In the canon to St. Nicholas (from Oktai, 4 voices)
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker has been revered in Rus' since ancient times as the greatest saint. The Lord glorified him throughout the world for his strong faith, deep humility, meekness, patience, and success in abstinence and chastity. Saint Nicholas had the deepest Christian love, the greatest mercy and compassion for people, and always rushed to their aid. The saint of God will hear our fervent prayers and will hasten to our aid if we imitate the image of his earthly life. Memory of Saint Nicholas on December 6 (December 19 according to civil style).
Troparion, tone 4
The rule of faith, and the image of meekness, the teacher of self-control, the Lord has revealed you to His flock, which is the truth. For this reason, having acquired high humility, she is rich in poverty. Our Father to Saint Nicholas, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. (Twice).
Glory, even now, to the Mother of God. A mystery that has been hidden for centuries and unknown to angels, You have appeared to the Mother of God on earth, God has been incarnated in undisturbed removal, and we will accept the cross for our sake, by it we have resurrected the primordial, and saved our soul from death.
Song 1. Irmos
Tristates strong and born from the Virgin, in the depths of the dispassion of the soul I pray to the tripartite flood, and as if in the tympanum in the mortified body, I sing a victorious chant.
Chorus: Saint Nicholas of Christ, pray to God for us (bow).
Having inherited a sad life from my father, and we are always filled with spiritual joys, I pray from my soul to take away all sadness, as if I glorify you with joy, holy Father Nicholas.
Solo. It was placed wisely, on the candlestick of virtues, and like a light you enlighten the hearts of those faithful to St. Nicholas. With the same faith I pray to you, with the luminous prayers of my soul, cast away the darkness.
Glory. Now we are filled with all sorts of misfortunes of life, constantly swimming in the abyss, so that I may find you, the reverend nourisher, turning the storm into silence, with your divine prayers.
And now, Mother of God. Unceasing Pure prayer, quench our passions of body and soul, with Thy sacred intercessions, giving divine and saved courage, to God’s will and fulfillment.
Katavasia: Deliver your servants from troubles, Saint Nicholas of Christ, as we all resort to you according to God, to your quick helper and warm intercessor and prayer book to the Savior for our souls (bow).
Lord have mercy (three times with bows).
Song 3. Irmos
We do not boast in wisdom, nor in strength, nor in wealth, but in Your Father’s compounded wisdom of God, for there is nothing more holy than You, the Lover of Mankind.
Solo. Thou hast appeared as a weapon, quenching the fighting enemies; keep their temptations harmless to us, Nicholas, who commit the divine will.
Solo. Heal the contrition of my soul to the saint, crushing the enemies of intrigue and entrapment, and as my representative I magnify you with faith.
Glory. Having destroyed the soulless temple of Artemis, consume the passionate idols of my mind, Father Nicholas’s divine intercessions.
And now. Theotokos. Thy intercessor of the most pure Virgin, transform our sorrow into joy, and deliver us from the sorrows that give birth to death. Confusion.
Sedalen, voice 8th. Having ascended to the height of virtues, the divine father from there was illuminated by the radiance of miracles, truly shining, the shepherd of the world appeared, and in adversity this representative is invincible. In the same way, you gloriously defeated the enemy, you drove away lies, and you saved people from death, Nicholas. Pray to Christ God to grant forgiveness of sins to those who honor your holy memory with love.
Glory, even now. Theotokos. For there is only one Virgin in the wives of You, who without seed gave birth to God in the flesh, all blessed are the race of humanity. Fire, for the Deities dwell in You, and like a child, give birth to the Creator and Lord. With the same, we worthy glorify the angelic and human race, Thy Most Holy Nativity, and according to the cry of Ty, pray to Christ the God of sins to grant remission of sins to those who worthily sing Thy glory.
Song 4. Irmos
Seated in glory on the Divine throne, the Most Divine Jesus came on a light cloud from the Most Pure Virgin, and saved those who cried out, glory to Thy power Christ.
Solo. Your glorious life, everywhere you are glorious, showing divine miracles, glorified by the high priest, and praise to all who honor you with joyful songs.
Solo. On the high throne of bliss, you praised God, with divine humility we are showered with lordships, create them in the communion of being for us, with prayers favorable to you, Father the Wise.
Solo. Thou didst deliver those unjustly led to death, the divine zeal of the Father inflamed in a sacred manner. With the same cry to you, also free us from the misfortunes that kill us with your prayers.
Glory. As Nikolai passes into heaven, invisible joys come in the midst to all those who call upon you, alleviating the illnesses of our souls, and divinely giving consolation.
And now. Theotokos. The hosts of angels are terrified of the Most Pure One, hymning the majesty of Thy divine Nativity, and with them pray to the Maiden for all to be saved, who also please Thee through pure faith. Confusion.
Song 5. Irmos
The wicked will not see Your glory, O Christ. But we, the only One, the Father's dawning of the glory of God, from the dawning night, sing praises to You, the Merciful One.
Solo. You went down like the sun, you died wiser, and you shone with Christ, with the luminous shine of your miracles, illuminating the entire sunflower, Father Nicholas.
Solo. Saint Nicholas, hear us on the day of bringing troubles and sorrows, and drive away all oppression, by the grace of the Spirit who lives in you.
Glory. Crushed by the passions of life, I take my soul, I call upon you to help the sacred Nicholas, strive and give me perfect healing, begging the Sinless One.
And now. Theotokos. The Virgin Isaiah, in vain, the Undefiled Pure, crying out to You, desires to be born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus the Lord, as a human being. Confusion.
Song 6. Irmos
I sank into the depths of the sea and drowned me, the storm of many of my sins. But as God raised my soul from aphids, O Most Merciful.
Solo. Strengthened by the fortress of the Savior, you were able to destroy the invisible enemy of the godly wisdom, and deliver us from his cruel harm, with the prayers of Father Nicholas.
Solo. Deliver us from the torment of Gehenna, and from evil people, the most harmful cold, with the sacred prayers of the most glorious Nicholas.
Glory. Who of old wanted to die unrighteously, the governor, having been delivered by your prayers, as if you saved them and us from all harm, most blessed one.
And now. Theotokos. Thy people and the city, pray to Thee, Mother of God, free us from all troubles, O All-Pure Lady, and those like that of eternal condemnation. Confusion.
Glory, even now. Kontakion, tone 3. The saint was in the world of Saint Nicholas, for he fulfilled the venerable Gospel of Christ, laid down his soul for his people, and saved the innocent from death. For this reason, sanctify yourself, and the great secret place of God’s grace will appear.
Ikos. Let us now sing to the saint with songs, as a shepherd and teacher to the worldly people, and let us be enlightened by his prayers. This one appeared completely pure, incorruptible in spirit, offering Christ’s immaculate, pure and favorable sacrifice, as the saint was purified in soul and body, and a true representative and champion of the Church, and a great secret repository of God’s grace.
Song 7. Irmos
There are three young men in Babylon, who turned the order of the tormentor into a riot. And in the midst of the fire we were thrown into the cold, crying out, blessed be the Lord God of our fathers.
Solo. Saint Nicholas, who is among the saints of the one Holy God who rests, pray to sanctify us and send upon us the rich mercies.
Solo. Reverend, right, and meek, quiet and humble, having become more glorious, he will be taken to the height of the priesthood more gloriously, performing miracles and signs.
Glory. Having observed the laws of God, venerable one, you have all appeared as the most honorable temple of God. With the same cry, O all-blessed one, deliver us from all iniquity through this intercession.
And now. Theotokos. Sleep with the passion of the uprising of my soul, with this cheerful prayer: giving me courage to the Young Lady, driving away despondency and drowsiness far away. Confusion.
Song 8. Irmos
Omnipotent Savior of all, in the midst of the flames of the faithful, you came down and watered them, and taught them to sing, bless the Lord with all their deeds.
Solo. The orbiting divine Nicholas, the unshutable lips of the lawless, you clearly blocked. And you have delivered many from the destruction of Arius, those who sing Orthodoxy; bless all the works of the Lord the Lord.
Solo. Those who call victory holy, show us the victors with your prayers, those who give birth to death through passion, and the lawless people with a flattering tongue, who through your faith are ever blessed.
Solo. Your saved help, we beg you to send down to us, miracle-worker Nicholas on the day of trouble, sometimes asking you by faith, we pray.
Glory. Trinity In Orthodox faith, let us worship the Holy Trinity, the uncreated, the Father without beginning, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, crying out, bless all the works of the Lord (bow).
And now. Theotokos. Grant me Thy mercy, even as the merciful God gave birth to the blessed Lady. And at the hour of judgment, having appeared, deliver the condemnation there. Confusion.
Song 9. Irmos
Eva, because of the illness of disobedience, took an oath: You, the Virgin Mother of God, through the vegetation of Your life, have you flourished with the blessing of the world. By the same token we magnify you all.
Chorus with a bow. Performing healings on your coffin, it exudes the fragrance of the venerable myrrh, like those who come to Nicholas with faith and love, and who honor your memory. We magnify you with the same thing.
Solo. Like the sun of the blessed Nicholas, you illuminate the entire sunflower with divine miracles with rays. Driving away the darkness of fierce circumstances, your sacred intercessions adorn the high priest.
Solo. Usually, Nicholas, show us mercy with worldly misfortunes and demonic flattery, but crafty people are tempted, always overwhelmed by fierceness: so that we please you with love.
Glory. During the terrible day and hour, remember my soul, when the Lord wants to bring you to judgment, and judge you by your secret deed. Cry out to Him, Savior, save me with Nikola’s prayers.
And now. Theotokos. We bring the voice of the divine Gabriel to You joyfully and cry: Rejoice in Paradise, who always has the Tree of Animals in the midst, glorious Polato of the Word. Rejoice, Virgin All-Immaculate. Confusion.
Let go: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy most pure Mother and like our holy father Nicholas, Archbishop Myra of Lycia, miracle worker, and for the sake of all the saints, have mercy and save us, for He is good and a lover of mankind. Amen. Lord have mercy (three times). Initial bows.
In what cases is it necessary to read the canons?
The canons dedicated to St. Nicholas are read at home and during services in church. It is generally accepted that they have a special mystical power that protects believers with the power of the Savior. In them, a person turns to the saint precisely through the events of biblical years, which in itself already brings significant help from Heaven.
The texts of the canons, written in ancient centuries by persons with high spiritual qualities, offer song prayer to God in the shortest way. They are read as asking people to heal them from physical and mental ailments, material need, and protect them from the injustice of the authorities. The saint is considered a powerful protector of widows, orphans, prisoners under probation and those who are overcome by sadness, despondency and even despair.
Where to find and how to correctly read the canons and akathist to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
It must be remembered that it is advisable to purchase any Orthodox prayer texts, including canons and akathists to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, in church shops. In addition, at present, Orthodox websites contain texts with emphasis and commentary, which is very important for those who are just beginning their spiritual ascent and do not yet have sufficient knowledge of prayer rules.
An important rule for reading the canons and akathist is to verify their approval by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. This can be guaranteed by church benches in churches and compliance of texts with lists posted on the Internet on reliable Orthodox information platforms. And, of course, you can always double-check thematic information with any clergyman.
When reciting the canons, you should pronounce all the words very carefully. Moreover, you can read the penitential canon, unlike the akathist, while sitting. Reading can be done at any time, but only after special initial prayers or after the daily prayer rule. The texts of the canons can be read in Russian and Church Slavonic. In the latter case, the prayer will have that ancient flavor and capacity with which the words of the chant were imbued by their creators.
There is no need to worry when it is not possible to recite the canon out loud, because the connection with St. Nicholas is carried out not through the lips of the person praying, but through his heart. Therefore, mental reading is allowed. The main thing is that the words are spoken with a feeling of love and repentance. It should be remembered that divine chanting is performed without any pathos expression, namely in a monotonous voice. It is advisable at home that the reading of the canons be accompanied by a lit lamp or church candle in front of the face of St. Nicholas. If there is no icon of him, then prayer reading can be done in front of the image of the Savior or the Mother of God.
