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Prayers

The Paschal Canon

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Dear brothers and sisters, Christ is Risen!

I greatly encourage parishioners to try to read the Paschal Canon every day during the Paschal season, and here publish the English text with the Theotokia verses (to the Mother of God) which are added to the canon after the night of Pascha itself.

Ode 1, Eirmos: It is the Day of Resurrection! Let us be radiant, O ye people! Pascha! The Lord’s Pascha! For Christ our God hath brought us from death to life, and from earth unto heaven, as we sing triumphal hymn!

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with inaccessible light of the Resurrection, and shall hear Him saying clearly, “Rejoice!” As we sing the triumphal hymn!

Christ is risen from the dead.

Let the heavens rejoice in a worthy manner, the earth be glad, and the whole world, visible and the invisible, keep the Feast. For Christ our eternal joy hath arisen!

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

Thou hast broken through the barrier of death, by giving birth to Christ, the eternal Life, Who today hath shone forth from the tomb, O Virgin all-blameless, and Who hath enlightened the world.

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

Having beheld thy resurrected Son and God, rejoice thou with the apostles, O Pure One graced of God, and be the first to rejoice, as thou hast received the Cause of joy for all, O Mother of God all-blameless.

Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection!…

Ode 3, Eirmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the fountain of Incorruption springing from the tomb of Christ in Whom we are established.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Now all things are filled with light: heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions. So let all creation celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, whereby it is established.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Yesterday, O Christ, I was buried with Thee, and today I arise with thy arising. Yesterday I was crucified with Thee. Glorify me, O Saviour, with Thee in Thy Kingdom.

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

Into incorruptible life have I entered today, through the goodness of Him Who was born of thee, O Pure One, and Who makest all the ends of the earth radiant with joy.

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

Having beheld God, Whom thou hast borne in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said, O Pure One, dance, and Him as God, O most Pure One, do thou magnify.

Katavasia: Come, let us drink…

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (Thrice)

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.

Hypakoe, tone 4: When at dawn, the women with Mary came and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the angel: Why seek ye among the dead (as if He were a mortal man) Him Who lives in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Run and tell the world that the Lord is risen, and has slain death. For He is the Son of God Who saves mankind.

Ode 4, Eirmos: May the divinely speaking Abbacum now stand watch with us, and show forth a shining Angel saying resoundingly: Today salvation hath come to the world; for Christ is risen as Almighty.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Christ revealed Himself as of the male sex when He opened the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal is He called the Lamb. Thus, without blemish also, is our Pascha, for He tasted no corruption, and, since He is truly God, He was proclaimed perfect.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Christ, our blessed Crown, like a yearling Lamb, of His own good will sacrificed Himself for all, a Pascha of purification, and as the glorious Sun of Righteousness, He has shone upon us again from the grave.

Christ is risen from the dead.

David, the forefather of our divine Lord, leapt and danced before the symbolic Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ hath risen as Almighty.

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

He Who created Adam thy forefather, O Pure One, took form from thee, and the habitation of the dead hath He demolished today through His death, and shone upon all things with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.

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

Beholding Christ Whom thou hast borne, shining forth splendidly from the dead, O Pure One, who art good and spotless among women, and comely, today rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all, Him do thou glorify.

Katavasia: May divinely speaking Abbacum …

Ode 5, Eirmos: Let us arise in the deep dawn and, instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Lord, and we shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causest life to dawn for all.

Christ is risen from the dead.

When they who were held by the chains of hell beheld Thy boundless compassion, O Christ, they hastened to the light with joyful feet, exalting the eternal Pascha.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Bearing lights, let us meet Christ, Who cometh forth from the tomb like a bridegroom. And with the ranks of joyfully celebrating Angels, let us celebrate the redeeming Pascha of God.

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

Enlightened by the divine rays and the life-bearing Resurrection of thy Son, O most pure Mother of God, the gathering of the pious is filled with joy.

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

Thou didst not open the gates of virginity in the incarnation, nor the seal upon the tomb didst Thou destroy, O King of creation; from whence seeing Thee risen, Thy Mother rejoiceth.

Katavasia: Let us arise…

Ode 6, Eirmos: Thou didst descend into the nethermost regions of earth, O Christ, and didst shatter the eternal bars which held the prisoners captive; and like Jonah from the sea-monster, after three days Thou didst rise from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead.

Having kept the seals intact, Thou didst rise from the grave, O Christ, Who didst not violate the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth, and Thou hast opened to us the gates of Paradise.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O my Saviour, while as God Thou didst voluntarily offer Thyself to the Father as an unslain and living sacrifice, Thou didst raise up with Thyself the whole race of Adam, when Thou didst rise from the grave.

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

He that of old was held by death and corruption is raised up by Him Who was incarnate of the thy most pure womb, O Theotokos Virgin, unto incorruption and everlasting life.

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

He Who went down into the nethermost part of the earth, and came into thy womb, O Pure One, and dwelt and past understanding was incarnate, hath also raised up Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.

Katavasia: Thou didst descend…

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (Thrice)

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 Resurrection, Tone 8: Though Thou did descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hell, and did rise again as a conqueror, O Christ our Lord, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, rejoice! And giving peace to Thine Apostles, and offering Resurrection to the fallen.

Eikos: The myrrh-bearing maidens anticipated the dawn and sought, as those who seek the day, their Sun, Who was before the sun and Who had once sat in the grave. And they cried to each other: Friends, come, let us anoint with spices His life-giving and buried body – the Flesh Who raised up fallen Adam, and Who now lies in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, and like the Magi, let us worship; and let us bring myrrh as a gift to Him, Who is wrapped, not now in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry: Arise, O Lord, Who dost offer Resurrection to the fallen.

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know no other than Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come all ye faithful, let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection. For behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection. For by enduring the Cross for us He destroyed death by death. (Thrice)

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, hath given us eternal life and great mercy. (Thrice)

Ode 7, Eirmos: He Who delivered the children from the furnace, and became man and suffered as a mortal, through His suffering, He clothes mortality with the grace of incorruption. He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

The godly wise women came to Thee with myrrh. But Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God. And they told to Thy disciples, O Christ, the glad tidings of the mystical Pascha.

Christ is risen from the dead.

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hell, the beginning of eternal life. And leaping for joy, we celebrate the Cause, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

Christ is risen from the dead.

For a truly holy and a supreme feast is this saving night radiant with Light, the harbinger of the bright day of Resurrection, on which the Eternal Light shone bodily from the grave upon all.

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

Thy Son, having put death to death, O All-spotless One, today hath granted unto all mortals the life that abideth unto the ages of ages, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

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

He Who reigneth over all creation, became man, dwelling in thy God-graced womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, is risen in a God-befitting manner, raising us up with Himself, for He is almighty

Katavasia: He Who delivered…

Ode 8, Eirmos: This is the chosen and Holy Day, the first of Sabbaths, the Sovereign and Queen, the Feast of Feasts, and Triumph of Triumphs, on which let us bless Christ forever.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O come, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine joy on the auspicious Day of the Resurrection and Kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God forever.

Christ is risen from the dead.

Cast thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and behold! For lo! Thy children have assembled unto thee from the West and from the North and from the South and from the East, as divinely radiant luminaries, Blessing Christ unto the ages.

O Most Holy Trinity, our God, Glory be to thee.

Father, Almighty, the Word, and the Spirit, one Nature in three Persons united, transcending essence supremely Divine! In Thee we have been baptized, and Thou wilt bless us throughout all ages.

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

Through thee the Lord came into the world, O Virgin Theotokos, and the womb of hades did He tear open, granting unto us mortals resurrection; wherefore, we bless Him unto the ages.

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

Laying low all the dominion of death by His resurrection, thy Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God, hath raised us up with Himself and deified us; wherefore, we sing His praise unto the ages.

Katavasia: This is the chosen…

Ode 9, Eirmos: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Dance now for joy and be glad, O Sion! And thou, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O divine, O dear, O sweetest Voice! For Thou, O Christ, hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the world. And holding fast this promise as an anchor of hope, we the faithful rejoice.

Christ is risen from the dead.

O great and holiest Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee in the unending Day of Thy Kingdom.

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

With one voice, O Virgin, the faithful do bless thee: Rejoice, O Portal of the Lord; rejoice, O living City; rejoice, through whom for our sake the Light hath shone, Who, born of thee, is the resurrection of the dead.

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

Be glad and rejoice, O Portal of the Divine Light; for Jesus set into the grave, hath dawned forth shining more brightly than the sun, and hath illumined all the faithful, O Sovereign Lady who rejoiceth in God.

Katavasia: Shine, shine…

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the graves bestowing life. (Thrice)

The General Order for Chanting a Canon

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The General Order for Chanting a Canon – With Supplicatory Prayers to St Arilda

Dear brothers and sisters, one of our young people recently asked about the order for chanting canons and akathists, so this post will hopefully help.

We have previously published a simple order, which consists of the opening prayers with Psalm 50 and the creed before the canon/akathist, and then “It is truly meet…”, the Trisagion prayers and the dismissal.

The following order is a little more complex, mirroring the order of the moleben, but without readings, and is set out for use when there is no priest.

  • As you will see, we begin with the opening prayers and the usual moleben Psalm (142).
  • This is followed by “God is the Lord…” with its verses, and this is always chanted in the tone of the first troparion of the feast or saint that is being honoured.
  • The troparion is then chanted twice, and after the Glory, we sing the Theotokion, which is a troparion to the Mother of God appointed to follow troparia.
  • If we are honouring a Great Feast, we chant the troparion twice, and then repeat it after “Glory… Now and ever…”
  • We then chant Psalm 50, although this is sometimes omitted, and the canon(s) follows.
  • As some of our parishioners will be visiting Oldbury-on-Severn on Saturday, and will honour the Virgin-Martyr, Arilda, I have taken the canon for a Virgin-Martyr from the General Menaion and used this to illustrate the order of prayer. The General Menaion is used for the variable parts of services when there are none specific to a saint in the monthly menaion. We insert names into the general hymns.
  • The canon is followed by “It is truly meet…” or a zadostoinik (a hymn to the Mother of God that takes the place of “It is truly meet…”), the Trisagion prayers, the troparion and kontakion (sometimes a prayer) and the dismissal sequence.

Once the faithful get used to this order, it will be straight forward and second nature!

Reader: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.

People: Amen.

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, * Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, * Treasury of good things and Giver of life, * come and dwell in us, * and cleanse us of all impurity, ** and save our souls, O Good One.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice) 

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 Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake. 

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) 

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

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. 

Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.

People: Amen.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

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 come let us worship God our King. 

O come let us worship and. fall down before Christ our King and God. 

O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God. 

Psalm 142: O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name’s sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant. 

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Thrice)

And in Tone 4: God is the Lord, and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Stichos 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.

People: God is the Lord…

Stichos 2: Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the Name of the Lord, I warded them off.

People: God is the Lord…

Stichos 3: I shall not die, but live, and I shall tell of the works of the Lord.

People: God is the Lord…

Stichos 4: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

People: God is the Lord…

Troparion, Tone IV: Thy ewe-lamb Arilda, O Jesus crieth out with a loud voice: * “Thee do I love, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I endure suffering. * In Thy baptism I am crucified and buried with Thee. * I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee, that I may live with Thee. * Accept me, who with love sacrifice myself for Thee, * as an unblemished offering!” ** By her supplications, in that Thou art merciful, save Thou our souls. (Twice)

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

Theotokion, Tone IV: The mystery hidden from all ages * and unknown to the ranks of angels, * hath been revealed to those on earth through thee, O Theotokos: * God incarnate in an uncommingled union, * Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake, * and through it hath raised up the first-formed man, ** and saved our souls from death.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Psalm 50: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

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The Canon, in Tone VIII

Ode I, Irmos: Let us sing unto the Lord, * who led His people through the Red Sea: * for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

By her wondrous actions the all-praised maiden Arilda inspires the choirs of heavenly hosts above and those of us here on Earth below to hymn her holy deeds.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

The Master of all loved the beauty of thy most fair heart, O all-praised one, wherefore He hath made thee worthy to dwell in the heavenly dwellings.

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

Thou, O Martyr, without fear underwent suffering, manifold wounds, and execution, taking with thee the sustaining grace of the Savior which helped thee to endure.

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

We ever hymn thee, O most pure Theotokos, who above nature hast given birth unto the pre-eternal Incarnate and supremely divine Word.:

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

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Thou O all-praised Arilda, didst appear before thy judges with a courageous soul, vanquishing the cowardly enemy.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Sporting neither blemish in thy beauty, nor any failing in thy soul, Christ received thee as a fair bride in His incorruptible palaces.

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

O all-praised Martyr of Christ Arilda, heal the scars of my soul, and by thine intercessions still the stormy seas of my life.

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

All Orthodox Christians have acquired in thee a refuge and an unshakable rampart, wherefore we unceasingly magnify thee, O thou who knewest not wedlock.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Virgin-Martyr, Arilda, for we eagerly betake ourselves unto thee, who art a spreedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)  

The Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: With the streams of thy blood * thou hast drowned the wicked, O all-praised Martyr of Christ, * and from joyous clouds of grace thou dost ever water the spiritual meadows, * rearing up therein the fruits of faith; * wherefore after thy repose thou hast appeared lustrously as a luminous cloud, * shedding forth the testimony of thy life. * O all-praised spiritual athlete Arilda, * pray to Christ God that those whom with love honor thy holy memory * be granted the remission of their sins.

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

Ode IV, Irmos: O Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation; * I haveconsidered Thy works, * and I have glorified Thy Divinity.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Presenting thyself as an unstained mirror of divine understanding, thou, O Martyr, doth shine forth in the midst of women sufferers like a golden lamp of priceless beauty.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Thou didst not offer sacrifice unto the dumb demons, O invincible Martyr Arilda, but rather with love desired to receive a life-bestowing death for thy piety.

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

With the other passion-bearers, O unblemished Arilda, thou didst bear upon thy body countless wounds, and yet remained without pangs through the manifestation of divine love.

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

As the only Sinless One, grant deliverance from ignorance unto us, and peace to Thy world, O God, through the intercession of her who gave birth to Thee.

Ode V, Irmos: Rising early we cry to Thee, O Lord; * save us, for Thou art our God, * and we know none other besides Thee.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Having learned the difference between the spiritual day and the darkness of the world, thou didst rebuke the contentious spirit.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Imagining he would be able to weaken thy divine strength, O Martyr Arilda, the most cunning enemy hath only made himself a subject of derision.

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

Grant unto me, O all-praised one, enlightenment and peace, and by thine intercessions disperse the great agitation and confusion that afflicts my soul.

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

We hymn thee as a Virgin, O Theotokos, even after child-birth, for thou hast brought forth into the world God the Word in the flesh.

Ode VI, Irmos: O Thou that puttest on light as a garment * grant me also a robe of light, * O All-merciful Christ, our God.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Bearing valiant wisdom of mind while in thy feminine body, thou, O glorious one, didst not fear beasts of land and sea.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Vanquishing the pride of thy tormentors, thy soul remained unharmed, O invincible Martyr, wherefore thou didst receive a crown of victory.

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

As righteous and beautiful, as honorable and resplendent with the radiance of virginity, the Bridegroom, even the Lord, hath brought thee to Himself, O most glorious martyr.

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

As the only one who hath given birth in the flesh unto the Word, we beseech thee to deliver our souls from the snares of the enemy.

Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Virgin-Martyr, Arilda, for we eagerly betake ourselves unto thee, who art a spreedy helper and intercessor for our souls.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) 

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

Kontakion, Tone II: Finding thine all-revered temple (and holy spring)* to be a source of healing for our souls, * we the faithful with a loud voice cry unto thee, * O greatly renowned Maiden-Martyr Arilda, ** entreat Christ God unceasingly on behalf of us all.

Ikos: Having gathered together today let us worthily honor the Martyr of Christ Arilda, that by her intercessions, our souls and bodies be may delivered from all pestilence, earthquake and plague, and that we may pass our lives in humility, and thereby be granted to praise God together with all the saints that pleased Him in ages past, and to walk in the un-waning light. For Thou, O Savior, hast bedewed with Thy mercies all those who in faith praise her. Wherefore we cry unto her, unceasingly pray for us all.

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

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

The manly-courage of the divine Martyrs is beyond understanding, for the Creator of maketh His creation subject to those who in the midst of their suffering cry out: “O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.”

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

The glorious maiden hath silenced the wicked mouths of her tormentors and subdued the pride of the lawless, while in the Holy Spirit she divinely sang: “O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.”

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

Of old, the trio of devout youths burned those who superheated the fiery furnace; and now, as then, the Divinely-wise maiden, hymning the Trinity, inspires us to sing: “O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.”

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

O Savior, when thou didst deign to accomplish our salvation; Thou didst enter the womb of the Virgin and reveal her to be a sure intercessor for all the world: “O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.”

Ode VIII, Irmos: The King of heaven, * Who is glorified by the hosts of angels, * let uspraise and supremely exalt throughout all ages.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

The exceedingly blessed among women Arilda, having been rewarded with grace from the Most High, now hymneth, praising Christ throughout all ages.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

Strengthened by the thought of the Bridegroom and caring for things spiritual, thou didst give up thy body, even unto death, and inherited eternal life.

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

The Bridegroom, mysteriously descending unto the most pure maiden in the furnace, hath, by the dew of the Holy Spirit, and in accordance with the good pleasure of the Father, saved her who hymneth Christ throughout all ages.

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

Despise not, O pure Virgin; those that seek thine aid, and who chant and extol thee throughout all ages.

Ode IX, Irmos: With never ceasing praises we magnify thee, * the Mother of God Most High, * who art higher than the most pure hosts, * and who beyond comprehension knew not wedlock, * yet hath truly given birth to God.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

From on high thou wast granted to understand that the flow of thy blood was a token of thy future incorruptible life, O all-praised martyr, wherefore thou hast appeared unto all who draw nigh to thee, to be an inexhaustible treasury of healings.

Holy Martyr Arilda pray to God for us!

In accordance with the law of nature, O divinely-wise one, thou didst suffer death, which thou didst willingly endure; and upon death, which was witnessed to by the flow of thine own blood, thine all-precious body was laid to rest remaining incorrupt.

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

As the fairest bride of Christ and an illumining sun, as a truly chosen turtle-dove and as a fertile olive tree more comely than the cedars of Lebanon we all praise thee, O godly-revered Arilda.

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

O bride who knewest not wedlock, receptacle of sweet fragrance, the true and immaculate Virgin and Mother who received in thy womb the heavenly rain descending from the cloud of light, thee do we magnify.

Zadostoinik, Tone VIII: Receive the prayers of thy servants, O Sovereign Lady, and deliver us from every need and sorrow. Thou art our weapon, O Mother of God, and a wall of refuge; thou art the Mediatrix, and unto thee do we run, and now we cry in prayer to thee, that thou mightest deliver us from our enemies. We all exalt thee, O blameless Mother of Christ our God, whom the Holy Spirit hath overshadowed.

Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice.

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 Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice).

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

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.

Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.

People: Amen.

Troparion, in Tone IV: Thy ewe-lamb Arilda, O Jesus crieth out with a loud voice: * “Thee do I love, O my Bridegroom, * and, seeking Thee, I endure suffering. * In Thy baptism I am crucified and buried with Thee. * I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; * I die for Thee, that I may live with Thee. * Accept me, who with love sacrifice myself for Thee, * as an unblemished offering!” ** By her supplications, in that Thou art merciful, save Thou our souls.

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

Kontakion, in Tone II: Finding thine all-revered temple (and holy spring)* to be a source of healing for our souls, * we the faithful with a loud voice cry unto thee, * O greatly renowned Maiden-Martyr Arilda, ** entreat Christ God unceasingly on behalf of us all.

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)

O holy Virgin-Martyr, Arilda, look upon us with a merciful eye, and hearken unto our small supplication; and as thou didst flee the pollution of the world, and refusing the defilement of sin didst become a ewe-lamb offered unto the Lord, we humbly pray and bessech thee to intercede for us before the Master and Shepherd of His sheep. Help us, that encumbered as we are with the pleasures and ease of life, we may emulate thy martyrdom, resisting the lures and temptations of the world, and may be granted the grace to struggle for purity of body, mind and soul. Pray to God for us, that we may join thee in the Heavenly Kingdom, and that as pure and unblemished offerings, holy to the Lord, He may grant to us healing of soul and body, and great mercy.

People: Amen,

Reader: Most Holy Mother of God, save us.

People: More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Theotokos, thee do we magnify.  

Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.  Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Lord, bless. 

Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy Most-Pure, Mother, of the Holy Virgin-Martyr Arilda, and all the saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind.

People: Amen.

The Canon to St Benedict

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The Canon of The Venerable One, the Acrostic Whereof Is: “I Offer a Hymn to the Wise Benedict”: The Composition of Joseph, in  Tone II

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

O venerable Benedict, pray thou that God grant deliverance from all trans- gressions and grace unto me who yearn to hymn thy right laudable memory.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Taking up thy cross from childhood, in monasticism thou didst follow after the Almighty; and having mortified the flesh, thou wast deemed worthy of life, O most blessed one.

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

Subjecting thyself to the law of God, O right wondrous one, thou didst quell the uprisings of the passions with feats of abstinence, and wast enriched by the grace of dispassion.

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

Enriched with incorruption on account of thee, O all-pure Birthgiver of God, we cry out to thee who art full of joy: Rejoice, O adornment of the venerable and the righteous!

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Full of the living waters of the divine Spirit, O God-bearer, thy soul poured forth rivers of miracles, drying up the flow of ailments.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Thou didst pass over to abide in the vastness of paradise, O all-blessed one, having trodden the narrow path, and didst choke off the wiles of the demons and the ways of the disorderly.

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

Watered with streams of thy tears, O Benedict, like a fruitful tree thou didst bring forth a divine harvest of virtues and miracles, by divine grace.

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

He Who alone is good passed, incarnate, through thy womb, O most immaculate one, and was seen as a perfect man. Him do thou beseech, that He save those who hymn thee.

Sessional Hymn, Tone I: Being a monk in a manner pleasing to God, thou didst live virtuously and didst receive the grace of healing, O Benedict, working awesome miracles; and having assembled a sacred community, thou didst lead to the Lord multitudes of the saved, O most spiritually rich father. Glory to God Who enlightened thee! Glory to Him Who crowned thee! Glory to Him Who hath glorified thy holy memory!

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.

Theotokion, Tone I: Stretching forth thy divine arms, wherewith thou didst bear the Creator Who in His goodness hath become incarnate, O most pure virgin, beseech Him to deliver from temptations, sufferings and tribulations us who praise thee with love and cry aloud: Glory to Him Who made His abOde within thee! Glory to Him Who issued forth from thee! Glory to Him Who hath delivered us by thy birthgiving!

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): In awe of Thy great and dread endurance, O Savior, the most pure one lamented bitterly and cried out to Thee Who wast crucified on the Cross by the iniquitous ones and whose side was pierced with a spear by the soldiers: Glory to Thy love for mankind! Glory to Thy goodness! Glory to Thee Who by Thy death hast rendered mankind immortal!

Ode IV, Irmos: I hymn Thee, O Lord, for I have heard report of Thee, * and I was afraid; * for Thou comest to me, seeking me who am lost. * Wherefore, I glorify Thy great condescension towards me, * O greatly Merciful One.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Having crucified thyself to the passions and the world, O father Benedict, thou didst please Christ Who stretched out His hands on the Cross of His own will. Him do thou entreat, that He save our souls.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

With feats of abstinence didst thou mortify thy fleshly members, O venerable one; by thy prayer didst thou raise up the dead; thou gavest the paralyzed, who marveled in faith, the ability to walk, and didst heal every infirmity, O father.

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

By thy vivifying discourse, O venerable one, didst thou render dry and desiccated souls fruitful, bringing forth spiritual and divine fruit, in that thou wast advanced by God, thou most sacred adornment of monastics.

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

The incarnate Word descended upon thine honored womb like rain upon the fleece, O pure one, and manifestly halted the rains of polytheism and brought an end to the bitter winter, O all-immaculate one.

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Entreating the God of mercy, O venerable father, like Elijah thou didst fill a cruse, a great vessel, with oil, a thing marveled at by those who watched with faith.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

As one pure of soul, O all-blessed Benedict, in ecstasy, thou didst behold the whole earth resplendent as beneath a single light, for God so honoreth thee.

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

Working miracles in Christ, O Benedict, by thy supplication thou entreatest the Judge of the contest, that water gush forth, which remaineth to this day, proclaiming thy wonders.

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

He Who dwelleth in the heavens, so desiring, made His abOde within thy pure womb, that He might make habitations for the Trinity of us who proclaim thee to be the Theotokos, O pure one.

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Illumined by the effulgence of the Spirit, thou didst dispel the darkness of evil demons, O wonder-worker Benedict, most radiant lamp of monastics.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

How glorious was thy life, O blessed one! How splendid thine honored life whereby thou didst draw the flock of monastics to knowledge of the Savior!

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

As a resident of the kingdom of heaven, O divinely wise Benedict, pray thou, that we who ever faithfully bless thee may also attain it.

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

The never-setting Sun of righteousness shone forth from thy holy womb and enlightened the faithful, O all-hymned virgin Theotokos.

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

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

Kontakion of the venerable one, Tone VI: Thouwast enriched by the grace of God, * and by thy deeds proclaimed thy name. * In prayer and fasting thou wast revealed to be * full of the gifts of the Spirit of God, * O Benedict, favorite of Christ God, * shown to be a healer of the infirm, ** as one who repulses the enemy, the ready helper of our souls.

Ode VII, Irmos: Of old the youths revealed themselves to be rhetors * with a love for supreme wisdom, * for from the depths of their God-pleasing souls, * they theologized with their lips as they sang: * O supremely divine God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Thou didst acquire life-bearing mortality by laying aside pleasures; wherefore, thou wast deemed worthy to resurrect the dead, O blessed Benedict, crying out: O supremely divine God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Astonishing a multitude of the faithful, thou didst do as did the great Elijah, raising up a garden for monks by thy venerable labors, and it remaineth ever walled about by thy supplications, O blessed one.

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

The mindless ones who sought to murder thee with evil sorcery were put to shame, O father Benedict, denounced by the foreknowledge in thee, for thou wast preserved by the hand of Almighty God.

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

Heal thou the passions of my soul, O Virgin who ineffably conceived the Well-spring of dispassion, and grant me a shower of compunction to bring me consolation there, O holy Theotokos.

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Reigning in Christ over corrupting passions, O divinely wise father, thou wast deemed worthy to dwell in the heavenly kingdom with all who lived righteously and loved God Who seest all things.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Accepting thy holy supplications, through thee God bestowed the means to live upon those in want, glorifying thee exceedingly with miracles on earth, O thrice– blessed Benedict.

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

Adorned with the beauties of godly virtues, thou didst pass on to the beautiful mansions to abide with God, O father, and to enjoy His divine beauties for ages without end.

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

Behold, a Babe, the Son of the Most High, is born of thee, O pure one, as Isaiah crieth out, and He is seen to be thy Son also, O Virgin, making those who honor thee children of the heavenly Father.

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.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

Thou wast shown to be like the great sun, illumining creation with awesome signs and rays of the virtues; wherefore, celebrating thy truly luminous memory, we are enlightened with compunctionate thoughts, O father.

Venerable Father, Benedict, pray to God for us.

The flock of monastics assembled by thee giveth praise day and night, having in their midst thy body which poureth forth rivers of miracles abundantly and unceas- ingly enlighteneth their steps, O wise father.

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

Thou didst emit a radiance greater than that of the Sun, O father, fulfilling the commandments of God; and thou hast passed into never-waning light, praying that forgiveness of sins be granted to those who faithfully honor thee; O ever-memorable Benedict.

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

O Virgin, bearer of the Light, drive thou the passions from my soul, and grant that I may behold, in pure manner, the beauty of the Savior Who shone forth ineffably from thy most pure womb, as a light to the nations, O all-hymned one.

The Feast and Canon of St Gerasimos of Jordan

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Dear brothers and sisters, greetings for the feast of St Gerasimos, famously remembered to taking a thorn from the paw of a lion who came to him, and being befriended by the creature.

His monastery, of which he was abbot, remains a place beloved of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Saint Gerasimos was a native of Lycia (Asia Minor). From his early years he was distinguished for his piety. Having received monastic tonsure, he withdrew into the desert of the Thebaid (in Egypt). Thereafter, in about the year 450, the monk arrived in Palestine and settled at the Jordan, where he founded a monastery. 

For a certain while Saint Gerasimos was tempted by the heresy of Eutyches and Dioscorus, which acknowledged only the divine nature in Jesus Christ, but not His human nature (i.e. the Monophysite heresy). Saint Euthymius the Great (January 20) helped him to return to the true Faith. 

Saint Gerasimos established a strict monastic Rule. He spent five days of the week in solitude, occupying himself with handicrafts and prayer. On these days the wilderness dwellers did not eat cooked food, nor did they kindle a fire, but ate only dry bread, roots and water. 

On Saturday and Sunday all gathered at the monastery for Divine Liturgy and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. In the afternoon, taking a supply of bread, tubers, water and an armload of date-palm branches for weaving baskets, the desert-dwellers returned to their own cells. Each had only old clothes and a mat, upon which he slept. When they left their cells, the door was never locked, so that anyone could enter and rest, or take whatever he needed. 

Saint Gerasimos himself attained a high level of asceticism. During Great Lent he ate nothing until the very day of the All-Radiant Resurrection of Christ, when he received the Holy Mysteries. Going out into the desert for all of Great Lent, Saint Gerasimos took with him his beloved disciple Saint Cyriacus (September 29), whom Saint Euthymius had sent to him. 

When Saint Euthymius the Great died, Saint Gerasimos saw how angels carried the soul of the departed up to Heaven. Taking Cyriacus with him, the monk immediately set off to the monastery of Saint Euthymius and consigned his body to the earth. 

Saint Gerasimos died peacefully, mourned by his brethren and disciples. Before his death, a lion had aided Saint Gerasimos in his tasks, and upon the death of the Elder it died at his grave and was buried nearby. Therefore the lion is depicted on icons of the saint, at his feet. 

The Orthodox Church in America

3/2/2017

Canon to the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is: “I praise Gerasimos, as I weave for him a crown,” in Tone VIII

Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant unto the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone hath gloriously been glorified.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

The glory of immortality and a divine crown of incorruption hath Christ given thee who struggled well, O Gerasimos.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Having the Bestower of light attending to thy supplications, O father Gerasimos, thou didst diminish the darkness of the demons.

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

Through the streams of thy tears, O father, thou didst bring forth the fruits of immortality like an irrigated tree, O divinely wise Gerasimos.

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

Ease thou the pain of my heart, O all-pure Theotokos who, in manner past understanding and recounting, gave birth unto Christ without pain.

Ode III, Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Following Him Who endured crucifixion willingly, O venerable one, thou wast wholly crucified to life and to the passions.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Strengthened by the support of Him Who accomplisheth all things, O wise Gerasimos, thou wast able to trample down all the snares of the mighty one.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Made strong by an humble mind and a humble spirit, O wise one, thou didst utterly lay low the passions which corrupt the soul.

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

With the splendours of thy wonders thou dost, like the great sun, enlighten the hearts of all who praise thee with faith.

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

O all-immaculate one, thou gavest birth unto the Son Who is enthroned with the Father and of the same essence, and Who showeth the portals of life unto all.

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

Sessional hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel .“Thou hast appeared today….”: Passing over the wiles of the demons through the activity of the Cross, O venerable one, thou didst become a god by adoption. Wherefore, we faithfully honor thee, O Gerasimos . (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: Stretching forth thine all-pure hands, O Virgin Mary, protect those who trust in thee and cry out to thy Son: O Christ, grant Thy mercies unto all!

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): Beholding thy Son suspended upon the Tree, O all-pure one, thou didst cry out in grief, thy maternal womb rent with pain: Woe is me! How hast Thou set, O mine everlasting Light?

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

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Thine enlightened heart became a temple of the Spirit, O father. Wherefore, it poureth forth gifts, healing afflictions by grace divine.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Submitting to the law of God, thou didst follow the Lord from thy youth, O father, embracing the life of the bodiless ones while yet in the body.

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

Thy steps were directed to the way of salvation, O venerable one, by the guidance of the divine Spirit Who dwelt within thee, O venerable one.

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

Jesus, Who loveth mankind, Whom thou didst bear in thy womb, O all-immaculate one, do thou beseech, that He save all who hymn thee.

Ode V, Irmos: Waking at dawn, we cry to Thee: Save us, O Lord! For Thou art our God, and we know none other than Thee.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Having received rays of the Holy Spirit with a purified mind, thou didst become a light to monastics.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Thy life, shining forth through the constraint of nature, showed thee to be an earthly angel in the flesh.

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

Filled with the life-imparting waters of the Spirit, thou didst pour forth rivers of wonders, O father Gerasimos.

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

O Theotokos, the incarnate Word descended upon thee like a shower, unto the enlightenment of our souls.

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

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

The weakness of thy flesh, strengthened by the power of Him Who hath shone forth upon us from the pure Virgin, O venerable father, hath brought low the power of the incorporeal foe.

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Having crushed the jaws of the noetic lions by grace, thou didst put down the assaults of the senses, O venerable one. Wherefore, a lion submitted to thee, like a sheep to a shepherd, ministering to thee right dutifully.

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

Acquiring an angelic life and a mind humble in Christ, O father, thou wast meek. And now, thou hast made thine abode in the land of the meek, filled with divine joy.

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

The Effulgence of the Father dwelt within thee, O pure one, and, born in the flesh, He hath enlightened the world and delivered all from the darkness of polytheism. Wherefore, we hymn thee.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up….”: Burning with heavenly love, thou didst prefer the harshness of the desert of Jordan more than all the delights of the world; hence, a wild beast submitted to thee even until the time of thy death, O father, dying in obedience and grief on thy grave. Thus did God glorify thee. And when thou dost pray to Him, O father Gerasimos, be thou mindful of us.

Ode VII, Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Light and gladness, its spouse, shone forth upon thee, O father, who dost ever abide in the mansions of heaven and dost chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Venerable Father, Gerasimos, pray to God for us.

Having watered thy heart with showers of tears, O God-bearer, thou bringest forth fruits of virtue, through which, with all the venerable, thou hast received the delight of heaven forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  Continue reading →

The Canon to St John of Damascus: Defender of the Holy Icons

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Dear brothers and sisters, Sunday’s celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy reminded me that I had been remiss in sharing the canon to St John of Damascus with one of our parishioners, so I am posting the canon to this great Church Father below, hoping that parishioners might do a little on-line research into this holy father and his defence of sacred imagery in the life and worship of the Church.

Canon of the Venerable One, Tone II

Ode I, Irmos: In the deep of old the infinite Power overwhelmed Pharaoh’s whole army. * But the Incarnate Word annihilated pernicious sin. * Exceedingly glorious is the Lord, * for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

To me who desirest to begin thy praises, grant me now thy honeyed voice, O venerable one, wherewith thou didst with hymns illumine the Orthodox Church which honoureth thy memory, O father John.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

To me who desirest to begin thy praises, grant me now thy honeyed voice, O venerable one, wherewith thou didst with hymns illumine the Orthodox Church which honoureth thy memory, O father John.

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

Perceiving the nature of things most excellently, as a wise judge keen of intellect, thou didst prefer eternal things to those which do not last; for thou didst trade transitory things for those which are abiding, O John, where Christ hath now glorified thee.

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

Thou hast been shown to surpass all creation, visible and invisible, O pure Ever-virgin; for thou gavest birth to the Creator, in that it was His good pleasure to become incarnate in thy womb. Him do thou entreat with boldness, that He save those who hymn thee.

Ode III, Irmos:  The desert of the barren Church of the nations * blossomed like a lily * at Thy coming, O Lord, * therein hath my heart been established.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst distribute thy wealth, thereby giving it back to God; wherefore, the kingdom in the heavens hath been prepared for thee, and thou hast now received abundant rewards, O John.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst distribute thy wealth, thereby giving it back to God; wherefore, the kingdom in the heavens hath been prepared for thee, and thou hast now received abundant rewards, O John.

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

Receiving a talant of wisdom, O John, thou didst adorn the Church of Christ, adorning it with thy deeds; and, departing this life, thou hast increased it exceedingly.

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

The ranks of angels were astonished, O most pure one, and the hearts of mortals were filled with awe at thy birthgiving. Wherefore, we honour thee, the Theotokos, with faith.

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.

Sedalion of the venerable one, Tone III: Thou hast been shown to us to be a melodious and sanctified trumpet, O most sacred one, sounding forth in hymnody the teachings of the Lord and Saviour to the ends of the earth; and by thy words thou hast illumined the earth, O venerable John, entreat Christ God, that He grant us great mercy. (Twice)

Stavrotheotokion, Tone III (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): 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: * “Woe is me, O my Child! * How is it that Thou dost suffer willingly, * desiring to redeem mankind ** from the indignity of the passions?”

Ode IV, Irmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come forth, not as an ambassador, * nor as an Angel, * but the very Lord himself incarnate, * and didst save me, the whole man; * wherefore I cry unto Thee: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst distribute thy wealth, thereby giving it back to God; wherefore, the kingdom in the heavens hath been prepared for thee, and thou hast now received abundant rewards, O John.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Submitting to the command of Christ, thou didst forsake the beauty, wealth, sweetness and splendour of the world; and taking up thy cross for His sake, O wise John, thou didst follow after Him.

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

Impoverishing thyself for Christ Who impoverished Himself for the sake of our salvation, thou wast glorified with Him as He promised, and dost now reign with Him Who reigneth for ever, O John.

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

All of us, the faithful, know thee to be the haven of salvation and an invincible rampart, O Lady Theotokos; for by thy supplications thou dost deliver our souls from tribulations.

Ode V, Irmos: O Christ God Thou art a mediator between God and man; * for by Thee, O Master, * we have been led from the night of ignorance, * to Thy Father, the Source of light.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Made steadfast in the divine life by the fear of Christ, O father John, thou didst subject all thy carnal mind to thy spirit, cleansing thy senses.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Made steadfast in the divine life by the fear of Christ, O father John, thou didst subject all thy carnal mind to thy spirit, cleansing thy senses.

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

Having assiduously purified body, mind and soul of all defilement, O divinely wise one, thou didst receive the splendour of the threefold Sun, Who hath enriched thee with radiant gifts.

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

Entreat thy Son and Lord, O pure Virgin; that He grant deliverance from the assaults of the adversary to all captives and peace to those who place their hope on thee.

Ode VI, Irmos: I am held fast in the depths of sin O Saviour, * and am overwhelmed by the sea of life, * but as Jonah was delivered from the sea-monster, * so also deliver me from the passions, * and save me.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Illumined by the grace of the Spirit, and clearly enriched by the knowledge of secular things, thou didst generously give thy wealth to the needy, O John.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Illumined by the grace of the Spirit, and clearly enriched by the knowledge of secular things, thou didst generously give thy wealth to the needy, O John.

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

Like the choirs of heaven didst thou adorn the Church in Orthodox manner, intoning divine harmonious hymns to the Trinity.

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

Thou gavest birth without knowing a man, O Virgin, and remainest eternally virgin, revealing the true Godhead of thy Son and God in images.

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

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

Kontakion of the venerable one, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up upon the Cross …”: Let us hymn John, the honoured and divinely eloquent speaker and hymnographer, * the instructor and teacher of the Church, * the opponent of the enemy; * for taking up the Cross of the Lord as a sword, * he hath cut down all the falsehood of heresies, * and as a fervent intercessor before God ** he bestoweth forgiveness of transgressions upon all.

Ikos: Together let us cry out to the instructor, teacher and priest of the Church, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries: By thy supplications to God open our mouths and grant that we may speak the words of thy doctrines; for thou didst appear in the world as one who shares in the Trinity, shining forth in the world like another sun, illumining all with thy miracles and teachings, like Moses ever instructing in the law of the Lord. And thou wast a luminary in word and deed, praying unceasingly, that forgiveness of transgressions be given to all.

Ode VII, Irmos: The godless order of the lawless tyrant * fanned the roaring flame; * but Christ bedewed the God-fearing children with the Spirit, * therefore He is blessed and supremely exalted.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Afire with zeal, thou didst strike down all the false knowledge of God-opposing heresies with thy splendid writings, O John, manifestly making clear what had been sown of old by the wise and written carefully.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Afire with zeal, thou didst strike down all the false knowledge of God-opposing heresies with thy splendid writings, O John, manifestly making clear what had been sown of old by the wise and written carefully.

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

With the discourses and the dogmas compiled by thee, thou didst fervently denounce the blasphemous impiety of the abominable disciples of Manes, who strove to infect the Church of Christ, O John.

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

O undefiled Virgin, Mother unwedded, we know thee to be more holy than the saints, in that thou alone hast given birth to the immutable God; for thou hast poured forth incorruption upon all the faithful by thy divine birth giving.

Ode VIII, Irmos: In Babylon, the activity of the fire was once divided, * for, by the command of God it consumed the Chaldeans, * but bedewed the faithful, who chant: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst openly denounce the division of Nestorius, the confusion of Severus and the monothelite foolishness, O thrice-blessed John, shining forth the radiance of Orthodoxy upon all the ends of the earth in the one true Faith.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst openly denounce the division of Nestorius, the confusion of Severus and the monothelite foolishness, O thrice-blessed John, shining forth the radiance of Orthodoxy upon all the ends of the earth in the one true Faith.

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

The enemy abundantly sowed the tares of heresy in the Church of Christ, that the worship of Christ in His precious icons might be eliminated; but he did not find thee sleeping, O all-blessed John, who uprooted every seed of evil.

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

Without seed didst thou conceive Him Who is inseparable from the Father and dwelt in thy womb as God and man, and thou hast given birth to Him ineffably, O most pure Theotokos. Wherefore, we confess thee to be the salvation of us all.

Ode IX, Irmos: The Son of the Unoriginate Father, God and Lord, * hath appeared to us incarnate of a Virgin, * to enlighten those in darkness, * and to gather the dispersed; * therefore the all-hymned Theotokos do we magnify.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou hast taught all the children of the Church to hymn in an Orthodox fashion the adored Unity in Trinity, and to clearly theologize concerning the divine incarnation of the Word, O John, explaining those things which many find difficult to understand in the sacred Scriptures.

Venerable father, John, pray to God for us.

Thou hast taught all the children of the Church to hymn in an Orthodox fashion the adored Unity in Trinity, and to clearly theologize concerning the divine incarnation of the Word, O John, explaining those things which many find difficult to understand in the sacred Scriptures.

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

Having hymned the ranks of the saints, the pure Theotokos, the forerunner of Christ, the apostles, the prophets, fasters and wise teachers, the righteous and the martyrs, O John, thou dost now abide in their mansions.

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

In a manner beyond understanding, O Virgin Theotokos, thou didst become the bridal-chamber of the incarnation of the Word, arrayed and embroidered with the glory of the virtues. Wherefore, we proclaim thee to be the Theotokos, O allimmaculate one.

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Troparion of the venerable one, Tone VIII: Teacher of Orthodoxy, instructor of piety and chastity, * luminary of the Church, God-inspired nourishment of monastics, * O supremely wise John, thou spiritual flute illumining all, ** entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

A Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God For When We Prepare For Confession

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This canon, which is to be found the Greek Great Book of Needs, is also chanted at Tuesday Compline in the week of tone six of the Octoechos. Whilst we are having confessions during Saturday Compline, this may be pertinent to be chanted at that time, and would certainly be valuable for parishioners as they prepare for confession and Holy Communion. In the Euchologion (Book of Needs) it is followed by a prayer of absolution by St John of Damascus, making it clear that it is intended for use in this context.

In Christ – Hieromonk Mark

A Composition of Monk Euthymios, the Chancellor, Tone 6.

Ode 1, Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, * on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, * they cried: * Let us sing to God * a song of victory.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

In every way I lament my vile life and the multitude of mine abominable sins. How shall I confess to thee, О pure one? I am at a loss and filled with fear. Yet help me, О Lady.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

How shall I begin to speak of my wicked and grievous falls, plagued as I am by the passions? Woe is me! What shall I do? Yet before the end take pity on me, О Lady.

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

I ever contemplate the hour of death and the dread tribunal, О most pure one, yet am I grievously led astray by my most wicked habits. But do thou help me.

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

The corrupter of the good, seeing me now stripped naked of godly virtues, fallen far away from God and become a stranger to Him, striveth to devour me. But do thou prevent him, О Lady.

Ode 3, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thou, * O Lord my God, * who hast exalted the horn of The faithful O good One, * and strengthened us upon the rock * of Thy confession.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I have vilely besmirched my soul with mine evil and abominable deeds, plagued as I am by the passions, О Lady Theotokos. Where then shall I go, who  am wholly stuck fast in despondency?

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Though created in the image of God, I have sullied my prodigal self by mine haughty will, О pure one, and through my likeness, in works, in word and thought, I have committed unseemly deeds.

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

There is no other man who hath committed such unseemly acts, nor any other born into the world as darkened in mind as I, О good one; for I have defiled my divine baptism.

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

I have reached the end of mine evils, О most holy Virgin. Quickly help me, for heaven and earth cry out bitterly because of my vile and wicked deeds.

Ode 4, Irmos: Christ is my power, * my God and my Lord, * the holy Church divinely singeth, * crying with a pure mind, * keeping festival in the Lord.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The ranks of angels and the armies of the hosts of heaven are in awe of the might of thy Son, О pure one. But I am in despair, stuck fast in my lack of fear.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

All the earth hath been amazed and astonished, beholding me committing evil, wicked and vile acts, and it marvelleth at the great loving-kindness of thy Son.

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

I have wickedly defiled the temple of my body, and the temple of the Lord which we enter with trembling; for although I am a prodigal, I enter it without shame. Woe is me!

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

Lady, show me not, О show me not to have wandered away from the tabernacle of thy Son, though I am in every way unworthy, but wash me. clean of the defilement of my transgressions.

Ode 5, Irmos: Illumine with Thy divine light, I pray, O Good One, * the souls of those who with love rise early to pray to Thee, * that they may know Thee, O Word of God, * as the true God, * Who recalleth us from the darkness of sin.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

With thy divine effulgence, О good one, cure my soul of the passions which the corrupter hath sown therein, and deliver me from his bitter captivity, for he laughs me to scorn, beholding my helpless state.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Adam broke the only commandment of thy Son, О Virgin, and was driven into exile. How shall I lament the abyss of my transgressions, for I am a criminal and have fallen away from Him?

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

Shown of old to be a murderer of his brother, Cain was cursed by God. What shall I do, who am most arrogant? I have now brought death upon my soul, and am not ashamed.

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

I have wholly emulated the cruel Esau in gluttony and eating to satiety, and have defiled my soul by drunkenness and my life with intemperance. Who will not weep for me, who am plagued by the passions? Woe is me!

Ode 6, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, * I run to Thy calm haven, and cry to Thee: * Raise up my life from corruption, * O Most Merciful One.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

My life is prodigal, my soul defiled, my way of living wholly accursed. I have grievously dishonored my whole body with evils. Wherefore, hasten thou to help me, О Virgin.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Mine end lieth before me, and I cannot bear it, О good one. My conscience denounces me, for all my wicked deeds and my prodigal life confront me, and I fear the judgment of thy Son, О pure one.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. The burning of my flesh, the dreadful river of fire which cannot be quenched, and the insatiable worm await me; but dispel them By thy prayers, О most pure one.

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

I am held fast now by trembling, О good one, and I fear the pursuit of the evil one; for before the end the corrupter desires to slay me, holding me wholly captive, stripped naked of the virtues.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

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

Sessional hymn, Tone 6: Thou art the hope, bulwark and refuge of thy people, О Virgin, from whom the Savior of all was born without pain, and thou hast saved those who set their hope on thee; for thou didst weep for thy Son at the foot of the Cross. Him do thou now beseech, that He deliver from corruption all who hymn thee.

Ode 7, Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children. * But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans * and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Seven times seven hath the evil one fanned a flame for me with the passions, ever striving to slay my heart with thoughts of fornication; wherefore, with the streams of my tears extinguish it, О Mother of God, and save me.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Despise me not who am dishonoured with the mire of my transgressions, О good Lady, for, seeing me in despair, the most evil enemy mocketh me; but do thou thyself raise me up with thy mighty hand.

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

Awesome is the tribunal, О my numb soul which is art rife with passions, and endless and terrible are the torments; yet fall down now before the Mother of thy Judge and God, and be not downcast.

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

A slave of the passions, I have been mired in a multitude of boundless evils and have defiled my soul, body and mind; wherefore, О most pure one, with the light of thy radiance quickly lead me to the sweetness of dispassion.

Ode 8, Irmos: Thou didst make flame bedew the holy children, * and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. * For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest, * Thee do we supremely exalt throughout all ages.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Virgin Mother, who hast given birth to God Who is One of the Trinity and didst bear Him in thine arms, quench thou the fiery furnace of the passions, and bathe my soul in streams of tears.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I fear the arrival of death, О most pure one, and am now wholly afraid of the judgment thereof, for I have committed evils and am in nowise ashamed. In thy prayers take pity on me before the end, О Virgin.

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

О Lady, grant me unceasing groans and give me showers of tears to wash away my many transgressions and cleanse mine incurable sores, that I may inherit everlasting life.

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

I confess to thee the multitude of mine evils, О Lady, for no one else in the world hath so angered thy God, Son and Lord; wherefore, quickly move Him to mercy toward me, О Virgin,

Ode 9, Irmos: It is impossible for mankind to see God * upon Whom the orders of Angels dare not gaze; * but through thee, O all-pure one, * did the Word Incarnate become a man * and with the Heavenly Hosts * Him we magnify and thee we call blessed.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Knowing the might of thy great supplication, О most pure one, lo! I approach thee with great fear and love; for thy maternal pleas to thy Son are truly able to accomplish much, for through His loving-kindness is He inclined to mercy.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Take the choirs of the archangels and the multitude of the heavenly armies of my Creator, the assemblies of apostles and prophets, the martyrs, the venerable and the hieromartyrs, О pure one, and pray for us to God.

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

Let me obtain thine aid now and at that hour when my spirit shall depart, О pure one, and, rescuing me quickly, deliver me from the tyranny of the demons, and leave me not in their clutches, О good and most immaculate one.

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

I await the compassionate Judge, thy Son Who is the Lover of mankind, О pure one. Disdain me not, but render Him well-disposed towards me, that at His most pure tribunal He may set me on His right hand, О all-immaculate one, for I have set my hope on thee.

All of this canon talk! What does it even mean?

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With all of this pre-Lenten talk of the Great Canon, there must be newer parishioners asking “but what is a canon?!?”

In this case we are talking of a hymn-cycle written to reflect the Biblical Odes, with hymn verses (troparia) alternating with refrains.

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

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

The nine Canticles are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: https://orthodoxwiki.org/Biblical_Odes

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

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

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

Supplication to St Varus, for those who have died without Holy Baptism made the canon to the Great-Martyr popular in Russia, Belorus and Ukraine, and similarly the canon to St Paisius for those who have died without repentance.

Over the centuries after the reforms of Patriarch Nikon, the growing popularity of akathist hymns (of varying, and sometimes dubious quality) largely supplanted the chanting of canons by many believers, but it is firstly to the canons that we should turn for intercessory prayer and supplication, rather than akathist hymns, as the canons are the liturgical prayers and hymns of the Church.

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

This is easier for those praying in Slavonic, as the Kanonik is freely available as a unified collection of texts, in print and electronically, but with the wealth of liturgical material available on-line, a little searching will lead those praying in English to a wealth of resources – especially in the monthly menaia to be found online at the ponomar project (https://www.ponomar.net)

…and at st-sergius.org (http://www.st-sergius.org/services/pent/100.pdf), both also having texts in Slavonic.

On our Parish webpage, we are keen to publish such liturgical canons, and also give the Slavonic links on WhatsApp.

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

The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete, with its amazing overview of the mystery of repentance through the characters of the Bible should be upon everyone’s lips this week… wherever we are!

As we seek to increase our prayers in Lent, the liturgical canons should be part of our expanded prayer-life!

The Canon For the Meeting of the Lord

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Canon of the Meeting, the acrostic whereof is: “Joyously the elder embraceth Christ”, the composition of Cosmas of Maïuma, in Tone III

Ode I, Irmos: The sun once passed over dry land born of the deep, for the water became firm as a wall on either side when the people traversed the sea, chanting in God-pleasing manner: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

Let the clouds pour forth rain, for Christ the Sun Who is borne aloft upon a light cloud is brought to the temple as a babe on the arm of the unblemished one. Wherefore, O ye faithful, let us cry aloud: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

Let the clouds pour forth rain, for Christ the Sun Who is borne aloft upon a light cloud is brought to the temple as a babe on the arm of the unblemished one. Wherefore, O ye faithful, let us cry aloud: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

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

Be strong, ye hands of Symeon feeble with age; and ye weary legs of the elder, move quickly and straight to meet Christ, joining chorus with the incorporeal ones, chanting: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

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

O ye heavens stretched out in wisdom, be glad; and rejoice, O thou earth! For Christ the Artificer, having come forth from the most blessed womb of His Mother, is borne by the Virgin Mother to God the Father as a babe, He Who was before all the ages, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Katavasia: The sun once passed over dry land born of the deep, for the water became firm as a wall on either side when the people traversed the sea, chanting in God-pleasing manner: Let us sing unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!

Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, Thou confirmation of them that trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

He that was first begotten of the Father before the ages hath appeared as the first-born Babe of the undefiled Virgin, stretching forth His hand unto Adam.

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

He that was first begotten of the Father before the ages hath appeared as the first-born Babe of the undefiled Virgin, stretching forth His hand unto Adam.

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

God the Word hath appeared as a babe, setting aright the first-created man, who through deception had become childish of mind.

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

The Creator, having become a Babe without undergoing change, hath shown forth our nature, the product of the earth to which it doth return again, to be like unto divinity.

Katavasia: O Lord, Thou confirmation of them that trust in Thee, establish the Church which Thou hast acquired with Thy precious blood.

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

Sedalion, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Joseph marvelled…”: Of old, on Mount Sinai, Moses beheld the back-parts of God, and in the midst of the darkness and whirlwind he was counted worthy to hear the still small voice of God; and now Symeon hath received in his arms God Who hath become immutably incarnate for our sake. And he hastened to leave things here below for life everlasting;therefore, he cried out: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Master!”

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 sedalion is repeated.

Ode IV, Irmos: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the Temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

Rejoicing, the Theotokos cried out: O Symeon, initiate of ineffable mysteries, take in thine arms Christ, the Word become a babe, of Whom thou wast informed of old by the Holy Spirit, and cry out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

Rejoicing, the Theotokos cried out: O Symeon, initiate of ineffable mysteries, take in thine arms Christ, the Word become a babe, of Whom thou wast informed of old by the Holy Spirit, and cry out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

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

O Symeon, rejoicing take up Christ, the little Child, on Whom thou hast set thy hope, the Consolation of the Israel of God, the Creator and Master of the law, Who fulfilleth the order of the law; and cry aloud unto Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

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

Beholding the unoriginate Word borne as a babe in the flesh by the Virgin as on the throne of the cherubim, the Author of all, Symeon marvelled and cried out to Him: All things are filled with Thy praise!

Katavasia: Thy virtue hath covered the heavens, O Christ; for having issued forth from Thine immaculate Mother, the ark of Thy holiness, Thou hast appeared in the Temple of Thy glory as a babe borne in arms, and all things have been filled with Thy praise.

Ode V, Irmos: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: Woe is me! for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

The divine elder, comprehending the glory that was manifested of old to the prophet, beholding the Word held in His Mother’s arms, cried out: Rejoice, O pure one, for as a throne dost thou hold God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

The divine elder, comprehending the glory that was manifested of old to the prophet, beholding the Word held in His Mother’s arms, cried out: Rejoice, O pure one, for as a throne dost thou hold God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!

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

The elder, bowing low and divinely touching the feet of the Mother of God who kneweth not wedlock, said: O pure one, thou dost bear Fire! I fear to hold the infant God, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace!

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

Isaiah, purified by the burning ember brought by the seraphim, and the elder illumined by the Mother of God, cried to her: thou hast given me Him Whom thou dost bear in thine arms as with tongs, the Light unwaning, Who reigneth with peace.

Katavasia: In a vision Isaiah beheld God exalted upon a throne borne aloft by angels of glory, and he cried: Woe is me! for I have beheld beforehand the incarnate God, the unwaning Light, Who reigneth with peace!

Ode VI, Irmos: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which was come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ! Thou art my God!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

In Sion wast Thou set as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for the disobedient, and the inviolate salvation of the faithful.

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

In Sion wast Thou set as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for the disobedient, and the inviolate salvation of the faithful.

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

Manifestly bearing the lineaments of Him Who begot Thee before the ages, Thou hast now been clothed in the weakness of mortals in Thy lovingkindness.

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

Now lettest Thou depart in peace him that worshipped Thee as the Son of the Most High, the Son of the Virgin, God become a Child.

Katavasia: The elder, beholding with his own eyes the salvation which was come to me from God, cried out to Thee, O Christ! Thou art my God!

Kontakion, Tone I: O Thou Who didst hallow the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth and didst bless the hands of Symeon as was meet, by anticipation Thou hast now saved even us, O Christ God. But in the midst of battle grant peace to Thy community, and strengthen the hierarchs whom Thou hast loved, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.

Ikos: Let us make haste to the Theotokos, desiring to behold her Son borne to Symeon. Looking upon Him from heaven, the bodiless hosts are amazed, saying: “Things wondrous, most glorious, unapproachable and ineffable do we behold: for He Who created Adam is borne as an infant; He Whom nought can contain is held in the elder’s arms; He Who is in the infinite bosom of His Father is of His own will limited by the flesh, but not in His divinity, He Who alone loveth mankind.”

Ode VII, Irmos: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

I go to announce the glad tidings unto Adam who dwelleth in hades and unto Eve, cried Symeon, joining chorus with the prophets, singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

I go to announce the glad tidings unto Adam who dwelleth in hades and unto Eve, cried Symeon, joining chorus with the prophets, singing: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

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

God Who doth deliver the mortal race shall go even unto hades; He shall grant remission to all, sight to the blind, and even the mute shall chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

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

And Symeon foretold to the Virgin: A sword shall pierce thy heart, O incorrupt one, beholding thy Son upon the Cross, to Whom we cry out: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Katavasia: We hymn Thee, God the Word Who bedewed the theologizing children in the fire and dwelt within the incorrupt Virgin, and piously we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII, Irmos: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee.

O people of Israel, beholding your glory, Emmanuel, the Babe born of the Virgin, now join ye chorus in the presence of the Ark of God, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Behold, cried Symeon, this One Who is both God and Babe shall be a sign of contradiction. O ye faithful, let us cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

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

God the Word, being Life itself and having become a Babe, shall be the downfall of the disobedient, but the restoration of them that chant with faith: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

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

Be it known that of the following fourteen refrains, the first two are used before the irmos and its repetition; then each troparion of the canon receiveth four refrains, one for each time it is executed. When all fourteen refrains have been used with the irmos and troparia, both choirs come together and chant the first refrain before repeating the irmos as katavasia.

Katavasia: United in the unbearable fire, yet unharmed by its flame, the pious youths chanted a divine hymn in intercession: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Refrain: O Virgin Theotokos, thou hope of Christians, preserve and save those who trust in thee.

Ode IX, Irmos: In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who kneweth not man.

Refrain: “It is not the elder who holdeth Me, but rather I hold him; for he asketh Me to dismiss him.”

In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who kneweth not man.

Refrain: “It is not the elder who holdeth Me, but rather I hold him; for he asketh Me to dismiss him.”

In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who kneweth not man.

Refrain: How dost thou hold the Ember, O mystic tongs? How dost thou feed Him Who sustaineth all

In the shadow and the writings of the law do we behold an image, O ye faithful: every male child which openeth the womb is consecrated to God. Wherefore, we magnify the first-born Word of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the Mother who kneweth not man.

Refrain: O daughter of Phanuel, come and stand with us, and give thanks to Christ the Savior, the Son of God.

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Refrain: The chaste Anna proclaimeth awesome things, confessing Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth.

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Refrain: The chaste Anna proclaimeth awesome things, confessing Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth.

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Refrain: Unapproachable to angels and men is what was wrought within thee, O pure Virgin Mary.

The ancients were wont to offer a pair of new-born doves and two young birds, but the godly elder and the chaste prophetess Anna serve in their stead, magnifying the only-begotten Son of the Father, Who was born of the Virgin and is borne into the temple.

Refrain: The pure dove, the unblemished ewe-lamb, beareth the Lamb and Shepherd into the temple.

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

Refrain: O Christ, Thou King of all, grant victory over all heresies to thy faithful hierarchs!

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

Refrain: O Christ, Thou King of all, grant me fervent tears, that I may weep over my soul, which I have wickedly ruined!

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

Refrain: Let us piously praise the thrice-radiant Godhead in three Hypostases.

Thou hast imparted unto me the joy of Thy salvation, cried Symeon. Accept Thou Thy servant, for I am weary of the shadow, as a mystic and sacred preacher of the new grace, magnifying Thee in praise!

Refrain: O Virgin Mary, illumine my soul which hath been grievously darkened by the pleasures of life!

The aged Anna, chaste and venerable, prophesying in sacred manner, openly con- fessed the Lord in the temple, and she magnified the Theotokos, proclaiming her to all present.

Refrain: O Virgin Theotokos, thou hope of Christians, preserve and save those who trust in thee.

The aged Anna, chaste and venerable, prophesying in sacred manner, openly con- fessed the Lord in the temple, and she magnified the Theotokos, proclaiming her to all present.

Katavasia: In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * let us, the faithful, discern a figure: * every male child that openeth the womb * shall be sanctified to God. * Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word * and Son of the beginningless Father, * the firstborn Child of a Mother who hath not known a man.

Troparion, Tone I: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, * for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness, * illumining those in darkness. * Be glad, also, O righteous elder * who hath received in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, ** Who granteth us the resurrection.

 

 

The Canon to St Brigid of Kildare

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Canon of the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is: “Let us hymn Brigid who hath come to us from the West,” the composition of Valeria, in Tone II

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

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Led by the Providence of God, O venerable one, as were the chosen people in the wilderness, fleeing the darkness of unbelief as though it were the army of Pharaoh, thou didst cry aloud: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Burning with apostolic zeal, O honoured Brigid, and planting the Orthodox Faith in thy homeland, rejoicing thou didst chant: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

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

Desirous of the monastic life, thou didst offer up to God fervent supplication. Wherefore, having found what thou hast desired, thou didst cry out: I shall sing unto the Lord, for He hath been glorified!

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

O Lady Theotokos, accept thou the faithful Brigid who prayeth for us, that, possessed of her intercession, we may hymn and glorify thee.

Ode  III, Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath been broken by Thy might, O Christ, and the weak have been girded about with strength.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Let us glorify Patrick and Brigid, the enlighteners of the Irish land, who, girded about with the strength of Christ, shattered the idols of unbelief.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Having deprived thyself of a bodily eye, thou didst acquire the vision of things

heavenly and unknown, O venerable one; for the power of God is made perfect in weakness.

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

Thou didst resolve to journey to the heavenly kingdom by the narrow way, O Brigid, strengthened by the grace of God, crying aloud: Thou, O Christ, art the strength of the weak!

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

O Mother and Virgin, not in wisdom, strength or riches do we boast, but in thee who hast raised up the human race to the heights.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: The choirs of the righteous ever exult in heaven with the venerable Brigid, especially those who labored apostolically: Mary Magdalene who, on reaching Rome, preached the Resurrection of Christ, the holy Nina who planted the Christian Faith in the land of Iberia, the righteous Princess Olga who ordered the first church in the land of Russia to be built, and Cyril and Methodius who were shown to be the enlighteners of the Slavic lands. Wherefore, we honour Brigid as one worthy to be numbered among them and, celebrating her feast, with gladness we cry out: Rejoice, O thou who didst bring the Orthodox Faith from the East even unto the west! Rejoice, thou who didst raise up congregations of monastics! Pray thou unceasingly, O venerable one, that our souls be saved. (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: I am fallen into the labyrinthine temptations laid for me by enemies visible and invisible, and am beset by the tempest of my countless sins, O pure one. Thus I flee to thy goodness as to my fervent assistance, my protection and refuge. Wherefore, O all- pure one, entreat Him Who was incarnate of thee without seed in behalf of all thy servants who unceasingly hymn thee, O all-pure Theotokos, earnestly beseeching Him to grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith bow down before thy birthgiving.

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

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Considering the beauty of the body as nought, and destroying one of thine eyes, thou didst rejoice, O venerable one, desiring to behold the splendour of heaven and to glorify God with the choirs of the righteous.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Spurning an earthly betrothed and praying that the refusal of thy parents be changed, thou didst find aid from on high beyond hope, depriving thyself of the beauty of thy body.

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

Thou didst imitate the apostles, didst emulate the venerable, and in patience didst follow after the passion-bearers, O blessed Brigid.

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

Cover us with thy precious veil, O Mistress, delivering us from all want and grief, that together we may glorify thy loving-kindness and thine inaccessible power.

Ode V, Irmos: Night was far spent; the day was at hand, and Light shone forth upon the world; for which cause the ranks of angels praise Thee and all creatures glorify Thee.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

The ranks of angels rejoiced, beholding thee, O Brigid, laboring in the field of Christ and bringing fruit a hundredfold to God. Wherefore, they chanted glorification unto the Creator of all.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Let us honour the two glorious enlighteners: Patrick, apostle of the Irish land, and Brigid, who founded the first convent in her native land; for they have been shown to be planters of the Orthodox Faith.

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

Having by thy labors banished the hosts of hell to the outermost darkness, O venerable mother, the Christian Faith of the threefold Sun shone forth in thy homeland. Wherefore, lifting up our voices, we glorify thee.

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

To whom shall we flee, if not to thee, O Theotokos, thou light of our benighted souls? For thou art the hope of the hopeless and the help of the embattled, and on thee do we set all our hope.

Ode VI, Irmos: Hearkening unto the cry of words of supplication that issue forth from a soul in pain, O Master, deliver me from evils, in that Thou alone art the Author of our salvation.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Though thou wast but a frail woman, O venerable one, yet didst thou fell invisible foes, as David did Goliath, with the sling of thy prayers to the Saviour, God Almighty.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Bringing thine eye to the incorrupt heavenly Bridegroom as a dowry, O Brigid, thou didst truly betroth thyself to Him, and didst go forth, lighting the lamp of faith and love, to meet Him Who cometh at midnight.

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

Shown forth as the victor in spiritual battle, thou didst rise up against the hosts which besieged thy great city, O venerable one, and didst bring them into consternation by thine intercession before God for the people who cried out to Him in the pain of their souls.

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

O all-pure, all-blessed and all-merciful Virgin Theotokos: Look upon us who languish in the abyss of evils, and grant relief to us thy servants.

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 VI: Rejecting thy noble rank, and loving the godly monastic life, from oaken wood didst thou build a convent, the first in thy land; and having there united a multitude of nuns to God, thou didst teach the surrounding lands to cry to the Lord: Have mercy on us!

Ikos: Be thou mindful of the people thou didst enlighten, O venerable Brigid, guiding them to the straight path. Go forth to save the stray lambs, leading them back from the wilderness to the fold of the Church, that with one heart and one mouth we may cry: O almighty Saviour, have mercy on us!

Ode VII, Irmos: The children most wise did not worship the golden body, and entered into the flame themselves; they mocked the gods of the heathen and cried out in the midst of the flame; and the Angel bedewed them, saying: The prayer of your lips hath been heard!

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Stretching forth thy venerable hands unto God, O Brigid, thou didst still the bestial raging of the enemy as Daniel stilled the savagery of the lions. Wherefore, saved, the people cried out one to another: The prayer of our lips hath been heard!

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

The blessed God of our fathers, Who delivered the youths out of the hands of the Chaldæan tyrant, delivered thy city from the incursion of barbarians, moved to mercy by thy supplications, O Brigid.

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

While the tumult of battle raged and the people wept, thou didst lift up thy voice to Him Who alone is mighty in battle, O venerable one; and answering thee as He did Moses, He said: “Wherefore criest thou unto Me? I will yet again save the people, taking pity on them!”

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

Thee alone do we have as a protection and aid, O most holy and all- immaculate Theotokos; for mightily hast thou done battle against the enemies, visible and invisible, that war against us.

Ode VIII, Irmos: Him Who once, in the bush on Mount Sinai, prefigured for Moses the wonder of the Virgin, do ye hymn and exalt supremely for all ages!

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

The two glorious preachers of Christ proclaimed the worship of the Trinity and the Orthodox Faith; wherefore, the newly-enlightened people cried out: Hymn and bless ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

From a place on the left hand at the dread tribunal of Christ, and from everlasting and unquenchable fire, do thou deliver us by thine intercession, O glorious Brigid, that we may hymn and exalt the Lord supremely for all ages.

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

Beholding thee who didst fend off the deadly sword from the city and cast the hordes of the foe into confusion, the people, saved beyond hope, cried out: Hymn and bless ye the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

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

In supplications do we call upon the all-pure Theotokos, whom the unburnt bush prefigured for Moses, crying aloud: Quench thou the flame of the passions and of grievous temptations, that we may hymn and supremely exalt thee, O Queen, for all ages.

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

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

Hymning thy struggles and celebrating thy commemoration with splendour, O Brigid, with all our soul we magnify thee as one who planted the right Faith in the lands of the West.

Venerable Mother, Brigid, pray to God for us.

O venerable one, hallow thy temple by thy coming, accepting the entreaties offered up therein, and bestowing gifts of grace upon the people, that we may magnify Christ Who hath given thee to us as an intercessor.

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

Have we glorified thee as is meet, O venerable mother? Have we offered thee fitting praise? Yet do thou accept our hymnody as a drop of dew upon the blossoms of thy virtues, that we may magnify thy humbleness of mind.

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

Possessed of a maternal boldness before thy Son, O pure one, disdain not the supplications we offer unto thee, but bear them to Christ God Whom, with thee, O Mistress, we magnify.

Celtic style Cross with

Troparion, Tone IV: Instructed by the discourses of the holy Patrick, * thou didst arrive at the most extreme west, * heralding the Orient * which hath visited us from on high. * Wherefore, we bless thee, O venerable mother Bridget, * and cry out to thee: ** Pray thou on behalf of our souls.

The Holy Wonder-Workers & Unmercenary Physicians Cyrus & John

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The 31st Day of the Month of January: Commemoration of the Holy Wonder-Workers & Unmercenary Physicians Cyrus & John

Saint Cyrus was a noted physician in the city of Alexandria, where he had been born and raised. He was a Christian and he treated the sick without charge, not only curing their bodily afflictions, but also healing their spiritual infirmities. He would say, “Whoever wishes to avoid being ill should refrain from sin, for sin is often the cause of bodily illness.” Preaching the Gospel, the holy physician converted many pagans to Christ. During the persecution by Diocletian (284-305), Saint Cyrus withdrew into Arabia, where he became a monk. He continued to heal people by his prayer, having received from God the gift to heal every sickness.

In the city of Edessa at this time lived the soldier John, a pious Christian. When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and there he heard about Saint Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When Saint John finally found Saint Cyrus, he remained with him and became his faithful follower.

They learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Saints Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women might renounce Christ.

Saints Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Saints Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Saints Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.

At the same place they executed the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John. Christians buried their bodies in the church of the holy Evangelist Mark. In the fifth century the relics of Saints Cyrus and John were transferred from Canopis to Manuphin. Later on their relics were transferred to Rome, and from there to Munchen (Munich) (another account is located under June 28).

Saints Cyrus and John are invoked by those who have difficulty in sleeping.

Source: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/01/31/100380-holy-wonderworkers-and-unmercenaries-cyrus-and-john-and-those-wi

The Canon, in Tone IV

Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the depths of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, Israel of old vanquished the might of Amalek in the wilderness by Moses’ arms stretched out in the form of the Cross.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Thou didst receive the power to oppose falsehood, O blessed Cyrus, having the glorious John as the fellow sufferer of thy pangs; wherefore, ye delight in most sublime sweetness in the heavens.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Girded about with spiritual skill in battle, O most honoured Cyrus, and having forsaken the earthly army, O most lauded John, ye have received from Christ victories over the demons.

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

Emulating the virtue of the blessed woman Thecla, ye piously arrayed yourselves in the angelic vesture of virginity and together were drawn to the contest by your love of martyrdom.

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

Without seed, by the will of the Father, thou didst conceive the Son through the divine Spirit of God and gavest birth in the flesh to Him Who was begotten of the Father without mother and, for our sake, from thee without father.

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

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The weakness of their flesh fortified by the sufferings of Christ, the right glorious martyrs cast down the murderer of men.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Receiving incorruptible sweetness through the Spirit, the martyrs of Christ rejoiced amid the pangs of their flesh.

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

By the Cross was the weak nature of women strengthened; wherefore, they manfully vanquished the adverse serpent.

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

O Mother of God, thou alone hast been the mediatress of good things for mortals in manner transcending nature; wherefore, we cry to thee: Rejoice!

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “O Thou Who wast lifted up…”: Trampling underfoot the pleasures which drag men down, by grace ye were taken up in splendour to the divine heights of martyrdom, O athletes Cyrus and John, ye luminaries of all the world. Wherefore, we beseech you: From the darkness of sin and afflictions deliver us, entreating Him Who is God over all. (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: I, the lowly one, have fled to thy divine refuge after God, and, falling down, I pray: Have mercy, O all-pure one, for my sins have passed over my head. O Mistress, I fear torments and tremble. Make supplication to thy Son, O pure one, that He deliver me therefrom.

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion of Wednesday and Fridays): She who in latter times gave birth in the flesh to Thee Who wast begotten of the unoriginate Father, O Christ, seeing Thee hanging upon the Cross cried out: “Woe is me, O Jesus most beloved! How is it that Thou Who art glorified as God by the angels art now of Thine own will crucified by iniquitous men? O my long-suffering Son, I hymn Thee!”

Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee lifted up upon the Cross, O Sun of righteousness, the Church stood rooted in place, crying out as is meet: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The effulgence of never-waning grace cast down the enemies who loved darkness, showing forth Cyrus and John, who fought against them, to be radiant luminaries.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Cyrus and John delighted in the love of the Trinity and, as martyrs exceedingly beloved by God, they were shown to be divine instruments through higher union.

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

In that your honoured temple is hateful to the evil spirits, it dispelleth the infirmities of all who are ill, O invincible martyrs, and imparteth the grace of healing.

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

Without knowing wedlock, O Virgin, thou gavest birth, yet wast shown to be virgin even after birthgiving. Wherefore, with unwavering faith, O Mistress, we cry out to thee with constant voices: Rejoice!

Ode V, Irmos: Thou hast come, O my Lord, as a light into the world: a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who hymn Thee with faith.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The two martyrs desired Thee, O Saviour; and Thou Who art holy among the saints hast granted repose to Cyrus and John as is meet.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Thy work, O Good One, is the destruction of the enemy, and by the Cross Thou hast made martyrs of piety and crowned them with glory.

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

Having anointed themselves with virginity to love Thee alone with wisdom undaunted, John and Cyrus showed forth courage.

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

We set thee before us as an invincible weapon against the enemy, O Bride of God; for thee do we have as the steadfastness and hope of our salvation.

Ode VI, Irmos: I will sacrifice to Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth unto Thee, cleansed of the blood of demons by the blood which, for mercy’s sake, flowed from Thy side.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The martyrs chose to be slain for Christ rather than offer sacrifice to idols, and to offer themselves to the wicked tyrant for Him Who like a lamb was slaughtered for us in His loving-kindness.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The martyrs made weak those who piteously dismembered them, and, wounded by darts, they wounded the children instead; for they were all-gloriously made steadfast by the divine Spirit.

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

Confessing the Lord and King of all creation with faith, the two martyrs were of one mind and suffered together, opposing the iniquitous even to the shedding of their blood.

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

O wonder newest of all wonders! For the Virgin, conceiving in her womb Him Who sustaineth all things, without knowing a man, yet did not confine Him.

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 III, Spec. Mel. “Today the Virgin…”: Receiving the gift of miracles from grace divine, O saints, ye work wonders unceasingly, cutting down all our passions with invisible surgery, O divinely wise Cyrus and glorious John; for ye are divine physicians.

Ikos: Offering yourselves to God, O saints, ye endured every trial for His sake, dying zealously, O valiant martyrs; and even after your repose ye pour forth divine gifts upon all in divers infirmities, healing many of afflictions, of whom I am first, wretch that I am. For I ail in body and soul because of cruel wounds, and with faith I cry out to you: Heal me, for ye are divine physicians.

Ode VII, Irmos: The children of Abraham in the Persian furnace, afire with love of piety more than with the flame, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Measuring wisdom as in the balance of a scale with the weight of all-pure glory, the athletes, suspended aloft, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Well aware of the machinations of the adversary, the martyrs, spurning alike all manner of torture and blandishments, cried: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

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

Crowned with the endurance of wounds, Cyrus and John, the defenders of the Trinity, cried out: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!

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

Rejoice, O hallowed and divine habitation of the Most High! For through thee, O Theotokos, hath joy been given to those who cry: Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Mistress.

Ode VIII, Irmos: Stretching forth his hands, Daniel shut the lions’ mouths in the pit; and the young lovers of piety, girded about with virtue, quenched the power of the fire, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The ungodly ones cruelly called upon Cyrus and John to deny Him Who is God by nature; but the invincible martyrs proclaimed the Fashioner of all creation, crying: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Raging with anger and deceit, the tormenters, their minds set on earthly things, by death sent to life those who have life indestructible in the heavens, and who cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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

The relics of the martyrs have disclosed to the whole world the brilliance of miracles, O Christ, putting to shame the phantasmal falsehood of the evil demon and magnificently imparting healings to those who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

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

The Incorporeal One, Who was begotten of the Father without mother in the beginning, was later incarnate through thee, O most pure one, desiring in His compassion to save those who sing: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Ode IX, Irmos: Christ, the Chief Cornerstone uncut by human hands, Who united the two disparate natures, was cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

Cyrus and John, the two invincible martyrs, showed themselves to be obedient to the divine commandments of the Master even unto death. Wherefore, they placed their souls in the hands of the Creator.

Holy Unmercenary Healers, Cyrus and John, pray to God for us.

The two luminaries shine with the radiance of miracles from the only light-bearing Source, pouring forth grace incorruptible unto the infirm. We magnify them as is meet.

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

Manfully the two invincible martyrs theologized concerning the Unity of the divine Essence, the Trinity of Hypostases, and the one Christ, the Word incarnate in two natures.

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

Have pity on me, O Christ, when Thou wilt come to judge the world with glory, and lift the darkness of my passions through the ­entreaties of her who gave Thee birth and of Thine honoured martyrs, in that Thou art good and greatly merciful.

Troparion, Tone V: O Christ God Who hast given us the miracles of Thy holy martyrs as an invincible rampart, through their supplications set at naught the counsels of the heathen and strengthen the scepters of kings, in that Thou alone art good and lovest mankind.