On the fifth Saturday of the Great Fast, we celebrate the praise of our Most-holy Lady, theTheotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, during which “it is not permitted to sit.” VersesThe city in thanksgiving and watchfulness doth praiseHer who upholdeth and constantly

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By Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos [On the Fifth] Saturday [of the fast] we chant the Akathist Hymn during Matins. In our days however this does not happen except in the holy monasteries, since in the parishes it is chanted the evening before, on Friday

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 By St. Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly

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On 26 October we celebrate the feast of the Holy Glorious and Great Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh Streamer. Life of the Saint Saint Demetrios suffered in Thessalonica during the reign of Galerius Maximian (c. 306). He belonged to one of

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The Translation of St. John the Theologian (Feast Day – September 26th) VersesStanding beside the beloved Word of the Father,Is he who was beloved more than all of the disciples.On the twenty sixth the child of thunder departed unto God.

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On the twenty-third of September we celebrate the Conception of the Honorable Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John VersesThe man received a prophetic oracle from the Archangel,You will beget a Prophet, and even greater than the prophets.On the twenty-third the Forerunner

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The relics of St Winefride were finally translated to Shrewsbury Abbey on 19th September 1138.If you’d like to read more about the life of this important local saint, please follow this link…

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VersesTo Niketas.Niketas is enflamed and becomes a victory-bearer,Or we should rather say a fire-bearing victory-bearer.On the fifteenth, Niketas was cast into the furnace. To the Holy Martyrs who contested with St. Niketas.A pious multitude contested in Gothia,Casting the barbarians out

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VersesExalting the neck O Savior,Creation sees the Cross exalted.On the fourteenth the Wood of the Cross is exalted. Constantine the Great and Equal to the Apostles, first among the emperors of ancient Rome, accepted Christianity. While in the midst of

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VersesLet Joachim now with his Wife delight,Both bearing for creation the soul’s delight.On the ninth is the synaxis of the parents of God’s Mother. By St. John of Damascus Anna was to be the mother of the Virgin Mother of

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Synaxarion of the Nativity of the Theotokos On the eighth of September, we commemorate the Birth of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary. VersesAnna, all mothers truly you surpassed,Until your daughter should become your Mother.Anna brought into

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On the first of September is the beginning of the Indiction, namely the New Year. VersesBless for us the Indiction of the New Year,O You Who are both Ancient and for mankind New (namely You, O Christ). We should know, brethren,

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Synaxarion of the Deposition of the Honorable Zoni in the Holy Coffin On the thirty-first of August, we commemorate the deposition of the Honorable Zoni* in the Holy Coffin, of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos, in her revered home

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SynaxarionOn the 29th of August, commemoration of the beheading of the honorable head of the holy, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. VersesA murderous hand with a sword cuts off the head Of him who placed his hand on the

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Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos the Church has received the following from the ancient tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew near when it was our Saviour’s good pleasure to take to himself his own Mother, he informed

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On this day, the eighth Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate Holy Pentecost. VersesIn a mighty wind doth Christ distribute the Divine Spirit,In the form of fiery tongues unto the Apostles.In one great day, the Spirit was poured forth upon the

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By Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos On the fifth Sunday of Pascha, we commemorate the conversation of the Lord with the Samaritan woman. Verses When thou camest to obtain perishable water, O woman, thou didstDraw forth living water, whereby thou didst wash

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Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return, he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time;

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Introductory Note The first Proemium and first Strophe are still used in the Triodion for Palm Sunday as Kontakion and Ikos. The second Proemium is used as the Ypakoe for the feast. It is written in the Plagal of the 2nd [6th]

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By Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos On this day, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, we celebrate the Raising of Lazarus, the holy and righteous friend of Christ, who lay for four days in the tomb. Verses Thou lamentest, O Jesus: this belongeth

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