The Canon to St Gregory the Wonderworker

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Canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is: “I shall weave praise for Gregory the Wonderworker,” the composition of Theophanes, Tone VIII.

Ode I, Irmos: The wonderworking staff of Moses, * striking and dividing the sea in the figure of a cross, * once drowned Pharaoh the pursuing charioteer, * while it saved the fleeing people of Israel * as they fled on foot, * chanting a hymn unto God.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

O father Gregory, do thou now splendidly show forth the divine activity of thy wonders in me, delivering me from the abyss of my transgressions and enlightening me with thy radiance, that I may hymn thee as is meet, O blessed one.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

As one who is skilful, sensible and wise, thou didst prefer nobility of soul to the passions of the flesh, O blessed one, industriously assembling the dogmas of wisdom whereby the soul that draweth nigh to God is nourished, O Gregory.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

When thou hadst acquired chastity as a sister, as a good companion, O Gregory, the wicked serpent, beholding thee, raised up hatred against thee. But thou didst put him to shame, O father, by thy longsuffering, healing the woman who was held fast in the clutches of passion.

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

Residing in a strange land, O venerable one, in thy virtue thou wast manifest to all as honourable, pious and God-loving, having received the gift of working wonders from God, whereby thou hast been known, O divinely eloquent one, shining forth in the world like the sun.

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

Thou wast put forth as a shoot from a royal root, O pure one, and, in a manner surpassing comprehension and thought, thou didst give birth from thy pure blood unto Christ the King, the incarnate Word of God, Who is of two natures, yet a single hypostasis.

Ode III, Irmos: O Christ fortify me on the rock of Thy commandments, * Thou who in the beginning didst establish the heavens with understanding * and didst establish the earth upon the waters, * for there is none holy save Thee, O only Lover of mankind.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Having cleansed thy mind of the turbulence of the passions, and being full of the love of wisdom and vision, thou wast shown to be magnificent, an abode of wisdom, enriched with the gift of prophecy, O Gregory.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Being conversant in the divinely inspired Scriptures, O all-blessed one, and having clearly chosen a different way of life, thou didst establish within thyself the single image of virtue, O divinely wise Gregory.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

O divinely revealed one, having obtained the mystery of theology through divine initiation, enlighten us, that we may honour the consubstantial Trinity, one in essence, uncreated and equally everlasting.

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

Instructed by God, in that thou didst seek Him with love, thou didst have the pure Theotokos Mary and the son of thunder as instructors in the mysteries, guiding thee to the light of the Trinity, O divinely eloquent one.

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

O pure Maiden, we all know thee to be the staff which budded forth Christ, the Flower of incorruption, and the golden censer who held in thine arms the Burning Coal of the divine Essence, O divinely blessed one.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone III, Spec. Mel. “Of the divine faith …”: Thou wast a new Moses in thy works, receiving the tablets of faith on the mountain of mystical divine revelation, setting down as law for the people the piety of the mystery of the Trinity, O Gregory. Wherefore, all we, the faithful, honour thy memory, asking for great mercy through 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, Tone III: Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, * O only most pure Virgin Mother * who surpassed the angels in purity. * By the divine waters of thy supplications * cleanse me who, more than all others, * have become dust, defiled by carnal transgressions; ** and grant me great mercy, O pure one.

Ode IV, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, art my strength and Thou art my power, * Thou art my God and Thou art my joy, * Thou Who, while never leaving the bosom of Thy Father, * hast visited our poverty. * Therefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!’

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Having ploughed the good earth, O divinely wise father, and sown the seed of the Word, thou dost ever now evangelically increase thy yield an hundredfold, O Gregory, by thy teachings bringing to God those who chant: Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Thy life, shining forth like lightning, O father, hath dispelled the falsehood of the demons; for their darkness could not withstand the light of thy virtues. Wherefore, the minister of spiritually pernicious deception, moved like the stone he beheld, was enlightened.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Thou wast deemed worthy to behold the darkness of the most divine Light, O father, and, having received the divinely written law like Moses, thou didst obtain precision in theology. Hence, thou hast been shown to be a law-giver of the Church of Christ, O divinely wise Gregory.

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

Having turned away from the foolish talk of the rhetors and being enlightened by the word of grace, O father, thou didst truly receive the apostles’ power over the demons, for the prince of darkness fled before thy brilliant splendour.

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

From of old the ark prefigured thee, O all-immaculate one, who received within thy womb the divinely written Law, ineffably conceiving the life-creating Word, Who doth richly nourish the souls of those who cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!

Ode V, Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why hast Thou turned Thy face from me * and why hath the alien darkness surrounded me, * wretched though I be? * But do Thou guide my steps I implore Thee * and turn me back towards the light of Thy commandments.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Having loosened hardened hearts with the husbandry of thy words, thou didst cast upon them the divine seed, O hierarch, bringing forth an abundant harvest, the salvation of the faithful, unto the Redeemer, O divinely eloquent one.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Phaedimus, the servant of God, aflame with zeal, piously trusting in God, Who knoweth all things, and in thine honourable life, O divinely eloquent father Gregory, ordained thee even though thou hadst not come to him.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

With the streams of thy precepts thou didst quench idolatrous immolations, and established the faithful through thy teachings, O all-wise one, having, like Samuel, ascended the mountain through visions, and being also like an oak in thy steadfastness.

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

O divinely wise and holy hierarch, by thy prayers deliver me from evil and grievous circumstances, and rend asunder the handwriting of my transgressions, O father, for thou art a priest who hast received from God the power to loose transgressions.

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

O Virgin, thou wast adorned with the most-pure beauties of thy virginity, covering the misshapen shame of the first Eve, having given birth to Christ, Who bestoweth upon those who honour thee the garment of immortality.

Ode VI, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, * for many are mine iniquities; * lead me up from the abyss of evils I pray Thee, * for unto Thee have I cried, * and Thou hast hearkened unto me, * O God of my salvation.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

The lake which was the cause of contention between two brethren didst thou dry up in a miraculous fashion; and thou didst cause the rushing of the river to cease, O all-wise one, and when thou didst plant thy staff, it took root and grew at thy divine command, O Gregory.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Godly zeal consumed thee, O thou who art most noetically rich in grace, for unable to endure the sight of an insult to God, O divinely eloquent one, thou didst destroy the vain-minded one by thy prayers.

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

The wretched and impious Jew, who wished to destroy thee, himself died, showing thee forth as a fulfiller of the dogmas of God, Who doth glorify thee, O divinely wise Gregory.

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

The Spirit, Who worketh all things, came down upon thee, O all-immaculate one, and the Word of God made His abode within thee, ineffably becoming flesh, yet remaining unchanged.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel.“Seeking the highest …”: Receiving the power to work many miracles, * thou didst terrify the demons with awesome signs, * and dispelled the diseases of men, O all-wise Gregory. * And thou wast called the wonderworker, ** receiving this title from thy works.

Ikos: Where shall I, wretched as I am, begin to weave praises, beholding so many and most wondrous things? If I begin with the life of the venerable one, I will not in any way be able to proceed; for his divine life surpasseth comprehension. And if I begin with his miracles, I shall be ashamed to try to proceed any further, for they are more numerous than the sands of the sea. For this cause he is called the wonderworker, receiving this title because of his works.

Ode VII, Irmos: Once in Babylon the fire stood in awe * of God’s condescension; * for which sake the youths in the furnace, * dancing with joyous steps as in a meadow, chanted: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

The boast of the fathers and the pride of the holy instructors, the luminary of the Church and immovable pillar of piety hast thou been revealed to be, O Gregory, who dost cry aloud: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Shining forth in miracles, thou didst enlighten the whole world, O divinely wise Gregory; wherefore, having assembled together, we bless thee, nurtured by thy words and chanting: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!

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

O divinely wise one, thou hast poured forth healing upon all the infirm; for most abundant and wonderworking grace was poured forth through thy mouth, whereby thou didst cry: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!

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

Now all things are filled with divine light through thee, O most pure one; for thou hast been revealed to be the door through which God hath communed with the world, enlightening those who cry with faith: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!

Ode VIII, Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and Redeemer; * ‘ye children bless, ye priests praise, * ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages’.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Enriched by thee with the radiance of the consubstantial and honoured Trinity and celebrating now thy festival, O Gregory, we ask that we may be illumined with wonderworking grace, crying aloud to the Master: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Receiving the radiance of the sovereign Godhead like a newly revealed mirror, thou hast illumined the world with rays of light, beaming down Orthodoxy upon those who melodiously chant: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

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

Protected by God, O all-wise one, thou wast preserved in hiding on the mountain for those who honour God, as a source of piety, like another Moses the law-giver; and thou didst teach them to hymn the Creator and Redeemer, singing: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

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

Thou wast the abode of the unwaning Light, O most pure one, shining with the beauties of virginity and illumining all who from the depths of their souls confess thee to be the true Theotokos and who chant: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Ode IX, Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, * and the ends of the earth were filled with amazement, * for God hath appeared in the flesh, * and thy womb was rendered more spacious than the heavens. * Wherefore, the ranks of men and of angels * magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

Shining with the light of thy most exemplary life, thou dost now stand before the great Light, crowned as a victor with divinely wrought miracles, O divinely wise wonderworker, venerable hierarch, father Gregory, thou beacon of the Church and adornment of the Orthodox.

Holy father, Gregory, pray to God for us.

In thy supplications do thou now ask that the royal elect and sanctified priesthood be guided aright, O wonderworker, and that those who now faithfully celebrate thy memory receive the Kingdom of heaven and be deemed worthy of divine gladness.

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

Having put down the attacks of the demons and subjected the reasoning of thy flesh, O wonderworker, as a venerable and guileless hierarch, arrayed in the garment of righteousness, thou dost stand before the throne of the King of all with boldness, O all-blessed one.

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

O Virgin Mother of God, thou art revealed as she who, in a manner transcending nature, gaveth birth in the flesh to the good Word, Whom the Father poured forth from His heart before all ages, in that He is good. Him do we now know as more exalted than all beings, even though He hath been clothed in a body.

Troparion, in Tone VIII: By vigilance in prayer and continuance in the working of miracles, * thou didst acquire the name of thy worthy deeds. * Yet pray thou to Christ God, O father Gregory, ** that He enlighten our souls, lest we sleep unto death.

The Canon to the Holy Apostle Matthew

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Канон святому апостолу и евангелисту Матфею: https://azbyka.ru/days/caa/272

The composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV.

Ode I, Irmos: I shall open my mouth, * and be filled with the Spirit, * and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother; * and be seen radiantly keeping festival, * joyfully praising her wonders.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

O all-glorious Matthew, servant of Christ, richly bestow upon me the grace witch abideth within thee, that I may cry aloud, splendidly proclaiming, and, rejoicing hymn thy wonders.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Thou didst utterly abandon the tumult of earthly things; for, having hearkened to the voice of the incarnate Word, thou wast revealed to be a steward and God-pleasing herald of His grace.

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

As an eye-witness and servant of the radiant Word of the pre-eternal Father, O apostle, thou didst go forth, proclaiming the glad tidings of His coming unto all the nations.

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

Thou didst announce the glad tidings of the destruction of death, the abolishment of corruption and the manifestation of life, O wise one; for, having conceived the Unapproachable One in her womb, the Virgin hath restored the world.

Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and plentiful fount, * establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to thee, * and in thy divine glory * grant them crowns of glory.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

O Word of God, thou hast shown forth Thine apostles as beacons of life which drive away the gloom of ungodliness, illumining the whole world with Thy divine glory, O Master.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Having armed the most valiant Matthew with Thine armour, O Saviour, thou hast made him mightier than the tormenters and revealed him to be the destroyer of the deception of idolatry, O Master and Lover of mankind.

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

The sound of thy fiery tongue consumed the temples of the demons, O divinely inspired Matthew, thou instrument of the Comforter, through whom Christ, the hypostatic Life of all, hath been proclaimed.

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

The trumpet of theology which soundeth forth mightily hath illumined the divinely wise Matthew to proclaim to the peoples, the Effulgence of the Trinity and the incarnation of the Word from thee, O most pure one, in a manner transcending understanding.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom …”: Truly the sound of thy wise words hath gone forth to all the ends of the earth, O all-praised apostle of the Lord, for thou, manifestly preaching to all the vision of God, didst draw the nations from ignorance unto understanding. Wherefore, having dispelled the darkness of idolatry, thou hast shone forth the light of knowledge upon those who sit in darkness, O all-praised Matthew. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honour thy holy memory with love.

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

Tone VIII & same melody: O apostle of the Lord, we all praise thee as the lamp and disciple of the Light, an eyewitness of the divine Word; for, spreading thy nets of grace, by thy command thou didst ensnare reason-endowed souls like fish. Wherefore having entrapped the nations through the power of the Spirit, they are now manifestly guided by faith, O all-praised initiate of the mysteries of heaven. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who honour thy holy memory with love.

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

Theotokion in Tone VIII: In that thou art the most immaculate Bride of the Creator, the Mother of the Redeemer who knewest not wedlock, the receptacle of the Comforter, O all-hymned one, haste thou to deliver me, who am the vile abode of iniquity and in mind am the plaything of the demons, from their wickedness, and make of me a radiant dwelling place of the virtues, O luminous and incorrupt one. Drive from me the cloud of the passions and grant that I may partake of the never-waning light of the Most High, through thy supplications.

Ode IV, Irmos: Perceiving the profound counsel of God, * that the incarnation of Thee the Most High, * will be from a Virgin, * the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Taught by Thy hypostatic Word, O God, the God-seeing disciple destroyed worldly wisdom, crying aloud unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

What manner of praise can we offer unto thee who wast blessed by Christ, O divinely eloquent one? For no man is able to describe in words, the grace which hath blossomed forth in thee, O right wondrous one.

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

Looking upon thine undefiled and pure mind as a lamp placed on a lofty stand, shining upon those in darkness, O divinely manifest one, the Most High hath set thee before all.

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

O blessed and all-praised Maiden, thou hast elevated slain human nature, in that, in a manner surpassing nature, thou hast given birth to the might of the Most High, as Matthew hath taught.

Ode V, Irmos: All creation stands in awe of thy divine glory; * for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, * didst contain within thy womb the God of all, * and gave birth to the timeless Son, * bestowing peace, upon all who hymn thee.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Receiving the grace of the all-holy Spirit, thou wast shown to be a divine habitation, having taught the light of divine knowledge in a godly manner, wherefore thou wast entrusted with the task of committing to writing the dogmas of Christ, as a chosen eye-witness of God.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Thy tongue was the pen of the Paraclete, Who grants speedy deliverance unto those who acknowledge His dominion and breathes heavenly understanding into the souls of the wise, O most honoured Matthew.

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

Christ sent thee unto the world shining with miracles and the grace of healing, trampling upon the might of the demons and enlightening the souls of all the faithful who hymn thee, the preacher of the world.

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

O Virgin, thou hast given birth to the pre-eternal son Who clothed Himself in human nature and saved it from corruption in His absolute goodness, as the divinely eloquent one said in his teaching; thou didst remain a Virgin.

Ode VI, Irmos: I have reached the depths of the sea * and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; * but do Thou raise up my life from the abyss * O Greatly Merciful One.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

By Thine omnipotent might, O Maker of all, the divinely eloquent and most excellent Matthew was transformed from a publican into an evangelist, in that he followed Thee.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

By the spiritually nourishing words of thy glad tidings, O all-blessed Matthew, a multitude of the gentiles have been lifted up and directed to the lofty summit of the virtues.

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

With the divinely woven nets of the disciple Matthew the assemblies of the faithful are ever drawn up, guided to the knowledge of Thee, O our Benefactor.

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

O all-immaculate one, the most excellent Matthew announceth glad tidings, describing thee as the Virgin who gaveth birth without seed and corruption unto Him Who fashioned all things.

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 IV, Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up …”: Casting off the yoke of the office of a publican, * thou didst shoulder the yoke of righteousness * and wast shown to be a most excellent merchant, * bringing in the wisdom from on high as riches. * Wherefore, thou didst preach the Word of truth * uplifting the souls of the despondent, ** describing the hour of judgment.

Ikos: The tyranny of the enemy oppresseth me constantly and seizeth all the seed of my soul, O Matthew, friend of Christ; yet, providing me with the seed of thy prayers, render me fruitful to serve thee, and show me to be the least of those who hymn thee and a recounter of thy many and great corrections, for without hesitation, forsaking all things for the love of Christ, thou didst ardently follow after Him Who called thee, being the first evangelist in the world, describing the hour of judgment.

Ode VII, Irmos: Refusing to worship created things * in place of the Creator, * the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire * and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, Blessed art Thou.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Thou wast a divine image of the primal effulgence, as a disciple set afire by His splendours; and, chanting to Him, thou didst say: Blessed and supremely praised art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers!

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

As servant of the Word, O all-blessed one, thou hast made thine abode in the divine mansions where Christ abideth, as the one supremely divine Lord and God of all the fathers promised thee.

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

Infirmities are banished and a multitude of demons are forced to flee by the gifts of the divine Spirit which are in thee, wherein thou didst chant: Blessed and supremely praised art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers!

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

With thy divine words, O apostle, thou didst describe the all-hymned Virgin who hath given birth to the Creator. To Him do we all chant: Blessed and supremely praised art Thou, O Lord God of our Fathers!

Ode VIII, Irmos: The Offspring of the Theotokos * saved the holy children in the furnace. * He who was then prefigured hath now been born on earth, * and He gathereth all creation to hymn thee: * all ye works praise ye the Lord * and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Deified by the mighty forces within Thee and by Thine ordination and nature, O Master, the most sacred Matthew prevailed upon the whole world to chant to Thee: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

The Word sent the theologian forth like lightning to the whole world, driving away the darkness and enlightening the nations with the dogmas of theology. Wherefore, he chanted: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

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

With pure discourse and mind God conversed with thee; for having rid thyself of mire, thou didst draw nigh and associate with Him, O glorious one. Wherefore, thou dost chant: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

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

The Word willed to become incarnate for the good of mankind; for the Lord passed through the portal of virginity and showed her forth as the Theotokos. Wherefore, we cry aloud: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal born on earth, * radiant with light, in spirit leap for joy; * and let the host of the angelic powers * celebrate and honour the holy feast of the Mother of God, * and let them cry aloud: * Rejoice! O Theotokos, thou pure Ever-Virgin.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Thou didst receive the divine diadem of noetic beauty, O apostle, and wast adorned with the most magnificent crown of the kingdom by the right hand of the Almighty, O wise one. And thou dost shine, standing with the angels before the throne of Christ the Master, O all-blessed one.

Holy, glorious, all-praised Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, pray to God for us.

Thou didst receive the tree of life as is meet, O preacher of the living God, having spread the glad tidings of life, the visitation of God to the world; for thou didst not permit thy mind to become corrupt through the tree of knowledge, remaining an unshaken and immovable foundation of the Church, O all-blessed one.

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

In a godly manner thou didst adorn the Church, the Bride of Christ, with thy Gospel as with a diadem, O divinely blessed one, and now it splendidly celebrateth thy divine memory, pray thou, O Apostle Matthew, that it be delivered from every evil circumstance and cruel misfortune.

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

Without leaving the bosom of the unoriginate Father, the unoriginate Word became incarnate from thee, O pure and all-praised one, wholly clothing Himself in human nature and accepting its traits, as Matthew writeth, proclaiming the glad tidings.

Troparion, Tone III: O holy Apostle and evangelist Matthew, * entreat the Merciful God * that He grant remission of sins ** unto our souls.

Another troparion, same tone: Zealously following Christ the Master, * Who in His goodness appeared to mankind on the earth, and called thee from thy tax-booth, * thou wast shown to be a chosen apostle * and a trumpet-voiced proclaimer of the Gospel to the whole world. * Wherefore, we honor thy precious memory, O divinely eloquent Matthew. * Entreat the merciful God, ** that He granteth remission of sins unto our souls.

The Canon to Saints Gury, Samon and Aviv

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Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv on the first day of the Nativity Fast, we turn to them as the protectors and patrons of the Christian family, praying for our own families and those of our community.

The canon of the martyrs, with 4 Troparia, the acrostic whereof is: “I praise the three who speak most wisely together”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone IV:

Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Theologizing worshipfully concerning the lordship of the Trinity, O saints, ye easily destroyed the inconstant darkness of polytheism, shining forth like stars of great radiance from the East.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

O ye three confessors who are manifestly illumined by the grace of the ruling Trinity, showing forth your opposition with endurance ye destroyed the falsehood of polytheism.

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

Making you sons by adoption through love, O glorious ones, He Who is the essential Son hath shown you forth as co-heirs to the inheritance now manifestly given Him, and sharers in His kingdom, in that He is compassionate.

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

Thou wast the tabernacle of the most wise Wisdom, O all-immaculate one; for it was His good pleasure to make for Himself a temple of thy most pure blood, O pure one, for the salvation of our souls.

Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church, O Christ, rejoiceth in Thee crying aloud: * Thou, O Lord, art my strength, * my refuge and foundation.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

The confessors and favorites of Christ willingly gave their bodies over to tortures and cruel wounds.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

O holy ones, pray ye that those who celebrate your memory with faith may be delivered from evil thoughts of sin.

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

Suspended upon a tree, with endurance the honored witnesses most piously preserved inviolate their confession.

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

He Who entered into thy womb hath shown thee to be a well-spring of healings, O most pure Mother of God; wherefore, heal thou my soul.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom …”:
Armed with the Cross of Christ, as champions of the Faith ye manfully cast down all the might of the tyrants, and denounced all the ungodliness of the idols, O holy ones, fervently confessing the Trinity. Wherefore, ye have worthily received crowns of victory, in that ye suffered lawfully, O all-glorious spiritual athletes. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.

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

Another Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII & same melody: Serving Christ in martyrdom, possessed of an unenslaved soul and wisdom ye enslaved the delusion of the tyrants; for, wounded by faith in the Trinity, O all- praised ones, ye denounced the inglorious fame of polytheism. Wherefore, like stars ye shine forth radiantly in the world with the brilliance of miracles, O blessed and all- praised spiritual athletes. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honor your holy memory.

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

Theotokion in Tone VIII: All we, the generations of mankind, * call thee blessed, * in that thou art the Virgin who alone among women * hast given birth without seed unto God in the flesh; * for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, * and thou didst feed the Creator and Lord * with milk as an infant. * Wherefore, we, the race of mankind and of angels, * glorify thy birthgiving, * and together we cry out to thee: * Entreat Christ God to grant forgiveness of sins ** unto those who with faith worship thy most holy Offspring.

Stavrotheotokion: Upon beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Redeemer * upon the Cross, * the ewe-lamb exclaimed weeping, bitterly lamenting, and crying aloud: * “The world rejoiceth, having received deliverance through Thee, * but my womb doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion, * which Thou hast endured in Thy merciful loving-kindness. * O long-suffering Lord, * Thou abyss and inexhaustible well-spring of mercy, * take pity, and grant forgiveness of sins ** unto those who hymn Thy divine sufferings with faith!”

Ode, IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the Cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory be to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

The crowned ones, equal in number to the Trinity, illumined with thrice-radiant light those who now celebrate their most sacred memory, granting healing unto them
all.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

O ye divinely wise, let us hasten with reverence to the radiant and splendid shrine of the martyrs; for it poureth forth healings upon those who cry out with faith: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

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

Confessing the divine dispensation and the mystery which transcendeth understanding, with tongues of theology, the godly and all-wise confessors trampled underfoot all the ungodliness of the tyrants.

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

In a manner transcending understanding, O Virgin, thou wast shown to be a virgin even after giving birth. Wherefore, with unwavering faith, O Lady, we unceasingly cry out: Rejoice!

Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who camest into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Shining manifestly with the radiance of their struggles, the champions of the Faith put to shame the savage character of the tyrants.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

The miracles of the martyrs have been manifestly proclaimed unto all the ends of the world, and have made all steadfast through faith.

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

Receiving the seed of grace like good earth, the blessed ones industriously produced riches by their manner of life.

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

He Who alone is good, Who sustaineth all things by the depths of His goodness, O Mother of God, deigned to be held in thine arms.

Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * ‘I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Having withstood all torments lawfully and manifestly preserved the faith, as valiant warriors, O divinely wise ones, ye have received crowns of divine righteousness.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Of old Habbakuk was lifted up on high at the command of God; and through you, O divinely eloquent ones, the tortured maiden was returned to her mother.

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

The shrine of the martyrs shineth with miracles and poureth forth rivers of healing upon all who approach it with faith and marvel at their endurance.

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

Finding thee alone among the thorns as a most pure rose and a lily of the valley, O Mother of God, the noetic Bridegroom made His abode within thee.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest …”:
Having received grace from on high, * O all-praised martyrs, * ye intercede for those amid temptations; * wherefore, ye delivered the maiden from a bitter death, O holy ones: ** for ye are truly the glory of Edessa and the joy of the world.

Ikos: Entreated by the supplications of Thy spiritual athletes, deliver me from bondage to the enemy, O Jesus, Bestower of life, that, acquiring a soul and body unenslaved by the passions, I may praise their speedy assistance: for they quickly delivered from death the maiden enclosed in a tomb by the wickedness of her husband, anticipating her need, and she cried: Ye are the glory of Edessa and the joy of the world!

Ode VII, Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety * rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

He Who delivered the children of Abraham in the furnace hath now also saved the foreign maiden from cruel peril by the mediation of His holy favorites, in that He is compassionate.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

O Word, Wisdom and Power of God, the infamous murderer who inflicted torment of most savage inhumanity was straightway tried for all his evils by Thy righteous judgment.

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

Strengthened by her trust in you, O glorious ones, the maiden who had been enclosed with the dead in a tomb was not mistaken in her hope, crying: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

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

Like a newly cast and lustrous mirror reflecting the radiance of divine effulgence, O Virgin, thou didst receive it as it came upon thee. Blessed art Thou among women, O all-immaculate Lady!

Ode VIII, Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Today the universal festival of the martyrs of Christ hath dawned for us, illumining with the grace of miracles those who approach with faith and spiritual joy, and who cry out with love: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

The confessors of Thy divinity, O Master, easily abolished all the ungodliness of the tyrants, undaunted by the threats of the evil-minded; and, strengthened by faith, they cried aloud: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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

The all-wise confessors, standing up for the divine dogmas, vanquishing hordes of the enemy, and slain by the sword, manifestly and most gloriously have shown themselves to be all-splendidly victorious; for being felled, they triumphed over the adversary.

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

Thou hast given birth to Christ Who is seen to be in two natures, manifestly bearing a single hypostasis composed of both divinity and manhood, truly essentially joined together in a unity. Wherefore, we bless thee, O Mary, Bride of God.

Ode IX, Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from thee the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who hath joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify thee, * O Theotokos.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Following the godly and divinely inspired words of Christ, O divinely radiant confessors, rejoicing, ye took the cross upon your shoulders, following in the steps of the Bestower of life, O right glorious ones.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Entering with gladness into the whole light of the Trinity, the valiant confessors receive honors for their struggles, being deemed worthy to dwell with the ranks of the incorporeal ones.

Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv, pray to God for us.

Not in a mirror do ye now behold your hopes of things divine, O confessors of Christ: rather, O most honored and most wise crown-bearers, ye behold the beauty of truth.

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

Manifestly shown to be equal in number with the supremely divine Trinity, O confessors of godly eloquence, ye are illumined with the radiance thereof, for, having suffered for the Trinity’s sake, ye have now received life incorruptible.

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

O Virgin Mother, The Word Who hath adorned all things, and Who desired to come in the flesh, made His abode within Thee, and He found thee alone to be more holy than all others, and truly revealed thee to be the Theotokos.

Troparion, in Tone V: O Christ God, Thou hast given us an impregnable rampart * in the miracles of Thy holy martyrs. * Through their supplications destroy Thou the councils of the heathen * and strengthen the scepters of kingdoms, ** in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.

On the Eve of the Nativity Fast

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​Dear brothers and sisters,

Having celebrated the feast of St Alexander Nevsky, we send our greetings to the younger Alexander amongst our oltarniky, as he celebrates his name day, wishing him many, blessed years.

As you know, the parish clergy have had a very busy few days in London, where the clergy of the diocese met in convocation, celebrating the vigil and Liturgies together, hearing one another’s confessions, praying, and participating in meetings.

As well as our bishops – Irenei and Alexandre – and the British clergy, we had priests and deacons from Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Italy: some recently ordained, some ordained a half-century ago. The occasion was a great celebration of the spirituality, life and identity of our Russian Church Outside of Russia and its maintenance of sacred Tradition amidst apostasy and renovationism.

Our profound thanks go to Bishop Irenei, to our chancellor the Archpriest Paul, and to the starosta, sisterhood and faithful of the cathedral parish for their hospitality. My personal thanks go to our Deacon, Father Mark, who drove us to London, organised accommodation, and represented the community so well as he served with reverence and exactitude at the heart of every service.

Having returned to Wales, today’s Liturgy marked our last regular Sunday service in Canton, though we hope to return for some great feasts, so that we are able to share trapeza together. Next week will see our first liturgy in Nazareth House since lockdown, and will begin at 10:30.

For those who are unfamiliar with the setting, the convent church is at the Blackweir end of Colum Rd, close to the junction with North Rd. The entrance is from the street, and the church is upstairs. Those needing to use the lift should contact us, so that we may arrange access, but as this is through the ground floor of Nazareth House a mask must be worn to protect vulnerable residents.

Having taken the vestments, today, we will move our other possessions later in the week, and I hope to announce a service for Saturday evening (with the opportunity to hear confessions once I have spoken to the sisters over the next day or two).

Today’s Liturgy was the first celebration on the new antimins, recently consecrated by Bishop Irenei, and our old antimins, with their link to Metropolitan Hilarion, will be framed to be venerated amongst our icons.

It was lovely to welcome friends of the community, some of whom we know from the Romanian parish, as well as welcoming visitors from Cheltenham and more Ukrainian brothers and sisters – communing plenty of children, who filled St John’s with joy and energy during trapeza.

Looking out at the Great Entrance, the clergy were greeted with the sight of British, Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Greek faithful – all united in Faith and the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

At the end of Liturgy, we sang Many Years for the newly ordained priest, Mark Tattum-Smith, a dear friend of many of us in the parish, who was ordained in the cathedral this morning. We also chanted mnogaya leta to our own Deacon Mark, who celebrated his third anniversary of ordination last Thursday. Many years, dear Fathers!

After the service, we celebrated a litia for the soul of the departed handmaiden of God, Liudmilla, on the anniversary of her repose, as well as remembering the newly departed Andrzej and Sara. Memory eternal!

During trapeza, I was happy to see our oltarnik, Oswald, continuing to supply the icon-needs of our parishioners, personally returning to Llanelli with the icon “Let us who mystically represent the cherubim…”, my first personal ‘on request’ order.

I have already received a few requests for confession on Saturday, and will also look to hearing Friday confessions. Please contact me by Wednesday bedtime so that necessary arrangements can be made.

Remember that tomorrow is the beginning of the Advent Fast and check the calendar re: the daily fasting rules. Above all, fast from sin and disobedience, imitating Christ and serving Him obediently, with joy, humility and love. This is more important than what you eat and drink! Seek forgiveness and forgive, eat less, pray more, and read the scriptures and the lives of the saints to strengthen you on this spiritual journey to Bethlehem and the Lord’s Nativity.

Asking your forgiveness, for Christ’s sake, I wish you a good struggle in the spiritual arena of the fast. Kalo stadio!

May God bless you.

In Christ – Fr Mark

Advent: the Nativity Fast

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Sunday will be the last day before the Nativity Fast, and the last day on which we eat non-fasting food.

We should be ready for the Fast from the very beginning, and spend the next few days getting ready for the season of repentance and preparation for the great feast of the Lord’s Nativity.

We offer some advice published in the past by the Diocese of Mukachevo:

  1. Find time for attentive prayer: Make it a rule not to skip or shorten morning and evening prayers. Read a portion of the Gospel and Psalter every day, and most importantly, remember the presence of God as often as possible. 
  2. Prepare for Confession and Communion: Think about and assess your actions, looking for what has harmed your soul. Prepare to receive more often, with the blessing of your spiritual father. 
  3. Forgive your enemies: It is impossible to grow spiritually as long as there is a stone in the middle of our hearts. Even if you feel the other person is to blame, find an opportunity to speak with them and to forgive them, letting go of any and all anger. 
  4. Give up the internet for a few days: “Hanging out” online takes away time that could be devoted to our families. After just a few days of abstention from the internet, you will feel an unusual surge of strength and energy. Don’t believe it? Try it! 
  5. Finishing those things you’ve been working on for half a year already: Such things speak to your responsibility as a Christian. Many believers testify that once the Fast starts, everything goes like clockwork – prayer and fasting clear your mind and enhance your thinking. 
  6. Visit social institutions, such as an old folks’ home, children’s homes, or hospitals: You can bring people in hard situations a gift, especially the warmth of your heart and good conversation. 
  7. Feed the homeless:Don’t be afraid. Separate out a portion of your groceries as food for the poor – there are plenty of them in churches and throughout cities as a whole. Do it with an awareness of what need the destitute are in. 
  8. Take stock of your clothing and shoes. Give to someone else that which you don’t wear.
  9. Do good deeds in secret:December is a time when everyone is talking about charity and mercy, although in modern times it is often bound up with publicity. Remember that our benefit for such deeds, when done in secret, comes from God Himself. 
  10. Let go of everything that bothers and worries you:Get rid of all excesses during the Fast, including the thoughts and feelings that oppress you. Do not dwell on the negative. 
  11. Prepare foods for the feast of the Nativity beforehand, so you can attend the Vigil and Liturgy in peace: The Divine services are the main preparation for the birth of the God-Man. Prepare food ahead of time so you don’t deprive yourself of the spiritual atmosphere which will allow you to truly experience Christmas. 
  12. Give thanks to God: Thank God from a sincere heart for another year that has passed, and for His unconditional love that permeates every second of our lives. 

Be prepared, be ready, and may God give you good strength in the spiritual arena of the Holy Season!

In Christ – Fr Mark

The Canon to St Menas the Great-Martyr

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The Canon to the Martyr Menas and Company by St. John of Damascus, in Tone IV:

Ode 1, Irmos: The people of Israel, having fled across the watery deep of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet, beholding the mounted captains of the enemy drowned therein, sang with gladness: Let us chant unto our God, for He hath been glorified!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

O ye sacred people, now passing gloriously not over the Red Abyss but the sea of the struggles of Menas the sufferer, with glorious Moses and Miriam, the wise woman and prophetess, let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

O Menas, champion of piety, thou wast well pleased to stand as a warrior of Christ before the fierce destroyer and the wicked tormenter who breathed the anger of threats and the heat of wrath. And thou wast His beacon, crying aloud: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified.

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

Thou, O Christ, didst foretell: When I be lifted up, I will draw those born of earth; and Thou didst do this indeed, summoning from the ends of the world the ranks of martyrs and the people that cry out in joy: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!

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

The rod of Aaron which budded prefigured thee, O Virgin, the root which sprung forth from Jesse, which shone forth to the world God incarnate, the imperishable bloom. Him do thou ever entreat on behalf of us that have recourse to thee, O Theotokos.

Ode 3, Irmos: Let us not boast of wisdom, power or riches, but in Thee, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, O Christ, for none is holy save Thee, O Lover of mankind.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

The tormenter, stung by thy most wise words, wounded thee without mercy with rawhide thongs, thinking thereby to bow thee down, O invincible martyr.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Directing the eyes of thy mind to the Lord, thou didst endure unbearable oppression with a most courageous spirit, O right glorious one.

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

Fearing not the exceeding painful torment, but breathing with divine zeal, thou didst depart for the struggles, crying: unlooked for and uninvited, I have come!

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

He that was incarnate of Thee and Who accepted voluntary death hath led up from the gates of hell me who have been slain by the evil tasting of the tree.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Great-Martyr Menas, for we eagerly betake ourselves to thee, who art a speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

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

Sedalion, Tone 8: Egypt, which before had been held fast by the cruel darkness of ignorance, shone thee forth, O divinely wise martyr Menas, as a beacon to all the world, who by the rays of thy divine struggles dost mightily disperse the night of ungodliness. Wherefore, radiantly celebrating thy radiant and honored day, we earnestly cry out to thee: O adornment of sufferers, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to them that with love honour thy holy memory.

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

Repeat sedalion.

Ode 4, Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine is come on a light cloud and with His incorrupt hand hath saved them that sing: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

By the shedding of thy blood they extinguished the ember of polytheism, and the legion of demons was drowned, and the Church of Christ, which praises thee, was watered thereby, O most blessed passion-bearer Menas.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

O martyr, by being lifted up on the tree thou dost portray the passion on the Cross of Him that slew the cruel serpent; thou dost endure lacerations which win for thee that delight which is in the Heavens, O most valorous one.

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

Thou didst undergo a trial of pain past nature, O sufferer, and divine love, strengthening thy nature, caused thee to receive forgetfulness, urging thee to reach out for wounds, rejoicing.

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

Ineffably didst thou give birth unto God incarnate, Who fashioned for Himself a home of thy blood, and in godly manner is known in two essences and wills, O thou that knewest not wedlock.

Ode 5, Irmos: The impious perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but we, waking at dawn out of the night, hymn Thee, O Lover of mankind, Radiance of the glory of the Father’s Divinity, O Only-begotten One.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Luminous with the bright rays of thy witness, having overshadowed dark godlessness, O most wise one, thou hast enlightened the faithful of the fullness who hymn thee, O all-laudable one.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Every contrivance of the foe hath vanquished away through thy mighty endurance, for neither hunger, nor wounds, nor immolation, nor subjection to iron hooks clouded thy resolve.

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

Surrounded by faith as the sun is by its rays, thou didst make thine abode in the desert and didst enlighten all the cities, preaching Christ, the Son of God, Who came in the flesh, O glorious one.

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

The Deliverer, born of thee in manner surpassing nature, maketh me new who am subject to corruption, freeing me from the ancient curse, O pure Mother of God. Him do thou entreat, that He save me.

Ode 6, Irmos: I have come to the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me, but, as Thou art God, lead up my life out of the depths, O most Merciful One!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Burned by fire, thy wounds rubbed raw with haircloth, yet thou didst remain without pain, for divine grace, being present, strengthened thee, O Menas.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Thou dost stand condemned before the tribunal of the tyrants, denouncing the falsehood, O ever memorable one, and giving thyself to the faithful as a pillar of piety.

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

With the sweat of thy struggles thou didst dry up the falsehood of idolatry, and didst fashion of thyself a temple of the honoured Trinity, O right wondrous passion-bearer Menas.

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

Heal thou the incurable passions of my soul with the balm of thy goodness, O all-immaculate one, who didst give birth to Christ, the good Saviour, for them that are in the world.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Great-Martyr Menas, for we eagerly betake ourselves to thee, who art a speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

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 4: O Passion-bearer Menas, * Christ our God, the imperishable Crown of martyrs, * took thee from a transient army, * and showed thee forth * as a partaker of the incorruptible and heavenly.

Ikos: The memory of the martyrs is a cause of great gladness for us, for it showeth forth courage amid suffering and victory over the enemy in the radiant and joyful confession of grace. Come ye, therefore, all ye that love this festival, and let us be glad therein, keeping the memory of the passion-bearer Menas as the best and abiding time of our gladness, and receiving the gift of being loosed from our passions, for Christ God is the Bestower thereof, the imperishable Crown of martyrs.

Ode 7, Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O all-hymned Lord, God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, they that sought the truth righteously, and Who slew the Chaldeans.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

With wounds didst thou strip off sin’s garment of skin, and thou didst robe thyself in vesture which groweth not old and which grace, appearing, wore, O blessed one.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

By the burning zeal of thine honourable and mighty struggles hath wicked and thorny godlessness been utterly consumed, O martyr, and the leaping flame of ignorance is extinguished by the streams of thy blood, O most blessed one.

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

Possessed of abundant gifts, thou dost pour forth miracles upon them that celebrate thine honoured festival, O right wondrous Menas; and thou dost aid them that sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

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

Blessed is the Fruit of thy blessed womb, Whom the hosts of Heaven and the assemblies of those born of earth do bless, He that hath delivered us from the ancient curse, O blessed one.

Ode 8, Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending upon the pious youths amid the flame, Thou didst bedew them and teach them to sing: All ye works, bless and hymn the Lord!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

O Menas, thou wast revealed as a crown-bearer; having set at nought the enemies of the Cross of thy Lord, thou didst put them to shame and didst cry out, O most blessed one: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

God hath wrought wonders in thy memory, pouring forth healings, both spiritual and bodily, through thy relics upon us that cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Thou didst offer God thy service; and having bowed thy head to the ground, thou wast beheaded by the sword, O martyr, crying aloud: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!

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

Today is the Holy Church adorned with your blood, as with purple and fine linen, O Menas, Victor and Vincent, who cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!

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

Virgin remaineth the womb of her that bore the Saviour Who without seed was conceived of the Holy Spirit, God uncircumscribable wrapped in flesh, the Word co-unoriginate with the Father. Him do all works praise and supremely exalt as Lord unto the ages!

Ode 9, Irmos: Christ Who uniteth disparate natures, the cornerstone uncut by hands, hath been cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

Thou didst love no less than thou wast beloved, O passion-bearer, laying down thy beloved life for Christ Who loved thee and Who glorified thy witness with Himself, O ever memorable one.

Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.

As a lampstand aflame with the light of three suns did the three inseparable martyrs appear: Menas, Victor, and Vincent, illuminating the faithful and dispersing the gloom of the demons.

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

Accept, as that which is thy due, our praise of thee which proceedeth from a readiness which, I know, surpasseth, our words; and from thy treasuries bestow upon us gifts without number.

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

Of old rightly did all the prophets praise thee, the Mother of the King and Master; and now, the apostles and martyrs magnify thee, glorifying thee with us.

Troparion, Tone 8: With great valour of soul, didst thou strive in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, from Heaven hast thou received the gift of miracles; for God hath shown thee to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made thee our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defence from harm.

The Feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Menas of Egypt

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Dear brothers ands sisters,

I was very happy that a few of us were able to gather in Llanelli and use our midweek compline to celebrate the Holy-Great Martyr Menas, adding his canon to the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God.

Though little known outside the Orthodox Church today, he was known and revered across the Christian world in the middle ages, with pilgrim flasks bearing his image found by archaeologists across North Africa and Europe, including Russia.

For those who turn to him, St Menas, martyred during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian is a great wonder-worker and intercessor.

As a Roman centurion and a Christian, he refused to take part in earlier persecutions of Christians, and withdrew to mountain isolation to lead a life of prayer and ascetic labour, but during one of his visits to a city during a pagan festival he castigated the idol worshippers and denounced their impiety. This greatly angered the prefect, Pyrrhus, who sought to tempt Menas to renounce his Faith.

St Menas was steadfast in confessing Christ, and equally steadfast in opposing the pagans, confessing his Faith in a trial before the Imperial prefect. For his resilient Faith, he was subject to cruel tortures before being beheaded.

His sacred relics were taken by Christians at night and guarded until after the persecutions had ended, when they were buried with honour at the place we know call Al Alamein, south west of Alexandria.

In that place, he famously appeared driving camels through Field-Marshall Romel’s waiting German tank Army on the first night of the Battle of Al Alamein, frightening the superior and stronger German Army. The weaker allied forces gained a notable victory over the Germans, changing the course of the war in north Africa. Such is the grace and power of the intercession of our great St Menas!

Honour him on this feast, and bring your prayers and sorrows to him with great faith!

May God bless us and have mercy on us for the sake of his prayers.

Happy Feast!

Fr Mark 

THE AKATHIST HYMN ST NECTARIOS OF AEGINA

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Kontakion 1: In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Ikos 1: In the world thou wast shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, hierarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, thou wast shown to be blameless, venerable and Godpleasing in all things. Wherefore, thou hearest from us such praises as these:

Rejoice, thou by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, thou of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, thou for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, thou in whom Aegina Rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

2: Having adorned thyself with meekness of soul from thy youth, O holy father, one fervent desire consumed thy heart: to become a preacher of the Holy Gospel. From childhood thou knewest the Scriptures which are able to make man wise for salvation, teaching them to cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 2: When thou left thy home and traveled to Constantinople, thou labored in the midst of worldly distractions. Yet thou didst not forsake the Faith which dwelt first in thy grandmother and mother and also dwelt in thee, steadfastly dedicating thyself to prayer and to the sayings of the Fathers, which thou wrote on packages and wrappings so that others might read them and receive spiritual profit. Wherefore, to one who was in the world but not of it, we the faithful cry aloud in thanksgiving:

Rejoice, most holy temple of the activity of God;
Rejoice, divinely inscribed book of new morals!
Rejoice, for thou made thyself like unto the saints in perfection;
Rejoice, for thou wisely spurned material things!
Rejoice, splendid victory of the Faith;
Rejoice, honored clarion of grace!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 3: As a fervent lover of the monastic life, thou often visited the Monastery of the Holy Fathers, conversing there about the spiritual struggle with its holy founder, Elder Pachomios. As thou aspired to the angelic habit, thou wast tonsured and dedicated thyself to prayer on behalf of the people as thou sang: Alleluia!

Ikos 3: Wholly consumed with the love of heavenly knowledge, thou received a blessing to continue thy theological education to which thou devoted thyself with zeal and self-denial. While living in Athens, thou studied day and night, knowing no other roads but that to the school and to the Church. Wherefore, as to our instructor in heavenly theology, we thy children joyfully cry:

Rejoice, great pillar of piety;
Rejoice, city of refuge for the faithful!
Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, venerable vessel and praise of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, thou who shone forth in these latter times like a never-setting sun;
Rejoice, thou who pours forth the nectar of grace upon all believers.
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 4: Arrayed in true holiness and pure morals, Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria saw in thee great potential for service to Christ’s Holy Church. Thou wast ordained to the sacred priesthood and elevated to the office of Bishop. O wise one, thou offered thy life to Christ as a pure sacrifice, ever chanting: Alleluia!

Ikos 4: In thy position as Metropolitan of Pentapolis, thou wast deeply loved by the faithful, for clothed in the vesture of the hierarchy, thou adorned thy life with humility. Ever disdainful of material possessions, thou opened thy hand freely and distributed thine alms to the poor. Like thy Master, thou willingly came not to be served but to serve and to give thy life as a ransom for many. Conquered by thy love, we who honor thy holy memory cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds;
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, for through thee we are delivered from bodily passions;
Rejoice, for through thee we are filled with spiritual delights!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 5: When the enemy of our souls saw thee laboring in humility, he could not abide thy holy presence among the people. Raising up slanders, inciting rumors, he sought to destroy thy good name and to lead thee to bitterness and anger. But thou overcame all of his devices, for in all things thou didst meekly chant unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos 5: Lacking even thy daily bread, slandered on all sides, thou prayed for thy accusers, begging the Father to forgive them. Refusing to speak one word in thy own defense, thou joyfully suffered according to the will of God, committing thyself to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Wherefore, amazed by thy long-suffering and steadfast endurance, we thy children exclaim:

Rejoice, treasury of great mercy;
Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry!
Rejoice, container of great virtues;
Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness!
Rejoice, thou who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they have done;”
Rejoice, thou who repaid evil with good!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 6: Having within thee a strong desire for the life of stillness on the Holy Mountain, thou could not abandon the people but heeded their call to remain in the world and to proclaim the words of salvation. Freely thou received and freely thou gave, calling all men to exclaim: Alleluia!

Ikos 6: With the words of thy mouth thou dropped heavenly sweetness into the hearts of those who accepted thy words with faith, directing the minds of the faithful to seek those things which are above. The sacred writings of thy teachings continually gladden the souls of the pious; for moved by the Holy Spirit, O Father, thou wisely recorded words of grace and instruction for those who cry to thee:

Rejoice, faithful servant of the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, habitation adorned of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, light that illumines all the ends of the earth;
Rejoice, thou who delivers people from the abyss of sin!
Rejoice, thou who exalts truth;
Rejoice, thou who dispells falsehood!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 7: Invited to assume the direction of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School, thou brought peace where there once existed confusion, for thou treated all as a loving father. Wherefore thy students in gratitude sang to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7: Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, having received the words of Life, thou committed these to faithful men who, because of thy good instruction and spiritual example, were enabled to teach them to others. Enduring hardships as a good soldier of Christ, thou did not entangle thyself in the affairs of this life but thought only how to please the Master. Therefore, as to a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, we cry out to thee in words such as these:

Rejoice, teacher of the divine commandments;
Rejoice, thou who makes wise the unwise by thy teachings!
Rejoice, new Paul, who has bequeathed to us the pattern of sound words;
Rejoice, new Jude, who has given us the exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith!
Rejoice, new Chrysostom, who has poured forth upon the Church the heavenly nectar of piety;
Rejoice, new Damascene, who has defended the faithful from impious doctrines!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 8: Wisely adorned with understanding and meekness, thou brought together venerable virgins in godliness, leading them to Christ by thy words and the works of thy blameless life, teaching them to sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 8: Listening to thy prayers and earnest supplications, the Lord Who does the will of those who fear him, led thee to the island of Aegina where thou rebuilt the monastery which had been abandoned. Who can describe thy labors and toils? Exercising vigilance in all things, thou showed forth a model of divine virtue. Thy spiritual daughters in thanksgiving cry to thee thus:

Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness;
Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, pious rule of faith;
Rejoice, holy purification of mortals!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 9: Worldly-minded men cannot understand thy patience, for despite the many cares of the monastery, thou did not cease writing edifying books for Christians living in the world. Wherefore, amazed at the great wisdom which thou wast given, we cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9: Having settled at the Monastery in Aegina, thou became all spirit and led an altogether spiritual life. Venerable, meek, kindly, humble, extremely compassionate and charitable, thou carried on the good fight in order to lay hold of that which for which Christ Jesus laid hold of thee. In thy pious ways thou blamelessly followed Dionysios, the godly pastor of Aegina. Now as thou partakest of heavenly glory with him, receive from us these praises:

Rejoice, thou who despised the world and its delusive pleasures;
Rejoice, thou who received in exchange heavenly blessings!
Rejoice, thou who completely subdued thy flesh to thy spirit;
Rejoice, thou who subjected thy spirit to thy sweetest Lord Jesus!
Rejoice, thou of the holy Fathers;
Rejoice, instructor in the prayer of the heart!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 10: Never neglecting mental prayer but always crying from the depths of thy heart, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” all bore witness that thou hadst become completely spiritualized. Noticing in thee an exceptional sweetness which radiated from thy serene countenance, the faithful joyfully exclaimed: Alleluia!

Ikos 10: Knowing that the Most Holy Virgin is a bulwark for all saints and a joy to monastics, thou often offered thy intercessions to her with tears and commited thyself to her motherly protection. Writing beautiful hymns, thou gave to the faithful the gift of thy love teaching them to sing, “Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” Therefore, we cry to thee:

Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ;
Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!
Rejoice, thou who showed flaming love for the Lord;
Rejoice, thou who always honored His Holy Mother!
Rejoice, boast of the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, thou who work many miracles through the power of God!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 11: When the time came for thee to depart to Christ to receive the Crown of righteousness laid up for thee in heaven, thou endured severe pain and suffering with exemplary patience. Always thanking the Heavenly Father and blessing His all-holy name, thou continually cried: Alleluia!

Ikos 11: The Lord, Who always glorifies those who glorify Him, did not allow thy virtue to be hidden but desiring that those on earth know the glory He has given thee in the heavens has revealed thy relics as a well-spring of healings and miracles. For immediately after thy repose, as thy body was being prepared for burial, the Lord worked wonders through thy sweater, raising up a man who had been paralyzed for many years. Therefore, together with him we also gratefully cry to thee:

Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, constant stream of mercy by which we are cleansed!
Rejoice, physician of soul and body;
Rejoice, new pool of Siloam, healing the infirm!
Rejoice, sweet myrhh of compassion;
Rejoice, miracle worker of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 12: Multitudes of the faithful from all lands continually flee to thy shrine, O holy one, and from thy precious relics faithfully obtain divine grace and answers for their every petition. O Father, as thou knowest how, fulfill thou also the petitions of those who now cry: Alleluia!

Ikos 12: Singing praises we glorify thee, O all-praised Nektarios; for in thee God Who is glorified in the Trinity is wonderfully glorified. But even if we were to offer thee a multitude of psalms and hymns composed from the soul, O holy wonderworker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of thy miracles, and amazed by them we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, thou who conquered all the snares of the Evil One;
Rejoice, thou who were sanctified both in soul and body!
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, restoration of health to the sick!
Rejoice, healer of diseases by the Grace of God;
Rejoice, helper of those that suffer cruelly!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 13: As a partaker in the life of heaven and a dweller with the angels, O Father Nektarios, in that thou labored to please God, accept our present offering, and unceasingly intercede for thy flock and for all the Orthodox who honor thee, that we may be healed of all diseases of both body and soul, that together with thee in the eternal Kingdom we may unceasingly cry: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (Repeat 3x)

Ikos 1: In the world thou wast shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, hierarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, thou wast shown to be blameless, venerable and Godpleasing in all things. Wherefore, thou hearest from us such praises as these:

Rejoice, thou by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, thou of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, thou for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, thou in whom Aegina rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

Kontakion 1: In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.

 

 

 

November 8/21: Canons for the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael

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The Canon I to the Bodiless Hosts, the acrostic whereof is: “O ye divinely wise, let us solemnise praise to the assembly of the incorporeal ones …,” the composition of John the Monk, of Damascus

Ode, I Irmos: Let us, O ye people, send up a hymn * unto our wondrous God * Who hath freed Israel from bondage, * chanting a hymn of victory * and crying aloud:* We sing unto Thee, O only Master.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Ye faithful let us all hymn the uncreated Trinity, Who doth govern all the immaterial ranks of the heavenly choirs, crying aloud: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Creator of the angels, Thou didst set as a beginning to Thy creations the immaterial essence which doth surround Thy most honoured throne that it might cry out to Thee: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Rejoice, O Gabriel, initiate of the mystery of the incarnation of God, and Michael, foremost among the immaterial ranks, who unceasingly cry out: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I tremble before the mystery of Thy condescension, O Christ; for, God in essence, Thou didst deign to be born from the Virgin as a man, that Thou mightest save the world from slavery to the enemy.

Canon II to the Bodiless Hosts, also the Composition of John of Damascus

Ode I, Irmos: The wonderworking staff of Moses, * striking and dividing the sea in the figure of a cross, * once drowned Pharaoh the pursuing charioteer, * while it saved the fleeing people of Israel * as they fled on foot, * chanting a hymn unto God.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Come ye, and, joining chorus, let us praise the noetic choirs of the incorporeal ranks, for they are divine ministers who unceasingly pray for our salvation and rejoice over our repentance.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

The chief captains of the angels, chosen before others, the valiant commanders, the incorporeal intelligences, today arise for the celebration of the feast of their radiant memory. With them we also rejoice, offering a hymn to the Trinity.

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

O ye people, with spiritual joy let us be glad today with the angels, for Gabriel again announceth glad tidings: the union of the Churches and the destruction of all adverse heresies, in the commemoration of the supreme commanders.

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

O most pure one, through the Holy Spirit thou hast given birth unto the Word of the Father, Who transcending nature made His abode within thee, being of two natures and wills, yet immutably one in hypostasis; and Whose countenance we venerate.

Ode III, Irmos: Thy fear, O Lord, do Thou plant * in the hearts of Thy servants * and be Thou the confirmation of us * who in truth call upon Thee.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

With strength, O Immortal One, hast Thou appointed the mighty ones who fulfil Thine all-holy will, ever standing before Thee in the highest.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Christ, accept those who pray on our behalf, the commanders of the angels, initiates of the mystery of Thine incarnation and Thine honoured Resurrection.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thou hast appointed angels as guardians for all mankind, in that Thou art compassionate; and Thou hast shown forth the ministers of the salvation of Thy favoured ones.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O Bride of God, thou hast ineffably conceived the Lord and Saviour, Who delivereth from evil those who call upon thee in truth.

Another Irmos: O Lord, thou art the confirmation of those who flee to Thee, * Thou art the Light of those in darkness, * and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Michael, chief captain, foremost among the angels, as a secondary luminary of the Trinity hast thou revealed thyself to those who faithfully praise thee.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Having proclaimed the coming of God in the flesh, Gabriel faithfully filled the whole world with the effulgence of divine grace.

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

O ever-hymned couple, radiant and immaterial pair, show forth the light of God upon those who faithfully celebrate your memory.

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

O pure one, Isaiah hymned thine Offspring, Who transcendeth nature; and I too sing, that I may obtain His cleansing.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded …”: O ye captains of the heavenly hosts, foremost among those who are enthroned on high, and awesome in divine glory, O Michael and Gabriel, supreme commanders, chief captains of the angels, and all ye bodiless ones, ministers of the Master: praying unceasingly on behalf of the world, ask for the remission of the sins we have committed, and that we may find mercy and grace on the day of Judgment. (Twice)

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

Theotokion, Tone VIII: O pure and blessed one, who art full of divine grace, out of the compassion of thy tender compassion, with the hosts on high, the archangels and all the bodiless powers, unceasingly entreat Him Who was born from thee, that, before the end, He mercifully grant us forgiveness of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.

Ode IV, Irmos: Thou didst mount Thy steeds O Lord, * Thine apostles, * and taking their bridles in Thy hands, * Thy chariot became salvation unto those who sing with faith: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thy virtue covereth the angels, O Lover of mankind, and with Thy divine, glorious praise, O Unoriginate One, filleth the ends of the earth, which cry out with them: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thou didst go forth unto the salvation of Thy people, O compassionate Christ, summoning Thy friends, the powers; and Thy coming hath been gladness unto all who faithfully cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Thou hast been supra-naturally revealed to be both Virgin and Mother, O all-pure one; for thou hast given birth to Christ, both God and man, to Whom the ranks of the angels cry out with fear: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Another Irmos: Thou, O Lord, art my strength and Thou art my power, * Thou art my God and Thou art my joy, * Thou Who, whilst never leaving the bosom of Thy Father, * hast visited our poverty. * Therefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!’

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

In Jericho of old the great Michael, supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord and chief among the bodiless ones, appeared unto Joshua, son of Nun, who was waging war, and he gave them victory, fighting for him; and the servant of God, receiving power from him, conquering them with the spear by which the enemy was captured.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Once the great Gabriel, the truly divine archangel, chief among the bodiless hosts, appeared, bearing the glad tidings of a child to Zechariah the priest. Wherefore, the voice of the Word, who was born John, restoreth the voice of prophecy to his own father.

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

All the ends of the earth rejoice today with exceeding joy, O God, celebrating the honoured memory of Thine archangels, the divine Michael and Gabriel of divine wisdom. And together with them all the ranks of angels rejoice, for by their protection the world is preserved.

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

Thou alone didst remain pure after giving birth, and only thou hast been shown to be without husband, O thou that with milk didst nourish the true Word of the Father, Who through the Holy Spirit assumed our form, that of a servant, O Virgin Theotokos. And venerating the divine likeness of His countenance, Him do we honour.

Ode V, Irmos: Guide me out of the night of ignorance * with the light of Thine understanding, O Lord, * for I am lost on the path that ensnares the soul, * and direct me to the way of Thy commandments.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Borne up to the heights by inexorable longing for Thee, O Christ, Thou ultimate of all desires, the angelic powers unceasingly glorify Thee.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thou hast made Thine angels noetic by nature and incorrupt by Thy grace, that they may hymn Thy majesty, O Christ, having fashioned them according to Thine image, O Unapproachable One.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Through their nearness to Thee, O Christ, Thou hast kept Thy servants uninclined towards evil, for Thou art the Source of all goodness, and Thou doest good unto those who serve Thee as is meet.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Enliven my soul which hath been slain by vile passions, O all-immaculate one, for thou hast given birth unto the Preserver of life, and direct it to the path of eternal and blessed life.

Another Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why hast Thou turned Thy face from me * and why hath the alien darkness surrounded me, * wretched though I be? * But do Thou guide my steps I implore Thee * and turn me back towards the light of Thy commandments.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

When, of old, Balaam the prophet refused to submit to the ineffable and divine wonders of God, an angel appeared to his donkey at the crossroads and strangely denounced him, showing his irrational animal to be unnaturally rational.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

When Peter had been arrested and languished in prison, an angel of God appeared, delivering him from the hands of Herod, from bonds and death. Wherefore, come ye, let us all honour the wise angels as divine protectors of our souls.

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

O angels and archangels, ye divine powers of God, by your ever-offered supplications to God put an end to the uproar of battles, heresies in the Church and all temptations, and maintain us in peace.

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

We know Thee to be the God of creation: One in two natures, two actions and wills, though uncommingled, the Son of God Who took flesh from a woman, whose image depicted in icons we venerate.

Ode VI, Irmos: Thou O Lord, didst place Jonah alone within the sea monster. * Do Thou save me, * who am ensnared in the nets of the enemy, * as thou didst save him from corruption.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

By Thy Word, O Lord, Thou didst in a godly manner bring the heavenly beings, the immortal hosts, out of non-existence, making them luminous.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Honoured initiates of the mysteries of the praise of God have ye been, O incorporeal ones, citizens of heaven, truly divine tabernacles, who serve the Creator as is meet.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thee, O Unoriginate Son of God, do the noetic ranks of the bodiless ones unceasingly praise and glorify as the Creator and Fashioner of all things.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O most pure one, thou hast been deemed worthy to cradle in thine embrace Him Who eternally sitteth with the Father in the highest. Render Him merciful unto us, thy servants, O pure one.

Another Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, * for many are mine iniquities; * lead me up from the abyss of evils I pray Thee, * for unto Thee have I cried, * and Thou hast hearkened unto me, * O God of my salvation.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Taking flight in mind away from material corruption, let us with fear honour the immaterial ones who are bodiless like flames of fire and light, chanting hymns unto them with lips of clay.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Calm the tempests of the passions, O archangels, and quell all revolts against the Faith, for ye are the holy and fiery chief commanders of the Trinity.

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

O captains Michael and Gabriel, ye chief commanders and archangels of God, leaders of the bodiless ones, preserve us from all heresies by your protection.

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

O Christ, being incorporeal in that Thou art God, Thou didst manifest Thyself incarnate from the womb of her who knew not a man, and, as man, thou wast a bearer of our flesh, Whose likeness we honour, O ye faithful.

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, in Tone II: Supreme Leaders of God’s armies * and ministers of the divine glory, * princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind, * ask ye for that which is beneficial for us, and for great mercy, ** as Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.

Ikos: In Thy Scriptures, O immortal Lover of mankind, Thou didst say that a multitude of angels rejoiceth in heaven over one man that repenteth. Wherefore, O Sinless One, Who alone knowest the hearts of all people, amid our transgressions we ever make bold to beseech Thee to have compassion and send down compunction upon us, unworthy though we be, granting us forgiveness, O Master; in that Thou art compassionate, for the supreme commanders of the bodiless host entreat Thee on behalf of us all.

Ode VII, Irmos: The Hebrew children in the furnace * boldly trampled upon the flames, * changing the fire into dew, they cried aloud: * ‘Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout the ages’.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Compassionate One, Thou didst reveal the immaterial essence of Thine angels to be light, for they are unceasingly filled with Thine ineffable light, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

The myriads of ministering angels cannot endure to behold the sight of the Countenance before which they unceasingly stand, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Thou didst create the nature of the angels by Thy hypostatic Word, and having sanctified it by the divine Spirit, O God, Thou didst teach it to bless the Trinity throughout all ages.

Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.

Mindful of the three hypostases, we glorify the un-circumscribed essence of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!

Another Irmos: The Children of Judaea, * who of old came to dwell in Babylon, * trampled underfoot the flame of the furnace * through their faith in the Trinity, * as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Come ye, O human race, and with the choirs of the bodiless ones let us worship, celebrating on this auspicious day the memory of the wise archangels of Christ, singing: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Of old, Abraham the God-seer, and the glorious Lot, gave shelter to the angels, in that they were hospitable, and they found fellowship with the angels, crying: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!

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

To the valiant Manoah and the most wise Tobit appeared the angels who give rewards for the struggles of life as is meet; and once the Angel of the children quenched the flame in the fiery furnace.

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

All that is ours by nature didst Thou take from the Virgin, except change, O Jesus, and with the fathers we proclaim Thee to be of two natures, but One in hypostasis; and, depicting the visage thereof, we faithfully venerate it.

Ode VIII, Irmos: Glorified in the holy mountain, * the Lord revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin unto Moses * in the flames of the burning bush: * praise ye and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Let us emulate the life of the angels and wing our thoughts to the heights, and with them let us immaterially chant unto the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

The angels, heavenly members of the chorus which doth surround the throne of glory and ever dance about God, hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!

Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.

The Trinity, which unceasingly maketh its ministers a flame of immaterial fire in the highest and doth show forth its angels as spirits, let us worship and glorify throughout all ages.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Him before Whom myriads of angels and archangels stand in trepidation wast thou deemed worthy to bear in thine arms, O Theotokos, pray thou that those who glorify Him may be saved throughout all ages.

Another Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and Redeemer; * ‘ye children bless, ye priests praise, * ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages’.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Michael the archangel is chief among the angels; but with him Gabriel is also radiantly glorified as the initiate of the mystery of grace, the honoured one who obtained the consent of the Virgin, the champion leader of the bodiless ones; and they both proclaim joy unto those who cry: O ye people, exalt Christ supremely throughout all ages!

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Ezekiel, beholding the ranks of angels in their divers forms, proclaimed, prophesying: ‘Among them six-winged seraphim stood in intercession, and many-eyed cherubim surrounded them; and with them I saw most radiant archangels glorifying Christ throughout all ages’.

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

How the dread coming of Thy second Judgment will be was foretold by Daniel in revelation: ‘The thrones were set, and the Ancient One sat, and He let in the myriads of angels who stand with fear and cry out with incessant voices to the Trinity throughout all ages’.

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

The Word, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit, of His own will manifested Himself from the Virgin is like unto us, not mingling one with the other of the two natures of His awesome union. For He showed Himself to be One and the Same in both, in two natures, and one hypostasis. And now we bow down before the image of His likeness.

Ode IX, Irmos: Thou hast passed the limits of nature, * having conceived the Maker and the Lord, * and didst become a door of salvation * unto the world; * wherefore we unceasingly magnify thee, O Theotokos.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Christ, Who hast ineffably united those who are in heaven with those who are on earth, and made one Church of angels and mortals, Thee do we unceasingly magnify.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O ye angels and archangels, thrones, virtues and dominions, principalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim: pray ye with the Theotokos on behalf of the world.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Michael and Gabriel, who are shown to be leaders of all, visit those who with love honour your most festive memory and faithfully cry aloud: Save us from all evil circumstances!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Rejoice, O holy bride of God! Rejoice, thou that didst give birth unto the Light of the world for the faithful! Rejoice, rampart and shelter of us all! Do thou unceasingly entreat God on our behalf, for He is our Benefactor.

Another Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, * we confess thee to be truly the Theotokos, * and together with the choirs of the bodiless hosts * thee do we magnify.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

Ye have shown yourselves to be champions for the infirm, for those who sail the sea and those who are in need, O Michael and Gabriel, first among the bodiless hosts.

All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.

O Gabriel, in that thou dost hold chorus with the divine powers and thrones, and art the champion leader of the angels and an initiate of the mysteries of God, pray thou to the Saviour for us.

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

In that ye are the protectors of the world and commanders of the hosts on high, entreat ye the Saviour on our behalf.

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

Together we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou dost save us from the passions and dost fulfil those of our supplications which are to our benefit.

Troparion of the Angels, Tone IV: O supreme commanders of the heavenly hosts, * we entreat you unworthy as we are, * that by your prayers, you will encompass us * with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory * preserving us who fall down before you and earnestly cry aloud: * deliver us from all misfortunes, ** for ye are the commanders of the hosts on high.

Sunday 20 November: Looking Forward to Our Return to Nazareth House

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Dear brothers and sisters, 

Thanks to all who laboured for the celebration of today’s service, and to everyone for their patience given the number of confessions today and the delayed start to Liturgy. 

Today’s Liturgy was one tinged with sorrow, as we prayed for the repose of the soul of the newly departed Andrzej and Sara: a double loss for the Pietraszkewicz family, with Lukasz having lost both brother and goddaughter within days. Following Liturgy, I celebrated a panikhida, and we will continue to remember the newly-departed, praying for their repose in a place of refreshment, light and peace. May the Lord remember them in His Kingdom, and may their memory be eternal! We pray for all who sorrow and mourn at this sad and difficult time, commending them to the maternal care and protection of the Mother of God. 

As announced after Liturgy, today’s service was our penultimate celebration in St John’s, as we will be returning to Nazareth House for the first weekend in December, at the beginning of the Nativity Fast. I was very happy to visit and spend time with Sisters Aquinas and Marie, and the greatly-missed Morag the West Highland Terrier, yesterday – entering the church for the first time since the beginning of lockdown. 

After a series of ‘false-starts’ and disappointments, we will be returning just over five years since we first arrived in Cathays, and will do so with so many new parishioners who have never been inside the convent church. So much has happened since our initial arrival, with a whole series of baptisms, parishioners travelling from England for Liturgy, and so much growth in our community. 

The Sisters have missed our parish presence greatly and look forward to welcoming us back, to being surrounded by icons and having Orthodox worship within the House once more. We know that even in such a long absence, so many prayers have been offered before the shrines and icons. We have not been forgotten, and the imprint of Orthodoxy remains. 

I will be having further discussions with Sister Anna, the new superior on her return from a week away, and will confirm our new timings.

Though the Fathers of the Oratory are no longer Catholic chaplains to the univeristy, they retain spiritual care for Nazareth House and its residents, as well as the convent, and we are grateful for their ongoing support and concern for the Russian Orthodox parish faithful and clergy.

Father Luke, Deacon Mark and I will be in London for the diocesan clergy convocation from Thursday to Saturday and will be able to meet brother clergy from across our vast Western European Diocese as we celebrate services together and discuss diocesan and parish life. As I still feel under the weather, and will no doubt be very tired after these days away, there will be no possibility of hearing confessions on our return journey on Saturday.

Sunday morning confessions will be for those who did not confess this weekend, and who are preparing to commune of the Holy Mysteries. Those who have confessed this weekend may be blessed to commune next weekend unless a pressing need for confession arises. 

May I ask those requiring confession next week and who did not confess today to email me by Friday evening, just to establish how many will need to be confessed before Liturgy. 

We ask your prayers for Svetlana’s daughter, Julia, who will be returning to Ukraine for a week, for Lukasz who left for Poland today, for Masha and Neil, who are in Cyprus, and for our clergy who will be travelling to London from so many countries within Western Europe. We ask the Lord to bless their journeys. 

Looking forward to the week ahead, we celebrate some notable commemorations: 

  • Monday 8/21 – The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel and the Other Bodiless Powers. 
  • Tuesday 9/22 – St. Nectarius (Kephalas), metropolitan of Pentapolis (1920) and the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “She Who Is Quick to Hear” of Docheiariou, Mt. Athos (10th c.). 
  • Wednesday 10/23 – The commemoration of the beginning of the torture of Great-Martyr George (303). 
  • Thursday 11/24 – The Great-Martyr Menas of Egypt (304) and Blessed Maximus of Moscow, the fool-for-Christ (1433). 
  • Friday 12/25 – St. John the Merciful, patriarch of Alexandria (616-620) and Blessed John “the Hairy,” fool-for-Christ, of Rostov (1580). 
  • Saturday 13/26 – St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople (407). 

I will post lives of the saints and some of their canon as the week progresses. Please try to celebrate the saints in your daily prayers. 

May God bless you all. 

In Christ – Fr Mark