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| Saint Nectarios, Wonderworker of Aegina and Pentapolis |
Beginning prayers
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord
Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us! Amen!
Glory
to thee, our God, glory to thee!
O heavenly King, O
Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things;
Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us
from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord!
Holy
God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us! (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now
and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!
All-holy Trinity, have
mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our iniquities!
Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake!
Lord,
have mercy! (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now
and ever, and unto ages of ages! Amen!
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as
it is in heaven! Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil!
Through the prayers of
our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us!
Amen!
The
Creed
I believe in one God, the
Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten,
Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God,
Begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were
made:
Who for us men and for
our salvation came down from heaven,
And was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
And was crucified also
for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead,
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life,
Who proceedeth from the Father,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy
Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism
for the remission of sins.
I look for the Resurrection of the dead.
And the Life of the world to come.
Amen!
Lord, have mercy! (12 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!
O Come, let us Worship and bow down before our King
and God!
O Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our
King and God!
O Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ Himself,
our King and God!
Psalm 142
O Lord, hear my
prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy
righteousness.
And enter not into judgement with Thy servant,
for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath
humbled my life down to the earth.
He hath sat me in darkness as those that have
been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my
heart is troubled.
I remembered days of old, I meditated on all
Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul
thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land.
Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath
fainted away.
Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like
unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for
in Thee have I put my hope.
Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I
should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.
Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee
have I fled for refuge.
Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of
uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me.
In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul
out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies.
And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict
my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia! Glory to Thee, o Lord! (Thrice)
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen!
PSALM 50
Have
mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the
multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight that You
may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will
make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than
snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may
rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from
me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous
Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to
You.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue
shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in
burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart ––
these, O God, You will not despise,
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt
offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Kontakion 1
In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy,
the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the
Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Ikos 1
In the world you were shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, heirarch
of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, you were shown to be
blameless, venerable and God-pleasing in all things. Wherefore, you hear from
us such praises as these:
Rejoice, you by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, you of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, you for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, you in whom Aegina rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 2
Having adorned yourself with meekness of soul from your youth, O holy father,
one fervent desire consumed your heart: to become a preacher of the Holy
Gospel. From childhood you knew the Scriptures which are able to make man wise
for salvation, teaching them to cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
When you left your home and traveled to Constantinople, you labored in the
midst of worldly distractions. Yet you did not forsake the Faith which dwelt
first in your grandmother and mother and also dwelt in thee, steadfastly
dedicating yourself to prayer and to the sayings of the Fathers, which you
wrote on packages and wrappings so that others might read them and receive
spiritual profit. Wherefore, to one who was in the world but not of it, we the
faithful cry aloud in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, most holy temple of the activity of God;
Rejoice, divinely inscribed book of new morals!
Rejoice, for you made yourself like unto the saints in perfection;
Rejoice, for you wisely spurned material things!
Rejoice, splendid victory of the Faith;
Rejoice, honored clarion of grace!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 3
As a fervent lover of the monastic life, you often visited the Monastery of the
Holy Fathers, conversing there about the spiritual struggle with its holy
founder, Elder Pachomios. As you aspired to the angelic habit, you were
tonsured and dedicated yourself to prayer on behalf of the people as you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Wholly consumed with the love of heavenly knowledge, you received a blessing to
continue your theological education to which you devoted yourself with zeal and
self-denial. While living in Athens, you studied day and night, knowing no
other roads but that to the school and to the Church. Wherefore, as to our
instructor in heavenly theology, we your children joyfully cry:
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, you who shone forth in these latter times like a never-setting sun;
Rejoice, you who pour forth the nectar of grace upon all believers.
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 4
Arrayed in true holiness and pure morals, Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria
saw in you great potential for service to Christ’s Holy Church. You were
ordained to the sacred priesthood and elevated to the office of Bishop. O wise
one, you offered your life to Christ as a pure sacrifice, ever chanting: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
In your position as Metropolitan of Pentapolis, you were deeply loved by the
faithful, for clothed in the vesture of the hierarchy, you adorned your life
with humility. Ever disdainful of material possessions, you opened your hand
freely and distributed your alms to the poor. Like your Master, you willingly
came not to be served but to serve and to give your life as a ransom for many.
Conquered by your love, we who honor your holy memory cry unto you thus:
Rejoice, model of lambs and shepherds;
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, for through you we are delivered from bodily passions;
Rejoice, for through you we are filled with spiritual delights!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 5
When the enemy of our souls saw you laboring in humility, he could not abide
your holy presence among the people. Raising up slanders, inciting rumors, he
sought to destroy your good name and to lead you to bitterness and anger. But
you overcame all of his devices, for in all things you didst meekly chant unto
God: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Lacking even your daily bread, slandered on all sides, you prayed for your
accusers, begging the Father to forgive them. Refusing to speak one word in
your defense, you joyfully suffered according to the will of God, committing
yourself to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Wherefore, amazed by
your long-suffering and steadfast endurance, we your children exclaim:
Rejoice, treasury of great mercy;
Rejoice, inexhaustible bread for the hungry!
Rejoice, container of great virtues;
Rejoice, model of spiritual meekness!
Rejoice, you who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they have
done;”
Rejoice, you who repaid evil with good!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 6
Having within you a strong desire for the life of stillness on the Holy
Mountain, you could not abandon the people but heeded their call to remain in
the world and to proclaim the words of salvation. Freely you received and
freely you gave, calling all men to exclaim: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
With the words of your mouth you dropped heavenly sweetness into the hearts of
those who accepted your words with faith, directing the minds of the faithful
to seek those things which are above. The sacred writings of your teachings
continually gladden the souls of the pious; for moved by the Holy Spirit, O
Father, you wisely recorded words of grace and instruction for those who cry to
you:
Rejoice, faithful servant of the Most Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, habitation adorned of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, light that illumines all the ends of the earth;
Rejoice, you who delivers people from the abyss of sin!
Rejoice, you who exalts truth;
Rejoice, you who dispells falsehood!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 7
Invited to assume the direction of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School, you
brought peace where there once existed confusion, for you treated all as a
loving father. Wherefore your students in gratitude sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, having received the words of Life,
you committed these to faithful men who, because of your good instruction and
spiritual example, were enabled to teach them to others. Enduring hardships as
a good soldier of Christ, you did not entangle yourself in the affairs of this
life but thought only how to please the Master. Therefore, as to a worker who
does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, we cry out to
you in words such as these:
Rejoice, teacher of the divine commandments;
Rejoice, you who makes wise the unwise by your teachings!
Rejoice, new Paul, who has bequeathed to us the pattern of sound words;
Rejoice, new Jude, who has given us the exhortation to contend earnestly for
the faith!
Rejoice, new Chrysostom, who has poured forth upon the Church the heavenly
nectar of piety;
Rejoice, new Damascene, who has defended the faithful from impious doctrines!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 8
Wisely adorned with understanding and meekness, you brought together venerable
virgins in godliness, leading them to Christ by your words and the works of
your blameless life, teaching them to sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Listening to your prayers and earnest supplications, the Lord Who does the will
of those who fear him, led you to the island of Aegina where you rebuilt the
monastery which had been abandoned. Who can describe your labors and toils?
Exercising vigilance in all things, you showed forth a model of divine virtue.
Your spiritual daughters in thanksgiving cry to you thus:
Rejoice, pure and honorable abode of holiness;
Rejoice, all-luminous lamp, beloved by all!
Rejoice, worthy converser with angels;
Rejoice, good guide of men!
Rejoice, pious rule of faith;
Rejoice, holy purification of mortals!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 9
Worldly-minded men cannot understand your patience, for despite the many cares
of the monastery, you did not cease writing edifying books for Christians
living in the world. Wherefore, amazed at the great wisdom which you were
given, we cry to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Having settled at the Monastery in Aegina, you became all spirit and led an
altogether spiritual life. Venerable, meek, kindly, humble, extremely
compassionate and charitable, you carried on the good fight in order to lay
hold of that which for which Christ Jesus laid hold of you. In your pious ways
you blamelessly followed Dionysios, the godly pastor of Aegina. Now as you
partake of heavenly glory with him, receive from us these praises:
Rejoice, you who despised the world and its delusive pleasures;
Rejoice, you who received in exchange heavenly blessings!
Rejoice, you who completely subdued your flesh to your spirit;
Rejoice, you who subjected your spirit to your sweetest Lord Jesus!
Rejoice, lover of the holy Fathers;
Rejoice, instructor in the prayer of the heart!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 10
Never neglecting mental prayer but always crying from the depths of your heart,
“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” all bore witness that you had become
completely spiritualized. Noticing in you an exceptional sweetness which
radiated from your serene countenance, the faithful joyfully exclaimed: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Knowing that the Most Holy Virgin is a bulwark for all saints and a joy to
monastics, you often offered your intercessions to her with tears and commited
yourself to her motherly protection. Writing beautiful hymns, you gave to the
faithful the gift of your love teaching them to sing, “
Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” Therefore, we cry to you:
Rejoice, precious chosen one of Christ;
Rejoice, unblemished fragrance of God!
Rejoice, you who showed flaming love for the Lord;
Rejoice, you who always honored His Holy Mother!
Rejoice, boast of the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, you who work many miracles through the power of God!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 11
When the time came for you to depart to Christ to receive the Crown of
righteousness laid up for thee in heaven, you endured severe pain and suffering
with exemplary patience. Always thanking the Heavenly Father and blessing His
all-holy name, you continually cried: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
The Lord, Who always glorifies those who glorify Him, did not allow your virtue
to be hidden but desiring that those on earth know the glory He has given you
in the heavens has revealed your relics as a well-spring of healings and
miracles. For immediately after your repose, as your body was being prepared
for burial, the Lord worked wonders through your sweater, raising up a man who
had been paralyzed for many years. Therefore, together with him we also
gratefully cry to you:
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, constant stream of mercy by which we are cleansed!
Rejoice, physician of soul and body;
Rejoice, new pool of Siloam, healing the infirm!
Rejoice, sweet myrhh of compassion;
Rejoice, miracle worker of the faithful!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 12
Multitudes of the faithful from all lands continually flee to your shrine, O
holy one, and from your precious relics faithfully obtain divine grace and
answers for their every petition. O Father, as you know how, fulfill you also
the petitions of those who now cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Singing praises we glorify you, O all-praised Nektarios; for in you God Who is
glorified in the Trinity is wonderfully glorified. But even if we were to offer
you a multitude of psalms and hymns composed from the soul, O holy
wonderworker, we should do nothing to equal the gift of your miracles, and
amazed by them we cry unto you:
Rejoice, you who conquered all the snares of the Evil One;
Rejoice, you who were sanctified both in soul and body!
Rejoice, speedy helper of those in need;
Rejoice, restoration of health to the sick!
Rejoice, healer of diseases by the Grace of God;
Rejoice, helper of those that suffer cruelly!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 13
[3 times]:
As a partaker in the life of heaven and a dweller with the angels, O Father
Nektarios, in that you labored to please God, accept our present offering, and
unceasingly intercede for your flock and for all the Orthodox who honor you,
that we may be healed of all diseases of both body and soul, that together with
you in the eternal Kingdom we may unceasingly cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 1 (Repeated):
In the world you were shown to be a man of heavenly mind, O Nektarios, heirarch
of Christ; for having passed through life in holiness, you were shown to be
blameless, venerable and God-pleasing in all things. Wherefore, you hear from
us such praises as these:
Rejoice, you by whom the faithful are edified;
Rejoice, you of whom the enemy is afraid!
Rejoice, emulator of the venerable fathers;
Rejoice, divine teacher of the Orthodox!
Rejoice, you for whom the Church joins chorus;
Rejoice, you in whom Aegina rejoices!
Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Kontakion 1 (Repeated):
In joy of heart let us hymn with songs the newly revealed star of Orthodoxy,
the newly erected bulwark of the Church; for, glorified by the activity of the
Spirit, he pours forth the abundant grace of healings upon those who cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios, model of
patience and lover of virtue!
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus
Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us! Amen!
Bibliographical
sources :
- http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/Parastos/My%20Site/stnectarios.jpg;
- http://www.angelfire.com/planet/parastos/akathistnectarios.html;
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