Greatness - what is it?
What is the glorification of the Mother of God or a saint? The term “magnification” comes from the word “magnify”, that is, to magnify, glorify, glorify, give praise. In Orthodoxy, magnification is a short solemn prayer chant with which the Lord, the Mother of God, an angel or a saint is glorified. There are also similar chants in honor of Christian holidays.
Blessed Virgin Mary (Byzantine mosaic)
Martyr
Troparion, tone 4
Thy martyr, Lord, ( name
), in his suffering he will receive an incorruptible crown from You, our God; For having Thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, crush the demons of weak insolence. Save his souls with your prayers.
Kontakion, voice 2
You have appeared as a bright star, the charmless one of the world, proclaiming the Sun of Christ with your dawnings, passion-bearer ( named
), and you extinguished all the charm, but you give us light, praying unceasingly for all of us.
Greatness
We magnify you, passion-bearing saint ( name
), and we honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.
Features of the glorification genre
Works of this genre of church hymnography, as a rule, begin with the word “Glorify.” Only the general glorification of the Mother of God and the glorification of the monk (holy monk) have a different beginning. In the latter case, the chant begins with the word “We please.” Further, it is explained in poetic language why the sacred person is revered by Orthodox Christians. Her main spiritual “merits” are also mentioned.
There are generally accepted established texts of magnification for various categories of personalities revered in Christianity. For example, magnification of angels, prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, etc. In honor of the Lord, the Mother of God, as well as the most famous saints, there are several variants of magnification. Usually they differ slightly from the standard ones.
To the ethereal heavenly forces
Troparion, tone 4
Heavenly armies of the Archangels, we always pray to you, we are unworthy, and with your prayers protect us with the blood of the krill of your immaterial glory, preserving us, falling diligently and crying out: deliver us from troubles, I Ko bureaucrat of the Supreme Powers.
Kontakion, voice 2
Archangels of God, servants of the Divine glory, rulers of angels and human teachers, ask for what is useful for us and great mercy, like the bodiless Archangels.
Greatness
We magnify you, Archangels and Angels and all hosts, Cherubim and Seraphim, glorifying the Lord.
History of the glorification genre
The origins of the genre of majesty are seen in the refrains to the 17th kathisma of the Psalter, sounded at the service of Holy Saturday. From historical documents it is known that these refrains were used in the Jerusalem church as early as the 8th century. Later, full-fledged cycles of similar refrains arose for other holiday services. Thus, in the 13th century, similar choruses for the Dormition of the Mother of God appeared. And in the 14th century - on the Beheading of John the Baptist.
In the 13th century, through the works of the Byzantine church leader Nikephoros Blemmides, a special genre of church hymnography arose - the chosen psalm. This is the name given to a selection of lines from Old Testament works, which is used to glorify New Testament personalities and holidays. Initially, the word “Alleluia,” which translates as “Praise God,” was used as a refrain to selected psalms. However, this exclamation was soon replaced by other refrains. They did not take root in the Slavic Orthodox Churches, so they were replaced by their own choruses of magnificence.
At the end of the 18th century, the first collection of greatnesses was published. Solemn chants, including the glorification of the Mother of God, were arranged in the collection in the order in which they are used in the church year.
Martyr
Troparion, tone 4
Thy lamb, Jesus, ( name
), calls with a great voice: I love You, my Bridegroom, and seeking You, I suffer and crucify myself and bury myself in Your Baptism and suffer for Your sake, so that I may reign in You and die for You, that I may live with you; but accept my name as an immaculate sacrifice, sacrificed to You with love. Through prayers, for the Merciful One, save our souls.
Kontakion, voice 2
Your all-honorable temple, as if you have found spiritual healing, all the faithful cry out loudly to you: virgin martyr ( named
) most eminent one, pray to Christ God unceasingly for all of us.
Greatness
We magnify you, passion-bearer of Christ ( name
), and we honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.
The glorification of the Mother of God and saints in divine services
Magnifications are used in the services of some local Orthodox Churches. In Greek Orthodoxy the practice of singing hymns is absent. A similar term there refers to the choruses of some canons.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, magnifications are sung at matins on holidays following the polyeleos. Also, these solemn chants can be heard at the festive Divine Liturgy after the priest pronounces the dismissal (final blessing).
It is worth noting that greatnesses are often called “choruses.” This is due to the fact that they are used as refrains during the reading of the selected psalm. Magnifications can also be heard at prayer services, religious processions and during the transfer of holy relics. According to the Typikon (liturgical charter), the magnification is sung alternately by two choirs.
Hymns of such church genres as troparion, kontakion and magnification are often performed together, one after the other. Together they form a festive doxology. An Orthodox Christian can independently resort to it on the day of remembrance of a saint or holiday. Kontakia, magnification, as well as corresponding troparions to saints can be easily found in Orthodox prayer books and on thematic Internet sites.
to the Apostle
Troparion, tone 3
Holy Apostle ( name
), pray to the merciful God that He will grant remission of sins to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 4
Like the bright star the Church has always acquired, O apostle ( named
), I am enlightened by your miracles. We also call to Christ: save those who honor by faith the memory of Your Apostle, O Most Merciful One.
Greatness
We magnify you, apostle of Christ ( named
), and we honor your illnesses and labors, in which you labored in the gospel of Christ.
Examples of greatness
Glorification of the Lord as Savior
We magnify Thee, the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, who with all Thy wisdom in the beginning created and all-mercifully redeemed the fallen race from eternal death.
To the Lord in honor of His Image Not Made by Hands
We magnify Thee, Life-Giving Christ, and honor all the glorious imagination of Thy Most Pure Face.
The Greatness of the Virgin Mary
It is worthy to magnify Thee, the Mother of God, the Most Honest Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison, the Seraphim.
Theotokos in honor of Her icon
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, God-chosen Youth, and honor Your holy image, which brings healing to all who come with faith.
Apostles Peter and Paul
We magnify you, Christ's apostles Peter and Paul, who enlightened the whole world with your teachings and brought everything to Christ.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
We magnify you, Father Nicholas, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
Choir
Glorification is a short chant glorifying Jesus Christ, the Mother of God or some saint. Begins with the word “We magnify” (or “We please”). It is sung on holidays at matins after the polyeleos and at the liturgy after the dismissal.
General troparia and magnifications
Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, voice 2: We worship Your most pure image, O Good One, / asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God: / for by the will of Thou didst please to ascend in the flesh to the Cross, / that Thou mightest deliver Thou from the work of the enemy. / Thus we cry out to You in gratitude: / You filled all with joy, O our Savior, / who came to save the world. Troparion, tone 8: Looking down from on high, the wretched one receives. / visit us, embittered by sins, the All-Merciful Lord, / through the prayers of the Mother of God, grant great mercy to our souls. To the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 4: Now we are diligent to the Mother of God, / sinners and humility, and let us fall, / calling in repentance from the depths of the soul: / Lady, help, having mercy on us, / struggling, we perish from many sins, / do not turn away your servants vanities, / You and the only hope of the imams. Majesty: It is worthy to magnify Thee, / the Mother of God, / the Most Honest Cherub, / and the Most Glorious / without comparison, the Seraphim. Magnification (Icon of the Mother of God): We magnify You, / Most Holy Virgin / God-chosen Youth, / and honor Your holy image, / through which you bring healing / to all who come with faith. To the Holy Angels and other disembodied Powers, voice 4: Heavenly armies of the Archangels, / we beseech you ever since we are unworthy, / that with your prayers protect us / with the shelter of the wing of your immaterial glory, / preserving us who fall diligently and crying out: / deliver us from troubles, / for officials of the Supreme Powers. Magnification: We magnify you / Archangels and Angels and all the hosts / Cherubim and Seraphim / glorifying the Lord. To the One Prophet, voice 2: The memory of Thy Prophet [name], O Lord, is in celebration, / thus we pray to Thee: / save our souls. Magnification: We magnify you, / prophet of God [name of the rivers], / and we honor your holy memory, / for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the One Apostle, voice 3: Holy Apostle [name of the rivers], pray to the Merciful God, / that forgiveness of sins / will grant to our souls. Magnification: We magnify you, / Apostle of Christ [name of the rivers] / and honor your illnesses and labors, / in the image of which you worked / in the gospel of Christ. To the Apostles, voice 3: Holy Apostles, / pray to the Merciful God, / that forgiveness of sins / will grant to our souls. Magnification: We magnify you, / holy apostles [name of the rivers], / who enlightened the whole world with your teachings / and brought all ends / to Christ. To the one saint, tone 4: The rule of faith and the image of meekness, / the teacher of self-control / show you to your flock, / even the truth of things: / for this reason you have acquired high humility, / rich in poverty, / Father [name of the rivers], / pray to Christ God / save our souls. Magnification: We magnify you, / holy father [name of the river], / and we honor your holy memory / for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the saints, tone 4: God our father, / always deal with us according to Your meekness, / do not forsake Your mercy from us, / but through their prayers / guide our life in peace. Greatness: We magnify you / holy majesties, / and honor your holy memory: for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the One Reverend, voice 8: In you, Father, you know that you were saved in the image: / for you accepted the cross, you followed Christ, / and you taught in action to despise the flesh, for it passes away, / to adhere to the souls, things that are immortal. / In the same way, the angels also rejoice, O Reverend [name of the river], your spirit. To the Venerable Pechersk, voice 8: Through fasting you enlightened your soul, / through unceasing prayers you made your heart a vessel of the Holy Spirit, / Reverend Our Father [name of the rivers], / you also firmly put to shame all the hostile militias / and, like a true victor, you received rewards from Christ God. / Therefore pray for our souls. To the hermit of Pechersk, voice 2: Great faith in correction, / in the cave seclusion, as if on the water of repose, / Reverend Father [name of the rivers], you rejoiced, / you were inflamed with fire for Divine love, / through vigil and prayer you achieved dispassion / and you appeared equal to the angels to the ground. / Through your prayers, O Christ God, save our souls. Greatness (to the venerable): We bless you, / reverend father [name of rivers], / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of monks, / and interlocutor of angels. To the venerables, voice 4: God our Father, / always deal with us according to Your meekness, / do not forsake Your mercy from us, / but through their prayers / guide our life in peace. To the Venerable Pechersk, voice 3: Our blessed and God-bearing fathers [name of the rivers], / for having acquired boldness towards the Lord / by living like the angels, / for whose sake Christ has enriched you with incorruptibility and the miracles of your might, / we pray to you diligently: / ask for cleansing for our souls / and great and rich mercy. Majesty (to the venerable): We bless you, reverend fathers, / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of monks, / and interlocutor of angels. To the One Martyr, voice 4: Thy martyr, O Lord, [name of the rivers], / in his suffering received an imperishable crown from You, our God: / having Thy strength, / overthrow the tormentors, / crush even the demons of weak insolence. / Through our prayers / save our souls. Greatness: We magnify you, / holy martyr [name of the river], / and honor your honorable suffering, / which you endured for Christ. To the Martyrs, tone 4: Thy martyrs, O Lord, / in their suffering received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God: / having Thy strength, / I have overthrown the tormentors, / I have crushed the demons of weak insolence. / Through those prayers / save our souls. Greatness: We magnify you, / holy passion-bearers, / and honor your honorable sufferings, / which you naturally endured for Christ. To the One Hieromartyr, voice 4: And you were a communicant in character, / and an apostle at the throne, / you gained your deed, inspired by God, / in a vision rising, / for this sake, correcting the word of truth, / for the sake of faith, you suffered even to the point of blood, / holy martyr [name of the rivers ], / pray to Christ God / for our souls to be saved. Magnification: We magnify you, / holy martyr [name of the rivers], / and honor your holy memory: / for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the Holy Martyrs, tone 4; God our father, / always deal with us according to Your meekness, / do not forsake Your mercy from us, / but through their prayers / guide our life in peace. Magnification: We magnify you, / holy martyrs of Christ, / and honor your holy memory: for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the one venerable martyr, voice 8: In you, Father, it is known that you were saved in the image: / accept the cross that you followed Christ, / and in your deed you taught to despise the flesh, which passes away, / to adhere to the soul, the immortal thing. / In the same way, the angels also rejoice, O Reverend [name of the river], your spirit. Greatness: We bless you, / venerable martyr [name of the rivers], / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of monks, / and interlocutor of angels. To the venerable martyrs, tone 4: God our father, / always deal with us according to Your meekness, / do not forsake Your mercy from us, / but through their prayers / guide our life in peace. Greatness: We bless you, / venerable martyrs, / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of monks, / and interlocutor of angels. To the One Martyr, voice 4: Thy Lamb, Jesus, [name of the rivers], / calls with a great voice: / I love Thee, my Bridegroom, / and seeking Thee I suffer, / and I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism, / and I suffer for Thy sake, / for I reign in Thee, and die for Thee, / and live with Thee: / but as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me with love, sacrificed to Thee. / Through prayers, / as you are merciful, save our souls. Greatness: We magnify you, / the passion-bearer of Christ [name of the rivers], / and we honor your honest suffering, / which you endured for Christ. To the Martyrs, tone 1: The lambs of words / were brought to Christ by torment to the Lamb and the Shepherd, / ended the course, and kept the faith. / Meanwhile, today with a joyful soul we commemorate, most wonderful, / your holy memory, / magnifying Christ. Greatness: We magnify you, / holy passion-bearers, / and honor your venerable sufferings / which you naturally endured for Christ. To the Reverend Woman, voice 8: In you, mother, you know that you were saved in the image: / having accepted the cross, you followed Christ, / and in action you taught to despise the flesh, which passes away, / but to adhere to the souls, things that are immortal. / In the same way, the angels also rejoice, O Reverend [name of the river], your spirit. Greatness: We bless you, / reverend mother [name of rivers], / and honor your holy memory: / for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the venerable women, voice 2: To the true desire of the ignorant, Christ-glorifying, / and temporary betrothed, rejecting copulation, / and having grown through virtuous deeds, / to the height of the incorruptibility of the east, / red-hearted and much-rich, / the pillars of monastic wives and the rule: / pray for the same for us unceasingly, / love to those celebrating your memory. Greatness: We bless you, / reverend mother, / and honor your holy memory: / for you pray for us, Christ our God. To the one venerable martyr, voice 4: Thy Lamb, Jesus, [name of the rivers], / calls with a great voice: / I love Thee, my bridegroom, / and seeking Thee I suffer, / and I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism, / and I suffer for Thy sake, / for I reign in You, and I die for You, / and I live with You: / but as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me with love, sacrificed to You, / through your prayers, / as you are merciful, save our souls. Magnification: We magnify you, / holy passion-bearer [name of the rivers], / and we honor your holy memory: / for you pray for us / Christ our God. To the priest and venerable confessor, tone 8: Teacher of Orthodoxy, / teacher of piety and purity, / lamp of the universe, / God-inspired fertilizer for the bishops, [name of the river] wise, / with your teachings you have enlightened everything, O spiritual priest, / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls. Magnification to the Hiero-Confessor: We magnify you, / holy father [name of the rivers], / and we honor your holy memory, / for you pray for us / Christ our God. Greatness to the venerable confessor: We bless you, / reverend father [name of rivers], / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of monks, / and interlocutor of angels. To those without money, tone 8: Holy saints without money and miracle workers, / visit our infirmities: / eat tuna, give us tuna. Greatness: We magnify you, / glorious miracle workers [name], / and honor your honorable sufferings, / which you naturally endured for Christ. For Christ's sake, to the holy fool, voice 1: Hearing the voice of Your Apostle Paul saying: / we are holy fools for Christ's sake, / Your servant, O Christ God, [name of the rivers] / the holy fool was on earth for Your sake: / we also honor his memory, / We pray to You. Lord, save our souls. Greatness: We bless you, / holy righteous [name of the rivers], / and honor your holy memory: / for you pray for us / Christ our God.
Reverend
Troparion, tone 4
In you, father, it is known that you are saved in the same image: for you have accepted the cross, you have followed Christ, and you taught in deed to despise the flesh, for it passes away, but to be diligent about the souls, things more immortal; Likewise, the angels will rejoice, likewise (named after
), your spirit.
Kontakion, voice 2
Having armed yourself with divine spiritual purity and unceasing prayers, like a copy, having handed over firmly, you have broken through the demonic militia, ( named
) Our Father, pray unceasingly for all of us.
Greatness
We please you, reverend father ( named
), and we honor your holy memory, mentor of monks and interlocutor of Angels.
To the martyrs
Troparion, tone 4
Thy martyrs, Lord, in their suffering received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God: for having Thy strength, I have overthrown the tormentors, crushed the demons of weak insolence; Save our souls with those prayers.
Kontakion, voice 2
Lamps of light appearing, Divine martyrs, illuminating all creation with the light of miracles, resolving ailments and always driving away deep darkness, constantly praying to Christ God for all of us.
For Christ's sake the holy fool
Troparion, tone 1
Hearing the voice of Your Apostle Paul, he said: We are fools for Christ’s sake, Your servant, O Christ our God ( named
), there was a fool on earth for your sake; We also honor his memory, we pray to You, Lord, save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 8
Desiring the highest beauty, and the lower pleasures of the body, you emptily abandoned, through the lack of acquisition of the vanity world, the angelic life is passing, having passed away, ( named
) blessed; with him, pray to Christ God unceasingly for all of us.
Hieromartyr
Troparion, tone 4
And having been an apostle, a participant in morals, and a vicar of the throne, you gained action, inspired by God, in a vision of the sunrise: for this reason, correcting the word of truth, and for the sake of faith, you suffered even to death ́ve. Hieromartyr ( name
), pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion, same voice
Having lived piously in the saints and passed the path of torment, you quenched the sacrifices of idols, and became a champion of your flock, God-wise. Moreover, in honor of you, we secretly cry out to you: deliver us from troubles continually with your prayers, our father ( named
).
