Icon of Jesus Christ "The Bethlehemite"

15th Century Icon of Jesus Christ "The Bethlehemite" from Kastoria (source)

  

"One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite*, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” 

-1 Samuel 16:18

*Here, David, the Son of Jesse, is foreshadowing another Son, Jesus Christ, Who would later also come from Bethlehem

 

Another view of this famous icon (source)

  

"Seeing Christ’s healing temple opened, and how health streams from Him to Adam, the devil suffered and was stricken. Then he wailed as if in mortal danger and to his friends raised a bitter howl: what shall I do to the Son of Mary? The Bethlehemite is killing me, Who is everywhere present and fills all things."

-Oikos from Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

(source)

 

A modern rendering of Jesus Christ "The Bethlehemite" by Hadjimichael (source)

  

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

"Come, let us hymn the Mother of the Savior..."

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Icon "All Creation Rejoices in Thee" (source)

  

Come, let us hymn the Mother of the Savior, who after giving birth, remained a Virgin. Rejoice, O animate City of our King and God, in whom Christ dwelt, having worked our salvation. Together with Gabriel we hymn you, together with the Shepherds we cry out: O Theotokos, intercede with Him Who took on flesh from you, that we be saved.
-Idiomelon of the Praises from Matins of Christmas
  
(source)
  

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

The Nativity Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The Nativity of Christ (source)

   

The first and great Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist, written through God's help in honor of His Nativity in the flesh.
   

On the Nativity of Christ
by St. Romanos the Melodist
   
Prelude
Today the Virgin gives birth to him who is above all being,
and the earth offers a cave to him whom no one can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory,
and magi journey with a star,
for to us there has been born
a little Child, God before the ages. 

Bethlehem has opened Eden, come, let us see;
we have found delight in secret, come, let us receive the joys of Paradise within the cave.

There the unwatered root whose blossom is forgiveness has appeared. There has been found the undug well
from which David once longed to drink.
There a virgin has borne a babe
and has quenched at once Adam’s and David’s thirst.
For this, let us hasten to this place where there has been born

a little Child, God before the ages.

(Note, this excerpt is taken from the English translation by Fr. Ephraim Lash of blessed memory, available in his wonderful book: On the Life of Christ: Chanted Sermons by the Great Sixth Century Poet and Singer St. Romanos (Sacred Literature Trust Series); the English text of this translation is available here, is available read by Frederica Mathewes-Green here, and the original Greek is available here)
   

The Nativity of Christ (source)

   

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

St. Ignatius of Antioch on the Mystery of Christ's Incarnation

The Nativity of Christ (source)

  
"Let my spirit be counted as nothing for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block" to those that do not believe, but to us salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer?" Where is the boasting of those who are styled prudent? For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Spirit. He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water.

"Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of Which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death."
-St. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians
  
(source)

 

The Magi following the Star (source)

  

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

St. Iakovos of Evia on the joy of the Nativity of Christ

The Adoration of the Magi (source)

  
"Yes, my good children! My joy was so great from the nativity of Christ, that I couldn't keep it to myself. I said to myself, 'O Iakovos, go into the forest to chant: 'Christ is born, glorify Him''. And as I was changing the birds came and chanted together with me."

This St. Iakovos of Evia told to students who came as pilgrims to the Monastery of St. David, when, after the vigil of Christmas, they took a walk in the forest and saw the holy elder chanting, surrounded by birds.
(source)
  

St. Iakovos of Evia chanting of Christ's birth in the forest, surrounded by birds (source)

  

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

St. John of Kronstadt: The most pleasing sacrifice to the Infant Jesus Christ

The Nativity of Christ (source)

 

“What, then, O, brethren, is required of us in order that we might avail ourselves of all the grace brought unto us from on high by the coming to earth of the Son of God? What is necessary, first of all, is faith in the Son of God, in the Gospel as the salvation-bestowing heavenly teaching; a true repentance of sins and the correction of life and of heart; communion in prayer and in the mysteries [sacraments]; the knowledge and fulfillment of Christ’s commandments. Also necessary are the virtues: Christian humility, alms-giving, continence, purity and chastity, simplicity and goodness of heart.

Let us, then, O brothers and sisters, bring these virtues as a gift to the One Who was born for the sake of our salvation – let us bring them in place of the gold, frankincense and myrrh which the Magi brought Him, as to One Who is King, God, and Man, come to die for us. This, from us, shall be the most-pleasing form of sacrifice to God and to the Infant Jesus Christ.”

-St. John of Kronstadt, Sermon on the Nativity of Jesus Christ

(source)

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

"With every "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," it is like casting an atomic bomb in the heart of the devil..."

Jesus Christ enthroned in glory (source)

  
When a man says: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," do you know what happens? It brings energy, it brings the Grace of the Holy Spirit puts it in action. He orders this "fire" of Divine Grace, to be worked throughout the earth. And how is this done? It brings joy to the angels, and brings sadness and enflames the demons. It is a further hell for the demons.
  
With every "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," it is like casting an atomic bomb in the heart of the devil (and because of this, [the devil] fervently puts up roadblocks) and it will be heard unto the ages of ages, not because we ourselves have this Grace, but because the name of Jesus Christ itself carries this energy and Grace and has so much power, as much power and Grace that His Godhead has!
  
For this Grace to be energized in essence in ourselves, we must have the following presuppositions:
A) frequent sacramental life
B) to have been forgiven by all men,
C) to proceed through life with purity in body and soul,
D) to have a spiritual guide, and,
E) to have an order and daily program of spiritual duties in the realm of silence and compunction.
-Elder Ephraim of St Andrew Skete, Mount Athos
  
(source)

  

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

"The Lord glorified you with a multitude of wonders and awesome deeds..."

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker (source)

  
The Lord glorified you with a multitude of wonders and awesome deeds, O blessed one, for in the holy Synod, you proclaimed the Holy Trinity, and you raised the dead, and transformed the snake into gold, and paradoxically, you turned back and passed through the raging river through your prayers.
-Exaposteilarion for the feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker
  
(source)
  

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

"Well done, good and faithful servant!"

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Well done, good and faithful servant! Well done, worker in the vineyard of Christ! You bore the heat of the day, and to you was given the talent, while you did not grumble against those who came after you. Therefore, the gate of the heavens have been opened unto you. Enter into the joy of your Lord, and intercede on behalf of us, O St. Nicholas.
-Idiomelon of the 50th Psalm, Matins for St. Nicholas
  
(source)
  

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

"You were mystically illumined with the radiance of the Spirit..."

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (source)

 

You were mystically illumined with the radiance of the Spirit, and were thus shown forth to be a true prophet of noetic and divine things, O Porphyrios. For through your zeal for ascetic deeds, you overtook all, reaching a height of virtues hard to climb. And having received a multitude of gifts from the Spirit, you grant many gifts and wonders to those who entreat you, while your life instructs all, calling them to repentance. But, O venerable and compassionate Father, intercede for salvation of souls for those who of those who take refuge in your boldness [before God].

-Idiomelon from the Great Vespers for St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

   

(source)

   

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

Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milesi, Attica, built by St. Porphyrios

Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ built by St. Porphyrios in Milesi, Attica (source)

  
Brief history of the Monastery
The Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ (celebrated August 6th), though technically a dependency, was founded by St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia in Milesi, Attica, geographically between Oropos and Malakassa in the northern suburbs of Athens.

From one's first step as a pilgrim in the area, one encounters the sanctity of the place and the total silence. One is struck by the astonishing Holy Church and the beautiful green surroundings.

A multitude of people hasten to the holy Hesychasterion which honors the memory of the Venerable Porphyrios on December 2nd, the day of his repose, in order to partake in the grace of this Saintly Elder.

The building of the monastery began in 1981, and the building occurred in stages, with the Katholikon being founded in 1990, with permission of Archbishop Seraphim of Athens. The walls of the church were completed in the spring of 1992, a few months after the repose of St. Porphyrios.
  

St. Porphyrios on his bed at the monastery near the end of his life (source)

  
After St. Porphyrios retired from the chaplaincy at the Polyclinic of Athens (St. Gerasimos near Omonoia), he lived a few years at St. Nicholas in Kalisia, Penteli, but ultimately moved to Milesi of Malakassa, where he continued to live humbly, struggling with his illnesses.

That place became a true pilgrimage. The Elder chose obscurity, but God glorified him. "The world," as he wrote later, "took me from my good place, and everyone calls me a saint. However, I feel that I am the greatest sinner of the world...and I entreat all those who knew me to pray for me."
  

The interior of the Katholikon (source) 

  
His last breath was humble and far from the world in Kavsokalyvia of Mount Athos, on December 2nd, 1991, as he had been informed by God that his end was near. His repose was known only by his fellow cell-mates in Kavsokalyvia, and so his funeral was humble in the Garden of the Panagia.
(source)
  
Information and Hours of Operation
Ιερόν Γυναικείον Ησυχαστήριον Αγίου Πορφυρίου Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος
Milesi, Malakasa, Greece 190 11
+30 2295 098261
  
The Monastery is open from sunrise to sunset, except for being closed from 2-4PM daily. Vespers is served daily at either 5PM (winter hours) or 6PM (summer hours). Orthros and Divine Liturgy are served every Sunday from 7-10AM.
(source)
  

Pilgrims to the monastery can venerate the bed and personal articles of St. Porphyrios, a place full of grace (source)

  

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

Metropolitan Neophytos on St. Porphyrios and other Contemporary Saints

This is a wonderful talk in Greek (with English subtitles) by Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou (Cyprus) on his experiences with St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia and other contemporary Saints and Elders of the Orthodox Church. This occurred on his Eminence's recent visit to the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Milesi (outside of Athens). This monastery was built and spiritually guided by St. Porphyrios. Pilgrims to the monastery can venerate the cell of St. Porphyrios and many of his personal articles. The Bishop came as a simple pilgrim and was asked by the Abbess to give a talk after lunch about his relationship with St. Porphyrios. May the Saint help all those who need his help throughout the world! (source)

  

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (source)

  

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

"Mary, the spotless one, and spiritual tabernacle..."

The Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple (source)

  

Mary, the spotless one, and spiritual tabernacle, is offered today in the house of God, and is received by the hands of Zacharias, as a sanctified vessel of the Lord.

O, your wonders surpassing mind, O Spotless One! Strange is your nativity, strange the manner of your raising, and strange and paradoxical is everything about you, O Bride of God, and inscrutable to mortals.

Behold, a joyous springtime has shone forth today to the ends of the earth, gladdening our soul and mind and nous with grace, at the festival of the Theotokos today, and let us mystically rejoice.
-from the Matins Canons for the Great Feast of the Entrace of the Theotokos to the Temple
  
(source)
  

The Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple (source)

  

Most-holy Theotokos, save us!

Remarkable Story of an Appearance of St. Herman

St. Herman of Alaska (source)

  
"I recently discovered this on a friend’s Facebook page and thought it worth sharing. This took place at Holy Resurrection church in Claremont, NH:
“Sometime ago, we invited a local “tree surgeon”, Leo M., to cut down a couple of dead trees in the back of the church property. He came and worked with his wife, Kathleen, doing the job quickly and with kindness to the rest of the surroundings. But they strongly resisted being paid, insisting on offering their work gratis to our church. The reason for it was the following story that happened to them a few years before, just after they had gotten married.
They both were big enthusiasts of serious mountaineering and rock climbing, and therefore for their honeymoon trip they decided to go to Alaska, to bag the highest peak of North America, mount Denali (aka McKinley), 20,320 feet. They prepared their expedition very thoroughly, staying in the camp at the foot of the mountain, talking to guides, studying the maps, checking the equipment, and waiting for a long stretch of good weather.
Everything went just fine for a few days of their exciting, but extremely difficult ascent. At the end of one day, on a narrow path, they met an old, strange looking man in a long robe, who was walking down the mountain. In a friendly manner he greeted them and advised them to turn around and return to the base camp as quickly as possible because the weather was changing into a bad storm. Soon, he said, it will be very dangerous around here. And in answer to their unasked question, how could he know such a thing, he told them that he is local and knows the climate very well. Leaving them surprised and uneasy, he continued on his way.
A few minutes later, when Leo and his wife made a wise decision to turn back and tried to recall the appearance of the old man, they realized that he hadn’t had a back pack or any other hiking gear with him. How could he have made it up so high in the bare rocky mountain in sub-zero temperatures and without any food or protection?!
Anyway, to make a short story shorter, a few days later, almost at the bottom of the mountain, they were indeed caught by a severe storm. They survived it, constantly in their minds thanking the old man who had warned them of the danger. A week later, still staying at the base camp, they were told that some other climbers, who were at the higher elevations than they during the storm, never came back.
But the focal point of the story is this: at the camp cafeteria they noticed a picture of their rescuer, pinned on a bulletin board between all kinds of papers and photos of the mountain. They recognized him from the first, at a glance. When they asked the waiter about his name, he told them, ” It’s St Herman of Alaska.” The photo was of the icon of St Herman from the Orthodox church nearby.
The Saint told them the truth: he was indeed a local guy…”
“By enduring the trials of nature, the storms’ cold and wind together with hunger, thou didst kindle spiritual peace, warmth and satiety, and become unaffected by the elements, truly a heavenly man and earthly angel, O wondrous Herman; so wishing to honor thee as is meet we cry out: Rejoice, conqueror of nature’s hardships! Rejoice, thou who wast arrayed in the virtues! … Rejoice, O venerable Father Herman, adornment of Alaska and joy of all America! ” (From Akathist to St Herman)"
(source)
  

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

St. Ephraim the Syrian on Christ's Divine and Human Natures

Jesus Christ Emmanuel (source)

  
The facts themselves bear witness and his divine acts of power teach those who doubt that he is true God, and his sufferings show that he is true man. And if those who are feeble in understanding are not fully assured, they will pay the penalty on his dread day.
If he was not flesh, why was Mary introduced at all? And if he was not God, whom was Gabriel calling Lord?
If he was not flesh, who was lying in the manger? And if he was not God, whom did the Angels come down and glorify?
If he was not flesh, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if he was not God, whom did the shepherds worship?
If he was not flesh, whom did Joseph circumcise? And if he was not God, in whose honour did the star speed through the heavens?
If he was not flesh, whom did Mary suckle? And if he was not God, to whom did the Magi offer gifts?
If he was not flesh, whom did Symeon carry in his arms? And if he was not God, to whom did he say, “Let me depart in peace”?
If he was not flesh, whom did Joseph take and flee into Egypt? And if he was not God, in whom were words “Out of Egypt I have called my Son” fulfilled?
If he was not flesh, whom did John baptise? And if he was not God, to whom did the Father from heaven say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased”?
If he was not flesh, who fasted and hungered in the desert? And if he was not God, whom did the Angels come down and serve?
If he was not flesh, who was invited to the wedding in Cana of Galilee? And if he was not God, who turned the water into wine?
If he was not flesh, in whose hands were the loaves? And if he was not God, who satisfied crowds and thousands in the desert, not counting women and children, from five loaves and two fishes?
If he was not flesh, who fell asleep in the boat? And if he was not God, who rebuked the winds and the sea?
If he was not flesh, with whom did Simon the Pharisee eat? And if he was not God, who pardoned the offences of the sinful woman?
If he was not flesh, who sat by the well, worn out by the journey? And if he was not God, who gave living water to the woman of Samaria and reprehended her because she had had five husbands?
If he was not flesh, who wore human garments? And if he was not God, who did acts of power and wonders?
If he was not flesh, who spat on the ground and made clay? And if he was not God, who through the clay compelled the eyes to see?
If he was not flesh, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if he was not God, who by his command brought out one four days dead?
If he was not flesh, who sat on the foal? And if he was not God, whom did the crowds go out to meet with glory?
If he was not flesh, whom did the Jews arrest? And if he was not God, who gave an order to the earth and threw them onto their faces.
If he was not flesh, who was struck with a blow? And if he was not God, who cured the ear that had been cut off by Peter and restored it to its place?
If he was not flesh, who received spittings on his face? And if he was not God, who breathed the Holy Spirit into the faces of his Apostles?
If he was not flesh, who stood before Pilate at the judgement seat? And if he was not God, who made Pilate’s wife afraid by a dream?
If he was not flesh, whose garments did the soldiers strip off and divide? And if he was not God, how was the sun darkened at the cross?
If he was not flesh, who was hung on the cross? And if he was not God, who shook the earth from its foundations?
If he was not flesh, whose hands and feet were transfixed by nails? And if he was not God, how was the veil of the temple rent, the rocks broken and the graves opened?
If he was not flesh, who cried out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me”? And if he was not God, who said “Father, forgive them”?
If he was not flesh, who was hung on a cross with the thieves? And if he was not God, how did he say to the thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise”?
If he was not flesh, to whom did they offer vinegar and gall? And if he was not God, on hearing whose voice did Hades tremble?
If he was not flesh, whose side did the lance pierce, and blood and water came out?And if he was not God, who smashed to gates of Hades and tear apart it bonds? And at whose command did the imprisoned dead come out?
If he was not flesh, whom did the Apostles see in the upper room? And if he was not God, how did he enter when the doors were shut?
If he was not flesh, the marks of the nails and the lance in whose hands and side did Thomas handle? And if he was not God, to whom did he cry out, “My Lord and my God”?
If he was not flesh, who ate by the sea of Tiberias? And if he was not God, at whose command was the net filled?
If he was not flesh, whom did the Apostles and Angels see being taken up into heaven? And if he was not God, to whom was heaven opened, whom did the Powers worship in fear and whom did the Father invite to “Sit at my right hand”. As David said, “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, etc.”
If he was not God and man, our salvation is a lie, and the words of the Prophets are lies.  But the Prophets spoke the truth, and their testimonies were not lies. The Holy Spirit spoke through them what they had been commanded.
+ St. Ephrem the Syrian, Excerpt from the Sermon on Transfiguration
(source)
  

Jesus Christ Emmanuel (source)

  

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

Excerpt from a homily on the Holy Archangel Michael, by St. Neophytos the Recluse of Cyprus

Holy Archangel and Taxiarch Michael (source)

  
Excerpt from a Homily on the Holy Archangel Michael, by St. Neophytos the Recluse of Cyprus
Michael, the almighty and great Taxiarch, Michael the one radiant like a torch and wholly-shining like the sun, Michael the Taxiarch of the heavens, the helper of men, I have desired to hymn, as much as is possible, he who is the head and leader of the bodiless powers, the great glory of men and the muzzling of demons, the blooming and shady tree of the vault of the heaven, the most-sacred and great healer of earthly evils, the great and most-speedy eagle of the "Great King", who with faith hastens speedily throughout the world, the wondrous and fiery pillar that reaches heaven, the highest and heavy-laden branch of the cedar, the unfading and chosen branch, the divine bush, which surpasses every fragrance, he who drives away demonic stench from those who are suffering, the sheltering branch and God-planted root, who makes to disappear immediately the burning of the demons, the divine cypress and the tall plane tree, which, for those under its shade, heals those from various afflictions and incurable passions. Now, let us praise him, praises from we who are small for him who is almighty, and having offered a few words of praise, we will offer up salutations. The divine, holy and honored temple which resembles a harbor of salvation and the sky with many stars, a dwelling-place of divine angels, and an ax and sword which rends all forms of passions and a perfect hospital, which ceases the pains of various forms of afflictions...

We know that the nous that writes an encomium such as this must become angelic and heavenly. We know, however, that fervor moves us many times to speak about God. And if God, the Creator of the Angels and all creation, moves us to speak thusly with divine eros, why should it be paradoxical to speak a few things about the divine General, whom I entreat to grant us the grace of God? And before, thus, I seek divine grace and the life-creating Spirit to richly enlighten my poor thoughts. For without Him, no  man can speak of heavenly things. This heavenly fervor moves me to praise the heavenly General, but my earthly mind and my corrupted flesh pulls me down.
  

Holy Archangel Michael (source)

  
But you, O great Archangel, raise me upwards, "cleanse my tongue", strengthen my hand, and grant grace to my nous, that I might be able to praise and salute your grandeur, that my desire might be granted to finish this word. I think that it is better to begin salutations, from Him Who granted to you existence and authority.
Rejoice, O Tachiarch, creation of the Beginningless Light and the second light, together with your fellow Angels.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, creation of the eternal and radiant and fire-bearing Light, together with the other heavenly powers.
  
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, who never thought of yourself more than is right, not of the height of glory that was granted to you, but you always think of Him Who created you, and honored you and glorified you. And with thanksgiving you keep faith in Him unshaken, and with humility you serve Him with obedience, as befits the Creator and Almighty God Who holds all things. Well done, well done, almighty one, for your decision worthy of praise, and who to him who was high-minded and prideful, who thought of evil things and perceived disastrous things, and desired to place heaven as his throne, and to place in submission his ranks, desiring to be life the Most-high One. He [Satan], rightly was rewarded and became from an Archangel into an Arch-demon, from radiant to dark, instead of an exalted throne and heavenly clouds, he became one below and inherited the mansions beneath, and instead of becoming like God, became the lawless one among His creations. This is the result of vainglory and prideful thoughts. Because when one seeks and desires more than the honor which he things he has, he looses it. This is what the devil suffered and which the man [Adam], who desired to be god and immortal, became mortal. And even to this day, many men suffer from this, desiring to inherit greater honor, they loose what they have.
  

Holy Archangel Michael (source)

  
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, who was pleased with your God-given rank, and never sought to inherit more glory or position that that which was granted to you.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, leader of the heavenly powers and great helper of men, who once disputed for the body of the Prophet Moses, responding to the enemy. You did not respond with your own authority, but on behalf of God, as a lover of God and a lover of the Lord, saying: "The Lord rebukes you, O devil". In this manner, therefore, I entreat you, O head General, to cease not to rebuke the tyrant, until, though your right direction and intercessions, O one graced by God, we might meet God Who is full of mercy.
Rejoice, O most-radiant Taxiarch, who stands on the right side of the divine throne, which cannot be described.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, radiant servant of the Source of light and Thrice-holy God.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch and fire-bearing pillar, which formerly led the people of Israel, when they were fleeing Egypt.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, you who formerly were sent by God as a defender for the ancient peoples.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, speedy soldier of God the King, and all-glorious hoplite.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, the famed General of the heavenly army, and mighty defender of earthly soldiers.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, the great glory of the radiant angels and the incurable wounding of the dark demons.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, the supporter of kings and helper of rulers.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, who are a hoplite and head General and great fellow fighter with soldiers.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, servant of God and precious boast of His servants.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, you who are a defender of Christians and dissolver and destroyer of enemies of the faith, for, as the Scriptures say, "A punishing Angel came forth from God, and put to death the Assyrian army 185,000 men."
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, protector of the faithful and destruction of the faithless.
Rejoice, O good Archangel, most-glorious soldier of the Good King, for you hasten from the east to the west, performing with exactness the commandments of God, and you speedily reach the ends of the earth, the sea and the ends of the world.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, whose light is much greater than the sun, the moon, and the various stars. They were created "to keep the proper changing and discernment of the ages, days and years and to enlighten the earth", but you [were created], to glorify God, to direct the Angels, for the salvation of men, enlighten and to guide us, who are upon the earth. You will exist, not for a few "ages, days and years", but you have a portion of immortality, which was granted to us by the Immortal God, and you are a General of the Angels eternally, in order to chant together with all the ranks of the Angels, Archangels, Rulers, Powers, Principalities, the Seraphim and the Cherubim, the divine Thrones,, the Thrice-holy hymn to the Thrice-holy God...
  

The great miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonais (source)

  
Rejoice, O Taxiarch of the divine bodiless powers, who preserved your divine church in Chonais unscathed from the raging of two rivers, Lykou and Lykokamprou, which the lawless idolaters desired to destroy your spring of holy water and your holy church and your servant, Archippos. But you, O fiery torch and fire-bearer, appeared as a pillar of fire reaching from earth to heaven, and you advised him to not be afraid of the raging of the rivers, but you stood firm so that the unconquerable power of God might be seen. And having struck the hard rock with the staff you were holding in your hand, you divided it in two, moving the flow of the two rivers into the abyss which stands to this day. And your servant, together with the holy spring of your sacred church were saved and exist to this day. This area, which formerly was named Kolasses, was renamed Chonais, on behalf of this great miracle, and the funneling downward of the waters.
  
Rejoice, O good Taxiarch, the all-glorious General of the Good King, and the final consolation of His servants. Those who at the hour of their death are made worthy of your radiant presence, are delivered from the bitter darkness of the devil, as the darkness is dissolved by the light. This, do not cease to do for us, O all-perfect one, but now and then, "protect us underneath the shadow of your wings", and enlighten us with the light of your face.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, defender of the righteous and guide of the venerable, monastics, hermits, and dwellers in monasteries.
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, who covers the modest and teaches those unlearned.
  
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, with a voice like a trumpet, who will proclaim the Second Coming of Christ our God, proclaiming to "heaven, the earth and under the earth", and awakening the dead who have slept for ages, to tell them mightily: "Behold the Bridegroom is coming, come forth to meet Him".
Then, as the Scriptures say, the Son of Man "will send His angels to proclaim loudly and to gather thr chosen from the four corners of the world, from one end of the earth to the other". Then, O all-great Archangel of God, do not forget me, I entreat you, do not separate me, the unworthy one, from that gathering, even if it is something great which I seek, do not pass over me, I entreat you, on behalf of your speedy path.
  

Holy Archangel Michael (source)

  
Rejoice, O Taxiarch, who is found with your fellow Angels round about God serving Him and offering Him as gifts the pure souls of the righteous. "For", as the Psalm says, "those around Him will offer gifts". Among which, O first-called by God and all-great one, entreat Him that I might be among them, together with your great and all-radiant helper and fellow-worker, the forerunner of new grace that is worthy of praise, the true divine apostle, who revealed the mystery to the Virgin [Mary], as I perceive him to be a Taxiarch like you and fellow-partaker in glory, Gabriel, the divine and most-glorious and most-perfect arch-deacon of our salvation, who is a perfect and true witness, which the scriptures bear witness to, "there is no one else to help me in these deeds, but only the leader of your nation, the Archangel Michael".

O divine Michael, head General of the angelic powers, him whom I sent to you, do heal, for your divine pharmacy is always full of medicines which relieve pains. And this encomium, like the mites which the Lord received from the widow, do you receive, and make us worthy to remain in your divine church, even though we are poor spiritually and we cannot offer to you something richer or more honorable, for the height of your glory is great and granted by God. Because, we cannot honor you as is right, with our human nous, you who were hyperbolically glorified by God and honored with the command of the choir of the Angels and Archangels. Because of this, as the Lord received the two mites, you too, do receive this encomium, O one graced by God, and because you hearken speedily, and fulfill our entreaties, send him back healthy whom I sent you, that we might all, together with all who are suffering, glorify you and Him Who glorified you, for to the Thrice-holy God belongs all glory, honor and worship, unto the ages. Amen.
(from the writings of St. Neophytos the Recluse, published by his Royal and Stavropegial Holy Monastery, Paphos, source)

  

Archangel Michael the Taxiarch (source)

  

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

"You received in your heart the divine nectar of grace..."

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

  
You received in your heart the divine nectar of grace, O Venerable Nektarios, bestowing the heavenly sweetness of Christ upon the Church in these latter days.
-from the Matins Canon of St. Nektarios
  
(source)
  

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

"O, how awesome will Your Second Coming be..."

Christ's glorious Second Coming, surrounded by the Choirs of the Holy Angels and the Saints (source)

  
O, how awesome will Your Second Coming be, as was foretold by the Prophet Daniel, when he said: Thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days came and sat, being led in by the myriads of the Angels, which stand around in fear and ceaselessly cry out with their voices to the Trinity, unto the ages of ages.
-from the Matins Canon for the Holy Archangels
  
(source)
  

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

Akathist to St. Gabriel the New Confessor of Georgia

St. Gabriel the New Confessor and Fool-for-Christ of Georgia (source)

  
Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church, By the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Ananias of Manglisi and Tetri-Tskaro

Akathist to Our Venerable and God-Bearing Father Gabriel, Holy venerable, confessor and Fool-for-Christ Archimandrite Gabriel, pray to God for us!

In the end days a man will be saved by love, humility and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of heaven; humility will lead into heaven; a man, whose heart is filled with love, will see God. -Venerable Confessor and Fool-for-Christ Gabriel
  

St. Gabriel the Confessor (source)

  
 Troparion
As the Master Christ hid His divinity, * clothing it in humanity, * and, unseen by us, brought into being His ineffable glory, * likewise didst thou hide thy glory by means of foolishness, * and by the wonder of thy confession wast shown forth as a shepherd of souls, * O venerable Father Gabriel, * entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls.     
Kontakion
Immeasurable is the mercy of God, * by Whose goodness we behold His creation divinized * O venerable father, thou didst confirm in thyself the image of thy Creator * and exalted thy being to the likeness of God, * therefore we glorify thee O Father Gabriel, * for thou art worthy of all praise, * thou wast on earth a trumpet of righteousness, a preacher of love and dove of purity,* and thine all-wondrous humility * hast opened to the world a treasury of wisdom, * and now in heaven art thou, the advocate of God’s mercy and our salvation.
 
Magnification
We bless thee, O venerable father Gabriel, and we honor thy holy memory, thou instructor of monks and converser with angels.
  
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. Bow.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Bow.

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

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

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, forgive 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; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Bow.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. 12 times.

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

O come, let us worship God, our King. Bow.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. Bow.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God. Bow.

Psalm 50

Creed
  

St. Gabriel the New of Georgia (source)

  
Begin Akathist

Kontakion 1
We praise thy life and miracles unceasingly with song, O all-praised Father Gabriel, for thou hast shown forth as a great luminary of Iberia, and now in heartfelt supplication we earnestly cry to thee, for thou art our all-powerful protector and mediator before the Lord, look down upon us, holy father, and protect us who are in sorrow and temptations, and with thy fatherly boldness defend us from sickness and misfortune, propitiate for us the all-powerful God that He keep us from wandering along sinful paths, and deliver from evil those who praise and chant to thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!

Ikos 1
As the Lord revealed the prophets to Israel as denouncers of evil and advocates before God, Christ blessed thee for great works, having beheld thine boundless heart. Thou wast revealed to us as a Fool-for-Christ, teacher, intercessor, and a rebuker of this iniquitous age and its generation. Wherefore from youth wast thou devoted to the service of God for the sake of our salvation, delivering us from sinful passions and danger. Even after thy holy death thou persistently fulfillest thy vow, warmly caring for those who come to thee, and as an eagle gives shelter beneath its wings thou dost help those in sadness and sorrow and those tormented by evil spirits, and generously thou bestowest healings on those who cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst from youth love meekness and humility.
Rejoice, vigilant guardian of the purity of body and soul.
Rejoice, chosen vessel of holiness.
Rejoice, thou who from youth wast a great bearer of the mysteries of the Almighty.
Rejoice, double-edged sword of God destroying the danger of unbelief.
Rejoice, champion of truth and strengthener of those weak in faith.
Rejoice, all-wondrous preacher of love.
Rejoice, counselor of repentant sinners.
Rejoice, true servant of Christ the Savior in the struggle against the enemies of God.
Rejoice, radiant pillar of the last times.
Rejoice, great archimandrite and elder, spiritual father of Ιberia.
Rejoice, messenger from above who atoned for thy people.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!

Kontakion 2
The enemies of the true faith who seized power in our land persecuted the Church of Christ and its flock, and only chosen people were able to endure such a trial, those who were unshakable confessors of the faith. But thou, although a son of unbelievers, wast a God-chosen vessel filled with the Holy Spirit, and in the time of persecution didst thou receive with gladness of the fragrant fountain of eternal life, at all times magnifying the Giver of Light and Creator of the world: Alleluia!

Ikos 2
From youth, blessed father, thou wast an image of humility and godly-mindedness, far from all childlike nonchalance; having heard in thine early youth the name of Christ, thou camest to the Church of Saint Barbara and beheld the Savior on the Cross, and with tears didst thou cry to Him as though He were alive: "Why wast Thou crucified?" And having heard the reply of a watchman, thou didst firmly decide to learn about Christ. Thus, on a divine impulse didst thou purchase a Holy Gospel and from that time to the end of thy days thou didst study the Word of God. Implore Him, merciful father, to sprinkle on us the dew of His grace, that our hearts may burn with the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Gospel as we thus praise thee in song:
Rejoice, thou who like Samuel the prophet wast dedicated to God from thy mother’s womb.
Rejoice, radiant spiritual light that shone as a ray of knowledge upon those in the darkness of godlessness.
Rejoice, thou who wast near to God and didst distance thy mind from worldly cares.
Rejoice, chosen one who from thy youth wast illumined by God’s grace.
Rejoice, thou who with a sincere soul and pure mind wast ever moved by thy thirst for the Word of God.
Rejoice, thou whose soul wast a dominion marked for Christ the King.
Rejoice, thou who from youth wast distinguished by thy yearning for God and quickening by the Holy Scriptures.
Rejoice, thou who as a child didst bear spiritual armor upon thy shoulders.
Rejoice, thou who didst exchange childlike playfulness for the building of churches.
Rejoice, thou who didst hate the joys that defile the soul.
Rejoice, thou who didst crucify thine heart and desires of the flesh.
Rejoice, for thou hast revealed the strength and wisdom of the Gospel as truth, and by thy life knowledge of holiness.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 3
Having beheld the unquenchable fire of thy love for the Lord, the insidious beast and enemy of holiness furiously assaulted thee, struck thy head with his unclean fist, and cried out indignantly: "Raise not thine eyes to the sky any longer!" But as a youth, boldly arming thyself with the Cross of the Lord and His strength, thou didst firmly stand up to the onslaught of the enemy. Having been directed in a heavenly vision to the Church of Saint George, which had been destroyed by thy forebears, with reverent prayer didst thou miraculously lift the stones of the church with thine own hands and lay them aside, in a feat beyond human comprehension, and with joy and love thou gavest thanks to the Lord, praising Him in song: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 3
Ashamed of thy zeal, thy mother casted the Holy Gospel to an unseemly place, but thou didst recover it like an honorable treasure that was made clean by thy tears, departed thy house in tears and hurried to a monastery as a youth of twelve years; thou didst greatly desire the monastic life, but didst not receive the blessing to embark upon it. Thou spent thy days and nights amidst the stones in the churchyards, magnifying God, giving no thought to the cold and hunger thou didst endure. And now, our father, entreat the Lord God that He grant us wisdom of the heart so that we may distinguish good from evil, travel the paths of our lives righteously, and that blessed inspiration be granted to us who praise and sing to thee:
Rejoice, fiery confessor who wast persecuted for the faith.
Rejoice, reprover of those raging with unbelief.
Rejoice, strong defender of those passionately seeking the faith.
Rejoice, thou who didst abhor empty desires and accept reproach with gratitude.
Rejoice, thou who didst spend nights in prayer and subjected thyself to rest upon a hard bed.
Rejoice, thou who didst defeat youthful nonchalance by fasting and hard work.
Rejoice, thou who dost protect us from legions of invisible demons.
Rejoice, imitator of Abraham’s hospitality.
Rejoice, thou who savest from hunger and art merciful to the poor.
Rejoice, thou who teachest sinners the sweetness of abstinence.
Rejoice, hope of the poor and afflicted.
Rejoice, thou who drivest away sinful thoughts.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 4
Thou didst always seek seclusion in a small cell, struggling in diligent prayer and reading the Holy Gospel. Thou keptest thine eyes fixed upon heaven, filling thy soul with the life-giving dew of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and remaining zealous in thy life of struggle didst thou acquire virtues abundantly; in thy humility thou didst reach the depths of the knowledge of God, and having beheld a radiant cross in the sky, thou didst accept the heavenly vision as a sign of thine own Golgotha cross, magnifying the Creator and Life-Giver Christ God: Alleluia!
  

St. Gabriel of Georgia (source)

  
Ikos 4
By God’s providence, father, thou camest to the holy mountain, Mtatsminda, to the Church of Saint David Gareja, learned to read the Psalter and established thyself in Christian teaching; sparing no effort, thou didst labor tirelessly serving the holy temple, and, by God’s providence, as a seedling near a brook, thou didst bear good fruit in due season. Thus protect us, blessed one, from sins and temptations of the world, that we may always live according to God’s will, acquiring heavenly blessings, lest we perish in feeblemindedness. For this we reverently cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst unceasingly behold the Lord with noetic vision.
Rejoice, thou who wast clothed in humility as if by light.
Rejoice, thou who knewest what was hidden from the learned and wise.
Rejoice, for thou toughened thyself by zealous fasting and relentless works, and wast filled with ceaseless prayer.
Rejoice, thou who didst scorch emerging sins with sorrow, lamentations and tears.
Rejoice, unshakeable strength and helper of the fainthearted and weak.
Rejoice, thou who strengthenest the souls of the faithful and frightenest the evil forces.
Rejoice, extoller of Christ’s magnificence and defeater of the licentious enemies of God.
Rejoice, scorner of vainglory and worldly power that cometh from the evil one.
Rejoice, thou who didst encourage Christian souls who suffered long under the ungodly.
Rejoice, strengthener of the weak and feeble.
Rejoice, teacher of those seeking the Truth on the Lord’s path.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 5
With the increase of ungodliness and persecution of the faithful, many turned away from the monastic life, and out of fear of death settled in distant villages to begin worldly lives, but thou didst firmly choose for thyself the narrow path that leads to everlasting joy, and thus didst thou steadfastly guard the Sioni temple, faithfully serving in the altar. God’s temples were being destroyed by the ungodly, but thou didst build a church in thy house, and without rest didst thou seek icons and crosses; finding them profanely discarded in unseemly places, thou didst magnificently decorate them and place them in thy temple, where we now joyously venerate them, warmly chanting to God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 5
With furious vengeance for thy fervor, the insidious beast heaped much tribulation upon thee to put out thy flame of zeal for the Lord. Like Job the Long-Suffering, the Lord permitted sorrows to befall thee so that, like Job, thy faith would be put to test, but thou wast not afraid of the demons’ schemes, and thou didst restore three ravaged churches such that they exceeded their original beauty. The Lord didst bless this good work, and by His grace sand filled buckets were lifted by angels for thee, who wast standing aloft; and now, father, pray to Christ God that He drive away from us all evil and that we be strengthened in our sorrows and put on the path of repentance, for with gladness and love we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, thou who didst reject the temptations of the world like a hermit while in the midst of a great city.
Rejoice, thou who didst burden thyself with the weaknesses of others.
Rejoice, thou who by zealous prayer didst drive away all despair that cometh from the evil one.
Rejoice, thou who wast inspired by the Holy Spirit and didst destroy the multitude of invisible enemies.
Rejoice, thou who wast fortified by the Holy Scripture and becamest perfect in wisdom.
Rejoice, cohort of angels and corrector of evil brethren.
Rejoice, thou who callest all to watchfulness and sobriety.
Rejoice, thou who didst love the miraculous Gatekeeper of Iveron, the chief protectress of Georgia.
Rejoice, thou who didst adorn thy church with sacred icons saved by thee.
Rejoice, thou who settest ablaze a fiery love for God in our hearts.
Rejoice, sweet intercessor before God for the Georgian people.
Rejoice, offeror of our love at the Lord’s banquet in heaven.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 6
Having seen thy zeal for God, Bishop Gabriel of Kutaisi appointed thee as a novice to Motsameta Monastery, for from youth thou camest to know Christ and desired His grace above all, and sought the monastic life to leave aside worldly cares, magnifying the Lord at all times, to save thy soul. And by God’s providence thou didst receive the blessing to be clothed in a monk’s cassock, and according to thy wish wast thou named in honor of Gabriel of Athos, and now together ye behold the glory of God our Savior; pray to Him, O ye saints, that according to your example we may walk the path of this fleeting life blamelessly, always praising God the Trinity in one essence: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 6
Having been ordained a priest by God’s goodwill, thou didst direct thy mind to God while serving the Liturgy and at the hour of prayer, never ceasing to call upon Him. But fearing the authorities, thy family plotted thy return to the world and intended to force thee into marriage, but thou didst pretend to be insane and by this didst thou destroy their schemes, for thou irrevocably dedicated thyself to the only Most High God, and thus thou wast victorious over thy family’s temptations and they no longer dared to go against thy will. Thus, we place our hope in thee, that by thy prayers our hearts may be ablaze with divine zeal, that we may please the Lord; wherefore we praise thee in song:
Rejoice, zealot of true monastic works known only to God.
Rejoice, thou who didst strengthen thy soul with harsh vows.
Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the strength of God through thine infirmities.
Rejoice, thou who didst tirelessly acquire heavenly gifts and study God’s precepts.
Rejoice, thou who sawest hidden kindness and gifts in others.
Rejoice, thou whose words didst disperse the darkness of sin like lightning.
Rejoice, thou who overcamest the eloquence of rhetoricians by true theology.
Rejoice, thou who wast a preacher of the holy Orthodox Faith equal to the apostles.
Rejoice, teacher of spiritual strength and humility.
Rejoice, thou who didst entreat the cruel and heartless by thy meekness.
Rejoice, thou who with the Word of God preparest salvation for the faithful.
Rejoice, quick hearer of those who are afflicted with sorrow and danger.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 7
Thou didst not renounce God despite calamities, tribulations, persecution and the devil's intimidation, Father Gabriel, for from youth God called thee to serve as a priest, and zealously keeping God’s commandments and joyfully preaching the Gospel, thou didst always reveal sins, direct, warn and graciously console thy flock, and preaching like the Apostle Paul, thou didst gather many souls and turn them to Christ, visiting them on holy days in the holy monasteries and churches of the Iberian land, and teaching all to chant to God: Alleluia!
  

St. Gabriel of Georgia (source)

  
Ikos 7
Though scorned and insulted by the ungodly, thou didst keep thy resolve at all times, Father Gabriel. Thus, once at the Black Sea thou didst pray to God with tears for help in thy sufferings, but suddenly foundest thyself in the depths of the sea, because the shore collapsed beneath thee. The icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker wast in thy hands, and Saint Nicholas appeared to people standing nearby showing them the place of thy trouble; they hurried to thy rescue, and pulling thee ashore, they cried out in astonishment: "A magnificent elder called us to thine aid," and together ye glorified God for this miracle. And now beseech the Lord to protect thy flock, enlighten our minds, and hasten to the aid of us who thus praise and magnify thee:
Rejoice, friend of Christ and tireless laborer of His vineyard.
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire heavenly grace by confession of the Orthodox Faith.
Rejoice, shining light of divine worship.
Rejoice, thou who didst conceal thy wisdom and holiness with great humility.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the yoke of a cross adorned with sorrows for the salvation of thy people.
Rejoice, leader of the faithful and advocate of priests.
Rejoice, power and strength of the kings’ scepter.
Rejoice, powerful vanguard and helper of monks.
Rejoice, invincible warrior of Christ and great protector of the Georgian Church and people.
Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the fathers of old according to thy piety and courage.
Rejoice, thou by whose prayers all right-believing people shall trample upon the devil’s schemes, be united by love for Christ, and together serve Him in the struggle against the Antichrist and enemies of the Holy Church.
Rejoice, image of righteousness and courage, and the praise and glory of Georgia.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 8
Thou wast sent to the Betania Monastery to the venerable and God-bearing wonderworking fathers George and John, and having strengthened thyself by their prayers, thou didst proceed to serve God as a zealous monk, and in the fight with evil thou wast tempered more than steel; by the Lord wast thou granted the gift of seeing into the heart, thus attracting a storm of fury from the enemy forces, who in vain tried to turn thee away from the monastery since they could not overcome the power of thy prayer and hope in the Lord, nor tarnish thy purity; thou wast loved exceedingly by thy spiritual fathers for thy virtues and together with them we give thanks to God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 8
Venerable John was first to stand before God; when George rushed to his grave and cried out to him, "Christ is risen!" he heard a voice gladly replying: "Truly He is risen!" Soon George’s strength left him and thou, O blessed one, didst administer to him the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and He in turn blessed thee for the last time and peacefully passed on, entrusting his pure soul to God. The authorities persecuting the Church rejoiced greatly at the death of the holy elders and hastened to end the monastery’s divine services, commissioning a guard for the monastery, thus converting it from a house of God to a museum. But thou didst return to Sioni, and again gathered thy flock at services. Likewise, support and teach us to place our hope in the wisdom and providence of God, that He lead along the path of righteousness those who sing to thee:
Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the ascetics of old.
Rejoice, great advocate and preacher of the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, good shepherd of lambs of the chosen herd, for whom thou didst shine as a beacon in the darkness.
Rejoice, sure hope of sheep that have fallen away.
Rejoice, thou who returnest to the path of truth those who denied God and the faith.
Rejoice, God-bearing father who didst multiply the fruits of the Lord’s harvest by thy works.
Rejoice, faithful imitator of the Lord Who by His blood saved us from the curse of the law.
Rejoice, thou who hewest asunder the guileful powers of darkness by thy prayers.
Rejoice, thou who deliverest the Orthodox from the temptations of the adversary.
Rejoice, indestructible fortress, victor over godless authorities and conqueror of worldly passions.
Rejoice, bulwark and praise of the faithful and servants of God.
Rejoice, adornment of reverent priests and intercessor of meek servants.
Rejoice, thou who drivest away despondency and healest those condemned to death.
Rejoice, shelter and protection of travelers and calm harbor for the suffering.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
   
Kontakion 9
Seeing the increase of ungodliness taking hold of thy nation, good pastor, thou didst appear to a small flock, for faithlessness and abominable sin ensnared many, but thirsting for their return to piety, thou didst boldly call all to repentance, ceaselessly crying with sorrow: "O miserable ones sitting in darkness, ye are bound by your fear and silence, how could ye not see the light of Christ and His Glory? Receive your sight, and beholding Christ our God, repent, turn away from your evil paths and ceaselessly glorify God": Alleluia!  
  
Ikos 9
A storm of disquiet struck thee as a result of the ungodly iconoclasts, for they satanically desecrated the holy icons of the Master Lord Jesus Christ, His all-pure Mother and the saints of God, and persecuted those who venerated them. But thou, not fearing death, didst burn the image of the idol God-hater and servant of Satan as if it were a whole-burnt offering to God, and for this audacious deed the authorities possessed unrivaled hatred for thee, and so thou didst expect an inevitable death for Christ, boldly preaching: "Such grandeur is not befitting a human corpse, it is only meet for Christ our Savior and God, who wast resurrected from the dead!" Pray to Him now, all-praised father, for the salvation of our souls and to keep us from pernicious heresies, and bestow thy zeal for the Lord on those who thus praise thee:
Rejoice, shepherd of a small flock, who helped the unlearned understand the Word of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst ceaselessly admonish sinners on God’s path.
Rejoice, bold accuser of hateful rulers and dishonest judges.
Rejoice, chastiser of evildoers and guide of heretics to the path of Truth.
Rejoice, thou who didst reprove those who turned away from the hand of God and the worldly-hearted.
Rejoice, reproach of the rising pride of this age.
Rejoice, destruction of the iconoclasts’ sedition.
Rejoice, protector against Satan’s schemes and foreign invasion.
Rejoice, calmer of unbridled people and abolisher of the trickery of superstition.
Rejoice, thou who awakenest thy people from spiritual sleep by reproof.
Rejoice, thou who healest prideful souls and scatterest the darkness of our minds.
Rejoice, thou who dost bless faithful spouses and reproach adulterers.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 10
Ungodly blasphemers of Christ and servants of the atheistic authorities who hated thee sought to drive thee from the path of truth by submitting thee to temptations, and locked thee in prison, but courageously didst thou denounce their craftiness and thou didst instruct and strengthen those imprisoned for the sake of their faith in Christ, and together with them thou didst glorify God. The pride of those who tried to ruin thee in their rage was soon abated, for they could do nothing to thee because the Lord miraculously protected thee from death by thy confinement to a medical ward, amongst the lowly of this world, the rejected, unpredictable and insane, where thou didst endure innumerable tortures. But this satanic cruelty shook not thine unbreakable faith, O holy father, and amidst the tortures, like the three youths in the Babylonian furnace, thou didst continue to glorify and magnify God: Alleluia!
  

St. Gabriel of Georgia (source)

  
Ikos 10
Granted freedom by the patriarch’s intercession, thou didst straightway hasten to the Church of Saint Barbara seeking the Lord’s consolation, and in exhaustion thou didst fall asleep and heard a wondrous voice say thrice: "Gabriel, I cry for thee!" and upon wakening didst thou hurry to a crucifix and behold a miracle: Jesus weeping tears; kneeling in tears, thou didst offer praise and prayers to the Lord. Having received such consolation, thou didst return to serve at Sioni, and nourished a multitude of people, preaching repentance and administering to them the Holy Mysteries. But even there the enemy drove thee away from serving the Lord, according to the will of the ungodly authorities, and thou becamest poor and shelterless for many years, enduring unbearable heat and deadly cold, remaining amongst the tombs, taking up the cross of foolishness-for-Christ, preaching the Kingdom of Heaven and delighting the heavens by thy ceaseless prayer. People saw the beauty of thy soul, served thee with love, and desired to meet thee, a zealous servant of God and defeater of passions. Thus we marvel at thy Godly resolve and we cry to thee:
Rejoice, thou who scorchest like fire the thorns of passions with few words.
Rejoice, fierce reproacher of clergy that have fallen into temptations of the world.
Rejoice, reprover of those who have fallen away from God.
Rejoice, thou who wast humiliated and insulted by priests.
Rejoice, knower of inner thoughts, who protectest the people from temptations and offenses.
Rejoice, thou who, deified by grace, richly bestowest treasures of the Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire heavenly gifts by honesty and goodness of soul and abidest in heaven.
Rejoice, thou who didst understand the language of the birds of the sky and beasts of the earth.
Rejoice, thou who didst open the closed church gates by the sign of the cross.
Rejoice, successor of the immortal podvig of thy spiritual fathers and brothers-in-Christ John and George of Betania, with whom thou wast bound by an oath in the struggle for truth.
Rejoice, thou who revealest the ungodly enemies of Christ and the chosen land of Iberia.
Rejoice, thou who like Saint Spyridon of Trimythous didst glorify the miraculous power of the Holy Consubstantial Trinity by changing bread into wheat, fire and water.
Rejoice, thou who by wise counsel didst edify many priests and form true monks.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!
  
Kontakion 11
Thou wast a chosen light among the holy fathers, O wondrous elder, for words of heavenly wisdom and the vision of the Holy Spirit were granted thee, and thou didst help others by thy gift of healing, seeing into peoples’ hearts, the gift of healing the soul, and the exalted gift of love. But as God marked thee with especial humility and wondrous modesty, thou didst deign to live according to the teaching of Saint Paul the Apostle that "The wisdom of the world is madness in the eyes of God," and thou didst appear to others as a Fool-for-Christ, pretending to be a good-for-nothing and drunkard, calling thyself a dog of the Savior, but in thine heart singing to God: Alleluia!
  
Ikos 11
Like Saint Andrew the Blessed, thou didst acquire thy good name by meekness and humility, and according to the multitude of thy virtues thou becamest a Fool-for-Christ, O our brave elder, and bore the double burden of life as a hermit and Fool-for-Christ, unfathomable to the world, often feigning drunkenness, whereby thou didst conceal thy holiness and spiritual gifts. And though, O wise monk, thou didst appear as a fool to the world, now thou art numbered among the saints of the Church, and having great boldness before the Lord, pray to Him to again reveal to us worthy fathers and wise leaders, lest Iberia, the Mother of God’s possession, be corrupted, and that we do what is right before God; wherefore with tenderness we thus call upon and praise thee:
Rejoice, thou who revealest heavenly mysteries, for thou didst shine with divine light in the wicked times of persecution of the truth and denigration of piety, and hast enlightened thy people by thy holiness.
Rejoice, our astute father full of prayer and spiritual wisdom, for the mind of man cannot attain to the unreachable heights that were revealed to thee.
Rejoice, thou who wast engulfed with divine fire, who didst reproach clergy that were wolves in sheep’s clothing, as did the prophet Elias to the priests of Baal.
Rejoice, thou who like Moses didst bear thy cross for forty years, for thou kept within thyself the word of God, an indestructible pillar, revealing not the strength of man but of God.
Rejoice, thou who like David the Prophet didst receive God’s mercy, and as if with a sling, didst defeat the godless by preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who like John the Baptist didst tirelessly take sinners from the devil and by repentance returned them to God.
Rejoice, thou who like St. John the Theologian, the apostle of love, wast granted together with the gift of love the mysteries of God and power over unclean spirits.
Rejoice, thou who didst rejoice in tribulations and teach us to strengthen ourselves in sufferings by patience and faith.
Rejoice, thou who like the first martyrs wast always persecuted and in sorrows, always weeping only for thine own sins.
Rejoice, thou who wast in sorrow concerning thy soul as over one dead, weeping and crying out like the good thief: "Remember me, O Savior, in thy kingdom!"
Rejoice, heavenly man who didst avoid worldly greatness, for thus from this time forth and forevermore people flock to thee to praise thy wondrous deeds.
Rejoice, thou who didst entreat the most pure Mother of God for the increase of the Georgian people, and saw a vision of countless infants killed in their mothers’ wombs, and being horrified, beheld the most pure Queen with angels and heard her mournful voice say: "Why art thou asking me to multiply thy people while infants are being killed in their mothers’ wombs?"
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!

Kontakion 12
In thy humility and meekness, thou didst patiently wait many years for the blessing to again serve in church, and seeing thy modesty and burning desire to serve God, Patriarch Ephraim invited thee again to the altar, clothed thee in priests’ garments, and administered to thee the Mysteries of Christ, and inspired by God he sent thee to the holy Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, where thou didst settle in a small cell, O resident of the heavenly New Jerusalem, near the bush of Saint Nino the Enlightener of Iberia, where thou didst again devote thyself to offering the bloodless sacrifice and preaching the Kingdom, enlightening the nuns and thy flock, and teaching them about visible and invisible enemies. By ceaseless prayer didst thou protect the monastery from trouble, and thou didst adorn the tower of Saint King Mirian with crosses and icons found by thee, day and night glorifying the one God in Trinity: Alleluia!

Ikos 12
Thou didst see the future as though present, O wondrous father, and by power from on high didst thou work many miracles out of love for us, strengthening faith and revealing the power of God made perfect in weakness; being gravely ill, our blessed elder, thou didst endure insufferable pains, and until the end of thy days didst thou bear the cross of grievous bodily suffering. When the time of thy death wast revealed to thee by the Holy Spirit, O holy father, thou didst pray before the icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for the Georgian nation and quietly departed this world, filled with thy good works, and thou didst join the great ranks of holy fathers, and according to thy will, like a monk of old wast thou buried wrapped in a mat. Thy holy relics became an inexhaustible source of miracles for the people of God and a fount of healing from illness and disease, like a treasury of grace of the Holy Spirit and sign of the forgiveness of our many sins and deliverance from sicknesses of body and soul. Therefore, we hasten with great joy to the Samtavro Monastery, thy resting place, where every person that cometh to thee with faith, being anointed with oil from thy lamp, as a blessing from thee, receives the healing of soul and body, and we thus ceaselessly glorify thee:
Rejoice, thou who by patience didst acquire graceful peace, and as an elder often stood against evil at the risk of thine own life, always praying to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Rejoice, thou who hast remained close to us even after thy death as an angelic helper in this difficult age.
Rejoice, thou who wast crowned with thorns, and after death shineth upon us like a hot ray of sun, ceaselessly calling us to Christ.
Rejoice, for thy resting place near a blackberry bush is a wondrous tower and strength, and for those who visit it a fragrant treasury and source of true grace for the glory of God.
Rejoice, for by God’s providence thy mother followed thee on the path of confession and monastic struggles, and wast buried in the holy monastery near thy relics.
Rejoice, thou who art a refuge for those in misfortunes, whose tomb emanates divine fire scorching the wiles of the godless and shining like a warm jubilant light protecting us from sinful darkness.
Rejoice, for not only believers, but also the lazy and those of little faith hasten to venerate the vessel of thine incorrupt blood, and pray to thee for mercy; and thou hearest their prayers, fulfilling their good wishes and giving joy abundantly to those in sorrows.
Rejoice, for hierarchs beheld the miracles flowing from thy tomb and the multitude of miracles occurring by thy mercy, and they glorified thee as a great monk, confessor and Fool-for-Christ, numbering thee among the saints.
Rejoice, for many priests saw healings occur from venerating thy tomb, and now together with their flock glorify thee as a great saint, offering prayers and praise to thee.
Rejoice, thou who didst work miracles for the people of God abundantly, and whose icons and images stream myrrh by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for now the royal city of Mtskheta is full of joy and the Samtavro Monastery rejoices at the presence of thy holy relics, and the Georgian people tirelessly gather there praising thy holiness, healings and prophecies.
Rejoice, calm harbor of salvation for those perishing and the hope of the hopeless, for thou hast been revealed as a great intercessor for those suffering in misfortune; thou givest divine strength abundantly to all who come to thee, and soarest watchfully above thy homeland and people.
Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ!

Kontakion 13
O most glorious and most wonderful shepherd and pleaser of Christ, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ, our Father Gabriel! Our Lord Jesus Christ blessed thee to do great works, unfathomable to the mind of man, and He granted thee rich mercy in this temporal life and upon thy death He granted thee the gift of boldly interceding for the souls of sinners. And now accept our small prayer that we offer thee with love, and as thou art a fervent intercessor, implore Christ God to deliver us from sin and wickedness, from trouble and tribulations, and that He make us heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom, so that together with thee we may cry out to God: Alleluia!

(This Kontakion is recited thrice, whereupon Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated)
  

St. Gabriel of Georgia (source)

  
Prayers:  O, all-praised Father Gabriel, confessor and Fool-for-Christ! The adornment of monks, crown of priests and friend of angels, chosen warrior of the God-protected Georgian land and indestructible defender from trials and tribulations to those who pray to thee, bold advocate before God on behalf of those who are hopeless and come to thee faithfully, shelter for the doomed and benefactor of the weak!

O thou who standest amongst the ranks of confessors and Fools-for-Christ, all-miraculous Father Gabriel! Having from youth chosen the angelic life, thou wast clothed in the monastic schema in a time when iniquity triumphed, and now by thine aid thou hast given us wisdom, and fortitude, and invincible power to protect our faith and homeland, for now countless enemies of the Truth have set upon Holy Orthodoxy and, as before, are cunningly trying to do evil, acting craftily and by the power of the evil one, to corrupt God’s people and turn them into servants of darkness. For we, dwelling in sinful darkness, have not the strength to oppose them, but by thine intercession, holy father, beseech Christ God to grant us the fulfillment of thy prophecies and reveal to us a king, anointed by God to rule the kingdom as a valiant ruler and leader. That He reveal one, as King David wast revealed to Israel, who shall rule in faith, kindness and by the truth, and live to care for our people, the people of the chosen lot of the Mother of God, that he may bear the Cross of Christ, unwaveringly following Him in the Orthodox Faith, that he may raise Georgia to its former honor and strength, so that countless demons with their unholy deeds may not blaspheme Christ God and the Holy Faith within her borders. By thine all-powerful and warm prayer, protect and strengthen the Most Holy and Blessed Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Pitsunda and Tskhum-Abkhazia, our father Ilia II, all patriarchs of the Holy Orthodox Church, and all clergy thereof: metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, and all the priestly and monastic order, and all who pray and toil in the Holy Orthodox Church, and all Orthodox Christians!

O Holy Father Gabriel! According to thy works before God, similar to the apostles’ struggles, and knowing thy great mercy, according to thy will we humbly pray that thou wilt deliver the icon of our Savior Not Made with Hands from museum imprisonment and establish it in the Catholic Church for His holy name’s sake, in anticipation of the appearance of the Atskur Not Made With Hands icon of the Most Pure Virgin and glorious return to the land of Georgia of the Portaitissa, Gate-Keeper, "the greatest deliverer from the satanic traps and temptations of the Antichrist," according to the prophecies of our holy fathers, for as a sign of the onset of the last times this icon shall depart Mount of Athos and again illumine Iberia, her chosen lot. But ungodliness instigated by the devil is still rampant in the lot of Mother of God, and our people are ensnared in sin and the evil traps of this world, and we, overcome with laziness, fearfully await the great and terrible Second Coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore we beseech thee, holy Father Gabriel, to deliver us from God’s dread punishment for our faithlessness and iniquities, and by thy mercy pray to Christ, the All-Merciful God, to have mercy on our souls and enlighten our hearts with Orthodoxy and piety, that in us virtue may be increased, that upon our repose we may be enjoined to the Heavenly Kingdom and be numbered among the angelic hosts who always sing to the Lord our God, in the bright abodes of His eternal being, together with our saints, and with thee, ceaselessly glorifying His all-holy name, together with His unoriginate Father and All-Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen!
  

St. Gabriel of Georgia (Source)

  
 The Prayer Before the Icon of Saint Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ
Above all, our father, all-blessed wonderworker Gabriel, who art radiant with light full of divine power, grant us our requests and give peace to those who with faith come to thy holy icon and kneel before it with tenderness, praying to thee with zeal. Spurn us not, being ashamed of our iniquities, but be merciful, give strength, and pray to God that we may obtain victory over the regiments of demons, flattery and wickedness of this world, and grant our people the strength to overcome cunning enemies, and keep our Holy Orthodox Church unshakeable by the world.
Thy holy and honored image wast revealed to us for our salvation, for a firm faith and worship of God in expectation of His mercy; protect thy flock from all trials and tribulations, faithful servant of Christ, all-praised Father Gabriel, so that we may walk the path of life blamelessly by thy prayers and be granted the Heavenly Homeland.

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

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

Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Bless!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our holy glorious and all-praised father and wonderworker Gabriel, our venerable and God-bearing fathers and of all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen!
(source)
   

St. Gabriel of Georgia (source)

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