THE GREAT CANON

OF SAINT ANDREW OF CRETE

The chaste and honorable Hannah moved her lips in prayer to God

THE REFRAINS ARE SUNG AFTER EACH

THE REFRAINS ARE SUNG AFTER EACH TROPARION. AT

ON MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF GREAT LENT DURING THE GRAND COMPLINE, WE BEGIN THE FIRST SECTION

OF SAINT ANDREW OF CRETE

OF THE GREAT CANON AFTER THE READING OF PSALM 69 (70).

ON THURSDAY (i.e., WEDNESDAY EVENING) OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF GREAT LENT, MATINS BEGINS AS USUAL. AFTER THE 8TH KATHISMA AND THE APPROPRIATE SEDALEN FOR THURSDAY (IN THE TONE OF THE WEEK) THE FIRST HALF OF THE LIFE OF ST MARY

EACH REFRAIN WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND A FULL PROSTRATION.

OF EGYPT IS READ. THEN, AFTER PSALM 50 (51), WE BEGIN THE GREAT CANON.

TROPARION. AT EACH REFRAIN WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND A FULL PROSTRATION.

composed and written down by our Father among the Saints, Andrew Archbishop of Crete, also called Andrew of Jerusalem, because at the age of fourteen, he left Damascus for Jerusalem there to receive his education in Letters and to embarked on the monastic path upon which he lived a venerable and God-loving life of silence and peace. He left many beneficial and salvific works, including many courageously triumphant and instructional homilies and canons to God’s Holy Church. Not least among these compositions is this Great Canon of Repentance from which flow ceaseless examples of humility taken from the entire Old and New Covenants. All are beautifully and sweetly woven together, from Adam all the way through the Holy Ascension of Christ and the words of

the Holy Apostles, and through these blessèd words, every soul is instructed to

strive after and to emulate their example. We are taught by the words of this

tears and confession, which are all pleasing to God; for if this Canon is sung with true humility and piety it is able to soften even the hardest of hearts through its glory and sweetness. Being filled with the same humility and piety, Saint Sophronius the Patriarch of Jerusalem, had earlier recorded the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt which also contains countless examples of humility that give great comfort to repentant sinners who wish to leave behind their evil ways. Now, having embarked on this day to sing and to read both of these works, we realize that we are rapidly approaching the end of the great and holy forty days of the Fast, and we see that both the negligent and the zealous in their spiritual efforts are all

come together. As a great teacher, Andrew uses the stories in the Great Canon both to extol the virtuous works of men and to condemn their evil actions. By so doing he shows us the truth of the words: those who labor with valor and

courage shall achieve victory. The blessèd Sophronius, through his inspirational and wise words calls everyone to do good works for the glory of God and never to lose hope nor fall into despair, no matter how grievous their sins may be. For

the example of the Egyptian woman shows the greatness of God’s love for

mankind and the power of His mercy that allowed even her to be so profoundly converted away from her prior sinful life. As we read the Great Canon and ponder the images it contains, we cannot help but wonder how prolific and fruitful its author was, who had written over thirty such canons and many more troparia. But this one, however, surpasses them all in its indescribable beauty and sweetness. This Canon is truly ‘Great’ and beautiful for great is the humility that it inspires. For this reason is the reading of the Great Canon included in the order of services for Great Lent. Both the Great Canon and the Life of the Venerable Mary of Egypt were first brought to the city of Constantinople by the same Andrew, who was sent as

an assistant by Patriarch Theodore of Jerusalem to attend the Sixth Ecumenical Council. There, he strove against the Monothelites and took the monastic vows and was numbered among the clergy of Constantinople as a deacon in charge of an orphanage. Eventually, he became Archbishop of Crete and later served in Mytilene, where he departed unto the Lord having wisely governed his flock. Through his prayers, O God, have mercy on us. NOW, THE BEATITUDES WITH TROPARIA FOLLOW (with prostrations):

Tone 6: In Thy Kingdom remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom. 1. Thou didst make the Thief a citizen of paradise when he cried to Thee upon the Cross, O Christ, ‘Remember me.’ Grant that I may be worthy of his repentance, unworthy though I am. Blessèd are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2. Thou hast heard, O my soul, how Manoah of old beheld the Lord in a vision, and then received from his barren wife the fruit of God’s promise. Let us then, emulate his piety. Blessèd are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 3. Emulating Samson’s idleness, O my soul, thou hast been shorn of the glory of thy deeds, and through thy love of pleasure, thou hast surrendered thy

chaste and blessèd life to the Philistines. Blessèd are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 4. He who once overthrew the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, is now imprisoned by passionate desires: but flee from his example, O my soul, flee from his actions and his weakness.

Blessèd are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 5.

The captains Barak and Jepthah, together with Deborah who had a man’s

courage, were chosen as judges of Israel. Learn from their valor, O my soul, and strengthen thyself with courage. Blessèd are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 6. Thou knowest of the courage of Jael, O my soul, who impaled Sisera with a sharpened stake thereby bringing salvation to Israel. Hear ye this, for thus the image of the Cross is prefigured for thee. Blessèd are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 7. Offer a sacrifice worthy of praise, O my soul, offer thine actions as an oblation purer than the daughter of Jepthah, and slay then the passions of thy flesh as an offering to the Lord. Blessèd are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. 8. Consider the fleece of Gideon, O my soul, and receive the dew from

heaven; bend down thy neck, O soul, and drink of the Letters of the Law that are wrung out for thee like water. Blessèd are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 9. Thou hast incurred the condemnation of Eli the priest, O my soul, for thoughtlessly hast thou allowed thy passions to act sinfully within thee, as he permitted his children to commit transgressions. Blessèd are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. 10. In the Book of Judges, O my soul, the Levite divided his wife limb from limb and sent the parts to the twelve tribes of Israel so that he might reveal the lawless abominations of Benjamin.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven. 11.

though her voice was not heard; yet she who was barren bore a son worthy of her prayer. Remember us, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom. 12. Samuel the Great, the son of Hannah was born in Arimathea, was brought up in the house of the Lord and was numbered among the judges of Israel. Emulate him, O my soul, and judge first thine own works before judging the actions of others.

Remember us, O Master, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom. 13. David was chosen to be King and was anointed to his royal office with the horn of divine myrrh, O my soul; and if thou desirest to attain the Kingdom on high, anoint thyself with the myrrh of thy tears. Remember us, O Holy One, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom. 14. Have mercy on me, Thy creature, O merciful Lord; take pity on the work of Thine hands; spare all those who have ever sinned, and spare even me who above all others have despised Thy commandments. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. To the Trinity: Without beginning are the birth of the Son and the procession of

the Spirit. I worship the Unoriginate Father, and I glorify His begotten Son, and I

sing praises to the Holy Spirit Who shines forth with the Father and the Son. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Theotokion: We venerate thine ineffable childbearing, O Theotokos, yet we do not divide the natural glory of Thy Son, but confess Him to be One in Person and Two in Nature.