Dear brothers and sisters, greetings for the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Menas of Egypt, a beloved wonderworker across the Orthodox world, known for his speedy intercession and help for those who come to him with faith!
St Nikolaj Velimirović summarises the life and passion of the Great-Martyr for us:
“Menas was an Egyptian by birth and a soldier by profession. As a true Christian, he was not able to witness the abominable sacrificial offerings to the idols and left the army, the town, the people and everything else, and went to a deserted mountain, for it was easier for him to live among the wild beasts than with pagans. One day Menas clairvoyantly discerned a pagan celebration in the town of Cotyaeus. He descended into the town and openly declared his faith in Christ the Living God. He denounced idolatry and paganism as falsehood and darkness. Pyrrhus, eparch of that town, asked Menas who he was and where he was from. The saint replied: “My fatherland is Egypt, my name is Menas. I was an officer, but witnessing the worship of idols, I renounced your honours. I now come before you all to proclaim my Christ as the true God, that He may proclaim me as His servant in the Heavenly Kingdom.” Hearing this, Pyrrhus subjected St. Menas to severe tortures. They flogged him, scraped him with iron claws, burned him with torches, and tortured him by various other means, and finally beheaded him with the sword. They threw his body into a fire so that Christians would not be able to retrieve it, but Christians recovered several parts of his body from the fire nevertheless. They reverently buried those remains, which were later transferred to Alexandria and buried there, where a church was built over them. St. Menas suffered in about the year 304 and went to the Kingdom of Christ. He was and remains a great miracle-worker, both on earth and in heaven. Whoever glorifies St. Menas and invokes his help with faith, receives his help. The saint has often appeared as a warrior on horseback, arriving to help the faithful or punish the unfaithful.”
The details of his life are scant, but the details of his countless miracles may fill volumes of books, ever growing in length through the continued outpouring of grace, with the miracle of St Menas’s before the Battle of El-Alamein in 1942 changing the direction of the Second World War in North Africa, and ending the threat of the Axis powers in North Africa.
In the words of the Synaxarion:
““In June 1942, during the North-Africa campaign that was decisive for the outcome of the Second World War, the German forces under the command of General Rommel were on their way to Alexandria, and happened to make a halt near a place which the Arabs call El-Alamein after Saint Menas. An ancient, ruined church there was dedicated to the Saint; and there some people say he is buried. Here the weaker Allied forces including some Greeks confronted the numerically and militarily superior German army, and the result of the coming battle seemed certain. During the first night of engagement, Saint Menas appeared in the midst of the German camp at the head of a caravan of camels, exactly as he was shown on the walls of the ruined church in one of the frescoes depicting his miracles. This astounding and terrifying apparition so undermined German morale that it contributed to the brilliant victory of the Allies. The Church of Saint Menas was restored in thanksgiving and a small monastery was established there.”
For those of us who have turned to St Menas over the years, and received his help (often very quickly) and blessings, he has become a trusted helper in adversity and need, and when we come to his feast, we should endeavour to bring him the spiritual offerings of the Church’s hymns and prayers, written in his honour. Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us!
Ode 1, Irmos: The people of Israel, having fled across the watery deep of the Red Sea with dryshod feet, beholding the mounted captains of the enemy drowned therein, sang with gladness: Let us chant unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O ye sacred people, now passing gloriously not over the Red Abyss but the sea of the struggles of Menas the sufferer, with glorious Moses and Miriam, the wise woman and prophetess, let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O Menas, champion of piety, thou wast well pleased to stand as a warrior of Christ before the fierce destroyer and the wicked tormenter who breathed the anger of threats and the heat of wrath. And thou wast His beacon, crying aloud: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou, O Christ, didst foretell: When I be lifted up, I will draw those born of earth; and Thou didst do this indeed, summoning from the ends of the world the ranks of martyrs and the people that cry out in joy: Let us sing unto our God, for He hath been glorified!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The rod of Aaron which budded prefigured thee, O Virgin, the root which sprung forth from Jesse, which shone forth to the world God incarnate, the imperishable bloom. Him do thou ever entreat on behalf of us that have recourse to thee, O Theotokos.
Ode 3, Irmos: Let us not boast of wisdom, power or riches, but in Thee, the hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, O Christ, for none is holy save Thee, O Lover of mankind.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
The tormenter, stung by thy most wise words, wounded thee without mercy with rawhide thongs, thinking thereby to bow thee down, O invincible martyr.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Directing the eyes of thy mind to the Lord, thou didst endure unbearable oppression with a most courageous spirit, O right glorious one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Fearing not the exceeding painful torment, but breathing with divine zeal, thou didst depart for the struggles, crying: unlooked for and uninvited, I have come!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
He that was incarnate of Thee and Who accepted voluntary death hath led up from the gates of hell me who have been slain by the evil tasting of the tree.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kontakion, Tone 4: O Passion-bearer Menas, * Christ our God, the imperishable Crown of martyrs, * took thee from a transient army, * and showed thee forth * as a partaker of the incorruptible and heavenly.
Ikos: The memory of the martyrs is a cause of great gladness for us, for it showeth forth courage amid suffering and victory over the enemy in the radiant and joyful confession of grace. Come ye, therefore, all ye that love this festival, and let us be glad therein, keeping the memory of the passion-bearer Menas as the best and abiding time of our gladness, and receiving the gift of being loosed from our passions, for Christ God is the Bestower thereof, the imperishable Crown of martyrs.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sedalion, Tone 8: Egypt, which before had been held fast by the cruel darkness of ignorance, shone thee forth, O divinely wise martyr Menas, as a beacon to all the world, who by the rays of thy divine struggles dost mightily disperse the night of ungodliness. Wherefore, radiantly celebrating thy radiant and honoured day, we earnestly cry out to thee: O adornment of sufferers, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to them that with love honour thy holy memory.
Ode 4, Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Godhead, Jesus most divine is come on a light cloud and with His incorrupt hand hath saved them that sing: Glory to Thy power, O Christ!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
By the shedding of thy blood they extinguished the ember of polytheism, and the legion of demons was drowned, and the Church of Christ, which praises thee, was watered thereby, O most blessed passion-bearer Menas.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O martyr, by being lifted up on the tree thou dost portray the passion on the Cross of Him that slew the cruel serpent; thou dost endure lacerations which win for thee that delight which is in the Heavens, O most valorous one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst undergo a trial of pain past nature, O sufferer, and divine love, strengthening thy nature, caused thee to receive forgetfulness, urging thee to reach out for wounds, rejoicing.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Ineffably didst thou give birth unto God incarnate, Who fashioned for Himself a home of thy blood, and in godly manner is known in two essences and wills, O thou that knewest not wedlock.
Ode 5, Irmos: The impious perceive not Thy glory, O Christ; but we, waking at dawn out of the night, hymn Thee, O Lover of mankind, Radiance of the glory of the Father’s Divinity, O Only-begotten One.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Luminous with the bright rays of thy witness, having overshadowed dark godlessness, O most wise one, thou hast enlightened the faithful of the fullness who hymn thee, O all-laudable one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Every contrivance of the foe hath vanquished away through thy mighty endurance, for neither hunger, nor wounds, nor immolation, nor subjection to iron hooks clouded thy resolve.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Surrounded by faith as the sun is by its rays, thou didst make thine abode in the desert and didst enlighten all the cities, preaching Christ, the Son of God, Who came in the flesh, O glorious one.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Deliverer, born of thee in manner surpassing nature, maketh me new who am subject to corruption, freeing me from the ancient curse, O pure Mother of God. Him do thou entreat, that He save me.
Ode 6, Irmos: I have come to the depths of the sea, and the tempest of my many sins hath engulfed me, but, as Thou art God, lead up my life out of the depths, O most Merciful One!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Burned by fire, thy wounds rubbed raw with haircloth, yet thou didst remain without pain, for divine grace, being present, strengthened thee, O Menas.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou dost stand condemned before the tribunal of the tyrants, denouncing the falsehood, O ever memorable one, and giving thyself to the faithful as a pillar of piety.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With the sweat of thy struggles thou didst dry up the falsehood of idolatry, and didst fashion of thyself a temple of the honoured Trinity, O right wondrous passion-bearer Menas.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal thou the incurable passions of my soul with the balm of thy goodness, O all-immaculate one, who didst give birth to Christ, the good Saviour, for them that are in the world.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and quick helper in sorrows, O holy great martyr Menas: we, the unworthy, bring thee songs of praise from our hearts; but do thou, as one who hast boldness before the Lord, save from all troubles those who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Ikos 1: An angel in the flesh thou didst appear on earth, O glorious Menas, for thou didst receive the word of Christ with a pure soul, and didst flee into the desert from the wickedness of the idols, where thou didst serve God like an incorporeal being: and we, remembering thy wondrous life, sing to thee with joy:
Rejoice, bright star of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, blessed ray of the sun of Truth.
Rejoice, holy lamp, who enlightenest the faithful with thy life;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us to fulfil the commandments of God.
Rejoice, O image of Christian piety for the faithful;
Rejoice, thou who guidest those who have gone astray to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the wrong-minded to reason;
Rejoice, correction of money-loving hearts.
Rejoice, thou who delightest our souls with spiritual peace;
Rejoice, thou who always comfortest us in our sorrows.
Rejoice, quick deliverance from troubles;
Rejoice, thou who drivest away our evil thoughts.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 2: Seeing the dominance of pagan polytheism in thy city, all-glorious Menas, thou didst languish in thy righteous soul; but in the midst of the darkness of sin, like a light, shining with a virtuous life, thou didst sing unceasingly to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 2: Having an enlightened mind, having fulfilled the commandments of God, O passion-bearer of Christ, thou didst spend thy blameless life among lawless people, serving the Lord day and night with love, and we, glorifying God who strengthened thee, call to thee from the heart thus:
Rejoice, thou who teachest the faithful Christian hope;
Rejoice, thou who destroyest the wiles of the enemy through thine intercession.
Rejoice, thou who dissolvest our sorrows with the sweetness of thy prayers;
Rejoice, for in thy wondrous life thou didst give the despondent courage to drink.
Rejoice, faithful guardian of the Lord’s commandments;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of piety and the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, thou who coverest with love those who honour thee;
Rejoice, thou who always helpest us in temptations.
Rejoice, glorious creator of spiritual peace;
Rejoice, honourable vessel, filled with grace.
Rejoice, thou who waterest the faithful with the currents of thy miracles;
Rejoice, thou who anointest the wounds of our souls with the oil of thy prayers.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 3: Guided by the power of God, thou didst forsake worldly glory and military honour for Christ’s sake and chose to serve the Lord in the deserts and mountains, like an angel unceasingly calling to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3: Having thy heart inflamed with zeal for the glory of God, thou didst stand boldly before the impious prince, O long-suffering one of Christ, denouncing the madness of the idols; but he, inflamed with rage and unable to bear the words of grace coming from thy lips, betrayed thee to many torments, but we, remembering the feat of thy confession, with love call to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who wast wounded by thorns at the hands of the lawless;
Rejoice, thou who wast scorched by fire for the sake of confession.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure the cutting of thy members;
Rejoice, for thy body was pierced by sharp needles.
Rejoice, thou who wast cruelly struck on the head with a hammer;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive many wounds for Christ’s sake.
Rejoice, for thy feast of struggles satisfiest the faithful with courage;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us patience in temptations.
Rejoice, for by thy sufferings thou didst convert many to Christ;
Rejoice, thou who didst conquer thy tormentors with the firmness of thy faith.
Rejoice, for in thy labours thou hast revealed an image of spiritual strength;
Rejoice, thou who hast put to shame the vanity of idolatrous wickedness.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 4: The storms of persecution against the Church of Christ passed through the days of Constantine the Great, and Christians erected a church in Alexandria in honour of thy glorious name, most honourable Menas, where they placed thine honourable relics, which we now venerate and sing to God, wondrous in the saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 4: Hearing of the feat of thy confession, O glorious martyr, we sing to thee with warm love and glorifying thy wondrous patience, with tenderness we bring thee songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who enrichest our poverty with faith;
Rejoice, thou who showest thy merciful intercession to the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who revealest to us the treasure of the spiritual world;
Rejoice, thou who coverest the cities and villages in which thy name is revered.
Rejoice, protector of Christian homes from fiery destruction;
Rejoice, comforter of those who suffer unjustly.
Rejoice, good guide of travellers;
Rejoice, carefree passage for those sailing upon the sea.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest the faithful from sudden death;
Rejoice, gracious intercessor for the grieving.
Rejoice, thou who always helpest us in our sorrows;
Rejoice, for by thy prayers thou turnest our sorrows into joy.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 5: Thou hast passed through thy life as a God-bearing star, O all-praised Menas, day and night serving the Lord with ardent love; therefore, at the end, by the feat of martyrdom, thou hast sealed thy faith and received from God a crown of incorruptible glory, and in heaven with the faces of the saints thou singest to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5: Seeing our sorrows and illnesses, blessed Menas, thou intercedest for us before the Throne of the Lord and with thy constant prayers thou protectest those who honour thy name from many troubles and misfortunes. Therefore, even now, protect those who come to thine intercession, so that we always may cry to thee thus:
Rejoice, unashamed intercessor of the faithful;
Rejoice, excellent helper of the suffering.
Rejoice, merciful intercessor for us before God;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of the Law of God.
Rejoice, fragrant incense of prayer unto God;
Rejoice, chosen vessel of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, thou who through thy prayers reconcilest those in enmity;
Rejoice, thou who protectest the faithful with peace and love.
Rejoice, for by thy righteous life thou teachest pious living;
Rejoice, constant helper of good deeds.
Rejoice, good teacher of repentance;
Rejoice, tireless intercessor for us.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 6: A preacher of the truth of God, a certain Jew, appeared to be blessed by thee, O glorious Menas; for he, having seen a miracle by which a Christian, who unlawfully wanted to hide his treasures, was exposed, having renounced his wickedness and having received the faith of Christ, sang to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6: The light of the Christian faith shone in the heart of that Jew, when thou miraculously returned, O victorious Menas, his treasures, unlawfully hidden by the Christians, his friends: for by thine intercession evil was turned into good; and the Jew received Christian baptism and forgiveness of sin. And we, constantly remembering this wondrous thing, say to thee from the heart:
Rejoice, thou who transformest evil into good through thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who turn evildoers to repentance.
Rejoice, enlightener of those blinded by passions;
Rejoice, steadfast zealot of God’s truth.
Rejoice, thou who correctest evil paths through thine intercession;
Rejoice, thou who guide our feet to the haven of the law of the Lord.
Rejoice, O noble adornment of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, constant help of God’s servants.
Rejoice, tireless intercessor for us;
Rejoice, God-given protector in sorrows.
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles;
Rejoice, gracious comforter of those who honour thy memory.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 7: Wishing to reveal to the world the inexhaustible sources of Thy mercy, O Christ our God, Thou hast granted us advocates and intercessors before Thee, Thy bold holy martyrs, who have testified to the firmness of their faith, even to the point of suffering blood; in whom, glorifying Thee, the only good God, we tenderly cry out to thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 7: Filling thy heart with the evangelical grace of the New Testament, O Great Martyr Menas, thou wast burnt with the fire of love for the Divine Lord, and united with the ranks of the holy martyrs, with whom, standing before the Throne of the Almighty, do thou pray for those who honour thy memory with faith, who bless thou with songs such as these:
Rejoice, glorious martyr of the Lord;
Rejoice, victorious warrior of Christ.
Rejoice, merciful intercessor of Christians;
Rejoice, our constant intercessor.
Rejoice, merciful healer of our ailments;
Rejoice, holy deliverer from various misfortunes.
Rejoice, powerful helper in the struggle with passions and enemy attacks;
Rejoice, for by thy prayers thou preservest us from sinful falls.
Rejoice, O All-Rich Treasury of God’s Gifts;
Rejoice, O cup filled with spiritual consolation.
Rejoice, thou who dispelest our sorrows with thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who kindlest our hearts with love for God.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 8: Thou hast appeared as a wanderer on earth, O glorious Menas, always seeking the Lord with a pure heart; therefore, having received the crown of martyrdom, thou hast gloriously ended thy life; and now, being established in the Kingdom of Heaven with the angels, thou cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8: Having submitted thyself entirely to God, O victorious Menas, thou hast passed harmlessly through the sea of earthly temptations and wast established in the haven of Divine peace in the Abode of the Heavenly Father. Therefore, remember us, who honour thy memory, at the Throne of God, who praise thee with songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who hast revealed an image of immaculate service to God;
Rejoice, thou who hast strengthened many for the feat of confession.
Rejoice, for thou now teachest us patience through thy life;
Rejoice, thou who instructest each one to bear his cross without complaint.
Rejoice, perfect teacher of spiritual poverty;
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest our hearts with the light of humility;
Rejoice, excellent champion of Orthodox Christians;
Rejoice, protection of faithful people from misfortunes and evils.
Rejoice, constant help to those who suffer;
Rejoice, merciful healing of the sick.
Rejoice, most honourable sufferer of Christ;
Rejoice, intercessor, given to us by the Lord.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 9: Thou hast cast away all worldly sweetness from thy soul, O Martyr Most Rich, and therefore, having left behind thy military honour, thou hast appeared as a warrior of the Heavenly King, shining forth with firmness of faith and righteous courage. Now in Heaven, standing before Christ, thou criest out with the angels: Alleluia.
Ikos 9: The wordy orators cannot recognise the power of Christ, with which thou hast clothed thyself like a weapon, O glorious Menas, and have conquered the lawless tormentors in thy patience. But we, with humble hearts and contrite souls, praising thy feat, with tenderness we call out to thee such songs:
Rejoice, consolation of those who suffer unjustly;
Rejoice, all-effective admonition to those who have offended.
Rejoice, good land, which hast brought forth the fruit of virtues;
Rejoice, for with thine honest sufferings thou hast illuminated the Syrian land.
Rejoice, for thou hast shown many glorious miracles after thy death;
Rejoice, holy lily, which didst flourish in the midst of idolatrous impiety.
Rejoice, for thou wast tested like gold in the furnace of sorrows;
Rejoice, thou who didst shine with the light of the truth of the Gospel.
Rejoice, thou who warmest those who flow to thee with the warm rays of thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who protectest those who honour thee from unexpected evils.
Rejoice, praise of the Holy Mountains of Athos;
Rejoice, constant protection of Orthodox people.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 10: Thou didst miraculously grant salvation to a merchant who was coming to venerate thy local relics; for he suffered death from a lawless money-lover, and, resurrected by thou, sang to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10: Thou didst appear as a warm protector and defender to that merchant, O Holy Menas; for having raised him who was killed for gold, thou didst expose the unjust murderer; and we, remembering this miracle, tenderly sing to thee:
Rejoice, glorious miracle worker;
Rejoice, O gracious intercessor.
Rejoice, terrible rebuke of evildoers;
Rejoice, constant protection of those who honour thee.
Rejoice, thou who didst resurrect the murdered merchant;
Rejoice, thou who didst convert a lover of money and a murderer to repentance.
Rejoice, thou who hast made good sacrifices;
Rejoice, thou who givest warmth from thine heart to thine intercessor.
Rejoice, quick listener to those who humbly pray before thine icon;
Rejoice, O faithful guardian from the wiles of the evil one and evil people.
Rejoice, thou who destroy life’s misfortunes with thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who dissolvest our sorrows with spiritual peace.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 11: We bring thee a song of praise, O praiseworthy martyr, opening the lips of our humble heart with love: we glorify thy wondrous life and glorify thy martyr’s death, calling out to God who strengthenst thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 11: With the light of the glorious miracle of the appearance, thou hast enlightened the heart of Eutropius, darkened by the love of money, O Saint, for he thought to leave for himself the silver plate with thy name prepared as a gift to thee, and he saw his beloved servant and that plate sinking in the depths of the sea; but nevertheless, by thine intercession, the servant was again saved, singing songs of gratitude to thee; and we, praising this miracle, tenderly cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who turned the heart of Eutropius to repentance;
Rejoice, thou who didst save that slave in the depths of the sea.
Rejoice, for by the manifestation of thy miracle thou didst transform sorrow into joy;
Rejoice, thou who didst save thy faithful servant from drowning.
Rejoice, constant helper of the upright in heart;
Rejoice, O intercessor before God for those who honour thy name.
Rejoice, thou who protectest us from evil misfortunes;
Rejoice, thou who showest thy help to Orthodox people.
Rejoice, thou who teachest truthful and honest living;
Rejoice, thou who helpest in the fulfillment of good undertakings.
Rejoice, thou who protectest us from the temptations of sin;
Rejoice, thou who fulfillest our requests for good and salvation.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 12: A certain woman named Sophia recognised the grace of thy merciful intercession, O glorious Menas, for she, coming to thy church to worship, was saved by thee from the dishonour of the lawless soldier and cried out to God in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 12: Singing of thy many miracles, all-praiseworthy great martyr, we remember the lame and the mute who prayed fervently in thy church; for thou didst appear to them and didst miraculously heal them; and we, remembering this miracle, fervently pray to thee: and strengthen our feet, weakened by many iniquities, and open the lips of our hearts worthily to sing to thee with songs such as these:
Rejoice, thou who didst strengthen the paralytic’s legs;
Rejoice, thou who didst loosen the bonds of the mute tongue.
Rejoice, merciful healer who hast appeared to many;
Rejoice, thou who didst bring many unbelievers to faith with glorious miracles;
Rejoice, joy and praise for the lovers of God;
Rejoice, refuge and consolation of strangers.
Rejoice, gracious feeder of the poor;
Rejoice, unashamed intercessor for widows and orphans.
Rejoice, deliverance of the faithful from misfortunes and evils;
Rejoice, O firm protection of those who honour thee.
Rejoice, good comforter in times of trouble;
Rejoice, holy helper in life’s sorrows.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 13: O holy and glorious Great-Martyr of Christ, Menas, accept now this small song brought to thee with zeal, and cover with thy prayers those who come running to thy holy icon and who lovingly honour thy honourable memory, so that by thine intercession we may always be protected from evil in peace and piety for the rest of our life, praising God, who is wondrous in His saints, singing the Angelic song: Alleluia. [This kontakion is said three times.]
Ikos 1: An angel in the flesh thou didst appear on earth, O glorious Menas, for thou didst receive the word of Christ with a pure soul, and fled into the desert from the wickedness of the idols, where thou didst serve God like an incorporeal being: and we, remembering thy wondrous life, sing to thee with joy:
Rejoice, bright star of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, blessed ray of the sun of Truth.
Rejoice, holy lamp, who enlightenest the faithful with thy life;
Rejoice, thou who teachest us to fulfil the commandments of God.
Rejoice, O image of Christian piety for the faithful;
Rejoice, thou who guidest those who have gone astray to the light of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the wrong-minded to reason;
Rejoice, correction of money-loving hearts.
Rejoice, thou who delightest our souls with spiritual peace;
Rejoice, thou who always comfortest us in our sorrows.
Rejoice, quick deliverance from troubles;
Rejoice, thou who drivest away our evil thoughts.
Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Kontakion 1: Chosen wonderworker and quick helper in sorrows, O holy great martyr Menas: we, the unworthy, bring thee songs of praise from our hearts; but do thou, as one who hast boldness before the Lord, save from all troubles those who cry out to thee: Rejoice, O long-suffering martyr, Menas.
Ode 7, Irmos: Blessed art Thou, O all-hymned Lord, God of our fathers, Who saved the children of Abraham in the fire, they that sought the truth righteously, and Who slew the Chaldeans.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
With wounds didst thou strip off sin’s garment of skin, and thou didst robe thyself in vesture which groweth not old and which grace, appearing, wore, O blessed one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
By the burning zeal of thine honourable and mighty struggles hath wicked and thorny godlessness been utterly consumed, O martyr, and the leaping flame of ignorance is extinguished by the streams of thy blood, O most blessed one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Possessed of abundant gifts, thou dost pour forth miracles upon them that celebrate thine honoured festival, O right wondrous Menas; and thou dost aid them that sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Blessed is the Fruit of thy blessed womb, Whom the hosts of Heaven and the assemblies of those born of earth do bless, He that hath delivered us from the ancient curse, O blessed one.
Ode 8, Irmos: O Almighty Deliverer of all, descending upon the pious youths amid the flame, Thou didst bedew them and teach them to sing: All ye works, bless and hymn the Lord!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
O Menas, thou wast revealed as a crown-bearer; having set at nought the enemies of the Cross of thy Lord, thou didst put them to shame and didst cry out, O most blessed one: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
God hath wrought wonders in thy memory, pouring forth healings, both spiritual and bodily, through thy relics upon us that cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst offer God thy service; and having bowed thy head to the ground, thou wast beheaded by the sword, O martyr, crying aloud: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Today is the Holy Church adorned with your blood, as with purple and fine linen, O Menas, Victor and Vincent, who cry out: All ye works of the Lord, praise and supremely exalt Him unto the ages!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Virgin remaineth the womb of her that bore the Saviour Who without seed was conceived of the Holy Spirit, God uncircumscribable wrapped in flesh, the Word co-unoriginate with the Father. Him do all works praise and supremely exalt as Lord unto the ages!
Ode 9, Irmos: Christ Who uniteth disparate natures, the cornerstone uncut by hands, hath been cut from thee, the unquarried mountain, O Virgin. Wherefore, in gladness we magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
Thou didst love no less than thou wast beloved, O passion-bearer, laying down thy beloved life for Christ Who loved thee and Who glorified thy witness with Himself, O ever memorable one.
Holy Great-Martyr, Menas, pray to God for us.
As a lampstand aflame with the light of three suns did the three inseparable martyrs appear: Menas, Victor, and Vincent, illuminating the faithful and dispersing the gloom of the demons.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Accept, as that which is thy due, our praise of thee which proceedeth from a readiness which, I know, surpasseth, our words; and from thy treasuries bestow upon us gifts without number.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Of old rightly did all the prophets praise thee, the Mother of the King and Master; and now, the apostles and martyrs magnify thee, glorifying thee with us.
Troparion, Tone 8: With great valour of soul, didst thou strive in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, from Heaven hast thou received the gift of miracles; for God hath shown thee to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made thee our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defence from harm.
Prayer to the Great-Martyr Menas: O passion-bearer, holy martyr Menas! Looking at thine icon and remembering the healings thou givest to all who come to thee with faith and reverence, we fall down before thou and, bending the knees of our hearts, with all our souls we pray to thee, be our intercessor before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for our infirmities, accompany and comfort us in times of our sorrows, granting us the memory of our sins, help in misfortunes and troubles of this world, and in all the troubles that befall us in this vale of tears. Amen.