Having celebrated the feast of St George on Friday, we served a moleben to the Great-Martyr after Sunday’s Liturgy.
I thought I would share a photograph from my cell icon-corner, where prayers are offered to St George for our parishioners, benefactors and friends.
Holy & Glorious Great-Martyr, Wonder-Worker & Trophy-Bearer George, Troparion, Tone IV: With faith thou didst fight the good fight, O athlete of Christ, didst denounce the ungodliness of the tyrants and didst offer thyself to God as a right acceptable sacrifice. Wherefore, thou hast received a crown of victory, O holy one, and by thy supplications dost bestow the forgiveness of transgressions upon all.
Troparion in Tone IV: As a liberator of captives, a helper of the poor, and a physician of the infirm, O champion of kings, victorious great martyr George, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
Holy, glorious and praiseworthy St. George! We who venerate thy holy icon, beseech thee, as a known intercessor for our longings: pray with us to God, Whose loving kindness we implore, mercifully to hear us entreating His goodness, and not to abandon our requests which are needful unto salvation and life; that He might grant victories over adversaries; and furthermore we pray thee abjectly, thou holy Trophy-Bearer, to strengthen the Orthodox Christians in their battles, by the grace given thee; crush the power of insurgent foes, that they may be disgraced and brought to shame, and their presumption shattered; may they know that we have Divine help, and thy mighty defence made known unto all in sorrow and trouble. Entreat the Lord God and Maker of all creation to deliver us from eternal torment, that we may always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Christ is Risen! Христос воскресе! Hristos a înviat! Χριστός ἀνέστη!
It was a great blessing for us to welcome those newly arrived from Ukraine at Sunday’s Liturgy, and we are grateful to those who provided transport and made everyone welcome.
It was something of a novelty to serve Liturgy in Cardiff without a deacon, for once, but it was good to be reminded of how much our deacons do – particularly in St John’s, with all of the setting up and putting away. I am extremely grateful to our oltarniky and others who made this work so smoothly.
After our moleben to the Holy Great Martyrs and Trophy Bearer George, we were able to greet our parishioner George and sing Mnogaya Leta for him and Alexandra, who celebrated their name days on Friday, and we look forward to doing the same for Deacon Mark and Yuriy who were away at the weekend.
This work sees the resumption of our catechesis at St Mary’s Church, North Church Street, Butetown, where we will meet in the parish room at the usual time of 19:00.
I will hear confessions before this, from 17:00 – hoping to start with those who are not staying for the study group. I hope that we will be able to limit confessions to Friday, as Deacon Mark and I will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy in Cheltenham on Saturday.
Will those wishing to confess on Friday email me by Wednesday night, please: otetzmark@hotmail.com
On Saturday, the Fest of the Unexpected-Joy Icon of the Mother of God and of St Paphnuty of Borovsk, our Cheltenham Liturgy will be celebrated in Prestbury United Reformed Church, with confessions from 09:15, the Hours at 10:00 and Liturgy at 10:30. There will be a bring-and-share -lunch after the service, and all contributions to the table will be welcome.
I will be available after the service to hear confessions for any Cardiff parishioners attending and wishing to commune on Sunday.
In Cardiff we will celebrate as usual on Sunday, with the Hours at and Liturgy at 11:00, followed by refreshments and a bring-and-share -lunch.
Please ensure that visitors and new parishioners are cared for and looked after at this time. The clergy are usually not free for a while after Liturgy, so it’s important that everyone welcomes those whom we may have not met before. Being new and unknown can be rather daunting, and a friendly word and encouragement to stay for a cup of tea, a bite to eat and a chat can make a massive difference. Let’s also make sure that people can get to the food, when it’s on the table.
Keep celebrating Pascha, and keep hold of the joy of the season.
I thought I would have plenty of time to catch up with communications on my return from church yesterday, but it was one of those Welsh rail journeys that was a total catalogue of disasters, cancellations and brake downs, and I only reached home at a rather late hour.
So… belated name day greetings and best wishes for our Deacon Mark in Cardiff, named for the Holy Apostle and Evangelist, and for our Deacon Mark, in Mettingham.
We wish you both, ‘Many Years’ and thank you for all that you do for our communities and diocese.
Kontakion 1: Unto thee, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as unto our intercessor and speedy helper. Do thou, holy Great Martyr, as one who hath boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Ikos 1: The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation hath revealed thee unto His Church as a guardian and passion-bearer for the faith. Thou art an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises unto thee for the ascetic labours of thy sufferings, Saint George, in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst love unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life with love for His Name.
Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.
Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the angels.
Rejoice, thou who art the equal of the prophets.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 2: Beholding how the wicked idolaters were persecuting the Christians, thou didst not fear their wiles and tortures, divinely wise George. As a good soldier of Christ, thou didst distribute all thy possessions among the poor, and then didst voluntarily run to that ungodly gathering, singing unto Christ, thy commander and God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2: Mentally comprehending the One God divinely worshipped in Three Persons, with a firm mind thou didst confess Him before the assembly of the ungodly. Thus, thou didst expose the unwise king’s foolish worship of creation. In admiration of thy lofty love of wisdom, Saint George, accept from us these fervent praises:
Rejoice, wise preacher of the One True God.
Rejoice, faithful advocate of the All-Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the great mystery of the True Faith unto the unbelievers.
Rejoice, thou who didst expose the deception of idol worship.
Rejoice, revelation of holy wisdom.
Rejoice, image of divine inspiration.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 3: The power of God, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, did visit thee also, whilst thou wast suffering in prison, O George wise in humility. Thou didst despise all the corruptible things of this life as chaff. Thou didst faithfully cling unto Christ alone, that after fighting the good fight for His Name, thou mightest be granted eternally to chant with the angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 3: Possessing a mind and heart enlightened by the Holy Ghost, by His inspiration thou wast fervent to struggle for the Name of Christ, even unto blood. Standing courageously in the faith, thou didst expose the puffed-up pride of the ungodly congregation. Let us, then, come to thee, most wonderful George, singing praises unto thee:
Rejoice, shield lifted for preservation of piety.
Rejoice, sword raised for the beheading of evil.
Rejoice, confirmation of the Christian Church.
Rejoice, comfort of those gathered in prayer.
Rejoice, encouragement of the faithful.
Rejoice, fear and disgrace of the unbelievers.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 4: The mad persecutor, breathing murder against thee, O passion-bearer George, longed for thy blood like a thirsty dog, ordering thy body stretched out on a wheel and giving thee over unto the most evil torments. Wherefore thou, taking strength in the Lord, with hope and trust in God didst cry aloud: Alleluia.
Ikos 4: When Diocletian and the priest of the idols heard words of wisdom from thee, they were enraged with hatred for thee, and even more so when thou didst say: O tormentor king, why dost thou torture me in vain? For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. The faithful therefore humbly cry unto thee, O George of great fame, in this way:
Rejoice, thou who didst shed thy blood upon the wheel for thy courageous confession of the Faith.
Rejoice, thou who didst magnify the triumph of the Faith by thy blood.
Rejoice, zealot together with the apostles.
Rejoice, imitator of the voluntary Passion of Christ.
Rejoice, unshakable champion of the Faith.
Rejoice, passion-bearer harder than adamant.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 5: Thou wast as a star sent by God, O Saint George, for with thy miraculous healing and release from the wheel by an angel before the eyes of all, thou didst enlighten the unbelievers to believe in the Trinity in One Essence, and to sing unto Him together with thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 5: The people beheld the miracles of the power of God so clearly taking place in thee, and meekly accepted the teaching of Christ from thee. They cried aloud, saying: Truly great is the God of the Christians. It is fitting that we also sing praises unto thee, George worthy of glory, and so we cry out thus:
Rejoice, thou who didst disperse the darkness of unbelief by the radiant word of salvation.
Rejoice, thou who didst convert unbelievers unto Christ by thy martyr’s confession of faith.
Rejoice, thou who didst lead legions of earthly soldiers unto the heavenly army.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the heavenly hosts as a soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, glory of courageous soldiers.
Rejoice, beauty of the all-radiant choirs of martyrs.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 6: Zealous in faith, like unto those Spirit-bearing preachers, the apostles, thou wast crucified unto the world, O Martyr George. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, thou wast hurled headlong into the furnace of the lime pit – that through thy life might be manifested the glory of the Lord Who is wondrous in His saints. Henceforth in the lime pit as in a temple of glory, thou didst noetically cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 6: Having shone forth in His Resurrection from the tomb on the third day, Jesus, the Almighty Conqueror of hades and death, did save thee from corruption, O victorious George. After three days thou wast found alive in the lime pit, with thy hands lifted and singing unto God. The ungodly were sore afraid and stricken with terror, but we rejoice and compose a hymn of victory unto thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst cast down the puffed-up pride of the devil by thy being cast down in disgrace into the lime pit.
Rejoice, thou who didst overcome the persecutor’s bestiality by thy miraculous salvation from God.
Rejoice, for as one without guile, thou didst pray as for benefactors for those who worked evil against thee.
Rejoice, for thou wast zealous for their conversion as Paul was for the Jews.
Rejoice, man of spiritual desires.
Rejoice, victor through the power of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 7: Desiring by any means to ensnare thy heart for service to the idols, the wicked persecutor contrived to mislead thee by magical spells. Therein thou, chosen of God, didst cry out with David: In God is my salvation and my glory, and didst faithfully chant unto Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7: That evil servant of Satan, Diocletian , revealed a new villainy. In his insane zeal for the idols, he ordered thee to be given poison, Saint George, but thou wast filled with faith and hope. Even though thou didst drink the deadly poison, yet thou didst remain unharmed, O praised-one of God. We marvel at thy holiness and sing unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast not disgraced by thy hope in the living God.
Rejoice, for thou didst count thy torment as nothing.
Rejoice, expeller of soul-destroying demons.
Rejoice, destroyer of the wiles of magicians.
Rejoice, through thee God is shewn to be wondrous in His saints.
Rejoice, through thee the Name of Christ is piously glorified.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 8: There came to the wicked king a strange and terrible counsel from a certain wizard: that he command thee, as proof of the truth of the Christian Faith, by thy word to resurrect a dead man. Thou, Saint George, having no doubt whatsoever, didst sing unto Him Who is not the God of the dead but the God of the living: Alleluia.
Ikos 8: The all-desirable and Sweetest Jesus, Whom thou lovest with all thy soul and heart, most blessed George, attended to the fervent prayer of thy faith and speedily commanded the resurrection of the dead man at thy word. This was to the glorification of His Name and the confirmation of the faithful, so that the unbelievers and the blind might be astounded and thereby gain knowledge of God. For this reason, we dutifully cry unto thee:
Rejoice, through thee the Lord of hosts manifested wonders.
Rejoice, through thee He resurrected a dead man from the tomb.
Rejoice, thou who didst grant the mental vision of faith unto the blinded wizard.
Rejoice, thou who didst shew the way to the Holy of Holies unto many who suffered for Christ.
Rejoice, astonishment of Rome.
Rejoice, exaltation of the Christian race.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 9: All the angels rendered praise unto God, Who granted thee such courage, victorious George, that even when locked up in prison thou didst not cease to keep vigil in prayer. As a great communicant of the mystery of divine grace, thou wast vouchsafed to behold the Lord in a vision. He crowned thy head with the crown of incorruption, so that we might cry out with thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 9: The learned orators are unable with their rhetorical tongues to render worthy praises unto thee, Martyr George, for thy labours and sufferings which thou didst assume voluntarily for Christ and the Church. We also, not knowing how to properly praise thee, chant this hymn with faith:
Rejoice, by thy voluntary suffering for Christ and the Church thou didst crucify the old Adam in thyself.
Rejoice, by thy courageous suffering thou didst receive a crown of righteousness from the Lord.
Rejoice, rule of pious zeal.
Rejoice, model of self-sacrifice.
Rejoice, for thou didst please not thyself, but Christ alone.
Rejoice, for thou wast prepared for any form of death for the sake of thy Saviour, Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 10: Desiring to save the souls perishing in idolatry, O Saint George, lover of God, thou wast zealous for God like Elijah. Entering into the temple of the idols, by the power of God thou didst drive out the demons, shattering the idols and putting the priests to shame. Thereafter as conqueror, not with men but with angels, thou didst chant unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10: More unfeeling than a wall, thy hard-hearted tormentor, O Great Martyr, did not see God, Who so clearly worked miracles through thee, but to the end remained as an asp, stopping his ears. He commanded thee to be executed as a criminal by beheading. Though grieving over the loss of his soul, thou didst joyfully accept thine end, for which we praise thee with love in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst keep faith, hope and love unto the end.
Rejoice, thou who didst work many great miracles at thy beheading.
Rejoice, thou who wast crowned to the glory of God’s goodwill toward those on earth.
Rejoice, thou who wast adorned with majesty in Heaven.
Rejoice, man of God.
Rejoice, good soldier of Christ.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 11: Thou didst render a hymn unto the Most Holy Trinity exceeding others, holy Saint George, not in word and mind only, but by the living sacrifice of thy whole self. Imitating Him Who was crucified for us, Christ the Lamb without blemish, thou didst voluntarily lay down thy life for thy friends. Even though we are incapable of praising such courage as thine, for no man hath greater love than this, yet being grateful we sing unto Him Who is wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 11: A light-receiving lamp of the True Light art thou to those on earth, Saint George, chosen of God, for thou dost enlighten the hearts of the faithful and dost guide them all unto divine understanding, instructing us also to joyfully cry aloud:
Rejoice, for thou dost dwell in the all-radiant angelic mansions.
Rejoice, for thou dost commune of the never-waning light of the Trinity not in a mirror, but face to face.
Rejoice, provider for the needy and defender of the wronged.
Rejoice, healer of the infirm and support of kings.
Rejoice, champion of Orthodox soldiers in battle.
Rejoice, fervent intercessor for the salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 12: Knowing the grace granted by God, we celebrate thy memory, Great Martyr George. Running with fervent prayer to thy miraculous icon, we are protected by thine all-powerful help in the Lord as by an invincible wall. In praise of thine aid to others, we fervently cry unto God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12: Hymning thy glorious end, by which thou wast magnified as a good soldier of Christ, we pray thee, O passion-bearer and helper in all good for us: Protect us as we earnestly cry unto thee:
Rejoice, by thee the Church of the faithful is enlightened.
Rejoice, for thy name is praised even among the infidels.
Rejoice, wondrous glory of the confessors.
Rejoice, lofty praise of the martyrs.
Rejoice, protector of those who honour thy memory.
Rejoice, deliverer of those who confess Christ God.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 13: Most blessed and holy Great Martyr George, accept our hymn of praise and deliver us from every evil by thy fervent intercession unto God, so that we may sing with thee: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (Thrice)
Ikos 1: The Creator of angels and Maker of all creation hath revealed thee unto His Church as a guardian and passion-bearer for the faith. Thou art an inspiration for us, and we lift up praises unto thee for the ascetic labours of thy sufferings, Saint George, in this manner:
Rejoice, thou who didst love unto the end Jesus, the Son of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life with love for His Name.
Rejoice, confessor called forth by God.
Rejoice, spiritual athlete glorified by the grace of God.
Rejoice, thou who dwellest with the angels.
Rejoice, thou who art the equal of the prophets.
Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
Kontakion 1: Unto thee, O champion leader and victorious Saint George, we offer a hymn of praise as unto our intercessor and speedy helper. Do thou, holy Great Martyr, as one who hath boldness before the Lord, deliver us from dangers of all kinds that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, Saint George, Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer.
A Prayer
Great Martyr George, we hasten to thee for triumph over every torment and distress and over all pride and passion, that we may glorify Jesus Christ as zealous conquerors of this world and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. We acknowledge our unworthiness of such holy victory but, in praise of the courage, hope and trust which thou hast demonstrated throughout thy life and into thy martyrdom, we lovingly beseech thine aid in battle against sin. Pray for us, Saint George, that we may be granted the grace to confess the Faith before others and to fulfil the Commandments under all circumstances and among all people. Let us witness of Christ the Lord that everyone might see His radiant light and believe in His holy teachings. Amen
Christ is Risen! Христос воскресе! Hristos a înviat! Χριστός ἀνέστη!
I have been very fortunate to make a pilgrimage to Walsingham for a few days, celebrating the altar-feast of the Orthodox chapel of the Life-Giving Spring.
The Mother of God appeared to Richeldis (Rychold), Lady of the Manor of Walsingham in the 11th century, commanding her to build a replica of the original Holy House of Nazareth, later dismantled and rebuilt in Loreto, in Italy, after the Islamic conquest of the Holy Land.
The great shrine and priory, which developed around the chapel of the Holy House was endowed through royal patronage and was renowned throughout Europe, but despite its sanctity and fame it fell victim to the ravages of the reformation and the destruction of the holy places by King Henry VIII and his henchmen.
The 19th century saw the restoration of Roman Catholic pilgrimage to Walsingham, based in the Slipper Chapel, and the 20th century saw the restoration of Anglican religious life around a newly built Holy House and shrine complex.
The founder of the restored Anglican shrine, Father Alfred Hope Paten, was encouraged to engage with the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile by Father Henry Joy Fynes-Clinton, vicar of St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge, who had travelled in Russia before the revolution, visiting holy places and holding theological discussions with some of the leading churchmen of the time. Despite his advanced Papalist Anglo-Catholicism, he was a great admirer of Orthodoxy and a friend and supporter of the exiled faithful, including the first hierarch of the Church in Exile, Metropolitan Antoniy of Kiev and Galych.
The Orthodox presence in the shrine has been developed over the years by a series of remarkable Orthodox figures, including Archimandrite Nicholas Gibbes (former tutor to the Tsarevich Alexei), Archbishop Nestor of Kamchatka, Archbishop Sava of Grodno, St Nikolai Velimirovich, Archbishop Nikodem, and the pioneer of iconography of British saints, Archimandrite David.
Our diocese and its clergy have been involved in spiritual life here since the earliest years of the Anglican shrine, when emigré Russians made pilgrimages to this corner of Norfolk to honour the Mother of God.
The intended free-standing Russian Orthodox chapel was never built, but the little chapel in use since 1941 and consecrated by Archbishop Sava on the Sunday of Pentecost in 1944, remains a place of Orthodox prayer and worship, occupying a landing on above the south aisle of the Anglican shrine church.
Now that Father Philip Steer is unable to serve in the chapel of the Life-Giving Spring, the Orthodox presence is maintained by Mother Melangell, who has a house-skete in the village. There is a Russian-tradition parish of the Patriarchate of Constantinople a short distance away, based in the Church of the Transfiguration in Great Walsingham, and the former monastic-brotherhood church of St Seraphim survives, though sadly bereft of services for most of the year.
We are greatly blessed that Orthodox prayer is offered in Walsingham EVERY day, even if the Liturgy is not celebrated in the shrine very often.
It is a joy to celebrate and pray in the shrine, especially in the evenings, when the church is quiet. The Holy House, dedicated to the Annunciation and built to replace that destroyed by the reformers of the 16th century is a special place to pray the akathist hymn to the Mother of God.
There were many intentions for which to pray during the short pilgrimage, and the culmination of this prayer was our Liturgy for the feast of the Mother of God, the Life-Giving Spring, a short distance from her holy well within the shrine-church.
It was a privilege to be with our local friends, including parishioners from Walsingham, Cambridge and Norwich, to meet local supporters of the Martha and Mary Convent in Moscow, and to share a Paschal lunch in the orangery after the Liturgy – welcoming two Ukrainian pilgrims who visited that day, not knowing that there would be an Orthodox presence.
We very much look forward to returning in the summer and autumn, knowing that the Mother of God continues to pour out her grace on this shrine and the many pilgrims who honour her in England’s Nazareth.
Dear brothers and sisters, Christ is Risen! Христос воскресе! Hristos a înviat! Χριστός ἀνέστη!
On this Feast of the Iveron icon of the Mother of God, I am travelling to Walsingham to celebrate the altar-feast of the Orthodox shrine chapel of the Life-Giving Spring, on Friday.
The last week has been one that has left us exhausted, but full of the joy of the resurrection after the mourning of Holy Friday and the stillness of Holy Saturday, as we contemplated the Saviour’s Body in Gethsemane, in the tomb.
I now look forward to a few days in Walsingham and praying in the Holy House and sepulchre, and serving in the shrine chapel, continuing the link that our diocese has had with the shrine and village since the 1930’s, when the pioneering Father Alfred Hope Paten championed the restored devotion to the Mother of God in this little Norfolk village, once the greatest centre of pilgrimage in pre-reformation Britain: England’s Nazareth.
After the week’s pilgrimage, I shall celebrate the Divine Liturgy of Thomas Sunday in Cheltenham on Saturday morning – hearing confessions from 09:15, before the Paschal Hours and Liturgy at 10:30.
We will begin the Hours later than usual, as the Paschal format is very short in comparison to the normal Hours.
We will celebrate in the United Reformed Church, Deep St, Prestbury, GL52 3AW.
To accommodate confessions, I would appreciate emails by Thursday please) and will stop in Cardiff on the way home from Cheltenham. I know that we have a few Cardiff parishioners that work on Saturdays, and we will make it possible for them to confess on Sunday, in addition to our parishioners from the other side of the Severn. Please email: otetzmark@hotmail.com
I would like to thank everyone who worked so incredibly hard for the success of Holy Week and Pascha, and express our profound gratitude to Father Dean and Georgina for the warmth with which we were welcomed to St Mary’s, which proved to be a wonderful place to celebrate, with its beautiful sanctuary and resonant acoustic.
I encourage everyone to pray the Paschal Canon everyday this week, preserving the joy of the Resurrection, and making the Paschal hymns part of each day’s prayer and devotion.
Having already celebrated the Sunday of St Mary of Egypt, and Mariino-Stoyanie / ‘Mary’s Standing’ – when her life was read in addition to the Great Canon – we now celebrate the feast of the ‘Earthly Angel’ and ‘Heavenly Woman’ whose example of profound repentance brings us consolation, encouragement and joy.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us!
The Canon to Our Venerable Mother, Mary of Egypt, In Tone IV:
Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
With Thy mercy, O Christ, wash away the defilement of transgressions from my lowly soul, and by the supplications of Thy venerable one dispel the darkness and gloom of the passions.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Having polluted the nobility of thy soul with carnal passions, thou didst enlighten thy mind again by abstinence, making thy soul bright with the outpouring of thy tears.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst flee from the passions of Egypt as from a wellspring of sin; and having freed thyself of the defilement of the cruel Pharaoh, thou hast now inherited the land of dispassion, ever holding chorus with the angels.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Gazing upon the icon of thee and the Word Who was born of thy most pure womb, O pure Virgin Birthgiver of God and Sovereign Lady, the most glorious one fervently entreated thee to be a surety for herself before Thy Son.
Ode III, Irmos: Thy Church, O Christ, rejoiceth in Thee crying aloud: * Thou, O Lord, art my strength, * my refuge and foundation.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
The sores of thy soul were fetid and festering, but by the fountain of thy tears thou didst fervently cleanse them.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Legions of demons were vanquished by thee, and thou didst route the uprisings of the passions with thy tears.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast become like a cloud of the morning and like a trickling droplet pouring forth the waters of saving repentance upon all.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having thee as our intercessor, salvation and strength, O pure one, the honored Mary bowed down in worship before the Tree of the holy Cross.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the wisdom …”: Restraining all the uprisings of the flesh with the pangs of fasting, thou didst reveal the manly wisdom of thy soul; for desiring to behold the form of the Cross, O evermemorable one, thou didst crucify thyself to the world, and hence fervently raise thyself up to the zeal for an undefiled life, O most glorious and all-blessed Mary. Entreat Christ God, that He grant forgiveness of sins unto those who with love honor thy holy memory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion in Tone VIII: All we, the generations of mankind, * call thee blessed, * in that thou art the Virgin who alone among women * gavest birth without seed unto God in the flesh; * for the fire of the Godhead made its abode within thee, * and thou didst feed the Creator and Lord * with milk as an infant. * Wherefore, we, the race of mankind and of angels, * glorify thy birthgiving, * and together we cry out to thee: * Entreat Christ God to grant forgiveness of sins ** unto those who with faith worship thy most holy Offspring.
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory be to Thy power, O Lord.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Fleeing all the pleasurable things which are in the world, thou didst take thyself away, and through extreme abstinence and the endurance of those things which thou didst accomplish, cleaving unto Him alone in a pure manner.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
The movements and burnings of the flesh didst thou truly quell through abstinence; hence thou didst adorn thy soul with divine visions and actions, O all-glorious Mary.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through the power of thy virtue, thy tears and extreme fasting, by prayer, heat, winter’s cold and nakedness, thou didst become a precious receptacle for the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having had recourse unto the icon of thee and Him Who was born from thee, O Virgin Mary, Mary the Egyptian hath now found immortal life through thee, holding chorus in Paradise.
Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who camest into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Rejoicing, thou didst follow after Christ, bearing thine own cross on thy shoulder, O Mary, thus wounding the demons.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Thou hast shown us the medicine of repentance, and hast shown us also the path which leadeth again to life which perisheth not.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Be thou for me an invincible helper, O honoured one, and deliver me from the passions and from all pain by thine entreaties to the Lord.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ever beseeching thee, the venerable one gazed upon thine icon, O pure Lady, and put to shame the assaults of the passions.
Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * ‘I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise’ * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
With sweat thou didst wash away the defilement of sin; and, directing thy gaze noetically towards that glory which corrupteth not, thou hast now found fruitfulness through thy sufferings, O glorious one.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Thy life, O Mary, hath been shown to be a model for all sinners who have sinned immeasurably in life, that they also may arise and wash away their defilement with tears.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Take pity, O Lover of mankind, on my lowly soul which I have polluted by giving rein to the impure desires of my flesh; and through the supplications of the venerable one have mercy on me.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With all thine heart and soul thou didst love the living Word of God Who was born and assumed flesh from the Virgin, and Who spake unto thee, O venerable one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Having been lifted up …”: Having fled the gloom of sin * and illumined thine heart with the light of repentance, * O glorious one, thou didst go to Christ * and bring His all-immaculate and holy Mother to Him * as a merciful intercessor; * by which thou didst find forgiveness of thy sins ** and dost now rejoice ever with the angels.
Ikos: The serpent who of old caused Eve to fall through the deception of the tree in Eden, hast thou cast down into the pit by the Tree of the Cross, O glorious Mary; and, fleeing from pleasure, thou didst desire purity. Hence, with the virgins thou hast been deemed worthy to enter the chamber of thy Master and delight with them as is meet. Him do thou earnestly beseech, that He grant us forgiveness of our many sins and count us worthy of His life and to ever rejoice with the angels.
Ode VII, Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety * rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Having manifestly traversed the narrow path of tribulation and made thy soul radiant with the comeliness of the virtues, thou hast attained unto the eternal life of heaven, where Christ is the never-ending Light.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Having trampled down all the transient things in the world, thou dost now join chorus with all the armies of the angels, chanting: Blessed art Thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With thy fasting, prayer and tears, O venerable one, thou didst cause all of the wiles and devices of the enemy to fail; therefore, the uprisings of the passions have been utterly driven away from thee, O honoured Mary.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, who without knowing wedlock truly gave birth unto the incorporeal God yet remained truly Virgin, by thy power thou hast driven away the passions and legions of demons.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Having illumined thy whole mind with the radiance of the virtues, O glorious Mary, and having conversed with God, and broken down thy flesh with great fasting and pious thought, rejoicing thou didst chant: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Protecting thyself with the sign of the Cross, and with faith traversing the waters of Jordan with dryshod feet, and having received communion of the Body and Blood of the heavenly Christ, thou didst say: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The godly priest Zosimas, an initiate of the mysteries of grace, beholding thee crossing the Jordan’s stream with dryshod feet, O glorious one, was seized with fear, and rejoicing, and trembling chanted,: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Through thee, O all-immaculate one, the venerable one put off corruption and defilement; by thee, O Sovereign Lady, she was clothed in the garment of incorruption; and with thee she cried aloud to thy Son: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Ode IX, Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from thee the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who hath joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify thee, * O Theotokos.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Thou art now nurtured on truly incorruptible and divine food, delighting in the noetic and unwaning Light in the mansions of heaven, where the ranks of angels entreat God on our behalf.
Venerable Mother, Mary, pray to God for us.
Disdaining transient and corruptible glory, O Mary, thou didst inherit blessed life and glory. Entreat Christ on behalf of those who ever celebrate thine all-holy memory.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Behold my sorrow and the groaning of my heart, O venerable one! Behold the imprisonment of my life! Save me from my sin, and take pity on my soul by Thine intercessions before the Lord!
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure Lady Theotokos, salvation of sinners, accept this entreaty, and, by the supplications of thy venerable one, deliver me who flee to thy Son from my many transgressions.
Troparion, in Tone VIII: In thee, O mother, the image of God was preserved, * for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow after Christ; * by activity thou didst learn to disdain the flesh, as something transient, * but to care for thy soul as something immortal. ** Wherefore, with the angels thy spirit doth rejoice, O venerable Mary.
Yesterday, it was a great blessing to receive what was probably the most well-packaged parcel to ever arrive on the doorstep of anywhere I have called home, with a much-anticipated icon of the Saviour emerging from yard upon yard of bubble-wrap.
The bright and stylistically-solid icon is a product of the Vilnius School of Old Believer icon-painting, and everything, apart from the board, would suggest that it was painted by the renowned Pomortsy iconographer Ivan Ipatievich Mikhailov (1893-1993), whose century-long life was devoted to the preservation of traditional iconography. In Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and Latvia, his pupils continue to preserve and promote the traditions of the Vilnius School.
Many emigrees from the former empire – in Riga, Prague, Paris and other centres of Russian life in exile – looked to traditional icon painting, as the grip of debased westernised painting weakened, appreciating the importance of Old Believer icon painters and the collections of influential Old Believers in the rebirth of an authentic, canonical iconography.
Our Russian Church Abroad showed its appreciation for the Baltic Old Believer iconographic legacy, with the renowned Estonian born Old Believer iconographer Pimen Sofronov having taught iconography to Archbishop Anthony (Bartoshevich) of Geneva and Western Europe and Bishop Konstantin (Jesensky) of Richmond and Great Britain – both predecessors of Bishop Irenei.
The influence of Sofronov, through Bishop Konstantin can be seen in the icons painted by the late Igumen Seraphim of our former ROCOR parish in Birmingham, and the icon that arrived today reminds me of the icons in the Birmingham Podvorie chapel, sadly no longer part of our ROCOR.
It is a joy to see the newly arrived icon in the light of candles and lamps, venerated and an object of prayer and devotion, and I am pleased that it has arrived in time for Pascha: the Queen of Feasts.
I am now able to able finalise the following services for Holy Week and Pascha, all of which will take place in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, North Church St, Butetown, CF10 5HB.
We are most grateful to Father Dean for his continuous generosity in opening the doors of St Mary’s to us once more. It is a very special place, in which many of our parishioners feel very much at home.
As I am required to attend the Service of Holy Unction in the Cathedral, we will regrettably be unable to hold a service on Wednesday evening. The Service in Chiswick will commence at 18:15.
Unction will be performed after other Holy Week Services, using the oil blessed at the Hierarchical Service in the Cathedral. As this is a Holy Mystery, all receiving unction must prepared with a recent confession.
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Holy and Great Thursday:
The Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels (Matins of Holy Friday) 20:00
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Holy and Great Friday:
Vespers and the bringing out of the Plashchanitsa 16:00
The Burial Service of the Lord (Matins of Holy and Great Saturday 19:30
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Holy and Great Saturday:
The Midnight Office (Rush Service), Procession and Matins of the Resurrection and Paschal Liturgy and blessing of Paschal Food 23:30
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Daytime services will be celebrated in Llanelli, and announced on Fr Luke’s Service Schedule, which we will share on our Facebook page.
All wishing to confess this week, should email by Wednesday evening: otetzmark@hotmail.com
Given George’s baptism this Saturday, I will not be in Cardiff to hear confessions in Deacon Mark’s office, and scheduled confessions will be in St Mary Butetown from 18:00, on Friday.
I will confess some parishioners whilst making visits, and anyone wishing to confess in preparation for Holy Unction and Paschal Communion, may also do so after Sunday’s Liturgy.
Palm Sunday Liturgy will be in St John’s, Canton, following the Hours at 11:00.
