The combination of the bank-holiday weekend, parishioners away – home and abroad – student workloads and sickness, rather dented attendance this Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, but one great relief and consolation was that, despite concerns at the end of the week, we were able to proceed with the Liturgy – with two singers, a single server and our small congregation.
The peace and prayerfulness of the Liturgy was a palpable blessing, and I was glad that one of the faithful came up to me at the end to say how much he had also felt this, before going and thanking our singers.
There have been various memorial services in this past Radonista week, with panikhidas for the Orthodox and prayers to St Varus for our non-Orthodox loved ones.
As today was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the repose of the handmaiden of God, Milica, Branka’s grandmother, we remembered her during the general Radonitsa memorial at the end of Liturgy, for all of our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who have departed this life in the the true faith, from ages past. May their memory be eternal.
This week, I will hear confessions on Thursday, and would like requests emailed by noon on Thursday. I intend to set up church earlier than usual on Saturday, so any additional confessions will be heard in the early afternoon, before vespers. I would also appreciate emailed requests, just so that I know how many people I might expect.
Our oltarnik, Oswald, will soon be departing for the journeyman part of his apprenticeship, so I would encourage you to make the most of his icon-stall over the next few weeks, as it will be a fair few months before you have the chance to buy again. We have very much appreciated the supply of icons, including those to order, and must put in the orders for our Cheltenham mission before Oswald’s departure date. Given all that he does for our parishes in Cardiff, Cheltenham and Norwich, he will be greatly missed, though we very much look forward to his reports on his progress though Europe, and the experiences that await him. Please keep him in your prayers.
One my announcements at the end of Liturgy, was that if members of the congregation so wish, we will return to having a study group on Friday evenings – with the mystery of repentance, the Divine Liturgy and the Orthodox teaching on life after death having been flagged by parishioners as possible themes. I would very much appreciate an indication of any potential support for this. It may be that we meet every couple of weeks, with St Mary Butetown as our venue, giving us use of the kitchen for refreshments. Anyone interested should get in touch.
There will be a litia to the Holy Great-Martyr George at the end of next Sunday’s Liturgy, and we look forward to congratulating George and Yuriy on their name day.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice).
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Him flee from before His face.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice).
As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish, as wax melteth before the fire.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
So let sinners perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous be glad.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Prayer: Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servants, N., who have reposed in the Faith and hope of life eternal, and in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, Who remittest sins and blottest out iniquities, do Thou loose, remit and pardon all their sins, voluntary and involuntary. Deliver them from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant unto them the communion and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee. For though they have sinned, yet have they not forsaken Thee, and they undoubtedly believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and even until their last breath did they confess Thee in Orthodox fashion: God glorified in Trinity, Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Wherefore, be Thou merciful unto them and reckon their faith in Thee, rather than their deeds, and in that Thou art compassionate, grant them rest with Thy saints; for there is no man that liveth and doth not sin. But Thou alone art wholly without sin, and Thy truth is forever; and Thou alone art the God of mercies, and compassion, and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Paschal Canon
Ode 1, Eirmos: It is the Day of Resurrection! Let us be radiant, O ye people! Pascha! The Lord’s Pascha! For Christ our God hath brought us from death to life, and from earth unto heaven, as we sing triumphal hymn!
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with the inaccessible light of the Resurrection, and we shall hear Him saying clearly, “Rejoice!” As we sing the triumphal hymn!
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Let the heavens rejoice in a worthy manner, let the earth be glad, and the whole world, visible and the invisible, keep the Feast. For Christ our eternal joy hath arisen!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou hast broken through the barrier of death, by giving birth to Christ, the eternal Life, Who today hath shone forth from the tomb, O Virgin all-blameless, and Who hath enlightened the world.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having beheld thy resurrected Son and God, rejoice thou with the apostles, O Pure One graced of God, and be the first to rejoice, as thou hast received the Cause of joy for all, O Mother of God all-blameless.
Katavasia: It is the Day of Resurrection…
Ode 3, Eirmos: Come, let us drink a new drink, not miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the fountain of Incorruption springing from the tomb of Christ in Whom we are established.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Now all things are filled with light: heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions. So let all creation celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, whereby it is established.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Yesterday, I was buried with Thee, O Christ, and today I arise with Thine arising. Yesterday I was crucified with Thee. Glorify me, O Saviour, with Thee in Thy Kingdom.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Into incorruptible life have I entered today, through the goodness of Him Who was born of thee, O Pure One, and Who makest all the ends of the earth radiant with joy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having beheld God, Whom thou hast borne in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said, O Pure One, dance, and Him as God, O most Pure One, do thou magnify.
Katavasia: Come, let us drink…
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice).
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer: Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servants, N., who have reposed in the Faith and hope of life eternal, and in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, Who remittest sins and blottest out iniquities, do Thou loose, remit and pardon all their sins, voluntary and involuntary. Deliver them from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant unto them the communion and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee. For though they have sinned, yet have they not forsaken Thee, and they undoubtedly believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and even until their last breath did they confess Thee in Orthodox fashion: God glorified in Trinity, Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Wherefore, be Thou merciful unto them and reckon their faith in Thee, rather than their deeds, and in that Thou art compassionate, grant them rest with Thy saints; for there is no man that liveth and doth not sin. But Thou alone art wholly without sin, and Thy truth is forever; and Thou alone art the God of mercies, and compassion, and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hypakoe, Tone 4: When at dawn, the women with Mary came and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as if He were a mortal man, Him Who lives in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Run and tell the world that the Lord is risen, and hath slain death. For He is the Son of God Who saveth mankind.
Ode 4, Eirmos: May the divinely speaking Abbacum now stand watch with us, and show forth a shining Angel saying resoundingly: Today salvation hath come to the world; for Christ is risen as Almighty.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Christ revealed Himself as of the male sex when He opened the Virgin’s womb, and as a mortal is He called the Lamb. Thus, without blemish also, is our Pascha, for He tasted not corruption, and, since He is truly God, He was proclaimed perfect.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Christ, our blessed Crown, like a yearling Lamb, of His own good will sacrificed Himself for all, a Pascha of purification, and as the glorious Sun of Righteousness, He has shone upon us again from the grave.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
David, the forefather of our divine Lord, leapt and danced before the symbolic Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfilment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ hath risen as Almighty.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He Who created Adam thy forefather, O Pure One, took form from thee, and the habitation of the dead hath He demolished today through His death, and shone upon all things with the divine radiance of the Resurrection.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Beholding Christ Whom thou hast borne, shining forth splendidly from the dead, O Pure One, who art good and spotless among women, and comely, today rejoicing with the apostles in the salvation of all, Him do thou glorify.
Katavasia: May divinely speaking Abbacum…
Ode 5, Eirmos: Let us arise in the deep dawn and, instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Lord, and we shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causest life to dawn for all.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
When they who were held by the chains of hell beheld Thy boundless compassion, O Christ, they hastened to the light with joyful feet, exalting the eternal Pascha.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Bearing lights, let us meet Christ, Who cometh forth from the tomb like a bridegroom. And with the ranks of joyfully celebrating Angels, let us celebrate the redeeming Pascha of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Enlightened by the divine rays and the life-bearing Resurrection of thy Son, O most pure Mother of God, the gathering of the pious is filled with joy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou didst not open the gates of virginity in the incarnation, nor the seal upon the tomb didst Thou destroy, O King of creation; from whence seeing Thee risen, Thy Mother rejoiceth.
Katavasia: Let us arise…
Ode 6, Eirmos: Thou didst descend into the nethermost regions of earth, O Christ, and didst shatter the eternal bars which held the prisoners captive; and like Jonah from the sea-monster, after three days Thou didst rise from the grave.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Having kept the seals intact, Thou didst rise from the grave, O Christ, Who didst not violate the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth, and Thou hast opened to us the gates of Paradise.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
O my Saviour, while as God Thou didst voluntarily offer Thyself to the Father as an unslain and living sacrifice, Thou didst raise up with Thyself the whole race of Adam, when Thou didst rise from the grave.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He that of old was held by death and corruption is raised up by Him Who was incarnate of thy most pure womb, O Theotokos Virgin, unto incorruption and everlasting life.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who went down into the nethermost part of the earth, and came into thy womb, O Pure One, and dwelt, and past understanding wast incarnate, hath also raised up Adam with Himself when He rose from the tomb.
Katavasia: Thou didst descend…
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life (Thrice).
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer: Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servants, N., who have reposed in the Faith and hope of life eternal, and in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, Who remittest sins and blottest out iniquities, do Thou loose, remit and pardon all their sins, voluntary and involuntary. Deliver them from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant unto them the communion and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee. For though they have sinned, yet have they not forsaken Thee, and they undoubtedly believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and even until their last breath did they confess Thee in Orthodox fashion: God glorified in Trinity, Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Wherefore, be Thou merciful unto them and reckon their faith in Thee, rather than their deeds, and in that Thou art compassionate, grant them rest with Thy saints; for there is no man that liveth and doth not sin. But Thou alone art wholly without sin, and Thy truth is forever; and Thou alone art the God of mercies, and compassion, and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion for the departed, Tone 8: With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither pain, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Kontakion of the resurrection, Tone 8: Though Thou did descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hell, and didst rise again as a conqueror, O Christ our Lord, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, rejoice! And giving peace to Thine Apostles, and offering Resurrection to the fallen.
Eikos: The myrrh-bearing maidens anticipated the dawn and sought, as those who seek the day, their Sun, Who was before the sun and Who had once sat in the grave. And they cried to each other: Friends, come, let us anoint with spices His life-giving and buried body – the Flesh Who raised up fallen Adam, and Who now lies in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, and like the Magi, let us worship; and let us bring myrrh as a gift to Him, Who is wrapped, not now in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry: Arise, O Lord, Who dost offer Resurrection to the fallen.
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know no other than Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come all ye faithful, let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection. For behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection. For by enduring the Cross for us He destroyed death by death.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, hath given us eternal life and great mercy.
Ode 7, Eirmos: He Who delivered the children from the furnace, and became man and suffered as a mortal, through His suffering, He clothes mortality with the grace of incorruption. He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
The godly-wise women came to Thee with myrrh. But Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God. And they told Thy disciples, O Christ, the glad-tidings of the mystical Pascha.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hell, the beginning of eternal life. And leaping for joy, we celebrate the Cause, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
For a truly holy and a supreme feast is this saving night radiant with Light, the harbinger of the bright day of Resurrection, on which the Eternal Light shone bodily from the grave upon all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thy Son, having put death to death, O all-spotless One, today hath granted unto all mortals the life that abideth unto the ages of ages, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He Who reigneth over all creation, became man, dwelling in thy God-graced womb, and having endured crucifixion and death, is risen in a God-befitting manner, raising us up with Himself, for He is almighty.
Katavasia: He Who delivered…
Ode 8, Eirmos: This is the chosen and Holy Day, the first of Sabbaths, the Sovereign and Queen, the Feast of Feasts, and Triumph of Triumphs, on which let us bless Christ forever.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
O come, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine joy on the auspicious Day of the Resurrection and Kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God forever.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
Cast thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and behold! For lo! Thy children have assembled unto thee from the West and from the North and from the South and from the East, as divinely radiant luminaries, Blessing Christ unto the ages.
Refrain: O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.
O Father, Almighty, the Word, and the Spirit, one Nature in three Persons united, transcending essence supremely Divine! In Thee we have been baptized, and Thou wilt bless us throughout all ages.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Through thee the Lord came into the world, O Virgin Theotokos, and the womb of hades did He tear open, granting unto us mortals resurrection; wherefore, we bless Him unto the ages.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Laying low all the dominion of death by His resurrection, thy Son, O Virgin, as the mighty God, hath raised us up with Himself and deified us; wherefore, we sing His praise unto the ages.
Katavasia: This is the chosen…
Ode 9, Eirmos: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Dance now for joy and be glad, O Sion! And thou, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
O divine, O dear, O sweetest Voice! For Thou, O Christ, hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the world. And holding fast this promise as an anchor of hope, we the faithful rejoice.
Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.
O great and holiest Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee in the unending Day of Thy Kingdom.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With one voice, O Virgin, the faithful do bless thee: Rejoice, O Portal of the Lord; rejoice, O living City; rejoice, thou through whom, for our sake, the Light hath shone, Who, born of thee, is the resurrection of the dead.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Be glad and rejoice, O Portal of the Divine Light; for Jesus, set into the grave, hath dawned forth shining more brightly than the sun, and hath illumined all the faithful, O Sovereign Lady who rejoiceth in God.
Katavasia: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Dance now for joy and be glad, O Sion! And thou, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the graves bestowing life (Thrice).
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer: Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servants, N., who have reposed in the Faith and hope of life eternal, and in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, Who remittest sins and blottest out iniquities, do Thou loose, remit and pardon all their sins, voluntary and involuntary. Deliver them from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant unto them the communion and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee. For though they have sinned, yet have they not forsaken Thee, and they undoubtedly believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and even until their last breath did they confess Thee in Orthodox fashion: God glorified in Trinity, Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Wherefore, be Thou merciful unto them and reckon their faith in Thee, rather than their deeds, and in that Thou art compassionate, grant them rest with Thy saints; for there is no man that liveth and doth not sin. But Thou alone art wholly without sin, and Thy truth is forever; and Thou alone art the God of mercies, and compassion, and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia, Tone 4: With the spirits of the righteous give rest, O Saviour, to the souls of Thy departed servants and keep them in the blessed life with Thee, O Lover of man.
In the place of Thy rest, O Lord, where all Thy saints repose give rest also to the souls of Thy servants, for Thou alone art the Lover of men.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou art the God Who descended to hell and loosed the chains of the captives. Give rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O only pure and immaculate Virgin, who without seed didst bear God, pray to Him that their souls may be saved.
Lord, have mercy. (Forty times)
Prayer: Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servants, N., who have reposed in the Faith and hope of life eternal, and in that Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, Who remittest sins and blottest out iniquities, do Thou loose, remit and pardon all their sins, voluntary and involuntary. Deliver them from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant unto them the communion and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee. For though they have sinned, yet have they not forsaken Thee, and they undoubtedly believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and even until their last breath did they confess Thee in Orthodox fashion: God glorified in Trinity, Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Wherefore, be Thou merciful unto them and reckon their faith in Thee, rather than their deeds, and in that Thou art compassionate, grant them rest with Thy saints; for there is no man that liveth and doth not sin. But Thou alone art wholly without sin, and Thy truth is forever; and Thou alone art the God of mercies, and compassion, and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without defilement gavest birth to God the Word, the true Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
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.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice) Lord, bless.
Christ our True God, Who art risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the graves bestowing life, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all Thy saints, grant the souls of Thy departed servants, N to dwell in the abode of all Thy saints, and number them among the righteous, and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
Give rest eternal, O Lord, in blessed repose, to the souls of Thy departed servants, our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters N., and make their memory eternal.
MEMORY ETERNAL. (Thrice)
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the graves bestowing life (Thrice).
And has bestowed on us life eternal, we worship His resurrection on the third day.
Dear brothers and sisters – Christ is Risen! Христос воскресе! Hristos a înviat! Χριστός ἀνέστη!
After a prayerful Holy Week in Nazareth House, Pascha night brought a very well attended and beautiful celebration of the resurrection in St John’s, Canton.
At the beginning of the Midnight Office of Holy Saturday, we were somewhat puzzled by such unexpectedly low numbers in St John’s, but during the singing of the canon, the continual rising and falling of the door-latch announced the arrival of groups of friends, families and carloads of worshippers: Greeks, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, and locals – and others came and went during the long services, joining our procession around the church before the proclamation of the resurrection after the third circling of St John’s.
In the stillness of the mild spring night, no candles were blown out and nothing detracted from the prayerful chanting of the faithful:
“Воскресе́ние Твое́, Христе́ Спа́се, А́нгели пою́т на Небесе́х, и нас на земли́ сподо́би чи́стым се́рдцем Тебе́ сла́вити.”
“Thy Resurrection, O Christ Saviour, the angels hymn in the heavens; vouchsafe also us on earth with to glorify Thee in purity of heart.”
Every year we greatly look forward to the singing of the Paschal Canon, with the repeated censing and changing vestment colours, and the constantly repeated “Christ is Risen!”
This year was no different, as the choir alternated singing in Slavonic and English, mirroring the alternating language of our deacons, and the sight of so many joyful faces lit by the flames of their candles was a wonderful sight as I censed the church with the necessary vigour and haste needed of Pascha night, after the servers removed one phelonion and replaced it with one of a different colour: red, gold, blue, green… finally returning to white.
After a busy week of confessions, we knew that there would be many communicants, including visitors, and it was wonderful that so many of the faithful partook of the Holy Mysteries. Some of those who communed had also partaken of the mystery of Holy Unction.
Eggs and Paschal baskets were blessed at the end of Liturgy, before the distribution of eggs at the kissing of the Cross.
As always, the services of Pascha passed in such a seemingly short time, and I was very glad that our Wessex parishioners and students stayed to share a meal with some of the core members of the parish – though it would have been nice to have far more doing so!
Next Saturday will see a group of us head to Mathern and Tintern, on a local pilgrimage to honour St Tewdrig, after a morning service in Nazareth House. I had hoped to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, but a lack of singers may preclude this. However, we shall still have a service at 11:00, before heading east.
Anyone wishing to join us is asked to email our Pilgrimage Coordinator, Tracy: t_sbrain@yahoo.co.uk
Before then, I shall hear confession in Nazareth House, on Thursday, and would appreciate an email from those confessing by Wednesday midday.
Please make sure that Paschal prayers and hymns resound throughout the week.
Finally, profound thanks to those who have worked so hard for Holy Week and Pascha.
Our choir and servers have been wonderful, and having Hierodeacon Avaraamy has made an immense difference to our celebrations.
Thanks to matushka Alla for the floral decorations, and for all who brought flowers, and supplied food for the clergy throughout the week, as well as dyed eggs for Pascha night and wonderful food with which to celebrate the resurrection.
Thanks also to the brothers of the parish for spending so many hours setting up and putting away. This added hours to the week’s services, and was quite a challenge, especially after three-and-a-half-hour services.
Travelling to Cardiff, now, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to serving the Mystery of Holy Unction with Father Luke this evening, and it is precisely because it is a Holy Mystery that we approach it with compunction and repentance.
In all of the Holy Mysteries, we draw near to Christ in repentance as He, like the father of the prodigal, journeys toward us in a reciprocal movement of love, and just as the deacon calls us to approach the chalice with the fear of God and faith in the Liturgy, so do we equally approach the Mystery of the Oil, knowing that through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, our Great High Priest, Christ Himself acts as the Divine Physician in this Holy Mystery.
It is He who anoints us through the hands of his bishops and priest. It is He and not men Who confers the healing power of Grace upon both soul and body and Who forgives sins. This vicarious action of the priests, on behalf of our High Priest is made clear in the prayer that will be pronounced before anointing, as the faithful kneel beneath the Gospel:
“O Holy King, deeply- compassionate and greatly-merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the Living God, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn back and live: I lay not my sinful hand upon the head of them that come to Thee in sins and ask of Thee, through us, for remission of sins, but through Thy hand, mighty and powerful, which is in this, Thy Holy Gospel which my fellow ministers hold upon the head of Thy servants, and I pray with them and entreat Thy merciful love for mankind which remembereth not evil, O God, our Saviour, Who by Thy prophet Nathan didst grant remission of his iniquities unto the repentant David, and didst accept the prayer of repentance of Manasses. And do Thou Thyself, in Thy customary love for mankind, accept Thy servants, who repent of their sins, overlooking their transgressions. For Thou art our God, Who hast given command to forgive even seventy time seven times them that have fallen into sins. For as is Thy majesty, so also is Thy mercy, and unto Thee is due all glory, honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages, amen.”
As a sign of this repentance, we prayerfully approach the anointing with the oil of God’s mercy having made a recent confession, desiring repentance and amendment of life, and we seek to commune of the Holy Mystery of the Saviour’s Body and Blood, in Holy Communion, as soon as possible.
There can be nothing casual about this Holy Mystery, and no-one can simply approach as their ‘right’. As such, those who are under a penance, those who have excluded themselves from the worship of the Church, and anyone who is excommunicated or live a life incompatible with the teaching of the Church may not partake of this Holy Mystery, just as they may not commune until they have corrected what is amiss in their lives.
Holy Unction and the healing it confers, can only make sense in lives that are actively dedicated to God and open to Grace through prayerful and conscious regular participation in the mysteries and divine medicine of repentance and Holy Communion, which the Saviour has bequeathed as the abiding signs of His love and mercy:His sacramentalindwelling in His Church and the lives of His children.
Sadly, in many parishes, parishioners do not understand the difference between Holy Unction and the other anointing that take place during vigils and other services. This is NOT the same, but one of the seven Holy Mysteries of the Church, so only Orthodox Christians (and not catechumens) may partake of anointing.
And… as this is a Holy Mystery, it is a priestly action, on behalf of the Great High Priest, within the liturgical life of the Church. The oil is the vehicle of God’s Grace, and therefore the Holy Church and the clergy have custody of it, as with all of the the Holy Mysteries. Therefore, despite some local customs, oil is not taken by the faithful after the service, so please do not make this request. Just as we no longer take Holy Communion to our houses (despite ancient Tradition), we neither do so with the Oil of Unction in ROCOR.
Some parishioners have already confessed, and are blessed to receive the Mystery of Holy Unction, some will confess in the mid-afternoon, and other during the ‘open’ two hours before the beginning of the service. Once again, we ask all those confessing to mindful of others and to limit confession at this time to five minutes, as there may be a considerable number of penitents – particularly in in the last forty-five minutes before Holy Unction. We should also remind parent, that Unction is only for those who are confessing before the Holy Mysteries, so children below the age of seven years do not partake. Those who have already partaken of this mystery during the Great Fast, do not approach anointing again.
There will be open time for confession from 17:00 to 19:00, though I have asked some people to come at specific times, and Holy Unction will commence at 19:00 with an explanation of the Holy Mystery before it commences.
If needed there will be additional confessions and anointing after the service.
The feast of the Annunciation, which we celebrated today marked the end of Great Lent, but before we begin the Holy and Great Week of the Lord’s Passion with Palm Sunday, tomorrow brings the joy of Lazarus Saturday.
With the Liturgy in Cheltenham tomorrow, a day which belongs to neither Lent nor Holy Week, we celebrate the raising of St Lazarus the Four Days Dead: a signpost to the Saviour’s own Resurrection.
The wonder of the raising of Lazarus sets the tone of excitement for the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, going to His voluntary passion on the colt of a ass.
This day of rejoicing, points to the coming joy beyond the dark days of the Lord’s passion, the Cross and Golgotha, to the Harrowing of Hell, in which the Victor and Vanquisher of death will not command Lazarus, but the souls of the Old Testament saints to come forth.
Though Lazarus was still destined to fall asleep in the Lord, and his rising was a mere foretaste of the resurrection of the dead, it beckons us in our celebrations to the joy of the Paschal dawn in which Christ comes forth from the tomb as Victor for all eternity.
Turning to St Lazarus, we ask his prayers before the throne of the Risen and Victorious Saviour, for strength and endurance in the holy days ahead.
Holy Father, Lazarus the Four Days Dead, pray to God for us!
Ode I, Irmos: Let us sing to the Lord, Who led His people through the Red Sea: for He alone is gloriously glorified.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
With Thy divine command Thou hast raised dead Lazarus, in Thy love for mankind; for Thou art the Fashioner and Guardian of Life.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O immortal Lord, with Thy word Thou hast raised Lazarus, four days dead, and by Thy power Thou hast destroyed the dark kingdom of hell.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast given to all, O Master, a proof of Thy transcendent Godhead, raising Lazarus from the dead on the fourth day.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Today Bethany proclaims beforehand the Resurrection of Christ the giver of Life, and it rejoices at the rising of Lazarus.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
In the beginning Thou hast brought all creation out of nothing, and Thou knowest the secrets of our hearts; and now as Master Thou dost foretell to Thy disciples the falling asleep of Lazarus.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Christ, Thou hast become man, taking human nature from the Virgin, and as man Thou hast asked where Lazarus was buried, although as God Thou wast not ignorant of this.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
O Word, giving us an assurance of Thine own Resurrection, Thou hast raised Thy friend as if from sleep, though he had lain four days in the tomb and already stank.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The host of angels and of mortal men praise thee, O Virgin Mother, without ceasing. For thou hast carried their creator as a babe in thine arms.
Ode III, Irmos: Thou art the support of those who flee unto Thee, O Lord, Thou art the light of those in darkness, and my spirit doth hymn Thee.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Displaying Thy two energies, O Saviour, Thou hast made manifest Thy two natures: for Thou art both God and man.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Though Thou art the Abyss of knowledge, Thou dost ask where they have laid the body of Lazarus. For it was Thy purpose, O Giver of Life, to raise him from the dead.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Going from one place to another, Thou hast as mortal man, appeared circumscribed; but, as God uncircumscribed, Thou fillest all things.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
At Thy divine word, Thou hast raised Lazarus, O Christ, I pray Thee, raise me also, dead through my many sins.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Lord who workest miracles, standing in Bethany by the tomb of Lazarus, Thou hast shed tears for him in accordance with the law of nature, confirming the full reality of the flesh which Thou hast taken, O Jesus my God.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Straightway Thou hast made the sorrow of Mary and Martha to cease, O Saviour, showing Thy sovereign authority. For, as Thou hast said, Thou art in truth the Resurrection and the Life and the Lord of all.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, from the ranks of the dead and the darkness of hell thou hast snatched Thy friend Lazarus, bound in his grave-clothes; and by Thine all-powerful word Thou hast broken open the gates of the kingdom of death.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Taking up Thy dwelling in a Virgin, O Lord, Thou hast appeared to men incarnate, enabling them to see Thee with their eyes; Thou hast made her in very truth the Theotokos and the help of the faithful, O Thou who alone lovest mankind.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone 4: The sisters of Lazarus stood beside Christ and, lamenting with bitter tears, they said to Him: “O Lord, Lazarus is dead.” And though as God He knew the place of burial, yet He asked them, “Where have ye laid him?” Coming to the tomb, He called Lazarus that was four days dead; and he arose and worshipped the Lord who had raised him.
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.
Sessional hymn, Tone 8: Foreknowing all things as Creator, Thou hast warned the disciples at Bethany saying: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep today.” And, though Thou was not ignorant, Thou hast asked: “Where have ye laid him?” Weeping as a man, Thou hast prayed to the Father; Thou hast called Thy friend Lazarus from hell, O Lord, and raised him when he had been four days dead. Therefore, we cry to Thee: Accept, O Christ our God, the praise we dare to offer, and count us all worthy of Thy glory.
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of the mystery of Thy dispensation, and I considered Thy works, and I have glorified Thy Godhead.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast prayed to the Father, not because Thou art in need of any help, but to fulfill the mystery of Thine incarnation; and so, almighty Lord, Thou hast raised up a corpse that was four days dead.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Coeternal with the Father, the Word that was revealed from the beginning as God, now offers prayers as man, though it is He that receives the prayers of all.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Saviour, Thy voice destroyed all the power of death, and the foundations of hell were shaken by Thy divine might.
O most holy Theotokos, save us.
Let us sing the praises of the Virgin, for she remained a virgin after bearing child, and she gave birth to Christ our God, who has delivered the world from error.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As Shepherd, O Saviour and Creator, Thou hast snatched from the fierce and all-devouring wolf a man that had been four days dead; and through him, in Thy power as Lord, Thou hast revealed beforehand the universal glory of Thy Resurrection on the third day.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Beholding Thee, O Christ the Life, the companions of Martha cried aloud: “If Thou hadst been here, O Lord, the Light and Life of all, Lazarus would not have died.” But since Thou art the Life of the dead, in Thy love for mankind Thou hast turned their sorrow into joy.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The depths are afraid at Thy presence, O Lord, the source of life; all the waters are Thy servants. The gatekeepers tremble before Thee, O Christ, and the bars of hell are broken by Thy power, as Lazarus rises from the dead at Thy command, almighty Saviour who lovest mankind.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Unwedded Virgin, thou art the glory of the faithful; thou art the advocate and refuge of Christians, their rampart and haven, for, Undefiled, thou dost offer intercession to thy Son, saving from danger those who in faith and love acknowledge thee as the pure Theotokos.
Ode V, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
In Thy love for mankind, coming to the tomb of Lazarus Thou hast called him and granted him life, for Thou art the immortal life of all mortal men; and so Thou hast as God clearly foretold the future Resurrection.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
His feet bound in the grave-clothes, Lazarus walked out from the tomb. O wonder of wonders! Christ who gave him strength is greater than the power of death which held him back. All things obey Christ’s word, serving Him as God and Master.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast raised Lazarus on the fourth day, though his corpse already stank. Raise me up, O Christ, for I am dead in sin and lie in the pit and the dark shadow of death; deliver and save me in Thy compassion.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast prayed and given glory to the Father, for Thy power is not opposed to His. To confirm the faith of the multitude that stood round Thee, Thou hast thanked Thy Father, O longsuffering Lord, and then raised Lazarus by Thy command.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O voice of God! O divine power and might! With that voice, O Saviour, Thou hast shattered the gates of hell and all-devouring death. Deliver me from my passions, as once Thou hast delivered Thy friend Lazarus that was four days dead.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
At the prayers of Lazarus, of Martha and Mary, O loving Lord, make us worthy to behold Thy Cross and Passion, and the joyful Queen of Days, the feast of Thy Resurrection.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Since, all-pure Virgin, thou hast a mother’s boldness before thy Son, do not forget us and our needs, we pray, for we are thy kinsfolk: thee alone we Christians bring as intercessor, to win the gracious mercy of the Master.
Ode VI, Irmos: O Lord, who hast made Jonah dwell within the whale, deliver me from corruption, as Thou hast delivered him; for I am caught in the snares of the enemy.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Love led Thee, Master, to Lazarus at Bethany; and as God Thou hast raised him, though his corpse already stank, and hast delivered him from the bonds of hell.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Martha despaired when she saw Lazarus already four days dead. But Christ, as God, raised him from decay and brought him back to life by His word.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As true God Thou hast known of the falling asleep of Lazarus and hast announced it beforehand to Thy disciples, giving them a proof, O Master, of the infinite power of Thy divinity.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou who art by nature uncircumscribed wast circumscribed in the flesh; coming to Bethany, O Master, as man Thou dost weep over Lazarus, and by Thy power as God Thou dost raise him on the fourth day from the dead.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 2: Christ, the Joy of all, the Truth, the Light, the Life, the Resurrection of the world, hath, of His goodness, appeared to those on earth, and become the archetype of the Resurrection, granting divine forgiveness unto all.
Ikos: The Creator of the world foretold to His disciples what would come to pass, proving to them that He knows all things as the Maker of all. “Brethren and companions, our friend has fallen asleep”, He said. “Let us go, then, and see a strange burial, and behold the tears of Mary and the tomb of Lazarus. For I shall work a miracle there, as the prelude to My Crucifixion, granting divine forgiveness unto all.”
Ode VII, Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Weeping as man in Thy compassion, Thou hast as God raised Lazarus from the tomb; and, delivered from hell, he cried aloud: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
At the Master’s word Lazarus came out bound in grave clothes, escaping from the chaos and darkness of hell, and he cried aloud: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Shedding tears over Thy friend, O merciful Lord, Thou hast made the tears of Martha cease, and by Thy voluntary Passion Thou hast wiped away all tears from the face of Thy people. O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Master of Life and Saviour, Thou hast called the dead man as if he were asleep. With Thy word thou hast burst asunder the belly of hell and raised up Lazarus as he sang: “O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.”
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Master, Thou hast raised a dead man bound in grave clothes, a corpse that already stank. I am held fast in the bonds of sin; raise me up and I shall sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Ode VIII, Irmos: When the instruments of music sounded, countless multitudes worshipped the image in Dura; but the three Children, refusing to bow down, praised and glorified the Lord forever.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As Shepherd, Thou hast gone to seek Thy sheep; rescuing the dead man from the fierce and destructive wolf, in Thy power Thou hast brought him from corruption to new life, and he cried out to Thee: “Praise the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As mortal man Thou hast asked where Lazarus was buried; as Maker, Thou hast raised him from the dead by Thy royal command. Hell was afraid of him when he cried out to Thee: “Praise the Lord and exalt Him above all forever.”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
As a mortal, Thou dost search for Lazarus; as God, Thou dost raise him by Thy word, though he was four days dead. Therefore we sing Thy praises forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Fulfilling a debt of gratitude for her brother, Mary brought Thee, O Lord, sweet-smelling spices; and she sings Thy praises forever.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
As man Thou dost pray to the Father, as God Thou dost raise Lazarus. Therefore, O Christ, we sing Thy praises for ever.
Ode IX, Irmos: O ye people, with glory let us honour the pure Theotokos, who conceived within her womb the divine fire and yet was not consumed, and let us magnify her with hymns.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Seeing a four-day corpse walking, the people were struck with wonder at the miracle and cried out to the Deliverer: “We magnify Thee in hymns, O God.”
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Thou hast established men’s faith in Thy glorious Resurrection, O my Saviour, before it came to pass, by freeing Lazarus from hell when he was four days dead; and I magnify Thee in hymns.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Honouring Thy Father, O Christ, and showing that Thou art not opposed to Him, after praying Thou hast by Thine own authority raised Lazarus that was four days dead.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O my Christ, Thou hast raised from the tomb Lazarus that was four days dead, and so Thou makest him a truthful witness to Thy Resurrection on the third day.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou dost walk and weep and speak, my Saviour, showing the action of Thy human nature; and, revealing Thy divine nature, Thou dost raise Lazarus.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In ways surpassing speech, my Master and Saviour, Thou hast brought about my salvation by the free will exercised in each of Thy two natures.
Troparion, Tone 1: In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
“Behold, our restoration hath now been revealed to us! God uniteth Himself to men in manner past recounting! Falsehood is dispelled by the voice of the archangel! For the Virgin receiveth joy, an earthly woman hath become heaven! The world is released from the primal curse! Let creation rejoice and chant aloud: O Lord, our Creator and Deliverer, glory be to Thee!”
Dear brothers and sisters – s prazdnikom!
Greetings as we celebrate the joyful feast of the Annunciation.
How wonderful it is that it is in this springtime of unfurling leaves, spring flowers and blossom ready to burst open the gardens hedgerows, that we celebrate the yearly feast of the Annunciation – that great Springtime in the Divine economy of salvation, in which the long winter of man’s exile and estrangement from God was undone by the Divine condescension and Mary’s ‘fiat’: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word.”
The great hymnographer, St John of Damascus wrote,
“Today, from the cold winter, the warm and flowery spring has shown forth, and the golden sun of rejoicing and happiness has dawned for us.
Today, God-planted Eden is re-opened, and God-fashioned Adam, due to His goodness and love for man, enters again to dwell within.”
This incarnational journey from the spiritual winter of exile to the springtime of salvation echoes the beautiful prophetic words from the Song of Solomon,
“The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”
As we anticipate the yearly celebration of Christ’s victorious rising from the dead, let us rejoice in the Annunciation, in which our Triune God addresses these prophetic words of Solomon, “Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me…” not only to the Mother of God, but to every soul, created, cherished and loved by Him, as the Divine Bridegroom reaches out to humanity through His coming and dwelling among us – and even as we look forward to Pascha/Easter, we are struck that this word “Arise” calls us not only from spiritual slumber to attention and vigilance, but to be sharers and participators in the joy of the resurrection.
So, let us embrace this spiritual-springtime and the promise contained within it, to bask in that golden sun of rejoicing.
We look beyond the dawn memorialised by this day to its culmination of in the glory of the resurrection of the Saviour, the Risen Sun of Righteousness, remembered in this feast as that tiny physical Presence within the womb of the Mother of God, yet the One Who not only re-opened paradise, but went to search for Adam and Eve in the very depths of Hades. Setting them free by His victory on the Tree of the Cross and His third-day resurrection, He was able to say to each of them – to the Forerunner, and to every righteous soul of the Old Covenant – “Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”
Let us look to Christ the Bridegroom with longing, who in His great love came in the Annunciation and Incarnation to seek us in our own dwelling-place as the Word who “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
May God bless you and may this great feast be filled with rejoicing, and guide and hasten us towards the Lord’s glorious resurrection.
We are publishing the festal canon – a poetic dialogue between the Mother of God and the Archangel – in simple form (without the Lenten canons from the Triodion) so that it may be prayed wherever parishioners find themselves on this wondeful feast.
May God bless you all.
Ode I, Irmos: I shall open my mouth, and the Spirit will inspire it, and I shall utter the words of my song to the Queen and Mother: I shall be seen radiantly keeping feast and joyfully praising her wonders.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Let thy forefather David sing to thee, O Lady, striking upon the harp of the Spirit: “Hearken, O Daughter, to the glad voice of the Angel, for he discloses to thee joy past telling.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: In gladness I cry to thee: incline thine ear and give heed unto me, as I tell of God’s conception without seed. For thou, O Most pure, hast found grace before the Lord such as no other woman ever found.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: O angel, help me to understand the meaning of thy words. How shall what thou sayest come to pass? Tell me clearly, how shall I conceive, who am a virgin maid? And how shall I become the Mother of my Maker?
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: Thou dost think, so it seems, that I utter words deceitfully; and I rejoice to see thy prudence. But take courage, O Lady: for when God wills, strange wonders are easily accomplished.
Ode III, Irmos: O Mother of God, thou living and plentiful fount, give strength to those united in spiritual fellowship, who sing hymns of praise to thee: and in thy divine glory vouchsafe unto them crowns of glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Theotokos: There is no more a prince from Judah’s line, but the time is at hand in which Christ, the hope of the Gentiles, shall appear. But do thou make plain to me how I being a virgin, shall bear him?
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: O Virgin, thou dost seek to know from me the manner of thy conceiving, but this is beyond all interpretation. The Holy Spirit shall overshadow thee in His creative power and shall make this come to pass.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: My mother Eve, accepting the suggestion of the serpent, was banished from divine delight: and therefore I fear thy strange salutation, for I take heed lest I slip.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: I am sent as the envoy of God to disclose to thee the divine will. Why art thou, O undefiled, afraid of me, who rather am afraid of thee? Why, O Lady, dost thou stand in awe of me, who stand in reverent awe of thee?
Lord, have mercy.(Thrice)
Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the shepherds’ pipes …”: The Word of God is now come down upon earth. The Angel stood before the Virgin and cried aloud: “Rejoice, blessed Lady, who alone among women hast preserved the seal of thy virginity, while yet receiving in thy womb the pre-eternal Word and Lord, that He as God may save mankind from error.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Sessional Hymn, same tone: Spec. Mel. “That which was commanded …”: Gabriel, the supreme commander, was sent from heaven by God; and he quickly presented himself before the animate city, manifestly saying to her: “Thou shalt receive the Creator in thy womb, O Virgin, and shalt immutably give birth to him in the flesh! Wherefore, I am sent to announce to thee thy strange birthgiving, O pure one, and stand here, crying aloud to thee: Rejoice, O bride unwedded!”
Ode IV, 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.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Theotokos: I have learnt from the Prophet, who foretold in times of old the coming of Emmanuel, that a certain holy Virgin should bear a child. But I long to know how the nature of mortal men shall undergo union with the Godhead.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: The bush that burnt with fire and yet remained unconsumed, disclosed the secret mystery that shall come to pass in thee, O pure Maiden, full of grace. For after childbirth thou shalt remain ever-Virgin.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: O Gabriel, herald of the truth, shining with the radiance of Almighty God, tell me truly: how shall I, my purity remaining untouched, bear in the flesh the Word that has no body.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: I stand before thee in fear, as a servant before his mistress, and in awe I am afraid to look at thee now, O Maid. In His good pleasure shall the Word of God descend upon Thee, as dew upon the fleece.
Ode V, Irmos: The whole world was amazed at thy divine glory: for thou, O Virgin who hast not known wedlock, hast held in thy womb the God of all and hast given birth to an eternal Son, who rewards with salvation all who sing thy praises.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Theotokos: I cannot understand the meaning of thy words. For there have often been miracles, wonders worked by the might of God, symbols and figures contained in the law. But never has a virgin borne child without knowing a man.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: Thou art amazed, O all-blameless Virgin; and amazing indeed is the wonder that comes to pass in thee: for thou alone shalt receive in thy womb the King of all who is to take flesh. It is thou who art prefigured by the utterances and dark sayings of the prophets and by the symbols of the law.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: How can He whom nothing can contain, upon whom none can gaze, dwell in the womb of a virgin who He Himself has formed? And how shall I conceive God the Word, who with the Father and the Spirit has no beginning?
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: He who promised to thy forefather David that of the fruit of his body He would set upon the throne of his kingdom, He it is that has chosen thee, the only excellency of Jacob, as His spiritual dwelling place.
Ode VI, Irmos: Prefiguring Thy three-day burial, the prophet Jonah cried out in the belly of the whale: ‘Deliver me from corruption, O Jesus, King and Lord of hosts.’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Theotokos: Receiving thy glad tidings, O Gabriel, I am filled with divine joy. For thou dost speak to me of joy, a joy without end.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: Divine joy is given to thee, O Mother of God. All creation cries unto thee: “Rejoice, O Bride of God.” For thou alone, O pure Virgin, wast foreordained to be the Mother of the Son of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: May the condemnation of Eve be now brought to naught through me; and through me may her debt be repaid this day. Through me may the ancient due be rendered up in full.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: God promised to our forefather Abraham that in his seed the Gentiles would be blest, O pure Lady; and through thee today the promise receives its fulfilment.
Lord, have mercy.(Thrice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, in Tone VIII: To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate / a feast of victory and of thanksgiving / as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos: / but as Thou art one with might which is invincible, / from all dangers that can be do Thou deliver us, / that we may cry to Thee: // Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded!
Ikos: An archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice! And beholding Thee, O Lord, taking bodily form, he was amazed and with his bodiless voice he stood crying to Her such things as these:
Rejoice, Thou through whom joy will shine forth: Rejoice, Thou through whom the curse will cease! Rejoice, recall of fallen Adam: Rejoice, redemption of the tears of Eve!Rejoice, height inaccessible to human thoughts: Rejoice, depth undiscernible even for the eyes of angels! Rejoice, for Thou art the throne of the King: Rejoice, for Thou bearest Him Who beareth all! Rejoice, star that causest the Sun to appear: Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation! Rejoice, Thou through whom creation is renewed: Rejoice, Thou through whom we worship the Creator! Rejoice, Thou Bride Unwedded!
Ode VII, Irmos: The holy children bravely trampled upon the threatening fire, / refusing to worship created things in place of the Creator, / and they sang in joy: // ‘Blessed art Thou and praised above all, O Lord God of our Fathers.’
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Theotokos: Thou dost bring me good tidings of divine joy, that the immaterial Light, in His abundant compassion, will be united to a material body; and now thou criest out to me: “O All-pure, blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: Rejoice, O Lady, rejoice, O most pure Virgin; rejoice, thou vessel wherein God is contained, rejoice, thou candlestick of the Light, the restoration of Adam and the deliverance of Eve, holy Mountain, shining Sanctuary, and Bridal Chamber of immortality.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Theotokos: The descent of the Holy Spirit has purified my soul and sanctified my body: it has made of me a Temple that contains God, a Tabernacle divinely adorned, a living Sanctuary, and the pure Mother of Life.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Angel: I see thee as a Lamp with many lights and as a Bridal Chamber made by God. As an Ark of gold, O spotless Maiden, receive now the Giver of the Law, who through thee has been pleased to deliver the corrupt nature of mankind.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maid: / Let Gabriel tell thee the counsel of the Most High that is ancient and true. / Make ready to receive God: / for through thee the Incomprehensible comes to dwell with mortal men. / Therefore I cry rejoicing: // O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The “All mortal thought is overwhelmed,” answered the Virgin, “as it ponders the strange wonders of which thou tellest me. I am filled with joy at thy words, yet am afraid: I fear lest thou deceive me, as Eve was deceived, and lead me far from God. Yet lo, thou criest out: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.”
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The Angel: “See thy difficulty is resolved”, said Gabriel to this. “Thou hast well said that this matter is hard to grasp. Obey, then, the words of thine own lips: doubt not as though it were deceitful, but believe in this thing as very truth. For I cry rejoicing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.”
The Theotokos: “Childbirth comes from mutual love: such is the law that God has given to men”, said again she who is without reproach. “I know not at all the pleasure of marriage: how then dost thou say that I shall bear child? I fear lest thou speak in guile. Yet lo, thou criest out: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.”
We bless, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Lord.
The Angel: “O holy Virgin,” replied the Angel, “thou speakest to me of the customary manner whereby mortal men are born. But I tell thee of the birth of the true God. Beyond words and understanding, in ways that He alone knows, He shall take flesh of thee. Therefore, I cry rejoicing: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Theotokos: “Thou showest thyself to me as a herald of the truth,” the Virgin said, “for thou hast come as a harbinger of common joy. I have therefore cleansed soul and body. Be it unto me according to thy word, that God may dwell in me, to Whom I cry out with thee: “Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!”
Ode IX.
Refrain: Proclaim, O earth, good tidings of great joy; / ye heavens, praise the glory of God.
Irmos: Let no profane hand touch the living Ark of God, / but let the lips of the faithful, chanting unceasingly / the words of the angel to the Theotokos, with joy cry out: // Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Refrain:Proclaim, O earth, good tidings of great joy; / ye heavens, praise the glory of God.
Having conceived God in ways past understanding, O Maiden, thou hast escaped from the ordinances of nature. For though by nature mortal, thou wast not subject to the established laws of motherhood. Therefore, as is meet, dost thou hear the salutation: “Rejoice, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee.”
Refrain:Proclaim, O earth, good tidings of great joy; / ye heavens, praise the glory of God.
How dost thou give milk, O pure Virgin? This the tongue of mortal man cannot make plain. For thou showest forth a thing unknown to nature, that utterly surpasses the usual laws of birth. Therefore, as is meet, dost Thou hear the salutation: “Rejoice, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee.
Refrain:Proclaim, O earth, good tidings of great joy; / ye heavens, praise the glory of God.
The Holy Scriptures speak of thee mystically, O Mother of the Most High. For Jacob saw in days of old the ladder that prefigured thee, and said: “This is the stair on which God shall tread.” Therefore, as is meet, dost thou hear the salutation: “Rejoice, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The bush and the fire showed a strange marvel to Moses, the initiate in sacred things. Seeking its fulfilment in the course of time, he said: “I shall observe it brought to pass in the pure Virgin. To her as Theotokos shall the salutation come: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace: the Lord is with thee.”
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Daniel called thee a spiritual mountain; Isaiah, the Mother of God; Gideon saw thee as a fleece and David called thee sanctuary; another called thee gate. And Gabriel in his turn cries out to thee: “Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.”
Troparion, Tone IV: Today is the fountainhead of our salvation / and the manifestation of the mystery which was from eternity. / The Son of God becometh the Virgin’s Son, / and Gabriel proclaimeth the good tidings of grace; / wherefore, we also cry to the Theotokos with him: / Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, // the Lord is with thee.
It is with great joy that we greet our young parishioner, James, as he celebrates his first name day on this feast of St James the Faster.
James is one of our devoted parishioners who travels all the way from Wiltshire for Liturgy, having been baptised in Chippenham last autumn, and one of the group of young brothers who have made such a positive impact on our parish.
Dear James – May God grant you many, blessed years!
Saint James the Faster lived a life of asceticism near the Phoenician city of Porphyrion in the sixth century. For fifteen years, he lived in a cave devoting himself to monastic deeds, and he received the gift of wonderworking from the Lord. Under his influence many of the local inhabitants were converted to the Christian Faith.
News of the ascetic spread everywhere, and so went to another place so that he would not fall into temptation. He found a new cave, and lived there for thirty years. The devil set terrible snares for the ascetic. James healed a young girl from demonic possession, but then fell into sin with her. In order to conceal his sin, he killed the girl and threw her into a river.
Distraught over this sin, he repented for what he had done. For a long time he hid himself away in the wilderness, bereft of shelter and peace, tormented by the pricks of conscience, and he was on the point of forsaking the monastic life and returning to the world. But the immeasurable mercy of God, against which the sins of this world cannot prevail, and which desires salvation for all mankind, would not permit the ruin of this monk who had toiled so many years for the Lord.
The Lord thwarted the devil’s intent to destroy the ascetic, and returned him through repentance to the path of salvation. Wandering about the wilderness, James saw a monastery, and entering it, he confessed his sin before the igumen and the brethren. The igumen urged him to remain with them, fearing that he would ultimately fall into despair. But James went off and again he wandered the wilderness for a long time.
Finally the All-Beneficent Providence of God brought him to a certain desert-dweller filled with grace and wisdom. Lifting the burden from him, the desert-dweller suggested that James remain with him. But James would not remain with the Elder, though encouraged and given hope by him, and he secluded himself in a cave and there for ten years offered repentance to God, weeping and wailing, and asking forgiveness for the sin he committed. The Lord heard the prayers of the penitent monk and granted him His mercy. James reacquired his gift of wonderworking. He remained in the cave until the time of his death. He was also buried there.
Dear brothers and sisters, Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus!
Greetings and congratulations as we celebrate the feast of St David, with the blessing of the sun shining, blue sky, plum blossom and the first leaves unfurling in the hedgerows – in Carmarthenshire, at least.
Our holy father, St David was born into the fading legacy of ‘Romanitas’ in Celtic Britain, as the memory and culture of Rome faded and grew ever dimmer with the incursion of Germanic invaders and the passing of time, and his life and ministry connected Wales to both of the ancient patriarchates of Rome and Jerusalem, a wonderful link to both East and West.
The Jerusalem connection was reflected in the pilgrimage of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Damian I, together with the First-Hierarch of our Russian Church Abroad, to St David’s in 1925.
I am always in awe of this visit on the part of our First-Hierarch, Metropolitan Anthony, as a sign of our Church’s devotion to the ancient saints of the west.
Let us turn to St David to pray for Metropolitan Anthony’s successor, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and for the suffering and persecuted Ukrainian Church.
St David’s memory is one of continuity through the life of our nation, even though protestantism airbrushed and renovated our great patron saint, transforming him into an image of its own making and desire – a comfortable and charismatic image, that does not particularly challenge or prompt serious spiritual questions.
For us Orthodox Christians, who have preserved the patterns of ancient monasticism whose hierarchs are still first and foremost men of prayer and intense spiritual life; who still uphold the ascetic traditions of ancient Christianity; who take prayer and fasting seriously, and who are not worried by long hours of liturgical-prayer – the spiritual world of St David is not far from us and our experience of the Christian life.
But, do we live up to his testament – “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do”?
We know the things he did, simply from the fact that he was a monk and bishop: being humble, loving and merciful; seeking to serve and protect others; immersing himself in prayer and interceding for the world; fiercely opposing doctrinal falsehood; embracing the discipline of fasting and struggling to overcome the bodily weaknesses that damage us spiritually – in short, spiritual warfare.
The list may sound daunting, but when we break it down to individual actions, decisions and scenarios, all is rather more straightforward for us in imitating him…
Do I choose or even try to be generous, loving, and merciful?
Do I try to live a simple, godly, prayerful and devout life – praying, fasting, serving Christ by serving others and putting them before me?
Do I try to ‘police’ my thoughts, actions and words in the struggle for purity and the restoration of God’s image in me?
Do I seek reconciliation and forgiveness, labouring for peace in my family, street, community or workplace?
Do I try to imitate the Saviour in thought, word and deed?
Do I show humility and obedience by embracing the Traditions and teachings of the Church, even though I may find some of the things difficult and challenging – or do I pick and choose, doing it my own, self-determined way?
We may be doctrinally steadfast and unshakeable, but are we doing the little things? This constant challenge and questioning is a key to the road-map to the Kingdom of Heaven, embracing and joyfully reflecting the way of the saints, which is none other than a reflection of Our Saviour, the ‘Way, the Truth and the Life’.
For St David, Christianity is not simply believed, but a life of doing and action, realised and proved in details and little things, and it is in doing the seemingly little things that we remain steadfast in our Faith and are then able to do the big things.
Real Christianity is not an impressionistic picture painted in approximate, broad and wide brush strokes, but one in which Faith is realised in the small details of living the Gospel in our daily lives, in our families and communities.
Be joyful! Be steadfast! Live the Gospel by doing these little things!
May God bless you all, and have mercy upon us, through the prayers of St David and all of the saints of Wales.
It was a joy for us to celebrate the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in Llanelli today, and though there was only a handful of us, the Liturgy was full of joyful chanting and fervent prayers, bringing together parishioners from Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff and Gwlad yr Haf beyond the Bridge (Somerset for the uninitiated).
Our thanks go to Father Luke for celebrating, to Rhydian-Nicholas for serving and to Ruth-Silouana for sharing the kliros with me. It was lovely to sing together, with the support of the faithful – particularly in the spirited Athonite Kyrie eleisons of the Fervent Litany!
Following the service, we enjoyed a shared lunch and were introduced to vegan Pastizio, which went down very well. Despina may well be getting orders and requests during Great Lent!
As we look to more long-term planning, I envisage weekday Liturgies will ordinarily be celebrated in the chapel in Llanelli, unless we have guaranteed singers for the kliros in Cardiff.
Health problems have made it impossible for me to plan weekday Cardiff Liturgies more than a week or two in advance, as things have been unpredictable – but, Llanelli Liturgies can always be managed given the short distance door to door – and having just paced it, I can tell you that the journey is fifty-five steps!
The Chapel of St David and St Nicholas has greatly evolved over the last quarter of a century, starting as a very small oratory/chasovnia in a summer-house, used for reader-services, consequently growing upwards, sideways and lengthways over the decades, through the labours of Father Luke, his sons and son-in-law, members of his family, and the faithful from Llanelli and Swansea.
Recently, the chapel has been blessed with the addition of new icons painted by our Cardiff parishioner, Mikhail Bulashov, who sealed them with their final varnish last week.
Liturgy is celebrated there on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, vespers or compline (depending on the season) on Wednesdays each week as well as weekday services for feasts and during fasts.
In its garden setting, the chapel is an oasis of peace and quiet, and in the spring and summer is surrounded by scented flowers, bees and birdsong, with the feline doyen of the house following the faithful and pleading for attention.
Many of our Cardiff faithful love the chapel and make occasional journeys for services, and I hope that the establishment of weekday festal Liturgies will beckon more parishioners to drive westwards for our festal celebrations.
It was a joy for us to celebrate the feast of the Meeting of the Lord in Llanelli today, and though there was only a handful of us, the Liturgy was full of joyful chanting and fervent prayers, bringing together parishioners from Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff and Gwlad yr Haf beyond the Bridge (Somerset for the uninitiated).
