brothers of our parish who use the Old Orthodox Prayerbook (from the ROCOR Old Rite parish in Erie, Pennsylvania), have expressed their appreciation for the canon for the sick, largely unknown by the faithful, today.

Supplication to St Varus, for those who have died without Holy Baptism made the canon to the Great-Martyr popular in Russia, Belorus and Ukraine, and similarly the canon to St Paisius for those who have died without repentance. Recourse to both of these saints was reflected by the popularity of cast icons, particularly among Old Believers.

Over the centuries after the reforms of Patriarch Nikon, the growing popularity of akathist hymns (of varying, and sometimes dubious quality) largely supplanted the chanting of canons by many believers, but it is firstly to the canons that we should turn for intercessory prayer and supplication, rather than akathist hymns, as the canons are the liturgical prayers and hymns of the Church – not para-liturgical or optional extras. We should remember that only one akathist hymn is appointed to be chanted liturgically: that to the Mother of God, by St Romanos the Melodist. Conversely, the canons, are part of the sanctified liturgical prayer of the Church… so I would always encourage parishioners to pray the canons first, with the akathist as an extra though still valuable offering.

The faithful would greatly benefit by including the canons in their day-to-day prayer-life, particularly for Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, and for the feasts of our major saints, as well as regularly praying the various canons for the sick and the departed.

This is easy for those praying in Slavonic, as the Kanonik (according both Old and New Rite texts) is freely available as a unified collection of texts, in print and electronically, but with the wealth of liturgical material available on-line, a little searching will lead those praying in English to a wealth of resources – especially in the monthly menaia to be found online at the ponomar project (https://www.ponomar.net) and at st-sergius.org (http://www.st-sergius.org/services/pent/100.pdf), both also having texts in Slavonic.

Following simple custom, a canon may be chanted just before the end of our morning or evening prayer-rule, followed by “It is Truly Meet” or its festal replacement and just before the usual dismissal of the prayers. Alternatively canons may chanted ‘alone’ with slightly varying orders available on-line.

Parishioners use a variety of different prayerbooks, and I would recommend that British parishioners in particular ensure that any prayerbook they consider buying contains the canons we use week by week, not just for preparing for communion but as a more regular part of Orthodox prayer.

Additionally, I hope that parishioners make the most of freely available resources, and assemble their own ‘kanonik’, so that they always have a source of liturgical prayer freely available in our homes, so that we do not spend times of prayer scrolling down the screen of a mobile phone.

As an extremely geographically dispersed community, the canons in our daily prayers can be a source of liturgical and prayerful unity across the miles, as we mark the feasts and seasons in our homes in the cities, towns and villages in which we live.

Traditions of Praying the Hours

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Dear brothers and sisters,

I have previously reposted Vladimir Basenkov’s excellent article “Edinovertsi’s Treasure: The Rule of Home Prayer”, regarding the culture and praxis of home prayer and worship according to Old Rite tradition, and encourage anyone who has not read it to do so.

https://orthochristian.com/122042.html?fbclid=IwAR0mGVHoPfbuwKPhNkFTkbHgU0qUK0_-vO0LkSOFwwGIkTv6Zqgnb0G8wUg

Reflecting on the desire of our young parish brothers to pray together and their realisation that most of the services of the Church may be accomplished without clergy, I would like to re-share a little of the above article regarding the praying of the various hours of prayer using the lestovka (or other prayer rope), or by reading the Psalter – which many of our parishioners make a key part of their spiritual-life (with our Slavonic style Psalters having penitential troparia and prayers at the end of each kathisma).

I very much hope that over the next month, I am able to have some teaching time with some of our parishioners, so that they feel confident to come together to celebrate services other than the hours and compline (which are so simple in their format), giving them the skills to combine the variables of the day with the static texts of the daily services.

For now, I would just like to remind parishioners that apart from using the horologion/chasoslov, there are other ways that the faithful have traditionally marked the hours.

“…the practice of replacing the daily cycle of services with the Jesus Prayer with bows and without has very ancient roots. Laboring in isolation from civilization, monks prayed with the help of a verveets (an ancient prayer rope). By the way, this custom has survived to this day—for example, in Athonite monasteries, sometimes the monks pray certain parts of the daily cycle with the help of the Jesus Prayer, whether in their cells or together.”

The rule of prayer on the lestovka/prayer-rope without bows: 

  • For Vespers: 600
  • For Great Compline: 700
  • For Small Compline: 400
  • For Midnight Office: 600
  • For Matins: 1,500
  • For the Hours: 1,000; with the Inter-Hours: 1,500

And with bows: 

  • For Vespers: 300 bows
  • For Great Compline: 300 bows
  • For Small Compline: 200 bows
  • For Midnight Office: 300 bows
  • For Matins: 700 bows
  • For the First Hour: 150 bows
  • For the Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours: 500 bows; for the Hours with the Inter-Hours: 750 bows

If you decide to pray the Psalms, then the guidelines are as follows: 

  • For Vespers: 2 Kathismas
  • For Great Compline: 2 Kathismas
  • For Small Compline: 1 Kathisma
  • For Midnight Office: 2 Kathismas
  • For Matins: 5 Kathismas
  • For the First Hour: 1 Kathisma
  • For the Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours: 3 Kathismas

The Canon to St Columba

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The canon to the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is “Iona, the Holy Isle, is blessed in Columba”, in Tone VIII

Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the water as thogh it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Iona, the Isle of Saints, crieth aloud: O ye people of the New Israel, exalt Columba greatly, for he taught you to sing: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

O venerable father Columba, Ireland where thou wast born and Scotland where thou didst labor sing together with joy: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Neither sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids didst thou give, O saint, until thou hadst taught all to sing: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Across the waters of temptations and passions doth the Mother of our Redeemer mercifully lead those who cry aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Ode III, Irmos: Number me among the mighty of Thy people, O Lord, girding me about with power; break Thou the bows of the adversary, and uplift the horn of my poverty.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

The holy Columba hath been reckoned among the mighty saints of Christ, and hath been girded about with the power of grace by the Spirit, to uplift us sinners.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

How mighty are thy supplications, O wondrous Columba! For thereby, as by the horns of the priests of Israel, are the ramparts of the adversary brought down in ruin.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Even when thou didst live on earth thine intercessions were mighty, O venerable one; and now, as thou dwellest in heaven, they abundantly enrich our spiritual poverty.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Her in whom Thy mighty works are wrought hast Thou exalted supremely above Thy powers and dominions, O Lord, and through her is the horn of our poverty uplifted.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Sessional hymn of the venerable one, Tone I, Spec. Mel. “Thy tomb, O Savior…”: As a faithful disciple of the Lord and Master of all, thou didst teach the nations, enlightening them with sacred teachings and instructing them in the understanding thereof, O God-bearer. Wherefore, we all call thee a herald of the Truth, a spiritual athlete and favorite of Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: O all-holy Virgin, thou hope of Christians: with the hosts on high do thou unceasingly entreat God, to Whom thou gavest birth in manner past understanding and recounting, that He grant remission of all sins and amendment of life unto those who ever glorify thee with faith and love.

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): The unblemished ewe-lamb, beholding the Lamb and Shepherd hanging dead upon the Tree, said, weeping and bitterly exclaiming: “How can I bear Thine ineffable condescension, O my Son, and Thy voluntary suffering, O all-good God?” 

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!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Over the waves of the sea didst thou and thy disciples sail thy frail craft, O Columba, and thy coming became salvation for many in a new land, who learned to chant: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Like steeds didst thou bridle the passions of thy followers with the reins of obedience, labor and prayer, O holy one, guiding them to the fold of salvation, singing: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 

“Ye who seek salvation, take up the cross which Christ giveth you;” said Columba, “for His yoke is easy, and His burden is light for all who with faith chant unto Him: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!” 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Intent upon bidding farewell to thy body, O Lady, the apostles of the Lord mounted clouds, as they were steeds, and were borne unto Sion, to chant at thy bier: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Ode V, Irmos: My spirit riseth early unto Thee, O God, Who wast ineffably begotten of the Father and hast lifted up for us the horn of salvation.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Salvation cometh to those who rise early unto God, Who hath raised up Columba as a horn of strength for the people of the New Israel.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Let our hymns sound forth like clarions as we exalt the venerable Columba, who brought light into the midst of heathen darkness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Every mouth praiseth the wondrous saint who taught the Picts and Scots to worship the only-begotten Son of the Father.

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Ineffably and past all human comprehension didst thou beget the only-begotten Son of the Father, in Whom is our salvation, O Maiden.

Ode VI, Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Souls full of evil and wickedness didst thou, by thy teachings and struggles, redeem for thy Master, O holy one, delivering them from everlasting torment and leading their lives up from corruption.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Be thou a refuge for us amid sorrows and tribulation, a firm bulwark against the waves of grief that assail us, O saint; and pour forth thy prayer, beseeching the Lord to deliver us from corruption.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Let Iona, the Holy Isle, like a beacon shine forth the divine grace which dwelt in thee, O great Columba, that guided and illumined thereby, we may not founder on the rocks of evil and corruption. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Evils befall me every day of my life, and I am beset on every side by demonic temptations, O pure Mistress; but deliver me by thy supplications, for I cry to thee: Lead me up from corruption!

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Kontakion of the venerable one, Tone VIII: As one in whom grace burned with flames of zeal, like Elijah thou didst ascend to the heavens, upborne upon thy virtues as upon a fiery chariot, O Columba; for thou wast filled with the love of Him Who loveth mankind, and by thy miracles didst convert many to faith and amendment of life. Wherefore, joining chorus with the angelic hosts, thou prayest with fervor to Christ, the King of all, Whom do thou ever entreat, O venerable father, that He save our souls.

Ikos: Chosen by Christ to tend the sheep and lambs of His monastic flock, O Columba, thou didst shine forth with miracles upon thy newly enlightened people; and by thy godly teaching thine Irish homeland became a country of great renown, a blessed land; for, illumining benighted souls, thou didst draw them forth from the abyss of ungodliness. And with thy gracious discourse thou didst likewise illumine the heathen Picts, who before languished in ignorance, showing the sorceries of their priests to be utterly powerless, and instructing all to glorify the one true God, Who is worshiped in Trinity: Whom do thou ever entreat, O venerable father, that He save our souls.

Ode VII,Irmos: O Lord, make us imitators of Thy three children, opposing sin and trampling the fire of the passions underfoot, and chanting: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Soaring above the deep of the passions like the dove for which thou wast named, O Columba, thou didst chant unceasingly: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Scion of a royal clan and kinsman of kings, Columba chose humility over vanity, tramping down all the passions, chanting: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Everlasting Gehenna didst thou escape, having quenched the furnace of sins with thy fervent tears, O venerable one, chanting: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers! 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Deem me a worthy imitator of the children in the furnace, O Lady, subduing the fire of the passions for me, a sinner, as I chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Ode VIII, Irmos: Cast into the furnace, Thy venerable children chanted: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Inspired, the saint of God uttered prophecies, crying: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

No king nor pauper left Columba without aid, crying: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Covered by grace, as by a cloud, the holy one cried: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

 O Holy Trinity, transcendent Godhead, we cry: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Look with pity on me, O immaculate one, for I chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Ode IX, Irmos: We magnify thee, the most immaculate Mother of Christ our God, whom the Holy Spirit overshadowed.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Unto the ends of the earth hath word of thy holiness spread, O venerable one, and all Christians magnify thee.

Venerable Father, Columba, pray to God for us.

Mediate for us with Christ our God, O Columba, joining His all-holy Mother in her prayers for us sinners.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Be thou ever unceasing in thine intercessions in our behalf, O saint of God, that we may escape perdition. 

Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

All true Christians magnify thee, O all-blessed and ever-virgin Mary, whom the Holy Spirit overshadowed.

Troparion of the venerable one, Tone VIII: Innocent in soul, thou didst mortify the passions of the body, soaring on high to the mansions of heaven as on the wings of the dove, whose namesake thou wast, O God- bearing father Columba. And having by grace restored within thee the true image of God, thou didst teach multitudes of the faithful the ways of repentance; wherefore, we glorify thee as our father in the Holy Faith, O venerable one.