Translate

Friday, March 4, 2016

Θαύματα του Αγίου Γερασίμου Ιορδανίτη



 Ανάσταση νεκρού
Όταν ακόμα ήταν στη ζωή ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος ανάστησε ένα νεκρό. Πώς όμως έγινε το μεγάλο και παράδοξο αυτό θαύμα; Κάποτε κοιμήθηκε κάποιος μοναχός της Λαύρας και δεν το έμαθε ο Άγιος, που ήταν τότε ηγούμενος. Όταν κτύπησε το σήμαντρο για την κηδεία του, πήγε κι ο γέροντας στο ναό. Όταν είδε το λείψανο λυπήθηκε γιατί δεν τον αποχαιρέτισε, πριν φύγει από τη ζωή. Πήγε λοιπόν κοντά στο φέρετρο και λέγει στον πεθαμένο:
- Σήκω, αδελφέ, να αποχαιρετιστούμε.
Τότε ο νεκρός μοναχός αναστήθηκε, σηκώθηκε και αποχαιρέτισε τον Άγιο. Αυτός μετά του ξαναείπε:
- Κοιμήσου τώρα μέχρι τη Δευτέρα Παρουσία, οπότε θα σε αναστήσει ο Χριστός.
Πραγματικά ο μοναχός ξαναμπήκε στο νεκροκρέβατο και συνέχισε τον αιώνιο ύπνο του.
Αν σκεφτούμε ότι νεκρούς ανάστησε μόνο ο Χριστός, μερικοί απόστολοι και λίγοι άγιοι, θα καταλάβουμε σε ποια ύψη αγιότητας είχε φτάσει ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος.


Θεραπεία δωδεκάχρονου με ψηλό πυρετό

Μετά την κοίμηση του ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος ανακηρύχθηκε άγιος και έκανε θαύματα, από τα παλιά εκείνα χρόνια μέχρι και σήμερα. Πολλοί μάλιστα λένε ότι ο Άγιος άκουσε πολύ γρήγορα τις παρακλήσεις και τις προσευχές τους και τους έκανε καλά. Γι' αυτό από πολλούς ονομάζεται "Ο Άγιος Εξπρές". Ο Άγιος είναι πάντα ζωντανός, κυκλοφορεί ανάμεσα στους προσκυνητές και στους άλλους πιστούς, συνομιλεί μαζί τους, τους παρηγορεί, τους ενθαρρύνει, τους θεραπεύει και σκορπίζει παντού την αγάπη του.
Ο τωρινός ηγούμενος, αρχιμανδρίτης Χρυσόστομος, διηγείται το πιο κάτω θαύμα.
- Πριν είκοσι χρόνια περίπου ήρθε από τα Ιεροσόλυμα ο διάκονος Ειρηναίος της μονής Σινά. Είχε μαζί του και ένα δωδεκάχρονο αγόρι από την Κρήτη που φοιτούσε στη σχολή της Σιών. Ήταν Σάββατο απόγευμα, ήμουν πολύ κουρασμένος και ζύμωνα, γιατί δεν είχα πρόσφορο για τη λειτουργία της Κυριακής. Ξαφνικά το παιδί παρουσίασε πολύ ψηλό πυρετό, είχε φοβερούς πονοκεφάλους και ανυπόφορους πόνους. Δεν ήξερα τι να κάνω. Όχημα δεν είχα, εκτός από ένα μηχανάκι, δεν μπορούσα να το πάρω στο γιατρό και ήμουν σε απελπιστική κατάσταση. Προσευχήθηκα στον Άγιο να κάνει το παιδί καλά. Κατά τις έντεκα η ώρα ο διάκος και το παιδί αποκοιμήθηκαν. Εγώ ήμουν κατακουρασμένος, είχα τα ψωμιά στο φούρνο, σκεφτόμουν τη λειτουργία της επόμενης μέρας και παρακαλούσα θερμά τον Άγιο να κάνει καλά το άρρωστο παιδί. Σε μια στιγμή ο διάκος ακούει την πόρτα να κτυπά. Σηκώνεται, κοιτάζει, δεν ήταν κανένας. Ήρθε και με βρήκε και πήγαμε μαζί στο δωμάτιό τους. Του είπα ότι ο Άγιος θα ήτανε. Δεν πρόλαβα να τελειώσω την κουβέντα και το παιδί, εκεί που παραμιλούσε, ξύπνησε και μου είπε: "Γέροντα, έγινα μούσκεμα. Ένας παππούλης έριξε απάνω μόνο έναν τενεκέ νερό". Του έβγαλα το φανελάκι και το σκουπίσαμε με την πετσέτα. Σε πέντε λεπτά κοιμήθηκε ήσυχο, χωρίς πυρετό και το πρωί ήταν τελείως καλά.


Ο Άγιος προσφέρει φρούτα στους προσκυνητές του
Ο ηγούμενος Χρυσόστομος συνεχίζει:
- Μια φορά ήταν εδώ, στους Αγίους Τόπους, ένα γκρουπ από την Ελλάδα, με ένα δεσπότη - Διονύσιο τον λέγανε – από μια περιοχή της Μακεδονίας. Είχε έρθει με φοιτητές της θεολογίας. Ειδοποιήσανε από την Ιεριχώ ότι έρχονται κι αν μπορούσα να τους ετοιμάσω φάβα (γιατί εγώ συνηθίζω να ψήνω φάβα για τον κόσμο).
Όταν μπήκανε μέσα στο μοναστήρι είπα στο δεσπότη: "Δεσπότη μου, να με συγχωρέσεις αλλά δεν έχω φρούτο να φάτε μετά τη φάβα". Σε λίγο μπαίνει ένας στρατιώτης μ’ ένα κασόνι πορτοκάλια και λέει: "Αμπούνα, (Γέροντα) πάρε αυτά τα πορτοκάλια". Εγώ απόρησα, γιατί έφυγε αμέσως και πήγα να δω από ποιο στρατόπεδο είναι. Βγαίνω έξω, κοιτάζω από δω, κοιτάζω από κει, τίποτα. Άφαντος ο στρατιώτης. Φωνάζω έναν εργάτη και τον ρωτάω πού πήγε ο στρατιώτης. Αυτός απορεί και μου λέει ότι δεν είδε κανένα στρατιώτη να μπαίνει στο μοναστήρι. "Πώς δεν μπήκε" του λέω. "Να τα πορτοκάλια". Αυτός έμεινε κόκαλο και λέει: "Δεν μπήκε κανείς. Εγώ εδώ ήμουνα, στην πόρτα. Δεν ήρθε κανένας ούτε φάνηκε κανένα τζιπ". Μπήκα μέσα και είπα στο δεσπότη ότι ο Άραβας δεν είδε κανένα να μπαίνει. Όλοι απόρησαν και είπαν ότι τον είδαν με τα μάτια τους. Βγαίνουν όλοι έξω - ένα λεπτό είχε περάσει -δε βλέπουν τίποτα. Κι αυτοκίνητο να 'ταν, δε θα προλάβαινε ν’ απομακρυνθεί. Φρόντισε ο Άγιος και έστειλε φρούτα.


Θαυματουργική ανεύρεση νερού για το μοναστήρι

Ο ηγούμενος Χρυσόστομος συνεχίζει τη διήγηση του, φέρνοντας στο νου του ακόμα ένα από τα πολλά θαύματα του Αγίου Γερασίμου.
Το πηγάδι στην αυλή του μοναστηριού είχε πολύ λίγο νερό, που έπιανε από τη βροχή. Γι’ αυτό ζήτησα και μου έδωσαν οι Εβραίοι λίγο νερό. Και πάλι όμως δεν ήταν αρκετό για τις ανάγκες του μοναστηριού. Έτσι αποφάσισα να σκάψω σ’ ένα διπλανό χείμαρρο, όπου είχα ακούσει ότι υπήρχε παλιά νερό. Σκάβαμε τρεις εργάτες. Ο Σαμίρ, ένας Άραβας που είχα εδώ από μικρό παιδί, ένας προσωρινός εργάτης και εγώ. Αφού κατεβήκαμε είκοσι τρία μέτρα βάθος δε βρήκαμε ούτε ίχνος νερού. Θυμάμαι ήταν μεσημέρι. Ήμουν κατακουρασμένος και στενοχωρημένος και κάθισα κάτω από ένα αγριόδεντρο, για να ξεκουραστώ λιγάκι. Τότε είπα: "Άγιε μου Γεράσιμε, φαίνεται ότι δεν Θέλεις να βρούμε νερό. Αν δεν το βρούμε και σήμερα θα το κλείσω το πηγάδι". Δουλεύαμε με τον παραδοσιακό τρόπο. Σκάβαμε με την τσάπα και τον κασμά και καθαρίζαμε με το φτυάρι, για να κατεβούμε κάτω. Εκείνη την ώρα σκάβανε κάτω δύο εργάτες κι εγώ ήμουν απάνω και άδειαζα τους κουβάδες. Μου φωνάζουν: "Αμπούνα, έλα κάτω γιατί βρήκαμε χαλίκι". Είχανε βρει μόνο χώμα, χωματόπετρα. Σηκώθηκα αμέσως. Κατεβαίνω κάτω, παίρνω αμέσως τον κασμά και αρχίζω μόνος μου να σκάβω. Έσκαβα, έσκαβα, έσκαβα, κατέβηκα γύρω στο μισό μέτρο και παρατήρησα ότι όλο και πιο βρεγμένο ήταν το χαλίκι. Στο ενάμισι μέτρο βρήκαμε το νερό. Πιστεύω πως ήταν οπωσδήποτε θαύμα του Αγίου. Αν δεν τον παρακαλούσα και δεν συνεχίζαμε το σκάψιμο, την άλλη μέρα θα το έκλεινα το πηγάδι, γιατί ήταν και παράνομο. Οι Εβραίοι απαγορεύουν ν’ ανοίξεις πηγάδι ή να κτίσεις κάτι χωρίς άδειες, γι' αυτό κι έχω πάντα προβλήματα. Μεγαλύτερο θαύμα του Αγίου είναι που το νερό ήταν καθαρό και γλυκό. Στην περιοχή αυτή τα νερά, επειδή είναι κοντά η Νεκρά Θάλασσα, είναι όχι μόνο αλμυρά, αλλά λύσσα, έχουν θειάφι και μυρίζουν σαν κλούβια αυγά.

Παρουσία του Αγίου στο ναό του

Πριν δώδεκα χρόνια περίπου ο ηγούμενος είχε πάει στην Ελλάδα. Στο μοναστήρι βρισκόταν μια ρουμάνα καλογριά, η Μαρία, ο Ασάμ ο άραβας, μικρό παιδί τότε και δίπλα στη σπηλιά η γερόντισσα Χριστοδούλη.
Κάθε νύκτα ακούγανε την πόρτα της εκκλησίας του Αγίου Γερασίμου να ανοίγει και να κλείνει. Πήγαινε η Μαρία να δει ποιος ήταν και δεν έβλεπε κανένα. Το ίδιο και ο Ασάμ, που γύριζε στο μοναστήρι, κοίταζε και δεν έβλεπε κανένα.
Όταν ο π. Χρυσόστομος γύρισε στο μοναστήρι τον ρωτήσανε:
- Γέροντα, ποιος ανοιγοκλείνει την πόρτα της εκκλησίας κάθε βράδυ;
Κι εκείνος τους απάντησε;
- Ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος είναι, ποιος άλλος να είναι;
Ο Άγιος εκτελούσε χρέη φύλακα του μοναστηριού, όταν απουσίαζε ο αγιοταφίτης φύλακάς του.
Επίσης μέσα στο μοναστήρι πάρα πολλοί ένιωσαν μια θαυμάσια ευωδία, που δεν μπορούν να περιγράψουν με λόγια.

Θεραπεία νεαρού μαθητή στην Κύπρο

Η Δ.Σ. από τη Λάρνακα της Κύπρου διηγείται:
- Ο γιος μου Γιώργος, δεκαπέντε χρονών, είχε σοβαρό πρόβλημα υγείας. Για πέντε ως έξι μήνες συνέχεια, κάθε μέρα, λιποθυμούσε. Πήγαμε σε πολλούς γιατρούς, ξοδέψαμε πολλά λεφτά, υποφέραμε πολύ, μέχρι που ακούσαμε για τον Άγιο Γεράσιμο και τον ηγούμενο Χρυσόστομο.
Μιλήσαμε μαζί του και μετά από παράκληση στον Άγιο, το παιδί έγινε καλά. Τώρα εργάζεται κανονικά. Ενώ πιο πριν είχε και πρόβλημα καρδιάς από πολύ μικρός, οι τελευταίες εξετάσεις έδειξαν ότι χαίρει άκρας υγείας και δεν έχει το παραμικρό.

Ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος εξομολογεί αντρόγυνο

Ένα αντρόγυνο διηγιόταν το παρακάτω θαύμα:
- Πριν λίγα χρόνια ήρθαμε στο μοναστήρι του Αγίου και μείναμε για λίγες μέρες. Ένα απόγευμα παρακαλέσαμε τον ηγούμενο να μας εξομολογήσει, αν είχε χρόνο. Ο γέροντας απάντησε ότι δεν μπορούσε, γιατί είχε πολλές δουλειές. Μετά από λίγο ανεβήκαμε τη σκάλα και μπήκαμε στο ναό του Αγίου Γερασίμου. Εκεί συναντήσαμε πάλι τον ηγούμενο. Όταν μας είδε, μας είπε με πολλή αγάπη: "Ελάτε, παιδιά μου, να σας εξομολογήσω".
Όταν τελείωσε η εξομολόγηση, κατεβήκαμε πάλι στο προαύλιο. Σε λίγο περνούσε από κοντά μας ο ηγούμενος και τον ευχαριστήσαμε γιατί, παρόλες τις σκοτούρες και την κούραση, μας έκανε το χατίρι και μπήκε στον κόπο να μας εξομολογήσει. Τότε εκείνος έκπληκτος μας είπε:
- Τι λέτε, βρε παιδιά; Εγώ σας εξομολόγησα; Εγώ κανένα δεν εξομολόγησα σήμερα. Αφού σας είπα ότι δεν είχα καιρό και ήμουν και κουρασμένος.
Εμείς μείναμε άφωνοι. Καταλάβαμε ότι εκείνος που μας εξομολόγησε δεν ήταν άλλος από τον Άγιο Γεράσιμο. Εμφανίστηκε με τη μορφή του ηγουμένου, για να μην τον καταλάβουμε. Δοξάζουμε το Θεό και τον ευχαριστούμε. Επίσης ευχαριστούσαμε το μεγάλο Άγιό του, τον Άγιο Γεράσιμο, που μας έκανε τη μεγάλη τιμή να μας εξομολογήσει.


Ευλογεί ιερωμένο
Ένας ιερωμένος διηγήθηκε τα εξής:
- Μια μέρα βρισκόμουν στη μονή του Αγίου Γερασίμου και καθόμουν στην εσωτερική αυλή. Σε μια στιγμή πέρασε από μπροστά μου ο ηγούμενος και με ευλόγησε. Ύστερα από λίγο ξαναπέρασε και τον ευχαρίστησα για την ευλογία του, την ώρα που περνούσε από μπροστά μου, πριν λίγη ώρα. Ο ηγούμενος τότε μου είπε:
- Πάτερ, πριν λίγο δεν πέρασα από εδώ, ούτε σε ευλόγησα.
Τότε του απάντησα ότι ίσως κάποιος άλλος ιερωμένος να βρισκόταν στο μοναστήρι. Εκείνος όμως μου είπε ότι οι μόνοι ρασοφόροι που βρίσκονταν ως εκείνη την ώρα στο μοναστήρι ήμασταν εμείς οι δυο. Καταλάβαμε ότι ο Άγιος Γεράσιμος πήρε τη μορφή του ηγουμένου και έκανε βόλτες μέσα στο μοναστήρι του.


Πηγή:http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2015/03/blog-post_78.html

Akathist to Holy Hierarch Ignaty Brianchaninov




Kontakion 1

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

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

Ikos 1

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

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

Rejoice, fine branch of an honorable family.

Rejoice, unceasing joy of thy guardian Angel.

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

Rejoice, having prepared thyself for monastic obedience from childhood.

Rejoice, having compelled thy youthful soul toward God.

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

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

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

Kontakion 2

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

Ikos 2

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

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

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

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

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

Rejoice, having received a heavenly reward from the Master.

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

Rejoice, having shown perfect love for the Lord.

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

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

Kontakion 3

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

Ikos 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rejoice, zealous keeper of purity of soul and body.

Rejoice, wonderful adornment of chastity.

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

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

Kontakion 4

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

Ikos 4

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

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

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

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

Rejoice, having been vested with the armor of righteousness.

Rejoice, having donned the helmet of salvation.

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 5

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

Ikos 5

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

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

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

Rejoice, having never turned back.

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

Rejoice, not having buried thy talent in the earth.

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 6

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

Ikos 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 7

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

Ikos 7

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

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

Rejoice, having beautified it with marvelous churches and buildings.

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

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

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

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

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

Rejoice, glory and praise of monastics.

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

Kontakion 8


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

Ikos 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rejoice, having imitated them in thy life completely.

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

Kontakion 9

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

Ikos 9

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

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

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

Rejoice, faithful laborer in the vineyard of Christ.

Rejoice, spiritual lute, perfected by the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, divinely inspired adornment of hierarchs.

Rejoice, for thy beloved Lord spoke by thy mouth.

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

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

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

Kontakion 10

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

Ikos 10

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

Rejoice, our good shepherd.

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

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

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

Rejoice, having taught thy spiritual offspring Christian patience.

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 11

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

Ikos 11

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

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

Rejoice, having foreseen thine imminent departure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 12

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

Ikos 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kontakion 13

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


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!


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


Repeat the 1st Ikos and 1st Kontakion.

Ikos 1

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

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

Rejoice, fine branch of an honorable family.

Rejoice, unceasing joy of thy guardian Angel.

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

Rejoice, having prepared thyself for monastic obedience from childhood.

Rejoice, having compelled thy youthful soul toward God.

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

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

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


Kontakion 1

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

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



Prayer to Holy Hierarch Ignaty

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

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Δεν πατάει στη γη. ( Άγιος Νικόλαος Πλανάς )


Δύο μικροί φίλοι, καθώς βάδιζαν στο δρόμο, συνάντησαν τον άγ. Νικόλαο. Ο ένας από τούς δύο ήταν τύπος αγαθός· και επειδή ήταν αγαθός οι φίλοι του τον έλεγαν βλάκα, αλλά δεν συνέβαινε αυτό, ήταν απλώς αθώος και πολύ θρησκευόμενος.

Στο δρόμο πού συνάντησαν τον άγ. Νικόλαο, λέει ο αγαθός στον φίλο του: «Κοίταξε να δεις, ο παπάς δεν πατάει στη γη»! Και ο μεν αγαθός έβλεπε τον Άγιο 30 πόντους πάνω από το έδαφος, ο δε άλλος δεν μπορούσε να τον δει.

Τις πρώτες γραπτές μαρτυρίες για την αγιότητα του παπα-Νικόλα τις έχουμε από τον σύγχρονό του Αλέξανδρο Παπαδιαμάντη. Ο Παπαδιαμάντης ήταν ψάλτης του, στο Εκκλησάκι του Αγίου Ελισσαίου, κοντά στο Μοναστηράκι της Αθήνας. Έψαλλε στους εσπερινούς και τους όρθρους, στις λειτουργίες και τις ολονυκτίες, που τελούσε με κατάνυξη, αλλά και μεγαλοπρέπεια ο παπα-Νικόλας. Και μπόρεσε να εισδύση στο βάθος της αγιαμένης αυτής ύπαρξης και να αντιληφθή το πλήθος των χαρισμάτων της, τα οποία ήταν επιμελώς κρυμμένα κάτω από το κέλυφος της απλότητας και της ταπείνωσης, γιατί ήταν και εκείνος εντεταγμένος στην ίδια προοπτική, ήταν, δηλαδή, φορέας της Ορθοδόξου Παραδόσεως. Τον ονομάζει άξιο λειτουργό του Υψίστου και τον αντιπαραβάλλει με τους “επαγγελματικούς ιερείς”, όπως τους αποκαλεί, και συνεχίζει: “Είναι ο ταπεινότερος των ιερέων και ο απλοϊκότερος των ανθρώπων … είναι αξιαγάπητος, είναι απλοϊκός και ενάρετος, είναι άξιος του πρώτου Μακαρισμού του Σωτήρος”.

Άγιος Νικόλαος Πλανάς


http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2014/03/blog-post_8.html

Monday, February 29, 2016

AKATHIST HYMN TO ALMIGHTY GOD IN TIME OF TROUBLE



KONTAKION I

 

O champion Leader and Lord, Thou joy and gladness of Thy

servants! Wherever Thou art, all grief is set at nought; wherever

Thou art not, all joy is in vain. Look down upon me, a sinner

who am perishing in this misfortune, and with the revelation of

Thy salvation visit me who cry out:

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy,

grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!

 

IKOS I

 

O Creator of the angels and Lord of hosts, for the sake of the

salvation of fallen man Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's

womb; and afterwards, O Word of God, didst endure spitting,

mockery and a disgraceful death, in that Thou art good and the

Lover of mankind. Mindful of this, I dare to approach Thee and

to pray with tears:

O Lord, my Lord, my merciful Savior, save me who am

perishing;

O Lord, my Lord, Who camest not to save the righteous, but

sinners, deliver me from this temptation!

O Lord, my Lord, Who acceptest our infirmities and bearest

our afflictions, send down Thy peace upon my troubled

soul;

O Lord, my Lord, Who by Thy death hast abolished death,

set at nought the wiles of the devil which are against me!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION II

 

Seeing the many manifestations of Thy love for mankind shown

forth upon sinners before me, I also dare to lift up mine eyes to

Thee Who dwellest in heaven. Have mercy upon me, O Lord,

for I am weak. Deliver me from this bitter grief and account me

worthy of chanting to Thee with joy and gladness: Alleluia!

 

IKOS II

 

Thou didst create me a rational creature, O my Creator, but

wretch that I am, I have allowed myself to become like unto

irrational beasts and have likened myself to them, and have

angered Thy goodness, O Savior. Wherefore, Thou hast justly

afflicted me with this sorrow. This I acknowledge, and repenting

I flee to Thee, praying thus:

O Lord, my Lord, Who preserved me in my youth, protect

me from the enemies which assail me;

O Lord, my Lord, strengthening of my body in old age,

strengthen me who am ailing in soul and body!

O Lord, my Lord, consolation of my soul, console me who

am troubled;

O Lord, my Lord, my Guide, direct me to the path of

salvation!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION III

 

O Lord Who art mighty in battle, come to the aid of mine

afflicted soul, and be Thou my helper against enemies visible

and invisible, for my father and my mother have forsaken me,

and my friends and neighbors have stood far away from me. But

be Thou, O Father of orphans and Judge of widows, the helper

of me who am helpless but who chant to Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS III

 

O Thou Who hast heaven for Thy throne and earth for Thy

footstool, O Dread One Who takest away the spirit of princes,

reject me not who am dust and ashes, yet who dares say to Thee

Who art everywhere present and knowest all things:

O Lord, my Lord, lift up Thy might and come to save me

from the hands of the mighty who oppress me;

O Lord, my Lord, Whom all fear and before Whom all

tremble, take pity on me, for the darkness of death hath

covered me because of my sins!

O Lord, my Lord, Who clothest Thyself with light as with a

garment, enlighten me who am benighted by the griefs of

life;

O Lord, my Lord, Who stretchest out the heavens as a tent,

extend to me the shelter of Thy help!

O Lord, my Lord, grant Thy peace to my lowly soul;

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION IV

 

Drowning in the tempest of this most turbulent life, I stretch out

my hand to Thee, O Word of God. As Thou didst save drowning

Peter, so also stretch forth to me Thy mighty hand, and deliver

me from this misfortune, that with joy and thankful heart I may

cry to Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS IV

 

O Lord, I have heard Thy most sweet voice, for Thou didst say

Call upon me in the day of thy tribulation, and I will rescue thee,

and thou shalt glorify Me. And from the depths of my despair, I

dare to approach Thee with boldness, saying:

O Lord, my Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before

Thee; accept me as Thou didst accept the prodigal son;

O Lord, my Lord, Who didst justify the publican rather than

the pharisee, enter not into judgment with Thy servant,

for there is none living who is justified before Thee!

O Lord, my Lord, Instructor of wisdom, instruct me Thy

servant;

O Lord, my Lord, Bestower of understanding, grant me

understanding, that I may be able to escape the cunning

wiles and wicked treachery of them that hate me!

O Lord, my Lord, Who lookest down upon the humble,

behold also my tribulation and my difficulty, and reveal

Thy mercy to me;

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!

 

KONTAKION V

 

Through the divinely flowing blood of Thy beloved Son Jesus

Christ have we been reconciled to Thee, O heavenly Father; yet,

lo! I have returned again to sin, like a dog to its vomit, for which

cause Thou art justly chastising me with this grievous

misfortune. But hearken unto me, O Lord my God, on this day

of my grief; show forth Thy mercy and salvation upon me, and

grant me ever to cry out to Thee amid chastisement: Alleluia!

 

IKOS V

 

The prophet David, seeing the prophet Nathan denouncing him

for what he had done, came to his senses and confessed his sin,

and said: I have sinned before the Lord, and the Lord hearkened

unto me, and took away mine offenses. But wretch that I am, I

have sinned more than he, and have in no-wise acquired the fruit

of repentance. Wherefore, these evil things have come upon me.

But be merciful unto me who pray thus:

O Lord, my Lord, strengthen me with power from on high,

that I may not fall under the weight of this tribulation;

O Lord, my Lord, Who mercifully regarded the tears of

Hezekiah, look with the eye of Thy kindness also upon

the shedding of my tears before Thee!

O Lord, my Lord, Who hearkened unto the sighs of

Mannasseh, hearken unto the sighing of my heart;

O Lord, my Lord, Who dwellest in the highest and lookest

down upon the lowly, look upon me a sinner!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION VI

 

Thy Forerunner, the preacher of repentance, O Word of God,

crieth repeatedly to my conscience, that I repent of my evil

deeds. But, wretch that I am, I have paid him no heed.

Wherefore, Thy righteous wrath hath overtaken me, for

misfortunes and sorrows have befallen me, a sinner. But before

Thou visitest me, O Lord God my Savior, grant me time, that I

may lament my evil deeds and cry out to Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS VI

 

O my Savior, amid my sorrow Thy comforting words have

shone forth, which Thou didst utter, saying: Forgive, and it shall

be forgiven you. And straightway escaping the snares of despair,

with trust in Thy love for mankind I have fled to Thee, praying:

O Lord, my Lord, my consolation, comfort me who am

grieved;

O Lord, my Lord, my helper, help me against them that rise

up against me!

O Lord, my Lord, mine aid, help me for my soul hath grown

weak because of this sorrow;

O Lord, my Lord, pre-eternal memory, grant that I may ever

have Thy benefactions in mind and may never despair of

Thy mercy!

O Lord, my Lord, my strength, strengthen me that without

temerity I may ask help of Thee;

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION VII

 

The infamous King Nebuchadnezzar, desiring to destroy the

three children, once commanded that they be cast into the fiery

furnace. But Thou, O heavenly Father, didst send Thine Angel,

that He might cool the burning flame. And do Thou now also, O

Lord, send consolation to Thy servant, and save me for the sake

of Thy mercy. For even though I have sinned, yet have I not

departed from Thee, and I worship Thee, the one true God,

chanting: Alleluia!

 

IKOS VII

 

Wondrously wast Thou glorified before Pharaoh and all his host,

O God of Israel, for Thou didst not disdain the misery of Thy

people, but hearkened to their cry. Wherefore, hearken also to

my supplication and save me who cry to Thee thus:

O Lord, my Lord, Who delivered Thy people out of the

hands of their enemies, rescue me also from the hands of

them that hate me;

O Lord, my Lord, Who led Thy chosen ones out of the land

of Egypt, lead my soul out of this sorrow!

O Lord, my Lord, Who bringest warfare to nought, bring to

nought the assaults of them that devise evils against me;

O Lord, my Lord, Who drowned Pharaoh's chosen riders in

the Red Sea, drown the multitude of my misdeeds in the

sea of Thy lovingkindness!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION VIII

 

I have made myself a stranger to Thy mercy, O heavenly Father;

by mine evil deeds I have estranged myself from Thee and have

enslaved myself to this vain world. Wherefore, I am aflame with

grievous sorrow, I am drowning in the profound depths of

despair. But as Thou art merciful and the Lover of mankind,

accept me, who am perishing, and from this tribulation save me

who cry out to Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS VIII

 

Wholly polluted with the impurity of sin, plunged in the depths

of evil, I lift up mine eyes unto Thee Who dwellest in heaven.

Hearken unto my cry of lamentation:

O Lord, my Lord, Who hast illumined the day with the light

of the sun, illumine my soul which hath been benighted

with the darkness of the vanities of this world;

O Lord, my Lord, All-good Comforter, fill my sinful soul

with divine consolation!

O Lord, my Lord, by Whose word the heavens have been

established, confirm me in the confession of Thy holy

name;

O Lord, my Lord, Who art upborne upon the cherubim and

art hymned by the seraphim, accept from me, a sinner,

this entreaty which I offer unto Thee!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION IX

 

O source of all mercy and Bestower of understanding, O Allgood

Comforter, teach me to say worthy things in Thy presence,

and with Thy divine consolation fill Thou my soul, which hath

been darkened by the passions, and my mind, which is troubled

by the grief of this world, that with gladness I may chant unto

Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS IX

 

The most eloquent of orators cannot recount the extent of Thy

goodness and Thy love for mankind, O Son of God; for Thou

didst humble Thyself even to take on the guise of a servant.

Wherefore, do not reject even me who have committed sins

without number, yet who stand before Thee with fear and pray

thus:

O Lord, my Lord, good Shepherd Who layest down Thy life

for Thy sheep, deliver me, Thy lost sheep, from the jaws

of the soul-destroying wolf which raveneth to devour

me;

O Lord, my Lord, Who for our sake wast mocked, slain and

nailed to the Cross, keep me from the mockery of mine,

enemies, visible and invisible, for the sake of Thy

sufferings!

O Lord, my Lord, Thou sinless One Who wast numbered

among transgressors, rescue me from the hands of them

that hate me;

O Lord, my Lord, by Whose stripes all are healed, heal my

heart which hath been afflicted with bitterness!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION X

 

Wishing to save Israel Thy chosen from the oppression of

Egypt, Thou didst call Moses Thy servant from the burning

bush, and didst say to him: I have seen the affliction of my

people in Egypt, and have hearkened to their cry. Wherefore

look now upon mine affliction, O Lord, and heal the pangs of

my heart, that I may cry to Thee in thanksgiving: Alleluia!

 

IKOS X

 

O heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, show forth Thy

lovingkindness upon me, Thy servant, and visit my soul which is

plunged in grief and strengthen me who pray to Thee:

O Lord, my Lord, Who taughtest Thine apostles to speak in

different tongues, teach me the fear of Thee;

O Lord, my Lord, Who filled the martyrs with boldness

when they stood before the tribunals, grant me boldly to

stand against sin, the world and the devil!

O Lord, my Lord, holy Sanctifier of Thy faithful, hallow my

soul, that it may be worthy to be called Thy habitation;

O Lord, my Lord, Light and Bestower of light, illumine me

who am benighted in the darkness of sorrow!

O Lord, my Lord, Treasury of good things, do not deprive

me of the gifts of Thy goodness!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION XI

 

O All-good Master, do not disdain one who offereth most

compunctionate hymnody unto Thee, and prayeth to Thee with

contrite heart. Rather, turn Thy face away from my sins, but do

not avert Thy countenance from Thy servant, for I am afflicted.

Quickly hearken unto me who chant unto Thee: Alleluia!

 

IKOS XI

 

O Christ God, true Light, illumine with the light of Thy grace

my soul which hath been benighted by the passions, that with

reverence I may pray to Thee, saying:

O Lord, my Lord, do not destroy me, wretch that I am, who

am bereft of correction of life, yet dare to stand before

Thee;

O Lord, my Lord, Fervor which createst life, warm me who

am withering away amid this sorrow!

O Lord, my Lord, Splendor of the glory of the Father, shine

the light of Thine aid upon me;

O Lord, my Lord, Who makest Thine angels spirits and Thy

minsters a flame of fire, send Thine angel to keep me

from all evil!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION XII

 

For the sake of Thy love for the human race, O heavenly Father,

Thou didst send Thine only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who appeared on earth and dwelt among men; and afterwards,

though He is sinless, He was numbered among transgressors and

by His blood renewed our nature which had become corrupted

by sin, and He taught the whole world to chant: Alleluia!

 

IKOS XII

 

Hymning Thine ineffable love for mankind, O Christ God, in

that for our salvation Thou didst will to endure the Cross and

death, I confess also Thy just judgment, for in truth and justice

Thou hast brought this sorrow upon me for the sake of my sins.

But, O Thou Who camest not to call the righteous, but sinners to

repentance, hearken unto me, who have sinned more than the

most sinful of men, for I pray to Thee thus:

O Lord, my Lord, Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of

the world, take from me the heavy burden of my sins;

O Lord, my Lord, Who like a lamb led to the slaughter

opened not Thy mouth, teach me to endure the evils

which befall me without murmuring!

O Lord, my Lord, Who rent asunder the handwriting of

Adam, rend asunder the handwriting of my countless

sins;

O Lord, my Lord, Who accepted the repentance of the thief,

accept also the repentance of me a sinner!

O Lord, my Lord, Who raised up the dead, resurrect my soul

which hath been mortified by sins;

O Lord, my Lord, upraising of the fallen, raise me up who

have also fallen!

O Lord, my Lord, grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!

 

KONTAKION XIII

 

O most loving and all-good Lord my God, Helper of the

oppressed and hope of the hopeless: look Thou with the eye of

Thy compassion upon mine affliction and sorrow, and for the

sake of Thy mercy, save me who chant to Thee: Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

O most loving and all-good Lord my God, Helper of the

oppressed and hope of the hopeless: look Thou with the eye of

Thy compassion upon mine affliction and sorrow, and for the

sake of Thy mercy, save me who chant to Thee: Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

O most loving and all-good Lord my God, Helper of the

oppressed and hope of the hopeless: look Thou with the eye of

Thy compassion upon mine affliction and sorrow, and for the

sake of Thy mercy, save me who chant to Thee: Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

IKOS I

 

O Creator of the angels and Lord of hosts, for the sake of the

salvation of fallen man Thou didst not disdain the Virgin's

womb; and afterwards, O Word of God, didst endure spitting,

mockery and a disgraceful death, in that Thou art good and the

Lover of mankind. Mindful of this, I dare to approach Thee and

to pray with tears:

O Lord, my Lord, my merciful Savior, save me who am

perishing;

O Lord, my Lord, Who camest not to save the righteous, but

sinners, deliver me from this temptation!

O Lord, my Lord, Who acceptest our infirmities and bearest

our afflictions, send down Thy peace upon my troubled

soul;

O Lord, my Lord, Who by Thy death hast abolished death,

set at nought the wiles of the devil which are against me!

 

O Lord, my Lord, my joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy

mercy!

 

KONTAKION I

 

O champion Leader and Lord, Thou joy and gladness of Thy

servants! Wherever Thou art, all grief is set at nought; wherever

Thou art not, all joy is in vain. Look down upon me, a sinner

who am perishing in this misfortune, and with the revelation of

Thy salvation visit me who cry out: O Lord, my Lord, my joy,

grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!

 

PRAYERS

I

Save me, O Lord, for I am perishing! Behold, my ship is

endangered by the battering of the waves of life and is nigh unto

sinking! But as Thou art full of loving kindness and sympathetic

to our weakness, do Thou with Thine almighty authority rebuke

the turbulence of tribulations which threaten to inundate me and

drag me down into the depths of evil. And let there be calm, for

even the winds and the sea are obedient to Thee. Amen.

 

II

Save me, O my Savior, according to Thy mercy, not according

to my deeds. It is Thy wish that I be saved. Thou knowest how

to accomplish my salvation. Wherefore, save me as Thou

desirest, as Thou canst, as Thou knowest. Save me by the

judgements which Thou knowest. I trust in Thee, my Lord, and

entrust myself to Thy holy will. Deal with me as Thou wishest:

if Thou desirest to have me in light, be Thou blessed; if Thou

desirest to have me in darkness, be Thou likewise blessed. If

Thou openest unto me the portals of Thy lovingkindness, be

Thou blessed, O Lord, Who hast opened unto me in accordance

with Thy righteousness. If Thou destroyest me not with mine

iniquities, glory to Thy righteous judgment. Deal with me as

Thou wishest. Amen.