In the countries of the Orthodox and Catholic Church, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints. For Orthodox people, the most common form of appeal to him is the recitation of canons and akathists. These prayer chants are distinguished by a special solemnity and special construction of the text, as well as the history of creation.
From the biography of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker it is known that he was born in 270 BC. e. in the province of Lycia (Patara). From his very childhood, he showed a special zeal for serving God, and was distinguished by strong piety. The inhabitants of Lycia saw in the local priest, and then bishop Mir Lycia, a clear example of a shepherd who, with God's help, sent them to the path of salvation.
The service of St. Nicholas fell during the period of Christian persecution, but because he was already in the dignity, the bishop was arrested and kept in prison. Here he courageously carried his cross and provided all possible support to other prisoners. Saint Nicholas is especially revered throughout the Christian world. During his lifetime, he performed many merciful deeds and miracles. For believing Christians, he is a true healer of souls and a guide to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Canons to Nicholas the Wonderworker
The canons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker belong to the structured works of church hymnographic chants praising the saint. The text of the canons is a combination of biblical chants and additional (added later) verses in the form of irmos and troparia. Irmos are necessary for connecting the biblical song with troparia by analogy with the modern holiday and the events of the original event, taken from the Bible. And the troparia celebrate the solemn event itself. It is important that the structural construction of the irmos carries the basis for the rhythm and tune of the troparion. The number and length of stanzas must be equal in them.
In the Orthodox tradition, there are several canons to Nicholas the Wonderworker, which include the following:
- The first canon has the following words as the beginning of the irmos: "In the depths of the post sometimes
- The second canon begins with the words of Irmos: "Christ is born - praise
- The third canon contains the first words of Irmos: "Let us raise up the song, people
"; the canon is read during the service associated with the transfer of the relics of the saint.
- The fourth canon begins: "I will open my mouth
The first two canons are usually recited on December 19 (in a new style), when the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is celebrated, and the third and fourth canons are read on May 22 - the day dedicated to the memory of the transfer of the relics of the saint.
When to read canons
The canons dedicated to St. Nicholas are read at home and during church services. It is generally accepted that they have a special mystical power that protects believers with the power of the Savior. In them, a person addresses the saint precisely through the events of the biblical years, which in itself already brings significant help to Heaven.
The texts of the canons, written in ancient times by persons with high spiritual qualities, offer song prayer to God in the shortest possible way. They are read asking to heal them from bodily and mental illnesses, material need and protect them from the injustice of the authorities. The saint is considered a powerful protector of widows, orphans, imprisoned under the experience and those who are overcome by sadness, despondency and even despair.
Where to find and how to read canons and akathist to Nicholas the Wonderworker
It must be remembered that it is advisable to acquire any Orthodox prayer texts, including canons and akathists to Nicholas the Wonderworker in church shops. In addition, at present, Orthodox sites have texts with accents and comments, which is very important for those who are just starting their spiritual ascent and do not yet have sufficient knowledge in the prayer rules.
An important rule for reading canons and akathists is the certification in their approval by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. This can be guaranteed by church shops in churches and text compliance with lists posted on the Internet on reliable Orthodox information platforms. And, of course, you can always double-check thematic information from any clergyman.
When reciting canons, all words should be very carefully pronounced. Moreover, you can read the penitent canon, unlike the akathist, you can sit. Reading is carried out at any time, but only after special preliminary prayers or after the daily prayer rule. The texts of the canons can be read in Russian and Church Slavonic. In the latter case, the prayer will bear the ancient color and capacity with which the words of the chant were saturated with their creators.
There is no need to worry when there is no way to recite the canon aloud, because communication with St. Nicholas is not through the mouth of the prayer, but through his heart. Therefore, mental reading is allowed. The main thing is that the words be spoken with a feeling of love and repentance. It should be remembered that divine chants are performed without any pathos expression, namely in a monotonous voice. It is advisable at home that the reading of the canons is accompanied by a lit lamp or church candle in front of the face of St. Nicholas. If there is no icon of it, then prayer reading can be done before the image of the Savior or Our Lady.
