Saint Menas the Great Martyr

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Condacele și Icoasele:

Kontakion 1

O great helper and succorer you have shown yourself to the world in dangers, O Martyr, for you have delivered many from losses: pursuing thieves, removing losses, and fulfilling the request of those who run to you with faith; therefore we pray you, be merciful also to us who sing to you: Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Oikos 1

The Word of God became flesh and creation was enlightened, and through Him a multitude of martyrs sprang forth, who suffered unto blood, becoming defenders of the weak; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, unfailing star.
• Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.
• Rejoice, light of those who have suffered loss.
• Rejoice, downfall of plunderers.
• Rejoice, mystery that reveals iniquity.
• Rejoice, barrier that stops error.
• Rejoice, pillar that hinders unseemliness.
• Rejoice, deep that destroys greed.
• Rejoice, breath that strengthens the hearts of the suffering.
• Rejoice, hand that uncovers robberies.
• Rejoice, chain that locks up the doer of evil deeds.
• Rejoice, mist that darkens impure thoughts.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 2

A swift conqueror you became of the persecutors who wished to plunder the labor of the poor man embittered by fate and to extinguish his being, threatened by misfortunes; therefore we cry to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Let not the lawless be worthy to subdue us under their feet, O Saint, when they rise up against us like the waves of the sea coming foaming on the wings of raging winds; but let them fall like ears of corn in the field before your face, and let us bless you, saying:

• Rejoice, our firm hope.
• Rejoice, downfall of lawless enemies.
• Rejoice, enclosure of insatiable beasts.
• Rejoice, restraint of proud plunderers.
• Rejoice, for those who trample upon your commandments tremble.
• Rejoice, for those who do not honor your wonders are wretched.
• Rejoice, for those who do not call upon your name for help are tormented.
• Rejoice, for those who embitter you are troubled.
• Rejoice, for those who give thanks to you boast.
• Rejoice, for all creation rejoices in your mercy.
• Rejoice, for all who have sinned repent at your terror.
• Rejoice, deliverer of the humiliated.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 3

Having righteousness and peace in your mind, you left the camp of Phrygia, no longer able to bear seeing idol worship. Therefore, going up to the mountain, with fasting and prayers you cleansed your soul from sins and were strengthened in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

The pagans, no longer enduring your holy deeds, through which their idolatrous deception was reviled, for you preached the faith of Christ to the people and proved that He is God, who works wonders, and not stones and brass, they subjected you to torments which you received with love. Therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, you who were rubbed all over your body with potsherds.
• Rejoice, you who afterwards were burned with fire.
• Rejoice, you who endured the sting of thorns.
• Rejoice, for you were pierced all over with spears.
• Rejoice, for you suffered iron hammers on your temples.
• Rejoice, for you also endured other torments with patience.
• Rejoice, for you did not murmur against God for your suffering.
• Rejoice, above all, for you fought with joy against flesh and blood.
• Rejoice, for Alexandria was terrified by your firm faith.
• Rejoice, for the tyrants were reproved by your daring.
• Rejoice, for, having nothing more with which to terrify you, they commanded you to be cut down with the sword.
• Rejoice, for many of the onlookers blessed you, saying:
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 4

The blessed faith of the East, finally raising the cross among the pagan peoples, after the fall of the tyrant enemies of Christianity, your church was built in Alexandria, O Saint, by a Christ-loving citizen, in the time of the Emperor Constantine; and there the remains of your relics were brought, to which we bow down singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

Raising our voice we cry to you: Hasten, O Saint, to defend us; do not separate our hopes from your great mercy; for where shall we flee to find rest, after the flood of our sins, except to you, after the Savior and His most pure Mother, you who suffered with love for Christ and for our salvation; stretch out your hand to us, O Martyr, that we may bless you, saying:

• Rejoice, finder of lost things.
• Rejoice, restorer of them to their former state.
• Rejoice, praise of citizens honored in deed.
• Rejoice, happiness of merchants with good measures.
• Rejoice, sleepless guardian of villages and cities suffering losses.
• Rejoice, refuge of those threatened by flame and storm.
• Rejoice, relief of peoples embittered by terrible invasions and unjust oppressions.
• Rejoice, guide of travelers who ask your help.
• Rejoice, deliverance of people from sudden death.
• Rejoice, salvation of ships caught in storm and tempest.
• Rejoice, consolation of every oppressed and embittered soul.
• Rejoice, and our swift defender in sufferings.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 5

Send us, O Saint, food of salvation for our life from God, that we may not perish from the multitude of passions that crowd within us abundantly, for we are sinners; but what sin or what multitude of faults can ever surpass the boundless mercy of God, having the ranks of martyrs as intercessors? With them we sing together: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

A contrite and humble heart God will not despise, says the King and Prophet David. Therefore, humbling ourselves unto death, we fall down before you, O Great Martyr Mina, to pray to God for us sinners, that He may calm our pains, vanquishing the enemies who fight against His laws. Draw near, therefore, O Saint, draw near to us who suffer, that we may glorify your wonders, singing:

• Rejoice, fervent mediator of the suffering before God.
• Rejoice, swift suppliant to Him.
• Rejoice, mighty help for those who keep His commandments.
• Rejoice, unashamed hope of Christians.
• Rejoice, incense well-received in heaven in prayer.
• Rejoice, chosen vessel of the Holy Trinity.
• Rejoice, you who do not will the wickedness of men.
• Rejoice, you who weep for their folly.
• Rejoice, you who ever urge them to good deeds.
• Rejoice, for you guide them to live in unity and love.
• Rejoice, for you have brought many to repentance.
• Rejoice, for you pray for all continually.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 6

The Jew, who was oppressed by the Christian through the concealment of the money he had left with him for safekeeping until his return, was baptized seeing the wonder, when you revealed the truth; and the Christian, terrified by the deed he had done to the harm of his soul for love of silver, repented, crying to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

The oath-breaking Christian and the deceitful friend of the Jew, coming out of your church, where he had falsely testified that he had no knowledge of that money, a horse snatched him away; and you appeared to his wife at home, that she should send her husband the gold of the Jew, which was done, and immediately the deceit was revealed. Therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, exposure of hidden deceit.
• Rejoice, finding of stolen gold.
• Rejoice, shame of evil deeds.
• Rejoice, bitterness of their consequence.
• Rejoice, fulfillment of the duties of faith.
• Rejoice, Christianizer of the straying Jew.
• Rejoice, repentance of the lost Christian.
• Rejoice, praise of the Church of the East.
• Rejoice, sorrow of the race of the Jews.
• Rejoice, for through your wonder the power of grace was shown.
• Rejoice, for through its working two souls were saved.
• Rejoice, worthy praiser of Christ.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 7

The enchanting chains of the devil with which he enwraps weak souls to draw them to him, how could they be broken, if we did not have a mind working towards salvation? This mind, therefore, being strengthened by the power of the holy Martyrs chosen by God, scatters the mist of deception and loosens the bonds of the evil one through repentance, singing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Glory to You, holy King, almighty God, who from among us men and for us have chosen Your holy Martyrs and Apostles, to deliver us from the snares of the enemy and to grant us a share in Your boundless good things; so that in this way they may glorify Your all-holy name, and we may sing:

• Rejoice, Mina, loved by all.
• Rejoice, most blessed Martyr.
• Rejoice, unwearying warrior.
• Rejoice, unwearied champion.
• Rejoice, blameless mind.
• Rejoice, unsleeping nightingale.
• Rejoice, skillful physician.
• Rejoice, incorruptible judge.
• Rejoice, impartial supporter.
• Rejoice, unending gift.
• Rejoice, giver of gifts.
• Rejoice, worker of many wonders.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 8

Your name, more than any other among the saints, has become most desired by Christians, O Mina, for the swift and abundant finding of any losses they suffer. For which also today those who stand before your icon with faith, suffering, pray that you be merciful to them, consoling them and fulfilling their request, that they may bring you praise, singing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

Weary of the waves of events that come upon us, we cannot fight nor are we worthy of mercy, for we have no repentance, sinking into hateful thoughts and deeds; therefore we fall down before you, to deliver us from the temptations that press upon us and to strengthen us in the love of God, that we may escape from enemies and sing to you:

• Rejoice, tower of strength.
• Rejoice, ray of joy.
• Rejoice, firm anchor.
• Rejoice, wall of refuge.
• Rejoice, strengthening thought.
• Rejoice, saving haven.
• Rejoice, holy light.
• Rejoice, unconquered weapon.
• Rejoice, heavenly angel.
• Rejoice, divine gift.
• Rejoice, defender of Christians.
• Rejoice, merciful one to the poor.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 9

May the passions with which you suffered be a help to our passions, and the wounds of your body a covering for the pains that disturb all our rest. Grant us, therefore, in dangers your patience, O Saint, that through it we may obtain the salvation of the soul and the strengthening of our weaknesses, to sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

With your blood shed for the love of Christ, wash away the stain of our sins, O most blessed one, and with the multitude of your wonders change the minds of those who persecute us, that we may not be unjustly condemned and that they may not darken the truth of our causes according to their pleasure, for you are the one who reveals all iniquities, and to you it is fitting to sing

• Rejoice, consolation of the oppressed in judgments,
• Rejoice, victory of soldiers who fight for the faith.
• Rejoice, earth fruitful in good deeds.
• Rejoice, beautiful flower from the parts of Syria.
• Rejoice, chosen pearl of God.
• Rejoice, fragrant rose among idolatrous thorns.
• Rejoice, precious stone from the treasures of Egypt.
• Rejoice, gift through which the mission of the Magi from the East was fulfilled.
• Rejoice, cedar grown among the cedars of Lebanon.
• Rejoice, field watered by the waters of the Jordan.
• Rejoice, sleepless guard of the monasteries of the Holy Mountain.
• Rejoice, diligent guide of those who go to the Tomb of the Savior.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 10

The remains of the traveler killed by the evil-doing host, to take his gold with which he was going to your church, cutting him into pieces and burying him in his garden, you unearthed the next day, forming him as he was and giving him life. Terrified by this wonder, the murderer fell at your feet with tears, praying that you would not destroy him. And the traveler, awakened as from a dream after death, gave praise to God, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Vain was the diligence of the guilty one to hide the murder of the stranger whom, as he lodged with him, he had hosted; for you, following him invisibly, for the love he had towards you, appeared the next day as a royal soldier, asking him to give you the traveler; when he denied having any knowledge of him, you revealed the deed and rebuked him severely. Therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, wonder above all wonders.
• Rejoice, you who received the gift of forming and giving life to a body cut into pieces.
• Rejoice, for the guilty one was terrified by your power.
• Rejoice, for the slain one, not knowing why he was rebuked, was frightened.
• Rejoice, for you did not wish to reveal this deed immediately.
• Rejoice, for through your dispensation both were in amazement.
• Rejoice, you through whom the traveler fulfilled his will, worshiping you.
• Rejoice, for his promise also followed, bringing great gifts to your church.
• Rejoice, comforter of all who run to you.
• Rejoice, glorious deliverer of those who honor you.
• Rejoice, endower of poor maidens.
• Rejoice, reliever of those fallen into heavy debts.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 11

This mystery of holy providence, which through you was accomplished, O Mina, that the body cut into pieces of the slain traveler could be restored and brought again to life, is incomprehensible; for which, marveling at the gift given to you from God, with faith we sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

The self-loving Eutropius, promising a silver vessel for your church, and making two alike, that with your name seemed more beautiful to him than that for himself; therefore he decided to keep it for himself. But you, not bearing this deceit, took the vessel from his servant while he was washing in the ship and kept him together with it in the sea until Eutropius himself was rebuked for his greed. Therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, for you immediately brought the servant with the vessel out of the sea.
• Rejoice, for the servant appeared before his master whole and unharmed.
• Rejoice, for he, giving thanks to God, also brought the vessel to the church.
• Rejoice, rebuker of Eutropius for the boldness he had done.
• Rejoice, corrector of his greedy conduct.
• Rejoice, deliverance of the servant from death for his innocence.
• Rejoice, for through this you wished to show the power of the true faith.
• Rejoice, for for the deed and not for the thing you broke the evil will.
• Rejoice, for through this praise was brought to God.
• Rejoice, for His name was glorified through the working of your wonders.
• Rejoice, for for His sake you suffered that you might also conquer with Him.
• Rejoice, most helpful Martyr.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 12

Sofia, a certain woman from the parts of Phrygia, who was coming to your church to worship, being threatened with mockery on the way by a soldier, asked your help with a cry, and immediately you delivered her from his assault, exposing him with shame before many; after which the woman gave praise to God, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

A lame man and a mute woman, who for a long time were near your church with other sick people, waiting for healing, saw you at midnight, saying: Lame man, raise that woman and go from here; at these words, the lame man being grieved, because he thought himself rejected by you, made no movement; but you, repeating the command, he had to obey and immediately they both were seen healed; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, for the lame man, frightened, fled.
• Rejoice, for the mute woman, frightened, spoke.
• Rejoice, for you also healed other sick people.
• Rejoice, for you humbled the unbelievers.
• Rejoice, for you gladdened the lovers of Christ.
• Rejoice, for you sheltered strangers.
• Rejoice, for you fed the hungry.
• Rejoice, for you had mercy on widows.
• Rejoice, defender of those in dangers.
• Rejoice, fulfiller for the robbed.
• Rejoice, deliverer of Sofia.
• Rejoice, comforter of the oppressed.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

Kontakion 13

O most blessed Martyr Mina, hear our prayer which we bring to you from all our heart, that you may deliver us from illnesses and dangers, to honor your memory and to confess the wonders, which by the power of the Holy Spirit you work for us who with faith sing: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)

Then again is said Oikos 1

The Word of God became flesh and creation was enlightened, and through Him a multitude of martyrs sprang forth, who suffered unto blood, becoming defenders of the weak; therefore we sing to you:

• Rejoice, unfailing star.
• Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.
• Rejoice, light of those who have suffered loss.
• Rejoice, downfall of plunderers.
• Rejoice, mystery that reveals iniquity.
• Rejoice, barrier that stops error.
• Rejoice, pillar that hinders unseemliness.
• Rejoice, deep that destroys greed.
• Rejoice, breath that strengthens the hearts of the suffering.
• Rejoice, hand that uncovers robberies.
• Rejoice, chain that locks up the doer of evil deeds.
• Rejoice, mist that darkens impure thoughts.
• Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

And Kontakion 1

O great helper and succorer you have shown yourself to the world in dangers, O Martyr, for you have delivered many from losses: pursuing thieves, removing losses, and fulfilling the request of those who run to you with faith; therefore we pray you, be merciful also to us who sing to you: Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Mina, long-suffering one!

After this is said this prayer:

A Very Helpful and Swiftly Helping Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr Mina

O all-holy and all-praised Great Martyr Mina, and wonderworker; receive this prayer from me, your unworthy servant, for to you, as to a true fountain of healings and swift helper and most wonderful succorer, I, the wretched one, flee, and before the holy image of your icon with hot tears I pray to you: See, O Saint, my loss, see my poverty and wretchedness; see the sores and wounds of my body and soul. Therefore I pray to you, O blessed and holy Mina, hasten to help me with your unceasing and holy prayers and support me, your servant. Give heed to my sighs and do not overlook me, the wretched and afflicted one, for I know, O Saint of God, that although you suffered heavy torments and fearsome tortures from the lawless for the love of Christ, yet through those sufferings today you live in light and have found grace from God. For we are assured that even after your departure from this transitory life, whoever has fled to your holy church and prayed to you with faith has not remained unhelped. For who called upon you for help and you did not hear him? Or who called upon you, O wonderworker, and you overlooked him? Or to whom, being in losses and running to your help, did you not reveal his loss? Your wonders and help have made even me, the wretched and afflicted one, to flee to your help. I have heard of that merchant from the land of Isauria, who came to your church for prayers, not only did you expose his murderer and bring him out of his loss, giving him back the purse of gold; but, O wonder, even though he was dead and cut into pieces, you healed him and made him whole. Likewise also for Eutropius, you brought the servant out of the sea with the golden vessel held in his hands, because he had promised it to your church. Likewise also the woman Sofia, who came for worship to your holy dwelling, not only was delivered from that soldier who forced her to sin, but you also fittingly rebuked the soldier. Likewise the lame man who came to your holy church for worship, with prayer you immediately healed him. Likewise also to the mute woman, you opened her speech and she spoke clearly. Likewise also when the Jew had given his Christian friend a purse of gold, which the Christian denied having received, swearing about this even in your church, you not only delivered the Christian from the oath, but also the Jew, seeing your wonder, believed in you and came to the Christian faith. These your wonders, O Saint, have made me believe that for every act of kindness you are a ready helper and swift succorer and wonderful. Therefore I am assured that everyone who flees to you, asking with faith for help, you do not overlook. For this reason I also believe that you are the same, O Saint, then and today, that whoever has fled to you has not returned unhelped. Therefore I also now, being afflicted and in loss, flee to you with faith and with tears, kneeling, and I pray to you, O holy and Great Martyr Mina, that you pray to Christ, the Son of God, for me, the loser and afflicted one, to Him who did not overlook your martyr’s prayer, but heard you and strengthened you and received you into the heavenly dwellings. Pray to Him that I may also be helped and shown mercy through your prayers, and delivered from losses and troubles, that I may praise and bless and glorify the all-praised and all-powerful name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and always and to the ages of ages. Amen.