Αναζήτηση αυτού του ιστολογίου
Σάββατο 15 Ιουλίου 2017
Akathist to our Holy Father Paisius the Athonite
Kontakion 1
Let us
believers with one voice all praise him who was sent by God in these times of
trial for our comfort and guidance, Paisius the wonderful, who struggled
graciously and pleasingly for the Master, burning with love for the whole world
and pledged his heart for us and for our salvation. And let us call out to him
in thanksgiving, saying: Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Ikos 1
God ordained
that thou wast born in the blessed land of Cappadocia, the cradle of a
countless multitude of saints, to whom thou too wast added in perfect
worthiness, shining forth together with them and unceasingly guiding us to
repentance. Therefore we praise thee with great joy, saying:
Rejoice, for
thou didst make thyself a precious follower of the saints of Cappadocia!
Rejoice, for thou
didst wholly liken thyself to them as a true bearer of God!
Rejoice, most
fair and fragrant flower, who hast blossomed for our enlightenment!
Rejoice,
wellspring of heavenly grace, who refreshest the whole world!
Rejoice,
sweetest food, who fillest the souls that are starved of right teaching!
Rejoice,
receptacle that hast gathered all our weaknesses, troubles and sorrows!
Rejoice, pillar
of fire, who art the unshakable support of those that desire to gain salvation!
Rejoice, star
that shinest in the firmament of the Church, guiding us to the everlasting
mansions!
Rejoice, for
thou wast shown to be a blessing of God and a sign of His ineffable mercy!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 2
O Blessed
Father, thou wast chosen from thy mother's womb to give thyself up to God in
all things and thus become a precious vessel unto Him, for the salvation and
guidance of all that put their hope in thee. To Him, Who worked great wonders
and mercy through thee, for such a blessing we all sing with joy the song:
Alleluia!
Ikos 2
The baptism
which thou, O Father, didst receive from the hands of the saint of God,
Arsenius, was a sign of God’s grace resting on thee. For seeing thy many gifts
in spirit, from thine early infancy he blessed thee to be his disciple and bear
his name. Therefore, despite our unworthiness, we honour thee, saying:
Rejoice, for
thou wast found worthy to be baptized by Saint Arsenius the Cappadocian!
Rejoice, for he
foresaw all that was to come to pass with thee!
Rejoice, for
his spirit rejoiced, seeing such blessed fruit sprung forth from the flock that
he shepherded!
Rejoice, for on
account of this he cared for thee unceasingly through all his earthly life!
Rejoice, for
even after departing to heaven he did not forsake thee, but all the more
interceded for thee!
Rejoice, for
thou too didst honour him as befitting, piously reckoning him to be thy father
in Christ!
Rejoice, for
thou didst struggle heartily for his glorification, gathering testimonies of
his wondrous life!
Rejoice, for
the Saint of God blessed thee to find his most beloved relics, which became a
fount of countless healings!
Rejoice, for
lovingly thou didst lay his revered body in the monastery founded by thee at
Souroti!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 3
Moving to
Greece because of the tyrannical Turkish persecution, thy parents came to the
land of Konitsa, and, sacrificing thyself, O father, thou didst begin to ascend
the godly ladder of perfection. For even since childhood, thou wast shown to be
to be a guiding light for all those around thee, who, seeing thy precious
gifts, glorified God, saying: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Instructed by
the example of thy parents, from a young age thou didst strive with burning
zeal for the love of Christ, showing the deeds of a perfect man. For following
thy blessed mother, before long thou didst begin to fast strictly and pray
unceasingly to God, a hermit by life, yet a child by age. Wondering at the
manliness of thy heart, with joy we sing to thee thus:
Rejoice, for
still young thou didst wholly forsake the fleeting lusts of this world!
Rejoice, for
through perfect fasting thou didst preserve unspoiled the crown of virginity!
Rejoice, for
thy youth did not prevent thee from acquiring unceasing prayer in solitude!
Rejoice, for
instead of revelling in childish games, thou didst delight in ever being with
Christ and His saints!
Rejoice, for on
account of this thou didst avoid the friendship of those that sundered thee
from thine ardent love!
Rejoice, for
thou didst not only strive for outward things, but also adorned thy soul with
all virtue!
Rejoice, for
thou didst follow the kindness and devoutness of thy blessed mother!
Rejoice, for
she set thee an unspoiled example of love and utter self-sacrifice!
Rejoice, for we
all wonder at the courage with which thou didst begin to fight the good fight!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 4
Called to
battle to defend thy country from the unbelievers, O Father, thou didst shine
forth in thy boundless courage. For, wholly forsaking the love of self, thou
didst ever seek to be amidst peril, in order to spare those that fought
together with thee. And seeing this, they all thanked God for such support,
saying: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
O Blessed
Father, thou didst use the war as a means of sanctification, for thou didst
unceasingly grow in love beyond passion, sacrificing thy soul for the sake of
thy friends. And thus thou didst win immortal crowns from Christ our God, Who
makes Himself a hundredfold reward for all sacrifice. Understanding this, we
too hasten to bring words like these to praise thee:
Rejoice, for
thou wast a wonderful example of utter self-sacrifice in battle!
Rejoice, for
thou didst utterly scorn this earthly life, thus earning heavenly life!
Rejoice, for
thou didst not lose thy piety in the dread perils which thou didst endure!
Rejoice, for
through the greatness of thy soul, thou didst make thyself a light of
sanctification to those around thee!
Rejoice, for
thou didst help in and out of season all in trouble and sorrow!
Rejoice, for
thou didst utterly overcome human fear, arming thyself with iron courage!
Rejoice, for
fighting against the enemies of thy country, thou didst also secretly fight
against the enemies of Thy soul!
Rejoice, for
although thou didst wish to die in place of thy friends, God shielded thee as
His most beloved one!
Rejoice, for
through the wonderful power of thy soul, thou didst show us also the path to
perfection!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 5
With burning
zeal thou didst forsake the world, O Father, and wholly dedicate thyself to
Christ, joining the army of monks, who unceasingly struggle to overcome their
nature. And in a short time thou didst become an angel in the flesh, wholly
clothing thyself in Him, to Whom we too humbly sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Thou didst
withdraw to the blessed desert of Sinai in order to serve Christ, O Blessed
Father, and overcoming the lusts of the world, thou didst become perfect man,
shining forth with all virtue and burning with true love for God, Who through
thee bestowed on us the abundance of His mercy. Therefore, despite our
unworthiness, we too thank thee, saying:
Rejoice,
angelic man, for thou didst reckon all worldly lusts as vanity!
Rejoice, for
thou didst strive for three years in the harsh desert of Sinai!
Rejoice, for
unknown by all, thou didst live there in a hidden cave, enduring heat and
frost!
Rejoice, for
there thou didst fight unto blood against all desires!
Rejoice, for
through thy great meekness, thou hast utterly defeated the cunning demons!
Rejoice, for
thou didst wash from thyself all the filth of sin, becoming a true light of
Christ!
Rejoice, for thou
didst begin to pray with fervent tears for the whole world!
Rejoice, for
seeing thy overwhelming sacrifice, God filled thee with gifts beyond nature!
Rejoice, for in
thy narrow cave, thou wast vouchsafed countless revelations of divine grace!
Rejoice, Blessed
Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 6
After fighting
the good fight in Sinai, O Father, thou wast called by the Mother of God to her
earthly garden, the Holy Mount of Athos, the blossom and light of Orthodoxy.
And foreseeing there the place of thy perfection, thou didst thank the Most
Holy Queen for her wondrous protecting veil, with which she unceasingly
shieldeth the whole world from troubles and sufferings; and with joy thou didst
sing to her Son the sweet song: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Arriving on the
Holy Mountain and taken to many places by the grace of God, thou didst ascend
the ladder of holiness, O Blessed Father, like a wise bee gathering from
everywhere the sweetest spiritual nectar. And afterward thou didst become the
son of Father Tikhon, the Spirit-bearing Elder who was full of virtue and whom
thou didst follow in absolute obedience. Therefore, with feeble voices we sing
to thee thus:
Rejoice, for
God foreordained glorification for thee on blessed Mount Athos!
Rejoice, for He
entrusted thee to the care of His Most Pure Mother, Who guarded thee as Her
beloved son!
Rejoice, for
overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, thou didst wander over the whole Mountain,
seeking out fathers of holy life!
Rejoice, for
thou didst wonder at their unceasing prayers, through which God sheddeth His
mercy on the whole world!
Rejoice, for
thou didst strive to write their lives too, for the glory of God and the profit
of men!
Rejoice, for
afterward thou didst become the disciple of Blessed Father Tikhon, the one
perfect in holiness!
Rejoice, for
thou didst serve him with endless love, in all things trusting in his wise
guidance!
Rejoice, for
seeing thy utter obedience, God also gave thee the gift to abide in thy holy
father!
Rejoice, for
after his repose, Blessed Tikhon revealed to thee that he would pray for thee
unceasingly!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 7
Perfecting
thyself in absolute love, thou didst make thyself a tool of God, Who began to
work through thee with great power. For He made thee a comfort for all those
that were troubled and a guide for those that were darkened in sin. We all
thank God, O Father, for He gave thee to us for our salvation, and we sing to
Him thus: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
that is in heaven, said the Saviour of the world with true voice. For in thee
too, O Father, his word was fulfilled with all power. Therefore we praise thee
too, saying:
Rejoice, thou
who hast taught the world through books enlightened by the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, thou
who through words of great profit hast dispelled the ignorance of our times!
Rejoice,
trumpet of the Spirit, who heralded to all the joy of repentance!
Rejoice,
wondrous prophet, who showed us that we live in the end times!
Rejoice,
merciful healer of all diseases which cannot be healed!
Rejoice,
precious carer for all whose souls are burdened with sorrows!
Rejoice, godly
oil, that hast cleansed all our wounds!
Rejoice,
heavenly peace, that hast brought so many broken families back together!
Rejoice,
skilful guide, that hast removed all devilish snares from among the people!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 8
Seeing the
terrible struggle conducted by the enemy of salvation against the family
blessed by God, thou didst gird thyself with the weapon of the word, teaching spouses
that only patience, long-suffering, forbearance and self-sacrifice with love
can ensure the peace of their homes. Unceasingly we glorify God for sending
thee, O Blessed Father, to show us the right way, and we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Give me Christian
mothers and I will give you saints to change the world, said the godly
Chrysostom. And touched by this truth, thou didst ever struggle with prayers
and advice, showing faithful spouses that peace in the family is fruit of the
Holy Spirit, and that they must wisely strive for this. We all thank thee for
thine effort to bring healing to our families, so cruelly struck by
temptations, saying:
Rejoice,
intercessor before God for the harmony of those in married life!
Rejoice, for
the faithful spouses whom thou didst advise to live in moderation and holiness!
Rejoice, for
thou didst teach them lovingly and unselfishly to bear one another’s
weaknesses!
Rejoice, for
thou didst show the parents that through prayer the grace of God descendeth on
the whole family, bringing peace and happiness!
Rejoice, for
thou didst struggle against all sins, seeing them as the cause of the falling
apart of families!
Rejoice, for
thou didst make thyself an unyielding reprover of the horrible slaughter of
infants!
Rejoice, for
thou didst tell faithful mothers that through the example of their lives they
can turn their children into saints!
Rejoice, for
thou didst show the young that through obedience they attract the mercy of God
and a peaceful life!
Rejoice, for thou
didst beseech them to earn their parents’ blessing, through which cometh also
the blessing of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 9
Let us now
joyfully praise Paisius, our intercessor, who through his heartfelt prayers
miraculously healed all our sufferings, both in body and soul. And let us sing
with thanksgiving to God, Who is glorified in the Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
O Father, thou
didst make thyself the healer of all diseases through the gift given to thee by
God. For burning with love and pity for those tormented by afflictions, thou
didst selflessly pray for their relief, teaching them to thank God for all
things. We all praise thee with one voice, saying:
Rejoice, strong
weapon against the horrible disease of cancer!
Rejoice,
tireless carer for those that suffer in terrible pain!
Rejoice,
wellspring of healing, in which all those wounded in soul refresh themselves!
Rejoice,
banisher of demons, for with thy meekness thou didst crush all the wickedness
and tyranny of the devil!
Rejoice, most
merciful father, for thou couldst not bear to see the people crushed under the
weight of their sufferings of body and soul!
Rejoice, for on
account of this thou didst take upon thyself all our troubles and sorrows!
Rejoice, for
thou didst selflessly pray that God might give thee our weaknesses!
Rejoice, for
thou didst teach us that all sorrows come through straying from God and His
commandments!
Rejoice, thou
who hast shown us that the reward for those that suffer with patience and
glorify God is ineffable!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 10
The Lord and
Saviour of the world promised a great reward to those that would strive in
righteousness for the perfection of others. And though a simple monk and
unlearned in worldly things, thou, O Blessed Father, wast gifted with wisdom by
the Spirit of the Lord Himself, to guide thousands on the path of salvation.
Unto now thou prayest for them to God, to Whom with joy we too sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
On account of
thy complete virtue, God adorned thee with gifts beyond nature, which thou
didst use for His glory and the profit of men. For thou didst make thyself a
father of countless believers, who, beset by the terrible temptations of our
times, sought thee as a heavenly haven. And therefore we ask thee to accept us
too among thy spiritual children and allow us to sing with thanksgiving to thee
thus:
Rejoice, for
thou didst teach the people to struggle against the evil thoughts sown in their
minds by the enemy of our salvation!
Rejoice, for
shining with the gift of discernment, thou didst at once reveal to thy sons
whether their thoughts were from God or from the devil!
Rejoice, for by
the grace of God thou knewest the depths of the hearts of men!
Rejoice, for
having great wisdom, thou hast brought to naught all the cunning snares of the
evil one!
Rejoice, for
thou didst bring many to repentance through thine unfeigned love!
Rejoice, for
thou didst make thyself a wise reproof of the proud and stubborn!
Rejoice, for
thou wast a tender caress for those in despair and overwhelmed by temptations!
Rejoice, for
thou didst weep unceasingly for all that looked to thee as a true hope of
salvation!
Rejoice, for on
the day of judgement thou shalt say to God with sweet joy: Behold I and the
children that Thou hast given me!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 11
Becoming a
perfect monk, O Father, and full of the grace of God, thou didst make thyself
the steadfast hope of the unconsoled souls of those who desired to dedicate
themselves wholly to Christ. And in thy gifts they all saw in thee a guide
enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Therefore we praise God, Who did not deprive
His flock of shepherds of holy life, saying: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Thou didst
found a convent in Souroti, where thy finest spiritual daughters would dedicate
themselves to Christ the Bridegroom with great love. And then thou didst lead
them to perfection through thy most wondrous counsel, as a loving and long-suffering
father, who is to us also an undeceiving guide. Therefore we all bless thee,
saying:
Rejoice, for
thou didst found the convent of Saint John the Theologian in Souroti!
Rejoice, for
this became a haven of salvation for souls that thirsted for Christ!
Rejoice, for
thou didst strive in and out of season to make the nuns into perfect brides of
our Lord!
Rejoice, for
thou didst teach them true monastic life, signifying to forsake the world and
its lusts!
Rejoice, for
thou didst strive unceasingly to kindle their zeal for blessed asectic feats!
Rejoice, for
thou didst guide them to frequent confession of sins, through which all the
devil’s works are utterly despoiled!
Rejoice, for
thy counsel fell on fruitful earth and refreshed the whole world!
Rejoice, for
thou didst struggle diligently against the spirit of this world, which doth
terrible harm to monastic life!
Rejoice, for
through thy courage and love thou didst make thyself an example of spiritual
victory for all monks!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 12
Great was the
grace of God on thee, O Blessed Father, and also His great mercy, for on
account of thy great self-sacrifice, the Almighty vouchsafed thee wonderful
revelations and joys beyond belief. We too rejoice, seeing the reward that God
giveth His saints, and we beg Him to make us too partakers thereof and we sing
to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Even from this
earth, O Father, thou didst taste of the joys of heaven, prepared by our
All-Merciful God for all that serve Him with love. For although the struggles
which the evil one conducted against thee were terrible, so much greater were
the consolations through which God strengthened thee in virtue. Therefore, in
humble praise, we sing to thee:
Rejoice,
all-sweet light, through which Christ shineth forth to the whole world!
Rejoice,
wonderful flame that thou kindlest in us with the love of God!
Rejoice, for
thou didst make thyself the perfect abode of heavenly grace!
Rejoice, for in
thee it bore all the fruits of holiness!
Rejoice, for
God overwhelmed thee with His gifts beyond nature!
Rejoice, for
thou didst taste of everlasting and uncreated light!
Rejoice, for
thou didst live with the Saints as with thy close friends!
Rejoice, for
the Most Gracious Mother of our Lord appeared to thee to strengthen thee in
sorrows!
Rejoice,
ineffable wonder, for thou wast vouchsafed to speak to Christ Our Lord and God
Himself!
Rejoice,
Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Kontakion 13
Thou, O Father,
didst say with words enlightened by the Holy Spirit that many saints would have
desired to live in our times, in order to strive for salvation. For Thou didst
herald to us, who live in darkness, that the time is almost ready and that
those that now struggle valiantly to win their salvation will receive a
martyr’s reward. For this we thank God, Who with mercy looked on His people,
sending His Saint for our enlightenment, and thus with voices of joy we gladly
sing to our All-Gracious Master the song: Alleluia!
This Kontakion
is read 3 times.
And then again
Ikos 1: God ordained that thou wast born ... and Kontakion 1: Let us believers
with one voice all praise ...
Then this:
Prayer to our
Blessed Father Paisius the Athonite
O beloved
Father Paisius, thou that didst ascend the rungs of holiness and become perfect
in virtue, therefore gaining boldness before our Merciful God, do thou pray to
Him, Whom thou didst serve unceasingly all thy life, not to let us perish for
the multitude of our sins, but to turn us back to blessed repentance.
Thou, who on
earth didst heal with such love our countless weaknesses, diseases both of body
and soul, canst all the more now deliver us from all sufferings. So do thou
have mercy on us, O Father, through thy immeasurable love and godly kindness,
not forsaking us that are full of sins.
Do thou, who
didst never tire of guiding us to salvation and bearing our weaknesses whilst
thou wast here with us, now grant us too the wisdom to overcome the temptations
which the wicked devil doth ever weave around us and through which he would
destroy our souls for eternity. Enlighten us to know the will of God for us and
pray to the Master that He might give us power to fulfil it with thanksgiving.
Do thou, who
didst set an unwavering example of courage and self-sacrifice, strengthen us
also to follow Thy virtue, that we may win an everlasting crown, of which thou
thyself wast found most worthy.
Thus, O Father,
do not forsake us, who ceaselessly anger our long-suffering God, but rather
stand with boldness before His throne, interceding for us with tears, that God
may give us for thy sake most dear salvation. And thus, thanking thee with all
our heart for all that thou hast done and still doest for us, let us also thank
our Most Gracious God, Who is glorified in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen!
Εγγραφή σε:
Σχόλια ανάρτησης (Atom)
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου