Magnification: We extol Thee, O Christ, the Giver of Life for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Emmanuel, Thou didst reveal Thyself as Saviour, by prophets foretold.
Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord, for He cometh, He cometh to rule the earth. (Magnification)
He hath remembered His truth and His love for the house of Israel. (Magnification)
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Magnification)
The Lord remembers His covenant forever, His promise for a thousand generations. (Magnification)
He lowered the heavens and came down, He came enthroned upon the Cherubim. (Magnification)
The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Magnification)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Magnification)
Both now and ever and and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Magnification)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to thee, O God. (Thrice with bows)
Troparion of the Forefeast, Tone IV: Make ready, O Bethlehem! * Be thou opened unto all, O Eden! * Adorn thyself, O Ephratha! * For in the cave the Tree of Life hath sprung forth from the Virgin. * Her womb is shown to be a noetic paradise, * in the midst of which is the divine Tree, * whereof eating, we shall live, and not die as did Adam. * Christ is born, that He might restore His image ** which fell of old!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Sticheron, Tone VI: The sayings of the prophets have now been fulfilled, *for in the morning our God is born of the Virgin Mary in manner past description, *and she remaineth as she was before birth-giving. *The magi come together, bearing gifts, *and the shepherds pipe, that we also may chant: *O Lord Who wast born of the Virgin, **glory be to Thee!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the Forefeast, Tone III: Today the Virgin cometh to the cave * to ineffably give birth unto the pre-eternal Word. * Having heard this, be glad, O thou inhabited earth, * and with the angels and shepherds glorify the pre-eternal God, ** Who is to appear as a little babe.
Prayer: O God and Father, the Almighty One, Thou didst create the human race in Thine image and likeness, and when we fell through disobedience, Thou didst promise to send a Saviour. When the fullness of time had come, Thy favour rested on Thine Only-Begotten Son, and He was born of the Virgin Mary. Thus, that which Isaiah the prophet foretold was fulfilled: “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.'” His birth filled all creation with light; He gave us the baptism of repentance, and didst restore our ancient dignity. Now, most compassionate Lord, Thou bringest us to these honoured days of the Nativity Fast, that we may do battle with the desires of the flesh and draw strength from the hope of the resurrection. Receive us, then, as penitents and forgive our iniquities, whether done knowingly and unknowingly, through malice and through weakness. And may our prayers, our fasting, and our works of mercy rise up before Thee as incense, as a sweet spiritual fragrance, that in company with the Magi and the shepherds, we too, with pure hearts, may be found worthy to bow down before the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son. To Whom, together with Thee and Thine All-Holy Spirit, belong glory, honour, and worship, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Some of our parishioners, who are praying the akathist to St John the Wonderworker for the intention of our parish, after the news of its eviction from St John’s by the (Anglican) Local Ministry Team, have asked for a canon to pray to the great wonderworker, for his help.
The following canon was published by our late Bishop Alexander of Buenos Aires, and, I believe, is the one written by Father Seraphim (Rose) of Platina.
A Canon to St John the Wonderworker Tone 2, the Acrostic wherewith is: Holy John, Wonderworker of the latter times.
Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Help me, O Christ my Lord, to praise with purity of heart Thy blessed servant John, whose life of unceasing labour and prayer Thou hast revealed to us as both a reproof and a source of inspiration for our feeble faith.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
O Hierarch John, Thou art a lamp that shineth forth out of the dark apostasy of our evil times, beckoning us to follow Thee out of the nether chaos of our passions and to abide with Thee in Christ the Light that dieth not.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Love for the all-wise and all-compassionate God, the simple Unity in Trinity, did give Thee both the divine wisdom of the great Elders of ancient times and the simple guilelessness of a child, O blessed John, enabling Thee to touch countless souls with the grace bestowed upon Thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Young, defenceless orphans flock to Thee, the old and infirm beg consolation from Thee, and all we who have fallen into sin seek the healing balm of Thy heavenly intercession. Holy Hierarch John, saint and wonderworker in our midst, pray for us.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
John Thou didst behold prostrated before Thy sacred images, praying alone in the deep hours of the night warring with sleep and keeping constant vigilance over his soul. O blessed Mother of God, warm our hearts that we too may pour out such ardent love for Thee.
Ode III, Irmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth over my enemies, and my spirit rejoiceth when I sing: there is none holy as our God, and none righteous beside Thee, O Lord.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
O blessed one, Thou didst have as Thy ancestor a saint, whose name Thou wast given as a monk. Truly did his spirit rest upon Thee, for Thou didst become, like the great John of Tobolsk, a holy hierarch, a zealous missionary to foreign lands, and a miracle-worker even after Thy repose.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Having the heavenly saints as Thy instructors, Thou wast as a child taught the life of ascetic struggle and unconquerable faith in Christ. Preferring this learning above all other, Thou didst become an earnest student of Orthodox sanctity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Never ceasing to nourish Thy soul with the Lives of Saints, Thou didst carefully study their every thought, word and action, thereby perceiving their otherworldly mind and spirit and acquiring these for thyself: for indeed Thou didst become like Thy instructors, a saint by whom God is glorified.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
When a child in Kharkov, the blessed John devoutly prayed before Thine Ilyetskaya icon. O Sovereign Lady, cleanse our unclean hearts and grant us such childlike faith.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2: Who can fathom the mysterious ways of sanctity? Who can perceive the celestial beauty of Thy life enshrouded in the garments of humility? Thou, O John. wast illumined by the Light that came into the world, and the world knew it not. (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.
O Queen of Heaven, Thou abidest now with all the saints whom Thou didst strengthen and console during their sojourn on earth. And behold! A new saint is among them, the righteous John, praising Christ with Thee forever.
Ode IV, Irmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come, not as an ambassador nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Wherefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Oholy Hierarch, Thou wast sent as a shepherd at Christ’s flock to Shanghai, where Thou didst become known as a wonderworker and healer of diseases, a great ascetic who gavest no repose or comfort to the temple of Thy body, but rather sanctified it through the constant work of prayer.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Neglecting no opportunity of helping those in need, Thou didst boldly walk through the slums and dark alleys of Shanghai, gathering sick and starving orphans and providing them with Thy fatherly protection. Do Thou take us, too, under Thy care.
Deliverer of the oppressed, Thou didst see no separation between Thy good works and Thy constant prayers, for in both didst Thou serve God and raise people from the mire of suffering.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ever following the injunctions of Christ, Thou didst feed Him when He was hungry, take Him in when He was homeless, clothe Him when He was naked, visit Him when He was sick and in prison: for in everyone didst Thou see His divine image.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Receive our prayers, O Mother of God, as Thou didst once receive the prayers of the blessed John while he served in the Shanghai Cathedral dedicated to Thee, the Surety of Sinners, and besought Thee to save those languishing in sin and Sorrow.
Ode V, Irmos: Thou Who art the light of those lying in darkness, and the salvation of the hopeless, O Christ my Saviour, I rise early to pray to Thee, O King of peace, Enlighten me with Thy radiance, for I know no other God beside Thee.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
When Thou didst bring Thy flock to the Philippine Islands, O Hierarch John, Thou didst show thyself to be a new Moses, leading Thy people out of bondage and always trusting in the protection of the merciful God.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
O protector of those in danger and tribulation, through Thy holy prayers Thou didst deliver Thy flock on the island from certain destruction, averting the violent typhoons even as Thy Master Christ calmed the stormy waters of Galilee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Revealing from East to West, from the remote corners of the world, the glory with which God doth endow His saints, Thou didst allow no earthly distance to hinder Thy heavenly ministry. Even now, from where space is effortlessly traversed by the angelic powers, come to our aid and bring our petitions before the Lord.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Keeping vigil on a remote island, the blessed John prayed before Thy wondrously renewed icon. O Thou Who art the Quencher of Sorrow and the relief of affliction, we run to Thy motherly protection and tell the burdens of our hearts.
Ode VI, Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: from corruption raise me up, O God.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Endeavouring to find refuge for Thy flock, who had no secure place whereon to lay their heads, Thou didst bring them under Thy mantle to the New World. Let us likewise find refuge in Thy prayers.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Reaching then the land wherein the ancient ascetics of Gaul attained to holiness, Thou didst once more grace it with the presence of a saint, returning the French people to the Orthodox and apostolic faith, and tirelessly labouring to ground them on the firm Rock of salvation.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Of all the saints, both of East and West, wast Thou an ardent disciple, O holy Hierarch; wherefore, in Thy travels Thou didst learn of the saints of different lands, introducing the faithful to yet more residents of the heavenly mansions, with whom Thou art now glorified.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Foretelling future events, seeing mystically within the hearts of men, hearing prayers and thoughts across great distances, Thou wast shown to be in the presence of the realm beyond earthly limitations, amazing all who had eyes to see and moving them to greater faith and devotion.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou gavest birth to Him who gave me life, O Most Pure Virgin. Let me not squander this gift by desiring that which endeth in death, but like our blessed John let me seek that fountain which springeth up into everlasting life, Thy Son Christ our God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone VIII: Chosen Wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, who pourest out in the latter times, inexhaustible streams of inspiration and multitudes of miracles. We pray thee with love and call out to thee, O holy hierarch John, Wonderworker of the latter times.
Ode VII, Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped in the plain of Dura, Thy three children despised the godless order, thrown into the fire they were bedewed and sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Having purified thyself in Thy work of prayer, O holy one, Thou wast deemed worthy to behold the ineffable light that cometh directly from God. Surrounded by the uncreated essence of Divinity, Thou wast lifted above the earth, knowing the bliss of wordless prayer, of the silence of the future age.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Elder in the tradition of the desert saints of Thy native Russia. seer of the heart and well-spring of God-revealed counsel, Thou wast sent at a time when men of Thy stature had disappeared from the face of the earth. In Thee we see precious gift from God and thus do honour Thy words of wisdom.
Leaving behind the vain wisdom of this world, Thou didst choose the foolishness of God which is wiser than men, and thus wast Thou chosen of Him to confound the prudent and mighty, bringing to naught their carnal understanding. Marvelling at His ways past speech, we cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Awe and wonder are born in us as we behold Thy life, O blessed one, for Thou wast both a wise teacher of theology and a Fool for Christ’s sake, a hierarch and a humble servant of the poor. Thou was a compassionate friend of all, yet was alone with God in the secret chambers of Thy spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The blessed John did always wear Thy Optina icon upon his heart, O Most Holy Virgin: likewise let us always remember Thee in the tabernacles of our hearts, for Thou art the sacred Tabernacle which did wondrously bear God.
Ode VIII, Irmos: O ye work, praise the Lord God, Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, and supremely exalt Him unto all ages.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Thy flock of Shanghai rejoiced at they return to them in America, where Thou didst end Thy days as an unrelenting champion of Orthodoxy, experiencing sorrows from those who despised Thee for Thy holy life, yet meeting Thy false accusers with the meekness made invincible through Christ.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Even as Thy great ascetic preceptors did teach Thee, Thou didst know the love of God as suffering of heart endured in the spirit of devotion, and didst call out in Thine hour of trial: O ye works, praise the Lord God, and supremely exalt Him unto all ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Rare are those who can go on the narrow and rugged path that Thou hast trod. O saint, for in Thy sorrows Thou didst with courage place Thy trust only in God, being tested like gold in the forge and thereby entering the celestial habitations purified in spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
To Thee, O Joy of All Who Sorrow, the ever-present recourse of the blessed John in his tribulations, we cry with faith: grant us that spiritual joy which is undiminished in adversity.
Ode IX, Irmos: God the Word, Who came forth from god, and who by ineffable wisdom came to renew Adam after his grievous fall to corruption through eating, and who ineffably took flesh from the holy virgin for our sake, him do we the faithful with one accord magnify with hymns.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
In a divine manner was Thy soul’s departure known beforehand to Thee, and Thou didst prepare to meet the mystical Bridegroom, Christ, to Whom Thou dost not cease to pray for us sinners.
Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Marvelling at the death of a newly manifested saint, Thy flock did find their sorrow turned to gladness, feeling the victorious joy of Pascha and glorifying God for giving them a new intercessor in heaven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Even after Thy blessed repose Thou dost grant instruction, healing and consolation to all who come to Thee, O blessed John. As Thou dost now give miraculous help to the blind, sick and sorrowing, so also pour the healing balm of Thy prayers on us who bear the wounds of sin.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Silently praying before the Kursk Icon of God’s Mother, the new apostle John departed from earth to paradise. And let us, knowing not the hour of the end of our sojourn here, offer such heartfelt devotion to Her who reigns with the King of glory.
Troparion, Tone VI: Glorious apostle to an age of coldness and unbelief, invested with the grace-filled power of the saints of old, divinely-illumined seer of heavenly mysteries, feeder of orphans, hope of the hopeless, Thou didst enkindle on earth the fire of love for Christ upon the dark eve of the day of judgment; pray now that this sacred flame may also rise from our hearts.
St. Alfred (born 849) was King of Wessex from 886 until his death on October 26 899. He was the fifth son of his father, Æthelwulf, and never expected to become king. He loved learning and loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and most likely looked forward to a life of contemplation in the Church. Such was not to be his fate.
He was thrust into kingship at the age of 22, during a time of near-constant serious threat from the heathen Viking Danes. Through much hardship and wise preparation, he defeated Guthrum the Dane in a decisive battle, ending the Viking threat for many years. As a term of the surrender, Guthrum received Holy Baptism as Æthelstan, along with 30 of his jarls (Danish noblemen), with Alfred himself standing as godfather to Guthrum and his men. This is an example of the justice and mercy of the saint, as he showed care for the souls of not only his own people, but his former enemies.
When he was finally able to rule in peace, he began a program of education, requiring that all of his Thegns and Aldermen (nobility) learn to read and write, and that all freemen of England teach their sons the same. He personally translated Boethius’ “Consolation of Philosophy” and St. Gregory’s “On Pastoral Care,” among many other books, and had them propagated throughout his land, spreading the light of holy knowledge to all his people.
The Canon of the Saint, Tone VIII
Feast Day: November 8, 2024 / October 26
Ode I, Irmos: Having crossed the water as though it were dry land and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us sing unto our Deliverer and God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
O Thou, the King of heaven, through the entreaties of Thy favourite Alfred, Who sought wisdom and truth from his youth up and took consolation in psalms and prayers, free my lowly soul from sin.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
As one who loved the kingdom on high, O great Alfred the Wise, England’s Shepherd and England’s Darling, believing with a pure mind and loving God’s saints, thou dost worship and preach the King and Master of all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Illumined by the divine light, O righteous Alfred, thou knewest that true nobility is in the mind and so rebuilt a House of Wisdom, most sincerely entrusting thyself to the King of the ages and teaching thy people the commandments of Christ.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Sovereign Lady, thou portal of the divine Dayspring, open to me the door of repentance and by thine intercession deliver me from the gates of deadly sin.
Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, Shaper of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Striving to receive heavenly rewards, O right-believing Alfred, thou hast followed Him Who called thee, in no wise being tempted by the demon darkness of the heathen, but becoming a beacon of light unto them through the divine Spirit.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having cleaved unto Christ and set all thy hope on Him, thou, O wise King, hast shown that true greatness is in forgiveness, thus attaining the heavenly kingdom, granted unto us by the All-good God through His all-pure sufferings.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Burning with faith, O blessed one, thou hast shown forth the Wisdom of God by bearing thy cross, the weapon of salvation, the invincible victory, the hope of all Christians and ever the glory of thy land.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having fallen from heavenly citizenship, O all- pure one, I have become like unto a wild beast and am wholly condemned, O thou who gavest birth to the Judge, save me from all condemnation.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn of the saint, Tone VIII: Having yearned for the kingdom of heaven and beheld its beauty in creation, thou wast taught the mysteries of the Lord of all. The Cross shone forth in thy midst, signifying that thou shouldst conquer therein. Therefore, the eyes of thy soul opened, O wise Alfred, beseech Christ our God that He may grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. 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: Having conceived the Wisdom and Word in thy womb not being consumed, thou, O Mother of God, gavest birth for the world to Him Who sustains the world, and didst bear in thine arms Him Who upholds all things, the Creator of all. Therefore, O most holy Virgin, I beseech thee and glorify thee with faith, that I may be delivered from transgressions and on the day of judgement, when I stand before the face of my Maker, grant me thine aid, O pure Virgin and Sovereign Lady.
Ode IV, Irmos: O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Thy providence; I have understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Christ the Lord granted thee holy baptism and instructed thee from childhood through thy noble and godly parents, teaching thee, O wise Alfred, to worship Him as the only King, so preparing thee for kingship both on earth and in heaven.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Christ the Sun of Righteousness enlightened thee, O righteous Alfred, with His most bright grace, revealing thee, together with thy companion the holy King Edmund, as a valiant warrior and beacon of light to the benighted heathen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou, O blessed one, wast God-loving in nature and right wondrous in thy divine works, therefore this little island has brought forth a great man, a new David who overcame a new Goliath, and thee do we glorify with faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Ever-virgin who gavest birth to the Sun of righteousness, enlighten my soul which has been darkened by sin.
Ode V, Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry unto Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having risen at dawn to the never-waning Sun and Master, O learned Alfred, thou wast filled with light, keeping fast and feast, preaching the faith and restoring the Church, and so wisdom has taken the place of the sword.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Arrayed in love and justice as a robe of royal purple, thou becamest a law-giver like unto Moses, teaching the commandments of Christ and establishing His word as law in the King’s English, and now thou hast gone to dwell in the kingdom on high.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Alfred, unshakeable pillar of the English Church and people, thou hast joined the choirs of the saints, having trampled down Odin and all his demons underfoot, pleasing the White Christ by thy virtuous works and words.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Cleanse my soul, which has been defiled by fleshly pleasures through the treachery of the serpent, O Virgin.
Ode VI, Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord and to Him I declare my sorrow; for my soul is full of evil and my life has drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray unto Thee: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thou didst gather the faithful remnants of the Church together, O righteous Alfred, and through them didst calm the storm-tossed hearts of all and return them to the fold together with the newly baptised, glorifying the Word and Wisdom of God; so gather us together in these latter times anew.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having believed in the White Christ Who grants life to all, thou, O wise Alfred, didst make the heathen to spurn the worship of Odin and receive the kingdom of heaven with joy; so help us in these latter times to trample down the old demons anew.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Guided by Thy hand, O Word, through Thee the King brought the heathen to cast aside the deepest darkness of ignorance and the tempest of cruel godlessness, and come unto the calm havens of piety with joy; so in these latter times bring us unto the calm havens of piety with joy anew.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O holy Maiden, heal my heart, which has fallen sick, grievously wounded by the sting of the evil one, and by thine entreaties vouchsafe healing unto me and save me who trust in thee, O all-pure one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the saint, Tone II: Today the wise Alfred glorifies the White Christ among his faithful people and so builds a House of Wisdom. Therein he puts to shame all the heathen, showing the Cross to be the greatest weapon of kings against all enemies. Pray for us, O righteous one, and build a House of Wisdom among us today that there we may glorify the White Christ anew. For this great battle standard has appeared for our sakes and for our salvation.
Ikos: Today let us honour the great Alfred, for, hearing the words of David, he recognised the three parts of the Cross in the cedar, the pine and the cypress, in which the suffering of the Saviour was accomplished. And, victorious, he set it before all the heathen, that they might bend their necks before the Son of God, accepting illumination from the Church of God. For this great battle standard has appeared for our sakes and for our salvation.
Ode VII, Irmos: The Hebrew children in the furnace boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Keeping Thy precepts, the peace-loving Alfred submitted to Thy law and has given this law to all. In this wise he has vanquished the heathen hordes, knowing that the only true conquest is the conquest of the heart, crying out to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thy Cross, which has drawn all from the pit of destruction, O right-believing Alfred, has been revealed as the vanquisher of the demons forever and the salvation and glory and greatness of our land.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By godly works thou hast made thy heart into a temple of God, O greatly loved Alfred, and didst likewise build sacred churches for Him, making one thy land and becoming the first of the Kings of the English.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Committing sins by my will and enslaved by shameful habits, now do I flee to thy habitual loving-kindness, O all-holy Sovereign Lady, save me who am in despair!
Ode VIII, Irmos: In his folly the Chaldean tyrant heated the furnace sevenfold for the pious youths; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him above all for all ages!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Adorned in a raiment of loving-kindness and goodly meekness, thou, O wise Alfred, wast crowned with a mind great in the virtues; and having been translated from earth to the kingdom on high, thou criest: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Beholding thee in joy in the kingdom of God, O righteous Alfred, we magnify Christ Who has revealed thine honoured festival, which, brighter than the rays of the sun enlightens us who sing with faith: Ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Wise is thy desire and godly is thy cast of mind, O wise Alfred, thou boast of kings. For having restored thy people to the true faith, thou didst adorn thy land with fair churches, crying: Ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Birthgiver of God, enlighten the eyes of my soul which have been blinded by my many transgressions; grant peace to my mind and heart, which have been vexed by divers temptations, I pray thee, and save me who cry: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt the pure one above all for all ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: Heaven was awe-struck and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God appeared in the flesh and thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Therefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Birthgiver of God.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thy memory inspires all who honour thee, O wise Alfred, and from thy capital in Winchester that is saved by God, the House of Alfred became the House of England, as the holy Cuthbert foretold thee, driving away the darkness of divers passions and enlightening those who praise thee with the never-waning light.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having finished thy life in holiness, now thou dwellest with the saints, full of holiness and wisdom. Therefore, as once before thou didst restore the faith of the White Christ to thy land, O blessed Alfred, revelation to the latter times, pray to Christ our God that the true faith may be restored in this land once more.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O immortal King from everlasting, Thou hast vouchsafed Thy heavenly kingdom to the righteous Alfred, whom of old Thou didst grant to reign piously on earth and who loved Thee in purity together with his holy family. By his supplications have mercy on us all, O Lord.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having conceived, thou gavest birth to the King and Creator of all, O Virgin. And, lo! as a Queen now dost thou stand at His right hand. Therefore, I beseech thee: at the hour of judgement deliver me from standing on the left side and number me with the sheep on the right side.
Troparion, Tone IV: Hearkening to the White Christ, thou camest forth from thy flood-girt fastness to overcome the heathen and lead them forth to holy baptism. Thou didst build churches, strongholds, shires and swift ships, restoring the law of God and making thyself beloved of all. O wise King and glory of free England, who reignest in the Winchester of the heavenly England, thou who didst vanquish heathendom by Christendom, establish anew the Orthodox Faith in thy land that we may glorify God, Who alone made thee great.
Ode I, Irmos: Having crossed the water as though it were dry land and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us sing unto our Deliverer and God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
O Thou, the King of heaven, through the entreaties of Thy favourite Alfred, Who sought wisdom and truth from his youth up and took consolation in psalms and prayers, free my lowly soul from sin.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
As one who loved the kingdom on high, O great Alfred the Wise, England’s Shepherd and England’s Darling, believing with a pure mind and loving God’s saints, thou dost worship and preach the King and Master of all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Illumined by the divine light, O righteous Alfred, thou knewest that true nobility is in the mind and so rebuilt a House of Wisdom, most sincerely entrusting thyself to the King of the ages and teaching thy people the commandments of Christ.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Sovereign Lady, thou portal of the divine Dayspring, open to me the door of repentance and by thine intercession deliver me from the gates of deadly sin.
Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, Shaper of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Striving to receive heavenly rewards, O right-believing Alfred, thou hast followed Him Who called thee, in no wise being tempted by the demon darkness of the heathen, but becoming a beacon of light unto them through the divine Spirit.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having cleaved unto Christ and set all thy hope on Him, thou, O wise King, hast shown that true greatness is in forgiveness, thus attaining the heavenly kingdom, granted unto us by the All-good God through His all-pure sufferings.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Burning with faith, O blessed one, thou hast shown forth the Wisdom of God by bearing thy cross, the weapon of salvation, the invincible victory, the hope of all Christians and ever the glory of thy land.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having fallen from heavenly citizenship, O all- pure one, I have become like unto a wild beast and am wholly condemned, O thou who gavest birth to the Judge, save me from all condemnation.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn of the saint, Tone VIII: Having yearned for the kingdom of heaven and beheld its beauty in creation, thou wast taught the mysteries of the Lord of all. The Cross shone forth in thy midst, signifying that thou shouldst conquer therein. Therefore, the eyes of thy soul opened, O wise Alfred, beseech Christ our God that He may grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate thy holy memory. 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: Having conceived the Wisdom and Word in thy womb not being consumed, thou, O Mother of God, gavest birth for the world to Him Who sustains the world, and didst bear in thine arms Him Who upholds all things, the Creator of all. Therefore, O most holy Virgin, I beseech thee and glorify thee with faith, that I may be delivered from transgressions and on the day of judgement, when I stand before the face of my Maker, grant me thine aid, O pure Virgin and Sovereign Lady.
Ode IV, Irmos: O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Thy providence; I have understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Christ the Lord granted thee holy baptism and instructed thee from childhood through thy noble and godly parents, teaching thee, O wise Alfred, to worship Him as the only King, so preparing thee for kingship both on earth and in heaven.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Christ the Sun of Righteousness enlightened thee, O righteous Alfred, with His most bright grace, revealing thee, together with thy companion the holy King Edmund, as a valiant warrior and beacon of light to the benighted heathen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou, O blessed one, wast God-loving in nature and right wondrous in thy divine works, therefore this little island has brought forth a great man, a new David who overcame a new Goliath, and thee do we glorify with faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Ever-virgin who gavest birth to the Sun of righteousness, enlighten my soul which has been darkened by sin.
Ode V, Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry unto Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having risen at dawn to the never-waning Sun and Master, O learned Alfred, thou wast filled with light, keeping fast and feast, preaching the faith and restoring the Church, and so wisdom has taken the place of the sword.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Arrayed in love and justice as a robe of royal purple, thou becamest a law-giver like unto Moses, teaching the commandments of Christ and establishing His word as law in the King’s English, and now thou hast gone to dwell in the kingdom on high.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Alfred, unshakeable pillar of the English Church and people, thou hast joined the choirs of the saints, having trampled down Odin and all his demons underfoot, pleasing the White Christ by thy virtuous works and words.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Cleanse my soul, which has been defiled by fleshly pleasures through the treachery of the serpent, O Virgin.
Ode VI, Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord and to Him I declare my sorrow; for my soul is full of evil and my life has drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray unto Thee: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thou didst gather the faithful remnants of the Church together, O righteous Alfred, and through them didst calm the storm-tossed hearts of all and return them to the fold together with the newly baptised, glorifying the Word and Wisdom of God; so gather us together in these latter times anew.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having believed in the White Christ Who grants life to all, thou, O wise Alfred, didst make the heathen to spurn the worship of Odin and receive the kingdom of heaven with joy; so help us in these latter times to trample down the old demons anew.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Guided by Thy hand, O Word, through Thee the King brought the heathen to cast aside the deepest darkness of ignorance and the tempest of cruel godlessness, and come unto the calm havens of piety with joy; so in these latter times bring us unto the calm havens of piety with joy anew.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O holy Maiden, heal my heart, which has fallen sick, grievously wounded by the sting of the evil one, and by thine entreaties vouchsafe healing unto me and save me who trust in thee, O all-pure one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the saint, Tone II: Today the wise Alfred glorifies the White Christ among his faithful people and so builds a House of Wisdom. Therein he puts to shame all the heathen, showing the Cross to be the greatest weapon of kings against all enemies. Pray for us, O righteous one, and build a House of Wisdom among us today that there we may glorify the White Christ anew. For this great battle standard has appeared for our sakes and for our salvation.
Ikos: Today let us honour the great Alfred, for, hearing the words of David, he recognised the three parts of the Cross in the cedar, the pine and the cypress, in which the suffering of the Saviour was accomplished. And, victorious, he set it before all the heathen, that they might bend their necks before the Son of God, accepting illumination from the Church of God. For this great battle standard has appeared for our sakes and for our salvation.
Ode VII, Irmos: The Hebrew children in the furnace boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Keeping Thy precepts, the peace-loving Alfred submitted to Thy law and has given this law to all. In this wise he has vanquished the heathen hordes, knowing that the only true conquest is the conquest of the heart, crying out to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thy Cross, which has drawn all from the pit of destruction, O right-believing Alfred, has been revealed as the vanquisher of the demons forever and the salvation and glory and greatness of our land.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By godly works thou hast made thy heart into a temple of God, O greatly loved Alfred, and didst likewise build sacred churches for Him, making one thy land and becoming the first of the Kings of the English.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Committing sins by my will and enslaved by shameful habits, now do I flee to thy habitual loving-kindness, O all-holy Sovereign Lady, save me who am in despair!
Ode VIII, Irmos: In his folly the Chaldean tyrant heated the furnace sevenfold for the pious youths; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him above all for all ages!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Adorned in a raiment of loving-kindness and goodly meekness, thou, O wise Alfred, wast crowned with a mind great in the virtues; and having been translated from earth to the kingdom on high, thou criest: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Beholding thee in joy in the kingdom of God, O righteous Alfred, we magnify Christ Who has revealed thine honoured festival, which, brighter than the rays of the sun enlightens us who sing with faith: Ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Wise is thy desire and godly is thy cast of mind, O wise Alfred, thou boast of kings. For having restored thy people to the true faith, thou didst adorn thy land with fair churches, crying: Ye people, exalt Christ above all forever!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Birthgiver of God, enlighten the eyes of my soul which have been blinded by my many transgressions; grant peace to my mind and heart, which have been vexed by divers temptations, I pray thee, and save me who cry: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt the pure one above all for all ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: Heaven was awe-struck and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God appeared in the flesh and thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Therefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Birthgiver of God.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Thy memory inspires all who honour thee, O wise Alfred, and from thy capital in Winchester that is saved by God, the House of Alfred became the House of England, as the holy Cuthbert foretold thee, driving away the darkness of divers passions and enlightening those who praise thee with the never-waning light.
Holy, Right-Believing King Alfred, pray to God for us.
Having finished thy life in holiness, now thou dwellest with the saints, full of holiness and wisdom. Therefore, as once before thou didst restore the faith of the White Christ to thy land, O blessed Alfred, revelation to the latter times, pray to Christ our God that the true faith may be restored in this land once more.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O immortal King from everlasting, Thou hast vouchsafed Thy heavenly kingdom to the righteous Alfred, whom of old Thou didst grant to reign piously on earth and who loved Thee in purity together with his holy family. By his supplications have mercy on us all, O Lord.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having conceived, thou gavest birth to the King and Creator of all, O Virgin. And, lo! as a Queen now dost thou stand at His right hand. Therefore, I beseech thee: at the hour of judgement deliver me from standing on the left side and number me with the sheep on the right side.
Troparion, Tone IV: Hearkening to the White Christ, thou camest forth from thy flood-girt fastness to overcome the heathen and lead them forth to holy baptism. Thou didst build churches, strongholds, shires and swift ships, restoring the law of God and making thyself beloved of all. O wise King and glory of free England, who reignest in the Winchester of the heavenly England, thou who didst vanquish heathendom by Christendom, establish anew the Orthodox Faith in thy land that we may glorify God, Who alone made thee great.
Prayer: O holy right-believing Alfred, great king of Wessex and father of the English nation, hear our supplication.
Thou hast shown us an indelible example of courage and faith in the marshes of Æthelney, when all England was suffering the depredation of the heathen Danes. Thou didst build up the defenses of thy kingdom as thou didst also strive to increase the Christian Faith in thy kingly heart, showing an example of true wisdom to friend and foe alike; enlightening thy people, showing mercy to thy vanquished foes, wisely preparing for war, but striving always for a holy peace.
Thou didst love learning and render into English many holy books, sending them out to all thy people, raising up their minds and hearts in the light of true knowledge. Thou didst renew the ancient laws of England, becoming a new Justinian, showing an example of the righteous judgement required by God of all who are in seats of power.
We, thy spiritual children, ask now thy strong intercession before the King of kings; help us in our time of trouble. Be like Elijah and grant us a double portion of thy spirit that thirsted after these virtues of courage, faith, steadfastness in the face of uncertainty and fear, the love of the Lord that bringeth holy wisdom, and righteous and merciful judgement in the fear of God.
O Alfred, wise king, do thou entreat Him to guide us steadily, as He guided thee, and to grant order, justice, peace, and tranquility to our native land.
In the name of the Father to Whom thou drawest nearer every day, the Son Whose love thou didst teach to all, and the Holy Spirit Who fillest thy heart, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Ye are a rule for monastics, O healers of the infirm and sorrowful. O shepherds of lost sheep, teach us to offer hymnody worthily unto you.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Rejoice, O honoured Paisius our father, chief shepherd of the monastic folds, who guided ranks of monks to the heavenly pasture and hast instructed the ends of the Russian land!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Theodore, the monk of Svir, with many tears and a life of sorrow endured evils; yet, being steadfast and strong of mind, he spiritually begat a son, Leo, amid his pangs.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mother Theotokos, entreat Christ Who was incarnate of thee, that He preserve the Russian land, and that He save our souls, in that He is merciful.
Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Thou didst set Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, as the firm foundation of thy struggles, and didst become the first of the company of elders, O Leo; and thou didst receive the grace to dispel the infirmities of those who suffer cruelly.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
O Leo, thou didst cry out thus to those who oppressed thee: “I shall chant unto my God for as long as I have my being! Who will separate me from His love? Therein will I remain until the end, doing His will with boldness!”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Truly blessed was the venerable Macarius, for he fed the souls of the hungry, freely nourishing all with his grace-filled discourse, doing away with their spiritual starvation, and bringing peace to souls beset by the tempest of the passions.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
From thee, O Mother of God, hath a torrent of sweetness poured forth, watering all men and washing away the defilement of their souls, O Virgin Theotokos; wherefore, from all tribulations do thou save those who venerate thy precious image.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Thou hast appeared…”: Ye have been shown to be instruments of the Holy Spirit, O venerable fathers, and have been vouchsafed gifts of prophecy; for in your souls the unapproachable light shone forth. (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: At a loss how to hymn thee worthily, who art more exalted than all creation, O Theotokos, we beseech thee: Freely have mercy upon us!
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
O most wise Macarius, thou didst glean spiritual grain from the writings of the holy fathers, and didst feed hungry souls.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
As the instructor of monks in the Monastery of the Forerunner, by thy life of abstinence, O Anthony, pray thou for those who praise thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As brethren in the flesh and spirit, O divinely wise pastors Moses and Anthony, ye guided your sheep to the pasture.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Theotokos, divine flower and root which put forth a Shoot, unceasingly pray for us who hymn thee as the Theotokos.
Ode V, Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy commandments, O Lord, and with Thine upraised arm grant us Thy peace, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Elisha received a twofold measure of grace from Elijah, and upon thee, O father Ambrose, did the grace of fathers Leo and Macarius rest.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
O Ambrose, thou didst acquire within thyself love, the perfection of the virtues; for thou wast all things to all men, and a refuge for the poor.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Ambrose, with divine food thou didst nourish starving hearts, and didst nurture thy sheep on the pasture of the Word.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mother of God, our fervent helper: illumine us who pray to thee, ever making entreaty for us, thine unworthy servants.
Ode VI, Irmos: I pour forth my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him do I declare my grief; for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I pray: Lead me up from corruption, O God!
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a true son, O Joseph, having acquired unfeigned obedience, the begetter of dispassion; and as one meek, pure and merciful, thou didst humbly say: “I am useless without my father!”
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
The chaste-minded Joseph faithfully followed in the steps of his father: he humbled himself even unto death, thus emulating Christ the Master. Wherefore, we beseech him: Teach thou humility even to us sinners!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having acquired the love of thy father, O Anatolius, with him thou didst shepherd the reason-endowed flock; and now, O father, forget us not, but be thou mindful of thy sheep and guide them, seeking thy lost children and leading us all to salvation.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I know thee to be the helper of my life and my steadfast preserver, O Virgin, who doest away with the tumult of temptations and fendest off the assaults of the demons; and I ever pray thus, that thou mayest deliver me from my passions.
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, VIII: Spec. Mel. “To thee, the champion leader…”: Having withdrawn from this vain world and discovered a treasure through your pure life, ye have not ceased your care for sinners in this world; but, as guides for the lost, deliver us from the vanity of this world, that we may say: Rejoice, O divinely wise elders!
Ikos: Emulating the angels, ye withdrew from the world, desiring to make your abode in the wilderness; yet forget us not who are still in the world, we sinners pray, that, delivered from delusion, we may address you thus: Rejoice, physicians of spiritual sicknesses; rejoice, healers of bodily ailments! Rejoice, ye who transcended the understanding of the wise; rejoice, ye who guided the unwise to understanding! Rejoice, ye who offered up unceasing prayers; rejoice, mediators before God for sinners! Rejoice, O divinely wise elders!
Ode VII, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
O father Hilarion, having withdrawn from the world, abandoning all that is therein and considering it but dung, thou didst cleave unto the elders Leo and Macarius, and hast received from Christ the authority to drive out evil spirits.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Isaacius, the compassionate monk, comforted those who came to him, helping them in every way, as parents help their children.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
No prophet is without honor, save only in his own house, for they drove away all the prophets; and thou, O venerable father Barsanuphius, being driven out, wast vouchsafed blessedness, having endured exile for righteousness’ sake.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Theotokos, pray to thy Son for us who with faith have recourse to thy mercy and worship Him, that we may be delivered from tribulations and temptations.
Ode VIII, Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Nectarius hath come to share in eternal glory, having spurned the glory of this life; for every one who humbleth himself will be exalted.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Let the fathers Anatolius, Nectarius, Isaacius and Nicon be blessed; for, having suffered lawfully, they join chorus for all ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Driven out by apostates, the fathers were not troubled, but cried aloud: “Our life is in the heavens!”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Disdain not those who require thine aid, O Virgin, and who hymn and exalt thee supremely forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
Truly ye acquired every virtue, and every gift was given you. Yet save your flock, praying for them.
Venerable fathers of Optina, pray to God for us.
We have accepted the commandment, Give thanks for all things, that we may praise God, in that He hath given you to us, O holy guides to His kingdom.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O our intercessors, pray ye earnestly for the land of Russia, and save all who celebrate your memory with faith.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O holy Mistress, help us sinners, and deliver our homeland from the evil foe. We beseech thee: keep us under the shelter of thy wings.
Troparion, Tone I: Abiding in unceasing prayer, and embracing the wicked as well as the good with love, O venerable elders of Optina, ye served God and your neighbours, and through vigils, tears and fasting received the gift of divers miracles. Glory to Him Who hath given us such mediators! Glory to Him Who hath glorified you! Glory to God Who is wondrous in His saints!
In this week following the feast of the Protecting Veil of the Most Holy Mother of God, we are continuing to celebrate the Intercession of the Queen of Heaven in our communities, and I would encourage all of our parishioners to continue to turn to the Theotokos for her protection and help for a parish in a time of trial and difficulty.
With this in mind we are posting the canon and akathist combined for use in home prayers, starting with the text in English, as we already have this published and on file.
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 be seen keeping splendid festival; and, rejoicing, I shall hymn her wonders.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Having entered the church in great glory today as the Mother of God, with the ranks of the holy angels and the assemblies of the prophets and apostles, thou prayest for all Christians and deliverest them from perils and grief, covering them with thy mercy.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Moses called thee the tabernacle and the rod of Aaron, for thou didst put forth Christ, the Tree of life; and as thou hast boldness before Him, O Queen, pray thou for us who honour thee, that He deliver us from all evil, that we may glorify the feast of thy protection.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Assembling choirs, David doth dance, not as he did before the ark of old, but even more now, hastening into thy presence in the church with the ranks of the saints. And bowing down before thee, we say: Pray thou for us, the people who honour thee, that, glorifying thy protection, we may celebrate it with honour.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The ranks of the angels hymn thee, O Theotokos, and the patriarchs and holy hierarchs glorify thee, hastening into thy presence in the church. And the holy Andrew then beheld thee with them, praying to God for us sinners, that He have mercy upon the people who glorify the feast of thy protection.
Ode III, Irmos:O Theotokos, thou living and abundant fountain, in thy divine glory spiritually establish those who hymn thee, forming themselves into a choir, and vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Like an unploughed field thou didst manifestly produce the divine Grain. Rejoice, O animate table holding the Bread of life! Rejoice, O Mistress, thou inexhaustible wellspring of the Water of life!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Mistress, we, thy people, standing before thee with faith in thy church, await thy mercy. Visit our lowliness, and with thy holy protection defend the Orthodox people from all evil.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O far-famed Virgin who was honourably prefigured by the prophets, with the angels they now do thee homage. Pray thou to God with them, that, rejoicing, we may all splendidly celebrate thy holy protection today.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Gideon prefigured thee as a fleece, for Christ God descended upon thee like dew. Pray thou to Him, O Theotokos, that He grant victory to our Orthodox hierarchs over all heresies, that, casting them down like the Midianites, they may glorify thy holy feast.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, with thy radiant omophorion thou lightest the church and the people more than the rays of the sun, and by thy visitation drivest away the darkness of our sins, praying for us to thy Son and God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion, Tone 3: Today the Virgin standeth forth in the church, and with the choirs of the saints she invisibly prayeth to God for us. Angels and hierarchs offer homage, and the apostles and prophets join chorus; for, for our sake the Theotokos entreateth the pre-eternal God.
Ikos: Come, O ye people, let us delight in her all-glorious miracles; for through her hath Adam been delivered from corruption. She is the ark fashioned, not by Noah, but by God. Of old, Moses was unable to see God in the fiery bush; but now the whole earth doth acknowledge the Son of God Who was born of her and to Whom she prayeth for us. Wherefore, we glorify her as the Mother of God; for, for our sake the Theotokos entreateth the pre-eternal God.
Sedalion, Tone 5: O pure Ever-virgin, fervent and invincible intercessor, excellent and unashamed hope, bulwark, protection and refuge of those who have recourse to thee: with the angels beseech thy Son and God, that He grant compunction, salvation and great mercy to the world.
Glory …, Now & ever …, The foregoing sedalion is repeated.
Ode IV, Irmos: Seated in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine is come upon a light cloud, and with His incorrupt arm hath saved those who cry: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O most hymned Virgin, we cry out to thee in voices of hymnody: Rejoice, thou butter mountain, curdled by the Spirit! Rejoice, O lampstand, O jar bearing the Manna which sweeteneth the senses of all the pious!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Theotokos, God hath sanctified thee wholly, more than the ark of Aaron, and hath commanded the saints and angels to do thee homage. With them pray for the city and people who glorify thine honoured feast.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Theotokos, come now in glory unto thy church, with the councils of all the saints, as once the holy Andrew beheld thee in the air, radiantly praying for Christians; and grant us thy mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strengthen our Orthodox hierarchs against all heresy and schism, as God did David against Goliath, O Mistress, that in gladness we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O holy protection and helper of our city!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With faith do we fall down before thee, O Lady, and, rendering homage with thanksgiving, we cry out to thee: Rejoice, O Virgin full of the grace of God, our protection and wall of defence, the helper of those in misfortune! Save us who have recourse to thee, for in thee do we place our trust!
Ode V, Irmos: All things are filled with awe by thy divine glory; for thou, O Virgin who knewest not wedlock, didst hold in thy womb Him Who is God over all, and thou gavest birth to the timeless Son, granting peace to all who hymn thee.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Of old, Solomon described thee as the marriage-couch and bed of the King of heaven, and spake of thee as surrounded by the seraphim, O Theotokos. Wherefore, we now beseech thee, O most holy Mother of God: Protect us from all misfortunes!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
To thee do the foremost among the angels and the honoured prophets and apostles render service with honour as the Mother of God, beholding thee making supplication for the world; and the Lord, hearkening to thine entreaties, doth save thy city and people who place their trust in thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah, great among the prophets, prophesied thee, saying that without knowing wedlock thou wouldst give birth to God; for thou, O pure Mary, wast more holy than all, in that thou didst bear God in thy womb and in thine arms. To Him pray thou for us, with thy protection covering those who faithfully glorify thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Spreading spiritual wings, the councils of the saints came mystically to do thee homage, O Theotokos, beholding thee on the light cloud of glory, praying to Christ the Saviour, that He grant victory to our Orthodox hierarchs, to prevail over all heresy and schism.
Ode VI, Irmos:Celebrating this divine and most honoured festival of the Mother of God, come, ye divinely wise, let us clap our hands and glorify God Who was born of her!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Divinely wise priests, standing in thy church with the pious people, await thy mercy, O Theotokos. Transform our grief into joy, in that thou gavest birth to the Joy Who hath done away with the sins of all men.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
To thee doth all the earth offer gifts as to the Queen and Mother of God. Kings and princes bow down in homage, and all the people are glad, protected from all evil by thy supplications, O Theotokos.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spir
Daniel described thee beforehand as a great mountain; for from thee was Christ born without seed. He hath destroyed all the falsehood of the demons, and hath filled all the earth with His Faith. To Him do thou pray for us who glorify the feast of thy protection, O Theotokos.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-pure one, we utter unto thee the cry of the angel: Rejoice, O throne of God, whereon Ezekiel beheld the Lord in the guise of a man, borne up by the cherubim! With them pray thou for us, O Theotokos, that He save 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 1: O Chosen by the Pre-Eternal God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, higher than all creation, who hast in days past entered praying into the Church of the Blachernae we, offering Thee with thanksgiving due veneration, flee with faith and compunction under Thy shining vestment for we lie in darkness. And as Thou who hast invincible power dost set us free from every affliction that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious veil.
Ikos 1: Archangels and angels with John the Forerunner, John the Divine and the choir of all the saints, were present with Thee, their Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and hearing Thy moving supplication for all the world, they cried out with wonder as follows:
Rejoice, O pre-eternal good will of God the Father Who has no beginning of days.
Rejoice, timeless and most pure one who contained God the Son.
Rejoice, Thou chosen dwelling-place of God the all-Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Thou never ceasing wonder of the angelic hosts on high.
Rejoice, Thou all-threatening terror of the dark forces of hell.
Rejoice, Thou whom the many-eyed cherubim meet in the air.
Rejoice, Thou to whom the six-winged seraphim ascribe praises.
Rejoice, Thou whose most precious veil we born on earth thankfully venerate.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 2: Saint Andrew with Epiphanios having seen Thee inside the Church praying to God in the air all Christians, acknowledged Thee to be the Mother of Christ our God Who ascended into heaven and falling to the ground they joyfully venerated Thine all-precious veil, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 2: Thou O Theotokos Virgin art knowledge unknowable in defence of Orthodox people. Therefore our enemies know not how strong is the prayer of the Mother of God: while we well aware of Thine all-mighty protection cry to Thee with tender feeling:
Rejoice, Most merciful Comforter of all the afflicted and heavy laden.
Rejoice, never sleeping Guide of all those who have strayed and gone blind.
Rejoice, Thou who by Thy supplication dost swiftly appease the wrath of God rightly poured out on us.
Rejoice, Thou who by an all-powerful behest dost tame out evil passions.
Rejoice, strong waker of sleeping consciences.
Rejoice, easy overcomer of sinful practices.
Rejoice, Thou for whose sake hell groans and the spirits of evil tremble.
Rejoice, Thou for whose sake the gates of paradise are opened to all.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 3: Power from on high overshadows those who run for refuge with faith and reverence to Thy precious protection: for to Thee alone, O all holy and all pure only Mother of God is it given that every petition of Thine be fulfilled. Therefore the faithful of all ages glorify Thee and Thy Son, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 3: O Lady, having a never-failing wealth of mercy, Thou dost stretch the hand of help to all the ends of the earth: and dost give healing to the sick, relief to the suffering, sight to the blind, and to all everything that is expedient for them as they cry aloud in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, indestructible fortress and bulwark of Orthodox rulers.
Rejoice, principle adornment of holy churches and altars.
Rejoice, truest guard of holy monasteries.
Rejoice, vigilant Helper of stouthearted civil authorities.
Rejoice, unconquerable Leader of Christian captains and armies.
Rejoice, holy mirror of justice for judges who take no bribes.
Rejoice, perfect knowledge for teachers and those who bring up children.
Rejoice, Blessing of pious homes and families.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 4: O Lady, Thou dost help us held fast by a storm of many afflictions: for Thou dost stand before the altar of the Lord, lifting Thine hands and praying that the Lord of glory look down on our unworthy prayer and hearken to the petitions of those who call upon Thy holy Name crying to Thy Son: Alleluia!
Ikos 4: The Lord God heard Joshua, son of Nun, praying and He commanded the sun to stand still until he defeated the enemy. The Lord Jesus now hears Thy supplication, O chosen dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we sinners, putting our trust in Thy protection, make bold to say to Thee, Mother of God:
Rejoice, Thou who are lit by the Sun of the mind and who dost enlighten us with the light that never sets.
Rejoice, Thou who hast illumined the whole earth by the brightness of Thy most pure soul.
Rejoice, Thou who hast made glad the whole heavens by the purity of Thy body.
Rejoice, Protector and Provider of the holy monasteries of Christ.
Rejoice, Thou who art the strength and understanding of the pastors of the Church.
Rejoice, Guide of God-fearing monks and nuns.
Rejoice, untroubled rest of the pious aged.
Rejoice, secret gladness of pure virgins and widows.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 5: When Moses who saw God lifted his arms while the battle with Amalek raged, Israel overcame and when he let his hands fall, Amalek was victorious and strengthened by those who hold up his arms, Israel defeated the enemy; and Thou, O Mother of God, having raised Thine hands in supplication, even though no man hold them up, dost always conquer the enemies of Christ and art an invincible shield for us who cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 5: The assemblies of saints when they had seen Thee in the air inside the church of the Blachernae stretching Thy hands in prayer to Thy Son and God, sang Thee a song in Thanksgiving with the archangels and angels: while we, our hands fortified by Thee made stronger than the arms of Moses, cry aloud with compunction:
Rejoice, Thou whose love and mercy towards us alone hold out Thine hands for us.
Rejoice, Thou before Whom our enemies, visible and invisible, cannot stand.
Rejoice, Thou who drivest away the dark hordes of our passions and lusts.
Rejoice, Thou who holdest in Thine hand without being consumed, the divine fire of Christ, and who with it dost set us in our coldness aflame.
Rejoice, Thou who crownest with a fair crown of chastity those who fight against the flesh.
Rejoice, Thou perpetual Converser with those who strive in fasting and silent prayer.
Rejoice, Thou speedy Comforter of those who fall from despair and sadness.
Rejoice, Thou who dost by grace provide us with humility and patience.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 6: Saint Roman the Melodist, appeared as an unfailing proclaimer of Thy grace and mercy when he had received from Thee in a dream a paper roll to swallow: for thereby made wise, he began to sing with skill in Thine honor and to write praises for the saints, calling out with faith: Alleluia!
Ikos 6: O Virgin, Maid of God, who hast shone forth the Dawn from the true Sun of righteousness, enlightening all with the wisdom of Thy God and Son and who leadest all to knowledge of the truth those who cry to Thee:
Rejoice, Thou who hast given birth to Christ in the flesh, the power of God and wisdom of God.
Rejoice, Thou who hast confounded the foolish wisdom of this world and who hast guided those blinded by it on the way of truth.
Rejoice, Preserver of our holy faith and teacher of Orthodox dogma.
Rejoice, Uprooter of impious heresies and corrupting divisions.
Rejoice, Thou who well knowest secret and unforeseen difficulties and dost tell those whom it is proper about them.
Rejoice, thou who puttest to shame false seers and vain divining.
Rejoice, Thou who in the hour of perplexity dost put a good thought in our hearts.
Rejoice, Thou who dost turn us from perilous purposes and senseless desires.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 7: The all-seeing, long suffering Lord, wishing to manifest the unsearchable deep of His mercies and love for mankind, chose Thee alone to be His Mother, and made Thee into an invincible defence for His people: that even though one of them appear worthy of condemnation by the righteous judgment of God, yet all the more shall he be preserved for repentance by Thy mighty protection, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 7: O Lord, Thou hast shown in Thine all-pure Mother, how wonderful are Thy works when Her most marvellous veil was revealed in Her hand shining brighter than the rays of the sun and with it She protected the people in the Church of Blachernae: for hearing of such a sign of Her defence, held by fear and joy, all say:
Rejoice, thou veil not made by hand of man that is spread over the whole world like a cloud.
Rejoice, Thou who dost hold in Thine hands the banner of Thy Son, the Pre-Eternal High-Priest.
Rejoice, Thou who hast thereby made manifest a new mercy and new grace in the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, pillar of cloud who protectest all of us in the world from temptations and scandals.
Rejoice, pillar of fire amidst the darkness, showing us all the path of salvation.
Rejoice, visible strength of manifest strivers for godliness.
Rejoice, secret Giver of understanding to the secret servants of God in this world.
Rejoice, Thou who also leavest not without Thy grace and protection me who am stripped of all good works.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 8: Angels sang Thy praises when Thou didst appear in wondrous wise from heaven in the Church of the Blachernae and apostles gave Thee glory. The choir of holy bishops and monks and the band of holy women extolled Thee, the Forerunner with John the Theologian venerated Thee, and the people present in the Church cried aloud with joy: Alleluia!
Ikos 8: The Lord Who reignest over all things above and below, when He had seen Thee, His Mother, standing in the Church and praying with tender feeling to Him, said: Ask, O my Mother, because I shall never turn from Thee but will fulfil all Thy petitions and teach all to sing to Thee in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, Ark of the law in which is kept the sanctification of all mankind.
Rejoice, all-holy Jar in which the bread of eternal life is preserved for those who hunger for righteousness.
Rejoice, all-golden Vessel in which the flesh and blood of the divine Lamb are prepared for us.
Rejoice, Thou who dost receive in Thine all-powerful arms those foresaken by the physicians.
Rejoice, Thou who dost raise from their bed of sickness those crippled in body, but not in spirit and faith.
Rejoice, Thou who givest a new and better understanding to those who are perishing from infirmity of mind.
Rejoice, Thou who dost wisely trip us up on the stubborn path of sin and passion.
Rejoice, Thou who dost turn to mercy the cruelty of our unrepentant hearts.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 9: The whole assembly of angels offers Thee praises, Thou true Mother of God and Defender of all who run to Thee, knowing how with Thine unfailing protection Thou dost rejoice the righteous, protect and deliver the poor, and pray for all the faithful crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 9: The wordy orators, become as dumb fish, are at a loss as to how to praise as is due, the great feast of Thine all-precious protection: for all the things said by them about Thee suffice not to number Thy mercies alone. And we, seeing Thy good works without number, cry with gladness:
Rejoice, Thou who dost guard us from the deadly plague in which all perish.
Rejoice, Thou who dost preserve cities and villages from sudden earthquakes.
Rejoice, Thou who dost lead us out with Thy strong arm from flood and drowning.
Rejoice, Thou who by the dew of Thy prayers dost deliver us from the kindling of fire.
Rejoice, Thou who dost provide against hunger of soul and body by the Bread of Life.
Rejoice, Thou who dost lead away from our heads the blows of lightening and thunder.
Rejoice, Thou who dost save us from the attacks of strangers and secret murderers.
Rejoice, Thou who dost guard us with peace and love against family quarrels and enmities of those of our own blood.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 10: Wishing to save mankind from the error of the enemy, the Lord Who lovest mankind gave us on earth Thee His Mother to be our help, protection and defence, for Thee to be the Comforter of those that sorrow, the Joy of the afflicted, the Defender of the injured, and to raise all from the depth of sin, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10: “O King of Heaven”, spoke the all-pure Queen in prayer as She stood with the angels, “do Thou accept every man praying to Thee and calling upon my name for help, that he go not away from my face empty and unheard.” Hearing this most good supplication, the assemblies of the saints cried in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, Thou who crownest with blessed fruits the husbandman pure in hand and heart.
Rejoice, Succour and righteous Rewarder for all those who honestly trade.
Rejoice, Reprover before all nations of those who keep not their oaths and whose gains are unjust.
Rejoice, unexpected Helper of those in distress in travels by land and water.
Rejoice, Thou who makest childless couples glad with the fruits of faith and spirit.
Rejoice, unseen Tutor of motherless orphans.
Rejoice, strong Defender of those in captivity and exile.
Rejoice, ever-watchful Guardian of those sitting in bonds and prison.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 11: Hearing a most moving song and attending to Thy prayer for us, we beg Thee, O Virgin Theotokos, look not away from the voices of Thy servants for we run to Thee in assaults and affliction and in our distress we pour out our tears before Thee, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 11: Seeing Thee in the air inside the Blachernae Church burning in prayer as a candle aflame with light, I gave voice together with a multitude of people there present: “how can this be that the Mother of my Lord has come to me?” And Saint Andrew with Epiphanios prayed warmly to Thee, crying:
Rejoice, abundant Giver of all spiritual and bodily gifts.
Rejoice, true Advocate of sinners who have started to repent.
Rejoice, perpetual Champion of those fighting with enemy passions and intents.
Rejoice, invisible Tamer of cruel and bestial masters.
Rejoice, secret Rest and Consolation of humble and suffering servants.
Rejoice, most longed-for Fulfiller of blessed marriages.
Rejoice, swift and painless relief of mothers in childbirth.
Rejoice, our only Help in the hour of death.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil
Kontakion 12: Ask Thy Son to give us divine grace; stretch towards us a helping hand; ward off from us every enemy and adversary and give our lives peace that we perish not grievously, without repentance, but accept us, O our Protector, in the eternal mansions, that, rejoicing we may cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Ikos 12: Singing the praises of Thy mighty protection, we praise Thee for Thou art to us all our firm Advocate and we venerate Thee who dost pray for us: for we believe and we trust that Thou wilt beg of Thy Son and God eternal and temporal good things for all who cry thus to Thee with love:
Rejoice, strong Defence of the whole inhabited earth.
Rejoice, sanctification of all the earthly and heavenly elements.
Rejoice, Thou Blessing of all the seasons of the year.
Rejoice, Thou Conqueror of all assaults and temptations that come from the world, the flesh and the devil.
Rejoice, unhoped for Reconciliation of those who are at daggers drawn.
Rejoice, Amendment without their knowledge of unrepentant sinners.
Rejoice, Thou who dost not turn away those despised and forsaken by all.
Rejoice, Thou who dost pluck from the pit of destruction those that indeed despair.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 13: O all-praised Mother, Most pure Lady, Virgin, Theotokos, to Thee do I lift up the eyes of my soul and body, to Thee do I stretch forth my hands grown feeble and I cry from the depth of my heart: look down on the faith and humility of my soul; shelter me with Thy almighty protection, that I be saved from all assault and distress, and in the hour of my death, be by me, O Thou all-blessed, and deliver me from the torment prepared for me because of my sins, that venerating Thee, I may ever cry: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (Thrice)
Ikos 1: Archangels and angels with John the Forerunner, John the Theologian and the choir of all the saints, were present with Thee, their Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and hearing Thy moving supplication for all the world, they cried out with wonder as follows:
Rejoice, O pre-eternal good will of God the Father Who has no beginning of days.
Rejoice, timeless and most pure one who contained God the Son.
Rejoice, Thou chosen dwelling-place of God the all-Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Thou never ceasing wonder of the angelic hosts on high.
Rejoice, Thou all-threatening terror of the dark forces of hell.
Rejoice, Thou whom the many-eyed cherubim meet in the air.
Rejoice, Thou to whom the six-winged seraphim ascribe praises.
Rejoice, Thou whose most precious veil we born on earth thankfully venerate.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 1: O Chosen by the Pre-Eternal God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, higher than all creation, who hast in days past entered praying into the Church of the Blachernae we, offering Thee with thanksgiving due veneration, flee with faith and compunction under Thy shining vestment for we lie in darkness. And as Thou who hast invincible power dost set us free from every affliction that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious veil.
Ode VII, Irmos: The divinely wise would not worship a created thing instead of the Creator, but, manfully trampling the threat of the fire underfoot, they rejoiced, chanting: O all-hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Virgin, thou wast not described by the many prophets and wast also unknown to the angels of heaven who minister to God; but now we all know thee to be the Theotokos, and require thy help and aid, O blessed one.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O Virgin Theotokos, thou mountain curdled by the Spirit which Habbakuk saw pouring forth the sweetness of healing upon the faithful, heal us who cry out to thy Son: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He Who bowed down the heavens made His abode within thee, O Virgin, and now regardeth thy supplication, fulfilling thy petitions, O pure Queen and Theotokos. To Him do thou now earnestly pray, for we place our hope in thee, O blessed one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Christ God, our Creator and Saviour, accept the entreaty of Thy Mother, which she offereth to Thee for us sinners, that, rejoicing, we may chant to Thee: O all-hymned God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
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 the whole world to chant to Thee: Hymn the Lord, O ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
With the ranks of the angels, the honourable and glorious prophets, the preeminent apostles, the hieromartyrs and holy hierarchs, O Mistress, pray thou to God for us sinners who glorify the feast of thy protection in this land.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
Cast down pride and arrogance, scatter the councils of unjust princes, and destroy those who instigate wars, O Mother of God, most honoured Queen! And exalt the horn of our Orthodox hierarchs, that we may glorify thy feast, O all-pure Virgin Theotokos, crying: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Offering thee hymnody with our mouths, we bow down before thee spiritually with our souls; for our hearts burn within us. O all-pure Mother of God, have mercy upon us who pray to thee, who hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
I have been weighed down by many sins, and am at a loss how to write in praise of thy protection, O Theotokos; but as thou art the Mother of God, adorn thy feast with miracles, that, rejoicing, we may all hymn the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages.
Ode IX, Irmos: Let every earthborn man leap up, enlightened by the Spirit; and let the nature of the incorporeal intelligences hold festival, honouring the sacred feast of the Mother of God, and let it cry aloud: Rejoice, O most blessed Theotokos, thou pure Ever-virgin!
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O exalted King Who sittest with the Father and art hymned by the seraphim: look down upon the supplication of Thy Mother, which she offereth to Thee for us sinners, and wash away our sins. Save this city and multiply the people. Grant health of body and victory over all adversaries to the Orthodox through the prayers of her who gave Thee birth.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us.
O divinely chosen Virgin, we cry out to thee with the voice of the angel: Rejoice, thou who hast led Adam back into paradise! Rejoice, thou who drivest the demons away with thy name! Rejoice, O hope of Christians! Rejoice, sanctification of souls! Rejoice, preserver of our city!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Remember us in thy supplications, O Virgin Lady and Theotokos, that we not perish because of the multitude of our sins. Protect us from all evil and grievous perils, for in thee do we place our trust, and, honouring the feast of thy protection, we magnify thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As Mother of God, thou hast received from God the gift to heal the infirmities of all Christians, to deliver them from misfortunes, to forgive their sins and save them from captivity and all want. Disdain us not, O Lady, for thou knowest that we are in need of health for our bodies and salvation for our souls.
First Prayer: O all-holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the hosts on high, Thou Queen of heaven and earth and almighty Defender of our country, accept from us Thine unworthy servants this song of praise and thanksgiving and bring our prayer up to the throne of Thy God and Son, that He be merciful towards our unrighteousness, and extend His grace to those who honor Thy name and venerate with faith and love Thy wonder-working ikon. For we are not worthy to be forgiven by Him hadst Thou, O Lady, not made Him merciful towards us, for all things from Him are possible to Thee. Therefore we run to Thee as Thou art our swift and undoubted Protector. Hear us who pray to Thee: overshadow us with Thine almighty veil and ask from Thy God and Son zeal and vigilance for our shepherds, wisdom and strength for the souls of those who govern our cities, righteousness and impartiality for our judges, understanding and humility for our leaders, love and concord for the married, obedience for our children, patience for those who have been offended, the fear of God for those that offend, stoutheartedness for the afflicted, restraint for those that rejoice, and for all of us the spirit of understanding and godliness, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of chastity and truth. Yea, O all-holy Lady, be merciful towards Thy feeble people: gather together the dispersed, guide on the right way those that have gone astray, uphold old age, make the young pure, bring up the children and look down upon all of us with the care of Thy merciful protection. Raise us from the depth of sin and enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see salvation. Be merciful to us both here and yonder, during our wandering in the land of this earth and at the Last Judgement of Thy Son: and make our fathers and brothers who have departed this life live the eternal life with the angels and all the saints. For Thou, O Lady, art the glory of those in heaven and the trust of those on earth. After God, Thou art the hope and Defender of all who flee to Thee with faith. We then pray to Thee and to Thee as our almighty Helper, do we commend ourselves and one another, now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer: O my most blessed Queen, my all-holy hope, Receiver of orphans and Defender of the strangers, Helper of those in poverty, Protector of the sick, behold my distress, behold my affliction. On all sides am I held by temptation, and there is none to defend me. Help me then as I am weak, feed me as I am a pilgrim, guide me as I have strayed, heal and save me as I lie without hope. For I have no other help, nor advocate nor comforter, save Thee, O Mother of all the afflicted and heavy laden. Look down then on me, a sinner lying in sickness, and protect me with Thine all-holy Veil, that I be delivered from all the ills surrounding me and may ever praise Thy Name that all men sing. Amen.
Troparion, Tone 4: Overshadowed by thy coming, O Mother of God, * we, the right faithful people, celebrate today with splendour, * and gazing upon thy most precious image, we cry aloud with compunction: * Cover us with thy precious omophorion, * and deliver us from all evil, * entreating thy Son, Christ our God, ** that He save our souls.
Canon I of the Theotokos, the composition of John of Damascus, in Tone II
Ode I, Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Come, ye faithful, and, rejoicing with divine spirit, let us honour with hymns the Ever-virgin Maiden who today hath issued forth from a barren woman for the salvation of men.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O pure one, Mother and handmaid of Christ God, mediatress of our primal blessedness! All of us, the human race, glorify thee with hymns, as is meet.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Today is the bridge of life born, through which men have attained restoration after their fall into hades, glorifying Christ, the Bestower of life, with hymns.
Canon II of the Theotokos, the composition of Andrew of Crete, in Tone VIII
Irmos: To Him Who crushed battles with His arm and led Israel across the Red Sea, let us chant, as to God our Deliverer, for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let all creation join chorus, and let David be glad, for from his tribe and seed hath come forth as a flower the rod which beareth the Lord, the Creator of all.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Holy of Holies is placed in the holy sanctuary as a babe, to be fed by the hands of angels. Let us all, therefore, faithfully keep festival together on her nativity.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Anna was barren and unable to give birth, yet she was not childless in God’s eyes; for, lo! she hath become known by all generations as the mother of the pure Virgin, from whom the Creator of nature hath sprung forth in the guise of a servant.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
With hymns we all honour thee, the innocent ewe-lamb who hast been born of Anna and who through thy womb brought the Lamb Christ into our nature.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I glorify the three Unoriginate Ones, I hymn the three Holy Ones, I proclaim the three equally Everlasting Ones to be of a single Essence; for the one God is glorified in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Who hath seen a Babe fed with milk Whom a father hath not sown? Or where hath there been seen a Mother who is a Virgin? Truly past understanding are both of these things, O pure Theotokos.
Ode III, Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having lived blamelessly for God, ye gave birth unto the salvation of all, O divinely wise parents of her who gave birth to our Creator and God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having lived blamelessly for God, ye gave birth unto the salvation of all, O divinely wise parents of her who gave birth to our Creator and God.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
From a barren woman did the Lord, Who poureth forth life upon all, cause the Virgin to come forth, in whom He was pleased to make His abode, preserving her incorrupt even after giving birth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us hymn Mary today as the Theotokos, the fruit of Anna, the intercessor and helper of all, who gave birth to the life-bearing Cluster.
Canon II, Irmos: My heart is established in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. I am glad in Thy salvation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O all-pure Virgin Theotokos, thou hast been shown to be higher than all creation, having given birth in the flesh to the Creator.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Blessed is thy womb, O chaste Anna, for thou didst pour forth the fruit of virginity who gave birth without seed to Jesus the Deliverer, the Nurturer of creation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Ever-virgin, all creation calleth thee blessed who hast been born today of Anna as the rod sprung forth from the root of Jesse, who put forth Christ as an all-pure Bloom.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Showing thee to be more exalted than all creation, O pure Theotokos, thy Son magnifieth thy birth from Anna and gladdeneth all today.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We worship Thee, O Father unoriginate in essence, we hymn Thy timeless Son, and we honour Thy Spirit Who is equally everlasting: as God three in Hypostases but one in Essence.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Theotokos, who gavest birth unto the Bestower of light, the Author of man’s life, thou hast been shown to be the treasure of our life and the portal of Light unapproachable.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Joseph marvelled…”: Like a cloud of light hath the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, truly shone forth upon us today, and she cometh forth from the righteous ones for our glory. No longer is Adam condemned, and Eve is freed from her bonds. Wherefore, we exclaim, crying aloud with boldness to her who alone is pure: Thy nativity announceth joy to the whole world!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The foregoing is repeated.
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard report of Thy dispensation, O Lord, and have glorified Thee Who alone lovest mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn Thee, O Lord, Who hast given unto all, as a haven of salvation, her who gaveth birth to Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn Thee, O Lord, Who hast given unto all, as a haven of salvation, her who gaveth birth to Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Christ hath revealed thee, O Bride of God, to all who with faith hymn thy mystery as their boast and might.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Delivered from transgressions by thy supplications, O Mistress who knewest not wedlock, we all bless thee with a good understanding.
Canon II, Irmos: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk foresaw Thy coming, O Lord; wherefore he cried aloud: “God shall come out of Thæman!” Glory to Thy power! Glory to Thy condescension!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Patriarch Jacob, clearly foreseeing the mighty works of Thy dispensation, O Saviour, cried out in the Spirit, saying mystically to Judah: “From the tender plant thou art gone up, O my Son!”, referring to Thee, O God, Who wast born of the Virgin.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Now the pure Virgin, the rod of Aaron which sprung forth from the root of David, cometh forth from Anna, and heaven and earth and all the nations of the gentiles mystically join chorus together with Anna and Joachim.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let heaven now be glad; let the earth rejoice! And let Joachim and David join chorus: the one as the father of thee who truly gavest birth to God, and the other as thine ancestor who proclaimed thy mighty deeds, O pure one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The whole world rejoiceth with thee today, O divinely wise Anna; for thou hast budded forth the Mother of its Deliverer, she who from the root of David put forth for us the rod of strength which beareth Christ as a flower.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
I glorify God, the unoriginate Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the consubstantial, uncreated Trinity, before Whom the seraphim stand with reverence, crying aloud: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The all-unoriginate Origin receiveth a beginning from thee in the flesh and in time, O Theotokos, and He remaineth equally the unoriginate and incarnate Word of the Father, equally everlasting with the Spirit, maintaining His divine dignity.
Ode V, Irmos: Having destroyed the shadowy darkness of indistinct images and illumined the hearts of the faithful by the coming of the Truth through the divine Maiden, O Christ, guide us by Thy light.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O ye people, let us hymn the cause of the Cause of all, Who became like unto us. For the prophets, counted worthy to behold her image, rejoiced, bringing forth the fruit of manifest salvation through her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O ye people, let us hymn the cause of the Cause of all, Who became like unto us. For the prophets, counted worthy to behold her image, rejoiced, bringing forth the fruit of manifest salvation through her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The budding forth of the dry rod of the priest showed forth the destiny of Israel; and now the most glorious offspring of the barren woman most gloriously shineth forth the splendour of those who gave rise to her.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The budding forth of the dry rod of the priest showed forth the destiny of Israel; and now the most glorious offspring of the barren woman most gloriously shineth forth the splendour of those who gave rise to her.
Canon II, Irmos: Grant us peace, O Lord our God. O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession. O Lord, we know none other than Thee; we call upon Thy name.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy nativity is all-pure, O immaculate Virgin, thy conception is ineffable, and thy birthgiving unutterable, O Bride unwedded; for God hath clad Himself in all of me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let the angelic ranks be glad; let the descendants of Adam join chorus; for the rod hath been born which put forth as flower Christ alone, our Deliverer.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Today the condemnation of Eve is lifted in thy nativity, the barrenness of Anna is loosed, and Adam is freed from the ancient curse; for by thee have we been delivered from corruption.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Glory to Thee Who hast glorified the barren woman today! For, according to the promise, she gave birth unto the flowering rod from whence Christ, the Flower of our life, hath budded forth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Glory to Thee, O Holy Father, Unbegotten God! Glory to Thee, O timeless and Only-Begotten Son! Glory to Thee, O Spirit Divine and equally enthroned, Who proceedest from the Father and restest in the Son!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thy womb didst become the chariot of the Sun; thy purity remained intact as before, O Virgin; for Christ the Sun appeared from thee like a Bridegroom from a bridal chamber.
Ode VI, Irmos: From the belly of the sea monster, Jonah cried out: Lead me up from the abyss of hell, I pray, that with a spirit of truth and in a voice of praise I may sacrifice to Thee, as to my Deliverer!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divinely wise parents of the Mother of God cried out to the Lord in grief over their barrenness; and they gave birth to her, our common boast and salvation for generations of generations.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divinely wise parents of the Mother of God cried out to the Lord in grief over their barrenness; and they gave birth to her, our common boast and salvation for generations of generations.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divinely wise parents of the Mother of God received a gift worthy of heaven from God, for she is a chariot more highly exalted than the cherubim, the Mother of the Word and Creator.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The divinely wise parents of the Mother of God received a gift worthy of heaven from God, for she is a chariot more highly exalted than the cherubim, the Mother of the Word and Creator.
Canon II, Irmos: Like the waters of the sea am I tossed about by the waves of life, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Wherefore, like Jonah I cry to Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O compassionate Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy chaste parents placed thee, who art the Holy of Holies, in the temple of the Lord, O pure one, to be raised with honour and prepared to become His Mother.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Join chorus, ye barren women and mothers! Be of good cheer and leap up, O ye childless! For a childless and barren woman buddeth forth the Theotokos who delivereth Eve from her birth pangs and Adam from the curse.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I hearken to David who singeth to thee: “The virgins that follow after thee shall be brought into the temple of the King. And with him I also hymn thee, the daughter of the King.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We hymn thy holy nativity and honour thine immaculate conception, O divinely chosen Bride and Virgin. And with us the ranks of angels and the souls of the saints glorify thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In thee, O pure one, is the mystery of the Trinity hymned and glorified; for the Father was well-pleased, and the Word made His abode within thee, and the divine Spirit overshadowed thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast a golden candlestick, O pure Theotokos, for in thy womb the Fire made His abode: the Word from the Holy Spirit; and He became visible in thee in human form.
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: In thy holy nativity, O all-pure one, Joachim and Anna are freed from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from mortal corruption. And, delivered from the affliction of sin, thy people celebrate it, crying out to thee: A barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life!
Ikos:The supplication of Joachim over his childlessness, together with the sighing of Anna over her barrenness, were right acceptable to God: they entered the ears of the Lord and brought forth life-bearing fruit for the world. For the one made supplication on the mountain, and the other bore her reproach in the garden; and with joy the barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.
Ode VII, Irmos: The fiery bush on the mount and the dew-bearing furnace of Chaldæa manifestly prefigured thee, O Bride of God; for in thy material womb thou didst receive the divine and immaterial Fire without being consumed. Wherefore, to Him Who was born of thee do we chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Once, the transmitter of the law was prevented from understanding thy great mystery in material manifestations, O all-pure one, though instructed through images not to think earthly thoughts. Wherefore, marvelling at the wonder, he said: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Once, the transmitter of the law was prevented from understanding thy great mystery in material manifestations, O all-pure one, though instructed through images not to think earthly thoughts. Wherefore, marvelling at the wonder, he said: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In godly manner the divine choir called thee beforehand the mountain and portal of heaven and the noetic ladder; for from thee was the Stone cut without the aid of man’s hands, and thou art the door through which passed the Lord of wonders, the God of our fathers.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In godly manner the divine choir called thee beforehand the mountain and portal of heaven and the noetic ladder; for from thee was the Stone cut without the aid of man’s hands, and thou art the door through which passed the Lord of wonders, the God of our fathers.
Canon II, Irmos: The Chaldæan furnace, burning with fire, was bedewed by the Spirit through the presence of God; and the children chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We celebrate and bow down with faith before thy holy nativity, O pure one, honouring thy Son, by Whom we have now been delivered from the ancient condemnation of Adam.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Now Anna maketh merry and, rendering praise, crieth out: Though barren, I have given birth unto the Mother of God, for whose sake the condemnation of Eve, to give birth in pain and grief, hath been loosed!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Adam hath been freed and Eve danceth; and they cry out to thee in spirit, O Theotokos: Through thee have we been delivered from the primeval curse with the appearance of Christ!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O the womb which contained the dwelling-place of God! O the womb which bore her who is more spacious than the heavens, the holy throne, the noetic ark of sanctification!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead, the All-Holy Trinity, indivisible, uncreated, equally everlasting and consubstantial.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most gloriously didst thou alone give birth unto God, O Virgin. By thy nativity thou hast renewed nature, O Mary. Thou hast released Eve from the primeval curse, O pure Theotokos.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Thou didst once prefigure Thy Mother in the furnace of the children, O Lord; for her image drew from the fire those who entered it, without being consumed. We hymn and exalt her supremely for all ages, who through Thee hath been made manifest today to the ends of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Now the foreordained tabernacle of our reconciliation to God, who is to give birth to the Word Who hath manifested Himself to us in the coarseness of our flesh, beginneth her existence. Him do we, who have been brought into existence by Him out of nonexistence, hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Now the foreordained tabernacle of our reconciliation to God, who is to give birth to the Word Who hath manifested Himself to us in the coarseness of our flesh, beginneth her existence. Him do we, who have been brought into existence by Him out of nonexistence, hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The reversal of Anna’s barrenness hath loosed the world’s lack of good things, and hath plainly shown forth a miracle: Christ, Who hath come to mortal men. Him do we, who have been brought into existence by Him out of nonexistence, hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The reversal of Anna’s barrenness hath loosed the world’s lack of good things, and hath plainly shown forth a miracle: Christ, Who hath come to mortal men. Him do we, who have been brought into existence by Him out of nonexistence, hymn and exalt supremely for all ages.
Second Canon, Irmos: O Thou Who coverest Thy chambers with waters and settest the sands as a bound for the sea: Thee doth the sun hymn; Thee doth the moon glorify; and unto Thee doth all creation offer a hymn forever, as to the Creator of all.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou, O Holy God, Who wrought most glorious things through the barren womb, Who opened the childless womb of Anna and gave her fruit, Thou, O Son of the Virgin, hast received flesh from her, the ever-flourishing Virgin and Theotokos.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou, O Lord, Who closest the abyss and openest it, Who raisest water to the clouds and givest the rain, hast given the holy Anna to bud forth and give birth unto the all-pure fruit, the Theotokos, out of a barren root.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Cultivator of our thoughts, Planter of our souls, Who hast shown forth barren earth as right fruitful, Thou hast made the holy Anna, a field which before was dry, to become burgeoning, right fertile and fruitful, giving rise to the Theotokos, the all-pure fruit.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Come ye all, let us gaze upon the city of God born as from a little chamber, which issueth forth from the gate of Anna’s womb, yet hath no knowledge of the entry, for the one God and Creator issued forth by this strange path.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O transcendent Trinity, unoriginate Unity, the multitude of angels hymneth and trembleth before Thee; heaven and earth are in awe of Thee; men bless Thee, and fire serveth Thee as a slave. Everything in creation submitteth to Thee with fear, O Holy Trinity.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O report most new! God becometh the Son of a woman! O seedless birthgiving! A Mother without a husband, a Begotten God! O awesome sight! O, the strange conception of the Virgin! O ineffable nativity, truly past all understanding and contemplation!
Ode IX – Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-glorious nativity of the Mother of God!
Ode I, Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-glorious nativity of the Mother of God!
He Who poured forth water from the stone for the rebellious people, through the womb of a barren woman giveth to us, the right submissive nations, the fruit of gladness: thee, O all-pure Mother of God, whom we magnify as is meet.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-glorious nativity of the Mother of God!
He Who poured forth water from the stone for the rebellious people, through the womb of a barren woman giveth to us, the right submissive nations, the fruit of gladness: thee, O all-pure Mother of God, whom we magnify as is meet.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-glorious nativity of the Mother of God!
Thee, O Theotokos, do we magnify, who hast removed the ancient and precipitous condemnation: the restoration of our first mother, the cause of the reconciliation of our race to God, the bridge to the Creator.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-glorious nativity of the Mother of God!
Thee, O Theotokos, do we magnify, who hast removed the ancient and precipitous condemnation: the restoration of our first mother, the cause of the reconciliation of our race to God, the bridge to the Creator.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the barren woman!
Canon II, Irmos: Foreign to mothers is virginity, and strange is childbirth to virgins; yet both were accomplished in thee, O Theotokos. Wherefore, all of us, the peoples of the world, magnify thee unceasingly.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the barren woman!
Thou hast received a nativity worthy of thy purity, O Mother of God; for, according to the promise, thou wast given to the barren one as a fruit springing forth divinely. Wherefore, all of us, the peoples of the earth, unceasingly magnify thee.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the barren woman!
Fulfilled is the prophecy of him whom crieth, for he saith: I shall raise up the tabernacle of sacred David which is fallen, which was a foretype of thee, O pure one, through whom the dust of all men hath been fashioned into a body for God.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the barren woman!
We venerate thy swaddling clothes, O Theotokos. We glorify Him Who gave fruit to her who before was barren, and Who most gloriously opened the womb of her who was unable to give birth. For as God with complete authority, He doeth all things soever He desireth.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the Virgin Mary who hath been born of the barren woman!
To thee, O Theotokos who wast born of Anna, do we faithfully offer up hymnody as a gift, mothers and virgins glorifying thee as the only Mother and Virgin; and we bow down before thee and hymn and glorify thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strange is it for the iniquitous to glorify the unoriginate Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the uncreated omnipotent Principle, by Whom the whole world is sustained by the hand of His might.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Within thy womb, O Mother, thou didst contain One of the Trinity: Christ the King, Whom all creation doth hymn and before Whom the ranks of heaven tremble. Him do thou entreat, O most pure one, that our souls be saved.
Troparion, Tone IV: Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to all the world; for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, Who, having annulled the curse, hath given His blessing, and having abolished death, hath granted us life everlasting.
The Holy Great Martyr Mamas was born in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor in the third century of pious and illustrious parents, the Christians Theodotus and Rufina. The parents of the saint were arrested by the pagans for their open confession of their faith and locked up in prison in Caesarea in Cappadocia.
Knowing his own bodily weakness, Theodotus prayed that the Lord would take him before being subjected to tortures. The Lord heard his prayer and he died in prison. Saint Rufina died also after him, after giving birth to a premature son. She entrusted him to God, beseeching Him to be the Protector and Defender of the orphaned infant.
God heard the dying prayer of Saint Rufina: a rich Christian widow named Ammia reverently buried the bodies of Saints Theodotus and Rufina, and she took the boy into her own home and raised him as her own son. Saint Mamas grew up in the Christian Faith. His foster mother concerned herself with the developing of his natural abilities, and early on she sent him off to study his grammar.
The boy learned easily and willingly. He was not of an age of mature judgment but distinguished himself by maturity of mind and of heart. By means of prudent conversations and personal example young Mamas converted many of his own peers to Christianity.
The governor, Democritus, was informed of this, and the fifteen-year-old Mamas was arrested and brought to trial. In deference to his illustrious parentage, Democritus decided not to subject him to torture, but instead sent him off to the emperor Aurelian (270-275). The emperor tried at first kindly, but then with threats to turn Saint Mamas back to the pagan faith, but all in vain. The saint bravely confessed himself a Christian and pointed out the madness of the pagans in their worship of lifeless idols.
Infuriated, the emperor subjected the youth to cruel tortures. They tried to drown the saint, but an angel of the Lord saved Saint Mamas and bade him live on a high mountain in the wilderness, not far from Caesarea. Bowing to the will of God, the saint built a small church there and began to lead a life of strict temperance, in exploits of fasting and prayer.
Soon he received a remarkable power over the forces of nature: wild beasts inhabiting the surrounding wilderness gathered at his abode and listened to the reading of the Holy Gospel. Saint Mamas nourished himself on the milk of wild goats and deer.
The saint did not ignore the needs of his neighbours. Preparing cheese from this milk, he gave it away freely to the poor. Soon the fame of Saint Mamas’s life spread throughout all of Caesarea.
The governor sent a detachment of soldiers to arrest him. When they encountered Saint Mamas on the mountain, the soldiers did not recognize him, and mistook him for a simple shepherd. The saint then invited them to his dwelling, gave them a drink of milk and then told them his name, knowing that death for Christ awaited him. The servant of God told the servant of the Emperor to go on ahead of him into Caesaria, promising that he would soon follow. The soldiers waited for him at the gates of the city, and Saint Mamas, accompanied by a lion, met them there.
Surrendering himself into the hands of the torturers, Saint Mamas was brought to trial under a deputy governor named Alexander, who subjected him to intense and prolonged tortures. They did not break the saint’s will, however. He was strengthened by the words addressed to him from above: “Be strong and take courage, Mamas.”
When they threw Saint Mamas to the wild beasts, these creatures would not touch him. Finally, one of the pagan priests struck him with a trident. Mortally wounded, Saint Mamas went out beyond the city limits. There, in a small stone cave, he gave up his spirit to God, Who in the hearing of all summoned the holy Martyr Mamas into His heavenly habitation. He was buried by believers at the place of his death.
Christians soon began to receive help from him in their afflictions and sorrows. Saint Basil the Great speaks thus about the holy Martyr Mamas in a sermon to the people: “Remember the holy martyr, you who live here and have him as a helper. You who call on his name have been helped by him. Those in error he has guided into life. Those whom he has healed of infirmity, those whose children were dead he has restored to life, those whose life he has prolonged: let us all come together as one, and praise the martyr!”
Canon of the Great-Martyr Mamas, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone 8.
Ode 1, Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a miracle, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh and saved Israel, who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Traversing the heavens as an excellent martyr, filled with thrice-radiant effulgence, O glorious one, vouchsafe divine illumination unto those who on earth honour the precious and radiant day of thy repose.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
The Word, foreknowing the nobility and perfection of thy mind in all things, filled thee with understanding from thine earliest infancy and adorned thee in manifold ways with the sweetness of good works, O most lauded martyr and athlete Mamas.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy parents, braving danger for the inviolate Faith in time of persecution by falsehood, were cast into prison; and there, at the command of God, they brought thee forth, who hast broken the bonds of polytheism.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In generations of generations all-glorious things are said of thee who, having contained God the Word within thy womb, remainest pure, O Mary Theotokos. Wherefore, we all honour thee, our intercessor before God.
Ode 3,Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church, establish me in the love of Thee, O summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Upon the pinnacle of His Church hath Christ placed the athlete Mamas like a radiant star, illumining the whole world with the splendours of his sufferings and all-glorious miracles.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Ascending the mountain of true knowledge, and illumined with purity of mind through visions, O blessed one, by the commands of God thou didst elevate the nature of dumb beasts to rational hymnody.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast a youth comely in beauty. Wherefore, thou wast shown to be unapproachable to those who sought iniquitously to seize thee, and thou didst bring thyself to the Lord of all, Who Himself had gone to suffering.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who stretched out the sky and sustaineth its whole vault by His divine nature was held in the flesh in thine embrace, O all-pure one, and hath shown thee to be the confirmation of all the faithful.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sedalion of the martyr, Tone 8: As the precious offspring of piety, by the power of the Spirit thou wast shown to be the destroyer of impiety, O Mamas; for thou didst denounce the falsehood of idolatry in the arena and didst right boldly proclaim that the Trinity is to be hymned. Wherefore, cast to the wild beasts, O athlete, thou didst slay the beast, the serpent who is the author of evil. For this cause we cry out to thee: Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offences unto those who honour thy holy memory with love. (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: Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, O only all-pure Virgin Mother, who dost surpass the angels in purity. With the waters of thy supplications cleanse me who, more than all other men, am dust and have been defiled by carnal transgressions, granting me great mercy, O pure one.
Stavrotheotokion. The unblemished ewe-lamb of the Word, the incorrupt Virgin Mother, beholding Him Who sprang forth from her without pain suspended upon the Cross, cried out maternally, lamenting: “Alas, O my Child! How is it that Thou sufferest, desiring to deliver man from the indignity of the passions?”
Ode 4, Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our poverty. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
With wisdom and unafraid thou didst of thine own will commit thyself to struggles; for thou didst have Christ helping thee with divine power, making thy weakness strong and showing thee forth as a witness to His sufferings, a partaker of splendour on high.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
The most rational wild beast became tame, given thee by God as a companion, for with divine love thou didst subdue the irrational passions and wast shown to be adorned with a most wise intelligence, vanquishing the irrationality of the enemy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Before the tyrants’ tribunal thou didst stand O blessed one, most manifestly proclaiming the incarnation of the Word, casting down the savagery of ungodliness and teaching all to chant with confidence: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By the supernatural offspring of thy birthgiving, O most immaculate Theotokos, the pangs of sin were loosed, the nature of mortals was released from the curse, the heavens were opened for thy sake to those below, and men join chorus with the angels.
Ode 5, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange light covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Lacerated, the glorious Mamas in nowise paid heed to his body, setting aside the grossness of corruption to be torn asunder and the garments of his skin to be rent apart; receiving instead the vesture of incorruption.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Grateful praises didst thou chant to thy Creator when thy side was pierced with a spear, O most blessed one, and thou didst hear a voice from heaven, strengthening thy mind for that which is more exalted and easing the pain of thy sufferings.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou lay in prison a most beautiful dove appeared to thee in an all-glorious vision, O most blessed and much-suffering athlete, bearing thee the food of incorruption; for thou didst pass beyond the bounds of corruption.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Thou wast the mediatress of the divine incarnation and of ineffable deliverance, having given birth to Him Who was begotten of the Father before the sun shone forth; for through thee hath the nature of those on earth been joined to God and set upon the throne of glory.
Ode 6, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are mine iniquities, and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray; for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened unto me, O God of my salvation.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Burning with zeal for God, O most sacred and valiant athlete, bedewed by divine rain from heaven thou didst in nowise take heed of the burning flame.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
He Who in manifest light transformed the furnace into dew for the three youths rescued thee, O most blessed and divinely wise one, from the flame, and all-gloriously showed thee to be mightier than the fire.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Undergoing tremendous struggles, thou didst show thyself to be most supreme, wondrous among athletes, a martyr tried and tested. Wherefore, the Judge of the contest vouchsafed thee greater rewards.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Through thy divine birthgiving, O all-pure one, we have come to share in the divine nature; and, praising thee with ranks of the angels, we have inherited heavenly rest in Christ.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion of the Martyr, Tone 3: With the staff given thee by God, O holy one, thou didst shepherd thy people in life-bearing pastures; and thou didst crush the invisible and untamed wild beasts beneath the feet of those who hymn thee. For all who find themselves amid misfortunes have thee as their fervent intercessor, O Mamas.
Ikos: Throughout all the world we hymn thee as an all-glorious martyr who joinest chorus with the angels in the heavens, O Mamas, who before wast manifestly suckled by a deer in the wilderness, and now, as a good shepherd, dost shepherd the rich people of the Lord with a staff of power, guiding them to a place of verdure, where the sweetness of paradise is truly to be found. For this cause thou didst forsake the world, that all may have thee as a fervent intercessor, O Mamas.
Ode 7, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
The aspect of the furnace was full of the coolness which thou didst need; for, shut up within it for many days, O Mamas, thou wast not consumed, but didst cry out to the Creator: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
In the midst of the flame, O martyr, thou didst have angels as companions, dancing with thee and sharing in ineffable hymnody; and with them thou didst cry out to the Master of all: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Issuing forth from the furnace, thou wast truly like a never-fading rose, like a most comely bridegroom departing from a bridal chamber, consuming the mindless, but illumining those who beheld thee, chanting: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lo! the prophecy of the divinely eloquent one hath now been fulfilled! For thou didst contain God the Word in thy womb, O Virgin, and gavest birth to the Bestower of life: To Him do we all cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Ode 8, Irmos: Madly did the Chaldean tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but seeing them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Like Daniel thou didst shut the mouths of the wild beasts with a divine invocation of the Master, O glorious one; thou didst slay a serpent, didst put the ungodly to shame, and livest in gladness as a victor, chanting in the heavens: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Stony of heart, the all-iniquitous ones who worshiped stones cast stones at thee, O blessed martyr, as thou didst lift the sacred eyes of thy soul to the unhewn and unshakable Stone; and thou didst fervently chant: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Judge of the contest, extending the crown of victory from on high to thee as victor when thou hadst passed through thy good contest, O thou who art most rich, called thee to hasten to Him, running the honourable and sweet course, and chanting fervently: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.Supernaturally thou didst conceive Him Who was begotten of the Father without mother, yet thou didst remain virgin even after giving birth, O pure one; for in thee doth the divine Union renew nature and restore the boundaries of existence. Wherefore, in Orthodox manner, we hymn thee for ever as the Theotokos who truly gave birth unto God.
Ode 9, Irmos: Heaven was filled with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God appeared to men in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of angels and men magnify thee, the Theotokos.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst lay down thy life for thy Deliverer and didst ardently hasten to Him, splendidly adorned with the beauties of thy sacred struggles and wondrous contests, O most lauded warrior, thou beacon of the whole world and ornament of the Church.
Holy Great-Martyr, Mamas, pray to God for us.
Thou hast joined the angels, having acquired an angelic life on earth, and with them thou dost in praise joyously chant sacred hymnody to the Trinity with great laudation, O Mamas, deified by divine communion and enriched with glory unsurpassed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou hast boldness before God, O most blessed martyr, be thou mindful of those who joyously celebrate this thy divine festival and praise thine honourable and sacred suffering with pure faith; and save us from tempest, misfortune and trials.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Who hath ever heard that among those on earth there was a mother who knew not man yet gave birth to a child, and that the Child to which she gave birth supernaturally was the unoriginate God Who is consubstantial with the all-unoriginate Father? O awesome mystery! O the divine fellowship whereby we have been united to God!
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Troparion, Tone 4: In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Mamas received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at nought the tyrants and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.
Ode 1, 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 Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Taking delight in the garden of sweetness and joining chorus with the angelic hosts as is meet, as a warrior of Christ, pray thou that He grant effulgent radiance unto me who hymn thee, O blessed Laurence.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Entering upon the feats of honoured torment, O Laurence, in steadfastness of soul thou didst show thyself to be a victorious spiritual athlete, magnificently arrayed in the crown of righteousness and a diadem of victory.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou wast a child of the light and of the day, thou hast shone forth upon us sensibly like the sun from the west, illumining the ends of the earth with a most splendid radiance, O all-glorious martyr Laurence.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Delivered from the bonds of Hades and corruption, and from the condemnation of the law, by thine honoured birth giving, O most holy Virgin, we cry to thee in thanksgiving: Rejoice, O thou who art full of joy, thou saving portal of grace!
Ode 3, Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath waxed feeble / and the weak have girded themselves with strength: / therefore is my heart established / in the Lord.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
With the Cross as thy standard, thou didst valiantly array thyself against the enemy, and wast shown to be crowned with victory, O right-wondrous one.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Protected by the law of Christ, as one invincible thou didst oppose the laws of the impious with courageous endurance, O all-blessed one.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strengthened by the power of God, thou didst destroy the feebleness of polytheism and didst elucidate the pre-eternal divinity of Christ.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Equal to the Father and the Spirit in nature, essence and divinity, and to men also, was the Word Who didst become incarnate of thee, O all-immaculate one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone 8, Spec. Mel – “Of the Wisdom …”: Having amassed heavenly riches and brought them to the poor, thou didst distribute them, and gave thy bread also to the hungry, and thereby having acquired life incorruptible, thou didst shine forth in thy confession of Christ, O glorious one. Wherefore, having courageously suffered under the law, thou didst receive from God a crown for thy labours, O spiritual athlete Laurence. Entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who with love honour thy holy memory. Repeat sessional hymn.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn of the feast, same tone: On the holy mountain thou didst show forth the lightning of the divine majesty hidden under the flesh of Thy nature, O Christ our Benefactor, shining forth upon the 1disciples who were with Thee. And comprehending Thine unbearable glory, they cried out: Holy art Thou! For though unapproachable, thou wast seen by the world in the flesh, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.
Ode 4, 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 Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
For love of the Word, the servant of the Word, adorned with eloquence and spirituality, hath been slaughtered, and now reigneth in righteousness with the Word, enjoying gladness and His glory.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Piously fighting off the slumber of impiety with divine vigilance, O sacred martyr of Christ, by thy martyr’s stand thou didst cut off from thine eyes the sleep which is unto death.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Protected by the true armour of piety against the proponents of the impious opposition, for the sake of the Faith thou didst utterly cast down the memory of them by thy love of morality.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having put aside all the defilement of the primeval food, we are nurtured with the Grain of Life from heaven, Which arose from the earth from the Virgin. Let us hymn her as the mediatress of good things.
Ode 5, Irmos: The wicked will not behold Thy glory, O Christ, / but we who rise early to hymn Thee shall behold Thee, / the Only-Begotten effulgence of Thy Father’s divinity, / O Lover of mankind.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Thine eyes fixed with unwavering vision upon divine beauties, O right wondrous Laurence, Thou didst spurn all the beautiful things on earth and the cruel pangs of thy body.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Having recognised Christ, Who became a servant for us, through gifts received from the Father, and having become His servant, thou didst depart unto Him through the shedding of thy blood, O most blessed one.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O blessed one, thou didst offer thyself unto Christ as a sacred oblation and a magnificent adornment; and having adorned the tabernacle of heaven, thou dost now abide there delighting in radiance.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The only-begotten Son, of the same essence and like unto the Father, of His own will becameth akin to mankind, the Most High being incarnate from thy womb, O Virgin Mother.
Ode 6, 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 Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Kindling a material fire, thou didst prepare thyself as sweet food for the King of all, Who loveth and craveth our salvation, O all-glorious one.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Thou didst draw nigh wholly to the light of the ruling Trinity, and being radiant, as God’s servant, thou dost illumine those who hymn thee, O spiritual athlete.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Strengthened with divine power, lying on the heated grill thou didst endure torment for the love of Christ, enkindling thy soul with fire and spiritual dew.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mother, thou wast the place of God’s lodging, an animate throne, the holy mountain, the ark, the divinely wrought tabernacle, and the golden candle-stand.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Kindling thy heart with divine fire, / thou didst utterly reduce the fire of the passions to ashes, / O God-bearing martyr Laurence, / thou confirmation of spiritual athletes; / and in the midst of thy sufferings / thou didst cry aloud with faith: // Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!
Ikos: Assembling, O ye faithful, with hymns let us all honour the spiritual athlete Laurence, who shone forth in the world like a steady beacon, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries; for by his supplications we are delivered from grievous transgressions. And having cleansed our hearts, let us glorify Christ Who glorifieth him who is mighty amid sufferings and who saith: Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!
Ode 7, Irmos: Thou didst save the children of Abraham in the fire / and slay the Chaldeans, / who unjustly entrapped the righteous ones. / O supremely hymned Lord, God of our fathers, / blessed art Thou.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Fore-chosen to celebrate the Mysteries and serve the Word, thou wast shown to be a sacred vessel and oblation of the temple of heaven, chanting unto the Creator: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Covered by the law of the life which is in Christ, O most blessed Laurence, thou didst not bow thy mind to those who imposed laws of death and corruption, but chanted: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Clad in a body as one who manifestly felt no pain, O most blessed one, with valorous mind, and as one most noetically rich, thou didst dare the all-devouring fire, crying aloud: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast shown to be the noetic eastward portal of the Most High Who, in a manner beyond speech and understanding, appeared to mankind on earth through thee, O Bride of God: the blessed God of our fathers.
Ode 8, 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 Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
In thy steadfastness of mind thou wast mightier than the unbearable flame, burning as if in another’s body, O blessed one, yet chanting with faith: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Like unto the three children, thou didst quench the burning embers of the fire with the dew of divine grace, crying aloud and chanting: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As Christ was thine enlightenment, He girded thee about with His own might, and led thee up to Himself as thou didst piously chant: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A rod sprung forth from the root of Jesse wast thou, and in a manner past nature thou gavest rise to Christ my God and Lord, the Flower of the Godhead. Let all works bless thy birthgiving, O Virgin!
Ode 9, Irmos: Eve dwelt under the curse of sin / because of the infirmity of disobedience; / but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, / hast through the Offspring of thy pregnancy / blossomed forth blessing upon the world. / Wherefore, we all magnify thee.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Thou didst offer thyself as a perfect sacrifice and incense pleasing unto the Master, being tried by the fire of suffering like gold in a crucible; whereby thou didst become a foremost adornment of the Church, O right wondrous one.
Holy Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.
Deified by the direct sight of God and by a higher union, O Laurence, in word and by divine vision thou wast radiantly illumined by the uttermost Light. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst shine forth from the West like the sun, O blessed one, O great and most glorious wonder; illumining all the Church with thy beams, O right wondrous one; and warming all with the fervor of faith. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The prophets, beholding images of thy birthgiving, O all-immaculate one, were instructed thereby from afar by divine inspiration, loudly proclaiming it to the world, and we now marvel at their fulfilment.
Troparion, Tone 4: In his sufferings, Thy martyr Laurence O Lord, / received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; / for, possessed of Thy might, / he set at naught the tyrants and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. // By his supplications save Thou our souls.
Dear brothers and sisters, having encouraged parishioners to take up a devotion to the Mother of God during the approaching Dormition Fast, recommending chanting a supplicatory canon each day/evening, I have been asked about the supplicatory canons to the Mother of God.
Whilst Greek tradition preserves the tradition of alternately chanting the greater and lesser supplicatory canons to the Mother of God during the days of preparation for the Dormition, Russian tradition lacks the use of greater canon and only the lesser canon is to be found in Slavic prayerbooks.
However, the octeochos contains a different canon for EVERY evening, so that allowing for our eight week cycle of services, there are fifty six supplicatory canons, as previously posted on our blog.
You can, of course, simply use the Supplicatory Canon in your prayerbook in your evening prayers, but if anyone would like to use the canons proper to each evening in English during the Fast, the links follow below.
This week is Tone 6 in the octoechos cycle, so we go from Tone 6, through Tone 7, and part way through Tone 8.
As our liturgical days start in the evening, and the canons are for evening use, we start on Tuesday evening – which, liturgically, is already Wednesday!
We have yet to post the Dormition canons by the great hymnographers, Saints Cosmas of Maiuma and John of Damascus, and will do so. Ideally, these can then be prayed on the Eve of the Dormition.
Ode I, Irmos: Come, O ye people, * let us sing a song to Christ our God, * Who divided the sea, * and made a way for the nation * which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; * for He hath been glorified.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art the well-spring of Life, О pure Virgin Mother, having given birth to the Source, Lord and Life of all, bedewing those who glorify thee with faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We who confess thee to be the Theotokos, О most pure one, have thee as an intercessor and a firm foundation which enricheth us, and we are saved from the threefold billows of life, О all-immaculate Virgin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou hast given birth to the Wellspring of life, О Maiden, heal me who am wounded by the passions, and rescue me from the eternal fire, О thou who alone art full of the grace of God.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As the refuge of the faithful and the mighty help of those who have recourse unto thee, О Ever-Virgin, save us from all want, and the harm of the adversary.
Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, who didst slay sin upon the tree, * firmly establish us in Thee, * and in the hearts of us who hymn Thee * plant the fear of Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О Virgin, we truly call thee the golden censer, the jar of the Manna, the divine mountain, the all-comely palace.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou art the temple and sacred dwelling-place of the Word, О Theotokos, be thou ever the cleansing of my transgressions, О most holy Virgin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Neither the tongue of mortal man nor the mind of the incorporeal beings can describe thy birthgiving; for in a manner transcending nature and understanding, О Theotokos, thou hast given birth to the Creator.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Virgin Birthgiver of God, be thou the confirmation, refuge and protection of those who have recourse to thee with faith and confess thee to be the Mother of God.
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard report O Lord, * of Thy glorious dispensation, * and I have glorified, Thine unapproachable power, * O Lover of mankind.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We Christians acquired thee have as our great help, О Theotokos. Rescue us from cruel misfortunes.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О Lady who knewest not wedlock, having conceived God in thy womb, deliver us all from perils and grief.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We, the faithful, have acquired thee as an invincible rampart and a mighty hope amid dangers, О pure one.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having acquired thy supplication as a firm foundation, О Lady, we are delivered from divers sorrows.
Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: * guide us in the light of Thy commandments, * for we know none other God than Thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О Birthgiver of God, we, the faithful, know the Son Who was incarnate and born from thee without seed to be truly God and man by nature. Wherefore, we glorify thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Ever fleeing with faith beneath thy protection and help. О most pure Theotokos, we, the faithful, are delivered by thee from every grievous invasion.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О most pure Virgin, deliver us from perils, the tempest of evil thoughts, from all wrath and every sin, from famine and plague, and from everlasting torment.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As thou art our helper and salvation, the hope of Christians, О Lady, save those who ever hymn thee with love and faith, О all-hymned Virgin.
Ode VI, Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, * I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: * Raise me up from corruption, O God. Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
He Who made all things by His will, having willingly made His abode within the womb of her who knew not wedlock, hath enriched with incorruption those afflicted by corruption, in that He is full of tender compassion.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou art more exalted and holy than the hosts on high, О all-immaculate one, having supra-naturally contained the infinite Word within thy womb.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Lady, to the paths of repentance guide me who am lost on the path of life and have often wandered into sins as into trackless wastes.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Disdain not the entreaties of thy servants who place their hope in thee, О pure one, for thou art the refuge and cleansing of our souls, О Lady.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional hymn, Tone II:Thou didst conceive the Word without seed, and hast given birth to the one Christ; for thou didst bear a new Child, thy Creator. Wherefore, we magnify thee, О Theotokos.
Ode VII, Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, * Thy three children spurned the impious command, * and, cast into the midst of the flame, * they were bedewed, and sang: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
By the power of the Most Holy Spirit thou hast given flesh to the noetic Son Who is of the same nature as the Father, О Lady full of the grace of God. Wherefore, unceasingly entreat Him, that He have pity on those who chant: Blessed art thou who hast given birth to God in the flesh!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О pure Virgin who knewest not wedlock, О holy and blessed one, thou setting aright of the fallen and deliverance of sinners: Save me, О save me, prodigal though I am, for I cry out to thy Son: Blessed art thou who hast given birth to God in the flesh!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art a sure haven, an awesome intercessor, an impregnable bulwark for those who languish in want and are tempest-tossed in grief, О Theotokos, by thy supplications to thy Son save thy servants from the many and varied temptations.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Birthgiver of God, who art the sole hope and help of the faithful, hasten thou to help thy servants who are overwhelmed by sorrows, who are thus at a loss amid their pain, and flee to thee with love of soul.
Ode VIII, Irmos: God Who descended into the fiery furnace * with the Hebrew children, * and transformed the flame into dew, * do ye works hymn, * and supremely exalt as Lord throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou hast given birth to the Wellspring of life, the Water of life, О Virgin Theotokos, bedew my soul, which is being laid waste by the flame of sin, that I may glorify thee throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having given birth to Christ our God, the Author of life, О pure and blessed Virgin Lady, thou alone hast raised up those slain and cast down into the dust of death and corruption.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure Lady, deliver me from everlasting fire and condemnation, and rescue me from corrupt men who seek to trip my heels, that I may ever bless thee whom all creation calls blessed in a divine manner.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, О pure Virgin, did the Supremely divine One become visible in the likeness of the flesh. Him do thou unceasingly beseech, that He have mercy upon us who live in evil and tremble in the expectation of ever- lasting torment.
Ode IX, Irmos: God the Word, God of God, * Who by ineffable wisdom came to create Adam anew * after his grievous fall to corruption through eating * and Who took flesh beyond all telling from the Holy Virgin for our sake, * Him we faithful with one accord magnify in song.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Grant unto me God’s love for mankind, О Maiden who alone hast ineffably given birth to God the Lover of mankind, Who borrowed flesh from thee, and deliver me from the coming flame and all torment, for I glorify thee with love.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having acquired thee as a mighty helper, our hope and bulwark, our foundation and steadfast protection, an invincible confirmation, a harbour unbeset by storms and a refuge of strength, О all-hymned one, we are all saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О all-hymned Virgin, Mother of the Light, drive away the clouds from my soul, and grant that I may gaze in purity upon the saving beauty which shone forth ineffably from thy most holy womb to enlighten the nations.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О Virgin Maiden Who hast given birth to the divine Light, illumine my heart, which hath been darkened by many passions and the assaults of alien thoughts, ever granting me teardrops which cleanse away the defilement of sin.
Magnification: We extol Thee, O Christ, the Giver of Life for by fulfilling the sign foretold of Emmanuel, Thou didst reveal Thyself as Saviour, by prophets foretold.
Troparion, Tone IV: Hearkening to the White Christ, thou camest forth from thy flood-girt fastness to overcome the heathen and lead them forth to holy baptism. Thou didst build churches, strongholds, shires and swift ships, restoring the law of God and making thyself beloved of all. O wise King and glory of free England, who reignest in the Winchester of the heavenly England, thou who didst vanquish heathendom by Christendom, establish anew the Orthodox Faith in thy land that we may glorify God, Who alone made thee great.
Commemorated 2/15 September
Ode 1, 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.
Dear brothers and sisters, having encouraged parishioners to take up a devotion to the Mother of God during the approaching Dormition Fast, recommending chanting a supplicatory canon each day/evening, I have been asked about the supplicatory canons to the Mother of God.
Ode I, Irmos: Come, O ye people, * let us sing a song to Christ our God, * Who divided the sea, * and made a way for the nation * which He had brought up out of the bondage of Egypt; * for He hath been glorified.