Our Venerable Father John of Damascus: Life, Canon, and Akathist Hymn

Saint John of Damascus was a prolific writer and hymnographer. His liturgical hymns -- which include the Canon of Pascha, the services for each day of the week (The Octoechos), and the solemn funeral hymns -- permeate Orthodox worship.

This booklet offers an account of his life, along with prayers (a canon and akathist) written in his honor.

A sticheron (hymn) to Saint John found in this book:

O most wise father John, thou hast adorned the Church of Christ with thy hymns, sweetly chanting things most divine through the activity of the Spirit, O most glorious father, striking thy harp and imitating all the musical modes of David. And causing it to sound, thou hast drawn all to thee with divine hymns.

Excerpt from the Saint's Life:

After the amputation John’s hand was hung aloft in the city market, and the saint, weak from pain and the loss of much blood, was returned to his home. Just before darkness fell, the blessed one was told that the Caliph’s wrath had abated; whereupon John sent him this request: “My pain continues to increase, giving me indescribable torment. Permit my hand to be returned from the market, my lord, that I may bury it and so assuage my pain.”

The Caliph granted the request, and when the hand was brought, John entered his prayer-room and fell to the floor before his icon of the most pure Theotokos. Pressing the severed hand to his wrist, he sighed and wept, praying from the depths of his heart: “O Lady, most pure Mistress and Mother of God, behold: my right hand hath been cut off for the sake of the divine icons by the tyrant Leo! Whatsoever thou wiliest, thou canst accomplish, for through thy holy prayers, the right hand of the Most High, Who was incarnate of thee, worketh numerous miracles; wherefore, come quickly to mine aid, that He may heal my hand by thine intercession, O Theotokos. May I again be permitted to defend the Orthodox faith; may my hand write once more in praise of thee and thy Son!”

With this John fell asleep and beheld in a dream the most pure Theotokos looking down upon him from the icon with warm, compassionate eyes. She said, “Your hand has been restored. Do not be troubled any longer, but return to your work and labor diligently, like a swiftly writing scribe, even as you promised me.”

John arose from sleep, felt his right hand, and realized that it had indeed been healed. His spirit rejoiced in God his Saviour and in the Lord’s most pure Mother, who had done such a great thing for him. He rejoiced throughout the night with all his household, chanting a new hymn: “Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Thy right hand hath healed my severed hand and crushed Thine enemies, who do not revere Thy precious image or that of Thy most pure Mother. It shall destroy those who destroy the icons, and multiply Thy glory!”

Paperbound, 36 pages, 5" x 8"