tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36934484807125561172024-03-08T12:08:09.123-08:00AkathistsElizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-15478210664879752532011-09-12T08:36:00.000-07:002011-09-12T08:39:08.686-07:00Canon To St Wandregesilius<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Profound thanks to Fr Deacon Andrew Bond for kindly allowing me to reproduce his work on this site, and to my dear Daughter for typing the Canon so quickly and efficiently :-)</span><br />
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May St Wandregesilius, who is venerated at the Joy of All Who Sorrow Parish at Mettingham, Suffolk, pray for us all.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CANON IN HONOUR OF SAINT WANDREGESILIUS<br /><br />Ode 1<br /><br />Irmos<br /><br />When Israel walked on foot, in the sea as on dry land, on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a song of victory.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Though our faith may be lacking in strength and our dedication to Christ of uncertain vigour, with boldness we raise our voices in thy praise on this thy day, praying for grace to emulate the strength of thy virtue, O venerable father.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />As a true disciple, thy life was a hymn to Christ our God, since thou didst take to heart His Gospel command to follow Him and unwaveringly walk in the apostolic footsteps, teaching all to see heavenly treasure as the summit of their strivings.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Whilst carrying out thy duties in exemplary fashion, venerable father, the worldly privilege and temporal authority that were thy birthright held no attraction for thee, since the flame of faith burned brightly in thy soul, giving thee a longing for thy celestial homeland.<br /><br />Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages,<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />O pure Theotokos, adorned with virtue thou hast conceived Virtue Himself, our True God Who hast illumined us with divine virtues.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 3<br /><br />Irmos<br /><br />There is none holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast exalted the power of Thy faithful, O Good One, and strengthened us on the rock of Thy confession.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />The will of thy parents and courtly convention obliged thee to marry, O father, but in this thou didst show the depth of thy humility and aptitude for monastic obedience in subjugating thine own will to that of thy superiors.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />By the Providence of God, thine own dear wife revealed that she too thirsted for the cloistered life, and together you resolved to dedicate your lives to the service of Him who created all things both in Heaven and on earth.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Joyfully thou didst embrace the purity of the angelic life of prayerful vigils and ascetic podvig, never sparing thyself, but seeking only to glorify the Lord and win souls for Him through faith in the Unity and Trinity of the one true God.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />The Wisdom and Word of the Father, Who existed before ages, in these latter days ineffably became incarnate of thee spotless one, making thee the Mother of God.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 4<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the holy Church divinely sings, crying with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Signs and wonders accompanied thy life, O Father, because God was with thee even from thy youth, by bringing to amity, by the power of prayer, uncultured ruffians who feared neither man nor God and would willingly have shed blood to settle their quarrel.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Being of striking appearance, elegant and well schooled in the ways and manners of this world, thou wast nonetheless fervent in thy desire to renounce all and embark upon the way of godly poverty through submission to the disciplines of monastic tonsure.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />This decision enraged the lord of darkness who sought ever more devious means to unsettle thee, O great father, but thou wast protected by the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation against these devilish assaults.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />O Virgin, we bless thee as the door to the Divinity, as the divine Paradise, as the spiritual holy of holies, as the beauty of Jacob.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 5<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />O Good One, illumine with Thy divine Light, I pray, the souls of those who rise early to pray to Thee, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, as the true God Who recalls us from the darkness of sin.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />At first the authorities of this world did not endorse thy chosen path, O father, and demanded thy presence. Stopping to aid a poor man whose cart was stuck fast in mud, caused thee to arrive at court ridiculed by onlookers for the bespattered state of thine attire.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Having accepted the insults offered to thee, and following Christ the Incarnate Word who suffered worse, thy humility was rewarded by the appearance of an angel who miraculously cleansed the mud from thy garments as a testimony to thy faith and purity.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />The king’s attitude was transformed from annoyance to reverence when he saw that thou wast truly a man of God, straightaway releasing thee, O venerable one, from all worldly responsibilities, and freeing thee to devote thyself entirely to the ascetic life.<br /><br />Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />O all-pure one, we praise Him Who took passionate and mortal flesh from thee and Who was incarnate in the co-mingled but unmixed Hypostasis.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 6<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />Beholding the sea of life surging with the flood of temptations, I run to Thy calm haven and cry to Thee: raise me up from corruption, O most Merciful One.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Divesting thyself of personal wealth, with zeal for thy chosen way, thou didst establish a monastic skete in the severe spirit of the fathers in the Egyptian desert, causing the demons to rage against thee in their fury.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Putting on the armour of faith, thou didst cry with the words of the Psalmist, “God come to my aid, Lord be swift to help me” and, battling against the spirits of wickedness, didst stand in the freezing cold water of the river for hours at thy devotions.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />God, in His infinite wisdom, revealed His plan for thee in a dream, transporting thee to Lombardy, and showing thee the foundation of that great beacon of ascetic discipline and piety our Father Columban, the holy monastery at Bobbio.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />The Holy Spirit, the Preserver of virginity, overshadowed thee, O pure and blessed one, and made thee into a holy and spotless dwelling for the Son of the Most High.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Kontakion (Tone 3)<br /><br />At thine ascent to thy heavenly home, the glorious realms of Paradise, O venerable Father Wandregesilius, the nine ranks of angels rejoiced to receive an earthly angel, and raised their voices in praise to God singing: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos:<br /><br />O glorious, venerable and all praised Wandregesilius, with heart and mind we implore our Heavenly Father for grace to hymn thee worthily for thy tireless striving to bring souls to salvation. For thou didst dedicate thy life to the True Faith, by prayer and preaching, fasting and abstinence, by purity of life and constancy of purpose, instructing and inspiring by thine example not only thy companions in life but succeeding generations who have come to know, love and follow thee.<br /><br />Ode 7<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />An angel made the furnace throw dew on the Holy Children. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Awakening with thy soul enlightened by the flame of faith, but wondering to what thou wast being called, thou didst follow the spiritual signposts set out by God in thy tireless efforts to achieve the grace of the angelic life.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />The strictness of order, the severity of discipline and the oneness of mind of Bobbio’s Irish monks touched thy soul deeply, O our father, and raised in thee the desire to travel to their homeland, in search of greater seclusion offered by the green desert that was Erin’s spiritual treasure-house.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />The Lord allowed thee to set out on thy journey but, in His mercy, He showed thee a sign that this was self-will and not His will, for when thou didst come to the monastery Romainmotier, He opened the eyes of thy soul to see the purity and austerity of that community.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />I fly to thy shelter, O all-spotless one, and magnify thee who ineffably bore God the Word, Whom we extol throughout all ages.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 8<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />Thou didst make flame sprinkle the saints with dew, and Thou didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all that Thou willest. Thee we extol throughout the ages.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Having spent a full decade in the seclusion of the cloister by the Jura, God’s further plan was revealed to thee through the elevation to Rouen’s Episcopal dignity of the saintly Ouen, who called thee to serve the Church in the sacred diaconate, despite the protests of thy humility.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Reluctantly, and having frequently protested thine unworthiness, thou didst receive priestly ordination at the hands of the monastic father and saintly bishop Omer. Thereupon thou wast guided by God to the Jumieges forest and settled by a spring called La Fontenelle.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />The monastery was built with spiritual stones, that is with holy souls and, to the glory of God, became a sentinel of the Faith, a spearhead of evangelism, a powerhouse of learning, a beacon of piety and a glorious adornment of the Church.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />We sing thy praises, most Holy Theotokos, for thou dost shelter us all in thy maternal embrace, receiving our petitions, hearing our sighs, and bringing us comfort in times of distress.<br /><br />Katavasia<br /><br />Ode 9<br /><br />Irmos:<br /><br />It is impossible for men to see God, upon Whom even the orders of angels dare not gaze, but through thee, O all-pure one, didst the Word incarnate appear to men, and with the Heavenly Hosts we magnify Him and call thee blessed.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Following the example of thy mentor, our great Father Columban, the Rule at Fontenelle followed the model of strictness established by the Irish ascetics, accepting nothing for the support of the community that was not produced by the labour of their own hands.<br /><br />Holy Father Wandregesilius, pray to God for us.<br /><br />Thy life, O beloved father, was a model of meekness, humility and dedication that humbled proud hearts, softened harsh characters, strengthened those whose faith was weak, inspired the faithful, and brought many into the treasury of Christ’s saving grace.<br /><br />Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Praying to Christ our God, that we too may be faithful to the end, we glorify thee, great Father Wandregesilius, singing in praise of thee and ever seeking to follow thine example, and walking in the way of the Gospel of Truth for the salvation of our souls.<br /><br />Both now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages.<br /><br />Theotokion:<br /><br />As thou didst give birth to Christ the ineffable Joy, O most pure one, enable all who venerate thee as Mother of God with heartfelt love, to be partakers of heavenly bliss in the realms of the blessed.<br /><br />Katavasia</span>Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-7110758663228250522011-08-02T06:54:00.000-07:002011-08-02T06:54:54.688-07:00Akathist to the Walsingham Ikon of the Mother Of GodI found this lovely Akathist at the <a href="http://www.sourozh.org/akathist-hymn/?SSScrollPosition=0">UK Sourozh diocesan website of the Moscow Patriarchate</a>, and am citing it in full in case the original link disappears.<br />
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Akathist Hymn to the Walsingham Ikon of the Mother-of-God<br />
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Kontakion One<br />
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O Sovereign Lady, Mother-of-God and Ever-Virgin Mary, thine honoured ikon is set up in the village of Walsingham, granting unto us comfort in times of trouble and as a well-spring of joy, so that with faith we may ever cry out unto thee :-<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Ikos One<br />
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In the time when Edward, son of Ethelred, ruled over the English people, the lady Richeld, a devout widow, desired to honour the most holy Mother-of-God with some godly work, and with deep fervour she prayed that her petition might be granted, and prompted by her ardent yearning, we cry out and say :-<br />
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Rejoice, gracious Lady, thou wonder of Walsingham.<br />
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Rejoice, holy mother, glory of Jerusalem.<br />
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Rejoice, sacred cypress of Sion.<br />
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Rejoice, resplendent joy of Israel.<br />
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Rejoice, thou purest rose of Jericho.<br />
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Rejoice, thou blazing star of Bethlehem.<br />
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Rejoice, golden ark containing the Master of the Law.<br />
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Rejoice, holy vessel that holds the sacred myrrh.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Two<br />
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In spirit the most holy Mother-of-God led the widow Richeld unto Nazareth and showed her the house, where she had received the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel, and she said to her “Behold this place, my daughter, and measure it carefully with thine eye, that thou mayest build its like in Walsingham : and thus shall all people cry out unto my Son : Alleluia.”<br />
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Ikos Two<br />
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The virtuous widow marked in her mind the length and breadth and height of the holy house and resolved to set up its like near her home unto the singular honour of the holy Annunciation, so that all people, seeking the Mother-of-God as a strong helper, might say :-<br />
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Rejoice, thou who didst receive the message of the Archangel.<br />
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Rejoice, thou root from which grew up mankind’s gracious redemption.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who didst become a mother through humility.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who hast conceived in virginity.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who didst give birth in Bethlehem, the House of Bread.<br />
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Rejoice, Mother of the Bread, which comes down from heaven.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who feedest the hungry with good things.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who givest wholesome water to the sick.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Three<br />
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Three times the Mother-of-God visited the lady Richeld in the same way, confirming her promise that she would be present amongst the English people and amongst all the peoples of the world, desiring all to glorify God and to sing : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Three<br />
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At once the lady Richeld sought to build the holy house with all speed. She summoned her skilled craftsmen so that they might cut and shape the timbers for the building, as the Mother-of-God had desired, and together they sang :-<br />
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Rejoice, mother of the Creator of heaven and earth.<br />
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Rejoice, maiden who didst house God in her womb.<br />
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Rejoice, safe harbour for all sea-faring peoples.<br />
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Rejoice, protecting haven for the people of England.<br />
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Rejoice, faithful guardian of the holy dwellings of monks.<br />
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Rejoice, thou chief solace against all tribulation.<br />
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Rejoice, pathway leading to Him, Who is the Way.<br />
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Rejoice, gateway in which the Prince doth sit and eat.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Four<br />
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The lady Richeld looked out upon a fair meadow, strewn with flowers and wet with drops of rain and dew from on high, yet in two places, chosen beforehand by the Mother-of-God, neither moisture nor dew was to be found : and, seeing this sign, she sang : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Four<br />
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Perceiving the sign of divine blessing, the widow saw that in this beautiful meadow she must establish a new Nazareth to stand, like the first one of old, as a signal of mankind’s reconciliation with God, and so she cried aloud unto the Mother-of-God :-<br />
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Rejoice, thou golden candlestick of the Light. <br />
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Rejoice, gilded censer encompassing the divine Fire. <br />
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Rejoice, thou ladder, by which God came down from heaven<br />
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Rejoice, golden vessel enfolding the sacred Lamb<br />
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Rejoice, root from Jesse that restorest Adam who had fallen<br />
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Rejoice, well-spring that washest away the tears that Eve shed<br />
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Rejoice, steadfast protection for the peoples of these northern islands<br />
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Rejoice, glorious adornment of the holy churches<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Five<br />
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The lady Richeld instructed her carpenters to shape the beams and rafters for the holy house, so that all the wood might fit together precisely : and, as they worked, with one voice they sang aloud : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Five<br />
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When all the timber had been made ready, the widow began to doubt where the holy house was to be, for there were two places which, like Gideon’s woollen fleece, remained dry amidst all the wetness that encircled them, and yet with faith she started to sing :-<br />
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Rejoice, radiant fleece that Gideon saw of old<br />
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Rejoice, vine that puttest forth a branch that cannot wither<br />
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Rejoice, tree of radiant fruit unblemished<br />
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Rejoice, land that flowest with milk and honey<br />
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Rejoice, uncut mountain that containest the unshakeable Rock<br />
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Rejoice, deep bowl that holdest the everlasting Manna<br />
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Rejoice, cup that surroundest the sweet wine of eternal life<br />
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Rejoice, dwelling-place of Him, Who renews creation.<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Six<br />
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The noble lady Richeld decided to build on the first of the two plots of equal size, where the chapel of the holy martyr Lawrence later stood, close by two wells of water, and seeing her intention all the people chanted : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Six<br />
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The workmen began the footings, as a firm foundation for the heavenly house, and they laboured with all their skill and strength, but gradually the work became troublesome, for they found that no piece of timber seemed to agree with another : yet even in their frustration and sad perplexity, they raised their voices and sang, saying :-<br />
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Rejoice, solace for those in anxiety. <br />
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Rejoice, sure security for those in bewilderment<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost ever put forth a helping hand<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost pour out grace from thy holy ikons<br />
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Rejoice, ewe that gavest birth to the Lamb Who is the Shepherd<br />
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Rejoice, chosen dwelling of God the All-Holy Spirit<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost arouse the sleeping conscience<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost calm the troubled heart<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Seven<br />
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The carpenters were perplexed because they were unable join together their own distinctive handiwork, and therefore at the command of the lady Richeld they laid every thing aside for the time being and went to their rest, gently singing to the Lord : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Seven<br />
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Knowing that it was the intention of the Mother-of-God herself to anchor the holy house amid the surging troubles of the world, the noble lady Richeld prayed all that night that a further sign might be given by the Mother-of-God, and she said :-<br />
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Rejoice, our hope in life and when we come to die<br />
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Rejoice, thou who givest a peaceful end to our life<br />
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Rejoice, our defender in the dread day of judgment<br />
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Rejoice, our deliverance from the fire that knows no end<br />
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Rejoice, habitation of the God, Whom no man can approach<br />
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Rejoice, gentle hearer of all our petitions<br />
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Rejoice, life-giving well-spring of healings<br />
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Rejoice, wide sea that consumest all our passions<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Eight<br />
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The most holy Mother-of-God, the chief builder of her own dwelling, with the assistance of the hands of holy angels, planted the holy house firmly in the second plot of land, two hundred feet distant from the first, and when they saw this, the angels, archangels and all the bodiless powers of heaven cried out in awe : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Eight<br />
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As dawn broke the next day, the carpenters came to take up their tools and with amazement they saw that every timber was firmly joined, floor and window, walls and door, and above the rafters a neat thatch of reeds covered the roof, all better than they had originally had in mind, and with rejoicing each man stood still in amazement and with thanksgiving sang :-<br />
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Rejoice, Queen and mighty Empress of heaven and earth<br />
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Rejoice, guide that showest us all the way to heaven<br />
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Rejoice, steadfast confirmation of the faith<br />
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Rejoice, sweet-smelling incense of prayer<br />
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Rejoice, thou gateway that leadest to Paradise<br />
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Rejoice, thou bridge that carriest us over into the Kingdom<br />
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Rejoice, refuge of all despairing sinners<br />
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Rejoice, joy of the angels and of all mankind<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Nine<br />
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Giving thanks to the most holy Mother-of-God for her gracious sign, disclosed in the completion of the holy house, the lady Richeld gazed in wonder at the perfection of the skilled handiwork accomplished by both men and angels, and she praised the Lord and cried out : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Nine<br />
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Since that time our Sovereign Lady, the most holy Mother-of-God and Ever-Virgin Mary, has made manifest many miraculous signs and wonders unto those who have visited her holy house and who call out to her, standing before her ikon in their distress :-<br />
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Rejoice, treasure-house of mercy beyond price<br />
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Rejoice, assurance of salvation for sinners<br />
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Rejoice, consolation of sorrowing parents<br />
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Rejoice, nourishment and guide unto their children<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost search for those who have gone astray<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost raise up those that have fallen<br />
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Rejoice, spreading oak under whose canopy many take shelter<br />
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Rejoice, mighty olive-tree that healest the sick through its oil<br />
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Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
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Kontakion Ten<br />
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Hastening by land and water, those who are sick and suffering, press onwards with faith and expectation, guided by the milk white glow of the stars towards the habitation of the Star of the Sea, singing without ceasing unto God : Alleluia.<br />
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Ikos Ten<br />
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Through the ages many have been cured of grievous illnesses : those, half-dead with sufferings, have revived : the lame have been made whole : the blind have received their sight and the crab of cancer has been made to walk straight, so that all cry out with thankfulness and praise :-<br />
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Rejoice, maiden who givest sight to the blind<br />
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Rejoice, mother who grantest healing to the deaf<br />
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Rejoice, thou who dost strengthen the feet of the lame<br />
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Rejoice, thou who entreatest the Word to give speech to the dumb<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, ever-present strength for the sick<br />
<br />
Rejoice, helper and defender of those who are injured<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who dost grant health to our bodies<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who by thy Son hast brought salvation to us all<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kontakion Eleven<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Though hindered by wind and storm, the deaf, the wounded and those disturbed in mind have landed safely in this harbour, provided by the Mother-of-God : and the lepers have recovered from their infirmity : so that all, washed clean and made whole, cry out with us : Alleluia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ikos Eleven<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Those, possessed by wicked and unclean spirits, have found healing and rest : and souls, deeply perturbed by spiritual temptations and deluded imaginings, have found solace against all tribulation, and we cry out with them :<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou whom the dark and wicked spirits fear<br />
<br />
Rejoice, helper of Christian people, given us by God<br />
<br />
Rejoice, fountain that drownest the sorrows of our hearts<br />
<br />
Rejoice, deliverance from all false imaginings<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who dost relieve our pains and afflictions<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who dost soothe our suffering minds<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou container of Him, Who cannot be contained<br />
<br />
Rejoice, burning bush that yet remained unscorched<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kontakion Twelve<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All those, who seek the Mother-of-God with humble affection, recalling the solemn joy of her Annunciation, join together with the angelic hosts at this new Nazareth and sing unto the Holy Trinity : Alleluia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ikos Twelve<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All the people, that travel to Walsingham, rejoice to see the celebrated holy house, built in honour of the heavenly Empress and of the joyous salutation of the Archangel and, standing before her holy ikon, they cry aloud, as did Gabriel at the first Nazareth in ancient times :-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for the Lord truly dwells in thee<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art the throne of the King of all<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou through whom the Creator becomes a child<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, mother of the Dayspring that has no evening<br />
<br />
Rejoice, mother of the Star that never sets<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art blessed amongst women<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who bringest joy to all generations<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kontakion Thirteen<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We have offered unto thee, O most holy Lady, Mother-of-God, this meagre song of praise and thanksgiving, and we entreat thee to deliver us from all danger and distress, for thou hast great boldness of speech towards thy Son, even our God Himself : therefore, beseech Him to set us free from every misfortune and constraint, that we may cry aloud : Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[then we sing again Ikos One and Kontakion One] <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ikos One<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the time when Edward, son of Ethelred, ruled over the English people, the lady Richeld, a devout widow, desired to honour the most holy Mother-of-God with some godly work, and with deep fervour she prayed that her petition might be granted, and prompted by her ardent yearning, we cry out and say :-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, gracious Lady, thou wonder of Walsingham.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, holy mother, glory of Jerusalem.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, sacred cypress of Sion.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, resplendent joy of Israel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou purest rose of Jericho.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou blazing star of Bethlehem.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, golden ark containing the Master of the Law.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, holy vessel that holds the sacred myrrh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kontakion One<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
O Sovereign Lady, Mother-of-God and Ever-Virgin Mary, thine honoured ikon is set up in the village of Walsingham, granting unto us comfort in times of trouble and as a well-spring of joy, so that with faith we may ever cry out unto thee :-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer to the most holy Mother-of-God<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
O Sovereign Lady, Mother-of-God most high, who didst inspire the lady Richeld to stablish the holy house at Walsingham for the veneration of thy holy Annunciation, entreat thy Son, even our God, to send down grace upon us for the healing of soul and body, that, as we approach and kiss thy holy ikon and drink the wholesome water drawn up from thy spring, we may ever praise and glorify the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Troparion for the Walsingham Ikon of the most holy Mother-of-God [Tone Two] <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In ancient times thou didst bestow thy heavenly protection<br />
<br />
upon the island of Britain, most holy Mother-of-God,<br />
<br />
by planting in Walsingham thy holy house,<br />
<br />
which suffered destruction at the hands of hostile men.<br />
<br />
But now, having been restored, it is radiant with glory<br />
<br />
and in faith thy holy ikon is venerated by thy devoted servants.<br />
<br />
We magnify thee and, singing thy praises, we cry out unto thee :<br />
<br />
Rejoice, most holy Lady, who didst give birth unto Christ our God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Copyright © 2011, Diocese of Sourozh. All rights reserved.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-50098631276356479282011-06-13T05:15:00.000-07:002011-06-13T05:15:11.202-07:00Akathist to St MenasFound at:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/03/the-akathist-of-the-holy-martyr-menas-the-wonderworker/">http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/03/the-akathist-of-the-holy-martyr-menas-the-wonderworker/</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><u>Akathist Hymn to the Holy Great Martyr Menas, the Wonderworker of Egypt</u>.</span></b></div><br />
<br />
Standing in front of the Icon of the Saint and we start with 7 bows as follows:<br />
<br />
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Bow<br />
<br />
God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. Bow<br />
<br />
You created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. Bow<br />
<br />
I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. Bow<br />
<br />
My most holy Lady Theotokos, save me, a sinner. Bow<br />
<br />
My holy Guardian Angel, protect me from all evil. Bow<br />
<br />
Holy Martyr Menas pray to God for me. Bow<br />
<br />
Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.<br />
<br />
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.<br />
<br />
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, o Good One.<br />
<br />
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).<br />
<br />
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
<br />
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake.<br />
<br />
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.<br />
<br />
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
<br />
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen<br />
<br />
Lord, have mercy (12).<br />
<br />
Come, let us worship and bow down to God, our King.<br />
<br />
Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ, our King and God.<br />
<br />
Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ himself, our King and our God.<br />
<br />
PSALM 50 (51)<br />
<br />
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak, and victorious when You are judged. For behold, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. For behold, You have loved truth; You have made known to me the secret and hidden things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me with Your governing Spirit. I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue shall joyfully declare Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled heart. Do good in Your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.<br />
<br />
PSALM 69 (70)<br />
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O God, be attentive to help me. Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek my life. Let them be turned back and be ashamed who desire evil against me. Let them be turned back because of their shame, who say to me, Well done! Well done! Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified! But as for me, I am poor and needy; 0 God, help me! You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.<br />
<br />
PSALM 142 (143)<br />
<br />
Lord, hear my prayer. In Your truth, give ear to my supplications; in Your righteousness, hear me. Enter not into judgment with Your servant, for no one living is justified in Your sight. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your works; I pondered on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails. Turn not Your face away from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear Your mercy in the morning, for in You I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the way in which ?1 should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to You have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake You shall preserve my life. In your righteousness, You shall bring my soul out of trouble, and in Your mercy, You shall utterly destroy my enemies. And You shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.<br />
<br />
DOXOLOGY<br />
<br />
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to all people. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to you for Your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father, almighty Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us, You who take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For You only are holy, only You are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Each evening we bless You, and we praise Your name forever and to the ages of ages. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You . Lord, to You have I fled; teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For You are the source of life, and in Your light we shall see light. Continue Your mercy to those who know You. Lord, grant to keep us this night without sin. Blessed are You, Lord, God of our fathers. Your name is praised and glorified from all ages. Amen. Let Your mercy, Lord, lighten upon us, as our trust is in You. Blessed are You, Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Master, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Holy One, enlighten me in Your commandments. Your mercy, Lord, endures forever; turn not away from the works of Your hands. To you belongs praise, to You belongs worship, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
<br />
THE CREED<br />
<br />
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered and was buried. On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.<br />
<br />
And immediately we start reading the Kontakia:<br />
<br />
Kontakion 1<br />
<br />
The entire world has found you to be a great champion when in grave perils; for many you have saved from losses: tracking the thieves, driving away deprivations and fulfilling the requests of those that run to you in faith; for these we pray to you, be merciful to us who sing to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Eikos 1<br />
<br />
The Word of God enlightened the world by His incarnation, and through Him sprung forth the multitude of the martyrs which spilled their blood in great sufferings, making themselves protectors of those in need; for this we sing to you:<br />
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Rejoice, unwaning star.<br />
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Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.<br />
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Rejoice, the light of those at loss.<br />
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Rejoice, the revealer of the kidnappers.<br />
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Rejoice, the mystery that exposes the wicked deeds.<br />
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Rejoice, the dam that stops the drifting.<br />
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Rejoice, the pillar that hinders the rudeness.<br />
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Rejoice, the depth that loses the gluttony.<br />
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Rejoice, the breath that strengthens the hearts of those in suffering.<br />
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Rejoice, the hand that discovers the lootings.<br />
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Rejoice, the chain that bonds the lawless.<br />
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Rejoice, the fog that clouds the unclean thoughts.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 2<br />
<br />
A swift victor you were shown forth against the persecutors who wish to loot the work of the unfortunate poor and extinguish his being with menacing trials; for this we cry out to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Eikos 2<br />
<br />
Let no lawless men deign to rule over us, O Holy Martyr, when they rise against us like the waves of the sea that come bubbling on the wings of the raging wind; but let them fall from your face like the wheat of the field so we can bless you saying:<br />
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Rejoice, our strong hope.<br />
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Rejoice, the fall of the unlawful enemies.<br />
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Rejoice, the tamer of the insatiable beasts.<br />
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Rejoice, the moderation of the arrogant kidnappers.<br />
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Rejoice, for those that disrespect your commandments tremble in fear.<br />
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Rejoice, for those that do not seek your name as a helper are suffering.<br />
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Rejoice, for those that do not glorify your wonders are lost.<br />
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Rejoice, for those that distress you are troubled.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for those that thank you boast of joy.<br />
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Rejoice, for all creation rejoices of your mercy.<br />
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Rejoice, for all that have trespassed repent in fear of you.<br />
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Rejoice, the savior of those humiliated.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 3<br />
<br />
Righteousness and peace having in your thoughts, you have left the war camp of Phrygia, being unable to watch the pagan worship; for this, going up the mountain, with fasting and prayers you cleansed your soul of sin and strengthened your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, singing: Alleluia!<br />
<br />
Eikos 3<br />
<br />
The pagans, unable to bear your holy deeds that exposed their deceiving idol worship, for you were preaching the faith in Christ to the people and you were proving that He is God That performs wonders, not the stone and the brass of the idols, they put you through tribulations that you have lovingly accepted. <br />
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Rejoice, the one that was whipped all over your body with leather thongs.<br />
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Rejoice, the one that was burned with fire in the end.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the one that endured the stinging of the iron thistles.<br />
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Rejoice, for you were pierced all over with spears.<br />
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Rejoice, for you have suffered iron mallets on your temple.<br />
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Rejoice, for other works you have endured with patience.<br />
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Rejoice, for you have not blamed God for your passions.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, especially for you have fought with joy against flesh and blood.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for Alexandria was terrified by your strong faith.<br />
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Rejoice, for the tyrants were reprimanded by your daring deeds.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for not having anything else to scare you with, they commanded that you be slain by sword.<br />
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Rejoice, for many of the watchers were blessing you saying:<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 4<br />
<br />
The blessed faith of the East finally raising the Cross among the pagan nations, after the fall of the tyrant monarchs enemies of Christianity, your church was built in Alexandria by a Christ loving citizen, in the time of Constantine the Emperor; and there your holy remains were brought so we can bow to them and sing: Alleluia!<br />
<br />
Eikos 4<br />
<br />
Lifting our voices to you we cry out: hasten, O Holy Martyr, and protect us; do not neglect our hopes in your great mercy; for where else can we can hope to be alleviated in our sinfulness if not in you, after our Savior and His most pure Mother, if not in you who have suffered with love for Christ and for our salvation; extend your hand to us, O Holy Martyr, so we can bless you singing:<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the founder of lost items.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the one that brings them back in their original state.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the boast of honest citizens.<br />
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Rejoice, the happiness of the merchants with honest weights.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the unsleeping watcher of villages and towns who suffer losses.<br />
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Rejoice, the salvation of those threatened by flame or storm.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the redeemer of the nations that trouble with terrible invasions and unrighteous oppressions.<br />
<br />
Rejoice the advisor of the travelers that ask your help.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the savior of men from sudden death.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the escape of the ships tormented by storms and thievery.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the alleviation of the oppressed and plaintive soul.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, our own fast protector in sufferings.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 5<br />
<br />
Food for the salvation of our lives send us from God, O Holy Martyr, so we do not perish from the multitude of the passions that pile up on us, for we are all sinners; but what sin or what multitude of trespasses can ever overcome the boundless mercy of God, having as intercessors the hosts of the martyrs singing with us: Alleluia!<br />
<br />
Eikos 5<br />
<br />
A humble and contrite heart God will no despise, says the Holy Emperor and Prophet David. For this, humiliating ourselves until the end, we fall down to you, O Holy and Great Martyr Menas, pray to God for us sinner so He would alleviate our pains by destroying our enemies that fight against His commandments. Come near us then, O holy Martyr, come near us in our suffering, so we can glorify your wonders singing:<br />
<br />
Rejoice, intercessor to God of those in pain.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, steadfast help in Him.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, powerful aid for those that keep His commandments.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, unashamed hope of Christians.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, incense well received in heavens through prayer.<br />
<br />
Rejoice chosen vessel of the Holy Trinity.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the one that do not wish the wickedness of people.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the one that cry for their lack of skills.<br />
<br />
Rejoice for you teach them to live in communion and love.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for you always inspire them to good deeds.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for you brought many to repentance.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for you always pray for all.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 6<br />
<br />
The Jew who was suffering because of the Christian who was hiding the money that he left in his care, wanted to be baptized seeing the miracle, as you uncovered the truth; and the Christian, trembling in fear of his wicked deed against his soul for his love of silver, repented crying to God: Alleluia!<br />
<br />
Eikos 6<br />
<br />
The oath breaker Christian and the shrewd friend of the Judean, as he was exiting your church where he has given false witnessing, that he does not know of that money, was kidnapped by the horse; and loosing on the way a ring and a key, you showed them to his wife at home, asking her to send to her husband the gold of the Jew, and as it happened immediately the trick was discovered.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, the revealer of the hidden trick.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, finder of the stolen gold.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, shaming of the wicked deeds.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, bitterness following their pursuit.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, fulfillment of the duties of faith.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, baptizer of the Judean.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, repentance of the lost Christian.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, glory of the Eastern Church.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for through your miracle the power of the gift of grace was shown forth.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, for through the work of grace two souls were saved.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, worthy worshipper of Christ.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
<br />
Kontakion 7<br />
<br />
How could we break the enchanted chains that the devil uses to bond the weak souls pulling them to him, if we would not have our thoughts meditating upon salvation? Therefore, strengthening our minds through the powers of the Holy Martyrs chosen by God, clear the fog of deception and loose the ties of the deceiver trough repentance, singing: Alleluia!<br />
<br />
Eikos 7<br />
<br />
Glory to you Holy Emperor, Almighty God That have chosen Your Holy Martyrs and Apostles from among us, so they can free us from the snares of the enemy and share with us Your inexpressible good things, so thus Your All Holy name be glorified and we can sing:<br />
<br />
Rejoice, Menas loved by God.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, O blessed Martyr.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, tireless warrior.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, courageous brave.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, untainted mind.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, sleepless watcher.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, skilful physician.<br />
<br />
Rejoice, un-bribed judge.<br />
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Rejoice, unbiased supporter.<br />
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Rejoice, unending gift.<br />
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Rejoice, giver of good gifts.<br />
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Rejoice, worker of many wonders.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 8<br />
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Your name, more than any of the saints, is wished by the Christians, O Menas, for they find in you the fast and full discovery of any loss they suffer. For this also suffering today they sit in front of your holy icon and with faith they pray to have mercy on them and fulfilling their need they can give glory to you singing: Allelluia! <br />
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Eikos 8<br />
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Tired of the waves of trials that come against us, we cannot fight and we are not worthy of mercy, because we have no repentance, deepening ourselves in wicked thoughts and deeds; for this we fall down to you to save us from the temptations that burden us and to strengthen us in the love of God, so escaping from our enemies we could sing to you:<br />
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Rejoice, tower of strength.<br />
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Rejoice, ray of joy.<br />
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Rejoice, powerful protector.<br />
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Rejoice, wall of salvation.<br />
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Rejoice, reassuring thought.<br />
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Rejoice, saving shore.<br />
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Rejoice, holy light.<br />
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Rejoice, undefeated weapon.<br />
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Rejoice, heavenly Angel.<br />
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Rejoice, godly gift.<br />
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Rejoice, protector of Christians.<br />
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Rejoice, who have mercy on the poor.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 9<br />
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Let the passions you endured be a help toward our own passions and let the wounds of your body be a protection for the pains that trouble our rest. Give us therefore, in perils, your patience, O Holy Martyr, so through it we may achieve the salvation of our souls and strengthen our shortcomings, so we can sing: Alleluia!<br />
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Eikos 9<br />
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With your blood shed for the love of Christ wash the uncleanness of our sins, all blessed one, and with the multitude of your wonders change the minds of those that oppress us so we are not wrongly condemned, and they could not darken the truth of our causes according to their will, for you are the one that exposes all wickedness and you are worthy for us to sing: <br />
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Rejoice, the embrace of those oppressed in judgments.<br />
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Rejoice, victory of the soldiers that fight for the faith.<br />
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Rejoice, fertile land of good deeds.<br />
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Rejoice, beautiful flower from Syria.<br />
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Rejoice, pearl chosen by God.<br />
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Rejoice, rose with good fragrance among the thorns of idolatry.<br />
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Rejoice, precious stone from the treasures of Egypt.<br />
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Rejoice, gift through which the purpose of the Eastern Magi was fulfilled.<br />
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Rejoice, cedar grown among the cedars of Lebanon.<br />
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Rejoice, land irrigated by the Jordan waters.<br />
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Rejoice, sleepless guardian of the monasteries of the Holy Mountain. <br />
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Rejoice, faithful teacher of those who travel to the Holy Sepulcher of our Savior.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 10<br />
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The remains of the traveler killed by the wicked host to take his gold he was going to take to your church, cutting him in pieces and burying him in the garden, you unearthed, and, next day, making him again whole as he was, you gave him life. Terrified by this miracle the murderer fell down to your feet and with tears implored mercy. And the travelers awaken as from a dream after death gave glory to God singing: Alleluia!<br />
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Eikos 10<br />
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In vain was the attempt of the guilty host to hide the killing of the foreigner, whom spending the night at his place, he hosted. And you, following him unseen for the love he had for you, you showed yourself the next day as a royal soldier, asking the host to give you the traveler, and him, lying about it, you discovered his acts and reprimanded him greatly.<br />
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Rejoice, miracle above all miracles.<br />
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Rejoice, for you were given the gift to restore and to resurrect the body slain into pieces. <br />
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Rejoice, for the guilty one was terrified by your power.<br />
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Rejoice, for the victim did not know why he was so terrified and hard on himself.<br />
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Rejoice, for you did not want this miracle to be told immediately.<br />
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Rejoice, for through your economy both were in great awe.<br />
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Rejoice, the one that made the traveler fulfill his wish, worshiping you.<br />
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Rejoice, for following on his promise he brought great gifts into your church.<br />
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Rejoice, helper of all that run to you.<br />
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Rejoice, helper of all that glorify you.<br />
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Rejoice, provider of dowry to the poor girls.<br />
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Rejoice, the one that lifts the burden of those in great debt.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 11<br />
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The Mystery of the providence that was fulfilled through you, Menas, being able to restore the body slain into pieces of the murdered traveler and to bring him back to life, is incomprehensible; for this, wondering of the gift that was given to you from God, in faith we sing: Alleluia! <br />
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Eikos 11<br />
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The self loving Eutropious, promising a vessel of silver for your church, and making two in the same time, thought that the one that had your name on it was more beautiful than his; so he decided to keep it for himself. But you disliking this wrongdoing took the vessel from his servant that was bathing in the ship and kept them both in the sea until Eutropious understood his greed and repented.<br />
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Rejoice, for immediately you took out the servant with the vessel from the sea.<br />
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Rejoice, for the servant unharmed shown forth to his master.<br />
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Rejoice, for giving thanks to God, he took the vessel in the church.<br />
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Rejoice, for you have reprimanded Eutropious for his daring act.<br />
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Rejoice, the restorer of his greedy attitude.<br />
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Rejoice, for you have saved the innocent servant from death.<br />
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Rejoice, for in this way you wanted to show the power of true faith.<br />
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Rejoice, for you changed the wrong will, not for the object, but for the wrong endeavor<br />
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Rejoice, for you brought glory to God through your miracle.<br />
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Rejoice, for His name was glorified through your wonders.<br />
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Rejoice, for in His name you suffered so you can partake in His victory.<br />
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Rejoice, O Great Martyr ready to help.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 12<br />
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Sophia, a women from the land of Fecozalia that was coming to your church to pray, seeing her self in danger of being abused by a soldier, asked you for help with voice, and immediately you saved her, exposing him with shame to the others; for this the women gave glory to God singing: Alleluia! <br />
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Eikos 12<br />
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The paralytic and a dumb women, that were sitting near your church with other sick people, waiting for their healing, saw you in the middle of the night, saying: “You, the paralytic, wake that lady and flee from here”; at what words, the paralytic, for he thought he was being sent away from you, was not moving; but you, asking him again, he had to listen and immediately they realized they were cured.<br />
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Rejoice, for the paralytic ran away terrified.<br />
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Rejoice, for the frightened dumb women spoke. <br />
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Rejoice for you have cured other sick also.<br />
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Rejoice, for you humiliated the unfaithful.<br />
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Rejoice, for you gave joy to the lovers of Christ. <br />
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Rejoice, for you sheltered the foreigners.<br />
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Rejoice, for you fed the hungry.<br />
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Rejoice, for you had mercy on the widows.<br />
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Rejoice, the protector from perils.<br />
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Rejoice, the savior of Sophia.<br />
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Rejoice, the comforter of the oppressed.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 13<br />
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(said three times)<br />
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O, all blessed Martyr Menas, listen to the voice of our prayer that we bring to you with all our heart, save us from all diseases and dangers so we can praise your commemoration and become witnesses of the miracles that, with the power of the gift of the Holy Spirit, you work for those who sing in faith to you: Alleluia! <br />
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And again we sing the Eikos 1 <br />
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Eikos 1<br />
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The Word of God enlightened the world by His incarnation, and through Him sprung forth the multitude of the martyrs which spilled their blood in great sufferings, making themselves protectors of those in need; for this we sing to you:<br />
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Rejoice, unwaning star.<br />
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Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.<br />
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Rejoice, the light of those at loss.<br />
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Rejoice, the revealer of the kidnappers.<br />
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Rejoice, the mystery that exposes the wicked deeds.<br />
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Rejoice, the dam that stops the drifting.<br />
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Rejoice, the pillar that hinders the rudeness.<br />
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Rejoice, the depth that loses the gluttony.<br />
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Rejoice, the breath that strengthens the hearts of those in suffering.<br />
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Rejoice, the hand that discovers the lootings.<br />
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Rejoice, the chain that bonds the lawless.<br />
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Rejoice, the fog that clouds the unclean thoughts.<br />
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Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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Kontakion 1<br />
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The entire world has found you to be a great champion when in grave perils; for many you have saved from losses: tracking the thieves, driving away deprivations and fulfilling the requests of those that run to you in faith; for these we pray to you, be merciful to us who sing to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.<br />
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After this we say this prayer :<br />
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Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr and Wonderworker Menas of Egypt.<br />
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O, Most Holy and all-lauded Great Martyr and wonder-worker Menas; receive this prayer from me, your unworthy servant, because to you, as a true fountain of healings, ready to help and miraculous helper, I come with tears of repentance to your holy icon and pray: See my loss, O Holy Martyr, my insufficiency and my wickedness, see the wounds and the plague of my soul. Therefore I pray to you, blessed and Holy Menas, hasten to help me with your holy prayers and sustain me your servant. Take heed to my sorrows and do not overlook me the sinner, for I know, O Holy Martyr of God that you endured dreadful and terrifying tortures from the lawless ones for the love of Christ, but through these sufferings you live enlightened today and you found the gift from God. We are certain that even after your divine passing from this ephemeral life, all the ones that asked your help with faith in your church were not deceived and continued to receive your help. For who called you for help and you did not hear? Or who called you, O wonder-worker, and you overlooked? Or who, being at loss and running to your help, you did not recovered his deficit?<br />
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Your miracles and your help compelled me also, the wicked and the sinner, to run to your help. I heard of the merchant from the land of Isauria that was coming to your church to pray and not only had you revealed his murderer, but you also recovered his loss giving him back the purse with gold; but O, great wonder, even the dead man, cut into pieces, you healed and made healthy.<br />
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In the same manner you took out of the water the servant of Eutropious with the golden vessel he was holding in his hands, because he had promised it to your church. Also the women Sophia, that was coming to worship in your temple, not only you saved her from the soldier that was forcing her into sin, but you also reprimanded him according to his deeds. In the same manner the paralytic who was coming to your church you healed immediately. And the dumb woman started speaking and she spoke clearly. So the Judean that gave his Christian friend a sum of money and the Christian denied to have received it, taking an oath into your very church, you not only saved the Christian from his lying oath, but even the Jew, seeing the miracle, believed in you and became a Christian. These miracles of yours, O Holy Martyr, make me believe that you are ready for every good deed and you are ready as a quick and miraculous helper.<br />
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Therefore I am convinced that everyone that runs to you, asking your help with faith, you do not overlook. I also believe that you are the same, O Holy Martyr, yesterday and today, and that all that run to you do not return without help. For this I also today, being at loss and in distress, I run to you in faith and, with tears, kneeling down, I pray to you, O Holy and Great Martyr Menas, intercede for me, the one at loss and in distress, to Christ, the Son of God that have not overlooked your martyr prayer, but listened to you, gave you strength and received you in the holy abodes. Pray to Him so I may receive help and mercy through your prayers, and I can be saved from my losses and my tribulations, so I can glorify and bless the all holy name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
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Holy Martyr Menas, pray to God for us!<br />
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Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).<br />
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Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
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All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.<br />
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Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.<br />
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Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil one. Amen<br />
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Apolytikion of St. Menas, Tone 4<br />
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With great valor of soul, you did strive in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, from Heaven you have received the gift of miracles; for God has shown You to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made you our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defense from harm.<br />
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Lord, have mercy (40x).<br />
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Through the prayers of our Holy Father, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us. Amen.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-4730356750800574282010-03-20T14:03:00.000-07:002010-03-20T14:07:47.018-07:00Akathist to Blessed Seraphim<strong> </strong>A K A T H I S T to our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim Rose of Platina <br />
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originally found at http://users.sisqtel.net/williams/akathist-frseraphim.html<br />
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Kontakion 1 <br />
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Chosen vessel of Christ, Blessed Father Seraphim, we offer to thee a song of thanksgiving and praise, as we contemplate thy God-pleasing activity and sacrifice. As you now behold the risen Lord, on His throne of glory, you intercede for our pitiful generation. Wherefore we sinners cry out:<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!<br />
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Oikos 1 <br />
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During thy earthly sojourn you traded the corruptible riches of a dying world for the inexpressible, infinite riches of the Heavenly King. Renouncing all ties to the earth you sought to acquire the mind and faith of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, and transmit this grace unto the salvation of many. Honoring thy exploits we praise thee thusly:<br />
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Rejoice, seeker of the Truth above all else!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who rejected the many temptations of the wide path to perdition!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who confessed the Lord Jesus Christ before the world!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who exposed the subtle snares of the enemy!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who sought the grace and illumination of the Kingdom within!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who renounced the created and sought the Uncreated Light!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 2 <br />
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Seeing the delusion and folly that passes as the wisdom of this world, you chose the way of Christ and became truly wise. And like a modern Blessed Augustine, you then sought to understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. And desiring His Kingdom, we sing with you to him: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 2 <br />
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Having avoided the dread abyss of apostasy you raised the cry of salvation unto a thirsty world. Answering to your call we sing to thee:<br />
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Rejoice, thou who made clear the path of salvation to darkened modern man!<br />
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Rejoice, humble servant who followed Tradition as it was handed down to thee!<br />
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Rejoice, philosopher who saw history rest in God's hand!<br />
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Rejoice, repentant heart that sought forgiveness of sins!<br />
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Rejoice, venerator of Orthodox monarchs!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who exposed the error of God-rejecting humanity!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!<br />
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Kontakion 3 <br />
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Finding thyself with a incurable illness in thy youth, you entreated the Holy Mother of God for healing to have time to produce fruit for her Holy Son. And because you found that mercy, we sing to the Lord Jesus Christ: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 3 <br />
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Having sought ascetic labor as a healing from sin, you have been exalted from on high. You now plead to the Eternal Judge of mankind for your spiritual children and for all who cry to you such things as these:<br />
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Rejoice, thou who was purified by sufferings!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who sought mercy from the Mother of God to do her Son's work!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who sought to walk the narrow path that leads to life!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who, unlike the lawyers of old, helped others to walk that path!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who shone with the radiance of the Kingdom of Heaven!<br />
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Rejoice, tho who humbly accepted your place in the succession of the righteous which was allotted thee by the Holy Trinity!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!<br />
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Kontakion 4 <br />
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Having been born in a land separated from the saving truth of Orthodoxy, you labored to present to the west Holy Saints of its own as a lamp out of error. And we, benefitting from thy labors, join the hymn to the Holy Trinity by singing: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 4<br />
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Having witnessed in thy youth the modern wonderworker, St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco, saving souls like a modern St. Martin of Tours, you followed his example by thy love for the saints of the west. Rejoicing in their light we cry:<br />
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Rejoice, thou who glorified God's saints such as St. Gregory of Tours!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who followed the path such as St. Herman of Alaska!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who indicated the way into the Kingdom of Heaven for many such as St. Innocent!<br />
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Rejoice, native born holy vessel such as St. Peter the Aleut!<br />
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Rejoice, light to new lands such as St. John Maximovitch!<br />
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Rejoice, holy guardian of the Sacred such as Father Gerasim of Alaska!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 5 <br />
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Seeing many around thee fall into the errors of both the left and right, thou resolved to follow the blessed Royal middle path that leads to the Kingdom of Truth. And we, attempting to follow thy steps, praise the Lord with this song: Alleluia!<br />
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Oikos 5 <br />
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Desiring to understand how one can remain faithful to Christ in a time when the love of many has gone cold, you found that only suffering endured with pain of heart for Christ's sake leads to salvation. And we, groaning with sufferings cry out:<br />
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Rejoice, pastor who taught in word and deed!<br />
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Rejoice, true Christian who took up his cross and followed Christ!<br />
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Rejoice, teacher who learned from the Saints!<br />
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Rejoice, exponent of spiritual sobriety!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who condemned the errors of compromise!<br />
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Rejoice, man of understanding who rebuked the modern Pharisees!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!<br />
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Kontakion 6 <br />
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Distrusting thine own wisdom, you sought the divine, life saving teachings of the Holy Fathers. As you are now perfected in that wisdom, pray to the Lord Jesus that we may avoid our own understanding, by calling out to Him: Alleluia!<br />
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Oikos 6 <br />
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Recognizing that you belonged to another sion, you let yourself be grafted into the true vine of Orthodoxy. And following those that taught thee, the grace of God touched your life. And we, desperately needing such nourishment, sing such things as these:<br />
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Rejoice, adopted son of Holy Russia!<br />
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Rejoice, student of the Fathers of the Philokalia!<br />
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Rejoice, champion of Orthodox society!<br />
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Rejoice, follower of the Ecumenical Councils!<br />
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Rejoice, veneration of the martyrs!<br />
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Rejoice, first born holy one of a new land!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 7 <br />
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Loving the paradise of God before this passing earth, you sought the monastic habit to train your soul to seek the higher things. Having sat at the Lord's feet listening to his words, you took the better part. And we, chasing after many things, long to say with thee to the Lord: Alleluia!<br />
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Oikos 7 <br />
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Having sought to save thy soul as a humble monk you are exalted beyond passion's reach. And we, plundered by enemies and passions, beseech your prayers by such praises as these:<br />
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Rejoice, thou who sought to provide monastic life to perishing modern man!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who led the call for an American Thebaid!<br />
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Rejoice, lover of the desert dwellers of Egypt!<br />
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Rejoice, creator of a Mount Athos in thy heart!<br />
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Rejoice, follower of St. John the Forerunner crying out to the world from the wilderness!<br />
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Rejoice, veneration of the New Martyrs, forerunners of the monastics of the end times!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 8 <br />
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Understanding that the knowledge of this life only leads unto death, you accepted ordination to the priesthood at the hands of the inheritor of the Optina Tradition, the Holy Bishop Nektary Kontzevitch. And, functioning as a presbyter, lawful indeed, you brought many to the correct faith, through the waters of baptism. With them, we chant unto God: Alleluia!<br />
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Oikos 8 <br />
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Seeking to unite the piety of true faith with the understanding of reason, you wrote countless books and articles to provide the Orthodox Word to an age on the decline. As a presbyter, you fed the faithful with Christ's Most Holy Body and Blood. Thus, you satiated your spiritually starving contemporaries, both of mind and soul. And we, attempting to ascend with you, cry:<br />
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Rejoice, champion of Orthodoxy!<br />
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Rejoice, soldier utilizing the sharp two-edged sword of the Word of God!<br />
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Rejoice, exposer of the lie of evolution!<br />
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Rejoice, upholder of the greatness of God's creation!<br />
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Rejoice, distrust of human reason!<br />
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Rejoice, exaltation of the Logos!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 9 <br />
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Knowing the need to prepare the soul for death, in repentance you sought the teachings of the Holy Fathers on the soul's departure from this place of delusion. And seeking forgiveness from Christ, we praise His mercy and sing: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 9 <br />
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Understanding that man must give account of every thought, word and deed, you warned a heedless generation of the Judgement to come. And we, trembling because of our sins praise thee thusly:<br />
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Rejoice, teacher of the truth!<br />
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Rejoice, encouragement of the weak!<br />
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Rejoice, humbler of the proud!<br />
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Rejoice, call to repentance!<br />
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Rejoice, plea to the Theotokos!<br />
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Rejoice, prayers before the Trinity!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 10 <br />
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Seeing the world plunge further into madness and unbelief, you spoke of the impending Judgement of God on the straying race of man. And we, terrified at our own lack of faith, sing to God: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 10 <br />
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Having love for all that is loved of Christ, you venerated His holy Mother and sought Her help in times of trial. And we, marveling at thy faith and long-suffering cry to the Mother of God:<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Virgin, quick answer of prayers!<br />
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Rejoice, protection of those that are afflicted!<br />
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Rejoice, hope of the lost!<br />
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Rejoice, balm of the wounded!<br />
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Rejoice, Mother of Christians!<br />
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Rejoice, helper of Blessed Seraphim!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 11 <br />
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Being a new son of Holy Russia, and seeing that land plundered by godless enemies, you strove to keep Holy Russia alive in a new land. And God rewarded your effort as your Pascha candle lit candles in suffering Holy Russia. Seeing this, we cry to the King of Heaven: Alleluia!<br />
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Oikos 11 <br />
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Having reverence for the deep, ancient faith of the Russian Orthodox people, you spoke of the resurrection of Holy Russia and from this you became a bright light shining throughout the world. Truly, you were amongst the early fruits of St. Seraphim's great prophecy concerning the revelation of the Orthodox faith to the entire world. Honoring thy faith and far-sightedness we cry:<br />
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Rejoice, new fruit of an ancient tree!<br />
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Rejoice, seed of a new spring!<br />
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Rejoice, prophet of resurrection!<br />
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Rejoice, champion of the New Martyrs!<br />
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Rejoice, soldier of Christ's army!<br />
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Rejoice, instrument of God's providence!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 12 <br />
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During your life in the flesh, you ever increasingly sought Christ the Lord. And at the time of your departing this life of delusion, the Lord granted you great bodily sufferings to prepare your soul for eternity, thereby causing many miracles through your sanctification. And now that you are perfected in the heavenly Kingdom, pray for us that we all come to Christ chanting: Alleluia! <br />
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Oikos 12 <br />
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The ways of the Lord are ignored by man, which has taken up arms against its Creator and His Church. Seeing this you warned us to be strong in the trials ahead by saying "It's later than you think!" Seeking your prayers we cry out:<br />
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Rejoice, warning against the lukewarm!<br />
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Rejoice, encouragement for the weak!<br />
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Rejoice, denouncer of confusing heresies!<br />
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Rejoice, upholder of Orthodox truth!<br />
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Rejoice, light in the darkness!<br />
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Rejoice, lantern of Christ!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 13 <br />
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Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, at your funeral Bishop Nektery instructed us to seek your intercessions. Then, forty days after your repose, he chanted the Glorification to you, thus numbering you among the saints. By most this passed unnoticed until, after sixteen years you were proclaimed "Blessed". Now we know you are singing forever to God: Alleluia! (Chanted Thrice) <br />
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Oikos 1 <br />
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During thy earthly sojourn you traded the corruptible riches of a dying world for the inexpressible, infinite riches of the Heavenly King. Renouncing all ties to the earth you sought to acquire the mind and faith of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, and transmit this grace unto the salvation of many. Honoring thy exploits we praise thee thusly:<br />
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Rejoice, seeker of Truth above all else!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who rejected the many temptations of the wide path to perdition!<br />
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Rejoice, tho who confessed the Lord Jesus Christ before the world!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who exposed the subtle snares of the enemy!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who sought the grace and illumination of the Kingdom within!<br />
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Rejoice, thou who renounced the created and sought the Uncreated Light!<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Kontakion 1 <br />
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Chosen vessel of Christ, Blessed Father Seraphim, we offer to thee a song of thanksgiving and praise, as we contemplate thy God-pleasing activity and sacrifice. As you now behold the risen Lord, on His throne of glory, you intercede for our pitiful generation. Wherefore we sinners cry out:<br />
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Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times! <br />
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Prayer to Blessed Father Seraphim of Platina <br />
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Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, you lived your life in accordance with the commandment of Christ to die to yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him. Having done so, you produced much fruit for God's harvest. Please pray to the Lord for us, your spiritual children, who live in an age of unbelief and hostility to absolute truth. Pray that Christ our God strengthen us and give us the wisdom and faith to survive the ordeals ahead. Pray for our family and friends, both living and dead. Pray that the inner eyes of our souls be opened to see the divine and true Gospel of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, that we might acquire the Holy Spirit within ourselves. Pray that we all might someday dwell in bliss with you and the other Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. Pray to the Mother of God to entreat her Son to have mercy on our souls. For glorious and unending is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. <br />
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TROPARION; TONE 4<br />
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As a faithful ascetic of Saint Herman / you flowered as a spiritual rose in Platina / As an illuminator of Orthodoxy in America / your writings bring hope throughout the world / Having taught us the True Faith / Oh Blessed Seraphim / pray to God for us.<br />
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KONTAKION; TONE 4<br />
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Being one supremely devoted to the Mother of God / thou didst take up thine abode on a mountainside near Platina / and there thou didst crucify thy flesh, with its lusts and passions, through ascetic struggle / wherefore thou art become the first born American saint, / an inspiration and guiding star to American Orthodoxy. / Wherefore we cry unto thee, / save us by thy prayers, / Oh Seraphim our Holy Father.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-73146797283902431832009-10-28T07:03:00.000-07:002009-10-28T07:03:52.387-07:00Excellent ResourceThe Orthowiki has got an amazing number of Akathists, complete with links. <br />
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<a href="http://orthodoxwiki.org/Akathist">Well worth a visit !</a>Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-47814833193650765742009-08-26T02:26:00.001-07:002009-08-26T02:26:58.282-07:00Akathist To St Michael The ArchangelThe Akathist to St. Michael the Archangel<br /><br />Recite the Prayers of Introduction.<br /><br />Preamble<br /><br />Chosen captain of the heavenly hosts and defender of mankind, we - delivered by you from afflictions -offer this hymn of thanksgiving, and do you standing before the throne of the King of Glory set us free from all distress that we may cry to you with faith and love: <br /><br />Hail, Michael great captain, with the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />First Chant<br /><br />As leader of the fiery choirs of angels, it is right to praise you with angelic tongue, 0 Michael, but until -taught by you - we have become used to the speech of the bodiless powers, hear the praises from thankful lips though they be those of mortal beings: <br /><br />Hail, first-formed star of the world! <br />Hail, candle of truth and justice, shining like gold! <br />Hail, first receiver, in the choir of angels of the rays of the uncreated light! <br />Hail, head of angels and archangels! <br />Hail, you in whom the creative glory of the Right Hand shines! <br />Hail, you by whom the assembly of all bodiless creatures is made beautiful! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Beholding the splendor of your spiritual beauty and the strength of your right hand that is like a flash of lightning, we - wrapped as we are in the mortal flesh of this earth - but, filled with joy and thankfulness toward the Creator, cry aloud: 0 Archangel of God, with all the hosts of heaven: Alleluia! <br /><br />Second Chant<br /><br />0 most wonderful Michael, leader of the heavenly hosts, ask for us a clear understanding, free from passions, that, lifted in thought from earthly to heavenly things, we may sing a hymn of praise to you:<br /><br />Hail, nearest beholder of the ineffable beauty and goodness of God! <br />Hail, close participator in the mysteries of the all-good counsels of the most Holy + Trinity! <br />Hail, faithful fulfiller of the pre-eternal judgments of the + Trinity! <br />Hail, you at whom the heavenly hosts, with love, stand amazed! <br />Hail, you to whom those born on earth give glory! <br />Hail, you before whom the hosts of heaven tremble! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Archangel Michael, you show in yourself the strength of an unconquerable zeal for the glory of God. At the head of the choirs of angels, you have withstood the arrogant daystar Satan, exceedingly proud and breathing out evil when he and his dark fellow-servants had been cast down into the nethermost parts of the world, while the heavenly hosts led by you in your glory shouted as with one voice for joy before the throne of God: Alleluia! <br /><br />Third Chant<br /><br />All Christian people have you, 0 Archangel Michael, as a mighty defender and helper in battle against the adversary. Therefore, we, wishing to be granted your marvelous protection, call upon you on the day of your solemn feast in this way: <br /><br />Hail, you by whom Satan was cast down like lightning from heaven! <br />Hail, you by whom humanity preserved goes up to heaven! <br />Hail, splendid adornment of the most radiant world on high! <br />Hail, most glorious defender of the fallen world here below! <br />Hail, never-defeated by the forces of evil! <br />Hail, you, established forever by divine grace in truth and righteousness with all God?s angels! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />O chief ruler of the angels, deliver us who keep your radiant feast with joy from the storm of temptations and troubles, for you are a mighty helper in afflictions and the preserver and defender in the hour of death of all those crying aloud to Our Lord and Our Lady: Alleluia! <br /><br />Fourth Chant<br /><br />Seeing your boldness against the regiments of Satan, all the ranks of angels followed after you with joy into the fight for the name and the glory of their Master, crying aloud: "Who is like unto God!" And we, seeing Satan cast down beneath your feet cry to you as victor: <br /><br />Hail, you by whom peace and quiet returned to heaven! <br />Hail, you whom the spirit of evil was laid low even unto hell! <br />Hail, you who direct the angelic armies and the hosts of the invisible world to the destruction of evil! <br />Hail, you who, unseen, calm the agitation and fighting of the elements of the unseen world! <br />Hail, wonderful defender of those waging war with the spirits of evil! <br />Hail, strong helper of those on earth grown weak through the temptations and assaults of the world! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />You have appeared in the Church of Khony as a divinely flowing fountain of great miracles. For, not only was a large and fearful serpent dwelling there destroyed by your strength, but a stream of water was revealed there healing all bodily ailments, that all might glorify you, 0 Lord God of the angels, and all might cry out to You with Faith: Alleluia! <br /><br />Fifth Chant<br /><br />Hearing you and knowing you as a great light shining among the choirs of angels, after God and His Holy Mother, we run to you, wonderful Michael. With the rays of your light illuminate all of us who sing to you in the following manner: <br /><br />Hail, mediator of the law given by the hand of Moses on Mount Sinai! <br />Hail, you by whom the judges and leaders of Israel found strength and protection! <br />Hail, you, through whom the prophets and high priests of the Jews received the gift of knowledge from the all-knowing God! <br />Hail, you who provide with secret wisdom the God-fearing givers of the law! <br />Hail, you who put kindness and mercy into the hearts of those who administer justice and truth! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />You have announced beforehand the judgments of God when, in former times - at the sight of you -Mannah was filled with fear and perplexity, thinking that he would no longer live, but taught by his wife of the goodness of the vision, and the gentleness of your words, from joy at having a son, Samson, who was about to be born, he cried out to God in thanksgiving: Alleluia! <br /><br />Sixth Chant<br /><br />You have shone forth wonderfully, 0 Michael, when in the form of a man you have stood before Joshua, son of Nun, saying: "Take off your shoes, for I am the chief captain of the hosts of the Lord." And we, marveling, sing to you: <br /><br />Hail, untiring guardian of leaders, rulers, and governments! <br />Hail, you, swift to overthrow those withstanding authority as they oppose the command of God! <br />Hail, you who appease the mighty wave of popular tumult! <br />Hail, invisible destroyer of vile customs! <br />Hail, you who enlighten those in doubt in the hour of great perplexity! <br />Hail, you who save all those tried by soul-destroying and false attacks! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Wanting to show that the fortunes of men are not dependent on themselves, but are always held in His Divine Hand, the Maker of all has given you to the kingdoms of the earth as a defender and keeper, that you may prepare all the tribes and peoples for the Kingdom of God that is eternal. Therefore, all of us knowing your great service for the salvation of mankind, cry to God in thanksgiving: Alleluia! <br /><br />Seventh Chant<br /><br />The Creator and Master of all miracles has shown us a new miracle on earth through you, chief angel, when you miraculously saved the church built in honor of your name from being flooded with the waters of the river. You commanded the rising stream to turn back into the bosom of the earth, at the sight of which the blessed Archipus together with his spiritual children cried to you in thanksgiving: <br /><br />Hail, indestructible rampart of the holy Church of God! <br />Hail, you at whose behest the elements are subdued! <br />Hail, you by whom all evil intents are brought to naught! <br />Hail, you who bring joy to all the faithful from the throne of the Almighty God! <br />Hail, you who lead unbelievers on the path of justice and truth! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven!<br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Habakkuk, the prophet, saw in his very self a strange wonder of your power, 0 chief captain of God?s armies, when carried off at the Divine Command, he was quickly taken from Judah to Babylon to give food to Daniel, a prisoner in the den of the lions. Therefore, amazed at the mighty effect of your strength, he cried out with faith: Alleluia! <br /><br />Eighth Chant<br /><br />Standing before the throne of God, Michael, you are entirely in the heights yet you are not far from men and women below upon the earth. You ever fight against the enemies of mankind?s salvation. Therefore, all who wish to reach the long-desired homeland of heaven call to you with one accord: <br /><br />Hail, leader of the thrice-holy hymn of the angels! <br />Hail, ever-ready advocate and guardian of those on earth! <br />Hail, who, in strange fashion, struck down Pharaoh with his faithless Egyptians in their ponderous pride! <br />Hail, who gloriously led the Jews in their wandering through the wilderness! <br />Hail, you who quenched the flame of the fiery furnace of Babylon for the three youths!<br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Joyful trembling seized the monks of the Holy Mount of Athos when they saw how you saved the Godfearing child who was thrown into the depths of the sea with a stone around his neck by money-grubbing men. The monastery that received him was adorned by your name, 0 Michael, and cries to God in thanksgiving: Alleluia! <br /><br />Ninth Chant<br /><br />Speakers, eloquent in words and who love clever thoughts, have not sufficient strength to declare your might, 0 Michael, and how in one night you destroyed the one hundred and eighty-five thousand warriors of Sennacherih, the king of Assyria, as a warning to him not to blaspheme the Name of the Lord in the future. We, honoring your zeal for the glory of the truth of God, cry out to you with gladness: <br /><br />Hail, unconquerable leader of the armies of Orthodoxy! <br />Hail, very fear and defeat of armies whose beliefs are evil! <br />Hail, planter of the Orthodox faith and worship! <br />Hail, uprooter of heresies and schisms that harm the soul! <br />Hail, you who strengthened the pious Maccabees on the field of battle! <br />Hail, you who struck down in the temple itself Heliodorus, the captain of the evil king, Antiochus! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />0 chief captain of God, be for us who wish to be saved, a firm helper, to deliver and preserve us from distress and mishap, and even more so from our own evil habits and sins so that, progressing in faith, hope and love of Christ, we may thankfully cry out with joy to the Master of angels and mankind for your strong defense: Alleluia! <br /><br />Tenth Chant<br /><br />0 chief captain of God, you are a wall for all who believe and a strong pillar in the struggles with visible and invisible enemies. With thankful hearts and voices we cry: <br /><br />Hail, unconquerable opponent of the enemies of the Faith and the adversaries of the Holy Church! <br />Hail, untiring helper of those who humbly announce the Good News! <br />Hail, you who enlighten with the light of faith those sitting in the land of darkness! <br />Hail, you who direct along the path of truth and repentance those made foolish through false wisdom! <br />Hail, terrible avenger of those who call in vain upon the Name of the Lord! <br />Hail, chastiser-bearing lightning for those who foolishly mock the Mysteries of the Holy Faith! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />0 angel of God, every song of praise falls short because of the multitude of miracles performed by you not only in heaven and on earth, but also in the dark shades of the depths of the netherworld, where you have chained the serpent with the bonds of power of the Lord, that those delivered from the evil one?s wickedness might bless the Master of heaven and earth, crying: Alleluia! <br /><br />Eleventh Chant<br /><br />0 chief captain, you appeared as a light-bearing servant of truth and the purity of divine worship when, foreseeing the snares of the spirit of darkness, you have forbidden him in the Name of the Lord, that he dare not show the hidden body of the prophet Moses, leader of the Jews, to the sensual children of Israel lest they deify him. Therefore, while we now honor your divinely bright feast, we cry to you: <br /><br />Hail, you who kept the purity of knowledge of God among the Jews in the days of the Old Testament! <br />Hail, who by grace have many times uprooted the weeds of error in the days of the New Testament! <br />Hail, destroyer of heathen prophets and idols! <br />Hail, fortifier of Christians who struggle and suffer! <br />Hail, you who fill the weak in spirit with the strength of the grace of God! <br />Hail, you who clothe in the armor of faith those who fail in the flesh! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />Beg grace for us from God in heaven as we sing to the glory of your honorable name, 0 Michael, that in the shadow of your protection we may live in all piety and purity until, set loose from the bonds of flesh and death, we may be granted to stand before the flaming throne of the King of Glory and sing with all the choirs of angels: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Twelfth Chant<br /><br />Singing the praises of your many different miracles performed for our salvation, we pray the Lord and Master of all, 0 Michael, that the spirit of zeal for the glory of God that is within you fail not in us who sing to you with these hymns of praise: <br /><br />Hail, you who divinely set up in the heights of power the servants of God in time of need!<br />Hail, you who invisibly bring down from the heights of strength and glory those who are unworthy and insolent! <br />Hail, you, who on the last day, shall gather the chosen from the four ends of the earth!<br />Hail, you by whom at the voice of God sinners shall be committed like bares to the eternal fire! <br />Hail, you by whom Satan and his angels shall be cast into the lake of fire! <br />Hail, you by whom the righteous shall gloriously be made to settle in the mansion of our heavenly Father! <br />Hail, Michael, great chief captain with all the hosts of heaven! <br /><br />Kontakion<br /><br />0 most wonderful leader of archangels and angels, because of your most marvelous service for the salvation of mankind, accept from us the sound of praise and thanksgiving now offered to you, and as you are filled with the strength of God, protect us with your immaterial wings from all visible and invisible enemies, that we may cry without ceasing to the Lord glorified by you and who glorified you: Alleluia! <br /><br />Prayer of Entrustment<br /><br />0 great and holy Michael, Archangel of God, standing at the head of the angels before the everlasting + Trinity, 0 advocate and preserver of mankind, who - with your hosts - has broken in heaven the head of the daystar, Satan, the exceedingly proud one, and who always puts to shame his evil and cunning servants on earth, we run to you with faith and pray to you with love: be an unbreakable shield and firm bastion for the Holy Church and for our nation, protecting them with your lightning sword. Be for us a guardian angel, a wise counselor and helper of our land bringing to it from the throne of the Eternal Ruling King and Lord our God enlightenment and strength, joy, peace and comfort. Be for us the chief captain and fellow-fighter of our honorable country, crowning it with glory and victory over unjust adversaries, that all who oppose us may know that God and His holy angels stand ready to defend us. Be the physician and healer of those wounded. Be the pillar and defender of those children of the Church of God that are in captivity. And forsake not, 0 Archangel of God, with your help and protection, those of us who today glorify your holy name. For, behold, though we are great sinners, yet we desire not to perish in our iniquities but to turn to the Lord and be made by Him to live for good works. Illuminate our minds with the light of the Countenance of God that shines without ceasing on the lightning-like forehead, that we may understand that the will of God concerning us is good and perfect and knows all that is right for us to do, and even that which is right to omit and overlook. Strengthen by the grace of the Lord, our weak and feeble purpose, that made firm in the commandments of the Lord we may cease to wallow in earthly thoughts drawn by the lusts of the flesh as senseless children through the perishable beauties of the world. Above all these things, ask from on high for us the true spirit of repentance, true sorrow and contrition for our sins before God, that we may spend the remaining number of our days in this temporal life, not in the satisfying of our feelings and in the bondage to our passions, but in the blotting out of the evil we have done by tears of faith and heartfelt compunction, by works of charity, chastity, and holy acts of loving mercy.<br /><br />When the hour of our end and of our liberation from the earthly bonds of our own bodies draws near, 0 Archangel of God, leave us not without defense against the earthly spirits of evil who try to hinder the entry of man into the heavenly places. Preserved by you, may we, without hindrance, reach those all-glorious dwelling-places of Paradise where there is neither sorrow nor sighing but only life without end. May we be made worthy to behold the Face of our all-gracious Lord and Master, and falling at His feet with tears may we cry out in joy and tender feeling: Glory to You, our most tender, dear Redeemer, who, because of Your great love for us, your unworthy servants and handmaidens, have been pleased to send Your angels in the service of our salvation! For all the powers of heaven praise You, and we give glory, honor and thanksgiving to You, Father +, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.<br /><br />0 chosen captain of the heavenly hosts and defender of mankind, we, delivered by you from all afflictions, offer this hymn of thanksgiving, and do you, standing before the throne of the King of Glory, set us free from all distress that we may cry to you with faith and love:<br /><br />Hail, Michael, great captain, with all the hosts of heaven! Three times.<br /><br />Recite the Concluding Prayers.<br /><br />Text taken from Byzantines dot Net<br /><http://www.byzantines.net/liturgy/akathist.htm>Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-73245887177389138552009-08-26T02:13:00.001-07:002009-08-26T02:13:55.772-07:00Akathist To All Saints Of Western EuropeAkathist to all the Saints that shone forth in the lands of the West<br /><br /> (written by Hierod. Grigorie Benea, translated by:Calina Gavrea and Fr. Andrew Philips)<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 1<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us praise, as is meet, all the saints that in times of old shone forth in the lands of the West, enlightening those parts through their sufferings and struggles. And let us sing to them, as to those that unceasingly pray for us before God, saying: Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 1<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The most holy name of our Savior hath been glorified wondrously within you, O saints of the West. For, beholding your holy life and deeds for salvation, the peoples of the West learned how to worship the True God and honour you with joy, saying: <br /><br /> Rejoice, apostles and martyrs, monks and bishops, for ye are the praise and joy of all <br /><br /> the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye above all are the most precious fruit of these lands!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for your holy blood washed away all heathen defilement!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through teachings full of power ye delivered the people from ignorance! <br /><br /> Rejoice, for in the darkness of those times ye shone like most radiant beacons of light!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye showed yourselves before the whole world as true guides to the path of salvation!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for in this way ye became fathers in Christ unto all the peoples of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for even to this day ye pray unceasingly for us in the heavens!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye above all are the strong hope of these places!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for all the faithful of the West boast of you!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye teach us how to give true honour to God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye call the whole West to repentance and turn back to God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 2<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The lands of the West were also counted worthy to receive the wonderful Apostles of God, that with unquenchable zeal everywhere preached the good news of salvation. And through them the peoples of the West were born in Christ for the first time, and began singing to Him as to the true God: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 2<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The Holy Apostles made themselves enlighteners of the West through their untiring labours. For they put at naught the dark powers of the enemy and fearlessly spread the light of Christ in all places. And for this they confessed the truth even unto blood and became worthy to hear from the mouths of all songs of praise like these:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Apostles of Christ, that strove to bring the Gospel to the lands of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye above all others are the fathers and protectors of these places!<br /><br /> Rejoice, therefore, Holy Peter and Paul, Princes of the Apostles, for ye founded the first Church in the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through you pagan Rome began to offer pure sacrifice to the True God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for ye were shown to be fearless before all the terrors and persecutions of the unbelievers!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for at the end ye sealed your faith in Christ even with your own blood! <br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Apostle James, son of Zebedee, who hast enlightened the Spanish lands!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thy relics rest in those parts to this day, bringing great comfort to all!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou too, Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot, who brought the faith of the Risen Christ to Britain!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for like all the other Apostles thou too didst receive death for eternal life!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Aristobulus, who hast followed Saint Simon in preaching!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst become the first bishop of Britain and witness of Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 3<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The Apostles of God left worthy disciples and followers in the places they enlightened, and they were in nothing less than their fathers, but in all things followed them in labour and zeal. For through the example of their lives they delivered the heathen from idolatry and brought them to venerate the One True God, teaching them to sing to Him unceasingly: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 3<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us all sing with one voice to all those that were worthy to become followers of the Holy Apostles, furthering their work and hallowing the lands of the West through their teachings and blood; and let us all say to them, as to those who even to this day pray before the throne of God for us, words of praise like these:<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye who have shown yourselves to be wonderful disciples of the disciples of Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for alongside your fathers ye struggled fervently for the enlightenment of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, therefore, amongst all, Holy Clement, for the prince of the Apostles consecrated thee bishop of Rome!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst guide the flock entrusted to thee with great wisdom and worthiness!<br /><br /> Rejoice also, Holy Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, for thou too didst receive consecration from the hands of Saint Peter!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou bearer of God, for thy writings greatly console us to this day!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thy glorious martyrdom is for all an example of manliness and courage in the face of death!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou too, Holy Justin lover of wisdom, for through thy writings thou didst arouse the wrath of the enemies of Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for not suffering thy divine wisdom, they martyred thee in the arenas of Rome!<br /><br /> Rejoice, also, Holy Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon, who from Asia Minor came to enlighten the lands of Gaul!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through thy divinely-inspired writings, thou didst ceaselessly fight against all heresies!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for because of this, all Christians honour thee as a great Pillar and Father of the Church!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 4<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us offer songs of praise to all those that in the lands of the West suffered for Christ even unto blood, and through their manliness trampled down death; and to God, Who strengthened them in torments and tortures beyond all imagination, let us all unceasingly sing thus: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 4<br /><br /> <br /><br /> With joy ye shed your blood for Christ, O venerable martyrs, and to Him ye offered yourselves as a well-received sacrifice. And the peoples of the West, seeing your unspeakable patience, understood that the God of Glory Himself dwelt within you, and marvelling at such a thing, with faith began singing to you thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Tatiana and Anastasia, together with Sophia and her three daughters!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Cecilia and Agnes, who showed yourselves women unequalled in courage!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Laurence, archdeacon, together with Sebastian, the glorious martyr of Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, good victors, for through your unspeakable passions ye hallowed pagan Rome!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye who filled all the lands of the West with your struggles!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Agatha and Lucy, praised martyrs, for in Italy ye fought the good fight!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Valentine and Januarius, enlightened bishops, for ye sealed your teaching with blood!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Cyprian, hierarch, together with Perpetua and Felicity and all those that laid down their lives for Christ in the African lands!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Maurice, wonderful martyr, for in the Swiss lands alongside thy soldiers thou didst fearlessly stand up in the face of death! <br /><br /> Rejoice, Vincent, deacon, for thou didst hallow Spain through thine unimaginable torments!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Alban, valiant warrior, for thou didst offer thyself as the first pure sacrifice of Britain to the true God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Ursula, bride of Christ, who with thy blood washed the German lands!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 5<br /><br /> <br /><br /> As the enemy of our salvation saw that he could not defeat the faith of the disciples of Christ through tortures and persecutions beyond compare, he sent against them hosts of deceitful teachers and shepherds, who with treachery would lead the faithful into delusion. But against them stood up wise Fathers, great both in word and deed, who with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit overcame all heresy and taught the people to give true honour to God, saying: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 5<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us praise with joy all the fearless confessors of the Orthodox Faith, who valiantly fought for the truth in the lands of the West and rooted out all lies from among the people through their holy struggles and deeds; and let us sing to them as to true chosen ones of the all Merciful God, saying:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Hosius of Cordoba, for thou didst preside the First Council of the whole world!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Hilary, bishop of Poitiers, for thou too didst fearlessly defend the true faith! <br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this thou didst suffer countless persecutions at the hands of the Arian blasphemers!<br /><br /> Rejoice, holy Ambrose, for thou didst rule over the city of Milan with thy divine wisdom!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for with thy words and writings thou didst turn the throngs to Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice also, Blessed Augustine, for through the prayers of thy mother Monica, God turned thee back from the path of perdition!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst become a wise bishop and great fighter against heretics!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Jerome, thou blessed man, for through thy many writings thou didst enlighten the lands of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Leo, Pope of Rome, for at the Council of Chalcedon thou didst wonderfully fight for the Orthodox Faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for having godly light, thou didst unfailingly guide the people entrusted to thee on the path of salvation!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Martin, fearless Pope, for together with Saint Maximus thou didst confess the truth unto death! <br /><br /> Rejoice, for with joy thou didst suffer for the true faith all the torments of the impious emperor!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 6<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The times of dread persecution ended through Divine Providence, but martyrdom for Christ did not cease. For those that had up until then visibly shed their blood for the faith, began to suffer for it invisibly, through fasting and tears crucifying all their sinful desires and lusts. On account of this, they made themselves even like unto earthly angels in the flesh, learning to offer to God unceasing praise: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 6<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The lands of the West also gave birth to men and women perfect in holiness, who by their struggles beyond nature, won the everlasting joys of heaven, making themselves to all an unlying example on the path of salvation. Let us therefore honour first those that shone in the land of Gaul, establishing the monastic life in those parts, and let us joyfully say to them thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Martin, for of all Western people, thou first wast deigned to taste of the sweetness of monastic life!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for following thine example, throngs of the faithful chose to forsake the fleeting glory of this world!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for shining with the gift of wonderworking, thou didst become bishop of Tours and the great protector of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy John Cassian, for together with thy friend Germanus thou didst drink of the wisdom of the desert Fathers!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through thy wonderful writings thou didst make thyself the true founder of monastic life in the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Honoratus, for on the isle of Lerins thou didst found Gaul’s most famous monastery!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for countless numbers of saints strove there for salvation, turning Gaul into the Thebaid of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, therefore, together with Hilary and Eucherius, with Vincent and Ceasarius and many other holy monks!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Gregory of Tours, for thou too didst ceaselessly strive for the fame of the saints of thy lands!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, who also through thy gifts enlightened both Britain and Gaul!<br /><br /> Rejoice, blessed Saint Genevieve, for from childhood thou didst yearn to live as an anchoress!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou proved thyself a most-powerful protectress of Paris through thy holy prayers!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 7<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Springing up from the lands of Gaul as from a clear and fresh fountain, monastic life<br /><br /> spread everywhere in the West; and in each nation it bore fruit in holy monks full of<br /><br /> virtue, who with pure voices and hearts of praise sang to God for themselves and for <br /><br /> the whole world: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 7<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us all praise with one voice those that strove for Christ in the lands of Britain and Italy, and who through their struggles made themselves enlightened apostles of those lands and fathers of monastic life in those places; and let us sing to them as to most wonderful victors in the struggle against the powers of the enemy, saying thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Ninian, for it was at Saint Martin’s feet that thou didst learn all the secrets of monastic life!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for perfecting thyself in holiness thou didst become the enlightener of thy home, the land of the Picts!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Patrick, wonderful apostle, for by thy divine zeal thou didst turn the land of Ireland to God! <br /><br /> Rejoice, for in this way thou didst make thyself the father of the Irish people, for whom thou prayest fervently to this day!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for countless disciples followed thee on the path of holiness!<br /><br /> Rejoice, among them all, blessed Brigid, for by thine unutterable love thou didst become the mother of all Ireland!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou Holy David, wise bishop, for in Wales thou didst establish countless monasteries!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this the Welsh revere thee to this day as their protector before God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Benedict, great struggler, for the land of Italy was enlightened by thine unearthly life!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through thy wonderful Rule thou didst become a true father to all the monks of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Alexis, Man of God, for in the city of Rome thou didst live in utter meekness!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of thy many gifts the whole world cherisheth thee as a great saint!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 8<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The enemy of our salvation could not bear that the peoples of the West all with one voice raise up songs of praise to the True God, and therefore he set on them waves of savage and pagan peoples, who in their cruelty passed all through fire and sword. But in those times of great suffering, enlightened preachers rose up in the West, in nothing less than the first Apostles. And through their burning zeal, they turned the temptation of the enemy into heavenly blessing and bore the heathen to Christ, teaching them to sing to Him as to One God: Alleluia! <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 8<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us praise all those that among the Franks earned Heaven by their struggles and through their zeal turned many back to Christ. For shining with heavenly gifts, they enlightened the people and wisely guided them to salvation; and therefore they are deigned to hear from the mouths of all songs of praise like these:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Saint Remigius, wonderful archbishop, for thou first wast the Apostle of the Franks!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for inflamed by holy zeal thou didst baptize Clovis, the King of the Franks, together with many heathen!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Clotilde, holy woman, for through thy tears thou didst bring thy husband to Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for together with Saints Radegunde and Bathild, thou didst give all a true example of Christian wives and Queens!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Germanus, bishop of Paris, for thy generosity made thee known as the father of the poor!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst shine forth before the whole world with thy great gentleness and kindness!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Eligius, skilled smith, for thy love tamed the heathen hearts of stone!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for becoming bishop of Noyon, thou didst turn countless savage Teutons back to Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Amandus, who in the Netherlands preached the Christian faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Lambert, for together with thy disciple Hubert thou too didst strive to enlighten those places!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Leger, valiant bishop, for thou didst not waver to reprove the wrong-doings of the king and his subjects!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this thou wast tormented in all ways, and at the end received a martyr’s death!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 9<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Seeing themselves overwhelmed by the heathen throngs, the shepherds of the West wisely decided to go and conquer them for Christ. Therefore they sent men enlightened by God and perfect in virtue, who through their valiant struggles defeated the darkness of heathenism and became fathers in Christ to many nations, together with whom they ceaselessly sang to God the song: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 9<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Through Gregory, the wonderful pope of Rome, and Augustine, the faithful monk, the English people was the first among the German peoples to be born to new life and offer to Christ as a pure sacrifice a host of saints. Now let us sing joyfully to these, as to those that made themselves worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven and the veneration of the whole world, saying to them thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou first, Holy Gregory, great Patriarch, for in perfect wisdom thou didst shepherd the lands of the West!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for burning with zeal for Christ, thou didst strive to bring the heathen peoples to the Faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this thou didst send Saint Augustine to preach, and together with him thou art to this day called the Apostle of the English!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Augustine, for thou didst carry the English people to Christ, baptizing their king, Ethelbert!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for becoming Archbishop of Canterbury, together with thy disciples thou didst bring the first light of Christ to the whole English land! <br /><br /> Rejoice, Paulinus, Birinus and Felix, wonderful apostles, for ye became fathers in Christ of the English!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Oswald, Edwin and Sigebert, martyr kings, who defended the Christian faith unto blood!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Aidan, Chad and Botulph, pious fathers, for in the lands of England ye established monastic life!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Theodore, Wilfrid and John, most wise bishops, for through you the English Church became full of glory!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Hilda, Mildred and Audrey, holy nuns, for by your strivings ye outran by far many men!<br /><br /> Rejoice ye, among all the English saints, Cuthbert, great wonderworker, and Guthlac, father of the desert!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou also, wise and Venerable Bede, for thou didst devote all thy life to sacred writings!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 10 <br /><br /> <br /><br /> The lands of Spain made themselves also worthy of great preachers and bishops, who by their unceasing striving brought the heathen to Christ and turned the heretics to the true faith, calling all to give glory and praise to the True God and with thanks always sing to Him: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 10<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us rightly honour as is meet all those that in Spain wondrously confessed the true faith of Christ our Savior and for it fought unto death. And let us offer them songs of praise, as to those that scattered the darkness of lies and made the truth victorious, saying to them joyfully thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Martin, Archbishop of Braga, for through thy zeal thou didst bring the Suevian people to the true faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this thou art to this day reckoned the enlightener and father of those places!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Hermenegild, for among the Visigoths thou first didst confess the Orthodox Faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of this thou didst even suffer death, setting at naught thy father, the heretical king!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Leander, for through thy labours the Visigoths abandoned the Arian heresy!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for becoming bishop of Seville, thou didst wisely strive for the best of thy flock!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for in this thou wast helped by thy brother and sister, Saints Fulgentius and Florence!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou also, Holy Isidore, for thou wast the fourth and most honoured child of this holyfamily!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst succeed thy brother to the see of Seville, proving to be an undeceiving guide on the path of salvation!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through thy countless writings thou didst enlighten the world, and thou art to this day revered as a Father!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Ildephonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, for thou didst show thyself to be a true disciple of Saint Isidore and wise shepherd!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for burning with love for the most Pure Mother of God, thou didst defend in writing her eternal virginity!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 11<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The light of Christ shone even in the unfriendly lands of the Teutons, for the God of glory called all the peoples to Him. Therefore let us sing now to Him Who in His unspeakable mercy redeemed mankind from corruption, and let us worship Him as the Only God, saying: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 11<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us rightly honor, as is meet, the wondrous preachers that rose up from among the Irish and the English, who enlightened many peoples and through their wisdom and zeal showed themselves to be one in honour with the Holy Apostles, and let us sing to them as those that brought to Christ a great harvest of heathen people, saying to them thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou first, Holy Columba, wonderful son of Eire, for through thy zeal thou didst enlighten the lands of the Scots!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for by founding the famous monastery of Iona, thou didst become the Apostle and father to the heathen Picts!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou too, Holy Columban, for leaving Ireland, thou didst become a fearless preacher to many nations!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst found many monasteries in the West, setting in them a rule according to the teachings of the desert fathers!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for fearlessly thou didst reprove the evil deeds of unworthy bishops and kings, suffering for this countless persecutions!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Gall, for thou wast deigned to be a disciple of Saint Columban and the beloved Apostle of the Swiss! <br /><br /> Rejoice, thou too, Holy Clement, most wise Englishman, for thou didst preach Christ among the savage heathen!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of thy burning zeal thou bearest to this day the title of Apostle of the Frisians!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Boniface, for together with Saint Clement thou didst bring the Gospel to the lands of the Germans!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for through thee and thy holy disciples, God foreordained to bring to Himself all the German peoples!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for having the blessing of the holy Pope Zacharias, thou didst strive to correct the impieties of the Franks!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst crown thy holy labors with the crown of martyrdom, which thou didst receive in great old age!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 12<br /><br /> <br /><br /> The dreaded Northmen were the last fruit which the faithful people of the West brought to the True God. For being enlightened with the true faith, the Viking nations began to worship our Saviour Christ with zeal, singing to Him in a sweet voice: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ikos 12<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us now honour with praises all those that shone forth in the West in the times near the end and through their struggles made themselves the heirs of Heaven. For some even suffered martyrdom for Christ, while others fearlessly preached Him among the heathen. Therefore let even us offer them honor as it is meet, singing to them thus:<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye that in the lands of Iberia suffered death at the hands of the unfaithful Hagarenes!<br /><br /> Rejoice, among them, Eulogius and George, for together with many others ye hallowed with your blood the city of Cordoba!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all those that in the lands of Ireland and England suffered martyrdom at the hands of the savage Vikings!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for on account of your sacrifice, God turned the people that persecuted you to believe in Him!<br /><br /> Rejoice, among all the new martyrs, Edmund, glorious king, for through thy sufferings thou didst become the great defender and patron of the English land!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Anschar, for thou first didst preach Christ among the heathen Danes!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst become bishop of Hamburg, and art revered to this day as the Apostle of the North!<br /><br /> Rejoice, thou too, Holy Olaf, valiant warrior, for being Viking by thy nation, thou didst offer thyself as a pure sacrifice to God!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst become the Christian king of Norway, slaughtered by the heathen for thine unwavering faith!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Holy Sigfrid, for through thy struggle thou didst enlighten the Swedish land and turn the heathen king to Christ!<br /><br /> Rejoice, Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, for thy wisdom and kindness made thee the much beloved father of the whole of England!<br /><br /> Rejoice, for thou didst anoint as king Saint Edward, the innocent martyr, whose relics bring comfort to Orthodox Christians to this day!<br /><br /> Rejoice, all ye Saints, that in the lands of the West confessed the true faith!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Kontakion 13<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Now let us sing with songs of thanksgiving to Him Who called His Saints from all over the Earth and gathered His beloved from the edges of the world, to God, Who is glorified in the Holy Trinity. For through His chosen one, Saint John the Wonderworker, He revealed to us the old saints of the West in these last days, for our joy and comfort. For this, then, and for all the others, let us thank Him as our most beloved God, and let us worship Him with voices of praise, saying to Him: Alleluia!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> This Kontakion is to be read three times.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> And then again Ikos 1:The most holy name of our Saviour...and Kontakion 1: Now<br /><br /> let us praise, as is meet,...<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Then this:<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Prayer to all the Saints that shone forth in the lands of the West<br /><br /> <br /><br /> O ye saints of the West, that in times of old confessed the true faith of our Saviour Christ and for it fought even unto death, thus making yourselves worthy of heavenly glory and becoming heirs of everlasting life! Now do we, your unworthy successors, fall to our knees before you, and humbly beg you: as ye have boldly interceded for us before the throne of God unto this day, so from this time on do ye pray, O our beloved saints, for all the lands of the West! Pray that the Merciful and Long-Suffering God grant them forgiveness of sins and correction of life, and turn them, through His judgments, to repentance and the true faith for which ye sacrificed yourselves.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Again we pray to you, O saints, for all the right believing faithful of the West who have need of your help and mercy: protect them by your prayers from all the temptations that befall them; strengthen them in the true faith and grant them zeal to preach it; guard them from all the wickedness of enemies seen and unseen; and show them victorious before the unfaithful, for the glory of God and your honour. That through you, O saints of the West, the true faith may once again shine forth with power in the West, as it shone in times of old, and that the light of Christ may enlighten all.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> And thus, O ye saints, who through Divine Providence have shown yourselves to us in these latter days, receive us also, as the workers of the eleventh hour, for your veneration. And pray for us, who unworthily sing to you songs of praise, that our God, Who forgiveth easily, make us too partakers of heavenly bliss, granting us salvation, as the God Who is Good and loveth mankind. That thus, together with you, beloved saints of the West, we may sing unto Him and worship Him as the All-Merciful God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-61736367806414585852009-06-09T10:33:00.000-07:002009-06-09T10:40:27.756-07:00Service to St Etheldreda/St Audrey of ElyHaving been to the stunningly lovely Cathedral of Ely, and prayed at the <a href="http://www.elycathedral.org/media_centre/gallery/enlarge.html?group=20;file=Etheldreda%27s%20shrine.JPG">original site of her shrine</a>, I have a great veneration for <a href="http://www.elycathedral.org/history/the_story_cathedral.html">St Etheldreda/St Audrey</a>.<br /><br />I am reproducing the text of a service to celebrate her Feast Day in plenty of time !<br /><br /> The original service is from <a href="http://www.orthodoxengland.btinternet.co.uk/saudrey.htm">this amazing site</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The 23rd Day of the Month of June<br />Commemoration of our Holy Mother Audrey, Abbess of Ely<br /><br />At Vespers<br /><br />At 'Lord, I have cried', 3 stichira in Tone VIII: <br /><br />Thou, O Virgin Queen, hast suffered the pains of ascetic struggle and thus gained grace through the necklace of thy virtues, to heal diseases of both body and soul, to drive out demons and protect all those that suffer: O venerable Mother Audrey, do thou pray for us that we may obtain healing and great mercy.<br /><br />In times of old the mere touch of thy burial robes bestowed sight on the blind and healing on the sick who faithfully beseeched thine aid. Now, O holy and venerable Mother Audrey, boast of Ely, do thou pray for us in thy noble strength that we may obtain great mercy. <br /><br />Fruit of the pious King Anna, together with thy holy family, thou wast fervent with the love of God in all purity and modesty and merciful to thy neighbour, O Blessed and venerable Mother Audrey. Therefore God endowed thee with the noble strength of grace and others, both men and women, followed thee: do thou beseech Christ to preserve in the Faith those who call thee blessed.<br /><br />Glory, Tone II:<br /><br />With the sword of abstinence thou didst sever spiritual snares and bodily passions, and with the silence of prayer and fasting thou didst strangle all sinful thoughts, with the streams of thy tears thou didst water the whole fenland desert and cause fruits of repentance to grow in thine island-monastery, wherefore, O holy Audrey, we celebrate thy holy memory. <br /><br />Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:<br /><br />O Mother of God, save thy servants from dangers, for, after God, we all flee to thee as an indestructible rampart and protection. <br /><br />Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God: <br /><br />When the spotless lamb beheld her Child being dragged as a man willingly to the slaughter, she cried out through her tears: Dost thou seek to make me childless who gave Thee birth, O Christ? Why hast Thou done so, O Saviour of us all? Yet I praise and glorify Thine ineffable goodness, O Thou Who lovest mankind.<br /><br />If there is a Polyeleion, then the Sunday Hymn to the Mother of God in Tone VI: 'The shadow of the law …'<br /><br />Entrance, Joyful Light, Prokimenon of the Day. <br /><br />Readings: Wisdom of Solomon 3, 1-9; Wisdom of Solomon 5, 15-23 and 6, 1-3; Wisdom of Solomon 4, 7, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 5, 1-7.<br /><br />At the Aposticha, in Tone I: <br /><br />Thou didst desire the glory of the holy fathers and mothers, thou didst love incorruptible glory. Therefore, a Queen among men and twice Virgin-spouse, renouncing worldly pleasure and subjecting thy body to ascetic warfare, thou hast obtained the reward of thy labours and dost reign with Christ the King, O noble Audrey.<br /><br />Verse: God is wonderful in His Saints, the God of Israel. <br /><br />Together with thy holy sisters, thou, O Virgin-Queen, didst desire the fair beauty of Christ thy Bridegroom with good deeds and, adorned with the labours of the ascetic life, thou didst strive to attain to Him, wherefore thou now dost reign with Christ the King in His glory.<br /><br />Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.<br /><br />Thou didst set course for the heavenly haven and calmly sail over the stormy oceans of the world. Without foundering thou didst pilot thy soul's ship through the bitterness of sweet things, filled with the secret treasures of renunciation and heavenly life in word and deed.<br /><br />Glory, Tone VI:<br /><br />O holy Mother Audrey who art praised by all, this day thy sacred festival shineth forth brighter than the sun, enlightening those in darkness and driving away the gloom of the demons from the fenlands and from our souls. <br /><br />Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God, or this Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God also in Tone VI:<br /><br />When the Mother who gave Thee birth saw Thee crucified, O Christ, she cried: What is this strange mystery, O my son? How dost Thou die, crucified, O Giver of Life? <br /><br />Troparion Tone VIII:<br /><br />In thee the Image of God was preserved, O noble Audrey, for thou didst take up thy cross and follow Christ. Royal virgin, thou didst teach the multitude by thine example that the flesh is to be scorned as fleeting, while the soul needeth great care as immortal. Wherefore, O holy Audrey, thou dost now make glad with the angels. <br /><br />At Matins <br /><br />At 'God is the Lord', the Troparion of the Saint twice, Glory…Now and ever, and the Hymn to the Mother of God or to the Cross and the Mother of God in the same tone.<br /><br />After the first reading from the Psalter, Sessional Hymn Tone V:<br /><br />Thou didst valiantly persevere in ascetic feats and defeat the devil with his many snares, O holy Audrey. After thy life of hardship thou art now gone to God, praying for those who reverently celebrate thy festival. <br /><br />Glory …Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God in the same tone: <br /><br />O sinless Virgin Mother, shine down rays of repentance upon me, scatter the darkness of my wicked deeds and drive away all thought of evil from my heart. <br /><br />After the second reading from the Psalter, Sessional Hymn Tone IV: <br /><br />Though crowned on earth, thou didst crucify thy body with its passions and love Christ thy Bridegroom with all thy heart, O Audrey, wherefore thou wast crowned in heaven, and numbered among the choirs of Angels, ever praying for those who honour thee.<br /><br />Glory… Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:<br /><br />The storm of sins striketh me, as doth the tempest of my sinful thoughts, have compassion upon me, O pure one, and graciously stretch forth thy hand to help me that, saved, I may magnify thee. <br /><br />The Magnification: <br /><br />We magnify thee, O holy Mother Audrey, and we honour thy holy memory, for thou dost pray for us to Christ our God.<br /><br />Verse: I waited and waited for the Lord, and He attended to me and heard my prayer. <br /><br />Sessional Hymn, Tone VIII: <br /><br />O Mother chosen by God, thou hast passed calmly through the storms of life and been piloted to Paradise, now do thou praise the Redeemer with the Angels, that He may grant us grace and great mercy and preserve the flock which through thy labours thou didst bring unto Him.<br /><br />Glory … Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:<br /><br />Rejoice, thou who through the Archangel didst receive the Joy of all the world; Rejoice, thou who didst give birth to thy Creator and Lord; Rejoice, thou who wast made worthy to become the Mother of God.<br /><br />Gradual, First Antiphon of Tone IV, 'From my youth…'<br /><br />Prokimenon, Tone IV:<br /><br />God is wonderful in His Saints, the God of Israel.<br /><br />Verse: Bless God in the churches, praise the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel.<br /><br />Let every breath. Gospel: Matt 25, 1-13.<br /><br />After Psalm 50, Sticheron Tone II:<br /><br />With the sword of abstinence thou didst sever spiritual snares and bodily passions, and with the silence of prayer and fasting thou didst strangle wrongful thoughts; with the streams of thy tears thou didst water the whole fenland desert and cause fruits of repentance to grow in thine island-monastery, wherefore, O holy Audrey, we celebrate thy holy memory. <br /><br />Canon Tone VIII:<br /><br />Ode I <br /><br />Irmos: By parting the sea with the sign of the Cross, the miraculous rod of Moses drowned the pursuing chariots of Pharaoh, and saved fleeing Israel who marched on, singing to God. <br /><br />My soul is continually drowned by the storm of passions and stirred by the clamour of evil thoughts: O holy Audrey, do thou guide me through the trackless fens of the demons to the still haven of Christ's will, that I may hymn thee worthily. <br /><br />Thou wast enlightened with the virtues of virginity, O godly Audrey. With prayer and fasting thou didst put thy passions to death and follow in the life-bringing footsteps of the pure Word thy true Bridegroom. <br /><br />O holy and glorious Audrey, amid the barren fen thou didst follow the teaching of the holy fathers and mothers, and live like the Bodiless Ones, in prayer and fasting, in purity and virginity, in true humility, and thus thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever:<br /><br />Thou art the divine vessel and table who hast borne the Bread of Life; thou art the unploughed land and holy mountain, and we glorify thee in hymns, O Mother of God.<br /><br />Ode III<br /><br />Irmos: O Lord, Creator of the vault of heaven and Builder of the Church, strengthen me in Thy love, O summit of desire, O bulwark of the faithful, O Thou alone Who lovest mankind.<br /><br />Though men sought thee as their Queen, the Almighty had chosen thee as His Bride, and now thou dwellest with Christ the King in glory in the heavenly mansions. From there thou makest streams of healing to stem the flowing of our passions.<br /><br />Instead of necklaces and fine jewellery, thou wast adorned with the love of Christ, Who in His abundant compassion, though rich became poor; thou hast followed His Life-bringing words, despising all earthly riches and glory and thus hast become noble in soul.<br /><br />Thou didst acquire golden wings of virtue, O Blessed Audrey, and as an immortal dove thou hast flown up to the heights of heaven from the desolate fenlands through the noble strength of prayer. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever:<br /><br />O Virgin, our race hath been saved through Him Who for our sakes became poor in His Body which He took from thy womb: wherefore we praise and bless thee, O most pure grace-filled Maiden. <br /><br />Sessional Hymn Tone IV: <br /><br />As Christ's virgin and undefiled bride thou art adorned with ascetic feats; thou hast entered the incorruptible chamber with Him, contemplating its beauties. Do thou beseech Him for us who lovingly hymn thee, that we may be saved from all adversity. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God:<br /><br />O pure, spotless and unwedded Bride who alone hast given birth to the eternal Son and Word of God: together with the holy and venerable Apostles and Martyrs, Prophets and Ascetics, beseech thou Him to grant us healing and great mercy. <br /><br />Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God: <br /><br />O most pure Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, a sword pierced thy soul when thou didst behold thy Son and God willingly crucified. Wherefore, O blessed one, do not cease to pray to Him, that He may grant us the forgiveness of our sins. <br /><br />Ode IV <br /><br />Irmos: O Lord, I have heard of the mystery of Thy dispensation. I contemplate Thy works and glorify Thy divine nature.<br /><br />O noble Audrey, holy and royal jewel in the crown of East Anglia, thy bright festival shineth with the radiance of the Spirit and, healing both bodily and spiritual eyes, enlighteneth our souls as we sing to thee in faith.<br /><br />With miracles and foreknowledge, thou hast brought to the Faith those who had not known the Master, and by the noble strength of prayer and fasting thou hast revealed Him to those who were beset by the darkness of heathendom. <br /><br />Couselled by the wisdom of the holy Abbesses Hild and Ebbe, thou, O Queen and virgin, didst bring to Christ the gifts of bodily abstinence and the labours of fasting, and He hath rewarded thee with the unending joy of His kingdom.<br /><br />Glory … Now and ever:<br /><br />O most pure one, who art humble, save me who live in pride, for thou didst give birth to Him who hath exalted our humbled nature. <br /><br />Ode V<br /><br />Irmos: Enlighten us by Thy commandments, O Lord, and by Thine uplifted arm grant us Thy peace, O Lover of men.<br /><br />From amid the eel-island in the fens, thou didst raise thy hands aloft to the Creator, O Mother Audrey, and defeating the slippery serpent-enemy through the noble strength of thy prayers, thou didst protect all those that cry unto thee in faith.<br /><br />Filled with the noble strength of prayer, thou wast made a nun by Bishop Wilfrid, and the Most High took thee by thy right hand, O Mother Audrey, and making thine island-fortress into a stronghold of holiness and prayer, He led thee into the joys of Paradise.<br /><br />O venerable Audrey, thou didst tread the narrow path of ascetic struggle, spending night in prayer and fasting, clothed not in fine linen but coarse woollen, and showing many others the way, thou didst attain to the breadth of Paradise. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever:<br /><br />Those who do not acknowledge thee to be the Mother of God, O most pure one, shall not see the Light Whom thou didst bear. <br /><br />Ode VI <br /><br />Irmos: I will pour out my prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will confess my grief: for my soul is full of evil and my life hath drawn nigh unto hell, and like Jonah I will pray: Raise me up from corruption, O Lord.<br /><br />O venerable Audrey, rejecting the foolishness of men, thou didst gain the wisdom of God, and stilling thy bodily tumults and becoming mistress of thy passions, now thou dwellest in passionless serenity. <br /><br />Thou didst love to venerate the Saviour's Image, O glorious Saint, and to follow His teaching and heavenly life in thy words and deeds. By the necklace of thy virtues, thou art become a model of purity and modesty for all womankind.<br /><br />Christ hath shown thee forth to thy godly nuns and all folk as a cloud shedding the rain of grace on those who ask this in faith, and thy shrine became a sign of spiritual greatness in all the English land, O holy Mother Audrey, and thou didst show how by noble strength of prayer we are to withstand the impious.<br /><br />Glory … Now and ever: <br /><br />O most pure one, thy Son is lovely beyond the sons of men by the beauty of His divinity, He Who took flesh for our sakes.<br /><br />Kontakion Tone II:<br /><br />O holy Audrey, Mother of many, for the love of God thou didst spurn the need for rest and make thy spirit most bright through fasting and prayer, defeating the passions. Thou didst make the barren fenlands into islands of prayer and through thine intercessions thou dost destroy the snares of our enemies. <br /><br />Oikos:<br /><br />O God, grant me streams of speech, make my mind a wellspring of piety, and bless my tongue, that I may hymn Thy lamb whom Thou hast crowned with grace. For if Thou Thyself didst not give me worthy words, how can I, a beggar, bring a gift to her who is so rich in words and deeds? Wherefore give me strength to declare her contests, for she hath mastered the passions. Through thine intercessions thou dost destroy the snares of our enemies.<br /><br />Ode VII <br /><br />Irmos: The Hebrew Children in the furnace trod upon the flames, and changed the fire into dew, singing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God forever. <br /><br />Despising all fading glory, O holy Audrey, thou didst seek for heavenly rewards, the light and rest of God's eternal glory in His beauty, which thou didst show to thy holy sisters, thy faithful steward Owin and the holy hermit priest Huna.<br /><br />Thou didst exchange this corrupt world for ageless life above the world, temporal food for eternal substance and earthly marriage for the heavenly Bridegroom, O Virgin-Abbess Queen Audrey, noble strength of the Orthodox faith.<br /><br />Beyond the booklore of the foolish, thou didst gain the knowledge of divine love, O Audrey, and become like the angels while still in the flesh. With fervour like unto theirs thou didst lovingly keep vigil and sing: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout all ages. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever: <br /><br />The multitude of my evil deeds hath cast me into affliction: look on me and snatch me from the flames, O Virgin, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, throughout all ages.<br /><br />Ode VIII <br /><br />Irmos: Inspired by God the Children stood in the midst of the flames and sang: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.<br /><br />Forsaking the vain artifices of men, thou art adorned and ennobled with the radiance of thy pure life, O Mother, and thou dost stand before Thy Bridegroom, Christ our God, interceding for the salvation of our souls. <br /><br />For long gloriously preserved in thine island shrine, thy body healed man's manifold diseases and drove away the demons with their wickedness. Do thou now intercede with Christ our God for us sinners who honour thee. <br /><br />O holy Mother, baptised as child by the holy Bishop Felix, in felicity thou wast brought to the Master of all, Christ our God, as a holy sacrifice and bright offering, as the sweet-smelling incense of prayer.<br /><br />Let us bless … Now and ever:<br /><br />Ineffably and without corruption thou hast given birth to the Word Who saveth all from corruption, O Virgin. Therefore in faith we magnify thee. <br /><br />Ode IX <br /><br />Irmos: Creation was filled with dread on hearing of the ineffable condescension of God, that the Most High came down of His own will and became incarnate of the Virgin, therefore the all-pure Mother of God do we magnify. <br /><br />Desiring thy Bridegroom's spiritual beauty in pure love for Him thou, O Queen, didst ardently cry: Where dost Thou rest and pasture Thy flock? Let me rest with Thee and take delight in Thy peace, magnifying Thy graciousness, O Christ my King. <br /><br />In thy soul was found understanding and humility, divine goodness, unwavering faith, and hope and love of God. In thy vigils thou didst draw near to Him, O Blessed Audrey, and thou wast illumined and enlightened with the gift of foreknowledge and healing. <br /><br />Today we faithful come to praise and magnify the Lord, Who glorifieth thy holy festival, O holy and venerable Audrey. As thou now dost stand before Christ thy Bridegroom, remember us who venerate thee and heal the eyes of our souls.<br /><br />Glory … Now and ever: <br /><br />O God Who wast born of the Virgin and didst preserve her incorrupt after Thy birth: spare me when Thou wilt sit and judge my deeds; overlook my sins and wickedness, for Thou art the sinless, gracious God and thou lovest all mankind.<br /><br />Exapostilarion: <br /><br />Thou didst show the princes who pursued thee to be foolish and bereft of glory, for virgin in soul and body, thou wast manly in thine understanding and faith, O holy Audrey, boast of Ely, crown of Queens, beauty of chaste women and adornment of the monastic life. <br /><br />Glory … Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God: <br /><br />Enlighten me with the day of spiritual joy, O pure one, for thou art life and light to those who dwell in darkness. Thou art mistress of thy desires and actions, for thou art the sovereign Lady of all; deliver us all from calamity, and the afflicted from the temptations of the evil one.<br /><br />At the Praises: 4 Stichira in Tone IV: <br /><br />Thou didst subdue the urges of the flesh to the soul, thou didst follow Christ, dwelling with ascetics in chastity, thou didst overcome the flames of worldly pleasure with holy tears, increasing thy fervour for Christ, O noble and strong Audrey.<br /><br />In Ely thou didst built a holy dwelling place for God to benefit many, O wise one, for in thy pure soul thou didst discern the temple of the Holy Spirit; thou didst also guide souls into the good way of abstinence and bring them to the Master as a dowry. With them in faith we honour thee, O Mother Audrey .<br /><br />Maidens, following thy teaching, loved their Lord and Bridegroom; become noble and strong in spirit, they despised bodily weakness and subdued their passions. They were brought with thee to the heavenly mansions, ever rejoicing.<br /><br />Glory in Tone VIII:<br /><br />O wonder of wonders! How fervently thou didst give thyself to God in ascetic labours and tears! Filled with divine love thou didst overcome bodily passions, trample down demons through abstinence, and become a bride of the Almighty through the noble strength of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Now and ever, Hymn to the Mother of God: <br /><br />With the Archangel's cry let us say: Rejoice, Mother of God, for thou hast brought into the world Christ the Giver of Life! <br /><br />Hymn to the Cross and the Mother of God:<br /><br />When the most pure one beheld Thee crucified, with broken heart she cried out through her tears: Where hast Thou gone, my most beloved Jesus, my Son and my Lord? Forsake not me who gave birth to Thee, O Christ. <br /><br />Great Doxology. Troparia. Litanies. Dismissal. First Hour. <br /><br />At the Liturgy<br /><br />At the Beatitudes, 8 Troparia from Odes III and IV of the Canon of the Saint.<br /><br />Prokimenon Tone IV: <br /><br />Wondrous is God in His saints, the God of Israel. <br /><br />Verse: In the congregations bless ye God, the Lord from the wellsprings of Israel. <br /><br />The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians 208 (3, 23-29) <br /><br />Alleluia in Tone I:<br /><br />With patience I waited patiently for the Lord, and He was attentive unto me, and He hearkened unto my supplication.<br /><br />Verse: And He brought me out of the pit of misery, and from the mire of clay.<br /><br />The Gospel according to St Matthew 104 (25, 1-13) <br /><br />Communion Verse: In everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-32487452898096860272008-02-20T06:24:00.000-08:002009-08-14T07:19:16.970-07:00St John of ShanghaiAKATHIST TO OUR HOLY HIERARCH JOHN<br />Tone 8<br />Kontakion I<br /><br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Ikos I<br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who didst live in virtue from earliest childhood. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst ever live in fear of God and do His holy will. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the grace of God in numberless virtues. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst mystically hear the distant prayers of those in distress. <br />Rejoice, thou who wast filled with love for thy fellow men and didst do all possible for their salvation. <br />Rejoice, thou who dost bring joy to all who pray to thee in faith and love. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br /><br />Kontakion 2<br /><br />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. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 2<br /><br />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.<br />Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodox truth <br />Rejoice, precious vessel of the gifts of the Holy Spirit <br />Rejoice, righteous accuser of impiety and false doctrine <br />Rejoice, ardent doer of the commandments of God <br />Rejoice, severe ascetic who gavest thyself no repose<br />Rejoice, loving shepherd of the flock of Christ <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 3<br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 3<br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who didst protect thy children by thy constant prayer. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst ever guard thy flock by the sign of the Cross. <br />Rejoice, thou whose love knew no bounds of country or race<br />Rejoice, bright luminary beloved by all. <br />Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness. <br />Rejoice, giver of spiritual consolation to those in need. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 4<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 4<br />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: <br />Rejoice, enlightener of those in the darkness of unbelief. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst follow thy people to the farthest East and West. <br />Rejoice, fountain of miracles poured out by God. <br />Rejoice, loving chastiser of those who have gone astray. <br />Rejoice, speedy comfort to those who repent of their sins. <br />Rejoice, support of those who go on the right path. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 5<br /><br />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: <br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 5<br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who didst stop the powers of nature from doing harm to thy flock.<br />Rejoice, thou who providest by thy prayer for all in need.<br />Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry.<br />Rejoice, abundant wealth for those who live in poverty.<br />Rejoice, consolation for those in sorrow.<br />Rejoice, quick uplifting for those who have fallen.<br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 6<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />Ikos 6<br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, helper of all who call upon thee in faith.<br />Rejoice, thou who deliverest from death and disaster.<br />Rejoice, thou who preservest from lies and slander.<br />Rejoice, preserver of the innocent from bonds.<br />Rejoice, thou who foilest the attacks of the unrighteous.<br />Rejoice, destroyer of lies and exalter of truth.<br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 7<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />Ikos 7<br /><br />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: <br />Rejoice, new Martin by thy miracles and ascetic feats. <br />Rejoice, new Germanus by thy confession of the Orthodox faith. <br />Rejoice, new Hilary by thy divine theology. <br />Rejoice, new Gregory by thy love for God's saints. <br />Rejoice, new Faustus by thy gentle love and monastic fervor. <br />Rejoice, new Caesarius by thy firm yet loving rule of the Church of God. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter Times . <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 8 <br /><br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 8<br /><br />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: <br />Rejoice, thou who didst endure to the end and so attain salvation <br />Rejoice, thou who wast deemed worthy to die before the icon the Mother of God. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst keep thy faith and courage in the midst of unjust persecution. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst labor to the end for thy flock and meet death sitting as a hierarch. <br />Rejoice, thou Who didst return through the air to be buried amidst the flock. <br />Rejoice, thou who workest Wonders for those who come to thy Sepulchre with faith and love. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 9<br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 9<br /><br />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: <br />Rejoice, divine palace where from the counsel of the Good King is given. <br />Rejoice, small and humble abode containing the spacious beauty of angels mansions. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst gain a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. <br />Rejoice, infirmary wherein all manner of diseases are divinely healed. <br />Rejoice, closet wherein thy holy labor of prayer was hidden. <br />Rejoice, blessed temple of the Holy Spirit. <br />Rejoice O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 10<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br /><br />Ikos 10<br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, sight to the blinded. <br />Rejoice, strength and life to those on the bed of death. <br />Rejoice, God-revealed advice to those in doubt and confusion. <br />Rejoice, refreshing water to those perishing in the heat of sorrow . <br />Rejoice, Ioving father to the lonely and abandoned. <br />Rejoice, holy teacher of those who seek the Truth. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 11<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br />Ikos 11<br /><br />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: <br />Rejoice, radiance of divine wisdom to those in ignorance. <br />Rejoice, rainbow of quiet joys for the meek. <br />Rejoice, thunder to stubborn sinners. <br />Rejoice, lightning of the zeal of God. <br />Rejoice, rain of God's dogmas. <br />Rejoice, shower of theological thoughts. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 12<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia. <br /><br />Ikos 12<br /><br />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: <br />Rejoice, new star of righteousness shining in heaven s firmament. <br />Rejoice, new prophet who wast sent before the final unleashing of evil. <br />Rejoice, new Jonah warning all of the wages of sin. <br />Rejoice, new Baptist drawing all to a life of prayer and repentance. <br />Rejoice, new Paul suffering to preach the gospel in the spirit of truth, <br />Rejoice, new apostle whose miracles instill in us faith and awe. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times. <br /><br /><br />Kontakion 13<br /><br />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:<br />Alleluia (Thrice.)<br /><br />Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read again.<br /><br /><br />Ikos 1<br /><br />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. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst live in virtue from earliest childhood. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst ever live in fear of God and do His holy will. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the grace of God in numberless virtues. <br />Rejoice, thou who didst mystically hear the distant prayers of those in distress. <br />Rejoice, thou who wast filled with love for thy fellow men and didst do all possible for their salvation. <br />Rejoice, thou who dost bring joy to all who pray to thee in faith and love. <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 1<br />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: <br />Rejoice, O holy Hierarch John, wonderworker of the latter times.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-3450923173060252282008-02-20T06:22:00.000-08:002015-06-27T02:14:55.378-07:00St Peter and St Paul<br />
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<u>Akathist to Saints Peter and Paul</u></h1>
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<strong>Kontakion I</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos I</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, first among the apostles, foundation of the holy Church;<br />Rejoice, mighty pillar and ground of the Orthodox Faith!<br />Rejoice, ardent lover of the teaching of Christ;<br />Rejoice, first-seated among the council of the apostles!<br />Rejoice, good gate-keeper of the kingdom of heaven;<br />Rejoice, renowned physician for them that repent of their sins!<br />Rejoice, thou who spurned the vanity of the world and loved the spiritual life;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst forsake corruptible nets and didst fish the whole world with incorruptible ones!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye both shone forth like two great beacons;<br />Rejoice, O ye who like a pair of steeds were harnessed by God to His chariot of noetic light!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, beholders of God, for ye are the light of all the world;<br />Rejoice, for through you the Faith which saveth us hath shone forth from Christ in every place!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion II</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos II</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, O apostles called by God, sent forth to preach to all the nations;<br />Rejoice, chosen vessel which pourest forth the sweetness of the Faith of Christ upon all men!<br />Rejoice, beholder of the divine Light which illumineth from on high;<br />Rejoice, thou who more than others wast enlightened by grace after the shadow of the Old Covenant!<br />Rejoice, thou who on earth didst converse with the Lord Jesus Who appeared to thee;<br />Rejoice, thou who with His strength didst dare to denounce them that were adamant in their unbelief!<br />Rejoice, thou who hast enlightened the whole world with thy divinely wise writings;<br />Rejoice, thou who, following Christ, didst labor more than others for the salvation of man!<br />Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye overshadow the holy Church as the two cherubim did the ark;<br />Rejoice, ye who stand before the throne of the Most High like two seraphim!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are like the heavens which proclaim the glory of God;<br />Rejoice, for ye are the stars which crown the Church, the Bride of Christ!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion III</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos III</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, O apostle, who mercifully openest the kingdom of heaven;<br />Rejoice, thou who not only watchest over men, but over the affairs of all the nations!<br />Rejoice, thou who with thy love coverest the multitude of our sins;<br />Rejoice, thou who perfectest our meager repentance with thy mercy!<br />Rejoice, speedy helper for them that call upon thee amid spiritual tribulations;<br />Rejoice, thou who by thy supplication raisest up those dead of body and soul!<br />Rejoice, thou who strengthenest with the Holy Spirit the faithful who hearken unto thy word;<br />Rejoice, thou who woundest the unbelieving with thy words, as with darts!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, in that ye are as the two eyes of the Church, endued with divine sight;<br />Rejoice, ever-vigilant guides watching over the new Israel!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are as a guard upon the walls of Jerusalem;<br />Rejoice, O our instructors, who keep watch over the souls of Christians!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion IV</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos IV</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, preacher sent by God to announce repentance unto sinners;<br />Rejoice, teacher of piety with thunderous voice, denouncer of ungodliness!<br />Rejoice, merciful inviter of them among the gentiles that are astray, yet hasten to the Faith of Christ;<br />Rejoice, true guide to the straight path!<br />Rejoice, ship which keepest the faithful from drowning in sin;<br />Rejoice, helmsman who guidest us to the haven of the pleasing of God!<br />Rejoice, quickly interceding comforter of the sorrowful;<br />Rejoice, healer who acceptest no recompense for curing ailments of body and soul!<br />Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like two wings furnished unto the Church by Christ, the great Eagle;<br />Rejoice, for ye are like two wings given to her, the dove, by the Holy Spirit!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who are whole as doves and through hope have been furnished with wings like eagles;<br />Rejoice, for where Christ was in the body, there were ye gathered together!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion V</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos V</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, thou who didst put the council of the Jews to shame by the writings of the prophets concerning Christ;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst rend asunder the false threats of the Pharisees and Sadducees like a spider's web!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst work many miracles through the grace of the Holy Spirit;<br />Rejoice, thou who grantest sight to the blind and the ability to walk to the lame!<br />Rejoice, thou who by thy shadow didst raise the sick from their beds of pain;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst heal them that suffered from many unclean spirits!<br />Rejoice, thou who summonest fishermen to a wondrous catch;<br />Rejoice, thou who drawest the unbelieving to faith as if they were voiceless fish!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like two breasts of the Church, the Bride of Christ, our Mother;<br />Rejoice, for ye are like two grapes of the voice, which nourish us and make us glad!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for ye are branches of Christ, the true Vine;<br />Rejoice, for ye are good husbandmen of the vineyard of Christ!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion VI</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos VI</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, thou who wast a zealot for the law named Saul;<br />Rejoice, lover of Christ, named Paul, perfected in grace!<br />Rejoice, light of divine knowledge, illumining them that are in the darkness of unbelief;<br />Rejoice, star guiding them that languish in the depths of iniquity!<br />Rejoice, thou who betrothest the souls of the faithful to Christ and summonest them to the heavenly bridal chamber;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst endure many tribulations and hast made others also steadfast to endure them!<br />Rejoice, thou into whose hands God placed mighty powers;<br />Rejoice, thou whose sweat-soaked kerchief healed the sick!<br />Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like the two pillars which uphold the Church of the heavenly Solomon;<br />Rejoice, ye who, like two lilies on its pillars, adorn the sanctuary of God!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, for like flowers do ye impart fragrance to all the world;<br />Rejoice, ye who through your fragrance dispel the stench of all iniquity!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion VII</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos VII</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, thou who enriched the Church of Christ with the grace of the Spirit;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst forbid the reception of recompense for holy things in the Church!<br />Rejoice, thou by whom avarice was cut off, as the root of all evils, through the grace of the Spirit;<br />Rejoice, thou by whom covetousness is cast away by sanctity as a type of idolatry!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst lead a hard life for the sake of Christ;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst fulfill well the commandment of Christ: ye cannot serve God and Mammon!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst sternly punish the sacrilege of Ananias with death;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst likewise commit Sapphira, who was guilty of that sin, to the same punishment!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like two olive trees which pour forth mercy;<br />Rejoice, for ye are like two lamps radiating wisdom!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, as tender olive shoots;<br />Rejoice, for because of you is all like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion VIII</strong></div>
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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<br />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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos VIII</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, thou who didst joyfully bear the wounds of the Lord on thy body;<br />Rejoice, adamant firm of body and soul, who mightily endured all manner of tribulation!<br />Rejoice, insuperable confessor of Christ before the nations and their rulers;<br />Rejoice, teacher invincible in the face of the Israelite teachers of the law!<br />Rejoice, luminous star which shone forth from the third heaven;<br />Rejoice, greatly fruitful branch which buddest forth from paradise, full of spiritual food!<br />Rejoice, thou who by thy teaching hast illumined all the earth as with an unwaning light;<br />Rejoice, thou who hast fed the faithful throughout the world with the produce of thy works as with most comely fruits!<br />Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are as two trees in the midst of the garden of the Church;<br />Rejoice, ye who put forth the fruit of life and good understanding!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who are like noetic palm trees and cedars;<br />Rejoice, ye who have been transplanted to heaven as the garden of the heavenly Father!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion IX</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos IX</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, thou who didst surpass the rest of the disciples in thy zeal for Christ;<br />Rejoice, manful sword-bearer of Christ in the garden!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst follow Christ, Who was being led to His suffering, even to the house of Caiaphas;<br />Rejoice, thou who wast prepared for prison and death for the sake of thy Lord!<br />Rejoice, thou who with bitter lamentation didst heal thy weakness in denying thy Master;<br />Rejoice, thou who after the Lord's resurrection wast summoned to thy former dignity!<br />Rejoice, thou who hast provided a model of repentance for the rest of us sinners;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst vow to forgive the weakness of the penitent many times over!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are like the tables of the law of the Lord;<br />Rejoice, teachers of love for God and neighbor!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who perfectly kept all the commandments of the Lord;<br />Rejoice, ye who left all and followed after Christ, and found all in Him!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion X</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos X</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, mystagogue of great understanding of the revelation of the Lord;<br />Rejoice, confessor of the one God in three Persons!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst proclaim Christ to be the one Foundation of the faithful;<br />Rejoice, thou who hast made all the pious steadfast in that confession!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst endure raging reproaches from the unbelieving Festus;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst utter words of truth and chastity in his presence!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst most clearly recount thine heavenly vision to King Agrippa;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst manifestly denounce his error which is not consonant with the Faith of Christ!<br />Rejoice, O Paul, with Peter, for ye are like two silver trumpets of Moses;<br />Rejoice, ye who call those of earth and beneath the earth to battle against evil!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, who have suffered cruelly as valiant warriors of Christ;<br />Rejoice, ye who have vanquished the kingdoms of the earth by faith and have received heavenly things!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion XI</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos XI</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, reliable witness of the transfiguration of Christ;<br />Rejoice, renowned one who heard the divine voice of the Father from heaven!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst behold the countenance of the Son of God illumined like the sun;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst most splendidly receive the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit in the cloud!<br />Rejoice, thou to whom the most exalted mystery was disclosed upon the mountain;<br />Rejoice, thou to whom the majestic glory of the all-holy Trinity was made manifest!<br />Rejoice, thou who heardest that the departure of Christ was to take place in Jerusalem;<br />Rejoice, thou who, following Christ, didst accomplish thy departure on a cross in Rome!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye are two noetic mountains like Tabor and Hermon;<br />Rejoice, ye who from the east and the west revealed the promised land in heaven!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, like the mountains of Sion;<br />Rejoice, ye who let the sweetness of salvation fall upon us!<br />Rejoice, ye holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion XII</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong>Ikos XII</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, great lover of the name of Jesus, who suffered greatly for Him;<br />Rejoice, thou who bore witness before those of heaven, of earth and beneath the earth, concerning His name!<br />Rejoice, for thou didst bear witness well concerning the Lord in Jerusalem;<br />Rejoice, thou who thus wast commanded by Him to bear witness also in Rome!<br />Rejoice, thou who denounced the Emperor Nero and converted his consort to the Christian Faith;<br />Rejoice, thou who in the same Rome didst bow thine head beneath the sword, executed with Peter, who was crucified head downward!<br />Rejoice, for at the severing of thine honored head milk flowed forth;<br />Rejoice, for this great wonder drew many soldiers to the Faith!<br />Rejoice with Paul, O Peter, for ye are like two rivers of living water gushing forth from the wellspring of the Holy Spirit;<br />Rejoice, ye who were shown forth by the confluence of the two rivers named Jor and Dan!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, like torrents of rivers which gladden the city of the Church of God;<br />Rejoice, for ye are like streams of sweetness which give all the faithful to drink from the cup of salvation!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion XIII</strong></div>
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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!<em>(Thrice)</em>.</div>
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<em>(Kontakion 13 is chanted thrice in its entirety;<br />whereupon Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated as below;<br />then follows the Prayers to Ss. Peter and Paul.)</em></div>
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<strong>Ikos I</strong></div>
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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:</div>
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Rejoice, first among the apostles, foundation of the holy Church;<br />Rejoice, mighty pillar and ground of the Orthodox Faith!<br />Rejoice, ardent lover of the teaching of Christ;<br />Rejoice, first-seated among the council of the apostles!<br />Rejoice, good gate-keeper of the kingdom of heaven;<br />Rejoice, renowned physician for them that repent of their sins!<br />Rejoice, thou who spurned the vanity of the world and loved the spiritual life;<br />Rejoice, thou who didst forsake corruptible nets and didst fish the whole world with incorruptible ones!<br />Rejoice with Peter, O Paul, for ye both shone forth like two great beacons;<br />Rejoice, O ye who like a pair of steeds were harnessed by God to His chariot of noetic light!<br />Rejoice, all ye holy apostles, beholders of God, for ye are the light of all the world;<br />Rejoice, for through you the Faith which saveth us hath shone forth from Christ in every place!<br />Rejoice, O holy first-enthroned Peter and Paul, with all the holy apostles!</div>
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<strong>Kontakion I</strong></div>
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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!</div>
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<strong><u>PRAYERS TO THE HOLY PRE-EMINENT APOSTLES PETER & PAUL</u></strong></div>
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<strong>I</strong></div>
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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.</div>
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<strong>II</strong></div>
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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.</div>
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<strong>III</strong></div>
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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.</div>
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<strong>IV</strong></div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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<br />Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-65273026172044031802008-02-20T06:20:00.000-08:002008-02-20T06:22:37.216-08:00St Ignatius BrianchaninovAKATHIST<br />to<br />Holy Hierarch Ignaty Brianchaninov<br /><br />Kontakion 1<br /><br />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:<br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Ikos 1<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having comforted thy sorrowful childless parents with thine own birth. <br /><br />Rejoice, fine branch of an honorable family. <br /><br />Rejoice, unceasing joy of thy guardian Angel. <br /><br />Rejoice, having surprised thy parents and teachers by thy meekness and submissiveness.<br /><br />Rejoice, having prepared thyself for monastic obedience from childhood. <br /><br />Rejoice, having compelled thy youthful soul toward God. <br /><br />Rejoice, having spent thine adolescence in prayer and Godly contemplation. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been an example of prayer and obedience for thy younger brothers and sisters. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 2<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 2<br /><br />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:<br /><br />Rejoice, having contemplated the Invisible God in the visible appearances of nature. <br /><br />Rejoice, having loved the quiet and solitude of the forest. <br /><br />Rejoice, having had great zeal for God from thy childhood years. <br /><br />Rejoice, having scorned everything beautiful and sweet of this world. <br /><br />Rejoice, having received a heavenly reward from the Master. <br /><br />Rejoice, having retained the Jesus prayer unceasingly on thy lips and in thy mind. <br /><br />Rejoice, having shown perfect love for the Lord. <br /><br />Rejoice, having borne thy beloved Jesus constantly within thy heart. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 3<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 3<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having shown adamantine hardness of soul in thy youth. <br /><br />Rejoice, having desired the great treasure of weekly communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. <br /><br />Rejoice, having now joined Christ in the heavens, for whom thou didst yearn while still on earth. <br /><br />Rejoice, having irrigated the Godly seed, strewn on the good earth of thy heart, with thine abundant tears. <br /><br />Rejoice, for although in the midst of worldly tares, thou didst bring forth the hundredfold fruit of virtues for the Lord. <br /><br />Rejoice, zealous keeper of purity of soul and body. <br /><br />Rejoice, wonderful adornment of chastity. <br /><br />Rejoice, for thy handsome countenance bore witness to the beauty of thy soul. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 4<br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos 4<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having preferred the calling of a soldier of the Heavenly King to that of an earthly king. <br /><br />Rejoice, having fiercely taken up arms against temptations approaching from the world, the flesh, and the devil. <br /><br />Rejoice, having defeated all the machinations of the enemy with the weapon of God, the Cross of Christ. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been vested with the armor of righteousness. <br /><br />Rejoice, having donned the helmet of salvation. <br /><br />Rejoice, having loved the spiritual sword, the word of God, more than any weaponry of mankind. <br /><br />Rejoice, having guarded thyself from the arrows of the evil one with the shield of faith. <br /><br />Rejoice, having received the angelic rank of ineffable blessedness in the heavens. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer! <br /><br />Kontakion 5<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 5<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having lifted thy cross upon thy shoulders and having followed Christ. <br /><br />Rejoice, having voluntarily selected the narrow and sorrowful path of monastic life. <br /><br />Rejoice, having never turned back. <br /><br />Rejoice, having overcome the spirit of pride with thy humility. <br /><br />Rejoice, not having buried thy talent in the earth. <br /><br />Rejoice, having used it for the glory of God and for the salvation of the souls of men. <br /><br />Rejoice, having revived many souls, soiled in sins, with thy divinely wise writings. <br /><br />Rejoice, having heard the sweet voice of the Heavenly Husbandman: "Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord". <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 6<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 6<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having beheld the consummation of thy hopes in the acceptance of the angelic rank. <br /><br />Rejoice, having imitated Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, thy heavenly protector. <br /><br />Rejoice, having borne the Lord Jesus Christ in thy heart constantly, as he did. <br /><br />Rejoice, having received the dignity of the priesthood as a great gift of God. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been the namesake of fire, and having enflamed others with the fire of faith and love toward God and neighbor. <br /><br />Rejoice, having offered the Bloodless Sacrifice with great reverence and fear. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Rejoice, having raised the well-adorned temple named for her, the Merciful Gatekeeper, in the habitation. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 7<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 7<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice having imitated the Heavenly Protector of thy habitation, the venerable Sergius, abbot of Radonezh. <br /><br />Rejoice, having beautified it with marvelous churches and buildings. <br /><br />Rejoice, having led thy children as a loving father along the path of salvation to the Heavenly Kingdom. <br /><br />Rejoice, having accepted those thirsting to start the monastic path into the habitation with love. <br /><br />Rejoice, having led guilty monks to tearful repentance with thine admonitions. <br /><br />Rejoice, having given to all brothers an example of monastic podvigs by thy disposition and life as a good pastor. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been prepared to sacrifice thine own soul for their salvation. <br /><br />Rejoice, glory and praise of monastics. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 8<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 8<br /><br />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:<br /><br />Rejoice, O new Chrysostom, having led many lost souls on the path of repentance to God with thy many fiery words. <br /><br />Rejoice, having enlightened the souls and hearts of all those who honor thee, with thy writings. <br /><br />Rejoice, having directed to pray for one’s enemies. <br /><br />Rejoice, having prayed for thine own enemies with warm love. <br /><br />Rejoice, having taught us to recognize the scourge of God toward our correction in those who attack. <br /><br />Rejoice, having presented the tears of Ezekiel and purification of Manasseh to the spiritual eyes of the repentant. <br /><br />Rejoice, having depicted the podvigs and labors of the ancient ascetics in thy divinely wise works. <br /><br />Rejoice, having imitated them in thy life completely. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 9<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 9<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having received the grace of God abundantly in ordination. <br /><br />Rejoice, having fulfilled the Apostolic teachings and having given all of the faithful to drink of its saving streams. <br /><br />Rejoice, faithful laborer in the vineyard of Christ. <br /><br />Rejoice, spiritual lute, perfected by the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />Rejoice, divinely inspired adornment of hierarchs. <br /><br />Rejoice, for thy beloved Lord spoke by thy mouth. <br /><br />Rejoice, for although having left thy spiritual flock in the monastery of venerable Sergius, thou didst not forget any in thy prayers. <br /><br />Rejoice, merciful intercessor for all of the faithful and unfaithful who call on thee for help. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 10<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 10<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, our good shepherd. <br /><br />Rejoice, having never turned away those who came to thee. <br /><br />Rejoice, having embraced those requesting thy help, near and far, with thy love. <br /><br />Rejoice, having reverently admitted those who honor thy writings into intimate unity with thy soul. <br /><br />Rejoice, having taught thy spiritual offspring Christian patience. <br /><br />Rejoice, having directed us to look for God’s Providence in our sufferings. <br /><br />Rejoice, having taught thy children to give way to Providence completely. <br /><br />Rejoice, having preached that we should request of God, the perfection of His will in us, as great mercy.<br /><br />Rejoice, O Holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 11<br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos 11<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having marked the righteousness of thy life with a righteous end. <br /><br />Rejoice, having foreseen thine imminent departure. <br /><br />Rejoice, having met the Heavenly Bridegroom with the lamp of thy soul burning. <br /><br />Rejoice, having beheld the resurrection of the Savior with the myrrh-bearing women at thine end.<br /><br />Rejoice, having withdrawn none of thine intercession for those who honor thy repose. <br /><br />Rejoice, having covered all those who zealously pray to thee with thy grace and care.<br /><br />Rejoice, having taught thy children to hold firm to the one true holy Orthodox faith. <br /><br />Rejoice, having stricktly forbidden to accept any heretical delusion or attend crafty persuasion. <br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer!<br /><br />Kontakion 12<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos 12<br /><br />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: <br /><br />Rejoice, having acquired the Heavenly Kingdom with thy deep humility, with poverty of spirit. <br /><br />Rejoice, having preached that we should lay this virtue as the foundation of all monastic podvigs. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been consoled by the Lord Himself in crying over thy sins. <br /><br />Rejoice, having received the inheritance of eternal life for thy meekness of soul.<br /><br />Rejoice, having searched not for perishable food on earth, but rather the truth of Christ, which now completely fills thee in the heavens. <br /><br />Rejoice, having been pardoned by God the Giver of Mercy, for thy mercy toward thy neighbors. <br /><br />Rejoice, having beheld God by thine angelic purity of heart. <br /><br />Rejoice, having forgiven thy slanderers for the Lord’s sake, and as a peacemaker, having been awarded the great treasure of adoption by God.<br /><br />Rejoice, O holy hierarch Ignaty, thou model and teacher of repentance and prayer! <br /><br />Kontakion 13<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Repeat this Kontakion three times (thrice) and then, repeat the 1st Ikos and 1st Kontakion.<br /><br />Prayer to Holy Hierarch Ignaty<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Found at http://www.podvorje.orthodoxy.ru/English/Service/StIgnAkf.htmElizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-35148551265060455332008-02-20T06:17:00.000-08:002008-02-20T06:20:38.811-08:00St Juliana of LazarevoAKATHIST HYMN TO THE<br />HOLY & RIGHTEOUS JULIANA THE MERCIFUL,<br />OF THE VILLAGE OF LAZAREVO, NEAR MUROM<br />WHOSE MEMORY THE HOLY CHURCH CELEBRATES<br />ON THE 2ND OF JANUARY <br /><br />Kontakion I <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Ikos I <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who wast born into wealth, to parents who loved the poor-Justin and Stephanida;<br />rejoice, thou who, deprived of thy mother, wast raised an orphan outside thy father's house!<br />Rejoice, right fragrant lily who blossomed within the tranquility of the forests of Murom;<br />rejoice, radiant star set alight by God in the village of Lazarevo!<br />Rejoice, thou who in thy heart acquired love for Christ and His all-pure Mother;<br />rejoice, pure ewe-lamb who from childhood sought the monastic order!<br />Rejoice, meek and obedient one, who by the will of God wast entrusted to a husband;<br />rejoice, righteous mother who, having lived in the world, hast been numbered among the saints!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion II <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos II <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, quiet dove who unceasingly conversed with God in prayer;<br />rejoice, obedient disciple who knewest how to live in both abundance and in want!<br />Rejoice, faithful spouse who saved thy husband by being a model of meekness;<br />rejoice, much suffering mother who entrusted thy pure children to the Lord!<br />Rejoice, chaste woman who pleased God by childbearing and holiness;<br />rejoice, merciful lady who, following the Gospel, didst meekly minister to thine own servants!<br />Rejoice, handmaid of Christ, who kept His commandments throughout thy life;<br />rejoice, thou who wast obedient to Paul, doing all things for the glory of God!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion III <br /><br />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!<br /><br />Ikos III <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who illumined the dark time of famine with the light of love;<br />rejoice, thou who rendered mercy unto Christ in the guise of thy least brethren!<br />Rejoice, thou who like the warm sun shinest forth earthly good things;<br />rejoice, thou whose left hand knew not what thy right hand was doing!<br />Rejoice, thou who, feeding the starving with bread, didst deliver them from death and torment;<br />rejoice, thou who, warming the desperate with a word of welcome, didst greatly console them!<br />Rejoice, thou who, seeking the kingdom of God, didst distribute things good for the body;<br />rejoice, thou who having acquired friends through riches, didst find the dwellings of heaven!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion IV <br /><br />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! <br />Ikos IV <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who didst look upon this earthly life as a sorrowful sojourn;<br />rejoice, thou who didst regard the repose of thy family as a brief separation!<br />Rejoice, thou who allayed worldly griefs with trust in the will of God;<br />rejoice, thou who, unlike the wife of Job, strengthened thy despondent husband in the faith!<br />Rejoice, thou who forgave the senseless murderer as Christ forgave those who crucified Him;<br />rejoice, thou who asked the Redeemer of the world that He give the kingdom of heaven to thy son!<br />Rejoice, thou who by sorrows didst detach thy heart from the earthly world;<br />rejoice, thou who by suffering thy cross didst warm thy love even more greatly for God!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion V <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos V <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who didst enter into the mystery of matrimony, which thou didst solemnly preserve;<br />rejoice, spouse faithful to thy husband, whom thou didst serve with humility!<br />Rejoice, ascetic mighty in this world, who didst bear thy cross with patience;<br />rejoice, victor over the carnal passions, who vanquished the enemy in battle!<br />Rejoice, thou who kept thy vesture of thy soul white in this benighted world;<br />rejoice, star of quiet brilliance, shining amid the tumult of life!<br />Rejoice, thou who didst pray fervently in the married state, a model of ardor for monks;<br />rejoice, sufferer, meek mother, who emulated the saints in the torments thou didst endure!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion VI <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos VI <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who, receiving the fire of grace, didst soar aloft from earth to heaven;<br />rejoice, thou who, having tasted the sweetness of paradise, didst make thine abode in Christ Jesus!<br />Rejoice, thou who, burning with love for God, didst receive from Him the gift of tears;<br />rejoice, thou who, though praying in secret, didst love church more than thy home.<br />Rejoice, thou who, contemplating the redemption wrought by the Lord, didst spend Fridays alone and without food;<br />rejoice, thou who, emulating the incorporeal angels, didst refuse to sleep, that thou mightest pray!<br />Rejoice, thou who, having acquired grace in thy heart, created a temple of God within thyself;<br />rejoice, thou who, receiving the Holy Mysteries, didst provide an abode for the Holy Trinity in thy soul!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women!<br /> <br />Kontakion VII <br />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! <br /> <br />Ikos VII <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who loved Christ with all thy heart;<br />rejoice, thou who offered him fervent tears!<br />Rejoice, thou who considered love to be greater than prayer and fasting;<br />rejoice, thou who ever attended all the services of the Church!<br />Rejoice, thou who wast called merciful by the Mother of God;<br />rejoice, thou who within thyself wast wholly overshadowed by the Holy Spirit!<br />Rejoice, thou who received glory, not from men, but from the holy Theotokos;<br />rejoice, tranquil radiance illumining the region of Murom!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br />Kontakion VIII <br />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!<br /> <br />Ikos VIII <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou only consolation in that grievous time of great famine;<br />rejoice, thou who suffered in the flesh, seeking all the more the heavenly city!<br />Rejoice, thou who amid dread manifestations didst consider the precepts and wrath of God;<br />rejoice, thou who as a mother didst have compassion for children who were tormented with hunger!<br />Rejoice, thou who by the power of faith didst endure sorrows without measure;<br />rejoice, thou who didst instruct thy children and thy servants, who were of one mind with thee, to be obedient to the Cross!<br />Rejoice, thou who prayed to God, shedding tears with those who wept, and suffering with the people;<br />rejoice, thou who with ardent heart didst grieve in soul for sinful Russia!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion IX <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Kontakion IX <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, sojourner strange to the earthly world, who didst bitterly wander throughout the world;<br />rejoice, thou who, seeking the heavenly city, didst remain in this world a homeless orphan!<br />Rejoice, thou who, having been possessed of great wealth, wast shown to be a pauper, hungry and poorly clad;<br />rejoice, thou who before gavest alms, but later wast among the children bereft of bread!<br />Rejoice, thou who, looking to the joy which is to come, didst take up thy present cross with hope;<br />rejoice, thou who, having surrendered thyself to the will of the Lord, didst accept the path of poverty and wandering!<br />Rejoice, thou who looking to the sufferings of Christ, didst without murmuring endure thy cross in this life;<br />rejoice, thou who, strengthened in weakness by the Spirit, didst in the midst of sorrows sing, �Glory to God for all things!�<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion X <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos X <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who traversed the sea, reaching the calm haven;<br />rejoice, thou who didst leave this world, awaiting the heavenly bridal-chamber!<br />Rejoice, thou who never condemned anyone and art thyself not condemned by the Judge;<br />rejoice, thou who, having wrought deeds of mercy, dost enter the ranks of the all-wise virgins!<br />Rejoice, thou who hast flown aloft to the mansions on high, on wings of dove-like meekness;<br />rejoice, thou who before didst contemplate Christ, the gentle Light of life everlasting!<br />Rejoice, thou who like an all-radiant beam didst flow into the bridal-chamber of the Father;<br />rejoice, thou who hast thine abode with the choir of the saints in the Holy Spirit!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion XI <br />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! <br /><br />Ikos XI <br /><br />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:<br />Rejoice, thou who at thy final and grievous hour didst provide a model of humility;<br />rejoice, thou who wast for us an image of prayer until thy reflection disappeared!<br />Rejoice, bride of Christ, whose head the Bridegroom adorned with a crown;<br />rejoice, pure and holy temple who before thine end wast covered by God with a white kerchief!<br />Rejoice, thou whose holy body was more fragrant than the lilies of the field even after death;<br />rejoice, thou who wast illumined at night by candles lighted by an invisible power!<br />Rejoice, thou who easily passed through the arial way-stations because of thy mercy toward the poor;<br />rejoice, thou who endured many crosses and hast reached the kingdom of God!<br />Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion XII <br /><br />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! <br /><br />Ikos XII <br />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:<br /> Rejoice, adornment of the land of Murom;<br /> rejoice, ornament of the nation of Russia!<br /> Rejoice, beauty of Christian women;<br /> rejoice, summit of holy mothers!<br /> Rejoice, thou who wast upborne to paradise by the angels;<br /> rejoice, thou who hast been blessed by the Lord!<br /> Rejoice, boast of thy kinsmen;<br /> rejoice, consolation of all who honor thee!<br /> Rejoice, O merciful Juliana, boast of Murom and adornment of women! <br /><br />Kontakion XIII <br /><br />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!<br /><br />THIS KONTAKION IS CHANTED THRICE, WHEREUPON IKOS I AND KONTAKION I ARE REPEATED.<br /> <br />PRAYERS TO SAINT JULIANA OF LAZAREVO <br />Prayer I <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Prayer II <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><br />TRANSLATED BY THE READER ISAAC E. LAMBERTSEN FROM THE CHURCH SLAVONIC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.<br /> <br />original site at http://stjulianalazarevo.org/akathist_hymn.htmlElizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-42338360443396127902007-07-18T05:30:00.000-07:002007-07-18T05:31:14.044-07:00Akathist to St Elizabeth the New Martyr<p><strong>To be found <a href="http://www.saintelizabethorthodoxchurch.com/life_of_st_elizabeth/akathist.php">here</a><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>KONTAKION I</strong></p> <p> Come, all ye who love Christ, and let us offer up a hymn of praise unto the martyred nun Elizabeth, who was chosen by the Lord of hosts to serve as an example of Christian piety and love for those who desire to follow in His steps. For, spurning the vanity of worldly possessions, rank and cares, she dedicated her whole life to the aid of those in need. Wherefore, it hath pleased Christ our God to crown her ascetic labors with the diadem of martyrdom; and, dwelling now in His heavenly kingdom, she maketh supplication unto God, that He deliver from misfortunes and perils all who chant unto her with joy:</p> <p>Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p> <strong>IKOS I</strong></p> <p>The Creator of the angels and Lord of mankind led thee from the delusion of heresy to the divine knowledge of the Truth, O blessed Elizabeth, that thy loving heart and soul might renew Christian love, which had grown cold in the land of Russia: for through thine efforts the hearts of men again warmed to the word of God, and the Master of all vouchsafed thee to live a life exalted above thy peers, in love, humility and fervent prayer. Wherefore, we ever chant unto thee, as is meet: </p> <p>Rejoice, lamb burning with the love of God;<br /> rejoice, handmaid of Christ the Lord!<br /> Rejoice, scroll whereon the Holy Spirit inscribed the Christian virtues;<br /> rejoice, divinely wise princess and new martyr!<br /> Rejoice, daughter who forsook they father’s house and turned to Holy Orthodoxy;<br /> Rejoice, vessel wherein the wine of gladness<br /> and the oil of healing are mingled together;<br /> rejoice, upholder of the traditions of piety!<br /> Rejoice, treasure-house of compassion;<br /> rejoice, radiant star resplendent with heavenly glory!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION II</strong></p> <p>Christ found thee a lily among thorns and chose thee to adorn His garden of Holy Orthodoxy, O venerable one: for he Who alone knoweth the hearts of men perceived from on high thy great love for thy neighbor, and bestowed upon thee a wealth of spiritual gifts, that we might come to understand the mystery of God’s great mercy, enabling us to take part with thee therein and to join chorus with thee in chanting unto Him: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS II</strong></p> <p>Knowing in thy heart that God’s will ruleth over all creation, and seeking to obey His will alone, thou was well pleased to shoulder the great cross which He prepared for thee, O holy one: for when thou didst witness the cruel and pitiless slaughter of thy husband, thy heart was pierced with grief and sorrow, as with a two-edged sword; yet thou didst take courage, and uttered the Savior’s own words: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And seeking to turn this vile deed to goodness, thou didst beseech him who committed the murder to repent. And we too beg thine intercession before the Lord, that He avert His righteous anger from us who chant to thee such praises as these:</p> <p>Rejoice, thou who didst deem mercy greater than sacrifice;<br /> rejoice, thou who prayest for sinners and penitents!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst bear thy cross to a new Golgotha;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst not reject the crown of thorns offered thee!<br /> Rejoice, thou didst put jealously to flight;<br /> rejoice, thou who reprovest thou who fall away from truth and grace!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst not set the love of family above the love of God;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst fulfill the words of Christ!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst seek out the good in every man;<br /> rejoice, thou who was sent unto Russia, to turn her away from evil to the good!<br /> Rejoice, thou who dost ever cry out to Christ:<br /> Lord, have mercy;<br /> rejoice, thou who standest invisible in our midst as we pray!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION III</strong></p> <p>The power of the Most High overshadowed thy sorrow and pain, O royal passion-bearer, and finding sweet consolation therein thou didst die to this world, that thou mightest live in Christ: thou didst shun the fleeting pleasures and vanities of this life, didst clothe thyself in garments of joy and salvation, and didst abide in palaces, praying and chanting to God therein: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS III</strong></p> <p>With a fervent desire to serve thy fellow man, thou didst gather a multitude of souls to labor for God; and, raising up a house of mercy, which thou didst dedicate to the Protection of the all-holy Theotokos, O holy Elizabeth, thou didst choose our holy mothers Martha and Mary as the heavenly patrons, emulating them as paragons of piety and good works. And mindful of the magnitude of thy charitable deeds and Christian virtues, we praise thy memory, chanting thus: </p> <p>Rejoice, thou who didst open thy heart to good deeds;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst gather the virtues into a spiritual sheaf!<br /> Rejoice, thou who hast been reckoned among the friends of Christ;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst hearken to His words!<br /> Rejoice, thou who dost ever rejoice in thy Lord;<br /> rejoice, thou who fillest our hearts with joy when we call upon thy name!<br /> Rejoice, thou who rewardest those who seek thy heavenly aid;<br /> rejoice, thou who dost speedily fulfill the requests of those who have recourse to thee with faith!<br /> Rejoice, thou who has adorned the city of Moscow;<br /> rejoice, obedient handmaid of the holy Mary and Martha!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst hide thy good works from the eyes of the haughty;<br /> rejoice, thou who dost call all of us to perform deeds of mercy!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION IV</strong></p> <p>Those who were tempest-tossed amid the tumults of life and foundered upon the floods of the passions didst thou guide to the calm haven of salvation which thou didst establish in the royal city of Moscow, O holy Elizabeth; for having opened thy heart unto God, thou didst open its doors to the children of God, showing them the mercy of their heavenly Father. Wherefore, thou hast now been shown to be the patroness of the forgotten and oppressed. Cover us all with thy holy protection, that we may be moved to cry aloud to our good God: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS IV</strong></p> <p>Accepting the counsel of the elders of the Hermitage of Saint Zosimas, thou didst prove thyself to be an obedient daughter of the Orthodox Faith, O venerable martyr, so that thine own words brought profit and consolation to all who hearkened unto thee. Thou was a most wise abbess and a loving mother, who tended well the flock entrusted to thee, teaching them how to care for the afflicted as a sister of mercy by thine own example, O holy princess. Wherefore, tend thou also the ailments of our souls, that we may cry aloud unto thee: </p> <p>Rejoice, thou who anointest all with the oil of mercy;<br /> rejoice, thou who stillest the tempest of sorrows!<br /> Rejoice, instruction of those who turn to Orthodoxy!<br /> rejoice, pillar of truth set firmly upon the rock of the Faith!<br /> Rejoice, thou who dost rescue us from the mire of despondency;<br /> rejoice, thou who feedest the orphan and the widow!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst embrace charity with thy whole heart;<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst exchange a palace for a poor and humble cell!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst put aside thy royal robes to don the hairshirt of asceticism;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst lay thy princely coronet at the feet of the Savior!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst take up the Cross as a kingly scepter;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst love God more than earthly honor and glory!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION V</strong></p> <p>Thou has been revealed to us as a most radiant star adorning the vault of the firmament of the Church, O martyr of Christ. And ever illumined by the effulgence of thy sufferings, unto Christ, the Judge of the contest, do we offer hymnody of thanksgiving for thee, and we chant unto Him: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS V</strong></p> <p>Through the guidance of the heavenly intercessors who shone forth in Russia-the venerable Sergius of Radonezh, and Peter, the divinely eloquent Metropolitan of Moscow, in company with Martha and Mary, the sisters beloved of Christ-the narrow and royal path which alone leadeth to salvation was disclosed to thee, and travelling it thou becamest a model for all Orthodox Christians dwelling in the Russian Empire, showing them how to unite the ideals of ascetic endeavor and charitable acts. Wherefore, for thee grace was added unto grace, and whilst thou was yet alive the report of thy holiness spread far and wide. The pious cried out in wonder to God Who is wondrous in His saints: “Glory b to Thee, O Lord!”; and to thee they uttered such praises as these: </p> <p>Rejoice, scion of a royal house who tended the sores of paupers with thine own hands;<br /> rejoice, paragom of monastic virtue and rule of faith!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst reject worldly praise and hast received heavenly rewards;<br /> rejoice, thou who dost partake of everlasting splendor on high!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst expose spiritual deception;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst strengthen the common folk in the true Faith!<br /> Rejoice, thou who dost ever summon the faithful to prayer and vigilance;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst adopt the Russian nation as thy homeland!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst spurn the praises of men;<br /> rejoice, beacon guiding all to the safe harbor of heaven;<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst labor for Christ in the midst of the world!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION VI</strong></p> <p>How can angels and men refrain from wonderment when they ponder the depths of they love and compassion? For thy convent was not only a spiritual haven for those seeking salvation, but also a well-spring gushing forth torrents of consolation upon those parched by the burning heat of the passions. By thine own examples where thy sisters, the handmaidens of Christ, taught how to comfort the sorrowing, tend the sick, teach the ignorant, correct the erring and prepare the dying for the life which is to come. Wherefore, thy nuns joined chorus with thee to praise the Lord continually, chanting unto Him: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS VI</strong></p> <p>As a true image of piety thou didst venerate the wonder-icons and holy relics enshrined throughout the Russian land. Her monasteries and countless churches witnessed thine ascetic feats and fervent prayers. Thy tears, shed in such profusion, adorned thy person like lustrous pearls and moved to wonder those who beheld thee. And we who cherish thy holy memory exalt in spirit, crying out to thee: </p> <p>Rejoice, image of piety who delighted to venerate the sacred icons of the Mother of God;<br /> rejoice, thou who dost ever bless those who have recourse unto thy precious relics!<br /> Rejoice, wise pilgrim whose destiny was the kingdom of heaven;<br /> rejoice, adornment of Holy Russia!<br /> Rejoice, thou who art ever magnified by the Holy Church;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst not forsake Russia in her time of tribulation!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst perceive the providence of God in all that befell thee;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst teach others to set their hope on Christ alone!<br /> Rejoice, thou who wast present when the venerable Seraphim was glorified;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst venerate his grace-bearing relics!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst hear the prophecy of that holy father;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst prophesy the down-fall of the Orthodox monarchy!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION VII</strong></p> <p>When those who been told slanderous tales about thee were brought before thee, O royal martyr, they perceived thine innocence and blamelessness and the holiness of thy life, for thou didst sacrifice thyself for the good of others, and thy heart was ever intent upon their needs, so that thou didst ever move them to chant unto God: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS VII</strong></p> <p>“This is no new creation or concept, neither do I depart from the Church traditions,” thou didst declare unto those who sought to discredit thy convent and labors; “I only repeat what the Church teacheth; for it is Christ Who saith: ‘Love thy neighbor’, and the divine Theologian doth manifestly thunder: ‘If ye do not love your neighbor whom ye see, ye cannot love God Whom ye see not.’” Thou didst but renew that which had grown old, and hast revealed to us the essence of true love in the miracle of thy life. Wherefore, we chant to thee thus: </p> <p>Rejoice, thou who dost ever care for our souls;<br /> rejoice, holy princess, worthy of all praise! Rejoice, thou who didst unite love and mercy, as a bridge joineth land to land;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst know well saving words of grace! Rejoice, thou who wast persecuted for right-teousness’ sake;<br />rejoice, for truly great is thy reward in the heavens! Rejoice, thou who didst silence blasphemy and impiety by thy faith in Christ;<br />rejoice, thou who didst most humbly endure the calumny and slander hurled at thee by thine own countrymen! Rejoice, thou who didst love righteousness and hate falsehood;<br />rejoice, thou who didst not seek to avoid the reproaches of men, that thou mightest receive praise from the Lord! Rejoice, thou who didst love the Gospel above all else;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst ever delight in the words thereof!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION VIII</strong></p> <p>Having beheld a sight strange to all-the fall of an empire once dedicated to God, the desecration of all that is holy, and the public ridicule of the martyred Emperor Nicholas,-thou didst shed endless streams of tears for all the tribulations which had befallen thine adopted homeland. Yet trusting in God, and believing this to be His holy will, thou didst never cease to cry out to Him: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS VIII</strong></p> <p>In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the nation was overtake by chaos, thy family was taken away, and all thy friends stood afar off. Only a few fearless hierarchs came to comfort thee and thy sisters, O royal martyr. Thy convent was as a sheep-fold beset by ravening wolves; yet thou didst remain undaunted by their depredations during those violent days, ever preserving thy flock from harm by thy supplications. Wherefore, receive from us these praises: </p> <p>Rejoice, royal servant of the omnipotent King;<br /> rejoice, handmaid of the Queen of heaven! Rejoice, thou who with the royal martyrs wast prey to grievous slanders;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst find consolation in service of God! Rejoice, thou who didst not judge the sinful lies of men;<br />rejoice, thou who didst refuse to condone their misdeeds! Rejoice, thou who didst uproot the tares of evil growing in the royal garden;<br />rejoice, thou who didst not approve of vile and wicked deeds! Rejoice, thou who ever helpest us to see the will of God in all things;<br />rejoice, thou who didst rebuke the riotous multitude with thy courage! Rejoice, for thou didst not turn away from the hapless Tsar when he was mocked and abused;<br /> rejoice, thou who with him and his family dost ever rejoice in heaven!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION IX</strong></p> <p>The angelic armies on high were stricken with awe, beholding Holy Russia bound and led to bloody slaughter by those who wage war against God; for, bleeding and dying in the arena of martyrdom, the land is dyed red with the blood of the countless new martyrs, who cry out continually to the Lord of hosts: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS IX</strong></p> <p>The vile minions of Satan, sinful men with hands reeking of the blood of the innocent, openly reviled God, and mockingly asked thee how thou who art of royal blood couldst minister to the poor and lowly, O royal passion-bearer. But we marvel at thy patience and humility, and cry out unto thee: </p> <p>Rejoice, thou who didst quench the flames of discontent with thy tears;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst lament<br /> the woes of Russia, as Martha and Mary wept over Lazarus!<br /> Rejoice, thou who didst submit to the will of God;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst behold the Savior enthroned on high!<br /> Rejoice, venerable martyr of royal birth;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst put to shame those who mistreated thee! Rejoice, thou who dost bless those who bless thee;<br /> rejoice, thou who wipest the tears away from those who grieve! Rejoice, thou who dost calm our troubled hearts;<br />rejoice, thou who bowest down before the throne of God, offering Him our entreaties! Rejoice, thou who art ever attentive to His decrees;<br /> rejoice, thou who dost continually preserve us from all harm!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION X</strong></p> <p>Wishing to make thee captive, O martyr, evil-minded men arrived at thy convent on the third day of Pascha, to separate thee from thy flock; for after the holy Patriarch Tikhon the Confessor blessed thee and thy nuns, the wicked fell upon thee and took thee away into exile. Yet knowing what was to follow, thou didst take with thee thy faithful companion, the venerable Barbara, and with thee chanted the hymn of victory unto the risen Christ: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS X</strong></p> <p>Banished to the heart of Russia, hidden away from the eyes of the world, with prayer and fasting thou didst prepare for thy departure from this life, O Elizabeth, when Companion Barbara, and with the holy Princes Sergius, John, Igor, Constantine and Vladimir, who were all to share in thy sufferings and receive incorruptible crowns from the hands of the Savior. And sharing together in the delights of heaven, attend ye unto our praises: </p> <p>Rejoice, ye who ever pray for the salvation of Russia;<br /> rejoice, ye who, though cast down by the ungodly<br /> into the depths, have been raised on high by Christ!<br /> Rejoice, ye who shed the scarlet robe of royalty and put on the purple robe of martyrdom;<br /> rejoice, ye who where not deceived by the deceit of the evil one!<br /> Rejoice, ye who lift up your hands to God in supplication;<br /> rejoice, ye who cast away earthly riches to receive treasure in heaven!<br /> Rejoice, patient sufferers who endured all for the Lord;<br /> rejoice, ye who put to shame those who took your lives, but could not slay your souls!<br /> Rejoice, ye who received wreaths of victory fashioned by the hand of the Creator;<br /> rejoice, bright constellation of holy stars shining in the firmament of the Church!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTATKION XI</strong></p> <p>O the glorious wonder! A mine depleted of its ore is shown to be full of the lustrous gold of grace and piety! A shaft sunk deep into the bowels of the earth is shown to be a ladder extending up to heaven, whereby Elizabeth and her companions ascend from the depths unto the heights of paradise! O holy martyrs, ye blessed ones, as ye delight in celestial joys forget not us who celebrate the memory of your godly struggles, that with you we also may chant the angelic hymn: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS XI</strong></p> <p>The minds of men, darkened by their fallen state, are unable to devise for you hymns worthy of the pangs and sufferings ye endured, O holy passion-bearers of Christ; for ye were like unto the youths of Ephesus who fell asleep of death in a shaft sunk into the earth, only to awaken in the splendid mansions of heaven, where ye now receive from us our poor praises: </p> <p>Rejoice, ye seven-branched lampstand burning before the throne of God;<br /> rejoice, glory of Alapayevsk!<br /> Rejoice, ye who planted the tree of life amid the barren mountains and watered it with your blood;<br /> rejoice, royal passion-bearers, adorned with<br /> kindly diadems more precious than gold and costly jewels!<br /> Rejoice, O Barbara, devoted daughter of thy spiritual mother;<br /> rejoice, ye who intercede for your compatriots<br /> who find themselves amid suffering and exile!<br /> Rejoice, O Sergius, valiant confessor of the true Faith;<br /> rejoice, O brethren, equal in number to the Trinity!<br /> Rejoice, O Princes John, Igor and Constantine, who were like unto the holy youths in the fiery furnace;<br /> rejoice, O Vladimir, prince and martyr, who foresaw thine own suffering and death!<br /> Rejoice, ye who have washed your souls clean in the streams of your blood;<br /> rejoice, ye who stand before the Savior in the ranks of the new martyrs and confessors!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKIOIN XII</strong></p> <p>With the words of praise shall we weave a wreath of victory to adorn the new passion-bearers of Alapayevsk? For even if we try to recount their manifold labors, our own weakness and hardness of heart puts us to shame. For while they ever sought after the Lord, we ever stray father away from Him. Wherefore, come ye speedily to our aid, and drive our enemies, visible and invisible, far away from us, that unvexed and at peace, we may chant aloud unto God: Alleluia!</p> <p><strong>IKOS XII</strong></p> <p>We chant your praises, O holy new martyrs of Alapayevsk, for when faced with death, ye manifestly confessed Christ as God in the presence of the ungodly. Wherefore, the martyred nun Barbara received from the hand of God a wreath fashioned of truth and obedience, and her royal companions were endowed with two-fold crowns of majesty and martyrdom for their struggles. And thus hath Christ the Lord, the Judge of the contest, shown us all that it is meet to glorify them with such praises as these: </p> <p>Rejoice, boast of the Urals;<br /> rejoice, ye who shone forth like rays out of a dark pit!<br /> Rejoice, ye who sanctified a lowly mine-shaft;<br /> rejoice, ye who were like unto Joseph, who was likewise cast into a pit by envious brethren!<br /> Rejoice, ye who were like unto Daniel, who was thrown into a lions’ den;<br /> rejoice, ye who have summoned countless other new martyrs to the banquet of the Bridegroom!<br /> Rejoice, ye who were welcomed to the mansions of heaven by your kin, the martyred Tsar and his holy family;<br /> rejoice, ye who were slaughtered by the godless and unbelieving!<br /> Rejoice, O Elizabeth, who didst bind thy companions’ wounds and tend to their hurts;<br /> rejoice, thou who didst encourage and strengthen them<br /> until the moment of their soul’s departure!<br /> Rejoice, for thou didst chant fitting hymns as their life ebbed away;<br /> rejoice, thou who before an icon of the Savior didst surrender thine own soul into His hands!<br /> Rejoice, O venerable martyr Elizabeth, true model of Christian sacrifice!</p> <p><strong>KONTAKION XII</strong></p> <p>O all-praised and venerable martyr Elizabeth, with the other passions-bearers of Alapayevsk - the martyrs Barbara, John, Igor, Constantine, Vladimir, and Sergius, accept this, our meager hymnody of praise, which we offer to you in honor of the sufferings and violent death ye endured for Christ; and beseech the all-holy Trinity our God, that we be delivered from the perils and evil circumstances which beset us throughout our life: that with you and all the new martyrs and confessors of Russia we may ever chant unto the omnipotent Lord of heaven and earth: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!</p> <p>This kontakion is recited thrice; whereupon Ikos I and Kontakion I are repeated.</p>Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-31802233965189181482007-03-26T15:33:00.000-07:002007-03-28T02:15:04.613-07:00Akathist to the Life-bearing Tomb and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus ChristAkathist to the Life-bearing Tomb and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ<br /><br />Kontakion 1.<br />To the chosen Champion Leader risen from the dead, a hymn of victory do we sing unto Thee, O Christ Eternal King, for Thou hast risen from the tomb: and we being delivered from everlasting corruption, bring joyous acclamations unto Thine honorable tomb crying out: Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Ikos 1.<br />An Archangel came down from heaven to roll away the stone from before Thy tomb at Thy resurrection, O Christ God, and to announce Thy rising unto the Myrrh-bearers saying: Go ye and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. And they, wondering at the strange word of the angel, cried unto Thy life-bearing tomb these praises:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb wherein Christ lay as dead and whence He arose upon the third day;<br />Rejoice, for He arose from thee and hath granted us resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for as a bridegroom from the bridal-chamber so did Christ come forth from thee, leading hell captive;<br />Rejoice, for in His rising the dead of all ages have arisen;<br />Rejoice, for by thee hath Peter the chief Apostle known the resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for by Christ's lying within thee hath all the earth been hallowed;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 2.<br />When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came unto Thy tomb to anoint Thy Body, O Christ God, they found an angel sitting upon the stone and he said unto them: Be ye not afraid for I know that ye seek the Crucified; He is not here but is risen as He said unto you. And when they had announced the resurrection to the disciples then did all sing as unto the Creator and Master of All, the angels' hymn: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />Ikos 2.<br />Their thoughts storming within their minds, Thy disciples, O Christ, knew not the scripture that it was fitting for Thee to rise from the dead: therefore, they did not believe the Myrrh-bearers' joyous announcement of Thy rising: but Peter ran unto Thy tomb and stooping down beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves and the napkin which had been about Thy divine Head, and rightly believed together with the rest of the disciples and, therefore, rejoicing, cried such praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for by thee was wrought the salvation of all the world;<br />Rejoice, for thou art venerated by all creation;<br />Rejoice, for coming unto thee from the North and from the sea the faithful glorify Christ;<br />Rejoice, for from the West and from the East all magnify the resurrection within thee;<br />Rejoice, for thou wast couch and repose unto the King of kings;<br />Rejoice, for by thee the assembly of the Jews was put to shame;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 3.<br />The sentries, that vain guard placed about Thy tomb, O Christ, heard the mighty earthquake and the Angel proclaiming the good news of Thy resurrection to the Myrrh-bearers and, quaking with fear became as dead men, and rushing headlong into the city told the high-priest and the elders the things that had come to pass, but in their great unrighteousness they thought to conceal Thy resurrection but were not able, and rather taught all to sing: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 3.<br />The Arimathean who from fear of the Jews had secretly been Thy disciple, O Christ, did beg Thy divine body from Pilate and then, too, did Nicodemus come bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes and did anoint Thine incorruptible body, and, having wrapped it in a winding sheet with spices, did lay Thee in a new tomb wherein no other had yet been placed but Thou only, O Lord, that Thou mightest sanctify the substance of the earth. But when they had learned of Thy resurrection from the dead, they shouted praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for the mysteries of salvation have been performed within thee;<br />Rejoice, for by thee the resurrection hath been made known unto all the world;<br />Rejoice, sure and certain knowledge of the resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for Christ coming forth from thee hath led captivity captive, and brought human nature unto God the Father;<br />Rejoice, for although as man He was laid within thee, as God did He arise with glory;<br />Rejoice, for thou didst hold within thyself Him Who holdeth all creation;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 4.<br />When the Myrrh-bearers came unto Thy disciples, O Christ God, announcing Thy resurrection, they were filled with joy and went into Galilee to the mount, as Thou hadst commanded them; and seeing Thee, very God, in the flesh and not an apparition, they worshiped God, crying: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 4.<br />This knowledge remained unknown to the Jews who neither understood the prophecies nor sought to understand Thy resurrection, O Christ: how Thou couldst come forth from Thy tomb without breaking the seals thereof. Wherefore do they slander and jeer at Thy rising, but we, marveling at the mystery, bring praises to Thy life-bearing tomb, saying:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for Christ from thee hath risen and raised up the dead;<br />Rejoice, for through thee hell is known and stripped bare;<br />Rejoice, for the naked Adam is once more clothed in a divinely-woven garment;<br />Rejoice, for the earth, polluted by Abel's fratricidal blood, is hallowed again by Christ's abiding in thee;<br />Rejoice, for when the Angel had rolled away the stone from before thee, the Myrrh-bearers came to know of Christ's resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for when Christ had arisen from thee, the news of this resurrection did spread throughout all the world;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 5.<br />On the eighth day after Thy resurrection, Thou, O Lord, didst come unto Thy disciples, although the doors were closed, and bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon them. And then Thou didst say unto Thy disciple Thomas, "Come hither and touch Me!" and he, at the touch, knew Thee as being truly risen and not an apparition. Wherefore together with the other disciples did he cry unto Thee: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />Ikos 5.<br />We see the council of the Jews, the falsely-wise orators, mute as fish and unable to speak about Thy resurrection, O Christ, and not understanding the prophecies, how it was meet for Thee, the God of all, to rise from the dead. But we, marveling at the mystery of Thy resurrection, cry out unto Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for Pilate's foolish watchmen were terrified when Christ came forth from thee;<br />Rejoice, for He Who arose from thee broke not the seals upon the grave;<br />Rejoice, O truly rich tomb, for thou didst hold within thyself Christ the Lifegiver, Who bestoweth life upon all;<br />Rejoice, for when Christ arose from thee the heavens did rejoice;<br />Rejoice, for then the things of earth did teach the resurrection to all;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 6.<br />When after Thy resurrection Thou, O Christ, didst reveal Thyself to Thy disciples at the sea of Tiberias and command them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, then did Thy beloved disciple, recognizing Thee, O God, from the mighty draught of fishes, say unto Peter, "It is the Lord!" And as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire and fish thereupon and bread, and in the giving of bread they did know Thee and as to the risen God did shout: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 6.<br />The women made their way unto Thy tomb in the deep dawn, O Christ God, and though they found not Thy sought-for body, O Jesus, they discerned not Thy rising, but straightway saw an Angel standing before them, who asked them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen." And seeing Thy resurrection with great gladness they cried out these praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for by Christ's abiding within thee the nether regions were seized with great fear;<br />Rejoice, for then with trembling did hell give up the dead which it had held down through the ages;<br />Rejoice, for by Christ's rising we are all restored to newness of life;<br />Rejoice, for by Christ's rising from thee Thomas was taught to say, "My Lord and my God!" Rejoice, for in Christ's rising all creation hath found joy;<br />Rejoice, too, O Arimathean, for within thine own garden thou hast acquired so great a treasure; Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 7.<br />The sun at Thy passion, O Christ, unable to bear the raging frenzy of the lawless, did hide its light and the veil of the temple was rent, and when Thou wast laid in the life-bearing tomb the earth was shaken as though wanting to swallow up the unlawful, but Thou as God didst rise in glory and with Thyself didst raise up Adam, the father of us all. Wherefore, unto our truly risen God to we sing: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 7.<br />After Thy resurrection, O Christ, Thou didst reveal Thyself unto Luke and Cleopas along the way and didst acompany them as they discussed together those things that had happened unto Thee, O Master of all, and Thou wast scorned by them as being but a stranger in Jerusalem. But Thou as God didst open unto them the prophecies concerning Thyself and thus wast known by them in the breaking of the bread, whence with great joy they turned back to Jerusalem and told the good news of Thy resurrection and appearance unto Thy disciples. Wherefore, all together they did worship and sing praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for thou hast received within thyself Christ, the heavenly bread, given as food for all;<br /> Rejoice, for thou wast able to contain Christ as a sleeping king;<br />Rejoice, for heaven and earth were filled with glad tidings when Christ arose from thee;<br />Rejoice, for by thee the Jews were brought to disgrace;<br />Rejoice, for no longer are the unlawful able to slander Christ's resurrection;<br /> Rejoice, for through thee the Apostles' choir was filled with joy;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 8.<br />Mankind together with all the Angels doth stand in wonder before Thy great care for us -- Thou Who as God art inaccessible and yet as an approachable man art seen by all; Thou Who wast crucified and buried and Who didst rise in glory, and therefore, unto Thee as Creator and Master doth sing: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 8.<br />In Thy resurrection, O Christ, Thou didst show forth the new creation, for, just as in Thy birth from the Virgin, Thou didst not destroy the seal upon the tomb. Therefore, we honor Thy Passion, we glorify Thy Burial, in faith we worship Thy glorious Resurrection and offer hymns of thanksgiving unto Thy tomb, saying:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for Christ is risen from thee and hath renewed all the world;<br />Rejoice, for the stone that was rolled away from thee hath shattered the gates and door-posts of hell;<br />Rejoice, for the sun of the whole world hath shone forth from thee;<br />Rejoice, for when Christ lay within thee the nether regions were shaken asunder;<br />Rejoice, for those dead whom hell of old did seize, it hath unwillingly given back alive;<br />Rejoice, thou lightning flash which did hide the divine pearl within thyself;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 9.<br />The Apostles, those God-bearing heralds of Thy resurrection, were sent out into all the world and they did preach Thee, the true God; they taught all the faithful to sing unto Thee, the Creator and Master: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 9.<br />After Thy rising from the grave, Mary Magdalene came unto the tomb while it was still dark and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. She, therefore, went quickly to the disciples, saying, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre!" Then Peter, that disciple of burning faith, ran with John to the tomb and peering within saw the garments lying together and, coming to the knowledge of Thy resurrection, began to shout praises to Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for when Christ was shut within thee He shone forth light upon the nether regions;<br />Rejoice, for when the stone was removed from thee the stoney-hearted nations began to sing, "Christ is truly risen!";<br />Rejoice, for within thee God did pass three days asleep in the flesh;<br />Rejoice, for by His rising hath He awakened those who through the ages have been asleep; Rejoice, for coming forth from thee He hath bestowed resurrection upon all;<br />Rejoice, for as a bright sun shining forth from thee hath He enlightened all the world;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 10.<br />The earth grew frightened and fell silent, seeing Thee its Creator lying in a small tomb, and hell, trembling with fear before Thy power, gave up its dead preparing for Thee Thy rising to the Father from Whom Thou wast never separate. Wherefore do we sing unto Thee: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 10.<br />Mary Magdalene with most ardent faith in Thee, O Jesus Christ, came very early unto Thy tomb, O Savior, and was granted the vision of an angel telling her, "He is not here, but is risen." Furthermore, Thou didst Thyself appear to her as God, therefore she was sent as the bearer of good news to anounce to Thy disciples Thy rising to the Father. Thy disciples were thereby filled with joy and together with the Myrrh-bearers offered praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb, crying:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, thou opening of the gates of paradise;<br />Rejoice, for of Him Who lay within thee doth hell unwillingly speak truly, saying, "It were better for me had I never seized the Son of Mary!";<br />Rejoice, for He Who arose from thee hath led hell captive and filled the heavenly Jerusalem; Rejoice, for as one who sleepeth hast thou held within thyself the very Lamb, the Son of God; Rejoice, for according to the prophecy Christ did sleep within thee and as a lion did take His rest and who hath stirred Him up?;<br />Rejoice, for from thee He raised Himself by His own power;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 11.<br />When the Savior stood before His disciples, granting them peace, He also gave them the power to forgive sins and to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to preach His resurrection from the dead; and they did go and teach all nations to cry unto the risen God: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 11.<br />After Thy rising from the dead, O Christ, appearing unto Thy disciples Thou didst say unto Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" And after his threefold declaration of his love for Thee, Thou didst establish him as the first leader of Thy Church and all the faithful, having known Thee the risen God, cried out praises to Thy life-bearing tomb:<br /><br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for in coming forth from thee hath Christ made us a path up to heaven;<br />Rejoice, for, placed within thee, Christ hath raised up the dead of all the ages;<br />Rejoice, for unto the resurrected hath He given eternal life;<br />Rejoice, for the Cross and Resurrection are glorified in thee;<br />Rejoice, for by thee the sentries learned of the resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for thou art the fountain of divine knowledge;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 12.<br />Glorifying Thy Passion, we honor Thy divine providence for us and we worship Thy divine resurrection. Glorifying Thine all-glorious ascension from earth unto the heavenly Father, we pray: Take not Thine all-holy Spirit away from us, so that we may all sing unto Thee as Creator and Master: Alleluia.<br /><br />Ikos 12.<br />Thou the radiance of the Father didst go unto the Mount of Olives and then a most bright cloud did lift Thee up, as Thy disciples looked on, O Almighty One, and Thine angels said unto Thine Apostles, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? Him Whom ye see taken up from you shall come again in the flesh." And they returned to Jerusalem with joy, praising Thee, the true God, and offering praises unto Thy life-bearing tomb, wherein Thou wast laid and on the third day didst rise:<br /><br /> Rejoice, life-bearing tomb, for from thee hath Christ, the ineffable light, shone forth and enlightened the whole world;<br />Rejoice, for the Myrrh-bearers did hear, "Rejoice!" when Christ arose from thee;<br /> Rejoice, for thou hast been the resting-place of the King of kings and Lord of lords;<br />Rejoice, for thou hast held the sustainer of all creation;<br />Rejoice, for the most wise Jews were made fools by thee, for they could not speak against the resurrection;<br />Rejoice, for the choir of the Apostles hath found joy through thee;<br />Rejoice, life-bearing tomb whence Christ hath risen!<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 13.<br />O most holy and life-bearing tomb of Christ, thou the enrichment of all the world! Standing before thee as the bearer of life we pray unto Christ our God Who lay within thee and rose in glory on the third day, the He deliver His inheritance from famine, pestilence, earthquake and flood and from every mortal wound, that He grant peace unto Orthodox Christians and subdue under their feet those who strive against them, that we may all sing unto Thee, our Creator and Master: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! {Three times. }<br /><br />And again Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-52029998261647683422007-03-22T08:19:00.000-07:002007-03-22T08:30:38.292-07:00Akathist To St Herman Of AlaskaThe Akathist HymnTo St. Herman of Alaska<br /><br /><br />TROPARION TONE 4<br />O Blessed Father Herman of AlaskaNorth Star of Christ’s Holy Church,the light of your holy life and great deeds,guides those who follow the Orthodox Way.Together we lift high the Holy Cross,you planted firmly in America.Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ,singing His Holy Resurrection.<br /><br /><br /><br />FIRST KONTAKION<br />O Chosen Doer of Wonders, most glorious favorite of Christ,our God bearing Father Herman, Alaska’s adornment,the joy of all Orthodox in America.We sing to you, our heavenly protector and powerful intercessor<br />before God, these songs of praise. Cease not to pray for your children, who cry fervently to you: Rejoice our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />FIRST IKOS Father Herman, the Creator of the angelic hosts called you to proclaim the Orthodox faith in a new land and to be the founder of the monastic way in the remote lands of the north. You were sent, as was the Apostle Paul, to those sitting in darkness so that the light of Orthodoxy might illumine all the ends of the earth. We, the inhabitants of the American continents, bring you, our heavenly protector, this thanksgiving and sing you this song of praise:<br /><br />Rejoice, our Father Herman, our glory, our adornment;<br />Rejoice, bearer of the light of the true faith to our lands;<br />Rejoice, ascetic glorified by God;Rejoice, most honored branch of Valaam Monastery;<br />Rejoice, praise and joy of the Church in America;<br />Rejoice, comforter and protector of all of us;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska,America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />SECOND KONTAKION In your early youth, O Venerable One, enkindled by the flame of love for the Lord, you desired to serve God and Him alone. As an offering, you dedicated your youth to God, beginning your journey from the hermitage of Valaam, where choirs of monastics sing ceaselessly to God: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />SECOND IKOS The Most High granted you spiritual wisdom in your youth that you might know the beauty and sweetness of heaven. For this reason, the wise Igumen Nazarius, teacher of the venerable Seraphim of Sarov, taught you God’s wisdom and the Lord’s way. Therefore, the Holy Church praises you:<br /><br />Rejoice, glorious Herman dedicator of your youth to Christ;<br />Rejoice, disciple together with Seraphim of Sarov;<br />Rejoice, performer of spiritual labors in glorious Valaam;<br />Rejoice, honored by all the brethren of Valaam Monastery;<br />Rejoice, student of spiritual wisdom in Valaam;<br />Rejoice, glorified now by the Orthodox Church;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />THIRD KONTAKION The Most High directed the divinely-wise primate of the Church in Russia, Gabriel, to send missionaries of the Orthodox Faith to Alaska. The apostolic choice fell on you, O Venerable Herman, therefore, all the people enlightened by the Light of Christ through your labors and the personal example of your life, sing to the Lord: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />THIRD IKOS Showing great zeal not only in your spiritual labors as a novice, but also in your Apostolic fervor as you preached to a people sitting in darkness, you, O Venerable Herman, revealed the light of Christ to them with great power. Remembering your apostolic labors and your efforts to preach, with love we praise you:<br /><br />Rejoice, uncomplaining giver of obedience to your spiritual<br />father;<br />Rejoice, preacher who brought the Good News from afar;<br />Rejoice, faithful son of Holy Russia;<br />Rejoice, adopted son of North America;<br />Rejoice, initiator of the monastic way in our land;<br />Rejoice, zealous preacher of the Orthodox Faith; <br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />FOURTH KONTAKION O Venerable Father Herman, you endured storms of evil attacks and sorrows, by your efforts you persevered in this new land. Therefore, Christ glorified you with the gift of foresight, enriching you with miracles, granting you the Kingdom of Heaven where, together with the angels, you praise God in song: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />FOURTH IKOS Hearing of the miracles revealed to your people when a forest fire and tidal wave were made to cease by your prayers, we implore you from the depths of our hearts and entreat you to aid us who call to you:<br /><br />Rejoice, ascetic and prophet glorified by God;<br />Rejoice, holy favorite of God;Rejoice, our intercessor and healer;<br />Rejoice, helper of many who called out to you;<br />Rejoice, healer of many afflicted and suffering;<br />Rejoice, our merciful and humble father;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />FIFTH KONTAKION O Venerable One, you shone like the North Star on Spruce Island, the New Valaam, illuminating all of America with the brightness of your love and prayer, full of God’s power, so that from every corner of it the Orthodox people will sing fervently to God: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />FIFTH IKOS Observing your humility, all are in awe of you, O Father Herman, for your rigorous asceticism and perseverance in monastic struggles. In this you followed the example of Anthony of the Caves, the founder of monasticism in Russia, even as he that of Anthony the Great, the first monk of the world. You, the founder of monasticism in our land, chose in your great humility, the way of a simple monk. Therefore, the holy choir of hierarchs and hieromonks sings these songs of praise to you:<br /><br />Rejoice, founder of monasticism in our land;<br />Rejoice, imitator of Anthony the Great and Anthony of the Caves;<br />Rejoice, crowned, as they were, with heavenly glory;<br />Rejoice, founder of a glorious hermitage;<br />Rejoice, source of holy relics for the faithful;<br />Rejoice, fountain of miracles for all the world;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />SIXTH KONTAKION The wilderness of the north proclaims your works and miracles, revealing you to be a new branch of the vineyard of the Church of Russia in America. The forests and wilderness are permeated with your prayers. Following the example of the ancient hermits, you cried out in the silence of the night to God: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />SIXTH IKOS You enlightened a people who were living in darkness; you showed them an example of the monastic way of life. O our godbearing Father Herman, pray that we all, giving thanks to the Lord, may ceaselessly sing you these words of praise:<br /><br />Rejoice, first saint of our land;<br />Rejoice, founder of the monastic way in our land;<br />Rejoice, faithful servant of the Holy Trinity;<br />Rejoice, humble founder of the church of the Resurrection;<br />Rejoice, glorious hermit of the hermitage of Spruce Island;<br />Rejoice, loving father of the children who came to him;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br /><br />SEVENTH KONTAKION The Lord chose you, O Venerable One, to bring the light of the knowledge of God to the land of the Aleuts and there to sow the seeds of the Orthodox faith. You taught all to embrace the true faith and to call out to God: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />SEVENTH IKOS Having reached the heights through prayer, O Venerable One, you did not forget the needs of others. You manifested great concern for homeless orphans, building an orphanage and a school for them and taught them the commandments of the Lord. In gratitude to God for your labors, accept from us these praises:<br /><br />Rejoice, defender of the poor and orphaned;<br />Rejoice, their good protector;<br />Rejoice, builder of a home for the orphaned;<br />Rejoice, servant to God with your labors;<br />Rejoice, provider of earthly bread to the orphaned;<br />Rejoice, nourisher of orphans with words of eternal life;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />EIGHTH KONTAKION The Lord who loves mankind, O Venerable One, gave you the gifts of foresight and healing in His desire to manifest through you a source of compassion for his people. You showed them the love of God through your works and many words of instruction. Illumined by the light of your spiritual labors, the people called to the Lord:<br />Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />EIGHTH IKOS The people transformed by the light of the Christian Faith, came to you in times of illness and sorrow. As a father who loved his children, you interceded for all, bringing forth healing and comfort to all who came to you for help. Your glory has gone forth into all the earth and we, your spiritual children, glorify you with these words:<br /><br />Rejoice, our merciful father;<br />Rejoice, our unmercenary and gracious physician;<br />Rejoice, merciful healer of our infirmities;<br />Rejoice, our speedy helper in time of trouble and need;<br />Rejoice, foreseer of coming events as of the present;<br />Rejoice, perceptive reprover of hidden transgressions;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />NINTH KONTAKION You spoke with the angels, O Venerable One, and revealed how angels came to you in your hermitage and you had sweet conversation with them. Now you are in the Kingdom of Heaven where with hosts of angels you pray ceaselessly to the Creator: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />NINTH IKOS Who can enumerate the miracles witnessed by your people? The waves of the sea and a fire in the forest were calmed by your prayers. When there was a great tidal wave, you caused the stormy seas to cease by your prayers before the icon of the Mother of God, saying: “The water shall not go beyond this line.” Therefore, we sing to you thus:<br /><br />Rejoice, wondrous pacifier of the waters;<br />Rejoice, deliverer from the threat of fire;<br />Rejoice, safe harbor for the hierarch Innocent who called to you from the sea;<br />Rejoice, for through your prayers the wind at sea was calmed;<br />Rejoice, source of many miracles during your life;<br />Rejoice, fount of many miracles even after your death;<br /> Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />TENTH KONTAKION We bring to you a song of praise, O Venerable Father, concerning your righteous life. We sing praises of your honored death. You foreknew the day and hour of your blessed end. Most glorious also was your burial. For forty days a great storm raged at sea and your prophecy concerning your burial was fulfilled. Your disciple Gerasim, sensing a wondrous fragrance at the time of your death, sang to God:<br />Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />TENTH IKOS You were a most glorious doer of wonders during your life, O Father. At your death you manifested this wondrous miracle: your body remained incorrupt in the chapel for many days after your death. The Aleut people who saw a flaming pillar ascending to Heaven at the hour of your death, sang to you thus:<br /><br />Rejoice, for your righteous end has assured us of your holiness;<br />Rejoice, for your ascension to Heaven was like a pillar of fire;<br />Rejoice, for your relics, exuding a fragrance of sanctity, remain as our inheritance;<br />Rejoice, for many miracles are made manifest at your reliquary;<br />Rejoice, for you have provided us with a source of holy water and healing;<br /> Rejoice, for from this water many who are afflicted receive healing;<br /> Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />ELEVENTH KONTAKION O Holy Father, from your hermitage in the north, in the midst of the wilds of nature, you sang ceaseless praises to the Holy Trinity. Moved by the Spirit, you foresaw the great flowering of this vineyard planted in the soil of America and you called out with the angels of Heaven:<br />Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />ELEVENTH IKOS To all future members of the monastic order, you are a source of light and inspiration. For you foretold, O Venerable One, the founding of a monastery and of an Archbishop’s throne in this land. Today a choir of hierarchs and of monastics glorifies you in these words:<br /><br />Rejoice, instructor of monastics and converser with angels;<br />Rejoice, most glorious founder of the ascetic way in our land;<br />Rejoice, foreseer of the growth of this great vineyard of Christ;<br />Rejoice, fulfillment of this prophecy to the coming generations;<br />Rejoice, giver of a true image of the monastic way;<br />Rejoice, for your love is made manifest to all;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />TWELFTH KONTAKION Seeing your grace and your great boldness before God, we entreat you, O Venerable Father Herman, to pray fervently to the Lord, that He will protect His Holy Church from faithlessness and schism, from false teaching and willfulness, that we may sing to God Who has dealt bountifully with us: Alleluia.<br /><br /><br />TWELFTH IKOS We praise your glorification, O Venerable One, we bless you, O most powerful intercessor and protector of our Church, and with love we sing to you:<br /><br />Rejoice, protector of all who honor you;<br />Rejoice, speedy intercessor and helper to all;<br />Rejoice, founder of Orthodoxy in our land;<br />Rejoice, confirmation of those who come to the Orthodox Faith;<br />Rejoice, most glorious protector of the Church in America;<br />Rejoice, her first saint and her wondrous Father;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />THIRTEENTH KONTAKION O Most glorious favorite of God, Our Venerable Father Herman, accept this humble prayer we offer up in praise to you. Standing now before the Throne of the Almighty Lord, ceaselessly pray for us. In joy we sing to God: Alleluia.<br /><br />(Three times; followed by first Ikos and first Kontakion.)<br /><br /><br /><br />FIRST IKOS Father Herman, the Creator of the angelic hosts, called you to proclaim the Orthodox faith in a new land and to be the founder of the monastic way in the remote lands of the north. You were sent, as was the Apostle Paul, to those sitting in darkness so that the light of Orthodoxy might illumine all the ends of the earth. We, the inhabitants of the American continents, bring you, our heavenly protector, this thanksgiving and sing you this song of praise:<br /><br />Rejoice, our Father Herman, our glory, our adornment;<br />Rejoice, bearer of the light of the true faith to our lands;<br />Rejoice, ascetic glorified by God;<br />Rejoice, most honored branch of Valaam Monastery;<br />Rejoice, praise and joy of the Church in America;<br />Rejoice, comforter and protector of all of us;<br />Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />FIRST KONTAKION<br />O Chosen Doer of Wonders, most glorious favorite of Christ,our God bearing Father Herman, Alaska’s adornment,the joy of all Orthodox in America.We sing to you, our heavenly protector and powerful intercessor<br />before God, these songs of praise. Cease not to pray for your children, who cry fervently to you: Rejoice our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, America’s most glorious doer of wonders.<br /><br /><br />PRAYER TO THE VENERABLE HERMAN OF ALASKA<br />This Prayer is said before his holy relics or before his holy icon on the day of his glorification August 9/July 27.<br /><br />O Venerable Father Herman, we praise and glorify our God and Creator. All the earth, and everything within it, acknowledges Him as Creator and Eternal father. Heaven and earth, angels and men, together, praise and glorify Him: the most glorious company of the Apostles, the praiseworthy fellowship of the prophets, the great and noble gathering of the Martyrs, and the whole community of the saints, all praise Him. On this day, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church gives thanks to God for you, O Venerable Elder of Spruce Island. We your heirs and children gather at your holy reliquary and gaze with awe at your sacred relics in the knowledge that your soul joins together with the Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and the Heavenly Hosts before the throne of the Most Merciful God in praise of the Holy Trinity. O Venerable Hermit of Spruce Island, instructor in the faith of the Holy Trinity, our spiritual father and intercessor before the throne of Almighty God, pray for peace within the Church and dispel all disunity, faithlessness and discord. Come to the aid of our spiritual leaders that they may always be true and effective instruments of the Holy Spirit, enable them to proclaim the truth of the Gospel with power, give them the wisdom to enlighten the unenlightened and the spirit to inspire all to love the knowledge of God; fortify them with the perseverance to defend the Church, even unto death, from all enemies both within and without and at all times. May the<br />hearts of your spiritual children be filled with that faith and love of the Holy Church which you manifested in your holy life; pray Him to deliver us from the temptations which cause us to fall; renew in us a child-like faith in our Heavenly Father; teach us to place our trust in God, and in Him alone; satisfy our thirst for the true knowledge of God; show us how to serve God faithfully; transfigure our life that it may truly reflect the image and likeness of God within us. O Holy Father and Patron of the Church in America: be a physician to the weak in faith; be a support to the fallen; be a defender to the defenseless; be a bulwark of strength to the weary in spirit; be a guide to the travelers by sea, by land and by air; be our heavenly intercessor. O Venerable Father Herman of Alaska, together with all the saints and the heavenly hosts, pray to God that on each of us He will bestow wisdom for our mind, strength for our will, light for our spirit, enabling us to attain to the true peace of life which is from God alone. We praise with joyous and grateful hearts, the Life-Creating Trinity: Father Almighty, Only-Begotten Son, Comforter, Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-53014086268102121582007-03-19T04:34:00.000-07:002007-03-19T04:45:57.087-07:00Akathist To The Precious CrossIt seems particularly appropriate to post this in Great Lent :-)<br /><br /><br />The Akathist Hymn To the Spiritual Ladder, The Precious Cross<br /><br />Kontakion 1<br />Thrice-blessed and all-worshipful Cross of Christ, we the faithful venerate and magnify you being joyous at your divine Exaltation. But since you are the trophy and unconquered weapon, by your grace protect, cover, and shelter those who cry to you: Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Eikos 1<br />Angels from Heaven invisibly circle the life-bringing Cross in fear, and seeing it now brilliantly shedding light-bestowing grace upon the faithful, amazed they stand and cry to you such words as these:<br /><br />Rejoice, O Cross, guardian of the world;<br />Rejoice, the glory of the Church;<br />Rejoice, you that bountifully gush forth with healings;<br />Rejoice, you that enlighten the ends of the earth;<br />Rejoice, Wood fragrant with life, and treasury of wonders;<br />Rejoice, fitly-joined, thrice-blessed, and bestower of graces;<br />Rejoice, for you are the divine footstool;<br />Rejoice, for you were ordained for the worship of all;<br /> Rejoice, bowl of nectar, full to the brim;<br /> Rejoice, torch of the radiance above;<br /> Rejoice, you through whom the creation is blessed;<br />Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is worshipped;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 2<br />Perceiving the longing within her Queen Helen spoke to the Emperor boldly: "The great desire of your soul corresponds to my zeal; therefore, seeking for you that most excellent trophy, the Most Holy Cross, I cry, Alleluia!"<br /><br /><br />Eikos 2<br />With spiritual insight, Queen Helen called out to her attendants: "From the depths of the earth, hasten with speed to discover and give me the Cross" to which, when she saw it, she spoke in fear crying out:<br /><br />Rejoice, the sign of joy;<br />Rejoice, redemption from the ancient curse;<br />Rejoice, treasure in the earth by hidden envy;<br />Rejoice, that which appeared in the stars as a sign;<br />Rejoice, four-rayed-beaconing and fire-like Cross;<br /> Rejoice, ladder set on high, foreseen once of old;<br /> Rejoice, wonder of Angels;<br />Rejoice, wounding of demons;<br />Rejoice, welcome relic of the Word;<br />Rejoice, quencher of deception's fire;<br /> Rejoice, O Cross, protector of the helpless;<br />Rejoice, the stern trainer of the victors;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 3<br />The might of the Wood was then shown forth as a true pledge to all, and it raised to life the woman that was voiceless and dead to life – an awesome sight to them that shall reap salvation by singing: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 3<br />Holding the Cross, the invincible weapon, Queen Helen ran back to her son, and he rejoiced greatly when he looked upon the Holy Cross, and rejoicing he cried to it such words as these:<br /><br />Rejoice, O Cross, vessel of light;<br />Rejoice, O Cross, treasury of life;<br />Rejoice, bestower of the gifts of the Spirit;<br />Rejoice, storm-free port of those at sea;<br /> Rejoice, table that holds Christ as Sacrifice;<br />Rejoice, vine that bears the mystical vine;<br />Rejoice, for you protect the scepters of princes;<br /> Rejoice, for you crush the heads of demons;<br /> Rejoice, illustrious mark of the faith;<br />Rejoice, preservation of all the world;<br />Rejoice, God's blessing upon mortals;<br />Rejoice, our mediation with God;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 4<br />Receiving divine zeal within, Queen Helen diligently sought and found the Cross hidden in the earth and upon seeing it, the whole people cried in faith: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 4<br />Like the sun, the Cross appeared in the world, and all men were filled with its light, and running as towards a star, they viewer it as the cause of good raised up by Hands divine, and hymning it they said:<br /><br />Rejoice, dawn of the spiritual Sun;<br />Rejoice, font unfailing of myrrh;<br />Rejoice, recall of Adam and Eve;<br /> Rejoice, death-blow to the princes of Hades;<br />Rejoice, for in being exalted you now also exalt us;<br />Rejoice, for in being venerated you sanctify men's souls;<br />Rejoice, the world proclaimed report of the Apostles;<br />Rejoice, most plentiful strength of champions;<br />Rejoice, O Cross, reproach of the Jews;<br />Rejoice, praise to men of the Faith;<br />Rejoice, you through whom Hades was cast down;<br />Rejoice, you through whom grace did rise up;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 5<br />Having beheld the God-crowned Wood, let us come under its protection, and taking it up as a weapon, with it we put our enemies to flight, and touching the untouchable with our lips we cry to it: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 5<br />The Great Constantine beheld a light from the heaven, displaying the sign of the Cross in the stars through which he was also to conquer a multitude of adversaries, he made haste to reveal the Wood and to cry to it such words as these:<br /><br />Rejoice, accomplishment of the ineffable counsel;<br />Rejoice, the horn of godly people;<br />Rejoice, you that turns back the ranks of our foes;<br />Rejoice, you flame that burns the demons;<br />Rejoice, heavenly scepter of the faithful King;<br />Rejoice, invincible trophy of the Christ-loving armies;<br /> Rejoice, you that humble the arrogance of barbarians;<br />Rejoice, you that care tenderly for the souls of men;<br />Rejoice, defense against many evils;<br />Rejoice, awarder of many good things;<br />Rejoice, you on whose account the Christ-bearers run with joy;<br />{Rejoice, you on whose account the Jews lament; }<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 6<br />The Cross of the Lord became a ladder as lofty as heaven, leading up all from earth that they might always dwell together with the choirs of Angels, abandoning things present as though they were not, and singing: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 6<br />Shining as a light upon all in Hades, O Savior you enlightened them who were in darkness, and the gate-keepers of Hades, not enduring your coming, fell down as dead, but they who were delivered now behold the Cross and cry:<br /><br />Rejoice, resurrection of the dead;<br />Rejoice, consolation of those that mourn;<br />Rejoice, despoiling of the treasuries of Hades;<br />Rejoice, enjoyment of the Paradise of delight;<br /> Rejoice, rod that drowned the Egyptian army;<br />Rejoice, you who watered the Israelite people;<br />Rejoice, living Wood, the Thief's salvation;<br />Rejoice, fragrant rose, sweet scent of the godly;<br />Rejoice, food of the hungry in spirit;<br /> Rejoice, God's seal that men have received;<br /> Rejoice, O Cross, doorway to the divine mysteries;<br />Rejoice, from which divine streams pour forth;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 7<br />When Moses was about to deliver his much-troubled race from the Egyptians you, O Cross, were given to him as a rod, but you were made known to him also as a symbol of God wherefore, amazed at your sovereign might, O Cross, he cried: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 7<br />He who was on Sinai gave the law to Moses, Christ our God, by his own will is nailed to the Cross, lawlessly for the lawless men, and he loosed the ancient curse of the law so that beholding the might of the Cross, we might all now cry:<br /><br />Rejoice, uprighting of the fallen;<br />Rejoice, downfall of the world's adorers;<br />Rejoice, inauguration of the Resurrection of Christ;<br />Rejoice, divine revealing of monastics;<br /> Rejoice, shady-leafed tree under which believers are sheltered;<br />Rejoice, prophet-proclaimed Wood which has been planted on earth;<br />Rejoice, alliance of the kingdom against the enemy;<br />Rejoice, mighty protection of the state;<br />Rejoice, manifestation of the just Judge;<br />Rejoice, condemnation of offending mortals;<br />Rejoice, O Cross, aid to orphans;<br />Rejoice, O Cross, enricher of the poor;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 8<br />Seeing the strange wonder, let us live our life as strangers, lifting our minds up to heaven, for this reason was Christ affixed to the Cross, and suffered in the flesh having willed to draw to the heights them that cry to it: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 8<br />Fully God, Christ came down from on high, retaining His divinity, the only Word from before all ages, and being born of a Virgin Mother, He appeared to the world in the flesh having willed to draw to the heights them that cry:<br /><br />Rejoice, O Cross, weapon of peace;<br /> Rejoice, starting-point and goal of travelers;<br />Rejoice, wisdom and firm support of the saved;<br />Rejoice, folly and destruction of the damned;<br />Rejoice, fruitful, immortal, and life-bearing plant;<br />Rejoice, flower that blossomed with our salvation;<br /> Rejoice, for you join together things on earth with things above;<br /> Rejoice, for you enlighten the hearts of all below;<br />Rejoice, through whom corruption is banished;<br />Rejoice, through whom sorrow has vanished;<br /> Rejoice, you wealth of goods;<br />Rejoice, you boast of believers;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 9<br />The armies of demons is fallen and the race of Jews is put to shame, seeing that the Cross is worshipped by all with longing as it continuously gushes forth healing to those who cry: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 9<br />When you, O Christ, were affixed to the Wood, the floods of the false beliefs were checked for they are confounded at how You endured the Cross and avoided corruption, but we, glorifying Your Resurrection, cry out:<br /><br />Rejoice, height of the wisdom of God;<br />Rejoice, depth of His providence;<br />Rejoice, ignorance of the unwise;<br />Rejoice, misfortune of the foolish;<br />Rejoice, for you manifest the Resurrection of Christ;<br />Rejoice, for you revive His Passion;<br />Rejoice, undoer of the trespass of the first-created;<br />Rejoice, opener of the entrance to Paradise;<br /> Rejoice, O Cross, revered by all;<br />Rejoice, adversary of faithless nations;<br />Rejoice, O Cross, healer of the sick;<br />Rejoice, constant help of them that cry;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 10<br />With the purpose of saving the world, the lord of the word ineffably descended into it and submitted to the Cross, and being God He accepted for us the entire human nature, wherefore having also redeemed us, he hears from all: Alleluia!<br /><br />Eikos 10<br />The Cross is the protection of the whole world, for the Creator of heaven and earth Who prepared you stretches out his hands and teaches all to proclaim:<br /><br />Rejoice, foundation of godliness;<br />Rejoice, conquest of the promised land;<br />Rejoice, you who put the spiritual Amalek to flight;<br />Rejoice, you who were prefigured by the hands of Jacob;<br />Rejoice, for you transformed the ancient shadows;<br /> Rejoice, for you fulfilled the prophetic utterances;<br />Rejoice you that carried the Savior of all;<br /> Rejoice, you who destroyed the corrupter of souls;<br /> Rejoice, through whom we are united with Angels;<br />Rejoice, through whom we are illumined by light;<br />Rejoice, for with honor we worship you;<br />Rejoice, for crying out we address you;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 11<br />Every hymn falls short in comprehending the multitude of your many wonders, for though we should offer you a multitude of praises, O precious Cross, we can do nothing worthy of what you have granted us, but we still cry: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 11<br />The life-giving Cross, bestowing the radiance that given light to those in darkness, has shown us the immaterial light, and has lightened the way for all to divine knowledge, and being lifted up it now lifts up our minds that we might chant these words:<br /><br />Rejoice, luminary that shines on those in darkness;<br /> Rejoice, star that dawns upon the world;<br /> Rejoice, lightning that blinds the slayers of Christ;<br />Rejoice, thunder that terrifies the faithless;<br />Rejoice, for you have made radiant the choirs of the Orthodox;<br />Rejoice, for you have consumed the altars of idols;<br /> Rejoice, you whose form has appeared from the heaven;<br /> Rejoice, you whose grace drives away evil;<br /> Rejoice, you who signifies mortification of the flesh;<br /> Rejoice, you who slays the insurrection of the passions;<br />Rejoice, you upon whom Christ was crucified;<br /> Rejoice, you by whom all the world was saved;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 12<br />Having willed to grant grace to men, Christ stretched his hands on the Wood, and calls all nations together and grants the Kingdom of the Heavens to all that worthily sing the hymn and faithfully cry: Alleluia!<br /><br /><br />Eikos 12<br />Chanting this hymn out of love we praise you as the living Wood of the lord, for in the flesh being nailed upon you, He who rules over the powers on high has sanctified, glorified, and taught us to cry these words to you:<br /><br />Rejoice, O Christ, spiritual sword;<br />Rejoice, holy gaze of Saints;<br />Rejoice, prediction of the prophets and righteous;<br />Rejoice, brilliant stratagem of Christ;<br /> Rejoice, beauty and crown of godly kings;<br />Rejoice, strength and stronghold of reverent priests;<br />Rejoice, most noble jewel of truth;<br />Rejoice, fairest haven of salvation;<br />Rejoice, joyful splendor of all;<br />Rejoice, banishment of Hagar's sons;<br />Rejoice, lamp of purest light;<br />Rejoice, gladness of my soul;<br />Rejoice, O Wood most blessed.<br /><br /><br />Kontakion 13<br />O most laudable Wood which held the Word, the Most Holy of all holy beings, having received our entreaties deliver from every calamity and redeem from eternal torment all who cry to you: Alleluia!Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693448480712556117.post-12127096997762870522007-03-19T04:30:00.000-07:002007-03-19T04:47:53.101-07:00Welcome- to the Akathist blog.<br />As the name implies, I intend to try and make this a resource for Akathists, and I hope it will be of use to my fellow Ortho-Bloggers.<br /><br />If anyone does wish to use the akathists, of your charity, please pray for the Handmaiden of God, Tanya, who has serious health problems at present.Elizabeth @ The Garden Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00274788007550318693noreply@blogger.com1