ANDREW OF CRITSKY, saint (c. 660-740), Byzantine ascetic, church poet-hymnographer. Born in Damascus, he pursued asceticism in the Jerusalem monastery of St. Savvas. As a secretary of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, he participated in the VI Ecumenical Council. Subsequently, Andrew of Crete was made bishop of the city of Gortyna on about. Crete. The most famous work of Andrew of Crete is the Great Canon, containing 250 troparia (stanzas). The entire canon is devoted to the topic of repentance. The biblical history of the Old Testament and the New Testament is used as a plot outline. The images and events of Holy Scripture throughout the canon are associated with the ascent from sin to reconciliation with God. The Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the saint on July 4 and October 17.

In the book, the Great Canon is divided into parts as it is read on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday of the first week of Great Lent and is presented in full, as it is read on Thursday of the fifth week of Great Lent. Also added is the life of St. Andrew of Crete and the life of St. Mary of Egypt.

At the evening service, the canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Great canon Andrew of Crete- this is a miracle of all church hymnography, these are texts of amazing strength and beauty. It begins with a text addressed to Christ: “Where will I start the placards of my accursed life of deeds? Will I lay the foundation, Christ, to the present weeping? " - where should I begin to repent, because it is so difficult.

“Come, accursed soul, with your flesh. Confess to the Creator of all ... ”- amazing words, here both Christian anthropology and asceticism: the flesh should also participate in repentance, as an integral part of human nature.

The text of the Great Canon by Andrew of Crete, translation, AUDIO

Full text of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

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Records of the reading of the canon of St. Andrew of Crete

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Translating to Russian language

Parse the text of the canon - interpretation of difficult passages

• - article by philologist L. Makarova

Reflections on the pages of the canon

• Bishop Benjamin (Milov)
• Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann
• Nun Ignatia (Petrovskaya)
• Hieromonk Dimitri Pershin (conversation + video)
• Archpriest Nikolai Pogrebnyak (reading the canon through icons)
• Olivier Clement
• Archpriest Sergiy Pravdolyubov
• M.S. Krasovitskaya

The canon of Andrew of Crete in art

• ! Recommended (AUDIO)
• Anna Akhmatova

Sermons after the canon of St. Andrew of Crete

• Archpriest Valentine (Amphitheaters)
• Hieromartyr Hilarion (Trinity), Archbishop of Verey
• Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)

About the author of the canon. About Andrew of Crete

The Great Canon of Andrew of Crete deals with the repentance of the soul and the difficult path of the soul towards the Heavenly Father, towards God. The author of the canon wrote it in his declining years, having lived a long and difficult life. Andrei of Crete was born in Syria, in Damascus. He lived and worked in Syria, Constantinople, Crete. This poem is dedicated to the repentance of his own soul, but his personal story is passed through the prism of the history of the Old and New Testaments. The great Christian theologian and author of many hymns, Saint Andrew of Crete is best known for the canon of repentance, which is read during Great Lent. At birth, Andrew of Crete could not speak, having received the Holy Mysteries at the age of seven, he found a voice. As a teenager, he led the ascetic life of a monk in the monastery of the Monk Sava the Sanctified. Later he became archdeacon at the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. His relics were transferred to Constantinople, but he died on the island of Lesvos, serving the Church and the Lord to the end.

Why is the canon called Great?

The canon of Andrew of Crete contains about 250 verses, it is quite large in form and difficult in content. In the original, the canon of Andrew of Crete was written in Greek, later it was translated into Church Slavonic, and it is in this form that we hear it in the church. Since many prostrations are performed during the reading of the great canon, it may seem that it is difficult to read the canon, first of all, physically. But the essence of the canon of St. Andrew of Crete, of course, is not in physical, but in spiritual work. There are many translations of the canon of Andrew of Crete. To understand not only the content of the canon, but also its meaning, it is best to read the Holy Scriptures. It is believed that he most fully reveals the entire horror of sin and the suffering of the soul afflicted by it.

The canon of Andrew of Crete is divided into four parts. This is a great poetic and theological work that prepares believers for the arena of Great Lent. After all, the essence of fasting is not in restricting food, but in spiritual exercise, in learning to repentance and prayer. After each small verse, according to the established tradition, the believers bow down to the ground. The canon of St. Andrew of Crete consists of more than 250 stanzas. His text is found in the Lenten Triodion. The Great Canon of Andrew of Crete is set to music and performed with polyphony.

When the canon of Andrew of Crete is read

During the first week of Great Lent, the canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read in the church for four days. At the center of Great Lent is human change, change through repentance. Spiritual life and the growth of the human spirit are impossible without repentance. Repentance of sin presupposes judgment on oneself, and judging oneself is difficult, but necessary, when it comes to spiritual growth.

Many Christians, who are called “neophytes,” who have recently come to believe, come to the services of Great Lent. They find it difficult to withstand a long penitential service, which speaks of the penitential and difficult path of the sinful human soul to the Perfect Creator. The practice of reading the canon was different in different ancient manuscripts. The church decided to divide the canon into four parts in order to gradually prepare a person for great repentance. If you read the entire canon at once, the feeling will be heavy. The charter of the Church proposes to read the canon of Andrew of Crete in parts. But on Thursday (or Wednesday evening) of the fifth week of Great Lent, the canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read again, already in its entirety. By this time, a person is already prepared for a long service, usually spiritually. The life of Mary of Egypt is read as an example of great repentance. After all, it was Mary of Egypt who attained holiness, having endured the great feat of repentance. The canon of St. Andrew of Crete reminds us of the power of God's grace, which purifies any heart. Even one that, it would seem, is completely mired in sin.

The canon of St. Andrew of Crete can be read at home. The Prayer Book as a book appeared only in the 8th century. In ancient times, the canon of Andrew of Crete was also read at home, especially in connection with the huge number of translations, it is possible to clarify the essence of phrases that are incomprehensible in Church Slavonic. If it is not possible to come to the temple, it is better to read the canon of St. Andrew of the Cretan house than not to read it at all. It would be quite appropriate. Reading the canon in cell prayer at other times, not only during Great Lent, is also allowed. The feeling of repentance before the Lord, the desire to be cleansed from sin should accompany a Christian not only at certain times of the year.

6 amazing facts about the canon of Andrew of Crete

The Great Penitential Canon is endless wonder. Do you know that it was not read before at all in those days of fasting, what now? Moreover, that its creation is not connected at all with Great Lent? And yet - can you imagine how long the church service lasted in the 7th century?

1. - not the only work of Saint Andrew of Crete, he also owns the canons for the main Byzantine church holidays. There are more than seventy canons attributed to the pen of Saint Andrew of Crete.

2. Saint Andrew of Crete was not only a preacher(he owns a number of "words" - sermons) and a hymnographer, but also a melody. That is, the chants to which the words of the canon were sung were also originally invented by him.

3. Saint Andrew of Crete is considered the inventor of the very form of the nine-part canon- a genre of church poetry, a kind of anthem poem. As a genre, the canon replaced the kontakion, which in ancient times was also a multi-line poem.

In general, the services of that time were much longer. Thus, the Great Penitential Canon is by no means the most extensive in the work of Andrew of Crete. And, for example, only in the same 7th century, when the saint began to preach, the form of the Six Psalms supposedly took shape. Before that, during the service, the Psalter was read in full.

4. Until the XIV century in Russia, they adhered to the Studian charter, which prescribed the Great Canon of Penitence to be sung. in the fifth week... Sometimes the canon was split into parts, sometimes it was entirely part of the Sunday church service. The tradition of singing the canon in parts during the first four days of Great Lent is provided for in the Jerusalem charter.

When, in the 14th century, the Russian Church adopted the Jerusalem charter, she accordingly adopted this tradition. The tradition of reading the Canon on Thursday of the fifth week is of late origin.

5. Initially the Great Penitential Canon in general not related to the time and worship of the Forty-day... Some researchers believe that this work of St. Andrew arose as his dying autobiography, as a repentance for participating in the false council of 712. Then, under pressure from the emperor-heresiarch, among other participants, the saint signed a condemnation of the decisions of the VI Ecumenical Council.

A year later, the emperor was replaced, and all the participants in the meeting brought repentance, especially putting their signatures under the documents of the Ecumenical Council. But, apparently, the past act did not give the saint rest. And then he creates his extensive poem about human repentance and the path of man to God.

6. Parts into which the Great Canon of Penitence is divided when performed in the first week of Great Lent, in Greek they are called "Mefimons"... However, in Russian everyday life this word was often pronounced as "efimons". The hero's trip to the "Efimons" is described in the novel "The Lord's Summer".

Video about the canon of Andrew of Crete:

The Great Penitential Canon is read by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen (1971 - 1990). His Holiness Patriarch Pimen possessed a thick velvety lyric-dramatic baritone with a very beautiful timbre. Whenever possible, he himself performed all the services of the first week of Great Lent. This edition presents the complete Record of the Penitential Canon, read by him during the first week of Great Lent at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Epiphany (Monday and Tuesday) and at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (Wednesday and Thursday). Choir TSL n / a arch. Matthew.

Track listing:
Monday of the first week of Great Lent
Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral 1. First Canto: Helper and Protector ...

3. The third canto: On the immovable Christ ...






10. Canto Nine: Seedless Conception Untold Christmas Tuesday of the first week of Great Lent
Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral 11. First Canto: Helper and Protector ...
12. Second Canto: Vonmi Heaven ...
13. Third Canto: Confirm, Lord ...
14. Fourth Canto: Hearing the prophet, Thy coming, O Lord ...
15. Fifth Canto: Matins from the night, Humanity ...
16. Sixth Canto: Cry with all my heart to the bountiful God ...
1. Kontakion: My soul, my soul, rise up, what can you write off?
2. Seventh Canto: By sinning, wickedness, unrighteousness before You ...
3. Eighth Canto: His Heavenly armies are glorified ...
4. The Ninth Canto: Semenless Conception Unspeakable Christmas Choir of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Epiphany under the direction of Gennady Kharitonov Wednesday of the first week of Great Lent
Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra 5. First Canto: Helper and Protector ...
6. Second Canto: Vonmi Heaven ...
7. Third Canto: Confirm, Lord ...
8. Fourth Canto: Hearing the prophet Thy coming, O Lord ...
9. Fifth Canto: Matins from the night, Human-loving ...
10. Sixth Canto: I cried out with all my heart to the bountiful God ...
11. Kontakion: My soul, my soul, rise up, what can you write off?
12. Seventh Canto: Sinning, wickedness, unrighteousness before You ...
13. Eighth Canto: His Heavenly Host Praise ...
14. Ninth Canto: Semenless Conception Christmas Inexpressible Choir of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius under the direction of Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) Thursday of the first week of Great Lent
Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra 1. First Canto: Helper and Protector ...
2. Second Canto: Vonmi Heaven ...
3. Third Canto: Confirm, Lord ...
4. The fourth canto: Hearing the prophet Thy coming, O Lord ...
5. Fifth Canto: Matins from the night, Human-loving ...
6. Sixth Canto: Cry with all my heart to the bountiful God ...
7. Kontakion: My soul, my soul, rise up, what can you write off?
8. Seventh Canto: By sinning, wickedness, unrighteousness before You ...
9. Eighth Canto: His Heavenly Host Praise ...
10. Canto Nine: The Seedless Conception Unspeakable Christmas Choir of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra under the direction of Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) Total playing time: 179.67 The Great Penitential Canon is read by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Pimen († 1990) Recorded in 1980

Great Penitential Canon
The Great Penitential Canon is the creation of the Greek church songwriter of the 7th century, the Monk Andrew, Archbishop of Crete. In church services, it is read twice during Great Lent: on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the first week in parts and then completely on Thursday morning of the fifth week.
The Great Canon consists of 250 troparia, while the canons usually contain about thirty or a little more. But he is called great not only by the unusually large number of verses, but also by the height of the inner content, the depth of thoughts and the power of their expression. In the troparions of the canon, the events of the Sacred history of the Old and New Testaments are presented as instructive examples for the repentant soul. A refrain through the entire canon runs the thought that is repeated in all his songs: "I have sinned more than all people, I alone have sinned against You, but, Savior, be merciful as God to Your creation." The closer a person is to God, the clearer he sees his sins. The canon of St. Andrew is aimed at awakening the human soul from sinful sleep, revealing to it all the perniciousness of this state, moving it to strict self-examination, self-condemnation and repentance, to aversion from sins and to the correction of life.
This edition contains a record of the reading of the Great Canon of Penitence by His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia († 1990).
His Holiness the Patriarch, whenever possible, performed all the services of the first week of Great Lent. Thousands of Muscovites specially came to the Epiphany Cathedral and the Trinity-Sergius Lavra to hear the magnificent, striking to the depths of the soul reading of the Great Canon by His Holiness the Patriarch. The thick lyric-dramatic baritone of the Primate was velvety and had a very beautiful timbre. His Holiness the Patriarch generally had a love for church singing. While still in the dignity of hieromonk, he directed the choir of the Dorogomilovsky Epiphany Cathedral, and also reigned in other Moscow churches, continuing the best traditions of Russian church conductors. Later, during his patriarchal ministry, His Holiness Vladyka characterized the features of Orthodox worship in the following way: “We sometimes say that the chants of the Russian Orthodox Church are“ prayed. ”This is a profound truth, for prayer and chanting penetrate each other, and no church melody is exists by itself, but only in connection with the text of the prayer. "
On the records presented, Patriarch Pimen reads the Penitential Canon at the Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral (on Monday and Tuesday of the first week of Great Lent) and at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (on Wednesday and Thursday of the same week).
The time of the creation of the choir of the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral dates back to 1943, when on September 3, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Sergius, later His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, served in this cathedral for the first time after returning from Ulyanovsk. The choir sang the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral under the direction of Viktor Stepanovich Komarov (1893-1974). All further glory of the patriarchal choir is connected with the name of this man. Viktor Stepanovich's artistic taste was brought up on the exemplary singing of the former Synodal Choir, as well as through personal acquaintance with such outstanding choir directors and spiritual composers as A.D. Kastalsky, N.M.Danilin, K.N.Shvedov, P.G. Chesnokov other. The performance of church chants under the direction of V.S.Komarov was distinguished by deep prayer and strict ordinance. Victor Stepanovich passed on his rich experience and knowledge to the young choir directors. The Patriarchal Choir led by Gennady Kharitonov continued the traditions of its teacher.
The name of Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) - choir director of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - is now known all over the world. For many people, both in our country and abroad, Russian church singing is associated precisely with the sound of the choir of the monastery of St. Sergius, abbot of the Russian land. For over 30 years Fr. Matthew leads the singing in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. During this time, he created his own school of church singing, shifted a large number of chants to chants, which are considered to be Lavra chants.