St John of Shanghai

AKATHIST TO OUR HOLY HIERARCH JOHN
Tone 8
Kontakion I


Chosen wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, who pourest out in the latter times inexhaustible streams of inspiration and multitude of miracles. We praise thee which love, and call out to thee:
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Ikos I

An angel in the flesh wast thou manifested in the latter times by the grace of God Who ever careth for men. Seeing the beauty of thy virtues, we thy children now cry out to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst live in virtue from earliest childhood.
Rejoice, thou who didst ever live in fear of God and do His holy will.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the grace of God in numberless virtues.
Rejoice, thou who didst mystically hear the distant prayers of those in distress.
Rejoice, thou who wast filled with love for thy fellow men and didst do all possible for their salvation.
Rejoice, thou who dost bring joy to all who pray to thee in faith and love.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.



Kontakion 2

Seeing the abundance and variety of thy virtues. O holy Hierarch, we see in thee a living source of God's wonders in our time. Thou dost refresh with thy love and miracles all who cry in faith to God: Alleluia.


Ikos 2

Being filled with love, thou wast also filled with theology. O holy Father. And in thee the knowledge of God flowed forth again in love for suffering men. Do thou teach us also know the true God in love as we call out to thee in admiration.
Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodox truth
Rejoice, precious vessel of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
Rejoice, righteous accuser of impiety and false doctrine
Rejoice, ardent doer of the commandments of God
Rejoice, severe ascetic who gavest thyself no repose
Rejoice, loving shepherd of the flock of Christ
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 3
By God's mercy thou wast manifest as a father to orphans and instructor of the young, raising them in the fear of God and preparing them for the service of God. Therefore all thy children look to thee with love and cry out with gratitude to God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 3

Dwellers in heaven should be praising thee and not we on earth, for our words are feeble beside thy deeds. Yet offering to God what we have we cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who didst protect thy children by thy constant prayer.
Rejoice, thou who didst ever guard thy flock by the sign of the Cross.
Rejoice, thou whose love knew no bounds of country or race
Rejoice, bright luminary beloved by all.
Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness.
Rejoice, giver of spiritual consolation to those in need.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 4

Bewildered by thy deeds of piety and love, we know not how to praise thee worthily, O Hierarch John. Thou didst travel to the ends of the earth to save thy people and preach the gospel to those in darkness. Thanking God for thine apostolic labors, we cry out to Him:
Alleluia.


Ikos 4
The people of many lands beheld thy life and marveled at God's mercies even in these latter times. And so we also, marveling, cry out in awe:
Rejoice, enlightener of those in the darkness of unbelief.
Rejoice, thou who didst follow thy people to the farthest East and West.
Rejoice, fountain of miracles poured out by God.
Rejoice, loving chastiser of those who have gone astray.
Rejoice, speedy comfort to those who repent of their sins.
Rejoice, support of those who go on the right path.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 5

Thou wast manifest as a vehicle of God s power to stop the destructive forces of fallen nature, O holy Hierarch, preserving thy people on the island from the deadly wind and storm by thy prayer and the sign of the Cross, So preserve us also who cry out in wonder unto God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 5

All who have trusted in thy help in desperate circumstances and adversities have found deliverance, O bold intercessor before the Throne of God. Therefore, we too do place our hope in thee to protect us in dangers by thy prayers before God as we call out to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst stop the powers of nature from doing harm to thy flock.
Rejoice, thou who providest by thy prayer for all in need.
Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry.
Rejoice, abundant wealth for those who live in poverty.
Rejoice, consolation for those in sorrow.
Rejoice, quick uplifting for those who have fallen.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 6

Thou wast manifest as a new Moses, leading his flock out of slavery, O Hierarch John. Do deliver us also from slavery to sins and the enemies of God as we cry out to God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 6

Thou didst do the impossible and persuade the authorities of this world to have pity on thy flock, O good shepherd. Do pray for us now that we may live in peace and quiet, saving our souls as we gratefully cry to thee:
Rejoice, helper of all who call upon thee in faith.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest from death and disaster.
Rejoice, thou who preservest from lies and slander.
Rejoice, preserver of the innocent from bonds.
Rejoice, thou who foilest the attacks of the unrighteous.
Rejoice, destroyer of lies and exalter of truth.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 7

O lover of the saints of East and West, thou didst restore to the Orthodox Church the saints of the West, of lands which had fallen away from the truth. Now with these saints thou dost pray for us to God as we on earth cry out to God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 7

O fervent venerator of the holy Hierarchs of Gaul, thou wast manifest in the latter times as one of them, exhorting thy flock to preserve the same Orthodox faith that they confessed, and astonishing the peoples of the West by thy holy life. Now preserve us in that same faith as we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, new Martin by thy miracles and ascetic feats.
Rejoice, new Germanus by thy confession of the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, new Hilary by thy divine theology.
Rejoice, new Gregory by thy love for God's saints.
Rejoice, new Faustus by thy gentle love and monastic fervor.
Rejoice, new Caesarius by thy firm yet loving rule of the Church of God.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter Times .


Kontakion 8


At the end of thy life, O holy Hierarch, thou wast called to the New World, to offer there thy witness of ancient Christianity and to suffer persecution for thy righteousness, thus perfecting thy soul for heaven. Now marveling at thy patience and long-suffering, we all cry out to God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 8

O laborer of Christ's vineyard who knew no rest even at the end of thy much-toiling life, help us now in our labors as we strive to be faithful to Christ, crying out in praise to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst endure to the end and so attain salvation
Rejoice, thou who wast deemed worthy to die before the icon the Mother of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst keep thy faith and courage in the midst of unjust persecution.
Rejoice, thou who didst labor to the end for thy flock and meet death sitting as a hierarch.
Rejoice, thou Who didst return through the air to be buried amidst the flock.
Rejoice, thou who workest Wonders for those who come to thy Sepulchre with faith and love.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 9
All angel-kind rejoiced at thy soul's ascent to their celestial home marveling at the wonders thou didst perform on earth through the action of the Holy Spirit, to whom we sing:
Alleluia.


Ikos 9

Orators find it impossible to describe thy life of sanctity with their many and eloquent words, O righteous John for thou didst become a living house for the power of the ineffable God. Yet, unable to fall silent at the wonder shown to our age of feeble faith, we glorify thee:
Rejoice, divine palace where from the counsel of the Good King is given.
Rejoice, small and humble abode containing the spacious beauty of angels mansions.
Rejoice, thou who didst gain a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Rejoice, infirmary wherein all manner of diseases are divinely healed.
Rejoice, closet wherein thy holy labor of prayer was hidden.
Rejoice, blessed temple of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 10

Wishing to save the world, the Saviour of all hath sent a new saint among us and through him hath called us out of the dark recesses of sin. Hearing this call to repentance, the unworthy ones in turn cry out to God:
Alleluia.


Ikos 10

Thou art a wall sheltering us from adversity, O Hierarch John, for through thy heavenly intercessions we are delivered from the attacks of demonic passions and from afflictions which beset us on earth. Before thy firm support of prayer, we cry with faith:
Rejoice, sight to the blinded.
Rejoice, strength and life to those on the bed of death.
Rejoice, God-revealed advice to those in doubt and confusion.
Rejoice, refreshing water to those perishing in the heat of sorrow .
Rejoice, Ioving father to the lonely and abandoned.
Rejoice, holy teacher of those who seek the Truth.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 11

Thy life was a hymn to the Most Holy Trinity, surpassing others in thought, word and deed, O most blessed John. For with much wisdom thou didst explain the precepts of the true Faith, reaching us to sing with faith, hope and love to the one God in Trinity:
Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We see thee as a radiant lamp of Orthodoxy amidst the darkness of ignorance, O God-chosen pastor of Christ's flock, our Father John, For even after thy repose thou dost speak the truth to the ignorant and give instruction to those who seek guidance and to all who cry to thee:
Rejoice, radiance of divine wisdom to those in ignorance.
Rejoice, rainbow of quiet joys for the meek.
Rejoice, thunder to stubborn sinners.
Rejoice, lightning of the zeal of God.
Rejoice, rain of God's dogmas.
Rejoice, shower of theological thoughts.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 12

Grace hath been poured out in the last days upon us a11. Beholding this grace come forth from a holy hierarch who once did walk among us, let us receive it with reverence and thanksgiving, crying to God:
Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing in praise to God, the heavenly choir of saints rejoiceth that He hath not forsaken the fallen and unbelieving world, but hath manifested His almighty power in thee, his meek and humble servant. O blessed John, with all the saints we greet thee and give honor to thee:
Rejoice, new star of righteousness shining in heaven s firmament.
Rejoice, new prophet who wast sent before the final unleashing of evil.
Rejoice, new Jonah warning all of the wages of sin.
Rejoice, new Baptist drawing all to a life of prayer and repentance.
Rejoice, new Paul suffering to preach the gospel in the spirit of truth,
Rejoice, new apostle whose miracles instill in us faith and awe.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 13

O holy and most wondrous Hierarch John, consolation for all the sorrowing, accept now our prayerful offering that through thy prayers to our Lord we may be spared gehenna and by thy God-pleasing intercession we may cry eternally:
Alleluia (Thrice.)

Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read again.


Ikos 1

An angel in the flesh wast thou manifested in the latter times by the grace of God Who ever careth for men. Seeing the beauty of thy virtues, we thy children now cry out to thee.
Rejoice, thou who didst live in virtue from earliest childhood.
Rejoice, thou who didst ever live in fear of God and do His holy will.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the grace of God in numberless virtues.
Rejoice, thou who didst mystically hear the distant prayers of those in distress.
Rejoice, thou who wast filled with love for thy fellow men and didst do all possible for their salvation.
Rejoice, thou who dost bring joy to all who pray to thee in faith and love.
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.


Kontakion 1
Chosen wonderworker and superb servant of Christ. who pourest out in the latter times inexhaustible streams of inspiration and a multitude of miracles. We praise thee with love, and call out to thee:
Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.

St Peter and St Paul

Akathist to Saints Peter and Paul

Kontakion I

The Lord Who said of Himself: I am the good Shepherd, said unto thee, O first-enthroned Peter: If thou lovest Me, feed My sheep.  And He Who said: I am Jesus, said of thee, O preeminent Apostle Paul:  He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the gentiles.  And likewise to all your colleagues, His apostles, He said: As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you; go ye, and teach all nations.  And ye, receiving such grace from your good Chief Shepherd, as the foremost shepherds and teachers of all the world, from all misfortunes preserve ye us on the pasture of salvation, that we may cry out to you:  Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Ikos I

Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonas! said Christ, the Son of the living God, unto thee, O right glorious Apostle Peter.  How then can we worthily call thee blessed who hast been called blessed by God Himself?  Yet drawn faithfully, by a debt of love alone, we cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, first among the apostles, foundation of the holy Church;
Rejoice, mighty pillar and ground of the Orthodox Faith!
Rejoice, ardent lover of the teaching of Christ;
Rejoice, first-seated among the council of the apostles!
Rejoice, good gate-keeper of the kingdom of heaven;
Rejoice, renowned physician for them that repent of their sins!
Rejoice, thou who spurned the vanity of the world and loved the spiritual life;
Rejoice, thou who didst forsake corruptible nets and didst fish the whole world with incorruptible ones!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye both shone forth like two great beacons;
Rejoice, O ye who like a pair of steeds were harnessed by God to His chariot of noetic light!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, beholders of God, for ye are the light of all the world;
Rejoice, for through you the Faith which saveth us hath shone forth from Christ in every place!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion II

O teacher of the gentiles, who received thy title wondrously from on high, thou didst believe when Jesus said unto thee:  Saul, why persecutest thou Me Who cannot be touched by unbelief?  Yet believe thou henceforth; for, lo! contrary audacity darkeneth thee, but I have chosen thee to be a witness to My judgments before the rulers, the nations and the children of Israel.  And thou, O Apostle Paul, called such things by God, didst cry out: Alleluia!

Ikos II

Hearing a voice from heaven, O Saul, thou wast thereafter unable to see; for thou hadst adversely persecuted the Inaccessible One and didst receive blindness of thine eyes in return for thy zeal for the law; but, guided to the font, thou didst attain unto divine baptism, where, having been immersed with faith, the sight of thy bodily and spiritual eyes was restored.  Wherefore, mindful of thy miraculous calling, we cry out to thee:

Rejoice, O apostles called by God, sent forth to preach to all the nations;
Rejoice, chosen vessel which pourest forth the sweetness of the Faith of Christ upon all men!
Rejoice, beholder of the divine Light which illumineth from on high;
Rejoice, thou who more than others wast enlightened by grace after the shadow of the Old Covenant!
Rejoice, thou who on earth didst converse with the Lord Jesus Who appeared to thee;
Rejoice, thou who with His strength didst dare to denounce them that were adamant in their unbelief!
Rejoice, thou who hast enlightened the whole world with thy divinely wise writings;
Rejoice, thou who, following Christ, didst labor more than others for the salvation of man!
Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye overshadow the holy Church as the two cherubim did the ark;
Rejoice, ye who stand before the throne of the Most High like two seraphim!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are like the heavens which proclaim the glory of God;
Rejoice, for ye are the stars which crown the Church, the Bride of Christ!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion III

Thou wast struck with horror, O holy Apostle Peter, beholding the sheet descending from on high, filled with all manner of living creatures, moreover with unclean beasts, wherein was set forth a parable of God's love for man, signifying that it is not fitting to reject them that from all the nations desire to believe in Christ Jesus.  And understanding this mystery, thou didst cry out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos III

Naught that is vile or unclean hath ever passed my lips! thou didst say, O most blessed Apostle Peter.  But divine Providence answered thee with a voice from heaven, saying:  What God hath cleansed, that do thou not revile, calling it unclean; for the Savior cameth not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance!  And we, knowing what was revealed to thee, cry out:

Rejoice, O apostle, who mercifully openest the kingdom of heaven;
Rejoice, thou who not only watchest over men, but over the affairs of all the nations!
Rejoice, thou who with thy love coverest the multitude of our sins;
Rejoice, thou who perfectest our meager repentance with thy mercy!
Rejoice, speedy helper for them that call upon thee amid spiritual tribulations;
Rejoice, thou who by thy supplication raisest up those dead of body and soul!
Rejoice, thou who strengthenest with the Holy Spirit the faithful who hearken unto thy word;
Rejoice, thou who woundest the unbelieving with thy words, as with darts!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, in that ye are as the two eyes of the Church, endued with divine sight;
Rejoice, ever-vigilant guides watching over the new Israel!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are as a guard upon the walls of Jerusalem;
Rejoice, O our instructors, who keep watch over the souls of Christians!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion IV

To the Jews living in Damascus didst thou begin to preach, O apostle Paul, enlightened of God, that they might believe in Christ Jesus the Son of God; and they were astonished at how one who before had persecuted them that believed in the name of Christ had - O, the wonder! - himself been transformed into a believer!  Wherefore, they took counsel together to slay thee; but knowing their intent and the hardness of their hearts, thou didst leave them in the blindness of their unbelief and, let down over the wall in a basket by the faithful, thou didst cry out to God:  Alleluia!

Ikos IV

With great zeal, O holy Paul, thou didst preach to turn away from the prescriptions of the old law and circumcision and to make haste to the font of divine baptism, proclaiming this not only to the Jews, but also to the gentiles whose most loving teacher thou wast.  Wherefore, we exclaim unto thee thus:

Rejoice, preacher sent by God to announce repentance unto sinners;
Rejoice, teacher of piety with thunderous voice, denouncer of ungodliness!
Rejoice, merciful inviter of them among the gentiles that are astray, yet hasten to the Faith of Christ;
Rejoice, true guide to the straight path!
Rejoice, ship which keepest the faithful from drowning in sin;
Rejoice, helmsman who guidest us to the haven of the pleasing of God!
Rejoice, quickly interceding comforter of the sorrowful;
Rejoice, healer who acceptest no recompense for curing ailments of body and soul!
Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like two wings furnished unto the Church by Christ, the great Eagle;
Rejoice, for ye are like two wings given to her, the dove, by the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who are whole as doves and through hope have been furnished with wings like eagles;
Rejoice, for where Christ was in the body, there were ye gathered together!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion V

Sweating from thine earthly labors and providing for thyself by fishing, O holy Apostle Peter, thou wast called to be an apostle and didst believe in Christ Who nurtureth abundantly, Who fed a thousand people with five loaves; and thou didst follow Him, laboring for food which perisheth not, but abideth unto everlasting life; and thou didst cry out to Him as God:  Alleluia!

Ikos V

Forbidden by the chief priests and elders of the Jews to teach the name of the Lord Jesus, O blessed Apostle Peter, arming thyself with steadfast faith, thou didst answer:  We ought to obey God rather than man!  And having endured imprisonment and stripes for this, thou didst depart from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of the Lord.  Wherefore, we also offer to thee exclamations of joy, saying:

Rejoice, thou who didst put the council of the Jews to shame by the writings of the prophets concerning Christ;
Rejoice, thou who didst rend asunder the false threats of the Pharisees and Sadducees like a spider's web!
Rejoice, thou who didst work many miracles through the grace of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, thou who grantest sight to the blind and the ability to walk to the lame!
Rejoice, thou who by thy shadow didst raise the sick from their beds of pain;
Rejoice, thou who didst heal them that suffered from many unclean spirits!
Rejoice, thou who summonest fishermen to a wondrous catch;
Rejoice, thou who drawest the unbelieving to faith as if they were voiceless fish!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like two breasts of the Church, the Bride of Christ, our Mother;
Rejoice, for ye are like two grapes of the voice, which nourish us and make us glad!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are branches of Christ, the true Vine;
Rejoice, for ye are good husbandmen of the vineyard of Christ!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion VI

An Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee according to the law, a persecutor of the Church of God in thy zeal, didst thou call thyself, O holy Apostle Paul, not hiding thy former hot temper against them that believed in Christ Jesus; but as thou didst greatly persecute the Church of God and didst strive to destroy it, so now, gloriously adorned by thee, and made steadfast in might by thy mellifluous teachings, it crieth unto God:  Alleluia!

Ikos VI

Who shall separate us from the love of God?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or like things? thou didst say, O Apostle Paul, preacher of the Word beloved of God, bringing all to the love of Christ Who sincerely believe in Him, that with boldness and thanksgiving we may endure tribulation for God's sake.  Wherefore, we lovingly exclaim to thee these things:

Rejoice, thou who wast a zealot for the law named Saul;
Rejoice, lover of Christ, named Paul, perfected in grace!
Rejoice, light of divine knowledge, illumining them that are in the darkness of unbelief;
Rejoice, star guiding them that languish in the depths of iniquity!
Rejoice, thou who betrothest the souls of the faithful to Christ and summonest them to the heavenly bridal chamber;
Rejoice, thou who didst endure many tribulations and hast made others also steadfast to endure them!
Rejoice, thou into whose hands God placed mighty powers;
Rejoice, thou whose sweat-soaked kerchief healed the sick!
Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like the two pillars which uphold the Church of the heavenly Solomon;
Rejoice, ye who, like two lilies on its pillars, adorn the sanctuary of God!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for like flowers do ye impart fragrance to all the world;
Rejoice, ye who through your fragrance dispel the stench of all iniquity!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion VII

On thine arrival in Lydda, O blessed Apostle Peter, thou didst amaze the people living there when by the name of Jesus Christ thou didst raise up Æneas, who had lain abed, sick of the palsy, for eight years, and didst cause him to walk; in Joppa thou didst likewise, by thy supplication, return to life the dead Tabitha; and, summoned to Caesaria, thou didst enlighten with divine baptism Cornelius the centurion with all in his household.  Wherefore, we all straightway cry aloud to God in unity of soul:  Alleluia!

Ikos VII

Simon Magus thought to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit with silver; but thou, O blessed Apostle Peter, didst condemn him to inherit damnation with his silver and didst sternly forbid both the avaricious practice of simony and the theft of sacred things.  Wherefore, we exclaim unto thee thus:

Rejoice, thou who enriched the Church of Christ with the grace of the Spirit;
Rejoice, thou who didst forbid the reception of recompense for holy things in the Church!
Rejoice, thou by whom avarice was cut off, as the root of all evils, through the grace of the Spirit;
Rejoice, thou by whom covetousness is cast away by sanctity as a type of idolatry!
Rejoice, thou who didst lead a hard life for the sake of Christ;
Rejoice, thou who didst fulfill well the commandment of Christ:  ye cannot serve God and Mammon!
Rejoice, thou who didst sternly punish the sacrilege of Ananias with death;
Rejoice, thou who didst likewise commit Sapphira, who was guilty of that sin, to the same punishment!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like two olive trees which pour forth mercy;
Rejoice, for ye are like two lamps radiating wisdom!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, as tender olive shoots;
Rejoice, for because of you is all like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion VIII

Having attained unto the third heaven because of thy sanctity of body and soul and been enriched with ineffable benefactions, thou didst descend from thence, O divinely blessed Apostle Paul, and didst
astonish all, filling those of the Jews and of the gentiles who believed in Christ with thy teachings of the knowledge of God.  And together with them, all we, the faithful, who have a share of thine heavenly teaching, cry out to God:  Alleluia!

Ikos VIII

A model for the faithful, thou didst joyfully endure many stripes, beatings and stonings of thy body for the sake of sweet Jesus, O Apostle Paul, called by God, manifestly indicating that it is the part of them that believe in Christ Jesus to undergo all manner of tribulations thankfully, for His sake.  Wherefore, we also cry out to thee, using such exclamations as these:

Rejoice, thou who didst joyfully bear the wounds of the Lord on thy body;
Rejoice, adamant firm of body and soul, who mightily endured all manner of tribulation!
Rejoice, insuperable confessor of Christ before the nations and their rulers;
Rejoice, teacher invincible in the face of the Israelite teachers of the law!
Rejoice, luminous star which shone forth from the third heaven;
Rejoice, greatly fruitful branch which buddest forth from paradise, full of spiritual food!
Rejoice, thou who by thy teaching hast illumined all the earth as with an unwaning light;
Rejoice, thou who hast fed the faithful throughout the world with the produce of thy works as with most comely fruits!
Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are as two trees in the midst of the garden of the Church;
Rejoice, ye who put forth the fruit of life and good understanding!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who are like noetic palm trees and cedars;
Rejoice, ye who have been transplanted to heaven as the garden of the heavenly Father!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion IX

Thou wast possessed of an all-embracing concern for all who came to the Faith of Christ, O blessed Apostle Peter, that their heart and soul become one.  Wherefore, thou didst appoint for their needs a minister, the chaste Stephen, and six other deacons; and thou thyself, together with the rest of the apostles, didst dedicate thyself to prayer and the preaching of the Word, instructing all the faithful, who cried out with oneness of mind to God:  Alleluia!

Ikos IX

Aflame with zeal for thy Lord, thou didst cut off the ear of Malchus, for he seemed to thee as one disinclined to heed the writings of the prophets concerning Jesus Christ. But, reproved for such audacity by thy Teacher, O blessed Apostle Peter, thou didst thankfully bear His reproach and all its contrary results.  Wherefore, mindful of thy zeal, we cry aloud to thee thus:

Rejoice, thou who didst surpass the rest of the disciples in thy zeal for Christ;
Rejoice, manful sword-bearer of Christ in the garden!
Rejoice, thou who didst follow Christ, Who was being led to His suffering, even to the house of Caiaphas;
Rejoice, thou who wast prepared for prison and death for the sake of thy Lord!
Rejoice, thou who with bitter lamentation didst heal thy weakness in denying thy Master;
Rejoice, thou who after the Lord's resurrection wast summoned to thy former dignity!
Rejoice, thou who hast provided a model of repentance for the rest of us sinners;
Rejoice, thou who didst vow to forgive the weakness of the penitent many times over!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like the tables of the law of the Lord;
Rejoice, teachers of love for God and neighbor!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who perfectly kept all the commandments of the Lord;
Rejoice, ye who left all and followed after Christ, and found all in Him!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion X

Great testimony didst thou produce from the sayings of the prophets concerning Christ in the face of the leaders of the Jews, and before the Procurator Festus and King Agrippa, O Apostle Paul, who wast called of God, and all were utterly set at naught; for many of the Jews quoted books to thee in their frenzy, and thou wast answered by both Festus and Agrippa falsely, and wast condemned to be sent to Rome.  But, enduring everything with thanksgiving, thou didst cry out with the faithful to God:  Alleluia!

Ikos X

O Apostle Paul, who wast led to proclaim the life-creating Trinity in the third heaven, most elect vessel of the great mysteries of God:  declaring the good news before the gentiles, the judges and rulers, thou didst promise salvation unto them that desire to believe in Christ Jesus and receive holy baptism in the name of the Trinity.  Wherefore, all we the faithful, being of good hope concerning that salvation, cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, mystagogue of great understanding of the revelation of the Lord;
Rejoice, confessor of the one God in three Persons!
Rejoice, thou who didst proclaim Christ to be the one Foundation of the faithful;
Rejoice, thou who hast made all the pious steadfast in that confession!
Rejoice, thou who didst endure raging reproaches from the unbelieving Festus;
Rejoice, thou who didst utter words of truth and chastity in his presence!
Rejoice, thou who didst most clearly recount thine heavenly vision to King Agrippa;
Rejoice, thou who didst manifestly denounce his error which is not consonant with the Faith of Christ!
Rejoice, O Paul, with Peter, for ye are like two silver trumpets of Moses;
Rejoice, ye who call those of earth and beneath the earth to battle against evil!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who have suffered cruelly as valiant warriors of Christ;
Rejoice, ye who have vanquished the kingdoms of the earth by faith and have received heavenly things!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion XI

Having slain Iakovos, the brother of John, Herod went on to seize thee as well, O divinely blessed Apostle Peter; and he placed thee under heavy guard in prison to await execution.  Yet while fervent prayer was being offered up by the Church for thy deliverance, the angel of the Lord loosed thy bonds and led thee through the gates, which opened of themselves, and thou didst think that thou wast beholding a dream.  But when the angel departed, thou didst come to thy senses and didst truly realize that thou hadst been freed; and thou didst cry out to God in thanksgiving:  Alleluia!

Ikos XI

That which had been asked by Philip:  Lord, show us the Father! didst thou come to know, O blessed Apostle Peter, on Mount Tabor, whereon, beholding the all-glorious transformation of the countenance of the transfigured Lord, thou didst hear the voice of God the Father say of Him from heaven:  This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him!  And we cry out to thee who wast counted worthy of such a revelation:

Rejoice, reliable witness of the transfiguration of Christ;
Rejoice, renowned one who heard the divine voice of the Father from heaven!
Rejoice, thou who didst behold the countenance of the Son of God illumined like the sun;
Rejoice, thou who didst most splendidly receive the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit in the cloud!
Rejoice, thou to whom the most exalted mystery was disclosed upon the mountain;
Rejoice, thou to whom the majestic glory of the all-holy Trinity was made manifest!
Rejoice, thou who heardest that the departure of Christ was to take place in Jerusalem;
Rejoice, thou who, following Christ, didst accomplish thy departure on a cross in Rome!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are two noetic mountains like Tabor and Hermon;
Rejoice, ye who from the east and the west revealed the promised land in heaven!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, like the mountains of Sion;
Rejoice, ye who let the sweetness of salvation fall upon us!
Rejoice, ye holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion XII

We hymn thee who standest on equal footing with the cherubim, O most blessed Apostle Paul, who wast enlightened by divine wisdom in the third heaven; for, hearing ineffable words there which it is not lawful for a man to utter, thou didst travel the whole world therewith, teaching all to believe in the crucified Christ, the Son of God, and to chant unceasingly unto Him as the true God:  Alleluia!

Ikos XII

Full of the great revelation of divine mysteries, O chosen vessel of Jesus, all-wise Apostle Paul, thou didst diligently bear forth the name of God Who hath appeared in the flesh and saveth them that believe in Him; and having converted many of the gentiles and fought the good fight, in the city of Rome thou didst finish thy course most gloriously for the name of thy Lord, and didst then receive therein a crown of righteousness.  Wherefore, we cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, great lover of the name of Jesus, who suffered greatly for Him;
Rejoice, thou who bore witness before those of heaven, of earth and beneath the earth, concerning His name!
Rejoice, for thou didst bear witness well concerning the Lord in Jerusalem;
Rejoice, thou who thus wast commanded by Him to bear witness also in Rome!
Rejoice, thou who denounced the Emperor Nero and converted his consort to the Christian Faith;
Rejoice, thou who in the same Rome didst bow thine head beneath the sword, executed with Peter, who was crucified head downward!
Rejoice, for at the severing of thine honored head milk flowed forth;
Rejoice, for this great wonder drew many soldiers to the Faith!
Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like two rivers of living water gushing forth from the wellspring of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, ye who were shown forth by the confluence of the two rivers named Jor and Dan!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, like torrents of rivers which gladden the city of the Church of God;
Rejoice, for ye are like streams of sweetness which give all the faithful to drink from the cup of salvation!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion XIII

O most glorious and laudable disciples of Christ, Peter and Paul, first-enthroned and equally enthroned holy Apostles, who have enlightened all the universe with the holy Faith and will come with Christ to judge the whole world!  Your proper dignity is not on earth, but is the glory and praise rendered in heaven.  Accepting now our unworthy entreaty, by your worthy supplications preserve us from all misfortunes, and beseech Christ, the just Judge, to be merciful to us at the last judgment, that, saved by your mediation, we may chant unto God our Savior:  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!(Thrice).

(Kontakion 13 is chanted thrice in its entirety;
whereupon Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated as below;
then follows the Prayers to Ss. Peter and Paul.)

Ikos I

Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonas! said Christ, the Son of the living God, unto thee, O right glorious Apostle Peter.  How then can we worthily call thee blessed who hast been called blessed by God Himself? Yet drawn faithfully, by a debt of love alone, we cry out to thee thus:

Rejoice, first among the apostles, foundation of the holy Church;
Rejoice, mighty pillar and ground of the Orthodox Faith!
Rejoice, ardent lover of the teaching of Christ;
Rejoice, first-seated among the council of the apostles!
Rejoice, good gate-keeper of the kingdom of heaven;
Rejoice, renowned physician for them that repent of their sins!
Rejoice, thou who spurned the vanity of the world and loved the spiritual life;
Rejoice, thou who didst forsake corruptible nets and didst fish the whole world with incorruptible ones!
Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye both shone forth like two great beacons;
Rejoice, O ye who like a pair of steeds were harnessed by God to His chariot of noetic light!
Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, beholders of God, for ye are the light of all the world;
Rejoice, for through you the Faith which saveth us hath shone forth from Christ in every place!
Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

Kontakion I

The Lord Who said of Himself:  I am the good Shepherd, said unto thee, O first-enthroned Peter:  If thou lovest Me, feed My sheep.  And He Who said:  I am Jesus, said of thee, O preeminent Apostle Paul:  He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the gentiles.  And likewise to all your colleagues, His apostles, He said: As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you; go ye, and teach all nations.  And ye, receiving such grace from your good Chief Shepherd, as the foremost shepherds and teachers of all the world, from all misfortunes preserve ye us on the pasture of salvation, that we may cry out to you:  Rejoice, O holy first enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!

PRAYERS TO THE HOLY PRE-EMINENT APOSTLES PETER & PAUL

I

O most glorious Apostles Peter and Paul, who laid down your lives for Christ and beautified His pasture with your blood! Hearken unto the prayers and sighs of your children which are now offered up with contrite heart.  For, lo! we have darkened ourselves with iniquities, and for this cause have we been covered with misfortunes as with showers; and we have become exceeding poor in the oil of a good life, and we cannot fend off the ravening wolves which boldly strive to lay hands on the inheritance of God.  O ye mighty ones! bear ye our infirmities and separate yourselves not from us in spirit, that we not depart utterly from the love of God; but with your mighty assistance defend us, that the Lord have mercy on us all for the sake of your prayers, that He rend asunder the handwriting of our countless sins, and that He vouchsafe us with all the saints the blessed kingdom and the wedding feast of His Lamb, to Whom be honor and glory, thanksgiving and worship, unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

II

O holy Peter, chief of the apostles, rock of faith fixed firmly upon Christ, the chief Cornerstone, through thy confession!  Pray thou that, unmoved by the imaginations of my mind and carnal lusts, I, too, may through faith be fixed firmly upon this same Christ, the Rock living, chosen and precious; that through love I may be made perfect as a temple of the Spirit, wherein I may offer up spiritual sacrifices unto Jesus Christ our God.  O holy Paul, chief of the apostles, chosen vessel of Christ, overflowing with grace and the glory of God!  Entreat thou the Creator, Who hath authority over creation, that He make of me, who am now a vessel of perdition, a vessel of honor for Himself, sanctified and fitting, ready for every good work, unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

III

O ye foremost of the apostles:  Peter, steadfast exponent of the Faith of Christ, and Paul, melodious swallow of the teaching of the Lord!  We perceive you to be a much-flowing river recounting the words of Christ, gushing forth from the breast of the Lord, disclosing to us the depths of the well of divinely revealed truths.  We see you to be lamps which make things clear for us with streams of the fervor of divine love from heaven.  We bless you, for ye endured tribulation and pain to sow the seed of divine teaching, and with your footsteps went round all the ends of the earth.  With compunction we entreat you, O holy Apostles: cause us, in our sinful foolishness, to fall prostrate before the Lord, our Teacher; cause ye that the head of our pride be cut off, and haste ye to raise us up by your unceasing supplications, that there, with the choir of the angels and the apostles, we may glorify the Father of all, Who is wondrous in His saints, Who sent our Lord Jesus Christ into the world, and the Holy Spirit, Who is one in essence with Them, unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

IV

O holy Peter, chief of the apostles, rock of faith steadfast in thy confession, foundation of the Church immovable in Christ, pastor of the rational flock of Christ, keeper of the keys to the kingdom of heaven, fisherman most wise who from the depths of unbelief dost draw forth men!  Thee do I humbly entreat, that the net of thy divine draught encompass me and draw me forth from the abyss of perdition.  I know that thou hast received from God the authority to loose and to bind; release me who am bound fast with bonds of sin, show forth thy mercy on me, wretch that I am, and give life to my soul which hath been slain by sins, as before thou didst raise up Tabitha from the dead; restore me to the good path, as before thou didst restore the lame man at the Beautiful Gates, who had been lame from his mother's womb; and as thou didst heal all the infirm by thy shadow, may the grace given thee by God overshadow me, healing my ailments of body and soul.  For thou canst do all things, O holy one, through the power of Christ, for Whose sake thou didst forsake all to follow in His steps.  Wherefore, pray thou to Him in my behalf, wretch that I am, that by thy supplications He may deliver me from all evil and teach me with a pure heart to send up glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

V

O holy Paul, eminent among the apostles, chosen vessel of Christ, recounter of heavenly mysteries, teacher of all the nations, clarion of the Church, renowned orator, who didst endure many misfortunes for the name of Christ, who didst traverse the sea and didst go about the land, and didst convert us from the deception of idolatry!  Thee do I entreat and to thee do I cry: disdain me not, defiled as I am, but raise me up who have fallen through sinful sloth, as in Lystra thou didst raise up the man who had been lame from his mother's womb; and as thou didst give life unto Euthyches who lay dead, so also raise me up from my dead works; and as at thine entreaty the foundation of the prison once quaked and thou didst loose the bonds of the prisoners, so draw me out of the snare of the enemy, and strengthen me to do the will of God.  For thou canst do all things by the authority given thee by God, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, with His unoriginate Father and His allholy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

St Ignatius Brianchaninov

AKATHIST
to
Holy Hierarch Ignaty Brianchaninov

Kontakion 1

Having been chosen by the Heavenly King and glorified by Him, O holy hierarch, Father Ignaty, now celebrating thine all-honorable memory, we zealously pray to thee: guide us on the path of salvation; from enemies visible and invisible, from sorrows and sickness, rescue us who lovingly call to thee:

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Ikos 1

Archangels and Angels marvel at thy life, O holy hierarch Ignaty, how from a young age thou didst have great zeal for God, and how thou didst conduct thy life according to His commandments without wavering. Startled by thy prudence, with compunction we call out to thee:

Rejoice, having comforted thy sorrowful childless parents with thine own birth.

Rejoice, fine branch of an honorable family.

Rejoice, unceasing joy of thy guardian Angel.

Rejoice, having surprised thy parents and teachers by thy meekness and submissiveness.

Rejoice, having prepared thyself for monastic obedience from childhood.

Rejoice, having compelled thy youthful soul toward God.

Rejoice, having spent thine adolescence in prayer and Godly contemplation.

Rejoice, having been an example of prayer and obedience for thy younger brothers and sisters.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 2

Thy parents, observing thy great gifts, directed thee to the royal city to be trained for the future acceptance of a military commission. And thou, O chosen one of God, being young in years, yet old in understanding, whilst honoring all of these corruptible and transitory things, didst strive with heart and mind toward the Single Beauty and Indescribable Sweetness- the Lord Jesus Christ, singing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Thou didst receive divine reason from thy beloved Savior Christ, O marvelous Ignaty, when, being yet a child, thou didst comprehend the hand of the Heavenly Creator and Fashioner in all the visible forms of this world. Wherefore, glorifying thee, we extol thee thus:

Rejoice, having contemplated the Invisible God in the visible appearances of nature.

Rejoice, having loved the quiet and solitude of the forest.

Rejoice, having had great zeal for God from thy childhood years.

Rejoice, having scorned everything beautiful and sweet of this world.

Rejoice, having received a heavenly reward from the Master.

Rejoice, having retained the Jesus prayer unceasingly on thy lips and in thy mind.

Rejoice, having shown perfect love for the Lord.

Rejoice, having borne thy beloved Jesus constantly within thy heart.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 3

Thou wast overshadowed by the power of the Highest, O most blessed father, when thou didst reject all that is considered good in this world, and according to the commandments of Christ the Savior, didst take up the cross, and follow Him without turning back, unceasingly singing in thy heart: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Having had in thy soul the ardent desire to renounce the world and follow Christ, thou didst fear neither the anger of the Tsar, nor the interdictions of thine elders, and while still living in the world, thou didst adorn thyself with the monastic life. Wherefore, honoring thy manhood and love for the Sweetest Lord Jesus, we bless thee thus:

Rejoice, having shown adamantine hardness of soul in thy youth.

Rejoice, having desired the great treasure of weekly communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Rejoice, having now joined Christ in the heavens, for whom thou didst yearn while still on earth.

Rejoice, having irrigated the Godly seed, strewn on the good earth of thy heart, with thine abundant tears.

Rejoice, for although in the midst of worldly tares, thou didst bring forth the hundredfold fruit of virtues for the Lord.

Rejoice, zealous keeper of purity of soul and body.

Rejoice, wonderful adornment of chastity.

Rejoice, for thy handsome countenance bore witness to the beauty of thy soul.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 4

The storm of doubting thoughts did not sway thee, O blessed Ignaty, when, not being afraid of the anger of the Tsar, thou didst refuse a military commission, and taking upon thyself the yoke of Christ and scorning the world with its temptations, thou didst settle in the desert, and there, having acquired the desired peace of thy soul, thou didst sing aloud to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

When it was announced in thy homeland, all thy relatives were surprised, that thou, a youth adorned with beauty and gifts, didst withdraw to the desert, having despised the glory of this world and its sweetness. And an Angel in the heavens rejoiced exceedingly and glorified God, having snatched thee from the vain path of the world and having set thee on the narrow path of monastic life, leading to the Heavenly Kingdom. We, too, praising thy holy zeal for God, call to thee:

Rejoice, having preferred the calling of a soldier of the Heavenly King to that of an earthly king.

Rejoice, having fiercely taken up arms against temptations approaching from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Rejoice, having defeated all the machinations of the enemy with the weapon of God, the Cross of Christ.

Rejoice, having been vested with the armor of righteousness.

Rejoice, having donned the helmet of salvation.

Rejoice, having loved the spiritual sword, the word of God, more than any weaponry of mankind.

Rejoice, having guarded thyself from the arrows of the evil one with the shield of faith.

Rejoice, having received the angelic rank of ineffable blessedness in the heavens.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 5

Thou wast like unto a star, moved by the providence of God, O most reverend Ignaty, when thou didst present thyself to the abbot of a poor and remote monastery, requesting to be received into the ranks of the brethren. And the Abbot, having examined thee, saying nothing in opposition, blessed thee at the outset of thy monastic path. And thou, having attained the realization of thy life-long hopes, and having given thanks, in compunction didst glorify God thy Benefactor: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

All the brothers of the monastery were surprised, witnessing thy great zeal in the fulfillment of obedience, by which thy spiritual father tested thy humility. And, we, honoring thy podvigs and labors, which thou didst take up in thy youth voluntarily for Christ’s sake, cry to thee with compunction:

Rejoice, having lifted thy cross upon thy shoulders and having followed Christ.

Rejoice, having voluntarily selected the narrow and sorrowful path of monastic life.

Rejoice, having never turned back.

Rejoice, having overcome the spirit of pride with thy humility.

Rejoice, not having buried thy talent in the earth.

Rejoice, having used it for the glory of God and for the salvation of the souls of men.

Rejoice, having revived many souls, soiled in sins, with thy divinely wise writings.

Rejoice, having heard the sweet voice of the Heavenly Husbandman: "Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord".

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 6

By humility, fasting, and, most of all, unceasing prayer, thou didst fiercely take up arms against the fleshly passions, O holy hierarch, until thou didst subjugate the flesh to thy spirit, wherefore thou dost now appear with the choirs of Angels before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, continually praising God: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

The Grace of God within thee shone abundantly, when, having accepted the angelic rank, thou wast soon honored with the dignity of the priesthood. And thy spirit, having been accepted into the embrace of the Father that was opened to thee, tasted unutterable blessings. And when the Lord selected thee to be the abbot of the monastery of Pelshemsk, day and night thou didst weep over thy spiritual sheep, entrusted to thee by God, so that not a single one of them would perish for the sake of thy negligence. Rejoicing over this Divine providence, we call to thee:

Rejoice, having beheld the consummation of thy hopes in the acceptance of the angelic rank.

Rejoice, having imitated Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, thy heavenly protector.

Rejoice, having borne the Lord Jesus Christ in thy heart constantly, as he did.

Rejoice, having received the dignity of the priesthood as a great gift of God.

Rejoice, having been the namesake of fire, and having enflamed others with the fire of faith and love toward God and neighbor.

Rejoice, having offered the Bloodless Sacrifice with great reverence and fear.

Rejoice, having reverently honored the Most Undefiled Mother of Christ our God as the Most Pure, Holy Dwelling-Place and Treasury of God’s Glory.

Rejoice, having raised the well-adorned temple named for her, the Merciful Gatekeeper, in the habitation.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 7

The Lord Who loves mankind, not wanting to cover a holy lamp of thy virtues, but rather to illumine all, that all men should glorify the Heavenly Father, seeing thee, led thee out from the desert dwelling for laborious obedience. Marveling at this providence by God, with compunction we call out: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

The Lord gave thee to the new monastery of the venerable Sergius near the royal city, as the superior and good shepherd, tirelessly caring for thy spiritual flock and being an ardent advocate for the beauty of the habitation. Wherefore thy brotherhood glorifies thee, calling out:

Rejoice having imitated the Heavenly Protector of thy habitation, the venerable Sergius, abbot of Radonezh.

Rejoice, having beautified it with marvelous churches and buildings.

Rejoice, having led thy children as a loving father along the path of salvation to the Heavenly Kingdom.

Rejoice, having accepted those thirsting to start the monastic path into the habitation with love.

Rejoice, having led guilty monks to tearful repentance with thine admonitions.

Rejoice, having given to all brothers an example of monastic podvigs by thy disposition and life as a good pastor.

Rejoice, having been prepared to sacrifice thine own soul for their salvation.

Rejoice, glory and praise of monastics.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 8

Thou wast a newcomer and wanderer on earth, O holy hierarch, as other men. However, from thy youth, the Lord chose thee, as His God-pleaser; for with thy life and God-inspired writings thou didst serve the Lord diligently. And we send up praise to God thy Benefactor, crying out to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Having perfected all of the virtues, thou wast truly an angel in the flesh, O holy hierarch Ignaty, receiving with love all who fled to thee, consoling their sorrows, directing them to the path of repentance, and teaching them constant prayer and heartfelt tears. Wherefore both the rich and poor, the noble and common people, thy spiritual offspring, call to thee:

Rejoice, O new Chrysostom, having led many lost souls on the path of repentance to God with thy many fiery words.

Rejoice, having enlightened the souls and hearts of all those who honor thee, with thy writings.

Rejoice, having directed to pray for one’s enemies.

Rejoice, having prayed for thine own enemies with warm love.

Rejoice, having taught us to recognize the scourge of God toward our correction in those who attack.

Rejoice, having presented the tears of Ezekiel and purification of Manasseh to the spiritual eyes of the repentant.

Rejoice, having depicted the podvigs and labors of the ancient ascetics in thy divinely wise works.

Rejoice, having imitated them in thy life completely.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 9

The entire angelic army and choir of holy hierarchs marveled, beholding thee, the new God-pleaser, beaming with great labors and podvigs. And we, blessing thee, cry out to God who glorified thee: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Thou didst depart unto a new laborious obedience at a remote region of our fatherland, O holy hierarch Ignaty, when the archiepiscopal staff from the Pre-eternal Archbishop, our Lord Jesus Christ, was entrusted to thee by the Archpastor of the royal city in the Kazan cathedral of the Heavenly Queen. Understanding in this the will of God- that the Gospel of His Kingdom should be preached in a foreign country, we humbly call to thee:

Rejoice, having received the grace of God abundantly in ordination.

Rejoice, having fulfilled the Apostolic teachings and having given all of the faithful to drink of its saving streams.

Rejoice, faithful laborer in the vineyard of Christ.

Rejoice, spiritual lute, perfected by the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, divinely inspired adornment of hierarchs.

Rejoice, for thy beloved Lord spoke by thy mouth.

Rejoice, for although having left thy spiritual flock in the monastery of venerable Sergius, thou didst not forget any in thy prayers.

Rejoice, merciful intercessor for all of the faithful and unfaithful who call on thee for help.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 10

Overburdened by the bodily infirmities and podvigs of life, thou didst retire to the monastery of holy Nicholas on the river Volga, O holy hierarch Ignaty, desiring to prepare thy soul for departure from this world, where finishing thy days in unceasing prayer and divine contemplation, thou didst sing aloud to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Thou wast a quick helper and comforter, O holy hierarch Iganty, not only for those who came to thee, but also for those living far away, comforting them with thy letters, cheering and enlightening their souls. Wherefore, all those who honor thy divinely wise works proclaim to thee:

Rejoice, our good shepherd.

Rejoice, having never turned away those who came to thee.

Rejoice, having embraced those requesting thy help, near and far, with thy love.

Rejoice, having reverently admitted those who honor thy writings into intimate unity with thy soul.

Rejoice, having taught thy spiritual offspring Christian patience.

Rejoice, having directed us to look for God’s Providence in our sufferings.

Rejoice, having taught thy children to give way to Providence completely.

Rejoice, having preached that we should request of God, the perfection of His will in us, as great mercy.

Rejoice, O Holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 11

Thou didst offer the all-compunctionate song to the Most Holy Trinity each day of thine earthly life, O all-praised Ignaty. And now standing before the Throne of the King of Glory, pray for us, who honor thy holy memory, that purified by prayers and repentance, together with thee, we may praise God unto the ages of ages: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

In thy life, thou wast a great luminary of the Holy Orthodox Church, O holy hierarch Ignaty, wherefore the Lord, the Ruler of All, gave thee a blessed end and glorified thee in the Heavens. We beseech thee, O merciful holy hierarch, to request, on behalf of us sinners, too, who pray for thy help and intercession, a peaceful and painless end to our lives, a good answer at the Terrible Judgment of Christ and the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom, that we might joyfully call to thee:

Rejoice, having marked the righteousness of thy life with a righteous end.

Rejoice, having foreseen thine imminent departure.

Rejoice, having met the Heavenly Bridegroom with the lamp of thy soul burning.

Rejoice, having beheld the resurrection of the Savior with the myrrh-bearing women at thine end.

Rejoice, having withdrawn none of thine intercession for those who honor thy repose.

Rejoice, having covered all those who zealously pray to thee with thy grace and care.

Rejoice, having taught thy children to hold firm to the one true holy Orthodox faith.

Rejoice, having stricktly forbidden to accept any heretical delusion or attend crafty persuasion.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 12

Grace was given to thee from God, O holy hierarch of Christ Ignaty, to pray for us and guide us on the path of salvation, that purified by repentance, we might be admitted to the most well-adorned bridal chamber of the Savior, and there, with thee and with all those sanctified by God, joyfully praise Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Chanting hymns unto God, Who is wondrous in His saints, we praise thee, O blessed Ignaty, as a friend of Christ, having acquired the heavenly blessedness by the unwavering working of the Lord’s commandments. Pray for us sinners, that we may be fellow partakers of the Lord’s banquet, who compunctionately call to thee:

Rejoice, having acquired the Heavenly Kingdom with thy deep humility, with poverty of spirit.

Rejoice, having preached that we should lay this virtue as the foundation of all monastic podvigs.

Rejoice, having been consoled by the Lord Himself in crying over thy sins.

Rejoice, having received the inheritance of eternal life for thy meekness of soul.

Rejoice, having searched not for perishable food on earth, but rather the truth of Christ, which now completely fills thee in the heavens.

Rejoice, having been pardoned by God the Giver of Mercy, for thy mercy toward thy neighbors.

Rejoice, having beheld God by thine angelic purity of heart.

Rejoice, having forgiven thy slanderers for the Lord’s sake, and as a peacemaker, having been awarded the great treasure of adoption by God.

Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!

Kontakion 13

O wonderful saint of Christ, O holy hierarch Father Ignaty! Accept this service which, although small, is nonetheless, brought to thee from the hearts of those who love and honor thee, and deliver us by thine all-powerful intercession from every grievance, illness and sorrow; warm our souls which have been cooled, with the fire of faith and love towards God; grant us repentance before the end; be a guide for us to the Heavenly Kingdom, that there with thee and all those who have pleased God, we may sing to Him unto the ages of ages: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Repeat this Kontakion three times (thrice) and then, repeat the 1st Ikos and 1st Kontakion.

Prayer to Holy Hierarch Ignaty

O great and wonderful saint of Christ, O holy hierarch Father Ignaty! Mercifully accept our prayers brought to thee with love and thanksgiving! Hear us orphaned and helpless ones, who bow down before thee with faith and love and request thy warm intercession for us before the Throne of the God of Glory. We know, that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, to win the Master’s favor. Thou didst have an ardent love for the Lord from thy youth and having desired to serve Him alone, thou didst consider all the beautiful things of this world as nothing. Denying thyself and having taken up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ. Thou didst voluntarily take upon thyself the narrow and most-sorrowful path of monastic life, and on this path thou didst acquire great virtues. With thy writings thou hast filled the hearts of men with deep reverence and submissiveness before the Almighty Creator, and fallen sinners with thy wise counsels in consciousness of thy nothingness and sinfulness, and taught them to flee unto God in repentance and humility, while reassuring them with hope in His mercy. Thou didst never turn away those who came to thee, but thou wast a kind and loving father and pastor to all. And now, do not abandon us, who earnestly pray to thee and entreat thy help and intercession. Obtain for us, from our Lord Who loveth mankind, spiritual and physical health, establish our faith, strengthen our power, utterly exhausted in the temptations and grievances of this age; warm with the fire of prayer our hearts which have been cooled, help us, who are being cleansed by repentance, to receive a Christian end to this life and to enter the most well-adorned bridal chamber of the Savior with all of the elect, and there, together with thee, to bow down to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Found at http://www.podvorje.orthodoxy.ru/English/Service/StIgnAkf.htm

St Juliana of Lazarevo

AKATHIST HYMN TO THE
HOLY & RIGHTEOUS JULIANA THE MERCIFUL,
OF THE VILLAGE OF LAZAREVO, NEAR MUROM
WHOSE MEMORY THE HOLY CHURCH CELEBRATES
ON THE 2ND OF JANUARY

Kontakion I

O righteous and merciful Juliana, who wast chosen by God, and amidst worldly cares didst in thy soul live in Christ, as in heaven; and who didst abide in great stillness, loving silence within thy heart! Glorifying the Lord Who hath glorified thee, with compunction we sing to thee a hymn of praise. Do thou, who endured grievous sorrows in thy life, pray for us, who are tempest-tossed by perils and sins, and entreat the merciful Savior to grant us salvation of soul and deliverance from misfortunes, that, giving thanks unto God, we may glorify thee, saying:
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Ikos I

A pure angel, from earliest childhood thou didst love the angelic monastic life; but the Creator of all, Who arrangeth all things in the depths of His wisdom, ordained a different path of salvation for thee-that thou please Him with a holy life within honorable matrimony. Wherefore, from childhood He led thee to the kingdom of God through many trials: for when thou wast a maiden six years of age, thou hadst already become a grieving orphan; and as a young bride thou didst soon take up the cross of motherhood. And we, though stricken with awe at this wondrous providence, yet compunctionately praise thee with faith:
Rejoice, thou who wast born into wealth, to parents who loved the poor-Justin and Stephanida;
rejoice, thou who, deprived of thy mother, wast raised an orphan outside thy father's house!
Rejoice, right fragrant lily who blossomed within the tranquility of the forests of Murom;
rejoice, radiant star set alight by God in the village of Lazarevo!
Rejoice, thou who in thy heart acquired love for Christ and His all-pure Mother;
rejoice, pure ewe-lamb who from childhood sought the monastic order!
Rejoice, meek and obedient one, who by the will of God wast entrusted to a husband;
rejoice, righteous mother who, having lived in the world, hast been numbered among the saints!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion II

Seeing thee standing in vigil all night, the enemy of the Christian race assailed thee with vile terrors. But thou, O blessed heifer, didst cry out with tearful entreaty to thy guide, the all-wondrous Nicholas; and the wonder-worker straightway appeared to thee, and the demons vanished like smoke. Then the holy hierarch blessed thee, saying: �O my daughter, be thou of steadfast good cheer, for Christ the Lord hath commanded me to preserve thee from all evil. And do thou chant to Him without fear, ever crying aloud like the angels: Alleluia!

Ikos II

The human mind is at a loss how, while living in this vain world, O blessed mother, thou didst in soul abide untroubled in the mansions of heaven; how, living amid abundant wealth, thou didst regard it dispassionately as something belonging to others and entrusted to orphans; how, bearing thy cross in honorable matrimony, though thou wast like a nun amid the world, thou didst raise many holy children. And we, knowing what is impossible for men, and praising God Who can accomplish all things, with undoubting faith honor thee thus:
Rejoice, quiet dove who unceasingly conversed with God in prayer;
rejoice, obedient disciple who knewest how to live in both abundance and in want!
Rejoice, faithful spouse who saved thy husband by being a model of meekness;
rejoice, much suffering mother who entrusted thy pure children to the Lord!
Rejoice, chaste woman who pleased God by childbearing and holiness;
rejoice, merciful lady who, following the Gospel, didst meekly minister to thine own servants!
Rejoice, handmaid of Christ, who kept His commandments throughout thy life;
rejoice, thou who wast obedient to Paul, doing all things for the glory of God!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion III

The power of the Most High gave thee the strength to bear thy heavy cross without complaint, when the pure souls of four of thy sons and two of thy daughters flew aloft in blessedness like quick-winged birds, departing this life while yet in childhood. And thou thyself, O divinely wise mother, like a turtledove soaring up in soul to the mansions of paradise, gavest thanks unto God for all things, and wast comforted by thy remaining children. And concerning the departed, with the righteous Job thou didst say with compunction: �The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. And now my little children glorify God with the angels most sweetly, and fervently entreat Him in behalf of their parents, offering up, with their pure mouths, the seraphic hymn: Alleluia!

Ikos III

Possessed of a heart which hath pity for all, and which is overflowing with grace-filled love, O Juliana, thou didst truly show thyself to be a merciful mother when God visited thy land with a terrible famine; for, though thou didst thyself experience want, thou wast sustenance for those who hungered and thirsted, a guide for the blind and the halt, protection and vesture for the unsheltered, and comfort for all. And thy least, hungering brethren, rending praise unto God, earnestly blessed thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who illumined the dark time of famine with the light of love;
rejoice, thou who rendered mercy unto Christ in the guise of thy least brethren!
Rejoice, thou who like the warm sun shinest forth earthly good things;
rejoice, thou whose left hand knew not what thy right hand was doing!
Rejoice, thou who, feeding the starving with bread, didst deliver them from death and torment;
rejoice, thou who, warming the desperate with a word of welcome, didst greatly console them!
Rejoice, thou who, seeking the kingdom of God, didst distribute things good for the body;
rejoice, thou who having acquired friends through riches, didst find the dwellings of heaven!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion IV

Amid the tempest of misfortune which beset the whole land, when for their sins the people were punished with a deadly plague, with great diligence, O loving soul, thou didst fulfil the word of Christ concerning the sick, secretly helping them without the knowledge of thy household; and offering up fervent prayers for them, thou didst receive from God the gift of healings, and requesting services for the departed in church, thou didst accompany them to their everlasting rest. And now thou hast received from God the blessed kingdom, where sickness and grief are unknown; and joining chorus there, thou chantest unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos IV

Hearing on one of those bitter days that thine eldest son had been cruelly slain by a servant, thou wast wounded in thy maternal heart, O cross-bearing woman. Yet thou wast not so much saddened by his death as thou wast grieved by the suddenness of the end of his life; and thou wast all the more distraught over the criminal murderer. But remembering the Lord Himself, Who shed drops of blood in Gethsemane, thou didst strengthen thyself in prayers to Him, immersing thy maternal sorrow in His will. And we, marvelling at thy humble faith, chant these praises as is meet:
Rejoice, thou who didst look upon this earthly life as a sorrowful sojourn;
rejoice, thou who didst regard the repose of thy family as a brief separation!
Rejoice, thou who allayed worldly griefs with trust in the will of God;
rejoice, thou who, unlike the wife of Job, strengthened thy despondent husband in the faith!
Rejoice, thou who forgave the senseless murderer as Christ forgave those who crucified Him;
rejoice, thou who asked the Redeemer of the world that He give the kingdom of heaven to thy son!
Rejoice, thou who by sorrows didst detach thy heart from the earthly world;
rejoice, thou who by suffering thy cross didst warm thy love even more greatly for God!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion V

By the will of God thy second beloved son also met an untimely death on the field of battle; yet accepting this cross also without complaint, thou didst splendidly honor thy younger offspring with many prayers, forty memorial liturgies, and generous alms. And having consoled thy husband with good words, that he not again lose hope in God, with tears of compunctions, like a wounded dove, thou didst thyself spend many nights quietly in prayer, considering a departure from the world, and transforming funeral lamentations into the hymn of praise to the Almighty: Alleluia!

Ikos V

Seeing thee yearning to hide thyself from the world in a convent, thy spouse besought thee not to leave him bereft with five children. And thou, O meek ewe-lamb, having learned humbly to cut off thine own will for the sake of others, obediently said: Let the will of the Lord be done!� And again taking upon thy shoulder, which had been wounded by cruel sorrows, the cross given thee by God, of struggle in this world's life, thou didst increase all the more thy vigils, fasting and prayers, living in matrimony like an unmarried desert-dweller. And we, marvelling at thine obedience and ascetic feats, humbly offer thee these praises:
Rejoice, thou who didst enter into the mystery of matrimony, which thou didst solemnly preserve;
rejoice, spouse faithful to thy husband, whom thou didst serve with humility!
Rejoice, ascetic mighty in this world, who didst bear thy cross with patience;
rejoice, victor over the carnal passions, who vanquished the enemy in battle!
Rejoice, thou who kept thy vesture of thy soul white in this benighted world;
rejoice, star of quiet brilliance, shining amid the tumult of life!
Rejoice, thou who didst pray fervently in the married state, a model of ardor for monks;
rejoice, sufferer, meek mother, who emulated the saints in the torments thou didst endure!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion VI

Thy son Callistratus showed himself to be the proclaimer of thy life of suffering, for he recounted to the world thy secret and wondrous struggle: thy prayers continued throughout the night; thou didst set sharp-edged planks as a bed for thy body; thy hands became calloused through thy many prostrations; thy flesh became desiccated by intense fasting; thine eyes were bathed with rivers of tears; and thy pure tongue continually chanted the hymn: Alleluia!

Ikos VI

Grace shone forth in thy heart, O holy mother, and gave thy prayer wings to soar far above all things. Ablaze with divine fire, and drawn to God like a bird of paradise, thou didst desire to visit the temple of God; for thy spirit was borne thither, casting off all the grief of life; and thou wast sweetly consoled amid thy sorrows, receiving the gift of grace from the Father. And we, the slothful, beholding the zeal for God which was in thy soul, are able only to glorify thee with our tongue, crying out thus:
Rejoice, thou who, receiving the fire of grace, didst soar aloft from earth to heaven;
rejoice, thou who, having tasted the sweetness of paradise, didst make thine abode in Christ Jesus!
Rejoice, thou who, burning with love for God, didst receive from Him the gift of tears;
rejoice, thou who, though praying in secret, didst love church more than thy home.
Rejoice, thou who, contemplating the redemption wrought by the Lord, didst spend Fridays alone and without food;
rejoice, thou who, emulating the incorporeal angels, didst refuse to sleep, that thou mightest pray!
Rejoice, thou who, having acquired grace in thy heart, created a temple of God within thyself;
rejoice, thou who, receiving the Holy Mysteries, didst provide an abode for the Holy Trinity in thy soul!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion VII
Desiring, after the repose of thy friend, to cleave unto heaven with all thy soul, thou didst add struggles unto struggles, O righteous one; and emulating Christ above all, thou didst struggle ascetically in humility and love. Wherefore, thou didst receive from Him the gift of tears of compunction and a heart full of mercy for all; and living while yet on earth as though in heaven, thou didst offer praise unto God, chanting: Alleluia!

Ikos VII

A new sign did the Lord reveal in thee: for, distributing warm garments unto all, it then being a cruel winter, thou didst cease to go to the church of God. Yet one morning, when the priest of God went to the Church of the Righteous Lazarus, he heard a voice issue forth from the icon of the all-pure Mother of God, saying: �Go and say to the merciful widow Juliana: Wherefore dost thou not come to the church of God to pray? Prayer at home is pleasing unto God, but not as is prayer in church!� And then the voice spake further, saying: �And do thou honor her, for she is not less than sixty years of age, and the Holy Spirit resteth in her!� And when thou didst with fear learn of this wondrous miracle, thou didst beseech all who heard of it to keep silence, and didst make all haste to the all-pure Mistress at the church of God, and kissing her icon with fervent tears, didst humbly offer up hymns of supplication. And the faithful people, rejoicing radiantly that the Queen of heaven, the joy of all joys, loved thee so, thus glorified thee with gladness:
Rejoice, thou who loved Christ with all thy heart;
rejoice, thou who offered him fervent tears!
Rejoice, thou who considered love to be greater than prayer and fasting;
rejoice, thou who ever attended all the services of the Church!
Rejoice, thou who wast called merciful by the Mother of God;
rejoice, thou who within thyself wast wholly overshadowed by the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, thou who received glory, not from men, but from the holy Theotokos;
rejoice, tranquil radiance illumining the region of Murom!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!
Kontakion VIII
Strange and wondrous is it to see how on earth God giveth the greatest sorrows to His beloved children, as a surety of His love for them. Wherefore, unto thee, O blessed one, who received great mercy from the Mother of God in His church, it was also fitting to receive a greater measure of griefs, that thou mightest show forth grateful love for God and thyself be glorified, and that thou mightest teach sorrowing people to have patience, that all may sing the praise: Alleluia!

Ikos VIII

When by God's incomprehensible providence a great famine again befell thy land, all experienced want, and even thou, the merciful widow, didst fall into dire poverty. Yet entrusting thyself and thy children to the oversight of God, thou didst command them to endure all things unto death; and thus also didst thou earnestly beseech thy servants, that they dare not to touch anything belonging to anyone else. And obedient, though they were afraid, they kept this commandment and said to thee:
Rejoice, thou only consolation in that grievous time of great famine;
rejoice, thou who suffered in the flesh, seeking all the more the heavenly city!
Rejoice, thou who amid dread manifestations didst consider the precepts and wrath of God;
rejoice, thou who as a mother didst have compassion for children who were tormented with hunger!
Rejoice, thou who by the power of faith didst endure sorrows without measure;
rejoice, thou who didst instruct thy children and thy servants, who were of one mind with thee, to be obedient to the Cross!
Rejoice, thou who prayed to God, shedding tears with those who wept, and suffering with the people;
rejoice, thou who with ardent heart didst grieve in soul for sinful Russia!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion IX

Every living creature, receiving food for itself in due season, praiseth Thee, the good God, who openest Thine all-generous hand unto all, even before Thou art asked. But Thy mighty favorite, seeking the kingdom of heaven even when deprived of the good things of Thine earth, never ceased to cry out to Thee in praise: Alleluia!

Kontakion IX

Earthly rhetors are at a loss to describe with their tongues the pangs of mothers' souls when they are crushed by the sufferings of their beloved children; and thou, o steadfast sufferer, while pouring forth thy mercy upon all, yet unable to find bread for thine own children, didst feed them pig-weed, comforting them by saying repeatedly: �Glory to God for all things!�. And we, learning the power of patience from thee, honor thee fervently with voices of praise:
Rejoice, sojourner strange to the earthly world, who didst bitterly wander throughout the world;
rejoice, thou who, seeking the heavenly city, didst remain in this world a homeless orphan!
Rejoice, thou who, having been possessed of great wealth, wast shown to be a pauper, hungry and poorly clad;
rejoice, thou who before gavest alms, but later wast among the children bereft of bread!
Rejoice, thou who, looking to the joy which is to come, didst take up thy present cross with hope;
rejoice, thou who, having surrendered thyself to the will of the Lord, didst accept the path of poverty and wandering!
Rejoice, thou who looking to the sufferings of Christ, didst without murmuring endure thy cross in this life;
rejoice, thou who, strengthened in weakness by the Spirit, didst in the midst of sorrows sing, �Glory to God for all things!�
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion X

Desiring from childhood to save thy soul, thou didst think upon God in silence with all thy heart; and diligently caring for thy kinfolk like Martha, thou didst in spirit love the portion of Mary. And ever desiring the blessed life, thou didst keep the memory of death continually in the mind, praying the Jesus Prayer in thy heart, thereby sweetening thy bitter life, until thou didst reach the vault of heaven, the uttermost desire, O venerable one, crying unto God: Alleluia!

Ikos X

Thou didst show forth the power of courage in thy weak body to be a rampart which the waves of life could not demolish; and submitting to the law of nature and subjected to many sorrows, thou didst reach the end of thy life at a goodly old age. And the good God, Who alone is holy, desiring to see thee as a pure pearl, sent thee sickness on the second day of His Nativity, that when beholding the Savior of the world, like Symeon thou mightest say to Him in parting: �Let thy handmaid depart this life in peace, O Master, that I may behold Thee, mine only Glory and the Savior of my sinful soul.� And thy kinfolk compassionately comforted thee well, saying:
Rejoice, thou who traversed the sea, reaching the calm haven;
rejoice, thou who didst leave this world, awaiting the heavenly bridal-chamber!
Rejoice, thou who never condemned anyone and art thyself not condemned by the Judge;
rejoice, thou who, having wrought deeds of mercy, dost enter the ranks of the all-wise virgins!
Rejoice, thou who hast flown aloft to the mansions on high, on wings of dove-like meekness;
rejoice, thou who before didst contemplate Christ, the gentle Light of life everlasting!
Rejoice, thou who like an all-radiant beam didst flow into the bridal-chamber of the Father;
rejoice, thou who hast thine abode with the choir of the saints in the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion XI
Yearning to hear the chanting of the angels in the mansions on high, thou didst not cease to utter tearful prayers even on thy death bed; for, though suffering greatly in body and lying abed during the day, at night thou didst secretly rise up to pray, and like a guttering candle didst give off thy last flame. And when others learned of thy nocturnal struggle, O dove of God, thou didst meekly say to them: ?God examineth the spiritual prayers even of one who is sick.? For even the angels praise Him unceasingly, crying ever: Alleluia!

Ikos XI

Though greatly sanctified by the holy light, the grace of the Spirit, thou didst ever consider thyself to be a wretched sinner. Wherefore, trusting only in the mercy of the Savior, thou didst tearfully receive the most Holy Mysteries after a fervent confession, O honored one. And thus, united in heart with thy Redeemer, and receiving the surety of the eternal kingdom without doubting, thou didst leave unto thy children and and to all a testament of love, prayer and almsgiving. And then, lying down, taking up thy prayer-rope, and making the sign of the Cross, thou didst utter thy last words: �Glory to God for all things! Into Thy hands do I commit my spirit. Amen.� And thus, like a lamp guttering out, thou didst quietly fly away from the earth to the dwellings of incorruption, in a dream commanding that thy body be buried next to thy husband and friend. And we, compunctionately rejoicing with thy close kinfolk at thine unashamed and peaceful repose, following thine ascent, sing glorious praise with the angels, chanting:
Rejoice, thou who at thy final and grievous hour didst provide a model of humility;
rejoice, thou who wast for us an image of prayer until thy reflection disappeared!
Rejoice, bride of Christ, whose head the Bridegroom adorned with a crown;
rejoice, pure and holy temple who before thine end wast covered by God with a white kerchief!
Rejoice, thou whose holy body was more fragrant than the lilies of the field even after death;
rejoice, thou who wast illumined at night by candles lighted by an invisible power!
Rejoice, thou who easily passed through the arial way-stations because of thy mercy toward the poor;
rejoice, thou who endured many crosses and hast reached the kingdom of God!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion XII

Having received the grace to offer up prayers for the world from which thou hast departed, in thy love thou hast not forsaken those who love thee and are beloved of thee on earth; and having splendidly attained unto the mansions of heaven, thou hast been vouchsafed blessed joy with those who passed on before thee. And thy sons, guided by thy spirit, led a pious life, teaching one another to preserve Holy Orthodoxy. And thy one daughter, Theodosia, receiving the monastic rank in thy stead, reposed in holiness in the great schema, soaring aloft unto thee, like a chick under thy wings. And we today, composing heartfelt hymns to thee with love, do earnestly pray: Entreat Christ God in our behalf, that with thee we may all ever offer up to Him, unto the ages of ages, the hymn: Alleluia!

Ikos XII
O holy woman, the all-glorious Church of Christ singeth funeral hymns of gladness unto thee, having wondrous and beautifully found thy relics to be fragrant; and having reckoned among the choir of the saints thee who before wast blessed exceedingly by the Mother of God herself, it now rejoiceth all-radiantly: for it is meet to glorify those whom God hath glorified; for the honor rendered the saints redoundeth divinely unto God Who resteth in the saints. Wherefore, leaping up in heart and joining chorus in the Spirit, O ye Orthodox people, with the angels let us today all chant together:
Rejoice, adornment of the land of Murom;
rejoice, ornament of the nation of Russia!
Rejoice, beauty of Christian women;
rejoice, summit of holy mothers!
Rejoice, thou who wast upborne to paradise by the angels;
rejoice, thou who hast been blessed by the Lord!
Rejoice, boast of thy kinsmen;
rejoice, consolation of all who honor thee!
Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!

Kontakion XIII

O merciful and pure turtledove, blessed and righteous Juliana! With thy wonted love accept these fervent praises, and as a mother full of pity, who carest for thy children, beseech the all-merciful Savior, that He grant us a single boon-the divine grace of the Holy Spirit, wherein all the good things of earth and of heaven are hid; that having been enriched thereby, we may pass through this sorrowful life untroubled, and with thee may receive the blessed kingdom of the all-holy Trinity, gloriously crying out thereto: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THIS KONTAKION IS CHANTED THRICE, WHEREUPON IKOS I AND KONTAKION I ARE REPEATED.

PRAYERS TO SAINT JULIANA OF LAZAREVO
Prayer I

O blessed and righteous Juliana, who wast wondrously called the merciful widow by the all-holy Theotokos! Unto thee, a mother full of pity, do we earnestly have recourse, praying that we also may be granted mercy. For, having endured many crosses in thy life, and been thyself tried by all things, in thy supplications thou art able to help us in our bitter trials; for, beset by many sins and weighed down by great sorrows, we are assailed by cruel enemies. Wherefore, O mother who bore thy crosses, ask for us the spirit of meekness and patience, sincere repentance of our sins, the power to oppose the invisible foe and to defeat them, and firm trust in the will of God amid all misfortunes and perils, that we may take up our cross without murmuring, unto the salvation of our souls, and may proceed with faith for Christ our Savior. Moreover, beseech the all-merciful Lord, O merciful favorite of God, that He cause to dwell in us, as it did in thee, the grace of a heart which hath mercy upon all, which blesseth even one's enemies, which accuseth itself only of sins, as thou didst: for love hath grown exceeding scarce because of our iniquities; and in name only can we show ourselves to be disciples of Christ, while in heart and deed were are as pagans, caring only for ourselves with love of self. O blessed one, intercede also for the Russian land, and for all who are in dispersion, that they may receive peace and prosperity, and all the more a return to thine ancient piety, a quenching of malice and envy, and increase in brotherly love and reconciliation, repentance for our passions, and cleansing and sanctification through grace. That with one mouth and one heart we may all again confess the consubstantial and indivisible Trinity unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer II

O merciful Juliana, helper of orphans, mother who bore thy cross! With thy generous right hand make bestowal upon us who now pray to thee, and ask the all-merciful God, Whose very name is love, that He grant us rich mercies. Be thou a good helper unto mothers who have given birth unto children; a holy preserver of purity and love within marriage; a wise nurturer of little children and youths; a compassionate comforter of the orphaned and sorrowful; a sympathetic healer of those who are tempest-tossed by sins; a mighty defender of those subjected to trials by their enemies; and a merciful mediator before God and the all-pure Theotokos for all who ask thine aid. And pray thou all the more, O holy favorite of God, that we be given the grace of the all-holy Spirit, that preserved thereby and saved unceasingly in this life, with thee we may glorify the all-merciful Redeemer, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom is due glory, with His all-good Father and His holy and all-compassionate Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.


TRANSLATED BY THE READER ISAAC E. LAMBERTSEN FROM THE CHURCH SLAVONIC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

original site at http://stjulianalazarevo.org/akathist_hymn.html