Paraklesis to Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri

St. Ephraim was born on September 14, 1384 in Trikala, Thessalia; his civil name was Konstantinos Morphes. He became a monk, receiving the monastic name Ephraim, and moved to Attica to live in what was then the Monastery of the Annunciation on Mount Amomon. In 1424 the monastery was destroyed by marauding Ottoman Empire troops. Ephraim escaped and lived for another year as a hermit among the ruins of the monastery. In September 1425 he was captured in another Turkish raid. He was held captive and tormented for more than eight months, until he was finally tortured to death on May 5, 1426.

In the middle of the twentieth century, Nun Makaria (Desypri) rebuilt the monastery, which had fallen into ruins. She unearthed fragrant relics of an unknown holy man on January 3, 1950. That holy man appeared to her in a dream later, informed her that his name was Ephraim, and revealed to her his life. The same saint appeared to other nuns and lay people as well. So many miracles were accomplished through the intercessions of this previously-unknown martyr, and so many thousands streamed to the monastery at Nea Makri for his prayers for healing from illnesses and addictions, that in 1997 the Ecumenical Patriarchate glorified Ephraim among the saints.

Paraklesis to Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri, the Newly-Revealed Hieromartyr and Wonderworker

Translated from the Greek text written by Elder Gerasimos of Little St. Anne’s Skete, the Hymnographer of the Great Church of Christ

The Priest says the "Blessed is our God…", followed by the Psalm "Lord hear my prayer, give ear to my supplication…"

God is the Lord and He revealed Himself to us, blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. (4x with verses)

Fourth Tone.

Ever grant deliverance to those who approach your sacred Relics, and who entreat your fervent intercessions, delivering them from temptations and dangers, and all trials and terrible afflictions, O Hieromartyr Saint Ephraim, as a most-fervent healer of the Savior.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Same Tone.

The finding of your sacred Relics has filled the hearts of the faithful, and has multiplied gladness for your Monastery, in which we take refuge, crying out to your grace: You are my refuge, and my fervent deliverer, O Venerable Martyr Saint Ephraim, therefore deliver me from terrible circumstances.

Both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Theotokos we shall never be silent…

Then Psalm 50 "Have mercy on me O God according to Your great mercy…", followed by the Canon in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone. The Greek acrostic reads: "Gladden us, our Father, with your glory. Gerasimos."

Ode I. Crossing the waters.

O Saint of God, intercede on our behalf.

Like a lily of springtime, your sacred Relics have appeared from the earth, granting heavenly fragrance, and driving away the stench of the passions, O Ephraim.

O Saint of God, intercede on our behalf.

From on high you oversee your Monastery, and below you are honored in reverence. Do grant us the blessing of your incorrupt grace, O all-blessed Ephraim.

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

With the light of your holy intercessions, dissolve the multitudes of my passions, and the night of temptations, O Father, for we have taken refuge in your divine Relics in faith.

Both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Theotokion.

Deliver me from every assault of the bodiless enemy through your sacred intercessions, and strengthen me, O only Theotokos, that I might hymn your unspeakable glory.

Ode III. Of the vault of the heavens.

O Saint of God, intercede on our behalf…

You have shown forth in these latter days like an all-radiant star throughout the revealing of your divine Relics, O Father, which wondrously shine and illumine the hearts of those who entreat your help, O Saint.

Cease the burning of all kinds of afflictions and terrible trials with the dew of your divine intercessions. Therefore we entreat you: quench our pains through the rain of the Divine Spirit, O Saint.

O Father, grant healing for those who speedily hasten to your divine Body, and deliverance from every evil, for you grant grace and mercy to all as one compassionate.

Theotokion.

You have appeared as a noetic Throne and a golden dwelling-place for the King of glory and Pantocrator, O Spotless Virgin, therefore, show me to be a house of pure deeds of divine grace.

Deliver those who hasten to your divine protection from every danger and illness and trial, O Great Martyr of the Lord, and godly-minded Ephraim.

Look down on me…

The Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Kathisma.

Tone II. A fervent prayer.

You have lately shown forth as a fervent protector, O Saint, revealing to us your holy Relics, to which we take refuge with fervor along with your intercessions, O Ephraim, blessed by God. Therefore, we cry out to you in faith: intercede with Christ for all of us.

Ode IV. I have hearkened and heard O Lord.

In a multitude of ways, O blessed one, you appear to those who call upon your divine help, and you grant our requests unto salvation, O Venerable Ephraim.

Grant healing from Heaven for those afflicted, and greater joy for those in sorrows, for those who hasten to your protection, O Saint Ephraim.

Preserve your Monastery unharmed from the assaults of the enemy, O Saint Ephraim, for she boasts in your Relics.

Theotokion.

From your womb has dawned the Sun of Righteousness, O Pure One, and with your light, illumine my darkened mind.

Ode V. Illumine us.

With the mighty staff of your intercessions, drive away the unseen enemy from us, O Ephraim, for he prowls around us like a lion.

Your struggled well and were lately revealed to us through the shining forth of your Holy Relics, sanctifying our souls, O blessed one.

You have appeared as a great defender of your Monastery, O Saint, that is enriched with your fragrant and holy Relics as with a divine treasure.

Theotokion.

O Spotless and Pure Theotokos and Ever-virgin, grant healing to my soul, sick from the passions, making me worthy of your grace.

Ode VI. My entreaty do I pour out.

You have appeared to us as a physician of bodies and souls through the grace of the Spirit in these latter days, O all blessed one, as your divine Relics have been uncovered from the depths of the earth.

You strengthened the members of the paralytic, and showed him forth to be healthy, O Father, having taken refuge in your Holy Relic, and having acquired the fear of the Lord. Therefore, he departed in joy, magnifying your wonderworking power.

You appeared to the Abbess [Makaria], revealing to her where you were buried, but you also often appear to those who desire you, O Father, revealing your holy and radiant face. Do fill us with heavenly joy, O Ephraim, glorified by God.

Theotokion.

You were seen to be a radiant Vessel of the Most-high, and a luminous Temple, for from your pure blood, O Virgin, He came to earth as a Man, out of His great mercy, and because of this, you are glorified.

Deliver those who hasten to your divine protection from every danger and illness and trial, O Great Martyr of the Lord, and godly-minded Ephraim.

Spotless One, who by a word did bring to us the Word eternal…

Then the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Kontakion.

Kontakion in the Second Tone.

Through the revealing of your divine Relics, you were made known to all with radiance, and you ever pour forth healings, and deliver from dangerous circumstances, those who call upon your help, O Ephraim.

Gospel

Prokeimenon.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Holy One.

Verse: To His Saints that are on the earth, the Lord has been shown wondrous.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew (11:27-30)

The Lord said to his disciples, "All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

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

At the intercessions of the Venerable One, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

At the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, wash away my many personal offenses.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O Merciful One, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgressions.

Prosomoion in the Plagal of the Second Tone. Having placed all their hopes in Heaven.

You endured steadfastly the attacks of barbarians, and you shown forth as an invincible Martyr of the King of All, O Saint Ephraim, and you grant greater joy to the faithful through the finding of your Relics, through which you drive out every assault of Belial, and heal afflictions and the traumas of the soul. Therefore, we cry out to you: do not cease to entreat Christ, that we all be granted forgiveness and a peaceful life.

Then the Priest says the "Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance…", followed by the remainder of the Canon.

Ode VII. Once from out of Judea.

From Heaven, O godly-minded one, you ever look down upon your divine Monastery, and paradoxically you appear to many people, granting their requests, O Venerable Martyr Ephraim, for those who hymn you.

In a strange manner, you appear asleep and awake, O blessed one, granting joy and gladness, and every other gift, O Saint Ephraim, for those who praise your holy life.

Your holy Monastery is enriched with your divine Relics as a spring of holiness and a holy gift, O Ephraim, and she is sanctified through your grace, and people from all places approach her with faith.

Theotokion.

Through the uncreated sowing of your sacred intercessions, O you who are graced by God, make to sprout for me soul the fruits of repentance, O Theotokos, and make me worthy of the life on high after my end.

Ode VIII. The King of Heaven.

Gladden, O Father, through your joyous protection, those who are groaning with sorrows and needs, and deliver them from every bitterness, O Ephraim.

Rain down with your divine intercessions, O godly-minded one, on those who are aflame with pains in soul, and quench all of their burning, granting them divine rest.

As you joined the pastures of the Saints, O Father, entreat together with them, O God-bearer, on behalf of those who honor your divine Relics.

Theotokion.

Save me, O Lady, from the schemes of the enemy, and cleanse my nous that has been darkened by sinful thoughts and deeds.

Ode IX. Saved through you, O Theotokos.

Heal, O all-blessed one, every weakness of those who hasten to your divine Relics, O Venerable Martyr of the Lord and blessed Ephraim.

Ceaselessly protect your holy Monastery through your wondrous intercessions, O Saint, keeping it from the assaults of Belial and every trial.

The new one among the Saints, who has appeared lately, O wonderworker Ephraim worthy of praise, deliver me from the mania of him who wars against us.

Theotokion.

Show my nous, O Theotokos, to overcome base thoughts of the enemy, and fill my heart with divine radiance.

Then, "Truly it is right to call you blest…", followed by the Megalynaria of the Saint.

Rejoice, you who formerly struggled with steadfastness, and lately were made known to the Church of Christ through the revealing of your divine Relics, O Hieromartyr Ephraim worthy to be praised.

You appeared, relating your calling and your sacred end, O Father. Therefore, those who venerate your sacred Relics, O Venerable Martyr Ephraim, receive grace.

Though you lain unknown for many years, through the revealing of your sacred Relics, you have shown the world the richness of your grace, and the energy of wonders, O blessed Ephraim.

Rejoice, communicant with the Venerable Saints, rejoice, you who were zealous for the virtues of the Martyrs, rejoice, you who lived on Mount Amomon, O Great Martyr Ephraim, and were granted dual rewards.

You pour forth grace in divine streams for those sick, healing them through your Relic. Therefore, for those who hasten to your Monastery, grant the fruit of health of soul and body.

As one having boldness before Christ, O God-bearer Ephraim, ceaselessly entreat on behalf of your Monastery in which you lie, and grant your help to all those who ask of you.

All the ranks of Angels…

Then, the Trisagion, followed by the Apolytikion of the Saint.

Apolytikion of St. Ephraim the Great-martyr of Nea Makri in the First Tone.

On Amomon Mountain, you shown forth like the sun, and O God-bearer, you left for God by martyrdom, you endured barbarians’ attacks, Ephraim O Great-martyr of Christ, because of this you ever pour forth grace, to those who piously cry out to you, glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him you made you wondrous, glory to Him who grants through you, healings for all!

Then the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Apolysis. And as the Faithful venerate the Icon of the Saint, the chanters finish the following hymns:

Prosomoion in the Second Tone. When from the tree.

All those who fall down before your fragrant Relics with faith, O blessed Ephraim, protect and save from every trial, and grant them remission of offenses, and healing from all kinds of afflictions, through your intercessions to Christ God. Grant them your blessing, and to your sacred Monastery, O godly-minded one, for we have taken refuge in your intercessions.

Lady, do you receive…

My numerous hopes are placed…

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers…

English translation originally published at Full of Grace and Truth.
Greek original at Ομολογια Πιστεωσ.
Hear it sung in Greek on YouTube.