The shrine of St. Menas used to be for the Ancient Eastern Orthodox world what Lourdes is for Roman Catholics, a place where thousands of pilgrims would bring their prayers in distress and receive the grace of God in return, through the intercessions of the Holy Martyr.
Though the Shrine of Saint Menas was one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of the early Middle Ages, it fell into oblivion over the centuries with the Muslim occupation and was even believed by many scholars to be a myth. Following its discovery in 1905, the ruins of the fabled city of St. Menas were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 as one of the five most historically important sites in Egypt. Read more here
In the Eastern Orthodox Tadition people continue to ask for his intercessions at time of loss, trial, unjust persecution, sickness and so on. The saints, as he did yesterday continues today to intercede for us to his most beloved Christ.
Here is a link to the accounts of his martyrdom.
Link to the Wikipedia page of the Monastery of Abu Mena in Egypt
Some of the accounts of his miracles and his life here
Bellow is an English translation, based on the Romanian text of his Akathyst Hymn. This is the only one I know about in English. Please excuse any typos and grammar issues. This is still work in progress.
Holy Martyr Menas pray to God for us!
Akathist Hymn to the Holy Great Martyr Menas, the Wonderworker of Egypt
Standing in front of the Icon of the Saint and we start with 7 bows as follows:
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Bow
God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. Bow
You created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. Bow
I have sinned immeasurably, O Lord, forgive me. Bow
My most holy Lady Theotokos, save me, a sinner. Bow
My holy Guardian Angel, protect me from all evil. Bow
Holy Martyr Menas pray to God for me. Bow
Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, o Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen
Lord, have mercy (12).
Come, let us worship and bow down to God, our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ himself, our King and our God.
PSALM 50 (51)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak, and victorious when You are judged. For behold, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. For behold, You have loved truth; You have made known to me the secret and hidden things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; You shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the afflicted bones may rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me with Your governing Spirit. I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, my tongue shall joyfully declare Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and a humbled heart. Do good in Your good pleasure to Sion; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole burnt offerings. Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
PSALM 69 (70)
O God, be attentive to help me. Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek my life. Let them be turned back and be ashamed who desire evil against me. Let them be turned back because of their shame, who say to me, Well done! Well done! Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified! But as for me, I am poor and needy; 0 God, help me! You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
PSALM 142 (143)
Lord, hear my prayer. In Your truth, give ear to my supplications; in Your righteousness, hear me. Enter not into judgment with Your servant, for no one living is justified in Your sight. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead, and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your works; I pondered on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Lord, hear me quickly; my spirit fails. Turn not Your face away from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Let me hear Your mercy in the morning, for in You I have put my trust. Lord, teach me to know the way in which ?1 should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; to You have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me on a level path; Lord, for your name’s sake You shall preserve my life. In your righteousness, You shall bring my soul out of trouble, and in Your mercy, You shall utterly destroy my enemies. And You shall destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.
DOXOLOGY
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to all people. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to you for Your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father, almighty Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us, You who take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy upon us. For You only are holy, only You are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Each evening we bless You, and we praise Your name forever and to the ages of ages. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You . Lord, to You have I fled; teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For You are the source of life, and in Your light we shall see light. Continue Your mercy to those who know You. Lord, grant to keep us this night without sin. Blessed are You, Lord, God of our fathers. Your name is praised and glorified from all ages. Amen. Let Your mercy, Lord, lighten upon us, as our trust is in You. Blessed are You, Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Master, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Holy One, enlighten me in Your commandments. Your mercy, Lord, endures forever; turn not away from the works of Your hands. To you belongs praise, to You belongs worship, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
THE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and He suffered and was buried. On the third day He rose according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the ages to come. Amen.
And immediately we start reading the Kontakia:
Kontakion 1
The entire world has found you to be a great champion when in grave perils; for many you have saved from losses: tracking the thieves, driving away deprivations and fulfilling the requests of those that run to you in faith; for these we pray to you, be merciful to us who sing to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Eikos 1
The Word of God enlightened the world by His incarnation, and through Him sprung forth the multitude of the martyrs which spilled their blood in great sufferings, making themselves protectors of those in need; for this we sing to you:
Rejoice, unwaning star.
Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.
Rejoice, the light of those at loss.
Rejoice, the revealer of the kidnappers.
Rejoice, the mystery that exposes the wicked deeds.
Rejoice, the dam that stops the drifting.
Rejoice, the pillar that hinders the rudeness.
Rejoice, the depth that loses the gluttony.
Rejoice, the breath that strengthens the hearts of those in suffering.
Rejoice, the hand that discovers the lootings.
Rejoice, the chain that bonds the lawless.
Rejoice, the fog that clouds the unclean thoughts.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 2
A swift victor you were shown forth against the persecutors who wish to loot the work of the unfortunate poor and extinguish his being with menacing trials; for this we cry out to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Eikos 2
Let no lawless men deign to rule over us, O Holy Martyr, when they rise against us like the waves of the sea that come bubbling on the wings of the raging wind; but let them fall from your face like the wheat of the field so we can bless you saying:
Rejoice, our strong hope.
Rejoice, the fall of the unlawful enemies.
Rejoice, the tamer of the insatiable beasts.
Rejoice, the moderation of the arrogant kidnappers.
Rejoice, for those that disrespect your commandments tremble in fear.
Rejoice, for those that do not seek your name as a helper are suffering.
Rejoice, for those that do not glorify your wonders are lost.
Rejoice, for those that distress you are troubled.
Rejoice, for those that thank you boast of joy.
Rejoice, for all creation rejoices of your mercy.
Rejoice, for all that have trespassed repent in fear of you.
Rejoice, the savior of those humiliated.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 3
Righteousness and peace having in your thoughts, you have left the war camp of Phrygia, being unable to watch the pagan worship; for this, going up the mountain, with fasting and prayers you cleansed your soul of sin and strengthened your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, singing: Alleluia!
Eikos 3
The pagans, unable to bear your holy deeds that exposed their deceiving idol worship, for you were preaching the faith in Christ to the people and you were proving that He is God That performs wonders, not the stone and the brass of the idols, they put you through tribulations that you have lovingly accepted.
Rejoice, the one that was whipped all over your body with leather thongs.
Rejoice, the one that was burned with fire in the end.
Rejoice, the one that endured the stinging of the iron thistles.
Rejoice, for you were pierced all over with spears.
Rejoice, for you have suffered iron mallets on your temple.
Rejoice, for other works you have endured with patience.
Rejoice, for you have not blamed God for your passions.
Rejoice, especially for you have fought with joy against flesh and blood.
Rejoice, for Alexandria was terrified by your strong faith.
Rejoice, for the tyrants were reprimanded by your daring deeds.
Rejoice, for not having anything else to scare you with, they commanded that you be slain by sword.
Rejoice, for many of the watchers were blessing you saying:
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 4
The blessed faith of the East finally raising the Cross among the pagan nations, after the fall of the tyrant monarchs enemies of Christianity, your church was built in Alexandria by a Christ loving citizen, in the time of Constantine the Emperor; and there your holy remains were brought so we can bow to them and sing: Alleluia!
Eikos 4
Lifting our voices to you we cry out: hasten, O Holy Martyr, and protect us; do not neglect our hopes in your great mercy; for where else can we can hope to be alleviated in our sinfulness if not in you, after our Savior and His most pure Mother, if not in you who have suffered with love for Christ and for our salvation; extend your hand to us, O Holy Martyr, so we can bless you singing:
Rejoice, the founder of lost items.
Rejoice, the one that brings them back in their original state.
Rejoice, the boast of honest citizens.
Rejoice, the happiness of the merchants with honest weights.
Rejoice, the unsleeping watcher of villages and towns who suffer losses.
Rejoice, the salvation of those threatened by flame or storm.
Rejoice, the redeemer of the nations that trouble with terrible invasions and unrighteous oppressions.
Rejoice the advisor of the travelers that ask your help.
Rejoice, the savior of men from sudden death.
Rejoice, the escape of the ships tormented by storms and thievery.
Rejoice, the alleviation of the oppressed and plaintive soul.
Rejoice, our own fast protector in sufferings.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 5
Food for the salvation of our lives send us from God, O Holy Martyr, so we do not perish from the multitude of the passions that pile up on us, for we are all sinners; but what sin or what multitude of trespasses can ever overcome the boundless mercy of God, having as intercessors the hosts of the martyrs singing with us: Alleluia!
Eikos 5
A humble and contrite heart God will no despise, says the Holy Emperor and Prophet David. For this, humiliating ourselves until the end, we fall down to you, O Holy and Great Martyr Menas, pray to God for us sinner so He would alleviate our pains by destroying our enemies that fight against His commandments. Come near us then, O holy Martyr, come near us in our suffering, so we can glorify your wonders singing:
Rejoice, intercessor to God of those in pain.
Rejoice, steadfast help in Him.
Rejoice, powerful aid for those that keep His commandments.
Rejoice, unashamed hope of Christians.
Rejoice, incense well received in heavens through prayer.
Rejoice chosen vessel of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, the one that do not wish the wickedness of people.
Rejoice, the one that cry for their lack of skills.
Rejoice for you teach them to live in communion and love.
Rejoice, for you always inspire them to good deeds.
Rejoice, for you brought many to repentance.
Rejoice, for you always pray for all.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 6
The Jew who was suffering because of the Christian who was hiding the money that he left in his care, wanted to be baptized seeing the miracle, as you uncovered the truth; and the Christian, trembling in fear of his wicked deed against his soul for his love of silver, repented crying to God: Alleluia!
Eikos 6
The oath breaker Christian and the shrewd friend of the Judean, as he was exiting your church where he has given false witnessing, that he does not know of that money, was kidnapped by the horse; and loosing on the way a ring and a key, you showed them to his wife at home, asking her to send to her husband the gold of the Jew, and as it happened immediately the trick was discovered.
Rejoice, the revealer of the hidden trick.
Rejoice, finder of the stolen gold.
Rejoice, shaming of the wicked deeds.
Rejoice, bitterness following their pursuit.
Rejoice, fulfillment of the duties of faith.
Rejoice, baptizer of the Judean.
Rejoice, repentance of the lost Christian.
Rejoice, glory of the Eastern Church.
Rejoice, for through your miracle the power of the gift of grace was shown forth.
Rejoice, for through the work of grace two souls were saved.
Rejoice, worthy worshipper of Christ.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 7
How could we break the enchanted chains that the devil uses to bond the weak souls pulling them to him, if we would not have our thoughts meditating upon salvation? Therefore, strengthening our minds through the powers of the Holy Martyrs chosen by God, clear the fog of deception and loose the ties of the deceiver trough repentance, singing: Alleluia!
Eikos 7
Glory to you Holy Emperor, Almighty God That have chosen Your Holy Martyrs and Apostles from among us, so they can free us from the snares of the enemy and share with us Your inexpressible good things, so thus Your All Holy name be glorified and we can sing:
Rejoice, Menas loved by God.
Rejoice, O blessed Martyr.
Rejoice, tireless warrior.
Rejoice, courageous brave.
Rejoice, untainted mind.
Rejoice, sleepless watcher.
Rejoice, skilful physician.
Rejoice, un-bribed judge.
Rejoice, unbiased supporter.
Rejoice, unending gift.
Rejoice, giver of good gifts.
Rejoice, worker of many wonders.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 8
Your name, more than any of the saints, is wished by the Christians, O Menas, for they find in you the fast and full discovery of any loss they suffer. For this also suffering today they sit in front of your holy icon and with faith they pray to have mercy on them and fulfilling their need they can give glory to you singing: Allelluia!
Eikos 8
Tired of the waves of trials that come against us, we cannot fight and we are not worthy of mercy, because we have no repentance, deepening ourselves in wicked thoughts and deeds; for this we fall down to you to save us from the temptations that burden us and to strengthen us in the love of God, so escaping from our enemies we could sing to you:
Rejoice, tower of strength.
Rejoice, ray of joy.
Rejoice, powerful protector.
Rejoice, wall of salvation.
Rejoice, reassuring thought.
Rejoice, saving shore.
Rejoice, holy light.
Rejoice, undefeated weapon.
Rejoice, heavenly Angel.
Rejoice, godly gift.
Rejoice, protector of Christians.
Rejoice, who have mercy on the poor.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 9
Let the passions you endured be a help toward our own passions and let the wounds of your body be a protection for the pains that trouble our rest. Give us therefore, in perils, your patience, O Holy Martyr, so through it we may achieve the salvation of our souls and strengthen our shortcomings, so we can sing: Alleluia!
Eikos 9
With your blood shed for the love of Christ wash the uncleanness of our sins, all blessed one, and with the multitude of your wonders change the minds of those that oppress us so we are not wrongly condemned, and they could not darken the truth of our causes according to their will, for you are the one that exposes all wickedness and you are worthy for us to sing:
Rejoice, the embrace of those oppressed in judgments.
Rejoice, victory of the soldiers that fight for the faith.
Rejoice, fertile land of good deeds.
Rejoice, beautiful flower from Syria.
Rejoice, pearl chosen by God.
Rejoice, rose with good fragrance among the thorns of idolatry.
Rejoice, precious stone from the treasures of Egypt.
Rejoice, gift through which the purpose of the Eastern Magi was fulfilled.
Rejoice, cedar grown among the cedars of Lebanon.
Rejoice, land irrigated by the Jordan waters.
Rejoice, sleepless guardian of the monasteries of the Holy Mountain.
Rejoice, faithful teacher of those who travel to the Holy Sepulcher of our Savior.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 10
The remains of the traveler killed by the wicked host to take his gold he was going to take to your church, cutting him in pieces and burying him in the garden, you unearthed, and, next day, making him again whole as he was, you gave him life. Terrified by this miracle the murderer fell down to your feet and with tears implored mercy. And the travelers awaken as from a dream after death gave glory to God singing: Alleluia!
Eikos 10
In vain was the attempt of the guilty host to hide the killing of the foreigner, whom spending the night at his place, he hosted. And you, following him unseen for the love he had for you, you showed yourself the next day as a royal soldier, asking the host to give you the traveler, and him, lying about it, you discovered his acts and reprimanded him greatly.
Rejoice, miracle above all miracles.
Rejoice, for you were given the gift to restore and to resurrect the body slain into pieces.
Rejoice, for the guilty one was terrified by your power.
Rejoice, for the victim did not know why he was so terrified and hard on himself.
Rejoice, for you did not want this miracle to be told immediately.
Rejoice, for through your economy both were in great awe.
Rejoice, the one that made the traveler fulfill his wish, worshiping you.
Rejoice, for following on his promise he brought great gifts into your church.
Rejoice, helper of all that run to you.
Rejoice, helper of all that glorify you.
Rejoice, provider of dowry to the poor girls.
Rejoice, the one that lifts the burden of those in great debt.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 11
The Mystery of the providence that was fulfilled through you, Menas, being able to restore the body slain into pieces of the murdered traveler and to bring him back to life, is incomprehensible; for this, wondering of the gift that was given to you from God, in faith we sing: Alleluia!
Eikos 11
The self loving Eutropious, promising a vessel of silver for your church, and making two in the same time, thought that the one that had your name on it was more beautiful than his; so he decided to keep it for himself. But you disliking this wrongdoing took the vessel from his servant that was bathing in the ship and kept them both in the sea until Eutropious understood his greed and repented.
Rejoice, for immediately you took out the servant with the vessel from the sea.
Rejoice, for the servant unharmed shown forth to his master.
Rejoice, for giving thanks to God, he took the vessel in the church.
Rejoice, for you have reprimanded Eutropious for his daring act.
Rejoice, the restorer of his greedy attitude.
Rejoice, for you have saved the innocent servant from death.
Rejoice, for in this way you wanted to show the power of true faith.
Rejoice, for you changed the wrong will, not for the object, but for the wrong endeavor
Rejoice, for you brought glory to God through your miracle.
Rejoice, for His name was glorified through your wonders.
Rejoice, for in His name you suffered so you can partake in His victory.
Rejoice, O Great Martyr ready to help.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 12
Sophia, a women from the land of Fecozalia that was coming to your church to pray, seeing her self in danger of being abused by a soldier, asked you for help with voice, and immediately you saved her, exposing him with shame to the others; for this the women gave glory to God singing: Alleluia!
Eikos 12
The paralytic and a dumb women, that were sitting near your church with other sick people, waiting for their healing, saw you in the middle of the night, saying: “You, the paralytic, wake that lady and flee from here”; at what words, the paralytic, for he thought he was being sent away from you, was not moving; but you, asking him again, he had to listen and immediately they realized they were cured.
Rejoice, for the paralytic ran away terrified.
Rejoice, for the frightened dumb women spoke.
Rejoice for you have cured other sick also.
Rejoice, for you humiliated the unfaithful.
Rejoice, for you gave joy to the lovers of Christ.
Rejoice, for you sheltered the foreigners.
Rejoice, for you fed the hungry.
Rejoice, for you had mercy on the widows.
Rejoice, the protector from perils.
Rejoice, the savior of Sophia.
Rejoice, the comforter of the oppressed.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 13
(said three times)
O, all blessed Martyr Menas, listen to the voice of our prayer that we bring to you with all our heart, save us from all diseases and dangers so we can praise your commemoration and become witnesses of the miracles that, with the power of the gift of the Holy Spirit, you work for those who sing in faith to you: Alleluia!
And again we sing the Eikos 1
Eikos 1
The Word of God enlightened the world by His incarnation, and through Him sprung forth the multitude of the martyrs which spilled their blood in great sufferings, making themselves protectors of those in need; for this we sing to you:
Rejoice, unwaning star.
Rejoice, ray of immaterial fire.
Rejoice, the light of those at loss.
Rejoice, the revealer of the kidnappers.
Rejoice, the mystery that exposes the wicked deeds.
Rejoice, the dam that stops the drifting.
Rejoice, the pillar that hinders the rudeness.
Rejoice, the depth that loses the gluttony.
Rejoice, the breath that strengthens the hearts of those in suffering.
Rejoice, the hand that discovers the lootings.
Rejoice, the chain that bonds the lawless.
Rejoice, the fog that clouds the unclean thoughts.
Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
Kontakion 1
The entire world has found you to be a great champion when in grave perils; for many you have saved from losses: tracking the thieves, driving away deprivations and fulfilling the requests of those that run to you in faith; for these we pray to you, be merciful to us who sing to you: Rejoice, O Holy Martyr Menas the great passion bearer.
After this we say this prayer :
Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr and Wonderworker Menas of Egypt.
O, Most Holy and all-lauded Great Martyr and wonder-worker Menas; receive this prayer from me, your unworthy servant, because to you, as a true fountain of healings, ready to help and miraculous helper, I come with tears of repentance to your holy icon and pray: See my loss, O Holy Martyr, my insufficiency and my wickedness, see the wounds and the plague of my soul. Therefore I pray to you, blessed and Holy Menas, hasten to help me with your holy prayers and sustain me your servant. Take heed to my sorrows and do not overlook me the sinner, for I know, O Holy Martyr of God that you endured dreadful and terrifying tortures from the lawless ones for the love of Christ, but through these sufferings you live enlightened today and you found the gift from God. We are certain that even after your divine passing from this ephemeral life, all the ones that asked your help with faith in your church were not deceived and continued to receive your help. For who called you for help and you did not hear? Or who called you, O wonder-worker, and you overlooked? Or who, being at loss and running to your help, you did not recovered his deficit?
Your miracles and your help compelled me also, the wicked and the sinner, to run to your help. I heard of the merchant from the land of Isauria that was coming to your church to pray and not only had you revealed his murderer, but you also recovered his loss giving him back the purse with gold; but O, great wonder, even the dead man, cut into pieces, you healed and made healthy.
In the same manner you took out of the water the servant of Eutropious with the golden vessel he was holding in his hands, because he had promised it to your church. Also the women Sophia, that was coming to worship in your temple, not only you saved her from the soldier that was forcing her into sin, but you also reprimanded him according to his deeds. In the same manner the paralytic who was coming to your church you healed immediately. And the dumb woman started speaking and she spoke clearly. So the Judean that gave his Christian friend a sum of money and the Christian denied to have received it, taking an oath into your very church, you not only saved the Christian from his lying oath, but even the Jew, seeing the miracle, believed in you and became a Christian. These miracles of yours, O Holy Martyr, make me believe that you are ready for every good deed and you are ready as a quick and miraculous helper.
Therefore I am convinced that everyone that runs to you, asking your help with faith, you do not overlook. I also believe that you are the same, O Holy Martyr, yesterday and today, and that all that run to you do not return without help. For this I also today, being at loss and in distress, I run to you in faith and, with tears, kneeling down, I pray to you, O Holy and Great Martyr Menas, intercede for me, the one at loss and in distress, to Christ, the Son of God that have not overlooked your martyr prayer, but listened to you, gave you strength and received you in the holy abodes. Pray to Him so I may receive help and mercy through your prayers, and I can be saved from my losses and my tribulations, so I can glorify and bless the all holy name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Martyr Menas, pray to God for us!
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil one. Amen
Apolytikion of St. Menas, Tone 4
With great valor of soul, you did strive in martyrdom, and having fought the good fight, O divine Great Martyr Menas, from Heaven you have received the gift of miracles; for God has shown You to the world as a worker of great signs, and He made you our protector and a swift help in afflictions and ever-vigilant defense from harm.
Lord, have mercy (40x).
Through the prayers of our Holy Father, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
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In the last month two stories of violence against Orthodox priests caught the Orthodox news channels attention. One happened in Russia and one here, on American soil.
You have done well for repenting right away. God has left repentance for salvation. If that was not the case, not even the Apostles would have been saved, far less other people. You have sinned with the tongue, repented with the heart. You said an evil word against your neighbor. As if you threw a spark into dry straw. The whole village heard it and made a mockery of it. The neighbor was bitter and sued you. You paid a lot, and became more miserable. You are bitter with yourself. It is not so hard for you that the court has punished you, but it is hard that your offended neighbor keeps punishing you. He does not wish to speak with you anymore. He keeps quiet and turns away from you. What should you do?
Yury A. Fedorov was born in the city of Leningrad (now St Petersburg) on September 28 1953; he was educated at the Department of Physics and Mechanics of the Polytechnic Institute; he also attended evening drawing and painting classes at the Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. After serving in the army (airborne troops), he worked at an oncology research centre; later, Fedorov devoted himself entirely to creating crosses and carved church ritual items, and to studying staurography (crosses and their design) and Byzantine and Old Rus-Ukraine art. He participated in archaeological excavations and helped organize Christian art exhibitions. In 1995, he showed his art at the World Miniature Art Exhibition held in London; since 1996 he has been collecting Christian ritual and other religious objects. He is the founder of the Maysternya Yuriya Fedorova Jewellery Studio.
impelled him to take a closer look. The more he looked, the more he felt their magnetic force — and at one point he was overwhelmed by realization that those icons and crosses lived a secret life of their own. Fedorov began creating his own icons and crosses, and he did not have to start from scratch — since his childhood he had been drawing, painting and carving wood. At first, he was not satisfied with the result of his artistic endeavours. As far as the form was concerned, his icons and crosses looked quite the way such things should look, but he felt the right content was missing. He began to attend drawing and painting classes at the Repin Art Institute; he studied Byzantine and Old Rus art. But the desired breakthrough occurred only when Fedorov discovered Christian faith. He came to believe in one God, creator of the heaven and earth.
As an artist, he knows to perfection all the Church canons, symbols and traditional imagery. He believes that only in closely following them, a religious artist can fully reveal the essence of the Christian teaching and Church sacraments. In his opinion, the main difference between secular and ecclesiastical art lies in regarding art not as an end in itself but a way to express the spiritual content of the soul, and as a way of coming to know God. That is why, he says, the Beauty should be regarded as one of the manifestations of God, and aesthetical principles as a spiritual exercise; the artistic skills and technique should be subservient to the spiritual task the artist wants to fulfil. Otherwise, Fedorov argues, instead of religious art, “we shall have ritual objects.”
Obraz khresta presents the story of the origin and symbolism of the cross in an engaging manner. Fedorov describes the different forms and shapes of the Christian crosses and their use in church and in daily life. Being an artist who makes crosses himself, Fedorov devotes meticulous attention to the crosses that are supposed to be worn around the neck on the chest. Christian crosses and crucifixes reflected the iconographic traditions and aesthetical principles of the times when they were created, preserving at the same time their supertemporal character — the cross symbolizes the unity of the faithful with the Christ and with Church, presents in a symbolical and generalized manner the very essence of the Christian faith, and glorifies the Holy Church and the sacrifice of the Saviour. Also, pieces of the Life-giving Cross were sometimes regarded as charms, talismans with magical properties, but such an attitude to the cross was condemned by the Church as being too close to paganism.
