The faithful have traditionally turned to St Paisius to pray for those who have died without repentance, but we can equally pray to him to guide us to repentance in this life – trusting in the power of his prayers.

CANON – TONE VI

Ode I, Irmos: A helper and protector hath He been unto me for my salvation. He is my God, and I shall glorify Him. He is the God of my fathers, and I shall exalt Him, for gloriously hath He been glorified.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Unto God, Who maketh all wise, do thou pray, O venerable father, that He open mine unworthy lips and move mine ignorant tongue in behalf of His servant [handmaid]. By the grace of the Holy Spirit which abideth in thee, O father, overcome my reluctance and lack of eloquence, that I may hymn thy wonders.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Let me therefore begin by recounting thy right laudable and spiritually profitable life from infancy. Egypt of old produced Moses, great among the prophets, who was glorified by His closeness to God and his great miracles. And now Egypt hath shown itself to be glorified a second time, for thy sake, O father Paisius, enriched by thine honourable name and the many virtues, which the Lord bestowed upon thee. Him to thou entreat, that He save our souls.

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

Entering the kingdom of heaven by the narrow and onerous path, according to the commandment of the thy Master Christ, O venerable father Paisius, having hated the wide and spacious road, dispel the darkness which hath spread over my mind, that I may be able to offer this meagre supplication in thine all-pure memory.

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

O good one, grant me a contrite spirit, a humble heart, a pure mind, correction of life and remission of transgressions.

Ode III, Irmos: On the rock of Thy commandments, O Lord, establish Thou mine unsteady heart, for Thou alone art our holy Lord.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Thou wast a rock of faith like the Apostle Peter, O venerable Paisius, having crucified thyself to the world throughout all thy life; and thou didst direct thy feet straight to the heavenly path and didst attain the Jerusalem on high. Standing with the saints before the Holy Trinity, on my behalf entreat the Good One Who loveth mankind.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

The Lord chose thee as a most splendid shoot sprung forth from a pious root; for an angel told thy mother: “This one is pleasing unto God!” And taking up thy cross from childhood, thou didst follow Him without turning back, and by the grace of God didst grow in age and understanding. Pray thou that He grant me remission of sins.

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

O Master Lord Jesus Christ, who doth not marvel at Thy love for mankind? For when the desire came upon the venerable one to undertake the monastic life so as to fulfil Thy commandments, like an unblemished lamb he was led by Thy grace into the wilderness, where he came upon the reason-endowed flock and was brought to the blessed shepherd Pambo and clothed in the monastic habit. O Lord, through the supplications of the venerable Paisius make me steadfast also in the doing of Thy commandments!

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

By thy supplications, O Virgin, free me from grievous torments, from outermost darkness and Gehenna; for thou hast the will and the power so to do, O thou who gavest birth to the one all-good Lord.

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

Sessional Hymn, Tone II: Having bound thy soul with the love of Christ and hated all earthly things, O wise and venerable father, thou didst make thine abode among the deserts and mountains; and tasting of the noetic tree, thou didst shine forth like an angel. Wherefore, having traversed the gloom of thy flesh, thou didst drive away the darkness of the demons. O Paisius, foremost among monastics, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love honour thy holy memory.

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

Theotokion: Speedy protection, help and mercy do thou show thy servant, O pure one. Still thou the waves of vain imaginings, and lift up my soul, O Theotokos, for I know that thou canst do whatsoever thou desirest.

Ode IV, Irmos: The prophet heard of Thine coming, O Lord, and was afraid, for Thou didst desire to be born of the Virgin and reveal Thyself to men; and he said: “I have heard report of Thee and was afraid. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Taking up the ascetic life from thine earliest years, O divinely wise Paisius, thou didst persevere to the end of thy days, receiving as a divine victor the crown of triumph from the King of all, that by thy supplications thou mayest deliver sinners from torment, of whom I am the first. Forget me not!

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Having thee as a mighty advocate and comforter of the grieving, an intercessor, ally and pious mediator, we are saved from all misfortunes, perils and evil circumstances.

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

He Who hath a great abyss of judgments said unto thee: “Behold, I give thee a gift: Whatsoever thou shalt ask of My Father in My name will be given thee: for whichever sinner thou shalt pray, his sins will be forgiven.” Wherefore, I who have an abyss of offences fall down before thee, O father Paisius, praying that He Who made thee this promise may through thy supplications remit my sins, in that He is good and loveth mankind.

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

Direct thy words to thy Son, O all-immaculate one, when I will be justly judged, that I may then find thee to be a refuge and most mighty help, delivering me from all torments.

Ode V, Irmos: Enlighten me who rise at dawn out of the night, I pray, O Thou Who lovest mankind, and guide me in Thy precepts; and teach me to do Thy will, O Savior.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Having laid waste to thy body by fasting, O father Paisius, thou didst once abide for seventy days without bodily food, possessing ineffable divine strength after communing of the Body and Blood of Christ, able to maintain the power of life by thy grace more than the strengthening of food. Glory to Thy might, O Lord!

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Like John the Baptist thou didst desire to walk the straight and narrow path. He, seeing thy Creator at the Jordan, was afraid and cried aloud: “I who am straw cannot approach Fire!” And once, in the desert, thou, O father Paisius, unable to look upon the face of the Lord Who appeared unto thee, didst fall down, overcome by trembling. But He said to thee: “Fear not! I will fill this desert with ascetics for thee.” And with them we pray to thee: In thy prayers forget us not, O father, that we may find mercy.

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

To begin I admit to Thee mine offenses; and I entreat Thy loving- kindness toward mine iniquities, that Thou mayest forgive and cover the multitude of my sins with Thy compassion, and grant me to pass the remaining time of my life without sin, that having easily walked the path to salvation, I may without hindrance attain unto a good end with thy help, for without Thine aid and guidance I can accomplish naught that is good, and can receive mercy only with Thee.

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

I, who am a fool, offer thee this servile entreaty and flee unto thy compassionate loving-kindness: Turn me not away, ashamed, O pure one.

Ode VI, Irmos: With all my heart I cry out to the compassionate God, and He heard my cry from the uttermost depths of Hades, and hath led my life up from corruption.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Jordan, a creation which lacketh a soul, stood in awe of its Creator and cried aloud: “I cannot wash the Sinless One!” But when thou, O saint, didst see the Lord, thou didst take water and touch the Untouchable One, washing His feet. And when thou didst drink of that water, thou didst receive the gift to heal infirmities and to drive demons away from men. Wherefore, we fall down before thee, O father, praying: By thy supplications have mercy on us, delivering us from every demonic assault.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

To the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ we have found in thee, O father Paisius, a great refuge and a fervent advocate and helper amid our sins. For once, a monk died who had apostatised from Christianity and was brought down into the depths of hell for his pernicious unbelief; but when his elder sensed this, he had recourse unto thee, begging thee to pray to the most Merciful One. And the Compassionate Lord appeared to thee, and said: “O my favoured one, it is a good thing that, emulating My love, thou carest for sinners, willing to assume torment for their deliverance.”

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Thy prayers and tears were borne aloft to God like incense of sweet savour and a sacrifice without blemish and right acceptable. Forget me not in thy mediation before the all-holy Theotokos. Grant me tears of compunction; wash away the depths of my sins; deliver me from the abyss of death; grant great mercy to the hopeless, and forgive them their offences.

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

I am seized by incomprehension when I ponder in mind the dread hour of my trial by my Judge and God; and I weep, groan and lament, mindful of the abyss of my sins. Wherefore, at the supplications of Thy favoured one, the venerable Paisius, O Thou Who lovest mankind, save and deliver me from torment, in that Thou art full of loving-kindness.

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

From the depths of my heart I offer thee groans, I all-immaculate one, begging thy timely aid. Have mercy on my passion-fraught soul, O greatly merciful Mother, and take pity and deliver me from damnation and the lake of fire.

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

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

Kontakion, Tone II: Forsaking the tumults of life, thou didst love the life of stillness, emulating the Baptist in all ways; and we honour thee with him, O Paisius, chief among the fathers.

Ikos: Hearkening to the voice of Christ, thou didst follow His commandments; and stripping thyself bare of life, thou didst put aside all cares, all possessions and property, and thy brethren and the love of thy mother, O God-bearing Paisius. And, in the desert thou didst in mind converse alone with God, and didst receive gifts, which do thou send also unto me who praise thee in hymns, O Paisius, chief among the fathers.

Ode VII, Irmos: We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, we have dealt unjustly before Thee. We have neither done nor acted as Thou hast commanded us. But forsake us not utterly, O God of our fathers.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Full of many sins am I; wherefore let thy prayer ascend like incense of sweet savour, O father. Abolish the abyss of my sins, still the raging sea of mine evil life, drive away the flood of rage, and with thy chaste supplications make steadfast my mind, O father Paisius.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Having thee as an instructor, a fervent advocate, a speedy helper, a firm rampart and unshakable bulwark, and a mighty and invincible commander, we beseech thee: Forget not those who pray to thee, deliver us from ever grief and assault of the enemy!

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

O great wonder! One day, while thou wast sitting in thy cave, O father Paisius, there came to thee a voice, saying: “Peace be unto thee, my beloved favourite!” And overcome with fear and trembling, thou didst arise and fall prostrate, saying: “Behold, I am Thy servant, O Lord!” Wherefore, we beseech thee: Entreat Him Who loveth mankind, that He save our souls.

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

O Christ, grant me understanding and patience, that I may not judge sinners with the arrogance of the Pharisee; but accept my repentance as Thou didst that of the publican and the prodigal son, O God; and through the prayers of the venerable Paisius show me to be worthy of Thy Supper, and grant me forgiveness of sins.

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

Arise, O my passion-fraught soul! Stand forth, O wretched one! Beat thy breast, and from thine inner depths put forth springs of tears, that the kind-hearted Mother of Christ God may have mercy on thee, who art accursèd.

Ode VIII, Irmos: Let every creature that hath breath hymn, bless and supremely exalt for all ages Him Whom the armies of heaven glorify and before Whom the cherubim and seraphim tremble.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Disdain not this grateful hymnody which I offer thee, O father Paisius; rather, accept it, and fill it with spiritual joy, that without hindrance I may venerate thine icon, where it is inscribed: “He who imparteth healings unto all”.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Emulating the most venerable life of the God-pleasing fathers who in ages past lived in humility and asceticism for the sake of Christ, O father Paisius, thou didst live thy whole life martyrically, and didst suffer greatly from the attacks of the demons, vanquishing them. Wherefore, I beseech thee, O father: By thy supplications drive far from me violence, wrath and indifference.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

O Master Christ God, most Compassionate One: By the judgments which Thou knowest grant that I may hate the works of the evil one, for Thou art our God, Who didst say: “Ask, and ye shall receive.” Grant me love, that through the supplications of the venerable father Paisius I may do Thy saving will with all my soul.

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

I beseech Thee: O Master: Be Thou long-suffering to me, a sinner, and do not visit me with the severing of death as Thou wouldst a barren tree, sending me into the fire; but, entreated by the supplications of the venerable one, show me to be fruitful, and grant me time for repentance, in that Thou lovest mankind.

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

Send me streams of tears and groans from the depths of my soul, O pure one, that when I fall down before thy protection I may find remission of my sins at thy supplication.

Ode IX, Irmos: O Virgin who received the angel’s salutation and gavest birth to thine own Creator, save those who magnify thee.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

Even during thy lifetime thou wast a speedy helper, O venerable one: for once a certain elder had a disciple who died in disobedience and was led down into hell; but that elder fell prostrate, entreating the most Compassionate One on behalf of his disciple; and thou, as a speedy listener and maintainer of love, didst set thy hope on the most compassionate God and stretched forth thy hands in prayer. And the greatly Merciful One, Who is true to His promises, did the will of those who feared Him and hearkened to thy supplications, and led forth that soul from hell. Wherefore, I the unworthy one, falling down, beseech Thee: O father Paisius, by thy prayers deliver me from torment and from unquenchable fire.

Venerable father, Paisius, pray to God for us!

I have become the object of the demons’ mockery, the disparagement of men, the lamentation of the righteous, the weeping of the angels, the defilement of air, earth and water. By mine actions I have sullied my body and rendered my mind vile beyond description, and have made myself an enemy to God. Woe is me! I have sinned! At the supplications of the venerable Paisius forgive me!

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

Like the one who fell among thieves and was wounded, so have I also fallen through many sins, and my soul hath been wounded. To whom can I flee, guilty as I am, if not to Thee, the merciful Physician of souls? Accept the venerable Paisius as a fervent advocate, and by his supplications pour forth the oil of Thy great mercy upon me.

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

My transgressions have multiplied, and I deserve threatening and condemnation. O pure one, falling down, I cry unto thee: Before the end grant me cleansing, compunction and the correction of my ways.

Troparion, Tone II: Consumed by divine love from thy youth, O venerable one, thou didst despise all the beautiful things in the world, and didst love Christ alone. Wherefore, thou madest thine abode in the desert, where thou wast vouchsafed a visitation of God, upon Whom the eyes of the angels found in impossible to gaze, and didst fall prostrate. And He Who loveth mankind, as the great Bestower of gifts, said unto thee: “Fear not, my beloved! Thy works are pleasing unto Me! Behold, I grant thee a boon: For whichsoever sinner thou shalt pray, I will remit his sins.” And afire in the purity of thy heart, thou didst take water and touch the Intangible One, washing His feet; and when thou didst drink that water thou wast enriched with the gift of miracles, so that thou wast by thine entreaty able to deliver sinners from torment, to heal the sick, and to expel demons from men, O venerable father Paisius. Wherefore since I am first among such sinners, I beseech thee to entreat Him Who made thee this promise, that He grant me time to repent and forgive mine offences, in that He is good and loveth mankind, that with all others I may chant unto Him: Alleluia!

The Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias) is one of the greatest of the prophets and the first dedicated to virginity in the Old Testament. He was born in Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus gives the following account about the birth of the Prophet Elijah: “When Elijah was born, his father Sobach saw in a vision angels of God around him. They swaddled him with fire and fed him with flames.”

The name Elijah (the Lord’s strength) given to the infant defined his whole life. From the years of his youth he dedicated himself to the One God, settled in the wilderness and spent his whole life in strict fasting, meditation and prayer. Called to prophetic service, which put him in conflict with the Israelite king Ahab, the prophet became a fiery zealot of true faith and piety.

During this time the Israelite nation had fallen away from the faith of their Fathers, they abandoned the One God and worshipped pagan idols, the worship of which was introduced by the impious king Jereboam. Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab, was devoted to idol worship. She persuaded her husband to build a temple to the pagan god Baal, which led many Israelites away from the worship of the true God. Beholding the ruin of his nation, the Prophet Elijah began to denounce King Ahab for impiety, and exhorted him to repent and turn to the God of Israel. The king would not listen to him. The Prophet Elijah then declared to him, that as punishment there would be neither rain nor dew upon the ground, and the drought would cease only by his prayer. Indeed, the word of Elijah was a torch (Eccles. 48: 1). The heavens were closed for three and a half years, and there was drought and famine throughout all the land.

During this time of tribulation, the Lord sent him to a cave beyond the Jordan. There he was miraculously fed by ravens. When the stream Horath dried up, the Lord sent the Prophet Elijah to Sarephta to a poor widow, a Sidonian Gentile who suffered together with her children, awaiting death by starvation. At the request of the prophet, she prepared him a bread with the last measure of flour and the remainder of the oil. Through the prayer of the Prophet Elijah, flour and oil were not depleted in the home of the widow for the duration of the famine. By the power of his prayer the prophet also performed another miracle: he raised the dead son of the widow.

After the end of three years of drought the Merciful Lord sent the prophet to appear before King Ahab, and promised to send rain upon the earth. The Prophet Elijah told the king to order all of Israel to gather upon Mount Carmel, and also the priests of Baal. When the nation had gathered, the Prophet Elijah proposed that two sacrificial altars be built: one for the priests of Baal, and the other for the Prophet Elijah who served the True God.

The Prophet Elijah told them to call on their gods to consume the sacrificial animals with fire, and he would call on his. Whichever was first to send fire on the sacrifice would be acknowledged as the true God. The prophets of Baal called out to their idol from morning till evening, but the heavens were silent. Towards evening the holy Prophet Elijah built his sacrificial altar from twelve stones, the number of the tribes of Israel. He placed the sacrifice upon the wood, gave orders to dig a ditch around the altar and commanded that the sacrifice and the wood be soaked with water. When the ditch had filled with water, the prophet turned to God in prayer. Through the prayer of the prophet fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, and even the water. The people fell down to the ground, crying out: “Truly, the Lord is God!” Then the Prophet Elijah had all the pagan-priests of Baal put to death, and he began to pray for rain. Through his prayer the heavens opened and an abundant rain fell, soaking the parched earth.

King Ahab acknowledged his error and repented of his sins, but his wife Jezebel threatened to kill the prophet of God. The Prophet Elijah fled into the Kingdom of Judea and, grieving over his failure to eradicate idol worship, he asked God to let him die. An angel of the Lord came before him, strengthened him with food and commanded him to go upon a long journey. The Prophet Elijah traveled for forty days and nights and, having arrived at Mount Horeb, he settled in a cave.

The Lord told him that the next day Elijah would stand in His presence.There was a strong wind that crushed the rocks of the mountain, then an earthquake, and a fire, but the Lord was not in them. The Lord was in “a gentle breeze” (3 Kings 19: 12). He revealed to the prophet, that He would preserve seven thousand faithful servants who had not worshipped Baal.

Later, the Lord commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha into prophetic service. Because of his fiery zeal for the Glory of God the Prophet Elijah was taken up alive into Heaven in a fiery chariot. The Prophet Elisha received Elijah’s mantle, and a double portion of his prophetic spirit.

According to the Tradition of Holy Church, the Prophet Elijah will be the Forerunner of the Dread Second Coming of Christ. He will proclaim the truth of Christ, urge all to repentance, and will be slain by the Antichrist. This will be a sign of the end of the world.

The life of the holy Prophet Elijah is recorded in the Old Testament books (3 Kings; 4 Kings; Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 48: 1-15; 1 Maccabees 2: 58). At the time of the Transfiguration, the Prophet Elijah conversed with the Savior upon Mount Tabor (Mt. 17: 3; Mark 9: 4; Luke. 9: 30).

Orthodox Christians of all times, and in all places, have venerated the Prophet Elijah for centuries. The first church in Russia, built at Kiev under Prince Igor, was named for the Prophet Elijah. After her Baptism Saint Olga (July 11) built a temple of the holy Prophet Elijah in her native region, at the village of Vibuta.

In iconography the Prophet Elijah is depicted ascending to Heaven in a fiery chariot, surrounded with flames, and harnessed to four winged horses. We pray to him for deliverance from drought, and to ask for seasonable weather.

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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 honoured 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 honoured 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.

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

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.

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

O ye faithful, let us make haste to praise the Mother of Christ in hymns as is meet, for she gave birth unto the Saviour 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 honour 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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

Theotokion: Having 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.

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

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

A hymn of supplication do thou offer unto God, O most honoured prophet, on behalf of all that have recourse to thy divine temple, that we may honour 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.

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

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.

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

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 honoured 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 honoured 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!

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

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.

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

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 honoured prophet.

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

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

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

The Word, to Whom thou didst ineffably give birth, do thou entreat on behalf of those who faithfully honour 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!”

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

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.

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

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 honour him.

Being the season of the celebration of St Calogero (with local commemorations over the next few weeks in Sicily), who icon was gifted to our community by Father Efraim and matushka Olympia, in Sicily, we are sharing the canon to the saint and beloved wonderworker of not only Sicilians, but Orthodox believers across Italy and the Italian diaspora.

One account, describes the saint fleeing to Sicily from the monophysite persecution of the Orthodox in Thrace.

Wandering around the island preaching and celebrating the Holy Mysteries, he found shelter in ancient tombs and volcanic caves, with his last abode being the cave on Monte Kronio where he died during the night between 17th and 18th June, 561. He was 95 years of age. The cave in which St Calogero had lived was subsequently made into a small church, and cells for monks were dug into the rock, in the same way that the first hermitage developed in Kiev.

Another account, believed to be an error based on mistranslation, describes him as an opponent of Arianism, who fled from North Africa to Sicily in the latter half of the fifth century to escape persecution, though there were also Arian heretics in Sicily. After missionary labours in the area of Fragalata, near Messina, he retreated to a cave on Monte Kronio to live a strict and ascetical eremtical life.

Despite their differences, both accounts agree that he was a refugee from persecution, a pillar of Orthodoxy surrounded by heresy, who did not simply teach a vague Faith, but the Truth of Orthodox Christology and the teachings of the Church.

Ode I, 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. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Enlighten my spirit and my mind, O Saviour, to celebrate with hymns the ascetic Calogero, O Christ, who art the timeless Light, that through his intercession, I may be worthy to receive the forgiveness of my sins from thee.  

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Since thou hast been a healer of souls and bodies for those who come with faith to thy church, O wise and pious Calogero, quickly heal also the passions of my soul, accepting, O Father, the praises that I thy servant raise to thee.  

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

Having left thy homeland of Chalcedon after having worked against the deadly and lawless cult, thou didst stop, O Father, in Sicily and, together with the prophet Gregory, didst began to teach the worship of the Divine Trinity in an Orthodox manner.  

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Thou didst bear the Word of God in an incomprehensible way, just as He was pleased by first being begotten by Him; O Lady who knewest not wedlock, cease not to intercede for the world, that it may be freed from all manner of evil.  

Ode 3, Irmos: From on high didst Thou willingly descend to earth, * O Thou Who art more exalted than every noetic principality, * and from the uttermost depths of Hades * thou didst raise up lowly human nature; * for there is none more holy than Thee, O Lover of mankind.  

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Let us make haste to compete in the cave, O brothers, and we will see wonders where the Saint was wont to withdraw and put the armies of the demons to flight; and for those who come, it overflows with remedies for ills. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Thy fame didst spread throughout the earth, O Calogero, all-admirable; indeed, thou didst abandon this corruptible world and, taking the Cross upon thy shoulders, didst strike down the Serpent, the source of evils; therefore, we celebrate thee with hymns.  

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

We pray ye, grant remedies for torrents, O most famous Gregory, most admirable Demetrius and Calogero with God-filled hearts, ye gloriously victorious martyrs, saints of God, our protectors. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Having born God, thou art the harbour and the defence of thy servants, O All- Virgin Mother; therefore, I also, a useless servant, bow down before thee, O Lady: help me and deliver me from tribulations. 

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

Sedalion, Tone I: Thou didst climb the mountain of contemplation and action with wisdom, O Most Blessed One, * and didst, therefore, continue to shine like the sun, in Sicily, * with the rays of miracles, O most admirable one;*  therefore, today, celebrating thy radiant memory, * we praise thee with faith, O Calogero, * with a heart filled with God. 

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

Shake yourself, O soul, from the sleep of indolence * and light the resplendent lamp of penance, * coming forth from the agitation of this life * to the encounter of the Immortal Bridegroom, saying: * “Accept me and reject me not, O Word, * by the prayers of Her who bore Thee”. 

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. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

As the persecution suggested by the impious depravity broke out in the territory of Chalcedon, the hierarch Gregory gathered the servants of the Holy Trinity; and boarding a ship, they escaped secretly to an island. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

The great Saint Gregory, being a hierarch, having taken with him the famous deacon of the church Demetrius and many other saints, including our Calogero, sailed forth joyfully.  

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

Not to escape suffering – never - but to announce to everyone the power of the Trinity, they landed together at Lilybaeum and separated to begin preaching.  

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O Virgin who didst not know wedlock, fortress and boast of those who praise thee, save the faithful who beseech thee, and free them from all misery, O thou who, according to His good pleasure, hast brought forth God in the flesh. 

Ode 5, Irmos: Now I shall arise said God prophetically, * now I shall be glorified, now I shall be exalted, * elevating fallen human nature, * which I received from the Virgin, * to the noetic light of My divinity. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Calogero, the inflexible and great ascetic, didst dwell in a cave, and purifying that den of demons with prayer, by the power of the Cross he drove them into the depths of hell. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Even today the saint shines upon all the faithful brighter than the sun, increasing the healing for those who come to his sanctuary with faith, and celebrate his splendid and holy feast.  

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

Remember in thy prayers, O holy Father Calogero, all the faithful who celebrate thy praise-worthy memory, and free them from the plague, from impending dangers, from punishments and siege. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Behold the miseries and great tribulations of us, thy servants, O all-good Mother of God, and immediately beseech thy Son to free us from the servitude of the children of Ishmael. 

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. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Through continence, O Father, thou didst mortify the passions of the flesh; emulating the zeal of the divine Elijah, thou didst cast out and rout with firmness and might of soul the spiritual perversion of Jezebel. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

The prophet David, the ancestor of God, already sang in ancient times: “Behold, wandering, I have fled away”; and thou, O Father, having faithfully imitated him also, thou didst land on the island.  

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

Incline to us who celebrate thy glorious memory, and seeing our oppression, thy soul filled with God, make supplication to Him who is the All-Merciful God, to free us from the assaults of the enemies. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

O most-praised Lady, O Virgin, who didst give birth to God, as He was well pleased, beseech Him to grant forgiveness of sins to those who praise thee. 

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

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

Kontakion. Tone IV: Celebrating today the sacred memory of Calogero with songs, * we give glory to Christ,*  to him who grantest him the grace of miracles to heal infirmities. 

Ikos (read, not chanted): You, O God-bearers, truly grant us a flood of remedies day by day, O hierarch Gregory, and Demetrius, most celebrated invincible martyrs of Christ; whilst your companion Calogero, emulating the Lord in love, truly offers healing to the sick, quickly interceding together with you for our flock. 

Ode 7, Irmos: The three youths in Babylon, * regarded the tyrant’s command as foolishness, * and cried aloud in the midst of the flame: * Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers!  

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

How can I, miserable and sorrowful, celebrate thee with hymns, O blessed Calogero? But, do thou welcome this hymn from me, thine unworthy servant, and also him who is its author. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Taking up the Cross of Jesus upon thy shoulders as a weapon, thou, O Glorious Calogero, didst overthrow the error of the godless; and now, by thy power, cast out demons, O ever-memorable one. 

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

We who with faith celebrate thy holy, radiant and celebrated feast, shout to Christ: “Blessed are Thou, Lord, who dost glorify Thy saints!”. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

As thou knowest, O Saviour, by Thy will Thou alone wast borne ineffably from the Virgin; through her well-received prayers, free from all evil those who worship Thee with faith. 

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. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us.  

Thou didst imitate well, O holy one, the ancient father Abraham; by thy deeds, having left thy homeland and living in a cave in Sicily, thou didst ceaselessly bless the Lord. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

O Blessed One, thou didst make all friends of the teachings of God, both by illuminating them faithfully with the light of faith, and by teaching them to sing the psalm: “All ye works, bless and praise the Lord”. 

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

By thy constancy, O most admirable Calogero, thou didst gain the trophy; entrusting thy spirit into the hands of God ceaselessly chanting: “Bless and praise ye the Lord”. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

The prophecies of the prophets, O Mother of God, were fulfilled; for thou wert a mountain, a throne, and glorious: the Impassable Door, through which only He who is our God didst enter and leave. 

Ode 9, Irmos: The ineffable hidden mystery of God hath been revealed in thee, * O most pure Virgin; * for in His tender compassion * God become incarnate of thee. * Wherefore, we magnify thee as the Theotokos.  

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

By the might of God, the absolute ruler of the universe, thou didst overthrew the power of the Adversary, O wise Father; therefore thou, O glorious one, having received a diadem upon thy head, dost continue to enjoy rest. 

Venerable Father, Calogero, pray to God for us. 

Turn Thy gaze, O Lord, from heaven and behold at the humiliation of us Thy servants; by the prayers of Thy Saint, make low the pride of the enemies and speedily grant us peace. 

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

Beseech, O Saint Calogero, that invincible strength against the passions to always be given to those who sing thy praises and to all who with faith draw nigh thy temple, as also to the Orthodox sovereigns. 

Both now and ever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.  

Thou are the sole desire and sweetness for those who worship Thee with faith, O All-Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who art exalted with hymns in the Unity of divinity, save us all. 

Troparion, Tone 8. By the streams of thy tears, thou didst make the soil of the desert fertile * and with thy deep groans didst make thy labours to bear fruit an hundredfold; * and thou didst became a beacon for the whole world, * radiating light by miracles, O Calogero, our Father;*  intercede with Christ-God to save our souls.  

Prayer: O great Saint of God, O glorious and venerable father, Calogero, we rejoice with thee in the glory thou enjoyest both in heaven and on earth, as the reward for thy virtue and the graces with which the Lord hath enriched thee, working great miracles through thine intercession: in giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, and health to all manner of the sick; and we beseech thy help and swift intercession for those who are sick and suffering. 

Look down from the glory that is above, upon us who are humble and weak, burdened with our many sins, and who ask thy help and consolation; for thou, art our protector, thou art our guide and defence. 

And, as thou didst hearken to the multitude of poor who didst resort unto thee, so hearken unto our prayers. Incline to us thy loving kindness, and help us to fulfil God’s commandments without stain; to keep the Orthodox Faith firmly; to approach God in heartfelt contrition for all our sins; to make progress in Christian devotion and to be worthy of thy prayers before God. 

Receive us under thy paternal care, and as in the world thou didst cast the devil from the bodies of a multitude of people, so do thou now cast out sin from our hearts.   

Hearken unto us, who pray to thee in faith and love, and despise not us who seek thee as our defender. Now, and at the hour of our departure, help us and defend us by thy prayers from the wicked assaults of the devil, lest evil powers should have dominion over us; but let us be granted, by thy help, to inherit the blessedness of the heavenly mansions. 

For we place our hope in thee, O kind-hearted father: be thou indeed our guide to salvation, and bring us to the unwaning light of eternal life, by thy good intercession before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, so that we may glorify and hymn with all the Saints, the Name worthy of adoration, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

We bless thee, O venerable father Calogero, and we honour thy holy memory, thou instructor of monastics and converser with the angels. 

Ублажаем тя, преподобне отче Калогере, и чтим святую память твою, наставниче монахов, и собеседниче Ангелов.