Moleben for St Edwin, King and Martyr
Below is a Moleben (Intercessory Prayer Service) in honour of the 7th century king and martyr, Edwin of Northumbria.
St Edwin was the son of King Alla of Deira (present day Yorkshire) and was born, as a pagan, around 584. At the death of his father, St Edwin was exiled by the King of Bernicia (present day Northumberland and Co. Durham), who seized the throne of Deira to form the ancient kingdom of Northumberland.
St Edwin spent his exile in North Wales and, later, East Anglia, having to survive a number of attempts on his life. In time, Edwin regained the throne of Northumbria and, later, expanded his northern kingdom greatly.
After the death of his first wife, Edwin married St Ethelburga, the Christian daughter of sainted King Ethelbert of Kent, the first Christian king of England. St Ethelburga travelled with St Paulinus the Bishop and, although Edwin remained a pagan, he allowed the practice of the Christian faith and the missionary efforts of St Paulinus; when their first child was born in 626, St Edwin allowed the girl to be baptised. On the eve of his aughter's birth - being Pascha night - an attempt was made on St Edwin's life where he was saved, though wounded, by the prayers of the Queen St Ethelburga.
St Edwin made a promise that if his arm would be healed and he could gain victory over those that conspired to kill him (the ruler of Wessex), he would accept baptism. Both of these things happened, yet St Edwin forgot his promise, and only with many more signs from God did St Edwin finally received baptism in 627 at the wooden church of St Peter in York by the hand of St Paulinus. St Edwin then ordered construction of a stone church to be built on the site. It was the 11th year of his reign.
The kingdom of Northumbria was ruled peacefully for a further six years. It was later said by St Bede that a woman with a babe-in-arms could travel from the west to east coast of the kingdom alone and not come to harm. St Edwin had poles erected by the sides of streams with metal bowls attached by rope for travellers to drink from. These bowls remained in place due to either the people's great fear or great love for the King.
Saint Edwin was killed in a battle with the pagan Penda of Mercia and Cadwalla of Wales in 633, when he was forty-eight years old, defending his kingdom. The place of battle is thought to be either Hatfield Chase near Doncaster, or a place near Cuckney in North Nottinghamshire. It near here that the village of Edwinstowe (Edwin's Shrine) lies, in the middle of Sherwood Forest. After lying at Edwinstowe for some years, his relics were taken by Christians: his body to the abbey of Whitby and his head to York, where it lay in the church that St Edwin had started after his baptism.
Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
The moleben is a reader's service. Where it is said by a family or other group of people, the "Senior Reader's" parts are said by the head of the family or the person appointed to lead the service. Where the moleben is prayed by an individual, all the parts are said by that individual. Tones are given for those familiar with the melodies, but the whole service can be read and doesn't have to be sung.
Moleben for St Edwin, King and Martyr
Senior Reader: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, O Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things: Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us from all impurity and of Thy goodness save our souls.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (Thrice).
Glory… Both Now…Amen:
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice.)
Glory… Both Now…Amen:
Our Father, Which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Reader: Amen. Lord have mercy. (12 times.)
Glory… Both Now…Amen:
O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Thy works, I pondered on the creations of Thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not Thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I put my hope. Cause me to know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto Thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me from mine enemies, O Lord; unto Thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for Thy name's sake, O Lord, shalt Thou quicken me. In Thy righteousness shalt Thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in Thy mercy shalt Thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And Thou shalt cut off all them that afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.
Glory…Both Now…: Аlleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Glory to Thee, O God (Тhrice)
Then:
People (in tone 6, and after each verse): God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Verse 1 (Reader): O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.
People: God is the Lord…
Verse 2: Surrounding me they compassed me about, but in the name of the Lord I driven them back.
Verse 3: I shall not but live, and I shall declare the works of the Lord.
Verse 4: The stone which the builders have rejected, this has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Then this troparion in Tone 6:
Why look ye to the profane glories of the past, O England, to battles won by vainglorious sovereigns, to fortresses and palaces built upon men's bones, their mortar mingled with human blood and the sweat of the poor? Nay, look rather to the sacrifice of the holy Edwin, who laid down his life for his God and his people, and to the virtues and struggles of your ancient saints. These are your true riches and heavenly treasures, which rust cannot tarnish, nor passage of centuries decay.
Glory…, then repeat the troparian:
Why look ye to the profane glories of the past, O England...
Both Now…Amen, then in tone 8:
In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and cameth forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, twofold in nature but not Hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O unwedded Mother, ** that our souls find mercy!
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.
Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
People: Amen.
Canon of the saint, with 4 troparia, the acrostic whereof is “In battle
Edwin won the crown of victory” — in Tone VIII):
ODE I
Irmos: To Him Who crushed battles with His arm and led Israel across the Red Sea, let us chant, as to God our Deliverer, for gloriously hath He been glorified.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
In jubilant hymns and spiritual songs let us exalt Christ God our Deliverer, Who by His mighty arm hath gloriously led His people to the Promised Land.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Now let us honour the holy King Edwin, the glory of Northumbria and boast of all the faithful, for, having fallen gloriously in battle, he hath been glorified.
Glory to the Father…
Before a pagan wanderer, driven from his land, Edwin was gloriously delivered by God from the deep darkness of ignorance and led across into light.
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: All Christians glorify the most holy Mother of Christ our God, the all-immaculate Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, the pure sovereign Maiden .
ODE III
Irmos: Make me steadfast by the power of the Cross, O Lord, and grant me a pure heart, that I may boast in Thee, O Good One.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
The power of Thy grace, O Good One, entered into the heart of the holy Edwin, and Thou becamest his Lord and his God.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Thou didst not boast in thy kingly crown, nor the power of thy royal authority, O Edwin, but in the Cross of Christ alone.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Leaving aside all the errors of thy forebears, O righteous king, thou didst bow thy head and knees before the true King of kings.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Edwin was a faithful steward of the realm entrusted to him by his Master and Lord, and for Him he increased it exceedingly.
Theotokion: Eve was beguiled by the serpent in Eden of old, and fell under the curse; but Mary hath crushed the serpent's head underfoot.
Glory… Both now… Amen. Then the hymn in Tone I
Wondrous was the eloquence of the saint! For when he urged his nobles to embrace the true Faith, even the high priests of their false gods reviled the demons and clave unto the one God. O the mighty persuasion of the holy king, which bore such abundant fruit for the Master of all!
ODE IV
Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and I was afraid. I have considered Thy works and glorified Thy dominion, O Lord.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Dominion was granted thee by the Lord over all the northern lands, O right-believing Edwin, for the sake of thy piety.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
When we consider thy works as king, O Edwin, we are filled with awe, for in times of darkness thou didst bring forth light.
Glory to the Father…
Inspired with fear by the report of thy royal justice, evildoers ceased to commit wicked deeds, and the faithful glorified thy dominion.
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: Never let our mouths cease to hymn the most glorious Mistress, the Queen of heaven and of earth, the Mother of the King of all. .
ODE V
Irmos: Grant us peace, O Lord our God. O Lord our God, take us for Thy possession. O Lord, we know none other than Thee; we call upon Thy name.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
With the Christian Faith Edwin brought peace to his realm, and the people, freed from strife, in exultation praised the name of the Lord their God.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
O Lord our God, Edwin, Thy servant, forsook the gods of the heathen and knew none other God than Thee, upon Whose name he called with faith.
Glory to the Father…
Neither Woden, nor Thor, nor any other false god did Edwin acknowledge; but Thou, O Lord our God, didst cherish him as Thine own possession.
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: The peoples of the earth hold thee in reverence, O Mother of God, and even the bodiless hosts of heaven stand in awe of thy majesty, O Queen.
ODE VI
Irmos: Out of the depths of sin I cried out to the Lord Who is able to save me, and He led my life up from corruption, in that He loveth mankind.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Harried and driven from thy land by the usurper, O Edwin, thou wast delivered from the depths of despair by Him Who loveth mankind.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Edwin cried out to the Savior of mankind, Who had delivered him from peril and certain death: Thou hast led my life up from corruption!
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Cadwallon perished in the fray, and Penda's victory availed him naught, but Edwin's soul was borne aloft in glory by the angelic hosts.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Theotokion: Relying on the power of thy maternal supplications, O Virgin, we cry out to thee: Save us all from damnation for our sins, O our Mediatress!
Glory… Both now… Amen. Then the Kontakion, in Tone III (Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin ...”):
On this day the holy Edwin laid down his life for Christ the Master, Who willingly died for our sake upon the Cross, which thus became the mighty weapon of all faithful Christian kings against the adversaries of the Faith, and a great standard, terrible in battle.
Ikos: Let us honour Edwin of Northumbria with fitting praises; for, heeding the words of the angel of the Lord, he forsook his ancestral worship of many false gods and led his people to embrace the true faith of Christ. And, having been baptized and sealed with the sign of the precious Cross, he went forth to contend boldly against the enemies of the Lord . Wherefore, though he was slain with his hosts, yet hath he been revealed to all as a mighty victor over the adversaries of the Faith, bearing the Life-bearing Tree as a great standard, terrible in battle.
Reader: Prokeimenon in the 7th tone (Ps 63): The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him.
People: The righteous man…
Reader: Hearken, O God, unto my prayer, when I make supplication unto Thee.
People: The righteous man…
Reader: The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord.
People: And shall hope in Him.
Senior Reader: A reading from the Holy Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
Epistle to the Ephesians (6: 10-17) - read, not chanted.
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Reader: Alleluia in the 4th tone (Ps 15): The righteous man shall flourish like a palm-tree, and like a cedar in Lebanon shall he be multiplied.
Verse: They that are planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God they shall blossom forth.
Senior Reader: A reading from the Holy Gospel of St John.
People: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Holy Gospel of St John (10:9-16) - read, not chanted.
The Lord said to the Jews who came to Him: "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he who is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
ODE VII
Irmos: When the children were cast into the furnace, the tyrant, seeing the countenance of the Fourth, Who appeared as the Son of God, cried out with them: Blessed art Thou, O God, forever!
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
O the piety of the holy Edwin! For, banished from his homeland and in peril of his life, he resolved to worship the Son of God and to cry out forever: Blessed art Thou, O God Most High!
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
When we are consumed by the flames of despondency, let us imitate the right-believing Edwin, who, standing before the throne of the Son of God, crieth: Blessed art Thou, O God, forever!
Glory to the Father…
Northumbria lost a noble king in battle against the tyrants who threatened her, but in his death she gained a mighty advocate in heaven. Wherefore, she crieth: Blessed art Thou, O God, forever!
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: Only thou, O Mary, among all the women created by God, didst give birth to thine own Creator, the Son and Word of God. Wherefore, with thee we cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O God, forever!
ODE VIII
Irmos: Becoming vanquishers of the tyrant and the flame by Thy grace, taking exceeding care to keep Thy commandments, the children cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Falling on the field of battle, by the grace of his resurrected Lord Edwin was victorious over the tyranny of death, and he crieth out forever: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Vanquished is our ancient enemy, strangled by the blood, which the holy Edwin shed for his Master in defense of His faith, crying out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Glory to the Father…
Inflamed by our passions, we have failed to keep the commandments of God, but, aided by the holy Edwin, let us cry aloud to Christ: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: Commanded by the Godhead, Gabriel, the great archangel, announced the birth of the Messiah; and Mary. filled with awe, cried out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
ODE IX
Irmos: We magnify thee, the most immaculate Mother of Christ our God, Whom the Holy Spirit overshadowed.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
The most immaculate Mother of Christ our God welcomed thy soul, O saint, into the heavens.
Refrain: Holy Martyr Edwin, pray to God for us!
Of thee do we sing, O holy passion-bearer and king, who art clothed in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Glory to the Father…
Right wondrous is thy boldness before the Master, O Edwin, which thou didst acquire with thy blood.
Both now… Amen.
Theotokion: Ye Christians, never cease to magnify the Virgin who conceived the Word through the Spirit of God.
Then:
It is truly meet to bless thee, who didst bring forth God, ever-blessed and most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, and art indeed Mother of God, thee do we magnify.
Prayer (Senior Reader):
O Master Almighty, O Holy King, who chastens and destroys not, Who strengthens the falling, and settest aright the fallen, Who correct the bodily affliction of mankind: We pray Thee, O our God, visit Thine infirm servant(s) N with Thy mercy, pardon him (her, them) every sin, voluntary and involuntary. Yea, O Lord, send down Thy healing power from heaven, touch his (her, their) body, quench the fever, subdue passion and every subtle infirmity. Be the healer of Thy servant(s) N.
Through the prayers of the Right-believing King and Martyr, Edwin, raise him (her, them) from his (her, their) bed of suffering healed and whole; grant him (her, them) to be well-pleasing unto Thy Church and doing Thy will. For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do 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.
People: Amen.
Then:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (Thrice).
Glory… Both Now…Amen:
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Lord have mercy. (Thrice.)
Glory… Both Now…Amen:
Our Father, Which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Senior Reader: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.
Reader: Amen.
Then this troparion in Tone 8:
Having beheld a vision of Thy heavenly angel, receiving a call from on high like the apostle to the nations, Edwin, Thy mighty champion among kings, committed his soul and his people into Thy hands, O merciful Lord. Wherefore, preserve us all in peace profound, through the supplications of Thy favored one, O Thou Who art wondrous in Thy saints.
Glory…, in Tone 3:
On this day the holy Edwin laid down his life for Christ the Master, Who willingly died for our sake upon the Cross, which thus became the mighty weapon of all faithful Christian kings against the adversaries of the Faith, and a great standard, terrible in battle.
“Both Now…”, then in tone 8:
In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and cameth forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, twofold in nature but not Hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O unwedded Mother, that our souls find mercy!
People: Lord have mercy. (40 times.)
Senior Reader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
People: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, and art indeed Mother of God, thee do we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy (Thrice). O Lord, bless.
Senior Reader (facing East, rather than towards the people): O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, of N (The Patron(s) of the Temple or family patron(s)), of the Holy and Right-believing King and Martyr Edwin, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind.
People: Amen.
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