Saint Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome, was a native of the Tuscany region of Italy. He received a fine education and entered into the clergy of the Roman Church. After the death of Pope Theodore I (642-649), Martin was chosen to succeed him.
At this time the peace of the Church was disturbed by the Monothelite heresy (the false doctrine that in Christ there is only one will. He has a divine, and a human will). The endless disputes of the Monothelites with the Orthodox took place in all levels of the population. Even the emperor Constans (641-668) and Patriarch Paul of Constantinople (641-654) were adherents of the Monothelite heresy. The emperor Constans II published the heretical “Pattern of Faith” (Typos), obligatory for all the population. In it all further disputes were forbidden.
The heretical “Pattern of Faith” was received at Rome in the year 649. Saint Martin, a firm supporter of Orthodoxy, convened the Lateran Council at Rome to condemn the Monothelite heresy. At the same time Saint Martin sent a letter to Patriarch Paul, persuading him to return to the Orthodox confession of faith. The enraged emperor ordered the military commander Olympius to bring Saint Martin to trial. But Olympius feared the clergy and the people of Rome who had descended upon the Council, and he sent a soldier to murder the holy hierarch. When the assassin approached Saint Martin, he was blinded. The terrified Olympius fled to Sicily and was soon killed in battle.
In 654 the emperor sent another military commander, Theodore, to Rome. He accused Saint Martin of being in secret correspondence with the enemies of the Empire, the Saracens, and of blaspheming the Most Holy Theotokos, and of uncanonically assuming the papal throne.
Despite the proofs offered by the Roman clergy and laity of Saint Martin’s innocence, the military commander Theodore with a detachment of soldiers seized Saint Martin by night and took him to Naxos, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. Saint Martin spent an entire year on this almost unpopulated island, suffering deprivation and abuse from the guards. Then they sent the exhausted confessor to Constantinople for trial.
They carried the sick man on a stretcher, but the judges callously ordered him to stand up and answer their questions. The soldiers propped up the saint, who was weakened by illness. False witnesses came forward slandering the saint and accusing him of treasonous relations with the Saracens. The biased judges did not even bother to hear the saint’s defense. In sorrow he said, “The Lord knows what a great kindness you would show me if you would deliver me quickly over to death.”
After such a trial they brought the saint out in tattered clothes to a jeering crowd. They shouted, “Anathema to Pope Martin!” But those who knew the holy Pope was suffering unjustly, withdrew in tears. Finally the sentence was announced: Saint Martin was to be deposed from his rank and executed. They bound the half-naked saint with chains and dragged him to prison, where they locked him up with thieves. These were more merciful to the saint than the heretics.
In the midst of all this the emperor went to the dying Patriarch Paul and told him of the trial of Saint Martin. He turned away from the emperor and said, “Woe is me! This is another reason for my judgment.” He asked that Saint Martin’s torments be stopped. The emperor again sent a notary and other persons to the saint in prison to interrogate him. The saint answered, “Even if they cripple me, I will not have relations with the Church of Constantinople while it remains in its evil doctrines.” The torturers were astonished at the confessor’s boldness, and they commuted his death sentence to exile at Cherson in the Crimea.
There the saint died, exhausted by sickness, hunger and deprivations on September 16, 655. He was buried outside the city in the Blachernae church of the Most Holy Theotokos, and later the relics of the holy confessor Martin were transferred to Rome.
The Monothelite heresy was condemned at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in 680.
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Troparion, Tone 3: Thou didst strengthen the Church with true doctrine, / O wise hierarch Martin, / declaring the two natures of Christ, / putting heresy to shame. / Entreat the Lord to grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion, Tone 8: O High Priest and teacher of the mysteries, / thou didst pour forth streams of doctrine, / expounding the true doctrine of the two natures and wills of Christ. / Intercede for those who cry: “Rejoice, O blessed Father Martin.”
The Orthodox Church in America
20 апреля 2017 г.
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Canon of the holy hierarch, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VIII.
Ode I, Irmos: Irmos: That which had been hewn down divided the undivided, * and land unseen was seen by the sun; * water engulfed the cruel enemy, * and Israel traversed the impassable, chanting a hymn: * Let us sing unto the Lord, * for gloriously hath He been glorified!
Holy Father, Martin the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Thou didst endure many sufferings for Christ God, O Martin, and now hast departed unto the life which is devoid of pain, having struggled well; wherefore, ease thou the cruel pangs of my soul, that, enlightened by thy supplications, I may chant unto thee.
Holy Father, Martin the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Thou didst teach that Christ is transcendent God, One of the adored Trinity, of two natures, two wills and two activities; and all who do not worship Him thus thou didst cast forth, O blessed and most sacred Martin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Adorned with true understanding and faith, O Martin, thou didst openly denounce those who were mindless and inclined to irrationality, reasoning that there is but one will in Christ; and, rejoicing, thou didst cry out: Let us chant unto the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who is invisible in His divine nature became a visible Babe through thee, becoming man and truly possessing two wills and activities within one Hypostasis. Him do thou entreat, O most immaculate one, that He save all who hymn thee with love.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy fear, O Lord, do Thou plant * in the hearts of Thy servants * and be Thou the confirmation of us * who in truth call upon Thee.
Holy Father, Martin the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Full of divine zeal, O all-blessed Martin, thou didst convoke a council of priests confirming the doctrine of the Church.
Holy Father, Martin the Confessor, pray to God for us.
In the midst of the council thou didst anathematize Pyrrhus, Sergius, Theodore and Cyrus, and all heretics who uttered foolish things like them, O father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Exiled from Rome by force, like the sun thou didst make a circuit, shedding thy radiant beams and illumining all the Orthodox, O venerable one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy maiden, in a manner past all telling thou hast given birth to Him. Who is equally worshipped and co-enthroned with the Father, and Who possesseth two activities and two wills.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV: Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up …”: Adorned with sacred confessions, and having completed a martyric life, O wise Martin, hastening to the heavens thou hast been crowned by God with a never-fading wreath. Wherefore, we celebrate thy holy memory, crying aloud: Remember us, O sacred and blessed one, as thou standest before Christ!
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: O Theotokosfleeing to thy divine protection after God, * I humbly fall down and beseech thee: * Have mercy, O most pure one, * for my sins have submerged my being, * and trembling O Sovereign Lady, I fear the torments to come, * O pure one, entreat thy Son, ** that I may be delivered from them.
Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): She who in latter times gave birth to Thee in the flesh, * O Christ Who wast begotten of the beginningless Father, * when she saw Thee hanging upon the Cross, cried out: * “Woe is me, O Jesus most beloved! * How is it that Thou Who art worshipped as God by the angels, * art now crucified by iniquitous men? ** I hymn Thee, O Long-suffering One!”Continue reading →
Ode I, Irmos: Having passed through the water as upon dry land, * and having escaped the malice of the Egyptians, * the Israelites cried aloud: * Unto our God and Redeemer let us sing.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
The indescribable and thrice radiant Light hath shone forth upon thee in the unshakable kingdom of heaven, O father, and the gladness of the righteous hath received thee.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
The gates of Eden have been opened unto thee, O right glorious one; thou hast joined the holy hierarchs and been numbered among the Church of the firstborn.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having suffered lawfully and preserved thy priesthood pure to the end, thou hast been deemed worthy to rejoice with the priests of heaven.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having united Himself hypostatically to the flesh, and having received it from thee, O Mother of God, the Creator of all ineffably issued forth and was well pleased to draw nigh unto mankind.
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 Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Thy right wondrous and most glorious memory doth gladden the assemblies of the Orthodox with joy.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Shedding the cloud and breaking the bonds of the body, O venerable one, thou didst draw nigh unto God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As one elect, O venerable one, thou didst receive a blessed end and the delight of the chosen, as is meet.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee as my helper, O most pure Mother of God, I am not ashamed; and having thee as mine intercessor, I am delivered from mine enemies.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone III: Spec. Mel. “Of the divine faith …”:A great sun hath shone forth upon the whole world in thy virtues, and thou hast enlightened the companies of the faithful with radiance and the splendors of miracles, destroying the darkness of the passions. O Basil our father, entreat Christ God, that He grant us great 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 III: Thou wast the divine tabernacle of the Word, * O only all-pure Virgin Mother * who surpassed the angels in purity. * By the divine waters of thy supplications * cleanse me who, more than all others, * have become dust, defiled by carnal transgressions; ** and grant me great mercy, O pure one.
Stavrotheotokion (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: O Lord, I have heard the mystery of Thy dispensation; * I have considered Thy works, * and I have glorified Thy Divinity.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Making entreaty to God, O father, for thou didst cast down the haughty thinking of wicked heresy, gladdening the Church.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
The Judge of the contest hath caused thee to dwell in the tabernacles of heaven, O father, accepting thy tireless opposition to those who fought against Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
For the sake of the Traditions preserved in the Church of God, thou didst endure exile; and, winning victories, thou didst repose.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Virgin, entreat God Who was born of thee, that He grant forgiveness of sins to thy servants.
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 Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
The divine grace which abode within thee, O God-bearer, revealed thee to be a most faithful pastor of the Church.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Having mortified the wisdom and passions of thy flesh, O glorious one, thou didst follow the Spirit of life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having achieved the end of thy life in chastity and righteousness, O divinely wise one, thou hast received reward for thy virtues.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As a most holy temple, thou hast given birth to the Well-spring of dispassion, O all-immaculate Virgin Mother.
Ode VI, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, * for many are mine iniquities; * lead me up from the abyss of evils I pray Thee, * for unto Thee have I cried, * and Thou hast hearkened unto me, * O God of my salvation.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Illumined with the beauty of heavenly effulgence, O venerable one, thou didst leave thy seat on earth, and, as one most meek, received the incorruptible inheritance of those who are meek on earth.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Mocking the deception of the blasphemous heretics, O right wondrous one, thou didst most diligently master the divine and pious understanding of Orthodoxy: and venerated the icon of the Savior.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy desire for God was fulfilled, O most glorious one, for thou didst divinely pass over to Him, rejoicing; and now thou dost behold the splendors and beauties of the saints, O father.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Mankind hath been delivered from mortality and corruption; for thou didst seedlessly give birth to the Bestower of life by nature, O all-immaculate Virgin, unto the benefit of those who praise thee 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.
Kontakion, Tone II: Spec. Mel. “Seeking in the highest …”:Illumined by the light of the Most High, O blessed father, * thou dost enlighten all who with love venerate thine honored suffering. * O sacred athlete Basil, ** entreat Christ God unceasingly on behalf of us all!
Ode VII, Irmos: The Hebrew children in the furnace * boldly trampled upon the flames, * changing the fire into dew, they cried aloud: * ‘Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, throughout the ages’.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
O the ineffable gladness which thou hast been deemed worthy to receive, O all- blessed one, living in immaterial light and chanting: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout the ages!
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Beautifully adorned with the crown of divine magnificence, O all-blessed one, thou hast joined chorus with the armies on high, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout the ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As an initiate of the mysteries of the Trinity, a minister of the mysteries of heaven, render the Master merciful to those who cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout the ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou didst transform the ancient curse of Eve into a blessing, having given birth to the Son of God, to Whom we all cry: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout the ages.
Ode VIII, Irmos: By Thy grace the children became vanquishers * of both the tyrant and the flames, * carefully observing Thy commandments, * wherefore they cried aloud: * Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Delivered from the sorrows of life and grievous turmoil, O all-blessed one, thou didst receive joy and gladness past understanding, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, supremely and exalt Him throughout the ages!
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Zealously opposing the blasphemies of the blasphemers with the doctrines of the Spirit, O father, thou didst easily break them asunder, O initiate of the mysteries, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How beautiful is the place wherein thou hast made thing abode, O thou who art manifest in sanctity! How comely the habitation where thou abidest, chanting: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All of us, the faithful, have acquired thee as our intercessor, O most pure one, and, delivered from evils by thy supplications, we cry out to Christ: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout the ages!
Ode IX, Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, * we confess thee to be truly the Theotokos, * and together with the choirs of the bodiless hosts * thee do we magnify.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Thou didst live a holy life, O father, and having pleased God by thy works, thou hast received the kingdom of heaven, O wise one.
Holy Father, Basil the Confessor, pray to God for us.
Having finished the race, having kept the Faith and accomplished the struggle, O Basil, thou hast received the crown of righteousness, rejoicing.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst receive a divine name, O most blessed one, and the complete fulfillment of thy desires; wherefore, cease thou never to pray now for thy flock.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Spurn not the torrent of my tears, O Virgin who hast given birth to Christ Who taketh away all tears from every face.
The Canon of the Holy Hieromartyr Antipas of Pergamum, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour Antipas, radiant among the martyrs”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone IV.
Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Illumined by the radiance of the grace of the threefold Sun, O martyr Antipas, do thou illumine those who celebrate thy radiant feastday, delivering us from the darkness of the passions.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
The Word of God showed thee to be a true witness of His sufferings, O all-wise one, who hast destroyed impiety and vanquished all the wickedness of the demons.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having mortified the wisdom of thy flesh with much asceticism, thou wast arrayed in the sacred vesture of the divine priesthood; and didst offer the bloodless sacrifice of Him Who became mortal for thy sake.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With the radiance of thy light illumine my heart, which is mired in the night of passions and temptations, O all-immaculate Maiden, who ineffably shone forth the Sun of righteousness upon all.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church, O Christ, rejoiceth in Thee crying aloud: * Thou, O Lord, art my strength, * my refuge and foundation.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst pour forth rivers of doctrine, giving drink to the faithful, and drying up the turbulent waters of polytheism.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst cut down the might of the persecutors by the might of Christ, O blessed one, and suffering patiently thou hast received the crown of martyrdom.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst enlighten those who worshiped demons to worship the true God Who, in the richness of His compassion, bore mortal flesh, O venerable one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou hast given birth to the Redeemer Who hath delivered us all from the captivity of the enemy, O pure one. Wherefore, we piously glorify thee.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone III: Enkindled with the divine embers of the love of God, O martyr Antipas, thou didst quench the flame of ungodliness; and, thrust into a heated cauldron, thou didst depart into never-waning Light. O venerable father, entreat Christ God, that He grant us forgiveness of 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, Tone III: Without separating Himself from the divine Essence when He took flesh in thy womb, the one Lord remained God though He had become a man; and even after thy birthgiving He preserved thee, His Virgin Mother, as immaculate as thou wast before giving birth. Him do thou earnestly beseech, that He grant us great mercy.
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory be to Thy power, O Lord.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
The opposition of the most iniquitous ones did not shake the pillar of thy heart, O martyred passion-bearer; wherefore, aflame with zeal for the Faith, thou didst shown thyself to be mightier than fire.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Awakening those held fast by the slumber of impiety, O all-praised one, by the teachings of the Holy Spirit thou didst raise them up to the understanding of true knowledge.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst bring low the loftiness of the demons, yearning for God with exaltation, O Antipas, deified by divine ascents and known to be a God-seer.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou wast preserved after giving birth as thou wast before birthgiving, O incorrupt Virgin Mother; for thou hast given birth to the Creator of all, Who through thee voluntarily took upon Himself a human body.
Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who camest into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst ascend the mountain of the virtues, O blessed one, and noetically enter into the uttermost darkness, and there converse with God.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
With the nets of thy words, O holy hierarch, thou didst draw forth from the abyss of ungodliness lost souls, and saved them by grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou gavest thy body over as food for the fire, O holy hierarch, richly receiving divine dew from God.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord, Who is supremely divine in godly form, having assumed my form, made His abode within thy womb, O all-immaculate one.
Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * ‘I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise’ * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Having crucified thy members by asceticism and struggled in fasting, O blessed Antipas, thou wast crowned with the struggles of martyrdom, which thou didst undergo with firmness of mind.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst stand before the tribunal, preaching the incarnation of Him Who abased Himself for thy sake, Who stood before the tribunal of Pilate and hath slain the enemy by the Cross, O passion-bearer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Church, wherein thy patient body lieth, O blessed martyr, is a source of healing for the sick, emitting the divine effulgence of the gifts of the Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy is Jesus, O Virgin Maiden, Who made His abode within thy womb, and Who resteth in the saints and glorifieth those who glorify Him with true 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.
Kontakion, Tone IV:O most wise Antipas, the iniquitous consumed thee who tended well the sheep of God, with fire as a lamb of the flock of Christ the Chief Shepherd; and thou didst chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Ode VII, Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety * rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Emulating the three young children, O wise Antipas, thou didst stand in the midst of a cruelly heated brass vessel as they did in the midst of a furnace, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
That thou mightest be shown to be a partaker of the Light, enlightened by God thou didst pass through the darkness of the evil demons, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God my Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the activity of the Spirit, O martyr Antipas, thou dost assuage the divers sufferings of men, emulating the sufferings of Christ, and crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God my Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Word, Who with the Father is unoriginate, was truly incarnate of thy virginal blood, O Maiden, setting aright our broken state. Blessed art thou among women, O most immaculate Sovereign Lady!
Ode VIII, Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Now that thou beholdest the ultimate of good things, not in reflections or indistinct images, but face to face, transcending all shadows, thou dost cry out joyously to Him Who hath glorified thee: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
O most wise Antipas, the iniquitous consumed thee who tended well the sheep of God, with fire as a lamb of the flock of Christ the Chief Shepherd; and thou didst chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst set the feet of thy heart firmly upon the rock of the divine commandments, and the winds of cruel torments and the tempests of blandishments could not shake thee, O most wise Antipas, who chanted: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As the Mother of the Creator of all, as the divine temple of the Almighty, as the unploughed ground which produced the uncultivated Grain, O Virgin Mother, preserve the faithful who cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Ode IX, Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from thee the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who hath joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify thee, * O Theotokos.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
As a hierarch thou didst finish the sacred race, most sacredly reaching the end of thy most sacred life, O holy hierarch, and, rejoicing, thou didst run to Him Who was beloved of thee, O most sacred martyr Antipas.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Being comely in aspects of the virtues, O most sacred one, thou wast sanctified by the glory of martyrdom, and didst pass over to the comely Lord, O God-pleaser, now deified by communion with Him.
Holy Hieromartyr, Antipas, pray to God for us.
Aflame with love for the Lord, O martyr Antipas, thou didst eagerly enter the heated vessel, and being wholly consumed, O father, thou didst offer thyself to God as a pleasing sacrifice.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The sacred shrine of thy sacred relics, O blessed one, poureth forth the myrrh of healings, dispelling the fetid passions and manifestly perfuming those who glorify thy memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Bearing in thine arms Christ Who beareth all things in His hand, O pure one, entreat Him as God and Master, that He take pity upon us who ever confess thee to be the pure Theotokos, O immaculate Lady.
Just at the time in which it was relevant, I noticed my little book of homilies of Fr Daniel Sysoev, wedged into a gap between stacks of books in my cell – and it opened to a little homily on spiritual kinship.
In confession, I constantly encourage the faithful to labour to build their relationship and kinship with their guardian angel and the saint whose name they bear. Both are heavenly protectors who wish to be spiritual kin, and not ritual static figures in Orthodox spiritual identity.
As even a cursory glance at the canons and prayer to the Guardian Angel makes clear, our angelic companion has REAL influence over not only our actions, but also our minds, with all of their complications and problems, especially when we are afflicted by mental trials and temptations.
Just as God respects our freedom and will, and does not force or coerce us in the events and actions of life, neither do our guardian angels, but rather ever-vigilantly await our cries and calls for help, wanting us to align our will with that of God, who created both them and us. It is in this alignment and obedience to the Lord, and in knowing and pursuing our need for angelic assistance – the gift of God – that we are able to build bonds of kinship, regardless of time and space, physicality and immateriality.
Our Guardian Angel wants to be part of our life; to share in each hour day, as a sign of God’s love and care for us. But… we must want this for it to become an actualised reality.
Fr Daniel – a martyr for the Faith – wrote,
“The angels of God can be people’s friends, and, as we know, we share a friendship with our guardian angel, be it only to a small degree. I hope that we will all feel warmly toward our guardian angels, that we may try to greet them and pray to them, and that they will look after us. If we try to do good things with their help, it will give rise to that friendship that can blossom beyond the limits of time… Each person must find spiritual friendship which transcends both time and the difference between beings, between people and angels, so that we may enkindled together and glorify the Trinity, from whom we draw this strength.”
So… make sure that WITHOUT FAIL, you pray to your guardian angel EVERY day.
If you have time, don’t simply turn to the Canon to the Holy Guardian Angel when preparing for Holy Communion, but as often is possible.
If you have time to pray it every day, do so… and let each of us be mindful that we mistakenly turn to all manner of people first, in need, emergency and trouble, rather than turning to our guardian angel.
We need to correct ourselves and start reacting spiritually to the trials of life.
Our guardian angel is waiting to hear us – waiting to help in every trial and adversity.
Morning Prayer:
O Holy Angel, who standest by my wretched soul and my passionate life: do not abandon me, a sinner, neither depart from me because of my lack of self-control. Leave no room for the evil demon to gain control of me through the violence of this mortal body. Strengthen my weak and feeble hand, and instruct me in the path of salvation. O holy Angel of God, the guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body: forgive all the sorrows I have caused you, every day of my life. If I have sinned in this past night, protect me during this day. Keep me from every adverse temptation, that I may not anger God by any sin. Pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear and make me, His servant, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
Evening Prayer:
O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of mine enemy lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, It that thou mayest show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.
First Canon, the acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the divinely-crowned company of martyrs,” the composition of John the Monk, in Tone II:
Ode, 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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
With hymns inspired by God I praise the divinely-crowned regiment of the martyrs of Christ, radiantly celebrating the annual commemoration of the forty, for He hath been glorified!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Rejecting every title on earth, the forty desired the title of Christian, wherefore they now dwell in the Highest.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Living in Christ and despising the flesh and the world, ye put off the old man and this transitory vesture, and clothed yourselves in the garment of incorruption.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Who is able fittingly to recount thy conceiving which surpasseth telling? For thou, O most pure one, hast given birth in the flesh to God, the Savior of us all, Who hath revealed Himself unto us.
Second Canon, The acrostic whereof is: “I hymn the divinely-crowned regiment of martyrs,” the composition of Theophanes, in the same tone:
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
By your supplication, O ye forty martyrs, render God well-disposed towards us who call upon you with the pure love of our hearts.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Enlightened in the heavens with the rays of the splendor of the three-fold Sun, O ye forty martyrs, protect us who hymn you on earth, frozen over by the winter of temptations.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O forty martyrs, invincible and unshaken rampart of piety and the Church: do ye now pacify that which doth grievously trouble the Christian calling.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Theotokos, Mother who hath not known a man, thou hast given birth unto the Creator and Lord Who is supra-naturally over all and Who, for our sake, took upon Himself our flesh.
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Disdaining the army and life, the comeliness of their bodies and wealth, the glorious forty martyrs inherited Christ instead of all of these things.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
When the forty martyrs were beaten mercilessly with stones at the command of the tormentors, through the Spirit of God the stones were hurled back against those who commanded that they be beaten.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
The serpent of him who invented blasphemy spake through the lips of the tormentors, but his God-opposing mouth hath been broken by the rocks hurled against the martyrs.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Without seed didst thou conceive God in thy womb, giving birth to Him who was ineffably incarnate; upon Whom the hosts of Heaven dare not gaze, O pure Ever-virgin.
Another 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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
O ye martyred company and united chorus of crowned martyrs: standing before the Master, ever save us who sing your praises.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Battered by the lake of the passions and by the waves of grievous temptations, we flee to you, Christ’s forty warriors.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Warmed in the bosom of Abraham and adorned with glorious apparel, pray ye that Christ grant forgiveness unto those who are bound by the winter of evil circumstances.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Bride of God: be thou the confirmation, refuge and protection of those who have recourse unto thee in faith and confess thee to be the Mother of God.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom …”: Having served Christ in martyrdom as warriors, and having cast down the enemy through suffering, in your deeds ye fulfilled the words of the Prophet: ye went manfully through fire and water, finding refreshment, and life incorruptible. Wherefore, adorned with heavenly crowns, ye rejoice with the choirs of the bodiless ones, O blessed and all-praised passion-bearers. Entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who honor your holy memory with love. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion in Tone VIII: From the snares of enemies visible and invisible, * we have been overcome by the storms of our innumerable sins, * and fleeing unto the safe harbor of thy goodness O pure one, * we have thee as our rampart and sure protection. * Wherefore we thy servants beseech thee * to ceaselessly make fervent supplication, O most pure one, * unto Him who seedlessly became incarnate from thee, * that those who worthily hymn thee ** may be granted the remission of their sins.
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard report of Thy dispensation, O Lord, * and have glorified Thee * Who alone art the Lover of mankind.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
“O ye most iniquitous ones, ye have been made to vainly offer such a poor bargain!” said the sufferers.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Sharpened swords and wild beasts, fire and the cross did the tormentors offer to the saints of Christ.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
“The fire of Gehenna is frightful to us, but we are not afraid of any of our fellow servants here present,” said the athletes.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
“Let our arms be cut off, let our feet be burned,” the holy ones cried out, “for we shall receive them back incorruptible.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
We beseech thee, O most pure one who didst conceive God without seed: ever pray for thy servants.
Another, Irmos: I have heard report of Thy dispensation, O Lord, * and have glorified Thee * Who alone art the Lover of mankind.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
O martyrs, through God ye have become our illumination, for ye have clothed yourselves in undimmed splendor.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
O divinely elect and crowned assembly of martyrs, pray that those who hymn you be delivered from misfortunes.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
O holy ones, having been deemed worthy to behold the unwaning light of Christ, ye shine forth upon those who sit in darkness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Shining with the noetic radiance of Christ, O ye glorious ones, guide us to the divine illumination.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Hymning Him Who was incarnate from thy womb, O pure one, we glorify thee as the Mother of God.
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Through the most mindless savagery of the tormentors, the spiritual athletes, condemned to spend the night in the open air in the cold, chanted a hymn of thanksgiving unto God.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Rejoicing, the forty martyrs endured the painful ice, standing in the lake, yet were strengthened with the hope of divine crowns.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
The serpent which before had made its nest in the waters, and now driven out, became an object of scorn for the forty martyrs of Christ, for he was deprived of his deadly strength.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
To thee who hast given birth to Christ, the Creator of all, do we cry aloud: Rejoice, O pure one! Rejoice, thou who hast shone forth the Light upon us! Rejoice, thou who didst contain the infinite God.
Another 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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
From the raging of the heretics do ye now deliver the honorable Church of Christ, O forty martyrs; for, having been born within Her, ye have passed on to great dignity and glory.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Appearing to us, the forty divinely splendid martyrs of Christ like fiery beacons light the salvific way of piety for the faithful.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Passing over from earth to the shelter of Heaven, where ye stand before Christ, the Judge of the contest, O martyrs, deem me worthy to acquire divine joy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Maiden Sovereign Lady, thou didst truly bear God as thy divine Offspring, as a mystery inscrutable and incomprehensible to all, passing all understanding.
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
With joy the author of enmity snatched him that fell away from the forty as did the wretched Judas from the twelve apostles, and mankind from Eden.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Being shameless, the devil rageth in vain, for as of old by the thief and Matthias, so now by one in the office of guardsman, the tyrant hath also been rent asunder.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Vain-minded and worthy of lamentation is he who missed both lives, for thawed by the fire, he departed into the unquenchable flames.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Virgin, thou hast given birth without knowing a man, and remainest forever a virgin, revealing the images of thy Son and God, the true Deity.
Another Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, * I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: * Raise me up from corruption, O God.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
O mighty ones, ye have been revealed to be watchful and vigilant preservers of the human race, offering up supplications, and set forth as helpers of the grieving.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Shining forth in the Church of Christ in your unexcelled beauties, O all-praised ones, deliver those who honor you with love from all temptations.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Of old ye became destroyers of the deception of the demonized persecutors, O most eminent ones; and now be our ready help and rampart.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
On thee have I placed my hope of salvation, O Ever-virgin Mother; and Thee have I appointed as the steadfast and unshakable intercessor of my life.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone VI: Having fully left the army of the world, * ye cleaved unto the Master in the heavens, * O forty passion-bearers of the Lord; * for, having passed through fire and water, * O blessed ones, * ye received glory from the heavens as is meet ** and a multitude of crowns.
Ikos: Unworthy as I am, I fall down before Christ Almighty, our Creator and God, Who sitteth upon an unapproachable throne, Who stretched out the heavens as it were a curtain, Who established the earth, Who gathered the waters in the bodies thereof, Who created all things out of nothing, Who granteth breath and life unto all, Who receiveth hymnody from the archangels, is worshipped by the angels and is glorified by all; and offering up entreaty, I beg the grace of eloquence, that even I may piously hymn the saints whom He Himself showed forth as victors, granting them glory from the heavens and a multitude of crowns.
Ode VII, Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, * Thy three children spurned the impious command, * and, cast into the midst of the flame, * they were bedewed, and sang: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
The guard set over the forty martyrs was struck with awe, beholding their crowns; and, rejecting that which bound him to life, taking wing with the love of Thy manifest glory, with the martyrs he sang: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Hastening to the soul-destroying bath, he that loved his life died; but he that loved Christ, being a most exemplary apprehender of those things which he beheld, sang with the martyrs as in a bath of incorruption: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
When the noetic fire flared up in the minds of the forty, the most subtle madness of the impious was consumed, as it were melting wax. And to Thee, O Christ, they sang: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
The power of Thy Cross, as exceeding splendid and magnificent, O Christ, doth weave crowns for the forty martyrs with opposites; for, having passed through fire and water, they cry out in incorruption: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
On Mount Sinai Moses foresaw thee, O pure one, as a burning bush which, without being consumed, bore the unbearable radiance of the ineffable Being, Who as One of the holy Hypostases, hath united Himself to the coarseness of our flesh.
Another Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Dura, * Thy three children spurned the impious command, * and, cast into the midst of the flame, * they were bedewed, and sang: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Your annual commemoration hath radiantly dawned, O ye who are most rich, shining far, radiant with the splendor of the Fast. And celebrating it with faith, we chant with you: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
To all ye have been revealed to be as ones loosened from the passions and beacons shining from afar, the cleansing of the world, the destruction of deception, clear-voiced proclaimers of the truth and expellers of falsehood, chanting: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Ye have been revealed to us as noetic beacons shining forth, O martyrs; for ye save the tempest-tossed and guide those who sail and are battered by the storm of life, chanting unto Christ: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Beautiful to God and desirable to the angels is the divinely assembled and most splendid regiment of the forty martyrs inspired by God, the godly and awesome company which crieth out, saying: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A beacon of light, a luminous cloud and a hallowed place hast thou been revealed to be, O thou who knewest not wedlock, for thou didst ineffably receive the Word, the Holy One of those who are holy. And chanting unto Him, we cry aloud: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Savagely inciting every creature against the athletes, the enemy hath been put to shame by them all, for the forty martyrs unceasingly hymn and supremely exalt the Lord throughout all ages.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Cruelly were the members of your bodies crushed for Christ, and ye were offered unto God as a divine holocaust; with the angels ye ever hold chorus, O martyrs, hymning Christ throughout all ages.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
With steadfast intent the Christ-loving mother took upon her shoulder him to whom she had given birth; and she offered him up as the fruit of piety, a martyr among martyrs, emulating the sacred action of Abraham.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
“Make thy journey running straight to everlasting life, O my son,” the Christ- loving mother cried out to her Christ-loving child, “for I could not bear to see thee appear in second place before Christ, the Judge of the contest!”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Son Who is not parted from the bosom of the Father, yet made His abode in thy maternal womb, O pure Virgin Bride of God, do we hymn and supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Another 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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Ye steadfastly gave yourselves over to a painful death in the midst of winter, O valiant ones; and now, having passed on to the true life which is hidden in Christ, ye ask for salvation and forgiveness for us.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Having passed over from earth to the heavens, O crowned spiritual athletes, ye chorus of victorious martyrs of the Church, ask for us salvation and deliverance from misfortunes, passions and evil circumstances.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Rending asunder the bonds of death, the Savior hath given victory over death to His martyrs, for, warmed by the cold, the forty sang, asking for salvation for all the faithful.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through prayer the divine choir of passion-bearers manifestly drive the assaults of dangers, the attack of the passions and the temptations of the demons away from those who hymn Christ throughout the ages.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Mortals given over to the dust of mortality and to corruption hast thou alone raised up, O pure Lady, Virgin Birthgiver of God, having given birth to Christ our God, the Author of life.
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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Stripped naked and beaten with stones for the sake of Christ, ye endured the wintry air, icy water and crushing of your limbs; and having been consumed by fire, O ye forty martyrs, ye shine forth in the rushing river like beacons.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Having acquired the Cross as a staff of divine power, the forty spiritual athletes cried out to Christ: O Master, almighty Conqueror, crown us by Thine own hand, that we all may unceasingly magnify Thee with hymns!
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
The pain of the ice and boundless cruelty of the cold did ye endure, O forty martyrs; but paradise is sweet, for the bosom of the Patriarch Abraham doth warm you in the eternal mansions.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Manifest as conquerors by your sufferings, and having received crowns from the divine right hand of the Master, O forty martyrs, pray ye now that peace be granted to the world and victory and salvation to us.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The multitudes of angels entreat thy Son, O Virgin Bride and Mother. Accept thou our supplication, O thou who alone art the hope of the faithful; grant peace to the world, and victory and salvation unto us who love thee.
Another, 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.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Supra-natural illumination and ineffable joy and glory have ye been deemed worthy to receive; and now, O soldiers of Christ, ye forty martyrs, from temptations, misfor- tunes and the wickedness of the enemy deliver those who honor you with love.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Having received power and might from the heavens, O ye that are most spiritually rich, fellow prisoners of Christ, in that ye have become dispellers of falsehood, drive away all the ephemeral gloom of idolatry and enlighten the world, O ye forty martyrs.
Holy forty martyrs of Sebaste, pray to God for us.
Adorned with the comeliness of an honorable martyrdom, and sharing in divine life, O forty martyrs, warriors of Christ, ye truly rejoice, united to the most radiant and pure Light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Standing now before Christ with the boldness of piety, and illumined with the light of the Godhead, O glorious forty martyrs, earnestly beseech Him, that those who praise you be illumined with the thrice-luminous radiance.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin, portal of divine Light, with the immaterial rays of thy light illumine the manifest twilight of my soul, and grant that I who magnify thee faithfully and lovingly with hymns, O pure one, be delivered from everlasting fire.
Troparion, Tone I: By the pangs which Thy saints, suffered for Thee, * hearken unto us, O Lord, * and heal all our diseases, ** we beseech Thee, O Lover of mankind.
Ode I, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Come, ye faithful, and with spiritual odes let us glorify the Forerunner, the voice of the Word, weaving hymns with a right laudable tongue and an almighty spirit, though our lips be impure.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
With peaceful tranquility the Church of Christ hath been calmed, and with countless multitudes it is prosperously tended, chanting its yearly hymns unto thee, O Forerunner.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Assembling, O ye faithful, let us all honor with hymns, as is meet, the God-bearing head of the Forerunner which hath been given unto us by God as an inviolate treasure.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one, who received the Creator, as He Himself desired, beyond understanding assuming flesh seedlessly from thy womb, thou hast truly been shown to be the Sovereign Lady of creation.
Ode III, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
A barren womb put thee forth as a divine off-shoot, a glorious attendant to the Bride which is the Church of the nations, betrothing Her to Christ, the true God and Bridegroom.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Forerunner John, the wretched adulteress could not stop thy divinely eloquent voice with the sword, for from the earth thou hast revealed thy divine head to us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The city of Jerusalem, desiring thee and radiantly celebrating, keepeth festival, having found thy head as a hidden treasure and an inexhaustible wellspring of healings, O Forerunner.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The wonder of thy divine birthgiving surpasseth the order of nature; for in a manner transcending nature thou didst conceive God in thy womb and, having given birth, dost ever remain a Virgin.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Like a treasure laid up in a hiding place was the head of the Forerunner preserved, the voice of the Word was hidden in a cistern; but like a grain of wheat planted in the depths of the earth it blossomed forth, yielding the fruit of divine life. The discovery thereof we all honor, glorifying Christ Who hath given it the grace to pour forth healings. (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: Secretly pondering in his mind that which was commanded, * the incorporeal one presented himself without delay * in the house of Joseph, * and said unto her who knew not wedlock: * “He Who bowed the heavens down by His descent * shall be immutably contained wholly within thy womb! * And beholding Him assuming the guise of a servant in thy womb, * I am afraid to cry to thee: ** Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!”
Ode IV, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Clearly thou wast the seal of the Old Covenant and the prophets, O thou who art most rich, and preaching unto the ends of the earth, thou hast been revealed as the adorner of the bridal chamber of the New Covenant, O Forerunner.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Forerunner rejoicing, thou didst endure the covering of thy precious and glorious head with coarse rags, as with a garment of royal purple.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
By thy divine instructions, O John, a poor man, and a homeless wanderer, hath revealed thy divine head to be an abundant treasure.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Forerunner, ever pray that the city of Jerusalem which honoreth thee be illumined with the radiance of the divine Spirit, and that it rejoice with the incorporeal ones in thy divine memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Eating hath shown me to be a dead plant, O most pure one, but the Tree of Life Who revealed Himself through thee, hath raised me up and made me an heir to the nourishment of paradise.
Ode V, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
O Baptist, thou wast not a reed shaken by the trying winds of enmity, but an unshakable pillar for the people of God; for thou didst manifest thyself by the power of Elijah and the Spirit.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
He that rejected the Godhead and belittled the glory of Christ, Who was baptized of thee, concealing thy divine grace, is rightly kept from the fold of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast opened up the portal of a bountiful and divine wellspring which poureth forth the waters of divine grace upon those who with love hymn thee, O glorious Forerunner, gladdening all with the streams of healing.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Bearing the noetic beauty of thy soul thou didst become the Bride of God, sealed in thy virginity, O pure one, enlightening the world with the radiance of purity.
Ode VI, 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 greatly Merciful One.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Christ called thee a true prophet, and the most exalted of the prophets, the Baptist and Forerunner of Life; for thou didst behold Him Whom the Law and the prophets foretold.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The fountain of miracles, the treasury of grace, thy sacred head, O Baptist, Prophet and Forerunner, could not bear to be concealed, and, having revealed itself, it poured forth springs of healing.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Christ-loving and right glorious city hath set before itself thy precious and divine head, O Forerunner, as richly praiseworthy, and a radiantly adorned shield of salvation.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Moses, great among the prophets, prefigured thee in the ark, the table, the candlestick and the jar, signifying the incarnation of the Most High which took place through thee, O Virgin Mother.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone II: O prophet of God and Forerunner of grace, * having obtained thy head from the earth like a most sacred rose, * we ever receive healings, * for now, as of old, ** thou dost preach repentance in the world.
Ikos: Thou wast exalted above all mankind, O John, as the Lord Himself bore witness. Hence, I fear to offer thee hymns of praise; yet, inspired by love, I have made bold to begin a hymn. Wherefore, deem me not to be an unworthy helper, that I may crown thy holy head, O thrice blessed one; for thou hast preached repentance to the world.
Ode VII, Imos: 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The Offspring of the Virgin called thee the greatest among those born of women, for thou didst live for Him on earth like an incorporeal one, an equal to the angels, crying out: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
From within the barren womb of thy mother, thou didst recognize Him Who had taken up His abode within the Virgin’s womb, O Forerunner; and, with the voice of thy mother, leaping up, thou didst cry out to Him: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Out of the wilderness thou didst appear like a radiant dawn, an angel of light, taught by the most holy Spirit, teaching us to cry out: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having acquired thee as a treasure, O ever-memorable one, this city is now truly blessed among all cities, O Forerunner of Christ. Wherefore, keeping festival it crieth aloud: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, O Virgin Mother, a radiant Light hath shone forth upon the whole world, for thou didst give birth unto God, the Creator of all. Him do thou beseech, O most pure one, that He send down great mercy upon us, the faithful.
Ode VIII, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The Forerunner was sent as the voice of the Son of God, crying out to barren hearts, making steadfast the pious faith in Him Who is God, Whom we supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Even now the Forerunner saith: Prepare ye the way of the Lord! For, having come for the sake of our sanctification, He maketh His abode in our hearts with the Father and the Spirit, throughout all ages.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
When the voice of the Father was heard, and the divine Spirit was seen by the eyes of man, John the Forerunner, laying his hand upon Thee, O Christ, became a God- bearer in every way.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast sanctified from the womb by the Spirit of God, and shown to be a prophet while yet carried in the womb; and now, thou hast been shown to be the delight of the city that seeketh thee in the bosom of the earth, O prophet.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The golden candlestick prefigured thee who hast ineffably received the unapproachable Light which illumineth mankind with the knowledge of Himself. Him do we supremely exalt throughout all ages!
Ode IX, 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.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Being clearly one who kept the Ten Commandments, O Forerunner, thou wast rightly honored by Christ with ten-fold gifts. Wherefore, knowing thee to be a friend of the Word, we bless thee as an initiate of the mysteries of the Spirit.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
Thou wast revealed to be a prophet of Christ and an apostle, an angel and forerunner, the Baptizer of God Incarnate, a priest and faithful martyr, a preacher to those bound in Hades, a rule for virgins, and an offspring of the desert.
Holy and great John, Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, pray to God for us.
The unbelieving soul of the priest hath been reproved by the miracle of the withered hand; for when his faith blossomed anew after thy head appeared, O blessed one, his outstretched hand was renewed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The ranks of angels have truly proclaimed thy prophetic appearance to him who beheld thee, emulating the divine announcement of Gabriel which the sacred Zacharias received before thy birth.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us draw forth the healing of our passions, making haste to the glorious temple of the Forerunner; for choirs of angels, the souls of all the righteous, the Sovereign Lady and John the Baptist enter therein, bestowing healings.
Troparion, in Tone IV: The head of the Forerunner, which hath shone forth from the earth, * sheddeth rays of incorruption and healing upon the faithful. * Assembling a multitude of angels on High, * it calleth upon the human race below ** to send up glory with one voice to Christ God.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the feast of Saints Ephraim and Isaac, the Syrians, I am repostig their canons below, combined as I use them in my own prayers.
Canon of the venerable one, the acrostic whereof is: “I honour Ephraim, the noetic Euphrates”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VI:
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
With the Euphrates-like flood of thy supplications water thou my soul, which hath become dry with the burning heat of the passions, and inspire discourse within me who praise thy festival, O all-blessed one.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Shining forth noetic light, thou didst show thyself to be a radiant sun, O Ephraim, illumining all the fullness of the faithful with brilliant virtues and teachings.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Extinguishing the flame of the passions with the streams of tears, O divinely blessed Ephraim, thou wast a precious vessel of the Holy Spirit, pouring forth wellsprings of doctrines.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having received the incorrupt Word in thy womb, thou hast given birth to Him Who delivereth from corruption those who ever worship Him, O pure Mother and Virgin, who art truly the portal of Life.
Canon of the venerable one, the composition of Gerasimus of the Little Skete of Saint Anna, in Tone VIII:
Another Irmos: The wonderworking staff of Moses, * striking and dividing the sea in the figure of a cross, * once drowned Pharaoh the pursuing charioteer, * while it saved the fleeing people of Israel * as they fled on foot, * chanting a hymn unto God.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Give strength and words to my lips, O Word of God and God, that I may hymn the venerable Isaac, who hath radiantly glorified Thee with a perfect life and instructed the ranks of monastics with divinely inspired discourse.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Having from thy youth hated all carnal luxury, O blessed Isaac, and been wounded by divine love, thou didst take the Cross of the Lord upon thy shoulders, and with thy brother didst choose a life of asceticism.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Borne aloft by the love of Christ the Bestower of life, O venerable one, thou didst soar to the heavenly life, and through ascetic labours wast shown to be a stranger and sojourner on the earth, O most blessed father Isaac.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Without knowing wedlock, thou didst conceive God Who for our sake didst become immutably incarnate as we are, through thy pure blood, O most pure Mary Theotokos. Wherefore, deliver us from changing to the worse.
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Having purified thyself of the mire of the passions, thou didst reveal thyself to be a true receptacle of the virtues and a vessel containing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
In nowise giving slumber to thine eyes, thou didst show thyself to be a temple of the Holy Trinity and a treasury of wisdom, enriching the world with the golden rays of teachings, O blessed one.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
The honoured Church of Christ doth recognize thee as a golden-streamed Euphrates, flowing with torrents of wise doctrines and watering all creation.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Incarnate of thy precious blood, One of the Holy Trinity divinely issued forth in two natures, saving by grace the children of Adam, O all-pure one.
Another Irmos: O Lord, Creator of the vault of Heaven * and Builder of the Church, * do Thou strengthen me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, * O Support of the faithful, * O only Lover of mankind.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
In that thou didst rid thy heart of the bonds of the passions, thou wast shown to be a receptacle of dispassion and a vessel fit for the effulgence of spiritual life, O blessed Isaac, dweller with the angels.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Full of the graces of heaven, O venerable one, who didst emulate the angels in thy conduct, at all times pouring forth from thy mouth a discourse of salvation, as it were the sweetness of incorruption.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Putting off the burden of the flesh, O father, thou didst elect to make thine abode in the wilderness, uniting thyself unto God with great stillness, prayer and fasting. Wherefore, thou didst become the dwelling-place of the divine Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-hymned Maiden who hast given birth unto God and destroyed the ancient sin, by thy grace do thou restore my mind, which hath been marred by the decadence of the passions which sorely afflict me.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion of St Ephraim, in Tone II, Spec. Mel “Seeking the highest …”: Ever looking forward to the hour of judgment, * thou didst bitterly lament, O Ephraim; * and though a lover of stillness * thou wast also a teacher of activity, O venerable one. ** Wherefore, O universal father, thou dost motivate the slothful to repentance.
Ikos: Do thou let but a drop of the waters of thy grace bedew my soul, purifying it of every unclean defilement, that cleansed, it may complete the remaining time of life zealous in all things profitable, and partake of the divine sweetness which thou didst enjoy, for thou dost quench the thirst of all who burn with passions, inspiring the slothful to repentance by thy discourses.
Sedalion of St Ephraim, in Tone V, Spec. Mel “The Word Who is co-unoriginate …”: O ye faithful, on the day of his commemoration let us hymn the treasury of the wisdom of the mysteries of Christ, the cup of divine compunction, for in accordance with his name the godly Ephraim doth ever gladden the hearts of the faithful with divine discourses, as a performer and initiate of the mysteries of the revelations of the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sedalion, in Tone IV, Spec. Mel., “Go thou quickly before …”: As a divinely radiant lamp of stillness thou shinest the never-waning light of a virtuous life upon the ends of the earth, O wise one; wherefore, we, the choirs of monastics, hymn thee as a divine luminary, O God-bearer Isaac, and we study thy radiant discourses with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion in Tone IV: O pure Virgin Mother, unceasingly beseech Christ our God, Who in His ineffable tender compassion didst become incarnate of thee, that He grant us forgiveness of sins, O Maiden, and deliverance from the grievous woes of life; for unto thee, O Mother of God, do we have recourse in faith.
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
The power of thy words hath passed through the whole world, O blessed one, driving away the blindness of men’s souls by the exalted radiance of humility.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou didst render thy life blameless, cleansing thyself with tears, O right wondrous and divinely revealed one, and by thy wise discourses hast described to all the coming of the Judge.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Having beheld the most glorious height of thy humility, the Lord gave thee exalted discourse, whereby the grievous uprisings of heresies have been humbled.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by the grace of the Almighty, thou didst array thyself against the princes of the demons, O father, and having vanquished them, fervently pray on behalf of us who praise thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us bless the Virgin as a divine temple, as a holy mountain, as a wellspring of incorruption, as the one who alone was the chosen of God our Creator.
Another Irmos: Thou, O Lord, art my strength and Thou art my power, * Thou art my God and Thou art my joy, * Thou Who, while never leaving the bosom of Thy Father, * hast visited our poverty. * Therefore with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee, * ‘Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!’
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Irrigated with the streams of thy sacred teachings, O wise Isaac, multitudes of monastics splendidly produce abundant fruit: the purity of abstinence, prayerful contemplation, and the grace of dispassion, chanting: Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
With thy whole mind conversing and uniting thyself with the one God, the sight of Whom is beyond comprehension, O venerable one, thou wast filled past understanding with enlightenment, and wast shown to be a light-bearer, a tower of stillness and a most radiant beacon for monastics.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Living in the flesh like an incorporeal being, thou didst serve God in stillness, O God-bearer Isaac, and wast granted many graces by Christ, of which do thou grant, if only a small portion, unto me who doth cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lover of mankind!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, having given birth unto God in the flesh, without seed, without corruption, in a manner beyond understanding and comprehension, thou hast annulled the condemnation of Eve, at the hour of my judgment do thou also free me from the dread sentence.
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
With torrents of tears, O father, thou didst utterly dry up the depths of pleasures; and with the outpourings of thy doctrines thou hast staunched the torrents of heresies, O blessed one.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thy mind, illumined by seeking God, O father Ephraim, began to take pleasure in the full vision of God, receiving immaterial revelation as if a mirror of the divine Spirit.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou didst truly become a temple imbued with the Trinity, adorned with grace and the radiance of pure virtues, and the fullness of teaching, O father.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Eating of the tree in Eden through the wicked treachery of the serpent I was revealed to be mortal; but thou, having given birth to Christ, the Bestower of life, hast brought me to life, O thou who alone art full of God’s grace.
Another Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why hast Thou turned Thy face from me * and why has the alien darkness surrounded me, * wretched though I be? * But do Thou guide my steps I implore Thee * and turn me back towards the light of Thy commandments.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Lifting thy mind to the undefiled good, O saint of Christ, thou didst reveal thyself by thy way of life, to be alien to the things that are in the world, O Isaac, teaching all to disdain that which is corruptible, and in nowise to desire those things that are temporal.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a scribe and model of the angelic life, O divinely wise Isaac; wherefore, the grace of the Spirit hath revealed thee to be a divine pastor and a God-bearing hierarch of the Church of Christ.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having been inducted into the divine mysteries because of the purity of thy way of life, O God-bearer, thou didst attain to yet greater deeds, O divine Isaac, archpastor of Nineveh, explaining the words of the Gospel to all, and cleansing the wounds of their souls.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Slain by the deception and delusion of the serpent, O most pure one, I flee unto thee who hast given birth to eternal Life. Enliven my mind by thy vivifying help, and guide me to a blameless life.
Ode 6, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging the flood of temptations, * I run to calm haven, and cry to Thee: * Raise up my life from corruption, * O Most Merciful One.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Setting thy foundation not on sands, but on the inviolate Faith, O God-bearer, thou didst remain undaunted by all the assaults of the enemy, guided by the hand of the Invincible One.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thy tongue was truly like the pen of a swiftly-writing scribe, showing forth a most pious intellect and tracing the law of the Spirit upon the tablets of our hearts, O father.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Those who navigate the calm expanse of thy dogmas, O divinely wise Ephraim, are delivered from the soul-destroying billows of the abyss and, awakened, are saved by faith from the storm of heresies.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Incarnate, He Who as God is above all noetic beings and visible creatures, issued forth from thy womb, preserving thee incorrupt as thou wast before birthgiving, O Virgin Mother.
Another Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, * for many are mine iniquities; * lead me up from the abyss of evils I pray Thee, * for unto Thee have I cried, * and Thou hast hearkened unto me, * O God of my salvation.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Thou didst brighten thy hierarchal vestments through strict observance of the commandments of God, O divinely-inspired Isaac; wherefore, the Saviour hath received thee as one of His own.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Directing thy life towards the uttermost Judge, thou didst show thyself to be a true and venerable hierarch, O Isaac, revealing the commandments of the laws of grace unto all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Adorned with the spiritual wisdom which cometh from doing good works, thou wast revealed to be a pious teacher of monastics, O Isaac, guiding them to perfection by thine instructions and deeds.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, who hast given birth in the flesh to the transcendent God, from the fall hast thou raised the nature of mortals to the heights of their former nobility; wherefore, we glorify 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 of St Isaac, in Tone VIII, Spec. Mel, “To thee, the champion leader…”: By thine angelic way of life thou wast shown to be a divine instrument of the Comforter, * and a model for monastics in all things, O blessed Isaac. * As the habitation of divine grace, ask thou grace and heavenly light for us ** who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O divinely wise father!
Ikos: Thou wast revealed to be an angel in the flesh in thine ascetic labours, O Godbearing Isaac, and by thine angelic voice hast thou set before us the words of salvation, whereby guided to a higher life, we cry out to thee: Rejoice, star coming forth from Syria; rejoice, lamp of stillness! Rejoice, thou who art more sublime than earthly thoughts; Rejoice, partaker of heavenly enlightenment! Rejoice, divinely inscribed pillar of hesychasts; Rejoice, mouth flowing with the honey of spiritual teachings! Rejoice, for thou wast filled with God-given wisdom; Rejoice, for thou deliverest from the evil of the passions! Rejoice, most fervent of the servants of Christ; Rejoice, our godly teacher! Rejoice, wise God-bearer Isaac; Rejoice, our instructor, guided by God! Rejoice, O divinely wise father!
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a most excellent giver of laws for monastics, O most honoured one, rescuing them from all the machinations of the enemy. Wherefore, O blessed one, they honour thine honoured and sacred memory on earth.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be a most excellent giver of laws for monastics, O most honoured one, rescuing them from all the machinations of the enemy. Wherefore, O blessed one, they honour thine honoured and sacred memory on earth.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou wast an excellent instrument of the Spirit, ever sounding forth thine inspirations and playing the saving hymn of repentance for us who hymn thee, O ever-memorable one.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy conception was beyond description, O Bride of God, for thou hast given birth to the Word of God Who hath delivered all mankind from irrationality granting them the words to cry: O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Another Irmos: Once in Babylon the fire stood in awe * of God’s condescension; * for which sake the youths in the furnace, * dancing with joyous steps as in a meadow, chanted: * O God of our fathers, Blessed art Thou!
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Having shone forth like a most radiant sun among the choirs of monastics, O father, thou dost illumine with the radiance of thine instructions, as with beams of light, all who cry out with faith: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
O father, the honourable choirs of monastics know thee to be a divinely-wise describer and guide to the higher life, and as is fitting, celebrate thy memory, O wise father Isaac, thou rule of hesychasts.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Caught up by the Spirit to the vision of the mystical mysteries of a higher glory, which passeth understanding, and deified by partaking thereof, thou didst cry aloud: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With the rich streams of thy mercy purify my heart, which hath been defiled by the passions of the enemy, O Maiden; and dispel the darkness of my mind, that I may gaze upon the Light which shone forth from thee.
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 exalt throughout all ages.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou wast shown to be like another sun, O blessed one, and, emitting the beams of thy teachings upon the ends of the earth, thou hast driven away the lightless gloom of all sin with the light of repentance.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Surrounded by the streams of divine dogmas, thou didst flow forth like another river from Eden, watering the face of the earth, O wondrous one, inundating the tares of ungodliness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Confessing thee to be the true Theotokos, like the angel we cry out to thee with faith: Rejoice! For thou alone hast given birth to Joy on earth, O ever joyous and blessed one.
Another Irmos: In his wrath the Chaldean Tyrant made the furnace blaze, * with heat fanned sevenfold for the servants of God; * but when he perceived that they had been saved by a greater power * he cried aloud to the Creator and Redeemer; * ‘ye children bless, ye priests praise, * ye people, supremely exalt Him throughout all ages’.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Thou didst live an angelic life, O most blessed Isaac, and through stillness and the mortification of the passions didst bring forth the first-fruits of the life to come. And now thou dost cry aloud with the angels in the highest: Ye, children, bless! Ye priests, hymn! Ye people, supremely exalt Christ forever!
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Offering up most earnest prayers and supplications, thou didst unite thyself unto God through purity of mind, and wast shown to be blessed and full of divine grace while yet amid the threefold waves of the flesh. And now in the highest, freed from material things, thou dost manifestly enjoy things ineffable.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having been sacredly arrayed in the vesture of a bishop, O God-bearer, by thy venerable labours and virtuous struggles thou hast rendered it yet more splendid. And now, O Isaac, with the holy hierarchs and the choirs of the venerable thou dost offer up the mystical sacrifice of immaterial praise unto the Lord.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Preserving the seal of thy virginity intact after birthgiving, thou gavest suck to the Lord to Whom thou hadst given birth, bearing him as a babe, O Virgin Sovereign Lady, Mary Theotokos. Him do thou beseech, that He grant the cleansing of offences unto those who hymn thine ineffable glory.
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.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Wounded by the love of the Almighty O venerable one, thou didst reach the end of thy life, lamenting and crying out with fear: “Assuage my passing with the waves of thy grace, O Saviour, richly preserving me therewith in the life to come!”
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thy sweet discourse was replete with compunction and full of enlightenment for those who have recourse to thee, O right wondrous God-bearer Ephraim; and thy life was blameless, adorned and illumined with all manner of divinely radiant virtues.
Venerable Father, Ephraim, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a temple of the Spirit, a river full of life-giving waters, the unshakable foundation of the Church, the confirmation of monastics, and an ever-flowing stream of divine compunction, O right wondrous Ephraim.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The mind of man cannot understand the mystery of thy birthgiving which passeth understanding, O Virgin; for, making His abode within thy womb, God did not violate the seal of thy virginity, as He, Who is unapproachable alone knoweth.
Another Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, * and the ends of the earth were filled with amazement, * for God hath appeared in the flesh, * and thy womb was rendered more spacious than the heavens. * Wherefore, the ranks of men and of angels * magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Let Isaac, great among the venerable ascetics, the scion of Syria, the God-bearing initiate of the life which is in Christ, the most excellent recorder of the mysteries and the enlightener of monastics, be worthily hymned as one who entreateth God, for he prayeth that great mercy be granted unto us.
Venerable Father, Isaac, pray to God for us.
Thou didst engage in the pious struggle of holy ascesis, O venerable one, and thereby didst piously learn the mysteries of all the wisdom of asceticism, that wisely teaching us to avoid the sophistries of the enemy, we may live virtuously, O Godbearer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast passed over to the true glory, whose revelation thou didst acquire beforehand; and face to face thou dost gaze upon the effulgence of Christ which is beyond comprehension, O Isaac, adornment of the venerable. Cease not to pray for us who praise thee with love.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O unwedded Virgin Mother who ineffably gavest birth to God in the flesh, deliver me from diseases of the flesh, redeem my greatly sinful soul from grievous insensitivity, and illumine my mind with the light of repentance, that I may hymn thee, O greatly hymned one.
Troparion of St Ephraim, in Tone VIII: With the streams of thy tears thou didst irrigate the barren desert, * and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst render thy labours fruitful an hundredfold, * and didst become a beacon for the whole world, resplendent with miracles. ** O Ephraim our father, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Troparion of St Isaac, in Tone V: Illumined by rays of the virtues, * O God-bearer Isaac, * in spirit thou wast shown to be a most radiant beacon * of the life which is in Christ; * and by thy divinely inspired teachings, O father, * thou dost guide safely to the way of salvation * those who bless thee ** as a godly servant of Christ.
My thought bore me to Jordan, and I saw a marvel when there was revealed the glorious Bridegroom who to the Bride shall bring freedom and holiness.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I saw John filled with wonder and the multitudes standing about him and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down to the Son of the barren that he might baptise Him.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled: for lo! John was the Voice; our Lord was manifested as the Word, that what was hidden should become revealed.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The Bride was espoused but knew not who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed: the guests were assembled, the desert was filled and our Lord was hidden among them.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself and to John at the voice He drew near: and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
He came to baptism Who baptises all and He showed Himself at Jordan. John saw Him and drew back deprecating, and thus he spoke:
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
How, my Lord, dost Thou will to be baptised Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all? Baptism looks unto Thee do Thou shed on it holiness and perfection?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Our Lord said I will it so draw near, baptise Me that My Will may be done. Resist My Will thou cannot: I shall be baptised of thee, for thus I will it.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I entreat, my Lord, that I be not compelled for this is hard that Thou hast said to me ‘I need thee to baptise Me;’ for it is Thou that with Thy hyssop purifiest all.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I have asked it, and it pleases Me that thus it should be and thou, John, why dost thou gainsay? Allow righteousness to be fulfilled and come, baptise Me; why art thou standing there?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
How can one openly grasp in his hands the fire that burns? O Thou that art fire have mercy on me and bid me not come near Thee, for it is hard for me!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I have revealed to thee My Will; what dost thou question? Draw near, baptise Me, and thou shalt not be burned. The bridechamber is ready; keep Me not back from the wedding-feast that has been made ready.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The Watchers fear and dare not gaze on Thee lest they be blinded and I, how, O my Lord, shall I baptise Thee? I am too weak to draw near; blame me not!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Thou fearest; therefore gainsay not against My Will in what I desire: and Baptism hath respect unto Me. Accomplish the work to which thou hast been called!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Lo! I proclaimed Thee at Jordan in the ears of the people that believed not and if they shall see Thee baptised of me they will doubt that Thou art the Lord.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Lo! I am to be baptised in their sight and the Father Who sent Me bears witness of Me that I am His Son and in Me He is well pleased to reconcile Adam who was under His wrath.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
It becomest, me, O my Lord, to know my nature that I am moulded out of the ground and Thee the moulder Who formest all things: I, then, why should I baptise Thee in water?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
It becomes thee to know why I have come and for what cause I have desired that thou shouldst baptise Me. It is the middle of the way wherein I have walked withhold not Baptism.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Small is the river whereto Thou hast come that Thou shouldst lodge therein and it should cleanse Thee. The heavens suffice not for Thy mightiness; how much less shall Baptism contain Thee!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The womb is smaller than Jordan; yet was I willing to lodge in the Virgin: and as I was born from woman so too am I to be baptised in Jordan.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Lo! The hosts are standing! the ranks of Watchers, lo! They worship! And if I draw near, my Lord, to baptise Thee I tremble for myself with quaking.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The hosts and multitudes call thee happy all of them, for that thou baptisest Me. For this I have chosen thee from the womb: fear not, for I have willed it.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I have prepared the way as I was sent: I have betrothed the Bride as I was commanded. May Thine Epiphany be spread over the world now that Thou hast come, and let me not baptise Thee!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
This is My preparation, for so have I willed; I will go down and be baptised in Jordan, and make bright the armour for them that are baptised that they may be white in Me and I not be conquered.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Son of the Father, why should I baptise Thee? for lo! Thou art in Thy Father and Thy Father in Thee. Holiness unto the priests Thou givest – why dost Thou ask for water that is common?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The children of Adam look unto Me that I should work for them the new birth. A way in the waters I will search out for them and if I be not baptised this cannot be.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
High-priests of Thee are consecrated priests by Thy hyssop are purified – the anointed and the kings Thou makest. Baptism, how shall it profit Thee?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The Bride thou didst betroth to Me awaits Me that I should go down, be baptised, and sanctify her. Friend of the Bridegroom withhold Me not from the washing that awaits Me.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I am not able, for I am weak Thou blazest in my hands to grasp. Lo! Thy legions are as flame bid one of the Watchers baptise Thee!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Not from the Watchers was My Body assumed, that I should summon a Watcher to baptise Me. The body of Adam, lo! I have put on and thou, son of Adam, art to baptise Me.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The waters saw Thee, and greatly feared; the waters saw Thee, and lo! They tremble! The river foams in its terror and I that am weak, how shall I baptise Thee?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The waters in My Baptism are sanctified, and fire and the Spirit from Me shall they receive and if I be not baptised they are not made perfect to be fruitful of children that shall not die.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Fire, if to Thy fire it draw near shall be burnt up of it as stubble. The mountains of Sinai endured Thee not and I that am weak, wherein shall I baptise Thee?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I am the flaming fire yet for man’s sake I became a babe in the virgin womb of the maiden. And now I am to be baptised in Jordan.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
It is very meet that Thou shouldst baptise me for Thou hast holiness to purify all. In Thee it is that the defiled are made holy; but Thou that art holy, why art Thou to be baptised?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
It is very right that thou shouldst baptise Me as I bid, and should not gainsay. Lo! I baptised thee within the womb – baptise me in Jordan!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I am a bondman and I am weak. Thou that freest all have mercy on me! Thy latchets to unloose I am not able Thine exalted head who will make me worthy to touch?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Bondmen in My Baptism are set free handwritings in My washing are blotted out manumissions in the water are sealed; and if I be not baptised all these come to nought.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
A mantle of fire the air wears and waits for Thee, above Jordan; and if Thou consent to it and will to be baptised Thou shall baptise Thyself and fulfil all.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
This is meet, that thou should baptise Me that none may err and say concerning Me – ‘Had He not been alien from the Father’s house – why feared the Levite to baptise Him?’
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The prayer, then, when Thou art baptised- how shall I complete over Jordan? When the Father and the Spirit are seen over Thee – Whom shall I call on, as priest?
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The prayer in silence is to be completed: come, thy hand alone lay on Me, and the Father shall utter in the priest’s stead – that which is meet concerning His Son.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
They that are bidden, lo! All of them stand – the Bridegroom’s guests, lo! They bear witness that day by day I said among them, ‘I am the Voice and not the Word.’
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
Voice of him that criest in the wilderness fulfil the work for which thou didst come – that the desert whereunto thou didst go out may resound with the mighty peace thou didst preach therein.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The shout of the Watchers has come to my ears – lo! I hear from the Father’s house – the hosts that sound forth the cry, ‘In Thine Epiphany, O Bridegroom, the worlds have life.’
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The time hastes on, and the marriage guests look to Me to see what is doing. Come, baptise Me, that they may give praise to the Voice of the Father when it is heard!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word: come to Baptism as Thy love constrainest Thee! The dust worships that whereunto he has attained that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand.
Response: Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan; the Holy One was baptised and straightway went up and His Light shone forth on the world.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
The doors of the highest were opened above and the voice of the Father was heard – This is my Beloved in Whom I am well pleased. All ye peoples, come and worship Him.
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
They that saw were amazed as they stood, at the Spirit Who came down and bore witness to Him. Praise to Thine Epiphany that gladdens all – Thou in Whose revelation the worlds are lightened!
Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!
God in His mercy stooped and came down to mingle His compassion with the water and to blend the nature of His majesty with the wretched bodies of men. He made occasion by the water to come down and to dwell in us: like to the occasion of mercy when He came down and dwelt in the womb: O the mercies of God, Who seeks for Himself all occasions to dwell in us!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
To the cave in Horeb He stooped and came down and on Moses He caused His majesty to dwell. He imparted His glorious splendour to mortals. There was therein a figure of Baptism: He Who came down and dwelt in it tempers within the water the might of His majesty, that He may dwell in the feeble. On Moses dwelt the Breath and on you the Perfecting of Christ.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
That might then none could endure: not Moses chief of deliverers; nor Elijah chief of zealots; and the Seraphim too veil their faces; for it is the might that subdues all. His mercy mingled gentleness in the water and by the oil, that mankind in its weakness might be able to stand before Him when covered by the water and the oil.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
The captive priests again, in the well hid and concealed the fire of the sanctuary, a mystery of that glorified fire which the High-priest mingles in Baptism. The priests took up of the mire and on the altar they sprinkled it for its fire, the fire of that well with the mire had been mingled mystery of our bodies, which in the water with the fire of the Holy Spirit have been mingled.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
The famous Three in Babylon in the furnace of fire were baptised, and came forth. They went in and bathed in the flood of flame; they were buffeted by the blazing billows. There was sprinkled on them there the dew that fell from heaven; it loosed from off them there the bonds of the earthly king. Lo! The famous Three went in and found a fourth in the furnace.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
That visible fire that triumphed outwardly pointed to the fire of the Holy Ghost which is mingled, lo! And hidden in the water. In the flame, Baptism is figured in that blaze of the furnace. Come, enter, be baptised, my brethren, for lo! It looses the bonds; for in it there dwells and is hidden the Mediator of God, Who in the furnace was the fourth.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Two words again our Lord spoke which in one voice agree in unison: He said, I have come to send fire, and again, I have a baptism to be baptised with. By the fire of Baptism is quenched the fire that which the Evil One had kindled: and the water of Baptism has overcome those waters of contention by which he had made trial of Joseph who conquered and was crowned.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Lo! The pure fire of our Redeemer which he kindled in mankind of His mercy! Through His fire He quenched that fire which had been kindled in the defiled and sinful. This is the fire wherein the thorns are burnt up and the tares. But happy are your bodies that have been baptised in the fire which has consumed your thickets and by it your seeds have sprung up to heaven!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Jeremiah in the womb He sanctified and taught. But if the lowly bosom of wedlock was sanctified in conceiving and bringing him forth, how much more shall Baptism sanctify its conception and its bringing forth of them that are pure and spiritual! For there, within the womb is the conception of all men, but here, out of the water is the birth whereof the spiritual are worthy.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
For Jeremiah though sanctified in the womb, they took up nails and cast him into the pit. Holy was the prophet in his befoulment, for clean was his heart though he was in the mire. Be afraid, my brethren, for lo! Today is washed away your secret befoulment, and the abomination of your sins. Turn not again to uncleanness for there is but one cleansing of your bodies!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
The presumptuous who is baptised and again sins is as the serpent that casts its slough and again puts it on, that is renewed and made young, and turns again putting on anew its skin of old for the serpent does not cast off its nature. Cast off the tempter the corrupter of souls even the old man let it not make old the newness you have put on!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Elisha cast the wood into the water, and made the heavy float and the light sink: their natures were exchanged in the water. There a new thing came to pass not according to nature. How much easier then, O Lord, is this for Thy grace; that in the water should sink transgression which is heavy, but that the soul which is light should be drawn forth and raised up on high!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Joshua, son of Nun, on Jericho laid a curse on its walls and a doom on its fountains. They whom Joshua cursed to their destruction again in the mystery of Jesus have been blessed. There was cast into them salt and they were healed and sweetened: a mystery of this salt the sweet salt that came from Mary, that was mingled in the water whereby was healed the noisomeness of our plagues.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Lo! quiet waters are before you holy and tranquil and pleasant for they are not the waters of contention that cast Joseph into the dungeon, nor yet are they the waters those waters of strife beside which the people strove and gainsaid in the wilderness. There are waters whereby there is reconciliation made with Heaven.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Hagar saw the spring of water and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness. Instead of that fountain of water is Baptism. In it are baptised the sons of Hagar and have become gentle and peaceful. Who has seen rams like these that are yoked, lo! And labour along with tame bullocks and the seed of their tillage is reaped an hundredfold!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
In the beginning the Spirit that brooded moved on the waters; they conceived and gave birth to serpents and fishes and birds. The Holy Spirit has brooded in Baptism, and in mystery has given birth to eagles – Virgins and Prelates; and in mystery has given birth to fishes – celibates and intercessors; and in mystery of serpents, lo! The subtle have become simple as doves!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Lo! The sword of our Lord in the waters! that which divides sons and fathers: for it is the living sword that makes division, lo! Of the living from the dying. Lo! They are baptised and they become Virgins and saints who have gone down, been baptised, and put on the One Only begotten. Lo! Many have come boldly to Him!
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
For whoever have been baptised and put on Him the Only begotten the Lord of the many has filled thereby the place of many, for to him Christ has become a great treasure: for He became in the wilderness a table of good meats and He became at the marriage feast, a fountain of choice wines. He has become such to all in all things by helps and healings and promises.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
Elisha was the equal of the Watchers in his doings, glorious and holy. The camp of the Watchers was round about him thus let Baptism be unto you a camp of guardians for by means of it there dwells in the heart the hope of them that are below and the Lord of them that are above. Sanctify for Him your bodies for where He abides, corruption comes not near.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
They are no more, the waters of that sea which by its billows preserved the People and by its billows laid low the peoples. Of contrary effect are the waters in Baptism. In them, lo! The people have life in them, lo! The People perishes: for all that are not baptised in the waters that give life to all they are dead invisibly.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
They are no more, the waters of that sea which were tempestuous, and boiled against Jonah and plunged into the depths the Son of Amittai. Though he fled he was bound in the prison-house, God cast him in and bound him in dungeon within dungeon for he bound him in the sea, and He bound him in the fish. For him Grace stood surety and she opened the prison and brought forth the preacher.
Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!
The Prophets have called the Most High a fire: a devouring fire, and who can dwell with it? The People were not able to dwell in it; its might crushed the peoples and they were confounded. In it, with the unction you have been anointed; you have put Him on in the water; in the bread you have eaten Him; in the wine you have drunk Him; in the voice you have heard Him; and in the eye of the mind you have seen Him!
The Spirit came down from on high and hallowed the waters by His brooding. In the baptism of John, He passed by the rest and abode on One: but now He has descended and abode on all that are born of the water.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences
Out of all that John baptised, on One it was that the Spirit dwelt: but now He hath flown and come down that He may dwell on the many, and as each after each comes up, He loves him and abides on him.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
A marvel it is that surpasses all! To the water He went down and was baptised. The seas declared it blessed, that river wherein Thou wast baptised: even the waters that were in heaven envied because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also that while the fountains are full of water, it is the water of baptism that alone is able to atone. Mighty is the water in the seas, yet is it too weak for atonement.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides within the humble, it exalts him like as royalty and if it abide within the desert gives it peace. Water by Thy might has triumphed over sin, for Life hath encompassed it.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The sheep exulted when they saw the hand draw near to baptise them. Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock! For more than over all the flock, over you rejoice the Watchers today.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The Angels and the Watchers rejoice over that which is born of the Spirit and of water: they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit the corporeal have become spiritual. The Seraphim who sing “Holy” rejoice that they who are made holy have been increased.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
For lo! The Angels rejoice over one sinner if he repent: how much more do they now rejoice that in all churches and congregations lo! Baptism is bringing forth the heavenly from the earthly!
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The baptised when they come up are sanctified; the sealed when they go down are pardoned. They who come up have put on glory; they who go down have cast off sin. Adam put off his glory in a moment; ye have been clothed with glory in a moment.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
A house that is of dust when it hath fallen by means of water can be renewed: the body of Adam that was of dust which had fallen by water hath been renewed. Lo! The priests as builders renew afresh your bodies.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
A great marvel is this of the wool, that it can take every dye as the mind takes every discourse. By the name of its dye it is called as ye who were baptised when Hearers, have gained the name of Recipients.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The common waters he sanctified, even Elisha through the Name that is secret. In them washed the leper openly and was cleansed by the Power that is secret: the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
Today, lo! Your offences are blotted out and your names are written down. The priest blots out in the water and Christ writes down in Heaven. By the blotting out and the writing down, lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
Lo! Mercy hath dawned today and from bound to bound it stretches: the sun hath sunk and mercy hath dawned. Justice hath drawn in her wrath; Grace hath spread forth her love. Lo! She pardoneth and quickeneth freely.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The sheep that beforetime were in the fold, lo! They hasten forth to greet the new lambs that have been added to it. They are white and are clad in white within, and white without are your bodies as your vestments.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
From every mouth, Blessed are ye. On every side Blessed are ye. Sin from you is driven out and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling. The Evil One hath become sad of countenance; the Good God makes glad your countenance.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
The gift that ye have received freely cease not from watching over: this pearl if it shall be lost cannot again be sought out; for it is like to virginity, which if it be lost is not to be found.
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
May you from all defilement be kept by the power of your white robes! And he whose freedom hath defiled itself, may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping! For me who am a servant of the community, may the supplication of the community win pardon!
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
To the author who hath toiled in words, let there be reconciliation in rest! To the teacher who hath toiled with voice, let thee be forgiveness through grace! To the priest who hath toiled in baptising, let there come the crown of righteousness!
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
From every mouth with one consent, of those beneath and those above, Watchers, Cherubim, and Seraphim, the baptised, the sealed, and the hearers; let each of us cry aloud and say: Glory to the Lord of our feasts!
Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.
At this time the peace of the Church was disturbed by the Monothelite heresy (the false doctrine that in Christ there is only one will. He has a divine, and a human will). The endless disputes of the Monothelites with the Orthodox took place in all levels of the population. Even the emperor Constans (641-668) and Patriarch Paul of Constantinople (641-654) were adherents of the Monothelite heresy. The emperor Constans II published the heretical “Pattern of Faith” (Typos), obligatory for all the population. In it all further disputes were forbidden.
Just at the time in which it was relevant, I noticed my little book of homilies of Fr Daniel Sysoev, wedged into a gap between stacks of books in my cell – and it opened to a little homily on spiritual kinship.
Morning Prayer: 
My thought bore me to Jordan,