Akathist to Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene the Newly-revealed

Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene the Newly-revealed - Commemorated on Bright Tuesday (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7qXR0uv81M/T4zJ4o_OWFI/AAAAAAAAFUA/f2Q0ynfxvS8/s1600/untitled.jpg)

  

Akathist to the Holy Hieromartyrs Raphael and Nicholas, and the Virgin Martyr Irene, who were martyred in Thermi, Mytilene (to be read in the case of any need)

by Fr. Gerasimos Mikragiannanitou

Note: The following is an amateur translation from the Greek, and as such, I request reviewing the translation before any public / liturgical use. Also note that the meter of this translation is not set to match the original music.
  

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Raphael, the wondrous Hieromartyr, with Nicholas and Irene let us hymn, who were richly glorified by the Lord. For in Thermi they appeared like stars for us, and ceaselessly shine with divine wonders for those who cry out: Hail, O Athletes of Christ.

The triad of martyrs suffered their blessed struggle with unyielding hearts, (3), Raphael, with Nicholas and Irene, shamed the tyrants, therefore we praise them, and cry to them with one voice:

Hail, O triad of steadfast Champions,

Hail, village of healers of Christ.

Hail, O God-bearer Raphael, inspired by God,

Hail, O victory-bearer, godly-minded Nicholas.

Hail, O Martyr of the namesake of peace, and the radiance of virginity,

Hail, O three-membered assembly, and athletic triad.

Hail, band of thrice-shining Champions,

Hail, boast and glory of the Orthodox faithful.

Hail, three-part divine system,

Hail, godly boast of the faithful.

Hail, choir of Martyrs three in number,

Hail, equal in honor to all the Saints.

Hail, O Holy Martyrs.
  

Having a divine life, a shame to the faithless, you persevered with willing heart. And you were hidden for many years, until you were paradoxically revealed, O Athletes three in number, astonishing those who cry out: Alleluia.
  

Being manly in mind, O Raphael you endured the furious evils of the enemies, and you were beaten in many ways, and you were made worthy of the call to martyrdom. Therefore, being amazed by your steadfastness, we cry out:

Hail, pillar of steadfastness,

Hail, fall of the impious.

Hail, most-holy root of Ithaca,

Hail, you who shared the way of the Martyrs in all things.

Hail, most-divine mystic of the love of Christ,

Hail, most-sure pillar of the godly-minded people.

Hail, for you totally dedicated yourself to the Lord,

Hail, for you roused the world to joy.

Hail, most-fervent healer of Christ,

Hail, unassailable shelter of the faithful.

Hail, container of the virtuous life,

Hail, receptacle of heavenly Light,

Hail, O renowned Raphael.
  

Through power from heaven, you hearkened to the word of the Gospel of Christ, as full of the divine in-breathing, and you were made a great teacher, O all-famed Raphael, and roused us all to cry out: Alleluia.
  

Through the illumination of piety, you received the words of Raphael within your heart, O Nicholas, and served him as an icon of the Church, who brought you to Christ. Therefore, we bless you, and cry out to you:

Hail, you who fed on the love of Christ,

Hail, you who accepted all things with a godly mind.

Hail, radiance of holy Deacons,

Hail, wondrous adornment of Champions.

Hail, type and planting of the holy Raphael,

Hail, righteous Deacon of the Church of Christ.

Hail, most-fervent son of Thessalonica,

Hail, most-fragrant flower of incorruption.

Hail, you who surpasses every corruption,

Hail, joiner of the choir of the Martyrs.

Hail, most-holy sacrifice of Christ,

Hail, most-speedy suffering of the enemy.

Hail, O Martyr Nicholas.
  

Having lived a godly life as a divine deacon, you endured the attack of the barbarians, and struggled well in Thermi, and athletically were glorified, O Nicholas, by Him Who strengthened you, and you, O Martyr, cry out with the Champions: Alleluia.

You struggled with steadfastness of soul, as a godly-minded youth, O blessed Virgin Irene. And through the vicious tyranical pride, you were offered to the Lord as a willing sacrifice, hearing from us these things:

Hail, alabaster box of purity,

Hail, casting down of evil.

Hail, namesake of eternal peace,

Hail, fellow-dweller with the holy Champions.

Hail, fragrant lily of the Love of Christ,

Hail, two-edged sword against the haughtiness of the enemy.

Hail, divine adornment of youths,

Hail, most-fragrant violet of virginity.

Hail, glorious virgin and lamb of Christ,

Hail, you who were filled with bodiless Light.

Hail, all-spotless bride of Christ,

Hail, triumphant victory of the faithful.

Hail, O all-chaste Irene.

You were offered as a sacrifice, O Martyr, during the barbarian's siege, in a delicate body, and before your father, you endured a terrifying martyrdom, and were made worthy of a martyrs end, crying out: Alleluia.
  

The tyrant was filled with impudence, and facing your steadfastness, O Raphael, ordered your death through the terrible sawing through of your jaw, which you endured, O all-honored one, astonishing those who beheld you, and strengthening those who cry out:

Hail, pride of Priests,

Hail, honored gift of Monastics.

Hail, wondrous example of endurance,

Hail, diagram of spiritual boldness.

Hail, most-radiant lamp of the Monastics at Thermi,

Hail, God-given support of the faithful in dangers.

Hail, for you endured unspeakable tortures,

Hail, for you deflected the godless tyrants.

Hail, teacher of perfect virtues,
Hail, igniter of many graces.
Hail, spring of saving wonders,
Hail, stream of soul-befitting waters.
Hail, O renowned Raphael.

You came to be hidden in Thermi for many years below the earth, O God-bearer, but wondrously were made known to the faithful in visions and the working of signs, astonishing all through your wonders, for those who cry out: Alleluia.

You were seen to be shining with godly piety, O Nicholas, when with glory your tomb was found, O Martyr, giving praise to God, and pouring forth grace, as we cry out with joy to you:

Hail, deacon of the Lord,
Hail, opponent of the deceiver.
Hail, you who were enriched with the radiance of the Angels,
Hail, immovable Martyr of Christ the King of all,
Hail, fall and unnerving of the evil enemy.
Hail, for you traveled the road of the Martyrs,
Hail, for you magnified the word of the Lord.
Hail, God-given boast of the faithful,
Hail, our divine diadem.
Hail, you who were awarded with the choirs of the Martyrs,
Hail, you who partake of the joy of the Saints.
Hail, O Martyr Nicholas.

You traveled the road of martyrdom, O godly-minded one, and remained below the earth for many years in Thermi, O blessed Nicholas, until you were wondrously revealed. Therefore, we approach your relics, faithfully crying out: Alleluia.

You were killed by a violent death, O Irene, but moved towards eternal glory, and beheld the radiance of the Bridal Chamber of Life of the Savior. Intercede for us who cry to you, O godly-minded one:

Hail, holy youth of Christ,
Hail, blessed virgin.
Hail, you who endured burning in the fire,
Hail, you who deposed the objections of enemies.
Hail, all-spotless bride of Christ the King of all,
Hail, noetic myrrh of the life of virginity.
Hail, for you reached the struggles of the Martyrs,
Hail, for you ascended towards the glory of the Angels,
Hail, all-fragrant scent of purity,
Hail, you who shared the same hearth as the noble Martyrs.
Hail, you who received divine nourishment,
Hail, you who commune with the holy Life.
Hail, O all-chaste Irene.

Estranging yourself from the things below, O blessed Irene, you joined the choirs of the Angels through completing the good fight with steadfastness, O comely virgin, and with Raphael and Nicholas, sing to the Lord: Alleluia.

Fully glorified, you were seen in dreams paradoxically in Thermi, O Raphael, together with Nicholas and Irene, and worked wonders everywhere, healing those who suffer, and helping those who cry out:

Hail, the great one in wonders,
Hail, the glorious one among the Saints.
Hail, you who formerly struggled with steadfastness,
Hail, you who were later revealed in a godly manner.
Hail, you who works supernatural wonders everywhere,
Hail, you who hearken to the entreaties of all wondrously.
Hail, you who are seen by day and by sleep,
Hail, for you were beheld by the worthy and godly.
Hail, you who heals many of the passions,
Hail, our protector and defender.
Hail, supporter of the Monastery of Karyes,
Hail, divine adornment of Thermi.
Hail, O renowned Raphael.

You were seen, O Father, to fulfull a multitide of entreaties, and to pour forth godly joy. Therefore, the faithful from every place gather around your relics in Thermi, hymning you, O Raphael, and crying to the Savior: Alleluia.

Having divine glory, O Nicholas, you lawfully endured the pit of martyrdom, and were glorified by the Lord, when your body was revealed in Thermi, while we praise you fervently, and readily cry out to you:
Hail, divine Deacon,
Hail, Martyr among the Champions.
Hail, equal in honor with the ancient Martyrs,
Hail, sharer in the glory of all the Saints.
Hail, glorious Nicholas, the victory of all the faithful,
Hail, foundation and support of pious Christians.
Hail, for you received the crown of incorruption,
Hail, for you bestow life on those who honor you.
Hail, you who drank the cup of Christ,
Hail, our divine refuge.
Hail, you who plucked out the teeth of the enemy,
Hail, you who enlighten the minds of the faithful.
Hail, O Martyr Nicholas.

Fellow-dweller with the Angels and the Martyrs, you were granted to be, together with Raphael and Irene, O Martyr of Christ Nicholas, and with them, ever entreat that we be delivered from dangers, who cry out with one voice: Alleluia.

You behold the spotless beauty of your Bridegroom in the heavenly mansions, and together with the sacred ones who gave you birth, O unconquerable Virgin Martyr Irene, entreat on behalf of those who cry out:

Hail, lily of piety,
Hail, vessel of virginity.
Hail, treasury of divine fragrance,
Hail, flowering of comely virgins.
Hail, many mixed fragrances of a chaste life,
Hail, heavenly aroma of athletic grace.
Hail, for you were granted the divine glory above,
Hail, for you fought the great haughtiness.
Hail, seal of the fragrance of Christ,
Hail, sacred and holy seal.
Hail, chaste nightingale of Truth,
Hail, radiant lamp of incorruption.
Hail, O all-chaste Irene.

We hymn your struggle, O Martyr and Champion Irene, with hymns of victory, for with a delicate body, you deposed the ancient dragon, and were crowned by the Lord with the diadem of victory, as you chant: Alleluia.

You were lit as light-bearing lamps on Lesvos, when you lately appeared to the world, with the rays of wonders, with which you shine upon the requests of the faithful, O Champions three in number, therefore with faithfully cry out:

Hail, three-part choir of Martyrs,
Hail, enlightenment of Lesvos.
Hail, three-member choir of Champions,
Hail, you who censure every impiety.
Hail, communicants with the Savior three in number,
Hail, band gathered by God to be the guides of the faithful.
Hail, provider of the three-sunned illumination,
Hail, God-bearing choir of divine Martyrs.
Hail, triad of defenders of the Trinity,
Hail, most-honored lights for the faithful.
Hail, Raphael with Nicholas,
Hail, Irene, the beauty of womanhood.
Hail, O glorious Martyrs.

Rejoicing in the heights, Raphael and Irene, together with the divine Nicholas, and all those of Karyes, through your martyrdom, you shamed the enemy. Intercede for all of us who cry out: Alleluia.

As you ceaselessly chant the thrice-holy hymn with the Angels to the Holy Trinity, intercede on behalf of us, who are in dangers and trials, O Martyrs, that we might be delivered from them all, and cry out with one voice:

Hail, glorified choir,
Hail, you who were joined with the Angels.
Hail, most-holy Champion Raphael,
Hail, victorious and godly-minded Nicholas.
Hail, Martyr and namesake of peace, O wondrous Irene,
Hail, gathering three in number of protectors of Mytilene.
Hail, group of three Champions,
Hail, tripling of victorious Athletes.
Hail, three-floored dwelling place of Christ,
Hail, three-membered band of Martyrs.
Hail, O triad, our rejoicing,
Hail, gathering of three Champions.
Hail, O glorious Martyrs.

O blessed triad of noble Champions: Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, ever intercede to the Holy Trinity, that at our end, we be granted the things above, we who cry out: Alleluia.

Once again, the Kontakion.

Raphael, the wondrous Hieromartyr, with Nicholas and Irene let us hymn, who were richly glorified by the Lord. For in Thermi they appeared like stars for us, and ceaselessly shine with divine wonders for those who cry out: Hail, O Athletes of Christ.

(http://users.otenet.gr/~mystakid/24oikren.htm)

  

For the life and revelation of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2012/04/sts-raphael-nicholas-and-irene-newly.html.

  

Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, together with their fellow martyrs of the hill of Karyes, Thermi, Lesvos (Source: www.eikonografos.com)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!