Canons and akathists
The canon is a church hymn for glorifying the Savior, the Mother of God, the Most Holy Trinity; glorification can also refer to some saint or church holiday. The first canons were created back in the 7th century. The canons form the most important part of the church service, but Orthodox Christians can also read them privately, that is, at home. Certain canons must be read when preparing for communion.
An akathist is a chant of praise that is part of the liturgy, but can be read separately at home.
It sings in poetic form the most important moments from the life of the Savior, Our Lady or the saint to whom it is dedicated. From Greek, akathist is translated as “singing without sitting down,” however, an exception is often made for the sick and those who are very old and praying. Reading while standing does not allow you to relax and reduce the intensity of prayer, so at home you need to do it while standing.
An akathist addressed to saints with a prayer request is often read by believers, but first you must receive a church blessing for this, even if you read it at home and not in church. It is best to read it according to the Orthodox prayer book. As a rule, the akathist or canon is read at the end of the morning or evening prayer, at the very end before the prayer “It is worthy to eat,” but a separate reading of the akathist is also possible.
It should be remembered that first it is necessary to say special prayers before reading the akathist, and if we are talking about the canon, then the corresponding prayers before reading the canon.
Closing Prayers
After completing the reading, you need to say a short prayer:
It is worthy to eat, as you truly bless Theotokos, Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and Mother of Our God. The most honorable Cherub and the Most Glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, the real Mother of God, we magnify You. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy.
It expresses praise to the Mother of God, the Lord, the Holy Spirit, hope for salvation, a prayer of repentance is said 3 times.
Prayers before and after reading the akathist are very important for a person who decides to touch the Orthodox faith. But they must be read carefully and correctly so as not to distort the meaning of the words. Otherwise, there will be no benefit to the soul.
Reading the akathist by day of the week
With the orderliness characteristic of church life, an akathist reading with an appeal is provided for each day of the week:
- on Mondays - to the Guardian Angel or Archangel Michael - the head of the Heavenly Host;
- on Tuesdays - to John the Baptist (Forerunner);
- on Wednesdays – Akathist to the Sweetest Jesus;
- Thursdays – St. Nicholas the Pleasant (Wonder Worker);
- on Fridays - to the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord;
- on Saturdays - Our Lady;
- on Sundays - in honor of the Bright Resurrection of the Savior.
You can read the akathist to some other saint or icon, if you feel a heartfelt need for it; then you need to say about this when turning to the priest for a blessing to read the akathist. The text of the prayers you need can be found in the prayer book.
Origin of the Icon of the Mother of God “Vsetsaritsa”
There is no documentary evidence of the discovery of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary “The All-Tsarina”. However, the 8th century is considered to be the time of the founding of the monastery of the same name in the northwestern part of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). And in the 1530s, Metropolitan Athanasius of Nicaea presented the miraculous icon “The All-Tsaritsa” to the monastery of Simonopetra (Athos, Greece).
Now the revered image of the “All-Tsarina” resides in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Athos monastery of Vatopedi. The estimated time of its writing is the 17th century. In the first half of the 20th century, the image was located in the ascetic settlement of Novaya Skete, located near the Skete of St. Anna. The icon was brought to the Vatopedi Monastery by Elder Joseph the Hesychast (1898-1959). He wrote down the first legend associated with this image.
Once upon a time a young sorcerer came to the Holy Mountain from Cyprus. His goal was to test his “miraculous abilities.” However, when he was near the icon “The All-Tsaritsa,” an invisible force threw him to the floor, and the face of the Mother of God shone with a wondrous light. Having recovered from the fall, he began to cry and confess to the monks about his lack of faith and his practice of magic. After this, the former sorcerer confessed his sins and became a monk at the monastery.
Soon, miraculous healings began to occur from the image of the Mother of God, mainly from cancer.
Optina Pustyn
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Historical information about the icon
Icon service project
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations of the Mother of God and Lady of Heaven and earth, who delivers us from all needs, we offer thanksgiving singing. But You, All-Merciful Lady Theotokos, accept our earnest prayer, save us from famine and destruction, grant fruitfulness to our land, Nourisher and Spoiler of our fields and breads, so that we always joyfully call to You: Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us too, to the unworthy, the dew of Thy grace and show Thy mercy.
Ikos 1
The Creator of Angels chose Thee, the Lady, for the grace-filled salvation of people and gave Thee a Helper to people, delivering us from hunger and all kinds of misfortunes, arranging our life well in all peace and contentment. We also cry out to You with tenderness: Rejoice, grace-filled deliverance of people from all needs; Rejoice, help and intercession are at your disposal. Rejoice, you who save Christ-loving people from troubles; Rejoice, you who hunger for the Nourisher. Rejoice, Intercessor of the orphans; Rejoice, robe of the naked. Rejoice, thou who hast brought forth for us the Fruit of the Belly; Rejoice, O Savior who gave birth to our souls. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 2
Having seen Your Son, Mother of God, Your great mercy towards people, he says to You: “Ask, My Mother, I will not turn away from You, but I will fulfill all Your requests.” We, who glorify this wondrous providence for the human race, cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Heavenly intelligence was given to the pious elder Ambrose, instruct him to build in the monastery he created an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and call it the “Spreader of the Loaves,” for You, Most Holy Virgin, save Your people from famine, grant fruitfulness to the earth, send early and late rain to the fields and Our fields, You protect Your people from deadly harm and destruction. We also cry out to You like this: Rejoice, O Virgin, praise to Christians; Rejoice, for you are blessed by all. Rejoice, for You bless and spoil our bread; Rejoice, for You are delivering us from famine. Rejoice, who feeds us with the bread of life; Rejoice, you who fed the Nourisher of the Universe with milk. Rejoice, acquisition of the Immortal Fruit; Rejoice, O giver of our life, who gave birth. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 3
Strengthen us with power from above, O Blessed Lady, in the days of famine and destruction, so that we may not perish violently without repentance in despondency and despair, but strengthen and instruct us in patience and pleasing to God, so that in adversity and sorrow we understand His holy, good and perfect will, constantly praising God and crying out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having great love for people redeemed by the Honest Blood of Your Son and God, the Most Pure Mother of God, you received from Him the power to establish and cover the Christian race. You are an ambulance to the needy Helper, protection of hail and weight, villages and fields, and the whole world. To you, our Merciful and God-loving Mother, who organizes and governs our earthly life for salvation, we humbly say: Rejoice, Good Son of the Good Mother; Rejoice, unceasingly praying for the salvation and mercy of us sinners. Rejoice, O Christian Intercessor for the whole world; Rejoice, all blessings to the All-Blessed Giver. Rejoice, Nourisher of those captives and imprisoned prisoners; Rejoice, health to my body and salvation to my soul. Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise; Rejoice, for you prepare a haven for souls. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 4
A storm of contrary winds, when it suddenly comes upon us, thunder and lightning, hail and a lot of water rushes to the ground, then, O All-Merciful Lady, hasten to help us helpless, protect and deliver us from the rain, which we have created worthy of sin for our sake, and yes The fields and fields will be unharmed by these, and may no storm of water drown us. For you, sinners, imams, unashamed intercessor, we place our trust in you and, glorifying the power of your prayers, we call the Savior of the world born of you: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing and seeing Your compassion, Lady, for the distressed and perishing people, we, sinners, run to You and pray: O Most Holy Virgin, hear us sinners, and in the days when the sun dries up the earth and there will be a dry heat and the vegetation of the earth begin to fade, then, Lady, the dew of Thy grace was sent down on those who demand and ask for mercy, they made glad the face of the earth, the poor for the sake of Thy people, infants, and livestock, and all others who hope to give them food for a good time, and from Thy holy icon “The Controversy” “Show Thy mercy to those who cry out to You as follows: Rejoice, never-ceasing Prayer Book to Christ God, bowing His mercy to us; Rejoice, you avert God's punishment for our iniquities from our heads. Rejoice, protecting us from all misfortunes with Your maternal protection; Rejoice, saving our fields and fields from the burning of the sun. Rejoice, All-Merciful Hearer of the voices of our prayer services in sorrow and situation; Rejoice, you who save our homes from fire. Rejoice, O Majesty, our Helper in the days of difficult trials; Rejoice, quick deliverance from all troubles. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star, Your icon, Mother of God, shines unwaveringly for people asking for their daily bread, for with the protection of Your mercy you protect our fields and fields and make them bear fruit, struggling faithfully to cry out to Christ God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing Thee, Thy Son standing at the Cross with his beloved disciple, he says to Thee: “Woman, behold Thy Son,” and to the disciple: “Behold Thy Mother!” - giving You birth to all who believe in Him. But we, your existing children, trusting in your protection, dare to say to you, as our Mother: Rejoice, supplication of the Righteous Judge; Rejoice, forgiveness of our sins. Rejoice, our famous Hope; Rejoice, our unshameable hope. Rejoice, solution to our sorrows; Rejoice, our sorrows have been quenched. Rejoice, thou who changest the flame of passions; Rejoice, joy of all kinds. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 6
The Church of Christ preaches Your miracles, Mother of God, from East to West Your Name is praised, and there is no city or country where You have not performed the work of the Power of God, for the deliverance and salvation, enlightenment and healing of people named after Christ, especially through Your holy icons. work miracles, pouring out streams of mercy and generosity from them to humanity in need and in need of help. For this reason, we cry out in praise of Thee, Thy Son and our God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou didst dawn from the True Sun, O Virgin Mary, enlightening the souls of all who are tormented by spiritual hunger, for the Lord said: “Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” But our eyes are darkened and our hearts are hardened, and we do not see with our eyes and do not understand with our hearts the destinies of God. Tormented by spiritual hunger, we resort to You, Most Pure Virgin, and ask the Word of Life to quench our spiritual hunger, crying out to You like this: Rejoice, you who lift us up from spiritual poverty; Rejoice, Who nourishes us with the Word of Life. Rejoice, Most Holy Table, Who bore the Bread of Life; Rejoice, food, receiver of manna. Rejoice, Good Earth, who grew the divine class; Rejoice, O field, who increases the abundance of generosity. Rejoice, you who gave water to the stone for those thirsty for life; Rejoice, you who bestow mercy upon us. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 7
Wanting to reap salvation, as if you were a sweet village, you appeared to the Lady, eating from the Worthless, imams, eternal and incorruptible food. We, earthly beings, pray to Thee, Most Pure Virgin, show Thy power in the harvest of our fields and cornfields, when their time comes, and may all grain abound to comfort us, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
You have become wonderfully glorified, O Bogomati, in protecting Orthodox people. Those who rebel against God do not know how powerful the prayer of the Mother of God is. We, knowing Your all-powerful intercession, help and blessing, call to You with tenderness: Rejoice, you who crown farmers with pure hands and hearts with blessed fruits; Rejoice, sudden help for those in need amidst adversity and labor. Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans; Rejoice, Helper of all the helpless. Rejoice, Nurse of widows and orphans; Rejoice, you who give strength, food and joy to the sick and weakened. Rejoice, clothing of the naked of boldness; Rejoice, forgiveness of many sins. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 8
Just as in ancient times you contributed to the descent to earth of the Savior of the world, and now, like a radiant sun, you rise over a ripening field, preceding the coming of the Master and the Harvesters. To this we also cry out in fear: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
We place all our hope in You, Mother of God, and in our sorrows we diligently flock to Your holy icon “Controversy”, hoping to receive from You gracious consolation and help in our poverty and poverty, we cry out to You: Rejoice, great treasure of mercy; Rejoice, food and consolation for those who resort to You. Rejoice, uneaten bread of the hungry; Rejoice, quick hearing of the poor. Rejoice, pleasant care for those who grieve from hunger and need; Rejoice, thou who drawest us to the Unapproachable Light. Rejoice, key of the Kingdom of Christ; Rejoice, Hope of eternal blessings. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant to us unworthy the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 9
All people are amazed at the greatness of Your miracles, Most Holy Virgin, poured out by You from Your holy icons, as if You have granted everyone according to each request, built our houses, sent blessings to the farmer and given people every kind of contentment. We also cry out to Your Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The multi-prophecy oracles cannot sing of Your miracles, O Lady of God, as you extend a helping hand to the whole end of the earth and send down fruitfulness to the faithful of the earth, the blessing of the air and every abundance of fruits and earthly blessings. We, in our humility, confess Your great intercession for us sinners and unceasing help in our needs, crying out to You: Rejoice, worthily praised by the Archangel and Angel; Rejoice, magnified by all the Heavenly Powers. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub; Rejoice, Most Glorious Seraphim without comparison. Rejoice, Lady of Heaven and earth; Rejoice, Mother of the Eternal King. Rejoice, faithful Servant of the Lord; Rejoice, blessed one in Heaven and on earth. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 10
You are the saving refuge in sorrows and misfortunes, O Mother of God, so ask Thy Son and our God for mercy to us sinners, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall to those who praise Thy miracles, O Virgin Theotokos, and to all who flow with faith and worship Thee and Thy icon, “The Spreader of the Loaves,” called and saying: Rejoice, inexhaustible source of mercies and generosity; Rejoice, manifestation of Divine love. Rejoice, glorious miracles have been performed; Rejoice, you who labor and are burdened with sweet peace. Rejoice, thou who hast provided the patient sufferers with gifts of grace; Rejoice, consoling those who care for the temples of God with spiritual joy. Rejoice, our undoubted Hope; Rejoice, quiet and kind Haven. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 11
Do not despise our singing, O Most Holy Virgin, and do not shut the treasure of Your love from us; Extend Your generous hand of help to us, so that glorifying Your mercies and miracles, we sing to the Triune God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
With the bright rays of Your miracles you enlighten the whole Christian world and intercede for the Orthodox people, redeemed by the blood of Your Son, also falling to Your holy image, on which we see You, Mother of God, in the air above our fields and fields, blessing the collected sheaves of bread, we pray to You, All-Merciful Lady, The human race, condemned to bear bread in the sweat of their brow, to give birth in sickness and to feed their children in sorrow, mercifully spare and intercede. Grant us health and prosperity, so that, nourished by You, we will grow from strength to strength and we will all be filled with joy and consolation from the generous right hand of Your love, calling to You: Rejoice, O infants of the Mammal; Rejoice, you who praise God through the lips of children. Rejoice, Dew of Nebotochnaya in the heat of labor; Rejoice, you who provide prosperity to those in need. Rejoice, you who prepare abundance for those who ask; Rejoice, you who anticipate many requests. Rejoice, consolation of the sad; Rejoice, joy for those who mourn. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 12
Blessed help was sent down to us, Mother of God, and when the sower goes out to sow, let the seeds not fall along the way or in the midst of thorns, or on the stones, but on good soil. Make them rise, so that the earth may produce fruit a hundredfold, and we all cry out to God with joyful hearts and grateful lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and mercies, Lady Theotokos, we all praise You, for You are truly our Helper, Intercessor, Nourisher and House-Builder, organizing our life for salvation. We also cry out to Ti: Rejoice, you who give us imperishable wealth; Rejoice, undying cruelty to those who hunger for truth. Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those thirsty for life; Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise. Rejoice, saving refuge for the faithful; Rejoice, Thou who covert the world with broad clouds. Rejoice, unreliable hope; Rejoice, salvation for the desperate. Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with You, grant us, the unworthy, the dew of Your grace and show Your mercy.
Kontakion 13
Oh, All-Singing Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word! Having accepted our present offering, deliver the people who come running to You from all need, hunger of soul and body, deadly diseases and all evil and eternal torment, and with the faces of the angels we unceasingly sing to God: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Spreader of the Loaves”
Oh, Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, Merciful to the Lady, Queen of Heaven and earth, every Christian home and family, Blessing of those who work, those in need of inexhaustible wealth, the orphans and widows, and all people, the Nourisher! To our Nourisher, who gave birth to the Nourisher of the Universe and the Spreader of our breads, You, Lady, send Your Motherly blessing to our city, villages and fields, and to every house that has hope in You. Moreover, with reverent awe and a contrite heart, we humbly pray to Thee: be also a wise Housebuilder for us, Thy sinful and unworthy servants, who organizes our lives well. Keep every community, every home and family in piety and Orthodoxy, like-mindedness, obedience and contentment. Feed the poor and needy, support old age, educate babies, teach everyone to sincerely cry out to the Lord: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Save, Most Pure Mother, Your people from all need, illness, famine, destruction, hail, fire, from all evil conditions and all disorder. Grant peace and great mercy to our monastery, to the homes and families and to every Christian soul and to our entire country, so that we glorify Thee, our most merciful Nourisher and Nurse, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her icon called “The Spreader of the Loaves”
Troparion, tone 3
Most Pure Virgin Mary, Mother of the King of heaven and earth, look with compassion upon those who love Thy Son, Christ our God, and those who labor in His eternal name for the sake of salvation, and give them everything abundantly for their enjoyment. The Controversy gave them bread, relieving them of all needs and oppression, and arranging for them, Thy existing servants, deliverance from eternal torment and eternal life.
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Wonderful help from the icon “The Queen of All”
In the early 2000s, Svetlana learned that her father was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and metastases in the lungs. Friends advised the woman to ask the Mother of God for help in front of the icon “The Tsarina of All.” After visiting the Church of All Saints in Krasnoye Selo, Svetlana began reading the akathist “To the Tsaritsa” every day. Before the scheduled operation, her father underwent additional examination. A new diagnosis was made: a healing stomach ulcer. Darkening in the lungs turned out to be the consequences of bronchitis.
In 2002, man A., a resident of the capital, experienced a hypertensive crisis. To find out the cause of the incident, the young man underwent a tomographic examination of the brain. As a result, a tumor was discovered. A very difficult operation lay ahead. The man decided to go to the Church of All Saints, where a prayer service was held, at which the akathist to the Mother of God “The Tsarina of All” was read. During the control examination before surgery, the absence of a tumor was recorded.
Spouses Oleg and Oksana, residents of Krasnodar, had no children after living together for a long time. The treatment did not produce results. Having learned about the miraculous image of “The Tsarina of All,” they asked the Mother of God to give them a child and read the akathist. After some time, Oksana became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter in 2012.
