Feast of his repose: 8 Abib — 15 July

Praises, Hymns & Doxology

The church’s praises for her beloved Saint Anba Karas the Anchorite. Refrain: “Abba Karas, our father.”

Doxology of Anba Karas the Anchorite

English translation — the Coptic text is in the church’s book

Jesus Christ is in our midst now, with the ranks of the angels, for the sake of the great ascetic, our father Saint Anba Karas.

Your life is wondrous, your struggle great, and your glory exalted among the ascetics.

Blessed is he who sold all he had in the world and bought the true pearl, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.

And the Lord comforted and helped him to complete his good struggle, Anba Karas the Anchorite.

He dwelt in a cave for many years and never saw the face of man; he lived in need, weary and wandering; the name of Christ was his victory.

Hail to the great Anba Karas, lamp of the anchorites, who became a golden lampstand shining more than the sun.

His name spread throughout the whole world for his high virtues and angelic purity.

Let us honour him, for his struggle pleased God, and he was worthy that the Lord Jesus came to him and called him blessed.

Hail to you, O anchorite, who was worthy to hear the voice saying: "Let this chosen soldier come to Me; come in peace."

Pray to the Lord for us, our father, the holy ascetic Anba Karas the Anchorite, that He may forgive us our sins.

Tamgeed (Hymn of Praise) of Saint Anba Karas

Feast of his repose: 8 Abib — 15 July — Refrain: "Abba Karas, our father"

In the heaven of the saintsshining among the faithfulbeloved of our faithful Redeemer

Holy Bamoua tellsthe priest who wrote the lifeof the holy Abba Karas

A voice came from heavenand he rose to answer the callsearching in the wilderness

He reached the placeto see the face of this manand write the life in peace

You left all desiresand withdrew from the world and its faultsfor love of the Lord of hosts

With the struggle of the contritefor tens of yearsyou became one of the anchorites

You lived like the heavenly rankspraising the Lord of hostswith fasting and prayers

The demons fought youand reminded you of your brother's kingdomso as to weary you

With divine loveand a spiritual lifeyou hallowed the wilderness

You spoke with the Holy OneJesus Christof the life of Paradise

You received the grace of the prophetsthe friendship of the fathersand praise from your children

You kept the Psalmsin a great and radiant orderto praise the Almighty Lord

O great one among the saintsO wise one among the heavenlyin the struggle of the solitaries

Like the anchorites you sawa pillar rising to heavenShenouda the Archimandrite

Hail to the faithful saintthe intercessor for sinnersremember us at all times

Praise of your name is on the lipsof all the faithfulall saying, "O God…"

Anba Karas, help us all

Madeeha (Hymn) of Saint Anba Karas

Refrain: "Abba Karas, our father"

Hail to you, O Karaschosen of Godyou who left mankind

You loved the Lord of hostsheard the word of the Gospeland left earthly things

You said, O chosen one"I will walk the way of the righteous"and went into the wilderness

Anba Bamoua aroseglorified the Holy Godand walked three days

He came to a cavein which dwelt a mancalled Simon the Solitary

He said to him, O Simonis there one like youamong all the monks?

There is a great saintthere in the wildernesshe is Anba Karas

He came to a cavein which dwelt a mancalled Abamoud the Solitary

He asked him, my fatheris there one like youwithin the wilderness?

He said to him, my fatherthere is one greater than Ia friend of the angels

He asked him with great longingwho is this saint?he said, Anba Karas

He went on his waywith joy and praiseto meet Anba Karas

He climbed the mountainsand found a caveand said, "Agape"

Anba Bamoua sawthe Lord of Glory Jesusand the angel Michael

"What you have seen, Bamouaspeak it and write itfor the benefit of many"

Anba Bamoua heardthe voice three times"Hasten to the wilderness"

I walked in the wildernesswondering at this lifea pure and holy life

I asked for his guidance"Guide me by his prayersto know his life"

Three days passedas I walked the roadsearching for the saint

I found a caveand knocked boldlyto know who was within

I said, "Agape"he answered with a tender voiceand said, "O blessed one"

My holy father said"It is good you are hereBamoua, priest of Shiheet

Who shrouded Hilariathe blessed saintdaughter of King Zeno"

I asked his namehe said, Simon the SolitaryI asked about the saint

There is a great saintthe earth is not worthyof a step of his feet

He let me goafter prayer and praiseto seek the saint

I walked three daysmore, in fulland found a cave

I knocked at its doorto know its dwellerit was Abamoud the Solitary

My holy father said"Blessed are you, Bamouawho shrouded Hilaria"

He told me of the saintwhose mighty prayersturn away heaven's wrath

I left himafter his blessingand walked a little

Weary from walkingI slept a littleto rest

After a whileI saw a road before me

I said, "Agape"he spoke with a tender voice"Come in, O blessed one"

I entered the cavehe had dignity and aweand shining eyes

I asked his nameit was Anba Karasfifty-seven years

When the sun roseAnba Karas layunable to move

Then a great lightat the door of the caveand a radiant Person entered

It was Christ Himselfto Him glory and praisewho sat by his head

God made a promiseto His beloved Anba Karasthat dazzles all who are in need

He said, "Ask of MeMy beloved son Karasbefore your repose, and it shall be granted"

He asked to see Davidwith his psalter and harpon the ten strings

And righteous David appearedwith his psalter and harpon the ten strings

The Lord took his souland held it to His breastand gave it to the host of the Lord

The Lord promised allwho ask through his prayersto be answered in their requests

Ask the Lord for usO beloved of our Saviourto keep and guard us

O great in your struggleO mighty in your prayerremember us in your prayers

Your life is angelicgreat and radianta lamp for the wilderness

Remember the writer of this hymnthat Christ may forgive himthrough the prayer of our holy father

The meaning of your name on the lipsof all the faithfulall saying, "O God…"

Anba Karas, help us all