Festal Service to Our Holy Fathers and Confessors John and George-John of Betania
— “Blessed is the man”, the first antiphon.
— At “Lord, I have cried”, the stichera (sung in Tone 5).
— On 8. (Tone 5).
To the venerable John and George-John
O God-bearing fathers, blessed John and George-John, confessors, great archimandrites and elders and spiritual fathers of heaven-imitating Betania, who laboured for Christ and by signs and wonders brought back to life a barren and lukewarm faith; companions in counsel of the angels, sharers and co-heirs of the unfading Light with the holy apostles and martyrs, who shine with divine radiance, for ye stand boldly before Him, illumined by grace, and ever behold His glory and delight for ever in His goodness: entreat Christ to send down upon the Churches unity, peace and great mercy.
O God-bearing fathers, blessed John and George-John, confessors, gold-wrought lamps of piety and power and strength of the monastic assembly, adorned with the honour of the priesthood and worthily serving the divine altar, fiery pillars of the Church of Iberia; heavenly champions and cross-bearers of our people; enlighteners of monks and unshaken pillars of patience, strength and beams of the Church, all-radiant lamps and luminaries of the Georgian people, treasuries of the virtues: entreat Christ to send down upon the Churches unity, peace and great mercy.
O God-bearing fathers, blessed John and George-John, confessors, boast of monks and strength of the right faith, chosen servants of the Holy Trinity, planters of the spiritual paradise of Betania and preachers of truth from thence, peers of the angels, raised from earth to heaven, inheritors of the Kingdom, citizens of heaven by angelic song, crowned with the saints and illumined in the light of the vision of God, and intercessors by your holy prayer for all who honour you: entreat Christ to send down upon the Churches unity, peace and great mercy.
O God-bearing fathers, blessed John and George-John, confessors, fathers of fathers, heads of monks and guides of hermits, who by your life showed forth the invincibility of the Church, by the grace of your teaching roused the people from spiritual sleep and strengthened the spiritual courage of the Iberians, and by the law of Orthodoxy and divine teaching instructed many; who rejoice before the all-holy Trinity, illumined with great radiance, and are helpers of those who entreat you: entreat Christ to send down upon the Churches unity, peace and great mercy.
Another sticheron (Tone 2)
“O crowns…”
With what crowns of praise shall we wreathe the strongholds of the Church of Christ, who enlightened all with their teaching, who attained apostolic power and preached the truth from Betania, the helpers and teachers of Christians and their intercessors before God, our all-praised fathers the archimandrites John and George, through whom many walked in the ways of truth and glorified Christ, who hath great mercy? (Twice)
With what hymns of praise shall we sing of the plants of paradise, bearing good fruit, fellow-ministers of the angels, abysses of understanding, beholders of things ineffable, great helpers and teachers, reprovers of all the wicked and slothful and strengtheners of watchful priests and monks, whose struggles Christ, who hath great mercy, blessed?
With what songs of praise shall we sing of the adorners of the churches, the shepherds and teachers of monks, who in those times of the dominion of the godless appeared to the Iberian people and taught them love of God and the fatherland and instructed them in prayer, in whom we set our hope, that in unity of faith and love we may confess them as the guides and strongholds of all the Orthodox, who have great mercy?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now be glad, O lovers of the monastic life, and rejoice in the all-holy feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos; gather, O ye faithful, and let us adorn with spiritual praises and extol our blessed fathers and renowned teachers John and George of Betania, whose memory we keep on this same day; and with hymns of praise let us sing the boast of priests and the glory of the Georgians, the fountains of wonders and the great intercessors and advocates of the faithful: Rejoice, all-radiant lampstands, who enlightened the ends of Georgia with wonders; rejoice, divine joy of the afflicted and fervent intercessors of those in trials, venerable and wonderworking fathers John and George-John of Betania: entreat Christ God without ceasing for us who with faith and love ever honour your joyful and all-blessed memory. (Tone 6).
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Who will not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not praise thine all-pure childbearing? For the only-begotten Son, who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth ineffably incarnate from thee, the pure one; being God by nature, and for our sake becoming man by nature, not divided into two persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Entreat Him, O honoured and all-blessed one, for the salvation of our souls.
(Tone 6).
At the entrance, the prokeimenon of the day
— The Old Testament readings — three readings of the venerable.
1. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon. (The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God…) 2. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon. (The righteous live for evermore, and with the Lord…) It is written under 9 March. 3. The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest…) It is written under 7 May.
— At the Litia, the sticheron of the church — one.
Then of the venerable fathers. Idiomelon. (Tone 2).
In this spiritual and all-hymned assembly, called by the Holy Spirit, O ye peoples gathered with eagerness, let us sing and rejoice worthily in the memory of our God-bearing fathers who struggled in Betania, the archimandrites John and George-John, who in that time of the dominion of the godless turned many to God, and are the helpers and intercessors of those who trust in them.
O angels on earth and men of God in heaven, fair adorners of the world and good in sweetness, our venerable fathers John and George-John, confessors, planters of the spiritual paradise of Betania and preachers of truth from thence, we praise you, who were as two souls in one body and with prayer and supplication fell down before Jesus and asked of Him salvation and mercy for your people.
Ye forsook the world, O saints, and took up the cross in which ye gloried, O thrice-blessed fathers, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit directed your steps towards God, and, having attained a great measure by your humility, ye cast out evil spirits and healed the sick; and now, raised up before God as two fiery pillars, ye fall down before Jesus with prayer and supplication and ask of Him salvation and mercy for our people, and for our souls the remission of sins and salvation.
As great shepherds and preachers of the faith, ye preached the Gospel of the Kingdom in a manner befitting God and enriched the holy Church of Iberia by your divine struggle; enlightened by it, we now magnify you, the heavenly men and earthly angels, the adornments of the world and the eyes of ascetics, who multiplied the flock of Christ and were guides to ascetics in righteousness and holiness, and intercede with God for our souls.
Having become true servants of the Trinity, ye received abundantly from it the gifts of understanding, and, made wise to know the power of the holy Scriptures, ye came to the monastery of Betania for the salvation of souls and as a refuge for many; and in the time of famine ye made the labourers fruitful and fed the hungry; and now ye gleam with the shining forth of wonders from that holy monastery over our land, and spread spiritual fragrances over our souls and minds.
Your memory endureth unto the ages, O good shepherds; and though ye have departed from us, ye have not left us, but, united in good love with one another and with God, and fellow-citizens of the angels in heaven, ye heal the passions of our infirmity and bestow abundantly grace and mercy on those who trust in you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O heavenly men and earthly angels, who by the grace and mercy of God came to Betania as a haven for souls and for the enlightenment of our race, intercede now also before God, that He be not angry with us according to our iniquities, but make us grow and multiply and fill us with the spirit of wisdom, of mutual love and of divine understanding, that we may escape all snares and overcome the evil devices of the enemy invisible and visible.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O Virgin, cloud and chariot of the Word; rejoice, O holy dwelling of God, beyond the mind and beyond every bound; rejoice, O unwedded one, who didst conceive by the Spirit God who is above all gods; rejoice, thou who didst give birth without seed and didst give suck without corruption; rejoice, ever-virgin and blessed one.
— At the Aposticha, the sticheron. (Tone 8).
From youth ye had a lofty life, confirmed by the witness of the holy Scriptures, O fathers, a true faith and a merciful heart, humility and reverence, and eyes of the mind that saw all things wisely, O rules and boasts of monks, thrice-blessed fathers John and George, confessors!
Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Like stars ye shone forth in the holy monastery of Betania; ye were strengthened by the power of the Cross, and in every way put to shame the deceit of the blasphemers, and became a foundation for the penitent.
Verse: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he will delight greatly in His commandments.
The Church of the Georgians is glad at the uncovering of your relics, which she hath kept like precious stones, and she bestoweth upon us without fail, through your intercession, the healing of souls and bodies,
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The multitude of monks confesseth you as their guides, our God-bearing fathers John and George of Betania, for they are filled with the divine graces which ye left behind, and they delight in your memory, O fellow-champions: entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls through your intercessions.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O unwedded Virgin, who didst ineffably conceive God in thy womb, O Mother of God Most High, accept the supplication of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, who grantest to all the cleansing of sins; accept our supplication also, and ask great mercy for us.
— “Lord, now lettest Thou”.
“Our Father”: The troparion: O wondrous fathers of Betania, called angels by all who knew you: John, labourer from youth in adorning the dwelling of God; George, adorned with the gift of prophecy; lamps of Orthodoxy kindled in the darkness of iniquities, entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls. — Twice. (Tone 6).
— “O Theotokos and Virgin” — once.
— The blessing of the loaves.
— At “God is the Lord”, the troparion of the venerable. — Twice.
“Glory…”, “Both now…” — the resurrectional dismissal Theotokion in the tone of the troparion: “O Thou who didst call Thy Mother blessed, Thou didst come to Thy Passion of Thine own will; shining upon the Cross, seeking Adam, Thou didst say to the angels: Rejoice with Me, for the lost drachma hath been found. O Thou who hast ordered all things in wisdom, O our God, glory to Thee.” (Tone 6).
— After the first kathisma, the sessional hymn. (Tone 1).
Ye completed a life of piety on earth, and appeared as a rule for monks and radiant lights for all the world, O holy confessors, fathers John and George, and ye enlighten those who swiftly flee to you, O blessed ones: now make the true light shine in our hearts and be the intercessors of those who praise you. (Twice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When, according to the prophecy of Gabriel the Fool for Christ, they brought forth from the grave the precious treasure, your holy relics, wealth free of price and unfailing, gold radiant with God, our land and the holy Orthodox people were filled with divine joy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The mystery hidden from all ages is revealed to the Archangel, that he may declare it with trembling to the Virgin; and he bringeth glad tidings to her who is blessed among women; with him let us cry out: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
— After the second kathisma, the sessional hymn. (Tone 4).
Like stars ye shone forth in the region of Betania, our venerable fathers, O blessed ones, and multiplied the flock of Christ in the time of the dominion of the godless: ask now deliverance from transgressions for those who keep your memory, since ye stand before God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
God, the beholder of minds, foresaw the purity of your souls, and shed light upon your minds, and filled you with divine wisdom, and granted you to speak of hidden mysteries: be now our intercessors before God, that He may give us a heart of understanding and wisdom to discern good and evil.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O all-immaculate and holy one, thou didst conceive by the divine Spirit God the Maker and Creator of all, and didst bear Him without corruption; wherefore we magnify thee and sing thy praise, O Virgin, as the palace of the King of all and the helper of the world.
— The nineteenth kathisma — selected psalms.
— After the Magnification, the sessional hymn. (Tone 8).
Come, ye faithful, let us with one accord adorn John, the ascetic of Christ, the God-wise teacher adorned with grace, the invincible champion of the faith, the indestructible wall, the spiritual organ and wise writer of repentance, the luminary adorned with divine light and the lamp of all the ends of heaven, the adornment of the faithful and strength of the law: let us sing to him, that he may intercede for our souls.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come, ye faithful, let us with one accord adorn John, the ascetic of Christ, the God-wise John, the abyss of grace, the river of wisdom, the fountain of living water, the treasury of divine riches, the head and beginning of theology, the lamp made manifest, shining without fail upon the churches of Christ, the boundary of the law, and the faithful shepherd and teacher; let us sing to him: O God-bearing father, intercede for our souls.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Word of the Father, who is co-eternal with Him, taketh from thee the beginning of our nature, O Theotokos; the Timeless One entereth into time, the Word becometh flesh, and the Son of God is called thy Son. O this incomprehensible mystery! Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
— The Anabathmoi, the first antiphon, Tone 4
From my youth unclean passions war mightily against me; therefore I entreat Thee: be my helper and save me, O Good One.
Glory…
Ye that hate Zion, be put to shame by the Lord, and like withered grass shall Gehenna devour you.
Both now…
By the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened and exalted in purity, and is made radiant by the Trinity, one in essence, in a manner befitting God and mystically.
Prokeimenon: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Tone 7).
Verse: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?”
“Let every breath…” The Gospel according to Luke, chapter 6, verse 17 (At that time Jesus stood…); it ends at verse 23 (…your reward is great in heaven…).
After Psalm 50, the sticheron.
Idiomelon. (Tone 6).
In that time of the dominion of the godless, when the haters of Christ held sway in our land, the report of your struggle went forth, O God-wise ones, and many hastened to see and hear your holiness; wherefore in heaven ye found the reward of your labours and attained the rank of the angels, whose blameless life ye rivalled, O venerable fathers John and George: having boldness before God, ask peace for our souls.
The first canon, of the Theotokos, on 6 (see 28 September).
The second canon, of the venerable, on 8. (Tone 1).
Irmos: We sing to Thee, O Lord our God, who didst lead Thy people through the sea and drown in the deep the chariots of Pharaoh and his host.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
From youth thou didst love the Lord, and, understanding His holy divine will, O blessed John, thou didst begin to run the narrow way of monasticism.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
A distinguished nobleman of an ancient and eminent line, thou hadst love for thy people and fatherland, and in place of military service didst choose the service of the Lord, O all-blessed George.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Fleeing the tumults of the world, wounded by the love of Christ, thou didst put on His cross at twelve years of age, O holy John, and, following in His steps, didst go away to Betania.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Leaving thy parents' house through a vision from on high, thou didst settle in a trackless place which none knoweth but God, and by unceasing prayer didst drive away the temptations of the devil and quench his fierce snares.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Church of Georgia now rejoiceth in your memory and biddeth all the faithful call you blessed, fervent zealots and guides of sinful souls.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lady of creation, entreat the Creator of all to make partakers of the glory of the fathers those who magnify thee with praises and sing to thee with longing.
Irmos: O Christ our God, who strengthenest them that trust in Thee, establish us who trust in Thee upon the rock of faith.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Living in obedience to the abbot of Betania, thou didst labour without ceasing, O John, to restore the ruined monastery, and didst bear that harsh toil with humility.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
A young man, yet as an elder and a wise one, thou didst choose the severity of the hermit's life above worldly honour, and, settling in the monastery of Khirsa, O venerable and all-blessed George, didst enter upon a hard and severe struggle.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Reaching the mountain of Athos, thou didst settle in the Georgian monastery of John the Theologian, and with the oil of struggles and labours, O blessed John, didst feed the lamp of virginity.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Having been tonsured into the angelic schema by the priest-martyr Metropolitan Nazar, thou hadst Christ as thy fellow-combatant in the battle against the enemy; wherefore entreat Him, O all-blessed George, to deliver us from our countless sins.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We send you as intercessors to God, O twofold ascetics, courageous John together with George, that He may drive away trials and the assaults of demons from those who trust in you.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mary, more radiant than the ether, who ineffably and in virginity gavest birth to God, the Master of all that is, entreat Him to have mercy on our souls.
By struggle ye subjected the passions of the flesh to the spirit, and, having taken wing on the wings of dispassion, ye received the grace of the Holy Spirit, and ye heal the sicknesses of men, drive away demons and deliver those who entreat you; wherefore the assembly of monks calleth you blessed, our holy fathers who struggled in Betania, George and John of Athos, and honoureth your memory. — Twice.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The courage of your patience, your labour in holiness well-pleasing to the Lord, and the multitude of your wonders have many times been recorded in this our land, that they may be told from generation to generation to the sons of our race; and we, made glad at the feast of your memory, praise and magnify with songs Christ our King and God.
ძლისპირი: სიყუარული წყალობისაი, ძეთა კაცთათვის ჯუარსა ზედა აღმაღლდი და დაბრმეს ჰურიანი, ვითარმედ შენ ხარ, ქრისტე, სიბრძნეი ღმრთისაი და მადლი.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
When they tonsured thee into the lesser schema, O venerable one, they gave thee the name of the Saviour's beloved disciple, and the fragrance of thy prayers ever rose to God like incense.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Thou didst quench the fiery arrows of the evil one with fasting and vigil, O thrice-blessed George, and, having been ordained a hieromonk, didst put on the priestly vesture of righteousness and grace and ascend to the rank of archimandrite.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Having been ordained a hieromonk, thou didst celebrate the divine services, and at the time of prayer didst gather thy mind before God: ask of Him now, O venerable John, forgiveness of our sins and iniquities.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
In that time of the tyranny of the godless many were forced to put off the monastic habit, but thou, O blessed George, didst choose to run the narrow way and stood unshaken in the right confession.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Ye became imitators of the angelic life, O all-blessed ones, and now ye ever stand before God with the angels: be our intercessors with Him, that He may deliver us from the wiles of the enemy and from the billows of sin.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With compunction we entreat thee, holy Virgin Mary: through the prayers of the God-bearing fathers of Betania grant relief to our souls, that we may magnify thee, O Lady.
Irmos: Send down Thy light upon us, O Lord, and deliver us sinners from darkness, and send down Thy mercy upon us from heaven, O Good One.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
მიტაცებულ აქუნდათ რაი ივირონი ბერძენთა, შურითა ქართველთაითა აღძრულნი არა დასცხრებოდენ ბოროტებად თქუენდა და შემდგომად მრავლისა შეურაცხებისა განგდევნეს ათონითგან.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
When the fighters against God brought great affliction and distress upon the churches and the faithful in our land, they stripped thee of thy priestly vesture, O elder George, and beat thee, and shaved the beard of the confessor of Christ.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
ვერცაღა დააცხრეთ რაი ჭირთა მძვინვარებანი, ბერძენთა მიერ აღძრულნი ივერიელთა ზედა,მოსაგრეთა თანა უკუნ იქეც სამშობლოს ქუეყანასა, ათშვიდმეტსა წელსა დამყოფელი ათონსა.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Many times thou didst suffer insult from thine own household, O venerable George, until, when thou camest to thy house where thine unbelieving brothers lived, they shaved thy beard as thou didst sleep, and drew the wrath of God upon their own heads.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The angels marvelled at your purity, and ye roused men to imitate you, for in every way ye showed forth wondrous deeds, our venerable fathers, O blessed ones.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We cry Hosanna to Thee, O Lord of Sabaoth: through the intercession of the Virgin Mary unite with the bodiless powers us who sing to Thee, O Lord.
Irmos: In the twinkling of an eye He gathered the theologians on a cloud from the ends of heaven into Zion, to minister on this day to the body that received God.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Wounded by the love of Christ, thou didst settle in the monastery of Armazi when the godless boldly held sway over our God-blessed land and made war on and persecuted Christians.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Thou didst hold thy parents' house as a stranger's, O George, and with long-suffering didst endure deprivation for the sake of divine love: now make the Creator merciful for our deliverance from evils.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
When the godless, raging like wild beasts, wounded thee with a bullet, Christ healed thee; and when thou camest to the monastery of Martkopi, they did not permit thee to struggle there, but Catholicos Ambrose received thee, though he himself was under house arrest.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Having mercy and meekness like David the prophet, O soldier of Christ George, many times the evil demon was kindled to make war upon thee, but thou didst burn up his power as with fire in the furnace of thy prayers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Neither affliction nor distress, neither persecution nor fear of death could separate you from the love of the true God: entreat Him now for our deliverance from every sickness and evil trial.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O hope of all Christians, hymned by all the hosts of heaven, intercede for us, O Lady, together with the choir of the saints, that we may magnify thee for ever.
— The kontakion (Tone 4). In persecutions ye appeared as celebrants of the mysteries of the law, the hope of the faithful, often beaten and humbled by the haters of Christ, vessels of goodness and wisdom, physicians of manifold sicknesses, holy confessors, fathers John and George, who ascended the spiritual summit and shone forth, luminaries of Orthodoxy.
— The ikos. With songs we honour the twofold holy and divine choir, for, gathered together in brotherly mind, ye drove away the spiritual sleep of the Lord's people and guided them on the royal way: cease not now to intercede for us, O renowned and wondrous fathers, and fill us all with divine watchfulness, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, our venerable fathers who struggled in Betania, John and George, confessors!
Irmos: The youths of Abraham’s seed, bound by the magi for the sake of the divine laws, were cast into the furnace and cried out in the flame: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in this temple of Thy holiness.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
The devices of godlessness could not shake the firmness of thy faith, and thou didst go to Betania, O holy John, where there struggled once more the hieromonk Spyridon, the teacher of thy youth.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Thou didst endure countless trials, O venerable George, and wast tried like gold in the furnace of pains: now deliver me also from the ways of perdition and guide me to the haven of divine repentance.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Spyridon could not endure the persecution by the fighters against God and went away to his home, but thou didst not forsake that holy monastery, and the authorities even appointed thee its keeper, as of an ancient monument.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Coming to Betania, thou didst find the venerable and blessed elder John, and humility became your guide on the true way, and ye were beloved of all for your virtues.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The enemy of ascetics strove, O holy and chosen pair, to drive you out of the monastery, but he could not destroy the power of prayer and the unity of grace, nor diminish your holiness and struggle.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Virgin Mary Theotokos, stretch out the hand of mercy to widows and orphans, have mercy on the poor, and make us all together worthy of the heavenly glory free of care.
Irmos: Christ God, who appeared in the furnace in the form of an angel to them that sang, praise, ye youths; ye priests, hymn Him; ye people, supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
As one soul in two bodies ye struggled, and, appointed preachers by the Lord, ye made the faith of the Orthodox grow and taught the ignorant the knowledge of God.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
As ye moved the faithful to imitate you, Basil, guileless of heart and obedient without murmuring in humility, came to you, and, having tonsured him a monk, ye became like the holy bodiless ones.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Seeing your people sunk in unbelief, ye were kindled with the love of Christ and taught many to wage war against enemies invisible and visible.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Thou didst imitate the hospitality of Abraham, O blessed one, and didst generously feed the poor and needy: raise us also to imitate thee, that we may flee the love of money, that evil passion.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
When the elder Gabriel became thy disciple, O venerable George, thou didst instruct him in piety, which befitteth faithful Christians and yet more monks; and he grew strong, and grace was given him by Christ to know things unseen and hidden.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Falling sick, O John, thou didst endure grievous pains for a whole year, and, awaiting thine end, didst partake of the Mysteries of Christ and with joy commit thy spirit to God.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
According to thy wonted sweetness, make thy Son merciful toward us, O Mother of God, that we also may be made worthy of the Kingdom through thine intercession, O spotless one.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, singing and supremely exalting Him unto all the ages.
— “More honourable” — is sung.
Irmos: Thy giving birth is incorrupt, O Virgin; God came forth from thy womb incarnate and dwelt among men; therefore we all rightly magnify thee, O Theotokos.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat God for us.
Enriched with the burden of the virtues, thou didst stand before God, O venerable and blessed John; they buried thee at Betania, and when George called down into thy grave, “Christ is risen!”, thou, though dead, didst send up a voice of joy: “Truly He is risen!”
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat…
After the death of John thou wast tonsured into the great schema and named John, like thy spiritual brother; and thou, a distinguished nobleman, didst live in poverty and wast fed by the labour of thine own hands.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat…
The Theotokos visited thee, O ascetic George, and bestowed on thee abundantly the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and granted health to her chosen one: entreat her to plant in us hatred of sin and love of virtue.
O venerable fathers John and George of Betania, entreat…
Thou didst pass through this life blamelessly, as an angel of God; and when the time of thy departure from the flesh was made known to thee by an angel, the elder Gabriel understood all, and, coming to Betania, communed thee with the holy Mysteries of Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
When Gabriel wept at parting from thee, thou didst bless him and comfort him with fatherly sweetness; and having commended thy people, and then thy spirit, to Christ, O George, now, adorned with the steadfastness of thy great struggles, thou reignest before Him.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We confess thee truly as Theotokos, O Virgin Mary; with the choir of angels we magnify thee; count thy suppliants worthy of the holy host, O Lady.
— The Exapostilarion: Behold, we the faithful have the tomb of your bones as a spring of grace and of a multitude of signs, richly unfailing, as a wall of strength, a treasury of grace and a driver-away of demons; wherefore today the choirs of monks rejoice and the ranks of the fathers are glad at your feast, and they proclaim the grace of your good deeds and offer praise to the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The holy Church now keepeth the feast of the uncovering of your relics, O blessed ones, and crieth to you: Look down upon us from heaven, O blessed fathers, and deliver us from the billows of the world, that we may not be drowned.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We confess thee truly as the Theotokos, O Lady, we who have been saved through thee, for thou didst ineffably bear God, who delivereth from death by the Cross and draweth to Himself the assembly of the venerable, with whom we praise thee, O Virgin.
— At the Praises, the stichera
განგეხუნეს რაი ბჭენი ზეცისანი, ღირსნო, შეხუედით თქუენ სიხარულსა უფლისასა, ხოლო აწ მეოხ-გუეყავ მაქებელთა შენთა დაუცხრომელად, რაითა წმიდაი ეკლესიაი ჩუენი შეუძრველად დაიცვას კუეთებისაგან მტერთაისა და მძლე ჰყოს მწვალებელთა ზედა, რამეთუ მბრძოლნი იგი ჭეშმარიტებისანი ზაკულითა განზრახვითა შეთქუმულ არიან მართლმორწმუნეთა ზედა და ძალითა და ნიშნებითა სიცრუვისაითა იღუწიან, რაითა ქრისტეის მოსახელენი ერნი განხრწნეს და გამოაჩინეს ერად ბნელისა.
When ye had been buried at Betania, your angelic struggle was lovingly described by your disciple Gabriel, holy and blessed, and he made us beholders of your radiance, of which he partook in spirit, imitating you in virtue; wherefore in the Holy of Holies of the Kingdom ye are glorified with a crown before Christ, and, portrayed in icons and remembered in prayers, ye heal once more those who flee to you, and swiftly help those in sorrows and bonds, and deliver all from trials.
According to the prophecy of your disciple Gabriel the Fool for Christ, ye were numbered with the choir of the saints before him, and your relics were brought forth before those of that holy elder; there came forth from your tomb a spirit of fragrance beyond comprehension, and all were filled with grace, and the infirm received healing.
Your all-praised relics, made radiant by struggles and tried by trials, were given to our Church as a light and a crown of graces; at the time of their uncovering they drove away a multitude of demons, O wonderworking fathers; and now we draw from them unfailing healing for our souls and bodies.
The Church of the Georgians is glad at the uncovering of your relics, which she hath kept, O venerable ones, like precious stones, and she granteth us without fail, through your intercession, relief; and we, the assembly of the faithful, keep festival with praises and give thanks to God, who through you bestoweth great mercy.
Your all-praised relics, made radiant by struggles and tried by trials, were given to our Church as a light and a crown of graces; at the time of their uncovering they drove away a multitude of demons and filled with spiritual light countless choirs of laymen and clergy.
Now Betania delighteth and rejoiceth because ye dwelt in it, O our all-wondrous fathers, and yet more doth that church of the Nativity of the Theotokos exult, for it was ever watered by your tears; and now we too hasten to the dwelling-place of your relics, that we may celebrate this twofold feast and venerate the shrines of your holiness, that we may draw healing for our souls and bodies.
ღირსნო მამანო ჩუენნო და მოძღუარნო ქართველთანო, იოვანე და გიორგი-იოანე აღმსარებელნო! ევედრენით თქუენ მიერ შეყუარებულსა ტკბილსა იესუს, რაითა წყალობითა მოხედოს დედისა თვისისა წილხდომილსა ერსა ჩუენსა, მტვირთველსა საუფლოისა ჯუარისაისა ქუეყანასა ზედა, და ყოველთაგან ერთა, ბრძოლად ჩუენდა შემოკრებულთა გვიხსნნეს და დაგვიფარნეს ანტიქრისტეს ხიბლისაგან და საცთურისა.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let us sound the trumpet of hymns, let us leap for joy and be glad, rejoicing in the all-holy feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos; and on this same day we commemorate the all-praised fathers and renowned teachers John and George of Betania, as those who have made rivers of teaching flow forth for us; and let us sing: the infirm, to the healers of sicknesses; the afflicted, to their deliverers; sinners, to their fervent intercessors; the sorrowful, to their comforters; travellers, to their companions; sailors, to their helmsmen; and all everywhere, magnifying with faith the hopes of all, let us say: Be our intercessors, O venerable ones, that through your prayers and petition the Lord God may arm us with His invincible power against all our enemies visible and invisible, and save us.
Both now…, Theotokion.
— “The Great Doxology” — is sung.
The troparion: “O wondrous fathers of Betania, called angels by all who knew you: John, labourer from youth in adorning the dwelling of God; George, adorned with the gift of prophecy; lamps of Orthodoxy kindled in the darkness of iniquities, entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls.” (Tone 6).
“Glory…”, “Both now…” — the resurrectional dismissal Theotokion in the tone of the troparion: “O Thou who didst call Thy Mother blessed, Thou didst come to Thy Passion of Thine own will; shining upon the Cross, seeking Adam, Thou didst say to the angels: Rejoice with Me, for the lost drachma hath been found. O Thou who hast ordered all things in wisdom, O our God, glory to Thee.” (Tone 6).
— “The Typika antiphons” — during the singing of the Beatitudes “In Thy Kingdom remember us” is inserted — on 8:
— from Ode 3 of the venerable fathers — 4 troparia (with the irmos).
— from Ode 6 of the venerable fathers — 4 troparia, with their own “Glory…” and “Both now…”.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Verse: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?”
The Epistle: 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 7 (Brethren, to each one of us…); it ends at verse 12 (…to every man severally as He will…).
Alleluia (Tone 6): “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.”
Verse: His seed shall be mighty upon the earth.
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 11, verse 27 (The Lord said to His disciples…); it ends at chapter 12, verse 1 (…My burden is light…).
Communion hymn: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
The service was compiled by the psalm-reader Tinatin Mchedlishvili.
