The Canon to the Martyr Menas and Company by St. John of Damascus, in Tone IV:
Ode 1, Irmos: The people of Israel, having fled across the watery deep of the Red Sea with dry-shod feet, beholding the mounted captains of the enemy drowned therein, sang with gladness: Let us chant unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O ye sacred people, now passing gloriously not over the Red Abyss but the sea of the struggles of Menas the sufferer, with glorious Moses and Miriam, the wise woman and prophetess, let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O Menas, champion of piety, thou wast well pleased to stand as a warrior of Christ before the fierce destroyer and the wicked tormenter who breathed the anger of threats and the heat of wrath. And thou wast His beacon, crying aloud: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou, O Christ, didst foretell: When I be lifted up, I will draw those born of earth; and Thou didst do this indeed, summoning from the ends of the world the ranks of martyrs and the people that cry out in joy: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The rod of Aaron which budded prefigured thee, O Virgin, the root which sprung forth from Jesse, which shone forth to the world God incarnate, the imperishable bloom. Him do thou ever entreat on behalf of us that have recourse to thee, O Theotokos.
Ode 3, Irmos: Let us not boast of wisdom, power or riches, but in Thee, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, O Christ, for none is holy save Thee, O Lover of mankind.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
The tormenter, stung by thy most wise words, wounded thee without mercy with rawhide thongs, thinking thereby to bow thee down, O invincible martyr.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Directing the eyes of thy mind to the Lord, thou didst endure unbearable oppression with a most courageous spirit, O right glorious one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Fearing not the exceeding painful torment, but breathing with divine zeal, thou didst depart for the struggles, crying: unlooked for and uninvited, I have come!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He that was incarnate of Thee and Who accepted voluntary death hath led up from the gates of hell me who have been slain by the evil tasting of the tree.
Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Great-Martyr Menas, for we eagerly betake ourselves to thee, who art a speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sedalion, Tone 8: Egypt, which before had been held fast by the cruel darkness of ignorance, shone thee forth, O divinely wise martyr Menas, as a beacon to all the world, who by the rays of thy divine struggles dost mightily disperse the night of ungodliness. Wherefore, radiantly celebrating thy radiant and honored day, we earnestly cry out to thee: O adornment of sufferers, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to them that with love honour thy holy memory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Repeat sedalion.
Ode 4, Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine is come on a light cloud and with His incorrupt hand hath saved them that sing: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
By the shedding of thy blood they extinguished the ember of polytheism, and the legion of demons was drowned, and the Church of Christ, which praises thee, was watered thereby, O most blessed passion-bearer Menas.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O martyr, by being lifted up on the tree thou dost portray the passion on the Cross of Him that slew the cruel serpent; thou dost endure lacerations which win for thee that delight which is in the Heavens, O most valorous one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst undergo a trial of pain past nature, O sufferer, and divine love, strengthening thy nature, caused thee to receive forgetfulness, urging thee to reach out for wounds, rejoicing.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ineffably didst thou give birth unto God incarnate, Who fashioned for Himself a home of thy blood, and in godly manner is known in two essences and wills, O thou that knewest not wedlock.
Ode 5, Irmos: The impious perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but we, waking at dawn out of the night, hymn Thee, O Lover of mankind, Radiance of the glory of the Father’s Divinity, O Only-begotten One.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Luminous with the bright rays of thy witness, having overshadowed dark godlessness, O most wise one, thou hast enlightened the faithful of the fullness who hymn thee, O all-laudable one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Every contrivance of the foe hath vanquished away through thy mighty endurance, for neither hunger, nor wounds, nor immolation, nor subjection to iron hooks clouded thy resolve.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Surrounded by faith as the sun is by its rays, thou didst make thine abode in the desert and didst enlighten all the cities, preaching Christ, the Son of God, Who came in the flesh, O glorious one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Deliverer, born of thee in manner surpassing nature, maketh me new who am subject to corruption, freeing me from the ancient curse, O pure Mother of God. Him do thou entreat, that He save me.
Ode 6, Irmos: I have come to the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me, but, as Thou art God, lead up my life out of the depths, O most Merciful One!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Burned by fire, thy wounds rubbed raw with haircloth, yet thou didst remain without pain, for divine grace, being present, strengthened thee, O Menas.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou dost stand condemned before the tribunal of the tyrants, denouncing the falsehood, O ever memorable one, and giving thyself to the faithful as a pillar of piety.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the sweat of thy struggles thou didst dry up the falsehood of idolatry, and didst fashion of thyself a temple of the honoured Trinity, O right wondrous passion-bearer Menas.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal thou the incurable passions of my soul with the balm of thy goodness, O all-immaculate one, who didst give birth to Christ, the good Saviour, for them that are in the world.
Katavasia: Pray to God for us, O Holy Great-Martyr Menas, for we eagerly betake ourselves to thee, who art a speedy helper and intercessor for our souls.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: O Passion-bearer Menas, * Christ our God, the imperishable Crown of martyrs, * took thee from a transient army, * and showed thee forth * as a partaker of the incorruptible and heavenly.
Ikos: The memory of the martyrs is a cause of great gladness for us, for it showeth forth courage amid suffering and victory over the enemy in the radiant and joyful confession of grace. Come ye, therefore, all ye that love this festival, and let us be glad therein, keeping the memory of the passion-bearer Menas as the best and abiding time of our gladness, and receiving the gift of being loosed from our passions, for Christ God is the Bestower thereof, the imperishable Crown of martyrs.
Ode 7, Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O all-hymned Lord, God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, they that sought the truth righteously, and Who slew the Chaldeans.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
With wounds didst thou strip off sin’s garment of skin, and thou didst robe thyself in vesture which groweth not old and which grace, appearing, wore, O blessed one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
By the burning zeal of thine honourable and mighty struggles hath wicked and thorny godlessness been utterly consumed, O martyr, and the leaping flame of ignorance is extinguished by the streams of thy blood, O most blessed one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Possessed of abundant gifts, thou dost pour forth miracles upon them that celebrate thine honoured festival, O right wondrous Menas; and thou dost aid them that sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Blessed is the Fruit of thy blessed womb, Whom the hosts of Heaven and the assemblies of those born of earth do bless, He that hath delivered us from the ancient curse, O blessed one.
Ode 8, Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending upon the pious youths amid the flame, Thou didst bedew them and teach them to sing: All ye works, bless and hymn the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O Menas, thou wast revealed as a crown-bearer; having set at nought the enemies of the Cross of thy Lord, thou didst put them to shame and didst cry out, O most blessed one: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
God hath wrought wonders in thy memory, pouring forth healings, both spiritual and bodily, through thy relics upon us that cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst offer God thy service; and having bowed thy head to the ground, thou wast beheaded by the sword, O martyr, crying aloud: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Today is the Holy Church adorned with your blood, as with purple and fine linen, O Menas, Victor and Vincent, who cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin remaineth the womb of her that bore the Saviour Who without seed was conceived of the Holy Spirit, God uncircumscribable wrapped in flesh, the Word co-unoriginate with the Father. Him do all works praise and supremely exalt as Lord unto the ages!
Ode 9, Irmos: Christ Who uniteth disparate natures, the cornerstone uncut by hands, hath been cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst love no less than thou wast beloved, O passion-bearer, laying down thy beloved life for Christ Who loved thee and Who glorified thy witness with Himself, O ever memorable one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
As a lampstand aflame with the light of three suns did the three inseparable martyrs appear: Menas, Victor, and Vincent, illuminating the faithful and dispersing the gloom of the demons.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Accept, as that which is thy due, our praise of thee which proceedeth from a readiness which, I know, surpasseth, our words; and from thy treasuries bestow upon us gifts without number.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of old rightly did all the prophets praise thee, the Mother of the King and Master; and now, the apostles and martyrs magnify thee, glorifying thee with us.
Troparion, Tone 8: With great valour of soul, didst thou strive in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, from Heaven hast thou received the gift of miracles; for God hath shown thee to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made thee our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defence from harm.
Kontakion 1: In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Ikos 1: In the world thou wast shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, hierarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, thou wast shown to be blameless, venerable and Godpleasing in all things. Wherefore, thou hearest from us such praises as these:
Rejoice, thou by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, thou of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, thou for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, thou in whom Aegina Rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
2: Having adorned thyself with meekness of soul from thy youth, O holy father, one fervent desire consumed thy heart: to become a preacher of the Holy Gospel. From childhood thou knewest the Scriptures which are able to make man wise for salvation, teaching them to cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 2: When thou left thy home and traveled to Constantinople, thou labored in the midst of worldly distractions. Yet thou didst not forsake the Faith which dwelt first in thy grandmother and mother and also dwelt in thee, steadfastly dedicating thyself to prayer and to the sayings of the Fathers, which thou wrote on packages and wrappings so that others might read them and receive spiritual profit. Wherefore, to one who was in the world but not of it, we the faithful cry aloud in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, most holy temple of the activity of God;
Rejoice, divinely inscribed book of new morals!
Rejoice, for thou made thyself like unto the saints in perfection;
Rejoice, for thou wisely spurned material things!
Rejoice, splendid victory of the Faith;
Rejoice, honored clarion of grace!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 3: As a fervent lover of the monastic life, thou often visited the Monastery of the Holy Fathers, conversing there about the spiritual struggle with its holy founder, Elder Pachomios. As thou aspired to the angelic habit, thou wast tonsured and dedicated thyself to prayer on behalf of the people as thou sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 3: Wholly consumed with the love of heavenly knowledge, thou received a blessing to continue thy theological education to which thou devoted thyself with zeal and self-denial. While living in Athens, thou studied day and night, knowing no other roads but that to the school and to the Church. Wherefore, as to our instructor in heavenly theology, we thy children joyfully cry:
Rejoice, great pillar of piety;
Rejoice, city of refuge for the faithful!
Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, venerable vessel and praise of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, thou who shone forth in these latter times like a never-setting sun;
Rejoice, thou who pours forth the nectar of grace upon all believers.
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 4: Arrayed in true holiness and pure morals, Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria saw in thee great potential for service to Christ’s Holy Church. Thou wast ordained to the sacred priesthood and elevated to the office of Bishop. O wise one, thou offered thy life to Christ as a pure sacrifice, ever chanting: Alleluia!
Ikos 4: In thy position as Metropolitan of Pentapolis, thou wast deeply loved by the faithful, for clothed in the vesture of the hierarchy, thou adorned thy life with humility. Ever disdainful of material possessions, thou opened thy hand freely and distributed thine alms to the poor. Like thy Master, thou willingly came not to be served but to serve and to give thy life as a ransom for many. Conquered by thy love, we who honor thy holy memory cry unto thee thus:
Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds;
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, for through thee we are delivered from bodily passions;
Rejoice, for through thee we are filled with spiritual delights!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 5: When the enemy of our souls saw thee laboring in humility, he could not abide thy holy presence among the people. Raising up slanders, inciting rumors, he sought to destroy thy good name and to lead thee to bitterness and anger. But thou overcame all of his devices, for in all things thou didst meekly chant unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5: Lacking even thy daily bread, slandered on all sides, thou prayed for thy accusers, begging the Father to forgive them. Refusing to speak one word in thy own defense, thou joyfully suffered according to the will of God, committing thyself to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Wherefore, amazed by thy long-suffering and steadfast endurance, we thy children exclaim:
Rejoice, treasury of great mercy;
Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry!
Rejoice, container of great virtues;
Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness!
Rejoice, thou who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they have done;”
Rejoice, thou who repaid evil with good!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 6: Having within thee a strong desire for the life of stillness on the Holy Mountain, thou could not abandon the people but heeded their call to remain in the world and to proclaim the words of salvation. Freely thou received and freely thou gave, calling all men to exclaim: Alleluia!
Ikos 6: With the words of thy mouth thou dropped heavenly sweetness into the hearts of those who accepted thy words with faith, directing the minds of the faithful to seek those things which are above. The sacred writings of thy teachings continually gladden the souls of the pious; for moved by the Holy Spirit, O Father, thou wisely recorded words of grace and instruction for those who cry to thee:
Rejoice, faithful servant of the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, habitation adorned of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, light that illumines all the ends of the earth;
Rejoice, thou who delivers people from the abyss of sin!
Rejoice, thou who exalts truth;
Rejoice, thou who dispells falsehood!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 7: Invited to assume the direction of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School, thou brought peace where there once existed confusion, for thou treated all as a loving father. Wherefore thy students in gratitude sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 7: Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, having received the words of Life, thou committed these to faithful men who, because of thy good instruction and spiritual example, were enabled to teach them to others. Enduring hardships as a good soldier of Christ, thou did not entangle thyself in the affairs of this life but thought only how to please the Master. Therefore, as to a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, we cry out to thee in words such as these:
Rejoice, teacher of the divine commandments;
Rejoice, thou who makes wise the unwise by thy teachings!
Rejoice, new Paul, who has bequeathed to us the pattern of sound words;
Rejoice, new Jude, who has given us the exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith!
Rejoice, new Chrysostom, who has poured forth upon the Church the heavenly nectar of piety;
Rejoice, new Damascene, who has defended the faithful from impious doctrines!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 8: Wisely adorned with understanding and meekness, thou brought together venerable virgins in godliness, leading them to Christ by thy words and the works of thy blameless life, teaching them to sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8: Listening to thy prayers and earnest supplications, the Lord Who does the will of those who fear him, led thee to the island of Aegina where thou rebuilt the monastery which had been abandoned. Who can describe thy labors and toils? Exercising vigilance in all things, thou showed forth a model of divine virtue. Thy spiritual daughters in thanksgiving cry to thee thus:
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness;
Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, pious rule of faith;
Rejoice, holy purification of mortals!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 9: Worldly-minded men cannot understand thy patience, for despite the many cares of the monastery, thou did not cease writing edifying books for Christians living in the world. Wherefore, amazed at the great wisdom which thou wast given, we cry to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9: Having settled at the Monastery in Aegina, thou became all spirit and led an altogether spiritual life. Venerable, meek, kindly, humble, extremely compassionate and charitable, thou carried on the good fight in order to lay hold of that which for which Christ Jesus laid hold of thee. In thy pious ways thou blamelessly followed Dionysios, the godly pastor of Aegina. Now as thou partakest of heavenly glory with him, receive from us these praises:
Rejoice, thou who despised the world and its delusive pleasures;
Rejoice, thou who received in exchange heavenly blessings!
Rejoice, thou who completely subdued thy flesh to thy spirit;
Rejoice, thou who subjected thy spirit to thy sweetest Lord Jesus!
Rejoice, thou of the holy Fathers;
Rejoice, instructor in the prayer of the heart!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 10: Never neglecting mental prayer but always crying from the depths of thy heart, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” all bore witness that thou hadst become completely spiritualized. Noticing in thee an exceptional sweetness which radiated from thy serene countenance, the faithful joyfully exclaimed: Alleluia!
Ikos 10: Knowing that the Most Holy Virgin is a bulwark for all saints and a joy to monastics, thou often offered thy intercessions to her with tears and commited thyself to her motherly protection. Writing beautiful hymns, thou gave to the faithful the gift of thy love teaching them to sing, “Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” Therefore, we cry to thee:
Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ;
Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!
Rejoice, thou who showed flaming love for the Lord;
Rejoice, thou who always honored His Holy Mother!
Rejoice, boast of the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, thou who work many miracles through the power of God!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 11: When the time came for thee to depart to Christ to receive the Crown of righteousness laid up for thee in heaven, thou endured severe pain and suffering with exemplary patience. Always thanking the Heavenly Father and blessing His all-holy name, thou continually cried: Alleluia!
Ikos 11: The Lord, Who always glorifies those who glorify Him, did not allow thy virtue to be hidden but desiring that those on earth know the glory He has given thee in the heavens has revealed thy relics as a well-spring of healings and miracles. For immediately after thy repose, as thy body was being prepared for burial, the Lord worked wonders through thy sweater, raising up a man who had been paralyzed for many years. Therefore, together with him we also gratefully cry to thee:
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, constant stream of mercy by which we are cleansed!
Rejoice, physician of soul and body;
Rejoice, new pool of Siloam, healing the infirm!
Rejoice, sweet myrhh of compassion;
Rejoice, miracle worker of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 12: Multitudes of the faithful from all lands continually flee to thy shrine, O holy one, and from thy precious relics faithfully obtain divine grace and answers for their every petition. O Father, as thou knowest how, fulfill thou also the petitions of those who now cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 12: Singing praises we glorify thee, O all-praised Nektarios; for in thee God Who is glorified in the Trinity is wonderfully glorified. But even if we were to offer thee a multitude of psalms and hymns composed from the soul, O holy wonderworker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of thy miracles, and amazed by them we cry unto thee:
Rejoice, thou who conquered all the snares of the Evil One;
Rejoice, thou who were sanctified both in soul and body!
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, restoration of health to the sick!
Rejoice, healer of diseases by the Grace of God;
Rejoice, helper of those that suffer cruelly!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 13: As a partaker in the life of heaven and a dweller with the angels, O Father Nektarios, in that thou labored to please God, accept our present offering, and unceasingly intercede for thy flock and for all the Orthodox who honor thee, that we may be healed of all diseases of both body and soul, that together with thee in the eternal Kingdom we may unceasingly cry: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (Repeat 3x)
Ikos 1: In the world thou wast shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, hierarch of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, thou wast shown to be blameless, venerable and Godpleasing in all things. Wherefore, thou hearest from us such praises as these:
Rejoice, thou by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, thou of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, thou for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, thou in whom Aegina rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
Kontakion 1: In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy, the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of patience and lover of virtue.
The Canon I to the Bodiless Hosts, the acrostic whereof is: “O ye divinely wise, let us solemnize praise to the assembly of the incorporeal ones …,” the composition of John the Monk, of Damascus
Ode, I Irmos: Let us, O ye people, send up a hymn * unto our wondrous God * Who hath freed Israel from bondage, * chanting a hymn of victory * and crying aloud:* We sing unto Thee, O only Master.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ye faithful let us all hymn the uncreated Trinity, Who doth govern all the immaterial ranks of the heavenly choirs, crying aloud: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Creator of the angels, Thou didst set as a beginning to Thy creations the immaterial essence which doth surround Thy most honored throne that it might cry out to Thee: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Rejoice, O Gabriel, initiate of the mystery of the incarnation of God, and Michael, foremost among the immaterial ranks, who unceasingly cry out: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O Almighty God!
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
I tremble before the mystery of Thy condescension, O Christ; for, God in essence, Thou didst deign to be born from the Virgin as a man, that Thou mightest save the world from slavery to the enemy.
Canon II to the Bodiless Hosts, also the Composition of John of Damascus
Ode I, 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Come ye, and, joining chorus, let us praise the noetic choirs of the incorporeal ranks, for they are divine ministers who unceasingly pray for our salvation and rejoice over our repentance.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The chief captains of the angels, chosen before others, the valiant commanders, the incorporeal intelligences, today arise for the celebration of the feast of their radiant memory. With them we also rejoice, offering a hymn to the Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ye people, with spiritual joy let us be glad today with the angels, for Gabriel again announceth glad tidings: the union of the Churches and the destruction of all adverse heresies, in the commemoration of the supreme commanders.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, through the Holy Spirit thou hast given birth unto the Word of the Father, Who transcending nature made His abode within thee, being of two natures and wills, yet immutably one in hypostasis; and Whose countenance we venerate.
Ode II, 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
With strength, O Immortal One, hast Thou appointed the mighty ones who fulfill Thine all-holy will, ever standing before Thee in the highest.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Christ, accept those who pray on our behalf, the commanders of the angels, initiates of the mystery of Thine incarnation and Thine honored Resurrection.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou hast appointed angels as guardians for all mankind, in that Thou art compassionate; and Thou hast shown forth the ministers of the salvation of Thy favored ones.
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
O Bride of God, thou hast ineffably conceived the Lord and Savior, Who delivereth from evil those who call upon thee in truth.
Another 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Michael, chief captain, foremost among the angels, as a secondary luminary of the Trinity hast thou revealed thyself to those who faithfully praise thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Having proclaimed the coming of God in the flesh, Gabriel faithfully filled the whole world with the effulgence of divine grace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O ever-hymned couple, radiant and immaterial pair, show forth the light of God upon those who faithfully celebrate your memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure one, Isaiah hymned thine Offspring, Who transcendeth nature; and I too sing, that I may obtain His cleansing.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “That which was commanded …”: O ye captains of the heavenly hosts, foremost among those who are enthroned on high, and awesome in divine glory, O Michael and Gabriel, supreme commanders, chief captains of the angels, and all ye bodiless ones, ministers of the Master: praying unceasingly on behalf of the world, ask for the remission of the sins we have committed, and that we may find mercy and grace on the day of Judgment. (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 in Tone VIII: O pure and blessed one, who art full of divine grace, out of the compassion of thy tender compassion, with the hosts on high, the archangels and all the bodiless powers, unceasingly entreat Him Who was born from thee, that, before the end, He mercifully grant us forgiveness of sins and correction of life, that we may find mercy.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou didst mount Thy steeds O Lord, * Thine apostles, * and taking their bridles in Thy hands, * Thy chariot became salvation unto those who sing with faith: * Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou didst mount the angels like steeds, O Lover of mankind, and taking their bridles in Thy hand, Thy chariot became salvation unto those who unceasingly cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thy virtue covereth the angels, O Lover of mankind, and with Thy divine, glorious praise, O Beginningless One, filleth the ends of the earth, which cry out with them: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou didst go forth unto the salvation of Thy people, O compassionate Christ, summoning Thy friends, the powers; and Thy coming hath been gladness unto all who faithfully cry aloud: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast been supra-naturally revealed to be both Virgin and Mother, O all-pure one; for thou hast given birth to Christ, both God and man, to Whom the ranks of the angels cry out with fear: Glory to Thy power, O Lord!
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!’
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
In Jericho of old the great Michael, supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord and chief among the bodiless ones, appeared unto Joshua, son of Nun, who was waging war, and he gave them victory, fighting for him; and the servant of God, receiving power from him, conquering them with the spear by which the enemy was captured.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Once the great Gabriel, the truly divine archangel, chief among the bodiless hosts, appeared, bearing the glad tidings of a child to Zechariah the priest. Wherefore, the voice of the Word, who was born John, restoreth the voice of prophecy to his own father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All the ends of the earth rejoice today with exceeding joy, O God, celebrating the honored memory of Thine archangels, the divine Michael and Gabriel of divine wisdom. And together with them all the ranks of angels rejoice, for by their protection the world is preserved.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou alone didst remain pure after giving birth, and only thou hast been shown to be without husband, O thou that with milk didst nourish the true Word of the Father, Who through the Holy Spirit assumed our form, that of a servant, O Virgin Theotokos. And venerating the divine likeness of His countenance, Him do we honour.
Ode V, Irmos: Guide me out of the night of ignorance * with the light of Thine understanding, O Lord, * for I am lost on the path that ensnares the soul, * and direct me to the way of Thy commandments.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Borne up to the heights by inexorable longing for Thee, O Christ, Thou ultimate of all desires, the angelic powers unceasingly glorify Thee.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou hast made Thine angels noetic by nature and incorrupt by Thy grace, that they may hymn Thy majesty, O Christ, having fashioned them according to Thine image, O Unapproachable One.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Through their nearness to Thee, O Christ, Thou hast kept Thy servants un-inclined towards evil, for Thou art the Source of all goodness, and Thou doest good unto those who serve Thee as is meet.
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
Enliven my soul which hath been slain by vile passions, O all- immaculate one, for thou hast given birth unto the Preserver of life, and direct it to the path of eternal and blessed life.
Another Irmos: O Light never-waning, * why hast Thou turned Thy face from me * and why hath 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
When, of old, Balaam the prophet refused to submit to the ineffable and divine wonders of God, an angel appeared to his donkey at the crossroads and strangely denounced him, showing his irrational animal to be unnaturally rational.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
When Peter had been arrested and languished in prison, an angel of God appeared, delivering him from the hands of Herod, from bonds and death. Wherefore, come ye, let us all honor the wise angels as divine protectors of our souls.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O angels and archangels, ye divine powers of God, by your ever-offered supplications to God put an end to the uproar of battles, heresies in the Church and all temptations, and maintain us in peace.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We know Thee to be the God of creation: One in two natures, two actions and wills, though uncommingled, the Son of God Who took flesh from a woman, whose image depicted in Icons we venerate.
Ode VI, Irmos: Thou O Lord, didst place Jonah alone within the sea monster. * Do Thou save me, * who am ensnared in the nets of the enemy, * as thou didst save him from corruption.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
By Thy Word, O Lord, Thou didst in a godly manner bring the heavenly beings, the immortal hosts, out of non-existence, making them luminous.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Honoured initiates of the mysteries of the praise of God have ye been, O incorporeal ones, citizens of heaven, truly divine tabernacles, who serve the Creator as is meet.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thee, O beginningless Son of God, do the noetic ranks of the bodiless ones unceasingly praise and glorify as the Creator and Fashioner of all things.
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
O most pure one, thou hast been deemed worthy to cradle in thine embrace Him Who eternally sitteth with the Father in the highest. Render Him merciful unto us, thy servants, O pure one.
Another 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Taking flight in mind away from material corruption, let us with fear honor the immaterial ones who are bodiless like flames of fire and light, chanting hymns unto them with lips of clay.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Calm the tempests of the passions, O archangels, and quell all revolts against the Faith, for ye are the holy and fiery chief commanders of the Trinity.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O captains Michael and Gabriel, ye chief commanders and archangels of God, leaders of the bodiless ones, preserve us from all heresies by your protection.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Christ, being incorporeal in that Thou art God, Thou didst manifest Thyself incarnate from the womb of her who knew not a man, and, as man, thou wast a bearer of our flesh, Whose likeness we honour, O ye faithful.
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: Supreme Leaders of God’s armies * and ministers of the divine glory, * princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind, * ask ye for that which is beneficial for us, and for great mercy, ** as Supreme Leaders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Ikos: In Thy Scriptures, O immortal Lover of mankind, Thou didst say that a multitude of angels rejoiceth in heaven over one man that repenteth. Wherefore, O- Sinless One, Who alone knowest the hearts of all people, amid our transgressions we ever make bold to beseech Thee to have compassion and send down compunction upon us, unworthy though we be, granting us forgiveness, O Master; in that Thou art compassionate, for the supreme commanders of the bodiless host entreat Thee 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’.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Compassionate One, Thou didst reveal the immaterial essence of Thine angels to be light, for they are unceasingly filled with Thine ineffable light, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The myriads of ministering angels cannot endure to behold the sight of the Countenance before which they unceasingly stand, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Thou didst create the nature of the angels by Thy hypostatic Word, and having sanctified it by the divine Spirit, O God, Thou didst teach it to bless the Trinity throughout all ages.
Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.
Mindful of the three hypostases, we glorify the un-circumscribed essence of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, throughout the ages!
Another Irmos: The Children of Judaea, * who of old came to dwell in Babylon, * trampled underfoot the flame of the furnace * through their faith in the Trinity, * as they sang: ‘O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.’
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Come ye, O human race, and with the choirs of the bodiless ones let us worship, celebrating on this auspicious day the memory of the wise archangels of Christ, singing: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Of old, Abraham the God-seer, and the glorious Lot, gave shelter to the angels, in that they were hospitable, and they found fellowship with the angels, crying: Holy, holy, holy art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
To the valiant Manoah and the most wise Tobit appeared the angels who give rewards for the struggles of life as is meet; and once the Angel of the children quenched the flame in the fiery furnace.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All that is ours by nature didst Thou take from the Virgin, except change, O Jesus, and with the fathers we proclaim Thee to be of two natures, but One in hypostasis; and, depicting the visage thereof, we faithfully venerate it.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Glorified in the holy mountain, * the Lord revealed the mystery of the Ever-Virgin unto Moses * in the flames of the burning bush: * praise ye and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Let us emulate the life of the angels and wing our thoughts to the heights, and with them let us immaterially chant unto the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him throughout all ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
The angels, heavenly members of the chorus which doth surround the throne of glory and ever dance about God, hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Most Holy Trinity our God, glory to Thee.
The Trinity, which unceasingly maketh its ministers a flame of immate- rial fire in the highest and doth show forth its angels as spirits, let us worship and glorify throughout all ages.
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
Him before Whom myriads of angels and archangels stand in trepidation wast thou deemed worthy to bear in thine arms, O Theotokos, pray thou that those who glorify Him may be saved throughout all ages.
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’.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Michael the archangel is chief among the angels; but with him Gabriel is also radiantly glorified as the initiate of the mystery of grace, the honored one who obtained the consent of the Virgin, the champion leader of the bodiless ones; and they both proclaim joy unto those who cry: O ye people, exalt Christ supremely throughout all ages!
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ezekiel, beholding the ranks of angels in their divers forms, proclaimed, prophesying: ‘Among them six-winged seraphim stood in intercession, and many-eyed cherubim surrounded them; and with them I saw most radiant archangels glorifying Christ throughout all ages’.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
How the dread coming of Thy second Judgment will be was foretold by Daniel in revelation: ‘The thrones were set, and the Ancient One sat, and He let in the myriads of angels who stand with fear and cry out with incessant voices to the Trinity throughout all ages’.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Word, Who is consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit, of His own will manifested Himself from the Virgin is like unto us, not mingling one with the other of the two natures of His awesome union. For He showed Himself to be One and the Same in both, in two natures, and one hypostasis. And now we bow down before the image of His likeness.
Ode IX, Irmos: Thou hast passed the limits of nature, * having conceived the Maker and the Lord, * and didst become a door of salvation * unto the world; * wherefore we unceasingly magnify thee, O Theotokos.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Christ, Who hast ineffably united those who are in heaven with those who are on earth, and made one Church of angels and mortals, Thee do we unceasingly magnify.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O ye angels and archangels, thrones, virtues and dominions, principalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim: pray ye with the Theotokos on behalf of the world.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Michael and Gabriel, who are shown to be leaders of all, visit those who with love honor your most festive memory and faithfully cry aloud: Save us from all evil circumstances!
Most Holy Lady, Theotokos, save us.
Rejoice, O holy bride of God! Rejoice, thou that didst give birth unto the Light of the world for the faithful! Rejoice, rampart and shelter of us all! Do thou unceasingly entreat God on our behalf, for He is our Benefactor.
Another 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.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
Ye have shown yourselves to be champions for the infirm, for those who sail the sea and those who are in need, O Michael and Gabriel, first among the bodiless hosts.
All ye Bodiless Powers of Heaven, pray to God for us.
O Gabriel, in that thou dost hold chorus with the divine powers and thrones, and art the champion leader of the angels and an initiate of the mysteries of God, pray thou to the Saviour for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In that ye are the protectors of the world and commanders of the hosts on high, entreat ye the Saviour on our behalf.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Together we glorify thee, O Theotokos, for thou dost save us from the passions and dost fulfill those of our supplications which are to our benefit.
Troparion of the Angels, Tone IV: O supreme commanders of the heavenly hosts, * we entreat you unworthy as we are, * that by your prayers, you will encompass us * with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory * preserving us who fall down before you and earnestly cry aloud: * deliver us from all misfortunes, ** for ye are the commanders of the hosts on high.
Kontakion 1: Unto thee, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as unto our intercessor and speedy helper. Do thou, holy Great Martyr, as one who hath boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Ikos 1: The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation hath revealed thee unto His Church as a guardian and passion-bearer for the faith. Thou art an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises unto thee for the ascetic labours of thy sufferings, Saint George, in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst love unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life with love for His Name.
Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.
Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the angels.
Rejoice, thou who art the equal of the prophets.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 2: Beholding how the wicked idolaters were persecuting the Christians, thou didst not fear their wiles and tortures, divinely wise George. As a good soldier of Christ, thou didst distribute all thy possessions among the poor, and then didst voluntarily run to that ungodly gathering, singing unto Christ, thy commander and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2: Mentally comprehending the One God divinely worshipped in Three Persons, with a firm mind thou didst confess Him before the assembly of the ungodly. Thus, thou didst expose the unwise king’s foolish worship of creation. In admiration of thy lofty love of wisdom, Saint George, accept from us these fervent praises:
Rejoice, wise preacher of the One True God.
Rejoice, faithful advocate of the All-Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the great mystery of the True Faith unto the unbelievers.
Rejoice, thou who didst expose the deception of idol worship.
Rejoice, revelation of holy wisdom.
Rejoice, image of divine inspiration.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 3: The power of God, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, did visit thee also, whilst thou wast suffering in prison, O George wise in humility. Thou didst despise all the corruptible things of this life as chaff. Thou didst faithfully cling unto Christ alone, that after fighting the good fight for His Name, thou mightest be granted eternally to chant with the angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 3: Possessing a mind and heart enlightened by the Holy Ghost, by His inspiration thou wast fervent to struggle for the Name of Christ, even unto blood. Standing courageously in the faith, thou didst expose the puffed-up pride of the ungodly congregation. Let us, then, come to thee, most wonderful George, singing praises unto thee:
Rejoice, shield lifted for preservation of piety.
Rejoice, sword raised for the beheading of evil.
Rejoice, confirmation of the Christian Church.
Rejoice, comfort of those gathered in prayer.
Rejoice, encouragement of the faithful.
Rejoice, fear and disgrace of the unbelievers.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 4: The mad persecutor, breathing murder against thee, O passion-bearer George, longed for thy blood like a thirsty dog, ordering thy body stretched out on a wheel and giving thee over unto the most evil torments. Wherefore thou, taking strength in the Lord, with hope and trust in God didst cry aloud: Alleluia.
Ikos 4: When Diocletian and the priest of the idols heard words of wisdom from thee, they were enraged with hatred for thee, and even more so when thou didst say: O tormentor king, why dost thou torture me in vain? For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. The faithful therefore humbly cry unto thee, O George of great fame, in this way:
Rejoice, thou who didst shed thy blood upon the wheel for thy courageous confession of the Faith.
Rejoice, thou who didst magnify the triumph of the Faith by thy blood.
Rejoice, zealot together with the apostles.
Rejoice, imitator of the voluntary Passion of Christ.
Rejoice, unshakable champion of the Faith.
Rejoice, passion-bearer harder than adamant.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 5: Thou wast as a star sent by God, O Saint George, for with thy miraculous healing and release from the wheel by an angel before the eyes of all, thou didst enlighten the unbelievers to believe in the Trinity in One Essence, and to sing unto Him together with thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 5: The people beheld the miracles of the power of God so clearly taking place in thee, and meekly accepted the teaching of Christ from thee. They cried aloud, saying: Truly great is the God of the Christians. It is fitting that we also sing praises unto thee, George worthy of glory, and so we cry out thus:
Rejoice, thou who didst disperse the darkness of unbelief by the radiant word of salvation.
Rejoice, thou who didst convert unbelievers unto Christ by thy martyr’s confession of faith.
Rejoice, thou who didst lead legions of earthly soldiers unto the heavenly army.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the heavenly hosts as a soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, glory of courageous soldiers.
Rejoice, beauty of the all-radiant choirs of martyrs.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 6: Zealous in faith, like unto those Spirit-bearing preachers, the apostles, thou wast crucified unto the world, O Martyr George. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, thou wast hurled headlong into the furnace of the lime pit — that through thy life might be manifested the glory of the Lord Who is wondrous in His saints. Henceforth in the lime pit as in a temple of glory, thou didst noetically cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 6: Having shone forth in His Resurrection from the tomb on the third day, Jesus, the Almighty Conqueror of hades and death, did save thee from corruption, O victorious George. After three days thou wast found alive in the lime pit, with thy hands lifted and singing unto God. The ungodly were sore afraid and stricken with terror, but we rejoice and compose a hymn of victory unto thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst cast down the puffed-up pride of the devil by thy being cast down in disgrace into the lime pit.
Rejoice, thou who didst overcome the persecutor’s bestiality by thy miraculous salvation from God.
Rejoice, for as one without guile, thou didst pray as for benefactors for those who worked evil against thee.
Rejoice, for thou wast zealous for their conversion as Paul was for the Jews.
Rejoice, man of spiritual desires.
Rejoice, victor through the power of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 7: Desiring by any means to ensnare thy heart for service to the idols, the wicked persecutor contrived to mislead thee by magical spells. Therein thou, chosen of God, didst cry out with David: In God is my salvation and my glory, and didst faithfully chant unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7: That evil servant of Satan, Diocletian , revealed a new villainy. In his insane zeal for the idols, he ordered thee to be given poison, Saint George, but thou wast filled with faith and hope. Even though thou didst drink the deadly poison, yet thou didst remain unharmed, O praised-one of God. We marvel at thy holiness and sing unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast not disgraced by thy hope in the living God.
Rejoice, for thou didst count thy torment as nothing.
Rejoice, expeller of soul-destroying demons.
Rejoice, destroyer of the wiles of magicians.
Rejoice, through thee God is shewn to be wondrous in His saints.
Rejoice, through thee the Name of Christ is piously glorified.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 8: There came to the wicked king a strange and terrible counsel from a certain wizard: that he command thee, as proof of the truth of the Christian Faith, by thy word to resurrect a dead man. Thou, Saint George, having no doubt whatsoever, didst sing unto Him Who is not the God of the dead but the God of the living: Alleluia.
Ikos 8: The all-desirable and Sweetest Jesus, Whom thou lovest with all thy soul and heart, most blessed George, attended to the fervent prayer of thy faith and speedily commanded the resurrection of the dead man at thy word. This was to the glorification of His Name and the confirmation of the faithful, so that the unbelievers and the blind might be astounded and thereby gain knowledge of God. For this reason, we dutifully cry unto thee:
Rejoice, through thee the Lord of hosts manifested wonders.
Rejoice, through thee He resurrected a dead man from the tomb.
Rejoice, thou who didst grant the mental vision of faith unto the blinded wizard.
Rejoice, thou who didst shew the way to the Holy of Holies unto many who suffered for Christ.
Rejoice, astonishment of Rome.
Rejoice, exaltation of the Christian race.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 9: All the angels rendered praise unto God, Who granted thee such courage, victorious George, that even when locked up in prison thou didst not cease to keep vigil in prayer. As a great communicant of the mystery of divine grace, thou wast vouchsafed to behold the Lord in a vision. He crowned thy head with the crown of incorruption, so that we might cry out with thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 9: The learned orators are unable with their rhetorical tongues to render worthy praises unto thee, Martyr George, for thy labours and sufferings which thou didst assume voluntarily for Christ and the Church. We also, not knowing how to properly praise thee, chant this hymn with faith:
Rejoice, by thy voluntary suffering for Christ and the Church thou didst crucify the old Adam in thyself.
Rejoice, by thy courageous suffering thou didst receive a crown of righteousness from the Lord.
Rejoice, rule of pious zeal.
Rejoice, model of self-sacrifice.
Rejoice, for thou didst please not thyself, but Christ alone.
Rejoice, for thou wast prepared for any form of death for the sake of thy Saviour, Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 10: Desiring to save the souls perishing in idolatry, O Saint George, lover of God, thou wast zealous for God like Elijah. Entering into the temple of the idols, by the power of God thou didst drive out the demons, shattering the idols and putting the priests to shame. Thereafter as conqueror, not with men but with angels, thou didst chant unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10: More unfeeling than a wall, thy hard-hearted tormentor, O Great Martyr, did not see God, Who so clearly worked miracles through thee, but to the end remained as an asp, stopping his ears. He commanded thee to be executed as a criminal by beheading. Though grieving over the loss of his soul, thou didst joyfully accept thine end, for which we praise thee with love in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst keep faith, hope and love unto the end.
Rejoice, thou who didst work many great miracles at thy beheading.
Rejoice, thou who wast crowned to the glory of God’s goodwill toward those on earth.
Rejoice, thou who wast adorned with majesty in Heaven.
Rejoice, man of God.
Rejoice, good soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 11: Thou didst render a hymn unto the Most Holy Trinity exceeding others, holy Saint George, not in word and mind only, but by the living sacrifice of thy whole self. Imitating Him Who was crucified for us, Christ the Lamb without blemish, thou didst voluntarily lay down thy life for thy friends. Even though we are incapable of praising such courage as thine, for no man hath greater love than this, yet being grateful we sing unto Him Who is wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 11: A light-receiving lamp of the True Light art thou to those on earth, Saint George, chosen of God, for thou dost enlighten the hearts of the faithful and dost guide them all unto divine understanding, instructing us also to joyfully cry aloud:
Rejoice, for thou dost dwell in the all-radiant angelic mansions.
Rejoice, for thou dost commune of the never-waning light of the Trinity not in a mirror, but face to face.
Rejoice, provider for the needy and defender of the wronged.
Rejoice, healer of the infirm and support of kings.
Rejoice, champion of Orthodox soldiers in battle.
Rejoice, fervent intercessor for the salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 12: Knowing the grace granted by God, we celebrate thy memory, Great Martyr George. Running with fervent prayer to thy miraculous icon, we are protected by thine all-powerful help in the Lord as by an invincible wall. In praise of thine aid to others, we fervently cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12: Hymning thy glorious end, by which thou wast magnified as a good soldier of Christ, we pray thee, O passion-bearer and helper in all good for us: Protect us as we earnestly cry unto thee:
Rejoice, by thee the Church of the faithful is enlightened.
Rejoice, for thy name is praised even among the infidels.
Rejoice, wondrous glory of the confessors.
Rejoice, lofty praise of the martyrs.
Rejoice, protector of those who honour thy memory.
Rejoice, deliverer of those who confess Christ God.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Kontakion 13
Most blessed and holy Great Martyr George, accept our hymn of praise and deliver us from every evil by thy fervent intercession unto God, so that we may sing with thee: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (Repeat three times)
Kontakion 1: Unto thee, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as unto our intercessor and speedy helper. Do thou, holy Great Martyr, as one who hath boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
Ikos 1: The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation hath revealed thee unto His Church as a guardian and passion-bearer for the faith. Thou art an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises unto thee for the ascetic labours of thy sufferings, Saint George, in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst love unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life with love for His Name.
Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.
Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the angels.
Rejoice, thou who art the equal of the prophets.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great Martyr and Trophy-bearer.
A Prayer: Great Martyr George, we hasten to thee for triumph over every torment and distress and over all pride and passion, that we may glorify Jesus Christ as zealous conquerors of this world and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. We acknowledge our unworthiness of such holy victory but, in praise of the courage, hope and trust which thou hast demonstrated throughout thy life and into thy martyrdom, we lovingly beseech thine aid in battle against sin. Pray for us, Saint George, that we may be granted the grace to confess the Faith before others and to fulfil the Commandments under all circumstances and among all people. Let us witness of Christ the Lord that everyone might see His radiant light and believe in His holy teachings. Amen
A Canon Of Supplication To The Holy Martyr Varus, To Whom The Grace Was Given To Pray For Those Deceased Ancestors Of Cleopatra Who Had Not Been Vouchsafed To Receive Holy Baptism: Tone VIII
Ode I, Irmos: The staff of Moses, once working a wonder, striking the sea in the form of the Cross and dividing it, drowned the mounted tyrant Pharaoh, and saved Israel who fled on foot, chanting a hymn unto God.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O Lord, be Thou entreated by Thy holy martyr Varus, and clothe Thyself in mercy and compassions! Lo! they will be poured out even unto hades, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and, through Thy rich lovingkindness will bring pity unto NN., for whom we pray.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O great martyr of Christ, be thou mindful of the afflicted and helpless NN. Who sit, unenlightened, in the gloom of darkness; and do not cease to fall down before the compassionate Lord, until He comfort them with His rich lovingkindness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou wast able to make entreaty for the family of the wondrous Cleopatra, O glorious passion-bearer; wherefore, rendering aid today, thou art likewise able to free from torments NN., who are remembered by us, if it is fitting for thee to pray to the Lord for them: for the Master will comfort them with His rich lovingkindness for thy sake.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O good helper and Mistress, look down from thy glory upon the helpless who are in the gloom of hades, and behold the misfortunes of the pitiful NN. whom we remember to thee; and cease thou never to entreat thy Son, the compassionate Lord and Master, in their behalf, until He comfort them with His rich lovingkindness.
Ode III, Irmos: O Christ, Who in the beginning established the heavens in wisdom and founded the earth upon the waters, make me steadfast upon the rock of Thy commandments; for none is holy as Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Move thou the choir of the holy hosts of heaven to make supplication with thee, O martyr, and do thou a thing all-wondrous, great and honourable, which will bring even greater joy unto those who have no hope and consolation and are without expectation: our ancestors who died a bitter death outside the Faith, and NN., who are remembered with them, that the Lord may grant them forgiveness and great mercy.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O excellent passion-bearer, beloved of Christ! Thou knowest how desirable and joyful freedom is for those in torment; wherefore, the joy of our kin and NN. with them, who have incurred everlasting torments because of their unbelief, will know no bounds if thou wilt ask the Lord to grant them forgiveness and great mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Varus, right victorious athlete, be thou merciful to our entreaties, and look upon NN., who are in desperate need; and moved by pity, do thou thyself earnestly pray to the Master Who loveth mankind, that He grant them forgiveness and great mercy.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mary our Mistress, thou hope of the universe, divinely acceptable habitation, our reconciliation with God: Accept the petitions of this present intercession, and cease not to beseech thy Son, the Lord of all, that for thy sake He grant forgiveness and great mercy unto the hopeless NN.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional hymn, Tone V: Pray thou for the whole world, O great-martyr, and cease not to ask mercy for all sinners who have in divers ways grievously offended the Master and continue to offend him, who by mortal works have utterly done themselves to death and acquired nought, since they have wrought evil. And intercede also, O passion-bearer, for our departed kinfolk, NN., beginning as is possible; and cease not to pray and fall down before the Lord Who hath mercy on all, that He forgive and have mercy on those who sit in darkness and are embittered with exceeding great bitterness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Another sessional hymn, Tone III: O great Varus, dweller in everlasting joy and namesake of heavenly rest: With boldness thou darest to remember before the Lord the redeeming qualities of our forebears; for even though we cannot place thee in their graves, yet do we beseech thee to add thy prayers to our earnest supplications that they be granted pity. Wherefore, fall down and pray, for the Master will not reject thine intercession, but, inclined by His infinite goodness, will send deliverance and great mercy upon those who are embittered with exceeding great bitterness.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-radiant Lady, who art hymned above all and art continually magnified by the heavenly hosts, Mother of the King of all: Since thy glory and greatness are increased where and when He desireth, when thou helpest sinners and coverest the whole world with thy supplications, O Mistress, increase the majesty of thy sublimity, and by thy fervent supplications deliver from grievous torments our unbelieving and unbaptized kinfolk and NN., who are commemorated with them; and grant them deliverance and great mercy.
Ode IV, Irmos: Thou art my strength, O Lord, Thou art my power; Thou art my God, Thou art my joy, Who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast visited our lowliness. Wherefore, with the Prophet Habbakuk I cry unto Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Thou Who lovest mankind!
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Since thou lovest all who have recourse to thee with faith, O passion-bearer, thou hast won the love of those who make entreaty unto thee. What other thing, desiring to glorify thee, will He Who loveth mankind do if not to bestow the asked-for mercy upon the compunctionate, the eternal prisoners bereft of all joy, NN. As before, O valiant martyr, fail not in thy prayers for them.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Cruel winter, barren of salvation, and joyless lamentation lie upon the ungodly who have died, in the place where NN., whom we remember, are assigned. But haste thou, O passion-bearer, to unite them to the race of the righteous, and fail not in thy prayers for them.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let not the gloomy prison of hades forever hold our ancestors and kinfolk, and all who are remembered with them, NN. Since thou, the wondrous athlete, hast set at nought the power of unbelief and the might of sin, so as before with the family of Cleopatra, fail not in thy prayers for them, that they may be forgiven, O martyr.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, O all-pure one, have we come to know how to glorify the Creator of all things; through thee are we wont to magnify the true Saviour Who came forth from thee bearing flesh. We praise and bow down before thee, the Mistress, and pray: Have mercy on the our kinfolk NN. who have died in unbelief, and fail not in thy prayers to thy Son, that He deliver them.
Ode V, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Every gift and every mercy poured forth from the merciful Lord, though allwondrous and all-marvelous, when brought to bear to accomplish the forgiveness of NN. who have died in impiety, impart excellent magnitude thereto. Wherefore, today also do thou make haste to entreat the Master, O martyr, that He work great things.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Turn not away from our compunction, O Lord, neither be Thou mindful of the multitude of our sins; rather, remember Thy mercies which are from of old, and in Thy compassions, and for the sake of the valiant athlete Varus, exhaust not the riches of Thine infinite lovingkindness, but pour forth Thy mercies and forgiveness upon NN., whom we remember.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
If the Master’s love for mankind extendeth even unto those afar off at sea, O great-martyr, stand forth today and, falling down, beseech Him to have mercy on those far away from the Faith, our kinfolk who have died unbaptized, and NN., who are commemorated with them, that He may grant them forgiveness and great mercy.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Intercede, O Mistress, for our weakness, and be thou constantly with us in time of need, helping us everywhere and always; for thou art the hope and expectation of Christians. Wherefore, reject not our petitions, but fulfil and perfect them by thine incomprehensible grace.
Ode VI, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Let not the pride of the enemy rejoice, having seized men’s souls as plunder; but by thy fervent supplications do thou, O martyr, destroy his desires, entreating the Lord to forgive NN., whom we remember, and to deliver them and us from everlasting torment.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
The inspiration for our feat of prayer is the forgiveness of the family of Cleopatra, whence we have conceived the thought to move thee to make supplication. Disdain not NN., whom we remember, O great-martyr, and reject not their sinful state; but making haste, ask of Christ the Master that He grant them forgiveness and deliverance from bitter torments.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Assuming boldness, O passion-bearer, ask of the King of heaven that He grant the joy of remission instead of dread punishment unto those who have met an evil end because of their unbelief, and whose hope of good things hath utterly perished because they have angered God; and having led them up from bitterness, preserve them in the mercy of the Master.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
What evil can prevail over thy maternal supplications, O Mistress? For truly, if thou wilt stand forth today and make supplication for NN., for whom we ask thee to pray, thou shalt obtain for them joyous forgiveness, deliverance and great mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone IV: Following Christ, O martyr Varus, and draining His cup, thou wast crowned with the wreath of martyrdom and joinest chorus with the angels. Pray thou without ceasing for our souls.
Ikos: Be thou mindful of our words, O splendid denizen of heaven, glorious Varus, great-martyr of Christ, namesake of everlasting rest, who by thy great sufferings didst obtain an impassable and splendid resting-place, far from inescapable imprisonment, unceasing retribution and want: Haste thou by thy God-pleasing supplications to deliver His compunctionate servants NN., for whose sake we entreat thee, standing before thee and crying out with earnestness: Fulfil our petitions, O holy one, and beseech Christ God unceasingly in behalf of our souls.
Ode VII, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the fire stood in awe of the condescension of God; wherefore, the youths, dancing with joyous step in the furnace, as in a meadow, chanted: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
As Thou dost enlighten all like the sun, O Lord, and lettest rain fall in abundance upon all, and unceasingly bestowest mercy upon those who anger Thee, hearken now unto Varus, Thine athlete, and pour forth Thy mercy utterly upon our kinfolk who have been separated from Thee, and upon the unbelieving NN., whom we remember, O Thou Who lovest mankind.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Now as before, be Thou compassionate, O Lord, and allowing Thyself to be entreated, O Master, as Thou didst with Cleopatra, so do Thou deal with us, O Merciful One: Send forth Thy compassions and lovingkindness upon NN., whom we remember, for Thou art the inexhaustible Well-spring of mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The prophet, soaring aloft, hymneth Thy mercies, O Lord, unto the ages, and we also believe that Thou hast not diminished in Thy compassions, for the bounds of Thy lovingkindness are infinite. We entreat Thee to pour forth mercies from the abyss thereof upon NN., who have been drowned in the depths, and fill them therewith, for the sake of the martyr, O our Master.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He who is most wise among the prophets calleth thee the mountain; and we believe him when he saith that from thee, without the interference of man, the Stone of the divine Offspring issued forth, from Whom we have received salvation and release from the depths of hades. O Mistress, lead up from hades NN., whom we remember today, that we may unceasingly magnify thee, the most merciful one.
Ode VIII, Irmos: When the musical instruments sounded and innumerable were those who worshiped the image in Dura, the three youths, refusing to obey the tyrant’s command, hymned and glorified the Lord for all ages.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
Let Thine ancient words of mercy, which bespeak the hope that we will be lifted up, be fulfilled, O Lord, for Thou didst hearken to Thy saints when they besought Thee to have mercy on those who died in unbelief. And today we bring them before Thee, O Lord, to pray that for the sake of their entreaties Thou mightest have pity on NN., who have died outside of Orthodoxy, O Master, and have offended Thee, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O Lamb of God Who hast redeemed us by Thy precious Blood, Who didst hearken to the plea of Thecla and the blessed Gregory, who didst accept the petitions of Methodius, Macarius and many others, bestowing joy and deliverance upon those who died in wicked religions, and moved Chrysostom to write that we pray for them: Accept, O Master, with him the glorious Varus, and by their supplications forgive and have mercy on NN., whom we remember.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Entreat joy for us, O great-martyr, for we will be filled with gladness if we find that our kinfolk NN. are delivered from everlasting torments; for the Master always listeneth to thy supplications and fulfilleth thy petitions. Wherefore, fail not therein, praying even now, that we may continually glorify thee.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-immaculate Mistress, wondrous and unwedded Mother of the King, increase to abundance the multitude of thy lovingkindness and compassions for us who seek mercy. For where else may we find it if we do not make haste to fall down before thee? For thou gavest birth for us to the most abundant Torrent of delight, O all-blessed one.
Ode IX, Irmos: Heaven was stricken with awe, and the ends of the earth were amazed, that God hath appeared in the flesh, and that thy womb became more spacious than the heavens. Wherefore, the ranks of men and angels magnify thee as the Theotokos.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O glorious Varus, in God thou art able by thy divinely acceptable supplications to obtain and pour forth mercies upon those who have been utterly separated therefrom. For there is but one Father of compassions and lovingkindness, and as Master all things are possible for Him. Unfailingly beseech Him, O athlete, that He forgive and have mercy on NN., whom we remember.
Holy Martyr, Varus, pray to God for us.
O great-martyr, accomplish thou an all-wondrous deed attendant upon thy glory: Ask forgiveness from the Lord and the assuaging of His righteous anger for our ancestors, who are embittered because of their dark unbelief, and for NN., who find themselves in bitterness and the expectation of the most grievous of torments, that thou mightest raise them up to a deliverance free of fear, where are the mansions wherein the Master placeth the forgiven to live.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
What miracle is more wondrous than this, what glory more remarkable, what lovingkindness greater than when thou, O martyr, takest pity and entreatest the merciful Lord to remit the sin of impiety from NN., whom we remember, and to deliver them from grievous punishment?
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O merciful Mistress, who lovest mankind and art not mindful of evil: Accept the urgency of our petition, and unfailingly intercede for mercy with thy Son and Master, that He have mercy and forgive the sin of heterodoxy for our deceased kinfolk, and for NN. who are remembered with them, and that He bestow upon them remission and a place of mercy which shall not be taken away.
Prayer: O Holy, wondrous Martyr Varus, who, burning with zeal for the Heavenly King, didst confess Him before thy torturers and didst greatly suffer for Him! Now the Church doth venerate thee, as one glorified with the glory of heaven by Christ the Lord, Who granted thee the abundant grace to approach Him boldly. And now, standing before Him together with the Angels, rejoicing on high, beholding the Most Holy Trinity clearly, and enjoying the Uncreated Light, remember the suffering of our relatives (and those we remember, and those we hold in our hearts) who have died outside the Faith, and accept our pleas, and as thou didst intercede for the unbelieving ancestors of Cleopatra and didst free them from eternal suffering, remember those who have died unbaptized or have been buried in an ungodly manner, or died suddenly, or by their own hand, or unjustly, N.N. …. and pray earnestly that they may be delivered from eternal darkness, that we may all, with one mouth and one heart, praise the Most Merciful Creator unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Translated from the Church Slavonic by the reader Isaac E. Lambertsen from The Holy Martyr Varus:
Prayers for Those Who Have Died Unbaptized, 5th printing (Moscow: Dunkan Service, 1996), pp. 4-13.
Troparion, Tone V: Thou didst follow in the steps of the martyrs and contend for the glory of Christ. Thou wast tied to a beam and restored by the Tree of Life, and thine intercessions gladden our souls.
As well as celebrating the feast of St John of Kronstadt, we also commemorate the feast of the Holy Martyr Varus (Uar), to whom the Lord has given the grace to supplicate for the departed who have died without Holy Baptism.
From our friends at the Convent of St Elizabeth, in Minsk…
“On 1 November, the Church commemorates Saint Martyr Varus of Egypt. His life teaches us the power of unwavering faith. With it, we can withstand the gravest sorrows. He shows that our life in this world is only a fleeting moment of transition to eternity and that worldly honours and comforts are worthless compared to our everlasting salvation.
On icons, Saint Varus appears as a brave warrior in lustrous armour. He is a victorious commander, popular among the rank and file soldiers for his valour, bravery and talent. He is deeply respected among the rulers of Rome. The Emperor himself takes it as a great honour to welcome him in his palace.
With his deserts and spectacular feats, he could have earned himself an honourable place among the heroes of Rome. Yet he was a believer in Christ, and he knew well that worldly fame and glory are worthless in eternity, and the only way to have eternal salvation is by accumulating riches in heaven. In the years of bitter persecution of Christians, he did not hide his beliefs. Voluntarily, he suffered unimaginable torments. He withstood them to the end and gratefully accepted the fate of a Christian martyr, preferring it to a place of honour in the pantheon of Roman heroes.
Yet even after his departure, Saint Varus continued to reassure the tormented and the desperate, reminding them about the eternal joy and comfort waiting for them in their life to come. The pious widow Cleopatra who had assumed the care of Saint Varus’ remains, had a terrible loss. Her son died from an illness at a young age. With great love and dedication, she had been raising him for a brilliant career in the army. Her worldly life lost all meaning, her hopes received a crushing blow. She brought her son’s lifeless body to Saint Varus’ grave in the desperate hope that he would revive him.
Saint Varus came to her in a dream. He told the grieving mother that he would resurrect the boy if she held the glory that he would win in the empire’s wars to be more valuable than his eternal life in heaven. For his part, the boy assured his mother that nothing would make him go back to the world of sorrow. Cleopatra found closure. Praying for her son all the time, she gave away her estate to the poor and served at a church. Seven years later, she reunited with her son in haven.
In this part of the world, the faithful remember Saint Varus for his prayerful intercession for the unbaptised. They invoke his name in prayers for small children, unbaptised kin and stillborn infants. As we read the Canon of Saint Varus at Saint Elisabeth Convent, our sisters pray privately for people of other faiths and unbelievers. In every person, there is an image of God, and we all have a shared purpose – to grow in His likeness.
As we read the Creed at every liturgy, we express our hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. It gives us the strength to overcome our worst losses and pains, and to live through our most bitter sorrows. Yet so many people in our age of reason and enlightenment find it hard to embrace this hope with their hearts and souls. Habitually, we look to science for some confirmation but hear only silence. No one person who has departed to eternity can return to tell us about it. Even people who have had encountered eternity but returned to life cannot find the words to talk about it.
And so, like the righteous Cleopatra, we turn to Saint Varus for his assistance. We ask him to help us grow in our faith, build our confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
O Martyr Varus, you received the crown of martyrdom and now rejoice with the angels. Pray for our souls unceasingly!”
Canon of the martyr, the acrostic whereof is: ”I praise the sufferings of Varus and his great glory”, the composition of Joseph, in Tone VI:
Ode 1, Irmos: When Israel crossed the deep on foot as though it were dry land, beholding the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, he cried aloud: Let us sing to God a hymn of victory!
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Thou hast appeared in the heights of the Church of Christ as a radiant sun, illumining the fullness of the earth with the brilliance of thy battles, O blessed Varus.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Embraced by the sweet ardour of divine love, O most blessed one, thou didst deny thyself and didst hasten wisely to all the tortures of the flesh, struggling mightily.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having sensibly bound thyself with the bonds of godly strugglers, O athlete, thou didst break asunder the bonds of falsehood by thy mighty endurance of many torments.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The transcendent Word made His abode within thy womb in manner past recounting, O pure one, and, having been born in godly manner, He hath led to Him the choirs of martyrs. With them we praise thee in hymnody.
Ode 3, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the horn of Thy faithful, O Good One, and hast established us upon the rock of Thy confession.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Thou didst enter upon valiant struggles with mighty resolve, having made thyself steadfast by hope in the good things which are to come and by the most-wise teachings of the martyrs of Christ, O blessed one.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Beholding the army of the holy athletes suffering lawfully, thou didst show forth their courageous strength, entering upon multifarious torments, O Varus.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As a valiant warrior, O Varus, thou didst find thyself in the sacred regiment, and didst cut down multitudes with the battle-sword of courage, O wise one, being glorified with victories.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mother of God, I beseech thee: By the effulgence of grace which is in thee, drive away the most profound darkness of my despair and the clouds of the passions.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sedalion, Tone I, “Thy tomb, O Saviour…”: Beholding the honoured sufferings of the martyrs, and venerating their fetters with love, thou didst hasten to ascend to the summit of witness, O most wondrous one; for, suspended upon a tree, thou didst endure wounds, until thou didst commit thy spirit into the hands of the Lord.
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: O all-pure Virgin, thou hope of Christians, unceasingly entreat God to Whom thou gavest birth in manner past understanding and recounting, on behalf of those who hymn thee, that He grant remission of all our sins and correction of life unto those who ever glorify thee with faith and love.
Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): Beholding Thee stretched out, dead, upon the Cross, O Christ, Thy most immaculate Mother cried aloud: “O my Son Who art equally unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, what is this, Thine ineffable dispensation, whereby Thou hast saved the creation of Thine own all-pure hands, O Compassionate One?”
Ode 4, Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and Lord, the honoured Church doth chant in godly manner, crying out with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Adorned with holy wounds, thou didst show thyself to be most comely and the beloved of God Who crowned thy head, O right wondrous Varus.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Stretched out on a cross and again upon the ground; O glorious one, thou didst endure cruel pangs. Wherefore, in gladness thou hast inherited the life which is devoid of pain.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
The godly martyrs, seeing thee suffering lawfully, strengthened thee with words of patience, O blessed one; and having completed thy valiant sufferings with them, thou hast attained blessedness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With praises we crown the divine martyrs, for with divine wreaths the grace of God hath crowned them who cast down the overweening thoughts of the enemy.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mistress, from the mire of the passions and the passionate thoughts which alienate me from the one pure God lead me up, that I may bless thee with faith.
Ode 5, Irmos: With Thy divine light, O Good One, illumine the souls of those who rise early unto Thee with love, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth them forth from the darkness of sin.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Strengthened by divine inclinations, O Varus, with valiant mind thou didst endure unremitting laceration, rending apart the heart of the prideful one, the author of evil.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
The glorious martyr, seeing pieces of his flesh falling to the ground, rejoiced, looking toward eternal and divine rewards with splendour of mind.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
“I hymn, glorify and worship Thee, O Lord God, having been vouchsafed the good things prepared for those who love Thee!” the martyr cried out fervently amid his suffering.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In that thou hast truly been shown to be more holy than the cherubim and seraphim, O most immaculate one, do thou now sanctify all who with faith call thee sacred, and save them by thy mediation.
Ode 6, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the storm of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Thou didst disdain the words of the all-iniquitous enemy and didst patiently endure unbearable pain of the flames, O much suffering Varus, who prayest for those who praise thee with faith.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
The most mindless tyrant did not cease inflicting wounds upon thee without pity, until thou didst commit thy sacred soul into the hands of God, made radiant with the beauties of thy struggles.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Emulating Christ, thou wast uplifted upon a tree, and hanging thereon, thou didst surrender thy soul to God, Who crowned thee, having suffered valiantly, O athlete.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Mistress, ever direct my lowly soul which is tempest-tossed on the deep of evils, and guide it to the calm haven, for with unfaltering understanding it calleth thee blessed.
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 4: Following Christ, O martyr Varus, and draining His cup, thou wast crowned with the wreath of martyrdom and joinest chorus with the angels. Pray thou without ceasing for our souls.
Ode 7, Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the venerable children, and the command of God which consumed the Chaldeans prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
O Varus, the all-good Cleopatra helped to bury thee, who wast illumined with gifts of thy struggles, finding through thee the glory of faith manifestly fitting, which thou didst fervently show forth in thine end.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Shedding tears over thee and embalming thee with precious unguents, the most honoured woman buried in the earth thee who hast buried wicked falsehood and hast illumined us with rays of brilliance from thy grave.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The ever-memorable one did not cease pleasing thee, the favourite of Christ, O wise and venerable one, until thou didst show thyself to be a mediator for her of the kingdom of heaven which she and her beloved son were vouchsafed through thee.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By thy mediation, O Virgin, restore me, who am crushed by my countless offences, healing my soul and granting me the words to cry out: Blessed art thou who gavest birth to God in the flesh!
Ode 8, Irmos: Out of the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous man with water; for Thou, O Christ, doest all things whatsoever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Hearkening to a mother’s entreaties, O martyr, and splendidly enrolling her son in the army of heaven, with ineffable loving-kindness thou didst show that thy glory and that of the honoured youth cannot be taken away.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Cleopatra bore thee out of Egypt like riches beyond price, O martyr, lavishing precious gifts of healings upon all of Palestine, which honoureth thee with love.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
In gladness thou didst complete thy struggles, O valiant warrior of the Almighty, and thou hast been crowned by Him as a victor, O most blessed Varus, thou great glory of the martyrs.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sins upon sins do I add, yet I do not fear the coming dread judgment. O pure one, overcome the blindness of my soul, and converting me, save me by thine entreaty.
Ode 9, Irmos: It is not possible for men to see God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; for through thee, O most pure one, the Word appeared, incarnate, to men. And, magnifying Him, with the armies of heaven we call thee blessed.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Manifestly girded about with divine power, O valiant athlete Varus, thou didst cast down the might of the adversary; wherefore, we, the faithful, praise thee, drawing forth abundant healing from thy relics.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
Thy memory hath spread forth upon the ends of the earth like light, like the dawn, like the great sun, O all-praised one, illumining all with the radiant effulgence of thine honoured struggles and driving darkness away from men’s hearts.
Holy Great Martyr Varus, pray to God for us.
The loving mother, beholding her son shining with thee in great glory, magnified the God of all, O martyr, and most earnestly glorified thee as an intercessor most great, having been manifestly enriched by thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The land on which thy most patient body lieth, O wise one, hath been divinely sanctified. By thy supplications, O Varus, grant us remission of sins, amendment of life and deliverance from all difficulties.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord, manifesting Himself through thee, the light cloud, O Virgin, wrought utter destruction upon the graven images of Egypt; and He hath vouchsafed the multitude of His athletes to endure, becoming emulators of His honoured sufferings.
Troparion of St Varus the Martyr, Tone 5: Thou didst follow in the steps of the martyrs/ and contend for the glory of Christ./ Thou wast tied to a beam and restored by the Tree of Life,/ and thine intercessions gladden our souls.
From the times of the Apostles, Christians of all ages, when entering upon a task, began it with prayer, and the end of it they also hallowed with prayerful thanksgiving to the Lord, in Whom we live and move and have our being. And let us do the same, beloved reader.
But not having the gift of effectual prayer, let us recall and commit to memory what once was offered to the Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of the inspired heart of the great Russian man of prayer, our father among the Saints, Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslav.
I am sure that for you, as for me, in offering to your attention “The Tale of The Five Prayers” the work of the great Bishop, it will be both welcome and useful, especially in the view of the wonderful promises which it contains. So hear this tale, my beloved reader.
You will not blame me for offering you in this Tale something new – it is not mine, and not new, but only fundamentally and completely forgotten, forgive me that I have disturbed the dust of ages: but this dust is holy …
One of the holy fathers, standing in prayer and being in ecstasy, heard the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to the Immaculate and Holy Mother of God, His Mother, saying to her: “Tell me, My Mother, which were the greatest of your sufferings, when you lived in the world, which you suffered for My sake?” The Immaculate One replied: “My Son and God, five times I have endured my greatest suffering for you: First, when I heard from the Prophet Simeon that you were to be killed; Second, when I looked for you in Jerusalem, and did not see you for three days; Third, when I heard that you were seized and bound by the Jews; Fourth, when I saw you on the Cross crucified between the robbers; Fifth, when I saw you placed in the Tomb.” And the Lord said to her: “I tell you. My Mother, whoever reads every day each of your sufferings with My prayer, i.e. ‘Our Father,’ for the first suffering I will give the knowledge of his sins and sorrow for them; for the second, I will give the forgiveness of all his sins; for the third, I will restore to him the virtues lost through sin; for the fourth, I will refresh him at death with my Divine Body and Blood; for the fifth, I will appear to him Myself at his death, and receive his soul into eternal life. Amen.”
After this vision of the Holy Father, the following prayers were added by St. Dimitri:
At the beginning of the five prayers:
“Glory to Thee, Christ my God, that Thou hast not destroyed me a sinner, with my sins, but even till now hast borne -with my sin.”
Bow
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep me this day without sin. Grant, O Lord, that I may not anger Thee, my Creator, in thought, word or deed, but that all my actions, counsels and thoughts may be to the glory of Thy Holy Name.”
Bow
“God be merciful to me, a sinner, throughout my whole life. In my passing and after death, forsake me not.”
Bow
Falling low on the earth, say:
“Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, accept me, dead in mind and soul, accept me, a sinful prodigal, impure in soul and body. Take from me all shameless enmity and resistance, and turn not Thy Face from me, O Lord, nor say: I know not who thou art. But hear the voice of my prayer: save me, for Thou hast a wealth of compassion and desirest not the death of a sinner. I will never leave Thee nor depart from Thee, my Creator, till Thou hearest me and givest me forgiveness of all my sins, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, the intercession of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven, of my holy and glorious Guardian Angel, of Thy Forerunner and Prophet, the Baptist John, of the God-speaking Apostles, of the holy and victorious martyrs, of our Reverend and God-fearing fathers, and all Thy Saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner.”
O Heavenly King, O Comforter… Holy God, Holy Mighty… Our Father…
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
First Prayer
“O merciful Mother, Virgin Mary, I thy sinful and unprofitable servant, remembering thy suffering on hearing from the Prophet Simeon of the merciless murder of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, offer thee this prayer and the Angelic Salutation. Accept it in honour and memory of thy suffering, and pray thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant me the knowledge of my sins and sorrow for them.”
Bow
Second Prayer
Our Father… Virgin Mother…
“O Divinely-blessed and Immaculate Maiden, Mother and Virgin, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst lose thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple, and for three days didst not see Him. Pray and beg of Him the forgiveness and remission of all my sins, O only Blessed One.”
Bow
Third Prayer
Our Father… Virgin Mother…
“O Mother of Light, most blessed Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering on hearing that thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, had been seized and bound. Pray Him to restore to me the virtues lost through sin, that I may magnify thee, O Most Pure One, for ever.”
Bow
Fourth Prayer
Our Father… Virgin Mother…
“O Fountain of Mercy, Virgin Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the Cross between the robbers. Pray Him, O Lady, to grant me the gift of His mercy in the hour of my death, and to refresh me with His Divine Body and Blood, that I may glorify thee, my Defender, for ever.”
Bow
Fifth Prayer
Our Father… Virgin Mother…
“O my Hope, Most Pure Virgin, Mother of God, accept from me, thy sinful and unprofitable servant, this prayer and the Angelic Salutation, in honour and memory of thy suffering when thou didst see thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, placed in the Tomb. Pray Him, O Lady, to appear to me in the hour of my death, and to receive my soul into eternal life. Amen.”
Further to my previous post concerning ways in which we may build our relationship with the Mother of God, I am returning to prayers which have been discussed here before, and which are far less known, particular among those who have converted to Orthodoxy or are outside the traditional homelands of Slavic Orthodoxy: the Rule of the Mother of God.
Contrary to what anyone may tell you, this is NOT simply a borrowing or imitation of Latin devotion, but one which has been cherished in the east from early times.
We would do better to understand it as an ancient devotion that united the Christians in the east and west, in local variant forms. The Anglo-Saxons called it the Goldern Psalter of the Virgin Mary, given its 150 salutations.
The form of prayer that we in the Orthodox Church call the Rule of the Mother of God finds its origins in the monastic life of the Egyptian desert, where some of the fathers prayed the angelic salutation to the Mother of God one hundred and fifty times, reflecting the one hundred and fifty psalms of the Psalter. This, of course, mirrors the western rosary in its original and complete form.
Though Western Christians often cosider the rosary with 15 mysteries and 150 salutations as a product of the thirteenth century, two of our great spiritual fathers, St Seraphim of Sarov and the new martyr St Seraphim of Dmitrov remind that it finds its origin much earlier spiritual praxis.
St Seraphim of Sarov encouraged his disciples to pray to the Mother of God following a simple version of the rule, having his spiritual children copy it, with each mystery followed by the prayer. When he died, his disciple, Zosima, found a book recording the miracles that the Mother of God granted those who prayed to her with this devotion.
Seraphim instructed his spiritual daughters, the nuns of Diveyevo to keep this prayer rule, reciting it as they walked three times around the ‘canal’ that the Mother of God instructed to be dug around the monastery. For praying the rule they made, and continue to make, a special lestovka with 150 steps, and they continue this devotion in obedience to St Seraphim, and to do so they make a modified version of the traditional Russian leather lestovka (ladder), that is an alternative to prayer ropes and chotki, was used by St Seraphim to recite the Jesus prayer, as we see his icons.
The second St Seraphim connected with this prayer rule, the Bishop of Dmitrov and new-martyr (http://orthochristian.com/7426.html) came from a family of Orthodox Old Believers and his father wrote the liturgical service for the canonisation of St Seraphim of Sarov in 1903.
He prayed the Rule of the Mother of God every day adding prayers of intercession at the end of each decade: see http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/RuleofMotherofGod.htm
Whilst St Seraphim of Sarov also prayed in a similar way, he did not reveal his prayers.
As children of the Mother of God, we would all do well to use this prayer rule as often as possible, commending ourselves, our loved ones and the world to her merciful care.
There are common variations in the internal order of each decade, and I have ordered the following prayers for ease of use in a parish group-setting, so that the event in the life of the Mother of God being commemorated is described before the salutations, and not at the end, which seems illogical, though common.
I very much hope that this can become the focus of group prayer in our communities, as it can be prayed by any number of people in an informal setting, without the need for clergy. We simply need an icon-corner, reverence and love for the Mother of God.
Богородице Дево, радуйся, благодатная Марие, Господь с Тобою, Благословенна Ты в женахъ и благословенъ Плодъ чрева Твоего, яко Спаса родила еси душъ нашихъ.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
Милосердия двери отверзи намъ, Благословенная Богородице, надеющиися на Тя, да не погибнемъ, но да избавимся Тобою от бедъ, Ты бо еси спасение рода христианскаго.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness, O most blessed Mother of God. As we set our hope in thee, let us not be confounded, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities. For thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
First decade: Let us remember the birth of the Mother of God. Let us pray for mothers, fathers and children.
Our Father…
Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast born the Saviour of our souls. (Богородице Дево, радуйся… x 10)
Troparion, Tone IV: Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos,/ hath proclaimed joy to all the world;/ for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ Who having annulled the curse,/ hath given His blessing,// and having abolished death, hath granted us life everlasting.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness, O most blessed Mother of God. As we set our hope in thee, let us not be confounded, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race. (Милосердия двери отверзи намъ…)
O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save and protect thy servants (names of parents and relatives), and to the departed grant rest with the saints in thine eternal glory.
Second decade: Let us remember the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God. Let us pray for those who have lost their way and fallen away from the church.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone IV: Today is the prelude of God’s good will/ and the proclamation of the salvationof men./ The Virgin hath manifestly appeared in the temple of God/ and proclaimeth Christ unto all./ To her let us cry aloud:/ Rejoice, O thou fulfilment// of the Creator’s dispensation!
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, save and protect and reunite (or join) to the Holy Orthodox Church thy servants (names) who are lost and have fallen away.
Third decade: Let us remember the Annunciation of the Blessed Mother of God – let us pray for the soothing of sorrows and the consolation of those who grieve.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10
Troparion, Tone IV: Today is the crown of our salvation,/ and the revelation of the mystery which is from before the ages!/ The Son of God becometh the Son of the Virgin,/ and Gabriel announceth the glad tidings of grace./ Wherefore, with him let us cry out to the Theotokos:/ Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!// The Lord is with thee!
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, soothe our sorrows and send consolation to thy servants (names) who are grieving or sick.
Fourth decade: Let us remember the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin with the righteous Elizabeth. Let us pray for the reunion of the separated, for those whose dear ones or children are living away from them or missing.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of God. More honourable than the cherubim, and truly more glorious than the seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; the true Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, unite Thy servants (names) who have been separated.
Fifth decade: Let us remember the Birth of Christ. Let us pray for the rebirth of souls, for new life in Christ.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone IV: Thy nativity, O Christ our God,/ hath shone forth the light of knowledge upon the world;/ for therein those who worship the stars/ have been taught by a star to worship Thee,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ and to know Thee the Orient from on high.// O Lord, glory be to Thee!
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me, who was baptized into Christ, to put on Christ.
Sixth decade: Let us remember the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the words uttered by St. Simeon: Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also (Luke 2:35). Let us pray that the Mother of God will meet our souls at the hour of our death, and will contrive that we receive the Holy Sacrament with our last breath, and will lead our souls through the terrible torments.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone I: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace,/ for from thee hath shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,/ enlightening them that are in darkness./ Be glad thou also, O righteous elder,/ who receivest in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls,// Who granteth us Resurrection.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me with my last breath to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ and do thou thyself lead my soul through the terrible ordeals [of the toll-houses].
Seventh decade: Let us remember the flight of the Mother of God with the God-Child into Egypt. Let us pray that the Mother of God will help us avoid temptation in this life and deliver us from misfortunes.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Kontakion, Tone VIII: To thee, the Champion Leader, we, thy servants, dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving,/ as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos;/ but as thou art one with might which is invincible,/ from all dangers that can be do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee:// Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, let me not be led into temptation in this life and deliver me from all misfortunes.
Eighth decade: Let us remember the disappearance of the twelve-year old boy Jesus in Jerusalem and the sorrow of the Mother of God on this account. Let us pray, begging the Mother of God on this account.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone 7: Receive me who sighest, O Lord, since Thou art merciful, and have mercy on me as the publican, through the intercession of Thy Mother.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, Most-Pure Virgin Mary, grant me to pray unceasingly the Jesus Prayer.
Ninth decade: Let us remember the miracle performed in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord turned water into wine at the words of the Mother of God: They have no wine (John 2:3). Let us ask the Mother of God for help in our affairs and deliverance from need.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone 3: Overwhelmed in the abyss of life, we have a haven of salvation in thee, O Mother of God. Do thou save from all trouble those who flee to thy goodness.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, help me in every enterprise and deliver me from all needs and sorrows.
Tenth decade: Let us remember the Mother of God standing at the Cross of the Lord, when grief pierced through her heart like a sword. Let us pray to the Mother of God for the strengthening of our souls and the banishment of despondency
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone 6: Weep not for me, O Mother, seeing in the tomb the Son conceived in the womb without seed, for I shall arise and be glorified: as God I shall exalt with glory-unceasing those who with faith and love magnify thee.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, Blessed Virgin Mary, strengthen my spiritual fortitude and drive despondency far from me.
Eleventh decade: Let us remember the Resurrection of Christ and ask the Mother of God in prayer to resurrect our souls and give us a new courage for spiritual feats.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Tone V: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness.
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, resurrect my soul and grant me constant readiness for spiritual contest [podvig].
Twelfth decade: Let us remember the Ascension of Christ, at which the Mother of God was present. Let us pray and ask the Queen of Heaven to raise up our souls from earthly and worldly amusements and direct them to striving for higher things.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone IV: Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness.
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, deliver me from vain thoughts and grant me a mind and a heart that strives for the salvation of the soul.
Thirteenth decade: Let us remember the Upper Room and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Mother of God. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (Psalm 50).
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone VIII: Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. Lover of men, glory to Thee.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, send down into my heart and strengthen within it the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Fourteenth decade: Let us remember the Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God, and ask for a peaceful and serene end.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone I: In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity,/ and in thy falling asleep thou hast not forsaken the world, O Theotokos./ Thou hast been, translated to life, as thou art the Mother of Life.// And by thy supplications thou dost deliver our souls from death.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me a peaceful and serene ending to my life.
Fifteenth decade: Let us remember the glory of the Mother of God, with which the Lord crowned her after her removal from earth to heaven. Let us pray to the Queen of Heaven not to abandon the faithful who are on earth but to defend them from every evil, covering them with her honourable Protecting Veil.
The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
Troparion, Tone IV: Overshadowed by thy coming, O Mother of God,/ we the right faithful people, celebrate today with splendor,/ and gazing at thine all-precious image,/ we say with compunction:/ Cover us with thy precious omophorion,/ and deliver us from all evil,// entreating thy Son, Christ our God, that He save our souls.
Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, save me from all evil and cover me with Thy Most-Honourable Omophorion.
During last night’s talk, I spoke of prayers and devotions as the primary way in which we draw closer to the Mother of God, and how the kannonik and akafistnik had been so instrumental in shaping the relationship that our forebears had with her, forging an especialy valuable connection when the Faith was persecuted, churches and monastery closed and the clergy and monastics incarcerated or martyred.
Even though he lived centuries before the appearance of the Mother of God in the chuch of the Blachernae in Constantinople, St Romanos the Melodist appears on the amvon in our festal icon – the feast of Pokrov also being HIS feast. This superimposed cameo-appearance of the great hymnographer is not out of place, as his supreme work the Akathist Hymn, is the greatest hymnographic celebration of the Mother of God and the finest address to her that we have as Orthodox Christians.
However, just as we have so many canons to the Mother of God, we also have many other akathists: some very fine, some frankly mediocre… some very late ones, well-meant but not written with a blessing, unfortunately being the liturgical equivalent of kitsch.
Though the great work of St Romanos is the only akathist appointed to be chanted in services by the Church’s typikon, and the only one accepted by Old Rite Orthodox and some purists in other Orthodox countries, we do however have a wealth of good akathist hymns with which to address the Mother of God; to draw close to her; to share our trials, sorrows and needs; to celebrate her feasts and venerate her icons.
With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, thousands of Orthodox Christians united in the daily praying of the akathist to the Mother of God, in honour of her icon ‘The Softener of Evil Hearts’, as this has akathist loved and valued with the icon for centurie become a shared offering of prayer to the Theotokos across countries, continents and battle-lines, uniting people with one another as well as to the blessed Mother.
In our own Cardiff community, we have new Orthodox Christians for whom the wealth of canons and akathists is a brand-new-discovery, and one that can bring immeasurable spiritual wealth and strength. So, over the next few weeks, between the feast of the Protecting Veil and the Kazan Icon, I will endeavour to highlight our wealth of prayers and hymns to the Mother of God, so that through their words, whether chanted, or prayed quietly and contemplatively, we may draw near to the Mother whom the Saviour gave us as He battled hell and death on the battle-field of Golgotha from the vantage point from His Life-Giving Cross.
As pastoral circumstances have highlighted the need to turn to the Mother of God as the ‘Giver of Reason – Прибавление ума’ and her wonder-working icon of that name (also now as Loretskaya/of Loreto), I will start by re-posting the akathist which so many people turn to for themselves and for others: to pray for wisdom, clarity of mind, for right decisions, for the mentally troubled and ill, for those slow of learning, for those with learning disabilities… crying “Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.”
Kontakion 1: To the Mother of God, chosen from all generations, the Queen of Heaven and earth, who grantest a spiritual remedy to the whole world, we offer a hymn of thanksgiving for receiving the divine treasure, her wonder-working icon ‘The Giver of Reason’. Guarded by it we feel radiant joy and lovingly call: Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady who dost grant wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Oikos 1: The angelic messenger was sent to the town of Nazareth to the pure Virgin Mary to say to her, ‘Rejoice’, when the divine Word was made flesh in her womb. Having heard the annunciation, the Most Pure Virgin spoke from the humility of her heart, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to Thy word.’ Wherefore, we sinful ones reverently honour the Mother of Christ our God, and taught by the Archangel we cry out with compunction:
Rejoice, thou who art blessed among women.
Rejoice, thou who art favoured by God.
Rejoice, thou who art shielded by God’s strength.
Rejoice, thou who art sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who art God’s faithful handmaiden.
Rejoice, thou who art chosen by God.
Rejoice, thou who hast given birth to the Saviour of the world.
Rejoice, thou Mother of the Light, which illuminest all.
Rejoice, thou who surpassest the wisdom of the wise.
Rejoice, thou who grantest wisdom to thy faithful.
Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth.
Rejoice, for all generations shall call thee blessed.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 2: Knowing the desire of the newly-enlightened, O Most Pure, thou hast blessed the herald of the Gospel’s mysteries, the Apostle Luke, to paint an image of thy Most Pure countenance. Looking upon this image, thou hast said regally: ‘My grace and strength will be with this image.’ Wherefore, reverently honouring thy holy icons, with which thou hast adorned the entire Christian commonwealth, we cry to God in thanksgiving for thee: alleluia.
Oikos 2: Opening heavenly reason for us, O Most Pure Virgin, thou dost grant all of thy faithful to learn of God’s will, which is good, pleasing and perfect; excelling all reason. O All-Praised Theotokos, grant us thy care; vouchsafe us the light of truth; comfort us as a mother and teach us the path of truth, that we may cry to thee, in prayer:
Rejoice, thou who hast given birth to Christ, God’s Power and Wisdom.
Rejoice, thou who hast united God and Man.
Rejoice, thou who hast enlightened our souls with the light of reason.
Rejoice, thou who hast held the ineffable glory of God.
Rejoice, thou who dost sanctify the honour given to the holy icons.
Rejoice, giver of spiritual treasures.
Rejoice, thou who hast granted grace to thy glorious icons.
Rejoice, for looking upon thy icons, we venerate thee.
Rejoice, thou who through thy holy icons grantest healing throughout the world.
Rejoice, thou who liftest our minds and hearts to heaven.
Rejoice, thou who hast enlightened the entire universe by thy rays of grace.
Rejoice, thou who reignest eternally with thy Son and God.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 3: Shielded by the power of God’s grace, the pious came to the town of Nazareth, finding there the house of the Mother of God, wherein the Most Pure Virgin was born and received the glad tidings: translated thence to the Italian lands, to the town of Loreto, where, on high, is an icon of the Mother of God, painted upon wood and surrounded by the invisible angelic powers, praising it magnificently and joyfully singing to God: alleluia.
Oikos 3: Having maternal mercy for Christians, O Most Pure, thou callest all lands on earth to salvation. Therefore, people of diverse nations visit thy house and confess their sins before thine icon, and its glory shineth in the East and in the West and people delivered from sicknesses, sorrow and misfortune give thee thanks, crying:
Rejoice, House, created by God’s Wisdom for Himself.
Rejoice, City of God, from the small town of Nazareth.
Rejoice, thou who hast sanctified the house of God by thy presentation.
Rejoice, thou who art greater than the Holy of the Holies.
Rejoice, thou who hast come to Nazareth with the pre-eternal Infant.
Rejoice, thou who hast served the mystery of salvation of mankind.
Rejoice, thou ladder by which we ascend from earth to heaven.
Rejoice, wondrous protecting veil for the whole world.
Rejoice, for we faithfully honour the image of thy Most Pure countenance.
Rejoice, for we receive from thee the blessed gifts for our salvation.
Rejoice, thou who dost manifest miraculous signs through thine icons.
Rejoice, powerful Protector of Christians.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 4: An iconographer seized by a storm of sorrow, whose reason was darkened, could find no help from earthly physicians. Then the Most Pure Mother of God appeared to him and commanded him to paint her icon, which sanctifies her house in Loreto. Having done this, the painter was healed and from thence he called the newly painted icon ‘The Giver of Reason’, singing before it God’s praise: alleluia.
Oikos 4: When the people of Russia came to know that the most holy Theotokos gave them, for their joy and consolation, her icon, called ‘The Giver of Reason’ they adorned their temples and houses with many copies. A multitude of wondrous signs and miracles happen for those who faithfully come before them and sing to the most blessed one:
Rejoice, thou who hast granted us thy glorious image to sanctify and comfort us.
Rejoice, thou who quickly curest bodily and spiritual illnesses.
Rejoice, thou who hast shielded the Russian land with the veil of thy favour.
Rejoice, thou who hast delivered those who love and honour thine image, from all misfortunes.
Rejoice, thou who dost enter invisibly our houses through thine intercession.
Rejoice, thou who bringest us blessing and joy.
Rejoice, thou who takest in thine all-mighty hands those abandoned by physicians.
Rejoice, thou who healest those who lost their mind through illness.
Rejoice, hope of the hopeless.
Rejoice, enlightener of our minds.
Rejoice, pure mirror which reflects the truth.
Rejoice, thou whose name is praised in East and West.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 5: Thine icon, O Theotokos, hath appeared as a divine star, for it sanctifies our land and its cities; it enlightens those darkened by ignorance with the light of theology; illumining our reason, darkened by sin, it sets the lost on the path following the commandments of thy Son and God, and we cry to Him thankfully: alleluia.
Oikos 5: Having seen the divine treasure, the wondrous icon of the Mother of God, we pray to her diligently, finding therein the cure of our ailments, relief from our sorrows and salvation from our misfortunes; wherefore we sing to our Lady and protector:
Rejoice, thou who hast enlightened the faithful by the appearance of thine icon.
Rejoice, thou through whom the Sun of Truth, Christ, our God, began to shine in the darkness.
Rejoice, Mother of the Light of Reason, that enlightened by its grace the whole universe.
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest us by thy blessing.
Rejoice, thou who dispellest the gloom of our ignorance by thy light.
Rejoice, O Virgin, for through thee the light of theology began to shine for all.
Rejoice, inextinguishable candle, which kindlest the light of faith.
Rejoice, thou who illuminest the path of virtue.
Rejoice, thou who art the source of all that is holy.
Rejoice, thou who powerfully guardest us from adversities and misfortune.
Rejoice, inextinguishable light of divine love.
Rejoice, thou who proclaimest to us the spring of salvation by the light of thy miracles.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 6: Thy favours are known in the entire world, O Mother of our Lord; for in many cities and villages of the Russian land, thy icon ‘The Giver of Reason’ shines with the rays of miracles; enlightening our souls by the light of God’s Grace and prompting us to sing to God, Who honoured thee: alleluia.
Oikos 6: There appeared the light of salvation in thy glorious icon, O Theotokos, for all who stray in the darkness of sins and passions, and swift help is rendered to all who pray before it with reverence and faith. Remove the darkness from our minds, O all-praised, by thy light and show the True Light to all who lovingly cry to thee:
Rejoice, inextinguishable star, that hast given to the world, the Sun of Truth.
Rejoice, thou Mother of True Light, which enlightenest the souls of the faithful.
Rejoice, mentor of blessed instruction.
Rejoice, thou who dost shield our darkened mind with a light veil.
Rejoice, thou who art the dawn which dispellest the fog of our sins.
Rejoice, thou who dost deliver us from darkness and eternal torment.
Rejoice, thou who dost free us from the snares of the enemy.
Rejoice, thou who gainest a victory over the madness of the world.
Rejoice, thou who expellest teachings harmful for the soul.
Rejoice, giver of knowledge beneficial for the soul.
Rejoice, thou who comfortest us with thine icon.
Rejoice, thou who encouragest souls with the light of joy.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 7: Wishing all men to be saved and to realise the truth, our most merciful Lord and Creator hath granted us the image of His Most Pure Mother, called ‘The Giver of Reason’, that those praying before it, having received strength in word, reason and wisdom, freed from wandering thoughts, may sing to our King and God: alleluia.
Oikos 7: O Mother of God, who dost manifest new and even more glorious wonders through thy holy icon; by the power of Christ’s grace thou enlightenest those with darkened minds, deterring men from madness, strengthening the weak, and swiftly helping all who turn to thy healing image, inspiring them to sing to thee:
Rejoice, thou who pullest us from the depth of ignorance.
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest many minds.
Rejoice, thou who grantest wise words to those who ask.
Rejoice, thou who makest fools to reason clearly.
Rejoice, thou who drivest away sinful designs.
Rejoice, thou who softenest embittered hearts.
Rejoice, thou who raisest the mind to God.
Rejoice, thou who makest the unwise to be wise.
Rejoice, thou who encouragest us to strive for piety.
Rejoice, thou who clothest us with eternal joy.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the prayers of the faithful to thy Son and God.
Rejoice, thou who prayest ceaselessly for all before the throne of the Almighty.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 8: It is wondrous to see, O Most Pure Theotokos, thine icon painted upon wood, drive away the spirits of darkness by thy divine power, giving reason to those seized by feebleness of mind and by trouble in learning. Therefore, we, perishing because of our sins, plead with thee tearfully: deliver us from our visible and invisible enemies, from the darkness of ignorance, so that we may always sing to our Saviour and God: alleluia.
Oikos 8: The whole Russian land hath an abundance of thy wonder-working icons, O Virgin Theotokos, shining like God’s bright stars. Amongst them also the grace of thine icon ‘The Giver of Reason’ shines and warms our frozen hearts by the signs of thy favour to us sinful ones. Therefore, kneeling before thy holy countenance, we praise thee, our Most Pure Mother:
Rejoice, thou who transformest our sorrows into joy.
Rejoice, thou who defendest us from the burning arrows of the Evil One.
Rejoice, thou who dost bring up children and shield them with thy grace.
Rejoice, thou who art the wise protector and mentor of the young.
Rejoice, thou who grantest reason to children poor of learning.
Rejoice, thou who destroyest the traps of the enemy.
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest the minds of the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who dost disgrace those without faith.
Rejoice, thou who healest those seized by madness.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 9: All the angels serve thee reverently, O Queen of heaven and earth, whilst mankind praises thee and honours thy holy icon that thou hast granted to comfort us and give us joy. Teach us, O most good Lady, to praise thee worthily and to sing to the Saviour of the world, who was born from thee: alleluia.
Oikos 9: The eloquent orators of mankind can neither grasp the mystery of thy service to Christians nor explain the miraculous power of thine icons, which benefit in every way the soul and body of man. We, Orthodox, standing with tears of joy before thy holy icons praise thee, O grace-giving one, and say:
Rejoice, thou who art the joy of the angels.
Rejoice, thou who art adored by the archangels.
Rejoice, thou whom the cherubim receive in the air.
Rejoice, thou who art praised by the seraphim.
Rejoice, bright adornment of both the Churches of heaven and earth.
Rejoice, thou who art above all the powers of the heaven.
Rejoice, thou who art honoured by the heavenly host.
Rejoice, thou who art the glory of all who live on earth.
Rejoice, thou who dost elevate our minds to the Highest by thine example.
Rejoice, guide to our homeland in the heavens.
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest the whole earth by the radiance of thy soul.
Rejoice, thou who hast adopted us all at the cross of thy Son.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 10: Having wished to save the world from insanity and the delusions of the enemy, the Lord, the lover of mankind, has granted us thy wondrous icon, O Mother of God. Praying before it the insane are cured, the possessed are freed from demons, the sorrowful find joy and comfort. Praising God, Who is so merciful to us, with thanksgiving we cry to Him: alleluia.
Oikos 10: Be for us an impregnable wall and protecting veil, all-pure Mother of God, from the armies of enemies, visible and invisible and guard us from misfortune and disease. Wherefore, kneeling before thine icon ‘The Giver of Reason’ and firmly believing in thy blessed help and cure from all spiritual and bodily illness, we joyfully cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who dost deter us from the ways of perdition.
Rejoice, thou who guidest the faithful on the path of truth.
Rejoice, thou who drivest away the spirit of sickness and despair.
Rejoice, thou who helpest us to obtain the spirit of reason and strength.
Rejoice, thou who dost disgrace the enemies by God’s might.
Rejoice, thou who bringest to ruin the assemblies of the impious.
Rejoice, thou cure of the possessed.
Rejoice, thou who healest all aggressive diseases.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from spiritual death.
Rejoice, thou who washest away our sins with thy tears.
Rejoice, thou who dost satisfy us miraculously with spiritual joy.
Rejoice, thou who grantest us eternal joy, also in the age to come.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 11: We sing in thanksgiving before thy Most Pure image, O Most Pure, beseeching thine ineffable mercy, and we pray to thee who art full of divine grace: guard our minds and hearts against pernicious teaching, disbelief and superstitions; keep our land free from all manner of disorders, stirred up by the enemies of faith, and let us praise our Creator with a pure heart, singing: alleluia.
Oikos 11: We see thine icon, O Theotokos, like a burning candle, which enlightenest our land with the light of thy miracles, sets us on the path of salvation and kindles our hearts with love for thee, Most Pure Mother of our God. Therefore, knowing the power of thy grace, we glorify thee with hymns of joy:
Rejoice, thou whose wisdom is immeasurably higher than the wisdom of Solomon.
Rejoice, thou who revealest God’s most secret mysteries to thy faithful.
Rejoice, thou who transformest the dull-witted into lovers of wisdom.
Rejoice, thou light which enlightenest our souls.
Rejoice, thou who dost disgrace the vain wisdom of this age.
Rejoice, thou who settest on the right path those blinded by vain wisdom.
Rejoice, thou who renewest the minds of those who pray with conviction.
Rejoice, thou who placest a joyful thought in the heart in times of confusion.
Rejoice, thou who art the revelation of God’s Wisdom and Goodness.
Rejoice, thou who art the beauty of the heavens.
Rejoice, thou who hast given us a heavenly gift, thy wonder-working icon.
Rejoice, source of incessant joy.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 12: Obtain for us divine grace from thy Son and God, O all-good one; extend to us thy helping hand, that we may not perish without repentance; shield us with thy love; cleanse our minds of sinful designs; clear the eyes of our heart that we may see the path of salvation and grant us to sing to our Creator and God in this life and in the Heavenly Kingdom: alleluia.
Oikos 12: Singing the miracles, which have been manifested through thine icon, O Lady, we praise, glorify and honour thee, who art more honourable than the cherubim, and more glorious, beyond compare, than the seraphim. Look upon us, standing before thy holy icon, O Theotokos, who art now in the heavens, and send us thy blessing; deliver us from all misfortune and the enemy’s temptations, for we honour thee with songs as our protector and keeper:
Rejoice, thou who dost save the entire universe by thy prayers.
Rejoice, thou who art the comfort of this sorrowful age.
Rejoice, Mother of Light, who enlightenest all with the light of thy purity.
Rejoice, thou who revealest to us the mysteries of God’s will.
Rejoice, thou who hast chosen Russia as thy portion and thy domain.
Rejoice, thou who by thy wonder-working icons hast blessed this land.
Rejoice, thou who raisest us to the Light of Truth through thine image.
Rejoice, thou who shieldest us invisibly with its divine grace.
Rejoice, thou who pourest blessed joy into God-loving hearts.
Rejoice, thou who by thine entreaties openest the doors of God’s mercy.
Rejoice, thou who helpest us to court the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who art the only pure and blessed one amongst women.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 13: O all-praised Mother of the pre-eternal Light and Wisdom of the Father, who art the light of the darkened, the increase of intelligence and the joy of our hearts; hear and accept the pleading of us sinful ones; make us, who are unwise, wiser and teach us to sing and pray before thine icon, called ‘The Giver of Reason’. Cease not to pray for us, thine unworthy servants, who glorify thee and sing to thy Son and God: alleluia. (Thrice)
Oikos 1: The angelic messenger was sent to the town of Nazareth to the pure Virgin Mary to say to her, ‘Rejoice’, when the divine Word was made flesh in her womb. Having heard the annunciation, the Most Pure Virgin spoke from the humility of her heart, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to Thy word.’ Wherefore, we sinful ones reverently honour the Mother of Christ our God, and taught by the Archangel we cry out with compunction:
Rejoice, thou who art blessed among women.
Rejoice, thou who art favoured by God.
Rejoice, thou who art shielded by God’s strength.
Rejoice, thou who art sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who art God’s faithful handmaiden.
Rejoice, thou who art chosen by God.
Rejoice, thou who hast given birth to the Saviour of the world.
Rejoice, thou Mother of the Light, which illuminest all.
Rejoice, thou who surpassest the wisdom of the wise.
Rejoice, thou who grantest wisdom to thy faithful.
Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth.
Rejoice, for all generations shall call thee blessed.
Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady, who grantest wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Kontakion 1: To the Mother of God, chosen from all generations, the Queen of Heaven and earth, who grantest a spiritual remedy to the whole world, we offer a hymn of thanksgiving for receiving the divine treasure, her wonder-working icon ‘The Giver of Reason’. Guarded by it we feel radiant joy and lovingly call: Rejoice, All-Merciful Lady who dost grant wisdom and reason to all thy faithful people.
Prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos before her icon, called ‘The Giver of Reason’
O most holy Virgin, thou art the Bride of God the Father and the Mother of His Divine Son Jesus Christ! Thou art the Queen of Angels and the salvation of mankind, thou who dost unmask sinners and punish apostates. Have mercy upon us, who have sinned greatly and not fulfilled God’s commandments; who have broken the vows of baptism and of the monastic life and many other vows that we had promised to keep. When the Holy Spirit abandoned King Saul, fear and despondency seized him and the darkness of despair and a joyless soul tortured him. And now we also, because of our sins, are deprived of the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Our mind is corrupted by idle thoughts, our soul is darkened since we have forgotten God, and now our hearts are crowded with all manner of sorrows, grievances, illnesses, hatred, malice, hostility, vindictiveness, pleasure at another’s misfortune, and other sins. And, having no joy or consolation, we call to thee, the Mother of our God Jesus Christ, to move thy Son by thine entreaties to forgive us our transgressions and to send us the Spirit the Comforter, as He sent Him to the apostles so that we, being comforted and enlightened by Him, would sing to thee a song of thanksgiving: rejoice, most holy Theotokos who hast increased our intelligence so that we may find our salvation. Amen.
My good Queen, my holy hope, shelter of the lost and the protector of strangers, the helper of the poor and the protecting veil of those in temptations, see my misfortune, see my sorrow: I am surrounded by temptations and there is no one to guard me against them. Wherefore help me, thyself, as I am feeble, guide me as I am a stranger; instruct me as I have strayed; heal me and save me for I am hopeless. I have no other help, no other hope, besides thee, my Lady: help us, as we have placed our hope in thee and we glorify thee ceaselessly, as we are thy servants, let us not be disgraced. I kneel before thy mercy, O Virgin Theotokos, reject not mine entreaties as I am full of sorrows, but deliver me from my misfortunes, as thou only art pure and blessed. Amen.
O Most Pure Theotokos, the House that God’s Wisdom has created for Himself, Giver of spiritual gifts, who dost elevate our minds from the world to the spiritual spheres and teach us reason! Accept the prayerful singing of thine unworthy servants, who venerate thee with faith and compunction before thy Most Pure image. Entreat thy Son and our God that He may grant our authorities wisdom and power; our judges truth and justice; our pastors spiritual wisdom, zeal and vigilant guarding of our souls; our mentors humble wisdom; our children obedience, and to all of us the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of humility and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. And now, our all-praised and all-loved Mother, increase our intelligence, pacify and unite those in hostility and separation, and give them an unbreakable bond of love; direct all those who have strayed through lack of reason, to the light of Christ’s truth and edify them in fear of God, abstention and love of work; give words of wisdom and knowledge, useful for the souls of those pleading with thee, who art more radiant than the cherubim and more honourable than the seraphim; that we, seeing God’s glorious works and His unfathomable wisdom, in the world and in our lives, shall abandon all earthly vanity and needless earthly concerns, raising our minds and our hearts to the heavens, and with thy protection and help shall glorify, thank and praise God, One in three and Creator of all, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Troparion, tone 4: O most glorious Mother of Christ, our God, who art the Giver of all good, preserve the universe by thy mercy; give us, thy servants, wisdom and reason; enlighten our souls with the light of thy Son, thou only all-praised, who art glorified by the cherubim and the seraphim.
Kontakion, tone 2: As thou enlightenest us by the reason of the one God, we praise thee, the Most Pure Mother of Reason which upholds the entire Universe. Thou art the beauty of the visible and the invisible world who enlightenest us by the rays of Life.
Kontakion 1: O Chosen by the Pre-Eternal God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, higher than all creation, who hast in days past entered praying into the Church of the Blachernae we, offering Thee with thanksgiving due veneration, flee with faith and compunction under Thy shining vestment for we lie in darkness. And as Thou who hast invincible power dost set us free from every affliction that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious veil.
Ikos 1: Archangels and angels with John the Forerunner, John the Divine and the choir of all the saints, were present with Thee, their Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and hearing Thy moving supplication for all the world, they cried out with wonder as follows:
Rejoice, O pre-eternal good will of God the Father Who has no beginning of days.
Rejoice, timeless and most pure one who contained God the Son.
Rejoice, Thou chosen dwelling-place of God the all-Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Thou never ceasing wonder of the angelic hosts on high.
Rejoice, Thou all-threatening terror of the dark forces of hell.
Rejoice, Thou whom the many-eyed cherubim meet in the air.
Rejoice, Thou to whom the six-winged seraphim ascribe praises.
Rejoice, Thou whose most precious veil we born on earth thankfully venerate.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 2: Saint Andrew with Epiphanios having seen Thee inside the Church praying to God in the air all Christians, acknowledged Thee to be the Mother of Christ our God Who ascended into heaven and falling to the ground they joyfully venerated Thine all-precious veil, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 2: Thou O Theotokos Virgin art knowledge unknowable in defense of Orthodox people. Therefore our enemies know not how strong is the prayer of the Mother of God: while we well aware of Thine all-mighty protection cry to Thee with tender feeling:
Rejoice, Most merciful Comforter of all the afflicted and heavy laden.
Rejoice, never sleeping Guide of all those who have strayed and gone blind.
Rejoice, Thou who by Thy supplication dost swiftly appease the wrath of God rightly poured out on us.
Rejoice, Thou who by an all-powerful behest dost tame out evil passions.
Rejoice, strong waker of sleeping consciences.
Rejoice, easy overcomer of sinful practices.
Rejoice, Thou for whose sake hell groans and the spirits of evil tremble.
Rejoice, Thou for whose sake the gates of paradise are opened to all.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 3: Power from on high overshadows those who run for refuge with faith and reverence to Thy precious protection: for to Thee alone, O all holy and all pure only Mother of God is it given that every petition of Thine be fulfilled. Therefore the faithful of all ages glorify Thee and Thy Son, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 3: O Lady, having a never-failing wealth of mercy, Thou dost stretch the hand of help to all the ends of the earth: and dost give healing to the sick, relief to the suffering, sight to the blind, and to all everything that is expedient for them as they cry aloud in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, indestructible fortress and bulwark of Orthodox rulers.
Rejoice, principle adornment of holy churches and altars.
Rejoice, truest guard of holy monasteries.
Rejoice, vigilant Helper of stouthearted civil authorities.
Rejoice, unconquerable Leader of Christian captains and armies.
Rejoice, holy mirror of justice for judges who take no bribes.
Rejoice, perfect knowledge for teachers and those who bring up children.
Rejoice, Blessing of pious homes and families.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 4: O Lady, Thou dost help us held fast by a storm of many afflictions: for Thou dost stand before the altar of the Lord, lifting Thine hands and praying that the Lord of glory look down on our unworthy prayer and hearken to the petitions of those who call upon Thy holy Name crying to Thy Son: Alleluia!
Ikos 4: The Lord God heard Joshua, son of Nun, praying and He commanded the sun to stand still until he defeated the enemy. The Lord Jesus now hears Thy supplication, O chosen dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we sinners, putting our trust in Thy protection, make bold to say to Thee, Mother of God:
Rejoice, Thou who are lit by the Sun of the mind and who dost enlighten us with the light that never sets.
Rejoice, Thou who hast illumined the whole earth by the brightness of Thy most pure soul.
Rejoice, Thou who hast made glad the whole heavens by the purity of Thy body.
Rejoice, Protector and Provider of the holy monasteries of Christ.
Rejoice, Thou who art the strength and understanding of the pastors of the Church.
Rejoice, Guide of God-fearing monks and nuns.
Rejoice, untroubled rest of the pious aged.
Rejoice, secret gladness of pure virgins and widows.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 5: When Moses who saw God lifted his arms while the battle with Amalek raged, Israel overcame and when he let his hands fall, Amalek was victorious and strengthened by those who hold up his arms, Israel defeated the enemy; and Thou, O Mother of God, having raised Thine hands in supplication, even though no man hold them up, dost always conquer the enemies of Christ and art an invincible shield for us who cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 5: The assemblies of saints when they had seen Thee in the air inside the church of the Blachernae stretching Thy hands in prayer to Thy Son and God, sang Thee a song in Thanksgiving with the archangels and angels: while we, our hands fortified by Thee made stronger than the arms of Moses, cry aloud with compunction:
Rejoice, Thou whose love and mercy towards us alone hold out Thine hands for us.
Rejoice, Thou before Whom our enemies, visible and invisible, cannot stand.
Rejoice, Thou who drivest away the dark hordes of our passions and lusts.
Rejoice, Thou who holdest in Thine hand without being consumed, the divine fire of Christ, and who with it dost set us in our coldness aflame.
Rejoice, Thou who crownest with a fair crown of chastity those who fight against the flesh.
Rejoice, Thou perpetual Converser with those who strive in fasting and silent prayer.
Rejoice, Thou speedy Comforter of those who fall from despair and sadness.
Rejoice, Thou who dost by grace provide us with humility and patience.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 6: Saint Roman the Melodist, appeared as an unfailing proclaimer of Thy grace and mercy when he had received from Thee in a dream a paper roll to swallow: for thereby made wise, he began to sing with skill in Thine honor and to write praises for the saints, calling out with faith: Alleluia!
Ikos 6: O Virgin, Maid of God, who hast shone forth the Dawn from the true Sun of righteousness, enlightening all with the wisdom of Thy God and Son and who leadest all to knowledge of the truth those who cry to Thee:
Rejoice, Thou who hast given birth to Christ in the flesh, the power of God and wisdom of God.
Rejoice, Thou who hast confounded the foolish wisdom of this world and who hast guided those blinded by it on the way of truth.
Rejoice, Preserver of our holy faith and teacher of Orthodox dogma.
Rejoice, Uprooter of impious heresies and corrupting divisions.
Rejoice, Thou who well knowest secret and unforeseen difficulties and dost tell those whom it is proper about them.
Rejoice, thou who puttest to shame false seers and vain divining.
Rejoice, Thou who in the hour of perplexity dost put a good thought in our hearts.
Rejoice, Thou who dost turn us from perilous purposes and senseless desires.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 7: The all-seeing, long suffering Lord, wishing to manifest the unsearchable deep of His mercies and love for mankind, chose Thee alone to be His Mother, and made Thee into an invincible defense for His people: that even though one of them appear worthy of condemnation by the righteous judgment of God, yet all the more shall he be preserved for repentance by Thy mighty protection, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 7: O Lord, Thou hast shown in Thine all-pure Mother, how wonderful are Thy works when Her most marvelous veil was revealed in Her hand shining brighter than the rays of the sun and with it She protected the people in the Church of Blachernae: for hearing of such a sign of Her defense, held by fear and joy, all say:
Rejoice, thou veil not made by hand of man that is spread over the whole world like a cloud.
Rejoice, Thou who dost hold in Thine hands the banner of Thy Son, the Pre-Eternal High-Priest.
Rejoice, Thou who hast thereby made manifest a new mercy and new grace in the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, pillar of cloud who protectest all of us in the world from temptations and scandals.
Rejoice, pillar of fire amidst the darkness, showing us all the path of salvation.
Rejoice, visible strength of manifest strivers for godliness.
Rejoice, secret Giver of understanding to the secret servants of God in this world.
Rejoice, Thou who also leavest not without Thy grace and protection me who am stripped of all good works.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 8: Angels sang Thy praises when Thou didst appear in wondrous wise from heaven in the Church of the Blachernae and apostles gave Thee glory. The choir of holy bishops and monks and the band of holy women extolled Thee, the Forerunner with John the Theologian venerated Thee, and the people present in the Church cried aloud with joy: Alleluia!
Ikos 8: The Lord Who reignest over all things above and below, when He had seen Thee, His Mother, standing in the Church and praying with tender feeling to Him, said: Ask, O my Mother, because I shall never turn from Thee but will fulfil all Thy petitions and teach all to sing to Thee in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, Ark of the law in which is kept the sanctification of all mankind.
Rejoice, all-holy Jar in which the bread of eternal life is preserved for those who hunger for righteousness.
Rejoice, all-golden Vessel in which the flesh and blood of the divine Lamb are prepared for us.
Rejoice, Thou who dost receive in Thine all-powerful arms those foresaken by the physicians.
Rejoice, Thou who dost raise from their bed of sickness those crippled in body, but not in spirit and faith.
Rejoice, Thou who givest a new and better understanding to those who are perishing from infirmity of mind.
Rejoice, Thou who dost wisely trip us up on the stubborn path of sin and passion.
Rejoice, Thou who dost turn to mercy the cruelty of our unrepentant hearts.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 9: The whole assembly of angels offers Thee praises, Thou true Mother of God and Defender of all who run to Thee, knowing how with Thine unfailing protection Thou dost rejoice the righteous, protect and deliver the poor, and pray for all the faithful crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 9: The wordy orators, become as dumb fish, are at a loss as to how to praise as is due, the great feast of Thine all-precious protection: for all the things said by them about Thee suffice not to number Thy mercies alone. And we, seeing Thy good works without number, cry with gladness:
Rejoice, Thou who dost guard us from the deadly plague in which all perish.
Rejoice, Thou who dost preserve cities and villages from sudden earthquakes.
Rejoice, Thou who dost lead us out with Thy strong arm from flood and drowning.
Rejoice, Thou who by the dew of Thy prayers dost deliver us from the kindling of fire.
Rejoice, Thou who dost provide against hunger of soul and body by the Bread of Life.
Rejoice, Thou who dost lead away from our heads the blows of lightening and thunder.
Rejoice, Thou who dost save us from the attacks of strangers and secret murderers.
Rejoice, Thou who dost guard us with peace and love against family quarrels and enmities of those of our own blood.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 10: Wishing to save mankind from the error of the enemy, the Lord Who lovest mankind gave us on earth Thee His Mother to be our help, protection and defense, for Thee to be the Comforter of those that sorrow, the Joy of the afflicted, the Defender of the injured, and to raise all from the depth of sin, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10: “O King of Heaven”, spoke the all-pure Queen in prayer as She stood with the angels, “do Thou accept every man praying to Thee and calling upon my name for help, that he go not away from my face empty and unheard.” Hearing this most good supplication, the assemblies of the saints cried in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, Thou who crownest with blessed fruits the husbandman pure in hand and heart.
Rejoice, Succour and righteous Rewarder for all those who honestly trade.
Rejoice, Reprover before all nations of those who keep not their oaths and whose gains are unjust.
Rejoice, unexpected Helper of those in distress in travels by land and water.
Rejoice, Thou who makest childless couples glad with the fruits of faith and spirit.
Rejoice, unseen Tutor of motherless orphans.
Rejoice, strong Defender of those in captivity and exile.
Rejoice, ever-watchful Guardian of those sitting in bonds and prison.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 11: Hearing a most moving song and attending to Thy prayer for us, we beg Thee, O Virgin Theotokos, look not away from the voices of Thy servants for we run to Thee in assaults and affliction and in our distress we pour out our tears before Thee, crying: Alleluia!
Ikos 11: Seeing Thee in the air inside the Blachernae Church burning in prayer as a candle aflame with light, I gave voice together with a multitude of people there present: “how can this be that the Mother of my Lord has come to me?” And Saint Andrew with Epiphanios prayed warmly to Thee, crying:
Rejoice, abundant Giver of all spiritual and bodily gifts.
Rejoice, true Advocate of sinners who have started to repent.
Rejoice, perpetual Champion of those fighting with enemy passions and intents.
Rejoice, invisible Tamer of cruel and bestial masters.
Rejoice, secret Rest and Consolation of humble and suffering servants.
Rejoice, most longed-for Fulfiller of blessed marriages.
Rejoice, swift and painless relief of mothers in childbirth.
Rejoice, our only Help in the hour of death.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 12: Ask Thy Son to give us divine grace; stretch towards us a helping hand; ward off from us every enemy and adversary and give our lives peace that we perish not grievously, without repentance, but accept us, O our Protector, in the eternal mansions, that, rejoicing we may cry to Thee: Alleluia!
Ikos 12: Singing the praises of Thy mighty protection, we praise Thee for Thou art to us all our firm Advocate and we venerate Thee who dost pray for us: for we believe and we trust that Thou wilt beg of Thy Son and God eternal and temporal good things for all who cry thus to Thee with love:
Rejoice, strong Defense of the whole inhabited earth.
Rejoice, sanctification of all the earthly and heavenly elements.
Rejoice, Thou Blessing of all the seasons of the year.
Rejoice, Thou Conqueror of all assaults and temptations that come from the world, the flesh and the devil.
Rejoice, unhoped for Reconciliation of those who are at daggers drawn.
Rejoice, Amendment without their knowledge of unrepentant sinners.
Rejoice, Thou who dost not turn away those despised and forsaken by all.
Rejoice, Thou who dost pluck from the pit of destruction those that indeed despair.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 13 (3x): O all-praised Mother, Most pure Lady, Virgin, Theotokos, to Thee do I lift up the eyes of my soul and body, to Thee do I stretch forth my hands grown feeble and I cry from the depth of my heart: look down on the faith and humility of my soul; shelter me with Thy almighty protection, that I be saved from all assault and distress, and in the hour of my death, be by me, O Thou all-blessed, and deliver me from the torment prepared for me because of my sins, that venerating Thee, I may ever cry: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ikos 1 Repeated: Archangels and angels with John the Forerunner, John the Theologian and the choir of all the saints, were present with Thee, their Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and hearing Thy moving supplication for all the world, they cried out with wonder as follows:
Rejoice, O pre-eternal good will of God the Father Who has no beginning of days.
Rejoice, timeless and most pure one who contained God the Son.
Rejoice, Thou chosen dwelling-place of God the all-Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Thou never ceasing wonder of the angelic hosts on high.
Rejoice, Thou all-threatening terror of the dark forces of hell.
Rejoice, Thou whom the many-eyed cherubim meet in the air.
Rejoice, Thou to whom the six-winged seraphim ascribe praises.
Rejoice, Thou whose most precious veil we born on earth thankfully venerate.
Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious Veil.
Kontakion 1 Repeated: O Chosen by the Pre-Eternal God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, higher than all creation, who hast in days past entered praying into the Church of the Blachernae we, offering Thee with thanksgiving due veneration, flee with faith and compunction under Thy shining vestment for we lie in darkness. And as Thou who hast invincible power dost set us free from every affliction that we may cry to Thee: Rejoice, our Joy, protect us from every ill by Thy precious veil.
First Prayer: O all-holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the hosts on high, Thou Queen of heaven and earth and almighty Defender of our country, accept from us Thine unworthy servants this song of praise and thanksgiving and bring our prayer up to the throne of Thy God and Son, that He be merciful towards our unrighteousness, and extend His grace to those who honor Thy name and venerate with faith and love Thy wonder-working ikon. For we are not worthy to be forgiven by Him hadst Thou, O Lady, not made Him merciful towards us, for all things from Him are possible to Thee. Therefore we run to Thee as Thou art our swift and undoubted Protector. Hear us who pray to Thee: overshadow us with Thine almighty veil and ask from Thy God and Son zeal and vigilance for our shepherds, wisdom and strength for the souls of those who govern our cities, righteousness and impartiality for our judges, understanding and humility for our leaders, love and concord for the married, obedience for our children, patience for those who have been offended, the fear of God for those that offend, stoutheartedness for the afflicted, restraint for those that rejoice, and for all of us the spirit of understanding and godliness, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of chastity and truth. Yea, O all-holy Lady, be merciful towards Thy feeble people: gather together the dispersed, guide on the right way those that have gone astray, uphold old age, make the young pure, bring up the children and look down upon all of us with the care of Thy merciful protection. Raise us from the depth of sin and enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see salvation. Be merciful to us both here and yonder, during our wandering in the land of this earth and at the Last Judgement of Thy Son: and make our fathers and brothers who have departed this life live the eternal life with the angels and all the saints. For Thou, O Lady, art the glory of those in heaven and the trust of those on earth. After God, Thou art the hope and Defender of all who flee to Thee with faith. We then pray to Thee and to Thee as our almighty Helper, do we commend ourselves and one another, now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer: O my most blessed Queen, my all-holy hope, Receiver of orphans and Defender of the strangers, Helper of those in poverty, Protector of the sick, behold my distress, behold my affliction. On all sides am I held by temptation, and there is none to defend me. Help me then as I am weak, feed me as I am a pilgrim, guide me as I have strayed, heal and save me as I lie without hope. For I have no other help, nor advocate nor comforter, save Thee, O Mother of all the afflicted and heavy laden. Look down then on me, a sinner lying in sickness, and protect me with Thine all-holy Veil, that I be delivered from all the ills surrounding me and may ever praise Thy Name that all men sing. Amen.
