I am going on a trip overseas soon, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a canon or an akathist specifically for journeys?
Thanks,
George
Canon/Akathist for Travel or travellers
Dear George,
I don't know of any akathist for travelers. There is a moleiben you could have said before going. I do know that St. Nicholas of Myrrha is the patron of travelers and and akathist to him would be very apropriate I think.
PS. By the way, I just figured out who you are. If you take a look at my website you will soon remeber me from the picture of me and my wife I think. Are you comming back to Japan? If you are I hope we have a chance to meet again in the Tokyo Cathedral before I and my wife move back to New York at the end of the month.
In Christ,
Nicholas Richard (Yokohama)
Hi Nicholas,
Yes, it is me, I will be in Japan from Friday 9 for a week, so will be at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11. Fr John told me that it is the National Council and all the Priests from Japan will be there. If you are there it will be nice to see you. I remember Alexis every day in my prayers.
Thanks for the advice. I do have the Akathist for St Nicholas, so I will take it with me on the plane. It is quite a long flight.
George
Molieben for Those about to Travel
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen. O Heavenly King ...
Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will send (him, her, them) an angel of peace as fellow-traveler and guide, to help, guard, defend, and preserve (him, her, them) unharmed by any evil assault, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That He will shield (him, her, them) from all attacks and assaults of enemies, and bring (him, her, them) to (his, her, their) destination and home again unharmed, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That in His mercy, He will calm (the tempest of the sea; the turbulence of the air; any unfavorable weather), and will grant His servant(s) a peaceful and profitable journey, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: That by His mighty grace He will deliver (him, her, them) from any accident or calamity, whether of soul or body, from sickness and sudden death, and from all mortal wounds, and that (he, she, they) may in due time return to (his, her, their) home(s) in peace and safety, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
If the journey is by land or air, the following troparia are sung.
Troparion, Tone 2
O Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, / You sent Raphael the Archangel as a guide for Tobias. / So now send Your Angel to accompany Your Servant(s), / may He protect (him, her, them) from every evil thing. / Bless (his, her, their) journey, that (he, she, they) may glorify Your Name, O Lover of man, / through the prayers of the Theotokos.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion, Tone 2
O Savior, You walked to Emmaus with Luke and Cleopas, / Now accompany Your servant(s) in (his, her, their) travels, / Deliver (him, her, them) from the assaults of evil men, / for in Your will all things are possible, O Lover of man.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion, Tone 4
O steadfast protectress of Christians! / Constant advocate before the Creator! / Do not despise the prayers of sinners, / but in Your mercy help those who call on You in faith. / Hasten to hear our petitions / and intercede for us O Theotokos, / for you always protect those who honor You!
If the journey is by sea, the following troparia are sung.
Troparion, Tone 2
O Savior, do not despise those who pray to You! / May Your Almighty Hand bless and help them! / You are our Creator and Master; / Your apostles cried, "Save us!" and with a single word You calmed the sea. / Give Your servant(s) a calm and untroubled journey. / Preserve (him, her, them) in good health, O Lover of man, / through the prayers of the Theotokos.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Troparion, Tone 5
O Savior, help and protect (him, her, them) who hope(s) in You; / may this journey enable (him, her, them) to accomplish good deeds, / that (he, she, they) may glorify You, O Giver of all good things.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Beneath your compassion we take refuge, Virgin Theotokos! / Despise not our prayers in our afflictions / but deliver us from harm. / O only pure only Blessed One.
Priest: Let us attend! Peace be unto all!
Reader: And to thy spirit!
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The prokeimenon in the 4th tone: Teach me the way I should go, for to Thee I lift up my soul.
Choir: Teach me the way I should go, for to Thee I lift up my soul.
Reader: Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to Thee for refuge!
Choir: Teach me the way I should go, for to Thee I lift up my soul.
Reader: Teach me the way I should go.
Choir: For to Thee I lift up my soul.
Deacon: Wisdom!
Reader: The reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles.
Deacon: Let us attend!
The Epistle Reading (Acts 8:26-39).
In those days, an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Gospel Reading (John 14:1-14).
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
The Augmented Litany
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we pray Thee, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: O Lord, Who guidest the footsteps of man, look upon Thy servant(s) (names), and pardon (him, her, them) every transgression, both voluntary and involuntary. Bless (his, her, their) journey; grant (him, her, them) a safe return, we beg Thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: O Lord, Who gloriously delivered Joseph from his brothers' jealousy, and led him to Egypt, where he prospered in all things through Thy blessing; bless also Thy servant(s) (names), as (he, she, they) begin (his, her, their) travels, and make (his, her, their) journey to be peaceful and profitable, we beg Thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: O Lord, Who didst send Thy angel to travel with Isaac and Tobias, who enabled them to complete their journey in peace; send Thine angel of peace to Thy servant(s) who pray(s) to Thee, that he may guide (him, her, them) in all good deeds, and deliver (him, her, them) from all enemies both visible and invisible, and enable (him, her, them) to return in safety, peace, and prosperity, for the glory of Thy name, we beg Thee, hearken and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: O Lord, Who didst accompany Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus, and didst make them to return to Jerusalem with their hearts burning with the joy of Thy resurrection; send Thy grace and divine blessing to accompany Thy servant(s) (names), and guide (him, her, them) in every good work, to the glory of Thy Holy Name. Preserve (him, her, them) in health, and bring (him, her, them) back to us again in due time, we beg Thee, our merciful protector, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Priest: Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off upon the sea, and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners. For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
If the journey is by sea, the following petitions are said:
Deacon: O Lord, Who dost rebuke the winds and the sea, and by a single word didst calm the waves and give peace to Thine apostles when they were storm-tossed in the ship; receive also the prayers of Thy servant(s) who come(s) to Thee in faith. Bless (his, her, their) voyage; grant (him, her, them) a calm, peaceful, and untroubled journey, we beg Thee, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: O Savior, Who didst walk upon the water as if it were dry land, and didst save Peter from drowning by Thine Almighty right hand; deliver Thy servant(s) who pray(s) to Thee in faith. Bless (his, her, their) voyage; grant (him, her, them) a calm, peaceful, and untroubled journey, we beg Thee, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Deacon: Send Thine angel, O merciful Lord, to accompany (him, her, them) on (his, her, their) way, and to guard (his, her, their) soul and body (souls and bodies). Preserve and shelter (him, her, them) from all enemies, both visible and invisible. Deliver (him, her, them) by Thy might from all tribulation and danger, from sickness and accidents. In due time restore (him, her, them) to (his, her, their) home(s) in safety, to the glory of Thy Holy Name, we beg Thee, all powerful Master, hear us and have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy (thrice).
Priest: Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off upon the sea, and show mercy, show mercy, O Master, upon us sinners. For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Deacon: Bowing our heads unto the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
If the journey is by land or air, the following prayer is said:
Priest: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Who willed to journey into Egypt with Joseph Thy foster-father and Mary, Thy pure Virgin Mother, and Who accompanied Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus: we humbly beg Thee, all holy Master, send Thy grace to Thy servant(s) who are about to travel. As Thou didst send the archangel Raphael to accompany Tobias, send now Thine angel of peace to be a faithful guide and guardian for Thy servant(s), preserving and delivering (him, her, them) from every assault of visible and invisible enemies. Direct (his, her, their) feet to walk in the way of Thy commandments. Bless (him, her, them) with peace, health and happiness. Bring (him, her, them) back again in safety. Grant that (he, she, they) may do Thy will all the days of (his, her, their) life (lives), and give glory to Thy Name.
For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O Christ our God, and to Thee do we send up glory, together with Thy Father who has no beginning, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Troparion to St. John of San Francisco, Tone 5
Thy care for thy flock in its sojourn has prefigured the supplications which thou didst ever offer up for the whole world. Thus do we believe, having come to know thy love, O holy hierarch and wonder-worker John. Wholly sanctified by God through the ministry of the all-pure Mysteries, and thyself strengthened thereby, thou didst hasten unto suffering, O most gladsome healer - hasten now also to the aid of us who honor thee with all our heart.
A Prayer to St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco
O beloved hierarch John while living amongst us thou didst see the future as if present, distant things as if near, the hearts and minds of men as if they were thine own. We know that in this thou wast illumined by God, with Whom thou wast ever in the mystical communion of prayer, and with Whom thou now abidest eternally. As thou once didst hear the mental petitions of thy far-scattered flock even before they could speak to thee, so now hear our prayers and bring them before the Lord. Thou hast gone over unto the life unaging, unto the other world, yet thou art in truth not far from us, for heaven is closer to us than our own souls. Show us who feel frightened and alone the same compassion that thou didst once show to the trembling fatherless ones. Unto us who have fallen into sin, confusion and despair, give the same stern yet loving instruction that thou didst once give to thy chosen flock. In thee we see the living likeness of our Maker, the living spirit of the Gospel, and the foundation of our Faith.
In the pure life that thou hast led during our sinful times, we see a model of virtue, a source of instruction and inspiration. Beholding the grace bestowed upon thee, we know that God hath not abandoned His people. It is rather we that have fallen from Him, and so must regain the likeness of Divinity as thou hast done. Through thine intercession, O blessed one, grant that we may increase our striving toward our heavenly homeland, setting our affections on things above, laboring in prayer and virtue, waging war against the attacks of our fallen nature. Invoke the mercy of God, that we may one day join thee in His Kingdom. For our deepest wish is to live forever with Him, with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparia to selected Saints
St. Herman of Alaska Troparion in Tone 4
O Blessed Father Herman of Alaska, North Star of Christ's Holy Church; The light of your holy life and great deeds Guides those who follow the Orthodox Way. Together we lift high the Holy Cross You planted firmly in America. Let all behold and glorify Jesus Christ, Singing His Holy Resurrection.
Kontakion in Tone 3
The Eternal Light of Christ our Savior Guided you, O Blessed Father Herman, On your evangelical journey to America, Proclaiming the Gospel of Peace. Now you stand before the Throne of Glory; Intercede for your land and its people, Peace for the world and salvation of our souls
Apostle and Evangelist John Troparion in Tone 2
O Apostle, beloved of Christ the God, hasten to set free the people that have no word of defence: thee fallen down in adoration will accept He Who hath received thee whenever thou fellest on His breast. Entreat then, O Theologian, Him that He may disperse also the thick darkness with which heathens are surrounded, asking for us peace and the great mercy.
Kontakion in Tone 2
Who can recount all thy great deeds, O chaste one: for thou lettest spring miracles and cures flow, and intercedest for our souls as theologian and friend of Christ.
St. Sergius, abbot of Radonezh Troparion in Tone 4
Athelete in virtue, true warrior of Christ our God, you fiercely fought the good fight against the passions during this earthly life and have been an example to your disciples by your spiritual labors in song, vigil, and fast. Wherefore, the Holy Spirit took up His abode in you and operating there adorned you with radiant beauty: O you who have boldness to approach the Holy Trinity. Remember your flock gathered by your wisdom and never forget it, visiting your children, according to your promise, O holy Father Sergius.
Kontakion in Tone 8
O Saint, smitten with the love of Christ, you followed Him without looking back, and you hated all pleasures of the flesh and shone like the sun upon the land of your birth: therefore Christ has enriched you with the gift of working wonders. Remember us who honor your radiant memory that we may call to you: Hail O Sergius, wise in God.
St. Innocent, Enlightener of Alaska and All America Troparion, Tone 4
O Holy Father Innocent, in obedience to the will of God you accepted dangers and tribulations, bringing many peoples to the knowledge of truth. You showed us the path; now by your prayers help lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another Troparion, Tone 2
You evangelized the Northern people of America and Asia, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the natives in their own tongues, O Holy Hierarch Father Innocent, Enlightener of Alaska and All America, whose ways were ordered by the Lord, pray to Him for the salvation of our souls, in His Heavenly Kingdom.
Kontakion, Tone 2
A true celebration of the Providence and Grace of God is your life, O Holy Father Innocent, Apostle to our land. For in hardships and dangers toiling for the Gospel's sake, you were preserved unharmed and often-delivered, while from obscurity you were highly exalted as an example to the faithful everywhere, that truly the Lord guides a man in the way he should go.
October 19 St. John of Kronstadt, Wonderworker, Troparion, Tone 4
With the Apostles your message has gone out to the ends of the world, with the Confessors you endured sufferings for Christ; you are like the Hierarchs by your preaching of the Word, with the monks who are saints you were radiant with God's grace. Therefore the Lord exalted the abyss of your humility above the heavens and has given us your name as a source of most wonderful miracles. And so, O Wonderworker, living in Christ forever, with love have mercy on those who are in trouble and hear your children who with faith call upon you, O righteous John, our beloved shepherd.
Kontakon, Tone 4
O you who from infancy were chosen by God, and miraculously received from Him in childhood the gift of teaching, and were gloriously called to the priesthood in a vision during sleep: you proved to be a wonderful shepherd of the Church of Christ, O Father John, namesake of grace. Pray Christ our God that we may all be with you in the kingdom of heaven.
St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Troparion, Tone 4
As a rule of faith and model of tenderness and teacher of abstinence hath the reality shown thee unto thy flock; therewithal hast thou acquired by humility greatness, by poverty - riches; O Father Hierarch Nicholas, intercede before Christ the God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion, Tone 3
At Myra, O holy one, didst thou prove thyself to be high priest; for having, O venerable, fulfilled the gospel of Christ, thou didst lay thy soul for thy people, and save the innocent from death; wherefore wast thou hallowed as the great adept of God's grace.
St. Mary Magdalene, Troparion, Tone 1
After Christ Who for our sake was born of the Virgin, thou didst, O venerated Mary Magdalene, follow, keeping His statutes and laws; wherefore celebrating today thine all-holy memory we obtain, through thine intercessions, the remission of sins.
Kontakion, Tone 3
Standing at the Savior's cross with many others, and grieving with the Mother of the Lord and shedding tears, thou, O most glorious, didst in praise utter these words: what is this unheard of wonder? He that upholdeth the whole creation, hath deigned to suffer: glory to Thy might.
George wrote:Hi Nicholas,
Yes, it is me, I will be in Japan from Friday 9 for a week, so will be at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11. Fr John told me that it is the National Council and all the Priests from Japan will be there. If you are there it will be nice to see you. I remember Alexis every day in my prayers.Thanks for the advice. I do have the Akathist for St Nicholas, so I will take it with me on the plane. It is quite a long flight.
George
I can't thank you enough for the prayers. Your trip shall be in mine. I will see you at the Cathedral next weekend.
In Christ,
Nicholas