Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

O Tikhon, holy hierarch of Christ: do thou thyself grant me understanding and speech, that I may worthily hymn the glory wherewith Christ the Lord hath glorified thee.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

A ray of divine light hast thou shone upon us. Come, ye children of the light, that we may be illumined thereby, that, magnifying the holy hierarch with hymns, we may become warmed by the Spirit.

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

Let us glorify the blessed Tikhon, the successor to the apostles, enthroned with the holy hierarchs, dweller with the venerable, by whose intercession we obtain salvation.

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

The Master of all, having taken flesh of thee ineffably, O Mary Theotokos, became perfect man; and when thou gavest birth, He kept thee as pure as thou hadst been before giving birth. Him do thou entreat, that He save our souls from misfortune.

Ode III, Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Wounded with the love of Christ, O blessed one, from thy youth didst thou follow Him with unwavering desire, disdaining every carnal pleasure.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

The passions of youth which vex the flesh didst thou cut down with the sword of the love of wisdom, offering thyself as a sacrifice to Christ the Master.

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

O Tikhon, with greater love didst thou cleave unto wisdom, made steadfast in the fear of God, for it is the beginning of wisdom.

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

Let us hymn the divine temple of God! Let us bless the holy Virgin, deified and delivered from misfortunes by her!

Sessional Hymn of the saint, Tone VIII: From thy youth wast thou a temple of the Holy Spirit; for, having cleansed thy soul of passions through thy faith, the grace of the Comforter doth dwell therein. Wherefore, even after thy repose, thy body hath been preserved incorrupt. Entreat Christ God that those who honor thee be delivered from corrupting passions.

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

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

Sessional Hymn of the feast, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Joseph marvelled…”: Thou wast transfigured on Mount Tabor, O God, in the midst of the all-wise Elijah and Moses, with James, Simon and John. And Peter, who was there, said to Thee: “It is good for us to make here three booths: one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Thee, Christ our Master!” O Thou Who then shone forth Thy light upon them, illumine our souls!

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!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Like a lamb wast thou tended by Christ; like a shepherd didst thou tend thy flock, leading them to the pasture of thy life-bearing teachings.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

An initiate of the mysteries of the doctrine of Christ, thou didst illumine the people with the knowledge of Him, showing forth His truth by word and deed.

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

A true and faithful guard wast thou over the house of God, watching over it in deed, giving an example by thy life, and by word, for thou didst diligently instruct, and by thought, for thou didst take thought for its well-being.

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

Finding thee to be a haven and rampart, a refuge and hope, a protection and a fervent intercessor, the faithful have recourse to thee and earnestly cry out to thee, as the blessed Tikhon hath taught us: O all-holy Theotokos, save us!

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.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

O holy hierarch, Christ, Whom thou didst love, Whom thou didst desire, for Whose sake thou didst struggle, do thou now beseech in behalf of thy servants, that, being merciful, He may grant a peaceful life to all of us that honor thy memory.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Filled with faith and the love of Christ, thou didst show thyself to be as a river, abundantly watering all the land of Russia with the word of thy teachings, O blessed Tikhon.

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

Like a bee gathering sweet honey from quickly fading blossoms, O father, thou didst gather spiritual treasure from the corruptible world, and thereby thou dost satisfy us all.

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

Fill thou our hearts with gladness, O most pure and divine Maiden, who gavest birth to the Cause of joy, destroying all the grief of sin.

Ode VI, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, 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.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Being pure of heart, thou didst cleave unto the pure Christ; being holy, unto the Holy One; being loving, unto Him Who loveth; being meek, unto the Meek One, crying unceasingly: It is good for me to cleave unto God!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

The comfort, pleasure, honor, wealth, glory and all the treasures of the world didst thou despise, soaring aloft to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the home of thy Father, where there are many mansions.

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

Insults, sorrows and abuse didst thou joyfully endure, mindful that there is no crown without a victory, no victory without a contest, no contest without battle, and no battle without a foe.

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

O Virgin Lady, Mother of the Creator: thou art the joy of the heavenly hosts, the blessed helper of the human race. Pray thou that our souls be saved!

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

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

Kontakion, Tone VIII: Successor to the apostles, adornment of holy hierarchs, teacher of the Orthodox Church: beseech the Master of all to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!

Ikos: Having adorned thy soul with virtue and enlightened thy mind with love of wisdom, thou didst show thyself to be a good shepherd of the flock of Christ, teaching it by word and writing, admonishing and instructing, giving an example of what thou didst say by thy life. Wherefore, by Christ, the Chief Shepherd, hast thou been adorned with a crown of glory in heaven, shining forth on earth in the incorruption of thy relics and pouring forth abundant streams of wonders upon those who call upon thee in faith, O divinely wise Tikhon. Pray to the Lord, that He grant our souls great mercy!

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!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

In patience didst thou possess thy soul, O blessed one, and thou didst traverse the narrow path which alone leadeth to everlasting life, ever directing thy gaze toward the way of the Cross of Christ, the Judge of the contest, and setting an image thereof as a model for thy life.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Thy whole self didst thou surrender to the love of God: soul and body, heart and mind, memory and will, purpose, ambition, word, deed and thought didst thou consecrate out of love for God.

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

O blessed Tikhon, thou didst show thyself to be a father of orphans, a defender of widows, the wealth of the poor, the consolation of the sick and admonition of the wealthy, a staff for the aged, the instructor of the young, and a model of virtue for monastics.

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

Rejoice, O Mary! Rejoice, thou who gavest birth to the Savior of the world! Be thou a haven for us who are tempest-tossed by the storm of life, a calm harbor amid the deep of sorrows, and guidance to the heavenly mansions.

Ode VIII, Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

A son of the Kingdom while yet on earth, thou didst ever yearn for the Son of God, crying out to Him: Be Thou my food and drink; be Thou the light of my soul; be Thou my surcease amid sorrows; be Thou life everlasting according to the resurrection, that I may supremely exalt Thee unto the ages!

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

Ever mindful of the fall of Adam, the redemption through the sufferings of Christ, the hour of death, the dread Judgment, the torment of sinners and the blessed state of the righteous, thou didst lament, setting us an example of compunction and purifying thyself aforetime for eternal glory.

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

Having undertaken travails in this life out of faith and piety, thou didst sweetly rest from thy labors and wast granted repose; for thou didst descend into the grave, ripening like wheat for the harvest of God at the time of the reaping.

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

With the hyssop of the life-creating Blood of the Lamb, Who was slain for the salvation of the world, and Who took flesh of thy most pure blood, do thou sprinkle and cleanse me, who am defiled, O Mistress, that I may be made whiter than snow by thy maternal assistance.

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.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

A mediator and fervent intercessor for us before God hast thou been shown to be, O hierarch, making supplication to the Master through thy prayers. Ask thou remission of transgressions, O father, for those who faithfully celebrate thy sacred memory and magnify thee with heartfelt love.

Hierarch of Christ, Tikhon, pray to God for us.

O thou who hast been illumined with the radiance of God the Light, enlighten us who are benighted by the passions of life; and, having received of Him the authority to loose and to bind, loose thou our transgressions and vouchsafe the kingdom of heaven unto those who celebrate thy memory and magnify thee as is meet.

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

Mercifully accept this, our hymn of praise, which is offered up to thee with abundant fervor, from our unworthy and wretched souls, O holy hierarch, granting us withal grace abounding in compassion.

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

Thou didst raise up fallen Adam, O Mother of God, who gavest birth to the new Adam. Do thou also raise us up, who are fallen like Adam of old, but who fervently believe in the grace of the New.

Troparion, Tone VIII: From thy youth thou didst love Christ, O blessed one; and thou wast an example unto all by word, life, love, spirit, faith, purity and humility. Wherefore, thou hast made thine abode in the heavenly mansions, where, standing before the throne of the all-holy Trinity, do thou pray that our souls be saved, O holy hierarch Tikhon.

Troparion, Tone IV: O guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety, preacher of repentance, emulator of Chrysostom, most excellent pastor, new beacon and wonderworker of Russia: well didst thou shepherd thy flock, and by thy writings thou hast instructed us all. Wherefore, adorned with a crown of incorruption by the Chief Shepherd, do thou entreat Him that our souls be saved.

 

The Martyrs Archdeacon Laurence, Pope Sixtus, Deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus, and the soldier Romanus were citizens of Rome, and suffered in the year 258 during the reign of Emperor Valerian (253-260). Saint Sixtus was born in the city of Athens, and at first he was a philosopher, but later he became a follower of Christ. When he arrived in Rome, he showed himself to be a wise and devout member of the Church. Over a period of time, he passed through the various ranks of the clergy, and became the Bishop of Rome following the martyric death of Saint Stephen (August 2). Several Roman Hierarchs preferred to die rather than offer sacrifice to idols. Soon, Saint Sixtus was also arrested and imprisoned together with his deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus.

When Archdeacon Laurence visited Saint Sixtus in prison, he cried out with tears, “Where are you going, Father, without your son? Where do you hasten without your Archdeacon? Never have you offered the Bloodless Sacrifice without me. Take me with you, so that I may join you in shedding our blood for Christ!”

Saint Sixtus replied, “I am not forsaking you, my son. I am old and I accept the lesser battle, but greater suffering awaits you. You must achieve the greater victory and triumph over your tormentors. Three days after my death, you shall follow after me.”

Then he entrusted Archdeacon Laurence with the Church’s treasures and sacred vessels, telling him to distribute these to the poor. He gathered them up and went around the city on foot, to the clergy and impoverished Christians who were in hiding, helping them according to their needs.

When he heard that Saint Sixtus had been brought to trial with his deacons, Saint Laurence went there in order to witness the outcome. Seeing that the martyrs were obstinate in their refusal to offer sacrifice to the idols, Valerian ordered them to be taken to the temple of Mars outside the city walls, and put to death if they did not offer incense to the idols. When he saw the pagan temple, Saint Sixtus prayed for it to be destroyed. There was an earthquake which caused part of the temple to collapse, and the statue of Mars was shattered to pieces. Saint Laurence cried out, “Father, I have fulfilled your command, and have distributed the treasures of the Church which you entrusted to me.”

After hearing about treasure, the soldiers placed him under guard. Saint Sixtus and the other martyrs were beheaded in front of the temple on August 6, 258. Afterward, the soldiers brought Saint Laurence to the Emperor, informing him that they had heard the Archdeacon mention something about the Church’s hidden treasures. The Emperor ordered him to reveal where the treasures were, and the Archdeacon asked for three days in order to collect them. Then Saint Laurence gathered all the poor and the needy, and brought them to the Prefect, saying, “Behold the treasures of the Church.”

The ruler became very angry at this and ordered Hippolytos (Iππόλυτος) who was in charge of the prison, to throw the Archdeacon into the dungeon with other prisoners. There the Saint restored the sight of a man named Lucillus. Hippolytos was amazed at this, and asked to see the Church’s treasures. Saint Laurence told him that if he believed in Christ and was baptized, he would find true wealth and everlasting life. Hippolytos said that if this was true, he would do as he asked.

Hippolytos took Saint Laurence to his home, where he instructed and baptized the jailer and all his household, consisting of nineteen persons. Soon afterward, Hippolytos was ordered to bring the Archdeacon to Emperor Valerian. Seeing that the Saint had not agreed to offer sacrifice, he ordered that Saint Laurence be tortured. Still, the Archdeacon refused to sacrifice to the idols. As the Martyr endured these torments, a soldier named Romanus cried, “Laurence, I see a radiant youth standing by you, and wiping your wounds. Entreat Christ, Who has sent His Angel to you, not to abandon me.”

Then Valerian commanded Hippolytos to return the Saint to prison. Romanus brought a pitcher of water and asked the Martyr to baptize him. Immediately after the soldier was baptized, he was seized by other soldiers and taken to the Emperor. Before anyone could question him, Romanus shouted, “I am a Christian.”

The Emperor ordered him to be taken outside the city and beheaded on August 9.

The next day, Saint Laurence was placed on a rack, scourged with whips with sharp iron points attached to them, and then was stretched out naked on a red-hot iron gridiron with burning coals underneath it. The Holy Martyr glanced at the ruler and said, “You have already roasted one side of my body, now turn me over to the other side so you may taste what you have roasted.”

Then he glorified God, saying, “I thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You have found me worthy to enter Your gates.”

Saint Laurence received the unfading crown of martyrdom on August 10, 258.

That night, Saint Hippolytos took the Saint’s body he wrapped it in a shroud with spices. Then he and the priest Justin brought the relics to the home of a widow named Kyriake, where it remained until evening. Later, many Christians escorted the Saint’s body to a cave on the widow’s property. After praying all night, they buried the Martyr there with honor. Then Father Justin served the Divine Liturgy, and everyone partook of the Holy Mysteries.

Saint Hippolytos and the other Christians suffered martyrdom three days after the death of Saint Laurence, on August 13.

Source: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2022/08/10/102258-martyr-and-archdeacon-laurence-and-those-with-him-of-rome

The canon of the saint, the acrostic whereof is: “Most wisely do I hymn the mighty Laurence”, in Tone IV:

Ode 1, Irmos: O Thou who wast born of the Virgin, * drown I implore Thee, in the depth of dispassion * the triune nature of my soul, * as Thou didst the mighty strongholds of the warriors, * that in the mortality of my flesh * as on a timbrel * I may chant a hymn of victory.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Taking delight in the garden of sweetness and joining chorus with the angelic hosts as is meet, as a warrior of Christ, pray thou that He grant effulgent radiance unto me who hymn thee, O blessed Laurence.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Entering upon the feats of honoured torment, O Laurence, in steadfastness of soul thou didst show thyself to be a victorious spiritual athlete, magnificently arrayed in the crown of righteousness and a diadem of victory.

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

As thou wast a child of the light and of the day, thou hast shone forth upon us sensibly like the sun from the west, illumining the ends of the earth with a most splendid radiance, O all-glorious martyr Laurence.

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

Delivered from the bonds of Hades and corruption, and from the condemnation of the law, by thine honoured birth giving, O most holy Virgin, we cry to thee in thanksgiving: Rejoice, O thou who art full of joy, thou saving portal of grace!

Ode 3, Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath waxed feeble * and the weak have girded themselves with strength: * therefore is my heart established * in the Lord.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

With the Cross as thy standard, thou didst valiantly array thyself against the enemy, and wast shown to be crowned with victory, O right-wondrous one.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Protected by the law of Christ, as one invincible thou didst oppose the laws of the impious with courageous endurance, O all-blessed one.

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

Strengthened by the power of God, thou didst destroy the feebleness of polytheism and didst elucidate the pre-eternal divinity of Christ.

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

Equal to the Father and the Spirit in nature, essence and divinity, and to men also, was the Word Who didst become incarnate of thee, O all-immaculate one.

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

Sessional Hymn, in Tone 8, Spec. Mel – “Of the Wisdom …”: Having amassed heavenly riches and brought them to the poor, thou didst distribute them, and gave thy bread also to the hungry, and thereby having acquired life incorruptible, thou didst shine forth in thy confession of Christ, O glorious one. Wherefore, having courageously suffered under the law, thou didst receive from God a crown for thy labours, O spiritual athlete Laurence. Entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who with love honour thy holy memory.

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

Repeat sessional hymn.

Ode 4, Irmos: He who sitteth in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he hath saved those who cry: * Glory to Thy power, O Christ.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

For love of the Word, the servant of the Word, adorned with eloquence and spirituality, hath been slaughtered, and now reigneth in righteousness with the Word, enjoying gladness and His glory.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Piously fighting off the slumber of impiety with divine vigilance, O sacred martyr of Christ, by thy martyr’s stand thou didst cut off from thine eyes the sleep which is unto death.

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

Protected by the true armour of piety against the proponents of the impious opposition, for the sake of the Faith thou didst utterly cast down the memory of them by thy love of morality.

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

Having put aside all the defilement of the primeval food, we are nurtured with the Grain of Life from heaven, Which arose from the earth from the Virgin. Let us hymn her as the mediatress of good things.

Ode 5, Irmos: The wicked will not behold Thy glory, O Christ, * but we who rise early to hymn Thee shall behold Thee, * the Only-Begotten effulgence of Thy Father’s divinity, * O Lover of mankind.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Thine eyes fixed with unwavering vision upon divine beauties, O right wondrous Laurence, Thou didst spurn all the beautiful things on earth and the cruel pangs of thy body.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Having recognized Christ, Who became a servant for us, through gifts received from the Father, and having become His servant, thou didst depart unto Him through the shedding of thy blood, O most blessed one.

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

O blessed one, thou didst offer thyself unto Christ as a sacred oblation and a magnificent adornment; and having adorned the tabernacle of heaven, thou dost now abide there delighting in radiance.

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

The only-begotten Son, of the same essence and like unto the Father, of His own will becameth akin to mankind, the Most High being incarnate from thy womb, O Virgin Mother.

Ode 6, Irmos: I have reached the depths of the sea * and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me; * but do Thou raise up my life from the abyss * O Greatly-Merciful One.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Kindling a material fire, thou didst prepare thyself as sweet food for the King of all, Who loveth and craveth our salvation, O all-glorious one.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Thou didst draw nigh wholly to the light of the ruling Trinity, and being radiant, as God’s servant, thou dost illumine those who hymn thee, O spiritual athlete.

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

Strengthened with divine power, lying on the heated grill thou didst endure torment for the love of Christ, enkindling thy soul with fire and spiritual dew.

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

O Virgin Mother, thou wast the place of God’s lodging, an animate throne, the holy mountain, the ark, the divinely wrought tabernacle, and the golden candle-stand.

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

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

Kontakion of the saint, in Tone 2, Spec. Mel – “Seeking the highest …”: Kindling thy heart with divine fire, * thou didst utterly reduce the fire of the passions to ashes, * O God-bearing martyr Laurence, * thou confirmation of spiritual athletes; * and in the midst of thy sufferings * thou didst cry aloud with faith: ** Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!

Ikos: Assembling, O ye faithful, with hymns let us all honour the spiritual athlete Laurence, who shone forth in the world like a steady beacon, as an initiate of ineffable mysteries; for by his supplications we are delivered from grievous transgressions. And having cleansed our hearts, let us glorify Christ Who glorifieth him who is mighty amid sufferings and who saith: Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!

Ode 7, Irmos: Thou didst save the children of Abraham in the fire * and slay the Chaldeans, * who unjustly entrapped the righteous ones. * O supremely hymned Lord, God of our fathers, * blessed art Thou.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Forechosen to celebrate the Mysteries and serve the Word, thou wast shown to be a sacred vessel and oblation of the temple of heaven, chanting unto the Creator: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Covered by the law of the life which is in Christ, O most blessed Laurence, thou didst not bow thy mind to those who imposed laws of death and corruption, but chanted: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

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

Clad in a body as one who manifestly felt no pain, O most blessed one, with valorous mind, and as one most noetically rich, thou didst dare the all-devouring fire, crying aloud: O supremely hymned Lord God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

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

Thou wast shown to be the noetic eastward portal of the Most High Who, in a manner beyond speech and understanding, appeared to mankind on earth through thee, O Bride of God: the blessed God of our fathers.

Ode 8, Irmos: O almighty Redeemer of all, * having descended and bedewed the children * in the midst of the flame, * Thou didst teach them to sing: * All ye works bless and hymn the Lord.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

In thy steadfastness of mind thou wast mightier than the unbearable flame, burning as if in another’s body, O blessed one, yet chanting with faith: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Like unto the three children, thou didst quench the burning embers of the fire with the dew of divine grace, crying aloud and chanting: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!

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

As Christ was thine enlightenment, He girded thee about with His own might, and led thee up to Himself as thou didst piously chant: All ye works bless and hymn the Lord!

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

A rod sprung forth from the root of Jesse wast thou, and in a manner past nature thou gavest rise to Christ my God and Lord, the Flower of the Godhead. Let all works bless thy birthgiving, O Virgin!

Ode 9, Irmos: Eve dwelt under the curse of sin * because of the infirmity of disobedience; * but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, * hast through the Offspring of thy pregnancy * blossomed forth blessing upon the world. * Wherefore, we all magnify thee.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Thou didst offer thyself as a perfect sacrifice and incense pleasing unto the Master, being tried by the fire of suffering like gold in a crucible; whereby thou didst become a foremost adornment of the Church, O right wondrous one.

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence, pray to God for us.

Deified by the direct sight of God and by a higher union, O Laurence, in word and by divine vision thou wast radiantly illumined by the uttermost Light. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.

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

Thou didst shine forth from the West like the sun, O blessed one, O great and most glorious wonder; illumining all the Church with thy beams, O right wondrous one; and warming all with the fervor of faith. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.

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

The prophets, beholding images of thy birthgiving, O all-immaculate one, were instructed thereby from afar by divine inspiration, loudly proclaiming it to the world, and we now marvel at their fulfilment.

Troparion, tone 4: In his sufferings, Thy martyr Laurence O Lord, * received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; * for, possessed of Thy might, * he set at naught the tyrants and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. ** By his supplications save Thou our souls.

Prayer from the Great Euchologion “For One Who Is Ill and Cannot Sleep”

O God, Great, Praised, Incomprehensible and Ineffable, Who didst fashion man with Thy hands, taking dust from the earth, and Who didst honour him with Thine Image, O Jesus Christ, Most-desired Name, together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy Most-Holy, Good, and Lifegiving Spirit: Do Thou manifest unto Thy servant, N., and visit him (her) in soul and body, being entreated by our most-glorious Sovereign Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; by the holy Bodiless Powers of Heaven; by the honourable and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; by the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles; by the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; by our Fathers among the Saints and ecumenical Teachers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; by Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, Cyril and Methodius, Teachers of the Slavs, Spyridon the Wonderworker, and all the holy Hierarchs; by the holy Apostle, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen; by the holy, glorious Great-Martyrs: George the Trophy-bearer, Demetrius the Myrrhgusher, Theodore Stratelates, and all the holy Martyrs; by our Venerable and God-bearing Fathers: Anthony, Euthymius, Savvas the Sanctified, Theodosius (Founder of the Common Life), Onouphrius, Arsenius, Athanasius the Athonite, and all the Venerable Ones; by the holy Unmercenary Physicians: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermalaeus, Samson and Diomedes, Thalelaeus and Tryphon, and all the rest; by Saint(s), N. (of the Day); and by all Thy Saints; and grant unto him (her) a peaceful sleep, the sleep of bodily health and salvation, and life and strength of soul and body, as once Thou didst visit Abimelech, Thy favourite, in the house of Agrippa, and gavest him the consolation of sleep, that he not see the Fall of Jerusalem, and having nourished him with sleep, didst raise him up again in the twinkling of an eye, to the glory of Thy goodness; and as Thou didst make manifest Thy holy glorious Seven Youths, confessors and witnesses of Thine Appearance in the days of the Emperor Decius and the Apostate, having sustained them in the cave for 372 years, as infants kept warm in their own mother’s womb, none having endured corruption, to the praise and glory of Thy love for mankind, and for a testimony and confession of our regeneration and the resurrection of all. Do Thou Thyself, therefore, O Lover of Mankind and King, be present now also with the infusion of Thy Holy Spirit, and visit Thy servant, N., and grant unto him (her) health, strength and power, by Thy grace, for with Thee every action is good, and every gift is perfect. For Thou art the Physician of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee do we send up glory, thanksgiving and worship, together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy Most-Holy, Good, and Lifegiving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Commemorated on August 4/17 

The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together.

When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.

Their military belts and insignia were quickly taken from them. Decius permitted them to go free, however, hoping that they would change their minds while he was off on a military campaign. The youths fled from the city and hid in a cave on Mount Ochlon, where they passed their time in prayer, preparing for martyrdom.

The youngest of them, Saint Iamblicus, dressed as a beggar and went into the city to buy bread. On one of his excursions into the city, he heard that the emperor had returned and was looking for them. Saint Maximilian urged his companions to come out of the cave and present themselves for trial.

Learning where the young men were hidden, the emperor ordered that the entrance of the cave be sealed with stones so that the saints would perish from hunger and thirst. Two of the dignitaries at the blocked entrance to the cave were secret Christians. Desiring to preserve the memory of the saints, they placed in the cave a sealed container containing two metal plaques. On them were inscribed the names of the seven youths and the details of their suffering and death.

The Lord placed the youths into a miraculous sleep lasting almost two centuries. In the meantime, the persecutions against Christians had ceased. During the reign of the holy emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450) there were heretics who denied that there would be a general resurrection of the dead at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of them said, “How can there be a resurrection of the dead when there will be neither soul nor body, since they are disintegrated?” Others affirmed, “The souls alone will have a restoration, since it would be impossible for bodies to arise and live after a thousand years, when even their dust would not remain.” Therefore, the Lord revealed the mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead and of the future life through His seven saints.

The owner of the land on which Mount Ochlon was situated, discovered the stone construction, and his workers opened up the entrance to the cave. The Lord had kept the youths alive, and they awoke from their sleep, unaware that almost two hundred years had passed. Their bodies and clothing were completely undecayed.

Preparing to accept torture, the youths once again asked Saint Iamblicus to buy bread for them in the city. Going toward the city, the youth was astonished to see a cross on the gates. Hearing the name of Jesus Christ freely spoken, he began to doubt that he was approaching his own city.

When he paid for the bread, Iamblicus gave the merchant coins with the image of the emperor Decius on it. He was detained, as someone who might be concealing a horde of old money. They took Saint Iamblicus to the city administrator, who also happened to be the Bishop of Ephesus. Hearing the bewildering answers of the young man, the bishop perceived that God was revealing some sort of mystery through him, and went with other people to the cave.

At the entrance to the cave the bishop found the sealed container and opened it. He read upon the metal plaques the names of the seven youths and the details of the sealing of the cave on the orders of the emperor Decius. Going into the cave and seeing the saints alive, everyone rejoiced and perceived that the Lord, by waking them from their long sleep, was demonstrating to the Church the mystery of the Resurrection of the Dead.

Soon the emperor himself arrived in Ephesus and spoke with the young men in the cave. Then the holy youths, in sight of everyone, lay their heads upon the ground and fell asleep again, this time until the General Resurrection.

The emperor wanted to place each of the youths into a jeweled coffin, but they appeared to him in a dream and said that their bodies were to be left upon the ground in the cave. In the twelfth century the Russian pilgrim Igumen Daniel saw the holy relics of the seven youths in the cave.

The Orthodox Church in America

Canon of the saints, Tone II

Ode I, Irmos: Come, ye people, let us chant a hymn to Christ God, Who divided the sea and guided the people whom He had led forth from the bondage of Egypt, for He hath been glorified.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Come ye, and with faith let us honor the youths who have shone forth, seven in number; for they shed greater light upon the Church of Christ than the seven lamps did upon the temple of the law.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

While alive of old, the seven youths were clothed in Christ’s mortality of flesh, and, most gloriously receiving death as a dream, they confirm the doctrine of the resurrection.

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

Jericho fell at the seventh sounding of the trumpets, and the uprising of falsehood hath now fallen down to hades and been destroyed through the sevenfold proclamation of the athletes’ faith.

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

Thou makest birthgiving new again, O thou who knewest not wedlock; for the everlasting Word, Who with the Father and the divine Spirit is equally without beginning, became incarnate of thee, without forsaking His union with Them.

Ode III, Irmos: Establish us in thee, O Lord Who hast slain sin by the Tree, and plant the fear of Thee in the hearts of us who hymn Thee.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Ye were shown to be seven fixed stars shining with faith, O athletes; and ye have guided to the haven of salvation those who are sinking in the abyss of falsehood.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Standing undaunted before the tribunal, O holy ones, as the Maccabees once did, having enrolled in the army of Christ, ye resigned from the army of corruptible life.

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

As is meet, O holy youths, ye showed yourselves to be a sacrifice of prayer pleasing unto God, firmly dispelling the foul stench of falsehood with a savor of sweet fragrance.

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

The bush on Sinai prefigured thine all-glorious birthgiving, O Virgin; for thou wast not consumed by the fire of the Godhead when thou didst receive it into thy womb with faith.

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

Sessional hymn, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Go thou quickly before…”: As pillars of the Church of Christ, ye firmly overturned the ramparts of unbelief, O ye seven martyred brethren. Wherefore, having dispelled the wrath of the Greeks before your death, and the tempest of heresy again after your death, holding fast to your faith in the resurrection, pray ye that we be made steadfast in the Faith.

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 most immaculate Virgin who gavest birth to the transcendent God, unceasingly entreat Him with the incorporeal ones, that, before the end, He grant remission of transgressions and correction of life to us who with faith and love hymn thee as is meet, O thou who alone art most hymned.

Stavrotheotokion (replaces the Theotokion on Wednesdays and Fridays): As she beheld Thee, O Word of God, suspended upon the Cross, Thine all-pure Mother exclaimed, lamenting maternally: “What is this new and strange mystery, O my Son? How is it that Thou, the Life of all, dost taste of death, desiring to bring life to the dead, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness?”

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

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

We hymn the seven honored youths, the sacred company manifestly honorable in their number.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

The youths of Ephesus showed the ungodly emperor to be foolish, whose mind was filled with the vainglory of falsehood.

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

O holy youths, through your faith ye were truly shown to be all-immaculate offerings and sacrifices for the Lord.

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

O pure and ever blessed one, cease thou never to pray for us, that we may be delivered from all tribulation.

Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Dying first a common death on earth without feeling it, O youths of Ephesus, ye straightway arose in manner transcending nature, manifestly assuring all of the resurrection of the dead.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Consecrating yourselves to God through the confession of the true Faith, as lawful athletes of the Lord ye were delivered from prison and wounds, O wise ones, and have received crowns.

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

Having firmly vanquished the falsehood of idolatry and the teachings of impious heresies, O glorious martyrs, ever preserve those who confess the resurrection of the dead.

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

The Transcendent One, Who, without confusion, is perfect man and perfect God and was born of the holy Mother, existeth in two natures but one hypostasis.

Ode VI, Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Thy loving-kindness: Lead me up from corruption, O God!

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Let the seven holy youths, equal in number to the pillars of the wisdom of God, be praised, for with their words they crushed the ungodly command of the tyrants as with stones.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Preserved by the law of divine providence, ye received ready burial in the cave, O saints, wherein ye were revealed as both dead and incorrupt.

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

Ye arose as witnesses to incorruption, driving away a corrupt and moribund religion, and pray to God in behalf of those who set their hope on the resurrection.

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

Now hath women’s nature rejoiced! Now hath grief come to an end and joy blossomed forth! For Mary hath given birth to Joy: Christ, our Savior and God.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone IV, Spec. Mel. “Having been lifted up…”: Spurning the corrupt things of this world and accepting gifts of incorruption, though they died yet did they remain untouched by corruption. Wherefore, they arose after many years, burying all the unbelief of the wicked. O ye faithful, praising them today in laudation, let us hymn Christ!

Ode VII, Irmos: The all-wise children did not worship the golden body, but entered into the flame themselves and mocked the gods of the heathen. They cried aloud in the midst of the flame, and the Angel bedewed them, saying: The prayer of your mouths hath already been heard.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

The youths have been shown to be pure and chosen vessels of God. Through them the doctrines of heresy are driven from the Church and Orthodoxy shineth forth, for He is the resurrection of every soul and all flesh, in that He hath been born.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

Truly the holy youths were shown to be steadfast in their suffering immediately before death; and after death they were shown to be alive through divine glory, in themselves piously assuring the true resurrection.

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

“The resurrection will be for both souls and material bodies; for as it is not possible to come into the world without a body, so can the body not exist without a soul!” the all-praised ones said; “The soul is either glorified or put to shame.”

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

O Mary who gavest birth to God, the Savior of all, thou art the setting aright of the despairing, the restoration of sinners, the hope of the hopeless and the help of those who chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Ode VIII, Irmos: Thou didst once prefigure Thy Mother in the furnace of the children, O Lord; for her image drew from the fire those who entered it, without being consumed. We hymn and exalt her supremely for all ages, who through Thee hath been made manifest today to the ends of the earth.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

O divine youths, having severed the root of ungodly bitterness and the falsehood of heresy which grew malignantly, ye bring forth the fruit of faith; and, buried alive for your faith, ye rose from the dead.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

O ye seven holy youths and athletes, foremost among the Ephesians, ye have been shown to be the divine confirmation of the Church of Christ and the kingdom of the faithful, which we exalt supremely for all ages.

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

Showing themselves to be steadfast on the earth and equal in number to the stars making an unwavering transit of the divine faith, the youths cried out: We exalt Thee supremely, O Christ, forever!

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

No one hath perished, O pure Mother of God, who, in Orthodox manner, placeth his hope and faith in thee, but only they who out of envy refuse to venerate the image of thy countenance.

Ode IX, Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

The resurrection of the saints hath now been revealed as a wealth of wonders and a revelation of the mysteries of God; for though they once died a natural death, they have now risen devoid of corruption, arrayed as though they had never died.

Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, pray to God for us.

A treasury of strength and a firm bulwark of faith hath the cave of the children been shown to be, proclaiming the coming resurrection of all; for it hath resurrected not Lazarus four days dead, but those dead for centuries.

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

O ye seven youths, pillars of the wisdom of God, having suffered lawfully, ye have been invested with the crown of martyrdom; and by your Orthodox teaching ye have revealed the resurrection, as champions of the Church who pray for those who hymn you.

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

Thou didst preserve thy soul and body undefiled, O pure one, and Christ the King desired thy beauty and showed thee forth as the Mother of His incarnation, O all-glorious Mary, ever bestowing salvation upon me.

Troparion, Tone IV: In their sufferings, O Lord, Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, they set at nought the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. Through their supplications save Thou our souls.

Or this troparion, in the same tone: Great is the wonder of faith! The seven holy youths abode in the cave as in a royal chamber, and died without falling into corruption; and after much time they arose as from sleep, as an assurance of the resurrection of all men. Through their supplications, O Christ God, have mercy on us.

Kontakion 1: Chosen passion-bearer of Christ and gracious healer, who freely grantest healing unto the sick, we praise thee in songs as our protector. Since thou hast boldness with the Lord, free us from all harm and sickness who cry with love unto thee: Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Ikos I: We know thee, glorious Panteleimon, as an earthly angel and heavenly man. For adorned with angelic purity and martyrdom thou hast passed from earth to Heaven, where with the angels and all the saints standing before the throne of the Lord of Glory, thou prayest for all of us on earth who venerate thee with these invocations:

Rejoice, torch of piety.

Rejoice, most glorious lamp of the Church.

Rejoice, adornment of venerable martyrs.

Rejoice, support of the faithful in unflinching endurance.

Rejoice, outstanding boast of youth.

Rejoice, thou who having grown up in the world, wast not of the world.

Rejoice, angel in the flesh, surpassing mortals.

Rejoice, warrior of Christ of invincible courage.

Rejoice, witness of heavenly mercy.

Rejoice, vessel of divine knowledge.

Rejoice, thou by whom faith hath been exalted.

Rejoice, thou by whom delusion hath been dethroned.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 2: Seeing thee to be a chosen vessel, the Lord loved the beauty of thy soul. Despising all earthly glory and pleasure, thou didst long to adorn thyself with the crown of martyrdom. Hence, wounded with divine love, thou didst jubilantly sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 2: Possessing divinely inspired knowledge, O valiant warrior Panteleimon, thou didst astound the Emperor Maximian by the courage of thy soul and by the words with which thou didst fearlessly preach Christ. Wherefore praising thy boldness, we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, thou who didst despise Maximian’s threats.

Rejoice, thou who didst not follow the advice of the godless.

Rejoice, propagator of true adoration.

Rejoice, uprooter of demon worship.

Rejoice, accuser of the fury of torturers.

Rejoice, overthrower of the delusion of idolatry.

Rejoice, thou who didst disperse the assembly of the godless.

Rejoice, thou who didst exchange the corruptible for heavenly joy.

Rejoice, converser with immaterial angels.

Rejoice, fellow chorister of longsuffering saints.

Rejoice, thou by whom Satan was put to shame.

Rejoice, thou by whom Christ is glorified.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 3: By the power of the Most High given unto thee and by thy strong patience thou didst render powerless the torturer’s insolence, O valiant victor who wast undaunted by fire, wild beasts, and the wheel. When beheaded with the sword, thou didst receive the crown of martyrdom, wounded with divine love and singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 3: The monastery which hath thy precious head as a great treasure, O divinely wise martyr, is filled with joy over it. Praising the grace of healing given unto thee by God, the monks thankfully cry unto thee:

Rejoice, all-radiant lamp of Nicomedia.

Rejoice, vigilant guardian of the monastery that honoureth thee.

Rejoice, thou through whom godlessness grew cold.

Rejoice, thou through whom the knowledge of God hath increased.

Rejoice, bright glory of the passion-bearers.

Rejoice, joyous report of the Orthodox.

Rejoice, gracious source of healings.

Rejoice, worthy container of great gifts.

Rejoice, fragrant myrrh who dost sweeten souls.

Rejoice, ready helper of those who call upon thee.

Rejoice, thou who didst give sight unto the blind.

Rejoice, thou who didst cause the lame to walk.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 4: Possessed by a storm of polytheistic thoughts, the impious Emperor was confused upon learning from the doctors, who were jealous of thee, that thou healest all kinds of hopeless illnesses by the Name of Christ. We therefore glorify with gladness our wonderful God in thee, and we cry unto Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4: When the people of Nicomedia heard of thy great compassion for the suffering and of thy free healing of all illnesses, everyone rushed to thee with faith in the healing grace in thee. Receiving swift healing of all their diseases, they glorified God and magnified thee, Saint Panteleimon, their most gracious healer, crying unto thee:

Rejoice, thou who art anointed with the myrrh of grace.

Rejoice, thou who sanctifiest the Temple of God.

Rejoice, great glory of the pious.

Rejoice, firm wall of the oppressed.

Rejoice, thou who surpassest the wise in knowledge.

Rejoice, thou who enlightenest the thoughts of the faithful.

Rejoice, recipient of divine gifts and source of many of the Lord’s mercies for us.

Rejoice, speedy helper of the suffering.

Rejoice, harbor of the storm-tossed.

Rejoice, instructor for those gone astray.

Rejoice, thou who dost heal the sick freely.

Rejoice, thou who dost work miracles abundantly.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 5: The Lord worked a glorious miracle through thee when through His servant Hermolaus, He called thee into His marvellous light. After thy prayer to Christ, a child who had died from snakebite at once revived and stood up healed. Thenceforth, recognizing the Giver of Life as the True God of all, with firm faith thou didst cry unto Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 5: The blind man whom thou didst touch with prayer in the Name of Christ recovered his sight, O glorious martyr. Renouncing thy father’s polytheism, thou wast baptized by the priest Hermolaus and didst embrace thy mother’s religion with which thou didst also enlighten thy father. We therefore cry aloud unto thee, Saint Panteleimon, as unto a glorious servant of God and wonderful healer:

Rejoice, thou who hast great devotion for God.

Rejoice, thou who art ever aflame with the fire of divine love.

Rejoice, thou who didst listen to the teachings of the priest Hermolaus.

Rejoice, thou who didst follow the advice of thy mother Eubule.

Rejoice, thou who didst give away everything to obtain Christ.

Rejoice, thou who didst vanquish love for the world by love for God.

Rejoice, thou who didst renounce worldly pleasures and didst accept for Christ cruel sufferings.

Rejoice, thou who didst become a partaker of Christ’s Passion.

Rejoice, thou who didst overcome all the passions.

Rejoice, thou who through grace wast adorned with dispassion.

Rejoice, thou who dost fill with joy those who hasten to thee.

Rejoice, thou who dost heal all freely by the grace of Christ.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 6: The blind man enlightened by thee in body and soul became a preacher of the truth. Like the blind man of the Gospel, he boldly preached Christ unto all as the True Light that enlighteneth every man. Because he reproached the impious Emperor and the pagan gods, he was beheaded and rose to the never-waning light in Heaven to sing unto God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6: Standing before the Emperor’s tribunal with a radiant face, thou didst boldly declare in the hearing of all, O thrice-blessed Martyr Panteleimon: Mine all-healing power and glory is Christ, the True God, the Lord of all, Who raiseth the dead and healeth all infirmities. For this confession we bless thee and say:

Rejoice, thundering mouth of the deity of Christ.

Rejoice, mellifluous tongue that declareth His plan of salvation.

Rejoice, orator of sublime theology.

Rejoice, wise sower of piety.

Rejoice, sweet-sounding flute of faith.

Rejoice, glorious preacher of Orthodoxy.

Rejoice, faithful follower in Christ’s footsteps.

Rejoice, joyful seer of Christ’s glory.

Rejoice, comfort of those reproached by unbelievers.

Rejoice, support of those who confess the Faith.

Rejoice, giver of help unto those who need it.

Rejoice, obtainer of blessings for those who honour thy memory.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 7: Myrrh was poured out upon thy soul, O divinely wise healer Panteleimon, from the Comforter Spirit. Hence, after thy death, thy venerable relics by their fragrance banish the stench of the passions and give healing unto those who with faith cry unto God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7: When the worshippers of idols beheld the paralyzed man raised and walking through thy prayer, Saint Panteleimon, many believed in Christ. However, the demon’s priests, consumed with jealousy, incited the vain Emperor to anger. For this reason, unto thee who wast mercilessly tortured and burnt for Christ, we cry with compunction:

Rejoice, thou who didst despise earthly pleasures.

Rejoice, thou who wast above material comforts.

Rejoice, thou who didst regard as nothing all the beautiful things in this world.

Rejoice, thou who didst shake thyself free of fleeting glory.

Rejoice, thou who didst remain free from the nets of the devil.

Rejoice, thou who didst vanquish the wiles of the torturers.

Rejoice, thou who didst not spare thy life for Christ.

Rejoice, thou who wast shewn to be an enemy of hostile flesh.

Rejoice, thou who didst impede the spread of polytheism.

Rejoice, thou who by the power of God didst defeat the idols.

Rejoice, sharp arrow by whom enemies are wounded.

Rejoice, mediator who defendest the faithful.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 8: The Lord appeared unto thee in a wonderful way, encouraging and upholding thee in the tortures for His Name. In the person of the priest Hermolaus, the Lord cooled the boiling lead into which thou wast thrown, and in the sea He untied the great stone from thy neck and brought thee unharmed onto land. Whereafter having been brought again before the Emperor, thou didst sing triumphantly unto Christ our God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8: While dwelling noetically wholly in Heaven, thou leavest not those below on earth but remainest with us through the relics of thy holy skull, O great passion-bearer of Christ. Receiving from the Lord enlightenment and sanctification, thou givest blessings unto those who cry unto thee thus:

Rejoice, thou who art filled with divine wisdom.

Rejoice, discerner of God’s providence.

Rejoice, delight of minds made wise by God.

Rejoice, gladness of souls who love God.

Rejoice, bright pearl of Christ.

Rejoice, glorious sanctification in soul and body.

Rejoice, dweller in the courts of the firstborn in Heaven.

Rejoice, inhabitant of the ever-blessed bridal halls.

Rejoice, beholder of the light of the Trinity.

Rejoice, fervent mediator in thy prayers to God for us.

Rejoice, thou who grantest illumination unto souls.

Rejoice, thou who givest comfort unto the afflicted.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 9: All nature marvelled, Great Martyr, at the radiance of grace and the wealth of virtues in thee. Thou art a model of angelic purity, great courage in cruel sufferings, strong love for Christ, and great compassion for the people for whom thou doest glorious things that they may sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9: Eloquent orators cannot worthily praise thy struggles, O glorious victor Panteleimon. By the invincible power of God, though young in years, thou didst conquer the ancient, primordial enemy and didst put to shame the deluded idolaters. Full of wonder at thy faith and purity, we truly cry unto thee:

Rejoice, joyful sight of angels.

Rejoice, worthy wonder of men.

Rejoice, thou who didst shed thy blood for Christ, and in death didst shed milk.

Rejoice, thou who didst give up thy body to a martyr’s death for His sake.

Rejoice, splendid model of confession.

Rejoice, valiant warrior of the King of kings.

Rejoice, thou who didst conquer the ruler of darkness.

Rejoice, thou who by thy victory didst gladden Heaven and earth.

Rejoice, blessed inhabitant of the world above.

Rejoice, wise pilgrim of the world below.

Rejoice, tree adorned with the fruits of the gifts of grace.

Rejoice, thou who carriest palms of victory.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 10: Full of compassion as a true imitator of Christ the Giver of Mercy, thou wast renamed by Him Panteleimon — that is, all-merciful — for thou pourest mercy upon all who hasten to thine aid. Pour it also abundantly upon us who cry unto God concerning thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 10: Finding thee a strong wall resistant to all kinds of torture, the torturer tried to break thy spirit by the teeth of wild beasts and the spikes of the torture wheel, but all to no effect. The power of Christ restrained the fierceness of the beasts, and the frightful wheel on which thy body was turned immediately broke to pieces. Wherefore unto thee, invincible passion-bearer Panteleimon, we cry:

Rejoice, precious chosen-one of Christ.

Rejoice, exquisite fragrance of God.

Rejoice, firm diamond of the Church.

Rejoice, unshakable tower reaching unto Heaven.

Rejoice, tamer of visible beasts.

Rejoice, crusher of invisible dragons.

Rejoice, thou who wast stained with thy blood shed for Christ, mixed with milk.

Rejoice, thou who hast received glorious crowns.

Rejoice, thou who bringest joy unto angels and men.

Rejoice, thou who hast been glorified by God in Heaven and on earth.

Rejoice, celestial one who singest in the choirs of the martyrs.

Rejoice, holy one who delightest in the sweet vision of Christ.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 11: A funeral song do we offer unto thy sacred immolation for Christ, in which milk instead of blood flowed from thee, Great Martyr, and the olive tree under which thou wast beheaded was all covered with healing fruit. It is fitting that we cry fervently unto Christ Who wonderfully glorifieth those who glorify Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11: A luminous ray wast thou, divinely wise Panteleimon, unto those sitting in the darkness of polytheism, leading them unto the Sun of Righteousness, Christ God. Him do thou entreat that we who offer unto thee glad praises may ever live in the light of His Commandments:

Rejoice, bright star, shining in the noetical firmament.

Rejoice, ray of light, shining for Christian people.

Rejoice, thou who wast mystically illumined by the Sun, Christ.

Rejoice, thou who in spirit roamest the earth.

Rejoice, beautiful tabernacle of the Holy Ghost.

Rejoice, honourable vessel who pourest out healing.

Rejoice, treasury of purity.

Rejoice, namesake of mercy.

Rejoice, heir of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, partaker of eternal glory.

Rejoice, patron of those in distress upon the sea of life.

Rejoice, unmercenary healer who helpest those who invoke thee with faith.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 12: Thou didst receive an abundance of grace, O thrice-blessed one, according to the greatness of thy love for Christ God, Who also shewed thee to be a source of healing. Thou curest free of charge the sicknesses of soul and body of those who approach thee with faith and cry unto God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12: Chanting of thy longsuffering labors for Christ, O our defender and healer Panteleimon, we praise thy great patience, we bless thy martyr’s death, we honour thy holy memory, and in praise we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, sweet-sounding trumpet of piety.

Rejoice, sword who didst cut down impiety.

Rejoice, thou who wast struck at the olive tree for Him Who didst stretch out His hands on the Tree of the Cross.

Rejoice, by being burnt for Him, thou didst extinguish the furnace of delusion.

Rejoice, by thy wounds, thou didst wound the opponents of Christ.

Rejoice, by thy blood, thou didst dry the streams of idolatrous blood.

Rejoice, thou who wast thrown into boiling lead for Christ.

Rejoice, thou who wast sunk into the sea for His Name.

Rejoice, thou who didst remain unharmed therein by the providence of God.

Rejoice, thou who didst pass through tortures of fire and water into the peace of Heaven.

Rejoice, thou who didst pour unfailing streams of mercy upon the faithful.

Rejoice, gracious and compassionate physician who grantest healing through grace.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 13: Since thou art a longsuffering passion-bearer of Christ and a healer, O holy Panteleimon, graciously accept from us this small offering. Heal us of our many and various ailments, and through thine intercession protect us from enemies visible and invisible. Pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from eternal torment, and that we may continually sing in His Kingdom: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (Chanted thrice)

Ikos 1: We know thee, glorious Panteleimon, as an earthly angel and heavenly man. Adorned with angelic purity and martyrdom, thou hast passed from earth to Heaven. Standing before the Throne of the Lord of Glory with the angels and all the saints, thou prayest for all of us on earth who venerate thee with these invocations:

Rejoice, torch of piety.

Rejoice, most glorious lamp of the Church.

Rejoice, adornment of venerable martyrs.

Rejoice, support of the faithful in unflinching endurance.

Rejoice, outstanding boast of youth.

Rejoice, thou who having grown up in the world, wast not of the world.

Rejoice, angel in the flesh, surpassing mortals.

Rejoice, warrior of Christ of invincible courage.

Rejoice, witness of heavenly mercy.

Rejoice, vessel of divine knowledge.

Rejoice, thou by whom faith hath been exalted.

Rejoice, thou by whom delusion hath been dethroned.

Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

Kontakion 1: Chosen passion-bearer of Christ and gracious healer, who freely grantest healing unto the sick, we praise thee in songs as our protector. Since thou hast boldness with the Lord, free us from all harm and sickness who cry with love unto thee: Rejoice, Great-Martyr and Healer, Panteleimon.

A Prayer: Saint Panteleimon, we who suffer from godless persecutors as well as from illnesses and disabilities, beseech thee to increase our love for Jesus Christ Who suffered cruel and unjust treatment for the sake of our salvation. We do not deserve such salvation or any benefits from the saints in Heaven. Yet, since thou dost freely give, and since all gifts come only through God, we implore thee to heal all our afflictions and illumine our souls unto His service and glory. We thank thee, Saint Panteleimon, for not rejecting us in our weakness but helping us in our time of need. Amen.

Prayer: O Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, thou imitator of God’s mercy! Look down in thy loving kindness and hearken unto us, sinners, who offer heartfelt prayers before thy holy icon. Ask for us from the Lord God, before Whom the Angels stand in heaven, remission of our sins and transgressions. Heal the ills of body and soul of the servants of God whom we here commemorate, who are here present, and of all Orthodox Christians who seek thy help. For behold, we, who because of our sins are possessed by bitter ills and have no help or consolation, yet flee to thee for refuge, since thou hast been given Grace to pray for us and to heal every ill and every disease. Grant, therefore, to all of us, by thy holy prayers, health and strength of soul and body, a good growth in the Faith and in devotion, and all that is needful unto this temporal life and unto our salvation: So that, having been granted great and rich mercy thorugh thee, we may glorify thee and Him that bestoweth all good things, our God Who is wondrous in His Saints, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Whilst the now traditional British summer weather is making our weekend visit to St Anthony’s Well look doubtful, I am nevertheless sharing the Akathist to St Anthony, knowing that some parishioners and friends will add it to their collection of akathist hymns and use it in their home-prayers.

Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and most marvellous servant of Christ, venerable Father Anthony! Lovingly praising thy God-pleasing life, we offer God a song of thanksgiving for thee. And as thou hast great boldness toward the Lord, free from all dangers us who joyfully call on thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life! 

Ikos 1: Having loved the angelic life from thy youth, thou didst desire to walk in God’s commandments, venerable Father, and, with thy heart flaming toward to the Lord of Hosts, thou didst raise thy mind unto the divine, counting all things temporary and earthly as loss. Therefore, marvelling at God’s providence for thee, with faith we call upon thee:  

Rejoice, worthy son of devout parents. 
Rejoice, for thou wast raised in piety. 
Rejoice, for thou didst follow Christ from youth. 
Rejoice, for thou didst reckon earthly vanity as nought. 
Rejoice, fervent worker of Christ’s vineyard. 
Rejoice, great teacher of the desert dwellers. 
Rejoice, for thou didst desire salvation for all. 
Rejoice, for thou hast shown the true monastic path. 
Rejoice, luminous lamp ignited with divine fire. 
Rejoice, unshakable rock of faith in Christ. 
Rejoice, radiant with the grace of the Holy Spirit. 
Rejoice, thou who wast graced with the gift of working wonders.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 2: Seeing that the enemy of mankind wished to destroy thee for ascending to spiritual heights, O God-bearing Father, but was shamed by thy struggle and humility in constant fasting and prayer, thou hast crushed the head of the invisible serpent, singing to God with compunction: Alleluia.  

Ikos 2: Knowing with thy heart and mind all worldly goods to be swiftly passing and fleeting, thou didst shut thyself in a dark cave, mortifying thy passions and working only for the Lord. Wherefore, praising thine angelic living, we exclaim to thee:  

Rejoice, for thou hast placed thy hope in God. 
Rejoice, for thou hast shamed the folly of the enemy. 
Rejoice, fearless destroyer of the devil’s schemes. 
Rejoice, for thou resemblest an angel in thy purity and holiness. 
Rejoice, for thou didst sanctify the wilderness by thy struggles. 
Rejoice, for thou hast guided many to the Heavenly Kingdom. 
Rejoice, for thou didst overthrow despicable pride. 
Rejoice, for thou hast taught lowliness of mind. 
Rejoice, light that enlightens all with the divine wisdom. 
Rejoice, radiant star illuminating all with the brightness of thy struggles. 
Rejoice, for thou didst live to the glory of God. 
Rejoice, good and long-suffering shepherd. 
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 3: Strengthened by the divine power, most blessed Anthony, thou didst remain in fasting, prayer, unceasing labours, and vigils, overcoming all temptations of the enemy and singing to God, Who covered thee with grace, Alleluia.  

Ikos 3: Having a pure mind and a spotless soul, blessed Father, thou didst comprehend the vanity and inconstancy of this world, and, desiring the eternal blessings, thou didst renounce temporary goods. Wherefore, honouring thee, we sing: 

Rejoice, lover of blessed humility. 
Rejoice, searcher of spiritual wisdom. 
Rejoice, for thou didst ascend the heights of dispassion. 
Rejoice, for hast offered thyself wholly to God. 
Rejoice, for thou resemblest thy Lord in thy guilelessness. 
Rejoice, for thou wast wealthy in poverty. 
Rejoice, grace-filled adornment of the desert. 
Rejoice, all-radiant lamp of the world. 
Rejoice, banisher of terrifying demons. 
Rejoice, destroyer of their delusions. 
Rejoice, for thou art wiser than the wise of this world. 
Rejoice, zealous ascetic. 
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 4: Stilling the storm of evil temptations, thou didst settle in the wilderness, most blessed Anthony, traversing the sorrowful path of the monastic life, trampling all the snares of the enemy and casting off his deception, and didst sing to Christ, Who strengthened thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 4: Hearing of thy God-pleasing life, O venerable one, seekers of God’s truth came to thee from near and far and thou hast received them with love and guided them to salvation. With compunction of soul, we praise and cry out to thee: 

Rejoice, rule and foundation of desert dwellers. 
Rejoice, good teacher of Christ’s flock. 
Rejoice, adornment of Christ’s Church. 
Rejoice, glory of monastics. 
Rejoice, for thou didst offer thyself as a sacrifice to the Lord. 
Rejoice, for thou didst mortify thy sinful passions. 
Rejoice, joy of the angels. 
Rejoice, full vanquisher of the demons. 
Rejoice, dweller of the wilderness. 
Rejoice, zealous struggler for stillness. 
Rejoice, for thou showest the right path. 
Rejoice, announcer of the Kingdom of Heaven.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 5: Like a divinely moving star thou didst appear to the monastic world, venerable Father Anthony, thou wast an image of faithfulness in word, life, love, faith, and purity, singing to the Lord: Alleluia. 

Ikos 5: Seeing thy pure and holy living, Father Anthony, the enemy of the human race frequently attacked thee, but defeating him with thy humility, thou didst not depart from the way of salvation. Wherefore, we cry out to thee: 

Rejoice, partaker of eternal life. 
Rejoice, great teacher of salvation. 
Rejoice, for thou hast served God alone with thy life. 
Rejoice, for thou didst take up the yoke of Christ. 
Rejoice, for thou hast exposed the wiles of the demons. 
Rejoice, for thou hast directed to the way of salvation. 
Rejoice, keeper of purity. 
Rejoice, beholder of the Light of the Trinity. 
Rejoice, raising of the fallen. 
Rejoice, banishment of demonic power.  
Rejoice, solid pillar of faith. 
Rejoice, perfected teacher.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 6: Having heard the Gospel preaching: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me,” O Father Anthony, thou hast renounced worldly treasures, and, undertaking a life of fasting and struggles in the wilderness, thou didst acquire the treasures of heaven. Give us wisdom, O kindly-hearted Father, to not incline our hearts to the quickly perishing things of this earth, but to ponder the things above, exclaiming to the Lord of Hosts: Alleluia. 

Ikos 6: Thou didst shine forth as a divinely radiant light in the Egyptian wilderness, O Father Anthony, shining with the rays of thy virtues and miracles. Remembering thy struggles, we bless thee and say:  

Rejoice, for venerable saints are crowned by thee. 
Rejoice, for men are saved through thee. 
Rejoice, grace-filled visitation of the sick. 
Rejoice, helper of strangers. 
Rejoice, destroyer of enmity. 
Rejoice, annihilator of the enemy. 
Rejoice, peace and steadfastness of the faithful. 

Rejoice, swift deliverance from dangers. 
Rejoice, extinguisher of guile and craftiness. 
Rejoice, consolation of the despairing. 
Rejoice, defender of the Orthodox. 
Rejoice, helper of Christians.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 7: Desiring to undertake a worthy struggle, thou didst account all temporary things as nought, dwelling in poverty and humility in the wilderness, conversing with the One God and singing ceaselessly to Him: Alleluia. 

Ikos 7: The Lord revealed a truly new guide for monastics in thee, O Father Anthony. Many who learned of thy God-pleasing and righteous life and the heights of thy spiritual wisdom, heeded thy words as the words of a great servant of God. To thee we sing:  

Rejoice, for thou resemblest Abraham in faith. 
Rejoice, for thou resemblest David in meekness. 
Rejoice, for thou hast acquired the zeal of Elijah. 
Rejoice, for thou hast followed the way of the Forerunner. 
Rejoice, for thou didst pour forth water in the desert by thy prayers. 
Rejoice, for thou didst raise paralytics from their beds. 
Rejoice, for thou gavest sight to the blind. 
Rejoice, for thou hast healed many diseases. 
Rejoice, most marvellous and divinely wise guide of monks. 
Rejoice, fervent servant of Christ. 
Rejoice, most gentle consolation of the sorrowful. 

Rejoice, most beloved boast of monks.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 8: Having seen the strange and supernatural life of the venerable Paul, O blessed Anthony, thou didst marvel at the height of his struggles and virtues. Seeing his soul ascending to the heavens and surrounded by angels, thou didst cry out to God, Who is wondrous in His saints: Alleluia. 

Ikos 8: Thou didst rejoice with great joy, O Father Anthony, beholding with thy clairvoyant eyes the ascent of the soul of the venerable Ammon. Wherefore, we beseech thee with much wonder:  

Rejoice, for thou didst ever raise thine eyes to the heavens. 
Rejoice, for thou hast loved heavenly glory above all. 
Rejoice, for thou hast sanctified thy heart with ceaseless prayer. 
Rejoice, for thou hast established thy mind in God. 
Rejoice, for thou didst foresee the future as present. 
Rejoice, for thou hast acquired lofty gifts through humility. 
Rejoice, for thou hast freed those held captive by evil spirits. 
Rejoice, for thou grantest spiritual and bodily health. 
Rejoice, intercessor in hardships and calamities. 
Rejoice, defender in tribulations and afflictions. 
Rejoice, for thou forsakest not us here on earth. 
Rejoice, for thou dost offer thy prayers for us sinners.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 9: All angelic beings marvelled at the height of thine ascetic feats, for thou didst become like an angel in every way whilst still in the weakness of the flesh and, strengthened by the power of the Almighty, thou didst become abundant in virtues. Therefore, thou hast joined the ranks of angels, singing to the Almighty God: Alleluia. 

Ikos 9: Human eloquence is not sufficient to praise thy life, O Father Anthony: for who can recount all thy fastings, vigils, illnesses and labours? Who can count thy tears and sighings for God? But, moved with our love for thee, we dare to sing this to thee: 

Rejoice, great dweller of the wilderness. 
Rejoice, teacher of perfection. 
Rejoice, servant of the true God. 
Rejoice, for thou hast banished demons out of the desert. 
Rejoice, thunder that strikest the devil. 
Rejoice, for thou hast revealed his wiles. 
Rejoice, vessel of God’s grace. 
Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit. 
Rejoice, adornment of fasters. 
Rejoice, praise of saints. 
Rejoice, foundation of monks. 
Rejoice, glory of the Fathers.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 10: Thou wast a faithful guide to those who desired to be saved, and now leadest us to salvation through thy saintly intercessions, so that with thy help we may reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where the never-silent angels sing: Alleluia. 

Ikos 10: Thou wast a strong and unassailable rampart to thy followers, protecting them from demons’ arrows, remaining a wall and protection from the Devil’s snares to those who call on thee:  

Rejoice, earthly angel. 
Rejoice, heavenly man. 
Rejoice, pure and honourable abode of holiness. 
Rejoice, receptacle of great virtues. 
Rejoice, ardent lover of piety. 
Rejoice, denouncer of heresies. 
Rejoice, fulfilment of Christ’s love. 
Rejoice, instruction of monks. 
Rejoice, firm haven of the faithful. 
Rejoice, mighty uplifting of the fallen. 
Rejoice, strength of the infirm and the paralysed. 
Rejoice, consolation of the despairing and hopeless. 
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 11: Accept our tender singing, which we lift up to thee with love and diligent praise, O Father Anthony. Mercifully incline thine ear to us and vouchsafe to guide us to true repentance through thy prayers, so that we may sing to God: Alleluia.  

Ikos 11: Thou wast revealed on earth as a light-receiving lamp of the true Light, O venerable Anthony, enlightening the hearts of the faithful by thy struggles and miracles and instructing in the way of virtuous and God-pleasing living. Wherefore, thou hearest hear from all:  

Rejoice, all-wise instructor. 
Rejoice, trustworthy leader. 
Rejoice, for thou gavest thyself wholly to God’s will. 
Rejoice, for thou didst love the Lord Jesus above all. 
Rejoice, for thou hast shone forth patiently enduring various sorrows. 
Rejoice, for thou hast acquired eternal wealth through voluntary poverty. 
Rejoice, for thou didst spend thy life in patience and hardship. 
Rejoice, for thou hast bravely endured bitterness of the desert. 
Rejoice, for thou didst inspire the slothful to ascetic struggle. 
Rejoice, surety for the sinners’ correction. 
Rejoice, converser with angels and saints. 
Rejoice, zealous intercessor for the whole world.  
Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 12: Knowing the grace given thee by God, we reverently kiss thine image adorned with holiness, servant of God, and pray to thee: forsake us not in thine intercessions to Christ God, to Whom we gratefully sing: Alleluia. 

Ikos 12: Singing of thy life, we also praise thy peaceful end, O venerable Father Anthony, and beseech thee: be a quick helper in all good to us who call upon thee: 

Rejoice, dweller of heaven,

Rejoice, for thou standest before the Consubstantial Trinity. 
Rejoice, joy of angels. 
Rejoice, converser with saints. 
Rejoice, true pleaser of God. 
Rejoice, chosen servant of the Lord. 
Rejoice, fervent intercessor for all who call upon thy name. 
Rejoice, teacher and hope of all who honour thee. 
Rejoice, for thou wast imbued with the grace of God. 
Rejoice, for thou wast filled at the Divine spring. 
Rejoice, for thou wast bedewed with saving tears. 
Rejoice, for thou wast clothed in garments of incorruption. 
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 13: O venerable Father Anthony, eternally alive in the never-ending day of Christ’s Kingdom, beseech the Master of all to deliver us from calamities, misfortunes, and eternal torments, so that we may sing to Him in His Kingdom unto ages of ages: Alleluia. (Thrice)  

Ikos 1: Having loved the angelic life from thy youth, thou didst desire to walk in God’s commandments, O venerable Father, and, with thy heart flaming toward to the Lord of Hosts, thou didst raise thy mind unto the divine, counting all things temporary and earthly as loss. Therefore, marvelling at God’s providence for thee, with faith we call upon thee:  

Rejoice, worthy son of devout parents. 
Rejoice, for thou wast raised in piety. 
Rejoice, for thou didst follow Christ from youth. 
Rejoice, for thou didst reckon earthly vanity as nought. 
Rejoice, fervent worker of Christ’s vineyard. 
Rejoice, great teacher of the desert dwellers. 
Rejoice, for thou didst desire salvation for all. 
Rejoice, for thou hast shown the true monastic path. 
Rejoice, luminous lamp ignited with divine fire. 
Rejoice, unshakable rock of faith in Christ. 
Rejoice, radiant with the grace of the Holy Spirit. 
Rejoice, thou who wast graced with the gift of working wonders.  
Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and most marvellous servant of Christ, venerable Father Anthony! Lovingly praising thy God-pleasing life, we offer God a song of thanksgiving for thee. And as thou hast great boldness toward the Lord, free from all dangers us who joyfully call on thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life! 

Prayer: O our venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony! We believe that thou hast great boldness in prayer standing before the throne of the Holy Trinity, and the All-Merciful Lord always hears thee, His faithful servant. Wherefore, we humbly fall down before thee with compunction, O Saint of God: never cease to intercede for us to the Lord, Who is worshipped and glorified in the Trinity, that He may look mercifully on us and not let us perish in our sins, but wouldst raise the fallen and give correction to evil and wretched lives, averting our future transgressions, and forgive all faults committed in word or thought from our birth to the present hour. O ascetic of virtue, seeing the infirmity and sorrow of the present times, ceaselessly entreat Christ God to not withdraw His loving-kindness from us, but to preserve us from worldly temptations, the devil’s snares, and fleshly desires, so that we may receive all that is necessary for this temporary life, deliverance from affliction and tribulation, and unyielding patience to the end. Implore that we may lead the rest of our lives in peace and repentance and to pass from earth to heaven escaping tribulations, the aerial demons, and eternal torments, and be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom with thee and all the saints that pleased our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honour, and worship, together with His unoriginate Father and His All-Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, Tone IV: Emulating the demeanour of the zealous Elijah, and following the Baptist with forthright steps, O father Anthony, thou wast a dweller in the desert, and hast made the whole world steadfast by thy supplications. Wherefore, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Kontakion, Tone II, “Seeking the highest”: Having cast off the tumults of life, thou didst live a life of stillness to the end, emulating the Baptist in every way, O all-venerable one. Wherefore, we honour thee with him, O Anthony, first among the fathers.

   

Canon of the holy myrrh-bearer, the acrostic whereof is: “With love do I hymn Mary Magdalene”, the composition of Theophanes, in Tone VIII

Ode I, Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Adorned with godly beauties and divinely radiant splendors, O Mary, illumine my darkened heart with thy supplications.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

The Word of the Father sanctified thee, manifestly delivering thee from the malice of evil spirits. And, becoming His disciple, thou wast filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Filled with life-creating waters from a never-failing Wellspring, the Master Who appeared upon earth in His loving-kindness, thou didst dry up the muddy torrents of sin.

We hymn thee, the Mother of the Creator of our nature, O Maiden who hast reconciled fallen human nature with God, O most immaculate Mistress and Theotokos.

Ode III: Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Loving first the First Cause of good things, Who in the goodness of His heart hath deified our nature, thou didst follow Him zealously, O Mary, submitting to His divine precepts.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Loving first the First Cause of good things, Who in the goodness of His heart hath deified our nature, thou didst follow Him zealously, O Mary, submitting to His divine precepts.

Lamenting, thou didst reach the tomb of the Deliverer, O maiden, and wast the first to behold the divine resurrection. Wherefore, thou didst show thyself to be a herald of the glad tidings, crying out: Christ is risen! Clap your hands!

The Word Who was incarnate of thine all-pure blood, O all-pure one, in the richness of His goodness saveth me, releasing me from the condemnation of the first fall. Him do thou unceasingly beseech, that He save thy flock.

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.

Sessional hymn of the myrrh-bearer, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: Thou didst truly and manifestly, as a disciple, minister to the Word, Who had abased Himself in His surpassing loving-kindness, O Mary Magdalene; and beholding Him lifted up upon the Cross and laid in the tomb, thou didst lament, weeping. Wherefore, we honor thee and with faith observe thy solemnity. O glorious myrrh-bearer, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who with love honor thy holy memory.

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

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Possessing a mind devoid of the tumult of worldly vanity, thou didst minister unto Him Who came to save the whole world from ­deception.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Bathed in thy tears thou didst reach the life-bearing tomb, O Mary, and didst behold the angel, who announced the resurrection of Christ.

Thy heart was blameless in the precepts of Christ, and thou didst desire Him alone, Who is beautiful in comeliness, O right glorious one.

O Maiden, the sleep of sin hath overtaken me through the slumber of slothfulness. By thy vigilant supplication do thou rouse me to repentance.

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 Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Our first mother, seeing the one who of old deluded her with his words and drove her from paradise trampled under the feet of pure women who have acquired manly integrity, rejoiceth with them eternally.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Wounded with love for Him Who died and was enclosed in a tomb, breathing forth life for all, O honorable Mary Magdalene, thou offerest myrrh to His sweet love, and pourest forth the perfume of thy tears.

After the divine suffering and the awesome ascension of the Savior, thou didst go forth, announcing the word everywhere, as a glorious disciple of the Word, and pursuing the many who were deceived by ignorance.

He Whose good pleasure it was, in His boundless mercy, to be born of thee, O all-holy Maiden, delivereth me, who have fallen into the cunningly wrought pitfalls of sin. Him do thou beseech, that those who hymn thee with faith may be delivered from all harm.

Ode VI, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, 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 Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

The dew of thy words dispelled the burning heat of the disciples’ grief, O honored one, for thou didst cry out: “Christ hath risen! Our Life hath appeared! The brilliant Sun hath shone forth!”

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

The dew of thy words dispelled the burning heat of the disciples’ grief, O honored one, for thou didst cry out: “Christ hath risen! Our Life hath appeared! The brilliant Sun hath shone forth!”

Behold, thy splendid commemoration hath shone forth, illumining the faithful who hymn thee thereon, and dispelling the darkness of the temptations of the evil demons, O right ­wondrous one.

O all-immaculate one, thou hast been shown to be a noetic and untouchable mercy-seat of sanctity, a lustrous candlestick, and a bridge leading to God those who confess thee to be the Theotokos.

Kontakion of the myrrh-bearer, Tone III, Spec. Mel.“Today the Virgin…”: Standing before the Cross of the Savior with many others, suffering with the Mother of the Lord and pouring forth tears, the all-­glorious one made this offering as praise, saying: “What is this strange wonder? Is it Thy will to suffer, O Thou Who sustainest all creation? Glory to Thy dominion!”

Ikos: Without leaving heaven, Christ, the King and Master of creation, descended as He desired, and of His own will took upon Himself transitory flesh. Watching Him nailed to the Cross, His immaculate Mother stood nearby with the honored virgins. And Mary Magdalene was also there, weeping, who, ever showing most fervent faith, had followed Christ. And when she looked upon the tomb, she cried out in expectation: “Thy good pleasure hath it been to suffer! Glory to Thy dominion!”

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

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Thou hast dispelled divers ailments, having the Word working within thee, before Whom thou now dost stand, O myrrh-bearer, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Thou hast dispelled divers ailments, having the Word working within thee, before Whom thou now dost stand, O myrrh-bearer, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Before the others thou alone didst behold Christ our Life arisen, but thou didst suppose Him to be a gardener, and didst cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Having conceived and given birth to the immortal God, O pure one, thou didst halt the course of death. To Him let us all chant: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Ode VIII, Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Splendid was thy life, O Magdalene, and it shone forth with the rays of thy virtuous acts and thy divine preaching at God’s behest, and with beams of love for the Creator, to Whom thou dost chant with the angels: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Splendid was thy life, O Magdalene, and it shone forth with the rays of thy virtuous acts and thy divine preaching at God’s behest, and with beams of love for the Creator, to Whom thou dost chant with the angels: Ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Thou didst stand before the Cross, O glorious Mary, beholding the unjust slaughter of Him Who, in His ineffable mercy, had abased Himself; and, overflowing with tears and sighs, thou didst cry out: “What is this strange mystery? How is He Who is by nature Life and hath slain death, Himself put to death and dieth?”

With oneness of mind we glorify thee, the Mother of God, who art more exalted than creation, O pure one; for in thee hath the condemnation which began with Adam been annulled, and the fallen nature of men been restored, which ­chanteth: Ye priests, bless; ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

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 Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Thou hast now been transported to divine joy, to the broad expanse of paradise, to the noetic and heavenly mansions, where the ranks of the venerable dwell, and where the voice of those who keep splendid festival is heard, O God-bearing Mary. Wherefore, we all call thee blessed.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mary Magdalene, pray to God for us.

Nought didst thou prefer on earth to the love of Christ God, and consumed by His beauties alone and following His steps, directly illumined by the rays He sendeth upon thee, O most honored one, thou didst cry out: “Thee do I magnify, O greatly Merciful One!”

Having received divinely imparted deification, having drunk of the torrent of grace, and in godly manner received recompense for thy pangs, O Magdalene, disciple of the Word, numbered with the ranks of the angels, by thy supplications preserve those who honor thee with love.

As the Mother of Him Who suffered for us, deliver me from soul-corrupting passions; as thou art merciful, loose thou the bonds of mine offenses; and as thou art good, bless now my soul, which hath been vexed by the temptations of the demons, O Virgin ­Theotokos, that I may hymn thee, the most hymned one.

Troparion, Tone I: The honorable Mary Magdalen followed after Christ, Who for our sake was born of the Virgin, keeping His precepts and laws. Wherefore, celebrating thy most holy memory today, through thy supplications we receive remission of sins.

The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, celebrated July 20 (August 2)

Canon I, in Tone II 

Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant a hymn of victory to the Lord, Who of old guided His people in the sea, and therein engulfed Pharaoh and all his army.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Desiring to behold the fiery power of the miracles of Elias, his fiery and honored tongue and strength of spirit, we have assembled as is meet.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

O God-bearer, our lips and the muteness and lack of skill of our tongue do thou rectify by the activity of the Spirit which is within thee, and illumine us, that we may hymn thy wonders.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou dost grant that which transcendeth nature unto those who have submitted to Thine honored precepts, O Word, and Thou dost make the portals of the rain subject to them through the Spirit, confirming their word.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

To the Lord Who was born of the Virgin and Who hath renewed the world, and Who for her sake hath bestowed upon us life divine, we chant a hymn of victory, for He hath been glorified.

Canon II, the acrostic whereof is: “I sing praise to the great Elias,” the composition of Hieromonk Pachomius, in Tone VIII 

Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou hast been shown to be a harp struck by the plectrum of God, O most wondrous prophet, hymning the omniscient God Who rewardeth all according to their deeds.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

O wondrous prophet, unable to endure falsehood, thou didst denounce the unrighteous king for his iniquity. Wherefore, thou didst impose God’s sentence of condemnation, full of wrath, upon him.

O divine Elias, prophet and forerunner of grace, having denounced Ahab, the iniquitous king, as a transgressor of the Law, thou didst destroy the shameful prophets as ungodly.

O ye faithful, let us make haste to praise the Mother of Christ in hymns as is meet, for she gave birth unto the Savior of all, Who is the Master of life and death.

Ode III, Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

He Who alone sustaineth every living thing by His good will, through a raven provided thee with a banquet as a chosen guest, O Prophet. To Him do we all cry out: Thou art our God, and there is none holy save Thee, O Lord!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Grace be to the Benefactor and Guardian Who, in His ineffable providence, nourished the widow and the prophet. To Him do we all cry out: Thou art our God, and none is holy save Thee, O Lord!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

O thou who didst forbid the rain-laden clouds to pour forth, when the widow of Zarephath was deprived of food, thou didst cause the remnant of her food to increase continually; and didst cry out: None is holy save Thee, O Lord!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Thou alone, surpassing everyone from ages past, hast been vouchsafed great things transcending nature, for thou didst receive the infinite God of all creation within thy womb and didst give Him flesh. Wherefore, we all honor thee as the Theotokos.

Canon II, Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

With mercy didst thou chastise all, and takest pity on all that with faith have recourse to thee in thy temple. And in asking help of thee they have in no wise erred.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou didst rebuke Ahab, the ungodly king, O divine prophet, and thou didst judge him with the judgment of God as a violator of the law.

The shameless Queen Jezebel sought to slay thee, O prophet most divine, for thou didst pronounce the sentence of death upon her unholy priests, as was meet.

O Mistress, we hymn thee as a place of the priesthood of glory and the altar which held Christ, the Bread of life, O pure one.

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

Sessional hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: O ye faithful, with hymns let us all praise Elias the Tishbite, the wellspring of miracles and adornment of prophets; for, being immortal while yet in the flesh, as a mortal he assureth us of the resurrection of the dead. Wherefore, having boldness before God, he granteth healing to those who ask with faith, and earnestly beseecheth Christ to bestow remission of offenses upon those who with love celebrate his holy memory. (Twice)

Theotokion: Having fallen into subtle temptations through the activity of mine enemies, visible and invisible, I am caught fast in the tempest of my countless offenses. And I flee to the haven of thy goodness, as to my fervent help and protection, O pure one. Wherefore, O most pure lady, earnestly entreat Him Who was incarnate of thee without seed, in behalf of all thy servants that unceasingly pray to thee, O all-pure Theotokos, who dost ever beseech Him to grant remission of offenses to those who hymn thy glory as is meet.

Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard report of Thy dispensation, O Lord, and have glorified Thee Who alone lovest mankind.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou art shown to be one that cutteth off evil at its root and a planter of virtue, O wise prophet. Wherefore, we bless thee.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

With reproaches the widow who fed thee upbraided thee for the death of her son, moving thee to raise him from the dead.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou didst clearly signify the glory of the Trinity with thy threefold breathing, and didst hand back alive the child to his mother.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

O how thou didst burn, aflame with divine fire and zeal, O prophet, denouncing the king who wrought iniquities!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O pure one, who without seed didst conceive God, we entreat thee ever to pray for thy servants.

Canon II, Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; for by the ineffable Counsel of the Godhead, Thou, Who art God eternal, didst issue forth, incarnate, from the Virgin. Glory to Thy condescension, O Christ! Glory to Thy power!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The Lord crowned thee a prophet, O most wise one, granting thee the grace to foretell things of the future as though they were of the present. Wherefore, beholding now the fulfillments of thy words, we bless thee ever with praises as a true prophet.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

As the soul of Thy prophet was most greatly adorned with humble-mindedness, O Christ God, aflame with zeal which surpasseth fire he destroyed the shameful priests.

Reflecting the Light with thy countenance, like a mirror, thou dost stand before the face of Christ, O most wondrous prophet, whence do thou mercifully visit us, that with praises we may all bless thee as a prophet.

Having acquired thee as our hope and confirmation, an impregnable rampart of salvation, O all-hymned one, we are delivered from all evil.

Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The law of thy fathers hath showed thee forth as a true man of prayer, O Elias, a wonderworker who transformed the nature of the elements and utterly consumed the righteous sacrifice with water.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

As thou art a true minister of God, thou didst utterly put to shame the prophets of abominable shame, O venerable and most blessed Elias, clearly marking the power of the Trinity.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Rendering priestly service through the word of grace, O Elias, consumed with zeal as with fire thou didst slay the shameful priests with thy blameless hands.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

To thee that gavest birth unto Christ, the Creator of all, we cry out: Rejoice, O pure one! Rejoice, thou who hast shone forth the Light upon us! Rejoice, thou who didst contain the infinite God!

Canon II, 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 and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

O prophet Elias, whom the unwaning splendor of divine grace hath revealed, having diligently acquired a mind most divine, thou dost move the pious to hymnody.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Who doth not marvel at thy divine zeal, O wondrous prophet? And who doth not hymn Christ Who hath given thee such great might?

With prophecy wast thou adorned by God, O Elias, most wondrous prophet; wherefore, having wholly united thyself to God, denouncing falsehood, thou didst lead the Israelites to the knowledge of God.

O Theotokos, who gavest birth to the never-setting Sun, enlighten me who am utterly benighted by the passions, and fill me with light divine.

Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost abyss of offenses hath surrounded me, O Lord, but lead up my life from corruption, as Thou didst the Prophet Jonah, O Lord.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

A pillar of piety and the pure life, an instiller of purity, and an emulator of the angels wast thou, O wondrous God-bearer Elias.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The wrath of the prophet-slaying woman, having frightened thee who had received the power to bind and loose the downpouring of the rains, O wondrous Elias, caused thee to flee.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Having stooped to the ground, thou didst raise on high the supremely exalted eye of thy mind, by thine eminent entreaty causing the rains to be loosed; and with showers thou didst water the furrows of the earth.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The bush on Sinai, which touched the Fire without being consumed, prefigured thee, the Ever-Virgin Mother, O all-hymned Theotokos Mary.

Canon II, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, 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 and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

A hymn of supplication do thou offer unto God, O most honored prophet, on behalf of all that have recourse to thy divine temple, that we may honor thee as a great helper.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The mind of man doth not suffice to praise thy life as is meet, O prophet; for, beholding the transfiguration of Christ, thou wast exalted far above the noetic ranks.

He that is Lord and Creator of all hath appeared to us in accordance with thy prophecy, O blessed Elias, calling all men to the knowledge of Him, for He loveth mankind.

O Mary, pure vessel of virginity, cleanse thou my mind of the gloom of the passions, and fill my heart with righteousness, O all-immaculate one.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone II: O prophet, foreseer of the mighty works of our God, Elias of great renown, who by thy voice didst restrain the cloud of rain: on our behalf entreat Him Who alone loveth mankind.

Ikos: Beholding the great iniquity of men and the great love of God for mankind, the prophet Elias was troubled and grew wroth; and he addressed pitiless words to the Merciful One, crying out: “Be Thou angered against those who deny Thee, O righteous Judge!” But he did not move the compassion of the Good One to torment those who deny Him, for He Who alone loveth mankind doth ever await the repentance of all.

Ode VII, Irmos: The fiery bush on the mount and the dew-bearing furnace of Chaldæa manifestly prefigured thee, O Bride of God; for in thy material womb thou didst receive the divine and immaterial Fire without being consumed. Wherefore, to Him Who was born of thee do we chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Most gloriously vested with divine and formidable power, thou didst undertake a long journey, having eaten of food which sufficed thee for forty days, O wondrous Elias. Wherefore, thou didst say on Horeb: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The mild and gentle breeze revealed the Lord to thee, O Elias, who wast zealous for God Almighty: not the wind of the tempest, nor the earthquake, nor yet the fearsome fire. Wherefore, to meek Jesus didst thou chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Like the great Moses, thou wast vouchsafed the vision of God and prophecy, O wondrous Elias, anointing prophets and kings with the Spirit. And having borne witness to the glory of Christ on Tabor, thou didst chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

In times past thou didst, supernaturally and without seed, give birth in the flesh to the unoriginate and preëternal Lord, the Son, Power and Wisdom of the Father, O all-pure one, unto the restoration of mortals. Wherefore, we cry out to Him Who was born of thee: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Canon II, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The people of Israel who came against thee with a captain of fifty thou didst utterly consume with fire from heaven as unworthy, O divine Elias.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou wast a most divine prophet who wast rightly illumined with the vision of God, O most honored Elias; and thou didst straightway put an end to the sacrifices offered to Baal.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Inasmuch as the all-holy Spirit gave thee the gift to prophesy, O most honored prophet Elias, thou didst foretell the coming of the Son of God and didst sin not, O all-blessed one. To Him do we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Truly, as was meet, the poison of death was poured forth through the judgment of God and the hand of the prophet upon the shameful priests who ate unrighteously at the table of Jezebel.

O Mother of God, save me who am held fast by the abyss of offenses, and rescue me from all the malice of the foe, that, saved by thee, I may magnify thine aid.

Ode VIII, Irmos: The bodies of the pious youths, clad in the same purity as their souls, quivered with awe, and the irresistible fire, though fed with boundless fuel, recoiled; but as the ever-living flame faded away, an everlasting hymn was chanted: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Well did Ahab find the just destruction of his house, through the prophet’s condemnation, to be the dread retribution for his vile commission of murder. And with fiery mind the Tishbite chanted a hymn unto the Bestower of life: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Fire rained down from heaven for thee, O Elias, twice consuming captains of fifty, in that thou art God’s chosen minister; for to Him Who controlleth everlasting life thou didst in godly manner declaim the hymn: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

On Tabor Christ showed thee to be an initiate of the mystery of His divine incarnation, in that thou wast an instiller of purity and a most divine scion of virginity, showing the unapproachable light of the Godhead in His Body to thee who criest out: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Most rich was the womb of the Mother of God; for, having received the Word in the coarseness of the flesh and wrought therefrom a form earthly according to hypostasis, it was shown to be the city of God wherein the Most High was well-pleased to dwell. To Him do we chant: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!

Canon II, Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

He that, as God, knoweth all things, entrusteth to thee, O Elias, in that thou art faithful, the knowledge of things to come and of things that shall come to pass; and He showeth thee things which are afar off as though they were near.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Having strengthened thy mind with pious boldness, O blessed prophet, thou dost foretell those things that are far off as though they were near, O most honored prophet.

Having cleansed thy mind of all defilement, O divine prophet, thou didst therefore become completely holy, guiding all to the Light of God.

The Word, to Whom thou didst ineffably give birth, do thou entreat on behalf of those who faithfully honor thee, O pure Theotokos.

Ode IX, Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Having lived on earth the course which man cannot change, and crossed the Jordan’s stream by means of his mantle, the Tishbite, that air-borne charioteer, made a strange and heaven-traversing journey in the Spirit.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The Tishbite, aflame with the zeal of piety, was taken up on a fiery chariot; and he let drop his mantle; and Eliseus, clad therein, received divine grace which he could not conceal.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

The Tishbite and Moses the God-seer beheld in revelation on Tabor what eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and what hath not entered into the hearts of earth-born men: the Lord Almighty, incarnate.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

O Theotokos, we magnify thee, who didst remove the severe condemnation which was of old the correction of our first mother, and who art ever the reconciliation of our race to God, a bridge to the Creator.

Canon II, Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou hast been deified by the immaterial splendor of the life-creating Trinity, O prophet Elias; wherefore, we all set thee forth as an intercessor to God for the world, O blessed one.

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.

Thou wast known as an angel on earth, O divine prophet, and in heaven as a man of God; for the Lord Himself said: “Because thou art a stern man, O Elias, thou canst not endure iniquitous Israel. Come thou up to Me, that I may come down!”

Thou didst live on earth as one of the bodiless ones, O divine prophet, and now, upborne to heaven, thou joinest chorus with the angelic choirs. From on high watch over us that hymn thee, O blessed one.

Thou dost hold in thine arms God Who upholdeth all things, and thou dost feed the Nourisher Who became like unto us, O pure one. Him do thou beseech, that He grant to thy people deliverance from all oppressors.

Troparion, Tone IV: The angel in the flesh, the foundation of the prophets, the second forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elijah sent grace down from on High upon Elisha, to dispel infirmities and to cleanse lepers. Wherefore, he poureth forth healings upon those who honor him.