"Save me, God!".
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Among the most revered saints of the Greek Church is St. Nektarios of Aegina. It is little known in the Eastern Orthodox world, but this does not diminish its miraculous properties. He is the author of the well-known chant in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos Agni Parfene. Remembrance Day of the Wonderworker is celebrated twice a year on September 16 and November 22.
Nectarius of Aegina, life
Saint Nektarios was born near Constantinople at the end of the 19th century in 1846. At baptism he was named Anastasius. The boy’s parents were deeply religious, so the child visited holy places and read the Holy Scriptures from childhood. Anastasia’s family was not rich, so he went to work in the city of Constantinople in order to have the opportunity to study.
At first he got a job at a tobacco factory, but there was not enough money. Therefore, Anastasius soon moved to the island of Chios, where he got a job as a teacher. In addition to teaching, he preached and also created a choir with schoolchildren, which sang at services in the local church. His influence on the local residents was so great that the saint believed in his goals and was increasingly drawn to God. Therefore, he accepted monasticism and was named Nektarios. It means "immortal".
Having graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Athens, being a forty-year-old man, Nektarios received the rank of priest. After serving for some time in the Church of St. Nicholas in the city of Cairo, Egypt, he was elevated to bishop. But, despite universal love and respect, the saint faced a huge trial. Because of the wonderful attitude of everyone around him, he acquired envious people and enemies. Nektarios was accused of encroaching on the throne of the patriarch and of leading an immoral lifestyle.
After being expelled from Egypt, the miracle worker returns to Athens. But they don’t accept him there either. Only the mayor of the city was able to help a little and arranged Nektarios as a preacher. But his canonical position was not completely clear, so Anastasius signed all the necessary documents as a “travelling bishop.”
But Queen Olga played a great role in the fate of Nektary. She heard about an elder from the province and became his novice. By order of the queen, Anastasius was appointed rector of the school of clergy.
Having many young girls in his parish who wanted to serve the Lord, the saint founded a convent on the island of Aegina. The elder spent the last years of his life on the island until he became seriously ill. For two months the doctors tried to alleviate the suffering of the patient, but the Lord called the soul of Nektarios to himself. This happened on November 8, 1920.
They say that when the saint's shirt was placed on the bed of a sick man lying next to him, he immediately received healing.
The wonderworker was buried in the monastery. As befits any saint, Nectarios of Aegina, whose relics were raised in 1961, was presented in many Christian churches for veneration.
Kontakion 1Chosen Metropolitan Nectarius of Pentapolis and Wonderworker of Aegina, we bring these petitions for our sick relatives: for you have appeared as a healer of cancer ulcers and other ailments, bestowing grace upon the whole universe, for this sake with one mouth and one heart we sing to you everlastingly: Rejoice, Nektarios, to the Bishop of God.
Ikos 1
Having found a guardian angel in holy baptism, from your youth you desired the life of an equal to the angels, our Father Nektarios; Now, together with the Angels, enjoy the sight of the Glory of God, pray to the Lord of all Angels for those singing:
Rejoice, blessed fruit of married parents; Rejoice, sanctified by God from your mother's womb.
Rejoice, you who learned obedience from childhood; Rejoice, having studied the Scriptures from your youth.
Rejoice, animated book of God’s words; Rejoice, living tablet of love for God.
Rejoice, chosen by God for meekness and humility; Rejoice, you who left your spiritual home for the sake of teaching.
Rejoice, for for your sake the storm on the sea has calmed down; Rejoice, for with your belt the broken mast was strengthened.
Rejoice, young eagle, possessing wings of mental prayer; Rejoice, Helen, seeking sources of repentance.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 2
Seeing you praying in the air, a certain monk became very fearful, God-loving; You, hiding the gift of prayer, sealed the virgin’s lips with an oath and sang in your heart to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
You have acquired the mind of Christ through prayer, Saint Nektarios, in order to understand that there is the will of God, good, acceptable and perfect; teach us to raise our hands to God in every place without anger and doubt, so that you may receive praise from us:
Rejoice, thou who hast made the ascent in the pitiable vale; Rejoice, you who grow the fruits of the Spirits.
Rejoice, child of Mount Athos; Rejoice, key of the Jesus Prayer.
Rejoice, shining light of ancient piety; Rejoice, city of the Holy Trinity.
Rejoice, overshadowed by grace; Rejoice, fiery Cherub.
Rejoice, salt of the promised land; Rejoice, you who sowed with tears, reaped with joy. Rejoice, where the shrine of Christ flourishes; Rejoice, for God is good to you. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 3
Endowed with the power of the Most High, Father Nektarios, you have established the power of the words of Christ: in My Kingdom, - That speech, - they neither marry nor encroach, but like Angels in heaven, they sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the Most Pure Mother of God in the service of all the heavenly hosts, set you, the saint, like an Angel in the flesh, a singer of Your miracles: but we, Mary’s omophorion above you, fall with fear and love: Rejoice, secret chosen one of the Mother of God; Rejoice, Her command to the executor.
Rejoice, having received the spirit of meekness from the Pure Dove; Rejoice, thou who glorified the Ever-Virgin in spiritual songs.
Rejoice, teach to please heaven and earth to the Queen; Rejoice, having gained mercy from the Son through the prayers of Mother.
Rejoice, standard of righteousness and wisdom; Rejoice, the height of reasoning and the depth of humility.
Rejoice, Aegina krine, nectar of repentance; Rejoice, bee of Eden, who supplies us with the honey of theology.
Rejoice, world-maker, pouring out myrrh; Rejoice, cup of spiritual washing. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 4
Having a cancerous ulcer bleeding on my chest, the priest of your temple, Nektarios, was dismayed when you appeared to kiss him, as if in the flesh; Having received healing, who was invisible to you, cried out to God with tears: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard many things about the wondrous healing that you did during your life, when you were always serving the holy Liturgy in the country of Canada, you appeared in Dus, the miracle worker Nektarios, and you raised up a certain weakened man, calling him to the Chalice; In the same health, he reached the weight of Aegina and, seeing you in the flesh, cried out loudly:
Rejoice, hospitable doctor, praise to Greece; Rejoice, you who have gained the glory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Rejoice, treasury of goodness; Rejoice, good Samaritan.
Rejoice, enriched with the gift of miracles; Rejoice, visiting humble people.
Rejoice, console us with true miracles; Rejoice, for what is impossible for others is possible for you.
Rejoice, for you turn our sorrows into joy; Rejoice, you wipe away tears from our eyes.
Rejoice, demon-possessed liberator; Rejoice, healer of cancerous ulcers. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 5
You have risen, Father, as a God-bearing star of repentance over the universe, sending out rays of contrition for human iniquities; Enlighten our minds to see our sin, so that we may propitiate the Master by singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the pure youth of her Bishop, standing before God in the grace of soul and body, and having recognized in him the great man of prayer and wonderworker, Saint Nektarios, in accordance with the cry:
Rejoice, dwelling place of Christ; Rejoice, wondrous treasure of the Spirit.
Rejoice, royal priesthood of the Great Bishop; Rejoice, called to the Throne of the Eternal King.
Rejoice, fellow body of the Flesh of Christ; Rejoice, communicant of the Holy Blood.
Rejoice, herald of repentance; Rejoice, I intercede for us before God.
Rejoice, Nektarios, joyful angels; Rejoice, flame, burn up the demons. Rejoice, abyss of generosity; Rejoice, sea of glorious miracles.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of the One Good, Blessed Nektarios, having humbled himself under the strong hand of God, He exalted you; in the passionate sea, do not forget your children, but set me on the burden of humility, so that they may magnify your God, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Having shone forth in the light of the beatitudes of Christ, you have shone from degree to degree, O god-wise Nektarios: by meekness and peace, by abstinence and love, you have enlightened your soul, so that you can now hear from us:
Rejoice, you who wear the robe of humility; Rejoice, covering insults with forgiveness. Rejoice, rejoice in the abundance of the world; Rejoice, inherit the land of the meek. Rejoice, vial of repentant lamentation; Rejoice, mirror of purity of heart.
Rejoice, saturated with the name of Jesus; Rejoice, thou filled with the waters of the Scriptures. Rejoice, you who have announced mercy and judgment; Rejoice, having abolished enmity through love. Rejoice, thou pious in life; Rejoice, persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 7
Although the man of God was perfect in being, Nectarius the righteous, you chose the path of the immaculate: on the island of Eginstem, the sea of life, like in an ark, swimming, victorious, you sang to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
You have appeared as a great teacher of the New Testament, preaching the word of God through your life: for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but as the ruler of the darkness of this world. We, being able to help in the Lord, cry out to you, the power of Nektarios:
Rejoice, good soldier of Jesus Christ; Rejoice, spiritual plague of wickedness in high places.
Rejoice, having received all the weapons of God; Rejoice, you who have girded your loins with truth. Rejoice, for your noses are red with the gospel of peace; Rejoice, for the helmet of salvation is established on your face.
Rejoice, shield of faith, with which the faithful are protected: Rejoice, thou double-edged sword that destroys heresies.
Rejoice, conqueror, eat from the tree of life; Rejoice, man of God, stranger to the second death.
Rejoice, witness of the true faith; Rejoice, heavenly branch of salvation.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 8
A strange perfection has been found in you, as if perfect in love, accessible; perfect our souls with love, O loving Nektarios, so that having reached perfect husbandhood, we sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You were all in the lower, following humbly, in the highest with God, that is, with Love, abiding; Grant us, O heavenly Nektarios, the knowledge of love, in the hedgehog's face:
Rejoice, for you were made a captive by the love of God; Rejoice, for you have captivated your children with love.
Rejoice, bending your neck under the yoke of Savior; Rejoice, you who bear the burdens of your neighbors. Rejoice, rooted in love; Rejoice, established in mercy.
Rejoice, thou who understand the breadth and length of the Cross; Rejoice, comprehend the height and depth of the Tree.
Rejoice, wiser of love, surpassing understanding; Rejoice, receptacle of the fullness of God.
Rejoice, keep in your mind what is true, righteous and honest; Rejoice, love with your heart, most pure, kindly praised and most loving.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic and human nature was amazed at the image, great Nectarius, revealed in you: for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, but a new creation, singing to the Redeemer of creation: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets, who spoke many times, fell silent at your life, holy Father Nektarios, marveling at how holy you were, calling yourself a sinner; You were spiritual, taken from the earthy earth: after death you were exalted, while during your life you descended in mind to hell; We cry with open lips, like children:
Rejoice, O Lord, who has exalted faith; Rejoice, lips that have put to shame godlessness. Rejoice, eye enlightened by the knowledge of God; Rejoice, right hand, strengthened by His power.
Rejoice, thou who humblest arrogant minds; Rejoice, destroyer of proud hearts.
Rejoice, you who showed strength in weakness; Rejoice, you who found joy in tears.
Rejoice, dead and alive; Rejoice, earthly and heavenly.
Rejoice, pea seed of the belly; Rejoice, mature class of the Resurrection.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 10
To save your soul, like a virgin, you have betrothed that one to one Bridegroom; now having entered into the bride of Christ from the faces of the virgins, Nectarius is more glorious, sing the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are a wall to all those who come running to you, most praiseworthy Nektarios, for you have the grace to heal the weak and raise us to a heavenly inheritance: therefore, heal us, your children, and lead us into the Kingdom of Christ, so that we may say to you whole-heartedly:
Rejoice, elder of grace; Rejoice, wonderful guide for young people.
Rejoice, innocent shepherd of innocent sheep; Rejoice, wise collector of virgin pearls.
Rejoice, spiritual nourisher of the universe; Rejoice, fiery servant of the Eucharist.
Rejoice, voice of the humble Christ; Rejoice, the word of the creative Spirit. Rejoice, thou skilled in patience; Rejoice, purified by sorrows.
Rejoice, champion of God's truth; Rejoice, heir of Christ's glory. Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 11
You brought the singing of the Mother of God, servant of God, calling the Mother of Light the Virgin, but now you are completely enlightened by the understanding of the mystery of the incarnation, raising the voice to the mountain: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
We see you, Nektarios, illuminated by the light of Divine glory, in the devil of glory: enlighten the robe of our souls with the Trinity radiance, so that we sing to you unceasingly:
Rejoice, precious stone of the Tsar's diadem; Rejoice, lightning of Nosimago on Seraphimex.
Rejoice, for the commandment is bright, having enlightened your eyes; Rejoice, for you loved me more than gold and topaz.
Rejoice, silver has been kindled, purified by the sevenfold; Rejoice, spiritual harp, Spasov’s harp.
Rejoice, having written the name of God into our hearts; Rejoice, love justified the feat of faith.
Rejoice, you who bear the sanctity of the Spirit; Rejoice, sanctifying souls corrupted by passions.
Rejoice, thou whitest in righteousness, like fine linen; Rejoice, illuminated by the knowledge of the Trinity.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 12
You have multiplied the grace given to you by God, O servant of God, good and faithful Nektarios, so I will also buy us spiritual activity, so that having found interest, we will sing to Christ: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your miracles, most wonderful Nectarius, we know that Christ has richly dwelt in you, for this sake bring down His miraculous right hand upon us, saying to the Lord:
Rejoice, successor of the ancient fathers; Rejoice, new servant of Christ.
Rejoice, beauty of the Great Church; Rejoice, world hope.
Rejoice, you who humbled yourself, glorified by God; Rejoice, you who walked among the last, who were placed first.
Rejoice, you who know exactly the affairs of the monastery, as the universe knows; Rejoice, stranger to the valley of glory, honored by heavenly reward.
Rejoice, you who lay motionless after your death and rise up sick; Rejoice, who has appeared to many, and who has left lamentation for the death.
Rejoice, two goldsmiths, monasticism and priesthood, received from God; Rejoice, you who returned gold to Christ with abundance of healing and miracles.
Rejoice, Nektarios, Bishop of God.
Kontakion 13
Oh, sacred head, wondrous physician, Bishop of God Nektarios! Accept now the small, but at least warm, prayer of your children, the grace that exists in you who believe. Grant us healing from our ailments and deliver us from eternal destruction, so that we may cry out to Christ our Savior with joy: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayers to Saint Nektarios.
First prayer
Oh, myrrh-streaming head, Saint Nektarios, Bishop of God! During the time of the great retreat, you captivated the world with wickedness, you shone with piety and you crushed the head of the proud Dennitsa, who offended us. For this reason, Christ granted the gift of healing the incurable ulcers that have struck us for our iniquities. We believe: may the righteous God love you, for the sake of us sinners He will have mercy on you, forgive you from oaths, deliver you from illness, and throughout the entire universe His name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, will be fearful and glorious, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, Saint Nektarios, God-wise Father! Receive, guardian of the Orthodox faith, the confession from the lips of people named after Christ, gathered today in the temple by the grace of God living in you. The news has reached the Russian borders, as you, the great servant of Christ among the saints, appear to those who call upon your name in all corners of the universe and grant healing from cancer. We have heard about the priest who was your namesake and built a temple in your name with great sorrow. He was stricken with a cancerous chest ulcer, bleeding every day, and suffered fiercely, but did not abandon his holy work. Suddenly you, the Saint with great mercy, descended from heaven, and you appeared to him in the temple in a visible form. He is the one who is not aware of your fellow mortal being, asking for your prayers and saying: “I am sick, I am great, otherwise I want to restore the holy altar, so that once again I will perform the holy Liturgy together with the parishioners; I am ready to die afterwards; death does not frighten me.” You, father, are incorporeal, your face is wet with tears! and the volume of the sufferer, kissing and saying: “Do not grieve, my child, as if you have been tested by illness, you will be healthy. Everyone knows about this miracle.” He, having been healed, was, in your mind, with whom you were talking, invisible to you. Oh, great servant of Christ Nectarius! This temple is now complete, and your miracles are like an overflowing sea, multiplying! We know that the prayer of the righteous must be hastened by our zeal for the service of God and the determination to die for Christ, so that we may find health. Your sick child prays to you, righteous father: may God’s will be done to us, good, pleasing and perfect, not wanting the sinner to die, but to turn and live for him. You, the herald of God’s will, heal us with your grace-filled appearance, may God be great in heaven and on earth forever and ever! Amen.
