The Beginning of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of her icon “The Enlightener of Minds”

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of her icon “The Enlightener of Minds” (“Pribavlenie Uma”)

Commemorated August 15/28

Kontakion 1

Chosen from among all generations, Mother of God and Queen of heaven and earth, giver of spiritual healing to the whole world, we bring you a song of thanksgiving for granting us divine treasure through your wonderworking icon "The Enlightener of Minds" and we tenderly rejoice under its protection and lovingly exclaim:

Rejoice, all-merciful Queen who imparts wisdom and understanding to your faithful people.

Ikos 1

An archangel was sent to the city of Nazareth to Mary the pure maiden, saying: Rejoice, for the Word of God is made flesh in your womb. Having heard the good news of the Archangel, the Pure Maiden responded with humility of heart: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be according to your word. Reverently honoring the Mother of Christ our God, we – sinners – are taught by the Angel to cry out with compunction to the Lady full of grace:

Rejoice, O Blessed among women;

Rejoice, for you obtained grace from the Lord.

Rejoice, for the power of the Most High overshadowed you;

Rejoice, for you are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, faithful Handmaid of the Lord;

Rejoice, God's chosen Maiden.

Rejoice, O Bearer of the Savior of the world;

Rejoice, O Mother of Light, enlightener of all.

Rejoice, wisdom above the wisest of this world;

Rejoice, illuminator of the thoughts of the faithful.

Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and Earth;

Rejoice, for all generations shall call you blessed.

Rejoice, all-merciful Queen who imparts wisdom and understanding to your faithful people.

The Beginning of the Akathist to the Three Optina Brethren Slain on Pascha, Hieromonk Vasily, Monk Ferapont, and Monk Trophim

Akathist to the Three Optina Brethren Slain on Pascha,

Hieromonk Vasily, Monk Ferapont, and Monk Trophim

Kontakion 1

O chosen sons of the Optina elders, threefold servants of the Holy Trinity, lambs slain on the Lord's Pascha who obtained boldness through good victory, we bring you songs of praise; raise up from the tombs of slothfulness us who cry out to you with love:

Rejoice, three new martyrs of Optina, preachers of the Risen Christ.

Ikos 1

Desiring to imitate the angelic way of life, you have shone forth in the Optina Hermitage with your feat of martyrdom, having given your life for Christ; as you now delight with other martyrs in the never-ending day of the Kingdom of God, hear our plea for help as we prayerfully exclaim to you:

Rejoice, proclaimers of the joy of the Resurrection;

Rejoice, heirs of the Optina elders.

Rejoice, chosen vessels of the grace of God;

Rejoice, golden Paschal trumpets.

Rejoice, for you stung the demons with your wounds;

Rejoice, for you deafened the devil with the triple-peal of Pascha.

Rejoice, for you received crowns for the battle of Great Lent;

Rejoice, standard-bearers of the Paschal Lamb.

Rejoice, sword-bearers of the heavenly passover;

Rejoice, revelation of the glory of the Cross and Resurrection.

Rejoice, three new martyrs of Optina, preachers of the Risen Christ.

The full version of this akathist, along with many others, is in the process of being included in the new volume of translations.

Akathist to Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver

(by Abbess Thaisia of Leushino)

Kontakion 1

Chosen messenger of the appearance of Christ among men - Holy Righteous Elder Symeon – accept

our hymns of praise, O God-Receiver. For as you have boldness before the Lord and have carried Him

in your arms, do pray for the salvation of us who lovingly call on you:

Rejoice, Symeon, Righteous Elder and Blessed God-Receiver.

Ikos 1

An angel of the Lord was sent to elder Symeon to announce that the promised Messiah would truly be

born of a Virgin. While he was reading in the prophesy of Isaiah: “a virgin shall conceive and bear a

child Emmanuel” and pondering at how this can take place, an angel appeared and announced to him

that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ born of a Virgin. Marveling at God's

awesome providence toward him, let us appeal to him thus:

Rejoice, for you acquired true wisdom with your gray hair.

Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit bore witness to your righteousness and piety.

Rejoice, for you walked in all commandments of the Lord blamelessly and without stumbling.

Rejoice, for you pleased your Lord with your whole life.

Rejoice, Symeon, Righteous Elder and Blessed God-Receiver.
 (translated by Maria Murray, full version not yet published)

Akathist to Saint Anthony the Great

Kontakion 1

Chosen wonderworker and most marvelous servant of Christ, venerable Father Anthony! Lovingly praising your God-pleasing life, we offer God a song of thanksgiving for you. And as you have great boldness toward the Lord, free from all dangers us who joyfully call on you:

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Ikos 1

Having loved the angelic life from your youth, you desired to walk in God’s commandments, venerable Father, and, with your heart flaming toward to the Lord of Hosts, you raised your mind onto the divine, counting all temporary and earthly as loss. Therefore, marveling at God’s providence for you, with faith we call upon you:

Rejoice, worthy son of devout parents.

Rejoice, for you were raised in piety.

Rejoice, for you followed Christ from youth.

Rejoice, for you reckoned earthly vanity as nothing.

Rejoice, fervent worker of Christ's vineyard.

Rejoice, great teacher of the desert dwellers.

Rejoice, for you desired salvation for all.

Rejoice, for you showed the true monastic path.

Rejoice, luminous lamp ignited with divine fire.

Rejoice, unshakable rock of faith in Christ.

Rejoice, radiant with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, graced with the gift of wonderworking.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 2

Seeing that the enemy of mankind wished to destroy you for ascending to spiritual heights, O God-bearing Father, but was shamed by your struggle and humility in constant fasting and prayer, you crushed the head of the invisible serpent, singing to God with compunction: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Knowing with your heart and mind all worldly goods to be swiftly passing and fleeting, you shut yourself in a dark cave, mortifying your passions and working only unto the Lord. Wherefore, praising your angelical living, we exclaim to you:

Rejoice, for you placed your hope in God.

Rejoice, for you shamed the folly of the enemy.

Rejoice, fearless destroyer of the devil's schemes.

Rejoice, for you resemble an angel in your purity and holiness.

Rejoice, for you sanctified the wilderness by your struggles.

Rejoice, for you guided many to the Heavenly Kingdom.

Rejoice, for you overthrew despicable pride.

Rejoice, for you taught the lowliness of mind.

Rejoice, light that enlightens all with the divine wisdom.

Rejoice, radiant star illuminating all with the brightness of your struggles.

Rejoice, for you lived to the glory of God.

Rejoice, good and long-suffering shepherd.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by the divine power, most blessed Anthony, you remained in fasting, prayer, unceasing labors, and vigils, overcoming all temptations of the enemy and singing to God, Who covered you with grace, Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having a pure mind and a spotless soul, blessed Father, you comprehended the vanity and inconstancy of this world, and, desiring the eternal blessings, you renounced the temporary goods. Wherefore, honoring you, we sing:

Rejoice, lover of blessed humility.

Rejoice, searcher of spiritual wisdom.

Rejoice, for you ascended the heights of dispassion.

Rejoice, for you offered yourself wholly to God.

Rejoice, for you resembled your Lord in your guilelessness.

Rejoice, for you were wealthy in poverty.

Rejoice, grace-filled adornment of the desert.

Rejoice, all-radiant lamp of the world.

Rejoice, banisher of terrifying demons.

Rejoice, destroyer of their delusions.

Rejoice, for you are wiser than the wise of this world.

Rejoice, zealous ascetic.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 4

Stilling the storm of evil temptations, you settled in the wilderness, most blessed Anthony, traversed the sorrowful path of the monastic life, trampling all the snares of the enemy and casting off his deception, and sang to Christ, Who strengthened you: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing of your God-pleasing life, venerable one, seekers of God’s truth came to you from throughout and you received them with love and guided them to salvation. With compunction of soul we praise and cry out to you:

Rejoice, rule and foundation of desert dwellers.

Rejoice, good teacher of Christ’s flock.

Rejoice, adornment of Christ’s Church.

Rejoice, glory of the monastics.

Rejoice, for you offered yourself as a sacrifice to the Lord.

Rejoice, for you mortified your sinful passions.

Rejoice, joy of the angels.

Rejoice, full vanquisher of the demons.

Rejoice, dweller of the wilderness.

Rejoice, zealous struggler of stillness.

Rejoice, for you show the right path.

Rejoice, announcer of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 5

Like a divinely-moving star you appeared to the monastic world, venerable Father Anthony, you were an image of faithfulness in word, life, love, faith, and purity, singing to the Lord: Alleluia.


Ikos 5

Seeing your pure and holy living, Father Anthony, the enemy of the human race frequently attacked you, but, defeating him with your humility, you did not depart from the way of salvation. Wherefore, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, partaker of the eternal life.

Rejoice, great teacher of salvation.

Rejoice, for you served God alone with your life.

Rejoice, for you took up the yoke of Christ.

Rejoice, for you exposed the wiles of the demons.

Rejoice, for you directed to the way of salvation.

Rejoice, keeper of purity.

Rejoice, beholder of the Light of the Trinity.

Rejoice, rise of the fallen.

Rejoice, banishment of the demonic power.

Rejoice, solid pillar of faith.

Rejoice, perfected teacher.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 6

Having heard the Gospel preaching: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me,” Father Anthony, you renounced the worldly treasures, and, undertaking a life of fasting and struggles in the wilderness, you acquired the treasures of heaven. Give us wisdom, good hearted Father, to not incline our hearts to the quickly-perishing things of this earth, but to ponder the things above, exclaiming to the Lord of Hosts: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You shone forth as a divinely radiant light in the Egyptian wilderness, Father Anthony, illuminating with the rays of your virtues and miracles. Remembering your struggles, we bless you and say to you:

Rejoice, for venerable saints are crowned by you.

Rejoice, for men are saved through you.

Rejoice, grace-filled visitation of the sick.

Rejoice, helper of strangers.

Rejoice, destroyer of enmity.

Rejoice, annihilator of the enemy.

Rejoice, peace and steadfastness of the faithful.

Rejoice, swift deliverance from dangers.

Rejoice, extinguisher of guile and craftiness.

Rejoice, consolation of the despairing.

Rejoice, defender of the Orthodox.

Rejoice, helper of Christians.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 7

Desiring to undertake a worthy struggle, you accounted all temporary as nothing and dwelled in poverty and humility in the wilderness, conversing with the One God and singing ceaselessly to Him: Alleluia.


Ikos 7

The Lord revealed a truly new guide for monastics in you, Father Anthony: many who learned of your God-pleasing and righteous life and the heights of your spiritual wisdom, heeded your words as the words of a great servant of God. To you we sing:

Rejoice, for you resemble Abraham in faith.

Rejoice, for you resemble David in meekness.

Rejoice, for you acquired the zeal of Elijah.

Rejoice, for you followed the way of the Forerunner.

Rejoice, for you poured forth water in the desert by your prayers.

Rejoice, for you raised paralytics from the sick beds.

Rejoice, for you gave sight to the blind.

Rejoice, for you healed many diseases.

Rejoice, most marvelous and divinely wise guide of monks.

Rejoice, fervent servant of Christ.

Rejoice, most gentle consolation of the sorrowful.

Rejoice, most beloved boast of monks.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 8

Having seen the strange and supernatural life of Saint Paul, blessed Anthony, you marveled at the height of his struggles and virtues. Seeing his soul ascending to the heavens and surrounded by angels, you cried out to God, Who is wondrous in His saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You rejoiced with great joy, Father Anthony, beholding with your clairvoyant eyes the ascent of the soul of Saint Ammonius. Wherefore, we beseech you with much wonder:

Rejoice, for you ever raised your eyes to the heavens.

Rejoice, for you loved heavenly glory above all.

Rejoice, for you sanctified your heart with ceaseless prayer.

Rejoice, for you established your mind in God.

Rejoice, for you foresaw the future as present.

Rejoice, for you acquired lofty gifts through humility.

Rejoice, for you free those held captive by evil spirits.

Rejoice, for you grant spiritual and bodily health.

Rejoice, intercessor in hardships and calamities.

Rejoice, defender in tribulations and afflictions.

Rejoice, for you do not forsake us here on earth.

Rejoice, for you offer your prayers for us sinners.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 9

All angelic beings marveled at the height of your exploits, for you became like an angel in every way while still in the weakness of the flesh and, strengthened by the power of the Almighty, you became abundant in virtues. Therefore, you joined the ranks of angels, singing to the Almighty God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Human eloquence is not sufficient to praise your life, Father Anthony: for who can recount all your fastings, vigils, illnesses and labors? Who can count your tears and sighings for God? But moved with our love for you, we dare to sing this to you:

Rejoice, great dweller of the wilderness.

Rejoice, teacher of perfection.

Rejoice, servant of the true God.

Rejoice, for you banished demons out of the desert.

Rejoice, thunder that strikes the devil.

Rejoice, for you revealed his wiles.

Rejoice, vessel of God’s grace.

Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, adornment of fasters.

Rejoice, praise of saints.

Rejoice, establishment of monks.

Rejoice, glory of the Fathers.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 10

You were a faithful guide to those who desired to be saved, and now lead us to salvation through your saintly intercessions, so that with your help we may reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where the never-silent Angels sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You were a strong and unassailable rampart to your followers, protecting them from demons’ arrows, remain a wall and protection from the Devil’s snares to those who call on you:

Rejoice, earthly angel.

Rejoice, heavenly man.

Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness.

Rejoice, receptacle of great virtues.

Rejoice, ardent lover of piety.

Rejoice, denouncer of heresies.

Rejoice, fulfillment of Christ’s love.

Rejoice, instruction of monks.

Rejoice, firm haven of the faithful.

Rejoice, mighty uplifting of the fallen.

Rejoice, strength of the infirm and the paralyzed.

Rejoice, consolation of the despairing and hopeless.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!

Kontakion 11

Accept our tender singing, which we lift up to you with love and diligent praise, Father Anthony, mercifully incline your ear to us and vouchsafe to guide us to true repentance through your prayers, so we may sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You were revealed on earth as a light-receiving lamp of the true Light, Saint Anthony, enlightening the hearts of the faithful by your struggles and miracles and instructing in the way of virtuous and God-pleasing living. Wherefore, you hear from all:

Rejoice, all-wise instructor.

Rejoice, trustworthy leader.

Rejoice, for you gave yourself wholly to God’s will.

Rejoice, for you loved the Lord Jesus above all.

Rejoice, for you shone forth patiently enduring various sorrows.

Rejoice, for you acquired eternal wealth through voluntary poverty.

Rejoice, for you spent your life in patience and hardship.

Rejoice, for you bravely endured bitterness of the desert.

Rejoice, for you inspire the slothful to ascetic struggle.

Rejoice, surety for the sinners’ correction.

Rejoice, converser with angels and saints.

Rejoice, zealous intercessor for the whole world.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 12

Knowing the grace given to you by God, we reverently kiss your image adorned with holiness, servant of God, and pray to you: do not forsake us in your intercessions to Christ God, to Who we gratefully sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of your living, we also praise your peaceful end, venerable Father Anthony, and beseech you: be a quick helper in all good to us who call upon you:

Rejoice, for you stand before the Consubstantial Trinity.

Rejoice, joy of angels.

Rejoice, converser with saints.

Rejoice, true pleaser of God.

Rejoice, chosen servant of the Lord.

Rejoice, fervent intercessor for all who call upon your name.

Rejoice, teacher and hope of all who honor you.

Rejoice, for you were imbued with the grace of God.

Rejoice, for you were filled at the Divine spring.

Rejoice, for you were bedewed with saving tears.

Rejoice, for you were clothed in garments of incorruption.

Rejoice, venerable Father Anthony, founder of the desert life!


Kontakion 13

O venerable Father Anthony, eternally alive in the never-ending day of Christ’s Kingdom, beseech the Master of all to deliver us from calamities, misfortunes, and eternal torments, so we may sing to Him in His Kingdom unto ages of ages: Alleluia.

(This Kontakion is read thrice, then again Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.)

Prayer

O our venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony! We believe that you have great boldness in prayer standing before the throne of the Holy Trinity, and the All-Merciful Lord always hears you, His faithful servant. Wherefore, we humbly fall down before you with compunction, Saint of God: never cease to intercede for us to the Lord, Who is worshipped and glorified in the Trinity, that He may look mercifully on us and not let us perish in our sins, but would raise the fallen and give correction to the evil and wretched lives, averting our future transgressions, and forgive all faults committed in word or thought from our birth to the present hour. O ascetic of virtue, seeing the infirmity and sorrow of the present times, do not cease to entreat Christ God to not withdraw from us His loving-kindness, but to preserve us from worldly temptations, devil’s snares, and fleshly desires, so that we may receive all necessary for this temporary life, deliverance from affliction and tribulation, and unyielding patience to the end. Implore that we may lead the rest of our lives in peace and repentance and to pass from earth to heaven escaping tribulations, demons of the air, and eternal torments, and be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom with you and all the saints that pleased our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Father without beginning and His All-Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Source: Akathist to St. Anthony the Great. Kherson 2012. Translated by Maria Murray

THE AKATHIST HYMN IN HONOR OF THE RIGHTEOUS JOSEPH, THE BETROTHED OF THE MOST-HOLY VIRGIN, MARY

(According to the Usage of the Kyivan Church of the Catholic Communion

Russian version here: http://samara.orthodoxy.ru/Molitva/Akafist/Svyatie/Iosif_Ob_a.html)

KONTAKION

O righteous Joseph! Chosen protector of the Most-Holy Virgin, Mary, and instructor and nurturer of the God-Man: glorifying your service to the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word, we dedicate hymns of praise to you. Standing now before the throne of Christ our God, and having great boldness before Him, pray for us that cry out to you:

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

FIRST IKOS

Preserving the mystery of the birth of God the Word by the all-Pure Virgin, which is inaccessible even to the angels, from the slander of people and the craft of the devil, God chose you, O righteous Joseph, a lowly carpenter, to be the protector and witness of the virginity of the all-Holy Mary. Therefore, glorifying you as a chosen initiate of the mysteries of God, we cry out to you:

Rejoice! Honored offshoot of the root of Jesse!

Rejoice! You who were adorned within with royal majesty!

Rejoice! By lack of earthly things, you acquired spiritual wealth!

Rejoice! Through obscurity you obtained everlasting glory!

Rejoice! You who are far more glorious than kings!

Rejoice! You who are more righteous than the patriarchs and forefathers!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

SECOND KONTAKION

Beholding the Virgin Mary who had grown to maturity in the Temple, Zachariah the High Priest cried out to the Lord: Show me a man worthy to be betrothed to the Virgin, O Lord! And when the rod of Joseph blossomed forth, committing the Virgin to him, he cried aloud to God: ALLELUIA!

SECOND IKOS

Your righteousness is known to all the ends of the earth, O holy Joseph! You were accorded the incomparable honor of being betrothed to the most blessed Virgin. From her Christ God came forth without the aid of man. You were chosen for this because of your steadfast faith, purity, humility and excellence in all the virtues. Therefore, we cry out to you:

Rejoice! O righteous One: betrothed of the most-Pure one!

Rejoice! O man of faith: taking under your roof the holy Virgin, Mary, who, through faith was made the throne of God!

Rejoice! You who are humble of spirit!

Rejoice! You who are simple of heart!

Rejoice! You who are exceedingly adorned with virtues!

Rejoice! O holy one, who ministered unto the most holy!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

THIRD KONTAKION

When the power of the Most High overshadowed her who knew not wedlock, so that she might conceive, Joseph did not know of this wondrous mystery, so that instructed by God Himself, he might cry out to Him: ALLELUIA.

THIRD IKOS

Joseph, beholding the Virgin whose womb contained God, was troubled, knowing that she was not wed and suspecting that she had indulged in illicit love. But being just, he wished to put her away secretly, leaving the judgment unto Him Who knows all things and Who has taught us to cry out to Him:

Rejoice! Zealot of chastity!

Rejoice! O Israelite in whom there is no guile!

Rejoice! You who are good of heart!

Rejoice! You who are meek of demeanor!

Rejoice! You who place all your trust in God!

Rejoice! You who entrust yourself and others to His providence!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

FOURTH KONTAKION

Subduing the tempest of the chaste Joseph's thoughts of doubt, the angel disclosed to him the mystery of the birth of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, from the unwed Mary; for he said: And you shall call His name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. And to Him do we all cry: ALLELUIA!

FOURTH IKOS

Having heard in the Scriptures of the Lord Who said: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, Emmanuel, you did believe what was told to you by the angel, O righteous Joseph; and like a sealed book, wherein the Word was inscribed by the finger of the Father, you took Mary into your own house, and like a servant you waited upon her with fear and zeal. Therefore, we cry to you:

Rejoice! For you set your heart to understand the law of God!

Rejoice! For you opened your mind to receive the mysteries of God!

Rejoice! For before all men you were vouchsafed to know the great mystery of piety that God has appeared upon earth!

Rejoice! For you perceived His coming to be for the salvation of men from their sins!

Rejoice! For without doubting you believed what was revealed to you!

Rejoice! For your faith was accounted onto you as righteousness!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

FIFTH KONTAKION

Taking the divinely chosen maiden into your home, O blessed Joseph, you loved her as your betrothed, you honored her as the most-holy Virgin and Mother of the Savior of the world, and you ministered to her with fear and reverence, striving with all your soul to keep all that was written in the Law and the Prophets; and with Mary you cried out to God: ALLELUIA!

FIFTH IKOS

Beholding in the manger of Bethlehem the Star that shone forth from Jacob, you first worshipped the Newborn; and when heaven offered Him a star, the angels hymnody, the shepherds testimony and the Magi worship and gifts, you, O righteous Joseph, offered your whole self as a gift to the Lord, dedicating your life, cares and labors to His service. Therefore, we cry to you:

Rejoice! You who before all others beheld the descent to earth of the unsetting Sun of Righteousness!

Rejoice! First witness and servant on earth of the incarnate Son of God, Who was born of the Father before all ages!

Rejoice! Earthly carpenter who was vouchsafed to be called the father of the heavenly Architect!

Rejoice! Protector and guardian of the Infant to Whom the ranks of angels minister with fear!

Rejoice! Reverent servant of the Mother of God, the Word!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

SIXTH KONTAKION

Him Who was foretold by the Law and the Prophets you did circumcise on the eighth day, as a man; and you gave Him the name Jesus, which was preserved in the Counsel of the Trinity, like a precious pearl brought forth from the treasuries of Heaven for the revelation of all people, O Joseph; whereby having astonished the angels, made us glad, terrified the demons and rendered the whole world fragrant as with sweet-smelling myrrh, you cried out to God: ALLELUIA!

SIXTH IKOS

He Who in the Infant Jesus shone forth upon you, as prophesied by Simeon, the light of the gentiles' revelation and the glory of the people Israel, was straightway covered by a cloud of tribulation, O righteous Joseph, for the nation was in turmoil, Herod raged seeking the life of the Infant, and it was foretold that a sword would pierce the heart of His Mother, in order that your faith and patience may be made manifest unto all. Therefore, we cry to you as to one steadfast in patience and unshaken in faith:

Rejoice! For like gold in the furnace, you were unceasingly purified by trials!

Rejoice! You were humble in joy and patient in the midst of sorrows!

Rejoice! You were ever faithful to the mysteries entrusted to you!

Rejoice! You were guided by faith as by a star in the dark ways of life!

Rejoice! You had hope in God as an anchor amid the tempest of life's voyage!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

SEVENTH KONTAKION

Desiring to save from the malice of Herod, Him that had come to save the world, O wondrous Joseph, you did not question the angel that commanded you to flee into Egypt, by saying: "Could He that saves others not save Himself"? But being a man of faith, like a new Abraham, ever ready for obedience, giving no thought to the rigors of the journey, nor considering the time of return, you did straightway take yourself to Egypt with Mary and the Babe, joyously crying out to God: ALLELUIA!

SEVENTH IKOS

In Egypt you were shown to be a new Joseph, greater than the patriarch of old, who saved the people of Egypt from famine; for you saved from death the Savior of the world and offered unto the people of Egypt, who were starving amidst the famine of godlessness, the Bread of Life; and you sowed the seed of eternal life, whence a wondrous harvest1 sprang forth in the deserts of Egypt. Therefore we cry to you:

Rejoice! You joyfully endured sorrows and labors on the way, for Christ's sake!

Rejoice! O guardian of the infant Jesus who once guided Israel in the wilderness with the pillar of fire and a cloud!

Rejoice! Nourisher of Him that sustained His people with manna!

Rejoice! You who bore in your arms the Creator and Sustainer of all creation!

Rejoice! You who did save from the malice of Herod Him that once saved the people of God from the bitter bondage to Pharaoh!

Rejoice! You who showed forth for Egypt the grace of adoption instead of slavery!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

EIGHTH KONTAKION

Having beheld the fearsome wonder: that in Jesus, God was born in the flesh, as was foretold, and laid in a manger as a babe; the Virgin Mother; the angels giving glory and the circumcision; the coming of the Magi from the East to worship Him with gifts; the flight from Herod's madness into Egypt; the salvation of all and the Light of the Gentiles; and the sword in the heart of her that gave Him birth, as Simeon said, -- you knew Him to be true God and true Man, and therefore you cried out to him: ALLELUIA!

EIGHTH IKOS

Having dedicated yourself entirely to God Who called forth His son from Egypt through His angel, you followed His command and made your abode with Jesus and His Mother in Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet concerning Him: He shall be called a Nazarene. Therefore, we cry out to you as a faithful servant of God:

Rejoice! You who worked in harmony with the will of God!

Rejoice! You who took part in the divine economy!

Rejoice! You who ever converse with the angels!

Rejoice! You who were dedicated on earth to the depths of the mysteries of Heaven!

Rejoice! You who listened to the prophets' prophecies concerning Jesus!

Rejoice! You who reverently kept all these in the depths of your heart!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

NINTH KONTAKION

Every generation of Heaven, earth and the parts beneath the earth bow down at the name of Jesus; and to you, O wondrous Joseph, was the Child Jesus obedient as to His father. But we, marveling at the Lord's great condescension toward you, cry out to Him: ALLELUIA!

NINTH IKOS

The most eloquent of orators are at a loss as to how to praise you fittingly, O righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and the earth, called you her lord; the incarnate Son of God called you father, and your home on earth was a habitation of heavenly sanctity, for therein dwelt the King of Heaven and of earth. Therefore, we humbly cry out to you:

Rejoice! Chosen of God, who preserved the tabernacle of heavenly sanctity!

Rejoice! Wondrous carpenter, in whose home the Creator of Heaven and earth made His abode!

Rejoice! Nourisher and guardian of the Child Jesus, Who, as God bestowed existence upon all creatures and takes thought for all the world, visible and invisible!

Rejoice! For on earth you were accounted worthy to behold the Son of God face-to-face, to hold Him in your arms and to kiss Him!

Rejoice! For even after your departure into the heavenly mansions you continually bless the King of glory and glorify Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in the light of his countenance!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

TENTH KONTAKION

You can save all that have recourse to your intercession and aid, O blessed Joseph, for how can He Who was subject to you in all things on earth not listen to you in all things as you now stand before Him in Heaven, crying aloud with the angelic choirs: ALLELUIA!

TENTH IKOS

You are a mighty rampart for all who have recourse to your intercession, O righteous Joseph; therefore, do not disdain even us who flee to your assistance, and, amidst the storms of temptations, misfortunes and sorrows of life, cry aloud to you:

Rejoice! Our ready helper amid dangers and want!

Rejoice! Mighty intercessor for us before God.

Rejoice! Our steadfast hope amid the tempest of turmoil and doubt!

Rejoice! Speedy deliverance from the slanders of men!

Rejoice! Nourisher of Him, Who sustains all by the word of His power!

Rejoice! You who deliver us from spiritual famine and from every tribulation!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

ELEVENTH KONTAKION

A most compunctionate hymn do we offer unto you, O divinely wise Joseph; and we entreat you: as you did keep the Lord Christ Himself from all harm and affliction, so by your mediation before Him do you preserve His Holy Orthodox Church from every assault by enemies, visible and invisible; protect our native lands from all sedition, that, leading a peaceful and tranquil life, we may cry out to God: ALLELUIA!

ELEVENTH IKOS

In the Temple did you behold the twelve-year old Child Jesus, the light-bestowing Beacon which has appeared to those in the darkness of ignorance, granting the light of true knowledge unto the teachers of the Law of God, and revealing the mystery of His great service in accordance with the design of the heavenly Father. Therefore, we cry out to you:

Rejoice! Faithful keeper of the Law of your fathers!

Rejoice! For, being zealous in keeping the Law, you did also lead the Child Jesus to the house of the heavenly Father!

Rejoice! For when the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, paternally you did grieve with His Mother,

thinking that He was with friends.

Rejoice! You did seek Him among friends and relatives and, not finding Him, did return to Jerusalem

where, after three days, you did discover Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and questioning them!

Rejoice! For you did hear the revelation of mysteries when the Child Jesus said:

Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?

Rejoice! You that beheld and were witness that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

TWELFTH KONTAKION

Seeing the Child Jesus increase in favor with God and man, and in stature of body and wisdom, you did lay up all these things in your heart, like a faithful servant keeping secret the treasure entrusted to him, until the day when all believers began to cry to Him as God and Savior of the world: ALLELUIA!

TWELFTH IKOS

Hymning your labors and struggles, we also glorify your blessed repose; for in the arms of God the Word and His Mother you did sweetly rest from your labors, O righteous Joseph, having undoubting belief in blessed eternity. Therefore, we cry out to you:

Rejoice! You that were faithful in a great task!

Rejoice! You that were therefore accounted worthy of the greatest honor by God!

Rejoice! You that on earth were wed to the glory and beauty of Heaven!

Rejoice! You that were permitted to depart in peace unto the age to come by the Father of the age to come!

Rejoice! You that did proclaim the great joy to David!

Rejoice! You that did bear to all in Hades the tidings that Christ was come to free and save the human race!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, you ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

THIRTEENTH KONTAKION

O holy and righteous Joseph! Accept this, our small supplication, and through your mighty mediation before Christ God, do you entreat Him to make us by His grace firm and steadfast in the Orthodox Faith, zealous and undaunted in the keeping of His commandments, and that He grant all that is profitable for our temporal and eternal life to us that cry out to Him: ALLELUIA!

FIRST IKOS

Preserving the mystery of the birth of God the Word by the all-Pure Virgin, which is inaccessible even to the angels, from the slander of people and the craft of the devil, God chose you, O righteous Joseph, a lowly carpenter, to be the protector and witness of the virginity of the all-Holy Mary. Therefore, glorifying you as a chosen initiate of the mysteries of God, we cry out to you:

Rejoice! Honored offshoot of the root of Jesse!

Rejoice! You who were adorned within with royal majesty!

Rejoice! By lack of earthly things, you acquired spiritual wealth!

Rejoice! Through obscurity you obtained everlasting glory!

Rejoice! You who are far more glorious than kings!

Rejoice! You who are more righteous than the patriarchs and forefathers!

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

APOLYTIKION, i.e. DISMISSAL TROPARION, tone 8

O righteous Joseph! Chosen protector of the Most-Holy Virgin, Mary, and instructor and nurturer of the God-Man: glorifying your service to the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word, we dedicate hymns of praise to you. Standing now before the throne of Christ our God, and having great boldness before Him, pray for us that cry out to you:

Rejoice! O righteous Joseph, ready helper and intercessor for our souls!

Prayer

O holy and righteous Joseph! While yet on earth, you did have boldness before the Son of God, Who was well pleased to call you His father, in that you were the betrothed of His Mother, and Who was well pleased to be obedient to you.

We believe that as you do dwell now in the heavenly mansions with the choirs of the righteous, you are listened to, in all that you do request from our God and Savior.

Therefore, fleeing to your protection and defense, we beg and humbly entreat you:

- as you, yourself, were delivered from a storm of doubting thoughts, so also deliver us that are tempest-tossed by the waves of confusion and passions;

- as you did shield the all-Pure Virgin from the slanders of men, so shield us from all kinds of vehement calumny;

- as you did keep the incarnate Lord from all harm and affliction, so also by your defense preserve His Orthodox Church and all of us from all affliction and harm.

You know, O Saint of God, that even the Son of God had bodily needs in the days of His incarnation, and you did attend to them.

Therefore, we beseech you: tend, yourself, to our temporal needs through your intercession, granting us every good thing, which is needful in this life (for the sake of life of the age to come). Especially, do we entreat you to intercede that we may receive remission of our sins from Him Who was called your Son, the only-begotten Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and be worthy of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, ...

So that, abiding with you in the heavenly mansions, we may ever glorify the One God in three Persons: the (+) Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Akathist to the All-Merciful Lord, Physician of Our Souls and Bodies

(by Valentina Bershadskaya, translated by Maria Murray)

Kontakion 1

O Champion Leader and Lord, Wondrous Creator of human nature, hear our prayers from the height of the throne of Your Glory: Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Ikos 1

Having created the multitude of archangels and angels for Your service,

You made man from the dust of the ground for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, and You loved him above all creatures, O All-Merciful Lord. Learning of Your inexpressible love, as Your children, we cry unto You:

Jesus, Who called us into the marvelous world, allow us to abide with You forever.

Jesus, Who called us to be children of the Creator, allow us to ever hymn Him.

Jesus, grant us healing from our sins, with which we stained ourselves.

Jesus, grant us to stand at Your right on the Day of the Resurrection of all.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the perdition of the human race, You, O Father, desired to save it, for You so loved the world that You willed to send Your Only-Begotten Son Jesus Christ for our salvation. Therefore to Him we sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You endowed Your creature with heavenly understanding, O Compassionate Lord, worthy of songs of praise and thanksgiving, You abide in Your Heavenly Kingdom, but we who are enslaved to sin abide in the poverty of our minds. Therefore we pray to You, fill our feeble minds with Your grace that we may know that we bear Your image and may become Your worthy children. For this sake, receive our petition:

Jesus, Who made our bodies to be temples of God, cleanse them from all impurity.

Jesus, Who breathed the breath of life into our bodies, enlighten them again with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, Who created our souls to be immortal, deliver us from mortal sins.

Jesus, Who gave us luminous reason, chase the darkness from our hearts.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by divine power, though we are great sinners, do not despair of our salvation, but put all hope in You alone and sing to You with compunction: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

With Your immeasurable compassion, enter our hearts and make them into Your dwelling place so that abiding with You, we may know You with our whole souls and minds, for You are the God of those who repent and all things are possible with You. We cry to You such things as these:

Jesus, Who created our eyes, allow us to see You with clarity.

Jesus, Who created our ears, allow us to hear Your sweet voice.

Jesus, Who created our mouths, allow us to unceasingly praise You.

Jesus, Who created our senses, allow us to apprehend the fullness of life in You alone.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 4

Wearied by the storms of life, we hasten to Your divine intercession, O our Savior.

Strengthen our weakness enabling us to carry our cross for the rest of our lives without complaint but praising You: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing our endless weeping, tell us as You told Your friends, O Lord: “Do not cry, O my beloved, I will not leave you without my protection, but will heal you from your sickness and sorrow.”

Gladdened by such promise, we call upon You:

Jesus, the True Light, enlighten us with the knowledge of God.

Jesus, the Living God, vouchsafe us worthy of eternal life.

Jesus, Who gave Your body to us as incorruptible food, fill our hungering souls.

Jesus, Who suffered on the Cross for us, heal the wounds of our souls with Your Blood.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 5

Worshipping the Unoriginate Trinity, we humbly beg You, our Christ: intercede for us sinners before Your Father so that He would not withdraw the Holy Spirit from us. And we cry to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Again and again we behold your outpourings of mercy on us of which we are not deserving, but marveled by Your compassion and long-suffering, we cry to You:

Jesus, we know that we are infirm and careless, but we diligently seek Your help.

Jesus, we know that we are hard-hearted and disobedient, but we long for the recovery from our ills.

Jesus, we know that we have sinned many times against You, but offer You tearful repentance.

Jesus, we know that we fall every day, but we can rise from our falls by the strength of Your power.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 6

Desiring to save us from perishing forever, O Our Father, Your Only-Begotten Son was sent for our salvation as a Sacrifice. Through Your grace, heal our bodies and souls infected with the leprosy of sin so that we may even here on earth worthily praise You: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Enlighten our souls with Your unwaning Light, O Lord, teaching us to walk in the light of Your commandments so that we may not sin before Your face but sing to You:

Jesus, Inexpressible Love, warm our cold hearts with Your Love.

Jesus, Gentle Light, make our darkened souls radiant with Your never-waning Light.

Jesus, Heavenly Sweetness, delight our human nature with Your Grace.

Jesus, Benevolent Master, fill our lives with Your bounties.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 7

Desiring to manifest the greatness of Your love and compassion throughout Your earthly life, O Lord, You led many sinners to repentance. As the Publican, we cry to You: “God, be merciful to us, sinners!” And hoping in Your abundant mercy, we call unto You: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You revealed in us a new creation, O Jesus, when in Your baptism You delivered us from the ancestral sin. For such benevolence to our mankind, we praise You:

Jesus, we glorify Your inexpressible loving-kindness.

Jesus, we praise Your great benevolence.

Jesus, we extol Your saving Passion.

Jesus, we thank You for all Your bounties.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 8

Amazing and strange is Your ineffable benevolence and care for us, O Lover of mankind. Knowing our infirmities and weaknesses, with tears we entreat You: endure us, O Merciful One, and if we find favor in Your sight, do not forsake us, Your servants who cry to You: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

O Christ Our God, You are the fulfillment of our every desire and enjoyment by which we strengthen and satisfy our souls and bodies. For this we hymn You:

Jesus, You are our Joy and Sweetness.

Jesus, You are our Tenderness and Delight.

Jesus, You are our Glory and Stronghold.

Jesus, You are our Power and Protection.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 9

All of the human nature healed by You from infirmity and illness gratefully praises You, Almighty Physician, and, knowing that God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses, cries out with compunction: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

God-loving orators, though they speak much of You, are unable to worthily glorify the great power of Your miracles, O Lord, by which You healed the woman with the issue of blood from her sickness, raised Lasarus from four days in the grave, lifted up Jairus' daughter from her death bed, and performed many other healings. But we, well aware of such miracles, cry out to You:

Jesus, Who raised the paralytic from his bed, raise our souls from sins.

Jesus, Who opened the eyes of the man born blind, open our spiritual eyes.

Jesus, Who resurrected the son of the widow of Nain, resurrect our kind thoughts.

Jesus, Who granted Abgar healing from his terrible disease, grant us healing from all our diseases.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 10

Desiring to save all who believe in You, O Christ the Savior, You ascended into heaven and prepare a place for them in Your Kingdom. Therefore, vouchsafe us at the hour of our death to reach our Father's home in heaven, where we can glorify You: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Everlasting King, Jesus Christ, Who for our salvation received flesh from the all-pure Virgin Mary and sanctified her by Your divinity, sanctify our sinful flesh with Your divinity so we may cry out to You in gratitude:

Jesus, cleanse our hands so we may glorify You with good deeds.

Jesus, strengthen our legs so we may follow You with gladness.

Jesus, correct our thoughts so we may live our lives to Your glory.

Jesus, bring peace to our souls so we may love all Your servants.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 11

Most tender songs we offer to You, our Sweetest Jesus, exalting Your great mercy towards us and worshipping You with love and humility, we call on You: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Shine into our souls the great and divine Light, O Giver of eternal life, so enlightened by it, we may reach the Heavenly Kingdom and, as the apostles on Mount Tabor, exclaim to You: “It is good for us to be here!” Receive now our supplications:

Jesus, forgive all our sins.

Jesus, receive our humble repentance.

Jesus, place our souls into the heavenly abode.

Jesus, transfigure our bodies at the resurrection of all.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 12

Grant us Your grace, O Jesus Our God, which You bestowed on Your beloved disciples here on earth. Receive the confession of our sins, hear our groaning, send down upon us Your Holy Spirit, so that purified by Him, we can be accounted worthy to call upon You on earth as the angels call upon You in heaven: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of Your unspeakable love for mankind, we worship the greatness of Your deeds, O Christ, and fall down at Your feet with faith and love as before the Almighty Physician of our souls and bodies, exclaiming to You:

Jesus, our Maker, make us heirs of Your Kingdom,

Jesus, our Savior, save us from eternal torments.

Jesus, our Redeemer, redeem us from death unto eternal life.

Jesus, our Archpriest, save all Your archpriests who intercede for us at Your Judgment.

Jesus, Almighty Physician, heal our souls and bodies.

Kontakion 13

O Sweetest and Most-Bountiful Jesus, look down with love from Your Heavenly throne on us who are infirm and exhausted by the wounds of soul and body. Mercifully incline Your ear to our tearful plea and heal us by Your saving Passion from all sickness of soul and body, so that rising from our sick bed, we may enter into Your Holy Church, forever singing to You: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read thrice, then again ikos 1 and kontakion1)

Prayer

O All-Powerful and Almighty Physician of our souls and bodies – Lord Jesus Christ! Hear now the tearful prayers of all Your servants who are suffering from grievous illnesses and who place all their hope in You alone. For we know, O Lord, that where human hand cannot give relief and healing - You can, for nothing is impossible for You. Having created our souls and bodies, You possess the power to save us. Therefore we beseech You, All-Merciful One, if it is Your holy will, heal us of our infirmities of soul and body and, according to the judgments known to You, regenerate our nature afflicted with sickness. Above all, we entreat You to forgive all our sins so that with our souls purified by repentance, we can hymn You, together with Your Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Akathist To Our Holy Father Among The Saints, Moses The Black

Akathist to our Holy Father among the saints Saint Moses the Ethiopian

Kontakion 1

Mighty ancient desert dweller of the Egyptian Thebaid, thy life is an everlasting memorial of
the reconciliation between God and man. In thee we see the fullness of the fruits of
repentance. Guide our steps onto the path of salvation as we call on thine all-powerful prayer.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Ikos 1

In the days of thy youth, as a gang-leader thou wast a ravenous Wolf slaying sheep and
murdering men. Yet in a moment of truth, God acted invisibly on thy conscience as thou wast
about to commit a crime, opening the door to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Following thy
path toward the Light we sing these praises:
Rejoice, model of correction for those who have gone astray.
Rejoice, thou who didst die to earthly pleasures and resurrect in spirit.
Rejoice, thou who camest out of much tribulation.
Rejoice, oasis of faith in the desert of unbelief.
Rejoice, ancient treasure map for those seeking the pearl of great price. Rejoice, for
thou didst find the Kingdom of God within thy heart.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 2

En route to great stature in grace, thou didst travel the path of lowliness, seeking counsel in
all matters concerning spiritual life. Burying the instructions of the Fathers deep within thy
heart thou didst always sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

As thou didst possess self-knowledge and then ascend to wisdom on high, many seekers
came to thee for spiritual guidance. With a pure mind thou didst teach in simplicity, revealing
hidden truths to all who would listen. Help us now to understand and do God’s will in our lives
as we call upon thee:
Rejoice, thou who taughtest with power and not empty words.
Rejoice, for thy mind was renewed by prayer of the heart.
Rejoice, island of refuge for those sinking in the sea of temptation.
Rejoice, wellspring gushing forth with the words of life.
Rejoice, for the house of thy soul was not built on the sand of worldly knowledge
but on the rock of Christ’s commandments.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom.

Kontakion 3

A brother came to thee for a word of instruction and in thy wisdom thou didst reveal the
mystery of silence by saying, “Go to thy cell and thy cell will teach thee everything.”
Marveling at thy insight we raise up our minds unto God singing: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Through fire and water didst thou pass in thy struggle to conquer the lusts of the body. In thy
quest, thou didst war against nature itself, depriving thy body of food and sleep. By spending
the nights hauling water for the brethren thou didst prepare thy soul to become a habituation
for the spirit. Yet still being tormented by this passion, thou was forced to call upon God for
deliverance. Seeing thy thirst, the Lord has brought thee into a place of everlasting
refreshment. Through thee we have learned to rely on God and not ourselves, and so we
praise thee:
Rejoice, victorious conqueror in the war against the passions.
Rejoice, general in Christ’s army.
Rejoice, valorous spirit in battle.
Rejoice, beacon of the light overcoming the principalities and powers of darkness.
Rejoice, thou who wast made strong by surrendering thy weakness to God.
Rejoice, for the arrows of the enemy cannot touch thee.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom.
Kontakion 4
Amazed by the conversion of thy life and even yet more in awe of thy spiritual ascent, we see
that truly all things are possible with God. Not lingering on the surface of newly found
Orthodox faith, thou didst dive into the depths of apostolic Christianity. So now inspire us to
enter into the heart of hearts, sensing the Kingdom within as we cry to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

In fleeing the vanity of the world, thou didst desire to live in obscurity so as to be free from
the glory of men. But as a city set on a hill cannot be hid, so too the splendor of thy virtue
could not be concealed. Thou didst try to hide thy identity by telling those who sought “the
great Moses” that he was a man of depraved character. By reviling thyself thou didst escape
the trap of vainglory, but when the wisdom of thy humility was found out, all glorified thy
Father in heaven and now we praise thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst crucify thy flesh to become poor in spirit.
Rejoice, thou who didst find joy through mourning.
Rejoice, Israelite who didst see God in the purity of thy heart.
Rejoice, thou who art filled with everlasting righteousness.
Rejoice, thou who wast reviled yet kept silence for Christ’s sake.
Rejoice, and be glad for great is thy reward in heaven.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 5

O Moses, thou didst travel from the kingdom of Ethiopia to the land of Egypt in order to slay
the spiritual Pharaoh. Now free from the bondage of the oppressor, thou dost chant eternal
praise to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Behold all you who seek God, a new Moses has appeared in Egypt liberating those who were
shackled in mental slavery and leading them into the promised land of faith, hope and love.
Free in spirit we sing these praises:
Rejoice, thou who didst climb the mountain of God.
Rejoice, thou who was transfigured by the light of Christ.
Rejoice, chosen by God to be a leader of the people.
Rejoice, thou who didst pass over the sea of temptation dry shod.
Rejoice, deliverer of souls down pressed by sin.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true Spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 6

When the counsel of monks gathered together to judge a brother who had transgressed, thou
didst teach all by carrying a leaky bag of sand into the midst of the fathers, saying, “The
sands are my sins running down behind me which I cannot even see, and yet I have come to
judge another.” In this wise, thou didst teach all the path of self-reproach and humility.
Marveling at the wisdom given thee, we chant to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

Unbeknownst to thee, thy words would be a testament of desert wisdom even unto this day.
Together with all those monks who, throughout the ages have been guided aright by thy
words, we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, counselor of divine intellect.
Rejoice, forefather of philokalic wisdom.
Rejoice, ancient mystic.
Rejoice, thou whose mind’s eye was opened by grace.
Rejoice, seer of spiritual reality.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!
Kontakion 7
Seeing the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in thee, thy former gang members were also led
to thoughts concerning the meaning of life, death and the path of salvation. Convicted by the
purity of thy life, they too changed their evil ways and followed thee, learning to cry out to
God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

Once a thief and a robber but now a good shepherd, thou art even at this moment calling lost
sheep back to the straight and narrow way that leads to everlasting life. Pray that our
hardened hearts and our darkened minds take heed to thy call as we sing these praises:
Rejoice, perfection of renunciation.
Rejoice, guide of all who struggle to put off the old man and be clothed in Christ.
Rejoice, good seed that brought forth fruit an hundred fold.
Rejoice, thou who through remembrance of death didst attain unto life.
Rejoice, thou who didst pass through the valley of the shadow of death.
Rejoice, for thy soul did find rest in the still waters of Christ.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 8

As a true rebel against the spirit of the world, thou didst leave off all attachment to temporal
things, forsake thy past life like a dream, and flee to the utter desert to be alone with God.
Admiring thy courage we glorify God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Unaware of thy physical strength, a band of thieves foolishly tried to rob thy cell of earthly
treasure that did not exist. Never missing a chance to save a soul, thou didst tie them up and
drag them into church. In truth, thou didst take the Kingdom unto thy brother by force,
showing him the power of faith. Marveling at thy mighty works we praise thee:
Rejoice, solid foundation of brotherly love.
Rejoice, thou who didst take no thought for food and raiment.
Rejoice, thou who didst follow the way of the cross by daily struggles.
Rejoice, thou who went from strength to strength to reach the Kingdom.
Rejoice, courageous soul that didst conquer fear by perfect love.
Rejoice, thou who ever abidest in God.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 9

The angelic choirs were amazed at your prophetical end, as you foretold to your disciples, “He
who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” And so it was to be—you were slain with your
disciples as sheep led to the slaughter, raising them up as brethren with you in the Eternal
City, crying out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Wondrous things are spoken of you, O Holy Elder Moses, for the Most High Himself has
established you within His holy gates. Calling upon your heavenly intercessions, we on earth
cry out:
Rejoice, prophets of the Most High!
Rejoice, apostle of Christ!
Rejoice, preacher of the Good News!
Rejoice, holy elder of devoted disciples!
Rejoice, prince of the King of kings!
Rejoice, saint pleading before the throne of God for suffering humanity!
Rejoice, O Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to save the world, the Saviour of all has sent a brilliant star to shine upon those lost
in darkness. Seeing thy life as a light in the night, teaching, enlightening, and guiding us, we
cry out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Thou art a saving hand, O Father Moses, pulling up all who are drowning in a world of hate
and confusion. Reaching out to thee, we ask for guidance in this life of trials and temptations.
Ever hoping in God’s mercy we cry out in faith:
Rejoice, uplifter of the downtrodden.
Rejoice, guardian of the soul in despair.
Rejoice, consolation of those who weep.
Rejoice, calm harbor for those tossed on the waves of this life.
Rejoice, redemptive sufferer.
Rejoice, thou who dost lead us to seek the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 11

As a co-struggler with the great Arsenius, thou didst share a bond of unity in the monastic
mystery. While Arsenius practiced silence, thou didst exercise charity; sacrificing quietude to
receive weary pilgrims with hospitality. With love thou didst feed many hungry souls, giving
them strength to sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

True to the vision of the elder who saw great boats on the river, in the one was Arsenius with
the Spirit of God traveling in silence, and thou was sailing in the other, accompanied by the
angels and feeding a monk with sweet honey from the honeycomb. As recipients of thy
lovingkindness we give thanks to thee thus:
Rejoice, warm heart of tender mercy.
Rejoice, thou who didst crucify thyself but didst show indulgence towards others.
Rejoice, thou who didst lay down thy life for thy brother.
Rejoice, river flowing into the sea of compassion.
Rejoice, thou whose Christianity was formed in the heart and manifest in deed.
Rejoice, thou who didst accept strangers as Christ Himself.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 12

Timeless preacher of repentance for all who find themselves astray from God’s love, thou
didst give hope to the hopeless reminding us that there is no sin that exceeds God’s mercy.
Moved to compunction, we offer our tears and sacrifice our broken hearts crying out from the
depths of our souls to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Now swelling in the heavenly Zion, thou dost partake in the majestic glory of the Almighty.
By thine all-powerful prayers, beseech Him to grant us the strength to overcome the
temptations of sin and send down upon us peace and great mercy as we sing these praises:
Rejoice, thou who didst overcome the world.
Rejoice, flaming fire ablaze with the love of God.
Rejoice, guiding star of wise men.
Rejoice, thou who wast lifted up on the wings of the Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who didst fly away to the heavenly homeland.
Rejoice, thou who art dwelling in the bosom of Abraham.
Rejoice, Holy Elder Moses, righteous teacher of true spiritual wisdom!

Kontakion 13

O holy and righteous Elder Moses, brilliant sun shining down rays of hope upon a world
eclipsed in darkness: hear our supplication that we offer unto thee; help us who seek God’s
truth to be steadfast in fulfilling Christ’s commandments, and save from the pit of Gehenna
all who cry to God: Alleluia! (repeat 3 times)

Repeat Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.

Prayer to St. Moses

Thou didst forsake temporal riches, earthly fame, and fleshly pleasure and didst freely choose
a life of poverty and deprivation to become rich in spirit. Having tasted the momentary
sweetness of sin, thou didst foresee the bitter end that awaits a life of self-indulgence. Having
stained thy hands with the blood of thy brother, thou didst foretaste the anguish of hell. From
this pit, thou didst cry out to God Who raised thee up as a testimony of His almighty power.
In thy ascent to near the Living God thou didst not spare thyself but willfully endured a life of
hardship and struggle. By following the path of the Cross, thy soul was empowered by the
might of the Holy Spirit, thy mind was illumined with the understanding of things divine, and
thy heart was filled with the burning love of God for thy fellow man. And though thou didst
live in ancient times and in a distant land, today we find ourselves faced with the same
struggle to overcome the evil that lies within us. In these perilous times, we call on thy
prayers—help us! For our brothers and sisters are dying daily and our children are born
hopeless in a world barren of Christian love. Amidst these trials, we waver because our faith
is weak and we know not how to endure suffering courageously. Pray that we be
strengthened to live uprightly, walking in the light of the holy Gospel, ever seeking to do the
will of God. And in the dreadful day of judgment, pray that we may be received with His
Unoriginate Son, and His most holy and life-creating Spirit, to whom belongs all glory,
honour, and worship, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.