Celebrating Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom

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Dear brothers and sisters,

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Wonderworkers Peter and Fevronia, we pray for all of the married couples within our community, mindful of the fact that marriage can be challenging in the modern world – in which marriage and the traditional family is undermined, eroded and attacked.

Whilst having supper with us in Newman Hall, Bishop Irenei reminded us that the primary aim of a husband and wife in the Holy Matrimony is to lead one another into the Kingdom of Heaven, and this is manifestly true of the marriage of Saints Peter and Fevronia. We need to never lose sight of this.

Wishing you a happy feast!

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

Prayer to the Holy & Right-believing Prince Peter & Princess Fevronia, the Wonderworkers of Murom

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

Troparion, tone 8: Having lived thy good life in piety, O blessed Peter, thou wast a most precious offspring of the pious root; and thus having pleased God in peace with thy spouse, the all-wise Fevronia, the holy monastic life was vouchsafed unto you. Beseech the Lord, that He preserve our homeland unharmed, that we may honor your memory unceasingly.

Kontakion, tone 8: Pondering the transitory glory and governance of this world, O Peter, thou didst live piously in peace with thy spouse the all-wise Fevronia, having pleased God with your alms and prayers. Wherefore, lying inseparably in the tomb even after death, ye invisibly impart healing. Pray now unto Christ, that He preserve our land and the faithful who glorify you.

Looking forward to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul

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We are looking forward to the Feast of the Holy Chief-Apostles Peter and Paul, next Tuesday, 12 July New Style, when we will again celebrate the Hours and Divine Liturgy in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, North Church St, Butetown.

We will begin the Hours at 10:00, with the Liturgy following at 10:30. We will break the Apostles’ Fast in the parish room afterwards, and you are invited to bring NON-LENTEN food to celebrate the feast.

Being able to celebrate the weekday feasts, now that there is a full-time parish-priest is a great blessing, as is the kindness of Father Dean and his parishioners in making this possible in St Mary’s.

How blessed we are! Слава Богу за всё!

The Challenge of the Forerunner

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In St John the Forerunner, today’s feast celebrated a unique figure.

As the seal of the prophets of the Old Covenant and the herald of the Messiah and His New Covenant, he looks back to the Judaic world of the Old Testament and forward to the new age of Faith, manifest in the life of Christ, the preaching of the Gospel and the foundation of the Church as the New Israel.

St John stood on a boundary between the old and the new, as a wild and challenging figure, living in a manner similar to some of his Jewish contemporaries living an ascetical lifestyle, but is unique in the mission and meaning of that unconventional life: “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”

He was not an easy figure, but challenging, unabashed in his preaching, saying things that some did not want to hear. To recall this today is striking at a time of crisis in eastern Europe, when voices ‘in the wilderness’ are silent, and Church leaders fail to speak in the spirit of the Forerunner and call Herod to account.

As we celebrate his Nativity, we might well ask, where is the spirit of the Forerunner, not only in the Church, but also in our own lives and communities?

When Christianity becomes respectable and institutionalised, the flame is dying, and the lukewarmness of user-friendly, easy faith is an ersatz imitation of the challenging edginess that Christianity should always have for us.

When the zeal of Faith becomes dissolved in middle-class ‘niceness’ and suburban respectability, when Christianity should have ‘bite’ and challenge us all to be ‘spiritual activists’ struggling to storm the Kingdom of Heaven, we are far from the spiritual zeal of the Forerunner.

This does not mean that we should be catapulted into political-activism and placard-carrying protest, but rather that we should personally embody the radical message of the Gospel, which is counter-cultural in the materialistic and anthropocentric darkness of the current age, gripped by the idols of self, wealth, health, ‘efficiency’ (reflected in the normalisation of abortion, euthanasia, surveillance, government erosion of freedom of expression etc.), let alone the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of those who rule and make such major decisions in the world.

Faith must have a voice in this darkness as traditional Christians are labelled bigots, reactionaries and medievalists by both secularists and self-proclaimed ‘Christians’ who have willingly and gladly embraced the agendas, causes and -isms of the fallen world, as authentic Christianity is forced into the shadows, and the warm, but deadly glow of a  vague and ambiguous ‘religious’ universalism replaces Christ-the Cornerstone.

As the Forerunner’s life and death teach us, this voice has a cost – possibly a very great cost.

This was the cost paid by the martyrs, among whom we hold both St John and his righteous father Zacharias, who was “murdered between the Temple and the altar.” St Gabriel Ugrebadze paid this cost by being incarcerated by the Soviets and injected with chemicals. St Maria of Paris paid this cost by being arrested by the Nazis and incarcerated in Ravensbruck, where she met her death in the gas-chamber; the martyred Father Daniel Sysoev paid this price when he was slain in his own temple by Islamists.

Even as Christians claiming the fullness of the Faith in a Church which rejects compromise, and the dangers of modernism, today’s feast is a challenge to each of us, but as we celebrate the Forerunners memory, are we ready and would we be prepared to pay the price for being a voice in the current wilderness preaching the Truth of Faith – Truth which may be dangerous and costly ?

This is a challenge for each of us – perhaps an uncomfortable one for most of us – but a challenge we must embrace.

Butetown Today

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It was wonderful to celebrate the Nativity of the Forerunner with the Divine Liturgy in the church of St Mary Butetown this morning.

We were enveloped in great peace, as a few of us gathered at the nave altar, with the beautiful simplicity of two-voices singing prayerfully and quietly on the kliros.

The Liturgy was punctuated only by the mewing of sea-gulls and children’s voices from the school playground, and the church was bathed in summer sun, reflected on the holy vessels and icons.

Following the Liturgy, we enjoyed a simple lunch in the parish room, celebrating our starosta’s nameday, happy that Father Dean could join us for a short time in his very busy day. We thank him for his generosity and open-door to the parish.

“His name is John.”

Canon for the Nativity of St John the Forerunner

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Dear brothers and sisters, greetings as we celebrate the feast of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner, sending nameday congratulations to the many Johns named for the Baptist of the Lord – especially our starosta, Norman John. May God grant them all many, blessed years.

Canon I, of John the Monk, with 8 Troparia, including its Irmos, in Tone IV:

Ode I, Irmos:  O Thou who wast born of the Virgin, * drown I implore Thee, in the depth of dispassion * the triune nature of my soul, * as Thou didst the mighty strongholds of the warriors, * that in the mortality of my flesh * as on a timbrel * I may chant a hymn of victory.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The offspring of the barren woman manifestly proclaimeth the birthgiving of the Virgin, preceding the Sun like a magnificent dawn. And he now shineth forth the light of piety and grace upon the whole universe.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

“Truly art thou called the prophet of the Most High; for thou goest before the face of Christ, to prepare the way for the Creator!” Zacharias cried out to thee, his son, borne up by the most Holy Spirit, O most praised John.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Hearing the words of Gabriel’s divine news, Zacharias showed himself to be intractable, and was stricken with muteness; but he is suddenly loosed therefrom, for John the Forerunner, the voice of the Word, hath been born.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O most immaculate Theotokos, thou godly city of the King of all, habitation well-pleasing unto God, precious treasure: preserve thine inheritance, which ever praiseth thee and honoureth thy birthgiving with faith.

Another Canon, of Andrew, with 6 Troparia, in Tone IV:

Irmos:  Let us chant unto God our Redeemer, * Who of old guided Israel * fleeing from the slavery of Pharaoh, * and fed them in the wilderness, * for He hath been glorified.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The silence of the father is a symbol of the mysteries of the Scriptures of the law; for when grace arrived Moses fell silent. For it was fitting that all fall silent in the presence of the treasure of wisdom which had been revealed.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

While the priest was censing in the temple, an angel from on high stood before him and cried aloud: “I am come unto thee bearing news of a strange birthgiving, O elder! For thou shalt receive from the barren woman the baptizer of Christ as your offspring.”

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

“Wherefore dost thou marvel, O elder? Why standest thou, refusing to believe the one who telleth thee these things? For he is an angel, even if he is in the semblance of a man, be thou therefore mute until the time of the birth of the voice of the Word!”

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

He who made the silence of Zacharias a symbol of the written law hath thereby shown me to be a preacher of repentance who cry out: He giveth unto the barren woman a son who is the voice who crieth.

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

O the most glorious pronouncements of the Forerunner of Christ! He who, even before he was wrapped in swaddling bands, recognized Him who hath loosed our bonds and sanctified the nations, is born today of Elizabeth and looseth the voice of his father.

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

Thou art the habitation of God and the noetic ladder by which God hath descended and, taking our form, hath led our nature up to the heavens. Thee do we all praise as the mediatress of our salvation.

Ode III, Irmos: Not in wisdom, nor in power do we glory, * but we glory in Thee O Christ, * the Hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, * for there is none more holy than Thee, O Lover of mankind.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The birthgiving of the Master is accomplished through the Virgin, while that of His beloved servant is through an elderly and barren mother; wherefore, splendidly hath he proceeded the Wonder of wonders.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The elderly and barren woman kisseth the Virgin Mother, truly recognizing her birthgiving, for the bond of her barrenness hath been loosed by the will of God. 

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O thou who hast given birth unto God incarnate without having known wedlock, make me steadfast who am beset by the assaults of the passions; for I have none other helper than thee, O most pure one.

Another Irmos:  Having established the thunder * and fashioned the wind: * do Thou make me steadfast O Lord, * that I may hymn Thee in truth and do Thy will; * for none is as holy as Thou, O our God.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Elizabeth, who before was barren, prefigured Thy Church of the nations, O Christ, and, giving birth most gloriously, she hath revealed as most fertile that which once was seen to be barren.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Making straight the ways of the Lord and preparing His path, O prophet and herald of Christ, thou didst show mankind the fruits of repentance, teaching them the way of life.

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

Dancing today, Elizabeth holdeth thee in her elderly arms, O Forerunner, and crieth out, uttering the praise: None is as holy as Thou, O Lord our God!

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

O most holy Theotokos, thou didst loose the grief of our first parents, giving birth to the Creator of life and Redeemer for us. Him do thou earnestly entreat, that thy flock be saved.

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

Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded …”: The Forerunner, the voice of the Word, upon his birth splendidly loosed the voice of Zacharias, and he hath shown unto all the barrenness of the law, crying out: Repent, ye who are on earth, for, lo! Jesus cometh and hath appeared, desiring to deliver all from the primal curse, illumining them with baptism! Truly this is a most glorious wonder!

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

Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Joseph marvelled …”: Like the radiant sun, the son of Zacharias hath shone forth upon us through the womb of Elizabeth, and loosed the muteness of his father, crying out to all men with great boldness: “Make straight the way of the Lord! For He freeth and saveth those who have recourse unto Him.” Entreat Him Whom didst thou preach, O John, that our souls be saved.

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

By thy divine birthgiving, O pure one, * thou hast renewed the mortal nature of those born on earth, * which had become corrupt through the passions, * raising up all from death to a life of incorruption. * Wherefore, as is meet we all bless thee, ** O exceedingly glorious Virgin, as thou didst foretell.

Ode IV, Irmos: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

A mystery hath preceded ineffable mysteries, proclaiming release from suffering by a renewed nature, through its correction and deification, O Christ.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Isaiah prophesied that when the Son would become flesh, the Father would say: “Behold, I send before Thy face an earthly angel, the equal of the angels, who crieth out: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!”

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

I have been born to serve the Master as a servant; for, lo! for this reason I have come, to announce His coming, that the barren and elderly woman, putting forth fruit, may believe beforehand the birthgiving of the Virgin.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The womb of the holy Theotokos, in whom it was Thy good pleasure to make Thine abode as in a fragrant dwelling, O supremely divine Word of the Father, was neither corrupted, nor suffered pain; for she gaveth birth to Emmanuel: God and man.

Another Irmos: I have heard of Thy glorious Dispensation, * O Christ our God: * how Thou wast born of the Virgin, * that Thou mightest deliver from error * those who cry aloud to Thee: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Repentance was made accessible through thy nativity, O Forerunner and herald; for thou alone didst preach, crying aloud: Repent ye! The kingdom of heaven is at hand!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Virginity is established and chastity doth triumph; the desert rejoiceth, and the world holdeth festival in thy nativity, O Forerunner!

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

Elizabeth rejoiceth and Zacharias speaketh once again. Both, therefore, become young in their old age and are rendered luminous through John the voice of the Word.

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

Of old, the lawgiver saw thee as the bush unconsumed by the fire, and Daniel envisioned thee as a holy mountain, O Sovereign Lady who alone art Mother and Virgin.

Ode V, Irmos: Now I shall arise said God prophetically, * now I shall be glorified, now I shall be exalted, * elevating fallen human nature, * which I received from the Virgin, * to the noetic light of My divinity.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The earth hath given rise to the true herald, the voice who preacheth to all, with the tongue of the Spirit, the Son of the Virgin, righteousness from heaven which hath come down to us in a bodily substance.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The Lord hath appointed thee the true luminary of Christ, enlightening all, clothing only those who are His enemies in shame, as in a garment, and forthrightly proclaiming the Word and Son of God.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

All creation rejoiceth in thy nativity in a godly manner; for thou wast shown to be an earthly angel and a heavenly man, O Forerunner, proclaiming the God of heaven Who assumed flesh for our sake.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

He Who is begotten of the Father hath been born of thee and is ever with thee: the ever-existing and indivisible Word, the only-begotten Son, Who, in the latter days, became incarnate of the Virgin and the Holy Spirit.

Another Irmos: Shine upon me, O Lord, * the light of Thy commandments, * for my soul riseth early to Thee and hymneth Thee: * For Thou art our God, * and unto Thee do I flee, O King of peace.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

O Sun of righteousness, Thou hast prepared a star, Thy baptizer John, who today is born according to Thy promise and hath loosed the voice of his father.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Utter thou no words of protest, O sacred elder; for Gabriel, the foremost among the archangels, telleth thee the mysteries of God, telling all of His descent unto us.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Be not unbelieving, O elder; for God hath promised that thou shalt beget a son in thine old age, in whose birth many shall rejoice, for he shall come with the power of Elijah.

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

O prophet, herald and forerunner, offspring of the barren woman, preacher of repentance, lamb of the wilderness, and lampstand of the Light: pray thou for all with faith who honour thee

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

We hymn thee, O Sovereign Lady, Mother of the Creator of all, as the impassable portal, the bush unconsumed, and the unquarried mountain from whom was cut the Stone Who is He Who assumed flesh from thee.

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 Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

While yet in thy mother’s womb, as a prophet thou didst recognize the Word of God, and, deified by the unapproachable light, thou didst utter theology in that dark chamber, employing her tongue.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

As the voice of one crying unceasingly, O Baptist, cease thou never to entreat the Redeemer of the world, that He loose the spiritual barrenness of those who hymn thy nativity.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Thy womb, O pure Theotokos, was revealed to be the dwelling-place of the unapproachable Godhead, upon Whom the heavenly ranks cannot gaze without fear.

Another Irmos: The tempest of evil thoughts, hath overwhelmed me, * dragging me down into the abyss of my numberless sins; * but, going before me, O good Helmsman, * govern me as Thou didst the Prophet, * and save me.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Today John is born: the citizen of the desert, the preacher of repentance, the true witness of grace, the forerunner of the Word, the star which shineth before the Light.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Today, the axe which hath been forged, hath portended the hewing of barren souls, and planting the fruits of the virtues, hath surely come forth in thy nativity, O forerunner.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Jordan hath rejoiced most gloriously and leapeth up, learning that John is born of the barren one’s womb; wherefore the sea danceth with leaping waters.

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

Coming forth, the candle-stand of the Light preached the coming of the Saviour, the Lamb of God, Who hath shone forth light upon the earth, offered spiritually for all nature.

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

O all-immaculate Birthgiver of God, who hast given birth to the Abyss of mercy: drowning the abyss of my passions in the depths of thy compassions, grant me a torrent of tears from my soul.

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

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

Kontakion, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin …”: Today she who before was barren * giveth birth unto the forerunner of Christ, * he is the fulfilment of all prophecy; * for, laying his hand in the Jordan upon Him * Whom the prophets foretold, * he hath been shown to be the prophet, herald and forerunner ** of the Word of God.

Ikos: Let us now praise the forerunner of the Lord, to whom Elizabeth gaveth birth for the priest, by means of her barren womb, though not seedlessly; for Christ alone passed through an inviolate dwelling without seed. The barren woman gaveth birth unto John, but did not beget him without the aid of her husband; but the pure virgin gaveth birth to Jesus through the overshadowing of the Father and the Spirit of God. The prophet, herald and forerunner was revealed through the barren woman to the Seedless One.

Ode VII, Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, * regarded the tyrant’s command as foolishness, * and cried aloud in the midst of the flame: * Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Before, all of human nature was in darkness, O forerunner; but thou wast shown to be the dawn, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Thy nativity through the barren woman hath healed all afflicted nature, O forerunner, teaching it to chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Thy nativity through the barren woman hath healed all afflicted nature, O forerunner, teaching it to chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O blessed Virgin, pray for us who beseech thee; for on thee do we set our hope, and to thee do we cry aloud: O Sovereign Lady, disdain not thy servants!

Another 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 Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Falling mute for a time, Zacharias made plain his silence by writing; and, provided again with speech through thy nativity, O forerunner, he most gloriously announced the grace of the Spirit.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The most honoured Elizabeth, that barren and childless woman, is like unto the Church: which before was bedimmed with sacrifices and ordure now boasteth in beauty and birthgiving.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Today the spiritual axe, whereby all the uprisings of the passions are hewn down, is honed by the nativity of the forerunner; and the fruits of repentance mystically flourish.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

We honour thee, O John, as the mediator between the old and the new testaments, the one who maketh straight the paths of Christ Who cleanseth the threshing-floor of transgression with the winnowing-fan of the Spirit.

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

We all hymn the glorious John who issued forth from the barren woman, the forerunner and preacher of repentance, who hastened like a star before the Sun, Christ our God.

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

O Virgin Theotokos, cease thou never to pray on behalf of all unto Him Who, without seed, made His abode within thy womb, Who, in His ineffable and utter humility, was born and beggared Himself for our sake.

Ode VIII Irmos: O almighty Redeemer of all, * having descended and bedewed the children * in the midst of the flame, * Thou didst teach them to sing: * All ye works bless and hymn the Lord.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Moses the lawgiver was a servant, but Jesus is the God of the new covenant; and now the forerunner hymneth both, as mediator between them, saying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

A turtle-dove hath issued forth from the womb of the barren one! Like a divinely planted grove she hath offered the forerunner of Christ unto the Church, chanting: All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

O God-bearing people, holy nation, liken yourselves unto the turtle-dove of Christ and, abiding in chastity, chant ye with voices flowing with honey: All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord!

Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.

Illumined with the threefold Light, let us worship the one uncreated Godhead, ceaselessly crying aloud in an Orthodox manner: All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord!

Another Irmos: In wisdom hast Thou fashioned all things, O Master, * Thou didst establish the earth firmly upon the fathomless depths of the waters, * in accordance with Thy knowledge, * wherefore we hymn Thee chanting: * Unceasingly bless ye the Lord all ye works of the Lord.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Before thy birth, before thine own swaddling-clothes, O forerunner, thou didst recognize Christ, the Bestower of life, Whom thou didst worship, pointing Him out by leaping, and naming Him thy Lord, by borrowing thy mother’s tongue, and singing unto Christ our God.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

The ends of the earth celebrate the forefeast today; the angels and the souls of the righteous rejoice; the quick and the dead are gladdened by the birth of John, receiving through him the preaching of the Saviour and Lord of all.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Today the Jordan, likening itself to John, hath leapt up most gloriously in its fluid torrents, listening to him whose life is like unto that of the angels, who was born of a barren and elderly woman, who maketh straight the ways and paths of the Lord and hath baptized the world.

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

Today Zacharias noted on a slate the name of the prophet and forerunner which was designated by God, and in his silence he declared: Let him be called John who is born to me in mine old age! This marvellous designation befitteth one who was begotten according to God’s promise.

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

Thy people, O Virgin, have thee as a mighty consolation, a hope unashamed, an unassailable rampart and divine intercession, and, saved, they glorify and cry out to thee earnestly: Bless the Lord unceasingly, all ye works of the Lord!

Ode IX, Irmos: The ineffable hidden mystery of God hath been revealed in thee, * O most pure Virgin; * for in His tender compassion * God become incarnate of thee. * Wherefore, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Lo! the voice of the forerunner falleth upon barren and empty hearts, crying: Prepare ye now the way of Christ, for He shall come in glory, and, submitting ourselves, we magnify Him!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

As of old, O forerunner, thou didst through the Holy Spirit manifestly preach the Son, Who is the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world, ask thou forgiveness of sins for thy flock.

Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.

Chanting in an Orthodox manner, O ye faithful, let us glorify the threefold Unity, the consubstantial Trinity, Who illumineth us divinely and filleth our souls with the splendors of the never-waning light.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O thou who hast dominion over all creatures, grant the trophy of victory to thy people and set the feet of Orthodox hierarchs upon all heresies and schisms, that we may magnify thee as the Theotokos.

Another Irmos: For the Mighty One hath done great things to me, * and holy is His name; * and His mercy is upon them that fear Him * unto generation and generation

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Behold, in thee, O priest, hath God wrought a great and most glorious sign; for thou hast begotten a son, the forerunner, in thine old age and in the mortality of thy flesh.

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Let barren women hearken and chant unto God! For, lo! Elizabeth crieth out: I give birth unto a son of mine old age and in the mortality of my flesh!

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John, pray to God for us.

Be glad and rejoice now in God, O Zacharias! For, lo! Elizabeth nourisheth the son of her old age at her breast and in the mortality of her flesh giveth birth to the forerunner.

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

Glory to Him Who hath giveth fruit to the barren woman in her old age and hath bestowed upon the aged prophet a son, the divine forerunner, who prepareth for Him a perfected people.

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

He Who was begotten in the bosom of the Father without passion and corruption, having made His abode within thee, in His loving-kindness hath led us to the Father and the divine Spirit.

Troparion, Tone IV: O prophet and forerunner of the coming of Christ, * we who honour thee with love * are at a loss how to worthily praise thee; * for by thy glorious and honoured nativity * thou didst loose the barrenness of her who gave birth to thee * and the muteness of thy father, ** and proclaimed to the world the incarnation of the Son of God.

 

 

Activities over the next few days

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Dear brothers and sisters,

We were greatly blessed to make a local pilgrimage to the Oratorian Church yesterday, serving a moleben before the shrine and relics of St Alban, before venerating a portion of the relics and having refreshments in the parish hall. We are grateful to the Oratorians for their limitless generosity, making this and so many other activities possible.

We look forward to our Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of St John the Forerunner, on Thursday, when we will serve the Liturgy in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Butetown, at 10:30. Those attending are invited to bring refreshments to share after the Liturgy, with fish, wine and oil being permitted for the feast.

On Friday, our catechesis, our group will meet in the parish room at St Mary, Butetown, at 19:00, continuing our study of the Holy Mysteries.

Confessions will also be heard before catechesis, and those requiring confession (unless already discussed) are asked to email me as soon as possible and no longer than Thursday lunchtime (14:00) – otetzmark@hotmail.com

I would like to take this opportunity to tell parishioners that, despite being told that we would be able to return to the chapel of Nazareth House imminently, sadly, there has been NO answer to the invited email requesting this. I have discussed the matter with the Oratorian Fathers, as chaplains to the house, and will be exploring an alternative channel of communication.

Those of you who have been at Liturgy over the past few weeks will be aware of the unsociable behaviour of certain locals who have taken advantage of the goodwill and generosity of the parish, not only behaving in a threatening way that has worried and alarmed our parishioners, but also raising serious concerns surrounding security and safeguarding.

Also, there have been problems with smoking (by these individuals) in the church porch during the Liturgy, and parishioners are feeling increasingly uncomfortable entering and exiting church.

Given that our parish has children and vulnerable adults and, following recent problems surrounding the fabric of a building that is NOT ours, we must consider the well-being of our parishioners, the security of the church, and the security of the Liturgy, itself.

We ask that parishioners arrive for the Liturgy on time, as the church doors will be closed early in the Liturgy, and parishioners arriving late may have to wait for the door to be answered to gain access.

Parishioners are beginning to feel threatened in church, and we must do everything possible to make everyone feel safe and secure. This means taking measures that we would not usually wish to take, or even envisage.

The Sunday Hours commence at 11:00, fillowed by the Divine Liturgy and I pray that we will have a quiet celebration without disruption.

May God bless you all!

In Christ – Fr Mark

St Alban’s Day Thanks

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Our profound thanks go the Very Revd Father Sebastian Jones Cong.Orat., and the brethren of the Cardiff Oratory, for their characteristic warmth and hospitality in welcoming a small group of parishioners to the Oratory Church of St Alban on the Moors, this afternoon.

We were privileged to pray at the shrine of St Alban, offering a moleben before his sacred relics and icon, venerating the Protmartyr’s relics, then chatting over refreshments in the parish hall.

It was just over a year ago, in June 2021, that the portion of St Alban’s relics in the Oratory Church were presented and enshrined by the Abbot of St Michael’s Benedictine Abbey in Farnborough, which is blessed with one of the Protomartyrs thigh-bones, saved during the reformation, and evacuated to the continent to escape desecration and destruction. 

Since the Oratorian Fathers were granted the parish of St Alban on the Moors, and especially since they were replaced as University chaplains (with the resultant Orthodox exodus from Newman Hall), we have been continually blessed to have the use of the Oratory Church for confessions and shrine-prayers.

Troparion, Tone 3: With faith, piety and devotion let us hasten to the sacred shrine of the wondrous martyr Alban, the first in Britain to shed his blood for Christ the Lord, for Whom he willingly laid down his life; and let us pray that through his supplications our souls may find mercy and salvation.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Imbued with courage and bravery from on high, the glorious martyr Alban stood undaunted before the tyrant and boldly confessed Christ as the only God of all; and he utterly refused to offer sacrifice to false deities. Wherefore, having laid down his life for the Lord, he maketh earnest entreaty in behalf of our souls.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us!

The Canon to the Holy Protomartyr Alban

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The canon, the acrostic whereof is “Save Albion by thy prayers, O godly Alban”, in Tone VIII – the work of the Monk Joseph (Isaac Lambertsen)

Ode I, Irmos: O Lord Who didst fashion an all-glorious path for the people in the sea, make Thou the journey to heaven passable for us, that we may sing a new song unto Thee.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Send me grace from on high to purify my sinful mind, O Christ, that with boldness and without condemnation I may hymn Thy great martyr Alban, the invincible.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

A great and undaunted witness to Thy truth was Alban, O God; for though he had not received holy baptism, yet so great was his zeal for the Faith that he gladly shed his blood for Thee.

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

Verulamium and the parts thereof were sanctified b y thy martyrdom, O Alban; for within its walls thou didst confess the true God and wast sentenced to death; and beyond it thou wast beheaded.

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

Even after giving birth thou hast remained ever-virgin, O all-pure and most immaculate Theotokos; wherefore, thou prayest in purity for thy sinful servants.

Ode III, Irmos: The bow of the mighty is become weak, and the strengthless have girded themselves with power; wherefore, my heart hath been established in the Lord.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

All-joyously didst thou endure scourging for the sake of Christ, when thou didst spurn the worship of graven images, defying the unjust demand of the tyrant, O holy one.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Like Moses, who parted the Red Sea, so didst thou divide the rushing River Ver, which impeded thy path to martyrdom, O Alban, filling the people with amazement.

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

Bowing thy head before the executioner’s sword, thou didst surrender thy pure soul into the hands of Christ Jesus, Who hath caused it to dwell in paradise.

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

In psalms, hymns and spiritual songs we lift up our voices in praise of thee, who alone among women gavest birth unto the Unapproachable One, O Virgin Theotokos.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O holy Protomartyr, Alban, for we fervently flee unto thee, the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

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

Sessional hymn, Tone III: Awed by the mighty works wrought through thee by the Almighty, O Alban, we sinners earnestly entreat thine aid: Look down from on high, O holy martyr, and deliver us from those who would destroy us, body and soul. Beseech the Master of all, that He take pity on us and save us, in that He loveth mankind. (Twice)

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

Theotokion*: Past understanding and beyond the mind of man is the awesome mystery of God wrought within thee, O divinely joyous Mistress; for, having conceived the Infinite One, thou gayest birth to Him, wrapped in flesh through thine all-pure blood. Him do thou ever beseech as Thy Son, O pure one, that our souls be saved.

*Replaced with the Stavrotheotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays

Stavrotheotokion: Thy pure Mother who knew not wedlock, O Christ, beholding thee hanging, dead, upon the Cross, said, weeping maternally: “How hath the iniquitous and thankless council of the Jews, who enjoyed Thy many and great gifts, rewarded Thee, O my Son? I hymn Thy divine condescension!”

Ode IV, Irmos: What criest thou, O Prophet Habbakuk? What hast thou seen which filleth thee with awe? Beholding God come forth from Thæman, I was afraid!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

O thy steadfastness of soul, which withstood the threats of the tyrant, O martyr, and gave thee the strength to confess the one true God in the face of the idolaters!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Never cease to offer supplications before the all-holy Trinity, O wondrous one, that our manifold offences may be mercifully remitted and our grievous sins forgiven.

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

Before the dread throne, amid the ranks of the angels and saints, dost thou stand, mediating with Christ for the people of thy native land and all Christians.

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

Ye six-winged seraphim and many-eyed cherubim, stand in awe of the Maiden who is full of grace, for she is higher than you in honour.

Ode V, Irmos: O Lord Who by divine knowledge didst bring the ends of the earth into the light out of the night of ignorance, enlighten me with the dawning of Thy love for mankind.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Though a man of substance and property, yet through martyrdom thou didst exchange all earthly things for the pearl of great price, the holy Christian Faith, O Alban.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Holmhurst Hill, whereon thou didst seal thy witness, was drenched with thy blood when, beheaded by the sword, thou gayest thy pure soul into the hands of Christ, O martyr.

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

Yea, thy glory hath truly shone forth, undimmed, through all the ages, O blessed Alban; and, guided by thy light, we hasten to the mansions of heaven, where thou dwellest in splendour.

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

Pure and all-immaculate art thou, O Maiden, and replete with the grace of God; wherefore, thou standest with honour at the right hand of thy Son and our God.

Ode VI, Irmos: Mine iniquities have gone over my head, weighing down upon me like a heavy burden, and they drag me down into the depths of despondency; but before I sink, save me, O Lord!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Ravaged and destroyed were thy sacred relics and their shrine, O Alban, when ungodly blasphemers descended upon thy church like wolves upon a sheepfold; yet despite their predations thy grace hath never ceased to shine forth.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Against the vile heresy of Pelagius did the holy hierarch Germanus do battle in Britain, and therein he found thee a mighty ally; for which cause he took with him to Gaul a portion of thy precious and holy relics.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

“Yesterday, in my ignorance of the true God, I was as one sitting in darkness and the shadow of death; but today, when I lay down my life for Him, I shall dwell in paradise, filled with His effulgent glory!” Alban cried out.

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

“Everlasting life is the portion of those who cleave unto the God of the Christians; wherefore, put away thine unbelief from thee and believe on Him, that it may go well with thee in the life to come,” the martyr exclaimed to the tyrant.

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

Retribution from God awaiteth the accursed Nestorius, O all-pure Mistress, and all who revile thee and teach others to hold thee in contempt; for thou, O all-blessed one, dost bid all generations to call thee blessed.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O holy Protomartyr, Alban, for we fervently flee unto thee, the 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; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Kontakion, Tone 2: Spec. Mel.: “Seeking the highest …”: Imbued with courage and bravery from on high, the glorious martyr Alban stood undaunted before the tyrant and boldly confessed Christ as the only God of all; and he utterly refused to offer sacrifice to false deities. Wherefore, having laid down his life for the Lord, he maketh earnest entreaty in behalf of our souls.

Ikos: Heeding well the words of the Saviour to His disciples, thou didst not fear him who could slay thy body, for he was unable to kill thy soul. For this cause, what was taught thee in the darkness by the Christian priest, whose life thou didst save, thou didst proclaim in the light; and what thine ear took in of his pure teaching, thou didst declare openly before the tribunal. Wherefore, having laid down thy life for the Lord, thou makest earnest entreaty in behalf of our souls.

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

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Succour and aid do thou send down upon us from on high, O blessed martyr, for we know thee to be a fervent advocate for those who chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

On Holmhurst Hill thou didst pause, athirst; and when thou didst pray to God a spring of water gushed forth at His behest, for which thou didst cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

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

Gildas the pious and the venerable Bede have reverently related thy life and martyrdom, O Alban, that, giving thanks for thee, we may chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

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

O how manifold are thy mighty works, O Virgin Theotokos! What tongue can fittingly describe their magnitude? And who can number them? Yea, they transcend all understanding!

Ode VIII, Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant and the flame by Thy grace, taking exceeding care to keep Thy commandments, the children cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Divine grace shineth forth with radiance from thy precious relics and sacred shrine, O wondrous martyr, whereby we all are illumined who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Let every Christian soul give thanks unto God, Who is wondrous in His saints, for He hath given Alban to us as an earnest suppliant for all who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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

Yielding pacifieth great offences, saith Solomon the wise; wherefore, thou didst reject the madness of idolatry. crying out with the faithful: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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

A stranger wast thou to the pangs of parturition, O most immaculate Mother, for, passing forth from thy womb, Christ kept thee from all pain and preserved thy virginity intact.

Ode IX, Irmos: Let the assemblies of the heretics fall silent, for they do not confess thee to be the true Theotokos; but the prophets proclaimed thee from on high to be the Mother of God and the mediatress of our race. Wherefore, we magnify thee, O Virgin.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Light from on high shineth forth upon us through thee, O most pious Alban, dispelling the darkness of polytheism and the gloom of heresy, that we may tread the path of righteousness without faltering and attain the heavenly Sion.

Holy Protomartyr, Alban, pray to God for us.

Britain rejoiceth greatly in thy memory, O invincible martyr Alban, and bendeth its knee in gratitude for the many benefactions thou hast wrought for it, setting at nought the evil machinations of the devil and his minions.

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

All Christendom is glad and danceth for joy, reverently celebrating thy memorial with prayers, hymns and godly feasts, O martyr of Christ; for, having thee as a champion and mediator, it magnifieth thee exceedingly.

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

Now and always do we proclaim thee our peerless intercessor, who pleadeth earnestly with thy Son, the Lord of hosts, that he take pity and deal mercifully with us. Wherefore, we magnify thee, O most blessed Virgin.

Troparion, Tone 3: With faith, piety and devotion let us hasten to the sacred shrine of the wondrous martyr Alban, the first in Britain to shed his blood for Christ the Lord, for Whom he willingly laid down his life; and let us pray that through his supplications our souls may find mercy and salvation.

Молитва семи отрокам Эфесским

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О, пречу́днии святи́и седмичи́сленнии о́троцы, Ефе́са гра́да похвало́ и всея́ вселе́нныя упова́ние! Воззри́те с высоты́ Небе́сныя сла́вы на ны, любо́вию па́мять ва́шу чту́щия, наипа́че же на младе́нцы христиа́нския, ва́шему заступле́нию от роди́телей свои́х препоруче́нныя. Низведи́те на ня благослове́ние Христа́ Бо́га, ре́кшаго: оста́вите дете́й приходи́ти ко Мне. Боля́щия у́бо от них исцели́те, скорбя́щия уте́шите, сердца́ их в чистоте́ соблюди́те, кро́тостию испо́лните я́ и в земли́ серде́ц их зерно́ испове́дания Бо́жия насади́те и укрепи́те, во е́же от си́лы в си́лу им возраста́ти. И всех нас, святе́й ико́не ва́шей предстоя́щих, мо́щи же ва́ша с ве́рою лобыза́ющих и те́пле вам моля́щихся, сподо́бите Ца́рствие Небе́сное улучи́ти и немо́лчными гла́сы ра́дования та́мо прославля́ти великоле́пое И́мя Пресвяты́я Тро́ицы, Отца́ и Сы́на и Свята́го Ду́ха, во ве́ки веко́в. Ами́нь.

The Nativity of St John the Forerunner

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This Thursday, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Nativity of St John the Forerunner in the Church of St Mary the Virgin at 10:30, followed by refreshments in the parish room.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, North Church St, Butetown, Cardiff CF10 5HB.