""As a yearling lamb, for us a crown of goodness, the Blessed One..."

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

Christ symbolized as the Lamb of God, Who was slain and is alive again, on the throne before the seven seals (Revelation 5), 7th Century Mosaic, Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Rome (source)

  

"The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it is the first to you among the months of the year. Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, On the tenth of this month let them take each man a lamb according to the houses of their families, every man a lamb for his household. And if they be few in a household, so that there are not enough for the lamb, he shall take with himself his neighbor that lives near to him, as to the number of souls, every one according to that which suffices him shall make a reckoning for the lamb. It shall be to you a lamb unblemished, a male of a year old: ye shall take it of the lambs and the kids. And it shall be kept by you till the fourteenth of this month, and all the multitude of the congregation of the children of Israel shall kill it toward evening. And they shall take of the blood, and shall put it on the two door-posts, and on the lintel, in the houses wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in this night roast with fire, and they shall eat unleavened bread with bitter herbs. Ye shall not eat of it raw nor sodden in water, but only roast with fire, the head with the feet and the appurtenances. Nothing shall be left of it till the morning, and a bone of it ye shall not break; but that which is left of it till the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it: your loins girded, and your sandals on your feet, and your staves in your hands, and ye shall eat it in haste. It is a Passover to the Lord."

-Exodus 12:1-11,
reading during the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil on Great and Holy Saturday
(source)
  

Christ, the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God (source)

  
"Christ appeared as a ‘male’ who opened the virgin womb. As our food he is called ‘lamb’; ‘unblemished’, as our Passover without stain; and ‘perfect’, for he is true God.
  
"As a yearling lamb, for us a crown of goodness, the Blessed One, the cleansing Passover has been sacrificed for all; and from the tomb the fair Sun of justice has shone for us again."
-from the Paschal Canon of St. John of Damascus
  

Christ as the Lamb of God in the Holy Chalice, surrounded by the Holy Angels (source)

  

Christ has risen from the dead, by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

"Shine, Shine, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee..."

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

The Holy Myrrhbearers beholding the empty Tomb of Christ at His Resurrection (source)

    

"Shine, Shine, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee. Behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and there shall be gross

darkness on the nations: but the Lord shall appear upon thee, and his glory shall be

seen upon thee. And kings shall walk in thy light, and nations in thy brightness. Lift
up thine eyes round about, and behold thy children gathered: all thy sons have come

from far, and thy daughters shall be borne on men's shoulders. Then shalt thou see,

and fear, and be amazed in thine heart; for the wealth of the sea shall come round to

thee, and of nations and peoples; and herds of camels shall come to thee, and the

camels of Midian and Ephah shall cover thee: all from Saba shall come bearing gold, and shall bring frankincense, and they shall publish the salvation of the Lord. And all

the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered, and the rams of Nebaioth shall come; and

acceptable sacrifices shall be offered on my altar, and my house of prayer shall be

glorified. Who are these that fly as clouds, and as doves with young ones to me? The

isles have waited for me, and the ships of Tarshish among the first, to bring thy

children from afar, and their silver and their gold with them, and that for the sake of

the holy name of the Lord, and because the Holy One of Israel is glorified. And

strangers shall build thy walls, and their kings shall wait upon thee: for by reason of

my wrath I smote thee, and by reason of mercy I loved thee. And thy gates shall be

opened continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; to bring in to thee the power

of the Gentiles, and their kings as captives. For the nations and the kings which will

not serve thee shall perish; and those nations shall be made utterly desolate. And the

glory of Lebanon shall come to thee, with the cypress, and pine, and cedar together,

to glorify my holy place. And the sons of them that afflicted thee, and of them that

provoked thee, shall come to thee in fear; and thou shalt be called Zion, the city of the

Holy One of Israel. Because thou hast become desolate and hated, and there was no

helper, therefore I will make thee a perpetual gladness, a joy of many generations.

And thou shalt suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt eat the wealth of kings: and

shalt know that I am the Lord that saves thee and delivers thee, the Holy One of
Israel."
-Isaiah 60:1-16,
read during the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil on Great and Holy Saturday
(source)
  

Holy Prophet Isaiah (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!

Two Canons for the Feast of the Translation of the Holy Relics of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, with scenes from his life (source)

  
Note: The following is my translation of the dual Matins Canons for the feast of the Translation of the Holy Relics of St. Nicholas, written by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain. I previously translated the rest of the service, but this is now included in completion for all those who love the Saint and who benefit from his speedy and fervent intercessions to Christ.
  
But finally, I include this at a very sensitive time for the Church with many temptations, enmity and fear about the future among many. May St. Nicholas, who became the model for the Orthodox Bishop, guide and protect our Orthodox Bishops throughout the world. This is a time when we especially do not need many words, much less arguments and name-calling, but greater humility, prayer and repentance.
  
May the Lord enlighten our Bishops (but all of us as well) to endlessly work with love and truth towards unity, putting aside all hatred, divisiveness, pride and desire for self-gain. May we imitate our Good Shepherd Who "lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). May the Most-holy Theotokos and St. Nicholas ceaselessly pray to Christ that our Bishops be kept "safe, honorable and healthy for many years, rightly teaching the world of Your Truth" (Divine Liturgy).
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Two Canons for the Feast of the Translation of the Holy Relics of St. Nicholas to Bari, Italy,
Written by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain

Canon I. Ode I. Plagal of the Fourth Tone. Crossing the waters as on dry land.
The wonderworker among Hierarchs, let us all hymn, all who love feasts with reverence, with godly praises, the Great Nicholas, the pride of the people of Myra and our boast.

Now, the Church is joyful and dances and hymns the passing of the holy and sacred body of the thrice-blessed Nicholas, through which the whole world has been sanctified.

Truly, you are shown to be the enricher of orphans, the deliverer and helper of the storm-tossed, O thrice-blessed Nicholas of godly mind: do come unto our aid as well and save us, O Saint.

Theotokion.
You were made the Temple of God, O Spotless Lady, of Him Who dwelt within you in a manner surpassing mind, O Theotokos, and Who delivered mortals from the delusion of souls.

Canon II. Tone IV. My mouth shall I open wide.
Desiring, O all-holy one, to praise the passing of your Relic, I entreat that grace might be granted to me, that I, who am unworthy, might in faith hymn you with song.

Who is able and worthy to praise him who is the mystic of grace, the preacher of the world, the leader of the people of Myra, and the Hierarch of Christ, he who is great with wonders, the divine Nicholas?

Today, the Church is made glad and boasts at the passing of your divine Relic, O wise one, and through it, protect us unharmed, O thrice-blessed one, from every heresy, O divine Nicholas.

Theotokion.
You gave birth, O Spotless One, to my Savior in manner surpassing nature, as He desired to put on our nature, and willingly endured the Cross, and saved everything through His Resurrection.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode III. Canon I. Of the vault of the heaven.
You make radiant the heart with divine light, O all-wise one, shining clearly for the Church with all-wise dogmas, teaching to honor the Beginningless and All-Holy Trinity, Which glorified you with incomparable wonders.

You were shown to be the protector of orphans and widows, O Saint, the guide and greatly fervent deliverer of the innocent, O Nicholas, and the deliverer of the ailing, and the pride and defender of faithful rulers.

As one having boldness towards God, O Saint, you pour upon us your riches of intercessions towards our offenses, O Father Nicholas, for those who bless you, O Hierarch wise in God.

Theotokion.
O Lady, you ineffably bore God Who was begotten of the Father timelessly, He Who has two natures. On behalf of us, entreat Him, Who has also risen from the tomb, as the Almighty One.

Canon II. Establish your servants.
With the zeal of the King of All, O Mystic, you rightly deposed the blasphemy of Arius with steadfastness. Do also deliver those who sail the seas and who are in danger of being drowned, O Father of the poor most sacred.

The ranks of the divine Bodiless Powers, together with all of the mystics of Christ received your soul rejoicing, O all-holy one and the adornment of Hierarchs, O God-bearer Nicholas.

You sanctified the world the presence of your divine Relic, O wise one, and you shine upon the Church with the rays of your wonders, and the earth glorifies you today, and hymns you in reverence, O Nicholas.

Theotokion.
Believing the God-inspired words, we preach you to be the Mother of Christ, O Lady Panagia. You gave birth to Him Who is risen from the dead, and raised us up from our fall.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Kathisma in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. The Wisdom and Word.
The Shepherd and protector of the people of Myra, the faithful have gathered together to hymn, the feeder of the hungry, the provider for widows, the father for orphans, the deliverance of the innocent, the deliverer of those storm-tossed, the healer of the sick, the prophet of the future, and the sharpened sword against Arius and his fellow enemies. Let us cry out to him in fervor: O Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God, that we be granted remission of offenses, for those who piously venerate the passing of your Relic.

Glory.
The radiant and light-bearing and shining great lamp of the Church of Christ, has shown forth through the passing of his Relic, O Saint: Illumine, sanctify everything under the sun with the rays of wonders, through the power of the Spirit, O divine Hierarch and mystic of unspeakable [mysteries], O all-blessed Nicholas, the pride of the Fathers, and the deliverer of the faithful. Intercede with Christ God, that remission of offenses be granted for those who call upon your all-holy name.

Both now. The Kathisma of the present feast.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode IV. Canon I. I have hearkened and heard, O Lord.
O God-inspired Hierarch, you became the Father of the people of Myra, and you are the support of the Church, which you guided in piety, O Nicholas.

Being brave in mind, the people glorify the passing of your Relic, O divine Nicholas, through which you have sanctified the world.

The adornment of the Fathers, the glory of the world, the boast of the people of Myra, you were shown to be, O Nicholas, and the boast and support of the Church.

Theotokion.
Having risen from the grave, your Son, O Spotless Virgin, has granted forgiveness to the deluded, as the Compassionate.

Canon II. He Who sits in holy glory.
Let us celebrate together the all-glorious passing of the sacred Relic, and let all the multitudes of people who love feasts gather to ceaselessly hymn you, crying out to you: O Nicholas. protect all of us through your intercessions.

You were truly shown to be a light-bearing Hierarch of the Church, O Nicholas, and you perfectly guided the rudder. Therefore Christ has glorified you with wonders, both while alive and after your repose, O Saint.

You delivered the innocent from death, O all-glorious one, and truly saved men from the depths of the sea, through your prayer, O all-blessed Hierarch, and deposed the serpent Arius, O Nicholas.

Theotokion.
It is the day of Resurrection, let us shine forth, O lovers of feasts, and piously glorify together our Christ and Savior, Who dissolved the curse of our Foremother, and let us cry out: Glory to Your Rising, O Master.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode V. Canon I.
The grace of the superessential Trinity dwelt within you, O all-holy one, and you therefore shepherded the flock of the Lord righteously, therefore the Master radiantly glorifies you at all times with wonders, O Hierarch Nicholas.

We know you to be Hierarch of widows and the feeder of the poor, O Father, and the physician in soul and body of those weakened, and the total guide of those upon the sea, we have found you to be, O divine Nicholas.

You served as a divine servant of unspeakable mysteries, O Venerable one, and a worshipper of the Trinity, and a great adornment of the Church, the glory of the world, and the salvation of all of us who hymn you, O Father Nicholas.

Theotokion.
Rejoice, light cloud that is wider than the heavens, O Bride of God, from whom the Master took on our nature, willingly being crucified, and rising from the grave, raising us up with Him from our fall.

Canon II. Amazed was the universe.
The delusion of the godless Arius the mad, you strongly resisted, teaching to honor the Beginningless Father, together with the Son and the All-creating Spirit, as sharing one essence and one throne.

You desired to venerate the divine tomb of the Savior, O blessed one, and hastened to it as a thirsty hart to the springs of waters. Therefore [on the journey] the enemy out of wrath put to death a man, whom you saved through your prayer.

You ascended to the height of the mountain of divine virtues, O glorious one, and you ever join chorus with the choirs of the Angels, beholding the radiance of Christ, and gazing upon His unspeakable beauty.

Theotokion.
The ranks of Angels beheld You dead, but You resurrected from Your grave, O Savior, as You foretold, granting life and raising up from Hades all the ancient generations of men, as God greatly merciful.

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  

Ode VI. Canon I. My voice I will pour out.
You truly counted all earthly things as refuse, and wholly desired Christ above all things with your whole soul, following His ways and being truly illumined by Him, as a shining star.

You deposed the enemy Arius, rightly healing his blasphemy against he Lord, O all-precious Hierarch Nicholas, teaching all to worship the Father, Son and Spirit together.

As another Samuel, the Lord, knowing your nobility of soul, ordained you as a Priest of the Church of Myra, O thrice-blessed Nicholas, and as a comely Shepherd, you guided them towards the pasture of Paradise.

Theotokion.
Isaiah foresaw you as a lamp, and you became the shell, whose spotless blood dyed the purple robe of the King. O All-spotless Mother of God, surround us with your divine intercessions.

Canon II. Let us possessed of a godly mind.
Let us hymn the great Hierarch, O lovers of feasts, with faith, and cry out: O divine Nicholas, protect us who glorify the sacred passing of your Relic, O all-blessed one.

The protector of widows, O Nicholas, the most-sure deliverer of those storm-tossed, and the savior of the innocent, the adornment of Archpriests, and the protector of orphans, surround us all.

You deposed the guile of satan, who attempted to set fire to your temple, O Nicholas, and you trampled upon his shameful cries, casting him to the ground through the power of the Savior.

Theotokion.
Christ is risen, let us clap our hands, O lovers of feasts, and cry out: Glory to Christ God Who is risen, and has raised up those below, uniting with His Father.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode VII. Canon I. Once from Judea.
You now stand before the throne of the Trinity, O Hierarch, Whom we ask that you entreat on behalf of those who hymn you and every cry out: O God of our Fathers, blessed are You.

O thrice-blessed one, from infancy you received heavenly wisdom, for you fasting from nursing Wednesdays and Fridays, and we all chant and cry out: God is wondrous among His Saints.

The Ruler over all, Who once asked Peter if he loved Him, made you to shepherd the flock of the people of Myra in all righteousness, O mystic and godly-minded Nicholas.

Theotokion.
The forested mountain became a divine dwelling-place of the divine Logos, O Pure One, as the tongs that received the burning coal from the golden altar, O All-holy Virgin, intercede with your only Son on behalf of us.

Canon II. Godly-minded three.
Having inherited the heavenly mansions, O divine Nicholas, you became united with Christ, and you dance together with the Angels and cry out with fervor: O Greatly-hymned God of our Fathers, blessed are You.

Grace has poured forth from your lips, O wise mystic of holy things, therefore Christ God anointed you as the leader of His Church which you shepherded as a perfect healer of the Savior and Life-giver.

You received the grace of the Spirit from the heights, O Nicholas, and are seen near and far, distributing wealth without end to the poor, and your memory of your righteousness abides unto the ages.

Theotokion.
The eternal Wisdom of the Begetter [Father], Christ the Lord, dispassionately was born from you, O Lady, the Timeless One born a man in time, and desired to deliver those condemned to death through the Cross.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode VIII. Canon I. The King of heaven.
The Hierarch of the Church of Myra, let us honor with fervor, O faithful, as our fervent protector in dangers.

Full of light, you shine with blazing rays, illumining us, O Hierarch, who hymn you with reverence as is proper.

You were shown to be the guide of orphans, and the savior of the innocent, O Hierarch, and the rescuer of those upon the seas, and the deliverer of all.

Theotokion.
Habbakuk in joy named you a mountain, from which was cut a stone, Your Only-begotten Son, Who crushed the altars of the enemy.

Canon II. Pious children.
You were noetically anointed with divine myrrh, through which you pour forth the fragrance of your wonders, O Holy Hierarch, for the whole world. Therefore, as is right, we chant at your passing, do not abandon us, but offer up your prayers for us

You appeared as another Joseph, O thrice-blessed one, for while he was a true giver of grain in Egypt, you, O divine Nicholas, fed the faithful of Myra both with your flowing words and your saving manna, and through your godly deeds you were proceeded to heaven.

 Having the namesake of victory, O Father, show us to be victors against the passions through your prayers, O Nicholas, for we who hymn the passing of your sacred body are dead in spirit, and we fervently chant a praise to the Lord, Who granted you to us as a divine protector.

Theotokion.
You held your Son within your arms, O Virgin, Who did not depart from the bosom of His Father, the Timeless God wrapped in swaddling clothes as an infant. He hung upon the Cross, and was buried in the tomb, but on the third day He arose as He foretold, granting life to all.
  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  
Ode IX. Canon I. Saved through you, O Pure Virgin.
O thrice-blessed one, you mightily deposed visible and invisible foes through the grace of Christ, Whom you worshipped with fervent faith.

Through your prayers, ever preserve us from war and the sword, we who honor the passing of your body, and keep us from plague, famine, earthquake and from every evil.

You appeared to the Christ-loving Emperor in his dream, telling him to hasten to deliver those unjustly condemned, and they, having been saved, straightaway proclaimed you to be their deliverer.

Theotokion.
Your Son is risen, having descended to the depths of Hades, and having dissolved the kingdom of death. Rejoice, O Lady, through whom we have all been saved.
  
Canon II. All you born on earth.
As you have come to dwell in the heavenly mansions, ever shining with glory, and partake of eternal divine refreshment, look upon all of us who have gathered here and who hymn your all-festal passing, O Nicholas.

You did not at all desire the worldly life, therefore you distributed your wealth to the poor and therefore set for yourself treasures in heaven, and became an inheritor of heavenly goodness and of the Kingdom of Christ.

Protect unharmed those who hymn you in faith, O divine Nicholas, from every assault of enemies, and strengthen the flock of the Orthodox, for we proclaim you to be our most-fervent protector against the foes who war against us, and cast away their boldness against us with evil.

Theotokion.
Heal, O Pure One, the sounds of my soul through your compassion, and ever enlighten us, making us to be pleasing to Your Son, and cease the guileful machinations of the ancient enemy, and deliver us from the race of Hagar through your intercessions, making them to be defeated by pious rulers.(source)

  

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!

Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (+ May 9th, 2019) on the Lord's Resurrection

The Resurrection of Christ (source)

  
Today, May 9th, 2019, Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra reposed in the Lord. He was a grace-filled preacher and spiritual guide to many throughout the world.
"Fr Aimilianos was born in 1934, and as a priest and theologian he attracted a following of like-minded men and women, some of whom later joined him in renewing one of the monasteries at Meteora. As a young monk and priest he had a profound vision of the light of God, which enfolded him during the Divine Liturgy. ‘Henceforth every Divine Liturgy, prepared for by a long vigil, was a sublime experience of God’s glory.’ His charism was to be able to attract others to share in this commitment to contemplative worship and to deepen their life in Christ. These addresses are just the tip of the iceberg of a remarkable ministry of teaching and spiritual formation, not least among young people. The monastery attracts many pilgrims to this day.

  

"Early in the 1970s tourism was making such inroads at Meteora, where the monasteries perch on high and hitherto inaccessible rocks, that contemplative monastic life was becoming impossible. So Elder Aimilianos and his companions responded to a call to revitalize the ageing brotherhood of Simonopetra, itself perched on a vast rock nearly 1,000 feet above the sea on the Holy Mountain. On 26 November 1973 Elder Aimilianos was elected abbot of the monastery: this proved to be one of the decisive turning points in the renewal of monastic life on Mount Athos. In 1974 his community of nuns migrated to recreate the monastery of Ormylia in Halkidiki, across the water from the Holy Mountain itself and nearer Thessaloniki. In 1995, however, Elder Aimilianos began to fall ill, and in 2000 he retired from active supervision of the two monasteries.

  

Throughout his abbacy he proved a true spiritual elder to his flock: ‘like an overflowing spring, the elder ceaselessly poured himself out to his disciples, offering his words to them with all the magnificent prodigality of divine love.’ He kindled many vocations to the priesthood and the monastic life, and his spiritual influence was, and is, felt far from the Holy Mountain. In the words of the present abbot...

'Elder Aimilianos was our guide, teacher, and father in Christ, and remains so to this day. We lived with him for many years, travelling together in the way of the Spirit. The discourses collected in this volume give expression to his personal experience of God, which was always real, living and dynamic. We believe that they will fill you with joyful hope.'"

(source)

May we have his blessing and may he have a blessed Paradise in our risen Lord!  
  

Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra bringing out the Holy Light on Pascha (source)

  
Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (+ May 9, 2019) on the Lord's Resurrection

Before daybreak, at night, in the innards, in the belly of the grave, the Risen Lord sprang up. ‘From the belly, before the morning-star’, the heavenly Father raised Him and since then He has been our eternal High Priest.

 

Christ’s resurrection is a special gift, the last gift on earth of the Lord Who welled like myrrh from that tomb. There has never been a more beautiful treasure-chamber than the Lord’s tomb. There has never been a more beautiful opening than the opening of Christ’s tomb. The Father agreed to His Son being cast into the tomb by the transgressors precisely because He intended light to rise from the grave.

The Father would have remained unknown, inaccessible, but for the coming of the second, consubstantial and co-eternal light, the light of Christ. And Christ would have remained incomprehensible to us, in the end, but for the revelation by the third light, which is one and the same, the light of the most-holy Spirit, Who came to us when we were deprived of our joy, the Lord Jesus. It was in our interests that He should leave us, so that this new light could emerge from the tomb.

  

The prophet called You ‘the fairest of the sons of men’ and they managed to cast You into a pit, as if prophesying your eternal end. They made a mockery of this pleasure to the eyes and joy to the heart, made it into something hateful which people couldn’t bear to look at. But ‘who shall tell his lineage?’ Who can say how many would be born of this corpse. Who can number His spiritual descendants?

  

For the tomb of Christ, the resurrection of Christ is the beginning of a new generation. A generation which doesn’t come through the flesh of the loins but is born from the grave. From the suffering, the death in Christ, this new life arose.

  

It’s the race of people who are not merely not begotten but whose hearts beget them through the death they undergo. Their life begins with the death of baptism, it proceeds to their tonsure, which is again another perfect death and goes on to the third, the final one, in the grave.

  

So, out of the grave, from the mystical formation which occurred in the womb of Christ’s death, there grew the choicest thing our Church has: its virginal people, this new generation of monastics.

Icon depicting Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (though not yet canonized) (source)

  

Who can understand how souls are begotten in a virginal manner? How many were able to understand that the Virgin gave birth to Christ?

  

How many are able to understand that our virginity is a marriage and a birth of the Holy Spirit? How many can understand that not from our loins but from our spirits and our hearts we give birth to Christ and give the world the light of the Holy Spirit?

  

All of this is hidden in Christ’s tomb. Our monastic life is the hidden treasure which cannot be sensed by the eyes of either passionate or merely good people, but is revealed only to infants who have chosen Christ and put Him in their hearts. In a wonderful speech to the sons of Israel, Moses the great once foretold their crossing into the promised land. ‘Don’t forget’, he added, ‘that I won’t be with you. I shall stay here. But the Lord will raise another prophet, like me, from among your brethren and he will take my place. He brought me into the world to be the prototype of Him whom you’re waiting for’.

  

Prophet means teacher, inspirer, someone who brings a message fresh from the Father. He opens his ears to listen to what the Father is saying, then puts it into his own mouth and passes it on to people’s souls.

  

So the prophet will come. He Who will move and astound hearts. He will come Who will inspire your hearts and make them heroic and ready to suffer. This is where we find the land of rest, the land of Canaan, the land of delight. But your rest and your delight is the resurrection which emerges from your suffering. You’ll be led by the first martyr, the great martyr, the great teacher, Him Who inflames people’s souls and spirits, raises them on high and takes them up into the heavens.

  

Therefore, my beloved fathers, the risen Lord is our eternal prophet. He it is Who moves us, Who inspires us, Who teaches us. He it is Who rose from the dead to remind us that our monastic life passes through the grave.

  

He is the risen Christ Who goes ahead so that we can follow. The first monk, the first father, the first ‘Elder’.

  

With Christ’s resurrection, God granted us the unique ‘Elder’, the unique father, in this our eternal course, which is now a resurrected life and an ‘introduction into the good things beyond’.

  

This risen Lord is our very life and the whole of our life is now a ‘rite of passage’. Glory and dominion to Him, the resurrected Christ our God, unto the ages of ages.

(source)

  

Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (+ May 9th, 2019) (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!

"Amidst the darkness of the world..."

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. John the Theologian (source)

  
Amidst the darkness of the world, you were seen to be shining with the spotless Light, and being seized by fervor, you became a lamp of piety which cast forth many seeds of theology to generations of the nations, O John, shining with light.
-from the Matins Canon for St. John the Theologian
  
(source)
  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!

St. Ephraim visiting and healing the hospitalized woman

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Ephraim of Nea Makri the Wonderworker (source)

 
Sister M. from the sacred Monastery of Attica send the following letter to Makaria, Mother Superior of the Sacred Monastery Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in the Amomon Mountain (Nea Makri), Attica:
"I suffered amnesia, after a severe depression. I was like a vegetable and I was admitted to the Aeginition hospital in 1982 for a few days. I was unconscious not knowing that I was sick in the hospital. Being in this hopeless situation, I suddenly felt the presence of a Monk. He was tall, thin, pale, and ascetic exactly like he is in his holy Icon. From that moment, I realized that I was in a hospital room. This Monk approached me with an afflicted smile, sat on my bed, and stared at me without saying anything.

Suddenly, he said: "What is your problem, my child?"

"I don't know." I answered.

He said, "Why M. did they bring you here? They should have taken you first to Saint Raphael; the Saint was going to cure you and then bring you to my home as they had promised."

I told him that I did not know where I was and who had brought me here. He said, "You must tell Mrs. L to tell Mr. H to take you from here and to bring you to my home because my child we, the Monks, should not be coming here because they make fun of us."

I asked him, "Where is your home and who is Mr. H.?"

He said, "You tell Mr. L, she knows I know H. very well."

"What should I tell her; who are you; what is your name?" I asked.

He said, "You tell H. that my name is Ephraim. He knows where my home is. They should take you quickly from here and bring you to my home." He then got up and blessed me. I kissed his holy hand; he smiled, and then disappeared. After that I felt inner strength and realized where I was, I fulfilled the Saint's commandments and came to his Holy Monastery.

The day after my pilgrimage to Saint Ephraim, I saw him cheerful in my dream and he told me, "Now M., you know me. When you went to my home, I was there."

"I didn't see you though," I said, "Where are you?"

He said, "I was near you and I heard you." He blessed me and disappeared.

Glorified be the name of the Lord and of our Saint Efraim who cured me. I will always thank him for his great benevolence.

The same sister got sick with catarrhal pneumonia in 1983, as she writes:
"One day in the presence of the other Nuns, awake I saw Saint Efraim as a Monk. He was tall, dark, think and pale. As he entered my cell, he said, "I need to sit down for a while to rest. I am very tired because all day long I was at the hospitals with patients who had asked for me. So I came here too, to see how you are doing."

"I suffer a lot, Father," I said, "I have terrible pain and I cannot breathe."

He said, "Yes, I know everything; have patience, Jesus Christ will win. I also suffered a lot. They tortured me fiercely."

"Why, Father, did they torture you?" I asked.

"For Jesus Christ, my child, he said, "They asked me to deny the Lord and because I didn't obey them they tortured me. Look," he said and put aside the cassock, he showed me a big wound from his stomach to his abdomen. The intestines were visible and all around it there was dry dark blood. He went on saying, "My love thought for the Lord made me strong despite all of the tortures. Jesus Christ won. That's why I am telling you, don't have fear of anything; Jesus Christ will win. O! My child there is nothing better than suffering for the Love of the Lord."

"Father," I said "you must be hurting a lot. That is why it would be good for you to go to Mrs. P and Mr. H. who respect Monks (they were my doctors) go to them Father and they will relieve you from all the pain."

He smiled and said, "My child I have suffered a lot, but now I don't. I told you the love of the Lord has won. Now my child, I must go, but I will come again." He blessed me, I kissed his hand and he left.
 

St. Ephraim of Nea Makri, the Great Martyr and Wonderworker of Christ (source)

 
A few days later, he came again and told me, "I have come to see how you are doing."

I told him that I still have a lot of pain and "because when I am near you, I feel relief, joy and inner calmness. Please take me near you to rest. I am very tired."

He said, "My child, it is not time yet, we still have to finish some things. Don't have fear, you are under my care. I told you to have patience." Thinking that he was also a doctor I asked him if he could help the other sick Nuns.

He said, "My child I don't have the medicine to cure them, but for the love of the Lord they should have something to struggle for. There isn't any other struggle if they don't suffer; how else will they show their love?"

His face looked familiar, so I asked him, "Excuse me, Father, have I seen you somewhere? You look very familiar to me."

He said, "Don't you remember me, I had come to the hospital. That's where we first met."

"And where do you live?" I asked.

"My home is Nea Makri."

"What is your name?"

"My name is Efraim."

I still didn't realize that he was Saint Efraim. He said, "I have to go my child because I have to visit other sick people too. I will come again." he blessed me, I kissed his hand and he left.

The next day at the same time, he came again, and he told me, "Ah! My child, you are very, very sick. If this condition continues you will not last. So please tell Mr. D., your doctor, to give you a bigger dose of the medicine you are taking. It will help you."

I asked him if he knew my doctor and he said, "I know him very well, but he does not know me. That's why you will tell him to come to my home, so that he can get to know me. When you recover, you should come and clean my home because the sisters need spiritual support. You will be joyous when you will come."

Many days later, he came and said, "I was not going to come my child, but it was necessary for me to come and tell you that I have to do something to cure you otherwise you will have problems with the [Eldress] Mother." He then took out of his pocket a small box and gave me a teaspoon of medicine saying "I give you this so you'll regain your strength and get out of bed." With the cross he was holding, he blessed me, I kissed his hand, and he left. From that moment on, I was healthy again and got up"
 
Excerpt from the book: Visions and Miracles of the Great Martyr and Miracle-Worker Ephraim Neophanoys, Volumes A&B.
 

St. Ephraim of Nea Makri (source)

 

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!

Akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael the Taxiarch

Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!

The Holy and Wonderworking Icon of the Archangel Michael the Taxiarch, Mantamados, Lesvos (source)

  

Akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael the Taxiarch

Kontakion 1
O chosen leader of the heavenly hosts and defender of the human race, we that are delivered by thee from afflictions offer unto thee this hymn of thanksgiving; and as thou dost stand before the throne of the King of Glory, do thou free us from all dangers, that with faith and love we may cry unto thee in praise:
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
  
Ekos 1
With the tongues of angels it is meet that thou be praised as first among the fiery choirs of angels, O Michael; but until  we are taught by thee the tongue of the bodiless ones, hearken thou to such things as these from tongues which, though human, are yet thankful:
Rejoice, primordial star of the world! Rejoice, candle of truth and righteousness brightly gleaming!
Rejoice, first receiver of the rays of the uncreated light among the choirs of angels! Rejoice, captain of Angels and Archangels!
Rejoice, thou in whom the glory of the Maker's right hand shineth most of all!
Rejoice, thou by whom the assemblies of all the bodiless creation are adorned!
Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!
  

Kontakion 2
Perceiving with the eyes of faith the greatness of thy spiritual beauty and the power of thy right hand which beareth lightning, O Archangel of God, we, as earthly ones and wrapped in flesh, are filled with wonder, joy, and thanksgiving to the Creator of all, crying out with all the hosts of heaven: Alleluia!
 

Ekos 2
A mind pure and free of passions do thou entreat for us, O most wondrous Michael, leader of the heavenly ranks, that having ascended in thought from the earthly to the heavenly, we may sing to thee a hymn of praise thus:

Rejoice, nearest beholder of the ineffable beauty and goodness of God!

Rejoice, intimate initiate of the all-good counsels of the Most Holy Trinity!

Rejoice, faithful fulfiller of the pre-eternal judgments of the Trinity!

Rejoice, thou at whom the heavenly armies are lovingly amazed!

Rejoice, thou whom those born of earth glorify with faith!

Rejoice, thou before whom the hosts of hades tremble!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

    

Kontakion 3

Manifesting within thyself the invincible power of zeal for the glory of God, thou didst stand at the head of the choirs of angels against the malice-breathing most-proud morning star. With him and his dark comrades being cast down from on high to the nether regions, the heavenly armies most gloriously led by thee, with gladness, as with one mouth, before the throne of God cried aloud: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 3

All the Christian race hath thee, O Archangel Michael, as a great protector and a wondrous helper in battle with adversaries; therefore, desiring to be vouchsafed thy most wondrous protection, we cry to thee on the day of thy festi­val thus:

Rejoice, thou by whom Satan was hurled down like lightning from Heaven!

Rejoice, thou by whom the protected human race goeth up to Heaven!

Rejoice, most wondrous adornment of the all-radiant world above!

Rejoice, most glorious defense of the fallen world below!

Rejoice, thou who wast in no wise vanquished by the powers of evil!

Rejoice, thou who with all the angels of God hast been established in truth and righteousness forever by the Grace of God!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

Kontakion 4
From the tempest of temptations and dangers do thou deliver us who with love and joy celebrate thy most radiant festival, O foremost of the angels; for thou art a great helper in misfortunes, and at the hour of death a guardian and intercessor against evil spirits for all that cry to thy and our Master and God: Alleluia!

The Wondrous Icon of the Archangel Michael, Panormitis (source)

  
Ekos 4
Seeing thy boldness against the legions of Satan, all the ranks of the angels strove with joy to follow thee into battle for the name and glory of their Master, crying aloud: Who is like unto God? And knowing that Satan was cast down beneath thy feet, we cry out to thee as victor:

Rejoice, thou through whom peace and tranquility were established in Heaven!

Rejoice, thou by whom the spirits of evil were put down even unto hades!

Rejoice, thou who dost direct the angelic armies and the hosts of the invisible world to the destruction of evil!

Rejoice, thou who, unseen, dost quell the strife and turmoil of the elements of the visible world!

Rejoice, wondrous defender of them that wage warfare against the spirits of evil under the heavens!

Rejoice, strong helper of them that weaken amid the temptations and dangers of this age!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

Kontakion 5

A divinely-flowing fountain of most great miracles didst thou reveal thyself to be in thy temple at Chonae, for not only was the great and terrible serpent which abode in that place destroyed by thy power, but also streams of water which heal every bodily ailment were revealed, that all might cry out with faith to the Master of the angels Who doth glorify thee: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 5

Hearing and knowing thee to be a great beacon shining among the choirs of angels, O most wondrous Michael, to thee, after God and the most holy Mother of God, we flee; illumine with the rays of thy light all of us that cry unto thee:

Rejoice, conductor and guardian of the God-chosen people in the wilderness!

Rejoice, great intermediary of the law given on Sinai by the hand of Moses!

Rejoice, thou through whom the judges and leaders of Israel found strength and protection!

Rejoice, thou through whom the prophets and high priests of the Jews received the gift of knowledge from the omniscient God!

Rejoice, thou who providest the God-fearing lawgivers with mystical wisdom!

Rejoice, thou who places judgment and righteousness in the hearts of them that do good!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 6

When once Manoah saw thee, the proclaimer of the judgments of God, he was filled with doubt and fear, think­ing that he would live no longer on earth; but learning from his wife of the goodness of thine appearance and the meek­ness of thy words, and that he was to beget, according to thy word, his son Sampson, in joy and thanksgiving he cried to God: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 6

Thou didst shine forth wondrously with glory, O Michael, when thou didst stand before Joshua, son of Nun, in the form of a man, saying: Loose thy sandal from off thy foot; I am the supreme commander of the hosts of the Lord. Marveling at such an appearance of thine, with love we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, vigilant guardian of divinely-crowned heads!

Rejoice, speedy subduer of them that oppose authority as opposers of the command of God!

Rejoice, pacifier of disturbance among the people!

Rejoice, invisible abolisher of the customs of the impious!

Rejoice, for thou dost enlighten them that doubt in the hour of cruel perplexity!

Rejoice, for thou dost free the tempted from pernicious slander!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

Kontakion 7

Desiring to show that the lot of the children of men is not haphazard, but is continually held in His right hand, the Master of all gave thee as a helper and guardian to the kingdoms of the earth, that thou mightest prepare the tribes and peoples for the eternal kingdom of God; therefore all, knowing of thy great service to the salvation of mankind, thankfully cry unto God: Alleluia!

The holy icon of the Archangel Michael, Taxiarches, Chios (source)

   

Ekos 7

New wonders did the Maker and Master of all show us on earth through thee, O supreme commander, when thou didst wondrously save the temple dedicated to thy name from inundation by the waters of the river, commanding the streams of the torrent to flow into a cavern of the earth: see­ing this, the blessed Archippus with his spiritual children thankfully cried aloud to thee:

Rejoice, indestructible rampart of the holy temples of God!

Rejoice, invincible barrier to enemies of the Christian Faith!

Rejoice, thou through whose command the elements are brought under subjection!

Rejoice, thou by whom all evil designs are defeated!

Rejoice, thou who bearest joy to the faithful from the throne of the Almighty!

Rejoice, thou who leadest unbelievers to the path of truth and righteousness!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 8

A strange miracle of thy power, O supreme commander of God, did Abbachum himself experience when, according to the command of God to transport him, thou didst bear him speedily from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel, who was imprisoned in the lions' den; wherefore, marvel ling at the great act of thy power, he cried out with faith: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 8

Thou art in the highest, O Michael, standing before the throne of the King of Glory, yet not far from those below, battling continually with the enemies of man's salvation. Wherefore, all that desire to reach the longed-for heavenly homeland cry out to thee with one accord:

Rejoice, leader of the thrice-holy hymn of the angels!

Rejoice, ever ready mediator and guardian of those born of earth!

Rejoice, thou who didst strike down proud Pharaoh and the unbelieving Egyptians in a wondrous manner!

Rejoice, thou who didst most gloriously lead the faithful Jews in the wilderness!

Rejoice, thou through whom the flame was quenched in the furnace of Babylon!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 9

All the monks of holy Mount Athos in joyful trembling came, beholding how thou didst save the God-fearing youth who had been violently cast into the depths of the sea with stones by ungodly lovers of money; wherefore, the monastery adorned with thy name, having received him, thankfully cried out to the Lord: Alleluia!

    

Ekos 9

The words of orators and the thoughts of philosophers do not suffice to tell of thy power, O Michael; how in one night thou didst strike down one hundred eighty-five thou­sand of the warriors of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, that he might learn to blaspheme the name of the Lord no more. And we, honoring thy holy zeal for the glory of the true God, with gladness cry to thee:

Rejoice, unconquerable leader of Orthodox armies!

Rejoice, fear and downfall of the forces of error!

Rejoice, implanter of right faith and reverence for God!

Rejoice, uprooter of dissension and soul-harming heresies!

Rejoice, thou who didst often strengthen the pious Maccabees on the field of battle!

Rejoice, thou who didst strike down Heliodorus, captain of Antiochus, in the temple itself!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 10

Unto us that desire to be saved be thou a firm helper, O supreme commander of God, delivering and preserving us from dangers and temptations, above all from our evil habits and sins, that progressing in faith, hope, and love, with joy because of thy most wondrous aid, we may cry unto the Master of angels and men: Alleluia!
   

The wonderworking icon of the Archangel Michael at his Holy Monastery on the island of Thassos, Greece (source)

   

Ekos 10

A rampart art thou unto men that believe, O supreme commander of God, and a pillar of strength in battle with enemies visible and invisible; therefore, being delivered through thee from the nets of demons, with thankful hearts and lips we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, invincible opponent of the enemies of the faith and adversaries of the Church!

Rejoice, tireless helper of the humble proclaimers of the Gospel!

Rejoice, thou who enlightenest them that sit in the darkness of false faith with the light of the faith of Christ!

Rejoice, thou who guidest into the path of repentance and truth those made foolish by false wisdom!

Rejoice, terrible avenger of those that take the name of God in vain!

Rejoice, lightning-bearing chastiser of those that foolishly scoff at the mysteries of the holy Faith!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 11

Every song of praise is defeated O supreme commander of God, by the multitude of thy miracles, which are per­formed by thee not only in Heaven and on earth, but also in the dark shadows of the nether regions, where thou didst bind the serpent of the abyss with the chains of the power of the Lord, that those delivered from his malice might bless the Master of Heaven and earth, crying aloud: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 11

A light-bearing servant of truth and the purity of divine worship wast thou shown to be, O supreme commander, when, foreseeing the snares of the spirit of darkness, thou didst forbid him in the name of God so that he dare not reveal the hidden body of Moses, departed leader of Israel, to the sensual sons of Israel for idolatrous veneration; there­fore, honoring now the right-radiant feast of thy Synaxis, thankfully we cry unto thee:

Rejoice, thou who didst preserve the purity of the knowledge of God among the Jews in the days of the Old Testament!

Rejoice, thou who didst uproot the tares of error many times in the days of the New!

Rejoice, destroyer of heathen prophets and idols!

Rejoice, fortifier of Christian ascetics and passion-bearers!

Rejoice, thou who fillest the weak in spirit with the power of the Grace of God!

Rejoice, thou who girdest the weak in the flesh with the armor of faith!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 12

Grace from God in Heaven do thou ask for us who sing to the glory of thine all-honorable name, O Michael, that overshadowed by thy protection, we may live in all piety and purity until, loosed by death from the bonds of flesh, we may be vouchsafed to stand before the fiery throne of the King of Glory, and cry aloud with the angelic choirs: Alleluia!

   

Ekos 12

Hymning thy manifold wonders, accomplished for our salvation O Michael, we pray to the Lord and Master of all that the spirit of zeal for the glory of God that is in thee in no wise be lacking in us who cry out to thee:

Rejoice, thou who dost most wondrously set upon the summit of power the faithful servants of God in a seasonable time!

Rejoice, thou who dost invisibly overthrow the arrogant and unworthy from the height of power and glory!

Rejoice, thou who shalt gather the chosen from the four comers of the earth on the last day!

Rejoice, thou by whom sinners, like tares, according to the voice of God, shall be committed to eternal fire!

Rejoice, thou by whom Satan with his angels shall be cast into the lake of fire forever!

Rejoice, thou through whom the righteous shall dwell most gloriously in the mansions of the heavenly Father!

Rejoice, O Michael, great supreme commander, with all the hosts of Heaven!

   

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful leader of Angels and Archangels, for thy most marvelous service in the salvation of mankind accept from us the voice of praise and thanksgiving which we now offer unto thee, and as thou art full of the power of God, shelter us with thine immaterial wings from all ene­mies visible and invisible, that to the Lord glorified by thee and Who hath glorified thee we may continually cry: Alleluia! Thrice.

   

And again Ekos 1 and Kontakion 1.

The wonderworking icon of the Holy Archangel Michael, Tharri, Rhodes (source)

   

Prayer to the Holy Archangel Michael

O holy and great Archangel of God Michael, first among the angels that stand before the inscrutable and transcen­dent Trinity, overseer and guardian of the human race, who with thine armies didst crush the head of the most-proud Morning Star in Heaven and dost ever put to shame his evil and cunning on earth, to thee do we flee with faith and to thee we pray with love; be thou an invincible shield and a firm bulwark of the Holy Church and our homeland, pro­tecting them with thy lightning-bearing sword from all ene­mies, both visible and invisible. Be thou a guardian angel, a most wise counselor and helper of Orthodox Christians, of our country, bringing them from the throne of the King of kings enlightenment and power, joy, peace, and consolation. Be thou the chief captain and companion in arms of our Christ-loving armed forces, crowning them with glory and victory over adversaries, that all who oppose us may know that God and His holy angels are with us. And leave not without thy help and protection, O Archangel of God, also us who glorify thy holy name today; for behold, even though we be great sinners, nevertheless we desire not to perish in our iniquities, but rather to turn to the Lord and be quickened by Him unto good works. Illumine, therefore, our minds with the light of God's countenance, which con­tinually shineth on thy lightning-like forehead, that we may understand what the good and perfect will of God is con­cerning us, and know all that which we ought to do, and that which we ought to despise and abandon. Strengthen through the Grace of the Lord our weak will and feeble state, that, made firm in the law of the Lord, we may hence­forth cease to be tossed to and fro by earthly thoughts and the lusts of the flesh, enticed away, like senseless children, by the quickly-perishing beauties of this world, foolishly forgetting the eternal and heavenly for the sake of the corruptible and earthly. Above all these things, do thou ask for us from on high a true spirit of repentance, unfeigned sor­row before God and contrition for our sins, that we may spend the number of days that remain to us of this transito­ry life not in gratifying our senses and in slavery to our passions, but in wiping out the evil things we have done by tears of faith and heartfelt contrition, by struggles of purity and holy deeds of mercy. And when the hour of our end and liberation from the bonds of this body of clay draweth nigh, O Archangel of God, leave us not defenseless against the spirits of evil in the upper air, who are accustomed to hinder the ascent of man's soul on high, that guarded by thee we may attain without hindrance those most glorious dwelling-places of Paradise, where there is neither sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting, and be vouchsafed to behold the most radiant countenance of our all-beneficent Lord and Master, fall down with tears at His feet, in joy and compunction shouting aloud: Glory to Thee, our most dear Redeemer, Who, because of Thy great love for us unworthy ones, hast been pleased to send Thine angels in the service of our salvation! Amen.

(source)
  

Icon of the Holy Archangel Michael, Jerusalem (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly, the Lord is risen!