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Saint Ambrose—Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church
Feast Day: December 7
Kontakion 1
Let us offer songs of praise to the defender of the faith and servant of the Church of Christ, Saint Ambrose the Hierarch, Bishop of Milan, as one who fought to defend the holy dogmas and overcame heresies. Let us all sing to him with one voice: Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Ikos 1
Holy Hierarch Ambrose, you who from childhood proved yourself to be blessed by God, open our minds and tongues—we who are unworthy—to the praise of the Most Holy Trinity, just as you opened the ears and minds of those who listened to you, so that together with them we may say to you:
Rejoice, for from childhood you were shown to be a chosen one;
Rejoice, for a swarm of bees nourished you in a wondrous way;
Rejoice, for the nurse who cared for you was filled with awe at the sight of the miracle;
Rejoice, whose words are sweeter than honey;
Rejoice, spiritual honey;
Rejoice, protector of beekeepers;
Rejoice, chosen vessel of the Lord;
Rejoice, through whom joy comes;
Rejoice, rose with a spiritual fragrance;
Rejoice, heavenly ladder;
Rejoice, resounding trumpet;
Rejoice, joy of the faithful;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 2
Born of orthodox and noble parents in the city of Trier, you proved yourself to be a lover of God, for by studying Scripture—inspired by the Holy Spirit—you were powerful in speech, defeating the wise men of false faith. Therefore, as a worthy preacher, you sang to the Lord: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
While still a child and living in the city of Rome, you were raised in the fear of God with proper decorum; for this reason, you were a trusted son of the Church and your homeland; as a laborer in the lay ministries of lawyer and magistrate, you bore good witness through a life filled with the fragrance of virtues, at which we, too, marveling, cry out to you:
Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit spoke through you;
Rejoice, for God’s gift prepared you, before its time, for the rank of bishop;
Rejoice, for you studied Scripture with joy;
Rejoice, seeker of wise doctrines;
Rejoice, you who honor the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, fragrance of divinity;
Rejoice, worker of spiritual guidance;
Rejoice, adornment of the Church;
Rejoice, spiritual garden;
Rejoice, river of wisdom;
Rejoice, you who served justice as an advocate;
Rejoice, you who are a disciple of Christ;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 3
Being well-versed in both worldly and spiritual learning, Saint Ambrose, you were appointed governor of Emilia and Liguria, but God willed to call you to the rank of bishop; for this you sang to Him with faith: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
After the death of the heretical bishop Auxentius, a disturbance arose between the Orthodox and Arian bishops over the election of a new bishop, but you, Father, were sent to calm the crowd; then a child in the church cried out: “Ambrose for bishop!” And we, hearing such things, sing to you:
Rejoice, you who quelled the turmoil;
Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit spoke through the mouth of a child;
Rejoice, for though you were still unbaptized, you did not wish to be a bishop;
Rejoice, for you received baptism from the hand of an Orthodox bishop;
Rejoice, for eight days after your baptism you were ordained bishop;
Rejoice, for you humbly accepted the episcopal office;
Rejoice, for the people joyfully received you as bishop of Milan;
Rejoice, you who stand among the ranks of the hierarchs;
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Church;
Rejoice, tower of David;
Rejoice, Father of the West and the East;
Rejoice, wonder of the Church of Milan;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 4
You followed, Holy Father Ambrose, the true faith professed by the blessed Bishop Dionysius, who before you shepherded the city of Milan, for he, having been driven out by the Arians, spent the final moments of his life in Cappadocia, which was shepherded by the Great Hierarch Basil, who, seeing the strength of his faith, sang to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
You brought great joy to Saint Basil the Great through your letter, Saint Ambrose, in which you requested the relics of Dionysius; and he, gladly granting them to you, did not cease to praise you for your virtues, saying thus:
Rejoice, you of lofty mind;
Rejoice, you adorned with the finery of worldly gifts;
Rejoice, righteous judge;
Rejoice, successor of the Apostles;
Rejoice, lover of God;
Rejoice, honorer of those who fight for the faith;
Rejoice, for you did not learn the Gospel of Christ from men;
Rejoice, for Christ Himself has seated you on the throne of the apostles;
Rejoice, venerator of Saint Dionysius;
Rejoice, for you have great power in your words;
Rejoice, O one full of humility;
Rejoice, O seeker of holy things;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 5
Through your wisdom and your great faith in Christ, the True God, you succeeded in becoming an advisor to three kings, for which they gave glory to God, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Holy Hierarch, God ordained that through you the relics of the Holy Martyrs Protasius and Gervasius might be revealed; and when they were unearthed, many miracles were worked through them; for which we offer you such praises:
Rejoice, venerator of the Holy Martyrs Protasius and Gervasius;
Rejoice, for unclean spirits were cast out of people by the touch of their holy relics;
Rejoice, for Sevir, the blind man, was healed the moment he touched their relics;
Rejoice, for your holy relics rest alongside those of the two Holy Martyrs;
Rejoice, you who ordained the veneration of the saints through the Holy Liturgy;
Rejoice, for though mocked by the Arians who did not believe in the healing power of the holy relics, you put them to shame;
Rejoice, for you brought many Arians to the true faith;
Rejoice, you who enlightened the people with your knowledge;
Rejoice, lover of God;
Rejoice, conqueror of the devil’s hosts;
Rejoice, our Father, gentle and merciful;
Rejoice, one blessed by God;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 6
Saint Ambrose, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, you composed writings through which you defended the holy dogmas and uprooted heresies, and for this we sing to God the hymn: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Who can recount your struggles and ascetic labors, for you, for twenty-two years, while you shepherded the flock entrusted to you by God, fought against the heretics of those times—the Arians, those who denied the Holy Spirit, and the Apollinarians—protecting the orthodox from such people; for this reason, we say to you:
Rejoice, conqueror of pagans and heretics;
Rejoice, preacher of the true faith;
Rejoice, for you have burned away the tares of heresy;
Rejoice, righteous glorifier of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, fearless worker for the truth;
Rejoice, for an Arian, seeing an angel of the Lord whispering in your ear, returned to the true faith;
Rejoice, for two other Arians, seeking to tempt you, were punished by God with death;
Rejoice, for through you the enemies of the true faith were defeated;
Rejoice, for you suffered greatly because of the Arians;
Rejoice, for for three days you shut yourself in a church, together with a great multitude, thwarting the schemes of the Arians;
Rejoice, for the hand of the man sent by Empress Justina to kill you withered when he tried to strike you with his sword;
Rejoice, for you, being without malice, healed that man’s hand;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 7
A man of great self-control, a lover of toil and unceasing prayer, an author of useful books, you have shown yourself to be a shining torch of the Church, O Saint, for you have brought many heretics and idol-worshippers back to the true faith, for which we humbly sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The unworthy servant of Empress Justina, who had been sent to you to mock you before the people, you quickly silenced her with your divine rebuke, Saint Ambrose, and we, seeing your righteous rebuke, sing to you words such as these:
Rejoice, for you did not remain silent upon learning of the wrongdoing committed;
Rejoice, for you suffered such a thing for the sake of the true faith;
Rejoice, for you rebuked the empress with faith;
Rejoice, defender of righteousness;
Rejoice, vanquisher of iniquity;
Rejoice, for you were protected by God;
Rejoice, for you zealously sought righteousness;
Rejoice, for the people also supported you;
Rejoice, counselor of the oppressed;
Rejoice, preacher of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, you who fought for the true faith;
Rejoice, praise of the orthodox hierarchs;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 8
To Him who revealed to His beloved Ambrose the relics of the Holy Martyrs Vitalius, Agricola, Nazarius, and Chelsius, let us offer this hymn to God, who is worshiped and glorified in the Trinity: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
The people of Thessalonica rose up against the governor Votirios of Illyria and killed him; for this reason, Emperor Theodosius the Great, in his anger, sent an army against that city, killing many people. Hearing of this deed, you, Father, were grieved and boldly rebuked the emperor, saying, “The emperor is in the Church, not above the Church!”; and we, marveling at your righteous judgment, cry out to you:
Rejoice, defender of the faithful in Thessalonica;
Rejoice, for you were grieved when you learned of the slaughter committed by the emperor;
Rejoice, for you rebuked him for the slaughter he had committed,
Rejoice, for you did not allow him to enter the episcopal cathedral in Milan;
Rejoice, for you prevented him from partaking of the Holy Mysteries;
Rejoice, for during the Divine Liturgy you did not allow the emperor to enter the sanctuary;
Rejoice, for you urged him to repentance;
Rejoice, for the emperor, repenting, threw himself face down on the ground and wept;
Rejoice, for after he repented, you forgave him;
Rejoice, for he too sang hymns of salvation with you;
Rejoice, for you gave him Holy Communion together with the faithful;
Rejoice, for you do not turn away from the faithful;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 9
You acquired the power of the Word, the mediator of salvation, for in your prayer you did not ask for a long life, wealth, or vain glory, but you asked God for the gift of teaching and wisdom, for which we sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
We see the eloquent orators falling silent like voiceless fish, for as the news of you spread far and wide, Holy Hierarch Ambrose, two most wise men have come from Persia to Milan, who, seeking to test your wisdom with many questions, were put to shame by the depth of your knowledge; for which reason we, marveling, sing to you:
Rejoice, for you have been deemed worthy of the gift of wisdom;
Rejoice, for you have shown yourself to be a second Solomon;
Rejoice, you who entertain the wise;
Rejoice, skillful witness to the Truth;
Rejoice, you who spread the light of true faith;
Rejoice, you who have revealed the Way, the Truth, and the Life;
Rejoice, you who honor the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, for you have confessed the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God;
Rejoice, guide of the Church of Milan;
Rejoice, through whom the Church has triumphed;
Rejoice, dwelling place of the divine;
Rejoice, fountain of good deeds;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 10
Like fragrant incense, your prayers rose up to the Lord, for you, Father, through the power of Christ, healed many who were possessed by demons and defeated many heretics; therefore, with faith you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
When Emperor Valentinian the Younger died, his place was taken by the usurper and tyrant Eugenius, who, serving idols, reopened the pagan temples. And you, Father, when you heard that he was coming to Milan, so as not to be defiled by pagan impurity, you departed for Florence, to a man of sound faith named Decentius, for whom we offer you such praises as these:
Rejoice, you who were repulsed by the sight of the tyrant;
Rejoice, for you left Milan so as not to be defiled;
Rejoice, for you urged Eugene to repentance;
Rejoice, for you found shelter in Decentius’ house;
Rejoice, for you healed his son, Pansofie, of an unclean spirit;
Rejoice, for when Pansofie died, you raised him from the dead;
Rejoice, healer of many diseases;
Rejoice, conqueror of idols;
Rejoice, defender of the true faith;
Rejoice, for you strengthen the faithful in their trials;
Rejoice, our intercessor;
Rejoice, for you have honored the saints as they deserve;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 11
As you reached old age, Father Ambrose, when you began to fall ill, before your passing, Stilikos, the count, was grieved at the sight of your imminent departure to heaven, and we, with humility, cry out to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Being old and sick, you foresaw your departure from this earthly life, and God revealed, through you, a new miracle, for Paulinus the priest saw fire surrounding your head, and your face was white as snow, thereby revealing a new miracle; and we speak to you, crying out:
Rejoice, for you were a stranger to all worldly possessions;
Rejoice, you who rejoiced with those who rejoiced;
Rejoice, you who wept with those who wept;
Rejoice, comforter of those who repented;
Rejoice, rebuker of the hard-hearted;
Rejoice, man of great self-control;
Rejoice, lover of toil;
Rejoice, for on the day of Holy Pascha you passed to the Lord;
Rejoice, for together with the angels you stand before the throne of Christ;
Rejoice, for you are a dweller in paradise;
Rejoice, for even after passing into eternity you have not strayed from the faithful;
Rejoice, caster-out of demons;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 12
You have completed your journey, kept the faith, and reached the heavenly chambers, where the crown of your labors has been prepared for you, Saint Ambrose; therefore, do not cease to pray for the unity of the faith and of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, so that together we may sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
We honor you with hymns, Holy Hierarch Ambrose, and you, like a gentle father, look down from on high and have mercy on us, who humbly cry out to you:
Rejoice, for you have deigned to honor the land of Romania with fragments of your holy relics;
Rejoice, for we too offer you the honor you deserve;
Rejoice, hope of all the faithful;
Rejoice, helper of those who honor you;
Rejoice, for you are our intercessor before God;
Rejoice, star of Christendom;
Rejoice, one who speaks with the angels;
Rejoice, fragrant myrrh;
Rejoice, friend of Christ;
Rejoice, unconquerable wall of the undivided Church;
Rejoice, champion of the unity of the faith;
Rejoice, joy of the inhabitants of Milan;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 13
O most gracious Father, Holy Hierarch Ambrose, do not overlook these songs of praise that we, sinners, offer to you, but as a gentle and loving father, accept them and pray ever before the throne of Christ for the health and salvation of us who sing to God: Alleluia! (This kontakion is sung three times.)
Ikos 1
Holy Hierarch Ambrose, you who from childhood proved yourself to be blessed by God, open our minds and tongues—we who are unworthy—to the praise of the Most Holy Trinity, just as you opened the ears and minds of those who listened to you, so that together with them we may say to you:
Rejoice, for from childhood you were shown to be a chosen one;
Rejoice, for a swarm of bees nourished you in a wondrous way;
Rejoice, for the nurse who cared for you was filled with awe at the sight of the miracle;
Rejoice, whose words are sweeter than honey;
Rejoice, spiritual honey;
Rejoice, protector of beekeepers;
Rejoice, chosen vessel of the Lord;
Rejoice, through whom joy comes;
Rejoice, rose with a spiritual fragrance;
Rejoice, heavenly ladder;
Rejoice, resounding trumpet;
Rejoice, joy of the faithful;
Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Kontakion 1
Let us offer songs of praise to the defender of the faith and servant of the Church of Christ, Saint Ambrose the Hierarch, Bishop of Milan, as one who fought to defend the holy dogmas and overcame heresies. Let us all sing to him with one voice: Rejoice, Saint Ambrose, great hierarch of the Church!
Prayer to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
Holy Bishop Ambrose, we, who are burdened with many kinds of sins, pray to you: do not overlook these humble praises we offer to you, but accept them and hear us whenever we call upon you to intercede before Christ the Savior, Who, after our passing from this life, will judge us according to our deeds. We are unworthy to pray to God with a pure heart, because of the many wicked deeds we commit each day. Therefore, we ask you—who throughout your life served righteousness and were deemed worthy to be chosen, in a wondrous way, as bishop of Milan—to be our intercessor alongside all the other saints, and especially alongside the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, who ceaselessly prays with tears before her Son on our behalf. Saint Ambrose, remember also our families and acquaintances, those who earnestly pray to you; protect them and us from every misfortune and all the devil’s schemes, and grant them and us health and help in all our needs, so that through You the most holy name of the one-being and indivisible Godhead may be glorified: the Father, the Beginningless One; the Son, the Only-Begotten; and the Holy Spirit, Who proceeds from the Father, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Source: https://doxologia.ro/acatistul-sfantului-ierarh-ambrozie-episcopul-mediolanului
