Canon of the Prophet

Exapostilarion from the Octoechos; and Glory…: that of the prophet—

Irmos: Thou art the confirmation of those who have recourse to Thee, O Lord; Thou art the light of the benighted; and my spirit doth hymn Thee.

Kontakion of the prophet, in Tone III: Spec. Mel.: “Today the Virgin…”—

Sessional hymn of the youths, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “Of the Wisdom…”—

Receiving understanding and wisdom from God, thou didst interpret obscure dreams for the kings.

Theotokion: Illumined with radiance, O glorious one, thou beholdest the manifest mountain blessed by God, the adornment of men.

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

Kontakion of the youths, in Tone VI—

Glory…: Sessional hymn of the prophet, in the same tone & melody—

Scattering the food-offerings, O glorious one, thou didst slay the material serpent; for thou didst first vanquish the immaterial demons.

Theotokion: That thou mightest show forth Thy birthgiving from the body of the Virgin, O Master, Thou didst save the bodies of the virginal youths in the furnace.

Irmos: O Word, with divine vision the prophet perceived Thee Who wast to become incarnate of the Theotokos alone, the mountain overshadowed; and with fear he glorified Thy power.

The youths of David, having acquired an understanding taught by God, O Master, observed the laws of their fathers with godly wisdom.

Now & ever…: Theotokion—

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thy dispensation; I have understood Thy works, and have glorified Thy divinity.

Fire did not consume the most pure bodies of the pious ones, for they had already been consumed by the fasting which nourisheth the soul.

Theotokion: The Prophet Daniel beheld Thee, O Word, as the Stone cut, not by human hands, from the mountain of the Virgin Theotokos; and he cried out and hymned Thy divinity.

Irmos: O Lord Who by divine knowledge brought the ends of the earth into the light out of the night of ignorance, enlighten me with the dawning of Thy love for mankind.

Wondrously bedewed in the midst of the furnace, the three youths sing universal and most laudable praise.

Theotokion: With hymns the children in Babylon honored thine all-divine Son, Whom they recognized in the furnace, O most hymned one.

Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.

Enlightened by the Spirit, thy pure heart became the receptacle of most splendid prophecy: for thou beheldedst far-off things as though they were present, and, cast into the pit, didst tame the lions. Wherefore, we honor thee, O blessed and glorious Prophet Daniel.

Theotokion: O pure one, the glorious Prophet Daniel with images doth describe the mystery of the ineffable incarnation of the Most High Who came forth from thee.

Irmos: As Thou didst deliver the prophet from the uttermost abyss, O Christ God, in that Thou lovest mankind deliver me from my sins, and direct my life, I beseech Thee.

Ikos: Jesus Christ, our true God, Whose divine advent thou didst manifestly proclaim, do thou entreat without ceasing for those who with gladness celebrate this thy divine memorial and honor thee with love, that we be saved from all temptations, sins and evil circumstances, for thou hast boldness before Him, O divinely wise one; and grant that I may open my lips to hymn thine excellent discourse.

Theotokion: O Virgin, the divine Daniel manifestly prefigured thee as a mountain; and the three youths, beholding the flame bearing dew, with hymns praise thy divine birthgiving as that of the Savior, Creator and Lord.

Irmos: The abyss of my sins and the tempest of my transgressions discomfit me and thrust me down into the depths of violent despondency; but stretch forth Thy mighty arm unto me, as Thou didst to Peter, and save my, O my Guide.

In the flame the youths prophetically inscribed the image of the Trinity in immaterial ink with the pen of faith; and they mystically beheld the Word’s extreme descent to the earth and have proclaimed it to all. Wherefore, receiving the dew of the Spirit from heaven, they pour forth gifts upon the faithful who cry out to Thee together: O Christ God, as Thou art compassionate grant remission of transgressions unto those who with love celebrate their holy memory!

Theotokion: Behold! the Virgin whose image the glorious Daniel beheld, shall manifestly conceive Christ God in her womb, illumined by the Spirit.

Irmos: In the furnace the Hebrew children boldly trod the flame underfoot and transformed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Enriched by the grace of prophecy, thou didst describe the birthgiving of the Virgin in shadowy form, but didst manifestly interpret the dreams of the king. And, cast into the pit as a martyr, thou didst most gloriously teach the lions to fast, O blessed one. Wherefore, thou hast destroyed the worship of the ungodly, O right wondrous Daniel. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins unto those who with love celebrate thy holy memory.

Theotokion: O Virgin Mother and Theotokos, by thy supplications entreat the merciful Judge, thy Son, that He deliver me from cruel punishment on the day of judgment; for on thee alone do I set my hope.

Irmos: In Babylon, the pious youths did not worship the golden image, but, bedewed in the midst of the fiery furnace, they chanted a hymn, saying: O supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!

Rejoice, O fiery throne of God! Rejoice, O Maiden, thou royal seat and bower all-adorned with divers colors, thou bridal-chamber hung with gold and purple, cloak of scarlet hue, decorated temple, sword of lightning, lamp of great radiance! Rejoice, O Theotokos, thou twelve-walled city, gate of beaten gold, tabernacle adorned by God! Rejoice, O glorious Bride who hast let the Sun fall like rain! Rejoice, thou only splendor of my soul!

Theotokion: Thou pourest forth in abundance a stream of healings, O Virgin Mother of God; for Daniel clearly perceived thee as the mountain from whence the Savior shone forth, the God of our fathers.

Irmos: Trampling down the fire and flame in the furnace, the divinely eloquent youths did chant: Bless the Lord, O ye works of the Lord!

Stavrotheotokion—

Theotokion: Possessed of a mind illumined with divine radiance, O Daniel blessed of God, thou didst manifestly foresee the birthgiving of the Virgin prefigured in mystical images, and didst cry: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Irmos: Madly did the Chaldæan tyrant heat the furnace sevenfold for the pious ones; but, beholding them saved by a higher Power, he cried out to the Creator and Deliverer: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The ewe-lamb, beholding the Lamb, Shepherd and Deliverer upon the Cross, exclaimed, weeping, and bitterly lamenting, cried out: “The world rejoiceth, having received deliverance through Thee; but my womb doth burn, beholding Thy crucifixion, which Thou endurest in the loving-kindness of Thy mercy. O long-suffering Lord, abyss and inexhaustible wellspring of mercy, have pity and grant remission of offenses unto those who with faith hymn Thy divine sufferings!”

Theotokion: O divinely eloquent one, perceiving the all-wondrous Maiden in symbolic images, thou didst cry: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.

Preserving the law in piety, O prophet, thou didst truly come to know the Bestower of wisdom Who teacheth men profound mysteries and illumineth them in darkness.

Theotokion: The most wise Daniel teacheth the mysteries, and the three divinely wise youths prefigure thy birthgiving, O all-pure one, beholding in images Him Who ineffably issued forth from thy womb, Whom the children bless, the priests hymn and the people exalt supremely for all ages.

Irmos: Same as that of the foregoing canon.

Living a sacred life, O thou who wast revealed by God, thou wast called a man of divine desires; for, having manfully trampled the passions underfoot, thou hast been translated to the life which ageth not.

Theotokion: Beautiful is the glory which thou now enjoyest! For thou, O honored prophet, hast been vouchsafed to proclaim to all, in images, the most hymned Maiden.

The grace of the Comforter which dwelt within thee, O Daniel, showed thee to be the radiant victor over tyrants and kings, and the abode of wisdom.

Theotokion: Thou hast departed from the fields of death, O Virgin, having given birth to the Lord, the Bestower of life, Who Bestoweth life upon those who magnify thee with faith.

By divine grace the most wise Daniel, divinely illumined in mind, interpreted the dreams of the sovereigns.

The suffering of the youths in the furnace shone with miracles; for they prevailed upon the tyrant to acknowledge Thee, O Almighty.

The melodies of the instruments and the harmonious playing of music did not lead the valiant ones astray, and they did not worship the golden image.

Illumining thy struggles of suffering with the proclamation of prophecy, thou art resplendent in both, full of divine inspiration.

By splendors of wisdom which pass understanding thou hast been shown to be all-wise, O blessed and divinely eloquent Daniel who art most great; and thou hast enlightened all things.

Having studied the law, Thy favored ones, the great Daniel and the three godly-minded youths, did not deny Thee, O Savior; but, receiving strength from Thee, our Benefactor, they manfully vanquished the tyrant.

Noetically did Daniel study Thy mysteries, O Thou Who lovest mankind; for in purity of mind he beheld Thee as the Son of man coming upon a cloud, as the Judge and King of all the nations.

Shining like a golden beam, O children, your company shone with splendor greater than that of a sapphire; and set afire with zeal for piety, ye entered the furnace joyfully and formed yourselves into a universal chorus.

Beholding the angelic choirs in most radiant light, thou hast become their most excellent emulator, delighting in the splendors of the King of all.

Proclaiming the salvific advent of the Word, thou didst also foretell the destruction of the temple, the fulfillment of the law, and gifts of grace which pass all understanding.

Having gained control over natural passions through the power of the Word, ye became rulers of the land of the Chaldæan peoples, O ye wise descendents of David; for virtue knoweth how to render honor to those who have acquired her.

Daniel, having arrayed himself of old in life-bearing mortality, with food slew the evil serpent which the Chaldeans impiously considered a god; and he wisely slaughtered the ungodly priests.

O thrice-blessed ones, who did not honor an image wrought by hands, but were defended by the indescribable Essence, ye were glorified in your ordeal by fire; and standing in the midst of unbearable flame, ye called upon God, saying: Speed Thou and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One, in that Thou art merciful; for what Thou willest, Thou canst do!

Ikos: Stretch forth Thy hand whereby of old the warring Egyptians and the embattled Hebrews were tested. Forsake us not, lest death, which thirsteth after us, swallow us up; and spare our souls, as Thou once didst spare Thy three children in Babylon, who glorified Thee unceasingly and were cast for Thy sake into a furnace, from whence they cried out to Thee: Speed Thou and make haste to our aid, O Compassionate One, in that Thou art merciful; for what Thou willest, Thou canst do!

Protected by the law, O prophet, thou didst not allow thyself to be most iniquitously defiled, and, divinely illumined with understanding, thou didst cry out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Thy miracle filled all with awe; for, caught up, the Prophet Habbakuk appeared before thee, a prophet, bearing food to thee and crying aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, forever!

Imprisoned in a pit and offered as food to the lions, O blessed one, thou wast saved, God protecting thee, and didst cry out: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!

God-loving voices sang to the Almighty out of the midst of the fire; for, forming a divine choir, Azarias chanted a hymn, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

The harp of the youths theologized concerning the Almighty, the God of all Who manifestly appeared to them in the furnace as they chanted a hymn, saying: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Having watched as the three youths were cast into the furnace, the king beheld a fourth appear, Whom He called the Son of God; and he cried out to all: Blessed is the God of our fathers!

Through active vision thou wast shown to be manifest in sacred manner, O prophet, and didst chant with the incorporeal ones: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Thee, O most blessed one, do we all praise, and, rejoicing on thine honored festival, we cry out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!

Striving to preserve the nobility of Abraham, O venerable ones, ye acquired his own foundation of faith and hope, his patience and endurance of temptations, crying aloud: Ye priests, bless ye the Master! Ye people, exalt Him supremely forever!

Shining forth like beacons and making the earth like heaven, rendered luminous by the enlightenment of piety, and having formed a universal choir, the youths chant to the Master Who saved them from perils: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

The descendents of Abraham, extinguishing the burning furnace and binding the jaws of the lions in their youth, rejoicing, hymn Thee now, the King and Benefactor of all: Ye children, bless; ye priests, hymn; ye people, exalt Him supremely for all ages!

Thou didst reap the harvest of thy pangs, ever dancing in the heavens with the prophets about the most exalted throne of the Almighty.

In the light of the threefold Sun thou standest now, crowned, before thine ultimate Desire, rejoicing with the incorporeal choirs.

Ye have attained your desired end and stand before your ultimate Desire in the mansions of heaven, O youths who are most rich.

Having produced the grain of incorruption with tears, rejoicing, ye have received the sheaves of your goodly labor.

Splendor hath now shone forth upon you as is meet, and gladness of heart hath blossomed forth; for grief hath fled away from where ye have made your abode.

Let Daniel, the greatest among the prophets, be honored now, for he beheld Christ our God as the Stone cut, not by human hands, from the mountain of the pure Virgin. And with him let the three youths be praised whom the divine and ineffable image of the Virgin saved unharmed by the fire of the furnace, and whereby the world hath been saved.

Now & ever…—

The all-wise Daniel teacheth the mysteries through the divine Spirit, O all-pure one, and by faith the three children of Abraham prefigure thy seedless birthgiving; for the Word Who is uncircumscribable in His divinity, desiring to be circumscribed by the flesh through thee, O Theotokos, is born in Bethlehem for men’s salvation.

At the aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos: and Glory…, Now & ever…, the composition of Malaxas, in Tone VI—

When the noetic Sun of righteousness desired to shine forth from the Virgin’s womb, the three youths, equal in number to the Trinity, shone forth upon us beforehand out of the fiery furnace, prefiguring in themselves the awesome mystery. And with them the most splendid Prophet Daniel illumined the ends of the earth with the light of prophecy, proclaiming Christ to be the Stone not cut by human hands, quarried from the Virgin, the mountain overshadowed, Who issueth forth for the salvation of our souls.