Kontakion 1
Let us believers with one voice all praise him who
was sent by God in these times of trial for our comfort and guidance, Paisius
the wonderful, who struggled graciously and pleasingly for the Master, burning
with love for the whole world and pledged his heart for us and for our
salvation. And let us call out to him in thanksgiving, saying: Rejoice, Blessed
Father Paisius, enlightener of the latter times!
Ikos 1
God ordained that thou wast born in the blessed land
of Cappadocia, the cradle of a countless multitude of saints, to whom thou too
wast added in perfect worthiness, shining forth together with them and
unceasingly guiding us to repentance. Therefore we praise thee with great joy,
saying:
Rejoice, for thou didst make thyself a precious
follower of the saints of Cappadocia!
Rejoice, for thou didst wholly liken thyself to them
as a true bearer of God!
Rejoice, most fair and fragrant flower, who hast
blossomed for our enlightenment!
Rejoice, wellspring of heavenly grace, who
refreshest the whole world!
Rejoice, sweetest food, who fillest the souls that
are starved of right teaching!
Rejoice, receptacle that hast gathered all our
weaknesses, troubles and sorrows!
Rejoice, pillar of fire, who art the unshakable
support of those that desire to gain salvation!
Rejoice, star that shinest in the firmament of the
Church, guiding us to the everlasting mansions!
Rejoice, for thou wast shown to be a blessing of God
and a sign of His ineffable mercy!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 2
O Blessed Father, thou wast chosen from thy mother's
womb to give thyself up to God in all things and thus become a precious vessel
unto Him, for the salvation and guidance of all that put their hope in thee. To
Him, Who worked great wonders and mercy through thee, for such a blessing we
all sing with joy the song: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
The baptism which thou, O Father, didst receive from
the hands of the saint of God, Arsenius, was a sign of God’s grace resting on
thee. For seeing thy many gifts in spirit, from thine early infancy he blessed
thee to be his disciple and bear his name. Therefore, despite our unworthiness,
we honour thee, saying:
Rejoice, for thou wast found worthy to be baptized
by Saint Arsenius the Cappadocian!
Rejoice, for he foresaw all that was to come to pass
with thee!
Rejoice, for his spirit rejoiced, seeing such
blessed fruit sprung forth from the flock that he shepherded!
Rejoice, for on account of this he cared for thee
unceasingly through all his earthly life!
Rejoice, for even after departing to heaven he did
not forsake thee, but all the more interceded for thee!
Rejoice, for thou too didst honour him as befitting,
piously reckoning him to be thy father in Christ!
Rejoice, for thou didst struggle heartily for his
glorification, gathering testimonies of his wondrous life!
Rejoice, for the Saint of God blessed thee to find
his most beloved relics, which became a fount of countless healings!
Rejoice, for lovingly thou didst lay his revered
body in the monastery founded by thee at Souroti!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 3
Moving to Greece because of the tyrannical Turkish
persecution, thy parents came to the land of Konitsa, and, sacrificing thyself,
O father, thou didst begin to ascend the godly ladder of perfection. For even
since childhood, thou wast shown to be to be a guiding light for all those
around thee, who, seeing thy precious gifts, glorified God, saying: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Instructed by the example of thy parents, from a
young age thou didst strive with burning zeal for the love of Christ, showing
the deeds of a perfect man. For following thy blessed mother, before long thou
didst begin to fast strictly and pray unceasingly to God, a hermit by life, yet
a child by age. Wondering at the manliness of thy heart, with joy we sing to
thee thus:
Rejoice, for still young thou didst wholly forsake
the fleeting lusts of this world!
Rejoice, for through perfect fasting thou didst
preserve unspoiled the crown of virginity!
Rejoice, for thy youth did not prevent thee from
acquiring unceasing prayer in solitude!
Rejoice, for instead of revelling in childish games,
thou didst delight in ever being with Christ and His saints!
Rejoice, for on account of this thou didst avoid the
friendship of those that sundered thee from thine ardent love!
Rejoice, for thou didst not only strive for outward
things, but also adorned thy soul with all virtue!
Rejoice, for thou didst follow the kindness and
devoutness of thy blessed mother!
Rejoice, for she set thee an unspoiled example of
love and utter self-sacrifice!
Rejoice, for we all wonder at the courage with which
thou didst begin to fight the good fight!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 4
Called to battle to defend thy country from the
unbelievers, O Father, thou didst shine forth in thy boundless courage. For,
wholly forsaking the love of self, thou didst ever seek to be amidst peril, in
order to spare those that fought together with thee. And seeing this, they all
thanked God for such support, saying: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
O Blessed Father, thou didst use the war as a means
of sanctification, for thou didst unceasingly grow in love beyond passion,
sacrificing thy soul for the sake of thy friends. And thus thou didst win
immortal crowns from Christ our God, Who makes Himself a hundredfold reward for
all sacrifice. Understanding this, we too hasten to bring words like these to
praise thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast a wonderful example of utter
self-sacrifice in battle!
Rejoice, for thou didst utterly scorn this earthly
life, thus earning heavenly life!
Rejoice, for thou didst not lose thy piety in the
dread perils which thou didst endure!
Rejoice, for through the greatness of thy soul, thou
didst make thyself a light of sanctification to those around thee!
Rejoice, for thou didst help in and out of season
all in trouble and sorrow!
Rejoice, for thou didst utterly overcome human fear,
arming thyself with iron courage!
Rejoice, for fighting against the enemies of thy
country, thou didst also secretly fight against the enemies of Thy soul!
Rejoice, for although thou didst wish to die in
place of thy friends, God shielded thee as His most beloved one!
Rejoice, for through the wonderful power of thy
soul, thou didst show us also the path to perfection!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 5
With burning zeal thou didst forsake the world, O
Father, and wholly dedicate thyself to Christ, joining the army of monks, who
unceasingly struggle to overcome their nature. And in a short time thou didst
become an angel in the flesh, wholly clothing thyself in Him, to Whom we too
humbly sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Thou didst withdraw to the blessed desert of Sinai
in order to serve Christ, O Blessed Father, and overcoming the lusts of the
world, thou didst become perfect man, shining forth with all virtue and burning
with true love for God, Who through thee bestowed on us the abundance of His
mercy. Therefore, despite our unworthiness, we too thank thee, saying:
Rejoice, angelic man, for thou didst reckon all
worldly lusts as vanity!
Rejoice, for thou didst strive for three years in
the harsh desert of Sinai!
Rejoice, for unknown by all, thou didst live there
in a hidden cave, enduring heat and frost!
Rejoice, for there thou didst fight unto blood
against all desires!
Rejoice, for through thy great meekness, thou hast
utterly defeated the cunning demons!
Rejoice, for thou didst wash from thyself all the
filth of sin, becoming a true light of Christ!
Rejoice, for thou didst begin to pray with fervent
tears for the whole world!
Rejoice, for seeing thy overwhelming sacrifice, God
filled thee with gifts beyond nature!
Rejoice, for in thy narrow cave, thou wast
vouchsafed countless revelations of divine grace!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 6
After fighting the good fight in Sinai, O Father,
thou wast called by the Mother of God to her earthly garden, the Holy Mount of
Athos, the blossom and light of Orthodoxy. And foreseeing there the place of
thy perfection, thou didst thank the Most Holy Queen for her wondrous
protecting veil, with which she unceasingly shieldeth the whole world from
troubles and sufferings; and with joy thou didst sing to her Son the sweet
song: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Arriving on the Holy Mountain and taken to many
places by the grace of God, thou didst ascend the ladder of holiness, O Blessed
Father, like a wise bee gathering from everywhere the sweetest spiritual
nectar. And afterward thou didst become the son of Father Tikhon, the
Spirit-bearing Elder who was full of virtue and whom thou didst follow in
absolute obedience. Therefore, with feeble voices we sing to thee thus:
Rejoice, for God foreordained glorification for thee
on blessed Mount Athos!
Rejoice, for He entrusted thee to the care of His
Most Pure Mother, Who guarded thee as Her beloved son!
Rejoice, for overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, thou
didst wander over the whole Mountain, seeking out fathers of holy life!
Rejoice, for thou didst wonder at their unceasing
prayers, through which God sheddeth His mercy on the whole world!
Rejoice, for thou didst strive to write their lives
too, for the glory of God and the profit of men!
Rejoice, for afterward thou didst become the
disciple of Blessed Father Tikhon, the one perfect in holiness!
Rejoice, for thou didst serve him with endless love,
in all things trusting in his wise guidance!
Rejoice, for seeing thy utter obedience, God also
gave thee the gift to abide in thy holy father!
Rejoice, for after his repose, Blessed Tikhon
revealed to thee that he would pray for thee unceasingly!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 7
Perfecting thyself in absolute love, thou didst make
thyself a tool of God, Who began to work through thee with great power. For He
made thee a comfort for all those that were troubled and a guide for those that
were darkened in sin. We all thank God, O Father, for He gave thee to us for
our salvation, and we sing to Him thus: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father that is in heaven, said the Saviour
of the world with true voice. For in thee too, O Father, his word was fulfilled
with all power. Therefore we praise thee too, saying:
Rejoice, thou who hast taught the world through
books enlightened by the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, thou who through words of great profit hast
dispelled the ignorance of our times!
Rejoice, trumpet of the Spirit, who heralded to all
the joy of repentance!
Rejoice, wondrous prophet, who showed us that we
live in the end times!
Rejoice, merciful healer of all diseases which
cannot be healed!
Rejoice, precious carer for all whose souls are
burdened with sorrows!
Rejoice, godly oil that hast cleansed all our
wounds!
Rejoice, heavenly peace that hast brought so many
broken families back together!
Rejoice, skilful guide that hast removed all
devilish snares from among the people!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 8
Seeing the terrible struggle conducted by the enemy
of salvation against the family blessed by God, thou didst gird thyself with
the weapon of the word, teaching spouses that only patience, long-suffering,
forbearance and self-sacrifice with love can ensure the peace of their homes.
Unceasingly we glorify God for sending thee, O Blessed Father, to show us the
right way, and we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Give me Christian mothers and I will give you saints
to change the world, said the godly Chrysostom. And touched by this truth, thou
didst ever struggle with prayers and advice, showing faithful spouses that
peace in the family is fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that they must wisely
strive for this. We all thank thee for thine effort to bring healing to our
families, so cruelly struck by temptations, saying:
Rejoice, intercessor before God for the harmony of
those in married life!
Rejoice, for the faithful spouses whom thou didst
advise to live in moderation and holiness!
Rejoice, for thou didst teach them lovingly and
unselfishly to bear one another’s weaknesses!
Rejoice, for thou didst show the parents that
through prayer the grace of God descendeth on the whole family, bringing peace
and happiness!
Rejoice, for thou didst struggle against all sins,
seeing them as the cause of the falling apart of families!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thyself an unyielding
reprover of the horrible slaughter of infants!
Rejoice, for thou didst tell faithful mothers that
through the example of their lives they can turn their children into saints!
Rejoice, for thou didst show the young that through
obedience they attract the mercy of God and a peaceful life!
Rejoice, for thou didst beseech them to earn their
parents’ blessing, through which cometh also the blessing of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 9
Let us now joyfully praise Paisius, our intercessor,
who through his heartfelt prayers miraculously healed all our sufferings, both
in body and soul. And let us sing with thanksgiving to God, Who is glorified in
the Holy Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
O Father, thou didst make thyself the healer of all
diseases through the gift given to thee by God. For burning with love and pity
for those tormented by afflictions, thou didst selflessly pray for their
relief, teaching them to thank God for all things. We all praise thee with one
voice, saying:
Rejoice, strong weapon against the horrible disease
of cancer!
Rejoice, tireless carer for those that suffer in
terrible pain!
Rejoice, wellspring of healing, in which all those
wounded in soul refresh themselves!
Rejoice, banisher of demons, for with thy meekness
thou didst crush all the wickedness and tyranny of the devil!
Rejoice, most merciful father, for thou couldst not
bear to see the people crushed under the weight of their sufferings of body and
soul!
Rejoice, for on account of this thou didst take upon
thyself all our troubles and sorrows!
Rejoice, for thou didst selflessly pray that God
might give thee our weaknesses!
Rejoice, for thou didst teach us that all sorrows
come through straying from God and His commandments!
Rejoice, thou who hast shown us that the reward for
those that suffer with patience and glorify God is ineffable!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 10
The Lord and Saviour of the world promised a great
reward to those that would strive in righteousness for the perfection of
others. And though a simple monk and unlearned in worldly things, thou, O
Blessed Father, wast gifted with wisdom by the Spirit of the Lord Himself, to
guide thousands on the path of salvation. Unto now thou prayest for them to
God, to Whom with joy we too sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
On account of thy complete virtue, God adorned thee
with gifts beyond nature, which thou didst use for His glory and the profit of
men. For thou didst make thyself a father of countless believers, who, beset by
the terrible temptations of our times, sought thee as a heavenly haven. And
therefore we ask thee to accept us too among thy spiritual children and allow
us to sing with thanksgiving to thee thus:
Rejoice, for thou didst teach the people to struggle
against the evil thoughts sown in their minds by the enemy of our salvation!
Rejoice, for shining with the gift of discernment,
thou didst at once reveal to thy sons whether their thoughts were from God or
from the devil!
Rejoice, for by the grace of God thou knewest the
depths of the hearts of men!
Rejoice, for having great wisdom, thou hast brought
to naught all the cunning snares of the evil one!
Rejoice, for thou didst bring many to repentance
through thine unfeigned love!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thyself a wise reproof
of the proud and stubborn!
Rejoice, for thou wast a tender caress for those in
despair and overwhelmed by temptations!
Rejoice, for thou didst weep unceasingly for all
that looked to thee as a true hope of salvation!
Rejoice, for on the day of judgement thou shalt say
to God with sweet joy: Behold I and the children that Thou hast given me!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 11
Becoming a perfect monk, O Father, and full of the
grace of God, thou didst make thyself the steadfast hope of the unconsoled
souls of those who desired to dedicate themselves wholly to Christ. And in thy
gifts they all saw in thee a guide enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Therefore we
praise God, Who did not deprive His flock of shepherds of holy life, saying:
Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Thou didst found a convent in Souroti, where thy
finest spiritual daughters would dedicate themselves to Christ the Bridegroom
with great love. And then thou didst lead them to perfection through thy most
wondrous counsel, as a loving and long-suffering father, who is to us also an
undeceiving guide. Therefore we all bless thee, saying:
Rejoice, for thou didst found the convent of Saint
John the Theologian in Souroti!
Rejoice, for this became a haven of salvation for
souls that thirsted for Christ!
Rejoice, for thou didst strive in and out of season
to make the nuns into perfect brides of our Lord!
Rejoice, for thou didst teach them true monastic
life, signifying to forsake the world and its lusts!
Rejoice, for thou didst strive unceasingly to kindle
their zeal for blessed asectic feats!
Rejoice, for thou didst guide them to frequent
confession of sins, through which all the devil’s works are utterly despoiled!
Rejoice, for thy counsel fell on fruitful earth and
refreshed the whole world!
Rejoice, for thou didst struggle diligently against
the spirit of this world, which doth terrible harm to monastic life!
Rejoice, for through thy courage and love thou didst
make thyself an example of spiritual victory for all monks!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 12
Great was the grace of God on thee, O Blessed
Father, and also His great mercy, for on account of thy great self-sacrifice,
the Almighty vouchsafed thee wonderful revelations and joys beyond belief. We
too rejoice, seeing the reward that God giveth His saints, and we beg Him to
make us too partakers thereof and we sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Even from this earth, O Father, thou didst taste of
the joys of heaven, prepared by our All-Merciful God for all that serve Him
with love. For although the struggles which the evil one conducted against thee
were terrible, so much greater were the consolations through which God
strengthened thee in virtue. Therefore, in humble praise, we sing to thee:
Rejoice, all-sweet light, through which Christ
shineth forth to the whole world!
Rejoice, wonderful flame that thou kindlest in us
with the love of God!
Rejoice, for thou didst make thyself the perfect
abode of heavenly grace!
Rejoice, for in thee it bore all the fruits of holiness!
Rejoice, for God overwhelmed thee with His gifts
beyond nature!
Rejoice, for thou didst taste of everlasting and
uncreated light!
Rejoice, for thou didst live with the Saints as with
thy close friends!
Rejoice, for the Most Gracious Mother of our Lord
appeared to thee to strengthen thee in sorrows!
Rejoice, ineffable wonder, for thou wast vouchsafed
to speak to Christ Our Lord and God Himself!
Rejoice, Blessed Father Paisius, enlightener of the
latter times!
Kontakion 13
Thou, O Father, didst say with words enlightened by
the Holy Spirit that many saints would have desired to live in our times, in
order to strive for salvation. For Thou didst herald to us, who live in
darkness, that the time is almost ready and that those that now struggle
valiantly to win their salvation will receive a martyr’s reward. For this we
thank God, Who with mercy looked on His people, sending His Saint for our
enlightenment, and thus with voices of joy we gladly sing to our All-Gracious
Master the song: Alleluia!
This Kontakion is read 3 times.
And then again Ikos 1: God ordained that thou wast
born ... and Kontakion 1: Let us believers with one voice all praise ...
Then this:
Prayer to our Blessed Father Paisius the Athonite
O beloved Father Paisius, thou that didst ascend the
rungs of holiness and become perfect in virtue, therefore gaining boldness
before our Merciful God, do thou pray to Him, Whom thou didst serve unceasingly
all thy life, not to let us perish for the multitude of our sins, but to turn
us back to blessed repentance.
Thou, who on earth didst heal with such love our
countless weaknesses, diseases both of body and soul, canst all the more now
deliver us from all sufferings. So do thou have mercy on us, O Father, through
thy immeasurable love and godly kindness, not forsaking us that are full of
sins.
Do thou, who didst never tire of guiding us to
salvation and bearing our weaknesses whilst thou wast here with us, now grant
us too the wisdom to overcome the temptations which the wicked devil doth ever
weave around us and through which he would destroy our souls for eternity.
Enlighten us to know the will of God for us and pray to the Master that He
might give us power to fulfil it with thanksgiving.
Do thou, who didst set an unwavering example of
courage and self-sacrifice, strengthen us also to follow Thy virtue, that we
may win an everlasting crown, of which thou thyself wast found most worthy.
Thus, O Father, do not forsake us, who ceaselessly
anger our long-suffering God, but rather stand with boldness before His throne,
interceding for us with tears, that God may give us for thy sake most dear
salvation. And thus, thanking thee with all our heart for all that thou hast
done and still doest for us, let us also thank our Most Gracious God, Who is
glorified in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and
ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen!
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