MATINS
On God is the Lord. Troparion to, The Saint, twice.
Glory. Both now: He Who called Thee Mother and blessed.
After the first kathisma. Sedalion. Tone 8.
Child of light, child of the day. Thou didst heed the apostle's words by not sleeping as do others. but watching with sobriety putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.Twice.
Glory. . Both now: Theotokion.
How can we worthily magnify the wonder of wonders revealed through Thee, O Most Holy Virgin for Thou hast given birth in time to Him Who transcendeth all time.
After the second kathisma. Sedalion. Tone 1.
The Lord, as was foretold through Thy beloved prophet Joel, poured out His Spirit upon all flesh and showed wonders upon the earth. And Thou, O John, wast revealed as a new wonder, becoming the Holy Spirit's chosen vessel. which poureth forth grace upon us. Twice.
Glory, Both now: Theotokion.
How can we encompass in words the ineffable miracle of Thy giving birth, O Mother of God, for Thou hast held within Thy womb Him Who doth encompass all creation.
Polyeleos and Megalynarion.
We magnify Thee, our holy Hierarch John, and we honor Thy holy memory, for Thou dost pray for us to Christ our God. Selected Psalm: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that inhabit the world.
After the Polyeleos. Sedalion. Tone. 7.
Thou, O holy Hierarch, wast a doer of wonders, having the gifts of healing and prophecy, knowing by grace the hidden things of God; yet all these gifts were as naught before Thy Greatest virtue before Thy overflowing love for God and Thy neighbor.
Glory. Both now: : Theotokion.
As hurt and weeping children run to their mother for gentle care and consolation, so do we weak ones run to Thee, O Mother of the Most High God. Hear our entreaty and cleanse the unclean sores of our sins.
Gradual. first antiphon of Tone 4
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Prokeimenon. Tone 4.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Verse: The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom.
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Ch. 5:15-19)
The Lord saith unto His disciples, ye are the light of the world. A city chat is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth shall pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
After Psalm 50. Sticheron, Tone 6.
Not trusting in the sons of men, Thou O Hierarch John didst heed only the commands of God inscribed on the clean tablets Thy conscience. To God alone didst Thou answer for Thy deeds, and by Him alone wast Thou made glorious.
Canon of the Mother of God. in 6 troparia. Tone 8: and of Hierarch John, in 8 troparia.
CANON TO HOLY HIERARCH JOHN
Acrostic: Holy John, Wonderworker of the latter times.
Tone 2
CANTICLE 1
Irmos: in the deep of old the infinite power overwhelmed Pharoah's whole army. But the incarnate Word annihilated pernicious sin. Exceedingly glorious is the Lord, for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Refrain: Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us.
Help me, O Christ my Lord, to praise with purity of heart Thy blessed servant John, whose life of unceasing labor and prayer Thou hast revealed to us as both a reproof and a source of inspiration for our feeble faith.
O Hierarch John, Thou art a lamp that shineth forth out of the dark apostasy of our evil times, beckoning us to follow Thee out of the nether chaos of our passions and to abide with Thee in Christ the Light that dieth not.
Love for the all-wise and all - compassionate God, the simple Unity in Trinity, did give Thee both the divine wisdom of the great Elders of ancient times and the simple guilelessness of a child, O blessed John, enabling Thee to touch countless souls with the grace bestowed upon Thee.
Young, defenseless orphans flock to Thee, the old and infirm beg consolation from Thee, and all we who have fallen into sin seek the healing balm of Thy heavenly intercession. Holy Hierarch John, saint and wonderworker in our rnidst, pray for us.
Theotokion: John Thou didst behold prostrated before Thy sacred images. praying alone in the deep hours of the night warring with sleep and keeping constant vigilance over his soul O blessed Mother of God, warm our hearts that we too may pour out such ardent love for Thee.
CANTICLE lll
Irmos: By establishing me on the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth over my enemies, and my spirit rejoiceth when I sing: there is none holy as our God, and none righteous beside Thee, O Lord.
O blessed one, Thou didst have as Thy ancestor a saint, whose name Thou wast given as a monk. Truly did his spirit rest upon Thee. for Thou didst become, like the great John of Tobolsk. a holy hierarch, a zealous missionary to foreign lands, and a miracle-worker even after Thy repose.
Having the heavenly saints as Thy instructors, Thou wast as a child taught the life of ascetic struggle and unconquerable faith in Christ. Preferring this learning above all other, Thou didst become an earnest student of Orthodox sanctity.
Never ceasing to nourish Thy soul with the Lives of Saints. Thou didst carefully study their every thought, word and action, thereby perceiving their otherworldly mind and spirit and acquiring these for thyself: for indeed Thou didst become like Thy instructors, a saint by whom God is glorified.
Theotokion: When a child in Kharkov, the blessed John devoutly prayed before Thine Ilyetskaya icon. O Sovereign Lady, cleanse our unclean hearts and grant us such childlike faith.
Sedalion. Tone 2
Who can I fathom the mysterious ways of sanctity. Who can perceive the celestial beauty of Thy life enshrouded in the garments of humility? Thou, O John. wast illumined by the Light that came into the world, and the world knew it not. Twice.
Glory, Both now: Theotokion.
O Queen of Heaven, Thou abidest now with all the saints whom Thou didst strengthen and console during their sojourn on earth. And behold! a new saint is among them. the righteous John, praising Christ with Thee forever.
CANTICLE IV
Irmos: From a Virgin didst Thou come, not as an ambassador nor as an angel, but the very Lord Himself incarnate, and didst save me, the whole man. Wherefore I cry to Thee: Glory to Thy power, O Lord.
O holy Hierarch, Thou wast sent as a shepherd at Christ's flock to Shanghai, where Thou didst become known as a wonderworker and healer of diseases, a great ascetic who gavest no repose or comfort to the temple of Thy body, but rather sanctified it through the constant work of prayer.
Neglecting no opportunity of helping those in need, Thou didst boldly walk through the slums and dark alleys of Shanghai. gathering sick and starving orphans and providing them with Thy fatherly protection. Do Thou take us, too, under Thy care.
Deliverer of the oppressed, Thou didst see no separation between Thy good works and Thy constant prayers, for in both didst Thou serve God and raise people from the mire of suffering.
Ever following the injunctions of Christ, Thou didst feed Him when He was hungry, take Him in when He was homeless, clothe Him when He was naked, visit Him when He was sick and in prison: for in everyone didst Thou see His divine image.
Thetokion: Receive our prayers, O Mother of God, as Thou didst once receive the prayers of the blessed John while he served in the Shanghai Cathedral dedicated to Thee, the Surety of Sinners, and besought Thee to save those languishing in sin and Sorrow.
CANTICLE V
Irmos:. Thou Who art the light of those lying in darkness, and the salvation of the hopeless, O Christ my Saviour, I rise early to pray to Thee, O King of peace, Enlighten me with Thy radiance, for I know no other God beside Thee.
When Thou didst bring Thy flock to the Philippine Islands, O Hierarch John, Thou didst show thyself to be a new Moses, leading Thy people out of bondage and always trusting in the protection of the merciful God.
O protector of those in danger and tribulation, through Thy holy prayers Thou didst deliver Thy flock on the island from certain destruction. averting the violent typhoons even as Thy Master Christ. calmed the stormy! waters of Galilee.
Revealing from East to West, from the remote corners of the world, the glory with which God doth endow His saints, Thou didst allow no earthly distance to hinder Thy heavenly ministry. Even now, from where space is effortlessly traversed by the angelic powers, come to our aid and bring our petitions before the Lord.
Theotokion: Keeping vigil on a remote island, the blessed John prayed before Thy wondrously renewed icon. O Thou Who art the Quencher of Sorrow and the relief of affliction, we run to Thy motherly protection and tell the burdens of our hearts.
CANTICLE VI
Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I appeal to the unfathomable abyss of Thy compassion: from corruption raise me up, O God.
Endeavoring to find refuge for Thy flock, who had no secure place whereon to lay their heads, Thou didst bring them under Thy mantle to the New World. Let us likewise find refuge in Thy prayers.
Reaching then the land wherein the ancient ascetics of Gaul attained to holiness, Thou didst once more grace it with the presence of a saint, returning the French people to the Orthodox and apostolic faith, and tirelessly laboring to ground them on the firm Rock of salvation.
Of all the saints, both of East and West, wast Thou an ardent disciple, O holy Hierarch; wherefore, in Thy travels Thou didst learn of the saints of different lands, introducing the faithful to yet more residents of the heavenly mansions, with whom Thou art now glorified.
Foretelling future events, seeing mystically within the hearts of men, hearing prayers and thoughts across great distances, Thou wast shown to be in the presence of the realm beyond earthly limitations, amazing all who had eyes to see and moving them to greater faith and devotion.
Theotokion: Thou gavest birth to Him who gave me life, O Most Pure Virgin. Let me not squander this gift by desiring that which endeth in death, but like our blessed John let me seek that fountain which springeth up into everlasting life, Thy Son Christ our God.
Kontakion
Chosen Wonderworker and superb servant of Christ, who pourest out in the latter times, inexhaustable streams of inspiration and multitudes of miracles. We pray thee with love and call out to thee, O holy hierarch John, Wonderworker of the latter times.
CANTICLE VII
Irmos: When the golden image was worshipped in the plain of Dura, Thy three children despised the godless order, thrown into the fire they were bedewed and sang: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Having purified thyself in Thy work of prayer, O holy one, Thou wast deemed worthy to behold the ineffable light that cometh directly from God. Surrounded by the uncreated essence of Divinity, Thou wast lifted above the earth, knowing the bliss of wordless prayer, of the silence of the future age.
Elder in the tradition of the desert saints of Thy native Russia. seer of the heart and well-spring of God-revealed counsel, Thou wast sent at a time when men of Thy stature had disappeared from the face of the earth. In Thee we see precious gift from God and thus do honor Thy words of wisdom.
Leaving behind the vain wisdom of this world, Thou didst choose the foolishness of God which is wiser than men, and thus wast Thou chosen of Him to confound the prudent And mighty, bringing to naught their carnal understanding. Marveling at His ways past speech, we cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
Awe and wonder are born in us as we behold Thy life, O blessed one; for Thou wast both a wise teacher of theology and a Fool for Christ's sake, a hierarch and a humble servant of the poor. Thou was a compassionate friend of all, yet was alone with God in the secret chambers of Thy spirit.
Theotokion: The blessed John did always wear Thy Optina icon upon his heart, O Most Holy Virgin: likewise let us always remember Thee in the tabernacles of our hearts, for Thou art the sacred Tabernacle which did wondrously bear God
CANTICLE VIII
Irmos: O ye work, praise the Lord God, Who descended into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children and changed the flame into dew, and supremely exalt Him unto all ages.
Thy flock of Shanghai rejoiced at they return to them in America, where Thou didst end Thy days as an unrelenting champion of Orthodoxy, experiencing sorrows from those who despised Thee for they holy life, yet meeting Thy false accusers with the meekness made invincible through Christ.
Even as Thy great ascetic preceptors did teach Thee, Thou didst know the love of God as suffering of heart endured in the spirit of devotion, and didst call out in Thine hour of trial: O ye works, praise the Lord God, and supremely exalt Him unto all ages.
Rare are those who can go on the narrow and rugged path that Thou hast trod. O saint, for in Thy sorrows Thou didst with courage place Thy trust only in God, being tested like gold in the forge and thereby entering the celestial habitations purified in spirit.
Theotokion: To Thee, O Joy of All Who Sorrow, the ever-present recourse of the blessed John in his tribulations, we cry with faith: grant us that spiritual joy which is undiminished in adversity.
CANTICLE IX
Irmos: God the Word, Who came forth from god, and who by ineffable wisdom came to renew Adam after his grievous fall to corruption through eating, and who ineffably took flesh from the holy virgin for our sake, him do we the faithful with one accord magnify with hymns.
In a divine manner was Thy soul's departure known beforehand to Thee, and Thou didst prepare to meet the mystical Bridegroom, Christ, to Whom Thou dost no cease to pray for us sinners.
Marveling at the death of a newly manifested saint Thy flock, did find their sorrow turned to gladness, feeling the victorious joy of Pascha and glorifying God for giving them a new intercessor in heaven.
Even after Thy blessed repose Thou dost grant instruction. healing and consolation to all who come to Thee, O blessed John. As Thou dost now give miraculous help to the blind, sick and sorrowing. so also pour the healing balm of Thy prayers on us who bear the wounds of sin.
Theotokion: Silently praying before the Kursk Icon of God's Mother, the new apostle John departed from earth to paradise. And let us, knowing not the hour of the end of our sojourn here. offer such heartfelt devotion to Her who reigns with the King of glory
Exapostilarion. To the special melody: O women, hear.
O Christ, Thou Light of the world, we fall down before Thee in thanksgiving, for Thou hast sent us another witness to Thy lights: Thy blessed servant John.
Glory. Both now: Theotokion.
Most Holy Lady Theotokos, Thou radiant cloud at which the prophet hath spoken, shine on us the light of Thy Son which hath illumined Thee, that we may no longer walk in the sunless caverns of our sins.
Lauds, 4 Stichera. Tone 1.
Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous merit the blessed Kingdom, but rather such a height of virtue that men and women are filled with the grace of God, a grace that floweth from them upon all peoples, a grace that issued from Thee, O John and doth still fall on those who in faith ask Thy prayers.
Great is the blessedness of the saints, Thou once didst say, O blessed one. Being filled with love for Thy fellow men, which proceedeth from love of God, Thou art attentive to our needs, hear then our supplications, and appear as our intercessor before the Lord.
By what unseen exploits didst Thou attain to holiness? By fasting, vigils and ceaseless prayer, by active love for Christ's flock, by unquenchable love for Christ Himself? Awesome is the mystery of sanctity hidden in the humble closet of Thy soul, where Thou didst speak with God in secret.
To the world Thou wast a fool, but to God Thou wast a wise and faithful servant, to the world Thou wast inglorious and poor but to God Thou wast a rich, majestic palace of virtue. The evil of the world brought tears to Thine eyes, but the Lord kissed them with tender love.
Glory, Tone 8
Like Christ Thy Master, O blessed John, Thou wast not of this world, yet as His apostle Thou wast sent into the world, to lead us unto His Kingdom,
Both now: in the same Tone.
O Lady, accept the prayer of Thy slaves, and deliver us from every need and sorrow.
Great Doxology, Litanies and Dismissal