Theophan, Bishop of Tambov, (January 10 1815 – January 6, 1894) is considered a modern-day Church Father. The son of a priest, he entered seminary at a young age, then completed the four-year course in theology at the Academy of Kiev. Though he distinguished himself as a student, his heart turned increasingly toward the monastic life, and he was tonsured a monk and ordained a priest upon completion of his studies. He served as a professor at the Theological Academy in St Petersburg, then worked for seven years in the Russian Mission to the Near East, mostly in Palestine. During this time he gained a perfect mastery of Greek and studied the works of the Church Fathers in the original languages. Returning to Russia, he was soon consecrated a bishop; but after seven years of episcopal service, he at last achieved his heart's desire, resigning as bishop and retiring to a small monastery at Yvschen, where he spent the rest of his days.
He prepared a Russian-language edition of the Philokalia which had a deep impact upon Russian spiritual life. Though he received no visitors, St Theophan entered into correspondence with many earnest Christians who sought his counsel, and so in time became the spiritual father of many believers throughout Russia. He reposed in peace in 1894.
In addition to the Philokalia, St Theophan produced (among other works): a Spiritual Psalter of selections from St Ephraim the Syrian; The Path to Salvation, an exposition of Orthodox Spirituality written in clear, plain language for those living in the world; collections of his letters to spiritual children; and Unseen Warfare, a treatise on prayer and the ascetical life.
St Theophan reposed on Jan 6/19 - also the feast of the Theophany, after which he is named - though his feast day is on Jan 10/23 and Jun 16/29 (commemorating the translation of his relics in 2002). Below is a link to a pdf file of an Akathist service in honour of St Theopan that can be downloaded or printed in booklet form:
Below, is the text of the Akathist to read online.
AKATHIST HYMN to the HOLY HIERARCH THEOPHAN the RECLUSE
Kontakion I
O luminary of the Church of Russia, chosen by the Lord, excellent ascetic and true servant of Christ, divinely wise and holy hierarch Theophan! We praise thee with love and honour the struggles and labours whereby thou didst serve well the faithful people, since, abiding in seclusion, thou didst trace the path of salvation with grace-filled teachings. As thou now standest before the throne of God, pray for us who cry to thee:
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Ikos I
Seeking angelic purity, and possessed of great love for the Lord, thou didst take up the struggle of the monastic life, O all-wondrous hierarch. And increasing an hundredfold the gift of wisdom given thee by the Lord, thou didst advance the salvation of the people. Wherefore, we cry out to thee with love:
Rejoice, thou who didst love the Lord more than all that is earthly;
Rejoice, thou who didst set all thy hope on Him alone!
Rejoice, thou who didst devote thy heart to the Lord from childhood;
Rejoice, thou who didst nurture thy mind with the wisdom of God from thy youth!
Rejoice, imitator of the life of the angels;
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, thou who was chosen beforehand by God to fish for men;
Rejoice, thou who wast lighted by the Lord as a radiant lamp!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion II
Seeing that no earthly pleasure is unmingled with grief, O holy Theophan, thou didst despise the vanity of vanities and reject all the beauties of this world, committing thyself wholly unto God, and chanting to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos II
Gifted by God from childhood with an understanding of the wisdom contained in books, thou didst nourish thy mind by reading holy writings, finding great power and spiritual light therein. And understanding this, we cry out to thee with compunction:
Rejoice, divinely elect child of pious parents;
Rejoice, treasury of chastity, filled with grace from on high!
Rejoice, thou who wast aflame with love for God from childhood;
Rejoice, thou who didst apply thyself to obedience from thy youth!
Rejoice, thou who didst imitate the Lord in meekness and innocence;
Rejoice, thou who didst choose the path of virginity and purity!
Rejoice, thou who didst desire the monastic life with all thy heart;
Rejoice, thou who didst commit thyself wholly to the service of the Lord!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion III
The power of God made of thee, a weak human vessel, a well-spring of wisdom, O holy hierarch Theophan, and gave thee to the people as a good shepherd who giveth up his life for their salvation and unceasingly crieth to the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos III
Having the Lord alone in thy heart, O favourite of God, with great joy thou didst commit all the treasures of thy soul and mind to the service of the Church, teaching and instructing all who had recourse unto thee. And, blessing thy labours, we cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou whose thirst the Lord quenched with great wisdom;
Rejoice, thou who wast nourished amid ascetic labours!
Rejoice, hierarch chosen by God;
Rejoice, untiring advocate for us before the Lord!
Rejoice, humble bearer of the rank of bishop;
Rejoice, faithful teacher of the knowledge of God!
Rejoice, uprooter of schisms harmful to the soul;
Rejoice, zealot of the Orthodox Faith!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion IV
A tempest of dismay filled the children of thy flock when thou didst desire to dedicate thyself to the feat of reclusion, O holy hierarch Theophan; but they later rejoiced, seeing thee taking even greater care for their salvation; and they chanted unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos IV
When the people heard that thou hadst made thine abode in the Hermitage of Vyshensk, they hastened to thee and, honouring thee, their good shepherd, asked thee to pray for them and guide them to salvation. And we, knowing this, offer thee such praises as these:
Rejoice, for thou who wast as a solicitous father to thy flock;
Rejoice, thou who didst unceasingly make it thy concern!
Rejoice, shepherd who didst lay down thy life for the sheep;
Rejoice, thou who didst unceasingly work for their salvation!
Rejoice, thou who didst love stillness and divine contemplation above all;
Rejoice, thou who didst wall thyself off from the world with goodly intent!
Rejoice, abundantly loving instructor of monks;
Rejoice, ever-burning lamp of the Monastery of Vyshenk!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion V
Thou wast shown to be a divinely guided star, O right wondrous and holy hierarch; for, abiding in the Monastery of Vyshensk amid spiritual and bodily struggles, thou wast a goodly model for the Christ-loving brethren who looked upon thee, teaching all to chant unceasingly to the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos V
Seeing thee waging the monastic struggle in humility and meekness, the brethren approached thee and were edified. And, honoring thee, who art truly chosen of God, we cry out to thee such things as these:
Rejoice, ever-flowing fountain of love;
Rejoice, well of humility and meekness, which giveth drink to those who thirst!
Rejoice, storehouse feeding all with spiritual food;
Rejoice, lamp shining with the light of faith!
Rejoice, good lover of abstinence;
Rejoice, thou who earnestly carest for the salvation of men’s souls!
Rejoice, tireless preacher of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, lily of paradise sprung forth in the wilderness!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion VI
In thy hierarchal ministry thou wast a constant preacher and proclaimer of the truths of God, enlightening and instructing thy flock, O right wondrous Theophan; and even in reclusion thou didst not deprive all who had recourse unto thee of thy grace-filled words, moving them to chant unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos VI
Thy wisdom shone forth like an all-radiant star, O marvelous servant of Christ; for, as God permitted, the torrents of thy living words poured forth from thy place of reclusion and disclosed a healing spring of grace-filled teachings, slaking the thirst of everyone who falleth down before it with faith. And we cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who didst declare the word of God with thy lips;
Rejoice, thou who didst therewith give drink to those who thirst!
Rejoice, thou who wast unflagging in the struggles of monastic life;
Rejoice, unshakeable pillar of Orthodoxy!
Rejoice, wise uprooter of sinful habits;
Rejoice, tireless guide to virtues!
Rejoice, healer of our souls;
Rejoice, thou who steerest us to piety!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion VII
Desiring to attain unto the kingdom of God, O holy father, thou didst spurn the world and find the grace of the Holy Spirit; and thou didst serve the people with love, imitating Christ, the Chief Shepherd, and chanting unto Him: Alleluia!
Ikos VII
Perceiving thee to be a new ascetic and favourite of Christ, full of humility and meekness, the people hastened with hope to the Hermitage of Vyshensk, trusting in thy gracious aid. And we likewise, asking help of thee, cry out such things as these:
Rejoice, thou who by the meekness of thy spirit didst turn many to God;
Rejoice, thou who enlightenest benighted souls!
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire angelic purity on earth;
Rejoice, thou who with thy love didst treat the suffering!
Rejoice, wondrous instructor of innocence;
Rejoice, most radiant lamp of piety!
Rejoice, thou who callest all to repentance;
Rejoice, thou who dost not forsake those who ask for thy help!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion VIII
A strange and wondrous struggle didst thou reveal in thy life, O holy hierarch: thou who didst abide in labours and constant thought of God, didst acquire a treasure of spiritual understanding and by thy writings didst fervently serve the Church. And seeing this, with thanksgiving we chant to God in the compunction of our hearts: Alleluia!
Ikos VIII
Thou showest thyself to be all things for all men, O holy hierarch of God: a pastor and father, a teacher, instructor and true preacher; for even to this day, in every city and village, thy writings constantly proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel. Wherefore, we, thy spiritual children, say unto thee with love:
Rejoice, thou who wast watered by the dew of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, thou who wast covered by the light of grace divine!
Rejoice, thou who hast acquired an incorruptible treasure;
Rejoice, thou who didst imitate the acts of the Apostles!
Rejoice, thou who showest the way to the knowledge of God;
Rejoice, thou who seekest gracious wisdom!
Rejoice, thou who didst blossom forth in the Church of Russia;
Rejoice, adornment of the holy fathers!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion IX
Every hour of thy transitory life thou didst labour for the one thing needful, O holy hierarch, and didst make thy soul a pure habitation for the Holy Spirit, warming thy heart with the constant recitation of the Jesus Prayer, and chanting unto the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos IX
Meek and wise, thou wast shown to be a golden-voiced orator to all who attended to thy words with love, and with the power of thy discourse thou didst teach them godly righteousness. Wherefore, O blessed father, accept from us such praises as these:
Rejoice, holy hierarch of God, humble and meek;
Rejoice, good shepherd who lovest thy children!
Rejoice, Chrysostom of the Russian land;
Rejoice, namesake of the revelation of God!
Rejoice, true guide for lost souls;
Rejoice, swift consoler of the grieving!
Rejoice, unshakeable confirmation in the faith for the weak;
Rejoice, encouragement for those who despair amid many labours!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion X
The way of salvation out of the snares of sin didst thou indicate for the children of God, O favourite of Christ, relating the mysteries of the invisible warfare; and thou didst show the desired crown to those who thirst for salvation, calling upon them to chant in gratitude to God: Alleluia!
Ikos X
Thy divinely wise writings have been shown to be a rampart for the flock of Christ and a wall of defence against the wolves who would destroy it, O holy hierarch of God; and thereby thou protectest the faithful on the path to salvation. And we, illumined by thy teachings, reverently cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, rule of the faith;
Rejoice, all-wise instructor!
Rejoice, teacher of piety;
Rejoice, uprooter of ungodliness!
Rejoice, all-radiant beacon;
Rejoice, bold preacher!
Rejoice, thou who didst cultivate the field of Christ like a good sower;
Rejoice, thou who like a hen givest shelter to thy children!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion XI
We offer thee most laudatory hymns, O holy hierarch, and bless thee who by thy life and struggles hast glorified the holy name of our Creator and God. By thy supplications vouchsafe that we also may lead a right moral life, that with thee we may chant unto Him: Alleluia!
Ikos XI
Thy splendid life was not hidden from those who sought the righteousness of God, O all-wondrous recluse; and thy good end, untroubled and peaceful, showed thee to be a true vessel of the grace of God. And with one mouth we say to thee with compunction:
Rejoice, blessed vessel of purity of body and soul;
Rejoice, thou who didst serve the Lord until the end!
Rejoice, thou who after thine end wast counted worthy of everlasting blessedness;
Rejoice, thou who hast inherited the kingdom of God!
Rejoice, wondrous ornament of the Monastery of Vyshensk;
Rejoice, enlightenment of the land of Tambov and Shatsk!
Rejoice, boast and joy of the flock of Ryazan;
Rejoice, care for our soul!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion XII
O wondrous and meek hierarch, supernaturally illumined by the grace of God, and who didst serve thy flock wisely and most well, never cease to mediate for us before the Lord in heaven, where thou standest in constant glorification, crying out to Him with the angels: Alleluia!
Ikos XII
Hymning thy struggles, we fall down with hope before thy precious icon [or relics], O holy hierarch of God; and we beseech thee, our heavenly protector and great intercessor for us before the throne of the Lord of glory, crying out with compunction:
Rejoice, most excellent favourite of God;
Rejoice, all-wondrous ascetic of God!
Rejoice, mighty intercessor for those who trust in thee;
Rejoice, speedy helper for those who call upon thee!
Rejoice, friend of Christ, beloved of God;
Rejoice, fervent mediator of salvation for our souls!
Rejoice, ardent protector of the chaste;
Rejoice, comforter amid our tribulations!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion XIII
O divinely wise teacher, boast and preserver of the Russian land, holy hierarch Theophan our father, our meek and fervent helper! Accept from us this meager entreaty and this grateful praise, which we offer unto thee from the depths of our souls. Forget not us sinners in thy supplications, that, trusting in thee, we may unceasingly cry out to the Lord of hosts: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
This Kontakion is recited thrice, whereupon Ikos I and Kontakion I are repeated.
Ikos I
Seeking angelic purity, and possessed of great love for the Lord, thou didst take up the struggle of the monastic life, O all-wondrous hierarch. And increasing an hundredfold the gift of wisdom given thee by the Lord, thou didst advance the salvation of the people. Wherefore, we cry out to thee with love:
Rejoice, thou who didst love the Lord more than all that is earthly;
Rejoice, thou who didst set all thy hope on Him alone!
Rejoice, thou who didst devote thy heart to the Lord from childhood;
Rejoice, thou who didst nurture thy mind with the wisdom of God from thy youth!
Rejoice, imitator of the life of the angels;
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, thou who was chosen beforehand by God to fish for men;
Rejoice, thou who wast lighted by the Lord as a radiant lamp!
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Kontakion I
O luminary of the Church of Russia, chosen by the Lord, excellent ascetic and true servant of Christ, divinely wise and holy hierarch Theophan! We praise thee with love and honour the struggles and labours whereby thou didst serve well the faithful people, since, abiding in seclusion, thou didst trace the path of salvation with grace-filled teachings. As thou now standest before the throne of God, pray for us who cry to thee:
Rejoice, O holy hierarch Theophan, all-wise teacher and instructor in the Christian life!
Prayer to the Holy Hierarch Theophan
(said while kneeling) O holy hierarch Theophan our father, all-glorious prelate and all-wondrous recluse, elect of God and minister of the Mysteries of Christ, divinely wise teacher and excellent interpreter of the words of the apostles, recorder of the patristic sayings of the Philokalia, eminent proclaimer of Christian piety and skilled guide in the spiritual life, earnest zealot of monastic struggles and mediator of grace for all men! Unto thee, who standest before God in the heavens and prayest for us, do we now fall down and cry out thus: Of the most compassionate God ask – for the Church of Russia and our land: peace and prosperity; for the bishops of Christ: that they may preserve with dignity the truth of God, guide the flock well, and in particular put to shame false teachers and heretics; for those who struggle in asceticism: humility and the fear of God; for those who are taught: zeal and divine help; and for all the Orthodox: that they may be set firmly on the path to salvation; so that, together with thee, we may glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God, with His unoriginate Father, and His all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
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