Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

Sung in every spiritual sorrow and situation

Creation of Theostirikt the monk

Troparion to the Mother of God, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God in sinfulness and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you and the only hope of the imams (twice).

Glory, even now: Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to unworthiness: if You had not stood before us, praying, who would have delivered us from so many troubles, who would have kept us free until now? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. You alone have I sinned and done evil before You; for you may be justified in all of Your words, and you will always be victorious when You judge. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; unknown and secret wisdom You showed me yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my hearing; The bones of the humble will rejoice. Repel your face Cleanse me from my sins and all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward into the world the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering; Then they will place the bullock on Your altar.

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8, Song 1

Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: We will give drink to our deliverer and our God.

Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Passions trouble me and many despondencies fill my soul; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.

Glory: Having given birth to You and God as Savior, I pray, O Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I extend both my soul and my thoughts.

And now: Sick in body and soul, grant the visitation of the Divine and providence from You, the only Godmother, as a good Mother of God.

The Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the only Lover of Mankind.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I entrust the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, guilty of the good; true statement, the All-Singing One.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.

Glory: Having given birth to the good and guilty, the benefactor, pour out wealth to everyone, for all you can, as she gave birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ, the blessed one.

And now: To him who is tormented by fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, help me: for I know You’s inexhaustible treasure, Most Immaculate, inexhaustible.

Save Thy servants from troubles, Mother of God, for we all run to You according to God, as an unbreakable wall and intercession.

Look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on my fierce body, and heal the illness of my soul.

Troparion, tone 2

Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, the only one who will soon appear.

I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.

The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.

Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, which gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.

Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Your gifts, we sing in thanksgiving, Our Lady leading Thee.

Glory: On the bed of my illness and infirmity, I prostrate myself, as the Lover of Grace, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.

And now: Hope and affirmation and salvation belong to the immovable wall of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.

Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind.

Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.

Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, having given birth to eternal deliverance, and peace that prevails over all minds.

Glory: Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.

And now: Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.

I will pour out a prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil, and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up.

As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave away death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.

We know You as your representative and steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.

Glory: Like a wall of refuge for an acquisitor, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Young Lady, and through Thy enlightenment we ever rejoice: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.

And now: I now lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids and ailments.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the sinful prayers of the voice, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer, and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Another kontakion, same voice

There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin. Help us, we rely on You, and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Stichera, same voice

Don't entrust me to human intercession, Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Thy servant: for sorrow will support me, I cannot endure demonic shooting, I have no protection, below where I will resort, the accursed one, we are always defeated, and I have no consolation, do You, the Lady of the world, have the hope and intercession of the faithful, do not despise the prayer mine, do something useful.

The youths who came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, asked the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Just as you wanted to arrange our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.

The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, O pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual defilements by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.

Glory: The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You, and the pillar of affirmation, and the door of repentance, you showed to those calling: our father, God, blessed are you.

And now: Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, vouchsafe to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.

Praise and exalt the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing, to all ages.

Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.

You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.

Glory: You pour out a wealth of healing to those who faithfully sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.

And now: You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.

We truly confess You, the Mother of God, saved by You, a pure Virgin, with your disembodied faces majestic.

Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even though you have taken away every tear from every face, the Virgin who gave birth to Christ.

Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.

Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge and cover and joy.

Glory: Illuminate Your light with the dawns, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.

And now: In the place of the embitterment of the infirmity of the humbled one, Heal, Virgin, transforming from ill health into health.

Stichera, tone 2

The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, who delivered us from the oath, Let us honor the Lady of the world with songs.

Because of my many sins my body is weak, my soul is also weak; I come running to You, Most gracious, the hope of the unreliable, You help me.

Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants, and intercede with Him who was born of You; Oh, Lady of the world, be the Intercessor!

Let us diligently sing a song to You now, the all-sung Mother of God, joyfully: with the Forerunner and all the saints, pray to the Mother of God to be generous to us.

All the angels of the army, the Forerunner of the Lord, the twelve apostles, all the saints with the Mother of God, say a prayer that we may be saved.

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

To my most blessed queen, my hope to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and strange representatives, the sorrowful with joy, the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as you will: for I have no other help except You, no other representative, no good comforter, except You, O God of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, Most Immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who will protect you more in adversity? Hear my groaning, and incline Your ear to me, the Lady of the Mother of my God, and do not despise me, who requires Your help, and do not reject me, a sinner. Enlighten and teach me, Queen of Heaven; do not depart from me, Thy servant, O Lady, for my murmuring, but be my Mother and intercessor. I entrust myself to Your merciful protection: lead me, a sinner, to quiet and serene life Yes, I cry for my sins. To whom shall I resort when I am guilty, if not to You, the hope and refuge of sinners, with the hope of Your ineffable mercy and Thy generosity? Oh, Lady Queen of Heaven! You are my hope and refuge, protection and intercession and help. To my most kind and speedy intercessor! Cover my sins with Your intercession, protect me from enemies visible and invisible; soften your hearts evil people, rebelling against me. O Mother of the Lord my Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. Oh, Mother of God! Give me help to those who are weak with carnal passions and sick at heart, for one thing is Yours and with You, Your Son and our God, the imam intercession; and through Your wonderful intercession may I be delivered from all misfortune and adversity, O most immaculate and glorious Mother of God, Mary. In the same way I say and cry out with hope: Rejoice, full of grace, rejoice, full of joy; Rejoice, most blessed one, the Lord is with you.

From the book Handbook of an Orthodox Person. Part 3. Rituals Orthodox Church author Ponomarev Vyacheslav

From the book of Prayer Book author author unknown

Canon of Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos Sung in every spiritual sorrow and circumstance Creation of the monk Theostirictus Troparion to the Theotokos, tone 4 To the Theotokos we now diligently pray to the Mother of God, in sin and humility, and let us fall, in repentance calling from the depths of the soul: Lady, help us

From the book A Cure for Sorrow and Consolation in Dejection. Prayers and amulets author Isaeva Elena Lvovna

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos (in every sorrow and situation) Troparion, tone 4 Let us now diligently pray to the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, we strive, we perish from many sins, Not

From the book “My soul, lifted up by you, sings!” [Prayers of the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Zvezdinsky), compiled in conclusion] author Dmitrovsky Hieromartyr Seraphim (Zvezdinsky), bishop

CANON To the Lady Most Holy Theotokos, sung in hopelessness Tone 8th Canto 1 Irmos: Having passed through water like dry land and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israeli cried out: Let us be our Deliverer and our God. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! You are, O Lady, an inexhaustible source of mercy, for this I am glad and

From the book Ways of the Blessed. Ksenia Petersburgskaya. Matronushka-Sandalfoot. Maria Gatchinskaya. Lyubushka Susaninskaya author Pecherskaya Anna Ivanovna

Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, sung in every spiritual sorrow and situation Creation of the monk Theostirictus Troparion to the Theotokos, tone 4 We now diligently attend to the Theotokos, in sin and humility, and let us fall, calling in repentance from the depths of the soul: Lady, help us

From the book of 100 prayers on quick help. Main prayers for money and material well-being author Berestova Natalia

A canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, sung in every spiritual sorrow and situation. Creation of Theostirikt the monk The Holy Martyr Theostirikt - Hegumen of Pelicitos, who lived in the 8th century and suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith during the reign of the emperor

From the book Russian Orthodox Prayer Book author

From the book of Prayers for every deceased author Lagutina Tatyana Vladimirovna

The canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, sung in all spiritual sorrow and difficult circumstances. Creation of the monk Theostirictus Troparion to the Theotokos Let us now earnestly resort to the Theotokos, sinners and humble ones, and let us fall to Her, crying out in repentance from the depths of our souls: “Mistress, help,

From the book 50 main prayers for money and material well-being author Berestova Natalia

Canon of prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Pure Theotokos Mother of the Lord at the separation of the soul from the body of every true believer Blessed is our God... (or worldly: Through the prayers of the saints our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us). Holy God, Holy Mighty,

From the book 50 main prayers to attract a loved one into your life author Berestova Natalia

Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, sung in every spiritual sorrow and situation Creation of Theostiriktus monk Holy martyr Theostiriktus - Hegumen of Pelicitos, who lived in the 8th century and accepted martyrdom for the Christian faith during the reign of the emperor

From the book of 100 prayers for quick help. With interpretations and explanations author Volkova Irina Olegovna

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8 Song 1 Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: praise the savior and our God. Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother Words and Devo, from

From the book of Prayer Books in Russian by the author

Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos Creation of Theostiriktus monk Holy martyr Theostiriktus - Hegumen of Pelicitos, who lived in the 8th century and suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith during the reign of Emperor Constantine Copronymus. Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos

From the author's book

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8 Song 1 Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: praise the savior and our God. Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother Words and Devo, from

From the author's book

Canon of prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Most Pure Theotokos Mother of the Lord during the separation of the soul from the body of every true believer Blessed is our God... (or worldly: Through the prayers of the saints our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us). Holy God, Holy Mighty,

From the author's book

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos Tone 8 Song 1 Irmos: Having walked on water as if on dry land, and having escaped Egyptian corruption, the Israeli cried out: “Let us sing to the Savior and our God!” Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us. Tormented by many temptations, I run to You, seeking salvation . ABOUT

From the author's book

Canon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary are a miracle and mystery, incomprehensible even to the Angels: “The heavens and the ends of the earth were terrified at this, for God had appeared as a man in the flesh, and Thy womb was the most spacious of Heaven, therefore Thee, the Mother of God, the Angels and the people of the ranks magnify ”, writes the creator of the prayer canon. She is the Divinity after God, as Saint Gregory the Theologian said about Her. However, in other works the holy fathers speak quite specifically about the place of the Mother of God. In particular, Saint Epiphanius emphasizes: “Let Mary be honored, but we must worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

We learn about the family tree of the Lady Theotokos in the Gospel of the Apostle Luke, who says that She came “from the house of David.” In the so-called Proto-Gospel of James, the Lord's brother, it is said that the priest Matthan married Mary and they had four children: Jacob, who gave birth to Joseph, the husband of the Mother of God, Mary, who gave birth to Salome the midwife, Sovi, who gave birth to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, Anna, who gave birth to Mariam , Mother of the God-man Jesus Christ.

The name “Mariam”, which was given to the Mother of God by Her parents, Joachim and Anna, comes from a Hebrew word meaning “lord” - accordingly, the name Mariam can be understood as “lady”. But Her most important name is “Mother of God,” for She is the Mother of the Lord. This was approved at the Third Ecumenical Council in 431. However, the Church, wishing to express great love and the great respect felt for the Ever-Virgin gave Her many honorary names and epithets. A typical example in this regard is Saint Nektarios, who dedicated five thousand poetic verses to the Mother of God, which were included in his “Theotokos.”

From the Gospels of the New Testament we learn that the Virgin of Nazareth received the Annunciation from the Archangel Gabriel, visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was already carrying Venerable John the Baptist, gave birth to the Savior of the world in Bethlehem, fled to Egypt to protect the child from murderers, looked for Her twelve-year-old Son in Jerusalem, while He was in the temple and talking with teachers, was present at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, where she interceded with His Son, accompanied the Lord on the way to Golgotha, experienced the holy events of the Crucifixion, the burial of the Venerable Body and the glorious Resurrection of the Lord and the descent Holy Spirit, which happened in the Upper Room of Zion on the day of Pentecost.

We also learn about the life of the Mother of God from the patristic tradition, which is an equally authoritative source as the apostolic tradition, of which it is a natural continuation, since it is based on the experience and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The main sources of this kind are the work of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite “On the Divine Names”, praises of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, written by various saints of our Church, such as John of Damascus and Andrew of Crete, church hymnography and iconography. We also find important introductions in the story of St. John the Theologian about the Dormition of the Mother of God Mary.

The blessed Dormition of the Mother of God occurred in 47 AD, when She was at the age of 59-70 years, that is, 25 years after the Ascension of the Lord. Archangel Gabriel, who has served Her all these years, has now brought Her the news that in three days the Lord will take Her most pure soul. After this holy news, the Lady Theotokos climbed the Mount of Olives and prayed to Her Son and God. Then she told the church about upcoming event and began the appropriate preparations. On the day of the Assumption, the grace of God, under the guise of a cloud, transported the apostles who were at a distance to the house of the Evangelist John in Gethsemane, so that they would receive the blessing from the Mother of God and be present at Her blessed death. The Apostles Paul and Timothy, Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, along with other saints, were already here. The Mother of God consoled the apostles and advised them to pray for the salvation of the whole world until that very morning when Her Son Himself took Her spirit.

Then Her divinely received body, accompanied by angelic and apostolic singing, was placed in a coffin and buried in Gethsemane, despite the fact that the Jews prevented this holy rite. There is information that a certain Jew named Jephonia tried to prevent the burial of the Mother of God, but his hands were cut off by an invisible force. But, fortunately, Jephaniah repented and was immediately healed. A similar fate awaited those who wickedly approached the Mother of God: they were blinded, but, having repented, they regained their sight.

The everlasting psalter

The indefatigable Psalter is read not only about health, but also about peace. Since ancient times, ordering a commemoration on the Everlasting Psalter has been considered a great alms for a departed soul.

It is also good to order the Indestructible Psalter for yourself; you will feel the support. And one more the most important moment, but far from the least important,
There is eternal remembrance on the Indestructible Psalter. It seems expensive, but the result is more than millions of times more than the money spent. If this is still not possible, then you can order for a shorter period. It's also good to read for yourself.

In the end, the apostles buried the holy body of the Mother of God and remained here for another three days, constantly echoing the angelic singing and rejoicing. “When after three days the angelic singing stopped, the apostles opened the tomb, because one of them, who was absent and arrived after the third day, wished to venerate the body receiving God. But they could not find Her all-sung body, so, having found only the lying funeral robes and being filled with the indescribable fragrance emanating from them, they closed the tomb,” writes Saint John of Damascus in his Second Homily on the Dormition of the Mother of God.

The apostle who was absent on the day of the Assumption, according to Tradition, is Thomas. Thus, on the third day after the Dormition of the Mother of God, when She was supposed to physically join Her Son, the Apostle Thomas, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, was transferred to Gethsemane, where he saw the Mother of God ascending to Heaven. Then the Mother of God gave him her Honest Belt, which now, like the apple of his eye, is kept by the holy Vatopedi monastery.

Prayer canons to the Most Holy Theotokos

The day of celebration of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is magnificent. The festive troparion and kontakion explain the reason for this: “At Christmas you preserved your virginity, at your dormition you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos, you reposed to the belly, Mother of the Being of the Belly, and through your prayers you delivered our souls from death.” “In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God and in the intercessions, the immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained: like the Mother of the Life, bring to the life the One who dwells in the ever-virgin womb.”

The feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary was at first temporary, but subsequently, by order of the Emperor of Mauritius, its celebration was fixed for August 15/28.

Nowadays, this holiday is preceded by a pious two-week period, when in the evenings we Christians gather in churches to sing a prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos.

We resort to the Mother of God and sing the prayer canon, because we firmly believe, like the creator of this canon, that “No one who flows to You is put to shame and comes from You, the Most Pure Virgin Mother of God: but she asks for grace and accepts the gift of useful petition.” Our experience of countless blessings received from the Heavenly Lady does not give us the right to remain silent: “Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, about Your power and unworthiness: if it weren’t for You who stood praying, who would save us from so many troubles? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You, for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.” “I do not hide the depth of Your mercy, and the current of immeasurable miracles, and the Ever-flowing Source of Thy mercy truly towards me, Lady, but I confess to everyone, and cry out, and preach, and broadcast.”

We confess to the Lady Theotokos our sinfulness, we fall to Her with cries of despair, mental and physical pain and sorrow, making us feel that our life is “approaching hell.” However, we do not despair and do not lament, as if having no hope, but from the depths of our hearts we sing: “Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who has received fulfillment of joy and consumed sinful sorrow.” We place all our hopes in Her, for we know own experience that the Mother of God is true compassion and a source of mercy, the only refuge of the world, “an immutable intercession to the Creator.” In addition, we ask Her to rule our lives, like an “indestructible wall and intercession”, protecting us from the “demonic shooting” that surrounds us and which we ourselves are not able to defeat. This is how we Christians live the true summer Easter.

These days until the evening of August 13, except Saturdays evening services and the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Small and Great (fair) prayer canons are sung alternately, the creations of Theodore II Laskar, Emperor of Nicaea, who lived in the 13th century.

We know nothing about the author of the small prayer canon, monk Theoktistos. It is known about the compiler of the Great Prayer Canon, Theodore II, that he was the son of Saint John Vatatz and Irina Laskar. It is said that Emperor Theodore suffered from an illness that caused him deep despondency and prompted him to pray for healing. Moreover, it seems that he once moved away from God and therefore often repeated the phrase “forsaken Thee, O Christ.” Thus, the emperor’s prayers took the form of a prayer canon to the Mother of God, because then he met Saint Theodora, queen of Epirus, who greatly revered the Mother of God.

It was she who taught him in difficult moments, and especially when he was overcome by despondency, to turn to the Mother of God and ask Her to ease his pain, to grant Divine joy and consolation. This prayer canon “talks about the suffering and torment of one soul. Here the Greek emperor, persecuted, overcome and oppressed by the Latins, Arabs and his fellow citizens, tells the Mother of God about his personal sorrows, about the persecution that he endures from foreigners and which he calls “clouds,” writes Alexander Papadyamandis. The prayer canon of Theodore II spread first to nearby monasteries, becoming part of the divine services, and then throughout the Byzantine Empire, and became known as the Great Prayer Canon.

The tradition of alternate reading of these two canons owes its appearance to one historical circumstance that took place in the empire in 1261. In this year, during the reign of Michael VIII Palaiologos, the recapture of Constantinople was carried out without any bloodshed, which was considered the miraculous intervention of the Virgin Mary. Therefore, Michael wished to solemnly enter the city and offer thanks to the Most Holy Theotokos. However, at that time, the Great Prayer Canon of Theodore II was sung in churches, and it was necessary to find a solution on how exactly to glorify the Mother of God. Then it was proposed to use the more ancient Small Prayer Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos. Since then, the Great Prayer Canon began to be performed only during the Dormition Fast.

Thus, prayer canons are sung during the period between two great church holidays, Resurrection and Nativity of Christ, to offer prayers and petitions to the Most Holy Theotokos, our only intercessor to the Humane-loving God, so that we may be granted grace and strength to ascend to our Golgotha ​​and experience the indescribable joy of the Resurrection. Since there is no Resurrection outside the Cross: it is given to us on the Cross.

Let us also give due praise to the Lady Theotokos, and ask her in the words of the famous preacher Ilias Miniatis (1669 - 1714): “Gracious, Glorious Lady, from the inexhaustible Divine light, where You now rejoice, standing at the right hand of Your Only Begotten Son, send also to us, your pious slaves, the rays of this blessed light, which will sanctify our darkened minds, and the flame of our cooled will, so that we learn to properly follow the path of holy justifications. We, after God, place our hopes in You, Mother of God and our Mother, for salvation, the triumph of peaceful power, the victory of pious kings, the establishment of the Church, the care of the Orthodox race and the protection of its pious life, dedicated to Your invincible help.

Blessed Virgin Mary, your name- joy, consolation, glory of Christians, accept the fasting and canons of these holy days, which we sang in Your honor as auspicious incense. Vouchsafe us, who piously fall in church to Thy miraculous icon, and in Paradise to see Your blessed face, which we worship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit throughout the ages of ages. Amen".

Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

Troparion to the Mother of God, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams. (Twice)

Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to unworthiness: if You had not stood before us begging, who would have delivered us from so many troubles, who would have kept us free until now? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. You alone have I sinned and done evil before You; for you may be justified in all of Your words, and you will always be victorious when You judge. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have revealed to me the unknown and secret wisdom of Yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my hearing; The bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward into the world the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering; Then they will place the bullock on Your altar.

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8

Song 1

Irmos: Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: Let us drink to our deliverer and our God.

Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Passions trouble me and many despondencies fill my soul; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Having given birth to You and God, I pray, Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I extend both my soul and my thoughts.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Sick in body and soul, grant the Divine visitation and providence from You, the only Godmother, as a good, good Mother.

Song 3

Irmos: O Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the only Lover of Mankind.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I entrust the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, guilty of the good; true statement, the All-Singing One.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Having given birth to good and guilty benefactors, pour out riches of good deeds to all, for all you can, as you have given birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ, O blessed One.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Help me with fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, to help me: for I know Your inexhaustible treasure, Immaculate, inexhaustible.

Save Thy servants from troubles, Mother of God, for we all run to You according to God, as an unbreakable wall and intercession.

Look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on my fierce body, and heal the illness of my soul.

Troparion, tone 2

Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, the only one who will soon appear.

Song 4

Irmos: I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, which gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Your gifts, we sing in thanksgiving, Our Lady leading Thee.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

On the bed of my illness and infirmity, for those who prostrate me, as the Compassionate One, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Hope and affirmation and salvation are the wall of the immovable property of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.

Song 5

Irmos: Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, having given birth to eternal deliverance, and peace that prevails over all minds.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.

Song 6

Irmos: I will pour out a prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil, and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave away death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

We know You as your representative and steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Like a wall of refuge for money-grubbers, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Youth, and through Your enlightenment we always rejoice: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Now I lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the sinful prayers of the voice, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer, and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Another kontakion, same voice

There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin. Help us, we rely on You, and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Stichera, same voice

Do not entrust me to human intercession, Most Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Thy servant: for sorrow will hold me, I cannot endure demonic shooting, there is no protection for the imam, below where I will resort, the accursed one, we are always defeated, and there is no consolation for the imam, except for You, the Lady of the world, the hope and intercession of the faithful, do not despise my prayer, make it useful.

Song 7

Irmos: The youths came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, they quenched the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Just as you wanted to arrange our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, O pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual defilements by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You, and the pillar of affirmation, and the door of repentance, you showed to those calling: our father, God, blessed are you.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, grant us to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.

Song 8

Irmos: Praise and extol the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing to all ages.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You pour out a wealth of healings faithfully to those who sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.

Song 9

Irmos: We truly confess Thee, Theotokos, saved by Thee, Pure Virgin, with the bodiless faces magnifying Thee.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even though you have taken away every tear from every face, the Virgin who gave birth to Christ.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.

Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge and cover and joy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Enlighten Your light with the dawnings, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.

And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

In the place of embitterment of the humbled one, O Virgin, heal, transforming ill health into health.

Stichera, tone 2

The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, who delivered us from the oath, Let us honor the Lady of the world with songs.

Because of my many sins my body is weak, my soul is also weak; I come running to You, Most gracious, the hope of the unreliable, You help me.

Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants, and intercede with Him who was born of You; Oh, Lady of the world, be the Intercessor!

Let us diligently sing a song to You now, the all-sung Mother of God, joyfully: with the Forerunner and all the saints, pray to the Mother of God to be generous to us.

All the angels of the army, the Forerunner of the Lord, the twelve apostles, all the saints with the Mother of God, say a prayer that we may be saved.

Commemoration at the Divine Liturgy (Church Note)

Those who have health are remembered christian names, and about repose - only for those baptized in the Orthodox Church.

Notes can be submitted at the liturgy:

For proskomedia - the first part of the liturgy, when for each name indicated in the note, particles are taken out of special prosphoras, which are subsequently dipped into the Blood of Christ with a prayer for the forgiveness of sins

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Most Holy Theotokos, save me.

To my most blessed queen, my hope to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and strange representatives, the sorrowful with joy, the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as you will: for I have no other help except You, no other representative, no good comforter, except You, O God of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, Most Immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who will protect you more in adversity? Hear my groaning, and incline Your ear to me, the Lady of the Mother of my God, and do not despise me, who requires Your help, and do not reject me, a sinner. Enlighten and teach me, Queen of Heaven; do not depart from me, Thy servant, O Lady, for my murmuring, but be my Mother and intercessor. I entrust myself to Your merciful protection: lead me, a sinner, to a quiet and serene life, so that I may weep for my sins. To whom shall I resort when I am guilty, if not to You, the hope and refuge of sinners, with the hope of Your ineffable mercy and Thy generosity? Oh, Lady Queen of Heaven! You are my hope and refuge, protection and intercession and help. To my most kind and speedy intercessor! Cover my sins with Your intercession, protect me from enemies visible and invisible; soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against me. O Mother of the Lord my Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. Oh, Mother of God! Give me help to those who are weak with carnal passions and sick at heart, for one thing is Yours and with You, Your Son and our God, the imam intercession; and through Your wonderful intercession may I be delivered from all misfortune and adversity, O most immaculate and glorious Mother of God, Mary. In the same way I say and cry out with hope: Rejoice, full of grace, rejoice, full of joy; Rejoice, most blessed one, the Lord is with you.

Canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

Sung in every spiritual sorrow and situation

Creation of Theostirikt the monk

Troparion to the Mother of God, tone 4

Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God in sinfulness and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you and the only hope of the imams (twice).

Glory, even now: Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to unworthiness: if You had not stood before us, praying, who would have delivered us from so many troubles, who would have kept us free until now? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. You alone have I sinned and done evil before You; for you may be justified in all of Your words, and you will always be victorious when You judge. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have revealed to me the unknown and secret wisdom of Yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my hearing; The bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward into the world the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering; Then they will place the bullock on Your altar.

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8, Song 1

Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: We will give drink to our deliverer and our God.

Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Passions trouble me and many despondencies fill my soul; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.

Glory: Having given birth to You and God as Savior, I pray, O Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I extend both my soul and my thoughts.

And now: Sick in body and soul, grant the visitation of the Divine and providence from You, the only Godmother, as a good Mother of God.

The Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the only Lover of Mankind.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I entrust the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, guilty of the good; true statement, the All-Singing One.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.

Glory: Having given birth to the good and guilty, the benefactor, pour out wealth to everyone, for all you can, as she gave birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ, the blessed one.

And now: To him who is tormented by fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, help me: for I know You’s inexhaustible treasure, Most Immaculate, inexhaustible.

Save Thy servants from troubles, Mother of God, for we all run to You according to God, as an unbreakable wall and intercession.

Look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on my fierce body, and heal the illness of my soul.

Troparion, tone 2

Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, the only one who will soon appear.

I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.

The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.

Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, which gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.

Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Your gifts, we sing in thanksgiving, Our Lady leading Thee.

Glory: On the bed of my illness and infirmity, I prostrate myself, as the Lover of Grace, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.

And now: Hope and affirmation and salvation belong to the immovable wall of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.

Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind.

Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.

Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, having given birth to eternal deliverance, and peace that prevails over all minds.

Glory: Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.

And now: Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.

I will pour out a prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil, and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up.

As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave away death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.

We know You as your representative and steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.

Glory: Like a wall of refuge for an acquisitor, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Young Lady, and through Thy enlightenment we ever rejoice: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.

And now: I now lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids and ailments.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the sinful prayers of the voice, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer, and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Another kontakion, same voice

There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin. Help us, we rely on You, and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Stichera, same voice

Do not entrust me to human intercession, Most Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Thy servant: for sorrow will hold me, I cannot endure demonic shooting, there is no protection for the imam, below where I will resort, the accursed one, we are always defeated, and there is no consolation for the imam, except for You, the Lady of the world, the hope and intercession of the faithful, do not despise my prayer, make it useful.

The youths who came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, asked the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Just as you wanted to arrange our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.

The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, O pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual defilements by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.

Glory: The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You, and the pillar of affirmation, and the door of repentance, you showed to those calling: our father, God, blessed are you.

And now: Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, vouchsafe to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.

Praise and exalt the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing, to all ages.

Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.

You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.

Glory: You pour out a wealth of healing to those who faithfully sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.

And now: You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.

We truly confess You, the Mother of God, saved by You, a pure Virgin, with your disembodied faces majestic.

Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even though you have taken away every tear from every face, the Virgin who gave birth to Christ.

Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.

Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge and cover and joy.

Glory: Illuminate Your light with the dawns, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.

And now: In the place of the embitterment of the infirmity of the humbled one, Heal, Virgin, transforming from ill health into health.

Stichera, tone 2

The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, who delivered us from the oath, Let us honor the Lady of the world with songs.

Because of my many sins my body is weak, my soul is also weak; I come running to You, Most gracious, the hope of the unreliable, You help me.

Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants, and intercede with Him who was born of You; Oh, Lady of the world, be the Intercessor!

Let us diligently sing a song to You now, the all-sung Mother of God, joyfully: with the Forerunner and all the saints, pray to the Mother of God to be generous to us.

All the angels of the army, the Forerunner of the Lord, the twelve apostles, all the saints with the Mother of God, say a prayer that we may be saved.

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

To my most blessed queen, my hope to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and strange representatives, the sorrowful with joy, the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as you will: for I have no other help except You, no other representative, no good comforter, except You, O God of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, Most Immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who will protect you more in adversity? Hear my groaning, and incline Your ear to me, the Lady of the Mother of my God, and do not despise me, who requires Your help, and do not reject me, a sinner. Enlighten and teach me, Queen of Heaven; do not depart from me, Thy servant, O Lady, for my murmuring, but be my Mother and intercessor. I entrust myself to Your merciful protection: lead me, a sinner, to a quiet and serene life, so that I may weep for my sins. To whom shall I resort when I am guilty, if not to You, the hope and refuge of sinners, with the hope of Your ineffable mercy and Thy generosity? Oh, Lady Queen of Heaven! You are my hope and refuge, protection and intercession and help. To my most kind and speedy intercessor! Cover my sins with Your intercession, protect me from enemies visible and invisible; soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against me. O Mother of the Lord my Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. Oh, Mother of God! Give me help to those who are weak with carnal passions and sick at heart, for one thing is Yours and with You, Your Son and our God, the imam intercession; and through Your wonderful intercession may I be delivered from all misfortune and adversity, O most immaculate and glorious Mother of God, Mary. In the same way I say and cry out with hope: Rejoice, full of grace, rejoice, full of joy; Rejoice, most blessed one, the Lord is with you.

Canon to the Guardian Angel

Troparion, tone 6

Angel of God, my holy guardian, keep my life in the passion of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true path, and wound my soul to heavenly love, so that I may be guided by you, I will receive great mercy from Christ God.

Glory, and now: Theotokos:

Holy Lady, Mother of Christ our God, who perplexedly gave birth to all the Creator, pray to His goodness always, with my guardian angel, to save my soul, obsessed with passions, and grant me remission of sins.

Canon, tone 8, Song 1

Let us praise the Lord, who led His people through the Red Sea, for He alone was gloriously glorified.

Sing and praise the song, Savior, worthy of Your servant, the disembodied Angel, my mentor and guardian.

Chorus: Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.

I am the only one lying in foolishness and laziness now, my mentor and guardian, do not leave me, perishing.

Glory: Direct my mind with your prayer, do God’s commandments, so that I may receive remission of sins from God, and teach me to hate the evil ones, I pray to you.

And now: Pray, Maiden, for me, Thy servant, to the Benefactor, with my guardian Angel, and instruct me to do the commandments of Thy Son and my Creator.

You are the affirmation of those who flow to You, Lord, You are the light of the darkened, and my spirit sings of You.

I place all my thoughts and my soul on you, my guardian; Deliver me from every misfortune of the enemy.

The enemy tramples me, and embitters me, and teaches me to always do my own desires; but you, my mentor, do not leave me to perish.

Glory: Sing a song with thanksgiving and zeal to the Creator and God give me, and to you, my good guardian Angel: my deliverer, rescue me from the enemies who embitter me.

And now: Heal, Most Pure One, my many ailing scabs, even in the soul, heal the enemies who always fight with me.

Sedalen, voice 2

From the love of my soul I cry out to you, the guardian of my soul, my all-holy Angel: cover me and always protect me from evil deception, and guide me to heavenly life, admonishing and enlightening and strengthening me.

Glory, and now: Theotokos:

The Blessed Most Pure Mother of God, Who without seed gave birth to all the Lord, Pray Him with my Guardian Angel to deliver me from all bewilderment, and to give tenderness and light to my soul and purification through sin, Who alone will soon intercede.

I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works, and glorified Thy Divinity.

Pray to God, the Lover of Mankind, my guardian, and do not forsake me, but keep my life in peace forever and grant me invincible salvation.

As the intercessor and guardian of my life, you are received from God, Angel, I pray to you, holy one, free me from all troubles.

Glory: Cleanse my depravity with your shrine, my guardian, and may I be excommunicated from the part of Shuiya by your prayers and become a partaker of glory.

And now: I am bewildered by the evils that have befallen me, O Most Pure One, but deliver me from them quickly: I am the only one who has come to You.

We cry out to You in the morning: Lord, save us; For you are our God, don’t you know anything else?

As if I had boldness towards God, my holy guardian, I begged Him to deliver me from the evils that offend me.

Bright light, brightly enlighten my soul, my mentor and guardian, given to me by God to the Angel.

Glory: Sleeping me with the evil burden of sin, keep me vigilant, Angel of God, and raise me up for praise through your prayer.

And now: Mary, Lady of the Brideless Mother of God, the hope of the faithful, lay down the heaps of the enemy, and those who sing make you glad.

Give me a robe of light, dress yourself in light like a robe, O most merciful Christ our God.

Free me from all misfortunes, and save me from sorrows, I pray to you, holy Angel, given to me by God, my good guardian.

Illuminate my mind, O blessed one, and enlighten me, I pray to you, holy Angel, and always instruct me to think usefully.

Glory: Tidy my heart from real rebellion, and be vigilant, strengthen me in good things, my guardian, and guide me wonderfully to the silence of animals.

And now: the Word of God dwells in You, Mother of God, and man shows You the heavenly ladder; Because of you, the Most High has come down to us to eat.

Kontakion, tone 4

Appear to me, merciful, holy Angel of the Lord, my guardian, and do not separate from me, the foul one, but enlighten me with inviolable light and make me worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ikos: My humble soul has been tempted by many, you, holy representative, vouchsafe the ineffable glory of heaven, and singer from the faces of the disembodied powers of God, have mercy on me and preserve my thoughts kind soul Enlighten me, so that with your glory, my Angel, I will be enriched, and overthrow my evil-minded enemies, and make me worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The youths who came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, quenched the fire of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Be merciful to me and pray to God, O Lord Angel, for I have you as an intercessor in my whole life, a mentor and guardian, given to me by God forever.

Do not leave my accursed soul on its journey, killed by a robber, holy Angel, who was betrayed by God without blame; but I will guide you on the path of repentance.

Glory: I bring all my disgraced soul away from my evil thoughts and deeds: but first, my mentor, grant me healing with good thoughts, so that I always deviate onto the right path.

And now: Fill everyone with wisdom and Divine strength, Hypostatic Wisdom of the Most High, for the sake of the Mother of God, for the sake of those who cry out with faith: Our father, God, blessed art thou.

Praise and exalt the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing, to all ages.

Sent from God, strengthen the belly of my servant, your servant, most blessed Angel, and do not leave me forever.

You are a good angel, my soul's mentor and guardian, most blessed, I sing for ever.

Glory: Be my protection and take away all people on the day of testing; good and evil deeds are tempted by fire.

And now: Be my helper and silence, O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, Thy servant, and do not leave me deprived of Thy dominion.

We truly confess You, the Mother of God, saved by You, a pure Virgin, with your disembodied faces magnifying You.

To Jesus: Lord Jesus Christ my God, have mercy on me.

Have mercy on me, my only Savior, for You are merciful and merciful, and make me a partaker of righteous faces.

Grant me to think and create continually, O Lord Angel, who is good and useful, as she is strong in weakness and blameless.

Glory: Because you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, pray to Him, along with other incorporeal ones, to have mercy on me, the accursed one.

And now: Having much boldness, O Virgin, to Him who became incarnate from You, deliver me from my bonds and grant me permission and salvation through Your prayers.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Holy Angel of Christ, falling to you I pray, my holy guardian, given to me for the protection of my sinful soul and body from holy baptism, but with my laziness and my evil custom I angered your most pure lordship and drove you away from me with all the cold deeds: lies, slander , envy, condemnation, contempt, disobedience, brotherly hatred, and resentment, love of money, adultery, rage, stinginess, gluttony without satiety and drunkenness, verbosity, evil thoughts and crafty ones, proud custom and lustful indignation, driven by self-will for all carnal lust. Oh, my evil will, which even dumb animals cannot do! How can you look at me, or approach me like a stinking dog? Whose eyes, angel of Christ, look upon me, entangled in evil in vile deeds? How can I already ask for forgiveness with my bitter and evil and crafty deed, I fall into misery all day and night and at every hour? But I pray to you, falling down, my holy guardian, have mercy on me, your sinful and unworthy servant. (Name), be my helper and intercessor against the evil of my opponent, through your holy prayers, and make me a partaker of the Kingdom of God with all the saints, always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.

From time immemorial, the Orthodox people have revered Holy Mother of God as “the Ever-Blessed and Immaculate Mother of our God, as the Most Honest Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim,” the great Intercessor and Intercessor in the affairs of Christian believers. The veneration of the Mother of God is based on faith in Her special virtues. Icon paintings, prayer works in the form of akathists, troparions and canons are dedicated to everyone’s favorite image of the Most Pure One. Mother of God.

Her greatness became genuine, since She alone happened to receive the grace of God, to become blessed among all women, to hear from the Heavenly Messenger: “The Lord is with You.” The prayerful veneration of the Ever-Virgin among Orthodox Christians is very great. Ordinary Christians associate every day with Her name and prayerful appeal to Her. At rest Canon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Believing Christians, having repented of their sins, ask the Mother of God to “have mercy” on them and save them from many sins.

The meaning of the canon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reverence for the Mother of God is one of the best means, effective forces for genuine repentance, correction and prosperity in spiritual life. Through her omnipotent prayers, Orthodox believers will be granted eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The canon of prayer for the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the most characteristic prayers, emphasizing the importance of the Mother of God for the common people. Christians do not see a more powerful protector than their Lady. Between glory and irmos throughout the entire Orthodox canon, the main phrase to the Most Holy Theotokos is the prayer for salvation: “Most Holy Theotokos, save us.” The Most Pure One is called the “Mother of the Word, the author of good things and the support of the believers,” to whom they resort as a “reliable wall and one quick protector.” The entire Christian canon of the Mother of God consists of zealous invocations to the Mother of God - “a warm prayer book, an impregnable wall, a source of mercy and a refuge for the world.” There are probably few prayers in Orthodox worship in which the Most Pure One has so many precise names.

Listen to the video of the canon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Text of the canon of the Most Holy Theotokos of All Queens

Troparion to the Mother of God, tone 4
Let us now diligently approach the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams. (Twice)
Glory, even now: Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to unworthiness: if You had not stood before us, praying, who would have delivered us from so many troubles, who would have kept us free until now? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.

Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. You alone have I sinned and done evil before You; for you may be justified in all of Your words, and you will always be victorious when You judge. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have revealed to me the unknown and secret wisdom of Yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my hearing; The bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take me away from You. Reward into the world the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering; Then they will place the bullock on Your altar.

Repose Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8

Song 1
Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: We will give drink to our deliverer and our God.
Chorus: Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.
Passions trouble me and many despondencies fill my soul; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.
Glory: Having given birth to You and God as Savior, I pray, O Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I extend both my soul and my thoughts.
And now: Sick in body and soul, grant the visitation of the Divine and providence from You, the only Godmother, as a good Mother of God.

Song 3
The Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the only Lover of Mankind.
I entrust the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, guilty of the good; true statement, the All-Singing One.
I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.
Glory: Having given birth to the good and guilty, the benefactor, pour out wealth to everyone, for all you can, as you have given birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ.
And now: To him who is tormented by fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, help me: for I know You’s inexhaustible treasure, Most Immaculate, inexhaustible.
Save Thy servants from troubles, Mother of God, for we all run to You according to God, as an unbreakable wall and intercession.
Look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on my fierce body, and heal the illness of my soul.

Troparion, tone 2
Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, the only one who will soon appear.

Song 4
I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.
The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.
Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, which gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.
Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Your gifts, we sing in thanksgiving, Our Lady leading Thee.
Glory: On the bed of my illness and infirmity, I prostrate myself, as the Lover of Grace, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.
And now: Hope and affirmation and salvation belong to the immovable wall of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.

Song 5
Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind.
Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.
Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, having given birth to eternal deliverance, and peace that prevails over all minds.
Glory: Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.
And now: Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.

Song 6
I will pour out a prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil, and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up.
As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave away death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.
We know You as your representative and steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.
Glory: Like a wall of refuge for an acquisitor, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Young Lady, and through Thy enlightenment we ever rejoice: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.
And now: I now lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids and ailments.

Kontakion, tone 6
The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the sinful prayers of the voice, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer, and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Another kontakion, same voice
There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin. Help us, we rely on You, and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Stichera, same voice
Do not entrust me to human intercession, Most Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Thy servant: for sorrow will hold me, I cannot endure demonic shooting, there is no protection for the imam, below where I will resort, the accursed one, we are always defeated, and there is no consolation for the imam, except for You, the Lady of the world, the hope and intercession of the faithful, do not despise my prayer, make it useful.

Song 7
The youths who came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, asked the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.
Just as you wanted to arrange our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.
The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, O pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual defilements by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.
Glory: The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You, and the pillar of affirmation, and the door of repentance, you showed to those calling: our father, God, blessed are you.
And now: Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, vouchsafe to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.

Song 8
Praise and exalt the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing, to all ages.
Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.
You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.
Glory: You pour out a wealth of healing to those who faithfully sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.
And now: You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.

Song 9
We truly confess You, the Mother of God, saved by You, a pure Virgin, with your disembodied faces majestic.
Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even though you have taken away every tear from every face, the Virgin who gave birth to Christ.
Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.
Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge and cover and joy.
Glory: Illuminate Your light with the dawns, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.
And now: In the place of the embitterment of the infirmity of the humbled one, Heal, Virgin, transforming from ill health into health.

Stichera, tone 2
The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, who delivered us from the oath, Let us honor the Lady of the world with songs.
Because of my many sins my body is weak, my soul is also weak; I come running to You, Most gracious, the hope of the unreliable, You help me.
Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants, and intercede with Him who was born of You; Oh, Lady of the world, be the Intercessor!
Let us diligently sing a song to You now, the all-sung Mother of God, joyfully: with the Forerunner and all the saints, pray to the Mother of God to be generous to us.
All the angels of the army, the Forerunner of the Lord, the twelve apostles, all the saints with the Mother of God, say a prayer that we may be saved.

Text of the Orthodox prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

To whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, Most Immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who will protect You more in adversity? Hear my groaning and incline Your ear to me, the Lady Mother of my God, and do not despise me who requires Your help, and do not reject me, a sinner. Enlighten and teach me, Queen of Heaven; do not depart from me, Thy servant, Lady, for my grumbling, but be my Mother and Intercessor. I entrust myself to Your merciful protection: lead me, a sinner, to a quiet and serene life, so that I may weep for my sins. To whom shall I resort when I am guilty, if not to You, the hope and refuge of sinners, inspired by the hope of Your ineffable mercy and Your bounty? O Lady, Queen of Heaven! You are my hope and refuge, protection and intercession and help. My Queen, Most Offering and Speedy Intercessor, cover my sins with Your intercession, protect me from enemies visible and invisible; soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against me. O Mother of the Lord my Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. O Mother of God! Give me help to those who are weak with carnal passions and those who are sick at heart, for one thing is Yours and with You the intercession of Your Son and our God; and through Your wonderful intercession may I be delivered from all misfortune and adversity, O Most Immaculate and Glorious Mother of God, Mary. The same with hope I say and cry out: Rejoice, full of grace; Rejoice, Delighted One; Rejoice, Most Blessed One: the Lord is with You!

Miracle-working prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all occasions

My Blessing Queen, my hope, Mother of God, Friend of the orphans and the strange, the Representative of the sorrowing, the Joy of the offended, the Patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as if you will: for I have no other help except You, no other Representative, no good Comforter, only You, O Mother of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

Russian Orthodox prayer to the Holy Mother of God

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord Most High, Intercessor and Protector of all who resort to You! Look down from Thy holy height upon me, a sinner (name), who falls before Thy most pure image; hear my warm prayer and offer it before Your Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; beg Him to illuminate my gloomy soul with the light of His Divine grace, to deliver me from all need, sorrow and illness, to grant me a quiet and peaceful life, physical and mental health, to pacify my suffering heart and heal its wounds, to guide me for good deeds, may he cleanse my mind from vain thoughts, and having taught me to fulfill His commandments, may he deliver me from eternal torment and may he not deprive me of His Heavenly Kingdom. O Most Holy Theotokos! You, “Joy of all who mourn,” hear me, the sorrowful one; You, called “Quenching of Sorrow”, quench my sorrow; You, “Burning Kupino”, save the world and all of us from the harmful fiery arrows of the enemy; You, “Seeker of the Lost,” do not allow me to perish in the abyss of my sins. According to Bose, all my hope and hope is in Tyabo. Be a temporary Intercessor for me in life, and an Intercessor for eternal life before Your Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach me to serve this with faith and love, and to reverently honor You, Most Holy Mother of God, Most Blessed Mary, until the end of my days. Amen.

Christian prayer before the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Virgin Lady Theotokos, who bore in her womb the Savior Christ and our God, I place all my hope in You, I trust in You, the highest of all Heavenly forces . You, Most Pure One, protect me with Your Divine grace. Direct my life and guide me in accordance with the holy will of Your Son and our God. Grant me remission of sins, be my refuge, protection, protection and guide, leading me into eternal life. In the terrible hour of death, do not leave me, my Lady, but hasten to help me and deliver me from the bitter torment of demons. For in Your will you also have power; Do this as truly the Mother of God and sovereign over all. Accept the worthy gifts brought to You alone by us, Your unworthy servants, most merciful, all-holy Lady Mother of God, chosen from all generations, who turned out to be superior to every creature in heaven and earth. Since through You we came to know the Son of God, through You the Lord of hosts became with us, and we were made worthy of His holy Body and Blood, then blessed are You throughout all generations, most blessed of God, most holy of the Cherubim and most glorious of the Seraphim; and now, praying, O All-Holy Mother of God, do not cease to beg for us, Thy unworthy servants, to free us from every wiles of the evil one and from every extreme, and to keep us unwounded in every poisonous attack. Even to the end, through Your prayers, keep us uncondemned, so that, saved by Your intercession and Your help, we will always send glory, praise, thanksgiving and worship to the one God in the Trinity and the Creator of all. Good and most blessed Lady, Mother of the good, all-good and all-good God, look upon the prayer of Thy unworthy and indecent servant with Thy merciful eye, and act with me according to the great mercy of Thy ineffable compassion and do not look at my sins, both in word and in deed, and with every feeling done, voluntarily and involuntarily, with knowledge and in ignorance, and renew me all, making me the temple of the all-holy, life-giving and sovereign Spirit, Who is the power of the Most High, and overshadowed Your all-pure womb, and dwelt in it. For You are the helper of the weary, the representative of the needy, the savior of the distressed, the haven of the troubled, the protector and intercessor of those in extremity. Grant to Your servant contrition, silence of thoughts, constancy of thought, a chaste mind, sobriety of soul, a humble way of thinking, a holy and sober mood of spirit, a prudent and well-ordered disposition, which serves as a sign of spiritual composure, as well as piety and peace, which our Lord gave to His disciples. May my prayer come to Thy holy temple and to the dwelling place of Thy glory; May my eyes be drained of sources of tears, and may You wash me with my own tears, whiten me with streams of my tears, cleansing me from the filth of passions. Blot out the handwriting of my sins, dispel the clouds of my sorrow, darkness and confusion of thoughts, remove from me the storm and desire of passions, keep me in serenity and silence, expand my heart with spiritual expansion, rejoice and rejoice me with unspeakable joy, unceasing joy, so that in the right paths of the commandments I followed Thy Son faithfully and with a blameless conscience I lived an untroubled life. Give me, praying before You, pure prayer, so that with an undisturbed mind, unwandering meditation and with an insatiable soul, I may constantly study the words of the Divine Scriptures day and night, sing in confession, and in the joy of my heart offer prayer to the glory, honor and magnification of the only begotten Son. Yours and our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, now, and always, and unto the ages of ages! Amen.

(Creation of Theostirikt the monk)

Troparion to the Mother of God, tone 4

TO Let us now diligently pray to the Mother of God, sinners and humility, and let us fall down in repentance calling from the depths of our souls: Lady, help us, having had mercy on us, struggling, we are perishing from many sins, do not turn away your slaves, for you are the only hope of the imams. (Twice)

Glory, even now: Let us never be silent, O Mother of God, in speaking Your strength to unworthiness: if You had not stood before us, praying, who would have delivered us from so many troubles, who would have kept us free until now? We will not retreat, O Lady, from You: for Your servants always save you from all evil ones.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all, wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me. You alone have I sinned and done evil before You; for you may be justified in all of Your words, and you will always be victorious when You judge. Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. Behold, you have loved the truth; You have revealed to me the unknown and secret wisdom of Yours. Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. There is joy and gladness in my hearing; The bones of the humble will rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and cleanse all my iniquities. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Reward into the world the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, God of my salvation; My tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness. Lord, open my mouth, and my mouth will declare Your praise. As if you had desired sacrifices, you would have given them: you do not favor burnt offerings. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God will not despise a broken and humble heart. Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then favor the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering; Then they will place the bullock on Your altar.

Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, tone 8

Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried out: We will give drink to our deliverer and our God.

Contained by many misfortunes, I resort to You, seeking salvation: O Mother of the Word and the Virgin, save me from heavy and cruel things.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Passions trouble me and many despondencies fill my soul; die, O Young Lady, with the silence of Your Son and God, All-Immaculate.

Glory: Having given birth to You and God as Savior, I pray, O Virgin, to be delivered from the cruel ones: for now, running to You, I extend both my soul and my thoughts.

And now: Sick in body and soul, grant the visitation of the Divine and providence from You, the only Godmother, as a good Mother of God.

The Supreme Creator of the heavenly circle, O Lord, and the Creator of the Church, Thou strengthen me in Thy love, the desires of the land, the true affirmation, the only Lover of Mankind.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I entrust the intercession and protection of my life to Thee, Virgin Mother of God: Thou feed me to Thy refuge, guilty of the good; true statement, the All-Singing One.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

I pray, Virgin, to destroy the storm of my spiritual confusion and sorrow: You, O Blessed One of God, gave birth to the ruler of the silence of Christ, the only Most Pure One.

Glory: Having given birth to the good and guilty, the benefactor, pour out wealth to everyone, for all you can, as she gave birth to the mighty one in the strength of Christ, the blessed one.

And now: To him who is tormented by fierce ailments and painful passions, O Virgin, help me: for I know You’s inexhaustible treasure, Most Immaculate, inexhaustible.

Save Thy servants from troubles, Mother of God, for we all run to You according to God, as an unbreakable wall and intercession.

Look with mercy, O all-sung Mother of God, on my fierce body, and heal the illness of my soul.

Troparion, tone 2

Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, the only one who will soon appear.

I heard, O Lord, Thy sacrament, I understood Thy works and glorified Thy Divinity.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The confusion of my passions, the helmsman who gave birth to the Lord, and the storm of my sins calmed, O Bride of God.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Grant me the abyss of Thy mercy, which gave birth to the Blessed One and the Savior of all who sing to Thee.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Enjoying, O Most Pure One, Your gifts, we sing in thanksgiving, Our Lady leading Thee.

Glory: On the bed of my illness and infirmity, I prostrate myself, as the Lover of Grace, help the Mother of God, the only Ever-Virgin.

And now: Hope and affirmation and salvation belong to the immovable wall of You, the All-Singing One, we get rid of every inconvenience.

Enlighten us with Your commandments, O Lord, and with Your high arm grant us Your peace, O Lover of Mankind.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth to joy, which gave birth to the guilty.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Deliver us from troubles, pure Mother of God, having given birth to eternal deliverance, and peace that prevails over all minds.

Glory: Resolve the darkness of my sins, Bride of God, with the enlightenment of Your Grace, Who gave birth to the Divine and Eternal Light.

And now: Heal, O Pure One, the infirmity of my soul, worthy of Thy visitation, and grant me health through Thy prayers.

I will pour out a prayer to the Lord, and to Him I will proclaim my sorrows, for my soul is filled with evil, and my stomach is approaching hell, and I pray like Jonah: from aphids, O God, lift me up.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

As if He saved death and aphids, He Himself gave away death, corruption and death my former nature, Virgin, pray to the Lord and Thy Son, to deliver me from the enemies of crime.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

We know You as your representative and steadfast guardian, O Virgin, and I solve rumors of misfortunes and drive away taxes from demons; and I always pray to deliver me from the aphids of my passions.

Glory: Like a wall of refuge for an acquisitor, and all-perfect salvation for souls, and space in sorrows, O Young Lady, and through Thy enlightenment we ever rejoice: O Lady, save us now from passions and troubles.

And now: I now lie on my sickbed, and there is no healing for my flesh: but, having given birth to the God and Savior of the world and the Savior of ailments, I pray to You, O Good One: raise me from aphids and ailments.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the sinful prayers of the voice, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call upon Ty; hasten to prayer, and strive to entreat, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

Another kontakion, same voice

There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, except for You, Most Pure Virgin. Help us, we rely on You, and we boast in You, for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Stichera, same voice

Do not entrust me to human intercession, Most Holy Lady, but accept the prayer of Thy servant: for sorrow will hold me, I cannot endure demonic shooting, there is no protection for the imam, below where I will resort, the accursed one, we are always defeated, and there is no consolation for the imam, except for You, the Lady of the world, the hope and intercession of the faithful, do not despise my prayer, make it useful.

The youths who came from Judea, in Babylon, sometimes, by the faith of the Trinity, asked the flames of the cave, singing: God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Just as you wanted to arrange our salvation, O Savior, you moved into the Virgin’s womb, and you showed the world a representative: our father, God, blessed are you.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

The Commander of mercy, Whom you gave birth to, O pure Mother, beg him to get rid of sins and spiritual defilements by faith: our father, God, blessed are you.

Glory: The Treasure of salvation and the Source of incorruption, who gave birth to You, and the pillar of affirmation, and the door of repentance, you showed to those calling: our father, God, blessed are you.

And now: Bodily weaknesses and mental ailments, O Theotokos, with the love of those who approach Thy blood, O Virgin, vouchsafe to heal, Who gave birth to us the Savior Christ.

Praise and exalt the Heavenly King, Whom all the angels sing, to all ages.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Do not despise those who demand help from You, O Virgin, who sing and extol You forever.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

You heal the infirmity of my soul and bodily illnesses, Virgin, may I glorify You, Pure, forever.

Glory: You pour out a wealth of healing to those who faithfully sing of Thee, O Virgin, and to those who extol Thy ineffable Nativity.

And now: You drive away adversity and the onset of passions, O Virgin: therefore we sing of You forever and ever.

We truly confess You, the Mother of God, saved by You, a pure Virgin, with your disembodied faces majestic.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Do not turn away from the current of my tears, Even though you have taken away every tear from every face, the Virgin who gave birth to Christ.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts the fulfillment of joy and consumes sinful sadness.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

Be a refuge and intercession for those who come running to You, O Virgin, and an unbreakable wall, a refuge and cover and joy.

Glory: Illuminate Your light with the dawns, O Virgin, driving away the darkness of ignorance, faithfully confessing Theotokos to You.

And now: In the place of the embitterment of the infirmity of the humbled one, Heal, Virgin, transforming from ill health into health.

Stichera, tone 2

The highest of the heavens and the purest of the lordships of the sun, who delivered us from the oath, Let us honor the Lady of the world with songs.

Because of my many sins my body is weak, my soul is also weak; I come running to You, Most gracious, the hope of the unreliable, You help me.

Mistress and Mother of the Deliverer, accept the prayer of Your unworthy servants, and intercede with Him who was born of You; Oh, Lady of the world, be the Intercessor!

Let us diligently sing a song to You now, the all-sung Mother of God, joyfully: with the Forerunner and all the saints, pray to the Mother of God to be generous to us.

All the angels of the army, the Forerunner of the Lord, the twelve apostles, all the saints with the Mother of God, say a prayer that we may be saved.

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

C My all-kindness, my hope to the Mother of God, friend of the orphans and the strange, the representative of the sorrowing, the joy of the offended patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it as you will: for I have no other help except You, no other representative, no good comforter, except You, O God of God, for you will preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.

TO to whom shall I cry, Lady? To whom shall I resort in my sorrow, if not to You, Queen of Heaven? Who will accept my cry and my sighing, if not You, Most Immaculate, the hope of Christians and refuge for us sinners? Who will protect you more in adversity? Hear my groaning, and incline Your ear to me, the Lady of the Mother of my God, and do not despise me, who requires Your help, and do not reject me, a sinner. Enlighten and teach me, Queen of Heaven; do not depart from me, Thy servant, O Lady, for my murmuring, but be my Mother and intercessor. I entrust myself to Your merciful protection: lead me, a sinner, to a quiet and serene life, so that I may weep for my sins. To whom shall I resort when I am guilty, if not to You, the hope and refuge of sinners, with the hope of Your ineffable mercy and Thy generosity? Oh, Lady Queen of Heaven! You are my hope and refuge, protection and intercession and help. To my most kind and speedy intercessor! Cover my sins with Your intercession, protect me from enemies visible and invisible; soften the hearts of evil people who rebel against me. O Mother of the Lord my Creator! You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. Oh, Mother of God! Give me help to those who are weak with carnal passions and sick at heart, for one thing is Yours and with You, Your Son and our God, the imam intercession; and through Your wonderful intercession may I be delivered from all misfortune and adversity, O most immaculate and glorious Mother of God, Mary. In the same way I say and cry out with hope: Rejoice, full of grace, rejoice, full of joy; Rejoice, most blessed one, the Lord is with you.