Вчера, 31 октября, в монастыре Ново-Дивеево прошел семейный вечер, посвященный дню памяти святого праведного Иоанна Кронштадтского.
Незадолго до вечерней службы родители с детьми собрались для участия в детской программе – дети послушали истории из жизни отца Иоанна, посмотрели фотографии Иоанновского монастыря, где покоятся святые мощи, а после с интересом взялись за написания письма и просьбы о молитве дорогому Батюшке. В 5 часов началась праздничная полиелейная служба в честь Праведного Иоанна Кронштадтского, на которой смогли побыть и маленькие гости.
После вечерней службы Святому Праведному Иоанну Кронштадтскому взрослые и дети направились в главный зал монастыря, чтобы накрыть праздничный стол и испечь угощение к чаю. Дети были рады угостить игумению монастыря и духовенство сладким печеньем, которое они сами приготовили. После, духовенство и гости монастыря, смогли тепло пообщаться за совместной вечерней трапезой.
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Yesterday, on October 31, a family evening was held in the Novo-Diveevo convent dedicated to the Feast day of St. John of Kronstadt.
Shortly before the evening service, parents and children gathered to participate in the children’s program – the children listened to stories from the life of Saint John, looked at photographs of the Ioannovsky Monastery, where His holy relics rest, and then they began to write a letters, draw pictures and prayer requests to St. John. At 5 o’clock the festive polyeleos service began in honor of the Righteous St. John of Kronstadt, where the children and their parents also attended.
After the evening service, adults and children went to the main hall of the monastery to set the festive table and bake cookies. The children were happy to treat the abbess of the monastery and the clergy with sweet cookies, which they themselves had prepared. Afterwards, the clergy and guests of the monastery were able to enjoy an evening meal together in the main convent hall.
A special part of the Divine Liturgy on the day of Pentecost is that immediately after the Liturgy, Great Vespers is served, during which three special prayers of St. Basil the Great are read while kneeling.
It is worth noting that from this very day, for the first time after Pascha, the Church allows for prostrations.
The kneeling prayers contain petitions for the mercy of God, for the sending down of the Holy Spirit, and also prayers for the souls of the reposed. These prayers have their own special symbolic meaning. They were introduced into church service in order to give strength to the faithful while keeping within the church mood of piety and humility, and also to enable them, following the example of the apostles, to be in constant vigilance to receive the Grace of God.
Text of the Kneeling Prayers at Pentecost Vespers:
Prayer 1
O pure and blameless Lord, Who art without beginning, invisible and incomprehensible, unchangeable, immeasurable, and unbounded, Who art without evil and alone immortal, who dwellest in the unapproachable light, Maker of heaven and earth and the seas and all that was created therein, Who grantest to all their petitions before asking, to Thee we pray and of Thee we ask, O philanthropic Master, the Father of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the ever-virgin Mary, the noble Theotokos; Who first didst teach by word, and then gave testimony in deed while bearing the saving Passion, teaching us Thine unworthy, sinful, and miserable servants, to offer Thee our supplications with bent head and knee, for our sins and human ignorance.
Wherefore, O most merciful and philanthropic Lord, hear us on whatever day we call upon Thee, and especially on this day of Pentecost, whereon, after our Lord Jesus Christ had ascended into heaven and sat on Thy right hand, O God and Father, He sent down the Holy Spirit to his Disciples, the holy Apostles, Who alighted on each of them and filled them all with His inexhaustible and divine grace; and they did speak in strange tongues, prophesying Thy great deeds. Hear us who beseech Thee, and remember us, wretched and condemned. Deliver us from the (sinful) captivity of our souls by Thy loving intercession. Accept us, who kneel down before Thee and cry out: we have sinned. From birth, from the womb of our mother – we are Thine, O Lord – Thou art our God. But as our life passes in vanity, we have therefore been stripped of thine aid, and have become silent. Yet do we trust in Thy compassion and cry unto Thee. Remember not the sins of our youth and ignorance; cleanse us of our secret sins. Reject us not in our old age, and forsake us not when our strength fails. Before we return to the earth, prepare us to return to Thee. Measure our lawlessness with a measure of Thy generosity, and erect against our many transgressions a bottomless abyss of these generosities.
Look down from the height of Thy holiness upon Thy people who stand and await from Thee abundant mercy. Visit us with Thy goodness and deliver us from the force of Satan and preserve our life with Thy holy and solemn laws. Commit Thy people unto a faithful guardian angel. Gather us all unto Thy kingdom. Forgive those who put their trust in Thee, relinquish us and them from sin. Purify us by the operation of Thy Holy Spirit and remove from us the wiles of the adversary.
And the prayer: Blessed art Thou, Lord, Almighty Master, who illuminest the day with the light of the sun and the night with the glow of the moon, Who hast made us worthy to pass the course of the day and draw near to the onset of the night; hear our petitions and those of all Thy people. Forgive us all our sins, both voluntary and involuntary, and accept our evening supplications and send down the multitude of Thy mercies and compassions upon Thy people. Protect us with Thy holy angels. Arm us with the weapons of Thy truth. Envelop us with Thy righteousness. Preserve us by Thy power, and deliver us from every oppression and from every conspiracy of the cunning one. Grant us that this evening and the approaching night and all the days of our life may be perfect, holy, peaceful, sinless, without doubt and vain imaginings, by the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and all the saints who have done Thy will from the beginning of time.
Prayer 2
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who residest with us in this life, and Who gavest mankind the world, and in Thine inalienable rule dost give to the true the gift of the Holy Spirit, this blessing Thou hast sent down more fully to Thy pupils and Apostles and dispensed into their mouths the fire of tongues, so that through them all mankind would receive knowledge of God and be enlightened by the light of the Spirit, being emancipated from seduction as from darkness and by their supernatural action learning to believe in the Son of God and to praise Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit as one Godhead, Power and Authority.
Wherefore, O Splendor of the Father, the Likeness of his Essence, His immutable and unchangeable Nature, Thou art the fountain of salvation and grace. Open my lips, sinner that I am, and teach me how and for what I should pray; for Thou dost know the multitude of my sins, but Thine unbounded compassion doth overcome the enormity thereof. Behold, I come and stand before Thee in fear and dismay, casting my soul’s despair into the depth of Thy mercy. Ordain my life, O Thou Who rulest the whole creation with ineffable wisdom. O tranquil Haven to those who are caught in the rages of winter, make known to me the way in which I should walk. Grant to my thoughts the spirit of Thy wisdom, and bestow upon my ignorance the spirit of Thy understanding. Overshadow mine acts with the spirit of Thy fear; a just spirit renew Thou within me, and by Thy Sovereign Spirit strengthen Thou mine unstable mind, that I may be worthy each day to do Thy commandments, being guided by Thy righteous Spirit into that which is profitable, ever mindful of Thy glorified (second) Coming, when we shall all be obliged to give an answer for our deeds. Let me not be led astray by the corrupting pleasures of this world, but strengthen me to delight in the treasures to come. For Thou, O Master, didst say, “Whatever ye ask in My Name ye shall receive” from God the Father co-eternal with Thee.
Therefore, I a sinner, implore Thy goodness on the day of the descent of Thy Holy Spirit. Grant Thou my request for salvation: yea, good Lord, Who grantest all riches and benevolence; for Thou art He, the merciful and pitying, Who givest us more than we ask, Who hast become a Partaker with us in the flesh without sin. Thou art He Who, for his love for mankind, dost have compassion for those who bend the knee to Thee, having become an offering for our sins. Grant, Lord, Thy compassion to Thy people, and incline Thine ear to us from Thy Holy heaven; sanctify us by the saving might of Thy right hand. Cover us with the shelter of Thy wings and turn not away from the product of Thy hands. Against Thee only do we sin, yet Thee only do we serve. We know not how to bow to a strange god, nor how to reach out to a different god. Pardon our iniquities, O Master, and accepting our requests on bended knee, extend to us all a helping hand, and accept the prayers of all as fragrant incense acceptable to Thy most righteous Kingdom.
And the prayer: Lord, Lord, Thou Who hast delivered us from every arrow (obstacle) that comes by day, save us from everything that walketh in darkness, and accept the lifting up of our hands as an evening offering. Consider us worthy to pass the night blamelessly and experience no evil. Deliver us from Satan. Free us from all confusion and fear. Grant our souls rapture, and our thoughts concern over our accountability at Thy just and terrible judgment. Transfix our flesh with Thy fear, and mitigate our members who are on earth, that in the tranquillity of sleep we may be enlightened by the meditation of Thy precepts. Drive from us every evil fancy and lasciviousness. Elevate us during our prayers, strengthened in faith and enriched by Thy commandments.
Prayer 3
O Christ our God, the ever-flowing Spring, life-giving, illuminating, creative Power, co-eternal with the Father, Who didst divinely achieve the deed of saving mankind, and didst tear apart the indestructible bonds of death, break asunder the bolts of Hades, and tread down the multitude of evil spirits, offering Thyself as a blameless Sacrifice and offering us Thy pure, spotless and sinless body: Who, by this fearsome, inscrutable divine service didst grant us life everlasting, O Thou Who didst descend into Hades, and demolish the eternal bars, revealing an ascent to those who were in the lower abode; Who with the lure of divine wisdom didst entice the dragon, the head of subtle evil and with Thy boundless power bound him in abysmal hell, in inextinguishable fire, and extreme darkness.
O Great Wisdom of the despairing! Overcomer of misfortunes – eminent helper, Who came and lit the way for those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; Thou art the Lord of everlasting glory, the beloved Son of the Most High Father, eternal Light of eternal Light, Thou Sun of truth! Hear Thou us who beseech thee, and lay to rest the souls of Thy servants, of those who have died heretofore, and those of our fathers and brothers and other kinsmen in flesh and all others through faith, for whom we now celebrate this memorial; for Thou hast power over all, and in Thy hands Thou holdest all the boundaries of the earth.
O Almighty Master, God of our fathers, Lord of mercy and Creator of all the races of men, the living and the dead, and of all nature, animate and inanimate, Who appeared and resided here on earth and again departed into the other world, Who settest the years for the living and appointest the time for the dead, Who bringest down to Hades and raisest to bliss; who bindest with weakness and loosest with power; Who arrangest the present as is meet and Who directest the future towards usefulness, Who consolest with the hope of resurrection those who feel the sting of death 3/4 Thou art the Master of all, our God and our Savior, O Hope of all the boundaries of the earth and of those who are away on the seas, O Thou who on this last and great day of salvation, the day of the Feast of Pentecost, hast revealed to us the mystery of the Holy Trinity, consubstantial and co-eternal, indivisible and immiscible, Who didst send down the Holy and life-giving Spirit in the form of tongues of fire on His holy Apostles, revealing them as proclaimers of our godfearing faith, making of them true confessors and preachers of the word of God, Who makest us worthy that our propitiatory prayers, of this all-perfect day of salvation, be acceptable for those who are imprisoned in Hades, and Who grantest those imprisoned therein a great hope in receiving from Thee consolation and relief of their confining grief.
Hear us, disconsolate and wretched, who beseech Thee, and give rest unto the souls who have formerly departed, and make them to repose in a resplendent place, a place of verdure and coolness, where there are no ills nor sorrow nor sighs. And array their souls in the tabernacles of the righteous, and make them worthy of peace and repose; for it is not the dead who praise Thee, O Lord, nor do those who are in Hades venture to offer unto Thee confession, but we, the living, do bless Thee and supplicate Thee, O Lord, and offer unto Thee prayers of purification and sacrifices for their souls’ sake.
And the prayer: O great eternal God, holy and loving toward mankind, Who dost make us worthy to stand at this hour before Thine unapproachable glory, praising and glorifying Thy wonders, forgive us, unworthy sinners, and grant us grace that from a humble and contrite heart we may offer Thee the thrice-holy glorification and gratitude for Thy great gifts which Thou didst grant and dost still steadfastly grant unto us. Remember, Lord, our weakness and destroy us not in our iniquities; but in accordance with our humility show unto us Thy great mercy, that being delivered from the darkness of sin, we may walk in the day of truth, equipped with the armor of light, and freed from all the evil attacks of the wicked one, glorifying Thee in all things, O only true God and Lover of mankind.
For in truth, O Master and Creator of all, Thine is the great and original Mystery; the temporary death of Thy creatures, and their restoration thereafter unto eternal repose. In all things we acknowledge Thy favor, at our entrance into this world and at our going out therefrom, O Thou Who by Thy unfailing promises didst hold out to us the hope of everlasting life, resurrection, and incorruptible life, which shall be ours to enjoy at Thy Second Coming; for Thou, Lord Christ, art the fountain of our resurrection, the mankind-loving and incorruptible judge of the deceased and those worthy of reward. Thou hast assumed, with utmost condescension, our flesh and blood, and through Thine undying love for us, didst not dismiss Thy suffering, willingly submitting to torture; so that, having been tempted, Thou, as promised, became the helper to those who are tempted, elevating us to Thy dispassion.
Wherefore, O Master, accept our prayers and supplications, and grant repose to our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, blood relatives, and kinsfolk, and all those who have gone to their final rest with the hope of resurrection and life everlasting. Inscribe their names in the Book of Life; in the bosoms of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; in the land of the living, the Kingdom of Heaven, in the paradise of delight, leading all into Thy Holy dwelling places by Thy radiant angels, and raise their bodies on the day that Thou hast appointed, according to Thine unfailing Holy promises; for there is no death, O Lord, to Thy departing servants who cast off their bodies and come unto Thee, O God, but a transition from sorrowful things to pleasant and benign, to repose and joy. And if they have sinned (in any respect) against Thee, forgive them, and be Thou compassionate unto them and us; for there is none without stain before Thee, even though his life be but a day, save Thou alone, Jesus Christ our God, Who didst appear on earth without sin, and because of Thee we all trust to attain mercy and the remission of sins.
Therefore, O God, through Thy grace and love of mankind, weaken, remit and forgive our sins and theirs; overlook both our voluntary and involuntary offenses, which we have committed either willfully or through ignorance, openly or in secret whether by word, deed, or thought and all our wrathful dealings which we have committed during our lifetime. As for those who have preceded us, grant them emancipation and repose. To those of us who are here, bless us, and give us and all Thy people a blessed and peaceful end to life. At Thy fearsome and dreadful coming open to us Thy fathomless love of mankind, making us worthy of Thy Kingdom.
And the prayer: O Thou most exalted God, Who alone dost possess immortality, Who dwellest in the unapproachable light, Who in wisdom didst bring into being all creation, who didst separate between the light and the darkness, setting the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule the night, Who on this day didst vouchsafe us sinners as worthy through confession to present ourselves before Thy countenance and to offer to Thee our evening prayers.
And the prayer: O philanthropic God, set our prayers like incense before Thee, and receive them as a sweet fragrance. Grant that this evening and the approaching night may be peaceful and serene for us. Clothe us with the armor of light, and deliver us from nightly fears and from everything that walketh in darkness. Vouchsafe that the slumber which Thou didst grant us for rest from our weakness be also free from every satanic vision. Yea, O Master, Who providest good things for all, grant that in our lodgings, amid the night, we may with fervor recall Thy most Holy Name. Grant that being enlightened by the teachings of Thy commandments, we in spiritual joy would rise up to glorify Thy goodness, offering for Thy compassion petitions and supplications for our sins and those of all people, for which Thou, through the intercession of the Holy Theotokos, visitest upon us with mercy!
The business of the Christian is nothing else than to be ever preparing for death. – St. Irenæus
In our contemporary times, we unfortunately experience an increasing estrangement to the basic events of life and death. Both events are handed over more and more to people that offer their services, so that we don’t have to take care of it. While on one side, this is certainly a help and sometimes a necessity, in most cases, we get so distant to the beginning and end of life that we have more difficulties to relate to it; and especially when it comes to the end of life the ability to cope and grieve in the appropriate way, and keep a Christian attitude towards it.
In the Orthodox Church we believe that God is our Creator and the only Giver of Life, and the One that has the only authority to allow our death. Founded in this basic truth, the Orthodox Church is guiding her children from their birth, throughout their life, and until the grave.
When it comes to the end of our life, it is important to know how the Orthodox Church is providing for her members and what steps one should know how to plan for this (as much as one is able to plan for it). The following guide is an attempt to give some guidance. Specific steps might need adjustments in specific cases. Your priest is the one that can guide you in those cases.
The care of a dying person actually starts before death occurs. If a person is ill, and cannot attend church anymore, a priest should be contacted so that he is able to visit on a regular basis throughout the sickness. He is there to give comfort in prayer, offer confession, and holy communion to the sick.
The mystery of Holy Unction should also be considered. This mystery is offered for severe illnesses and is usually administered only once during an illness. It should not be treated as a “last rite” mystery, but rather administered during the earlier stages of the illness. This mystery does not require a terminal illness, but is for severe illnesses where we beseech God in a special way to ask for healing and comfort.
If death is imminent, a priest should again be called immediately; if the death is sudden, then as soon as one has knowledge about it. The priest will come and say prayers for the departing of the soul from the body, listen, and offer comfort to the person about to die, and of course to the people present with him. If the person is still conscious, confession and Holy Communion will again be offered.
After the death, the priest will serve the first panakhida (memorial service) for the departed right at the place of death.
There is no reason to rush to get a funeral home. There is time for the people present to say their good byes and get adjusted about what happened. As it was normal to hold someone’s hands while they were sick, it is perfectly fine to touch the body after the soul departed it.
A funeral home will most likely take care of preparing the body for the funeral. In some states it is required to engage a funeral director, but which particular services one asks for are not regulated by law. Some funeral homes have their own in-house regulations, but it can widely differ from funeral home to funeral home, and most of the time it can also be negotiated.
To spare doing this at the time of death, where one is more vulnerable and occupied by a grieving mind, it is best to plan this ahead of time, with, for example, a funeral plan.
In planning for the funeral, the following considerations should be observed for an Orthodox funeral:
Out of deep respect for the creation of God, as that body was created by God Himself, and was the “temple of the Holy Spirit” by Holy Chrismation, the Orthodox Church is not allowing cremation. A funeral with cremains is not possible, and neither is a funeral where it is known that the body will be cremated afterwards.
It is very common in the U.S. to embalm bodies. Embalming is not the preferred way to treat a body in the Orthodox Church, but it would not be considered a hinderance to an Orthodox funeral. Funeral Home regulations will often prevent having an open casket funeral if the body is not embalmed, but it should be noted clearly that there is no federal or state law that requires embalming. Alternative ways of slowing down the decomposition of the body (refrigeration, dry ice) are preferred.
Especially if death was sudden, we are often tempted to make up our loss in elaborate outward adornment, specifically the casket. However, for an Orthodox Christian it is far more important to pray for the soul of the deceased. The casket should be simple, and modest, but dignified. A simple wooden pine casket with a cross on the lid is most appropriate. It would be ideal if the lid of the casket can be totally removed during the funeral. The person should be dressed in modest clothing, according to the choice of the relatives.
A simple cross, a burial shroud and a chaplet that will be put on the deceased after the funeral should be available. Icons of the Savior, the Theotokos, and the patron saint of the deceased are customary put into the casket as well.
It is customary to bring the body to the church, at the latest, the evening before the funeral. The casket is placed in the middle of the church, and the deceased is facing the altar. A panakhida is served and there is an opportunity to visit the deceased. When there is no service, family can participate in psalm reading which will provide a prayerful environment. The psalm reading can continue through the whole night with the deceased remaining in the church until the time of the funeral.
The next morning the funeral service will be held by the priest. The funeral service is a service for the deceased who needs our prayers, and equally for the attendees who will be educated what a Christian life is, and be comforted in their grief with the hope of the general resurrection. A sermon will be held by the priest. A eulogy by family and/or friends is not customary practice at an Orthodox funeral. If this is desired, there is time for this at the grave side after the committal of the body into the earth. At the end of the funeral, the priest will say the prayer of absolution over the deceased and everyone will come forward and give the “last kiss” to the deceased.
After the funeral service we will escort the body to the burial side while singing the Trisagion, “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us!” Pall bearers can be chosen from family and friends.
Arriving at the place of burial, the priest will bless the grave (if it is not an Orthodox Cemetery) and a short burial service is be held. Ideally the casket will still be open at the grave side, so that the priest can anoint the body with oil. If that is not possible the priest will do that at the end of the funeral service in the church. The casket will be then lowered into the grave, and everyone will come forward to give their last respect in form of throwing dirt into the grave. In a traditional setting, if possible, the attendees of the burial will help close the grave while singing hymns of the resurrection. The grave side should be marked with a cross. The position of the casket should be that way that the deceased will be facing the cross on the burial side.
People who have attended an Orthodox funeral can testify that it is one of the most beautiful and rich services that the Orthodox Church offers. It is rich in theology and a bright witness of our faith in the resurrected Christ, the overthrow of eternal death, and the hope of the general resurrection. It reinforces that death will not separate us from our deceased, and that as we cared for them in their lifetime, we also care for them in their death, while our brethren are now waiting as planted seed of wheat in the ground, to be reunited in soul and body.
Novo Diveevo Convent is now OPEN but with Restrictions. We Kindly ask everyone to review the current rules of conduct:
Entire Convent Territory: AT ALL TIMES:
Visitors MUST maintain Social Distancing – at least six feet apart ( 2 meters)
Masks MUST be worn when less than 6 feet
Old People’s Home (OPH)
Remains CLOSED to all visitors for any reason
Please ensure the safety of our OPH residents – do not approach the building, and DO NOT approach any residents that may be walking or resting outside.
St. Seraphim Cathedral/Church Services
Cathedral will only be open during divine services.
Indoor services limited to 50% of building fire code capacity. This includes all clergy, servers, faithful.
Overflow must remain outside the building
We encourage people to come to weekday services, where attendance is less. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Wednesday, May 27, is the Leave-taking (Apodosis) of PASCHA.
At 6PM Tuesday May 26, the Convent will serve a Vespers and Matins in the Paschal Rite and on Wednesday May 27 at 9AM the Liturgy will also be live streamed. The Links are listed below:
This Friday, May 22, the Church celebrates the memory of the Translation of the relics of St Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia. At 11 am, we will livestream a Moleben with Akathist to St. Nicholas.
Си́лою, да́нною ти́ свы́ше, слезу́ вся́ку отъя́л еси́ от лица́ лю́те стра́ждущих, богоно́сне о́тче Нико́лае: а́лчущим бо яви́лся еси́ корми́тель, в пучи́не морсте́й су́щим изря́дный прави́тель, неду́гующим исцеле́ние и все́м вся́к помо́щник показа́лся еси́, вопию́щим Бо́гу: Аллилу́иа.
И́кос 3.
Име́яше вои́стину, о́тче Нико́лае, с Небесе́ пе́снь тебе́ воспева́ема бы́ти, а не от земли́: ка́ко бо кто́ от челове́к возмо́жет твоея́ святы́ни вели́чия пропове́дати? Но мы́, любо́вию твое́ю побежда́еми, вопие́м ти́ си́це:
Ра́дуйся, о́бразе а́гнцев и па́стырей; ра́дуйся, свято́е очисти́лище нра́вов.
Ра́дуйся, доброде́телей вели́ких вмести́лище; ра́дуйся, святы́ни чи́стое и честно́е жили́ще.
Ра́дуйся, свети́льниче всесве́тлый и вселюби́мый; ра́дуйся, све́те златоза́рный и непоро́чный.
Пропове́дует ми́р ве́сь тебе́, преблаже́нне Нико́лае, ско́раго в беда́х засту́пника: я́ко мно́гажды во еди́нем часе́, по земли́ путеше́ствующим и по мо́рю пла́вающим, предваря́я, посо́бствуеши, ку́пно все́х от злы́х сохраня́я, вопию́щих к Бо́гу: Аллилу́иа.
Спасти́ хотя́ ду́шу, пло́ть твою́ ду́хови покори́л еси́ вои́стину, о́тче на́ш Нико́лае: молча́ньми бо пре́жде и боре́ньми с по́мыслы, дея́нию богомы́слие приложи́л еси́, богомы́слием же ра́зум соверше́н стяжа́л еси́, и́мже дерзнове́нно с Бо́гом и А́нгелы бесе́довал еси́, всегда́ вопия́: Аллилу́иа.
И́кос 10.
Стена́ еси́ похваля́ющим, преблаже́нне, чудеса́ твоя́ и все́м к заступле́нию твоему́ прибега́ющим; те́мже и на́с, в доброде́тели убо́гих, от нищеты́, напа́сти, неду́гов и ну́жд разли́чных свобожда́й, вопию́щих ти́ с любо́вию такова́я:
Ра́дуйся, от убо́жества ве́чнаго изыма́яй; ра́дуйся, бога́тство нетле́нное подава́яй.
О пресвяты́й и пречу́дный о́тче Нико́лае, утеше́ние все́х скорбя́щих, ны́нешнее на́ше приими́ приноше́ние и от гее́нны изба́витися на́м Го́спода умоли́ богоприя́тным твои́м хода́тайством, да с тобо́ю воспева́ем: Аллилу́иа.
Этот конда́к чита́ется три́жды, зате́м 1-й и́кос и 1-й конда́к.
Моли́тва пе́рвая.
О всесвяты́й Нико́лае, уго́дниче преизря́дный Госпо́день, те́плый на́ш засту́пниче и везде́ в ско́рбех ско́рый помо́щниче! Помози́ ми́, гре́шному и уны́лому, в настоя́щем се́м житии́, умоли́ Го́спода Бо́га дарова́ти ми́ оставле́ние все́х мои́х грехо́в, ели́ко согреши́х от ю́ности моея́, во все́м житии́ мое́м, де́лом, сло́вом, помышле́нием и все́ми мои́ми чу́вствы; и во исхо́де души́ моея́ помози́ ми́, окая́нному, умоли́ Го́спода Бо́га всея́ тва́ри Соде́теля, изба́вити мя́ возду́шных мыта́рств и ве́чнаго муче́ния: да всегда́ прославля́ю Отца́, и Сы́на, и Свята́го Ду́ха, и твое́ ми́лостивное предста́тельство, ны́не и при́сно, и во ве́ки веко́в. Ами́нь.
Моли́тва втора́я.
О всеблаги́й о́тче Нико́лае, па́стырю и учи́телю все́х, ве́рою притека́ющих ко твоему́ заступле́нию и те́плою моли́твою тебе́ призыва́ющих! Ско́ро потщи́ся и изба́ви Христо́во ста́до от волко́в губя́щих е́; и вся́ку страну́ христиа́нскую огради́ и сохрани́ святы́ми твои́ми моли́твами от мирска́го мяте́жа, тру́са, наше́ствия иноплеме́нников и междоусо́бныя бра́ни, от гла́да, пото́па, огня́, меча́ и внеза́пныя сме́рти. И я́коже поми́ловал еси́ трие́х муже́й, в темни́це седя́щих, и изба́вил еси́ и́х от царе́ва гне́ва и посече́ния ме́чнаго, та́ко поми́луй и мене́, умо́м, сло́вом и де́лом во тме́ грехо́в су́ща, и изба́ви мя́ гне́ва Бо́жия и ве́чныя ка́зни. Я́ко да твои́м хода́тайством и по́мощию, Свои́м же милосе́рдием и благода́тию, Христо́с Бо́г ти́хое и безгре́шное житие́ да́ст ми́ пожи́ти в ве́це се́м, и изба́вит мя́ от шу́ияго стоя́ния, сподо́бит же десна́го со все́ми святы́ми во ве́ки веко́в. Ами́нь.
Akathist to Saint Nicholas
Kontakion 1
O champion wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, thou who pourest out for all the world the most precious myrrh of mercy and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, I praise thee with love, O Saint Nicholas; and as thou art one having boldness toward the Lord, from all dangers do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Ekos 1
An angel in manner though earthly by nature did the Creator reveal thee to be; for, foreseeing the fruitful beauty of thy soul, O most blessed Nicholas, He taught all to cry to thee thus: Rejoice, thou who wast purified from thy mother’s womb! Rejoice, thou who wast sanctified even unto the end! Rejoice, thou who didst amaze thy parents by thy birth! Rejoice, thou who didst manifest power of soul straightway after birth! Rejoice, plant of the land of promise! Rejoice, flower of divine planting! Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ’s vineyard! Rejoice, wonderworking tree of the paradise of Jesus! Rejoice, lily of paradisaical growth! Rejoice, myrrh of the fragrance of Christ! Rejoice, for through thee lamentation is banished! Rejoice, for through thee rejoicing is brought to pass! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 2
Seeing the effusion of thy myrrh, O divinely wise one, our souls and bodies are enlightened, understanding thee to be a wonderful, living source of unction, O Nicholas; for with miracles like waters poured out through the grace of God thou fillest them that faithfully cry unto God: Alleluia!
Ekos 2
Teaching incomprehensible knowledge about the Holy Trinity, thou wast with the holy fathers in Nicea a champion of the confession of the Orthodox Faith; for thou didst confess the Son equal to the Father, co-everlasting and co-enthroned, and thou didst convict the foolish Arius. Therefore the faithful have learned to sing to thee: Rejoice, great pillar of piety! Rejoice, city of refuge for the faithful! Rejoice, firm stronghold of Orthodoxy! Rejoice, venerable vessel and praise of the Holy Trinity! Rejoice, thou who didst preach the Son of equal honour with the Father! Rejoice, thou who didst expel the demonized Arius from the council of the saints! Rejoice, father, glorious beauty of the fathers! Rejoice, wise goodness of all the divinely wise! Rejoice, thou who utterest fiery words! Rejoice, thou who guidest so well thy flock! Rejoice, for through thee faith is strengthened! Rejoice, for through thee heresy is overthrown! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 3
Through power given thee from on high thou didst wipe away every tear from the face of those in cruel suffering, O God-bearing Father Nicholas; for thou wast shown to be a feeder of the hungry, a superb pilot of those on the high seas, a healer of the ailing, and thou hast proved to be a helper to all that cry unto God: Alleluia!
Ekos 3
Truly, Father Nicholas, a song should be sung to thee from heaven, and not from earth; for how can a mere man proclaim the greatness of thy holiness? But we, conquered by thy love, cry unto thee thus: Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds! Rejoice, holy purification of morals! Rejoice, container of great virtues! Rejoice, pure and honourable abode of holiness! Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all! Rejoice, light golden-rayed and blameless! Rejoice, worthy converser with angels! Rejoice, good guide of men! Rejoice, pious rule of faith! Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness! Rejoice, for through thee we are delivered from bodily passions! Rejoice, for through thee we are filled with spiritual delights! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 4
A storm of bewilderment confuseth our minds: How can we worthily hymn thy wonders, O blessed Nicholas? For no one could count them, even though he had many tongues and willed to tell them; but we make bold to sing to God Who is wonderfully glorified in thee: Alleluia!
Ekos 4
>People near and far heard of the greatness of thy miracles, O divinely-wise Nicholas, for in the air with the delicate wings of grace thou art accustomed to forestall those in misfortune, quickly delivering all who cry to thee thus: Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow! Rejoice, channel of grace! Rejoice, dispeller of unexpected evils! Rejoice, planter of good desires! Rejoice, quick comforter of those in misfortune! Rejoice, dread punisher of wrongdoers! Rejoice, abyss of miracles poured out by God! Rejoice, tablets of the law of Christ written by God! Rejoice, strong uplifting of the fallen! Rejoice, support of them that stand aright! Rejoice, for through thee all deception is exposed! Rejoice, for through thee all truth is realized! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 5
Thou didst appear as a divinely-moving star, guiding those who sailed upon the cruel sea who were once threatened with imminent death, if thou hadst not come to the help of those who called upon thee, O wonderworking Saint Nicholas; for, having forbidden the flying demons who shamelessly wanted to sink the ship, thou didst drive them away, and didst teach the faithful whom God saveth through thee to cry: Alleluia !
Ekos 5
The maidens, prepared for a dishonourable marriage because of their poverty, saw thy great compassion to the poor, O most-blessed Father Nicholas, when by night thou secretly gavest their aged father three bundles of gold, hereby saving him and his daughters from falling into sin. Wherefore, thou hearest from all thus: Rejoice, treasury of greatest mercy! Rejoice, depository of provision for people! Rejoice, food and consolation of those that flee unto thee! Rejoice, inexhaustible bread of the hungry! Rejoice, God-given wealth of those living in poverty on earth! Rejoice, speedy uplifting of paupers! Rejoice, quick hearing of the needy! Rejoice, acceptable care of the sorrowful! Rejoice, blameless provider for the three maidens! Rejoice, fervent guardian of purity! Rejoice, hope of the hopeless! Rejoice, delight of all the world! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworkerl
Kontakion 6
The whole world proclaimeth thee, O most blessed Nicholas, as a quick intercessor in adversities; for, oftentimes preceding those that travel by land and sail upon the sea, thou helpest them in a single hour, at the same time keeping from evils all that cry unto God: Alleluia!
Ekos 6
Thou didst shine as a living light, bringing deliverance to the generals who received sentence to an unjust death, who called upon thee, O good shepherd Nicholas, when thou didst quickly appear in a dream to the emperor, and didst terrify him and didst order him to release them unharmed. Therefore, together with them we also gratefully cry unto thee: Rejoice, thou who helpest them that fervently call upon thee! Rejoice, thou who deliverest from unjust death! Rejoice, thou who preservest from false accusation! Rejoice, thou who destroyest the counsels of the unrighteous! Rejoice, thou who tearest lies to shreds like cobwebs! Rejoice, thou who gloriously exaltest truth! Rejoice, release of the innocent from their fetters! Rejoice, revival of the dead! Rejoice, revealer of righteousness! Rejoice, exposer of unrighteousness! Rejoice, for through thee the innocent were saved from the sword! Rejoice, for through thee they enjoyed the light! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to dispel the blasphemous stench of heresy, thou didst appear as a truly fragrant, mystical myrrh, O Nicholas; by shepherding the people of Myra, thou hast filled the whole world with thy gracious myrrh. And so, dispel from us the stench of abominable sin, that we may acceptably cry unto God. Alleluia!
Ekos 7
We understand thee to be a new Noah, a guide of the ark of salvation, O holy Father Nicholas, who drivest away the storm of all evils by thy direction, and bringest divine calm to those that cry thus: Rejoice, calm harbor of the storm-tossed! Rejoice, sure preservation of those that are drowning! Rejoice, good pilot of those that sail upon the deeps! Rejoice, thou who rulest the raging of the sea! Rejoice, guidance of those in whirlwinds! Rejoice, warmth of those in frosts! Rejoice, radiance that dispellest the gloom of sorrow! Rejoice, light that illuminest all the ends of the earth! Rejoice, thou who deliverest people from the abyss of sin! Rejoice, thou who castest Satan into the abyss of hades! Rejoice, for through thee we boldly invoke the abyss of God’s compassion! Rejoice, for, as ones rescued through thee from the flood of wrath, we find peace with God! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 8
A strange wonder is thy sacred church shown to be to those that flock to thee, O blessed Nicholas; for, by offering in it even a small supplication, we receive healing from great illnesses, if only, after God, we place our hope in thee, faithfully crying aloud: Alleluia!
Ekos 8
Thou art truly a helper to all, O God-bearing Nicholas, and thou hast gathered together all that flee unto thee, for thou art a deliverer, a nourisher, and a quick healer to all on earth, moving all to cry out in praise to thee thus: Rejoice, source of all kinds of healing! Rejoice, helper of those that suffer cruelly! Rejoice, dawn shining for prodigals in the night of sin! Rejoice, heaven-sent dew for those in the heat of labours! Rejoice, thou who givest prosperity to those that need it! Rejoice, thou who preparest an abundance for those that ask! Rejoice, thou who often forestallest requests! Rejoice, thou who restorest strength to the aged and gray-headed! Rejoice, convicter of many who have strayed from the true way! Rejoice, faithful steward of the mysteries of God! Rejoice, for through thee we conquer envy! Rejoice, for through thee we lead a moral life! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 9
Assuage all our pains, O Nicholas, our great intercessor, dispensing gracious healings, delighting our souls, and gladdening the hearts of all that fervently hasten to thee for help and cry unto God: Alleluia!
Ekos 9
The falsely-theorizing orators of the ungodly, we see, were put to shame by thee, O divinely-wise Father Nicholas; for thou didst confute Arius the blasphemer who divided the Godhead, and Sabellius who mingled the persons of the Holy Trinity, but thou hast strengthened us in Orthodoxy. Therefore we cry unto thee thus: Rejoice, shield that defendest piety! Rejoice, sword that cuttest down impiety! Reioice teacher of the divine commandments! Rejoice, destroyer of impious doctrines! Rejoice, ladder set up by God, by which we mount to heaven! Rejoice, God-given protection, by which many are sheltered! Rejoice, thou who makest wise the unwise by thy sayings! Rejoice, thou who movest the slothful by thine example! Rejoice, inextinguishable brightness of God’s commandments! Rejoice, most luminous ray of the Lord’s statutes! Rejoice, for through thy teaching the heads of heretics are broken! Rejoice, for through thee the faithful are counted worthy of glory! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save thy soul, thou didst truly subject thy body to the spirit, O our Father Nicholas; for by silence first and by wrestling with thoughts, thou didst add contemplation to activity, and by contemplation thou didst acquire perfect knowledge with which thou didst boldly converse with God and angels, always crying: Alleluia!
Ekos 10
Thou art a rampart, O most-blessed one, to those that praise thy miracles, and to all that have recourse to thine intercession; wherefore, free also us who are poor in virtue from poverty, temptations, illness, and needs of various kinds, as we cry unto thee thus: Rejoice, thou who rescuest from eternal wretchedness! Rejoice, thou who bestowest incorruptible riches! Rejoice, imperishable food for those that hunger after righteousness! Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those that thirst for life! Rejoice, thou who preservest from revolution and war! Rejoice, thou who freest us from chains and imprisonment! Rejoice, most-glorious intercessor in misfortunes! Rejoice, great defender in temptations! Rejoice, thou who hast snatched many from destruction! Rejoice, thou who hast kept countless numbers unharmed! Rejoice, for through thee sinners escape a frightful death! Rejoice, for through thee those that repent obtain eternal life! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 11
A song to the Most Holy Trinity didst thou bring, surpassing others in thought, word, and deed, O most-blessed Nicholas; for with much searching thou didst explain the precepts of the true Faith, guiding us to sing with faith, hope, and love to the one God in Trinity: Alleluia!
Ekos 11
We see thee as a brilliant and inextinguishable ray for those in the darkness of this life, O God-chosen Father Nicholas; for with the immaterial angelic lights thou conversest concerning the uncreated Light of the Trinity, and thou enlightenest the souls of the faithful who cry unto thee thus: Rejoice, radiance of the Three-sunned Light! Rejoice, daystar of the unsetting Sun! Rejoice, lamp kindled by the Divine Flame! Rejoice, for thou hast quenched the demonic flame of impiety! Rejoice, bright preaching of the Orthodox Faith! Rejoice, luminous radiance of the light of the Gospel! Rejoice, lightning that consumest heresy! Rejoice, thunder that terrifiest tempters! Rejoice, teacher of true knowledge! Rejoice, revealer of the secret mind! Rejoice, for through thee the worship of creatures hath been abolished! Rejoice, for through thee we have learned to worship the Creator in the Trinity! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 12
Knowing the grace that hath been given thee by God, dutifully and joyfully we celebrate thy memory, O most-glorious Father Nicholas, and with all fervency we hasten to thy wonderful intercession; unable to count thy glorious deeds which are like the sands of the seashore and the multitude of the stars, being at a loss to understand, we cry unto God: Alleluia!
Ekos 12
While we sing of thy wonders, we praise thee, O all-praised Nicholas; for in thee God Who is glorified in the Trinity is wondrously glorified. But even if we were to offer thee a multitude of psalms and hymns composed from the soul, O holy wonderworker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of thy miracles, and amazed by them we cry unto thee thus: Rejoice, servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords! Rejoice, co-dweller with His heavenly servants! Rejoice, support of faithful kings! Rejoice, exaltation of the race of Christians! Rejoice, namesake of victory! Rejoice, eminent victor! Rejoice, mirror of all the virtues! Rejoice, strong buttress of all who flee unto thee! Rejoice, after God and the Theotokos, all our hope! Rejoice, health of our bodies and salvation of our souls! Rejoice, for through thee we are delivered from eternal death! Rejoice, for through thee we are deemed worthy of endless life! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 13
O most-holy and most-wonderful Father Nicholas, consolation of all that sorrow, accept our present offering, and entreat the Lord that we be delivered from Gehenna through thy God-pleasing intercession, that with thee we may sing: Alleluia! This kontakion is read thrice.
And again Ekos 1 and Kontakion 1:
Ekos 1
An angel in manner though earthly by nature did the Creator reveal thee to be; for, foreseeing the fruitful beauty of thy soul, O most blessed Nicholas, He taught all to cry to thee thus: Rejoice, thou who wast purified from thy mother’s womb! Rejoice, thou who wast sanctified even unto the end! Rejoice, thou who didst amaze thy parents by thy birth! Rejoice, thou who didst manifest power of soul straightway after birth! Rejoice, plant of the land of promise! Rejoice, flower of divine planting! Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ’s vineyard! Rejoice, wonderworking tree of the paradise of Jesus! Rejoice, lily of paradisaical growth! Rejoice, myrrh of the fragrance of Christ! Rejoice, for through thee lamentation is banished! Rejoice, for through thee rejoicing is brought to pass! Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
Kontakion 1
O champion wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, thou who pourest out for all the world the most precious myrrh of mercy and an inexhaustible sea of miracles, I praise thee with love, O Saint Nicholas; and as thou art one having boldness toward the Lord, from all dangers do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Nicholas, Great Wonderworker!
We remind everyone that restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic are still in effect in Novo-Diveevo. The cathedral, small church, adult home, cemetery and the entire territory of the convent will continue to be closed to visitors until further notice. Subsequently, all events and visitations on Radonitsa are cancelled and entry into to the convent is also restricted.
Sunday, June 3rd at approximately 12:30 pm (following the Liturgy and procession around the convent)
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, together with Bishop Nicholas, the blessing of the monument of St. Seraphim of Sarov will take place after the liturgy and procession around the convent on Sunday, June 3rd. Following the blessing will be a trapeza at the reception hall next to the cathedral.
On this Sunday of All Saints the church commemorates Sts. Constantine and Helena and the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This holiday is of special significance to Novo-Diveevo. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was presented as a gift to our founder, Archbishop Andrei from the Elder Nektarios of the Optina monastery. To mark this special day, Vladika Andrei began a tradition of taking the icon on a procession around the entire convent grounds.
