Russian Orthodox Daily Readings For Monday, 13 December

From pomog.org and oca.org:

Daily Readings:


Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated:  the Fast of the Nativity

Monday, December 13 / November 30 (Church Calendar)


Holy and All-praised Apostle Andrew the First-Called. St. Frumentius, Archbishop of Abyssinia. St. Frumentius, Patriarch and enlightener of Ethiopia.
 
Понедельник, 13 Декабря/ 30 Ноября (Церковный календарь)


Апостола Андрея Первозванного (62). Свт. Фрументия, архиеп. Индийского (Ефиопского) (ок. 380).
 

Today's commemorated feasts and saints...

REPOSE OF VEN. HERMAN OF ALASKA, WONDERWORKER OF ALL AMERICA (1837). Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes, at Sebaste (4th c.). Virgin Martyr Lucia (Lucy) of Syracuse (304). Ven. Arkády (Arcadius) of Novotorsk. Ven. Mardárii (Mardarius), Recluse, of the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th c.). Ven. Arsenius of Latros (8th-9th c.). Ven. Nicodemus (Romanian). St. Dosoftei, Metropolitan of Moldova (Romania).



Repose of the Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America



Venerable Herman of Alaska, Wonderworker of All America. A spiritual mission was organized in 1793 with volunteers from the monks of the Valaam Monastery. They were sent to preach the Word of God to the native inhabitants of northwestern America, who had come under the sovereignty of Russia only ten years before. St Herman was one of the members of this mission.




St Herman came from a family of merchants of Serpukhov, a city of the Moscow diocese. His name before he was tonsured, and his family name are not known. There is a possibility, however, that his baptismal name was Gerasimus. He had a great zeal for piety from his youth, and he entered monastic life at sixteen. (This was in 1772, if we assume that Herman was born in 1756, although sometimes 1760 is given as the date of his birth.) First he entered the Trinity-Sergius Hermitage which was located near the Gulf of Finland on the Peterhof Road, about 15 versts (about 10 miles) from St Petersburg. He also spent time at at Sarov, where he first met Fr Nazarius, who became his Elder at Valaam. Later, St Herman followed him to Sanaxar where St Theodore (February 19) was their igumen.



MIRACULOUS HEALING OF HERMAN While at the St Sergius Hermitage, Father Herman was healed by the Mother of God after an abcess appeared on the right side of his throat under his chin. The swelling grew rapidly, disfiguring his face. It became difficult for him to swallow, and the odor was unbearable. In this critical condition Father Herman awaited death. He did not appeal to the physicians of this world, but locking his cell he fell before an lcon of the Queen of Heaven. All night long, with fervent tears, he prayed that he might be healed. Then he took a wet towel and wiped the face of the Most Holy Theotokos with it. Then he covered the swelling with this towel. He continued to pray until he fell asleep from sheer exhaustion on the floor. In a dream he saw the Virgin Mary healing him.



When Herman awoke in the morning, he found to his great surprise that he was fully healed. The swelling had disappeared, even though the abscess had not burst, leaving only a small mark as a reminder of the miracle. Physicians to whom this healing was described did not believe it, arguing that it was necessary for the abscess to have either burst of its own accord or to have been cut open. But the words of the physicians were the words of human experience, for where the grace of God operates there the order of nature is overcome. Such occurrences humble human reason under the strong hand of God's mercy.



HERMAN'S LIFE AT VALAAM



For five or six years Father Herman continued to live in the St Sergius Hermitage, and then he transferred to the Valaam Monastery, which was widely scattered on the large islands in the waters of the great Lake Ladoga. He came to love the Valaam haven with all his soul, as he came to love its unforgettable Superior, the pious Elder Nazarius, and all the brethren. He wrote to Father Nazarius later from America, "Your fatherly goodness to me, the lowly one, will never be erased from my heart. Neither the terrible, impassable Siberian wilderness, nor the dark forests, nor the rapids of the great rivers, nor the mighty ocean can quench these feelings. In my mind I imagine my beloved Valaam, looking to it beyond the great ocean." He praised the Elder Nazarius in his letters as,"the most reverend, and my beloved father." (Batushka) and he called the monks of Valaam "my beloved and dearest brethren." He called the place where he lived in America, desolate Spruce Island, "New Valaam." As we can see, he always remained in spiritual contact with his spiritual homeland, for as late as 1823, that is after living in America for almost thirty years, he wrote letters to the successor of Father Nazarius, lgumen Innocent.



Father Barlaam, later lgumen of Valaam, and a contemporary of Father Herman, who was tonsured by Father Nazarius, wrote of Father Herman.



"Father Herman went through the various obediences here, and being ‘well disposed toward every thing’ was in the course of events sent to Serdobol to oversee there the work of quarrying marble. The brethren loved Father Herman, and impatiently awaited his return from Serdobol. Recognizing the zeal of the young hermit the wise Elder, Father Nazarius, blessed him to live in the wilderness. This wilderness was in the deep forest about a mile from the monastery. To this day this place has retained the name 'Herman's Field.' On holy days, Father Herman returned to the monastery from the wilderness. At Little Vespers he would stand in the choir and sing in his pleasant tenor the responses with the brethren from the Canon, 'O Sweetest Jesus, save us sinners. Most Holy Theotokos, Save us,' and tears would fall like hail from his eyes."



THE FIRST MISSION TO AMERICA



In the second half of the eighteenth century the borders of Holy Russia expanded to the north. In those years Russian merchants discovered the Aleutian Islands which formed in the Pacific Ocean a chain from the eastern shares of Kamchatka to the western shares of North America. With the opening of these islands there was revealed the sacred necessity to illumine with the light of the Gospel the native inhabitants. With the blessing of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Gabriel gave to the Elder Nazarius the task of selecting capable persons from the brethern of Valaam for this holy endeavor. Ten men were selected, and among them was Father Herman. The chosen men left Valaam for the place of their great appointment in 1793. The members of this historical mission were: Archimandrite Joseph (Bolotoff), Hieromonks Juvenal, Macarius, Athanasius, Stephen and Nectarius, Hierodeacons Nectarius and Stephen, and the monks Joasaph, and Herman.



As a result of the holy zeal of the preachers the light of the evangelic sermon quickly poured out among the sons of Russia, and several thousand pagans accepted Christianity. A school for the education of newly-baptized children was organized, and a church was built at the place where the missionaries lived. But by the inscrutable providence of God the general progress of the mission was unsatisfactory. After five years of very productive labor, Archimandrite Joasaph, who had just been elevated to the rank of bishop, was drowned with his party. (This occurred on the Pacific Ocean been Kamchatka and the Aleutian Islands. The ship, Phoenix, one of the first sea-going ships built in Alaska, sailed from Okhotsk carrying the first Bishop for the American Mission and his party. The Phoenix was caught in one of the many storms which periodically sweep the northern Pacific, and the ship and all hands perished together with Bishop Joasaph and his party.) Before this the zealous Hieromonk Juvenal was granted the martyr's crown. The others died one after another until in the end only Father Herman remained. The Lord permitted him to labor longer than any of his brethren in the apostolic task of enlightening the Aleutians.



THE NEW VALAAM - SPRUCE ISLAND



In America Father Herman chose as his place of habitation Spruce Island, which he called New Valaam. This island is separted by a strait about a mile and a quarter wide from Kodiak Island on which had been built a wooden monastery for the residence of the members of the mission, and a wooden church dedicated to the Resurrection of the Savior. (New Valaam was named for Valaam on Lake Ladoga, the monastery from which Father Herman came to America. It is interesting to note that Valaam is also located on an island, although, this island is in a fresh water lake, whereas, Spruce Island is on the Pacific Ocean, although near other islands and the Alaskan mainland.)



Spruce Island is not large, and is almost completely covered by a forest. Almost through its middle a small brook flows to the sea. Herman selected this picturesque island for the location of his hermitage. He dug a cave out of the ground with his own hands, and in it he lived his first full summer. For winter there was built for him a cell near the cave, in which he lived until his death. The cave was converted by him into a place for his burial. A wooden chapel, and a wooden house to be used as a schoolhouse and a guest house were built not too distant from his cell. A garden was laid out in front of his cell. For more than forty years Father Herman lived here.



FATHER HERMAN'S WAY OF LIFE



Father Herman himself spaded the garden, planted potatoes and cabbage and various vegetables in it. For winter, he preserved mushrooms, salting or drying them. He obtained salt from sea water. It is said that a wicker basket in which the Elder carried seaweed from the shore, was so large that it was difficult for one person to carry. The seaweed was used for fertilizing the soil. But to the astonishment of all, Father Herman carried a basket filled with seaweed for a long distance without any help at all. By chance his disciple, Gerasimus, saw him one winter night carrying a large log which normally would be carried by four men; and he was bare footed. So the Elder worked, and everything that he acquired as a result of his immeasurable labors was used to feed and clothe orphans, and also for books for his students.



His clothes were the same for winter as for summer. He did not wear a shirt; instead he wore a smock of deer skin, which he did not take off for several years at a time, nor did he change it, so that the fur in it was completely worn away, and the leather became glossy. Then there were his boots or shoes, cassock, an ancient and faded cassock (riasa) full of patchwork, and his klobuk. He went everywhere in these clothes, and at all times; in the rain, in snowstorms, and during the coldest freezing weather. In this, Father Herman followed the example of many Eastern Ascetic Fathers and monks who showed the greatest concern for the welfare and needs of others. Yet, they themselves wore the oldest possible clothes to show their great humility before God, and their contempt for worldly things.



A small bench covered with a time-worn deerskin served as Father Herman's bed. He used two bricks for a pillow; these were hidden from visitors by a skin or a shirt. There was no blanket. Instead, he covered himself with a wooden board which lay on the stove. This board Father Herman, himself called his blanket, and he willed that it be used to cover his remains; it was as long as he was tall. "During my stay in the cell of Father Herman," writes the creole Constantine Larionov, "I, a sinner, sat on his 'blanket'-and I consider this the acme of my fortune!" ('creole' is the name by which the Russians referred to the children of mixed marriages of native Indians of Alaska, Eskimo and Aleuts with Russians.)



On the occasions when Father Herman was the guest of administrators of the American Company and in the course of their soul-saving talks he sat up with them until midnight. He never spent the night with them, but regardless of the weather he always returned to his hermitage. If for some extraordinary reason it was necessary for him to spend the night away from his cell, then in the morning the bed which had been prepared for him would be found untouched; the Elder not having slept at all. The same was true in his hermitage where having spent the night in talks, he never rested.



The Elder ate very little. As a guest, he scarcely tasted the food, and remained without dinner. In his call his dinner consisted of a very small portion of a small fish or some vegetables.



His body, emaciated as a result of his labors, his vigils, and fasting, was crushed by chains which weighed about sixteen pounds. These chains are kept to this day in the chapel.



Telling of these deeds of Father Herman, his disciple, the Aleut lgnaty Aligyaga, added, "Yes, Apa led a very hard life, and no one can imitate his life!" (Apa, Aleutian word means Elder or grandfather, and it is a name indicative of the great affection in which he was held).



Our writing of the incidents in the life of the Elder deal, so to speak, with the external aspects of his labor. "His most important works," says the Bishop Peter, "were his exercises in spiritual endeavor in his isolated cell where no one saw him, but outside the cell they heard him singing and celebrating services to God according to the monastic rule." This witness of the Bishop is supported by the following answers of Father Herman, himself, "How do you manage to live alone in the forest, Father Herman? Don't you ever become lonesome?" He answered, "No I am not there alone! God is here, as God is everywhere. The Holy Angels are there. With whom is it better to talk, with people, or with Angels? Most certainly with Angels."



FATHER HERMAN AND THE NATIVES



The way in which Father Herman looked upon the natives of America, how he understood his own relations with them, and how he was concerned for their needs he expressed himself in one of his letters to the former administrator of the colony, Simeon Yanovsky.



He wrote, "Our Creator granted to our beloved homeland this land which like a newly-born babe does not yet have the strength for knowledge or understanding. It requires not only protection, because of its infantile weakness and impotence, but also his sustenance. Even for this it does not yet have the ability to make an appeal on its own behalf. And since the welfare of this nation by the Providence of God, it is not known for how long, is dependent on and has been entrusted into the hands of the Russian government which has now been given into your own power, therefore I, the most humble servant of these people, and their nurse (nyanka) stand before you in their behalf, write this petition with tears of blood. Be our Father and our Protector. Certainly we do not know how to be eloquent, so with an inarticulate infant's tonque we say: Wipe away the tears of the defenseless orphans, cool the hearts melting away in the fire of sorrow. Help us to know what consolation means."



The Elder acted the way he felt. He always interceded before the governors in behalf of those who had transgressed. He defended those who had been offended. He helped those who were in need with whatever means he had available. The Aleuts, men, women and children, often visited him. Some asked for advice, others complained of oppression, others sought out defense, and still others desired help. Each one received the greatest possible satisfaction from the Elder. He discussed their mutual difficulties, and he tried to settle these peacefully. He was especially concerned about reestablishing understanding in families. If he did not succeed in reconciling a husband and wife, the Elder prevailed upon them to separate temporarily. The need for such a procedure he explained thus, "it is better to let them live apart, or believe me, it can be terrible if they are not separated. There have been incidents when a husband killed his wife, or when a wife destroyed her husband."



Father Herman especially loved children. He made large quantities of biscuits for them, and he baked cookies (krendelki) for them; and the children were fond of the Elder. Father Herman's love for the Aleuts reached the point of self-denial.



AN EPIDEMIC STRIKES



A ship from the United States brought to Sitka Island, and from there to Kodiak Island, a contagious disease, a fatal illness. It began with a fever, a heavy cold, and difficult respiration, and it ended with chills; in three days the victim died. On the island there was neither a doctor nor medicine. The illness spread rapidly through the village, and then throughout the nearby areas. The disease affected all, even infants. The fatalities were so great that for three days there was no one to dig graves, and the bodies remained unburied. An eyewitness said, "I cannot imagine anything more tragic and horrible than the sight which struck me when I visited an Aleutian 'Kazhim'. This was a large building, or barracks, with dividing sections, in which the Aleuts lived with their families; it contained about 100 people. Here some had died, their cold bodies lay near the living; others were dying; there were groans and weeping which tore at one's soul."



"I saw mothers over whose bodies cold in death crawled a hungry child, crying and searching in vain for its food...My heart was bursting with compassion! It seemed that if anyone could paint with a worthy brush the full horror of this tragic scene, that he would have successfully aroused fear of death in the most embittered heart." Father Herman, during this terrible sickness which lasted a whole month, gradually dying out towards the end, visited the sick, never tiring. He admonished them in their fear, prayed, brought them to penance, or prepared them for death. He never spared himself.



FATHER HERMAN AS A SPIRITUAL TEACHER



The Elder was concerned in particular for the moral growth of the Aleuts. With this end in mind a school was built for children-the orphans of the Aleuts. He himself taught them the Law of God and church music. For this same purpose he gathered the Aleuts on Sunday and Holy Days for prayer in the chapel near his cell. Here his disciple read the Hours and the various prayers while the Elder himself read the Epistle and Gospel. He also preached to them. His students sang, and they sang very well. The Aleuts loved to hear his sermons, gathering around him in large numbers. The Elder's talks were captivating, and his listeners were moved by their wonderous power. He himself writes of one example of the beneficial results of his words.



"Glory to the holy destinies of the Merciful God! He has shown me now through his unfathomable Providence a new occurence which I, who have lived here for twenty years had never seen before on Kodiak. Recently after Easter, a young girl about twenty years of age who knows Russian well, came to me. Having heard of the Incarnation of the Son of God and of Eternal Life, she became so inflamed with love for Jesus Christ that she does not wish to leave me. She pleaded eloquently with me. Contrary to my personal inclination and love for solitude, and despite all the hindrances and difficulties which I put forward before accepting her, she has now been living near the school for a month and is not lonesome."



"I, looking on this with great wonder, remembered the 'words of the Savior: that which is hidden from the wise and learned is revealed to babes." (Matt. 11:25)



This woman lived at the school until the death of the Elder. She watched for the good conduct of the children who studied in his school. Father Herman willed that after his death she was to continue to live on Spruce Island. Her name was Sophia Vlasova.



Yanovsky writes about the character and the eloquence of the talks of the Elder in this way:



"When I met Father Herman I was thirty years old. I must say that I was educated in the naval corps school; that I knew many sciences having read extensively. But to my regret, the Science of sciences, that is the Law of God, I barely remembered the externals - and these only theoretically, not applying them to life. I was a Christian in name only, but in my soul and in reality, I was a freethinker. Furthermore, I did not admit the divinity and holiness of our religion, for I had read through many atheistic works. Father Herman recognized this immediately and he desired to reconvert me. To my great surprise he spoke so convincingly, wisely - and he argued with such conviction- that it seemed to me that no learning or worldly wisdom could stand one's ground before his words. We conversed with him daily until midnight, and even later, of God's love, of eternity, of the salvation of souls, and of Christian living. From his lips flowed a ceaseless stream of sweet words! By these continual talks and by the prayers of the holy Elder the Lord returned me completely to the way of Truth, and I became a real Christian. I am indebted for all this to Father Herman he is my true benefactor."



"Several years ago," continues Yanovsky, "Father Herman converted a certain naval captain G. to Orthodoxy from the Lutheran Faith. This captain was well educated. Besides many sciences, he was well versed in languages. He knew Russian, English, German, French, Italian and also some Spanish. But for all this he could not resist the convictions and proofs of Father Herman. He changed his faith and was united to the Orthodox Church through Chrismation. When he was leaving America, the Elder said to him while they were parting, "Be on guard, if the Lord should take your wife from you then do not marry a German woman under any circumstance. If you do marry a German woman, undoubtedly she will damage your Orthodoxy." The Captain gave his word, but he failed to keep it. The warning of the Elder was prophetic. Indeed, after several years the Captain's wife did die, and he married a German woman. There is no doubt that his faith weakened or that he left it; for he died suddenly without penance."



Further on Yanovsky writes, "Once the Elder was invited aboard a frigate which came from St Petersburg. The Captain of the frigate was a highly educated man, who had been sent to America by order of the Emperor to make an inspection of all the colonies. There were more than twenty-five officers with the Captain, and they also were educated men. In the company of this group sat a monk of a hermitage, small in stature and wearing very old clothes. All these educated conversationalists were placed in such a position by his wise talks that they did not know how to answer him. The Captain himself used to say, 'We were lost for an answer before him.'



"Father Herman gave them all one general question: 'Gentlemen, What do you love above all, and what will each of you wish for your happiness?' Various answers were offered ... Some desired wealth, others glory, some a beautiful wife, and still others a beautiful ship he would captain; and so forth in the same vein. 'It is not true,' Father Herman said to them concerning this, 'that all your various wishes can bring us to one conclusion - that each of you desires that which in his own understanding he considers the best, and which is most worthy of his love?' They all answered, 'Yes, that is so!' He then continued, 'Would you not say, Is not that which is best, above all, and surpassing all, and that which by preference is most worthy of love, the Very Lord, our Jesus Christ, who created us, adorned us with such ideals, gave life to all, sustains everything, nurtures and loves all, who is Himself Love and most beautiful of all men? Should we not then love God above every thing, desire Him more than anything, and search Him out?' "



All said, "Why, yes! That's self-evident!" Then the Elder asked, "But do you love God?" They all answered, "Certainly, we love God. How can we not love God?" "And I a sinner have been trying for more than forty years to love God, I cannot say that I love Him completely," Father Herman protested to them. He then began to demonstrate to them the way in which we should love God. "if we love someone," he said, "we always remember them; we try to please them. Day and night our heart is concerned with the subject. Is that the way you gentlemen love God? Do you turn to Him often? Do you always remember Him? Do you always pray to Him and fulfill His holy commandments?" They had to admit that they had not! "For our own good, and for our own fortune," concluded the Elder, "let us at least promise ourselves that from this very minute we will try to love God more than anything and to fulfill His Holy Will!" Without any doubt this conversation was imprinted in the hearts of the listeners for the rest of their lives.



"in general, Father Herman liked to talk of eternity, of salvation of the future life, of our destinies under God. He often talked on the lives of the Saints, on the Prologue, but he never spoke about anything frivolous. It was so pleasant to hear him that those who conversed with him, the Aleuts and their wives, were so captivated by his talks that often they did not leave him until dawn, and then they left him with reluctance;" thus witnesses the creole, Constantine Larionov.



A DESCRIPTION OF FATHER HERMAN Yanovsky writes a detailed description of Father Herman. "I have a vivid memory," he said, "Of all the features of the Elder's face reflecting goodness; his pleasant smile, his meek and attractive mien, his humble and quiet behavior, and his gracious word. He was short of stature. His face was pale and covered with wrinkles. His eyes were greyish-blue, full of sparkle, and on his head there were a few gray hairs. His voice was not powerful, but it was very pleasant." Yanovsky relates two incidents from his conversations with the Elder. "Once," he writes, "I read to Father Herman the ode, 'God,' by Derzhavin. The Elder was surprised, and entranced. He asked me to read it again. I read it once more, "Is it possible that a simple, educated man wrote this?" he asked. "Yes, a learned poet," I answered. "This has been written under God's inspiration," said the Elder.



THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER "On another occasion I was relating to him how the Spanish in California had imprisoned fourteen Aleuts, and how the Jesuits (actually Franciscans) were forcing all of them to convert to Catholicism. But the Aleuts would not agree under any circumstances, saying, 'We are Christians.' The Jesuits argued, 'That's not true, you are heretics and schismatics. If you do not agree to accept our faith then we will torture all of you to death.' Then the Aleuts were placed in prisons two to a cell. That evening, the Jesuits came to the prison with lanterns and lighted candles. Again they tried to persuade two Aleuts in the cell to accept the Catholic Faith. 'We are Christians,' the Aleuts replied, 'and we will not change our Faith.' Then the Jesuits began to torture them, at first the one while his companion was a witness. They cut off one of the joints of his feet, and then the other joint. Then they cut the first joint on the fingers of his hands, and then the other joint. Then they cut off his feet, and his hands. The blood flowed, but the martyr endured all and firmly repeated one thing: "I am a Christian.' He died in such suffering, due to a loss of blood. The Jesuit also promised to torture his comrade to death the next day.



But that night an order was received from Monterey stating that the imprisoned Aleuts were to be released immediately, and sent there under escort. Therefore, in the morning all were sent to Monterey with the exception of the dead Aleut. This was related to me by a witness, the same Aleut who had escaped torture, and who was the friend of the martyred Aleut. I reported this incident to the authorities in St Petersburg. When I finished my story, Father Herman asked, 'What was the name of the martyred Aleut?' I answered, 'Peter. I do not remember his family name.' The Elder stood reverently before an icon, made the Sign of the Cross and said, "Holy New Martyr Peter, pray to God for usl"



THE SPIRIT OF FATHER HERMAN’S TEACHING In order to express the spirit of Father Herman's teaching, we present here a quotation from a letter that was written by his own hand.



"The empty years of these desires separate us from our heavenly homeland, and our Love for these desires and our habits clothe us, as it were, in an odious dress; it is called by the Apostle 'the external (earthy) man.' (I Cor. 15:47). We who are wanderers in the journey of this life call to God for aid. We must divest ourselves of this repulsiveness, and put on new desires, and a new love for the coming age. Thus, through this we will know either an attraction or a repulsion for the heavenly homeland. It is possible to do this quickly, but we must follow the example of the sick, who wishing for desired health, do not stop searching for means of curing themselves. But I am not speaking clearly."



Not desiring anything for himself in life; long ago when he first came to America having refused, because of his humility, the dignity of hiero-monk and archimandrite; and deciding to remain forever a common monk, Father Herman, without the least fear before the, powerful, strove with all sincerity for God. With gentle love, and disregarding the person, he criticized many for intemperate living, for unworthy behavior, and for oppressing the Aleuts. Evil armed itself against him and gave him all sorts of trouble and sorrow. But God protected the Elder. The Administrator of the Colony, Yanovsky, not having yet seen Father Herman, after receiving one of those complaints, had already written to St Petersburg of the necessity of his removal. He explained that it seemed that he was arousing the Aleuts against the administration. But this accusation turned out to be unjust, and in the end Yanovsky was numbered among the admirers of Father Herman.



Once an inspector came to Spruce Island with the Administrator of the Colony N. and with company employees to search through Father Herman's call.



This party expected to find property of great value in Father Herman's call. But when they found nothing of value, an employee (of the American Company), Ponomarkhov, began to tear up the floor with an axe, undoubtedly with the consent of his seniors. Then Father Herman said to him, "My friend, you have lifted the axe in vain; this weapon shall deprive you of your life." Some time later people were needed at Fort Nicholas, and for that reason several Russian employees were sent there from Kodiak; among them was Ponomarkhov; there the natives of Kenai cut off his head while he slept.



THE TEMPTATIONS OF FATHER HERMAN Many great sorrows were borne by Father Herman from evil spirits. He himself revealed this to his disciple, Gerasim. Once when he entered Father Herman's cell without the usual prayer he received no answer from Father Herman to any of his questions. The next day Gerasim asked him the reason for his silence. On that occasion Father Herman said to him, "When I came to this island and settled in this hermitage the evil spirits approached me ostensibly to be helpful. They came in the form of a man, and in the form of animals. I suffered much from them; from various afflictions and temptations. And that is why I do not speak now to anyone who enters into my presence without prayer." (It is customary among devout laymen, as well as clergy, to knock and say,"Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us." After hearing the response, "Amen," one would enter and venerate the icon in the room and say a prayer before greeting the host).



SUPERNATURAL GIFTS FROM GOD Herman dedicated himself fully for the Lord's service; he strove with zeal solely for the glorification of His Most Holy Name. Far from his homeland in the midst of a variety of afflictions and privations Father Herman spent several decades performing the noblest deeds of self-sacrifice. He was privileged to receive many supernatural gifts from God.



In the midst of Spruce Island down the hill flows a little stream into the sea. The mouth of this stream was always swept by surf. In the spring when the brook fish appeared the Elder raked away some of the sand at its mouth so that the fish could enter, and at their first appearance they rushed up the stream'. His disciple, lgnaty, said, "it was so that if 'Apa' would tell me, I would go and get fish in the streaml" Father Herman fed the birds with dried fish, and they would gather in great numbers around his call. Underneath his cell there lived an ermine. This little animal can not be approached when it has had its young, but the Elder fed it from his own hand. "Was not this a miracle that we had seen?" said his disciple, lgnaty. They also saw Father Herman feeding bears. But when Father Herman died the birds and animals left; even the garden would not give any sort of crops even though someone had willingly taken care of it, lgnaty insisted.



On Spruce Island there once occurred a flood. The inhabitants came to the Elder in great fear. Father Herman then took an icon of the Mother of God from the home where h
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Martyr Eustratius at Sebaste



The Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes (the Five Companions) suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia.




Among the first Christians imprisoned and undergoing torture at that time was St Auxentius, a presbyter of the Arabian Church. One of those who witnessed the steadfastness of the Christians was the noble military commander St Eustratius, the city prefect of Satalios, and archivist of the province. He was secretly a Christian, and when he openly confessed his faith, he was subjected to torture. They beat him, and put iron sandals studded with sharp nails on his feet, then forced him to march to the city of Arabrak.



Witnessing the arrival of St Eustratius in Arabrak, one of the common people, St Mardarius, confessed that he was also a Christian like St Eustratius. He was arrested and cast into prison. Holes were drilled in his ankles, and ropes were passed them. He was suspended upside down, then heated nails were hammered into his body. He died a short time later. To him is attributed the prayer "O Master Lord God, Father Almighty ..." (which is read at the end of the Third Hour).



As for St Eugene, they ripped out his tongue, they cut off his hands and feet, and then they beheaded him with a sword. St Auxentius was also arrested and beheaded. The young soldier St Orestes confessed himself a Christian and stood trial for this "crime." He was sentenced to be stretched out upon a red-hot iron bed, and became frightened when he approached it. Encouraged by St Eustratius, he made the Sign of the Cross and got onto the heated bed, where he surrendered his soul to God.



St Eustratius was sentenced to be burned alive on December 13. As he was being led to his death, he prayed aloud ("I magnify Thee exceedingly, O Lord, for Thou hast regarded my lowliness..."). This prayer is still read at the Saturday Midnight Office.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Martyr Auxentius at Sebaste



Saint Auxentius was one of the Five Companions who suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia. Sts Eustratius, Mardarius, Eugene, and Orestes were the other four.




Among the first Christians imprisoned and undergoing torture at that time was St Auxentius, a presbyter of the Arabian Church. He was beheaded.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Martyr Eugene at Sebaste



Saint Eugene was one of the Five Companions who suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia. Sts Eustratius, Auxentius, Mardarius, and Orestes were the other four.




St Eugene's tongue was ripped out, his hands and feet were cut off, and then he was beheaded with a sword
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Martyr Mardarius at Sebaste



Saint Mardarius was one of the Five Companions who suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia. Sts Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, and Orestes were the other four.




St Mardarius was one of those who witnessed the arrival of St Eustratius in Arabrak. When he confessed that he was also a Christian like St Eustratius, he was arrested and cast into prison. Holes were drilled in his ankles, and ropes were passed them. He was suspended upside down, then heated nails were hammered into his body. He died a short time later. To him is attributed the prayer "O Master Lord God, Father Almighty ..." (which is read at the end of the Third Hour).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Martyr Orestes at Sebaste



Saint Orestes was one of the Five Companions who suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian (284-305) at Sebaste, in Armenia. Sts Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, and Mardarius were the other four.




St Orestes confessed himself a Christian and stood trial for this "crime." He was sentenced to be stretched out upon a red-hot iron bed, and became frightened when he approached it. Encouraged by St Eustratius, he made the Sign of the Cross and got onto the heated bed, where he surrendered his soul to God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Virginmartyr Lucy of Syracuse



Saint Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily during the reign of Diocletian. She distributed her wealth to the poor, and made a vow of virginity. Since she refused to marry him, a rejected suitor denounced her to the prefect Paschasius as a Christian, and she was arrested. She was sentenced to be defiled in a brothel, but with God's help she preserved her purity.




Then the pagans attempted to burn her alive, but she was not harmed by the fire. Finally, she was killed by a sword thrust to the throat.



The name Lucy (Lucia) is derived for the Latin word for light (lux), and so she is often invoked for afflictions of the eyes. There is a tradition that she was blinded by her torturers, and the church of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples even claims to possess her eyes.



Today's saint should not be confused with St Lucy of Campania (July 6).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Venerable Arcadius of Novy Torg



Saint Arcadius of Vyazma and Novy Torg was from the city of Vyazma of pious parents, who from childhood taught him prayer and obedience. The gentle, perceptive, prudent and good youth chose for his ascetic feat of being a fool-for-Christ. He lived by alms, and slept wherever he found himself, whether in the forest, or on the church portico.




His blessed serenity and closeness to nature imparted to the figure of young Arcadius a peculiar spiritual aspect and aloofness from worldly vanity. In church, when absorbed in prayer, St Arcadius often wept tears of tenderness and spiritual joy. Though he seldom spoke, his advice was always good, and his predictions were fulfilled.



An experienced guide, St Ephraim the Wonderworker of Novy Torg (January 28), helped the young ascetic to avoid spiritual dangers while passing through the difficult and unusual exploit of foolishness. After this the people of Vyazma witnessed several miracles, worked through the prayers of Blessed Arcadius, but the saint fled human fame and traveled along the upper Tvertsa River. Here St Arcadius shared the work with his spiritual guide St Ephraim, and with him founded a church and monastery in honor of the holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb (May 2).



Entering into the newly-built monastery, St Arcadius became a monk and took upon himself the exploit of full obedience to his spiritual Father, St Ephraim. St Arcadius never missed Liturgy and he was always the first to appear for Matins together with his spiritual guide. After St Ephraim's repose (January 28, 1053), St Arcadius continued to pursue asceticism in accord with the last wishes of his Elder, dwelling in prayer, fasting and silence. After several years, he also fell asleep in the Lord (December 13, 1077).



In 1594, a chapel dedicated to St Arcadius was built in one of the churches of Vyazma. A combined celebration of Sts Arcadius and Ephraim was established by Metropolitan Dionysius in the years 1584-1587. The relics of St Arcadius, glorified by miracles of healing, were uncovered on June 11, 1572, and on July 11, 1677, they were placed in a stone crypt of Sts Boris and Gleb cathedral in the city of Novy Torg (New Market). In 1841, the left side chapel of Sts Boris and Gleb cathedral church was dedicated in honor of St Arcadius. The solemn celebration of the 300th anniversary of the uncovering of the holy relics of St Arcadius took place in the city of Novy Torg in July of 1977. He is also commemorated on August 14 and June 11 (Transfer of his relics).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Venerable Mardarius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves



Saint Mardarius, Hermit of the Kiev Caves, lived as an ascetic in the Far Caves during the thirteenth century. In his Troparion and Kontakion he is called "non-covetous," and by the inscription over his relics, "without a cell." In the Seventh Ode of the Service of the Synaxis for the Fathers of the Far Caves (August 28) he is mentioned together with St Ammon (October 4), and he is called a "zealot of poverty." He was buried in the Far Caves. His memory is celebrated also on August 28 and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.
 
 
 
 

Venerable Arsenius of Latros



St Arsenius of Latros, the son of rich, illustrious and pious parents, was born at Constantinople. He was made Patrician and General of the Cibyrra military Theme (the Byzantine Empire was divided into 29 Themes, or districts). Once, when he was traveling by sea with his soldiers, a storm arose and the ships sank. Of all the soldiers only St Arsenius was saved. After this he became a monk, and he mortified his flesh by fasting, vigil and hardships.




Later, he came to a certain place on Mount Latros, in Asia Minor. There he killed a poisonous viper by his prayer and the Sign of the Cross, and then he settled in the nearby Kelliboria monastery on the north side of the mountain, where he was chosen igumen. From the monastery St Arsenius went to a cave, where he repelled wild beasts by prayer. The brethren of the monastery asked him to return to them. He did go back, but did not live with the other monks. He lived alone in a small cell, and for six days of the week he neither ate any food, nor would he converse with anyone.



Finally, St Arsenius attained such perfection that he was fed by an angel. He was also granted the grace to perform miracles. He could stir bitter water with his staff and change it into sweet water. After performing many other miracles, he called the brethren to him and gave them his final instructions.



After advising them to put aside all worldly cares and vanities, St Arsenius surrendered his soul to God. The saint continued to work miracles even after his death.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Venerable Nicodemus the Romanian



 
 
 
St Gabriel of Serbia



 
 
 
St Nicodemus of Serbia



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daily Prayer Before Reading the Scriptures:

(In English):  http://www.pomog.org/before.html
(In Russian):  http://www.pomog.org/before_russian.html


Scriptural Readings:

(In English):

Hebrews 8:7-13




For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.





Mark 8:11-21

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.





Holy and All-praised Apostle Andrew the First-Called

1Corinthians 4:9-16



For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.





Holy and All-praised Apostle Andrew the First-Called

John 1:35-51



Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.



(In Russian):
 
Ежедневные Евангельские Чтения




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Молитва перед чтением Евангелия



Послание к Евреям святого апостола Павла

8:7-13



Ибо, если бы первый завет был без недостатка, то не было бы нужды искать места другому. Но пророк, укоряя их, говорит: вот, наступают дни, говорит Господь, когда Я заключу с домом Израиля и с домом Иуды новый завет, не такой завет, какой Я заключил с отцами их в то время, когда взял их за руку, чтобы вывести их из земли Египетской, потому что они не пребыли в том завете Моем, и Я пренебрег их, говорит Господь. Вот завет, который завещаю дому Израилеву после тех дней, говорит Господь: вложу законы Мои в мысли их, и напишу их на сердцах их; и буду их Богом, а они будут Моим народом. И не будет учить каждый ближнего своего и каждый брата своего, говоря: познай Господа; потому что все, от малого до большого, будут знать Меня, потому что Я буду милостив к неправдам их, и грехов их и беззаконий их не воспомяну более. Говоря "новый", показал ветхость первого; а ветшающее и стареющее близко к уничтожению.





От Марка святое благовествование

8:11-21



Вышли фарисеи, начали с Ним спорить и требовали от Него знамения с неба, искушая Его. И Он, глубоко вздохнув, сказал: для чего род сей требует знамения? Истинно говорю вам, не дастся роду сему знамение. И, оставив их, опять вошел в лодку и отправился на ту сторону. При сем ученики Его забыли взять хлебов и кроме одного хлеба не имели с собою в лодке. А Он заповедал им, говоря: смотрите, берегитесь закваски фарисейской и закваски Иродовой. И, рассуждая между собою, говорили: это значит, что хлебов нет у нас. Иисус, уразумев, говорит им: что рассуждаете о том, что нет у вас хлебов? Еще ли не понимаете и не разумеете? Еще ли окаменено у вас сердце? Имея очи, не видите? имея уши, не слышите? и не помните? Когда Я пять хлебов преломил для пяти тысяч человек, сколько полных коробов набрали вы кусков? Говорят Ему: двенадцать. А когда семь для четырех тысяч, сколько корзин набрали вы оставшихся кусков. Сказали: семь. И сказал им: как же не разумеете?





Первое послание к Коринфянам святого апостола Павла

4:9-16



Ибо я думаю, что нам, последним посланникам, Бог судил быть как бы приговоренными к смерти, потому что мы сделались позорищем для мира, для Ангелов и человеков. Мы безумны Христа ради, а вы мудры во Христе; мы немощны, а вы крепки; вы в славе, а мы в бесчестии. Даже доныне терпим голод и жажду, и наготу и побои, и скитаемся, и трудимся, работая своими руками. Злословят нас, мы благословляем; гонят нас, мы терпим; хулят нас, мы молим; мы как сор для мира, как прах, всеми попираемый доныне. Не к постыжению вашему пишу сие, но вразумляю вас, как возлюбленных детей моих. Ибо, хотя у вас тысячи наставников во Христе, но не много отцов; я родил вас во Христе Иисусе благовествованием. Посему умоляю вас: подражайте мне, как я Христу.





От Иоана святое благовествование

1:35-51



На другой день опять стоял Иоанн и двое из учеников его. И, увидев идущего Иисуса, сказал: вот Агнец Божий. Услышав от него сии слова, оба ученика пошли за Иисусом. Иисус же, обратившись и увидев их идущих, говорит им: что вам надобно? Они сказали Ему: Равви, -- что значит: учитель, -- где живешь? Говорит им: пойдите и увидите. Они пошли и увидели, где Он живет; и пробыли у Него день тот. Было около десятого часа. Один из двух, слышавших от Иоанна об Иисусе и последовавших за Ним, был Андрей, брат Симона Петра. Он первый находит брата своего Симона и говорит ему: мы нашли Мессию, что значит: Христос; и привел его к Иисусу. Иисус же, взглянув на него, сказал: ты -- Симон, сын Ионин; ты наречешься Кифа, что значит: камень (Петр). На другой день Иисус восхотел идти в Галилею, и находит Филиппа и говорит ему: иди за Мною. Филипп же был из Вифсаиды, из одного города с Андреем и Петром. Филипп находит Нафанаила и говорит ему: мы нашли Того, о Котором писали Моисей в законе и пророки, Иисуса, сына Иосифова, из Назарета. Но Нафанаил сказал ему: из Назарета может ли быть что доброе? Филипп говорит ему: пойди и посмотри. Иисус, увидев идущего к Нему Нафанаила, говорит о нем: вот подлинно Израильтянин, в котором нет лукавства. Нафанаил говорит Ему: почему Ты знаешь меня? Иисус сказал ему в ответ: прежде нежели позвал тебя Филипп, когда ты был под смоковницею, Я видел тебя. Нафанаил отвечал Ему: Равви! Ты Сын Божий, Ты Царь Израилев. Иисус сказал ему в ответ: ты веришь, потому что Я тебе сказал: Я видел тебя под смоковницею; увидишь больше сего. И говорит ему: истинно, истинно говорю вам: отныне будете видеть небо отверстым и Ангелов Божиих восходящих и нисходящих к Сыну Человеческому.


Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Vespers, 1st Reading)




1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.

2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be affliction,

3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.

4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.

5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;

6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.

7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.

8 They will govern nations and rule other peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever.

9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.



Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-6:3 (Vespers, 2nd Reading)




15 But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them.

16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord, because with his right hand he will cover them, and with his arm he will shield them.

17 The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;

18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet;

19 he will take holiness as a invincible shield,

20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen.

21 Shafts of lightening will fly with true aim, and will leap to the target as a from a well-drawn bow of clouds,

22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult; the water of the sea will rage against them, and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them;

23 a mighty wind will rise against them, and like a tempest it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth, and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.

1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.

2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.

3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

 
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-15 (Vespers, 3rd Reading)




7 But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.

8 For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years;

9 but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age.

10 There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,

11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul.

12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.

13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;

14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.

15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

 
Matthew 11:27-30 (Matins Gospel)




27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.


 
Galatians 5:22-6:2 (Epistle, St. Herman)




22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.


 
Luke 6:17-23 (Gospel, St. Herman)




17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,

18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.

19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake.

23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.


Prayers Before Sleep (In English):
 
Prayers Before Sleep




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The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian



This prayer is read in all the Holy Great Lent, except on Saturdays and Sundays.



O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. Prostration.



But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Prostration.



Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.



O God, cleanse me a sinner. 12 times, with a reverence each time, and then the entire prayer:



O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.





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In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.



Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.



O Heavenly King Tone 6



O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.



Trisagion



Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice



Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins; O Master, pardon our iniquities; O Holy One, 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, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.



Troparia Tone 6



Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for at a loss for any defense, this prayer do we sinners offer unto Thee as Master: have mercy on us.



Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.



Lord, have mercy on us; for we have hoped in Thee, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us now as Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies, for Thou art our God, and we, Thy people; all are the works of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.



Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



The door of compassion open unto us, O blessed Theotokos, for, hoping in thee, let us not perish; through thee may we be delivered from adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.



Lord, have mercy. Twelve times



Prayer 1, of Macarius the Great



O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to reach this hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul of all impurity of flesh and spirit, and grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace; that, rising from my lowly bed, I may please Thy most holy name all the days of my life, and thwart the enemies, fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Prayer 2, of St. Antiochus



O Ruler of all, Word of the Father, O Jesus Christ, Thou Who are perfect: For the sake of the plenitude of Thy mercy, never depart from me, but always remain in me, Thy servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not over to the sedition of the serpent, and leave me not to the will of Satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. But do Thou, O Lord, Who is worshipped God, holy King, Jesus Christ, guard me as I sleep by the Unwaning Light, Thy Holy Spirit, by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant me, Thine unworthy servant, Thy salvation upon my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel; my soul, with the love of Thy Cross; my heart, with the purity of Thy word; my body, with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thought in Thy humility, and raise me up at the proper time for Thy glorification. For most glorified art Thou together with Thine unoriginate Father, and the Most Holy Spirit, unto the ages. Amen.



Prayer 3, to the Holy Spirit



O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, show compassion and have mercy on me Thy sinful servant, and loose me from mine unworthiness, and forgive all wherein I have sinned against Thee today as a man, and not only as a man, but even worse than a beast, my sins voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, whether from youth, and from evil suggestion, or whether from brazenness and despondency. If I have sworn by Thy name, or blasphemed it in my thought; or grieved anyone, or have become angry about anything; or have lied, or slept needlessly, or if a beggar hath come to me and I disdained him; or if I have grieved my brother, or have quarreled, or have condemned anyone; or if I have been boastful, or prideful, or angry; if, as I stood at prayer, my mind hath been distracted by the wiles of this world, or by thoughts of depravity; if I have over-eaten, or have drunk excessively, or laughed frivolously; if I have thought evil, or seen the beauty of another and been wounded thereby in my heart; if I have said improper things, or derided my brother's sin when mine own sins are countless; if I have been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I do not remember, for all of this and more than this have I done: have mercy, O Master my Creator, on me Thy downcast and unworthy servant, and loose me, and remit, and forgive me, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, so that, lustful, sinful, and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, and hymn, and glorify Thy most honourable name, together with the Father and His Only-begotten Son, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Prayer 4, of St. Macarius the Great



What shall I offer Thee, or what shall I give Thee, O greatly-gifted, immortal King, O compassionate Lord Who lovest mankind? For though I have been slothful in pleasing Thee, and have done nothing good, Thou hast led me to the close of this day that is past, establishing the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful to me a sinner, bereft of every good deed, raise up my fallen soul which hath become defiled by countless sins, and take away from me every evil thought of this visible life. Forgive my sins, O Only Sinless One, in which I have sinned against Thee this day, known or unknown, in word, and deed, and thought, and in all my senses. Do Thou Thyself protect and guard me from every opposing circumstance, by Thy Divine authority and power and inexpressible love for mankind. Blot out, O God, blot out the multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the net of the evil one, and save my passionate soul, and overshadow me with the light of Thy countenance when Thou shalt come in glory; and cause me, uncondemned now, to sleep a dreamless sleep, and keep Thy servant untroubled by thoughts, and drive away from me all satanic deeds; and enlighten for me the eyes of my heart with understanding, lest I sleep unto death. And send me an angel of peace, a guardian and guide of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from mine enemies; that, rising from my bed, I may offer Thee prayers of thanksgiving. Yea, O Lord, hearken unto me, Thy sinful and wretched servant, in confession and conscience; grant me, when I arise, to be instructed by Thy sayings; and through Thine angels cause demonic despondency to be driven far from me: that I may bless Thy holy name, and glorify and extol the most pure Theotokos Mary, whom Thou hast given to us sinners as a protectress, and accept her who prayeth for us. For I know that she exemplifieth Thy love for mankind and prayeth for us without ceasing. Through her protection, and the sign of the precious Cross, and for the sake of all Thy saints, preserve my wre tched soul, O Jesus Christ our God: for holy art Thou, and most glorious forever. Amen.



Prayer 5



O Lord our God, as Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, forgive me wherein I have sinned today in word, deed and thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep; send Thy guardian angel to protect and keep me from all evil. For Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Prayer 6



O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose name we invoke above every name, grant us, as we go to sleep, relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all dreams and dark pleasures; stop the onslaught of the passions and quench the burnings that arise in the flesh. Grant us to live chastely in deed and word, that we may obtain a virtuous life, and not fall away from Thy promised blessings; for blessed art Thou forever. Amen.



Prayer 7, of St. John Chrysostom, according

to the number of hours of day and night



O Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly good things. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. O Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, faint-heartedness, and stony insensibility. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation. O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire hath darkened. O Lord, as a man I have sinned, but do Thou, as the compassionate God, have mercy on me, seeing the infirmity of my soul. O Lord, send Thy grace to my aid, that I may glorify Thy holy name. O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me Thy servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a good end. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me by Thy grace to make a good beginning. O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me Thy sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy kingdom. Amen.



O Lord, accept me in repentance. O Lord, forsake me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me good thoughts. O Lord, grant me tears, remembrance of death, and compunction. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience. O Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness. O Lord, implant in me the root of good, Thy fear in my heart. O Lord, vouchsafe me to love Thee with all my soul and mind, and in all things to do Thy will. O Lord, protect me from evil men, demons, and passions, and from every other unseemly thing. O Lord, I know that Thou doest as Thou wilt: Thy will be done also in me a sinner; for blessed art Thou unto the ages. Amen.



Prayer 8, to our Lord Jesus Christ



O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honourable Mother, and Thy bodiless angels, Thy Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist, the God-inspired apostles, the radiant and victorious martyrs, the holy and God-bearing fathers, and through the intercessions of all the saints, deliver me from the besetting presence of the demons. Yea, my Lord and Creator, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant conversion also to me, wretched and unworthy; rescue me from the mouth of the pernicious serpent, who is yawning to devour me and take me down to hades alive. Yea, my Lord, my Comfort, Who for my miserable sake wast clothed in corruptible flesh, draw me out of misery, and grant comfort to my miserable soul. Implant in my heart to fulfill Thy commandments, and to forsake evil deeds, and to obtain Thy blessings; for in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, save me.



Prayer 9, to the Most Holy Theotokos



O good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary, do thou pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my passionate soul, and by thine intercessions guide me unto good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish, and attain paradise through thee, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure and blessed.



Prayer 10, to the Holy Guardian Angel



O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of mine enemy, lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and all the saints. Amen.



Kontakion to the Theotokos Tone 8



To thee, the Champion Leader, we thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos; but as thou art one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, thou Bride Unwedded!



Most glorious, Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, present our prayer to thy Son and our God, that through thee He may save our souls.



All my hope I place in thee, O Mother of God: keep me under thy protection.



O Virgin Theotokos, disdain not me a sinner, needing thy help and thy protection, and have mercy on me, for my soul hath hoped in thee.



My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.



Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos Tone 8



It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.



Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Lord, have mercy. Thrice



O Lord, bless.



O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our holy and God-bearing fathers and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.



Upon Retiring

Prayer of Saint John Damascene, which is to be said while pointing at thy bed



O Master, Lover of mankind, is this bed to be my coffin, or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Behold, the coffin lieth before me; behold, death confronteth me. I fear, O Lord, Thy judgment and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger Thee, and Thy most pure Mother, and all the Heavenly Hosts, and my Holy Guardian Angel. I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love for mankind, but am worthy of every condemnation and torment. But, O Lord, whether I will it or not, save me. For to save a righteous man is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy of Thy mercy. But on me a sinner, show the wonder of Thy mercy; in this reveal Thy love for mankind, lest my wickedness prevail over Thine ineffable goodness and merciful kindness; and order my life as Thou wilt.



And when about to lie down in bed, say this:



Enlighten mine eyes, O Christ God, lest at any time I sleep unto death, lest at any time mine enemy say: I have prevailed against him.



Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.



Be my soul's helper, O God, for I pass through the midst of many snares; deliver me out of them and save me, O Good One, for Thou art the Lover of mankind.



Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.



The most glorious Mother of God, more holy than the holy angels, let us hymn unceasingly with our hearts and mouths, confessing her to be the Theotokos, for truly she gaveth birth to God incarnate for us, and prayeth unceasingly for our souls.



Then kiss thy Cross, and make the sign of the Cross from the head to the foot of the bed, and likewise from side to side, while saying:



The Prayer to the Precious Cross



Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of them that love God and who sign themselves with the sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Rejoice, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was crucified on thee, Who went down to hades and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, His precious Cross, for the driving away of every adversary. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me together with the holy Lady Virgin Theotokos, and with all the saints, unto the ages. Amen.



Or



Compass me about, O Lord, with the power of Thy precious and life-giving Cross and preserve me from every evil.



Then, in lieu of asking forgiveness of others



Remit, pardon, forgive, O God, our offenses, both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance, by day or by night, in mind and thought; forgive us all things, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.



Prayer



O Lord, Lover of mankind, forgive them that hate and wrong us. Do good to them that do good. Grant our brethren and kindred their saving petitions and life eternal; visit the infirm and grant them healing. Guide those at sea. Journey with them that travel. Help Orthodox Christians to struggle. To them that serve and are kind to us grant remission of sins. On them that have charged us, the unworthy, to pray for them, have mercy according to Thy great mercy.



Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren departed before us, and grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shall visit them.



Remember, O Lord, our brethren in captivity, and deliver them from every misfortune.



Remember, O Lord, those that bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches, and grant them their saving petitions and life eternal.



Remember also, O Lord, us Thy lowly and sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy knowledge, and guide us in the way of Thy commandments; through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Thy saints, for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.



Daily Confession of Sins



I confess to Thee, my Lord God and Creator, in one Holy Trinity glorified and worshipped, to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all my sins which I have committed in all the days of my life, and at every hour, at the present time and in the past, day and night, by deed, word, thought, gluttony, drunkenness, secret eating, idle talking, despondency, indolence, contradiction, disobedience, slandering, condemning, negligence, self-love, acquisitiveness, extortion, lying, dishonesty, mercenariness, jealousy, envy, anger, remembrance of wrongs, hatred, bribery; and by all my senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch; and by the rest of my sins, of the soul together with the bodily, through which I have angered Thee, my God and Creator, and dealt unjustly with my neighbour. Sorrowing for these, I stand guilty before Thee, my God, but I have the will to repent. Only help me, O Lord my God, with tears I humbly entreat Thee. Forgive my past sins through Thy compassion, and absolve from all these which I have s aid in Thy presence, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.



At the time of sleep, say



Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commit my spirit. Do Thou bless me, do Thou have mercy on me, and grant me life eternal. Amen.



Prayers Before Sleep (In Russian):
 
Молитвы на сон грядущим


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Во имя Отца, и Сына, и Святаго Духа. Аминь.

Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, молитв ради Пречистыя Твоея Матере, преподобных и богоносных отец наших и всех святых, помилуй нас. Аминь.

Слава Тебе, Боже наш, слава Тебе.

Царю Небесный, Утешителю, Душе истины, Иже везде сый и вся исполняяй, Сокровище благих и жизни Подателю, прииди и вселися в ны, и очисти ны от всякия скверны, и спаси, Блаже, души наша.

Святый Боже, Святый Крепкий, Святый Безсмертный, помилуй нас. (Трижды)

Слава Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, и ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь.

Пресвятая Троице, помилуй нас; Господи, очисти грехи наша; Владыко, прости беззакония наша; Святый, посети и исцели немощи наша, имене Твоего ради.

Господи, помилуй. (Трижды)



Слава Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, и ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь.

Отче наш, Иже еси на небесех! Да святится имя Твое, да приидет Царствие Твое, да будет воля Твоя, яко на небеси и на земли. Хлеб наш насущный даждь нам днесь; и остави нам долги наша, якоже и мы оставляем должником нашим; и не введи нас во искушение, но избави нас от лукаваго.







Тропари

Помилуй нас, Господи, помилуй нас; всякаго бо ответа недоумеюще, сию Ти молитву яко Владыце грешнии приносим: помилуй нас.

Слава: Господи, помилуй нас, на Тя бо уповахом; не прогневайся на ны зело, ниже помяни беззаконий наших, но призри и ныне яко благоутробен, и избави ны от враг наших; Ты бо еси Бог наш, и мы людие Твои, вси дела руку Твоею, и имя Твое призываем.

И ныне: Милосердия двери отверзи нам, благословенная Богородице, надеющиися на Тя да не погибнем, но да избавимся Тобою от бед: Ты бо еси спасение рода христианскаго.

Господи, помилуй. (12 раз)







Молитва 1-я, святого Макария Великого, к Богу Отцу

Боже вечный и Царю всякаго создания, сподобивый мя даже в час сей доспети, прости ми грехи, яже сотворих в сей день делом, словом и помышлением, и очисти, Господи, смиренную мою душу от всякия скверны плоти и духа. И даждь ми, Господи, в нощи сей сон прейти в мире, да востав от смиреннаго ми ложа, благоугожду пресвятому имени Твоему, во вся дни живота моего, и поперу борющия мя враги плотския и безплотныя. И избави мя, Господи, от помышлений суетных, оскверняющих мя, и похотей лукавых. Яко Твое есть царство, и сила и слава, Отца и Сына и Святаго Духа, ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь.







Молитва 2-я, святого Антиоха, ко Господу нашему Иисусу Христу

Вседержителю, Слово Отчее, Сам совершен сый, Иисусе Христе, многаго ради милосердия Твоего никогдаже отлучайся мене, раба Твоего, но всегда во мне почивай. Иисусе, добрый Пастырю Твоих овец, не предаждь мене крамоле змиине, и желанию сатанину не остави мене, яко семя тли во мне есть. Ты убо, Господи Боже покланяемый, Царю Святый, Иисусе Христе, спяща мя сохрани немерцающим светом, Духом Твоим Святым, Имже освятил еси Твоя ученики. Даждь, Господи, и мне, недостойному рабу Твоему, спасение Твое на ложи моем: просвети ум мой светом разума святаго Евангелия Твоего, душу любовию Креста Твоего, сердце чистотою словесе Твоего, тело мое Твоею страстию безстрастною, мысль мою Твоим смирением сохрани, и воздвигни мя во время подобно на Твое славословие. Яко препрославлен еси со Безначальным Твоим Отцем и с Пресвятым Духом во веки. Аминь.







Молитва 3- я, ко Пресвятому Духу

Господи, Царю Небесный, Утешителю, Душе истины, умилосердися и помилуй мя грешнаго раба Твоего, и отпусти ми недостойному, и прости вся, елика Ти согреших днесь яко человек, паче же и не яко человек, но и горее скота, вольныя моя грехи и невольныя, ведомыя и неведомыя: яже от юности и науки злы, и яже суть от нагльства и уныния. Аще именем Твоим кляхся, или похулих е в помышлении моем; или кого укорих; или оклеветах кого гневом моим, или опечалих, или о чем прогневахся; или солгах, или безгодно спах, или нищ прииде ко мне, и презрех его; или брата моего опечалих, или свадих, или кого осудих; или развеличахся, или разгордехся, или разгневахся; или стоящу ми на молитве, ум мой о лукавствии мира сего подвижеся, или развращение помыслих; или объядохся, или опихся, или без ума смеяхся; или лукавое помыслих, или доброту чуждую видев, и тою уязвлен бых сердцем; или неподобная глаголах, или греху брата моего посмеяхся, моя же суть безчисленная согрешения; или о молитве не радих, или ино что содеях лукавое, не помню, та бо вся и больша сих содеях. Помилуй мя, Творче мой Владыко, унылаго и недостойнаго раба Твоего, и остави ми, и отпусти, и прости мя, яко Благ и Человеколюбец, да с миром лягу, усну и почию, блудный, грешный и окаянный аз, и поклонюся, и воспою, и прославлю пречестное имя Твое, со Отцем, и Единородным Его Сыном, ныне и присно и во веки. Аминь.







Молитва 4-я, святого Макария Великого

Что Ти принесу, или что Ти воздам, великодаровитый Безсмертный Царю, щедре и человеколюбче Господи, яко ленящася мене на Твое угождение, и ничтоже благо сотворша, привел еси на конец мимошедшаго дне сего, обращение и спасение души моей строя? Милостив ми буди грешному и обнаженному всякаго дела блага, возстави падшую мою душу, осквернившуюся в безмерных согрешениих, и отыми от мене весь помысл лукавый видимаго сего жития. Прости моя согрешения, едине Безгрешне, яже Ти согреших в сей день, ведением и неведением, словом, и делом, и помышлением, и всеми моими чувствы. Ты Сам, покрывая, сохрани мя от всякаго сопротивнаго обстояния Божественною Твоею властию, и неизреченным человеколюбием, и силою. Очисти, Боже, очисти множество грехов моих. Благоволи, Господи, избавити мя от сети лукаваго, и спаси страстную мою душу, и осени мя светом лица Твоего, егда приидеши во славе, и неосужденна ныне сном уснути сотвори, и без мечтания, и несмущен помысл раба Твоего соблюди, и всю сатанину детель отжени от мене, и просвети ми разумныя очи сердечныя, да не усну в смерть. И посли ми Ангела мирна, хранителя и наставника души и телу моему, да избавит мя от враг моих; да востав со одра моего, принесу Ти благодарственныя мольбы. Ей, Господи, услыши мя грешнаго и убогаго раба Твоего, изволением и совестию; даруй ми воставшу словесем Твоим поучитися, и уныние бесовское далече от мене отгнано быти сотвори Твоими Ангелы; да благословлю имя Твое святое, и прославлю, и славлю Пречистую Богородицу Марию, Юже дал еси нам грешным заступление, и приими Сию молящуюся за ны; вем бо, яко подражает Твое человеколюбие, и молящися не престает. Тоя заступлением, и Честнаго Креста знамением, и всех святых Твоих ради, убогую душу мою соблюди, Иисусе Христе Боже наш, яко Свят еси, и препрославлен во веки. Аминь.







Молитва 5-я

Господи Боже наш, еже согреших во дни сем словом, делом и помышлением, яко Благ и Человеколюбец прости ми. Мирен сон и безмятежен даруй ми. Ангела Твоего хранителя посли, покрывающа и соблюдающа мя от всякаго зла, яко Ты еси хранитель душам и телесем нашим, и Тебе славу возсылаем, Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь.







Молитва 6-я

Господи Боже наш, в Негоже веровахом, и Егоже имя паче всякаго имене призываем, даждь нам, ко сну отходящим, ослабу души и телу, и соблюди нас от всякаго мечтания, и темныя сласти кроме; устави стремление страстей, угаси разжжения востания телеснаго. Даждь нам целомудренно пожити делы и словесы; да добродетельное жительство восприемлюще, обетованных не отпадем благих Твоих, яко благословен еси во веки. Аминь.







Молитва 7-я, святого Иоанна Златоуста

(24 молитвы, по числу часов дня и ночи)

Господи, не лиши мене небесных Твоих благ.

Господи, избави мя вечных мук.

Господи, умом ли или помышлением, словом или делом согреших, прости мя.

Господи, избави мя всякаго неведения и забвения, и малодушия, и окамененнаго нечувствия.

Господи, избави мя от всякаго искушения.

Господи, просвети мое сердце, еже помрачи лукавое похотение.

Господи, аз яко человек согреших, Ты же яко Бог щедр, помилуй мя, видя немощь души моея.

Господи, посли благодать Твою в помощь мне, да прославлю имя Твое святое.

Господи Иисусе Христе, напиши мя раба Твоего в книзе животней и даруй ми конец благий.

Господи, Боже мой, аще и ничтоже благо сотворих пред Тобою, но даждь ми по благодати Твоей положити начало благое.

Господи, окропи в сердце моем росу благодати Твоея.

Господи небесе и земли, помяни мя грешнаго раба Твоего, студнаго и нечистаго, во Царствии Твоем. Аминь.

Господи, в покаянии приими мя.

Господи, не остави мене.

Господи, не введи мене в напасть.

Господи, даждь ми мысль благу.

Господи, даждь ми слезы и память смертную, и умиление.

Господи, даждь ми помысл исповедания грехов моих.

Господи, даждь ми смирение, целомудрие и послушание.

Господи, даждь ми терпение, великодушие и кротость.

Господи, всели в мя корень благих, страх Твой в сердце мое.

Господи, сподоби мя любити Тя от всея души моея и помышления и творити во всем волю Твою.

Господи, покрый мя от человек некоторых, и бесов, и страстей, и от всякия иныя неподобныя вещи.

Господи, веси, яко твориши, якоже Ты волиши, да будет воля Твоя и во мне грешнем, яко благословен еси во веки. Аминь.







Молитва 8-я, ко Господу нашему Иисусу Христу

Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, ради честнейшия Матере Твоея, и безплотных Твоих Ангел, Пророка же и Предтечи и Крестителя Твоего, богоглаголивых же апостол, светлых и добропобедных мученик, преподобных и богоносных отец, и всех святых молитвами, избави мя настоящаго обстояния бесовскаго. Ей, Господи мой и Творче, не хотяй смерти грешнаго, но якоже обратитися и живу быти ему, даждь и мне обращение окаянному и недостойному; изми мя от уст пагубнаго змия, зияющаго пожрети мя и свести во ад жива. Ей, Господи мой, утешение мое, Иже мене ради окаяннаго в тленную плоть оболкийся, исторгни мя от окаянства, и утешение подаждь души моей окаянней. Всади в сердце мое творити Твоя повеления, и оставити лукавая деяния, и получити блаженства Твоя: на Тя бо, Господи, уповах, спаси мя.







Молитва 9-я, ко Пресвятой Богородице, Петра Студийского

К Тебе Пречистей Божией Матери аз окаянный припадая молюся: веси, Царице, яко безпрестани согрешаю и прогневляю Сына Твоего и Бога моего, и многажды аще каюся, лож пред Богом обретаюся, и каюся трепеща: неужели Господь поразит мя, и по часе паки таяжде творю; ведущи сия, Владычице моя Госпоже Богородице, молю, да помилуеши, да укрепиши, и благая творити да подаси ми. Веси бо, Владычице моя Богородице, яко отнюд имам в ненависти злая моя дела, и всею мыслию люблю закон Бога моего; но не вем, Госпоже Пречистая, откуду яже ненавижду, та и люблю, а благая преступаю. Не попущай, Пречистая, воли моей совершатися, не угодна бо есть, но да будет воля Сына Твоего и Бога моего: да мя спасет, и вразумит, и подаст благодать Святаго Духа, да бых аз отселе престал сквернодейства, и прочее пожил бых в повелении Сына Твоего, Емуже подобает всякая слава, честь и держава, со Безначальным Его Отцем, и Пресвятым и Благим и Животворящим Его Духом, ныне и присно, и во веки веков. Aминь.







Молитва 10-я, ко Пресвятой Богородице

Благаго Царя благая Мати, Пречистая и Благословенная Богородице Марие, милость Сына Твоего и Бога нашего излей на страстную мою душу и Твоими молитвами настави мя на деяния благая, да прочее время живота моего без порока прейду и Тобою рай да обрящу, Богородице Дево, едина Чистая и Благословенная.







Молитва 11-я, ко святому Ангелу хранителю

Ангеле Христов, хранителю мой святый и покровителю души и тела моего, вся ми прости, елика согреших во днешний день, и от всякаго лукавствия противнаго ми врага избави мя, да ни в коемже гресе прогневаю Бога моего; но моли за мя грешнаго и недостойнаго раба, яко да достойна мя покажеши благости и милости Всесвятыя Троицы и Матере Господа моего Иисуса Христа и всех святых. Аминь.







Кондак Богородице

Взбранной Воеводе победительная, яко избавльшеся от злых, благодарственная восписуем Ти раби Твои, Богородице, но яко имущая державу непобедимую, от всяких нас бед свободи, да зовем Ти; радуйся, Невесто Неневестная.

Преславная Приснодево, Мати Христа Бога, принеси нашу молитву Сыну Твоему и Богу нашему, да спасет Тобою души наша.

Все упование мое на Тя возлагаю, Мати Божия, сохрани мя под кровом Твоим.

Богородице Дево, не презри мене, грешнаго, требующа Твоея помощи и Твоего заступления, на Тя бо упова душа моя, и помилуй мя.







Молитва святого Иоанникия

Упование мое Отец, прибежище мое Сын, покров мой Дух Святый: Троице Святая, слава Тебе.

Достойно есть яко воистинну блажити Тя, Богородицу, Присноблаженную и Пренепорочную и Матерь Бога нашего. Честнейшую Херувим и славнейшую без сравнения Серафим, без истления Бога Слова рождшую, сущую Богородицу Тя величаем.

Слава Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, и ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь.



Господи, помилуй. (Трижды)

Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, молитв ради Пречистыя Твоея Матере, преподобных и богоносных отец наших и всех святых, помилуй нас. Аминь.







Молитва святого Иоанна Дамаскина



Владыко Человеколюбче, неужели мне одр сей гроб будет, или еще окаянную мою душу просветиши днем? Се ми гроб предлежит, се ми смерть предстоит. Суда Твоего, Господи, боюся и муки безконечныя, злое же творя не престаю: Тебе Господа Бога моего всегда прогневляю, и Пречистую Твою Матерь, и вся Небесныя силы, и святаго Ангела хранителя моего. Вем убо, Господи, яко недостоин есмь человеколюбия Твоего, но достоин есмь всякаго осуждения и муки. Но, Господи, или хощу, или не хощу, спаси мя. Аще бо праведника спасеши, ничтоже велие; и аще чистаго помилуеши, ничтоже дивно: достойни бо суть милости Твоея. Но на мне грешнем удиви милость Твою: о сем яви человеколюбие Твое, да не одолеет моя злоба Твоей неизглаголанней благости и милосердию: и якоже хощеши, устрой о мне вещь.

Просвети очи мои, Христе Боже, да не когда усну в смерть, да не когда речет враг мой: укрепихся на него.

Слава: Заступник души моея буди, Боже, яко посреде хожду сетей многих; избави мя от них и спаси мя, Блаже, яко Человеколюбец.

И ныне: Преславную Божию Матерь, и святых Ангел Святейшую, немолчно воспоим сердцем и усты, Богородицу сию исповедающе, яко воистинну рождшую нам Бога воплощенна, и молящуюся непрестанно о душах наших.







Знаменуй себя крестом и говори молитву Честному Кресту:



Да воскреснет Бог, и расточатся врази Его, и да бежат от лица Его ненавидящии Его. Яко исчезает дым, да исчезнут; яко тает воск от лица огня, тако да погибнут беси от лица любящих Бога и знаменующихся крестным знамением, и в веселии глаголющих: радуйся, Пречестный и Животворящий Кресте Господень, прогоняяй бесы силою на тебе пропятаго Господа нашего Иисуса Христа, во ад сшедшаго и поправшего силу диаволю, и даровавшаго нам тебе Крест Свой Честный на прогнание всякаго супостата. О, Пречестный и Животворящий Кресте Господень! Помогай ми со Святою Госпожею Девою Богородицею и со всеми святыми во веки. Аминь.







Или кратко:

Огради мя, Господи, силою Честнаго и Животворящаго Твоего Креста, и сохрани мя от всякаго зла.







Молитва

Ослаби, остави, прости, Боже, прегрешения наша, вольная и невольная, яже в слове и в деле, яже в ведении и не в ведении, яже во дни и в нощи, яже во уме и в помышлении: вся нам прости, яко Благ и Человеколюбец.







Молитва

Ненавидящих и обидящих нас прости, Господи Человеколюбче. Благотворящим благосотвори. Братиям и сродником нашим даруй яже ко спасению прошения и жизнь вечную. В немощех сущия посети и исцеление даруй. Иже на мори управи. Путешествующим спутешествуй. Служащим и милующим нас грехов оставление даруй. Заповедавших нам недостойным молитися о них помилуй по велицей Твоей милости. Помяни, Господи, прежде усопших отец и братий наших и упокой их, идеже присещает свет лица Твоего. Помяни, Господи, братий наших плененных и избави я от всякаго обстояния. Помяни, Господи, плодоносящих и доброделающих во святых Твоих церквах, и даждь им яже ко спасению прошения и жизнь вечную. Помяни, Господи, и нас, смиренных и грешных и недостойных раб Твоих, и просвети наш ум светом разума Твоего, и настави нас на стезю заповедей Твоих, молитвами Пречистыя Владычицы нашея Богородицы и Приснодевы Марии и всех Твоих святых: яко благословен еси во веки веков. Аминь.







Исповедание грехов повседневное

Исповедаю Тебе Господу Богу моему и Творцу, во Святей Троице Единому, славимому и покланяемому, Отцу и Сыну и Святому Духу, вся моя грехи, яже содеях во вся дни живота моего, и на всякий час, и в настоящее время, и в прешедшия дни и нощи, делом, словом, помышлением, объядением, пиянством, тайноядением, празднословием, унынием, леностию, прекословием, непослушанием, оклеветанием, осуждением, небрежением, самолюбием, многостяжанием, хищением, неправдоглаголанием, скверноприбытчеством, мшелоимством, ревнованием, завистию, гневом, памятозлобием, ненавистию, лихоимством и всеми моими чувствы: зрением, слухом, обонянием, вкусом, осязанием и прочими моими грехи, душевными вкупе и телесными, имиже Тебе Бога моего и Творца прогневах, и ближняго моего онеправдовах: о сих жалея, винна себе Тебе Богу моему представляю, и имею волю каятися: точию, Господи Боже мой, помози ми, со слезами смиренно молю Тя: прешедшая же согрешения моя милосердием Твоим прости ми, и разреши от всех сих, яже изглаголах пред Тобою, яко Благ и Человеколюбец.







Когда отходишь ко сну, произноси:

В руце Твои, Господи Иисусе Христе, Боже мой, предаю дух мой: Ты же мя благослови, Ты мя помилуй и живот вечный даруй ми. Аминь.