Kontakion 1
O chosen one of light against the darkness of this age, clothed in all the armor of God and the faith of Christ, like a shield against vain wisdom, we praise you with love, saint and confessor Athanasius, you, as a daring prayer book for us to the Lord, ask us for confirmation in the truth of Orthodoxy, calling:
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Ikos 1
The angelic image, Blessed Athanasius, from childhood you did not listen to the play of children with your mind, but you did not listen to warm prayers in the temple of the Lord and handicrafts in the mother’s house, as if in a cell, always diligent, you boldly foretold as a youth, your peer, that you were to be a sacred servant of the Church of Christ . Knowing that your saying has been fulfilled by the Providence of God, we call to you with surprise:
Rejoice, thou raised in good manners by the ancient and holy land of Vladimir; Rejoice, in the Lavra of St. Sergius you have been dedicated to the face of the monks.
Rejoice, having acquired a godly life through fasting and prayer; Rejoice, chosen from the Lord for the feat of testimony in the days of evil.
Rejoice, splendor to the church guardian; Rejoice, wise mentor of Orthodoxy.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 2
Seeing how fierce the persecution of the Russian Church is now, not exactly the wrath of God, righteously moved upon us, you thought about this, Athanasius, the wise one, but even more so, a wise harvest for the souls that had ripened into eternal life, and for this sake, for the sake of the Lord of the harvest, you sang to Christ: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Understanding the Council of all the saints of the Russian land, the deliverance of our Fatherland from troubles, we began to compose festive words, inspired by God, decorating the Church with wondrous songs. We, sinners, now seeing in the face of God’s ever-present saints, let us write down this praise:
Rejoice, prayers of those touched by the compiler; Rejoice, singing of the Lord to the wise zealot.
Rejoice, pure lover of the Russian miracle workers; Rejoice, always calling upon the representatives of our country to help.
Rejoice, for you have crowned the new passion-bearers on earth with praises; Rejoice, for in the host of those in Heaven you glorify God.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 3
The power of the imaginary atheist to accept orthodoxy, the honorable relics of the saints of the land of Vladimir in the middle of the Assumption Church of the Cathedral were placed unveiled, in order to laugh at them, but you, good warrior of Christ, brought the people to the temple, cried out loudly: Blessed is our God! And you transformed this malicious desecration of holy things into prayerful glorification, crying out to God together with the faithful: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
I have the honor to be the most honorable bishop of the rank, in vain the persecutors of the Church of Christ, before your bishopric, tried to frighten you with threatening words and rebuke, as the grace of the Holy Spirit is worthy of anointing you as a saint of the land of Vladimir, where you appeared as a confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy, Athanasius, God-loving. Remembering your zealous service, we say to you:
Rejoice, strong champion of the right faith; Rejoice, unafraid accuser of the newest schism.
Rejoice, the wisdom of this age, ascending to the mind of God, is a disgrace; Rejoice, from the wolves, those who enter the flock of Christ in sheep's clothing, fence.
Rejoice, you who affirmed the truth through confusion of those who were wavering; Rejoice, you who bring apostates to conversion.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 4
Standing against the storm and turmoil of the schism, even if you were unjustly thrown into captivity, the saint of God, yet you did not abandon the feed of the church, all the faithful exhorting and praying with your writings, let them not unite with the apostates, nor let them fear the evil one of that time, but like a small flock, to whom the Heavenly Father has deigned to give the Kingdom, they cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing and marveling at all the faithfulness of your complacency, confessor, the prison was shut up quickly, a good refuge from the epidemic of renovation, you called it, having there many fellow prisoners, along with you who suffered for the faith of Christ, you rejoiced in the Lord with your like-minded people, all the saints chanting the Russian lands in prayer. We, as if you have shown us a worthy image of suffering, offer this:
Rejoice, you who illuminated the prison with prayerful radiance; Rejoice, and in the gates of mortals you send praise to the Giver of Life.
Rejoice, merciful comforter of those who suffer from the truth; Rejoice, and philanthropic nourisher of imprisoned atheists.
Rejoice, not separated from the love of God by sorrows; Rejoice, strengthened by your patience from the Lord.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 5
We think of the God-protected chosen one, friend of Christ Athanasius, on the shore of the Onega Lake in a prison deliberately made, so that those imprisoned there would conveniently be put to death, many of your captives need not have received death from their tormentors, but you, for three months, day and night, were threatened with extrajudicial murder, deliver Lord, Most merciful, You cried out to Him with gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Always seeing with the eyes of your heart, the spirit-bearing Athanasius, with the colic wounds and labors of the holy fathers who acquired the true life according to God, you endured many vexations and reproaches, your persecutors, as Christ blessed the commandment. Having been burdened with bitter labors, in prison, like the second John of Damascus, you meekly washed all the places with your unclean hands. Ineffable for the sake of your humility we offer you this praise:
Rejoice, wonderful image of meekness; Rejoice, most blessed son of obedience.
Rejoice, you who have been humbled by the wicked for your own honor; Rejoice, for those who offend you have forgiven your sins with all your heart.
Rejoice, unhypocritical lover of your enemies; Rejoice, zealous benefactor to those who hate you.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 6
You are a silent preacher of the Gospel of Christ, and you appeared in prison, Athanasius, the most wonderful, for you brought even the harsh thieves and murderers to repentance and taught you to sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
I shone upon you in prison with the light of truth, ordering a certain tormentor to take you to another prison, and the guards, even as they told you, were very merciless and tormented you, the elder saint, quickly persecuting you, in small days to cover such a long journey. Even in captivity, we are constantly starving to death, as if you were barely alive. Moreover, although you were exhausted by bodily strength, you did not faint with patience, conquering everything for Christ’s sake. We, marveling at your feat, sing to you:
Rejoice, sheltered and victorious martyr; Rejoice, unconquered warrior of Christ.
Rejoice, thou tempted by the fire of suffering more than gold; Rejoice, thou established in incomparable courage, greater than adamant.
Rejoice, meek one who sacrificed the truth of God for your own sake; Rejoice, you who have reaped everything with joy through your tears.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 7
Although you want to be an atheist, for the sake of confession and the dignity of your saint, you will not be released even after imprisonment, you are free, speaking evilly, as if you would receive services from no one in your old age, and locking you up in a prison house of charity, where it is worse than in a prison, with countless sorrows and reproaches it's cold. But through the care of pious Christians, you were driven away from this bitter place, chanting the help of the giver God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
I instigated a new persecution of the Church of Christ, commanding the opponents of God to close the holy temples, and to destroy others to the ground. But you, confidently trusting in the Lord, inspired courage in your neighbors, so that they would not be fearful and cowardly, for the Lord said, for the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. We also cry out to you:
Rejoice, good messenger of the ineffable mercy of Christ; Rejoice, quiet Angel of God's trustworthy hope.
Rejoice, having acquired the height of humility through the depth of repentance; Rejoice, her father rose from the filial obedience of the Church to the perfection of the saints.
Rejoice, constant prayer book for our Fatherland; Rejoice, vigilant intercessor for his people to the Creator.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 8
The Lord showed a strange and inconvenient miracle for you, Saint Athanasius, who celebrated the liturgy in the holy monastery of St. Sergius, and from those who prayed, it was as if like a wave, from the holy altar and then carried into it through the air and carried into existence. Those who witnessed the miracles cried out in amazement to God in their hearts: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You, zealous peacemaker, have commanded all the unreasonable, even praying in their homes, to be excommunicated from the communion of the Church, with your godly words and messages, to join, like an oud, to the rest of the church body, so that they would not create a new schism, and they are kindly to agreeable unanimity you managed. For this reason, we, seeking peace today for the Orthodox Church and quickly quenching discord, call to you:
Rejoice, you who have consumed temptations and disagreements among the faithful; Rejoice, having succeeded in preventing the tunic of church discord.
Rejoice, thou who gatherest the scattered sheep of Christ into one flock; Rejoice, turn those who go astray from the true path to repentance.
Rejoice, for you instruct her children in obedience to the Mother of the Church; Rejoice, for you have taught us to preserve the Orthodox faith.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 9
Whoever can express all the former joy to the faithful, O glorious saint, when you appeared in the city of Vladimir, festivities for the sake of the hundreds in the summer of the Assumption Cathedral; how the clergy and all the people sweetly looked upon you and kissed you kindly in the Lord; Having also been filled with spiritual joy by the vision of yours, I carried you into the temple in my arms, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The Lord, Athanasius, was most graceful in showing you, and with new songs he adorned the memory and feasts of the saints of the Russian land, composing church hymns and canons of words, in such labors that were beneficial to the soul and sorely needed by the Church of Christ, he sent you through a contented summer, and from there you also acquired the title of hymn-writer. We, from your touching words to this day, as if we are fed with spiritual food and as if we are drinking a sweet stream, we praise you:
Rejoice, talent for song-making, given from God, greatly multiplying; Rejoice, you have varied prayers, obedience for the sake of the church, with diligence correcting the good.
Rejoice, spiritual plant, who delights our hearts; Rejoice, abundant fountain, flowing life-giving water to us.
Rejoice, for the new hymn-writers strive for pious zeal; Rejoice, for you have been justified by your words, and pray for our justification from God.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 10
All your days you taught the saved path to the children of the church, the spirit-bearing Athanasius, for many were faithful to you with love, so that they could learn from your honest life, since you are humble in heart and quiet in custom, gentle and meek, and filled with all the virtues, your deeds are even more important words taught you to sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You were the first to preach the Orthodox faith, a strong wall against the slander and intrigues of the enemy, the elder saint, the same tearful repentance and unceasing prayer, coupled with godly deeds, and betraying yourself to serve everyone who came to you, you guided many for good to salvation. For this reason, we, unworthy, demanding good leadership, cry out to you:
Rejoice, good advisor to those who are perplexed; Rejoice, gentle admonition to those who err.
Rejoice, sweet pacifier of troubled souls; Rejoice, banisher of inconvenient passions.
Rejoice, you who foresaw evil thoughts in human hearts; Rejoice, thou who admonished with kind words to put aside the sinful pretext.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 11
Diligently diligent in singing the prayer service, the Lord consoled you before your death with a wonderful vision, like the saints of the Russian land, whom you always revered with love, you were honored to see together with Christ, to whom you cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Illuminated by the light of the Divine appearance, the last day and hour of your blessed exodus was proclaimed by the Lord, who peacefully gave up your soul in the hands of Christ God, Whom you loved from your youth and suffered for His unworthiness. But as in your belly, the great ascetic, the light of the world became the light of the world, and after the repose of the miracles, you do not cease to illuminate us, calling:
Rejoice, thou who miraculously delivered the young warrior from cruel death; Rejoice, you marvelously deceiving a pious widow from the hand of an evildoer.
Rejoice, for the dust and past from your tomb gave healing to the sick; Rejoice, for many who prayed at your grave received medicine through a soul-destroying passion.
Rejoice, known patron of an honest Christian marriage; Rejoice, trustworthy protector of virgins and chastity.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 12
Grace, even through your close life and many deeds you have acquired from God, knowing that the consecrated Council of our Orthodox Church is likened to you by the host of all Russian saints, in the same light you now rejoice, singing with a united voice the victorious song: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
We sing to you with tenderness, O most praiseworthy saint, as if you dwell in the heavenly monastery, you have left us on earth your venerable relics, even as we reverently venerate you today and hope for a speedy healing through mental and physical grief, we cry out to you like this:
Rejoice, thou who was righteously honored with the bliss of those who were exiled for the sake of truth; Rejoice, thou who art united in the ever-living light of the Most Holy Trinity with the ever-living.
Rejoice, you who rejoice in the rank of angels in the highest; Rejoice, thou who honorably receives praise from those below.
Rejoice, through faith you bring speedy consolation to those who honor you; Rejoice, those who sing good joy through your love.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 13
About the blessed saint Athanasius, venerable confessor of the name of God, joy of the land of Vladimir and adornment of the Church of the Saints, hear this wretched prayer of ours and offer up your powerful intercession for us to the Lord, so that everything useful for spiritual salvation will be granted to us, so that without stumbling we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven and sung there to the Life-Giving Trinity: Alleluia.
Kontakion 13
About the blessed saint Athanasius, venerable confessor of the name of God, joy of the land of Vladimir and adornment of the Church of the Saints, hear this wretched prayer of ours and offer up your powerful intercession for us to the Lord, so that everything useful for spiritual salvation will be granted to us, so that without stumbling we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven and sung there to the Life-Giving Trinity: Alleluia.
Kontakion 13
About the blessed saint Athanasius, venerable confessor of the name of God, joy of the land of Vladimir and adornment of the Church of the Saints, hear this wretched prayer of ours and offer up your powerful intercession for us to the Lord, so that everything useful for spiritual salvation will be granted to us, so that without stumbling we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven and sung there to the Life-Giving Trinity: Alleluia.
Ikos 1
The angelic image, Blessed Athanasius, from childhood you did not listen to the play of children with your mind, but you did not listen to warm prayers in the temple of the Lord and handicrafts in the mother’s house, as if in a cell, always diligent, you boldly foretold as a youth, your peer, that you were to be a sacred servant of the Church of Christ . Knowing that your saying has been fulfilled by the Providence of God, we call to you with surprise:
Rejoice, thou raised in good manners by the ancient and holy land of Vladimir; Rejoice, in the Lavra of St. Sergius you have been dedicated to the face of the monks.
Rejoice, having acquired a godly life through fasting and prayer; Rejoice, chosen from the Lord for the feat of testimony in the days of evil.
Rejoice, splendor to the church guardian; Rejoice, wise mentor of Orthodoxy.
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Kontakion 1
O chosen one of light against the darkness of this age, clothed in all the armor of God and the faith of Christ, like a shield against vain wisdom, we praise you with love, saint and confessor Athanasius, you, as a daring prayer book for us to the Lord, ask us for confirmation in the truth of Orthodoxy, calling:
Rejoice, Athanasius, new confessor and teacher of Orthodoxy.
Prayer
Oh, long-suffering and gracious saint and confessor of Christ Athanasius, good shepherd of the pastures of the Russian Church, zealot of Orthodoxy, preacher of repentance, pillar of prayer, inexhaustible source of love, God-inspired spring!
You, raised by the ancient and holy land, from a young age, a vessel chosen by God, appeared, zealously serving Him in words and deeds, with warm prayer, unremitting fasting, and unfeigned alms. You have been very diligent in the service of God, you have diligently increased your talent for song-making, and you have adorned the Russian Church with many spirit-bearing songs, and most of all you have labored in glorifying the saints of the Russian land, whom you were vouchsafed to see together with the Lord before your death.
For the sake of truth and meekness and righteousness, it is worthy to anoint you as a saint of Vladimir by the grace of the Holy Spirit, by which you were enlightened, you preached the traditions of Orthodoxy unswervingly in the midst of godless persecutors. Even though you spent thirty years in captivity, exile and bitter labor, you sweetly endured reproaches, bitterness and wounds for Christ, you took away the sacred confession, you boldly denounced the blasphemous and put to shame the bodiless enemies, teaching your flock with deeds more than words, as God must be obeyed more than man. Moreover, for the sake of the bliss of those who were exiled for the truth, having been vouchsafed and standing before the Throne of Heaven, pray to our All-Blessed God, that the Russian Church may establish its shepherds unshakable in the truths of the faith, from heresies and schisms, that its children may remain firm in the confession of Holy Orthodoxy, enduring all the misfortunes of time, glorifying as one with the heart and one mouth of God, wondrous in His saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Akathist to Athanasius the Great
Kontakion 1
In the election from the Heavenly Shepherd, our fathers, the blessed duo of Saints Athanasius and Cyril, the great city of Alexandria, the first throne, the enemies of the Church of Christ who were victorious with the weapon of the cross and prayer, with spiritual songs we praise you, our holy intercessors. You, as those who have boldness towards the Lord, pray for the Orthodox Church, for your city and all people calling with love: Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, teachers of Orthodoxy, pillars of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Ikos 1
Angels of earth and men of heaven appeared, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, ever illuminated by the light of true knowledge of God, as two luminaries enlightened nature by succession to each other on the patriarchal throne throughout the whole earth, and as the greatness of our hierarchs and teachers blocked the teaching of the evil heretics of nature, infusing the faithful with piety. In the same way, we, confirmed by the true faith of Christ, sing to you, defenders of the Orthodox Church: Rejoice, having rejected the charms of this world. Rejoice, vigilant guardians of a pure and immaculate life. Rejoice, having loved the One Christ with all your heart. Rejoice, having submitted your will to the will of God. Rejoice, you who have shown the image of true faith in yourself. Rejoice, having courageously taken upon yourself the yoke of Christ. Rejoice, divine wisdom has been fulfilled. Rejoice, vessels of the Holy Spirit of election. Rejoice, faithful workers of the grapes of Christ. Rejoice, decoration of the Orthodox Church. Rejoice, archpastors of the holy Church of Alexandria. Rejoice, eternal joys of the heiress. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Lord, the Knower of the Heart, your firm will, wisdom and piety, he appoints you, Father Athanasius, to the candlestick of the Church of Alexandria, so that the light of the Holy Gospel will shine in the countries of the East and, enlightened by you, people will sing a song of praise to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having obeyed the will of God with a bright mind and a pure heart, having taken the good yoke of Christ, in the footsteps of the apostles our fathers Athanasius and Cyril followed nature into spiritual fields, abundantly sowing the word of God, enlightening their flock with grace and confirming many in the true faith. In the same way, we, enlightened by your Godly teachings, cry out to you: Rejoice, blessed by God. Rejoice, having lived in true simplicity and silence. Rejoice, having dedicated yourself to God from your youth. Rejoice, even in adolescence you were filled with love for the word of God. Rejoice, you who have loved the monastic life. Rejoice, you who have served the Lord faithfully. Rejoice, you who have worthily received the grace of the priesthood. Rejoice, you who made a bloodless sacrifice for the people. Rejoice, shepherds and teachers of the Church of Wisdom. Rejoice, worthy successors of the apostles. Rejoice, unceasing heralds of true piety. Rejoice, shield and fence of the city of Alexandria. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 3
By the power of your mind, enlightened by grace, you preached the Trinity of One Essence: the Father Without Beginning, the Son Incarnate and the All-Holy Spirit, Blessed Cyril, and having appeared as a champion and defender of the Mother of God from heretical teachings. We glorify you, as the divine secret writer of the Divine Trinity, and having been illuminated by your teaching, we sing to Christ God who glorified you: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having great zeal for God, having armed ourselves with the weapon of the Cross of Christ and accepted the sword of the word of God, as the good-victory warriors of the Heavenly Father resisted the natural enemy of salvation, the devil, the blessed fathers Athanasius and Cyril, quickly cutting off the tares of heretical teachings, saving the souls of the erring children of God, being faithful in piety and Orthodoxy strengthens the faith. In the same way, enlighten us with your intercession, singing with love: Rejoice, you who were jealous of the great desert dweller in fasting and abstinence. Rejoice, for by the example of your life you have turned many to the Lord. Rejoice, evangelizers of the Gospel truth. Rejoice, our teachers in the confession of the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, admirers of the Life-Giving Trinity. Rejoice, for the Seraphim burned with the fire of love for the Lord. Rejoice, eradicators of heretical worship. Rejoice, having glorified the true God in the Holy Trinity worshiped. Rejoice, accusers of the godless and wicked. Rejoice, guardians of your flock. Rejoice, as the holy faith is glorified by you. Rejoice, for we too, sinners, call on your name with faith. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 4
The devil has raised a storm of malice and hatred, seeking with Arian malice to destroy the Church of Christ through those seduced by him. But you, Father Athanasius, you loudly proclaimed the word of salvation in Nicaea at the First Ecumenical Council, you abolished all Arius’ opinions, and you preached the power of the Holy Trinity throughout the world. Moreover, you preached the true faith to all the ends of the earth, teaching the faithful to sing with love to God, the Creator of all: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, the voice of Christ, calling to the feat of standing for the faith even to death, following the Chief Shepherd Christ, having no rest for the sake of tireless labor to save the flock from the wolves who plunder it, and this feat has been carried through your entire life, now eternal peace in the heavenly abodes has been found. We raise the eyes of our hearts to the Lord, out of duty of love we glorify your memory, with tenderness calling to your face: Rejoice, faithful servants of the Holy Trinity. Rejoice, ardent zealots of the truth of Christ. Rejoice, you have courageously exposed the heretical teachings of the mad Arius. Rejoice, champions of the right and unshakable faith. Rejoice, you who have blocked the lips of the erring with wise words. Rejoice, you who preserve the Church of Christ from false teachings. Rejoice, shepherds, who drive away the wolves from the flock of Christ. Rejoice, lay down your soul for your spiritual children in preparation. Rejoice, treasuries of theology in abundance. Rejoice, planters of true piety. Rejoice, blessed confessor of the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, guides to the salvation of the faithful. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 5
The godly star that rose in Alexandria, you appeared to Saint Cyril, enlightened by the Sun of Truth of Christ God, illuminating the countries of the East with its unflickering light and like the Star of Bethlehem, you showed the right path to Christ, so that through your enlightenment people will sing a song of thanks to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing the children of the Church of Alexandria your gospel gospel and standing to death for the Church of Christ and the truth of God, I turn from heretical errors to the true faith. You, as good shepherds, received with love those who naturally seek salvation, thanking the Lord with all your heart for His mercy towards the repentant. For this reason, we praise you with joyful songs, holy fathers, and say: Rejoice, prayer books, illuminated by the Spirit of God. Rejoice, luminaries who enlighten our souls. Rejoice, having given your mind to the obedience of faith. Rejoice, you who have bequeathed to us the right to glorify God. Rejoice, you who have overcome heretical wisdom by the grace of Christ. Rejoice, you who have protected the faithful from heresies. Rejoice, having exposed the devil and his servants. Rejoice, glorification of the faithful intercessor. Rejoice, having become like the prophet of God Elijah through your zeal for faith. Rejoice, for the prophet Daniel and the three youths courageously glorified God. Rejoice, having labored in the field of the Lord throughout your life. Rejoice, even after death you were not separated from your flock by love. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 6
You appeared to the world as a preacher of the true teaching about Christ and His Most Pure Mother, Saint Father Athanasius, by the power of your gracious word and God-inspired writings, you put to shame the blasphemous flattery of Arius and you endured many troubles from the enemies of Orthodoxy: unrighteous expulsion from the throne of Alexandria, imprisonment and persecution. For this reason, seeing you as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, let us cry out to God who glorifies His saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Saints Athanasius and Kirill have naturally shone like lights in the church sky, by the feat of your life showing all the faithful the path to the unstoppable Light of Christ. We also pray to you, help to disperse the darkness of unbelief and corruption in the world of God, so that all who love and honor God in spirit and truth cry out to you: Rejoice, having illuminated the whole world with your words. Rejoice, givers of the light of Christ to the Orthodox people. Rejoice, bright stars, illuminating us in the night of sin. Rejoice, unfading radiance to the Church of Christ. Rejoice, zealots of the true faith. Rejoice, for your teaching has gone forth to all the countries of the East. Rejoice, you who gave thanks to God in exile and persecution from heretics. Rejoice, you who bravely endured much reproach from them. Rejoice, fearless champions of faith in Christ. Rejoice, all of you who are persecuted for the truth, a refuge. Rejoice, we are all spiritual fathers and teachers of piety. Rejoice, our guides to the Heavenly Fatherland. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 7
Wanting to expel you from the throne of the Church of Alexandria, the heretics slandered you, Father Cyril, before Tsar Theodosius. When this goodness of your life has been brought to light, you have disgraced those who slandered you and disbanded their heretical assembly, and you have overthrown the heretic Nestorius from the patriarchal throne of Constantinople, and installed him as the head of the Ecumenical Council in Ephesus. But you, holy father, disgraced the heresy of Nestorius at the Council, you magnified the Mother of God and the Mother of Light and you glorified God, singing a song of gratitude to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The new grapes of Christ have been planted by your labors, worthy workers and guardians have appeared, holy fathers, and as faithful servants of Christ, having entered into the joy of their Lord, you now rejoice in Heaven and with your prayers confirm our faith, interceding for salvation before God for us sinners, let us sing with gratitude. sice: Rejoice, accusers of heresies Arius and Nestorius. Rejoice, our protectors from harmful wisdom. Rejoice, teachers of those who have gone astray from the right path. Rejoice, for with the light of the knowledge of God you enlighten those who are darkened in mind. Rejoice, having filled the hearts of many with streams of grace. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of our salvation. Rejoice, soldiers of Christ, having been crowned with glory from Him while still alive. Rejoice, for your faith is silently singing about your deeds and labors. Rejoice, having brought spiritual wealth to many people. Rejoice, you who guided them to the haven of salvation. Rejoice, you who teach us to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice, you who transform our sorrows into joy. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 8
It is truly strange and wonderful to see how a new storm came to the Church of God, when King Julian opened the entire idolatry, creating sacrifices to false gods. And again against you, Saint Athanasius, he rose up, as if he had defeated the faith of Christ, telling the king: “Unless you destroy Athanasius, Christianity will not be powerfully destroyed.” But you, Holy Father, prophesied that this rebellion would soon collapse and you opposed the apostate Julian, begging the Lord and His Most Pure Mother to destroy his evil intentions against Christians, so that all the faithful would gratefully sing to God the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All the sons of Russia preach your gracious help, holy hierarchs Athanasius and Cyril, since our fathers led you away from the years of ancient times, as intercessors from foreign invasions and deliverers from pestilences. Likewise, we, faithful children of the Church of Christ in the Russian lands, bring you this praise of ours: Rejoice, beloved faithful in the Russian lands. Rejoice, our champion of Orthodoxy in the country. Rejoice, O representatives who love and honor you. Rejoice, givers of the light of Christ to the Orthodox people. Rejoice, you have opened the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven for many. Rejoice, intercessor for the salvation of the Christian race. Rejoice, you have surprised all the surrounding countries with your righteous life. Rejoice, for all pious people rejoice at your names. Rejoice, guardians of the true love of Christ. Rejoice, Christians of all times in the prayers of your mentor. Rejoice, crown of patience on the land of marriage. Rejoice, shining with eternal light in Heaven. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature was amazed at your glorious life on earth, Saint Father Cyril, for the Lord has shown you to be a steadfast defender of Orthodoxy. You proclaimed the truths of the Gospel everywhere, comforting the faithful, and thus preserved them from heretical teachings. Even now, do not forsake us sinners, but strengthen all the children of God in Orthodoxy and unanimity, so that in spiritual joy we may sing a song of thanksgiving to the Trinity of Saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things have surpassed nature by the power of your divinely inspired words and writings, saints of divine wisdom Athanasius and Cyril, for you theologized the incarnate Word of nature, enlightening the souls of many, faithfully showing them the path to salvation, along which you yourself steadily walked by nature until your blessed death. We, rejoicing, as such are the imams, teachers of spiritual life and prayer books, glorifying you, holy fathers, saying: Rejoice, good shepherds, who were zealous for the glory of the Lord. Rejoice, having multiplied the talent given to you. Rejoice, wanderers of earth, who have entered the Heavenly Fatherland. Rejoice, from the faces of the heavenly powers now triumphant. Rejoice, luminaries, who have illuminated those in the darkness of error. Rejoice, for this sake of greatness in the Kingdom of God. Rejoice, confessor crowns adorned by God. Rejoice, in the person of the great saints, you are exalted with much glory. Rejoice, teachers of the wisdom of the universe. Rejoice, with all the saints of God who pray to the Lord for us. Rejoice, as you glorify the Christian faith. Rejoice, for your names are written in Heaven. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 10
Although you saved the flock of Christ from destruction, Saint Athanasius, you were not afraid of royal reprimands, nor slander from heretics, nor imprisonment, but all this, as a valiant warrior of Christ, you endured, you did not cease to enlighten your flock, praying to your disciples to stand firmly in the true faith , fear the machinations of the enemy, but even in sorrows and misfortunes, thank God for everything, singing to Him the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The wall is naturally indestructible for all Orthodox people, all-praised and worthy of the two, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, for the Creator of Heaven and earth chose you to be on earth as the firmament of the protector and the unshakable pillars of the true faith, and to count among the great saints and teachers of the Church of Christ. In the same way, beg for the grace of God to be worthy to stand in the truth for all of us who love you and cry out like this: Rejoice, you who fearlessly spoke the truth of Christ before people. Rejoice, guardians of church dogma. Rejoice, you who bore divine words in your hearts. Rejoice, having left us a spiritual treasure with your God-wise writings. Rejoice, O protector of our souls from the flattery of Satan. Rejoice, for through your prayers we defeat the wiles of the devil. Rejoice, healers of our mental and physical ailments. Rejoice, a quiet refuge for those overwhelmed by misfortunes. Rejoice, giver of all temporal and eternal good. Rejoice, our intercessors before the throne of the Heavenly Judge. Rejoice, for with a pure heart you now see God. Rejoice, for even after departing to the heavenly abodes you do not leave care for us. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 11
Our prayer singing, offered today in the temple before your miraculous icon, mercifully hear, O Saints of Christ Athanasius and Cyril, and for those who require your gracious help, be intercessors and prayer books, granting them all good things: healing for the sick, consolation for the grieving, deliverance in times of adversity, and Rejoicing you and glorifying God, let us sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
The luminaries of light and miracle workers appeared, the saints of God Athanasius and Cyril, from the ancient years to this day our Fatherland has not abandoned: as the ancient chronicler says about it, during the time of Batu’s invasion of Veliky Novgrad, God and you, the saints of Christ, interceded. We also pray to you, holy fathers, to grant remission of sins to all Russian people who honor your holy memory with love and who cry out: Rejoice, for in all Orthodox countries your names are glorified. Rejoice, for in the lands of Russia churches are being built in your name. Rejoice, you blocked the hordes of Hagarians from getting to Veliky Novgrad. Rejoice, great patrons of our country. Rejoice, having consecrated the city of Moscow as a temple in your honor. Rejoice, you who have loved our land and the faithful children of the Russian Church. Rejoice, for the sons of Russia are being saved through your intercession. Rejoice, for all the faithful are freed from troubles and sorrows through your prayers. Rejoice, in difficult circumstances and misfortunes, our hope and intercession. Rejoice, this is a wonderful consolation for all of us in this time of sorrow. Rejoice, for with your prayers you appease the Lord of all. Rejoice, for the Church of Christ is proud and strengthened by you. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 12
The grace given to you by God knowingly, we celebrate your common memory, Saints of Christ Athanasius and Cyril, and zealously flow to your honorable image, through your intercession, as if by an insurmountable wall we are protected, for healers of ailments have appeared to us, guides to the lost and quick helpers to all who call on you and those singing the hymn to Christ God: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your wondrous life on earth and your glory in Heaven, we humbly pray to you, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, to grant power from above to Orthodox Christians against visible and invisible enemies; awaken to us, blessed fathers, helpers in all good things, bless us with peace and love, give us firm faith, purity of life and the fear of God, so that we all, having found peace of mind, will sing to you in joy like this: Rejoice, Athanasius, named after immortality. Rejoice, great teacher of the Church of Christ. Rejoice, Cyril, destroyer of the superstitious wisdom of Nestorius. Rejoice, glory and confirmation to the throne of Alexandria. Rejoice, Athanasius, expelled from your Fatherland for the sake of truth. Rejoice, kept in secret by the love of your flock. Rejoice, Kirill, you have labored kindly and faithfully for the honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. Rejoice, for the Most Pure Mother of the Lord Herself is imminent of your outcome. Rejoice, Athanasius, for the great Anthony bequeathed his robe to you. Rejoice, for your relics were in the Church of St. Sophia of Constantinople. Rejoice, Cyril, preacher of the wisdom of God. Rejoice, bishop of the Most High God. Rejoice, Saints Athanasius and Kirill, pillars of Orthodoxy, teachers of steadfastness and divine wisdom.
Kontakion 13
O our all-validating shepherds, Saints Athanasius and Cyril, accept this little prayer of ours, offered to you from a tender heart, ask us from Christ God for confirmation in the truer faith, so that we may walk in the commandments of the Lord blamelessly, and through your intercession bring us all to the Kingdom of Heaven, yes Let us be worthy to joyfully sing together with you the song of victory: Alleluia. This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos: “Election from the Heavenly Shepherd...” and the 1st kontakion: “Angels of the earth...”
Prayer
O all-holy Fathers Athanasius and Cyril, our warm intercessors, consumers of heresies, defenders of piety, sick doctors, helpers in troubles and warm intercessors for all who come to you, help us sinners in this life, and beg the Lord God to grant us remission of sins and the Kingdom Heavenly inheritance, may we always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen. To the list of prayers
Canon to Saint Athanasius of Kovrovsky, Confessor
The future Bishop Athanasius (Sergei Grigorievich Sakharov) was born on July 2 (old style) 1887, on the feast of the Laying of the Venerable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae. Sergius's parents, Grigory and Matrona, lived in Vladimir. His father, a native of Suzdal, was a court councilor, his mother came from a peasant background. Their kindness and piety became fertile soil on which the spiritual gifts of their only son grew. Named in honor of the mourner of the Russian land, St. Sergius of Radonezh, the future ruler deeply embraced the selfless love for the Church and the Fatherland, which so distinguished the saint.
Sergius Sakharov spent his childhood and youth in the ancient and holy city of Vladimir-on-Klyazma.
Difficulties and trials in the life of Sergius began from an early age, becoming the living environment in which he grew spiritually mature. The boy lost his father at an early age, but in his mother he found everything he needed for a worthy entry into life. She wanted to see him in the monastic rank, and for this Sergius was grateful to her all his life. Sergius willingly went to the parish church and was never burdened by the length of church services. Divine service as the highest degree of prayer was the main love of the future ruler. From childhood, he envisioned himself as a minister of the Church and even boldly told his peers that he would be a bishop.
The pious youth easily learned needlework and could sew and embroider even church vestments. This was very useful to him later, during his exile and camps, when he sewed vestments and vestments for icons. Once the bishop even made a special traveling antimension, on which he celebrated the liturgy for the prisoners.
The initial teaching was not easy for the youth Sergius, but he did not weaken in diligence, and the Lord generously blessed His future servant and confessor. To everyone’s surprise, he graduated from the Vladimir Theological Seminary, and then from the Moscow Theological Academy, very successfully. However, this did not change his modest and humble attitude towards people.
The future bishop delved especially seriously into issues of liturgics and hagiology. In divine services he found a special theology for himself, being very attentive to the text of liturgical books. In the margins of the bishop’s personal liturgical books one can find many notes, clarifications, and explanations of especially difficult words.
While still at the Shuya Theological School, Sergius Sakharov wrote his first liturgical hymn - the troparion of the Mother of God before the revered icon of Her Shuya-Smolensk. His academic essay “The Mood of a Believing Soul in the Lenten Triodion” already testifies to the author’s great awareness of issues of church hymnology, which remained one of his main hobbies throughout his life.
Sergius's first teacher and spiritual mentor was Archbishop Nikolai (Nalimov) of Vladimir, who left behind a reverent memory. The next teacher was the famous theologian and strict ascetic, rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, Bishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky), who tonsured him in the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God with the name Athanasius, in honor of the Patriarch of Constantinople. From the hand of Bishop Theodore, monk Athanasius receives initiation first as a hierodeacon, and then as a hieromonk. But it was the monastic tonsure that Bishop Athanasius valued in some special way...
Bishop Afanasy’s ecclesiastical obedience began at the Poltava Theological Seminary, where he was immediately noticed as a talented teacher. But Vladyka entered into the full power of a scholar-theologian in his native Vladimir seminary, showing himself to be a convinced and inspired evangelist of the word of God. He is introduced to the Diocesan Council and given responsibility for the state of preaching in the parishes of the diocese. He also leads conversations and readings at the Assumption Cathedral, covering many pressing issues of the time.
Hieromonk Athanasius was thirty years old when the revolution occurred in Russia. At this time, the so-called “diocesan congresses” began to gather frequently, at which people who were hostile to the centuries-old Orthodox foundations of Russian life raised their heads. All this required strict church assessment and proper rebuff.
In 1917, representatives of all Russian monasteries came to the Lavra of St. Sergius. At this congress, Hieromonk Afanasy (Sakharov) was elected a member of the historical Local Council of the Russian Church of 1917–18, where he worked in the department for liturgical issues.
At the same time, he began work on the famous service to All Saints who shone in the Russian land, which became a wonderful liturgical monument of his love for our Holy Church. Hieromonk Athanasius had the idea to choose for the stichera on “Lord, I cried” one stichera from the General Menaion for each face of the saints, and in the canon to arrange the saints by region. Each hymn of the canon ended, also according to his idea, with a troparion of the Mother of God before the most revered icon of Her in this area. Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky), a member of the Synod, who was considering the new service, introduced into it the troparion he himself composed, “Like a red fruit...”. The prepared first version of the service was then reviewed by His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon.
The revolution swept through Russia like a tornado, shedding a sea of Christian blood. The new government began a gross mockery of the relics of the holy saints of God, the extermination of the clergy and the destruction of Orthodox churches. The believing people saw in the ongoing disasters in our Fatherland, the persecution of the Church of Christ, the fulfillment of terrible prophecies about the death of the Russian Kingdom, its transformation “into a rabble of infidels seeking to destroy each other” (Righteous Saint John of Kronstadt, word of May 14, 1907).
In 1919, during the anti-religious campaign, mockery began of what is especially dear to Orthodoxy - the incorruptible remains of saints. In Vladimir, as in other Russian cities, for propaganda purposes there was a so-called demonstration of uncovered relics to the people: they were put on public display in the nude. To stop the desecration, the Vladimir clergy, under the leadership of Hieromonk Afanasy, a member of the diocesan council, established a vigil in the Assumption Cathedral. In the temple there were tables on which holy relics lay. The first people on duty—hieromonk Afanasy and psalm-reader Alexander Potapov—were waiting for the people crowding at the doors of the church. When the doors opened, Hieromonk Athanasius proclaimed: “Blessed is our God...”, in response he heard: “Amen” - and a prayer service to the saints of Vladimir began. People entering reverently crossed themselves, bowed and placed candles at the relics. Thus, the supposed desecration of shrines turned into solemn glorification.
Soon the hierarchy places the zealous shepherd in a responsible place: he (already in the rank of archimandrite) is appointed vicar of two ancient monasteries of the diocese - Bogolyubsky and Vladimir Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The most important and turning point event in the life of Bishop Athanasius was his elevation from archimandrite to Bishop of Kovrov, vicar of the Vladimir diocese. This happened in Nizhny Novgorod on the day of remembrance of St. Sampson the Host, July 10, 1921. The consecration was headed by Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky) of Vladimir, the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
The main concern and pain of Bishop Athanasius’s holy feat was not the opposition of the authorities, not the destruction or even the closure of churches and monasteries, but the emergence within the Church of a new schism, known as “renovationism.”
The seeds of renovationism as a schismatic movement called to reform the Russian Orthodox Church were sown long before the October revolution. Before the revolution, pseudo-Orthodox innovations penetrated the walls of theological schools, religious and philosophical societies and were the lot of a certain part of the intelligentsia clergy. The revolutionary authorities used reformist ideas to split the Church, but they relied not on the intellectual minority, but on the huge mass of conformists and people of little faith within the church fence, who in previous times had learned to venerate all the power of Caesar - both autocratic and Bolshevik.
St. Athanasius's opposition to the renovationist schism is not so much a struggle against heretical beliefs as it is an exposure of Judas' sin - apostasy from the Church of Christ, the betrayal of its saints, pastors and laity into the hands of executioners.
Saint Athanasius explained to his flock that the schismatics who rebelled against the canonical episcopate, headed by Patriarch Tikhon, do not have the right to perform the Sacraments, and therefore the churches in which they perform divine services are without grace. He re-consecrated churches desecrated by schismatics, exhorted apostates to repent along with the parish, denouncing those who did not repent. Forbidding communication with the Renovationists in order to disgrace them, he asked not to harbor any malice towards them for their seizure of Orthodox shrines, since the saints, as the Right Reverend said, are always in spirit only with the Orthodox.
The first arrest of the saint occurred on March 30, 1922. It marked the beginning of many years of prison ordeals for Bishop Afanasy. But, strange as it may seem, the position of the imprisoned ruler was considered easier than the position of those who, while remaining free, suffered countless oppressions from the Renovationists. He even called the prison an “isolator from the renovationist epidemic.” The Bishop’s path through prisons and exile was endless and grueling: prisons: Vladimir, Taganskaya in Moscow, Zyryanskaya, Turukhanskaya, camps: Solovetsky, White Sea-Baltic, Onega, Mariinsky in the Kemerovo region, Temnikovsky in Mordovia...
On November 9, 1951, the last term of the camp ordeals of the sixty-four-year-old saint ended. But even after that, he was kept in complete uncertainty about his further fate, and then he was forcibly placed in a nursing home at the Potma station (in Mordovia), where the regime was almost no different from the camp.
The archpastor could have been arrested right on the road, as happened once when he was touring the Yuryev-Polsky district. In 1937-38, he was repeatedly arrested and prepared for immediate execution.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the bishop was sent to the Onega camps in the Arkhangelsk region on foot, and the prisoners carried their belongings on themselves. As a result of the difficult road and hunger, the ruler became so weak that he was seriously preparing for death...
The Onega camps gave way to indefinite exile in the Omsk region. In one of the state farms near the town of Golyshmanovo, the bishop worked as a night watchman in the vegetable gardens. Then he was moved to the city of Ishim, where he lived on funds sent by friends and spiritual children.
In the winter of 1942, Bishop Afanasy was unexpectedly transferred to Moscow. The investigation lasted six months. They interrogated me about 30 times, usually at night. Usually the interrogation lasted four hours, but once lasted as much as nine hours. Sometimes, during four hours of interrogation, only one sheet of protocol could be written, and sometimes more than ten sheets... During the interrogations, the Bishop not only betrayed no one, but also did not commit self-incrimination.
But then the verdict was announced: 8 years of imprisonment in the Mariinsky camps of the Kemerovo region, famous for their cruelty. The most difficult and dirty jobs were assigned to the “ideological enemies of Soviet power.”
In the summer of 1946, the bishop was again transferred to Moscow for a new investigation into a false denunciation. But soon the informer abandoned his testimony, and the Right Reverend was sent to the Temnikovsky camps of Mordovia to serve out his sentence until the end. Physically, he was already weak and could only engage in weaving bast shoes. Two years later, the bishop was sent to Dubrovlag (in the same Mordovia), where due to his age and health, he no longer worked.
However, under no circumstances did the bishop lose faith in God and feelings of great gratitude to Him. Barely alive after torture, holding back a groan, the saint often said to his loved ones: “Let’s pray, praise God!” And he was the first to sing: “Praise the name of the Lord.” And singing it revived him. The bishop encouraged the newly arrived prisoners: “Don’t lose heart. The Lord has vouchsafed you, in His great mercy, to suffer a little for Him. Thank God for this!”
Camp work was always grueling and often dangerous. Once Vladyka Athanasius was appointed a collector, which he found very burdensome. Soon, a thousand rubles were stolen from him, which he had to report to his superiors as his own shortage. Without understanding the case, the authorities immediately imposed heavy penalties on the prisoner...
On Solovki, Bishop Afanasy contracted typhus. He was threatened with death, but the Lord clearly protected His sufferer, and the bishop survived literally by a miracle.
But with this constant fatigue, the bishop saw a spiritual benefit - an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of his faith. He invariably adhered to the rules of the Holy Church, never interrupted the rule of prayer, praying not only privately, but also in the company of his cellmates. Even in the camp, he kept strict fasts, finding the opportunity to prepare Lenten food.
Vladyka behaved simply and sincerely with those around him, and found an opportunity to spiritually console those who “voluntarily” turned to him for support. It was never possible to see him idle: he was either working on liturgical notes, or decorating paper icons of saints with beads, or caring for the sick.
On March 7, 1955, Bishop Afanasy was released from the Potminsky nursing home, which, with its camp regime, completely undermined his health. At first, the bishop settles in the city of Tutaev (Romanov-Borisoglebsk) in the Yaroslavl region, but then chooses the village of Petushki in the Vladimir region for his place of residence.
Although from that time on the Bishop was formally free, the authorities did their best to restrict his actions. In Petushki, for example, he was allowed to perform divine services only behind closed church doors and without bishop’s regalia.
In 1957, the prosecutor's office of the Vladimir region again examined the 1936 case in which Bishop Afanasy was involved. The Bishop was interrogated at home; the arguments he presented in his defense were not considered convincing. There was no rehabilitation...
The consolation for the bishop was the services in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - after all, remembering his monastic tonsure within its walls, he always considered himself among its brethren. Several times the Bishop served with His Holiness Patriarch Alexy (Simansky), and on March 12, 1959, he participated in the consecration of Archimandrite Nikon (Lysenko) as Bishop of Ufa.
At one of the services of Bishop Athanasius, the worshipers noticed that during the Eucharistic canon he walked over the floor of the temple, as if some kind of wave was smoothly carrying him out of the altar...
Bishop Athanasius had a hard time experiencing the new stage of liberal persecution of the Church during the “thaw” period, and multiplied his prayers to Russian saints and the Mother of God, the Patroness of Rus'. He even began to consider his retirement as an evasion from the fight against the advancing evil and wanted to ask for appointment as a suffragan bishop, but his poor health did not allow him to continue his public service. No matter how hard the life of Bishop Athanasius was, he never lost heart. On the contrary, in prisons, camps, and exiles, he was filled with some amazing energy, finding soul-saving activities. It was there, in the dungeons, that the liturgically amazing service to All Russian Saints arose. It received its completeness after discussion with the hierarchs, who were concluded together with Bishop Athanasius.
One of the hierarchs was Archbishop Thaddeus of Tver, glorified by the Church as a martyr. And on November 10, 1922, in cell 172 of the Vladimir prison, the celebration of All Russian Saints according to the corrected service was celebrated for the first time.
The death of his mother prompted the bishop not only to fervent filial prayers for her, but also to write a fundamental work “On the Commemoration of the Dead according to the Charter of the Orthodox Church,” which was highly appreciated by Metropolitan Kirill (Smirnov).
In August 1941, His Grace Athanasius composed a “Prayer Song for the Fatherland,” filled with deep repentance and extraordinary prayer power, embracing all aspects of the life of our Fatherland. During the periods of imprisonment, the bishop composed prayer songs “For those who are in sorrows and various circumstances”, “About the enemies who hate and offend us”, “About those in prison and imprisonment”, “Thanksgiving for receiving alms”, “On the cessation of wars and about peace of the whole world"...
Saint Athanasius truly sang to God “here am I” (Ps. 45:1), he sang even at the gates of death, and the Lord preserved His servant for his beloved Church and Fatherland.
The years of confessing the faith of Christ in camps and prisons, no matter how difficult and terrible they were, became not a loss, but a gain on the life path of Bishop Athanasius. They acquired for his humble soul that grace-filled light of the spirit that the world so lacks. People immediately reached out to this inner light from all sides, each with their own pressing life questions. And these people met with a man of pure soul, filled with unceasing prayer.
No one ever heard a word of grumbling from the bishop about the prison past. He greeted everyone who came with kindness, kindness, sympathy and love. He shared his rich life experience with everyone, revealed the meaning of the Gospel and the lives of the holy saints of God, and helped pastors lead their flock to true repentance.
The saint loved everything beautiful in life, seeing in it a reflection of eternity, and knew how to find this beauty everywhere. While living in Petushki, Vladyka received up to 800 letters a year, maintaining correspondence with many former prisoners, whose sorrows he experienced as his own. For Christmas and Easter, he sent 30-40 parcels to those in need of help and comfort.
The spiritual children of Bishop Afanasy remember how simple and attentive he was in his communication, how he valued the smallest service, for which he always tried to repay.
Living modestly, he paid almost no attention to people's appearance. He did not like human glory and honor; he taught to do good only for the glory of God, so as not to lose future reward. He taught that talents are a gift from God and one should not be proud of them.
Once, to the question “How to be saved?” he replied: “The most important thing is faith. Without faith, no best deeds are saving, because faith is the foundation of everything. And the second is repentance. The third is prayer, the fourth is good Deeds. And worse than any sin is despair.” Vladyka taught us to resort to repentance as often as possible, as soon as sin is realized—to cleanse the soul with tears of repentance.
Prayer filled the saint’s entire life and was so vibrant and strong that those praying with him renounced everything earthly. And many, through his prayer, received ambulance help. Vladyka often said that in difficult situations in life you must prayerfully resort to the saint whose name you bear. He generally attached special importance to the prayerful appeal to our intercessors - the saints of the Orthodox Church. The ruler hid his insight, revealing it in exceptional cases and only for the benefit of his neighbors, to whose needs he never remained indifferent and whose infirmities he bore so patiently...
Back in August 1962, Bishop Afanasy began to say that it was time for him to die. When one day he was told that his children’s loved ones would not tolerate separation from him, he sternly remarked: “Is it possible to become so attached to a person? By doing this we violate our love for the Lord. You’re not alone, but you remain with the Lord.”
A few days before the blessed death of Bishop Athanasius, the governor, Archimandrite Pimen, the dean, Archimandrite Theodorit, and the confessor, Abbot Kirill, arrived from the Lavra, which greatly pleased the Right Reverend. It was the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of his monastic tonsure. On the very day, Thursday, the bishop was especially gracious, blessing everyone present.
But then death approached. The Bishop could no longer speak, immersed in prayer. However, on Friday evening he quietly said for the last time: “Prayer will save you all!” Then he wrote with his hand on the blanket: “Save, Lord!”
On Sunday, October 28, 1962, in memory of St. John of Suzdal, the saint quietly gave up his spirit to God. He predicted this day and hour in advance...
Life according to the book: Life of St. Athanasius, Bishop of Kovrov, confessor and hymnographer. M.: “Father's House”, 2000. pp. 3–21.
