{"id":1593,"date":"2026-11-05T19:59:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/?post_type=akathist&#038;p=1593"},"modified":"2026-11-05T19:59:59","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:59:59","slug":"akathist-great-martyr-menas","status":"publish","type":"akathist","link":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/akathists\/akathist-great-martyr-menas\/","title":{"rendered":"Akathist to the Holy Great Martyr Menas of Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"of-akathist\">\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1<\/h3><p>Chosen soldier of the heavenly King, you laid down the weapons of this world to fight the good fight of faith, O Great Martyr Menas. We who honor your memory offer you a song of praise. Pray to Christ our God for us, that we may be faithful soldiers of His Kingdom and may cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1<\/h3><p>You were born in Egypt to Christian parents and grew up in the faith of the Church, which had received the Gospel from the holy Evangelist Mark. From your youth, you loved God and kept His commandments, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the land of Egypt;<\/li><li>Rejoice, son of Christian parents;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Mark the Evangelist brought the faith to your land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved God from your youth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept His commandments;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Egypt rejoices in your memory;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the desert fathers are your kin;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of the Nile;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 2<\/h3><p>As a young man, you enlisted in the Roman army and served in Phrygia, in the city of Cotyaeum. You were a brave soldier, yet in your heart you served the King of kings, singing to Him: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 2<\/h3><p>When the emperors Diocletian and Maximian commanded all soldiers to sacrifice to the idols, you refused to obey and left the army. You withdrew to the mountains, preferring the company of wild beasts to that of idolaters. Seeing your faithfulness, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, soldier in the Roman army;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you served the King of kings in secret;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you would not sacrifice to idols;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you laid down the weapons of this world;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you withdrew to the mountains;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you preferred the desert to idolatry;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you chose the narrow way;<\/li><li>Rejoice, faithful soldier of Christ;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 3<\/h3><p>In the solitude of the mountains, you lived in fasting and prayer, preparing yourself for the struggle to come. The Lord revealed to you that you would receive the crown of martyrdom, and you sang to Him: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 3<\/h3><p>Like the Prophet Elijah and the Forerunner John, you dwelt in the wilderness and were strengthened by God for the battle. Seeing how the desert became your school, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you lived in fasting and prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you prepared yourself for the struggle;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the desert became your school;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you followed Elijah and the Forerunner;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Lord revealed your crown to you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you longed to confess Christ openly;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for solitude made you strong;<\/li><li>Rejoice, ascetic of the mountains;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 4<\/h3><p>On the day of a great pagan festival in Cotyaeum, when the whole city was gathered in the theater, you came down from the mountains and stood in the midst of the crowd. With a loud voice, you confessed that Christ is the true God, and you sang to Him: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 4<\/h3><p>You cried out, in the words of Isaiah, \u201cI was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me,\u201d and the crowd fell silent in amazement. Marveling at your boldness, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you came down to confess Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you stood in the midst of the pagans;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you proclaimed the true God with a loud voice;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you quoted the words of Isaiah;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the crowd fell silent before you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were not ashamed of the Gospel;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your confession shook the city;<\/li><li>Rejoice, bold herald of the truth;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 5<\/h3><p>The governor Pyrrhus asked who you were, and you answered, \u201cI am Menas, a soldier who has left the army of the emperor to serve the King of heaven.\u201d He tried to win you with promises of honor, but you sang to Christ: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 5<\/h3><p>When promises failed, the governor turned to torture. You were beaten, torn with iron hooks and burned with torches, yet you endured all things with patience, praying to God. Wondering at your courage, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you confessed your name and your faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you rejected the honors of the world;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were beaten for Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for iron hooks tore your flesh;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were burned with torches;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you prayed in the midst of torment;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God strengthened you in suffering;<\/li><li>Rejoice, unconquered athlete;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 6<\/h3><p>At last, the governor ordered that you be beheaded, and you went to your death with joy, around the year 304. Your soul ascended to the King you had served, and the angels sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 6<\/h3><p>The pagans wished to burn your body, but the Christians took your holy relics and carried them to Egypt, as you had desired. The Lord showed the place where you were to rest, near Alexandria in the land of Mareotis, and so we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you were beheaded for Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you went to your death with joy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your soul ascended to the King;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your relics returned to Egypt;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God showed where you should rest;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Mareotis received your body;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your tomb became a fountain of grace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of the land of Egypt;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 7<\/h3><p>At your tomb, a great church was built, and a city grew up around it, which pilgrims from all the Christian world visited. They carried home small flasks of oil and water from your shrine, stamped with your image, and they sang to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 7<\/h3><p>Your flasks have been found in many lands, from Africa to Europe, a witness to the love the faithful had for you. Your shrine was one of the great places of pilgrimage of the ancient world, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for a great church rose over your tomb;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for a city grew around your shrine;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for pilgrims came from every land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for they carried home flasks of blessing;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your image was stamped on clay;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your flasks are found in many lands;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your shrine was loved by all;<\/li><li>Rejoice, joy of pilgrims;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 8<\/h3><p>Your icon shows you with two camels kneeling beside you, for tradition says the camels carrying your relics would go no further when they reached the place God had chosen. Venerating your holy image, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 8<\/h3><p>The faithful have long asked your prayers in finding what is lost, for many have told how God answered their prayers through your intercession. Asking your prayers in our own needs, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for the camels knelt at the place of your rest;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your icon shows you as a soldier;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the faithful ask your prayers in their losses;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for many have found what was lost;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God answers prayers through your intercession;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you help those who seek justice;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comfort travelers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, helper in need;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 9<\/h3><p>Many miracles are told of you: a pilgrim robbed and slain on the road to your shrine was restored to life, and his murderer was brought to repentance. Glorifying God for His mercy, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 9<\/h3><p>In every age, the faithful have called on your prayers, and the Lord has answered them according to His goodness. From Egypt to Constantinople, from Crete to Rus\u2019, your name has been honored, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for many miracles are told of you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for God brought sinners to repentance;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for He restored what was stolen;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for He comforted the wronged;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your name is honored in Constantinople;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Crete loves you as a patron;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your memory reached Rus\u2019;<\/li><li>Rejoice, wonderworker of the Church;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 10<\/h3><p>In our own age, the Lord has renewed your shrine, for a new monastery stands near the ruins of your ancient city, and pilgrims come again to pray. Rejoicing at this sign of His mercy, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 10<\/h3><p>Your monastery near Alexandria reminds the world that the martyrs are not forgotten, and that the faith of Egypt endures through every trial. Praying for all the Christians of Egypt, we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for your shrine has been renewed;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for pilgrims come again to pray;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the faith of Egypt endures;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for the Christians of your land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you strengthen the persecuted;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the martyrs are not forgotten;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your memory unites many peoples;<\/li><li>Rejoice, consolation of Egypt;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 11<\/h3><p>Every hymn falls short of your glory, O Great Martyr Menas, for you exchanged an earthly army for the heavenly host. Receive our song with love, as we sing with the angels: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 11<\/h3><p>You are a light for all who serve in the armed forces, for you showed that a soldier can be a saint, and that no earthly power can command us to deny God. Asking your prayers for all who serve, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, patron of soldiers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you showed that a soldier can be holy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you obeyed God rather than men;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us to refuse what is evil;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for those in danger;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comfort the wounded;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you strengthen the faint-hearted;<\/li><li>Rejoice, model of Christian courage;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 12<\/h3><p>The grace of God flows abundantly through your prayers, and those who call on you in faith find help in their needs. Glorifying the Lord who is wondrous in His saints, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 12<\/h3><p>Singing of your victory, we praise Christ, who made you a great martyr and a wonderworker. We honor your courage, your faithfulness and your love, and we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, great martyr of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, soldier of the heavenly King;<\/li><li>Rejoice, ascetic of the mountains;<\/li><li>Rejoice, bold confessor in the theater;<\/li><li>Rejoice, wonderworker of Egypt;<\/li><li>Rejoice, helper of the lost;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friend of pilgrims;<\/li><li>Rejoice, crown of the martyrs;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 13<\/h3><p>O holy and glorious Great Martyr Menas, faithful soldier of Christ, receive this our offering of praise. Pray to the Lord for us, that He may strengthen us in the faith, help us in our needs, and grant us to stand with you in His Kingdom, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-rubric\">This kontakion is said three times.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>You were born in Egypt to Christian parents and grew up in the faith of the Church, which had received the Gospel from the holy Evangelist Mark. From your youth, you loved God and kept His commandments, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the land of Egypt;<\/li><li>Rejoice, son of Christian parents;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Mark the Evangelist brought the faith to your land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved God from your youth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept His commandments;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Egypt rejoices in your memory;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the desert fathers are your kin;<\/li><li>Rejoice, flower of the Nile;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>Chosen soldier of the heavenly King, you laid down the weapons of this world to fight the good fight of faith, O Great Martyr Menas. We who honor your memory offer you a song of praise. Pray to Christ our God for us, that we may be faithful soldiers of His Kingdom and may cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Menas, soldier of Christ and wonderworker of Egypt!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"ak-rule\"><h3 class=\"ak-label\">Prayer<\/h3><p>O holy Great Martyr Menas, you who left the army of the emperor to serve the King of heaven, and who boldly confessed Christ before all, we come to you with faith and ask your prayers.<\/p><p>Pray to Christ our God for all who serve in the armed forces, that He may keep them in body and soul; for the Christians of Egypt and of every land where the faith is persecuted, that He may strengthen them; and for all who have lost what is precious to them, that He may restore what is good and comfort them in what cannot be restored. Help us, by your example, to obey God rather than men, and to confess our faith without fear.<\/p><p>Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us courage, patience and a peaceful end, so that with you we may glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Holy and Glorious Great Martyr Menas of Egypt, the Wonderworker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","liturgical_season":[],"class_list":["post-1593","akathist","type-akathist","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/akathist"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1628,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1593\/revisions\/1628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"liturgical_season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/ka\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/liturgical_season?post=1593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}