Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

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Kondakions and Oikoses:

Kontakion 1

You who pour out precious myrrh to all the world, and to me, the unworthy one, a sinner more than all, grant that I may bring to you a song, Father Nicholas. You, who have boldness before God, free me from all distress that I may sing to you: Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Oikos 1

You appeared in a dream to the God-loving emperor, and concerning the death of those generals you terrified him, and quickly heeding your command, Nicholas, he ordered that they be set free. Therefore they were seized with joy and fear, and I with them cry to you, Holy Nicholas:

• Rejoice, consecrated head;
• Rejoice, you who crushed the devilish head with your prayers;
• Rejoice, servant of the King of all;
• Rejoice, helper of the faithful;
• Rejoice, strength of Orthodoxy;
• Rejoice, destroyer of the lawless;
• Rejoice, you who are inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, you who destroyed the storm of the multitude of gods;
• Rejoice, you who converse with the angels;
• Rejoice, expeller of demons;
• Rejoice, utterance of divine words;
• Rejoice, you who stopped the mouths of heretics;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 2

On earth you appeared as a second Forerunner, Nicholas, for the rebuke of lawlessness; but he rebuked Herod, the doer of lawlessness, while you put to shame Arius, blinded by heresy; and you wished to cleanse all the world from his unjust teachings, and to enlighten your flock, as a father and teacher. Therefore we sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Wishing in the morning, after the emperor's command, to bring the prisoners from prison to execution, you, with your wonders, anticipated him in a dream and, terrifying him, said: Do nothing to these men, for they are innocent of execution; therefore we also with them cry to you, glorious Nicholas:

• Rejoice, great wonderworker;
• Rejoice, swift helper;
• Rejoice, warm protector;
• Rejoice, visitor of the afflicted;
• Rejoice, calm harbor of the storm-tossed;
• Rejoice, comfort of those who weep;
• Rejoice, feeder of the hungry;
• Rejoice, guide of the blind;
• Rejoice, wealth of the poor;
• Rejoice, strong staff of the aged;
• Rejoice, crown of the Church;
• Rejoice, father of the poor and good giver;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 3

I have heard of your wonders, Nicholas, and have been terrified, for seized by joy and fear, I know not what to answer. But you, with your vigilant prayers, enlighten my mind that I may sing to God together with you: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

The archangels with the angels marvel, father, at your strong faith toward God; the apostles with the prophets boast in you; the Orthodox people have hope in you. Therefore I also, though unworthy, cry to you, Holy Nicholas:

• Rejoice, you who dwell together with the angels;
• Rejoice, you who bring sorrow to the demons;
• Rejoice, you who serve like Gregory the Theologian in the priesthood;
• Rejoice, converser with John Chrysostom;
• Rejoice, friend of great Basil;
• Rejoice, for together with them you cut down heresies;
• Rejoice, you who hold one faith with them;
• Rejoice, for you work wonders for reconciliation;
• Rejoice, for you cleanse the world from the multitude of gods;
• Rejoice, you who foretold the veneration of the Mother of God in the Church;
• Rejoice, for putting Arius the deceiver to shame at the council you conquered;
• Rejoice, for you kept those maidens from wanton union with your help;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 4

O great wonderworker Nicholas, though their father wished to give those maidens to debauchery because of poverty, you, father, anticipating, gave their father abundant gold. Therefore, not understanding whence this came, marvelling, they sang to God the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

To show your great mercy toward the poor, O most blessed one, to the old man at night in secret you gave three bundles of gold coins, delivering him and his daughters from falling into sin. Therefore hear from all:

• Rejoice, treasury of God's mercy;
• Rejoice, foreknowledge of His foreknowledge;
• Rejoice, giver of God's blessings;
• Rejoice, food and joy of those who run to you;
• Rejoice, unfailing bread of nourishment for the needy;
• Rejoice, wealth given by God to those living in poverty on earth;
• Rejoice, swift raising of the poor;
• Rejoice, clear thought for the afflicted;
• Rejoice, for you are a gentle listener to the weak;
• Rejoice, sweetness of all the world;
• Rejoice, bridegroom of the three maidens;
• Rejoice, deliverer of my distresses with your prayers;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 5

Once going to your church, Basil, striving to bring you a gift, was taken by the Hagarenes and the soldiers of Emir gave him to their master for service; but his parents, though sorrowful, yet did not cease to direct prayers to you, and when the day of your feast had passed, towards evening you placed him before them, and seeing this wonder, with you they sang a song of joy to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

Going to give a cup to Emir, the son of Agricola stood before him with fear; but you, father, being entreated by his parents, delivered him from his hands in that hour; therefore with them we cry to you, Nicholas, as a good shepherd:

• Rejoice, hierarch of the Lord;
• Rejoice, luminous preaching of Christianity;
• Rejoice, you who bear a name of victory;
• Rejoice, eradication of unfruitful passions;
• Rejoice, fruit-bearing of spiritual trees;
• Rejoice, corrector of the orthodox;
• Rejoice, plunder of paganism;
• Rejoice, physician without payment;
• Rejoice, for you have freely received, freely you give healings;
• Rejoice, good shepherd of the weak;
• Rejoice, you who drive away from us the devilish servants;
• Rejoice, delight of all the world;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 6

Wonderful was your birth shown, Nicholas, as you were faithful on earth from the time of your birth; for you sucked only from the right breast, and from your mother's breast you were known as a wonderworker; therefore now with you we sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

Deliver people from the assaults of the demons, father, with your prayers, you who with the rivers of your sweat extinguished the multitude of pagan gods; therefore now grant healings to our infirmities, O hierarch, that we may praise you saying:

• Rejoice, Nicholas;
• Rejoice, wonderworker;
• Rejoice, hierarch;
• Rejoice, most venerable;
• Rejoice, most blessed;
• Rejoice, you who are of great name;
• Rejoice, most glorious;
• Rejoice, feeder of fasters;
• Rejoice, teacher of temperance;
• Rejoice, correction of the erring;
• Rejoice, for we know not what else to say except: Rejoice;
• Rejoice, for through you we are filled with light;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 7

Having crafty knowledge, Arius began to teach the godless heresies and entered your flock like a wolf, wishing like a beast to seize it; but you, O most praised one, swiftly running to the Master, with your prayers drove away all his madness and cast him down like a terrible beast. Therefore with you, Nicholas, we sing to God, who gave you this power: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Having beforehand opposed the heresy of thrice-accursed Arius, you put to shame his godless teaching and, casting him down like a second Judas, left him. Therefore we also cry to you unceasingly:

• Rejoice, president on the throne of Myra;
• Rejoice, great hierarch of Lycia;
• Rejoice, unerring way for those sailing on the sea;
• Rejoice, timbrel that gives sound of divine utterance;
• Rejoice, well-sounding cymbal;
• Rejoice, trumpet of the Holy Trinity;
• Rejoice, for you destroyed the trumpet of Arius's heresies;
• Rejoice, Constantine said to you;
• Rejoice, Aulavius spoke to you;
• Rejoice, the father with the maidens brought to you;
• Rejoice, Agricola and Basil spoke;
• Rejoice, for through you, being delivered from the wrath of the flood, we find peace with God;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 8

A divine wonder you appeared, O blessed one, to those who ran to your church, O God-bearer, delivering them from many kinds of distress and attacks, father, those who after God placed their hope in you with faith, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

As one having boldness toward Christ, Nicholas, for you guard His flock from visible and invisible wolves, and you do not turn away from those who take refuge under your protection, and to us who are enveloped by evil thoughts and deeds, give a helping hand, father, that we may praise you saying:

• Rejoice, most praised Nicholas;
• Rejoice, strength of Myra;
• Rejoice, adornment of Lycia;
• Rejoice, good pilot;
• Rejoice, for you dance with the angels;
• Rejoice, for you rejoice with the archangels;
• Rejoice, for without matter you serve the Creator with the cherubim;
• Rejoice, for you cast down Arius, the incarnate demon;
• Rejoice, you who grant good fragrance;
• Rejoice, you who repel evil odor;
• Rejoice, whiteness that washes passions;
• Rejoice, redness that covers sins;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 9

We know not whence to begin to bring you praise, father. What song shall we sing to you? Or with what crowns shall we crown you? For if we remember the generals, we marvel; at Basil, we are astonished; concerning those maidens, we know not what to say; at all we only wonder and together with you to God, who gave you glorious things, we send praise, singing the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

Seeing all the human race perishing with the heresy of Arius's madness, the Master gave you as a rebuker of his madness. But you, father, from the table of divine teaching, like an abomination you cast him out; but upon us with the crumbs of Orthodoxy have mercy, that we may sing to you:

• Rejoice, Nicholas, the new Israel;
• Rejoice, sharp sword that cuts down ungodliness;
• Rejoice, strength of the faithful;
• Rejoice, death of the lawless;
• Rejoice, you who received the Holy Spirit like a dove;
• Rejoice, you who drown evil spirits in the sea of fire;
• Rejoice, dove of the Lord;
• Rejoice, snare that catches the evil one;
• Rejoice, you who grant release to the bound;
• Rejoice, for you bound the godless heresies;
• Rejoice, for you open the mouths of the Orthodox;
• Rejoice, for you bind the mouths of the wicked;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 10

We have heard that Basil speaking and before all recounting your wonders, which you did with him, father; and marvelling, we have glorified your power given to you by God; for you, as a good shepherd, swiftly run to those who pray to you and for all you pray to God and the Master singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Deliver us, father, with your prayers, as also that Basil. Hear us, O most venerable one, with your hearing, as you heard the bound generals. Give us a helping hand, Nicholas, as you gave to those who were enveloped in the sea, that I may cry to you these things:

• Rejoice, second Moses;
• Rejoice, spiritual tablet;
• Rejoice, garment of the priesthood;
• Rejoice, foreteller of righteousness;
• Rejoice, darkener of unrighteousness;
• Rejoice, God-crowned hierarch;
• Rejoice, you who fence the mouths of the blasphemers;
• Rejoice, light kindled with divine flame;
• Rejoice, for you quenched the devilish flame;
• Rejoice, gold refined by God;
• Rejoice, for you sunk Satan like lead in the deep;
• Rejoice, much-luminous pearl;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 11

You are the good shepherd, Nicholas, for you lead your flock to the spiritual pasture and water it from the fountain of paradise. Therefore together with you we sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

Being a tree of paradise, O blessed one, having pillars of unceasing prayers to God, grant us ever to be shaded under their shadow that we may cry to you:

• Rejoice, dweller in the dwelling of the Most High;
• Rejoice, you who drowned the devilish sons;
• Rejoice, guardian of your order;
• Rejoice, metropolitan;
• Rejoice, for you put to shame the fable of Arius's heresies;
• Rejoice, mother of the multitude of earthly peoples;
• Rejoice, wound of the multitude of demons;
• Rejoice, father and teacher;
• Rejoice, for you put to shame the teacher of heresies;
• Rejoice, you who honored gray hairs, adorning them with spiritual wisdom;
• Rejoice, you who put to shame the hated gray hairs of Arius;
• Rejoice, for through you we have learned to worship the Creator in Trinity;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 12

Your all-honored wisdom put to shame the erring Arius, and your mind destroyed the multitude of gods; save also our erring souls and teach us to sing with you to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

With heart we have been terrified, with soul we have been troubled, with tongue we know not what to say, except these:

• Rejoice, you who are greatest among priests;
• Rejoice, you who are president on the throne of Myra;
• Rejoice, co-sitter on the throne with the apostles;
• Rejoice, you who are a high light;
• Rejoice, you who cast down the high thoughts of the devilish thoughts of slandering Arius;
• Rejoice, root of the divine tree;
• Rejoice, for you cut the root of Satan's heresies;
• Rejoice, tree planted by angels;
• Rejoice, you who locked the angel of Satan in the deep;
• Rejoice, calm harbor of the storm-tossed;
• Rejoice, good pilot of the spiritual ship;
• Rejoice, for through you we are granted endless life;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful father Nicholas, we weep and run to your support, bringing to you now this small prayer, that you may deliver us from eternal torment with your prayers, O most praised hierarch, and grant us the eternal kingdom, that together with you we may sing the song to God: Alleluia! (this Kontakion is said three times)

Then Oikos 1 is said again:

You appeared in a dream to the God-loving emperor, and concerning the death of those generals you terrified him, and quickly heeding your command, Nicholas, he ordered that they be set free. Therefore they were seized with joy and fear, and I with them cry to you, Holy Nicholas:

• Rejoice, consecrated head;
• Rejoice, you who crushed the devilish head with your prayers;
• Rejoice, servant of the King of all;
• Rejoice, helper of the faithful;
• Rejoice, strength of Orthodoxy;
• Rejoice, destroyer of the lawless;
• Rejoice, you who are inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit;
• Rejoice, you who destroyed the storm of the multitude of gods;
• Rejoice, you who converse with the angels;
• Rejoice, expeller of demons;
• Rejoice, utterance of divine words;
• Rejoice, you who stopped the mouths of heretics;
• Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

and Kontakion 1: You who pour out precious myrrh to all the world, and to me, the unworthy one, a sinner more than all, grant that I may bring to you a song, Father Nicholas. You, who have boldness before God, free me from all distress that I may sing to you: Rejoice, Holy Hierarch Nicholas, great wonderworker!

After this is read this

PRAYER

O most good father Nicholas, shepherd and teacher of those who run with faith to your help and with fervent prayer call upon you, be swift to help them; deliver the flock of Christ from the wolves that ravage it, and protect and guard all Christian lands through your holy prayers from worldly tumults, from earthquake, from invasion of other nations, from captivity and from civil war, from famine, from flood, from sword, from disease and from sudden death; and as you had mercy on the three men who sat in prison and delivered them from the king's wrath and from the sword's edge, so have mercy also on us who in mind, word and deed are in the darkness of sins, and deliver us from the wrath of God and eternal torment, that through your intercession, with the help, mercy and grace of Christ, God may grant us a peaceful and sinless life, that we may live in this age, and deliver us from the left-hand portion, and grant us to be worthy of the right-hand portion together with all the saints. Amen.