Paraklesis to the Theotokos In English
(Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos)
(Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos)
Service of the Small Paraklesis to the Most-Holy Theotokos
The Paraklesis, or Service of Supplication
Compiled at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver ©2008
The Paraklesis, or Supplicatory Service, is sung beseeching God to grant spiritual and physical health and wellbeing to the living. In the Slavic Orthodox tradition there is a similar service called a Molieben. The Paraklesis thus differs from the Trisagion and Mnymosynon (Memorial) Services at which prayers are offered to God for the repose of the souls of the departed. The most commonly-known Supplicatory Service is that of the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos, which is contained in this booklet. The Kanon was composed in the ninth century by Theosteriktos the Monastic (some believe it was by Theophanes the Hymnographer). Another Kanon for the Great Paraklesis was composed in the thirteenth century by Emperor Theodore I Ducas Lascaris.
There are other Paraklesis Services, identically structured and employing the same melodies, that are addressed to the saints, also seeking their intercessions before the Lord for the health and well being of the faithful.
The Paraklesis, is sung in times of danger, tragedy, sickness, temptation, or discouragement. The various hymns and prayers ask the Lord for salvation, deliverance, protection, guidance, and healing. Although these are addressed and directed toward the Virgin Mary and the saints, they ask for their assistance and prayers to the Lord.
All good things come from God, and Orthodox Christians always pray to God alone. Nonetheless, just as we ask one another to pray to God for us, or to join us in prayer to God for a particular purpose, so also we ask the saints in heaven, and especially the Virgin Mary, to pray for us. This is called "intercessory prayer," when we ask others, either on earth or in heaven above, to pray to God for us.
Orthodoxy affirms that each of us and all the faithful living on earth are united to one another as well as to the Theotokos, the saints, and the faithful departed in a bond of faith and love in Christ. Therefore, just as in this life we pray for one another and turn to each other for prayer, we also pray for the departed souls and turn to the Mother of God and the saints to pray for us. In structure, a Paraklesis is patterned on the order for Matins. The distinguishing feature is the Supplicatory Kanon to the Mother of God or to a saint whose intercessions are being sought. A Paraklesis is usually celebrated as a stand-alone service in the church with a priest. It can also be sung at any time and in any place in time of need, even by the faithful alone.
The Paraklesis may be celebrated at any times during the year, especially in time of particular need, at the request of one of the faithful, or even on a routine weekly basis in many parish churches. It is also traditionnaly chanted each evening during the Dormition Fast (August 1 through 14).
All: Amen.
And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living shall be
justified.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has humbled my life down to the earth.
He has sat me in darkness as those who have been long dead, and my spirit within me has
become despondent; my heart within me is troubled.
I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Your works, I pondered on the creations of Your
hands.
I stretched forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after You like a waterless land.
Quickly hear me, Lord; my spirit has fainted away.
Do not turn Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning; for I have put my hope in You.
Cause me to know, Lord, the way in which I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to You.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I have fled to You for refuge.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; You shall quicken me for Your name's
sake, Lord.
In Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction, and in Your mercy You shall
utterly destroy my enemies.
And You shall cut off all those who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.
(Psalm 117:26, 25)
Reader: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name. (Psalm 104:1)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
Reader: All the nations compassed me round about; and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.
(Psalm 117:10)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
Reader: This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 117:23)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
To the Theotokos, let us now run most fervently;
as sinners and lowly ones, let us fall down in repentance,
crying from the depths of our souls:
Lady, come and help us, have compassion upon us;
hasten now for we are lost, in the host of our errors;
do not turn your servants away,
for you alone are a hope to us.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
(Repeat the hymn above, or sing the Apolitikion of the Church.)
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, we shall never be silent;
of your mighty acts, all we the unworthy;
had you not stood to intercede for us
who would have delivered us from the numerous perils?
Who would have preserved us all until now with our freedom?
O Lady, we shall not depart from you;
for you always save your servants, from all tribulation.
multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You only have I sinned, and have done evil in Your sight, that You may be justified in
Your words, and be victorious when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
For behold, You have loved the truth; the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom You have
made manifest to me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that are humbled shall rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and establish me with Your governing Spirit.
I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the impious shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Your
righteousness.
Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole-burnt offerings You shall not
be pleased.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not reject.
Do good, Lord, in Your good pleasure to Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt
offerings.
Then they shall offer young bulls upon Your altar.
in that way escaping from the evils of Egypt's land,
the Israelites cried out lamenting:
let us sing to our redeemer and our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
With many temptations surrounding me,
searching for salvation, I have sought refuge in you;
O Mother of the Word, and ever virgin,
from all distresses and dangers deliver me.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Assaults of the passions have shaken me,
my soul to its limits has been filled with much despair;
Bring peace, O Maiden, in the calmness,
of your Son and your God, all-blameless one.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
To God and the Savior you've given birth;
I ask you, O Virgin, from the dangers deliver me;
for now I run to you for refuge,
with both my soul and my reasoning.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Diseased is the body and the soul;
deem me truly worthy of divine guidance and your care;
for you alone are God's Mother,
as the good and the birth-giver of the Good
and the holy Church's great Founder likewise establish me,
in constant love for You, for You're the height of our longing,
Support of the faithful, the only One Who loves mankind.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
A protection and shelter I have with you in my life;
you, the Theotokos and Virgin, pilot me towards your port.
For you are the cause, the cause of that which is good;
support of the faithful, the only all-praised one.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
I entreat you, O Virgin, disperse the storm of my grief,
and the soul's most inward confusion, scatter it far from me;
you are the Bride of God, for you have brought forth the Christ,
the Prince of Peace; O all-blameless one.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Having brought forth unto us the Cause and Giver of good,
your great abundance of kindness, pour forth upon us all.
For all is possible, for you who carried the Christ,
Who is mighty in power, you who are blessed of God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
With most serious ailments, and with the passions so dark,
I am being tested, O Virgin; come and bring help to me,
for I have known of you, that you are without fail,
the endless treasure of cures, only all-blameless one.
all of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos;
after God, we all flee to you, for shelter and covering,
as an unshakable wall and our protection.
Turn to me,
in your good favor, all praiseworthy Theotokos;
look upon my grave illnesses,
which painfully sting my flesh
and heal the cause of my soul's pain and suffering.
Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
a merciful spring, and shelter of all mankind;
fervently, we cry to you: Theotokos, our Lady,
come to us and from all dangers now deliver us
the only protection who speeds to us.
the wondrous mystery of Your salvation;
I have contemplated all Your works
and I have glorified Your great divinity.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Still the darkest of passions,
calm the sea of errors in your great peacefulness;
it was you who bore the guiding Lord,
and you who are the blessed Bride of God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Your depth of compassion
grant unto me as one beseeching you:
you have carried the compassionate One
the Savior of those praising you.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
We are thankful for all the gifts
which we have been given by you the spotless one;
and to you, we sing a hymn of praise,
knowing you to be the Mother of God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
As a hope and foundation,
and a wall unshaken of our salvation;
we have you, the all-lauded one,
and from afflictions you rescue us.
and with your arm most powerful
grant to us Your peace,
O You Who are the Friend of all.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Pure one, fill my heart with a merriment, a happiness;
bestow upon me your spotless joy,
for you have given birth
to Him Who is the Cause of joy.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Deliver all of us from the dangers, Theotokos, most pure,
for you bore the timeless Deliverer,
and you bore the Peace,
the Peace which has surpassed all thought.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Dissipate the cloud of my sinfulness, O bride of God,
with the brightness of your eminence;
for you brought forth the Light,
divine Light, Which was before all time.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal me from the ills which the passions bring, most pure one;
make me worthy of your guiding care,
and unto me grant health,
through your intercessions and your prayers.
and to Him I will confess my sorrows;
for many woes fill my soul to its limits,
and unto Hades my whole life has now approached,
like Jonah I pray to You,
O God, now raise me from corruption.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
From death and corruption He has saved
my nature, held by death and corruption;
for unto death He Himself has surrendered;
for which reason, O Virgin, please intercede
with Him Who is your Lord and Son,
from the enemies' evils deliver me.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
I know you as the protection of my life,
a steadfast shelter and refuge, O Virgin;
disperse the host of my many temptations,
and force away the demonic attacks from me;
I pray to you unceasingly,
from corruption of passions deliver me.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
We have you as a wall of refuge,
and our soul's most perfect salvation;
you are an aid, in affliction, O Maiden,
and in your light we rejoice to eternity;
O Lady, also now,
from passions and dangers deliver us.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I lie now on a bed of infirmities,
and there is no healing at all for my body
except for you, who has brought forth our Savior,
God, the Healer of all our infirmities;
of your goodness, I pray to you,
from corruption of sicknesses raise me.
all of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos;
after God, we all flee to you, for shelter and covering,
as an unshakable wall and our protection.
Spotless one,
who by a word, did bring to us the Word eternal,
in the last days ineffably;
do you now plead with Him
as the one with the motherly favor.
Again we pray for the servants of God ... (The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is being sung) for their health and salvation, let us ask.
Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
intercessor to our holy Maker, unwavering,
reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin;
instead, come to us, for you are good;
your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you:
hasten to intercede, and speed now to supplicate,
as a protection for all time, Theotokos for those who honor you.
(Repeat)
From the years of my youth, many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior,
assist me and save me.
You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty, for as grass in the fire, you shall
all be withered.
(Repeat)
You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty, for as grass in the fire,
you shall all be withered.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
By the Holy Spirit, every soul is made living, is exalted, and made shining through purification, by the Threefold oneness, in a hidden manner.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace are flowing, watering, all of the creation, granting life upon it.
(Repeat)
I shall remember Your holy name from generation to generation.
Listen, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father's house and the King will desire your beauty.
Your holy name: from generation to generation I shall remember.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom! Rise! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be with all.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
All: Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
Father, Word, and Spirit: • Trinity in oneness, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, • O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Put me not into the hands of any human protection,
O our Lady, most holy,
but do now receive the prayers of your supplicant;
sorrow has taken me, and I am unable
to withstand and bear the demon's darts;
shelter I do not have, nor a place to go, worthless that I am;
embattled from all sides am I, and no consolation have I but you
Lady of humanity, the shelter of the faithful and their hope,
do not reject my prayers to you, do the things that profit me.
No one is turned away from you,
ashamed and empty, who flee to you,
O pure Virgin Theotokos;
but one asks for the favor,
and the gift is received from you,
to the advantage of their own request.
The transformation of the afflicted,
you are the cure of those in sickness,
Theotokos, O Virgin;
save your people and your town,
you are the peace of those in conflict,
the calm of those in turmoil,
the only protection of the faithful.
All:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Through the mercy, compassion, and love for mankind of ✝ Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
once the young men did go to the land of Babylon;
the flame of the furnace, they trampled down while chanting,
with their faith in the Trinity:
O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
As you willed, O our Savior,
to dispense our salvation through Your economy
inside the Virgin's womb; You showed to all the people
that she was our own guardian:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
The Bestower of mercy
that you bore, O pure Mother, entreat on our behalf;
from sins deliver us, and from the soul's defilement,
we cry out most faithfully:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are you, our God.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
A Fountain of pureness
and a Tower of safety is she who carried You,
a Treasure of salvation and the Door of repentance,
she has been shown to those that cry:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The illnesses of body,
and the soul's ailing sickness, of those who run to you,
for divine protection, as God's holy Mother,
make them worthy of remedy:
for the Savior Christ was born from you.
and is hymned by the host of the angels;
praise and exalt Him
throughout the many ages.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Do not neglect those who seek the help you grant;
they hymn you, O virgin Maiden,
and they do exalt you,
throughout the many ages.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
O Virgin you pour a wealth of healing
on those who faithfully hymn you,
and those who exalt your
child-bearing wonder.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The infirmities of my soul are healed by you,
and the pains of my body, O Virgin,
so that I may praise you,
O Lady, in God's favor.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
You drive away the assaults of temptations,
and attacks of the passions, O Virgin,
therefore we do praise you
throughout the many ages.
hence we do confess you
to be most truly the birth giver of our Lord;
with choirs of bodiless angels,
you do we magnify.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
The streams of my many tears,
reject not, holy Virgin;
for you gave birth to the One Who dried all the tears,
from all the faces of people the Christ was born of you.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
With gladness fill my heart,
most-holy virgin Lady,
for you are she who received the abundant joy;
take the grief of my sinfulness, and make it disappear.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
A shelter and protection
and a wall unshaken,
become, O Virgin, for those who flee to you,
a sheltered cover and refuge, and a place of joy.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
OVirgin, from the brightness
of your light illumine
the ones who call you most piously God's Mother,
take all the gloom of our ignorance and banish it away.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Oppressed I am, O Virgin;
in a place of sickness,
I have been humbled; I ask you: bring remedy,
transform my illness, my sickness, into a wholesomeness.
The priest censes.
Truly it is worthy
to bless you, the Theotokos,
the ever-blessed and all-pure
and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim,
and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim,
the one who incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word,
truly the Theotokos, you do we magnify.
Higher than the heavens above are you,
and you are much purer than the radiance of the sun;
you who have redeemed us from the curse which was upon us;
the Lady of all people, in hymns do we honor you.
From the great multitude of my sins,
ill am I in body, ill am I also in my soul.
I am fleeing to you, the one who is all-blessed,
the hope of all the hopeless: please come bring help to me.
Lady and the Mother of Him Who saves,
receive the supplications of the lowly who pray to you;
mediate between us and the One Whom you brought forth;
O Lady of all people, intercede for us.
Now with zeal we chant this ode to you;
you, the all-praised Lady, Theotokos, we hymn with joy;
with the saints most holy, together with the Baptist,
beseech, O Theotokos, for God's mercy on us.
Speechless be the lips of impious ones,
those who do not reverence your great icon, the sacred one,
which is called Directress, and was depicted for us
by one of the Apostles, Luke the evangelist.
The Megalynarion of the Temple is chanted, then:
With the hosts of angels, God's messengers, with the Lord's Forerunner, and the Apostles, the chosen Twelve, with the saints most holy, and with you, the Theotokos, we seek your intercession for our salvation.
Holy ✝ God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy ✝ God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the ✝ Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have placed our trust in You. Do not be exceedingly angry with us, nor remember our transgressions, but look down upon us even now with compassion, and save us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we are Your people; we are all the work of Your hands, and we call upon Your name.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Blessed Theotokos, open the doors of compassion to us who have our hope in you, that we may not perish but be delivered from adversity through you, for you are the salvation of the Christian people.
Continue with Petitions (below)
Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden from the ages and unknown to the angels • was made manifest to those on earth through you, O Theotokos. • God took flesh in a union without confusion • and willingly accepted the Cross for our sake, • thereby raising up the first man • and saving our souls from death.
Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden ... (see above)
Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden ... (see above)
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for our Archbishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness, and remission of sins of the servants of God, of all pious and Orthodox Christians, of those who dwell and are in this city, and of the members and the council of this holy church.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for the servants of God ... (The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is being sung) for their health and salvation, let us ask.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for the protection of this holy church, this city, and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasions, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good God Who loves mankind may be merciful, gracious and favorable to us by turning and diverting from us all wrath and sickness impending against us, and deliver us from His just rebuke, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray that the Lord our God will hear the voice of the petition of us sinners, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Hear us, God our Savior, the hope of all those throughout the earth and those far out at sea; and be merciful, be merciful, Master, to us for our sins, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory: to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Priest: Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
All: Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Holy father, bless.
Priest: May ("He Who is risen from the dead," or other characteristic phrase), Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-blameless Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all praiseworthy Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of (the patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saints (Names) whom we commemorate, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is a good, and loving, and merciful God.
those who in their faith flee unto you,
with your strong hand you protect;
we who sin have no one else, who intercedes for us,
before God endlessly, in ills and all dangers,
for us who are laden with our many sins and mistakes;
Mother, of our God in the Highest
therefore we fall down to you, humbly;
from all misfortunes, keep your servants safe.
For those in great sorrow you are joy,
and for the oppressed a protection,
and for the hungry their food,
comfort unto those estranged; you are a staff to the blind,
visitation of all those sick and to those held by pain
shelter and comforting, and to the orphaned an aid;
Mother, of our God in the Highest,
you who are the Spotless One, hasten
save your servants from their sin, we ask of you.
from your servants, their many prayers;
and deliver all of us,
from all sadness and necessity.
before you, most-holy one;
Mother of our God,
guard me with care, within your sheltered arms.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy upon
us and save us.
All: Amen.
O you Apostles from far off,
being gathered together
in the village of Gethsemane,
lay my body in burial,
and You my Son, and my God,
receive now my spirit from me.
You are the sweetness of angels,
the gladness of the afflicted ones,
a protection of all Christians,
O virgin Mother of our Lord;
grant me now help and save me
from the eternal torments.
I have you as mediator
before God Who loves mankind;
may He not question my action
before the hosts of the angels,
I ask you, O Virgin,
hasten now quickly to my aid.
You are a tower adorned with gold
a city surrounded by twelve walls,
a shining throne touched by the sun,
a royal seat for the King,
O unexplainable wonder,
how do you nurse the Master?
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy upon
us and save us.
All: Amen.
There are other Paraklesis Services, identically structured and employing the same melodies, that are addressed to the saints, also seeking their intercessions before the Lord for the health and well being of the faithful.
The Paraklesis, is sung in times of danger, tragedy, sickness, temptation, or discouragement. The various hymns and prayers ask the Lord for salvation, deliverance, protection, guidance, and healing. Although these are addressed and directed toward the Virgin Mary and the saints, they ask for their assistance and prayers to the Lord.
All good things come from God, and Orthodox Christians always pray to God alone. Nonetheless, just as we ask one another to pray to God for us, or to join us in prayer to God for a particular purpose, so also we ask the saints in heaven, and especially the Virgin Mary, to pray for us. This is called "intercessory prayer," when we ask others, either on earth or in heaven above, to pray to God for us.
Orthodoxy affirms that each of us and all the faithful living on earth are united to one another as well as to the Theotokos, the saints, and the faithful departed in a bond of faith and love in Christ. Therefore, just as in this life we pray for one another and turn to each other for prayer, we also pray for the departed souls and turn to the Mother of God and the saints to pray for us. In structure, a Paraklesis is patterned on the order for Matins. The distinguishing feature is the Supplicatory Kanon to the Mother of God or to a saint whose intercessions are being sought. A Paraklesis is usually celebrated as a stand-alone service in the church with a priest. It can also be sung at any time and in any place in time of need, even by the faithful alone.
The Paraklesis may be celebrated at any times during the year, especially in time of particular need, at the request of one of the faithful, or even on a routine weekly basis in many parish churches. It is also traditionnaly chanted each evening during the Dormition Fast (August 1 through 14).
Service of the Small Paraklesis
Priest: Blessed ✝ is our God, always, now, and ever, and to the ages of ages.All: Amen.
Psalm 142
Reader: Lord, hear my prayer, in Your truth give ear to my supplications; hear me in Your righteousness.And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living shall be
justified.
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has humbled my life down to the earth.
He has sat me in darkness as those who have been long dead, and my spirit within me has
become despondent; my heart within me is troubled.
I remembered days of old, I meditated on all Your works, I pondered on the creations of Your
hands.
I stretched forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after You like a waterless land.
Quickly hear me, Lord; my spirit has fainted away.
Do not turn Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning; for I have put my hope in You.
Cause me to know, Lord, the way in which I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to You.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I have fled to You for refuge.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; You shall quicken me for Your name's
sake, Lord.
In Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction, and in Your mercy You shall
utterly destroy my enemies.
And You shall cut off all those who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.
God is Lord
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.(Psalm 117:26, 25)
Reader: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name. (Psalm 104:1)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
Reader: All the nations compassed me round about; and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.
(Psalm 117:10)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
Reader: This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 117:23)
God is Lord and has revealed Himself to us ...
Troparia
Tone 4
To the Theotokos, let us now run most fervently;
as sinners and lowly ones, let us fall down in repentance,
crying from the depths of our souls:
Lady, come and help us, have compassion upon us;
hasten now for we are lost, in the host of our errors;
do not turn your servants away,
for you alone are a hope to us.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
(Repeat the hymn above, or sing the Apolitikion of the Church.)
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Theotokos, we shall never be silent;
of your mighty acts, all we the unworthy;
had you not stood to intercede for us
who would have delivered us from the numerous perils?
Who would have preserved us all until now with our freedom?
O Lady, we shall not depart from you;
for you always save your servants, from all tribulation.
Psalm 50
Reader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to themultitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You only have I sinned, and have done evil in Your sight, that You may be justified in
Your words, and be victorious when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me.
For behold, You have loved the truth; the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom You have
made manifest to me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that are humbled shall rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and establish me with Your governing Spirit.
I shall teach transgressors Your ways, and the impious shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Your
righteousness.
Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; with whole-burnt offerings You shall not
be pleased.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not reject.
Do good, Lord, in Your good pleasure to Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You shall be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt
offerings.
Then they shall offer young bulls upon Your altar.
Kanon
Tone Plagal 4
Ode 1
Crossing the waters as on dry land,in that way escaping from the evils of Egypt's land,
the Israelites cried out lamenting:
let us sing to our redeemer and our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
With many temptations surrounding me,
searching for salvation, I have sought refuge in you;
O Mother of the Word, and ever virgin,
from all distresses and dangers deliver me.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Assaults of the passions have shaken me,
my soul to its limits has been filled with much despair;
Bring peace, O Maiden, in the calmness,
of your Son and your God, all-blameless one.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
To God and the Savior you've given birth;
I ask you, O Virgin, from the dangers deliver me;
for now I run to you for refuge,
with both my soul and my reasoning.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Diseased is the body and the soul;
deem me truly worthy of divine guidance and your care;
for you alone are God's Mother,
as the good and the birth-giver of the Good
Ode 3
The apse of the heavens, are you O Lord, Fashioner,and the holy Church's great Founder likewise establish me,
in constant love for You, for You're the height of our longing,
Support of the faithful, the only One Who loves mankind.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
A protection and shelter I have with you in my life;
you, the Theotokos and Virgin, pilot me towards your port.
For you are the cause, the cause of that which is good;
support of the faithful, the only all-praised one.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
I entreat you, O Virgin, disperse the storm of my grief,
and the soul's most inward confusion, scatter it far from me;
you are the Bride of God, for you have brought forth the Christ,
the Prince of Peace; O all-blameless one.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Having brought forth unto us the Cause and Giver of good,
your great abundance of kindness, pour forth upon us all.
For all is possible, for you who carried the Christ,
Who is mighty in power, you who are blessed of God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
With most serious ailments, and with the passions so dark,
I am being tested, O Virgin; come and bring help to me,
for I have known of you, that you are without fail,
the endless treasure of cures, only all-blameless one.
Troparia
Tone Plagal 4
Deliver us,all of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos;
after God, we all flee to you, for shelter and covering,
as an unshakable wall and our protection.
Turn to me,
in your good favor, all praiseworthy Theotokos;
look upon my grave illnesses,
which painfully sting my flesh
and heal the cause of my soul's pain and suffering.
Petitions
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy. Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians. Again we pray for our Archbishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness, and remission of sins of the servants of God, of all pious and Orthodox Christians, of those who dwell and are in this city, and of the members and the council of this holy church. Again we pray for the servants of God ... (The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is being sung) for their health and salvation, let us ask.Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Kathisma
Tone 2
A fervent prayer, and wall most unshakable,a merciful spring, and shelter of all mankind;
fervently, we cry to you: Theotokos, our Lady,
come to us and from all dangers now deliver us
the only protection who speeds to us.
Kanon
Tone Plagal 4
Ode 4
O Lord, I have heard ofthe wondrous mystery of Your salvation;
I have contemplated all Your works
and I have glorified Your great divinity.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Still the darkest of passions,
calm the sea of errors in your great peacefulness;
it was you who bore the guiding Lord,
and you who are the blessed Bride of God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Your depth of compassion
grant unto me as one beseeching you:
you have carried the compassionate One
the Savior of those praising you.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
We are thankful for all the gifts
which we have been given by you the spotless one;
and to you, we sing a hymn of praise,
knowing you to be the Mother of God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
As a hope and foundation,
and a wall unshaken of our salvation;
we have you, the all-lauded one,
and from afflictions you rescue us.
Ode 5
Lord, enlighten us, with your precepts that can guide our lives,and with your arm most powerful
grant to us Your peace,
O You Who are the Friend of all.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Pure one, fill my heart with a merriment, a happiness;
bestow upon me your spotless joy,
for you have given birth
to Him Who is the Cause of joy.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Deliver all of us from the dangers, Theotokos, most pure,
for you bore the timeless Deliverer,
and you bore the Peace,
the Peace which has surpassed all thought.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Dissipate the cloud of my sinfulness, O bride of God,
with the brightness of your eminence;
for you brought forth the Light,
divine Light, Which was before all time.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal me from the ills which the passions bring, most pure one;
make me worthy of your guiding care,
and unto me grant health,
through your intercessions and your prayers.
Ode 6
My petition, I pour out to the Lord,and to Him I will confess my sorrows;
for many woes fill my soul to its limits,
and unto Hades my whole life has now approached,
like Jonah I pray to You,
O God, now raise me from corruption.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
From death and corruption He has saved
my nature, held by death and corruption;
for unto death He Himself has surrendered;
for which reason, O Virgin, please intercede
with Him Who is your Lord and Son,
from the enemies' evils deliver me.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
I know you as the protection of my life,
a steadfast shelter and refuge, O Virgin;
disperse the host of my many temptations,
and force away the demonic attacks from me;
I pray to you unceasingly,
from corruption of passions deliver me.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
We have you as a wall of refuge,
and our soul's most perfect salvation;
you are an aid, in affliction, O Maiden,
and in your light we rejoice to eternity;
O Lady, also now,
from passions and dangers deliver us.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
I lie now on a bed of infirmities,
and there is no healing at all for my body
except for you, who has brought forth our Savior,
God, the Healer of all our infirmities;
of your goodness, I pray to you,
from corruption of sicknesses raise me.
Troparia
Tone Plagal 4
Deliver us,all of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos;
after God, we all flee to you, for shelter and covering,
as an unshakable wall and our protection.
Spotless one,
who by a word, did bring to us the Word eternal,
in the last days ineffably;
do you now plead with Him
as the one with the motherly favor.
Petitions
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy. Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians. Again we pray for our Archbishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ. Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness, and remission ofsins of the servants of God, of all pious and Orthodox Christians, of those who dwell and are in this city, and of the members and the council of this holy church.Again we pray for the servants of God ... (The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is being sung) for their health and salvation, let us ask.
Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory, to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Kontakion
Tone 2
A protection of Christians unshamable,intercessor to our holy Maker, unwavering,
reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin;
instead, come to us, for you are good;
your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you:
hasten to intercede, and speed now to supplicate,
as a protection for all time, Theotokos for those who honor you.
Anavathmoi
Tone 4
From the years of my youth, many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior, assist me and save me.(Repeat)
From the years of my youth, many passions combat me; but You, Who are my Savior,
assist me and save me.
You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty, for as grass in the fire, you shall
all be withered.
(Repeat)
You haters of Sion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty, for as grass in the fire,
you shall all be withered.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
By the Holy Spirit, every soul is made living, is exalted, and made shining through purification, by the Threefold oneness, in a hidden manner.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
By the Holy Spirit, the streams of grace are flowing, watering, all of the creation, granting life upon it.
Prokeimenon
I shall remember Your holy name from generation to generation.(Repeat)
I shall remember Your holy name from generation to generation.
Listen, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father's house and the King will desire your beauty.
Your holy name: from generation to generation I shall remember.
Gospel
Deacon:That we may be worthy to hear the Holy Gospel, let us pray to the Lord our God.All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Wisdom! Rise! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be with all.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Deacon: Let us be attentive.
All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
Priest: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
All: Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You.
Intercessory Troparia
Tone 2
Glory to the ✝ Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.Father, Word, and Spirit: • Trinity in oneness, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, • O merciful One, blot out the multitude of our transgressions.
Tone Plagal 2
Merciful One, have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to themultitude of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Put me not into the hands of any human protection,
O our Lady, most holy,
but do now receive the prayers of your supplicant;
sorrow has taken me, and I am unable
to withstand and bear the demon's darts;
shelter I do not have, nor a place to go, worthless that I am;
embattled from all sides am I, and no consolation have I but you
Lady of humanity, the shelter of the faithful and their hope,
do not reject my prayers to you, do the things that profit me.
No one is turned away from you,
ashamed and empty, who flee to you,
O pure Virgin Theotokos;
but one asks for the favor,
and the gift is received from you,
to the advantage of their own request.
The transformation of the afflicted,
you are the cure of those in sickness,
Theotokos, O Virgin;
save your people and your town,
you are the peace of those in conflict,
the calm of those in turmoil,
the only protection of the faithful.
Prayer of Intercession
Priest: God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; look upon Your world with mercy and compassion; raise the horn of Orthodox Christians, and send down pon us Your rich mercies: through the intercessions of our all-pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honorable, heavenly bodiless powers; by the supplications of the honorable, glorious, prophet, forerunner, and baptist John; of the holy, glorious, all-praiseworthy, and chief Apostles Peter and Paul, as well as all the holy Apostles; of our holy fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; of Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria; of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, Dionysios, Archbishop of Aegina from Zakynthos, and Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, the wonder workers; of the holy, glorious, great martyrs, George the trophy bearer, Demetrios the myrrh flowing, Theodore the recruit, Theodore the general, and Menas the wonder worker; of the hieromartyrs Ignatios, Polykarp, Haralambos, Eleutherios, and Kosmas Aitolos; of the holy, glorious, great women martyrs Thekla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotini, Marina, Paraskevi, and Irene; of the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; of our righteous and God-bearing fathers who were illumined in asceticism; of (the patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of (Saints of the day) whom we commemorate; and of all Your saints; we beseech You, only all-merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to You, and have mercy on us.All:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Through the mercy, compassion, and love for mankind of ✝ Your only-begotten Son with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Kanon
Tone Plagal 4
Ode 7
Coming out of Judea,once the young men did go to the land of Babylon;
the flame of the furnace, they trampled down while chanting,
with their faith in the Trinity:
O the God of our Fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
As you willed, O our Savior,
to dispense our salvation through Your economy
inside the Virgin's womb; You showed to all the people
that she was our own guardian:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
The Bestower of mercy
that you bore, O pure Mother, entreat on our behalf;
from sins deliver us, and from the soul's defilement,
we cry out most faithfully:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are you, our God.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
A Fountain of pureness
and a Tower of safety is she who carried You,
a Treasure of salvation and the Door of repentance,
she has been shown to those that cry:
O the God of our fathers, blessed are You, our God.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The illnesses of body,
and the soul's ailing sickness, of those who run to you,
for divine protection, as God's holy Mother,
make them worthy of remedy:
for the Savior Christ was born from you.
Ode 8
The King of heaven, Who is praised,and is hymned by the host of the angels;
praise and exalt Him
throughout the many ages.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
Do not neglect those who seek the help you grant;
they hymn you, O virgin Maiden,
and they do exalt you,
throughout the many ages.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
O Virgin you pour a wealth of healing
on those who faithfully hymn you,
and those who exalt your
child-bearing wonder.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The infirmities of my soul are healed by you,
and the pains of my body, O Virgin,
so that I may praise you,
O Lady, in God's favor.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
You drive away the assaults of temptations,
and attacks of the passions, O Virgin,
therefore we do praise you
throughout the many ages.
Ode 9
Saved through you, O pure Virgin,hence we do confess you
to be most truly the birth giver of our Lord;
with choirs of bodiless angels,
you do we magnify.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
The streams of my many tears,
reject not, holy Virgin;
for you gave birth to the One Who dried all the tears,
from all the faces of people the Christ was born of you.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
With gladness fill my heart,
most-holy virgin Lady,
for you are she who received the abundant joy;
take the grief of my sinfulness, and make it disappear.
Most holy Theotokos save us.
A shelter and protection
and a wall unshaken,
become, O Virgin, for those who flee to you,
a sheltered cover and refuge, and a place of joy.
Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
OVirgin, from the brightness
of your light illumine
the ones who call you most piously God's Mother,
take all the gloom of our ignorance and banish it away.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Oppressed I am, O Virgin;
in a place of sickness,
I have been humbled; I ask you: bring remedy,
transform my illness, my sickness, into a wholesomeness.
Megalynaria
The priest censes.
Truly it is worthy
to bless you, the Theotokos,
the ever-blessed and all-pure
and the Mother of our God.
More honorable than the Cherubim,
and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim,
the one who incorruptibly gave birth to God the Word,
truly the Theotokos, you do we magnify.
Higher than the heavens above are you,
and you are much purer than the radiance of the sun;
you who have redeemed us from the curse which was upon us;
the Lady of all people, in hymns do we honor you.
From the great multitude of my sins,
ill am I in body, ill am I also in my soul.
I am fleeing to you, the one who is all-blessed,
the hope of all the hopeless: please come bring help to me.
Lady and the Mother of Him Who saves,
receive the supplications of the lowly who pray to you;
mediate between us and the One Whom you brought forth;
O Lady of all people, intercede for us.
Now with zeal we chant this ode to you;
you, the all-praised Lady, Theotokos, we hymn with joy;
with the saints most holy, together with the Baptist,
beseech, O Theotokos, for God's mercy on us.
Speechless be the lips of impious ones,
those who do not reverence your great icon, the sacred one,
which is called Directress, and was depicted for us
by one of the Apostles, Luke the evangelist.
The Megalynarion of the Temple is chanted, then:
With the hosts of angels, God's messengers, with the Lord's Forerunner, and the Apostles, the chosen Twelve, with the saints most holy, and with you, the Theotokos, we seek your intercession for our salvation.
Trisagion Prayers
Holy ✝ God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.Holy ✝ God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy ✝ God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the ✝ Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Troparia
The Reader intones the following Troparia; from August 1 through 14, however, these are omitted and the Reader instead chants the Apolitikion of the day and the Thetokion of the tone (below).
Troparia
(Not during the period of August 1-14)
Tone Plagal 2
Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy on us; laying aside every excuse, we sinners offer this prayer to You as Master: have mercy on us.Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have placed our trust in You. Do not be exceedingly angry with us, nor remember our transgressions, but look down upon us even now with compassion, and save us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we are Your people; we are all the work of Your hands, and we call upon Your name.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Blessed Theotokos, open the doors of compassion to us who have our hope in you, that we may not perish but be delivered from adversity through you, for you are the salvation of the Christian people.
Continue with Petitions (below)
Apolitikion and Theotokion
August 1 through 14
On the Evening of August 1
Tone 4
You have been given a royal crown because of all that you endured for Christ our God, O first and holy martyr Stephen. You have put your persecutors to shame and have seen your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Do not cease to intercede for the salvation of our souls.Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden from the ages and unknown to the angels • was made manifest to those on earth through you, O Theotokos. • God took flesh in a union without confusion • and willingly accepted the Cross for our sake, • thereby raising up the first man • and saving our souls from death.
On the Evening of August 2
Tone 4
God of our Fathers, • Who always deals with us according to your everlasting compassion, • do not take away your mercy from us, • but through their prayers • guide our lives along the ways of peace.Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden ... (see above)
On the Evening of August 3
Tone 4
Your martyrs, Lord, in their struggles • have brought away the crowns of incorruption, from You our God; • by having Your power, they tore down tyrants; • and they shattered the feeble audacities of demons. • Through their supplications, Christ God, • save our souls.Glory ..., now and ... The mystery that was hidden ... (see above)
On the Evening of August 4
Tone 4
Let us come forth, O believers, and welcome the Transfiguration of Christ. Let us joyfully celebrate the preparation of this feast, crying aloud: "Truly the day of divine rejoicing has arrived, and has shone forth the radiance of Christ's divinity."
On the Evenings of August 5 through 13
Grave Tone
You became transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, • showing Your glory to Your disciples as they were able to perceive it. • Shine also upon us sinners, • Your everlasting light, • by the intercessions of the Theotokos; • O Giver of Light, glory to You.
Petitions
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy.All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for our Archbishop (Name), and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness, and remission of sins of the servants of God, of all pious and Orthodox Christians, of those who dwell and are in this city, and of the members and the council of this holy church.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for the servants of God ... (The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is being sung) for their health and salvation, let us ask.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray for the protection of this holy church, this city, and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasions, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good God Who loves mankind may be merciful, gracious and favorable to us by turning and diverting from us all wrath and sickness impending against us, and deliver us from His just rebuke, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Again we pray that the Lord our God will hear the voice of the petition of us sinners, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Hear us, God our Savior, the hope of all those throughout the earth and those far out at sea; and be merciful, be merciful, Master, to us for our sins, and have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For You are a merciful God Who loves mankind, and to You we send up glory: to the ✝ Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and to the ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Dismissal
Priest: Glory to You, O God, glory to You.
All: Glory to the ✝ Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Holy father, bless.
Priest: May ("He Who is risen from the dead," or other characteristic phrase), Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-blameless Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all praiseworthy Apostles; of the holy, glorious and triumphant martyrs; of (the patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; of Saints (Names) whom we commemorate, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is a good, and loving, and merciful God.
Troparia or Exaposteilaria
The faithful reverence the Icon of the Theotokos while the following Troparia or Exaposteilaria are sung. The Reader intones the Troparia; from August 1 through 14, however, these are omitted and the Reader instead chants the Exaposteilaria.
Troparia
Not during the period of August 1-14
Tone 2
All those do you shelter, O good one,those who in their faith flee unto you,
with your strong hand you protect;
we who sin have no one else, who intercedes for us,
before God endlessly, in ills and all dangers,
for us who are laden with our many sins and mistakes;
Mother, of our God in the Highest
therefore we fall down to you, humbly;
from all misfortunes, keep your servants safe.
For those in great sorrow you are joy,
and for the oppressed a protection,
and for the hungry their food,
comfort unto those estranged; you are a staff to the blind,
visitation of all those sick and to those held by pain
shelter and comforting, and to the orphaned an aid;
Mother, of our God in the Highest,
you who are the Spotless One, hasten
save your servants from their sin, we ask of you.
Tone Plagal 4
Lady, do you receive,from your servants, their many prayers;
and deliver all of us,
from all sadness and necessity.
Tone 2
My numerous hopes are placedbefore you, most-holy one;
Mother of our God,
guard me with care, within your sheltered arms.
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy upon
us and save us.
All: Amen.
Exaposteilaria
August 1 through 14
Tone 3
O you Apostles from far off,
being gathered together
in the village of Gethsemane,
lay my body in burial,
and You my Son, and my God,
receive now my spirit from me.
You are the sweetness of angels,
the gladness of the afflicted ones,
a protection of all Christians,
O virgin Mother of our Lord;
grant me now help and save me
from the eternal torments.
I have you as mediator
before God Who loves mankind;
may He not question my action
before the hosts of the angels,
I ask you, O Virgin,
hasten now quickly to my aid.
You are a tower adorned with gold
a city surrounded by twelve walls,
a shining throne touched by the sun,
a royal seat for the King,
O unexplainable wonder,
how do you nurse the Master?
Priest: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy upon
us and save us.
All: Amen.
