October 6 / September 23
2018 (7527)
CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
Sainted INNOCENT (Ivan Popov-Veniaminov) Metropolitan of Moscow — Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of America and Siberia
Sisters XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE together with Blessed REBECCA
Holy New Martyr NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER from Karpenisi
SATURDAY AFTER THE LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: SYNAXIS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES
"HAWAIIAN" Myrrh-streaming Iveron Ikon of the Theotokos
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Sing, O barren one that didst not bear,/ for thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun/ Who is to enlighten the whole world suffering blindness./ O Zacharias rejoice and shout:/ "The prophet of the Most High is to be born."
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Rejoice, O barren one, who formerly did not bear a child, / for you have conceived the Lamp of the Sun, / who is to illumine the whole universe darkened by blindness. / Rejoice, O Zachariah / and cry out with boldness: / “The prophet of the Most High desires to be born!”
Conception of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Make merry, O barren woman, who before wast unable to bear a child!/ For, lo! thou hast manifestly conceived the lamp of the Sun,/ who will enlighten the world which suffereth from blindness./ Dance thou, O Zechariah, crying out with boldness:// He who will be born is the prophet of the Most High!
ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος δ’. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε
Ἡ πρῴην οὐ τίκτουσα, στεῖρα εὐφράνθητι. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ συνέλαβες, Ἡλίου λύχνον σαφῶς, φωτίζειν τὸν μέλλοντα, πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἀβλεψίᾳ νοσοῦσαν. Χόρευε Ζαχαρία, ἐκβοῶν παρρησίᾳ· Προφήτης τοῦ Ὑψίστου, ἐστὶν ὁ μέλλων τίκτεσθαι.
Sainted INNOCENT Troparion — Tone 4
O holy father Innocent / in obedience to the will of God / you accepted dangers and tribulations / bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth. / You showed us the way, / now by your prayers help lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Sainted INNOCENT Troparion — Tone 2
You evangelized the northern people of America and Asia, / proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the natives in their own tongues. / O holy hierarch father Innocent, / enlightener of Alaska and all America, whose ways were ordered by the Lord, / pray to Him for the salvation of our souls in His Heavenly Kingdom!
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Apolytikion ―Tone 3
You accepted the light, of the divine faith, your works shined, with piety, Venerable Polyxene the divinely-inspired, and you magnified Christ by your life, as well as by your blameless actions, therefore intercede to the Lord who glorified you, to grant us the great mercy.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Apolytikion ― Plagal Tone 1
You followed in the footsteps of the Apostles, by your life through good works of brotherly love, distributing pure love, wondrous Xanthippe, and the venerable all-radiant beauty Polyxene, and now you entreat Christ, revered sisters, on our behalf.
Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Θείας πίστεως
Θείας πίστεως, τὸ φῶς δεχθεῖσα, ἔργοις ἔλαμψας, τῆς εὐσεβείας, Πολυξένη Ὁσία θεόληπτε· καὶ ἐν τῷ βίῳ Χριστὸν ἐμεγάλυνας, σὺν τῇ συγχρόνῳ ἀμέμπτοις σου πράξεσι· μεθ’ ἧς πρέσβευε Κυρίῳ τῷ σὲ δοξάσαντι, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
ST NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER Apolytikion ― Tone 3
You brought victory to the Church, forever bringing to your homeland your gloriously triumphant contest, Nicholas. The imperishable glory of Neomartyrs, you showed us the path of the Lord as a youth, wherefore beseech with fervent entreaties Christ to ever grant us victory.
Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Θείας πίστεως
Θεῖον βλάστημα, Καρπενησίου, ἔνθος εὔοσμον, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ἀνεδείχθης Νεομάρτυς Νικόλαε· σὺ γὰρ ἀνδρείῳ φρονήματι ἤθλησας, καὶ τῆς ἀπάτης καθεῖλες τὸ φρύαγμα. Καὶ νῦν πρέσβευε, Κυρίῳ τῷ σὲ δοξάσαντι, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES Troparion — Tone 4
We bring to Thee in prayer, O Christ, great Anthony and the assembly of the God-bearing Fathers;/ they are a fiery Pillar and a brilliant sun shining from the Kievan Caves./ By their prayers grant grace to our monastery and great mercy to our souls.
"HAWAIIAN" Myrrh-streaming Iveron Ikon of the Theotokos Troparion — Tone 6
From thy Holy Icon, O Lady Theotokos, blessed myrrh has flowed abundantly./ Thou hast thereby consoled those, in exile, faithful/ unto thee, and hast enlightened the unbelievers by/ thy Son's light. / Therefore O Lady, with tears we bow down to thee./ Be merciful to us in the hour of judgment./ Lest having received thy mercy we be punished as those who have been contemptuous of it./ But grant us// through thy prayers to bring forth spiritual fruit, and save our souls
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ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1
Great Zacharias radiantly rejoices/ together with Elizabeth:/ she worthily conceived John the Forerunner whom the Angel announced with great gladness/ and whom we honour as an initiate of grace.
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1 “The angelic choir...”
Great Zachariah rejoices with his wife, the far-famed Elizabeth, / for she has fittingly conceived John the Forerunner, / whom an angel announced in gladness; / and whom we rightly honor / as an initiate of the grace of God.
Conception of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1 "The choir of the angels"
Rejoice with splendour, O great Zechariah/ and most glorious Elisabeth his spouse,/ in conceiving John the Forerunner as is meet,/ whom the archangel announced, rejoicing./ O ye men, let us right worthily honour him// as the initiate of the mystery of grace.
ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος α’. Χορὸς Ἀγγελικός
Εὐφραίνεται λαμπρῶς, Ζαχαρίας ὁ μέγας, καὶ ἡ πανευκλεής, Ἐλισάβετ ἡ σύζυξ, ἀξίως συλλαμβάνουσα, Ἰωάννην τὸν Πρόδρομον, ὃν Ἀρχάγγελος, εὐηγγελίσατο χαίρων, καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀξιοχρέως τιμῶμεν, ὡς μύστην τῆς χάριτος.
Sainted INNOCENT Kontakion — Tone 2
A true celebration of the providence and grace of God / is your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our land. / In hardships and dangers you toiled for the Gospel’s sake / and God delivered and preserved you unharmed. / From obscurity He highly exalted you as an example / that the Lord truly guides a man in the way he should go.
Sainted INNOCENT Kontakion — Tone 2
Your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our Land, / proclaims the dispensation and grace of God! / For laboring in dangers and hardships for the Gospel of Christ / you were kept unharmed and exalted in humility. / Pray that He may guide our steps in the way we should go.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Kontakion ― Plagal Tone 4
Having traversed the earth, by your most-wondrous conduct you brought to light venerable women like yourselves, divine Xanthippe and Polyxene; wherefore you received an unfading crown from the hands of our Jesus, now hearing our cries: Rejoice pair most-divine.
Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος δ’. Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον
Πολυτρόποις πράξεσιν ὁσίου βίου, Πολυξένη πάνσεμνε, Χριστῷ λατρεύσασα πιστῶς, τῆς ἄνω δόξης ἠξίωσαι, ὐπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐκτενῶς ἱκετεύουσα.
Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον
Μαρτυρίου ἤνυσας, ἀνδρειοφρόνως τοὺς ἄθλους, ἐν ἀκμῇ νεότητος, καταβαλὼν τὸν Βελίαρ· ὅθεν σε, ὁ ἀθλοθέτης στεφάνῳ νίκης, ἔστεψεν, ὡς ἀριστεύσαντα Νεομάρτυς· ὃν Νικόλαε δυσώπει, ἡμῖν δοθῆναι πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν.
RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES Kontakion — Tone 2
Let us honour with praises the ascetic choir/ as we behold them with our minds and in spirit./ As we venerate their relics, let us bring gifts of love,/ for they pray to God for our souls.
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Μεγαλυνάριον. ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ
Στεῖρα καὶ πρεσβῦτις θείᾳ βουλῇ, καρπὸν συλλαμβάνει, τὸν ὑπέρτερον Προφητῶν, τὸν τὴν ἀκαρπίαν, ψυχῶν μέλλοντα τέμνειν, ἀξίνῃ μετανοίας· ὃν μεγαλύνομεν.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Megalynarion
Rejoice, pair of sisters, venerable women, disciples of the apostles; rejoice, Polyxene and all-revered Xanthippe, for you spent your life sensibly.
Μεγαλυνάριον. Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ
Βίον διελθοῦσα ἀσκητικόν, Μῆτερ Πολυξένη, σὺν ὁμαίμονι τῇ σεμνῇ, σὺν αὐτῇ μετέσχες, τῆς ἄνω κληρουχίας, μεθ’ ἧς ἡμῖν ἐξαίτει, τὸ θεῖον ἔλεος.
ST NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER Megalynarion
The boast and offspring of Karpenisi and the God-illumined guide of the youth, the great man of valor of Neomartyrs, Nicholas the New, we honor you with hymns.
Μεγαλυνάριον. Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας
Χαίροις Νεομάρτυς τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Νικόλαε μάκαρ, Ἀθλοφόρων ἡ καλλονή, τοῦ Καρπενησίου, ἀγλάϊσμα καὶ κλέος, καὶ νίκη Ὀρθοδόξου, λαοῦ καὶ στήριγμα.
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CANON FOR THE CONCEPTION OF THE HONORABLE GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST JOHN
By St. John of Damascus
In Plagal of the First Mode
ODE I
Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
O offspring of the barren woman: uproot thou the barren thoughts of my barren soul, as I begin to praise thy holy conception in thy mother's womb.
The sacred Zechariah, entering the temple, beheld the divine angel, who manifestly proclaimed to him: O priest, in thine old age thou shalt receive a son, the Forerunner.
The great Forerunner, the radiant beacon of the Sun of glory, is conceived to shine forth in his mother's womb, by whom the darkness of the passions is rent asunder and the bonds of barrenness are loosed.
Theotokion: Perceiving the Master borne in thy womb, O all-pure Theotokos, John, as His Forerunner, manifestly leapt for joy in his mother's womb.
ODE III
Irmos: There is none as holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Today the barren one conceiveth the sacred fruit, who in later times will cut down all the barrenness of souls with grace, the noetic axe.
Having been struck dumb within the temple, the great Zechariah receiveth the yoke of the Word by an awesome announcement, and radiantly doth magnify the compassionate Lord.
The glorious Forerunner, who hath shown the faithful the firm path of repentance, by divine counsel surpassing hope hath at the angel's command sprung forth in his mother's womb.
Theotokion: As he who was born of the barren woman perceived Christ borne in the Virgin's womb, he leapt up, heralding the Joy which had come into the world to deliver all from grief.
ODE IV
Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
O blessed Forerunner, the voice of the angel proclaimed thee in sacred manner to the priest as the herald of the coming of Christ, who wast to spring forth from a barren womb.
O barren one, who before wast childless and hadst not given birth, be thou now glad, for most gloriously art thou bringing forth as fruit the Baptist and Forerunner, O right wondrous Elizabeth.
O Forerunner, with the axe of thy prayer cut down the thorns of my passions and remove the stumbling block of mine evil thoughts; and by thy virtues render my mind fertile, O most blessed one.
Theotokion: The womb of the Virgin held Thee Who holdest all things, O Christ; and when the Baptist, borne in his mother's womb, worshipped Thee, he rejoiced, leaping up.
ODE V
Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of them that with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
To the prophet who entered the sanctuary and was offering up to the Creator the services of the Law, the holy angel appeared, announcing the divine conception of the Forerunner.
"How can this happen to me, for I am an old man, as thou seest, and I have a barren wife?" Zechariah said to the archangel. "Thou dost utter to me words which are contrary to nature!"
"Look at Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and behold how she brought forth Isaac in her old age, O man; and believe thou those things which have been justly spoken," the great angel exhorted the elder.
Theotokion: "Blessed art thou among women, O thou who art full of the joy of God," Elizabeth manifestly cried to thee when she knew thee to be her who would give birth without having known man, her who alone would remain incorrupt after giving birth.
ODE VI
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
"My thoughts are filled with doubt, and I shall not believe thy words," the priest said to the archangel, "for I am asking for the salvation of the people, not for the fruit of my loins."
"The Creator of nature, the King of angels, hath been well pleased that thou give birth unto the herald of His own coming," the ministering angel replied; "Do not disbelieve my words, O man!"
"Fiery is thine aspect, awesome thy visage, and wondrous thy discourse," said Zechariah to the servant of God; "yet will I not believe thee who utterest strange words to me which surpass nature!"
Theotokion: In the dark abode of the womb, the lamp of the Sun offered worship and leapt up, rejoicing, recognizing the One concealed in the cloud of His Mother's womb.
ODE VII
Irmos: The Angel made the furnace pour forth dew upon the pious children, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldeans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
"Since thou dost not believe my words, receive thou most manifest muteness; and when thou shalt see the voice of the Word born, receive again thy voice, crying out: 'Blessed art Thou, O God of Israel!'"
As radiant as the sun, Zechariah, cleaving unto Elizabeth, the moon, begat the light-bearing beacon of the Light, which shineth upon us who are cruelly held fast in the darkness of the passions.
Using leaps instead of words, the great Forerunner worshipped Thee in the Virgin's womb, O Christ Jesus, while he himself was borne in the womb of Elizabeth. O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Theotokion: Elizabeth, the moon, bearing within herself a star, the divine Forerunner, bowed down before Mary, the radiant cloud, was bearing Christ, the Sun, Who had taken flesh of her for our salvation.
ODE VIII
Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things whatsoever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
The friend of the Bridegroom is prepared; the voice of the Word receiveth his beginning; the great warrior of the King of all is now nourished in the womb of the barren one.
A husbandman hath come forth to tend barren hearts; an axe is already forged to fell the passions; an honorable bullock is nurtured on abstinence: the great Forerunner. Be glad, O ye people!
Break thou the stoniness of my mind, O Forerunner, as of old thou didst loose the bonds of the barren; and cause me to increase the fruits of repentance and to live forever.
Theotokion: As Elizabeth beheld thee pregnant, O Maiden, she rejoiced in godly manner, while within her babe leapt as he recognized his Master.
ODE IX
Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Now having thrown wide the gate of the barren one, the great and divine Forerunner of Christ taketh up his abode within his mother's womb, as within royal chambers, that he may issue forth as a warrior, preparing the way for the King of all.
Dance thou, O prophet of God and elder, for thou shalt bring forth a son, than whom none greater shall arise among men: John, the Forerunner of the Lord! Leap up, O Elizabeth! Rejoice, all the earth, offering praise to God, the Creator of all!
O prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, remember us now who praise thee in faith, delivering us from spiritual passions. Save us from misfortunes, guiding us in godly manner along the path to heaven, O ever-blessed one.
Theotokion: Sensing herself loosed of the bonds of barrenness and bearing the Forerunner of Him Who dwelt within thy womb, Elizabeth manifestly acknowledged thee to be the pure Mother, O pure Virgin Mary, full of the joy of God.
2018 (7527)
CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
Sainted INNOCENT (Ivan Popov-Veniaminov) Metropolitan of Moscow — Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of America and Siberia
Sisters XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE together with Blessed REBECCA
Holy New Martyr NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER from Karpenisi
SATURDAY AFTER THE LEAVETAKING OF THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS: SYNAXIS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES
"HAWAIIAN" Myrrh-streaming Iveron Ikon of the Theotokos
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Sing, O barren one that didst not bear,/ for thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun/ Who is to enlighten the whole world suffering blindness./ O Zacharias rejoice and shout:/ "The prophet of the Most High is to be born."
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Rejoice, O barren one, who formerly did not bear a child, / for you have conceived the Lamp of the Sun, / who is to illumine the whole universe darkened by blindness. / Rejoice, O Zachariah / and cry out with boldness: / “The prophet of the Most High desires to be born!”
Conception of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Troparion — Tone 4
Make merry, O barren woman, who before wast unable to bear a child!/ For, lo! thou hast manifestly conceived the lamp of the Sun,/ who will enlighten the world which suffereth from blindness./ Dance thou, O Zechariah, crying out with boldness:// He who will be born is the prophet of the Most High!
ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος δ’. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε
Ἡ πρῴην οὐ τίκτουσα, στεῖρα εὐφράνθητι. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ συνέλαβες, Ἡλίου λύχνον σαφῶς, φωτίζειν τὸν μέλλοντα, πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην, ἀβλεψίᾳ νοσοῦσαν. Χόρευε Ζαχαρία, ἐκβοῶν παρρησίᾳ· Προφήτης τοῦ Ὑψίστου, ἐστὶν ὁ μέλλων τίκτεσθαι.
Sainted INNOCENT Troparion — Tone 4
O holy father Innocent / in obedience to the will of God / you accepted dangers and tribulations / bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth. / You showed us the way, / now by your prayers help lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Sainted INNOCENT Troparion — Tone 2
You evangelized the northern people of America and Asia, / proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the natives in their own tongues. / O holy hierarch father Innocent, / enlightener of Alaska and all America, whose ways were ordered by the Lord, / pray to Him for the salvation of our souls in His Heavenly Kingdom!
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Apolytikion ―Tone 3
You accepted the light, of the divine faith, your works shined, with piety, Venerable Polyxene the divinely-inspired, and you magnified Christ by your life, as well as by your blameless actions, therefore intercede to the Lord who glorified you, to grant us the great mercy.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Apolytikion ― Plagal Tone 1
You followed in the footsteps of the Apostles, by your life through good works of brotherly love, distributing pure love, wondrous Xanthippe, and the venerable all-radiant beauty Polyxene, and now you entreat Christ, revered sisters, on our behalf.
Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Θείας πίστεως
Θείας πίστεως, τὸ φῶς δεχθεῖσα, ἔργοις ἔλαμψας, τῆς εὐσεβείας, Πολυξένη Ὁσία θεόληπτε· καὶ ἐν τῷ βίῳ Χριστὸν ἐμεγάλυνας, σὺν τῇ συγχρόνῳ ἀμέμπτοις σου πράξεσι· μεθ’ ἧς πρέσβευε Κυρίῳ τῷ σὲ δοξάσαντι, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
ST NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER Apolytikion ― Tone 3
You brought victory to the Church, forever bringing to your homeland your gloriously triumphant contest, Nicholas. The imperishable glory of Neomartyrs, you showed us the path of the Lord as a youth, wherefore beseech with fervent entreaties Christ to ever grant us victory.
Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας Ἀπολυτίκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Θείας πίστεως
Θεῖον βλάστημα, Καρπενησίου, ἔνθος εὔοσμον, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ἀνεδείχθης Νεομάρτυς Νικόλαε· σὺ γὰρ ἀνδρείῳ φρονήματι ἤθλησας, καὶ τῆς ἀπάτης καθεῖλες τὸ φρύαγμα. Καὶ νῦν πρέσβευε, Κυρίῳ τῷ σὲ δοξάσαντι, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES Troparion — Tone 4
We bring to Thee in prayer, O Christ, great Anthony and the assembly of the God-bearing Fathers;/ they are a fiery Pillar and a brilliant sun shining from the Kievan Caves./ By their prayers grant grace to our monastery and great mercy to our souls.
"HAWAIIAN" Myrrh-streaming Iveron Ikon of the Theotokos Troparion — Tone 6
From thy Holy Icon, O Lady Theotokos, blessed myrrh has flowed abundantly./ Thou hast thereby consoled those, in exile, faithful/ unto thee, and hast enlightened the unbelievers by/ thy Son's light. / Therefore O Lady, with tears we bow down to thee./ Be merciful to us in the hour of judgment./ Lest having received thy mercy we be punished as those who have been contemptuous of it./ But grant us// through thy prayers to bring forth spiritual fruit, and save our souls
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1
Great Zacharias radiantly rejoices/ together with Elizabeth:/ she worthily conceived John the Forerunner whom the Angel announced with great gladness/ and whom we honour as an initiate of grace.
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1 “The angelic choir...”
Great Zachariah rejoices with his wife, the far-famed Elizabeth, / for she has fittingly conceived John the Forerunner, / whom an angel announced in gladness; / and whom we rightly honor / as an initiate of the grace of God.
Conception of ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Kontakion — Tone 1 "The choir of the angels"
Rejoice with splendour, O great Zechariah/ and most glorious Elisabeth his spouse,/ in conceiving John the Forerunner as is meet,/ whom the archangel announced, rejoicing./ O ye men, let us right worthily honour him// as the initiate of the mystery of grace.
ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος α’. Χορὸς Ἀγγελικός
Εὐφραίνεται λαμπρῶς, Ζαχαρίας ὁ μέγας, καὶ ἡ πανευκλεής, Ἐλισάβετ ἡ σύζυξ, ἀξίως συλλαμβάνουσα, Ἰωάννην τὸν Πρόδρομον, ὃν Ἀρχάγγελος, εὐηγγελίσατο χαίρων, καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀξιοχρέως τιμῶμεν, ὡς μύστην τῆς χάριτος.
Sainted INNOCENT Kontakion — Tone 2
A true celebration of the providence and grace of God / is your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our land. / In hardships and dangers you toiled for the Gospel’s sake / and God delivered and preserved you unharmed. / From obscurity He highly exalted you as an example / that the Lord truly guides a man in the way he should go.
Sainted INNOCENT Kontakion — Tone 2
Your life, O holy father Innocent, Apostle to our Land, / proclaims the dispensation and grace of God! / For laboring in dangers and hardships for the Gospel of Christ / you were kept unharmed and exalted in humility. / Pray that He may guide our steps in the way we should go.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Kontakion ― Plagal Tone 4
Having traversed the earth, by your most-wondrous conduct you brought to light venerable women like yourselves, divine Xanthippe and Polyxene; wherefore you received an unfading crown from the hands of our Jesus, now hearing our cries: Rejoice pair most-divine.
Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος δ’. Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον
Πολυτρόποις πράξεσιν ὁσίου βίου, Πολυξένη πάνσεμνε, Χριστῷ λατρεύσασα πιστῶς, τῆς ἄνω δόξης ἠξίωσαι, ὐπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐκτενῶς ἱκετεύουσα.
Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας Κοντάκιον — Ἦχος γ’. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον
Μαρτυρίου ἤνυσας, ἀνδρειοφρόνως τοὺς ἄθλους, ἐν ἀκμῇ νεότητος, καταβαλὼν τὸν Βελίαρ· ὅθεν σε, ὁ ἀθλοθέτης στεφάνῳ νίκης, ἔστεψεν, ὡς ἀριστεύσαντα Νεομάρτυς· ὃν Νικόλαε δυσώπει, ἡμῖν δοθῆναι πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν.
RIGHTEOUS FATHERS OF THE NEAR KIEVAN CAVES Kontakion — Tone 2
Let us honour with praises the ascetic choir/ as we behold them with our minds and in spirit./ As we venerate their relics, let us bring gifts of love,/ for they pray to God for our souls.
Μεγαλυνάριον. ΣΎΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΤΟῦ ΤΙΜΊΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΌΜΟΥ ΚΑὶ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΩΆΝΝΗ
Στεῖρα καὶ πρεσβῦτις θείᾳ βουλῇ, καρπὸν συλλαμβάνει, τὸν ὑπέρτερον Προφητῶν, τὸν τὴν ἀκαρπίαν, ψυχῶν μέλλοντα τέμνειν, ἀξίνῃ μετανοίας· ὃν μεγαλύνομεν.
XANTHIPPE and POLYXENE and REBECCA Megalynarion
Rejoice, pair of sisters, venerable women, disciples of the apostles; rejoice, Polyxene and all-revered Xanthippe, for you spent your life sensibly.
Μεγαλυνάριον. Ὁσίες ΞΑΝΘΊΠΠΗ καὶ ΠΟΛΥΞΈΝΗ
Βίον διελθοῦσα ἀσκητικόν, Μῆτερ Πολυξένη, σὺν ὁμαίμονι τῇ σεμνῇ, σὺν αὐτῇ μετέσχες, τῆς ἄνω κληρουχίας, μεθ’ ἧς ἡμῖν ἐξαίτει, τὸ θεῖον ἔλεος.
ST NICHOLAS THE HUCKSTER Megalynarion
The boast and offspring of Karpenisi and the God-illumined guide of the youth, the great man of valor of Neomartyrs, Nicholas the New, we honor you with hymns.
Μεγαλυνάριον. Ἅγιος ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ὁ Νεομάρτυρας
Χαίροις Νεομάρτυς τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Νικόλαε μάκαρ, Ἀθλοφόρων ἡ καλλονή, τοῦ Καρπενησίου, ἀγλάϊσμα καὶ κλέος, καὶ νίκη Ὀρθοδόξου, λαοῦ καὶ στήριγμα.
CANON FOR THE CONCEPTION OF THE HONORABLE GLORIOUS PROPHET, FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST JOHN
By St. John of Damascus
In Plagal of the First Mode
ODE I
Irmos: Traversing the deep on foot, as though it were dry land, and seeing the tyrant Pharaoh drowned, Israel cried aloud: Let us chant unto God a hymn of victory!
O offspring of the barren woman: uproot thou the barren thoughts of my barren soul, as I begin to praise thy holy conception in thy mother's womb.
The sacred Zechariah, entering the temple, beheld the divine angel, who manifestly proclaimed to him: O priest, in thine old age thou shalt receive a son, the Forerunner.
The great Forerunner, the radiant beacon of the Sun of glory, is conceived to shine forth in his mother's womb, by whom the darkness of the passions is rent asunder and the bonds of barrenness are loosed.
Theotokion: Perceiving the Master borne in thy womb, O all-pure Theotokos, John, as His Forerunner, manifestly leapt for joy in his mother's womb.
ODE III
Irmos: There is none as holy as Thou, O Lord my God, Who hast uplifted the horn of Thy faithful and established us on the rock of the confession of Thee, O Good One.
Today the barren one conceiveth the sacred fruit, who in later times will cut down all the barrenness of souls with grace, the noetic axe.
Having been struck dumb within the temple, the great Zechariah receiveth the yoke of the Word by an awesome announcement, and radiantly doth magnify the compassionate Lord.
The glorious Forerunner, who hath shown the faithful the firm path of repentance, by divine counsel surpassing hope hath at the angel's command sprung forth in his mother's womb.
Theotokion: As he who was born of the barren woman perceived Christ borne in the Virgin's womb, he leapt up, heralding the Joy which had come into the world to deliver all from grief.
ODE IV
Irmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the honored Church doth sing, crying out in godly manner with a pure mind, keeping festival in the Lord.
O blessed Forerunner, the voice of the angel proclaimed thee in sacred manner to the priest as the herald of the coming of Christ, who wast to spring forth from a barren womb.
O barren one, who before wast childless and hadst not given birth, be thou now glad, for most gloriously art thou bringing forth as fruit the Baptist and Forerunner, O right wondrous Elizabeth.
O Forerunner, with the axe of thy prayer cut down the thorns of my passions and remove the stumbling block of mine evil thoughts; and by thy virtues render my mind fertile, O most blessed one.
Theotokion: The womb of the Virgin held Thee Who holdest all things, O Christ; and when the Baptist, borne in his mother's womb, worshipped Thee, he rejoiced, leaping up.
ODE V
Irmos: With Thy divine light illumine the souls of them that with love rise at dawn unto Thee, O Good One, that they may know Thee, O Word of God, to be the true God Who calleth all forth from the darkness of sin.
To the prophet who entered the sanctuary and was offering up to the Creator the services of the Law, the holy angel appeared, announcing the divine conception of the Forerunner.
"How can this happen to me, for I am an old man, as thou seest, and I have a barren wife?" Zechariah said to the archangel. "Thou dost utter to me words which are contrary to nature!"
"Look at Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and behold how she brought forth Isaac in her old age, O man; and believe thou those things which have been justly spoken," the great angel exhorted the elder.
Theotokion: "Blessed art thou among women, O thou who art full of the joy of God," Elizabeth manifestly cried to thee when she knew thee to be her who would give birth without having known man, her who alone would remain incorrupt after giving birth.
ODE VI
Irmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of temptations, fleeing to Thy calm haven I cry unto Thee: Lead up my life from corruption, O greatly Merciful One!
"My thoughts are filled with doubt, and I shall not believe thy words," the priest said to the archangel, "for I am asking for the salvation of the people, not for the fruit of my loins."
"The Creator of nature, the King of angels, hath been well pleased that thou give birth unto the herald of His own coming," the ministering angel replied; "Do not disbelieve my words, O man!"
"Fiery is thine aspect, awesome thy visage, and wondrous thy discourse," said Zechariah to the servant of God; "yet will I not believe thee who utterest strange words to me which surpass nature!"
Theotokion: In the dark abode of the womb, the lamp of the Sun offered worship and leapt up, rejoicing, recognizing the One concealed in the cloud of His Mother's womb.
ODE VII
Irmos: The Angel made the furnace pour forth dew upon the pious children, and the command of God, which consumed the Chaldeans, prevailed upon the tyrant to cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
"Since thou dost not believe my words, receive thou most manifest muteness; and when thou shalt see the voice of the Word born, receive again thy voice, crying out: 'Blessed art Thou, O God of Israel!'"
As radiant as the sun, Zechariah, cleaving unto Elizabeth, the moon, begat the light-bearing beacon of the Light, which shineth upon us who are cruelly held fast in the darkness of the passions.
Using leaps instead of words, the great Forerunner worshipped Thee in the Virgin's womb, O Christ Jesus, while he himself was borne in the womb of Elizabeth. O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Theotokion: Elizabeth, the moon, bearing within herself a star, the divine Forerunner, bowed down before Mary, the radiant cloud, was bearing Christ, the Sun, Who had taken flesh of her for our salvation.
ODE VIII
Irmos: From the flame didst Thou pour forth dew upon the venerable ones, and didst consume the sacrifice of the righteous one with water; for Thou, O Christ, dost do all things whatsoever Thou desirest. Thee do we exalt supremely for all ages!
The friend of the Bridegroom is prepared; the voice of the Word receiveth his beginning; the great warrior of the King of all is now nourished in the womb of the barren one.
A husbandman hath come forth to tend barren hearts; an axe is already forged to fell the passions; an honorable bullock is nurtured on abstinence: the great Forerunner. Be glad, O ye people!
Break thou the stoniness of my mind, O Forerunner, as of old thou didst loose the bonds of the barren; and cause me to increase the fruits of repentance and to live forever.
Theotokion: As Elizabeth beheld thee pregnant, O Maiden, she rejoiced in godly manner, while within her babe leapt as he recognized his Master.
ODE IX
Irmos: It is not possible for men to behold God, upon Whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O most pure one, hath the Word appeared incarnate unto men; and magnifying Him with the armies of heaven, we call thee blessed.
Now having thrown wide the gate of the barren one, the great and divine Forerunner of Christ taketh up his abode within his mother's womb, as within royal chambers, that he may issue forth as a warrior, preparing the way for the King of all.
Dance thou, O prophet of God and elder, for thou shalt bring forth a son, than whom none greater shall arise among men: John, the Forerunner of the Lord! Leap up, O Elizabeth! Rejoice, all the earth, offering praise to God, the Creator of all!
O prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, remember us now who praise thee in faith, delivering us from spiritual passions. Save us from misfortunes, guiding us in godly manner along the path to heaven, O ever-blessed one.
Theotokion: Sensing herself loosed of the bonds of barrenness and bearing the Forerunner of Him Who dwelt within thy womb, Elizabeth manifestly acknowledged thee to be the pure Mother, O pure Virgin Mary, full of the joy of God.
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