The holy and miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary was brought to the Vatopedi monastery by the blessed elder Joseph from Nea Skete. The Monastery of Vatopedi is one of twenty monasteries on the Mount Athos peninsula (Greece) and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It operates as a coenobitic monastery(a communal monastic community). As of 1999‚ it is inhabited by 80 monks and is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries of the mountain.
The first record of the icon’s miraculous powers is from the witness of Elder Joseph. One day a young man from Cyprus went to visit and entered into the church. At that point‚ the elder witnessed a glowing light radiating from the face of the Theotokos and an invisible power pushed the young man down to the ground. When the young man had recovered from his fall‚ he began to repent and weep and confessed that he did not believe and was a participant in the black arts. He changed his life and became an Orthodox Christian.
This icon is also known for working many miracles‚ especially healing people with cancer. There are many recent records of people who have been healed from cancer after participating in the Supplicatory Canon to the Pantanassa at the monastery.
Text from http://russian-crafts.com/russian-saints-icons/pantanassa.html
The following text was translated and set to meter by Fr. Vasile Tudora. Some of the text (especially the heirmoi of each ode) is based on the translation of the Small Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos from http://goarch.org/chapel/liturgical_texts/paraklesis. This has been done to ensure consistency with the current chanting practice in the Greek Orthodox Churches in America.
Pantanassa Paraklesis Booklet for parish usage
The Paraklesis to the Theotokos Pantanassa
Making of Joseph Vatopedinos.
Priest: Blessed is our God always‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Psalm 142
O Lord‚ hear my prayer‚ give ear to my supplications in Your truth; hear me in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment‚ with Your servant‚ for in Your sight no one living is justified. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness‚ like those who have long been dead‚ and my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your works: I pondered on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You‚ like a thirsty land. Hear me quickly‚ O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not turn Your face away from me‚ lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning‚ for in You I have put my trust. Cause me to know‚ O Lord‚ the way in which I should walk‚ for I lift up my soul to You. Rescue me‚ lord‚ from my enemies; to You have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do Your will‚ for You are my God. Your good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake‚ O Lord‚ You shall quicken me. In Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of trouble‚ and in Your mercy‚ You shall utterly destroy my enemies. And you shall destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.
Tone 4
God is the Lord; and has revealed Himself to us‚ blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Vs. 1. Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
God is the Lord; and has revealed Himself to us‚ blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Vs. 2. All the nations have surrounded me‚ but in the name of the Lord‚ I have overcome them.
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Vs. 3 This has been done by the Lord‚ and it is wonderful in our eyes.
God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Tone 4
To the Theotokos‚ let us run now most fervently‚
As sinners and lowly ones‚
Let us fall down in repentance‚
Crying from the depths of our soul:
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 the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Apolytikion ot the Pantanassa Icon
Tone 4
“Be quick to anticipate…”
O venerable icon of our Queen bestowing grace * on those who fervently seek your mercy with hope * Save them O Pure Virgin now. * Lift the hurdles of those who fall down to you for aid * In all the perils guard your faithful flock‚ * Who seeks your help * until the end of times.
Now and forever 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.
Then we read: Psalm 50
Have mercy on me‚ O God‚ according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassion blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity‚ and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity‚ and my sin is ever before me. Against You‚ You only‚ have I sinned‚ and done this evil in Your sight‚ that You May be found just when You speak‚ and blameless when You judge. For behold‚ I was conceived in iniquity‚ and in sin my mother bore me.
For behold‚ You have loved truth: You have made known to me the secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop‚ and I shall be made clean: You shall wash me‚ and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness‚ that bones which You have broken May 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 steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence‚ and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation: And establish me with Your governing Spirit.
I shall teach transgressors Your ways‚ and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness‚ O God‚ the God of my salvation‚ my tongue shall rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord‚ open my lips‚ and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice‚ I would give it: You do not delight in burnt offering. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit‚ God will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
Do good 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 bulls on Your altar.
Ode 1. The Heirmos. Plagal of the 4th Tone
Crossing the waters as on dry land‚
In that way escaping‚
From the evils of Egypt’s land‚
The Israelites cried out exclaiming:
To our Redeemer and God‚ now let us sing.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
With many temptations surrounding me‚
Searching for salvation‚
I have hastened unto you;
O Mother of the Word and the life giver
With your prayers deliver us Pantanassa
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Assaults of the passions and demon’s traps‚
Have your flock surrounded‚
Mother hasten to our help‚
As one who is above all the creation‚
With your prayers deliver us Pantanassa
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
To God and the Savior you’ve given birth;
Truly you are Mother
Of the Maker of all the world‚
Restore the health of those who call you‚
With your prayers deliver them Pantanassa
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Diseased is the body and the soul;
Deem us truly worthy
Of recovery in your care;
For you alone are God’s Mother‚
With your prayers deliver us Pantanassa
Ode 3. The Heirmos.
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 Friend of all.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
A protection and shelter‚
You showed yourself to the flock‚
With unceasing care O pure Virgin‚
from distresses deliver us.
For we are in great need‚
O Mother of Our Lord‚
With your dominion you save us‚
Only Pantanassa
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
We entreat you‚ O Virgin‚
Your humble servants in need‚
Receive our calling in prayer
For we have no one else‚
To intercede for us‚
Except for your supplications‚
To your Son and O pure Mother‚
Only Pantanassa.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Having brought forth unto us‚
The Word of God in the flesh‚
And a fountain pure of salvation‚
You showed yourself to all‚
Bestow your mercy now‚
On all those who need you
And save us from perils‚
Only Pantanassa.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
A treasury of giftings ‚
From Holy Spirit you are‚
O Theotokos and Virgin‚
Therefore we pray to you‚
To intercede for us
In all of our tribulations
And to save us from passions‚
Only Pantanassa
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 praise-worthy Theotokos;
Look upon my grave illnesses‚
Which painfully sting my flesh
and heal the cause of my soul’s pain and suffering.
(The priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is sung.)
Priest: Have mercy on us‚ O God‚ according to Your great love‚ we pray You‚ hearken‚ and have mercy.
People: Lord have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for our Archbishop (name)‚ our Bishop (name)‚ and all the clergy and the laity in Christ.
People: Lord have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for mercy‚ life‚ peace‚ health‚ salvation‚ visitation‚ forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God‚ all pious and Orthodox Christians‚ those who reside and visit in this city‚ the members‚ council members‚ contributors‚ and benefactors of this holy church.
People: Lord have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the servants of God. . . (At this time the Priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is sung.)
People: Lord have mercy (3).
Priest: For You are a merciful and loving God‚ and to You we give glory‚ to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
(After the petitions‚ we chant the following Kathisma:)
Tone 2.
Your protection is always upon us all‚
From illness and trials to save our souls‚
As we cry unto you:
Pantanassa our Lady‚
Hasten now‚
Your healing well pour unto us‚
The only physician who speeds to us.
Ode 4. The Heirmos.
O Lord‚ I have heard of
the wondrous mystery of Your salvation;
I have contemplated all Your works
And I have glorified Your great divinity.
Most Holy Theotokos‚ save us.
Hear us‚ Pantanassa‚
As we ask for your mercy for all in need‚
You have carried the Compassionate One‚
The Savior of those praising you.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
The hand of the hateful‚
Make it stop with their evil plans‚
You are the only help for salvation‚
Give us peace O Pantanassa.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You hasten the cure of‚
All the sickness of your servants now‚
As they sing to you a hymn of praise‚
Knowing you as the Pantanassa!
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
As a hope and foundation‚
And a wall unshaken of our salvation;
Having you as treasure Pantanassa‚
From afflictions do you rescue us.
Ode 5. The Heirmos.
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.
Clouds of trials now‚
Have surrounded me and I’m afraid‚
O most Praised hasten to my aid‚
You who carried Him
Who is our salvation cause and hope.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Deliver O Pure One‚
From the dangers‚ all your servants now‚
The Birthgiver of the Savior Christ‚
And the One who grants‚
Our salvation as we praise your name.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Extinguish the great flame
Of our passions with your prayer’s dew‚
Pantanassa we ask of you.
You who are the Mother of the Light
Of one essence with the Father from above.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Heal O Virgin Pure‚
All your faithful sickness and distress‚
Merciful and ever praying One‚
And grant to us good health‚
Through your intercessions and your prayers
Ode 6. The Heirmos.
My petition‚ I pour out to the Lord‚
And to Him I will confess all 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‚
From corruption‚ O God‚ now raise me
Most Holy Theotokos‚ save us.
From death and from perils save us all‚
Who faithfully seek you O Pure Virgin‚
And in great haste‚
Curb the strikes of the enemies‚
And drive them out from your flock we ask of you
O Pantanassa cause you can‚
As the Mother of Him Who created all.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
I know you as the protection of my life‚
A steadfast shelter and refuge‚ O Virgin;
Disperse the clouds‚
Of my many temptations‚
And relief from our debts you grant to us‚
Pantanassa‚ Mother of God‚
The help of the hopeless you are sure.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I lie now in great pain and in sorrow‚
And there is no healing at all for my body
Except for you‚
Who alone gave birth for us‚
To the Word the great price for creation all‚
Of your goodness‚ Pantanassa‚
From my sadness and sicknesses raise me.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
As a refuge and cause of salvation‚
And a treasure for all those who hymn you‚
With great longing‚
We fall to you Mother‚
And in your care we achieve liberation‚
Pantanassa‚ we ask of you‚
From corruption and dangers deliver us.
Deliver us‚
All of your servants‚ from dangers‚ 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.
The priest commemorates as before.
Kondakion. Tone 2.
A protection of Christians unshamable‚
Intercessor to our Holy Maker‚ unwavering‚
Please 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.
(Then the 1st Antiphon of the Anavathmoi of the 4th Tone.)
From the years of my youth‚ many passions combat me; but You‚ Who are my Savior‚ assist me and save me. (2)
You haters of Zion shall be put to shame by the Lord Almighty‚ for as grass in the fire‚ you shall all be withered. (2)
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 forever 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
I shall remember your Holy Name from generation to generation. (2)
Verse: 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.
I remember Your Holy Name from generation to generation.
Priest: Let us pray to the Lord‚ our God‚ that we May be deemed worthy to hear the Holy Gospel‚
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Wisdom‚ Arise‚ Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be with all.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: The reading of the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Let us be attentive.
People: Glory to You‚ O Lord‚ glory to You.
Priest: At that time‚ Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary‚ who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said‚ “Lord‚ do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her‚ “Martha‚ Martha‚ you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion‚ which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this‚ a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him‚ “Blessed is the womb that bore you‚ and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said‚ “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
People: Glory to You‚ O Lord‚ glory to You.
Tone 2.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Father‚ Word‚ and Spirit‚ Trinity in oneness‚ wash away my many personal offenses.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos‚ merciful One‚ wash away my many personal offenses.
Verse: Have mercy upon me‚ O God‚ according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my transgressions.
Prosomion. Plagal of the 2nd Tone
“? ?…”
Give the servants in your care‚
Your mercy great and abundant‚
And from perils save us all‚
O Pure Virgin for you brought us the God and Lord‚
From death you freed us all‚
Therefore we keep praying‚
Heal your servants suffering in pain‚
Forgive our trespasses‚
With your boldness Mother of the Lord‚
Save us all who pray to you‚
The comforter of all who cry aloud
Rejoice O virgin pure
For the Lord is with you.
Priest: O God‚ save Your People‚ and bless Your inheritance; look upon Your world with mercy and compassion; raise the Orthodox Christians to glory‚ and shower us with your abundant mercies‚ through the intercessions of our all-pure Lady‚ the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary‚ through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honorable‚ heavenly bodiless powers; of the honorable‚ glorious prophet‚ the Forerunner John the Baptist; of the holy glorious and all-praised Apostles; of our holy fathers the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers‚ Basil the Great‚ Gregory the Theologian‚ and John Chrysostom; Athanasios and Cyril‚ John the Merciful‚ patriarchs of Alexandria; Nicholas of Myra‚ Spyridon bishop of Trimythous‚ the wonder-workers; of -the holy glorious great martyrs George the triumphant‚ Demetrios the myrrhflowing‚ Theodore of Tyros and Theodore the Commander; of the holy-martyrs Charalambos and Eleutherios; of the holy glorious triumphant Martyrs; of our pious and God-bearing Fathers; of (the Saint of the Church); of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God‚ Joachim and Anna; of Saint (Name) whose memory we celebrate today; and of all Your Saints‚ we beseech You Lord‚ Who alone are all merciful; hear the prayers of us sinners and have mercy upon us.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (1’).
Priest: By the mercy and compassion‚ and love of Your only begotten Son‚ with whom You are blessed‚ together with Your all-holy and life giving Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Ode 7. The Heirmos
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.
Of our God the Birth Giver‚
From your icon you shine to your servants now‚
The radiance of the sun‚
And with your carrying kindness‚
You save your flock O Most Blessed One‚
O Virgin Pure and the Mother of the Savior Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
Those who praise you true Mother‚
They receive their salvation O Virgin Pure‚
From mistakes they are sheltered‚
And healed from all the sickness‚
As we cry out most faithfully:
O the God of our fathers‚
Blessed are You‚ our God.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
A treasure and a guardian‚
And a cover for all O Pantanassa‚
We venerate your icon‚
The well of many healings‚
And we praise you O Virgin Pure‚
With your Son you are blessed until the end of time.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
For the body and soul you‚
Give the healing we need One Pantanassa‚
To those who fall down to you‚
With guiding care and boldness‚
As the Mother of Him Who has saved us all‚
You gave Birth to the Savior‚ Christ our Lord and God.
Ode 8. The Heirmos
The King of heaven‚ Who is praised‚
And is hymned by the host of the angels;
Praise Him and exalt Him
Throughout the many ages.
Most holy Theotokos‚ save us.
The Mother and Queen who prays to You‚
Receive‚ O Christ God for your servants‚
So that we can praise you‚
As the King of all.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
O Virgin‚ you pour a wealth of healing
On those who faithfully hymn you‚
And those who exalt your‚
Childbearing wonder.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Godly Myrrh is your Son O Pure Virgin‚
And of well full of myrrh He has shown us‚
From your icon flowing‚
Myrrh of many wonders
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
You drive away the assaults of the enemies‚
And the storm of the passions‚ O Virgin‚
Therefore save the people‚
Calling you with hope.
Ode 9. The Heirmos.
Saved through you‚ O pure Virgin‚
Hence we do confess you
To be most truly the birthgiver of our Lord;
With choirs of bodiless Angels‚
You do we magnify.
Most Holy Theotokos‚ save us.
As a cause of salvation‚
We sinners sing you praises‚
And hymn your name into all the world‚
Of our Savior Birthgiver‚
O Virgin Chaste.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
The streams of my many tears‚
Reject not‚ Holy Virgin;
Who by your birth trampled down the sting of death‚
The only one deemed as worthy
Of the gifts of Grace.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
A vessel with joy bursting‚
You’re worthy to be given‚
As the Mother of Him Who has all the joy‚
And from our sadness you save us‚
With your prayers now.
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
A haven are your prayers‚
For all the people calling‚
You save and shelter‚ O Virgin‚ please intercede‚
For Christ our God and our Savior‚
You have shown to the world.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The darkness of my passions‚
Illumine with your radiance‚
Of your pure face Virgin chaste we ask of you‚
For in our faith we all call you
The Mother of the Light.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
The pain and all the sorrow‚
And all the shameful weakness‚
To all that suffer you heal as we pray to you‚
For all who seek O Pure Virgin‚
Your shelter and your care.
Truly you are worthy to be blessed‚
Mother of our God‚ the Theotokos‚
You the ever blessed one‚ and all blameless one‚
And the Mother of our God.
You are honored more than the Cherubim‚
And you have more glory‚ when compared‚ to the Seraphim;
You‚ without corruption‚
Did bear God‚ the Logos;
You are the Theotokos;
You do we magnify.
(The priest censes the altar and the people‚ or the place where the Paraklesis is held‚ while we chant the following megalynaria.)
Higher than the heavens above are you‚
And you are much purer
Than the heavens and all above;
When you carried the Lord
You became a flaming chariot
O Virgin of all people‚
You who gave birth to God.
You have given birth
To the heaven’s King
And you have ascended
Over all the created beings
We are calling your name‚
Pantanassa and Virgin‚
You do we magnify
See Most Holy Virgin
My weakness now‚
Acknowledge all my sorrow‚
O most gracious Pantanassa‚
Cure my heart that’s aching
And with love for mankind
Leave all my sins aside.
Enlighten my dark thinking
Mother of Light‚
When I pray unto you
Just before my whole life is spent
And at my deathly hour
O Most Virgin Pantanassa
Place me into the light
With the hosts of Angels‚ God’s messengers‚
With the Lord’s Forerunner‚
And Apostles‚ the chosen twelve‚
With the saints most holy‚
And with you‚ the Theotokos‚
We seek your intercession
For our salvation.
People: Holy God‚ Holy Mighty‚ Holy Immortal‚ have mercy upon us (3).
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Most holy Trinity‚ have mercy upon us; Lord‚ pardon our sins; Master‚ forgive our transgressions; Holy One‚ visit and heal our infirmities‚ for Your name’s sake.
Lord have mercy (3).
Glory to the Father‚ and the Son and the Holy Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father‚ Who art in heaven‚ 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 evil.
Priest: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory‚ of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(Then we chant the following troparia;)
Plagal of the 2nd Tone.
Have mercy on us‚ O Lord‚ have mercy on us‚
For we are empty of all defense‚
As sinners we offer this supplication to You;
O Master‚ have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lord‚ have mercy on us‚
For in You we have put our trust;
Be not exceedingly angry with us‚
Nor remember our many iniquities;
But look upon us now as the Compassionate‚
And deliver us from our enemies;
For You are our God‚ and we Your people‚
We are all the work of Your hands‚
And upon Your Name we have now called.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Theotokion
The doors of caring do now open unto us‚
O most blessed Theotokos‚
So that hoping in you we shall not fail;
Through you we May be delivered from adversities‚
For you are the salvation of the Christian faith.
(During the period from the 1st to the 14th of August‚ instead of the above Troparia‚ the Apolytikion of the day and the Theotokion of the tone are chanted.)
Priest: Have mercy on us‚ O God‚ according to your great love‚ we pray to you‚ hear us‚ and have mercy.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for our Archbishop (name)‚ and our Bishop (name)‚ and all the clergy and the laity in Christ.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for mercy‚ life‚ peace‚ health‚ salvation‚ visitation‚ forgiveness‚ and remission of the sins of the servants of God‚ all pious and Orthodox Christians‚ those who reside and visit in this city‚ the members‚ council members‚ contributors‚ and benefactors of this holy church.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the servants of God … (at this time the Priest commemorates those for whom the Paraklesis is sung.)
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray for the safekeeping of this holy church and this city‚ and of all cities and towns from pestilence‚ famine‚ earthquake‚ flood‚ fire and the sword‚ from invasion of enemies‚ civil war‚ and unforeseen death; for His mercy‚ that He will be kind to entreat as our good God‚ Who loves all people and that He May turn away and scatter all wrath and disease that moves against us‚ and deliver us from His impending‚ justified chastisement‚ and have mercy on us.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Again we pray that the Lord God will hear the voices of the petitions of us sinners and have mercy on us.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: Hear us‚ O God‚ our Savior‚ the hope of all the ends of the earth‚ and of those who are far off upon the sea; and show compassion on us‚ O Master‚ on our many sins‚ and have mercy upon us.
People: Lord‚ have mercy (3).
Priest: For you are a merciful and loving God‚ and to You we give glory‚ to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit‚ now and forever and to the ages of the ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Glory to You‚ O God‚ our hope‚ glory to You. May Christ our true God‚ through the intercessions of Your all-pure and blameless holy Mother; of the holy glorious and praise-worthy Apostles; of the holy glorious and triumphant martyrs; of (the Saint of the Church); of the holy righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; of Saint (name) whose memory we celebrate today; and of all the Saints‚ have mercy and save us‚ as a good and loving God.
The Christian faithful reverence the icon of the Theotokos while the following troparia are chanted.
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‚ praying endlessly‚
In ills and all dangers‚
For us who are laiden with
Our many sins and mistakes;
Mother‚ of our God in the Highest‚
Therefore‚ we fall down to you‚ humbly;
From all the misfortunes‚ keep your servants safe.
The same
For those
I n 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 a 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.
Plagal of the 4th Tone
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 placed
Before you‚ most holy One;
Mother of our God‚
Guard me with care‚ within your sheltered arms.
During the period from the 1st to the 15th of August‚ instead of chanting the previous Theotokion‚ we chant the following Exsapostilaria:
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 of 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 and save us.
© 2011 Saint John the Baptist
Greek Orthodox Church
Euless‚ TX