Selected hymns to St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (with scenes from his life) (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0942/s0942005.jpg)

  
Selected hymns to St. John Chrysostom - Commemorated November 13th

Prosomoia of the Stichera in Tone 4. As noble among Martyrs.

Let us praise in song the golden trumpet, the instrument inspired by God, the inexhaustible ocean of doctrines, the support of the Church, the heavenly mind, the depth of wisdom, the mixing bowl of solid gold which pours out rivers of teachings that flow with honey and which waters creation.

Let us fittingly honour John of golden speech, the unsetting star which lights with the rays of its teachings the whole wide earth; the herald of repentance, the all-golden sponge that takes away the sweat of dread despair and moistens hearts wasted by sins.

The Angel of earth and man of heaven, the sweet singing swallow of many notes, the treasury of the virtues, the unbreakable rock, pattern for the faithful, rival of the Martyrs, in rank the equal of the holy Angels, in living one with the Apostles, let Chrysostom be magnified in hymns.

Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Plagal of the Second Tone

Thrice-blessed, holiest, venerable Father, the good shepherd and Disciple of Christ the Chief Shepherd, you lay down your life for the sheep. Now too, all-praised John Chrysostom, by your prayers ask that we may be granted his great mercy.

At the Aposticha, Prosomia in the Plagal of the First Tone. Hail of Ascetics.

Hail instrument of the Church, lovely and gleaming like gold; the tongue which with love for mankind traced out for us the many-sided ways of repentance; mind formed of gold; golden-mouthed swallow; dove, whose pinions, as the Psalmist says, are shining like gold with the golden pallor of virtues; stream like gold, pouring out waters; godlike mouth and entrusted with love for mankind: entreat Christ to send down to our souls his great mercy.

Hail Father of orphans; sure help of the wronged; provision for the poor; righting of sinners; most skilled and revered physician of souls; lofty precision of theology; clarity of the Scriptures of the Spirit; most effective law; straightest rule; contemplation and action, the summits of wisdom. entreat Christ to send down to our souls his great mercy.

You made yourself into a consecrated house of the sacred virtues; for in you, Father, as in a holy and most pure temple, they made their dwelling; for you governed wisely the body’s senses and guarded your mind, purified of the passions, as in a secure treasure-house; therefore you became most godlike, All-blessed, and presided over the Church, adorned with the priesthood, implore Christ to grant the world his great mercy.

Doxastikon of the Aposticha in the Plagal of the Second Tone.

You were revealed as golden-voiced trumpet, O Golden Mouthed of golden words, making the hearts of the faithful golden by your teachings worked in gold. For the sound of your doctrines went out, Venerable Father, and enlightened the ends of all the world.

St. John Chrysostom (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0942/s0942003.jpg)

  

Apolytikion. Tone 8. Model Melody.

The grace which shone from your mouth like a torch of flame enlightened the whole earth; it laid up for the world the treasures of freedom from avarice; it showed us the height of humility. But as you train us by your words, Father John Chrysostom, intercede with Christ God, the Word, that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion. Tone 6.

You received divine grace from heaven, and through your lips you teach us all to worship one God in Trinity, venerable John Chrysostom, wholly blessed. Fittingly we praise you, for you are a teacher who makes clear things divine.

Oikos

I bow the knee to the Maker of all things, I stretch out my hands to the eternal Word seeking the gift of words that I may sing the praise of the Saint whom he magnified. For he who lives to the ages said to the Prophet: I glorify those who glorify me with faith. He then, who among those of old exalted Samuel, has now glorified his Hierarch. For having traded well he brought the talent with which he had been entrusted to the King. Therefore the One above all being also exalted him. For this reason I the unworthy ask that words be given me that I may have strength to sing his praise. For he is the instructor of the of the world who makes clear things divine.

Synaxarion.

On the 13th of the month, Commemoration of our Father among the Saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.

Verses.

Closing his mouth in death, the golden John
Another mouth has left to us: his books.
On the thirteenth of the month the lips that were golden fell silent.

Prosomoia of the Praises in Tone 4. You have given as a sign.

Pouring forth your sacred teachings more brightly than gold, all-wise Chrysostom, you enrich minds that are poor, and you dispel the fog of the passions and the bitter winter of the love of money. And so, as is fitting, we call you blessed and honour the dust of your relics as a source of sanctification.

   

Let the fiery pillar, the river that flows with waters of doctrines, the heavenly mind of theology, the mouth of solid gold, guarantor for sinners, inspired herald of repentance, brightly shining beacon, heavenly mortal, the blessed Chrysostom be praise today.

   

You have become a sun with many lights, irradiating the inhabited world by your words, dazzling star, brightly shining lamp, torch that ever summons those who are storm-tossed by the worldly sea to the calm haven of salvation by grace, O Golden-worded, Golden-mouthed, intercessor for our souls.

   

Unjustly driven from flock, venerable Father, you became familiar with afflictions and bitter exiles, by which you were counted worthy of a blessed end as a noble Athlete, throwing down the one of many wiles, and Christ crowned you with a diadem of victory, John Chrysostom, intercessor for our souls.

   

Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. By Anatolios.

With golden words and teachings inspired by God you adorned the Church of God, storing up in it spiritual riches, your words received from God, and so, having woven for you with songs a crown of unfading flowers, she offers it to your sacred memory, O John, wise in God, all golden of soul and tongue. But as you freedom to speak, venerable Father, intercede on behalf of our souls.
(All texts and translations on this page are copyright to
Archimandrite Ephrem © http://www.anastasis.org.uk/13%20nov.htm)

     

St. John Chrysostom, before Christ on the Holy Altar (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0942/s0942011.jpg)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!