Amphilochius [Large Print]

Prayer to St. PhotiusTo thee, O, most wise and extraordinary Bishop, equal-to-the-Apostles enlightener of the Bulgarian land, bright-voiced rebeck of the Divine Spirit, holy Father Photius, we are turning now and we bring you this little prayer with tenderness. Do hear us, the humble children of yours, show your intercession for us to the Most-High, warmly imploring Him to forgive us His slaves, to open to us the doors of His mercy. We are unworthy to contemplate from below the heavenly height, being bent down under the many sins of ours. But we also sinned more and did nothing of the will of our Creator, nor kept his commandments, but we did not turn to another God, nor extended a hand to an alien god. Humbly bowing down our knees and our crushed hearts to our builder we again beg your fatherly intercession to Him: do intercede, O pleaser of Christ, O Photius shining bright in gold, for our country and for the Church of the Bulgarians, that once was nurtured and soldered] by the sweat of your labors, and now eaten by bitter temptations. Help us, O Saint of God, lest we perish with our iniquities, deliver us from all evil and from all things that are of the enemy opposing], empower our mind and strengthen our hearts in the Orthodox faith, within it through your intercession and soliciting we shall not be diminished neither by wounds, nor bans punishments], nor any anger from our Creator. We pray, a good shepherd, drive away the wolves of grief from the verbal flock of Christ, cut down as a tree the Latin pride - even though covered with humility, and deceitfully speaking words of love, but strongly arising against the catholic Church. Save us from heretical contrivances, and instruct us to do the truth in love. Teach us all good deeds, and most of all teach us to repent in tears for the sins: for upon our exodus into the world beyond, we may be covered by the omophorion of your prayers and preserving the Motherly intercession of the Most blessed Theotokos, we may rid ourselves of the air taxation ordeals and eternal torment, so that with you and with all the saints we may always glorify the Father's most hymned name and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and in the endless ages of ages, Amen.