Canon to Saint Chad, Bishop of Lichfield

St Chad (+672) was from Northumbria, the youngest of four brothers who, like him, became missionaries. He was trained under St Aidan at Lindisfarne and spent some time in Ireland. St Chad took over as abbot of Lastingham from his brother St Cedd in 664 when many churchmen perished in the plague.

St Chad was appointed Bishop of the Northumbrians by the king but there weren’t three bishops left in the country to perform an ordination according to the Orthodox rite. He was deposed on this account on the arrival of St Theodore of Tarsus as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. St Theodore did however consecrate St Chad as Bishop of the Mercians and of the Lindsey people (Lincolnshire).

St Chad built a small monastery at Lichfield where there is also a holy well. There is also a holy well at Lastingham. He died three years later and was immediately venerated as a saint. His relics are enshrined in St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham.

St Chad's feast day is on the 15th March (2nd of March in the Church calendar). Below is a canon dedicated to the Saint, which can be downloaded and printed or read online. It's suitable to be read when no priest is present and at any time.

Canon to Saint Chad, Bishop of Lichfield.pdf

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Canon of the saint, with 4 troparia, the acrostic whereof is "By piety Chad waged war on the foe of man", in Tone IV

Icon of Saint Chad at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Birmingham

Ode I

Irmos: He Who is mighty in battle cast the chariots of Pharaoh and his power into the sea. Let us chant a new hymn, for He hath been glorified!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Battling the hosts of Satan, the holy Chad vanquished them utterly; wherefore, grant me the grace to chant unto him a new hymn, O Lord.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Ye servants of Christ, lift up your voices, glorifying the holy hierarch, the valiant warrior, who trampled the noetic foe beneath his beautiful feet.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Prevailing over all the passions of the flesh, the wondrous Chad scaled the heights of dispassion by his surpassing wisdom and Christian virtues.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: In thee, Gall-blessed Virgin, do we attain salvation, for without knowing man thou gavest birth unto Him Who is glorified in His saints.

Ode III

Irmos: Let the vainglorious sage boast not, but let him consider this: There is none as holy as God, Who exalteth our horn, granting might to our rulers.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Eternal be thy parents' reward, O holy Chad, for they instilled true piety in thee and thy brethren, whom they gave to the Church as bishops and priests.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Trained in ascetic feats by the sainted Aidan at Lindisfarne, O great hierarch of Christ, with thy holy brother Cedd thou didst overcome the adversary.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Yearning to commune with the Most High in true contemplation, O Chad, to the monasteries of Ireland didst thou go to gain knowledge divine.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Choirs of angels hymn thy supernal beauty, O holy Maiden, and the ranks of archangels glorify thee exceedingly, for thou dost surpass them all in holiness.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV: Having fought the good fight and finished well the course of thy life, O Chad, thou wast vouchsafed to hear the Judge of the contest say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of thy Lord!" Wherefore, the angelic hosts escorted thy pure soul to heaven.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Theotokion: Who can describe the multitude of mine impure thoughts and the tempests of my wicked notions, O all-immaculate one? Who can recount the assaults of mine incorporeal foes and their malice? Yet by thine entreaties grant me deliverance from them all, O good one.

or Stavrotheotokion (on Wednesdays and Fridays): 

Beholding Thee hanging upon the Cross Who wast begotten of the unoriginate Father, she who in latter days gave birth unto Thee in the flesh, O Christ, cried out: "Woe is me, O Jesus most beloved! How is it that Thou, O my Son, Who art glorified as God by the angels, art now crucified by iniquitous men? I hymn Thee, O Long-suffering One!"

Ode IV

Irmos: When the years draw nigh, Thou shalt be acknowledged; when the season cometh, Thou shalt be shown forth; when my soul is troubled, in Thine anger shalt Thou remember mercy. Glory to Thee, O Lord!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Having been summoned to Northumbria by thy blessed brother, O Chad, thou didst undertake to govern there the holy Monastery of Lastingham, until it was God's good pleasure that thou be made bishop of York.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Anointed with the grace of the episcopacy, O wondrous Chad, thou didst put on the hierarchal vestments as a soldier putteth on his armour, and with courage and valour didst wage war, undaunted, upon the primordial foe.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Doctrine and Christian piety didst thou preach to thy flock, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in every town and village of the realm, in thy modesty and humility travelling about on foot like the holy apostles.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: When woes afflict us and the ungodly oppress us, and divine wrath justly punisheth us for our manifold sins, O Lady, beseech thine omnipotent Son to be mindful of His mercy, that we may sing His glory.

Ode V

Irmos: Ascend Mount Sion, proclaiming glad tidings, and go up to Jerusalem with proclamation, lifting up your voices with strength, saying: Wondrous things have been spoken of thee, O city of God! Peace be upon Israel, and salvation upon the nations!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Aidan's example didst thou truly follow, O holy hierarch; for, imbued with the grace of the Scriptures, thy godly conduct and actions won converts to the Christian Faith even more than thy words: wherefore, thou wast the salvation of thy nation.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Giving place in thy surpassing humility to the saintly Wilfrid, O Chad who art most rich, at the behest of the holy hierarch Theodore of Canterbury thou didst accept Mercia as the vineyard wherein thou wouldst labour tirelessly for thy Master and Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Ever concerned for the well-being of thy body and soul, the holy Archbishop Theodore forbade thee to continue visiting thy flock on foot, O saint of God, lifting thee up upon a horse with his own hands to enforce his divinely inspired commands

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Damnation and perdition surely await us at our death, for many are our sins and grievous our transgressions; but take pity on us, the wretched and accursed, O Mistress, and by thine intercessions obtain peace for our lives and salvation for our souls.

Ode VI

Irmos: I have been brought down into hades by the abyss of life and my deeds; yet as Jonah cried out from within the sea monster, so do I cry: Lead me up from the depths of evils, I pray, O Son and Word of God!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Wulfhere, King of Mercia, in his piety gave thee land whereon to found a monastic house in the province of Lindsey, O holy Chad, and there thou didst establish the Monastery of Bardney to the glory of God.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Angelic voices were heard in thy cell at Lichfield, O saint of God, and when they returned to heaven thou didst summon thy monks, admonishing them to keep peace among themselves after thy repose.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Relating to thy disciples that the day when thou wouldst be called from this life was nigh at hand, O hierarch of Christ, thou didst commend thyself to the prayers of the brethren, that thy passage might be eased.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Our trust and hope are all in thee, after God, O all-merciful Theotokos; wherefore, disdain not our earnest supplications, neither spurn our fervent pleas, but as thou standest at the right hand of glory, save us.

Kontakion (Tone II): O boast of Lichfield and glory of Mercia, disciple of the holy Aidan and brother of the godly Cedd, by thine exalted humility thou didst ascend the mount of the virtues, and by thine evangelical poverty thou hast enriched thy people; wherefore, as thou dwellest in the uncreated light of grace divine, O Chad, entreat Christ, the Sun of righteousness, to illumine us all.

Ikos: Chanting together, O ye faithful, let us clap our hands in exultation, celebrating the right gladsome memory of the holy hierarch Chad, the scion of Northumbria and enlightener of the Midlands, by the sound of whose gentle voice many were called to salvation and have come to dwell with the saints in glory; and with compunction for our manifold sins let us cry out to him with hope: Entreat Christ, the Sun of righteousness to illumine us all!

Ode VII

Irmos: Deliver us not up utterly, for Thy holy name's sake, neither disannul Thou Thy covenant, and cause not Thy mercy to depart from us, O Lord God of our fathers, Who art supremely hymned forever.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Never uttering a complaint, thou didst endure a languishing infirmity for seven days, O athlete of Christ, and then, having communed of His holy Body and Blood, didst depart straightway to heaven.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Thy flock mourned thy passing, O blessed Chad, but thou wast full of joy when, escorted by radiant hosts of angels and the deified soul of thy holy brother Cedd, thou didst enter the holy Sion in triumph.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Holy are thy relics, O wondrous Chad, abundantly pouring forth a torrent of healings upon the sick and infirm, like oil from an oil-press, curing their maladies of soul and body and restoring their health.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Even the worst of sinners beggeth mercy of thee and receiveth thine aid, O Virgin Maiden, for the King of glory gave thee as a mother to mankind, and at her maternal supplications extendeth mercy unto all.

Ode VIII

Irmos: Rejoicing after their condemnation by the tyrant for not worshipping all the abominable gods, but only the living God, the children braved the fire; and, bedewed by the Angel, they chanted the song: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Free us from the chains wherewith the primordial foe hath fettered us, O valorous warrior of the Lord, and lead us up from the nethermost dungeon of our despair, that with thee we may joyfully chant: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Over the sheep of thy flock do thou ever keep vigilant watch, O good shepherd of Christ, leading them to the green pastures of Orthodox doctrine and fending off the rabid assaults of the noetic wolves, crying: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Triadicon: Enfold us in Thy love which passeth all human understanding, O All-holy Trinity our God - unoriginate Father, consubstantial Son and equally eternal Spirit - and grant that we may ever adore Thee in spirit and in truth, hymning and exalting Thee supremely for all ages!

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Out of the raging depths of the pyre of our passions do we send our piteous cry: Hearken unto us, O unstained Bride of God, and by the angels send down upon us the dew of mercy, that like the youths we may cry: Hymn the Lord, ye works, and exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Ode IX

Irmos: The God of Israel hath wrought might with His arm; for He hath cast down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree, wherein the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, and guided us to the way of peace.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Forming a choir with the angels of God and all the ranks of His saints, in gladness let us chant hymns of praise to Him, for He hath been glorified in His servant Chad, the boast of Lichfield, who hath guided us in the way of peace.

Holy Hierarch Chad, pray to God for us.

Mighty in strength is the God of Israel, and strong in His might is the valiant Chad, His courageous warrior, who, clad in the armour of uncreated light, cast down all the enemies of man's salvation and put their vile hordes to flight.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All Christians beseech the blessed Chad to make entreaty to the Lord in their behalf, that, pulled from the mire of sins by his mighty arm, by his guidance they may tread the way of peace to the glorious kingdom of heaven.

Both now, and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion: Now bless we all the most pure Maiden, who without stain or corruption gave birth to the incarnate Word of God, the Dayspring from on high, Who in His mercy hath visited our lowly race, to guide us in the way of peace.

Prayer to the Saint: O Jesus Christ God, the Divine Logos, we beseech Thee that we may be deemed worthy to recall the works of Thy great wonderworker and hierarch Chad. We pray that we may find grace through his great piety, humility, unceasing prayer, fasting and obedience to his brethren. We seek his counsel and intercessions before Thy glorious Throne. We ask Thee, our God, to grant us humility, love and steadfastness in faith and teaching. Bestow good thoughts and intentions upon us and upon our brothers and sisters, and especially upon our enemies who wrong us. Help us in times of need to call upon holy Chad’s humility to Saint Theodore. As a model of obedience, holy Chad relinquished the See of York, feeling unworthy of such an honour, and so was rewarded with a great See in Mercia and, more, precious humility. Help us, O Almighty God, to emulate humble Chad and preserve us from selfish and vain thoughts. Help us never to forget those that suffer, the downtrodden and the unfortunate. Be a hand for us, when in humility, we step aside for others. Keep us, for the sins of pride, vanity and lust are hard to battle and conquer, and only through Thee are they truly defeated. May we learn to love one another in Thee, O Christ, and may we strive for concord through Thee with those before us and around us. May we put aside all earthly cares and come to the knowledge of Thine Eternal Truth. Thou art the Divine Architect Who didst shape this vast universe and Whose power is limitless. We humbly beg Thee, forgive us our sins, for Thy power is great and we are weak. Remember humble Chad’s prayers for our sake, and have mercy on us in Thy dread Judgement. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, always, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen