Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Iveron Icon

Audio:

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, we offer songs of praise to Thy servants, for by the coming of Thy honorable image we have acquired a strong shield, an invincible wall and a vigilant guard. You, as you have an invincible power, cover and protect us, Lady, from all enemies, visible and invisible, and deliver us from all harm, mental and physical, and let us call to You:

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Ikos 1

An intercessor angel was sent to quickly say to the Mother of God, when the lot of apostolic service fell to Her in the lands of Iverstei: “Do not be separated from Jerusalem, the lot that fell to You will be enlightened in the last days, You will also work in the lands where God wills You.”

In the same way, rejoice, because the Gospel is preached; Rejoice, Her idolatrous charm will be abolished.

Rejoice, for the power of the prince of darkness will be destroyed; Rejoice, for the Kingdom of Christ will be established.

Rejoice, you who have fallen into the darkness of idolatry to the light of the Gospel; Rejoice, bringing the children of God from slavery to the devil into freedom of glory.

Rejoice, ready servant of Your Son and God; Rejoice, you who heal the disobedience of Eve by obedience.

Rejoice, height of virtues; Rejoice, depth of humility.

Rejoice, even unfaithfulness knows the Creator; Rejoice, Her faithful ones are adopted as sons of the Father.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the Holy Virgin God’s wondrous and new providence for Herself, as a servant of the Lord, ever ready to do His will, cry out: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The incomprehensible mind of the angelic verb is reasonable to You, Most Pure One, creating the Lord, direct Your procession to Mount Athos, where You preached the Gospel, and thus Your lot appeared. We joyfully cry:

Rejoice, you who sanctified Athos with Your coming; Rejoice, you who have cast down the idols.

Rejoice, you who planted the true faith there; Rejoice, you who have driven away unbelief.

Rejoice, you who have chosen this Mountain as your lot; Rejoice, you who promised grace to this place.

Rejoice, faithful ones who live in her, giver of earthly blessings; Rejoice, supporter of their eternal salvation.

Rejoice, warm intercessor for those living in Your lot; Rejoice, all their enemies are intimidated.

Rejoice, you who promised the mercy of your Son to this place until the end of the age; Rejoice, foretold His grace to be everlasting.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High, through the intercession of the Mother of God of autumn, the Holy Mountain and its pleasures and wilds, like a vast village, is shown to everyone who wants to reap salvation in the monastic life, and never sings: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having a providence for Your lot, the people of the Iveron land, You have established in the place where You Yourself landed on Athos, the abode of their family, in a quiet refuge for those seeking salvation, who want to give her Your icon as a shield and fence, and everyone cries out:

Rejoice, you who sent a preacher of the Gospel to the land of Iveron; Rejoice, you who have turned this country from the deceit of idolatry to the light of Christ.

Rejoice, O branch of unfading roses, who bestowed a wondrous vine on Nina; Rejoice, you who from her grew a bunch of miracles and good faith.

Rejoice, you who planted a spiritual garden on Athos; Rejoice, you who sent a stream of spiritual enlightenment from him to the land of Iverstia.

Rejoice, Euphemia, golden-speaking lips; Rejoice, invincible fortress Tornikia.

Rejoice, strengthening of all the pious; Rejoice, guardian of monks.

Rejoice, quiet haven for those seeking salvation; Rejoice, you who prepare eternal peace for them.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 4

I stormed inside with doubtful thoughts, the honest widow, even in Nicaea, was dismayed, seeing with the spear of the iconoclast warrior the holy and revered icon of the Mother of God was pierced and the aby shed blood and, overcome by fear, so that the holy icon would not be desecrated, with a prayer she was cast into the sea. Seeing the water making its way right above and flowing towards the west, cry out with joy: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Seeing the monks of the Holy Mountain appearing in the sea like a flame, like a pillar of fire, its top reaching to the heavens, like a shining sun, and in the night they flowed to the edge of the sea and, seeing the holy icon of the Mother of God, carried across the sea by the power from above, they cried out to the Most Blessed One:

Rejoice, Kupino, foreseen by the Lawmaker; Rejoice, pillar of fire, guide those who are in darkness.

Rejoice, ladder reaching to Heaven, with which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, lead those who are from earth to Heaven.

Rejoice, dawn of the mysterious day; Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun.

Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Ineffable Light; Rejoice, having taught not a single person.

Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the entire universe; Rejoice, lightning, enlightening souls and illuminating the meanings of the faithful.

Rejoice, lightness, shining in the darkness; Rejoice, for you have illuminated enlightenment with much light.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 5

If you wanted to give your God-bearing icon to the Iversta monastery, you said to the Mother of God to St. Gabriel: “Go with the face of the monks to the seashore, go down into the abyss and receive My icon.” He, who is embraced by faith and love, walks on water as well as on dry land, is accepted into his arms and, having reached a treasure otherwise unattainable, is the property of the monks of his Iberian family, rejoicing, from the waist up: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Many times the monks saw the icon of the Mother of God from the temple at the top of the monastery gates onto the city wall carried by an invisible force, they were horrified and stood, calling to Her like this:

Rejoice, you who deigned to give us the holy icon; Rejoice, you who promised us protection to be.

Rejoice, you who have shown Your love for our monastery; Rejoice, you who showed good providence for her.

Rejoice, our help is in a foreign country; Rejoice, there is consolation in our journey.

Rejoice, God's favor is upon us; Rejoice, our boldness towards God.

Rejoice, deliverance of our tears; Rejoice, protector of the orphans.

Rejoice, our fence; Rejoice, our joy is one.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 6

The preacher of Gabriel doing His will, you advertised to him, the Lady: “I did not come to be kept from you, but may I be your guardian not only in the present, but also in the future. Behold, I give you a sign: until you see My icon in the monastery, the grace of My Son and mercy will not fail you, so that everyone may cry out to Him: Alleluia.”

Ikos 6

Great joy arose to those who heard Your promises, O Mother of God, and to You, the Heavenly Goalkeeper, the monks raised a temple at the gates of the monastery with joy and cried out like this:

Rejoice, our guardian in this present age; Rejoice, our representative in the future.

Rejoice, you who teach us the fear of God; Rejoice, instructing you on the path of virtue.

Rejoice, our boldness and hope; Rejoice, our hope and protection.

Rejoice, you who bowed down the compassion of your Son to us; Rejoice, proclaiming His grace to be with us endlessly.

Rejoice, you who gave the holy icon as a pledge of mercy; Rejoice, you who gave her the gift of miracles.

Rejoice, you who reflect all evil from the monastery; Rejoice, you who open the entrance to all good things.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 7

Sometimes the wicked Amira wants to destroy the Iveron monastery and scatter the flock of monks gathered there; soon she will recognize the strong intercession of the monastery from the Mother of God, seeing her ships mired in the depths of the sea and her warriors destroyed. And he came with humility, giving silver and gold to the monastery, asking for prayers. The foreigners, seeing this, cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

New and countless miracles shown by Our Lady, in the monastery, the shortage of wine, torment and oil, replenishing, healing demons, granting walking to the lame, sight to the blind and healing every ailment, and, seeing these miracles, they sing to You:

Rejoice, chosen Voevodo, conquering enemies; Rejoice, ambulance to the aid of those who call upon Thee.

Rejoice, you who do not despise our prayers; Rejoice, you who do not retreat from Your promises.

Rejoice, you who transform the sorrow of the monastery into joy; Rejoice, replenishing the depletion of the monastery.

Rejoice, recovery of sight for the blind; Rejoice, lame walking.

Rejoice, healer of all the weak; Rejoice, comforter of all the sorrowful.

Rejoice, for you do not cease providing and saving us; Rejoice, for you are delivering us from so many troubles.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 8

The Iveron monastery, strangely covered by the icon of the Mother of God, heard Patriarch Nikon, longing for the Russian country to receive Her grace; For this reason, having created a monastery in honor of the glorious image, carefully ask for an image of the miraculous image of the Mother of God, so that, protected by Her protection, they cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All beings in the Highest, but also not retreating below, You deigned, O Mother of God, just as the blessing of Mount Athos was granted to the Monk Anthony of old for the establishment of the Pechersk monastery, to grant Your grace to the new monastery in the Russian country, with which You blessed Athos, in the likeness of Your honorable image. We also appeal to You:

Rejoice, covering the Russian countries, spreading the clouds; Rejoice, the Orthodox faith is protected and confirmed in it.

Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, denunciation of heresies and schisms.

Rejoice, thou illuminating the whole country with the bright rays of miraculous icons; Rejoice, you who exude gifts of healing and mercies from them.

Rejoice, intimidation of enemies; Rejoice, joy of the saints.

Rejoice, praise of the priests; Rejoice, teacher of monks.

Rejoice, salvation of our entire family; Rejoice, faithful affirmation.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 9

Having every diligence in painting the honorable image of the merciful Goalkeeper, the host of Iveron fasters performs a prayer service, washes the table with water from the wonderful icon, on which the honorable image is to be depicted, and sanctifies the Venerable Jamblichus, who, having labored in fasting, prayer and vigil with all the brethren, is written down. Vapa, with holy water and consecrated relics, an honest image of the Mother of God, I took out praying and crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

We see the oracles of many prophecies, like voiceless fish, about You, Mother of God: for they are perplexed as to how to properly praise all Your miracles, revealed to our race from Your holy icon, since on the way to the Russian country this miracle-working, commanding the pious Manuel to give a ransom to the infidels who rebuke the procession of the holy icon to the Russian country, and giving it exclusively to him afterwards. We, marveling, truly cry out to Ti:

Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles; Rejoice, giver of all mercy.

Rejoice, always warm intercessor to God for us; Rejoice, His providences for us are treasures.

Rejoice, refuge for those in trouble; Rejoice, consolation for those who mourn.

Rejoice, healing of the sick; Rejoice, strength of the weak.

Rejoice, intercession of widows; Rejoice, merciful Mother of the orphans.

Rejoice, conversion of those who are astray to the path of truth; Rejoice, calling sinners to repentance.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 10

Wanting to save many people from troubles and sorrows, you, O Mother of God, exude an endless source of mercy from Your icon to our family: behold, in the capital city of Moscow, the good Goalkeeper appears to all who worship You, giving quick help, and in the new monastery of Iversty, streams of grace flow from Your icon You are issuing, and in other cities, abodes and places, those who honor You fulfill your useful request. Moreover, glorifying God, who gave us such grace, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Thou art the wall of the monastic rite, O Theotokos, and of all who come running to Thee, for the Creator of Heaven and earth, dwelling in Thy virgin womb, teach all the purity and chastity of the zealots to proclaim to Thee:

Rejoice, chosen vessel of virginity; Rejoice, purest image of chastity.

Rejoice, devil of seedless disgrace; Rejoice, unbridled Bride.

Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Sower of Purity; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord.

Rejoice, quick helper in a storm of temptation; Rejoice, reflecting the enemy’s accusations.

Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of harmful passions; Rejoice, purifying thoughts.

Rejoice, you who teach us to despise earthly pleasures; Rejoice, you who guide minds and hearts to heaven.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 11

All singing is overcome, striving to meet the multitude of Thy bounties; If we bring songs equal to the sand of thee to Thee, our Lady Theotokos, we accomplish nothing worthily, even as Thou hast given to us who cry out for Thee: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

As a light-receiving candle, appearing to those in the darkness of troubles, we see the holy icon of the Mother of God; For the immaterial fire of grace is received, illuminating everyone with rays of miracles, teaching one to cry out to the Blessed One:

Rejoice, quick help for all needs; Rejoice, quick hearing in sorrows.

Rejoice, thou who deliverest us from fire, sword and the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, freeing us from hunger and vain death.

Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and all-destruction of mortals; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and on the waters.

Rejoice, healing of mental and physical ulcers; Rejoice, you who receive those left by doctors into Your hands.

Rejoice, merciful consoler of all those who mourn and are burdened; Rejoice, not rejecting all the despised and rejected.

Rejoice, thou who snatchest away the most desperate from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, not leaving me with Your protection and intercession.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 12

Having desired the grace to give away the debts of the ancients, the Solver of all debts by man, came with Himself to those who had departed from His grace and, tearing apart the handwriting, gave us a strong God-gracious intercession, so that we all cry out with Her prayers: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your miracles, which are revealed to us in this life, we praise You, Mother of God, as an inexhaustible source of mercy. But, falling to You in front of Your miraculous icon, we humbly pray to You: give us protection and protection on the day of our death, and when the imams appear before the terrible throne of Your Son for judgment, and cry out to You:

Rejoice, who sits in glory at the throne of Your Son and remembers us there; Rejoice, forever reigning with Your Son and God and interceding for us.

Rejoice, you who give the end of life without shame to those who trust in You; Rejoice, you who arrange a painless and peaceful death.

Rejoice, deliverance from bitter ordeals; Rejoice, liberation from the power of the prince of the air.

Rejoice, there is no remembrance of our sins; Rejoice, in the Lord is our hope for a blessed life.

Rejoice, you who make a standing place for those who trust in You at the right hand of Your Son; Rejoice, thou who art worthy to hear the blessed voice of Onago, who promises the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Rejoice, good Mother, making all who honor You live with You; Rejoice, strong hope of eternal salvation for all Christians.

Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.

Kontakion 13

Oh, All-Singing Mother, Most Holy Lady Virgin Mary! Look upon us, who humbly offer these small prayers with tears before Your most pure image and have placed all our hope and hope in You, and deliver us from all troubles and misfortunes in this life and from future torments, so that, saved by You, we cry out: Alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Representative Angel...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Voivode...”.

Prayer

Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Listen to the much-painful sighing of our souls, look down from Thy holy height upon us, who worship Thy most pure image with faith and love. Behold, immersed in sins and overwhelmed by sorrows, looking at Your image, as if You were alive and living with us, we offer our humble prayers. The imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who mourn and are burdened! Help us the weak, satisfy our sorrow, guide us, the erring, on the right path, heal and save the hopeless, grant us the rest of our lives to spend in peace and silence, grant us a Christian death and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, a merciful intercessor will appear to us, may we always sing , we magnify and glorify Thee, as the good intercessor of the Christian race, with all those who have pleased God. Amen.

Prayer

A brief history of the veneration of the Goalkeeper

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

She is recognized by a characteristic detail - a bloody mark on the face of the Mother of God. It is believed that the blood that came out from the spear of the iconoclast fanatic was the first miracle performed by this truly unique icon. Miracles do not stop flowing from her even now.

According to legend, the image of the Mother of God, called Iveron, dates back to the 9th century. It was located in the home church of a pious widow near the Byzantine city of Nicaea. There was a troubled period of iconoclasm. Sacred images were thrown out of temples and destroyed. The imperial soldiers also came to the pious woman.

Seeing the large, beautiful icon, they demanded that the shrine be destroyed or that money be paid to them. One of the soldiers, mockingly, hit the image with a spear. It seems that he was not even bothered by the blood coming out of the dry wood. Saving the sacred image of the Mother of the Lord from blasphemers, the woman set it on the water, abandoning the fate of the shrine to the will of God.

The next appearance of the miraculous shrine is associated with Mount Athos. Near the Iveron Monastery, founded by monks from Georgia (Iveria), the monks once saw a pillar of light rising from the sea. Inside it shone a large icon of the Mother of God. Taking boats, the monks tried to get to the shrine, but they could not, no matter how hard they tried.

Only Gabriel, a monk from Georgia, was able to accept the shrine. The Mother of God Herself commanded him to do this. The ascetic entered the water, but it suddenly became hard under him, like dry land. The icon itself ended up in Gabriel’s hands.

The shocked Iveron monks placed the newfound shrine in a place of honor in the cathedral. But a short time passed and the icon disappeared. And soon she was found above the gates of the monastery. This happened more than once, until the Most Pure One appeared to Gabriel with the words:

“Tell the brethren: I do not want to be guarded, but I myself will be your Guardian in this life and in the future. I asked God for My mercy, and as long as you see My icon in the monastery, the grace and mercy of My Son towards you will not become scarce.”

Since then, the image has remained where the Mother of God willed, and received the name “Goalkeeper”. Iveron, as the location of the shrine is called, carefully preserves the memory of ancient events. At the place where Gabriel came ashore with the icon, there is a chapel.

The first lists of shrines for Russia date back to the 17th century. Patriarch Nikon himself made a request to the Athonites. Known images:

for the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow (1648);

for the monastery in Valdai, dedicated to the revered image (1656)

In Novodevichy, the icon was in the cell of Princess Sofia Alekseevna (nun Susanna), who was tonsured here. After the revolution, it was in the State Historical Museum. The Valdai image was lost with the beginning of the revolution.

Interesting fact

In total, throughout Russia, for the entire time that the Goalkeeper is known here, 170 churches and chapels of the miraculous image have been erected, most of them are now operational.

Some Russian cities made Iverskaya their “Goalkeeper” when a chapel in honor of the icon was built at the entrance. Among these cities:

Moscow; the chapel on Red Square was restored by 1995;
Tomsk; in the restored copy of the Moscow chapel there is a list of the image, specially made by Athonite monks in the 2000s.

Days of celebration of the Iveron Mother of God

Special holiday days are associated with the fate of the icon:

the second day after Easter - when she arrived at Iveron;
February 12 (25) – arrival of the list to Valdai (1656);
October 13 (26) - the date when the list of the image was met by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in the capital (1648);
April 23 (May 6) is a newly established celebration.

May

2012

The copy of the Iveron Icon, made on Mount Athos and brought to Rus' in 1648, was returned from the funds of the State Historical Museum to the Novodevichy Convent.

What do they pray for in front of this image of the Mother of God?

about strengthening faith;
about helping others;
about family arrangement;
about healing diseases;
in any need, sadness, sorrowful circumstances.

Iverskaya is an icon of hope, probably like no other. Maybe because her fate was not easy. Almost destroyed, having escaped drowning, it is a symbol of the power of God leading to salvation. The words of victory sound:

“Rejoice, good Goalkeeper, who opens the doors of heaven to the faithful.”

Natalya Sazonova.

Reading rules

You can pray to the Iveron image of the Mother of God and read the akathist both within the walls of an Orthodox church and at home. You can also order a prayer service at the church. For home prayer, they purchase a copy of the Iveron Icon and place it on the iconostasis. Before turning to the Mother of God while reading the akathist, it is recommended to go to confession, repent of your sins and receive communion.

Reading the akathist requires slowness and regularity. At home, choose a secluded place where the person praying will not be distracted. Traditionally, people pray while standing, but if a person’s physical capabilities are limited, the akathist can be read while sitting or lying down.

A candle or lamp is lit in front of the iconographic face of the Mother of God. Contemplating a burning flame, it is easier for a person to calm down and concentrate on the text. The akathist is read slowly, thoughtfully, with an understanding of the meaning of the spoken words. You cannot be distracted even mentally during the prayer service. All the attention of the person praying should be focused on the spoken words.

The forty-day cycle of reading the akathist will greatly enhance the prayer service. In this case, you need to pray daily, as well as attend services in the temple. Before starting the reading, it is recommended to take communion and seek the blessing of a clergyman. Orthodox Christians should lead a godly life and abandon harmful addictions. It is advisable to fast.

You need to read the akathist to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God with sincere faith, pure thoughts and accompany your prayers with grace-filled worldly deeds. The person praying must follow the Law of God, honor Orthodox traditions and lead a righteous lifestyle. A prayer filled with true faith will be heard in the Kingdom of Heaven.