It’s been very interesting to see the developing links that our parish media has established across the miles, building an ever-expanding relationship between our community and both parishes and individuals across the continents. This has, in part, being linked to the sharing of liturgical resources and pilgrimages. Whilst the latter fell off the edge of the map in the year gone by (though some of us are looking forward to some simplified pilgrimages in the year ahead), activity on the liturgical front has remained constant. In fact, the post that follows is the result of a little correspondence about service materials.
Last Saturday was the feast of St Martin the Merciful of Tours (though the life below sensibly suggests this is an error, given that the traditional date of ‘Martinmas’ is definitely in November!), and I would have ordinarily ensured the availability of the canon, which only exists in English to my knowledge. Given ongoing health issues, I was unable to do so, but am talking the opportunity to sit down and do a little catching up.
Commemorated on October 12/25
Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, was born at Sabaria in Pannonia (modern Hungary) in 316. Since his father was a Roman officer, he also was obliged to serve in the army. Martin did so unwillingly, for he considered himself a soldier of Christ, though he was still a catechumen.
At the gates of Amiens, he saw a beggar shivering in the severe winter cold, so he cut his cloak in two and gave half to the beggar. That night, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the saint wearing Martin’s cloak. He heard the Savior say to the angels surrounding Him, “Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.” The saint was baptized soon after this, and reluctantly remained in the army.
Two years later, the barbarians invaded Gaul and Martin asked permission to resign his commission for religious reasons. The commander charged him with cowardice. Saint Martin demonstrated his courage by offering to stand unarmed in the front line of battle, trusting in the power of the Cross to protect him. The next day, the barbarians surrendered without a fight, and Martin was allowed to leave the army.
He traveled to various places during the next few years, spending some time as a hermit on an island off Italy. He became friendly with Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers (January 14), who made Martin an exorcist. After several years of the ascetic life, Saint Martin was chosen to be Bishop of Tours in 371. As bishop, Saint Martin did not give up his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He conversed with angels, and had visions of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29) and of other saints. He is called the Merciful because of his generosity and care for the poor, and he received the grace to work miracles.
After a life of devoted service to Christ and His Church, the saint fell ill at Candes, a village in his diocese, where he died on November 8, 397. He was buried three days later (his present Feast) at Tours. During the Middle Ages, many Western churches were dedicated to Saint Martin, including Saint Martin’s in Canterbury, and Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
In 1008, a cathedral was built at Tours over the relics of Saint Martin. This cathedral was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution, together with the relics of Saint Martin and Saint Gregory of Tours (November 17). A new cathedral was built on the site many years later. Some fragments of the relics of Saint Martin were recovered and placed in the cathedral, but nothing remains of Saint Gregory’s relics.
Saint Martin’s name appears on many Greek and Russian calendars. His commemoration on October 12 in the Russian calendar appears to be an error, since ancient sources give the November date.
The Canon of the Holy Hierarch, in Tone VI
Ode I, Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Illumined by divine radiance and dancing in the light of the all-just Godhead, O wise Martin, enlighten those who with piety honour thy luminous memory.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
The Creator of all, Who knoweth all things before they happen, foreseeing the uprightness of thy heart, took thee from an earthly army and hath enlisted thee among the choirs of angels, O blessed one.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
My soul is done to death by the sting of sin, O father, yet by thy life-bearing supplications move the Life of all to raise me up to hymn thy godly memory.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Maiden and Mistress most favored by God, who didst bear the Bestower of light Who enlighteneth the earth which is cast into darkness by many passions: Illumine mine accursed soul!
Ode III, Irmos: There is none as holy as Thee, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Since thou didst mount to the summit of most noble deeds, O wise one, Christ hath raised thee up to sit upon a throne in the highest, from whence in sacred manner thou dost enlighten all creation with the brilliance of thy wonders.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
As a child of the day and of the light, O holy hierarch, when thou didst behold as a naked beggar Him Who covereth Himself with light as with a garment, thou didst cut thy cloak in twain and didst cover Him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The carnal passions were mortified in thee, and thou didst thus become a most pure abode of the Trinity. Wherefore, I beseech thee, O holy hierarch: By thine intercessions quench thou the passions of my soul.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O pure palace of God, most holy Virgin, I entreat thee: Cleanse and enlighten my wretched soul, which hath been sullied by carnal pleasures and imaginings.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV: When the emperor of the West heard report of thy virtues and wondrous works, he would fain have met with thee; but his consort clung to the vile heresy of Arius, and confounded her husband’s goodly desire. Thus, for the sake of thy flock and the ruler’s salvation, thou didst resort to fasting and fervent prayer, O holy hierarch, and our merciful Saviour opened unto thee the doors which had been shut. Then the sovereign, greeting thee as was meet, hearkened unto thy wise counsel and received edification from thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Joseph marvelled, beholding that which transcendeth nature, and in mind he pondered, O Theotokos, upon thy seedless conception, as the dew upon the fleece, the bush which burned with fire yet was not consumed, and the rod of Aaron which put forth branches. And, bearing witness, thy betrothed and protector cried out to the priests: “The Virgin giveth birth, yet remaineth a virgin even after birthgiving!”
Ode IV, Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honoured Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Delighted by thy godly life, the Most High bestowed upon thee the grace of all-glorious miracles, O wondrous hierarch, whereby thou art revealed unto the ends of the earth as marvelous.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Resurrected by thine intercessions, the dead man who had been slandered beheld his accuser struck dead, O holy hierarch; and he magnified thy grace, O father.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Accept us who hymn thy divine memory, O holy hierarch, and deliver us from sufferings, perils and temptations; for with faith do we now have recourse unto thy protection.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With drops of thy loving-kindness, O immaculate one, sprinkle thou my soul, which is withering up in the burning heat of sin; and vouchsafe that I may produce the fruits of repentance.
Ode V, Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of those who with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Having forsaken earthly riches and transitory glory which fadeth away, O blessed Martin, thou hast acquired heavenly riches and eternal and immutable glory, wherein be thou mindful of us.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
One who had endured a cruel death by hanging was raised up from the dead as from sleep by thy life-giving supplication; and he won this life and that which is to come.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst restore to life him who – O the horror! – had been struck dead by a serpent, O father. So also by thy supplications restore life even unto me, who have been slain by the sting of sin.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Shining from afar, thou wast revealed unto Moses as a burning bush, O Mistress; and having given birth unto the divine Fire, thou wast shown to be unconsumed even after giving birth. Wherefore, do thou burn up the roots of my passions.
Ode VI, Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
O Martin, thy relics pour forth healings upon those who approach them with devotion, and the legions of the demons are put to flight; but the choirs of the faithful who fervently raise up hymns unto thee are bedewed with grace.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Full to overflowing with the vivifying waters of the All-Holy Spirit Who accomplisheth all things, O Martin, thou dost give life unto those who were slain by the deception of the evil one, purifying them with the healing waters of the Saviour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The woman whom thou didst free from everlasting punishment blessed the Lord, O Martin, and, dispensing with her wealth, she exchanged it for the bliss of heaven.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure one, in that thou didst bear the hypostatic Wisdom and Power of the Father, with godly wisdom and power divine fill thou the hearts of all who hymn thee with faith.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: Thou didst flourish in the virtues like a palm-tree, and in thy miracles didst multiply like a cedar, O wondrous father, bedewing the ends of the world, and burning up legions of the demons. Wherefore, entreat the Lord in our behalf.
Ikos: In proclaiming the glad tidings of man’s salvation, O most merciful hierarch, thou wast not daunted by the threats of the Druids and their deluded followers; but, having armed thyself with the pure confession of Christ, thou didst courageously show their vile graven images to be common stones, powerless against the might of the Most High, and thou didst bring multitudes of the heathen to the knowledge of God. Wherefore, mindful of thine apostolic zeal, we beseech thee: Entreat the Lord in our behalf.
Ode VII, Irmos: The Angel caused the furnace to pour forth dew upon the pious youths, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldæans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Shining forth more brightly than the sun, thy memory, O all-hymned Martin, dispelleth the night of the passions and enlighteneth the faithful, who chant unto Christ: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
As an emulator of thy Lord, O father, thou didst save the harlot who had recourse unto thee with faith, and didst present her to Christ as a pure bride who chanted with faith: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Blessing thee, the ends of the world give utterance to thy praises, O all-hymned Martin, and celebrate thy memorial, chanting with faith unto Christ Who hath made thee wondrous: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O thou who art full of grace divine, thou art a new heaven more spacious than the one on high, for thou didst contain the Creator of heaven and earth. Entreat Him, that we who honour thee may be vouchsafed the good things of heaven.
Ode VIII, Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things soever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Of old, Christ transformed water into wine by His divine power; and by His energy, O wise Martin, thou didst transform a living dove into one of gold. O awesome wonder!
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Beholding a dead ass restored to life by thy supplications, O glorious one, he who did not trust in the resurrection believed on God Who is risen from the dead, and he now liveth unto the ages.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O father, by thy supplications free from all want and difficulty, temptations and perils, those who piously chant in memory of thee: We exalt Thee supremely, O Christ, forever!
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Dry up the raging flood of my passions, O Virgin, Mistress, and rain down upon me streams of tears, freeing me from the punishment of everlasting fire, that I may glorify thee forever.
Ode IX, Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Arraying thyself in the might and power of Christ, thou didst repel the impotent strength of the enemy, O glorious Martin, and art therefore called a most mighty defender of the faithful, freeing them from tribulations, perils, temptations and difficulties.
Hierarch of Christ, Martin, pray to God for us.
Adorning the temple of heaven like a sacred and divine treasure, O holy hierarch, thou standest before the great Light, chanting with the incorporeal beings: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O consubstantial Trinity, Thou Creator of all!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Way, the Truth and the Resurrection, the Light and Life art Thou, and the joy of the saints. Wherefore, through their intercession lead all along the narrow way, and vouchsafe unto them life and the never-waning light, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Thou art shown to be the most beautiful temple and the most pure palace of the Word, O all-pure one. And hastening to thy holy temple we praise thee with love, and cry aloud: Fulfill our entreaties which are for the good, O Mistress.
Troparion, Tone IV: The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and a teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou hast acquired exalted things through humility and riches through poverty. O father Martin, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.
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