Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour Peter and hymn Paul with understanding”, in Tone IV
Ode I, Irmos: I will open my mouth, and with the Spirit will it be filled; and I shall utter discourse unto the Queen and Mother, and shall appear, keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I will hymn her wonders.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O Lord, grant me the gifts of Thine all-holy Spirit like drops of rain, fitting discourse; and I shall rejoice, faithfully praising the corrections of Thy foremost apostles.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O all-praised Peter, zealously thou didst forsake transitory things and didst follow in the steps of Christ; and leaving behind thine unbelief, O Paul, thou didst follow Him Who called thee.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O apostles Peter and Paul, receiving the grace of the divine Spirit which descended upon you in essence, ye traversed the world, teaching the ends of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The most eloquent of orators and musical tongues of exalted sound are unable to honour or hymn thee, O pure one; for in thee alone have divine mysteries which transcend man been wrought.
Canon of the twelve apostles, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour the wise apostles of Christ”, the composition of Theophanes, in the same tone.
Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O Christ, in that Thou art God grant unto me, who desire to hymn the choir of the apostles, the radiance of the all-holy Spirit and the light of Thy wisdom through their supplications.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by Thy power and grace, O Christ, Thine honoured apostles destroyed the power of the adverse foe, in that they have become seers of God through Thine expansive gesture.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Working healings by Thy name, O Master, the glorious apostles looked upon the multitudes of the nations and illumined them with Thy light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having learned heavenly wisdom, O all-wise and all-glorious apostles of Christ, with your successful preaching ye manifestly showed the overweening discourse of the ungodly to be foolish.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-pure Virgin Mother, thou gavest birth to One of the all-divine Trinity, Who through thee hath shown Himself to be like unto us in the flesh, through the good pleasure of Him Who begat Him, and through the activity of the all-holy Spirit.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode III, Irmos: O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain: in thy divine commemoration establish those who hymn thee and spiritually form themselves into a choir; and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Andrew, thy kinsman, O Peter, showed thee Christ the Messiah, and thou didst approach Him with faith; and thou, O wondrous Paul, wast enlightened by Ananias with divinely ordained baptism.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
With the enlightenment of grace Peter brought in the race of Israel, which had fallen, deceived by the letter of the law; and Paul delivered the flock of the nations from falsehood.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Thou didst send Thy disciples to the nations naked and simple, bearing Thy holy name instead of a sword, O Christ; and with faith they set at nought the warfare of falsehood.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-praised apostles Peter and Paul, all the earth was full of the knowledge of the Lord Who shone forth from the Virgin and hath restored the world by your divine preaching.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Thy Church rejoiceth in Thee, O Christ, crying aloud: Thou art my strength, O Lord, my refuge and my consolation!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Divinely proclaiming the heavenly and precious doctrines on earth, and declaring them with fiery tongues, O preachers of Christ, ye transmitted them.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O Master, Thou didst show forth Thy disciples as noetic heavens which declare Thy glory to all the ends of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O all-wise ones who were inscribed in the heavens and revealed as dwelling with Christ, preserve us now who honour you with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who dwelleth in the highest and hath made His abode among us, O all-pure one, hath manifested Himself, receiving flesh from thee without seed.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn of the 12 apostles, Tone IV: Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up upon the Cross…”: O ye who have made your abode in unapproachable Light, as habitations of the Light, ye ever illumine your holy temple with divine proclamations. Wherefore, with faith we cry out: Entreating the Creator, O apostles, deliver us from darkness, from all manner of misfortunes and the cruel invasion of pagans.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sessional hymn of the apostles Peter & Paul, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Let us praise Peter and the all-wise Paul, the great and radiant luminaries, who have been shown to be the preëminent disciples; for, shining with the fire of the divine Spirit, they have utterly consumed the darkness of falsehood. Wherefore, they have worthily been shown to be citizens of the kingdom on high, sharing the throne of grace. For this cause we cry out to them: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: All of us, the generations of men, bless thee as the Virgin who, alone among women, gavest birth without seed to God in the flesh; for the fire of the Godhead dwelt within thee, and thou didst nurture the Creator and Lord with milk as a babe. Wherefore, we, the generation of angels and men, glorify thine all-holy birth-giving as is meet, and cry out together: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who with faith worship thine all-holy birth-giving.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode IV, Irmos: Perceiving the inscrutable counsel of God – the Incarnation of Thee, the Most High, from the Virgin – the Prophet Habbakuk cried aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Piously joining the mighty with the lowly, orators with the unlearned, O Peter and Paul, apostles of Christ, ye won the victory.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
The godly Peter denounced the cruel apostate Simon Magus as a lover of gold, and now the wise Paul hath rendered blind the steps of Elymas, who blasphemed Christ.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Though the fisherman and the tent-maker were coarse of speech, yet have they seasoned with divine salt the souls of those who love wisdom and led them to Christ by faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Of old, with divinely inspired speech the divine Habbakuk called thee the pure and overshadowed mountain of Him Who cometh from the south and is incarnate of thee, O Mistress, manifestly making declaration.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The sound of the words of the divine apostles passed through the whole world like fire, burning up the tinder of falsehood and illumining the assemblies of the pious with grace.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The ungodly world, benighted in gloom, did the disciples of the Lord, the divinely radiant beacons, illumine with rays of grace, shown forth by the effulgence of their preaching.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the sacred rays of the noetic Sun, ye shine forth in the world like the sun, O all-praised ones, dispelling the gloom of falsehood with divine light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Possessing Thy Cross as a staff of power, O Word, those who themselves beheld Thee divided the salty sea of life, roiling the waters of polytheism like steeds.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The animate heaven of Thee, O Christ, the King of kings, adorned with divers effulgences, the all-pure Virgin is now glorified as the Theotokos.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode V, Irmos: All things are filled with awe at thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, didst contain within thy womb Him Who is God over all, and gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace unto all who hymn thee.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
In that thou art steadfast, O Peter, Christ called thee a stone, and on thee did He set the Church, against which the gates of hell will not prevail; and thee, O Paul, He called His vessel, chosen to bear His name before the nations.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter denied the Teacher thrice, and thrice made himself His by declaring his love for Him; and Paul, who before was a blasphemer who grievously oppressed the faithful, later preached Him Whom he before had persecuted.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
An incorruptible name and everlasting glory have Peter and Paul obtained from Christ; for the one hath received the keys of heaven, and the other, caught up into paradise, heard ineffable words which surpass men’s understanding.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Full of the divine Spirit, Isaiah foretold the birth without father of Emmanuel, God with us, from thee, O pure Virgin, Whom thou didst bear. Wherefore, we all hymn thee.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Thy divine and all-wise ministers hast Thou shown forth in the world as light, proclaiming Thee, the never-waning Light, unto all.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having manifestly passed through every virtue, O apostles, ye have destroyed the divers webs of the demons’ malice.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Speaking with fiery tongues, O apostles, ye have revealed to us the effulgence of the Trinity, the Godhead in unity.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thee do we present as an invincible weapon against our enemies for thou art our foundation and our hope of salvation, O divine maiden.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VI, Irmos: Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Splendid were the miracles of Peter, and wondrous the signs of Paul: for their garments and handkerchiefs work healings when placed upon the sick.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
The truly glorious Peter and the truly wondrous Paul, the two godly ones, the most precious habitations of the life-creating Trinity, are commemorated by all.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Like a divine and excellent physician Peter hath healed the souls and bodies of the sick, and Paul hath enlightened the nations, signing them with the light of the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We must needs hymn thee, yet are truly unable to do so worthily; wherefore, we hymn thee with silence, honouring the ineffable mystery wrought in thee, O Virgin.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having made Thy disciples steadfast through wisdom and miracles, Thou didst make them stronger than the foolish prating of the Greeks; and they have abolished their false precepts.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
The divine rivers of wisdom have filled all the vales of the Church with salvific waters of salvation, enriching them with streams from the wellsprings of salvation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Revealed as living stars, O all-praised ones, ye destroyed all the darkness of falsehood with radiant effulgence, shining forth the light of divine knowledge.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, the noetic Bridegroom found thee to be a perfect and all-comely turtle-dove, a radiant lily and blossom of the valley; and He made His abode within thee.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel. “Seeking the highest…”: Christ the Rock doth radiantly glorify the rock of Faith, the most excellent of His disciples, as He doth Paul and the assembly of the twelve today; and, faithfully celebrating their memory, we glorify Him Who glorified them.
Ikos: Celebrating now your most honoured and all-blessed memory, in hymns we earnestly cry out to you: O all-radiant and divinely luminous beacons of the world, ye twelve beloved disciples of Christ, in that ye have boldness before Him, pray for us; for to you hath been given the grace to heal and forgive sins. Wherefore, earnestly entreat Him, that we be delivered from sins and temptations, that we may glorify Him Who alone loveth mankind, Who hath glorified you.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VII, Irmos: The divinely wise youths worshipped not a creation rather than the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoice, chanting: Blessed art Thou, the all-hymned God of our fathers!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter was called blessed by Christ when he called Him the Son of the living God; and Paul was honoured as a right profitable vessel; and they cried: O Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Peter made wise the servants of the law as He was commanded, and Paul enlightened the gentiles; and both cleaved unto Christ through grace and cried: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
As a most excellent shepherd of Christ Peter hath received the flock, and Paul became their divine teacher; and they cry aloud: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most immaculate Mary, excellent in holiness, O Virgin who gavest birth to God in the flesh, O pure one who knewest not wedlock: entreat Him, that He deliver us from every assault and from sin.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O All-good One Who wast God before nature, making Thy disciples sons Thou didst lovingly show them to be heirs of the inheritance of the Father, and it was Thy good pleasure that they walk with Thee, their God and Master.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Bestowing an outpouring of wisdom, breadth of heart and right eloquent tongues upon Thy godly disciples, O Word, Thou didst send them forth to preach the Gospel of the kingdom to all the ends of the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The apostles, shown to be clouds of the light of God, let fall life-creating water as rain upon all, crying: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast revealed as wholly adorned by the glory of God, O all-pure one, Mother and Virgin who alone didst conceive God the Word Who existed from before the beginning of time. Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress!
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode VIII, Irmos: The birth-giving of the Theotokos saved the pious children in the furnace – then in figure, but now in deed – and it moveth all the world to chant to Thee: Hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by divine power, Peter resurrected the dead Tabitha; and Paul raised up the dead Eutyches, who had fallen from a great height; and both cry out: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Having received an awesome and wondrous vision, Peter enlightened Cornelius, and Paul baptised Gaius, Crispus, Panestius and Stephaninus; and both cry out: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
At night, by His angel, Christ released Peter, who was fettered and kept under guard; and while Paul and Silas were praying, their feet made fast in stocks, He set them free and caused the prison to quake. Wherefore, they hymn Christ forever.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deliver us from the most pernicious passions, and break asunder now the bonds of offences wherewith each is bound; for we all have sinned, and, being guilty, we ask purification. Through thine entreaties, O Theotokos, grant it to us who exalt Christ supremely forever.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
With the fire of the Spirit the divine and all-wise choir of the apostles utterly consumed many of the sanctuaries of the demons as though they were tares, and have enlightened the hearts of the faithful, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O godly disciples and apostles of Christ, who together have thundered forth to us the commandments of God, ye havens of the faith and common benefactors of mankind: Serve ye the Savior, that we may honour you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us honour the most precious vessels, the receptacles of the virtues, the first-fruits of humanity, the clarions of preaching, the torrents of life incorruptible, the God-bearing flashes of lightning, the wellsprings of healing, the beautiful feet of the Gospel.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who is full humbleth Himself for our sake, that we may share in His fullness; for the Infinite One, entering into thine all-pure womb, became incarnate without leaving the bosom of the Father. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed, O Mary Bride of God.
Canon of the Apostles Peter & Paul
Ode IX, Irmos: Let every mortal leap for joy, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences keep festival, honouring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let them cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, pure Ever-virgin!
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Ye passed over all the world, soaring as on wings, preaching the Gospel of Christ to all tribes, nations and lands; and ye have brought them to the Faith, O all-blessed Peter and wondrous apostle Paul.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
Having attained an advanced age, O Peter, discharging the debts of nature ye endured the cross in emulation of thy Teacher Christ. And when thy head was cut off, O Paul, — O the wonder! — instead of blood milk poured forth in torrents, converting the unbelieving.
Holy all-praised Apostles, Peter and Paul, pray to God for us.
O ye two godly ones, who wisely dedicated yourselves to the souls of the whole world, converting them from ungodliness to piety, and, even after your death, have saved the souls of the faithful: be ye now mindful of us, and intercede before Christ, O preëminent apostles.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O good Saviour Who lovest mankind by nature and art full of loving-kindness: through the divine entreaties of Thine all-hymned Virgin Mother and the supplications of Thine apostles Peter and Paul, send down Thy mercy and aid upon us from heaven.
Canon of the 12 Apostles
Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
Having received from the Master the authority to loose the bonds of transgressions, O ye who have beheld God, mercifully cleanse us of sins who hymn you, and vouchsafe unto us salvation.
Holy Apostles, pray to God for us.
O glorious apostles who learned exalted preaching and doctrine in the upper chamber, ye have all received the full effulgence of the Spirit which was made manifest to you essentially; and now ye are called blessed, as is meet.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now Christ bestoweth never-fading wreaths upon you, His friends, as ye rest; and He filleth you with divine vision. Entreat Him now, that He save all the Churches.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Desiring to come in the flesh, He Who hath adorned all things by His word made His abode within thee, found thee to be holier than all others, and hath shown thee to be the true Theotokos, O Virgin Mother.
Troparion of the apostles, Tone IV: O first-enthroned among the apostles and teachers of the whole world: Entreat the Master of all, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.