Damascene Press

09/09/2026

As ones delivered from evils by the arrival of thy precious image, O Mistress Theotokos, do we splendidly chant hymns of victory to thee, the chosen leader, on the feast of thy meeting, and we cry to thee as is our wont: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!

An angelic messenger was sent from heaven to say to the Theotokos: “Rejoice!”, with his incorporeal voice, O Lord; and perceiving Thee incarnate, he was filled with awe and stood, crying out to her such things as these: Rejoice, thou through whom Joy hath shone forth; rejoice, thou who didst annul the curse! Rejoice, restoration of fallen Adam; rejoice, deliverance of Eve from tears! Rejoice, height not easily scaled by the thoughts of men; rejoice, depth not easily plumbed even by the eyes of angels! Rejoice, for thou art the throne of the King; rejoice, for thou bearest Him Who bearest all things! Rejoice, thou star who revealest the Sun; rejoice, womb of the incarnation of God! Rejoice, thou through whom creation hath been restored; rejoice, thou by whom the Creator is worshipped! Rejoice, O Bride unwedded!

09/08/2026

O Most High God, Thou wast lifted up upon the Cross and given gall to eat, O Sweetness of life; and Thou wast pierced by a spear, slaying the serpent who laid Adam low in paradise.

Bound of Thine own will, O Word, Thou freest me from the bonds of sin, binding the apostate foe with eternal bonds, O Savior. Wherefore, I glorify Thy sufferings forever.

——
Excerpt from the canon of the Cross for Wednesday morning (Tone V)
orthodoxprayers.substack.com
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09/07/2026

O Forerunner of the Lord, godly offspring of a barren womb: Pray to God, that I may produce the fruits of the virtues, and loose the barrenness of my sin, dispelling the gloom from my mind.

On earth thou wast shown by faith to be a star preceding the great Sun of glory Who hath illumined the whole world. Wherefore, entreat Him, O Forerunner, that He enlighten my soul, which hath been benighted by evil thoughts.

O Prophet, who by the divine Spirit didst announce beforehand to those in hades the Light Who was drawing nigh: By thine entreaties give life to my deadened soul, and raise me up from my transgressions as from a grave, I pray, O glorious Forerunner.

——
Excerpt from the canon of the Forerunner for Tuesday morning (Tone V)
orthodoxprayers.substack.com
damascenepress.org

09/07/2026

Those stuck fast in delusion, and madly enshrouded in the gloom of ungodliness to their detriment, have found thee to be a mighty consolation, a light and deliverance from evils, O all-wise Bartholemew.

Thou wast the mouth of God the Word, O glorious Apostle Bartholemew, and hast delivered men from the mouth of the wicked wolf, bringing them to thy Master through the font of baptism.

Having burned up the bitter tinder of falsehood with thy fiery tongue, O all-wise one, thou hast restored hardened hearts and made them receptive to heavenly understanding.

——
Excerpt from the canon of the Apostle Bartholomew (Tone IV)
orthodoxprayers.substack.com
damascenepress.org

09/06/2026

O Christ God, Thou true Light, out of the night my spirit riseth at dawn unto Thee. Show forth Thy countenance upon me.

Awake, O my soul, awake from the heavy sleep of my grievous sin, and enlighten thyself with the light of repentance.

Let us diligently restore our souls and drink in showers of compunction, that we may produce the grain of repentance.

——
Excerpt from the canon of repentance for Monday morning (Tone V)
orthodoxprayers.substack.com
damascenepress.org

09/06/2026

Full of the grace of God, thou didst blamelessly minister to thy flock, confirming the words of thine instruction with works of the virtues; and inspiring all to mercy and loving-kindness, thou didst teach them not to take the broad way which leadeth to destruction, but to tread the straight and narrow way whereby we may attain unto the heavenly homeland.

All the forests and glades of Carpathia clap their hands in gladness, and its mountains and hills leap for joy; for the child of their bosom now standeth in supplication before the Almighty, making earnest entreaty in behalf of all who honor his sufferings and undeserved death. Wherefore, let the whole world rejoice exceedingly, having gained a new and bold intercessor, a mediator for peace and great mercy.

How have those who observe vain and false things abandoned mercy for themselves, thou didst say with the prophet Jonah, O holy one; but thou didst sacrifice unto the Lord in purity and truth.

Holy hieromartyr Maximus, pray to God for us!

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

Brethren: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Letter from the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth

(I Corinthians 4:1-5)

09/03/2026

Blessed Feast!

Fr. Seraphim Rose reposed on September 2, 1982, at the age of 48 at St. Herman of Alaska Monastery.

09/02/2026

"A Morning Song" from "A Spiritual Psalter or Reflections on God”

Link in comments.