Supplicatory Canon to St Gerasimos the New of Kefalonia

As a companion to the Akathist to St Gerasimos, this is the Supplicatory Canon (Gr. paraklisis; Sl: moleben) for St Gerasimos the New of Kefalonia, a known intercessor for those suffering physical illness and demonic attack.

Saint Gerasimos was a priest-monk and ascetic who laboured in the 16th century around the Peloponnese in Greece. Settling on Kefalonia, the saint became worthy of many gifts from God, becoming famous for the bodily and spiritual healings he performed, and especially for the power to drive away unclean spirits. Saint Gerasimos, knowing in advance the end of his earthly life, passed away to the Lord on the 15/28 of August, 1579. As this was the feast of the Dormition, his feast day would later be remembered a day later, on the 16/29 of August. After his death, the body was twice buried and exhumed intact, which led to the official canonization by the Church. On the 20th of October (the 2nd of November using today’s calendar), 1581, once his tomb was opened, his holy relics and vestments were whole, and the tomb emitted a pleasing fragrance. The relics of Saint Gerasimus are found in a glass and silver reliquary in the monastery, being placed next to the saint's empty tomb.

St Gerasimos' primary feast day is the 2nd November, at the uncovering of his relics, but is also remembered on the 29th August.

Canon to St Gerasimos Kefalonia.pdf

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Supplicatory Canon (Moleben; молебенъ) to St Gerasimos the New (Tone IV)

Ode I  

Irmos: Having passed through the water as on dry land, and having escaped the malice of the Egyptians, the Israelites cried aloud: Unto our God and Redeemer let us now sing. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 O Father, who watches over us continuously, strike down the evil one with the rod of thy blessings, and banish his power over us.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 In troubles, a ready helper and in dangers, a quick rescuer, O Gerasimos, may we all be enriched by thee, and be delivered from impending calamities.  

Glory…: Shield us from the cold of misfortunes, O Father, with thy warm gaze, and protect us, who run to thee for help with all our mind and soul.  

Now & ever…: O Mother of God, who gave birth to the Word in the flesh without corruption, who purified the mortal thoughts of men, and who with your prayers cleansed us of many sins, have mercy on us.  

Ode III  

Irmos: Of the vault of the heavens art Thou, O Lord, the Maker, and Builder of the Church; do Thou establish in me love of Thee, O Summit of desire, O Support of the faithful, O only Lover of mankind.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us! 

 With a multitude of temptations we art troubled, O Saint, living with numerous circumstances and many tribulations. Thus, we fervently cry to thee, asking thine speedy deliverance  from this affliction, O Father Gerasimos, as thou didst live among temptation, but wast not tempted.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us! 

A healer of bodies and of difficult wounds, and a therapist of souls, please take care, O Father Gerasimos, of those who suffer from painful tribulations inflicted by the arrows of the ruler of this world.  

Glory…: Deliver us from the malice of untimely trouble, and from deceitful thoughts be able to defend ourselves against those who harm us cunningly contrived by evil-mindedness. Strengthen us with love, so that we may be able defend ourselves from all harm. 

Now & ever…: I lift up my whole being, with all-pure devotion, to thee, O Virgin, my hope, do not overlook me, but turn upon me a compassionate eye, and direct me in my misery so that I may be saved.

Lord have mercy (twelve times)

Sessional hymn, in Tone IV—  

Deliver from danger, O God-bearing Gerasimos, those who seek thy speedy intervention and have obtained thee as an advocate before the Creator. 

Glory…: Another sessional hymn, in Tone II—  

Our protector, guardian, stronghold, and secure shield, O blessed Gerasimos, being endowed with foresight and superior wisdom, do not fail to watch over and preserve those who turn to you, with devotion, O Father. 

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in Tone IV—  

 I lift up my whole being, with all pure devotion, to you, O Virgin, my hope, do not overlook me, but turn upon me a compassionate eye, and direct me in my misery so that I may be saved.

Ode IV  

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, of the mystery of Thy dispensation, and I came to knowledge of Thy works, and glorify Thy Divinity. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 Heal us, O Gerasimos, who are weighed down by our transgressions and burdened by our afflictions, with the mystic medicine of your intercession. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!

 Repel the enemy's plan for ambushes, and attacks, O Gerasimos the Wonder-worker, on our behalf.  

Glory…: Favourable and gracious, bestower of good and all-loving Father, intercede for us, O Gerasimos, through your holy intercession.  

Now & ever…: Brilliantly shining Lady, with your sparkling radiance, dispel the darkness in my soul, so that I may see the Hidden Light.  

Ode V  

Irmos: Enlighten us by Thy commands, O Lord, and by Thy lofty arm bestow Thy peace upon us, O Lover of mankind. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 In the face of difficult and painful circumstances, and truly soul-damaging scandals, free your servants, O Gerasimos. 

 Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 Look upon us with sympathy, most compassionate Gerasimos, in our misery, and heal us, with your wisdom, O Holy One.  

Glory…: A secure shelter and a refuge of hope, be to those who honour you, saving us with your protection, O wise One.  

Now & ever…: You are an unbreakable wall, O Virgin Mother, to those who come to you with abundant love therefore, protect and save us. O Lady.

Ode VI  

Irmos: I will pour out my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him will I proclaim my grief; for with evils my soul is filled, and my life unto hades hath drawn nigh, and like Jonah I will pray: From corruption raise me up, O God.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 As coal ignites by fire, so thou wast ignited by the Grace of the Holy spirit, crushing the demons and burning up the passions. Wherefore, Holy Gerasimos, burn up the worldly passions of our souls. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!

 Calm, O God-bearer, the wild sea of my unruly passions, and guide me towards the peaceful haven of Christ's will, amidst the tempestuous winds of adversity and the violent surges of temptation.  

Glory…: Listen to our prayer, which we cry out from the depths of our hearts, and receive the small drops of tears, that we shed in repentance, O Father, and fill our souls with true joy, through your intercession, O Gerasimos.  

Now & ever…: O Mother of God, because of my bad habits, and evil disposition, I have become corrupted, thus, as my gracious protector, please help me, for I am weak and feeble, and I will glorify you with faith and longing.  

Lord have mercy (twelve times)

Kontakion, in Tone II—  

Protect those who sincerely plead to you, and do not neglect us, but rather intercede continuously to the Lord for us, O compassionate and wise Gerasimos, so that we may be delivered from all anger and temptation, hasten to help us, O God-bearer, and protect your servants from all arrows of the evil one, as a true healer of Christ.

Lord have mercy (twelve times)

Ode VII  

Irmos: Having gone down to Babylon from Judea, the Children of old by their faith in the Trinity trod down the flame of the furnace while chanting: O God of the fathers, blessed art Thou. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 You lead an impeccable life, practicing pure and godly conduct, exhibiting dignity in speech, chastity in manners, and shining brilliantly for those who honour you, O Gerasimos thrice-blessed.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 O holy Gerasimos, grant your servants the beauty of self-control, the radiance of temperance, the light of gentleness, the grace of good conduct, and every virtue that leads to a God pleasing life.  

Glory…: O physician of the sick, helper of the possessed, and giver of good health, O holy Gerasimos, with your ineffable power, kindly heal the deadly diseases that afflict us.  

Now & ever…: O Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to Christ the King without corruption, heal my miserable life, through your life-giving prayers and deliver me from deadly passions and destructive tendencies which afflict me. 

Ode VIII  

Irmos: The King of Heaven, Whom hosts of angels hymn, praise ye and supremely exalt unto all ages. 

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 As our protector, direct our lives in all things, guiding them each day, and managing all things for the benefit of your servants.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 Grant us honesty and mutual love, and deem us always worthy to offer them to one another, help us avoid all scandals of the evil one, through your holy prayers, O Father Gerasimos.

Glory…: We implore you, O Gerasimos, destroyer of demons, please save us from their wickedness.  

Now & ever…: I am miserably enslaved by the law of sin, free me, O Most-blessed one, and guide my ways towards righteousness.  

Ode IX  

Irmos: Truly we confess thee to be the Theotokos, we who through thee have been saved, O pure Virgin; with the bodiless choirs, thee do we magnify.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 My life is full of pain and bitterness, due to my inclination towards sinful things, but I will not despair, as I turn to you, O Father.  

Refrain: O Venerable Gerasimos, pray to God for us!  

 Seeing the unclean spirits of wickedness circling around me, O holy one, hurry and save me from their plundering.  

Glory…: Do not abandon your invincible shield, and do not depart from those who honour you in faith, O holy One, but rather help us in all things.  

Now & ever…: O shining lamp, who has great Grace, light my extinguished lamp, and guide me towards the light of a righteous life.  

Prayer to Venerable Father Gerasimos

Rejoice, partaker of the Saints, protector and helper of Kefalonia. 

Rejoice, new candlestick of the Church, blessed Gerasimos, co-dweller with the angels. 

Disregarding your noble heritage, from childhood you followed Christ with zeal and by your angelic life, shining, you enlighten us, Father Gerasimos. 

Rejoice, river of healings, who with the streams of gifts wash away heavy passions. Rejoice, you who grant health to the sick, through spiritual strength, Gerasimos, God-bearer. Having cast off the heavy burden of matter, you bore fruit with the gift of the immaterial. Therefore, your relics illuminate all the ends of the world, by the grace of incorruption, O venerable Gerasimos. 

Divine honour of the Orthodox and a sharp two-edged sword against heretics, you have shown yourself in these latter days, O God-bearer, wonderfully elevating the conscience of the faithful. 

Vouchsafe and keep from the harm of demons, and their intrigues, all those who fervently seek your help, most blessed Gerasimos, our guardian. 

Holy Gerasimos, together with the Most Holy Mother of God, the bodiless hosts, the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John, the Holy Apostles and all the Saints, pray for our salvation. Amen.

Life of St Gerasimos 

Saint Gerasimos of Kefalonia (c. 1500 - 1579) has two days of celebration during the church year: the 29th of August (16th August on the old calendar) and the 2nd November (20th October). 

St Gerasimos was born at the turn of the 16th century in the village of Trikkala in the Peloponnese. He had noble lineage, being the direct descendant of Loukas Notaras, the last prime minister of the Byzantine Empire. As a young man he was a monk on the island of Zakyntos, later receiving the Great Schema on Mount Athos. He went to Jerusalem where he stayed for 12 years. During this time he was ordained deacon and priest by Patriarch Herman. He then spent some time in Crete and Zakyntos, and in 1555 he arrived in Kefalonia (an island in the Ionian Sea). 

He spent the first five years in a cave in the Lassi region. In 1560, Venerable Gerasimos moved to Omala, a central region of Kefalonia, where he restored an old church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God and founded a monastery of nuns that he called "The New Jerusalem". The monastery he founded had an important social role, taking care of the poor. In a short time, it became an important charity centre. 

Saint Gerasimos was worthy of many gifts from God, becoming famous for the bodily and spiritual healings he performed, and especially for the power to drive away unclean spirits. Saint Gerasimos, knowing in advance the end of his earthly life, passed away to the Lord on the 15/28 of August, 1579. As this was the feast of the Dormition, his feast day would later be remembered a day later, on the 16/29. After his death, the body was twice buried and exhumed intact, which led to the official canonization by the Church. On the 20th of October (the 2nd of November using today’s calendar), 1581, once his tomb was opened, his holy relics and vestments were whole, and the tomb emitted a pleasing fragrance. The relics of Saint Gerasimus are found in a glass and silver reliquary in the monastery, being placed next to the saint's empty tomb.

Through the prayers of Venerable Gerasimos, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!