Saint Callinicus of Cernica, Bishop of Râmnic

After the usual beginning, we say:

KONTAKIA and OIKOI:

Kontakion 1

Thy light-bearing memorial, O Hierarch Kallinikos, gladdens the souls of the faithful, and the touch of the shrine of thy holy relics sanctifies the senses and grants healings; wherefore, as is our duty, we honor thee and with joy we sing to thee: Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Oikos 1

The assembly of angels and the congregation of men, knowing thee as a healer of the sick, a helper of the poor and a guide of monks, who didst lead an angelic life on earth and through ascetic struggles and good works didst offer thyself as an unblemished sacrifice to Christ, praise thee, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, and with love address thee thus:

• Rejoice, chosen one of God, well-pleasing to all the Saints, praise of the archangels and joy of the angels;
• Rejoice, gladness of infants and fragrance of the monastic habit;
• Rejoice, shield and protection of Cernica, guardian of Bucharest, safeguard of Frăsinei and praise of Râmnicu Sărat;
• Rejoice, great boast, for by the grace of God, through thy word thou didst decree that the female sex should not enter Frăsinei;
• Rejoice, for through the example of thy life thou art a good guide for those who labor in the monastic life;
• Rejoice, for thou wast deemed worthy of great gifts, being healing for the sick, sight for the blind, hearing for the deaf, speech for the mute;
• Rejoice, deliverer of the wronged, joy of the afflicted and gladness of those who hope in thee and call upon thee for help;
• Rejoice, guide of the erring, raising up of the fallen and treasury of good deeds;
• Rejoice, dwelling-place of the divine light, instrument of the All-Holy Spirit and unshaken pillar of the Church;
• Rejoice, good struggler, who wast unconquered by storms and temptations;
• Rejoice, O father, thrice-blessed;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 2

Seeing thy parents consecrating and offering thee to the Lord, O Saint, and knowing thee, that from thy mother’s arms thou didst have thy heart as a dwelling-place of the All-Holy Spirit, through which thou wast shown to be great among the chosen of God, therefore we also, as those who in God live, move and have our being, together with thy parents bring to the Lord all glory, praise, honor and worship, saying: To Thee, O Lord, Who restest in the Saints, blessing Thee, we adore Thee, we praise Thee, we give thanks to Thee, we worship Thee, in every place of Thy dominion, to Thee we offer Thine own from Thine own, for all and for all things, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Seeking to understand the understanding of the hidden life in Jesus Christ, thou didst run from youth to the hermit island of the most venerable and holy father George, the abbot of Cernica, and thou didst offer thy life to Christ, making thyself a Church to the All-Holy and worshiped Spirit; thou didst humble thy body with vigil, fasting and prayer, setting a good guide, the inner mind, over all the senses; thine eye was guarded from all evil sight, and thine ear unpenetrated by vain words, and thy tongue pure from unseemly speech; thy lips cleansed by the praise of the Lord, thy hands kept from evil deeds, working only those things well-pleasing to the Lord; all thy members and thought thou didst strengthen with the grace of the Holy Spirit, living virtuously in the spirit of purity, of humble thought, of patience, of obedience and of love. Wherefore, now dwelling with the angels in the heavens, receive from us praises such as these:

• Rejoice, diamond of patience hidden in the Island of Cernica;
• Rejoice, thou in whom the incomprehensible God works;
• Rejoice, dove of the Lord, with wings of the Spirit ever spread;
• Rejoice, beloved follower and inheritor in virtue of the venerable Abbot George;
• Rejoice, thou united in God with thy spiritual father, Pimen;
• Rejoice, thou sealed with them both in the monastic rules;
• Rejoice, for of thy free will coming after Jesus, thou didst deny thyself;
• Rejoice, for, taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ without turning back;
• Rejoice, for the zeal of thy severe canonical rule amazed the rulers;
• Rejoice, for thou didst silence slanderers, fasting through long fasts of 40 days each;
• Rejoice, paradise of virginity, in which purity flourished;
• Rejoice, tree of heavenly love, for by the desire and fire of love for the most sweet name of Jesus thy heart was consumed;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High overshadowing thy heart, thou didst desire, O Holy Father, thy spiritual father Pimen, as once Joasaph desired Varlaam, and taking with thee gifts of great price for the holy places of God, thou didst set out for the Holy Mountain of Athos in search of him there; then, the bodiless fire of holy zeal for the altars of the Lord being kindled in thee, thou didst return to thy homeland, “the garden of the Mother of God,” singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

Having the God worshiped in Trinity dwelling in thy soul, great zeal didst thou show, O father, at the time of thy abbacy, when with hot tears towards the wonderworker Nicholas thou didst lay down thy soul for the protection of the hungry and terrified multitudes who had fled to thee, frightened by the pagan wrath, for, while still keeping vigil with all thy community, carts with wheat quickly arrived; and the pagan armies, understanding the protection from on high and thy holiness, turned back in shame, leaving us for centuries the memory of “the Turk’s well.” For this, together with those who have passed through fire and water and been brought to rest, we raise a song of thanksgiving and with love we say:

• Rejoice, likeness of the Lord through love for mankind, Who sighs, thirsts and runs to heal every suffering;
• Rejoice, Samaritan mercy, burning for the whole creation;
• Rejoice, soothing of the sigh of the imprisoned;
• Rejoice, for with the majesty of the glory of thy arm thou keepest the sons of the oppressed;
• Rejoice, flame eager to guide us;
• Rejoice, outpouring of grace over the world;
• Rejoice, nest of the storm-tossed;
• Rejoice, food of the hungry;
• Rejoice, for thou didst save the Christian community from famine and disease in war;
• Rejoice, thou who like Moses wast shown a great protector in dangers;
• Rejoice, for thou also didst fulfill the deeds of the wonderworker Nicholas;
• Rejoice, calm haven of deceived and vexed multitudes;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 4

A storm of thoughts about the end of this age troubling thee, angels descending from the height of the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity appeared to thee, revealing to thee mysteries concerning the things to come; and to thee, the lover of mankind, were manifestly shown the Hierarch Nicholas and the Great Martyr George, the Victory-Bearer, together with the venerable and holy father Abbot George, commanding thee to build a glorious place of worship, a haven of salvation for sinners and a holy cenobitic city, according to right order, so that the monastic form might not be corrupted; being assured of this revelation, thou didst immediately give heed to the divine command, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

Following the command of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, with courage thou didst build the church of the Holy Great Martyr George, in times of earthquakes and rebellions, leaving us the teaching, that if we do not deliver ourselves from sloth, forgetfulness and unbelief, we cannot be saved; to this teaching we pay heed, we thy children, who pray to have a part and lot with all those who fear the Lord in truth and keep His commandments; for this we sing to thee with understanding, O most wise one, saying:

• Rejoice, eye of the Church, fore-seer;
• Rejoice, storm scattering the chaff of doubts;
• Rejoice, sleepless watcher beneath the burning lamp;
• Rejoice, seat of confession, hearer of lamentations;
• Rejoice, spiritual guidance bringing angels;
• Rejoice, spring well-fragranced with the balm of high and silent prayer;
• Rejoice, for thou didst pass through “the Paradise of love of virtue”;
• Rejoice, good increase of the house of God;
• Rejoice, grace-filled adornment of thy people;
• Rejoice, for thou wast shown worthy, fulfilling the measure of the age of Jesus;
• Rejoice, man adorned with full ministries;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 5

Resisting, O father, the machinations of the bodiless pharaoh, who wished to destroy thee by poisoning, and calling upon the most sweet name of Jesus, thou didst overcome his malice, for a voice from the heavens thou didst hear strengthening thee and announcing to thee that thou wouldst not see death until thou wast raised to the dignity of the hierarchy; and we for such a victory, bringing our doxology according to our power, give thanks together with thee to the One Lord, to Whom every knee bows of things heavenly, earthly and under the earth, for all things which we know and which we do not know, for the benefits manifest and hidden which have been done for us, and praising the incomprehensible majesty of the Godhead, with joy we bring to the Lord a holy song: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

The ineffable God, incomprehensible in thought, invisible, unattainable, ever-existing and the same, Who so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life, He Himself, the Great Shepherd, chose thee to strengthen the Church of Oltenia in the heavens. Wherefore also the ruler of the land, with his counsellors, following the Counsel from on high, placed thee as shepherd of the rational flock on the path of salvation. Therefore we also, being blessed by thy election, bring to thee praises such as these:

• Rejoice, good and worthy shepherd of Oltenia;
• Rejoice, blessed enlightener of our lands;
• Rejoice, rule of hierarchical worthiness;
• Rejoice, envoy of the Most Holy Trinity to shepherd us;
• Rejoice, for in Jesus thou didst find truth and foundation;
• Rejoice, thou who didst love the Lord with burning love;
• Rejoice, for thou didst find the whole purpose of the natures of Christ;
• Rejoice, chosen hierarch of good victory;
• Rejoice, earthly angel of severe asceticism;
• Rejoice, archangel delivering from cunning, passionate snares;
• Rejoice, skilled helmsman of the spiritual ship;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 6

The multitudes of the right-believing heard the news of the holiness of thy life, and, being blessed that the good shepherd was coming to them, they met thee as a true envoy of heaven, and together with the angels they raised up, in festive speech, a holy song: Come, all ye faithful, let us praise the Hierarch Kallinikos, the chief shepherd of Oltenia; let creation rejoice and bloom like the lily; and together let us sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

Becoming an imitator of Christ the Savior, O good shepherd, thou wast shown an immaculate mirror, an image of the goodness of God, a radiance of the ineffable light, a great protector of those in need. For this we also, who long for the worthiness to abide in the delight of the unapproachable light, as is our duty honor thee and brightly praise thee, saying:

• Rejoice, for through love and purity, peace and harmony, thou art likened to be a seal of the divine image;
• Rejoice, for thou art enveloped in radiance of the blinding, ineffable heavenly beauty of the Transfiguration;
• Rejoice, for thou didst not gather perishing riches;
• Rejoice, for thou didst follow the poverty of Christ;
• Rejoice, protector of the prudent widow;
• Rejoice, precious father of orphans;
• Rejoice, thou who bringest joy where there is sorrow;
• Rejoice, for, calling upon thee, the dawn of hope appears where there is despair;
• Rejoice, thou who proclaimest peace on earth and good will among men;
• Rejoice, Orthodoxy, with dream-like majesty;
• Rejoice, thou who kindlest light in darkened and enslaved souls;
• Rejoice, example of humility and of ineffable love for mankind;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 7

The widow burdened by needs, who was grieved by the less merciful disciple, fled to thee; and thou, O father, knowing well her lacks, didst persuade the disciple to mercy, teaching us also, that in the forms of the poor He Himself may test us, He Who fulfilled all the fatherly ordinance, Christ our Savior, Who wipes away every tear from every face. For this, with compunction we bring a song of praise to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Strength from on high didst thou receive, O good shepherd, not only to rebuke demons to liberate the human creature, but also to establish truth in the Christian community, and also power to preserve the earthly remains of the dead for many years uncorrupted, and also to make water spring forth in dried-up places. For these chosen gifts, with love, through us, thy children, the deified creation praises thee, saying such things as these:

• Rejoice, lightning that burns the spirits of deceit;
• Rejoice, thunder that scatters the counsels of falsehood;
• Rejoice, book written by the Holy Spirit, for thou wast clothed with the gift of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel and of strength;
• Rejoice, for through knowledge and piety and through fear of God thou didst shatter the demonic powers;
• Rejoice, thou who didst heal in the church the woman possessed by an unclean spirit;
• Rejoice, for thou didst raise from weakness the young shepherdess who had fallen;
• Rejoice, for from afar thou didst free from the terrible demon the son of thy friend, the carpenter Costache;
• Rejoice, for when the lie of him who had pretended to be dead was punished, the truth was established;
• Rejoice, for a spring of cool water was found at the Skete of Frăsinei where thou didst mark the rock;
• Rejoice, for, loosing the curse, thou didst change into fertile earth the body of the dead and uncorrupted one;
• Rejoice, for because of the sighs of thy humble words the multitudes remained stunned;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 8

The unclean spirits were terrified only hearing thy name, O wonderworker, father Kallinikos; and those foreign to the knowledge of Christ, being won over by thy virtues, were enlightened and baptized. Wherefore, knowing that God receives thy prayer as He received the gifts of Abel, the sacrifices of Noah, the whole burnt-offerings of Abraham, the priesthood of Moses and Aaron, the peace offerings of Samuel and as He received from His holy apostles true worship, with joy we say: glory to Him Who glorified thee, glory to Him Who crowned thee, glory to Him Who works through thee, and with all we sing to the Lord: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

Ever mindful of the saving commandment and of all that was done for us, of the cross, of the tomb, of the resurrection on the third day, of the ascension into heaven, of the sitting at the right hand and of the second and glorious coming, thou wast for the Church of Christ a light-bearing lamp as long as thou didst live on earth, O father Kallinikos, lover of mankind. And thy boldness towards God thou didst show also after death, healing every infirmity and every disease of the faithful. For this, give heed to the voice of our prayer, of those who, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, with great honor, with deep humility we sing and with love we say:

• Rejoice, toll of the bell, that proclaims to us that all who follow the divine teachings are one with each other and alike with God;
• Rejoice, guiding beacon, that directs us to live life in love and peace, in purity and perfect harmony of the Most Holy Trinity, of Unity in Trinity;
• Rejoice, meekness and goodness, honor and forbearance;
• Rejoice, love and righteousness, patience and gratitude;
• Rejoice, rose of the New Jerusalem;
• Rejoice, for we feel well under the staff of thy shepherding;
• Rejoice, lily of the hierarchy, with sweet fragrance;
• Rejoice, divine morning star, with most luminous radiance;
• Rejoice, victorious light, not comprehended by darkness;
• Rejoice, holy creature from head to foot;
• Rejoice, thou who art called by the name of good victory;
• Rejoice, worthy shepherd of the Church, remembered by us;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 9

Every angelic nature marvelled, O venerable father, at thy holy zeal in adorning the Church, the bride of Christ, with rules of holy life, with schools and printing presses for the multiplication of holy books, which might be for the Glory of God, for the salvation of our souls, exactly like rivers with their wholly golden streams, which gladden the gardens of Paradise. For this, marvelling at thy zeal and labor, we sing to God, glorified in the Council of Saints: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

Wholly didst thou give thyself to the adornment of the hierarchal see, not only with thy life filled with the fragrance of holiness, but also with zeal for building churches, schools and hospitals, sketes and monasteries, that we all who partake of the same bread and the same cup, may be united one with another through the communion of the same Holy Spirit, as those who have found mercy and grace, together with all the Saints who from ages have pleased the Lord and with every righteous soul perfected in good faith, especially our all-holy, all-pure, all-blessed, glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-Virgin Mary; for which with good will we praise thee, singing and saying:

• Rejoice, thou who didst surpass many in the adornment of the Church;
• Rejoice, for thy proclamation spread beyond the borders of the land;
• Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the great hierarchs of the world;
• Rejoice, thou who wast called from the ranks of monks;
• Rejoice, chosen shepherd, who didst enter the fold through the door of the sheep;
• Rejoice, thou who didst water the flock with the living water from the spring of immortal water, leaping unto eternal life;
• Rejoice, thou who wisely didst betroth thyself to the most sweet name of Jesus;
• Rejoice, Church most desiring to be wedded to Christ;
• Rejoice, for thy labors were offered for good, truth, beauty and holiness;
• Rejoice, cry the monasteries built by thee: Cernica and Pasărea, Frăsinei and the Bishopric of Râmnic;
• Rejoice, proclaim with joy the multitudes of schools and churches, of sketes and monasteries founded by thee;
• Rejoice, cry to thee with gratitude the monastic communities throughout the land protected by thee;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 10

Wishing to save thy flock entrusted to thee in thy shepherding, thou didst weep with tears, O venerable father, seeing in spirit the burial of father Nicandru, whom thou hadst appointed abbot, at thy departure from the Lavra of Cernica. Knowing the thoughts of thy disciples concerning thy elevation, thou didst guide them to humility, silence, reminding them of the hour of questioning at the fearful judgment to come. Wherefore, wisely heeding the gift of thy spiritual sight, together with thee we sing to God in festive speech: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

An unassailable wall thou wast shown to the Church of Christ, O most gentle father, raised to the gift of prophecy through the height of thy wisdom and holiness. For this we also pray thee to scatter from us the darkness of deceit and to bring us to the spring of quiet heavenly rest with the warmth of the Holy Spirit, that, crowning thee with praises as with spiritual flowers, we may honor thee, saying:

• Rejoice, bee of prophecy, bringing spiritual honey;
• Rejoice, psaltery of the Holy Spirit, sweetly sounding;
• Rejoice, heavenly man and earthly angel, who seest future things as if present;
• Rejoice, spiritual coal of heavenly fire, giver of life;
• Rejoice, for thou didst foretell the end of enmity and human violence;
• Rejoice, for thou didst see across the ages the enthronement in the world of divine peace;
• Rejoice, for the disciples were fully strengthened in faith through thy gifts;
• Rejoice, enlightener of those poor in knowledge;
• Rejoice, beginning of seasons, of hopes and of resurrection;
• Rejoice, flowering of buds and springs;
• Rejoice, thou through whom the camps of disturbing demons are scattered;
• Rejoice, for through thee the souls of thy flock were saved;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 11

Thou didst say, O most wise hierarch, to thy disciples: Take heed to yourselves concerning the things you think in your hearts; do not think vanities, for often we are deemed worthy of heavenly messengers, the Mother of the Lord with the holy angels. And before thy translation to the eternal, being informed by the All-Holy Mother of God concerning the day and hour of thy departure from the temporal, thou didst promise thy disciples that if thou shouldst have boldness before God, thou wouldst pray for them. For this, grant also to us, through thy well-accepted prayers, a safe passage through the sea of life, that, reaching with hearts wounded by desire the haven of salvation, we may raise up together with thee to God the holy song: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

The All-Holy Mother of God herself appeared to thee, O most merciful hierarch, announcing to thee thy end; and, when Metropolitan Nifon was informed of thy departure from this life and came to thee with humble love, thou didst say that “for Nifon also there is hope of salvation” and thou didst prophesy that at seven years, when thou wouldst be exhumed, Nifon would enter the tomb. This happening exactly, with humility we praise thee, saying:

• Rejoice, thou who art seated in the council of the Saints;
• Rejoice, for thou rejoicest with the holy fathers;
• Rejoice, inheritor of the Church Triumphant in heaven;
• Rejoice, helper of the Church Militant on earth;
• Rejoice, myrrh with divine fragrance of the Liturgy;
• Rejoice, for together with thee, every breath and every creature praises the incomprehensible majesty of the Godhead;
• Rejoice, for now thou delightest in the beauties of Paradise;
• Rejoice, for thou rejoicest brightly in the bridal chamber of the Kingdom;
• Rejoice, with Basil, Gregory and John Chrysostom, enlightener of the Church;
• Rejoice, sweet caller to the heavenly kingdom, shepherd’s flute;
• Rejoice, for the Immortal One deemed thee worthy of the gentle light;
• Rejoice, beloved hierarch of the most pure and blameless Virgin, who enlightenest the darkened and gatherest the scattered;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 12

A wonder was seen at thy passing from this life, O venerable father, that thy life was prolonged, according to thy desire, until the service of Holy Pascha, on which day we celebrate the slaying of death, the shattering of Hades, the beginning of another eternal life and, praying in the chapel of thy cell, thou didst receive the Holy Mysteries; then, sealing thyself with the sign of the Holy Cross thou didst say: “Holy Cross, help me!”, “Glory to God for all things!” and “Let us see one another in Paradise!” And giving up thy soul into the arms of thy disciples and the ineffable Light shining upon thy being, thou didst pass to the eternal, together with the angels singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Thou who through the purity of thy angelic life wast deemed worthy to see the most blessed face of the Consubstantial and Undivided Trinity, and unceasingly prayest for the good increase of the Church of Christ, which from tender age until the end of thy life with many labors thou didst support, O benefactor of our souls, O divinely crowned Hierarch Kallinikos, receive our tears of thanksgiving for every good gift and every perfect gift mediated for us from above from the Father of Lights; for which with love we bless thee, saying:

• Rejoice, thou who didst find the treasure from the Gospel;
• Rejoice, for thou didst gain it through monastic labors;
• Rejoice, swift deer of the spiritual mountains;
• Rejoice, beloved friend of the angelic powers;
• Rejoice, for thou didst adorn the wedding garment with thy virtues;
• Rejoice, for now thou seest Him for whom thou didst long;
• Rejoice, beholder of things unutterable in human speech;
• Rejoice, for now thou hast revealed the divine mysteries;
• Rejoice, field of rich fruit-bearing of the heavenly Sower;
• Rejoice, fervent intercessor for our salvation;
• Rejoice, treasure of Christian virtues distributed to the world;
• Rejoice, icon of deified human nature;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

Kontakion 13

O most radiant father Hierarch Kallinikos, receive our humble prayer, as the Savior received the two mites of the widow, and ask for us grace and strength, that, trampling upon all fleshly desires, we may live in good honor and purity, obtaining remission of sins and a safe passage at the hour of death, and when we pass in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal, may we ever delight in the most blessed face of God, worshiped and glorified in Trinity, singing to Him with all the Saints: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)

Then again is said Oikos the First

The assembly of angels and the congregation of men, knowing thee as a healer of the sick, a helper of the poor and a guide of monks, who didst lead an angelic life on earth and through ascetic struggles and good works didst offer thyself as an unblemished sacrifice to Christ, praise thee, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, and with love address thee thus:

• Rejoice, chosen one of God, well-pleasing to all the Saints, praise of the archangels and joy of the angels;
• Rejoice, gladness of infants and fragrance of the monastic habit;
• Rejoice, shield and protection of Cernica, guardian of Bucharest, safeguard of Frăsinei and praise of Râmnicu Sărat;
• Rejoice, great boast, for by the grace of God, through thy word thou didst decree that the female sex should not enter Frăsinei;
• Rejoice, for through the example of thy life thou art a good guide for those who labor in the monastic life;
• Rejoice, for thou wast deemed worthy of great gifts, being healing for the sick, sight for the blind, hearing for the deaf, speech for the mute;
• Rejoice, deliverer of the wronged, joy of the afflicted and gladness of those who hope in thee and call upon thee for help;
• Rejoice, guide of the erring, raising up of the fallen and treasury of good deeds;
• Rejoice, dwelling-place of the divine light, instrument of the All-Holy Spirit and unshaken pillar of the Church;
• Rejoice, good struggler, who wast unconquered by storms and temptations;
• Rejoice, O father, thrice-blessed;
• Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!

And Kontakion the First

Thy light-bearing memorial, O Hierarch Kallinikos, gladdens the souls of the faithful, and the touch of the shrine of thy holy relics sanctifies the senses and grants healings; wherefore, as is our duty, we honor thee and with joy we sing to thee: Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch Kallinikos, God-wise one!