Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

After the usual beginning, the following are said:

Kontakia and Oikoi:

Kontakion 1:

To the praiseworthy martyr Catherine, who by the gift of God and her most high learning astonished the knowledge of the scholars of that time and surpassed the tongue of pagan orators through her good speech, let us offer thanksgiving for victory, that through her prayers we may be delivered from the temptations of the enemies and sing to her: Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Oikos 1

To the Queen and Mother of God, the most pure Virgin Mary, you showed yourself worthy of love, wise Catherine, for being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, you cast away from yourself all earthly desire and were betrothed to your heavenly Bridegroom to obtain immortal life; therefore we sing:

• Rejoice, speaking dove;
• Rejoice, sweet nightingale;
• Rejoice, unfading beauty;
• Rejoice, delightful little lamb;
• Rejoice, lofty mind;
• Rejoice, most learned maiden;
• Rejoice, gentle and wise virgin;
• Rejoice, strong and undefiled heart;
• Rejoice, praise of the learned;
• Rejoice, sweetness of mothers;
• Rejoice, comfort of the poor;
• Rejoice, defender of the elderly;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 2

Casting away the riches of the earth and paternal glory, you lived a pure life, Catherine; and occupying yourself especially in the right faith, you took the unerring path of Christ and worshipped Him, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Having reached the age of eighteen, your beauty attracted many young men from the pagan nations, wishing to marry you; but you, rejecting their request with very wise words, they themselves were reproved for their lack of understanding and spoke these things to you:

• Rejoice, most beautiful among maidens;
• Rejoice, for you are also the richest;
• Rejoice, seed from royal lineage;
• Rejoice, purple that adorns knowledge;
• Rejoice, crown that rewards worthiness;
• Rejoice, you who strengthen good customs;
• Rejoice, speaker surpassing orators;
• Rejoice, judge more chosen than other judges;
• Rejoice, unashamed victor in counsels and guidance;
• Rejoice, light that causes unwise glances to bow;
• Rejoice, treasure of all knowledge;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 3

Reproving errors and refusing to believe that those cast and carved images by human hands could be the makers of heaven, earth, and all creation, you were enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit to know the true and ever-eternal Godhead, and humbly you sang to Her: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

The scholars gathered at your father's urging to bring you out of the faith in which you were, seeing you reject the idols, asked to present yourself to them. But you, entering into discussion with the most learned one, after a long dispute, made him no longer know what to answer except to speak:

• Rejoice, worshipper of the right faith;
• Rejoice, clarification of the true religion;
• Rejoice, light of those sunk in heresies;
• Rejoice, guide of those who stray;
• Rejoice, weapon of good will;
• Rejoice, downfall of the deceit of idols;
• Rejoice, proof of their powerlessness;
• Rejoice, for you are worthy of all honor;
• Rejoice, for through your wisdom you drove away error;
• Rejoice, for you were gifted with grace by the Most High;
• Rejoice, knowledge of heavenly holiness;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 4

The mouths of heretics who previously blasphemed the Church of Christ were then opened for the first time to bless through your virginal voice, hating the idol temples and saying that God is one and to Him belongs song: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

Nourishing in yourself from childhood the gift of faith in Christ, Catherine, you could not be reconciled with the pagan customs of your parents, for living in holiness, though not yet enlightened by holy Baptism, you followed God's commandments and secretly worshipped Christ; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, most glorious martyr;
• Rejoice, most honored bride;
• Rejoice, unconquered sufferer;
• Rejoice, adornment of the Church;
• Rejoice, speaker of God;
• Rejoice, servant of Orthodoxy;
• Rejoice, crown of teaching;
• Rejoice, praise of Alexandria;
• Rejoice, defender of that city;
• Rejoice, treasure of wonders;
• Rejoice, reprover of Emperor Maxentius;
• Rejoice, enlightener of his empress;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 5

The heart of Constantine, your father, was very grieved hearing you, his daughter, an only child and as beautiful as you were, rejecting the multitude of gods he worshipped and preaching an unknown God. Therefore he wished to examine your faith through the most learned teachers of that time. But how great was his bewilderment when he saw even those won over by your words and singing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

The unjust judges, learning of your passing from the worship of idols to the faith of Christ, condemned you to punishment; and enduring the most bitter torments unto death, you were glorified with glory, praising the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the most pure Virgin His Mother, Who appeared to you in a vision; and we, praising the strength of your faith, say to you:

• Rejoice, despiser of tyrannical judges;
• Rejoice, reprover of error;
• Rejoice, for among the people you became radiant;
• Rejoice, for your torments burned them;
• Rejoice, for the hope of salvation gladdened you;
• Rejoice, for with patience you poisoned them more;
• Rejoice, for from your love for God you did not feel sufferings;
• Rejoice, for your words made them mute;
• Rejoice, for their lack of understanding could not stop you;
• Rejoice, for daring you came forth victorious;
• Rejoice, for suffering you became a healer;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 6

We, the humble, bring you a song of thanksgiving, for with great grace you made us worthy, sacrificing yourself for the love of the right faith. Receive then, O martyr, this prayer and grant us healing of infirmities throughout the course of our lives, that together with you we may bless God, singing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

The more than a hundred scholars who were present and listened to the words with which you explained the Gospel of Christ, being enlightened by the Holy Spirit, became Christians, and the emperor, terrified by this wonder, ordered them to be burned, so that they might no longer spread the Christian faith in the places from which they came; and thus that multitude of scholars was glorified and sings to you thus:

• Rejoice, Catherine, deliverer from troubles;
• Rejoice, learned one, giver of light;
• Rejoice, praised one, bringer of gifts;
• Rejoice, beauty surpassing all;
• Rejoice, goodness troubled by nothing;
• Rejoice, soldieress victorious over the brave;
• Rejoice, much famed and patient in torments;
• Rejoice, praised by resounding songs;
• Rejoice, martyr, source of wonders;
• Rejoice, little lily, most sweetly fragrant;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 7

The angelic assembly, seeing the choir of martyrs burning in the flame, received it with songs; and you, Catherine, as a follower of them, were graced with the gift to suffer the most terrible torments; for which your memory forever remained beneficial to those who sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

All creation marveled at the great patience you showed, remaining unshaken in the resolutions of the faith and confessing that God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are one, the one and undivided Trinity, and you worship Her; and we rejoice, praising you:

• Rejoice, preacher of the heavenly Father;
• Rejoice, worshipper of the Son and Word of God;
• Rejoice, honorer of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, confessor of the consubstantial Trinity;
• Rejoice, bearer of the holy Cross in faith;
• Rejoice, follower of the passions of Christ;
• Rejoice, good interpreter of the holy Gospel;
• Rejoice, receiver of the baptism of God;
• Rejoice, obedient one to the Mother of God;
• Rejoice, worshipper of the Orthodox Church;
• Rejoice, dweller together with the heavenly powers;
• Rejoice, worthy guardian of Christians;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 8

You were loved by your heavenly Bridegroom, all-praised Catherine, for you were adorned with all bodily and spiritual beauty; also He made you a chosen vessel for the strengthening of your faith, with which many unbelievers were enlightened and learned to sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

Heal the wounds of our souls, great martyr, for we suffer grievously, and pray for us to the most holy Mother of God, that she may deliver us from the temptations and dangers with which the enemy threatens us; therefore, knowing you as a swift defender against enemies, we sing to you:

• Rejoice, for through your prayers you deliver us from enemies;
• Rejoice, swift deliverer from dangers;
• Rejoice, protector from poison;
• Rejoice, healer from venom;
• Rejoice, most chosen deliverer from sorcery;
• Rejoice, expeller of phantoms;
• Rejoice, scatterer of heresies;
• Rejoice, strong guardian from calamity;
• Rejoice, corrector of evil living in marriage;
• Rejoice, you who reconcile the hostile;
• Rejoice, for you are a helper in troubles;
• Rejoice, for you give healing to the sick;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 9

Like a branch of a palm tree you gave yourself to the Saviour, adorning the Church with your supernatural victories, and with your virginal blood you washed away the reproach upon those who labored for her; for the persecutors were shamed, seeing the glory of your wonders, and sang to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

The earth was filled with sweet fragrance, receiving your body into it, and heaven rejoiced, seeing your spirit rising to it by the angelic powers. For this glorious work of the mystery of God, all the faithful praise you, singing for you thus:

• Rejoice, helper of wise virgins;
• Rejoice, comforter of troubled widows;
• Rejoice, deliverer of poor children;
• Rejoice, helper of those in dangers;
• Rejoice, benefactor of the helpless;
• Rejoice, deliverer of women in difficult childbirth;
• Rejoice, healer of those suffering from birth;
• Rejoice, strengthener of weak infants;
• Rejoice, nourisher of poor orphans;
• Rejoice, protector of the troubled in mind;
• Rejoice, healer of those fallen into grievous illness;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 10

We are not worthy to thank you for your good deeds, Catherine, because we have exerted no zeal to draw near to the love of God, nor have we worked any good for our neighbor that might bring us mercy; but you, being good and gentle, pray to God to forgive our thoughtlessness and our sins, and to accept this word of humility: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

The countless temptations of the crafty devil you know, O saint, for bearing flesh and being tempted, you remained victorious. And we, who are enveloped in temptations like the weak, make prayer that you may strengthen us with your power, that we may come to repentance and obtain forgiveness of our faults, praising you:

• Rejoice, lofty humility;
• Rejoice, most praised adornment;
• Rejoice, treasure that never empties;
• Rejoice, unchanging mercy;
• Rejoice, unchanged gentleness;
• Rejoice, light that never sets;
• Rejoice, innocent love;
• Rejoice, unceasing patience;
• Rejoice, incomparable generosity;
• Rejoice, unashamed hope;
• Rejoice, blessed healer;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 11

You became a nature above nature, Catherine, strengthening yourself in the faith of Christ and serving the Creator of all, not the creature; from Whom, receiving the gift of healing and an angelic crown, the unclean spirits tremble before you, and you drive them away from every Christian soul that brings to God the song of praise: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

All the breath of the orthodox rejoices today at your feast, O martyr, for from the pagan race and from among the idolaters, the most learned and wise virgin came to the Church of Christ, suffering the pains of the wheel and other unspeakable torments from the pagan people, for the love of the Saviour of the world; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, vanquisher of pagans;
• Rejoice, downfall of abominable customs;
• Rejoice, warrior for the holy gifts;
• Rejoice, destroyer of idol temples;
• Rejoice, worshipper of Christian icons;
• Rejoice, barrier against devilish evils;
• Rejoice, praise of the martyric crown;
• Rejoice, you who were stretched on the wheel;
• Rejoice, you who were pierced with nails;
• Rejoice, you who died by the sword;
• Rejoice, you who were glorified with glory;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 12

Lovers of martyrs, honoring the most wise Catherine, because she in the sight of the world preached Christ, trampled the serpent, and put to shame the mind of the learned, let us sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Struggles in torments, struggles for faith you carried out with fervor for Christ, your Bridegroom, Catherine, you who through your wisdom enlightened as a good speaker; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, holy guardian of the conciliar canons;
• Rejoice, warm follower of the Church laws;
• Rejoice, worthy preacher of the apostolate;
• Rejoice, irreconcilable persecutor of sins;
• Rejoice, stern encourager of desert humility;
• Rejoice, most skillful speaker of heavenly song;
• Rejoice, unwearying prayer of devout ministers;
• Rejoice, good helper of God-fearing faithful;
• Rejoice, precious pearl of the heavenly kingdom;
• Rejoice, costly stone of the Christian Church;
• Rejoice, swift deliverance of those seized by grief;
• Rejoice, strong healer of those full of wounds and pains;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

Kontakion 13

(This kontakion is said three times) Wise and beautiful Catherine, worthy martyr of Christ, receive this small prayer of ours and pray for us that the good God may grant us forgiveness of sins, peace, health, and help in all good things, singing to God: Alleluia!

Then Oikos 1 is said again

To the Queen and Mother of God, the most pure Virgin Mary, you showed yourself worthy of love, wise Catherine, for being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, you cast away from yourself all earthly desire and were betrothed to your heavenly Bridegroom to obtain immortal life; therefore we sing:

• Rejoice, speaking dove;
• Rejoice, sweet nightingale;
• Rejoice, unfading beauty;
• Rejoice, delightful little lamb;
• Rejoice, lofty mind;
• Rejoice, most learned maiden;
• Rejoice, gentle and wise virgin;
• Rejoice, strong and undefiled heart;
• Rejoice, praise of the learned;
• Rejoice, sweetness of mothers;
• Rejoice, comfort of the poor;
• Rejoice, defender of the elderly;
• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!

and Kontakion 1 To the praiseworthy martyr Catherine, who by the gift of God and her most high learning astonished the knowledge of the scholars of that time and surpassed the tongue of pagan orators through her good speech, let us offer thanksgiving for victory, that through her prayers we may be delivered from the temptations of the enemies and sing to her:

• Rejoice, Catherine, great martyr of Christ!