Selected hymns from the Service to St. Gavrilia the Ascetic of Love (+1992)

St. Gabrilia the New (source)

Selected hymns from the Service to St. Gavrilia the Ascetic of Love (+1992) - Commemorated on March 28th (the day of her repose) and July 18th (the translation of her Holy Relics), composed by Dr. Charalampos Bousias.

Prosomoia of the Vespers Stichera in the Fourth Tone. You have given a sign.

O Gavrilia, you became a lamp of goodness, shining with light to the ends of the world in the last days, working and preaching love to all, O Mother, and having worked with strength like an Angel, you emptied yourself, and through pains and trials, you thus filled up your all-good heart, O all-famed one.

O Gavrilia, you mounted a golden chariot driven by stallions of chastity, and were taken up to the all-radiant mansions of Heaven to rejoice together with the ranks of the Angels, and to be glad together with the divine choirs of Mothers, O Spirit-bearer, and support of love and archetype of compassion, who pleased Christ through your practical ways.

As we celebrate your all-sacred memory today, O Gavrilia, the ranks of the faithful bless you as the new boast of Missionaries, and all-radiant lamp of ascetical Mothers, and they place blossomed crowns of hymns upon your head, O beloved of God, who led mortals without delusion towards the Heavens.

O newly-planted aromatic herb from famed Constantinople, and fragrant flower of the Church, and beautiful rose of the island of Leros, who truly pours forth the fragrance of your ascetical pains, O Gavrilia, along with your all-praised and wise [words], and the fragrance of healings of both soul and body which is carried to the ends of the world.

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

She who was lifted up by the Angels to the ends of the world, to transmit the springs of her love to water thirsty souls of mortals, O Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love, in compunction let us honor her, and cry out to her in faith: O Mother, equal to the Angels, who dedicated herself to Christ, and healed those in need and suffering, make us worthy as well to serve everyone in need, imitating your ways, and those of Him Who came to serve, and not to be served: our Lord the God-man.

St. Gavrilia the New (right), depicted with Sts. Maria of Paris (left) and Matrona of Moscow (center) (source)

Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone.

She who ever counted the deeds of service to her neighbor to be pleasing to God, let us honor, the noble and all-praised Gavrilia, for she gave this offering to all as a seal of the presence of Christ, and shone forth without ceasing with His love from her whole heart to the whole race of men. And truly, Christ rejoices together with her love, and she ever entreats Him on behalf of our souls.

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone.

O you worker of love, and most chaste ascetic nun, * O Gavrilia, protector of those in danger and need,  * and great helper and a missionary of our Christ, * let us all praise her with our hymns, * for she offers unto all the great graces of her nepsis, * and she entreats to our Creator * on behalf of those blessing her.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. O Champion General.

O fellow traveler of warm love and humility, * and in the world you lived, but your life surpassed this world, * and who ever prayed and offered up her very self, * as a sacrifice most willingly unto Christ, * Gavrilia, let us hymn God's bright ascetic Saint, * and with fervor cry out: * Rejoice, O Mother inspired by God.

Oikos

An Angel of love, of offering and sacrifice, you were shown to be, O chaste Gavrilia, and the adornment of ascetics, and the most-precious pride of missionaries, and the director of mortals towards Heaven, therefore, we cry out to you these things:

Rejoice, haven of the love of Christ,

Rejoice, protector of those in dangers.

Rejoice, shoot of the City of Constantine,

Rejoice, adornment of Lambs of the Most-high.

Rejoice, most-precious and holy dwelling place for Leros,

Rejoice, beautiful and radiant treasure of Heaven.

Rejoice, seal of the love of Agathangelos,

Rejoice, you who froze the traps of him who hates goodness.

Rejoice, unemptying spring of nepsis,

Rejoice, stacte of fragrant asceticism.

Rejoice, rod for lost sheep,

Rejoice, protection for many who are suffering.

Rejoice, O Mother inspired by God.

Synaxarion

On March 28th [or July 18th], the memory of our venerable and God-bearing Mother Gavrilia, the New Ascetic of Love.

Verses

With love, O chaste one, you ever covered all,

And a covering covered by God, Gavrilia was shown to be.

Icon of St. Gavrilia, detail, by Julia Bridget Hayes, available for order here. (source)

Prosomoia of the Praises in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. O strange wonder.

O strange wonder! The lily of Constantinople, Gavrilia the New, the chaste, who filled the world with the fragrance of your pains and groins and your divine words, O Spirit-bearing Ascetic of Christ, who ever emptied herself for all those in need. And those who approached you, to them you made known the name of Christ, O missionary.

Rejoice, dwelling-place of love, O Gavrilia, you became a spring of offering and self-emptying of the treasures of your heart for those far and near. Rejoice, speedy protector of the poor. Rejoice, new adornment of Mothers. Rejoice, example of a life of purity. Rejoice, unassailable shield of piety. Rejoice, banquet of faith.

Rejoice, offering equal in zeal of the chaste Agathangelos, who gave you your dwelling-place which you named "The House of the Angels" in Athens, in which you gave shelter and hospitality and guidance for all those who came to you suffering and in need. Rejoice, O radiant lamp of grace.

As we celebrate your sacred and bright memory, O Gavrilia, and desire to achieve your feats, O most-compassionate Mother, as you gave yourself towards the perfection of virtue and towards love and good deeds, with compunction we cry out to you: Protect and guide and surround all of us, and deliver those in dangers, who honor you with psalms and hymns.

Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the First Tone.

Those whom you lifted up many from the bed of the passions towards dispassion, and from sinfulness towards repentance, from poverty towards fulness of good things, and from ignorance towards knowledge, and from delusion towards the Orthodox faith, their ranks now honor you, O Spirit-bearing Gavrilia, and they cry out to you: O most-compassionate Mother, equal to the Apostles in zeal, and fellow-dweller with love: do not cease entreating the Lord of glory for peace of the whole world, and for salvation of souls for those who honor your memory.

 (source)

The Holy Grave and Relics of St. Gavrilia on the island of Leros (source)

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

Matushka Olga is canonized by the OCA, the First American Woman Saint to be canonized

St. Olga of Alaska - To be commemorated on November 10th, along the the Sunday of All Saints of America (source)

The Proclamation of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America on the Glorification of the Righteous Servant of God Matushka Olga

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

To the beloved Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America

God is wondrous in His Saints

November 8, 2023
Chicago, IL

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has heard the petition of The Right Reverend ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, expressed in his November 2, 2023 letter to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, concerning the glorification of the Servant of God, the Righteous Matushka Olga.

In this letter, His Grace Bishop ALEXEI states: “I am writing to Your Beatitude with respect to the departed handmaiden of God and faithful Orthodox Christian, Matushka Olga Nicholai of Kwethluk, known by the pious peoples of the Kuskokwim as Arrsamquq.  Her humility, her generosity, her piety, her patience, and her selfless love for God and neighbor were well-known in the Kuskokwim villages during her earthly life.  Her care for comforting the suffering and the grieving has also been revealed after her life by grace-filled manifestations to the faithful throughout not only Alaska, but all of North America.  The first peoples of Alaska are convinced of her sanctity and the great efficacy of her prayers.  For this reason, after prayerful consideration, I, Alexei, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, am hereby making the formal request to Your Beatitude as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America to begin the process that, if it be in accord with God’s will, would lead to her glorification.”

The Holy Synod, having prayerfully reflected upon this petition and having observed and acknowledged the sincere devotion among the faithful of Alaska and beyond, has unanimously determined that the time for the glorification of Matushka Olga has arrived, fulfilling the hopes and prayers of pious Orthodox Christians throughout Alaska and the entire world.

THEREFORE, meeting in Solemn Assembly in Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois, under the Presidency of The Most Blessed TIKHON, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, We, the Members of The Holy Synod of The Orthodox Church in America, do hereby decide and decree that the ever-memorable Servant of God MATUSHKA OLGA be numbered among the saints.  With one mind and one heart, we also resolve that her honorable remains be considered as holy relics; that a special service be composed in her honor; that her feast be celebrated on November 10 (October 28, old style) and the Feast of All Saints of North America, the Second Sunday after Pentecost; that holy icons be prepared to honor the newly-glorified saint in accordance with the Canons of the Sacred Ecumenical and Regional Councils; that her life be published for the edification of the Faithful, that the name of the new saint be communicated to the Primates of all Sister Churches for inclusion in their calendars; and that the date and location of the Rite of Glorification be communicated to the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of our Church in due time.

St. Olga of Alaska (source)

   

FURTHER, we entrust to the Canonization Commission of The Orthodox Church in America, under the Chairmanship of The Most Reverend DANIEL, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, with the honorable task of assisting The Right Reverend ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska, in preparing for the celebration of the glorification by providing an authorized Life of Matushka Olga for the education and edification of the Faithful, with overseeing the painting of holy icons of her, in keeping with the canonical iconographical tradition of the Church, with the composition of liturgical texts to be sung at the Divine Services in which she will be commemorated, and with assisting in the uncovering and recognition of her holy relics, and in promoting her veneration among all the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of our Church.

We call upon the faithful to remember Matushka Olga at Memorial Services or Litanies for the Departed when appropriate until the day of her glorification.

Through the prayers of Matushka Olga and of all the Saints who have shone forth in North America, may the Lord grant His mercies and blessings to all who seek her heavenly intercession with faith and love.  Amen.

Holy Mother Olga, pray to God for us!

Given at Holy Trinity Cathedral, this 8th day of November, in the Year of Our Lord, 2023.

PROCLAMATION OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA ON THE GLORIFICATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS SERVANT OF GOD MATUSHKA OLGA

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America.

+ TIKHON, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada
+ NATHANIEL, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate
+ BENJAMIN, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West
+ MARK, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania
+ ALEJO, Archbishop of Mexico City and Mexico
+ MELCHISEDEK, Archbishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
+ IRENEE, Archbishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada
+ MICHAEL, Archbishop of New York and New Jersey
+ ALEXANDER, Archbishop of Dallas, the South and the Bulgarian Diocese
+ DANIEL, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest
+ ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska
+ NIKODHIM, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese

(source)

St. Olga of Alaska (source)

Orthodoxy has been around in Alaska since the 18th century. It was brought here by a mission of the Russian Orthodox Church. The mission’s monks preached among the local indigenous people and translated the Scripture and liturgical texts into the local languages, bringing many to Christ and educating the local clergy.  Some prominent preachers of Christianity in Alaska were Holy Venerable Herman of Alaska and Bishop Innocent. At the end of the 19th century, Russia sold Alaska to the United States, and gradually, Protestant missions came to prevail in this land. However, Orthodox life has continued there to the present day, with around ninety active Orthodox parishes.

On 3 February 1916, a girl named Arrsamquq was born into an indigenous Alaskan family of Yupik origin. The presence of the Russian mission in her community helped spread the faith among the local people, and she was among the first to be baptised as an infant. At baptism, she accepted the name Olga. From a very young age, she lived with the love of God. She was hard-working and prayed a lot for her family and her fellow villagers. By her teenage years, she already knew multiple liturgical texts and hymns in the church Slavonic and Yupik languages.

She married a man from her village. It was an arranged marriage. Her husband was adept at fishing and hunting. He established a general store and opened the first post office in his village. However, he was not a particularly churchly man. During the first years of their marriage, they had a troubled relationship filled with strife and arguments. But Olga did not despair. Instead, she prayed vehemently for her husband and her non-believing neighbours. Through her prayers, After a time, her husband — baptised with the name Nicolay — began to attend church. He brought six other men from the village with him. They all became readers. Nicolay Michael went on to study at so called “Aleut School”, similar to those that were founded by Saint Innocent with the support of the Russian Missionary Society, in Sitka. He studied under the direction of Bishop Amvrossy (Merejko). After graduation, he was ordained into the priesthood. From 1963, he was a priest for Kwetluk. He was the second priest in his village Kwetluk and became greatly beloved by his people. Incidentally, throughout the lifetime of Saint Olga, the great majority of the students who went this School came from her tiny village.

The couple’s married life changed significantly after Nicolai’s ordination. As a priest, Nicolai Michael travelled extensively to twelve surrounding villages to conduct services and occasional offices. Travel between the villages was done on rivers, by boat in the summer or by snow machines or dog-driven sledges in the winter. Matushka Olga, who was the only able midwife around, accompanied her husband to assist the women in childbirth and ailments. Olga gave birth to thirteen of her children without a midwife. Five of them did not survive to adulthood because of illness and a harsh climate.

Matushka Olga Michael worked hard keeping house, raising children, making vestments and baking prosphoras. Despite her busy schedule, she would also go to the homes of others to cook and clean for them. With word and deed, Olga showed people the example of Christian life according to Lord’s commandments. Not only did she help others with their housekeeping, but she also made boots, parkas, socks and mittens to distribute among the parishioners. For her acts of charity, she was nicknamed the new righteous Tabitha. She was particularly mindful of the troubled women who suffered from domestic violence. She would often ask women in her village to take a steam bath with her, where they could not hide the physical and spiritual scars of the abuse done to them. She counselled the women and said words of reassurance to each. Her compassion and sensitivity struck many as if she had lived through the same situation in her life.

As she was growing older, her daughters were assuming more of her workload. The hard-working Matushka Olga had more time to travel with her husband, help the people from the surrounding villages and teach midwifery skills to younger women.

Eventually, however, Matushka Olga began to feel weak and ill and lose weight. Her concerned family persuaded her to go to hospital. The specialists there diagnosed terminal cancer which they said was beyond treatment. Her children received the news with much grief and prayed vehemently at the local holy places. As for the Matushka, was not resigned to her bed rest. While her daughters were away, she continued to go outside, hauling buckets of water from the village well.

In the last days of her life, she prayed a lot and left her last instructions to her family in preparation for her peaceful repose. On 8 November 1979, she partook of the Holy Sacraments, crossed herself and departed peacefully to God. She was buried in her wedding gown, which she had kept throughout her life.

Her death coincided with the feast day of Archangel Michael (the Old Calendar) whom she revered. The people from her village remembered her standing under the icon of Archangel Michael at church.

The Church of Saint Nicholas in Nicholas in Kwetluk

The icon of Archangel Michael at the church

The first miracle attributed to her was reported on the day of the saint’s interment. In Alaska, the month of November is the height of the winter season. By the time of her death, the rivers had already frozen over to preclude travel by boat, but the ice was still not strong enough to support a snow machine. Many people lamented not being able to bid their last farewells to their beloved Matushka. The Lord heard their prayers. On the day of her funeral, there was a thaw. The ice on the river melted, enabling many people to come to Kwetluk by boat to attend her funeral. As her body was being carried to the grave, summer birds were hovering over the procession. Even the soil in the graveyard had softened. On the next day, the cold weather returned and ice covered the river. Winter was back.

She also continued to intercede for needy women. A woman from her village saw the Matushka in her dream. She told her that her mother had a terminal illness and reassured her that her mother was departing to heaven. The woman saw her mother before her death and helped her prepare for her peaceful repose.

A woman who suffered from the trauma of sexual abuse reported another miracle with Matushka Olga. One day as she was praying, she began to have an intense flashback of her sexual abuse as a child. She pleaded with the Mother of God for her help. Little by little, she went into a trance and saw herself walking in a forest. A gentle wave of tenderness began to sweep through the woods followed by a fresh garden scent. She saw the Virgin Mary, dressed as she was in an icon, but more natural-looking and brighter, walking toward her. As she came closer she was aware of someone walking behind her. She was one of the indigenous people of the North. The Mother of God said that it was Saint Olga. Saint Olga gestured for the woman to follow her to a little hill that had a door cut into the side. Mother Olga helped her up on a bed and rubbed something on her belly. It looked five months pregnant (although she was not pregnant in reality). Mother Olga pretended to labour with her. She pushed out something like an afterbirth, and she was filled with wellness and a sense of quiet entered her soul. As the woman recalled, Saint Olga’s eyes spoke with great tenderness and understanding. It was the kind of loving gaze from a mother to an infant that connects and welcomes a baby to life. Only after this did Holy Mother Olga speak. “The people who hurt you thought they could make me carry their evil inside of you by rape. That’s a lie. The only thing they could put inside you was the seed of life which is a creation of God and cannot pollute anyone.” At the end of this healing time, they went outside together. The sky was all shimmer with a moving veil of light. At that moment, the woman heard in her heart that this moving curtain of light was a promise that God can create great beauty from complete desolation and nothingness.

(source)

St. Olga of Alaska (source)

   

Troparion to St. Olga of Alaska in Tone Four

By your righteous deeds, you were revealed to the world as an image of the perfect servant of the Lord in Alaska. By your fasting, vigil and prayers, you were inspired in your evangelical life. You fed the hungry, and you cared for the poor. You served as a midwife, and you brought babies into the world. You nurtured children, and you clothed all those in need. Now, O Holy Olga, you stand at the right-hand of Christ the Master, and you intercede for our souls.

(source)

St. Olga of Alaska (source)

Akathist to St. Olga of Alaska here.

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

"O faithful, share the glad tidings of the recreation of the world"

The Annunciation of the Theotokos (source)

The General of the Angelic Powers was sent from God Pantocrator to the Pure Virgin to bring the strange good news of the incomparable wonder: that God will become a babe from her, without seed, refashioning mortals of every race. O faithful, share the glad tidings of the recreation of the world.

-Exaposteilarion of the Great Feast of the Annunciation

(source)

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

St. Leonidas with his Seven Disciples: Sts. Vasilissa, Galini, Theodora, Kallida, Nike, Nounechia and Charissa the Martyrs of Corinth

St. Leonidas with his fellow martyrs and disciples: Sts. Vasilissa, Galini (or Galina), Theodora, Kallida (or Cali), Nike, Nounechia and Charissa (or Chariessa) the Martyrs of Corinth - Commemorated April 16th and on Bright Wednesday (Source)

St. Leonidas with his Seven Disciples: Sts. Vasilissa, Galini (or Galina), Theodora, Kallida (or Kali), Nike, Nounechia and Charissa the Martyrs of Corinth

These holy Martyrs struggled in Corinth during the holy days of Pascha under the reign of the Emperor Decius (249-251AD)

St. Leonidas was "exarch" in the spiritual realm, in other words, was an abbot of a group of disciples of the Lord. They were all seized in Troizinia of the Peloponnese during the days of Holy Week, and led to Corinth. Nounechia and Vasilissa (the mother of Nunechia), Galine, Theodora, Kalida, Nike and Charissa were led with him to the governor Venousto.

There, the governor tried to sway them at first with flattery, but later with threats, to forth St. Leonidas and the seven women to deny their faith in Christ. The Martyrs, however, remained unshaken. Venoustos, doubting that St. Leonidas would remain steadfast in his faith in Christ, ordered him to be hung up high and for his body to be torn apart with terrible instruments. He then gave the command to drown the Martyr in the Corinthian Gulf together with the women Saints.

St. Leonidas the Martyr, before the sea were he was martyred (source)

And though these women Martyrs were led by the executioners and thrown into the sea, they walked upon the waters as on dry land, as St. Charissa chanted like the Prophetess Miriam, while the Egyptians were being drowned in the Red Sea: "I have run one mile, O Lord, and an army pursued me, but I did not deny You, O Lord. Save my spirit." As the boat reached them, they continued to chant odes until their executioners tied them with stones and drowned them in the depth of the sea. The Saints entered into Paradise on the great day of Holy Saturday.

Pious Christians gathered their Holy Relics and buried them, at the place were years later was built the famed Lechaion Basilica, which, at the time of its construction, was the largest known church in the world. The church was destroyed, however, and the Holy Relics of the Saints were lost until 1917, when pious inhabitants of Epidavros received visions to dig in a certain place, and that they would find a sacred treasure. At the place where they dug, they found a sarcophagus, which which were placed the Holy Relics of the Seven Women Martyrs, and another sarcophagus with the Holy Relic of the Martyr Leonidas. Immediately, the faithful people began to build a church in honor of the Saint, in which they placed the Holy Relics. To this day, the Holy Relics of St. Leonidas and his seven women disciples are treasured in the Holy Church of the Annunciation in Epidavros, and are festally taken to the Church of the Holy Martyr Leonidas (in the same town) on Bright Wednesday annually for their feast day.

(source)

The full life of the Saints are part of the life of their spiritual brother and teacher, St. Kodratos, written by Nikephoros Gregoras. It can be found in Patrologia curses completus, series graces.

St. Leonidas with his seven disciples (source)

Selected hymns translated from the Service to St. Leonidas the Martyr and his seven female disciples. (Note that the hymns are not metered)

Prosomoia of the Stichera from Great Vespers in Tone Four. As the brave one among martyrs.

Let us all honor the brave and divine Martyrs of Christ, the all-perfect Leonidas, and together with him, those virgin and martyred young women, who faithfully and steadfastly confessed Christ together with him, and they all received the crowns of victory, as manly champions of our spotless and holy faith.

You followed after Christ, O all-glorious Leonidas, and you became a dwelling place for Virgins, and you struggled together with them, wholly casting down the passions of the body, and you struggled with manliness, approaching the Lord wearing a crown, being martyred in a godly manner, as most-brave Martyrs.

You loved Christ, and you followed after His teachings, gathering your beauty together, O Venerable Ones, in the Spirit, and you were led by the famed Leonidas, and with manliness kept the good confession of Christ, and you all struggled together, while you ever now rejoice in Heaven.

St. Leonidas with his seven disciples (source)

Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

You hearkened to the words of Christ the Teacher, and with manliness you took up His Cross of martyrdom. And having lived a holy life, through your blood, and in the depths of the sea, you were put to death with radiance, O all-perfect Martyrs: Leonidas the glorious, Chariessa and Nike, Nounechia, Vasilissa, Galini, Theodora and Kallis, the beautifully victorious Virgins of the Lord, with spotless and sacred lives. Entreat Him on behalf of us, that we be delivered from the traps of the enemy, we who praise you in faith, and with fervor celebrate your all-sacred memory.

Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone.

Come, O faithful, let us gather together in the house of the Lord, and let us hymn with hymns of praise the glorious athlete of Christ, Leonidas the Martyr, and those precious women who were crowned together with him, having been martyred through a terrible martyrdom. These with boldness and bravery in mind imitated the confessors, and became martyrs in their disposition, that we might find grace in the Heavens on the day of judgment.

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

Let us trumpet forth with the trumpet of song, and let us hymn with rejoicing the true athletes of Christ the the martyrs of the true faith, for they smashed down the wiles and threats of the enemy upon the firm rock of their hearts, and struggled with manliness in mind, and though cast into the depths of the sea, they harmoniously chanted to the Lord: "I have run one mile with you, O Lord, and I have not denied You, though an army persued me; save my spirit." O beautifully victorious Martyrs, and the sacred choir of Leonidas: intercede with the Lord, as you have great boldness before Him, on behalf of those who with faith and fervor hymn your all-honored memory.

St. Leonidas with his seven disciples (source)

Apolytikion in the Third Tone. The world has found you.

You have become a great defender of Epidavros, O Leonidas, and you were not shaken by the wiles of belial, as you cast down the honor to the demons, and you confessed Christ with boldness, together with the wise Women, O All-blessed Ones, ceaselessly entreat that we be granted the great mercy.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone. O You Who were lifted up upon the Cross.

Let us now honor the protectors of Epidavros, and let us praise the famed Martyrs, Leonidas the glorious soldier of Christ, and the seven Women Champions who celebrate together with him, who now stand at the Throne of glory, fervently entreating. Christ on behalf of those who with faith celebrate their memory.

Oikos.

You counted all the things of the earth as refuse, and now dwell before the Heavenly Throne in glory, as worthy Martyrs of the Lord, for you, O Leonidas, were hung upon the wood, and you life was then ended by being cast into the sea together with your fellow athletes. Having reached Him, O true soldiers of the Lord, you were received and made worthy of the good things of Heaven, and you now ever entreat Christ on behalf of those who with faith celebrate their memory.

Synaxarion

On this day (April 16th, or Bright Wednesday), the memory of the Holy Martyrs Leonidas, Chariessa, Nike, Galini, Kallidos, Nounechias, Vasilissa and Theodora.

St. Leonidas with his seven disciples (source)

Verses

To Leonidas

The bosom of the sea receives Leonidas, who has reached the bosom of Abraham.

To Chariessa

"The sea," says Chariessa, "does not frighten me, but the sea becomes a foretaste of graces for me."

To Galini and Nike

Galini and Nike are cast into the deep, bringing up victory and peace from the storm.

To Kallida

The depth of the sea receives Kalida, who was aflame with eros for the beauty of the Lord, loved by her soul.

To Nounechia

Having found a reward of salvation from the deep, you were shown to be mindful, O Nounechia.

To Vasilissa and Theodora

The womb of the sea receives two daughters, who fled the womb of the enemy.

St. Leonidas with his seven disciples (source)

Exaposteilarion in the Third Tone. O Apostles from afar.

In hymns let us praise the Martyr Leonidas and his seven-membered band, who fled to Christ, having cast down belial.

Prosomoia of the Praises in the First Tone. O all-praised Martyrs.

O beautifully victorious Martyrs of God, who honored the Lord Who is the Creator of all creation, you were in no way swayed by the threats of the enemy, and you lawlessly were put to death. And now you intercede that our souls might be grated peace and the great mercy.

Having reached your blessed end through martyrdom in the depth of the sea, O glorious Martyrs, you truly  dried up the rivers of vanity and the streams of evil through your steadfastness. Therefore, entreat that our souls be granted peace and the great mercy.

Come, O faithful, let us all bless Leonidas, Nike and Chariessa, and Nounechia, Vasilissa, Galini, Kalida, and Theodora, who have come to dwell in the Kingdom, and let us cry out to them: through your prayers to Christ, may He grant peace to His world.

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

Come, O band of people who love the Martyrs, to glorious Epidavros that has gathered as is truly right to honor the glorious Martyrs, and with reverence, let us embrace the treasury of their Relics, and praise them as worthy athletes of the Lord: O spiritual priest, glorious Leonidas, together with the Seven Women, the foundations of the Church, entreat God on behalf of us, that He have compassion upon us, and save the souls of those who praise your sacred struggle.

Megalynarion.

Rejoice, O all-radiant lights, divine Leonidas, and the seven-numbered Choir of Women Martyrs, the pride and protectors of glorious Epidavros, and our defenders in the faith.

(source)

St. Leonidas with his seven women disciples (source)

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

"Come, O faithful, let us see where Christ is born..."

 Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The Nativity of Christ (source)

Come, O faithful, let us see where Christ is born, let us follow therefore, where the star is leading, together with the Magi, the Kings of the East. Angels ceaselessly hymn there, Shepherds offer their wonder and a worthy hymn, saying "Glory in the highest to Him Who is born today in the Cave from the Virgin and Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judea.

-Kathisma from Matins for the Nativity of Christ

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

"You reached the height of knowledge unflinchingly, and plumbed the depths of wisdom unspeakably..."

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

You reached the height of knowledge unflinchingly, and plumbed the depths of wisdom unspeakably, and through your teachings, you have enriched the whole world, O Father. Ever entreat Christ on behalf of us, O Hierarch Nicholas.

-Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone for the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

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

"You received the love for the good things surpassing mind..."

St. Sabbas the Sanctified (source)

You received the love for the good things surpassing mind, and you disdained all things of this world, O inspired by God. Therefore, you did not pity the flesh as Adam did, for you cast out the serpent through your self-control, and proceeded through your life as an angel. And now, you join pasture with them in the Heavens, partaking of the tree of life. Entreat God on behalf of us who celebrate your memory in faith, O Sabbas the Sanctified.

-Doxastikon of the Litia, by Theophanes

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

"You traveled the road of struggle..."

St. Barbara the Great Martyr (source)

You traveled the road of struggle, fleeing the will of your father, O all-honored Barbara, and as a wise Virgin, you entered into the courts of your Lord bearing a lamp, and with manliness as a Martyr, you received grace to heal the brutal maiming of the flesh. And, for those who hymn you, grant deliverance from pains of soul through your intercessions to God.

-Doxastikon of the Praises in Plagal of the Second Tone, by John the Monk.

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

"The virgin and chaste Catherine the wise..."

St. Catherine the Great Martyr and All-Wise (source)

The virgin and chaste Catherine the wise, who through the power of Christ, truly was strengthened, and entered the stadium with rejoicing. And she deposed the tyrant through her steadfastness, along with the whole multitude of the enemy foes, and she ceaselessly chanted with joy and with a great voice: O my Christ, You are my glory, my Savior and my Deliverer; do You receive my spirit.

-Kathisma from the feast of St. Catherine the Great Martyr

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

"Today has dawned a day of joy, and an all-reverent feast..."

The Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple (source)

Today has dawned a day of joy, and an all-reverent feast, for today, she who was a Virgin before giving birth, and remained a Virgin after giving birth, is led to the Temple. And Zacharias the Priest, the begetter of the Forerunner, cries out with joy: "The promise of those who suffer has come to the holy Temple as one holy, to be dedicated to become the dwelling place of the King of All." Let Joachim the Forefather be glad, and Anna exalt, for the spotless Lady is offered to God as a three-year-old calf. O mothers, rejoice together, O virgins, skip for joy, and O barren ones, dance together, for the Kingdom of the Heavens has been opened to us, she who was preordained to be the Queen of all. Rejoice, O people, and exalt.

-Doxastikon of the Litia, by Leo the Master

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Most-Holy Theotokos, save us!

"What crowns of praise shall we place upon the Hierarch..."

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker (source)

What crowns of praise shall we place upon the Hierarch, he who lately shown forth and illumined the Church with the lamp of piety? The new adornment of the Orthodox, and equal in zeal to the former Arch-priests. For by his way of life full of wisdom, he was glorified by Christ, Who grants to all, through him, the great mercy.

-Prosomoion of the Stichera for the Feast of St. Nektarios the Wonderworker

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

"The noetic Powers and Generals, who ceaselessly stand before the Throne of the Master..."

The Holy Archangels (source)

The noetic Powers and Generals, who ceaselessly stand before the Throne of the Master: Intercede with the Lord that peace may be granted to the world, and great mercy to our souls.

-Idiomelon of the Litia for the Feast of the Holy Archangels, by Cyprian

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

"You were made worthy of great gifts, O all-praised ones..."

Sts. Cosmas and Damian the Holy Wonderworking Unmercenaries (source)

You were made worthy of great gifts, O all-praised ones, for you lived your lives in humility upon the earth, and you proceed everywhere, granting the gifts of healing of the passions, and you appeared as fellow conversers with the Angels, O Kosmas together with Damian, the most joyous and wise brothers: do heal our passions as well, through your prayers.

-Idiomelon from the Vespers Aposticha for the Feast of Sts. Kosmas and Damian, by Germanos

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

"Today has come the beginning of our salvation, O people..."

The Nativity of the Theotokos (source)

  
Today has come the beginning of our salvation, O people, for behold, she who was chosen beforehand from the ancient generations, the Mother and Virgin, and the container for God, comes forth to be born from a barren woman. O flower from the Root of Jesse, and his rod which sprouted forth. Rejoice, O Forefather Adam, and let Eve rejoice with gladness, for behold, she who was formed from the rib of Adam, the daughter and offspring, is blessed openly. For [Adam] says, "From me is born deliverance, from whom will come for me freedom from the bonds of Hades." Let David rejoice, striking the harp, and let him bless God, for behold, the Virgin comes forth from [a Mother] barren as stone, for the salvation of our souls.
-Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone, by Stephanos of the Holy City
  
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Most-Holy Theotokos, save us!

"O all-famed Soldier, light of the world and the adornment of the Church..."

St. Mamas the Great Martyr (source)

  
You gave up your soul to the Redeemer, and willingly hastened to Him, having been adorned with radiance and comeliness through your holy struggles and wondrous feats, O all-famed Soldier, light of the world and the adornment of the Church.

You came to dwell together with the Angels in the angelic mansions, and together with them, you harmoniously chant the sacred hymn of praise to the all-glorious Trinity, O Mamas, beholding and having been intoxicated by His glory, having been arrayed in dispassion.

As one having boldness before God, surround those who are celebrating your divine feast, O Martyr, and who honor your sacred and holy struggle, and who praise you in truth. Remember them, O all-blessed one, and deliver us from the dizziness of life, and dangers and temptations.
-Hymns from the 9th Ode of the Canon to St. Mamas the Great Martyr
  
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St. Mamas the Great Martyr (source)

  

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

"bless the crown of the year..."

Icon depicting the Old Testament foreshadowing of the Holy Trinity (source)

  
O Beginningless Logos and Son [of the Father], Who are one with the Holy Spirit, Who together work all things and together created all things visible and invisible, bless the crown of the year, preserving the multitudes of the Orthodox in peace, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, and all Your Saints.
-Doxastikon of Stichera for the Indiction in the Plagal of the Second Tone, by Byzantios

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