Orthodox and church holidays and fasts
Today is an Orthodox church holiday: * Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised (memory of the miracle by which Orthodoxy was established, 451). * Equal to the Apostles Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, in holy baptism Helena (969) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... Tomorrow:
* Martyrs Proclus and Hilary (c. 98-117).
* St. Michael Malein (962) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... Holidays are expected: 07/26/2021
- * Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel.
* St. Stephen Savvait (794) and other saints whose names we remember on this day... 07.27.2021
- * Apostle Aquila of the 70 (I) and other saints whose names we remember on this day...
07.28.2021
- * Martyrs of Kirik and Julitta, his mother (c. 305). *** Equal to the Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, in holy baptism Vasily, Baptist of Rus' (1015) and other saints whose names we remember on this day...
All Orthodox and church holidays and fasts...
Orthodox Saints of God
The holy saints of God show special love and mercy to those who honor their holy memory.
It seems to many that the saints are far from us. But they are far from those who have withdrawn themselves, and very close to those who keep the commandments of Christ and have the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The holy saints in their earthly life turned to God for help in healing their ailments, sorrows and deliverance from temptations, asking God that even after death He would honor them with the gift of helping people in various cases of life.
The saints have reached the Heavenly Kingdom and there they see the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ; but by the Holy Spirit they also see the suffering of people on earth. Many holy saints of God received special grace from God, and He deigned them to be intercessors before Him for deliverance from our sorrows and bodily ailments, in which they themselves were tempted.
The saints rejoice at our repentance and mourn when people leave God and become like foolish cattle. They feel sorry that people live on earth, not knowing that if they loved each other, then there would be freedom from sin on earth: and where there is no sin, there is joy and gladness from the Holy Spirit, so that, wherever you look, everything sweet, and the soul wonders why it feels so good, and praises God. The saints hear our prayers and have the power from God to help us. The entire Christian race knows about this. We must remember: in order for a prayer to be heard, one should pray to the holy saints of God with faith in the power of their intercession before God, in words coming from the heart.
In our prayers we turn to the Lord God, to His Most Pure Mother - our Intercessor and Helper, to the holy Angels and holy people - the saints of God, because for their sake the Lord God is more likely to hear us sinners, our prayers. The Saints have different names: prophets, apostles, martyrs, saints, saints, unmercenaries, blessed, righteous, confessors. more>>
The Lord says: “When you light a candle, you do not put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to everyone in the house. So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-16). Saints are bright stars that show us the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let us treasure the closeness of the holy saints of God to God and turn to them for help, remembering that they love us and care about our salvation. It is good to pray to the holy saints of God on those days when the Church celebrates their memory.
«Holy Saints of God, pray to God for us!»
Saints: life, memory, suffering...
Icon of the Mother of God "Tikhvin"
AKATHIST
THE HOLY VIRGIN IN HONOR OF HER “TIKHVINSKAYA” ICON
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, let us sing a song of thanksgiving about the appearance of Her wondrous icon, to which those who flow constantly are delivered from enemies visible and invisible.
But You, Lady of heaven and earth, as a merciful Mother, now accept this little prayer of ours and never fail to grant us Your mercy and intercession, protecting us from all troubles and misfortunes, calling to You: Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God Intercessor.
Ikos 1
The faces of angels jubilantly serve You, Lady, and in reverence for You, who carried the Creator of visible and invisible creatures in Your hand, they carry Your icon from place to place. We, earthly beings, marveling at the wonderful appearance of Your icon, carried by Angels, cry out to You:
Rejoice, highest of all Heavenly Powers; Rejoice, surpassing all ranks of angels.
Rejoice, most honorable Cherub; Rejoice, most glorious without comparison Seraphim.
Rejoice, joy of the Angels; Rejoice, praise of the heavenly faces.
Rejoice, sung by the Angels; Rejoice, glorified by the Seraphim.
Rejoice, worshiped Archangel; Rejoice, honored by the armies of heaven.
Rejoice, honored by the Angel in Your icon; Rejoice, carried in Your visible image by invisible forces.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the fisherman over the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light like the sun, Your shining icon, Mother of God, with the Eternal Child, who called the fishermen to catch the world in the net of salvation, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind of the wondrous appearance of Your icon allowed people to understand in search, realizing that the most honorable icon, revered in Constantinople, was given as an inheritance to the Russian family. Moreover, in gratitude for Your mercy to our family, we cry out to You:
Rejoice, Mother of True Life; Rejoice, having healed Eve’s disobedience through Your obedience.
Rejoice, you who opened the closed Eden; Rejoice, thou who hast revealed to the world the Crusher of the head of the serpent.
Rejoice, thou who bore the ark of the Destroyer of the World; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the drowning of sin.
Rejoice, ladder, from which God descended; Rejoice, you who raise the earthly to heaven.
Rejoice, you who drowned the mental sea of Pharaoh; Rejoice, thou bush that was not scorched by the fire of the Divine that entered into Thee.
Rejoice, tablet written by God; Rejoice, stone, who poured out the water of life to the thirsty.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has overshadowed the country of Tikhvin, always with the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, often appearing and sanctifying the land for a temporary stay, stirring up the erection of churches of saints, so that the name of the Lady may be glorified for the glory of the Trinitarian God, to whom we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the good will, the people of the Tikhvin country desire Your presence with them and remember Your protection, You showed Your icon in many parts, until You indicated God’s chosen place of its residence. Moreover, Ti miraculously cries:
Rejoice, Tabernacle, in Neizha the physical Divinity dwells; Rejoice, holy of holies, in the one and only Neuzha the eternal Bishop has appeared.
Rejoice, thou art gilded by the Spirit, who bore the Lawgiver; Rejoice, lamp kindled by the Divine fire.
Rejoice, you who bore the manna of the life of Christ; Rejoice, table, containing animal bread.
Rejoice, thou who possessest the coal of the Divinity in the censer, and who hath fragrantly fragrant the whole world; Rejoice, rod, Vegetated color of Christ.
Rejoice, pillar, leading to an eternal inheritance; Rejoice, cloud, covering from enemies visible and invisible.
Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, fleece, for Christ is worthless, like rain descended from heaven.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 4
Eagerly to quench the storm of confusion and sorrow, faithful people cry out to the Lord: show us the divine gift that you sent to the philanthropic country of Russia, do not hide the treasures with which we hope to enrich our spiritual poverty, transform our sadness into joy, wipe away tears and sobs. And having achieved what she wanted, she cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the joyful discovery of the shepherd of his flock and the Mother of the Chief Shepherd who fell in the Tikhvin countries, he built a temple in honor of the newly appeared icon of Her, and established presbyters, and glorifying the Mother of God, they cried out to Her:
Rejoice, Daughter, who inclined her ear to the voice of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, for the ancestral lamentation was destroyed by Your Nativity.
Rejoice, Bride, who the Heavenly King desired for kindness; Rejoice, Queen, who has appeared at the right hand of the King.
Rejoice, adorned with golden robes and possessing all the glory within; Rejoice, leading many into the palace of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, apple, whose fragrance is smelled by the whole world; Rejoice in the beauty of purity, shine with brilliance.
Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, poured out to the whole world; Rejoice, royal purple, flesh of the Creator of all, from Your virgin blood.
Rejoice, living, sealed source, flowing out the Water of life; Rejoice, mental grape, growing Divine Grape.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 5
Your God-bearing star has appeared, Your icon, Mother of God, flowing around the entire country of Tikhvin and illuminating those in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, illuminating those who mourn with joy, and instructing those who go astray on the path of doing the commandments of Your Son and God, and we cry out to Him in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing George on a treasure of wood, a woman seated, holding a scarlet rod in her hands and shining with an indescribable light, standing before her, talking with the wondrous Saint, who through the fragrance of grace knew You, the Mother of God, who received the sensual form and Saint Nicholas standing before You, and cried out with trepidation:
Rejoice, house which the Wisdom of God created for Himself to inhabit; Rejoice, O Virgin, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
Rejoice, rod of Jesse, from the worthless color of Christ God; Rejoice, Unmarried Bride, who by the overshadowing of the Spirit conceived a Son.
Rejoice, O witch, in whom the Word of the Father was written with the finger of the Father; Rejoice, sealed book of virginity, given to Joseph for safekeeping.
Rejoice, mystical mite, who received the coal of the Divine in her belly; Rejoice, exalted throne, on which Christ is seated in flesh.
Rejoice, light cloud, on which the Lord of glory came; Rejoice, gates closed, in the image of Christ alone I passed through.
Rejoice, uncut mountain, from which the cornerstone was cut off, O Christ; Rejoice, fiery cave, who unburntly received the fire of the Divine.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of Your visible stay in the country of Tikhvinstya and the wondrous work about it, the pious George proclaimed Your appearance and Your will to the people, and those who disobeyed miracles were admonished to glorify You, the Lady, and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You deigned to shine the light of the knowledge of God with the appearance of Your icon, and You deigned to desire the light of monastic life, O Mother of God, at the place of the appearance of Your icon, so that the faces of the monks cry out to You incessantly:
Rejoice, fruitful vegetation of the barren root; Rejoice, dedicated to God from infancy.
Rejoice, you who were raised in the holy temple; Rejoice, ignorant of God.
Rejoice, adorned with all virtues; Rejoice, luminous chamber, prepared for the Lady.
Rejoice, purified by the grace of God; Rejoice, since the beginning of time you have been chosen to be the head of our salvation.
Rejoice, Bride of the heavenly Architect, entrusted to the earthly tecton for safekeeping; Rejoice, you who magnified little Nazareth with your presence.
Rejoice, praise of the powers above; Rejoice, glory to all earth-born.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 7
For those who want to strive in solitude for the monks Martyrios and Cyril, and to please God through their labors and monastic exploits, you showed the way to the place of the desired feat in a pillar of fire and in a voice. Having recognized Thee as the good Hodegetria traveling with them, they cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new source of miracles in the country to the north has appeared Your icon of Tikhvin, the Most Holy Lady, unapologetically granting healing to all who come with faith: the blind see, the dumb are speechless, the deaf hear, the weakening is restored, the demoniac are freed from the bonds of demons. In the same way, glorifying Thee, we cry out:
Rejoice, for the Father’s favor rests on You; Rejoice, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for in You the Son of God has become incarnate, the Savior of the world; Rejoice, ineffable advice to the Mystery.
Rejoice, you who received the gospel from the Angel; Rejoice, you angels, rejoice, you who have brought joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, for the Lord is with You; Rejoice, for through You all those born on earth have drawn closer to God.
Rejoice, Blessed One among women; Rejoice, you who have bestowed blessings on all wives.
Rejoice, Mother, who remained a Virgin before and after Christmas; Rejoice, firstfruits of the honor and glory of virginity.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 8
The miracle of the appearance of Your image, Lady, is strange, and unspeakably, it surprises the worldly and horrifies the earthly, and at the same time it enlightens the grace of Christ our God, born of You. It is also strange that the monastery will be defended by enemies who boasted of destroying Your property. For this reason we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are all in the highest, Lady, but You do not abandon those below, protecting Your abode like a wall and a visor, with Your honorable icon. For Thou didst proclaim, when the enemy invaded, that people might take Thy icon and walk around the walls around, and see the mercy of God. In the same way, through Your deliverance from the enemy, I cried out to You:
Rejoice, Mother of Your Creator and Lord; Rejoice, even for the sake of the baby John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth.
Rejoice, blessed one from all generations; Rejoice, sublime in humility.
Rejoice, thou who bestowed heavenly joy and earthly peace by Thy birth; Rejoice, you who received praise from the Angels, magnification from the shepherds, who received the worship of Your birth from the Magi.
Rejoice, Thou who nourished the one above with milk and the one below with Thy Nourishing grace; Rejoice, you who wrapped Him in swaddling clothes around Him who dresses with light like a robe.
Rejoice, you who carried the whole world in your hand; Rejoice, you who brought the Sanctification of the temple to the temple.
Rejoice, blessed by Simeon; Rejoice, glorified by Anna the prophetess.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 9
Of every angelic nature of the purest essence, Lady, the monastery, created for the sake of Your coming, the icon was created from the uncleanness of sin, which was near destruction, but was cleansed by repentance, like a general Prayer Book for the Christian race, You delivered from enemies, in the likeness of unclean animals, undermining those who worked. Let us also cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
They are perplexed by the multi-proclamation to sing the multitude of Your miracles, O Lady, and the secrets of Your structure of salvation for people: both through goodness and through visiting punishments, you guided people on the path of salvation. Having preserved the previously invincible monastery from visible enemies, You deigned to cleanse the invisible enemy from the wounds of the invisible enemy with fiery cleansing, admonishing that purity, abstinence and heartfelt prayers are more pleasing to You than the praise of a single mouth. We also cry out to You:
Rejoice, thou who sanctified Egypt by Thy coming; Rejoice, thou who glorified the country of Galilee by Thy presence.
Rejoice, thou who sought Thy Son throughout all Jerusalem, Whom Thy soul loved; Rejoice, you who found Him in His Father's house.
Rejoice, you who composed all the words about Your Son in Your heart; Rejoice, having known God in Your Son before all others.
Rejoice, thou who served Thy Son in His earthly life; Rejoice, you who suffered through His suffering.
Rejoice, having received the adoption of John the Apostle and all believers at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, Thou who motherly loved those redeemed by His blood.
Rejoice, Thou who, first of all, understood the mystery of the resurrection of Thy Son; Rejoice, thou who enjoyed much joy in the ascension of Thy Son into heaven.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 10
Those who want to save many people from the sorrows and illnesses that beset them and strengthen their faith in Thy all-powerful intercession, O Lady, in many cities, monasteries, villages of the Orthodox country, Thou hast granted the power of miracles through the image of Thy honorable icon, so that seeing the mercy shown by Thy, they cry out to God with tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O Lady, to the Orthodox army, under the sign of Thy icon, against the twelve tongues of the warrior, preserving him from the arrows of the enemy. Be the same wall and cover from all enemies, visible and invisible, for us, who fall to Your most honorable icon with faith and love and cry out to You:
Rejoice, consolation to the faithful after the ascension of Your Son; Rejoice, teacher and companion of the Apostle.
Rejoice, gladdened by the announcement of Your departure to God; Rejoice, disciple's face like a cloud for the burial of You who have joined together.
Rejoice, received from the earth by the hands of Your Son; Rejoice, escorted by all the angelic authorities.
Rejoice, earthly heaven to the sublime settlement of the mountains; Rejoice, throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, thou who hast sanctified the air by Thy ascension; Rejoice, through Thomas you assured your transmigration into heaven with the flesh.
Rejoice, fulfilling the promise to the disciple’s face; Rejoice, having given peace to this through Your presence from Your Son and God.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome by diligently meeting the many miracles that come from Thy holy and miraculous icon. Like an ambulance, you heal ailments, deliver from troubles, free demons from torment, in every place calling on You with faith and crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle we see Your holy icon, Mother of God, in the Tikhvin countries kindled by Your grace, enlightening the whole country and attracting many to its light for the salvation of souls. We also cry out to You:
Rejoice, you who promised to save and save all those who call upon You; Rejoice, you who glorify You, glorifying You.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the prayers of the faithful to Thy Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the throne of Your Son and God.
Rejoice, Thou who bestowed Thy grace upon Thy venerable icons; Rejoice, you who have illuminated the entire universe with the rays of Your grace.
Rejoice, most honorable Cherub and most glorious Seraphim; Rejoice, all highest creatures.
Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and Earth; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son.
Rejoice, speedy intercession of the entire Christian race; Rejoice, firm hope for all the faithful.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 12
Having desired to give Thy new sign of grace, Thou hast opened up a source of miracles to the city of Peter, O Mother of God, in Thy icon, so that the faithful may come to their senses, those who labor and mourn may find ready refuge and intercession, and, glorifying God who has given such, they cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and the mercies revealed to our race, we touchingly fall to Your most pure image, Lady, and kissingly, with fear and love we pray to You: guide us on the path of salvation, so that we may be worthy of Your merciful intercession, always be the Intercessor and Intercessor for us, blatant T:
Rejoice, affirmation and protection of the faithful; Rejoice, admonition and enlightenment of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, desperate hope; Rejoice, salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, consolation for the sad; Rejoice, healing of the sick.
Rejoice, protection of widows and orphans; Rejoice, refuge for the offended.
Rejoice, strengthening of kings; Rejoice, fertilizer for the saints.
Rejoice, praise is given to those who are virgins; Rejoice, joy to all the pious.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 13
O All-Sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, be our protection and protection in this life from enemies visible and invisible, from troubles and sorrows, save us from temptations and falls, and in the future life, at the judgment of Thy Son and our God, be the Intercessor and the Intercessor, delivering us from eternal condemnation, so that we may be saved by You, cry out to God from the faces of the angels: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “The faces of the angels...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Voivode...”.
First prayer
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of Heaven and earth, our city and country, Almighty Intercessor. Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our iniquities and add His goodness to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and with faith and love who worship Thy miraculous image. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor: hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for the spouse, obedience for the child, patience for the offended, fear of God for those who are offended, complacency for those who grieve, abstinence for those who rejoice, but for us all the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Thy weak people, gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray, support old age, raise young children to be wise, and look upon all of us with the gaze of Thy merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to to the sight of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the Last Judgment of Your Son; Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, our fathers and brethren will live with the angels and all the saints in eternal life. For you are, Lady, the glory of heaven and the hope of earth, You, according to God, are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Second prayer
We thank You, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Your good deeds, which You have shown to the human race, especially to us, the Christ-named people of the Russian people, about which the most angelic language below will be pleased with praise, as and now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your most pure icon, with which You have enlightened the entire Russian country. In the same way, we, sinners, worship with fear and joy, crying out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the bishops and all the people, and grant the country victory over all enemies, and save all Deliver Christian cities and countries, and this holy temple from all slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of all who have now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your most holy image, for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You now, and forever and ever. Amen.
Troparion, tone 4
Today, like the bright sun, the all-honorable icon of Yours, Lady, has risen for us in the air, enlightening the world with rays of mercy, even the great Russia, as if it had reverently received a certain Divine gift from above, glorifies You, Mother of God, Lady of all, and joyfully magnifies Christ our God who was born from You. . Pray to Him, O Lady Queen Theotokos, that He may preserve all Christian cities and countries unharmed from all the slander of the enemy and save by faith those who worship His Divine and Your most pure image, the Virgin Unartificed.
Kontakion, tone 8
Let us come, people, to the Virgin Mother of God Queen, thanking Christ God, and to That miraculous icon, looking tenderly, let us fall and cry out to Her: O Lady Mary, having visited this country with the miraculous appearance of Your venerable image, save our fatherland and all in peace and prosperity Christians, heirs showing heavenly lives, we truly call to you: Rejoice, Virgin, salvation of the world.
Orthodox prayers and icons of the Mother of God and saints
The word “icon” comes from the Greek language and means “image”, “image”. The image of the icon is consecrated with holy water and special prayers, through this consecration the grace of the Holy Spirit is imparted to the icon, and the icon is already revered by us as holy. According to the Orthodox dogma of icon veneration, approved by the VII Ecumenical Council, “the honor given to an icon relates to its prototype, and the one who worships the icon worships the hypostasis of the person depicted on it.” The Council especially emphasizes that we give veneration to icons, and not the worship that is due to God alone. “The icon mysteriously contains within itself the presence of the one whom it depicts, and this presence is the closer, more grace-filled and stronger, the more the icon corresponds to the church canon.”
All Icons of the Mother of God and Saints
Prayer in the Christian life. What is prayer? About prayer
Prayer is the most important part of the spiritual life of every believer. Through prayer, a person turns to God, asks him and asks for forgiveness from him. In other words, prayer is nothing more than a person’s way of talking with God. About prayer...
The basis of the life of an Orthodox Christian is fasting and prayer. Prayer, said Saint Philaret of Moscow, “is a conversation between the soul and God.” And just as in a conversation it is impossible to listen to one side all the time, so in prayer it is useful to sometimes stop and listen to the Lord’s answer to our prayer.
Prayer does not require a specific time, place, circumstance or form. It can be verbose - long, and laconic - short. The prayer can be said at any time of the day or night, and anywhere. A person can pray under all circumstances of his life: when he is sick or healthy, when he is happy or sad, when he succeeds or fails, when he is in the company of his enemies or in the circle of his friends, when he is abandoned by everyone, or when he in the midst of your beloved family. But God’s temple serves as a special place of prayer. On Sundays, as well as on weekdays, if time permits, we should go to church to pray, where our brothers and sisters in Christ - Christians - gather to pray together, all together. This kind of prayer is called church prayer.
Every Orthodox Christian must pray daily, morning and evening, before and after eating food, before starting and at the end of any task (for example: before teaching and after teaching, etc.).
In the morning we pray to thank God for preserving us last night, to ask for His Fatherly blessing and help for the day that has begun.
In the evening, before going to bed, we also thank the Lord for a successful day and ask him to keep us during the night.
Before and after meals we pray to thank God for His gifts and ask Him to bless and sanctify the food.
In order for the work to be done successfully and safely, we must also, first of all, ask God for blessings and help for the upcoming work, and upon completion, thank God.
Unfortunately, many people forget about the necessity and importance of prayer, and resort to it only in cases of feeling hopeless. However, even in these cases, as practice shows, God does not forget about the person and gives him his love and support. But not a single prayer will bring anything good to a person if he simply reads it without thinking about what is said. Therefore, it is extremely important, when turning to the Creator in prayer, to truly feel every word.
God is the best of interlocutors; he will always hear a person and help him. You should not be embarrassed to talk to God even about the most secret things that are in your soul. The main thing is to do it with true faith in God.
“True prayer does not consist in words and saying them, but true prayer consists “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). When we pray to God, we must stand before Him not only in body, but also in spirit; and say prayer not only with your lips, but also with your mind and heart; and not only bow our heads and knees, but also our hearts before Him; and raise our intelligent eyes to Him with humility. For all prayer must come from the heart; and what the tongue says, the mind and heart must say.” Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk.
And no matter what happens during the day, everything happens according to the will of God; all, without exception, are circumstances in which the Lord wished to place you, so that you could be His presence, His love, His compassion. His creative mind, His courage... And, besides, whenever you encounter this or that situation, you are the one whom God put there to carry out the ministry of a Christian, to be a part of the Body of Christ and the action of God. If you do this, you will easily see that sometimes you will have to turn to God and say: “Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen and direct my will, give me a fiery heart, help me!” At other times you will be able to say, “Oh my God, thank you!”
In the Christian catechism, that is, in the instruction on the Christian faith, it is said about prayer this way: “Prayer is the offering of the mind and heart to God and is a person’s reverent word to God.” Prayer has extraordinary power. “Prayer not only defeats the laws of nature, not only is it an insurmountable shield against visible and invisible enemies, but it even holds back the hand of the Almighty God Himself, raised to defeat sinners,” writes Saint Demetrius of Rostov.
In the New Testament, prayer is a living connection between the children of God and their infinitely good Father, with His Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. The grace of the Kingdom is “the unity of the entire Holy Trinity with the entire spirit.” Thus, prayer life is a constant and natural presence in the presence of the Trisagion of God and in communion with Him. Such vital communion is always possible because through baptism our being has become one with Christ. Prayer is Christian because it is communion with Christ and grows in the Church, which is His Body. Its dimensions are the dimensions of Christ's love.
“Prayer is not telling God our needs. Prayer is the condition under which Divine power can contact our spirit and act in us. God is omniscient and knows us better than we know ourselves.” Archimandrite Rafail (Karelin) (XX century).
Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Tikhvin Icon
Kontakion 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, let us sing a song of thanksgiving about the appearance of Her wondrous icon, to which those who flow constantly are delivered from enemies visible and invisible. But You, Lady of heaven and earth, like a merciful Mother, now accept this little prayer of ours and never fail to show Your mercy and intercession on us, protecting us from all troubles and misfortunes, calling to You:
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Ikos 1
The faces of angels jubilantly serve You, Lady, and in reverence for You, who carried the Creator of visible and invisible creatures in Your hand, they carry Your icon from place to place. We, earthly beings, marveling at the wonderful appearance of Your icon, carried by Angels, cry out to You:
Rejoice, highest of all Heavenly Powers; Rejoice, surpassing all ranks of angels.
Rejoice, most honorable Cherub; Rejoice, most glorious without comparison Seraphim.
Rejoice, joy of the Angels; Rejoice, praise of the heavenly faces.
Rejoice, sung by the Angels; Rejoice, glorified by the Seraphim.
Rejoice, worshiped Archangel; Rejoice, honored by the armies of heaven.
Rejoice, honored by the Angel in Your icon; Rejoice, carried in Your visible image by invisible forces.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the fisherman over the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light like the sun, Your shining icon, Mother of God, with the Eternal Child, who called the fishermen to catch the world in the net of salvation, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind of the wondrous appearance of Your icon allowed people to understand in search, realizing that the most honorable icon, revered in Constantinople, was given as an inheritance to the Russian family. Moreover, in gratitude for Your mercy to our family, we cry out to You:
Rejoice, Mother of True Life; Rejoice, having healed Eve’s disobedience through Your obedience.
Rejoice, you who opened the closed Eden; Rejoice, thou who hast revealed to the world the Crusher of the head of the serpent.
Rejoice, thou who bore the ark of the Destroyer of the World; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the drowning of sin.
Rejoice, ladder, from which God descended; Rejoice, you who raise the earthly to heaven.
Rejoice, you who drowned the mental sea of Pharaoh; Rejoice, thou bush that was not scorched by the fire of the Divine that entered into Thee.
Rejoice, tablet written by God; Rejoice, stone, who poured out the water of life to the thirsty.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High has overshadowed the country of Tikhvin, always with the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, often appearing and sanctifying the land for a temporary stay, stirring up the erection of churches of saints, so that the name of the Lady may be glorified for the glory of the Trinitarian God, to whom we cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having the good will, the people of the Tikhvin country desire Your presence with them and remember Your protection, You showed Your icon in many parts, until You indicated God’s chosen place of its residence. Moreover, Ti miraculously cries:
Rejoice, Tabernacle, in Neizha the physical Divinity dwells; Rejoice, holy of holies, in the one and only Neuzha the eternal Bishop has appeared.
Rejoice, thou art gilded by the Spirit, who bore the Lawgiver; Rejoice, lamp kindled by the Divine fire.
Rejoice, you who bore the manna of the life of Christ; Rejoice, table, containing animal bread.
Rejoice, thou who possessest the coal of the Divinity in the censer, and who hath fragrantly fragrant the whole world; Rejoice, rod, Vegetated color of Christ.
Rejoice, pillar, leading to an eternal inheritance; Rejoice, cloud, covering from enemies visible and invisible.
Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, fleece, for Christ is worthless, like rain descended from heaven.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 4
Eagerly to quench the storm of confusion and sorrow, faithful people cry out to the Lord: show us the divine gift that you sent to the philanthropic country of Russia, do not hide the treasures with which we hope to enrich our spiritual poverty, transform our sadness into joy, wipe away tears and sobs. And having achieved what she wanted, she cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the joyful discovery of the shepherd of his flock and the Mother of the Chief Shepherd who fell in the Tikhvin countries, he built a temple in honor of the newly appeared icon of Her, and established presbyters, and glorifying the Mother of God, they cried out to Her:
Rejoice, Daughter, who inclined her ear to the voice of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, for the ancestral lamentation was destroyed by Your Nativity.
Rejoice, Bride, who the Heavenly King desired for kindness; Rejoice, Queen, who has appeared at the right hand of the King.
Rejoice, adorned with golden robes and possessing all the glory within; Rejoice, leading many into the palace of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, apple, whose fragrance is smelled by the whole world; Rejoice in the beauty of purity, shine with brilliance.
Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, poured out to the whole world; Rejoice, royal purple, flesh of the Creator of all, from Your virgin blood.
Rejoice, living, sealed source, flowing out the Water of life; Rejoice, mental grape, growing Divine Grape.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 5
Your God-bearing star has appeared, Your icon, Mother of God, flowing around the entire country of Tikhvin and illuminating those in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, illuminating those who mourn with joy, and instructing those who go astray on the path of doing the commandments of Your Son and God, and we cry out to Him in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing George on a treasure of wood, a woman seated, holding a scarlet rod in her hands and shining with an indescribable light, standing before her, talking with the wondrous Saint, who through the fragrance of grace knew You, the Mother of God, who received the sensual form and Saint Nicholas standing before You, and cried out with trepidation:
Rejoice, house which the Wisdom of God created for Himself to inhabit; Rejoice, O Virgin, who gave birth to Emmanuel.
Rejoice, rod of Jesse, from the worthless color of Christ God; Rejoice, Unmarried Bride, who by the overshadowing of the Spirit conceived a Son.
Rejoice, O witch, in whom the Word of the Father was written with the finger of the Father; Rejoice, sealed book of virginity, given to Joseph for safekeeping.
Rejoice, mystical mite, who received the coal of the Divine in her belly; Rejoice, exalted throne, on which Christ is seated in flesh.
Rejoice, light cloud, on which the Lord of glory came; Rejoice, gates closed, in the image of Christ alone I passed through.
Rejoice, uncut mountain, from which the cornerstone was cut off, O Christ; Rejoice, fiery cave, who unburntly received the fire of the Divine.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of Your visible stay in the country of Tikhvinstya and the wondrous work about it, the pious George proclaimed Your appearance and Your will to the people, and those who disobeyed miracles were admonished to glorify You, the Lady, and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You deigned to shine the light of the knowledge of God with the appearance of Your icon, and You deigned to desire the light of monastic life, O Mother of God, at the place of the appearance of Your icon, so that the faces of the monks cry out to You incessantly:
Rejoice, fruitful vegetation of the barren root; Rejoice, dedicated to God from infancy.
Rejoice, you who were raised in the holy temple; Rejoice, ignorant of God.
Rejoice, adorned with all virtues; Rejoice, luminous chamber, prepared for the Lady.
Rejoice, purified by the grace of God; Rejoice, since the beginning of time you have been chosen to be the head of our salvation.
Rejoice, Bride of the heavenly Architect, entrusted to the earthly tecton for safekeeping; Rejoice, you who magnified little Nazareth with your presence.
Rejoice, praise of the powers above; Rejoice, glory to all earth-born.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 7
For those who want to strive in solitude for the monks Martyrios and Cyril, and to please God through their labors and monastic exploits, you showed the way to the place of the desired feat in a pillar of fire and in a voice. Having recognized Thee as the good Hodegetria traveling with them, they cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new source of miracles in the country to the north has appeared Your icon of Tikhvin, the Most Holy Lady, unapologetically granting healing to all who come with faith: the blind see, the dumb are speechless, the deaf hear, the weakening is restored, the demoniac are freed from the bonds of demons. In the same way, glorifying Thee, we cry out:
Rejoice, for the Father’s favor rests on You; Rejoice, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for in You the Son of God has become incarnate, the Savior of the world; Rejoice, ineffable advice to the Mystery.
Rejoice, you who received the gospel from the Angel; Rejoice, you angels, rejoice, you who have brought joy to the whole world.
Rejoice, for the Lord is with You; Rejoice, for through You all those born on earth have drawn closer to God.
Rejoice, Blessed One among women; Rejoice, you who have bestowed blessings on all wives.
Rejoice, Mother, who remained a Virgin before and after Christmas; Rejoice, firstfruits of the honor and glory of virginity.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 8
The miracle of the appearance of Your image, Lady, is strange, and unspeakably, it surprises the worldly and horrifies the earthly, and at the same time it enlightens the grace of Christ our God, born of You. It is also strange that the monastery will be defended by enemies who boasted of destroying Your property. For this reason we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are all in the highest, Lady, but You do not abandon those below, protecting Your abode like a wall and a visor, with Your honorable icon. For Thou didst proclaim, when the enemy invaded, that people might take Thy icon and walk around the walls around, and see the mercy of God. In the same way, through Your deliverance from the enemy, I cried out to You:
Rejoice, Mother of Your Creator and Lord; Rejoice, even for the sake of the baby John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth.
Rejoice, blessed one from all generations; Rejoice, sublime in humility.
Rejoice, thou who bestowed heavenly joy and earthly peace by Thy birth; Rejoice, you who received praise from the Angels, magnification from the shepherds, who received the worship of Your birth from the Magi.
Rejoice, Thou who nourished the one above with milk and the one below with Thy Nourishing grace; Rejoice, you who wrapped Him in swaddling clothes around Him who dresses with light like a robe.
Rejoice, you who carried the whole world in your hand; Rejoice, you who brought the Sanctification of the temple to the temple.
Rejoice, blessed by Simeon; Rejoice, glorified by Anna the prophetess.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 9
Of every angelic nature of the purest essence, Lady, the monastery, created for the sake of Your coming, the icon was created from the uncleanness of sin, which was near destruction, but was cleansed by repentance, like a general Prayer Book for the Christian race, You delivered from enemies, in the likeness of unclean animals, undermining those who worked. Let us also cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
They are perplexed by the multi-proclamation to sing the multitude of Your miracles, O Lady, and the secrets of Your structure of salvation for people: both through goodness and through visiting punishments, you guided people on the path of salvation. Having preserved the previously invincible monastery from visible enemies, You deigned to cleanse the invisible enemy from the wounds of the invisible enemy with fiery cleansing, admonishing that purity, abstinence and heartfelt prayers are more pleasing to You than the praise of a single mouth. We also cry out to You:
Rejoice, thou who sanctified Egypt by Thy coming; Rejoice, thou who glorified the country of Galilee by Thy presence.
Rejoice, thou who sought Thy Son throughout all Jerusalem, Whom Thy soul loved; Rejoice, you who found Him in His Father's house.
Rejoice, you who composed all the words about Your Son in Your heart; Rejoice, having known God in Your Son before all others.
Rejoice, thou who served Thy Son in His earthly life; Rejoice, you who suffered through His suffering.
Rejoice, having received the adoption of John the Apostle and all believers at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, Thou who motherly loved those redeemed by His blood.
Rejoice, Thou who, first of all, understood the mystery of the resurrection of Thy Son; Rejoice, thou who enjoyed much joy in the ascension of Thy Son into heaven.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 10
Those who want to save many people from the sorrows and illnesses that beset them and strengthen their faith in Thy all-powerful intercession, O Lady, in many cities, monasteries, villages of the Orthodox country, Thou hast granted the power of miracles through the image of Thy honorable icon, so that seeing the mercy shown by Thy, they cry out to God with tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O Lady, to the Orthodox army, under the sign of Thy icon, against the twelve tongues of the warrior, preserving him from the arrows of the enemy. Be the same wall and cover from all enemies, visible and invisible, for us, who fall to Your most honorable icon with faith and love and cry out to You:
Rejoice, consolation to the faithful after the ascension of Your Son; Rejoice, teacher and companion of the Apostle.
Rejoice, gladdened by the announcement of Your departure to God; Rejoice, disciple's face like a cloud for the burial of You who have joined together.
Rejoice, received from the earth by the hands of Your Son; Rejoice, escorted by all the angelic authorities.
Rejoice, earthly heaven to the sublime settlement of the mountains; Rejoice, throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, thou who hast sanctified the air by Thy ascension; Rejoice, through Thomas you assured your transmigration into heaven with the flesh.
Rejoice, fulfilling the promise to the disciple’s face; Rejoice, having given peace to this through Your presence from Your Son and God.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome by diligently meeting the many miracles that come from Thy holy and miraculous icon. Like an ambulance, you heal ailments, deliver from troubles, free demons from torment, in every place calling on You with faith and crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle we see Your holy icon, Mother of God, in the Tikhvin countries kindled by Your grace, enlightening the whole country and attracting many to its light for the salvation of souls. We also cry out to You:
Rejoice, you who promised to save and save all those who call upon You; Rejoice, you who glorify You, glorifying You.
Rejoice, thou who bringest the prayers of the faithful to Thy Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the throne of Your Son and God.
Rejoice, Thou who bestowed Thy grace upon Thy venerable icons; Rejoice, you who have illuminated the entire universe with the rays of Your grace.
Rejoice, most honorable Cherub and most glorious Seraphim; Rejoice, all highest creatures.
Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and Earth; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son.
Rejoice, speedy intercession of the entire Christian race; Rejoice, firm hope for all the faithful.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 12
Having desired to give Thy new sign of grace, Thou hast opened up a source of miracles to the city of Peter, O Mother of God, in Thy icon, so that the faithful may come to their senses, those who labor and mourn may find ready refuge and intercession, and, glorifying God who has given such, they cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and the mercies revealed to our race, we touchingly fall to Your most pure image, Lady, and kissingly, with fear and love we pray to You: guide us on the path of salvation, so that we may be worthy of Your merciful intercession, always be the Intercessor and Intercessor for us, blatant T:
Rejoice, affirmation and protection of the faithful; Rejoice, admonition and enlightenment of the unfaithful.
Rejoice, desperate hope; Rejoice, salvation of sinners.
Rejoice, consolation for the sad; Rejoice, healing of the sick.
Rejoice, protection of widows and orphans; Rejoice, refuge for the offended.
Rejoice, strengthening of kings; Rejoice, fertilizer for the saints.
Rejoice, praise is given to those who are virgins; Rejoice, joy to all the pious.
Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
Kontakion 13
O All-Sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, be our protection and protection in this life from enemies visible and invisible, from troubles and sorrows, save us from temptations and falls, and in the future life, at the judgment of Thy Son and our God, be the Intercessor and the Intercessor, delivering us from eternal condemnation, so that we may be saved by You, cry out to God from the faces of the angels: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “The faces of the angels...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Voivode...”.
Prayer 1
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of Heaven and earth, our city and country, Almighty Intercessor. Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our iniquities and add His goodness to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and with faith and love who worship Thy miraculous image. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor: hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for the spouse, obedience for the child, patience for the offended, fear of God for those who are offended, complacency for those who grieve, abstinence for those who rejoice, but for us all the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Thy weak people, gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray, support old age, raise young children to be wise, and look upon all of us with the gaze of Thy merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to to the sight of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the Last Judgment of Your Son; Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, our fathers and brethren will live with the angels and all the saints in eternal life. For you are, Lady, the glory of heaven and the hope of earth, You, according to God, are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 2
We thank You, O Most Blessed and Most Pure, Most Blessed Virgin, Lady, Mother of Christ our God, for all Your good deeds, which You have shown to the human race, especially to us, the Christ-named people of the Russian people, about which the most angelic language below will be pleased with praise, as and now You have surprised Your ineffable mercy on us, Your unworthy servants, with the supernatural self-coming of Your most pure icon, with which You have enlightened the entire Russian country. In the same way, we, sinners, worship with fear and joy, crying out to Thee: O Most Holy Virgin, Queen and Mother of God, save and have mercy on His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', the bishops and all the people, and grant the country victory over all enemies, and save all Deliver Christian cities and countries, and this holy temple from all slander of the enemy, and grant everything for the benefit of all who have now come with faith and pray to Your servant, and who worship Your most holy image, for blessed are You with the Son and God born of You now, and forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Fathers on Prayer
“Prayer is a great weapon, an unfailing treasure, wealth that never runs out, a serene haven, a foundation of peace; prayer is the root, source and mother of countless blessings and is more powerful than royal power.” St. John Chrysostom.
“Prayer in its rank is higher than alms.” St. Isaac the Syrian.
“Prayer is the emergence in our hearts of one after another reverent feelings towards God.” St. Feofan, the Recluse of Vyshensky.
“During prayer, let our speech and supplication be combined with decorum, calmness and modesty. Let us think about the fact that we stand before the face of God and that we must please the eyes of God both by the position of the body and the sound of the voice.” Sschmch. Cyprian of Carthage.
“You must abstain from marital affairs in order to engage in prayer; to abstain from worries about wealth, from the desire for earthly glory, from the enjoyment of pleasures, from envy and every evil deed against our neighbor, so that when our soul is in silence and not disturbed by any passion, in it, as in a mirror, God’s purity and uncloudedness will be insight." St. Basil the Great.
“When starting a prayer, leave yourself, your wife, your children, part with the earth, pass through heaven, leave every creature visible and invisible, and begin by praising Him who created everything, and when you praise Him, do not wander your mind here and there, do not talk about fabulous things. pagan, but choose words from the Holy Scriptures.” St. Basil the Great.
“Every place and every time is convenient for us to pray.” St. John Chrysostom.
Orthodox prayers to the holy saints. Holy saints of God.
Orthodox prayers for those in need for various needs and infirmities.
Akathist to the Tikhvin Mother of God
Text of the strongest prayer appeal:
Kontakion 1
The chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, sings of gratitude and sings of gratitude about the appearance of Her wondrous icon, and those who flow to Her are continually delivered from the enemy, visible and invisible. But You, Lady of Heaven and Earth, as a merciful Mother, accept this small prayer of ours today and never give up, having created with Your mercy our intercession, protecting us from all trouble and adversity, we call You: Rejoice, O Lady, merciful for us before the Lord Intercessor.
Ikos 1
They serve with jubilation in the face of an angel, O Lady, and in reverence they bear upon Thy hand the Creator, visibly and invisibly, Thy icon is carried from place to place. We, earthly beings, marveling at the wondrous appearance of Your icon, carried by the Angels, cry out to You: Rejoice, all the highest Heavenly Powers; Rejoice, superior to all angelic ranks. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherubim; Rejoice, O Most Glorious One beyond comparison with Seraphim. Rejoice, O joy of the Angels; Rejoice, praise of the heavenly face. Rejoice, you are sung by the Angels; Rejoice, glorified by Seraphim. Rejoice, worshiped from the Archangel; Rejoice, you are honored by the heavenly army. Rejoice, Thy icon is honored by the Angel; Rejoice, in Your visible image You are carried by invisible powers. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 2
The fisherman who sees above the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light, is like the shining sun of Yours, the Mother of God, the icon with the Eternal Infants, the fisherman called to catch the world in the net of salvation, crying out: Hallelujah.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind of the wondrous appearance of Your icon can be understood by the searching people who have seen how revered in Constantinople the most honorable icon is, a legacy of the Russian family bestowed. In the same way, we, who give thanks for Your alms to our family, cry to You:
Rejoice, Mother of true life; Rejoice, Thy obedience healed the disobedience of Eve. Rejoice, you who opened the closed Eden; Rejoice, the Destroyer of the head of the serpent who has appeared to the world. Rejoice, O ark, who carried the peace of the world; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the drowning of sin. Rejoice, for it is the ladder that descended to God; Rejoice, you who raise those on earth to heaven. Rejoice, thou who drowned the mental Pharaoh by the sea; Rejoice, thou bush untouched by the fiery Divinity who dwells in Thee. Rejoice, O tablet of God; Rejoice, O stone, for the water of life that flowed forth to the thirsty. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 3
By the power of the Almighty, the Tikhvin region fell over the countries, when the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, which appears in many parts and sanctifies the earth for a temporary stay, stirring up the erection of holy churches, may the name of the Lady be glorified in the glory of the Trinitarian Lord, to Him we cry: Hallelujah.
Ikos 3
Those who have the good will, may the people of the Tikhvin countries desire Your presence with them, may they remember Your protection, Your icon appearing in many parts, even indicating the place of its dwelling chosen by God. In the same way, those who wonder at the cry to You: Rejoice, tabernacle, in it dwell in the physical Divinity; Rejoice, O holy saint, in her alone is the eternal Hierarch. Rejoice, O ark, gilded by the Spirit, worn by the Lawgiver; Rejoice, O lamp, kindled by the Divine fire. Rejoice, O dear one, having carried the manna of the life of Christ; Rejoice, O table, which contains animal bread. Rejoice, censer, possessing the coal of Dominion, fragrant to the world; Rejoice, rod of the color of the vegetated Christ. Rejoice, pillar, leading to an eternal inheritance; Rejoice, cloud, having covered us from the visible and invisible enemy. Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, rune, Christ is upon him, like rain descending from heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 4
To satisfy the storm of confusion and sorrow, the faithful people cried out to God: appear to us as a divine gift, the philanthropic Russian country has sent him, do not hide the treasure, with which we hoped to enrich our spiritual poverty, turn our sorrow into joy, wipe away tears and sobs, and having obtained what was desired, he cried out: Hallelujah.
Ikos 4
The shepherd heard the joyful discovery of his flock and the Mother of the Shepherd, who was saved in the country of Tikhvin, arranging the newly appeared icon of Her in the temple in honor, and the elders are establishing it, and glorifying the fault of the Mother of God they call out to Her: Rejoice, Breathe, inclining your ear to the voice of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, as the ancestral lament was destroyed by Thy Nativity. Rejoice, Bride, Her kindness longed for the Heavenly King; Rejoice, Queen, appearing at the right hand of the King. Rejoice. decorated with gold and all the glory inside; Rejoice, having led many into the palaces of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, apple, you can smell all worldly things with its fragrance; Rejoice, O Crena of purity, shining with brilliance. Rejoice, fragrant world, all worldly things have been poured out; Rejoice, royal purple, the Creator of all flesh, who drew from Your virgin blood. Rejoice, living sealed fountain, flowing out the water of life; Rejoice, mental grapes, having grown into a cluster of the Divine. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 5
To the God-bearing star appear Your icon, Mother of God, flowing around the whole country of Tikhvin, and illuminating those who exist in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, shining with joy upon those who mourn, and instructing those who go astray on the path of doing the commandments of Your Son and instructing the Lord, and we cry out to Him in gratitude: Hallelujah.
Ikos 5
Seeing George on a treasure of wood, the seated Spouse, holding a scarlet rod in her hands and shining with an indescribable light, She will have a conversation with the wondrous Saint, having known through the fragrance of Your grace, the Mother of God, who has received the sensual image and the Saint Nicholas who is coming, and exclaimed tremblingly: Rejoice, house, He created it for the infusion of the Wisdom of God; Rejoice, O Virgin, who gave birth to Emmanuil. Rejoice, O rod of Jesse, from which the color of Christ the Lord has grown cold; Rejoice, O Unmarried Bride, having conceived a Son in the autumn of the Spirit. Rejoice, switch, for in it you wrote the Word with the fingers of the Fathers; Rejoice, the book of childhood has been sealed, handed to Joseph for safekeeping. Rejoice, mystical mite, who received the coal of Dominion in her belly; Rejoice, O exalted throne, on which Christ is seated in the flesh. Rejoice, light cloud, on it the glorious God will come; Rejoice, the gates are closed; Christ alone will pass through them. Rejoice, uncut mountain, from which the cornerstones have been cut off, O Christ; Rejoice, you who are flammable with food, who without burning received the Divine fire. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 6
Preacher of Your visible stay in the country of Tikhvin and wondrous providence about it, the pious Georgy proclaimed Your appearance and Your will to people, and the disobedient miracles are admonished to glorify You, Lady, and sing to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 6
The light of the knowledge of God has deigned to shine forth with the appearance of Thy icon, and the light of monastic life has deigned to shine, O Mother of God, at the place of the appearance of Thy icon, and other faces cry out to Thee incessantly: Rejoice, fertile vegetation of the barren root; Rejoice, dedicated to the Lord from infancy. Rejoice, you who were brought up in the holy temple; Rejoice, you who are ignorant of the Lord. Rejoice, adorned with all virtues; Rejoice, luminous chamber, the Lady prepared for you. Rejoice, you have been purified by the grace of God;; Rejoice, since the beginning of centuries our salvation has been chosen at the forefront. Rejoice, Bride of the heavenly Architect, entrusted to the earthly tecton for safekeeping; Rejoice, little one of Nazareth who has been magnified by Your presence. Rejoice, praise of the mountain powers; Rejoice, all earthly beings, in glory. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 7
Those who want to, the Venerables Martyrius and Cyril, will strive in solitude and labor and monastic feat to please the Lord, moving towards the desired places in a pillar of fire and pointing out a voice. They, who knew You as the good guardian who traveled with them, cried out to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 7
A new source of miracles in the northern country appears in Your icon of Tikhvin, Most Holy Lady, unenviously bringing healing to all who flow with faith: the blind see, the dumb and genial, the deaf and the hearing, the weakened, the rebel, the demonic are freed from the bonds. In the same way, those who glorify You cry out: Rejoice, as the Father’s favor has rested on You; Rejoice, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, as the Son of God became incarnate, Who saved the world; Rejoice, O Council of the Ineffable Mystery. Rejoice, having received the gospel from the Angels; Rejoice, angels, Rejoice, having brought joy to all worldly things. Rejoice as God is with You; Rejoice, as you have brought all earthly creatures closer to the Lord. Rejoice, Blessed in spouses; Rejoice, having granted blessings to all spouses. Rejoice, Mother who was a Virgin before and after Christmas; Rejoice, the beginning of the honor and glory of childhood. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 8
The strange miracle of the appearance of Your image, Lady, and unspeakably, they are surprised by the most peaceful and terrifying earthly things, but at the same time they are enlightened by the grace of our Lord Christ, born of You. Strange is the intercession of the monastery from the enemy, who boasted of destroying Your property. For this reason we cry to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 8
If you are in the highest, Lady, you do not abandon the lower, protecting your abode with a wall and a visor, an honest icon of Yours. Whenever there is an enemy invasion, I advertised that people would be moved by My icon and would walk around the walls and see the mercy of God. By the same deliverance from Your enemies, You chanted: Rejoice, Mother of Your Creator and Lord; Rejoice, for for her sake the baby John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth. Rejoice, you are blessed of all generations; Rejoice, sublime in humility. Rejoice, thou who bestowed heavenly joy and earthly peace through Thy Birth; Rejoice, you have received praise from the Angel, magnification from the shepherd, and received the adoration of Your Birth from the Magi. Rejoice, having nourished the mountains and valleys with milk with the grace of Your Nourisher; Rejoice, having wrapped swaddling clothes around him who is clothed with light, like a robe. Rejoice, having carried on Your hand the one who bears the whole world in your hand; Rejoice, having brought the temple sacredness in the temple. Rejoice, blessed by Simeon; Rejoice, thou exalted by Anna the prophetess. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 9
Of all the angelic natures of the purest essence, Lady, the monastery, for the sake of Your coming, the icon was created, from the uncleanness of sin near destruction, but purified by repentance, like a general Prayer Book for the Christian race, You delivered from the enemy, in the likeness of unclean animals, to undermine those who worked. With the same cry to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 9
The prophets of many things are perplexed to sing according to the heritage of Your many miracles, Lady, and the secrets of Your structure for the salvation of people: both by goodness and by visiting punishments, guiding people on the path of salvation. Having preserved the previously invincible monastery from the visible enemy, you deigned to cleanse the invisible enemy from the wounds of the invisible enemy with fiery cleansing, admonishing you that purity, abstinence and prayers of the heart are more pleasing to You than praise with a single point of your lips. With the same cry to You: Rejoice, O thou who sanctified Egypt by Thy coming; Rejoice, O thou who glorified the country of Galilee by Thy presence. Rejoice, thou who sought Thy Son all over Jerusalem; love Him with Thy soul; Rejoice, you who found Him in His Father’s house. Rejoice, having written all the words about Your Son in Your heart; Rejoice, having known the Lord in Your Son before all others. Rejoice, having served Your Son in Her winter life; Rejoice, those who suffered through His suffering. Rejoice, having received the adoption of John the Apostle and all believers at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, having motherly loved those redeemed by Her blood. Rejoice, Thou who was the first to understand the mystery of the resurrection of Thy Son; Rejoice, thou who enjoyed many joys in the ascension of Thy Son into heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 10
Desiring to save many people from the sorrows and illnesses that beset them, and to strengthen their faith in Thy all-powerful intercession, O Lady, in many cities, monasteries, in all Orthodox countries, Thou hast granted the power of miracles through the honest image of Thy icon, so that those who see the alms shown by Thy cry out with tenderness to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O Lady, to the Orthodox army, under the banner of Thy icon against the twenty warring tongues, preserving it from the arrows of the enemy. Be the same wall and cover from all enemies, visible and invisible, for us, who fall to Thy most honorable icon with faith and love and cry out: Rejoice, faithful consolation after the Ascension of Thy Son; Rejoice, Teacher and Helper of the Apostle. Rejoice, gladdened by Your announcement to the Lord of your departure; Rejoice, the face of the disciples is like a cloud for Your burial. Rejoice, thou art received from the earth by the hands of Thy Son; Rejoice, escorted from all the angelic authorities. Rejoice, earthly sky to the heavenly village, sublime; Rejoice, O throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, thou whost sanctified the air by Thy ascension; Rejoice, who through Thomas assured Your transference to heaven with the flesh. Rejoice, you have fulfilled your promise to the disciples to keep it; Rejoice, having given peace to him through Your presence from Your Son and Lord. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 11
All singing is overcome by diligently meeting the many miracles that ever occur from Thy holy and miraculous icon. As an ambulance, you heal ailments, deliver from troubles, free demons from torment, in every place you call with faith and cry out to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle we see Your holy icon, Mother of God, lit up in the Tikhvin countries by Your grace, enlightening the whole country and drawing many to the light for the salvation of souls. In the same way, we cry out to Thee: Rejoice, who promised to preserve and save all who call upon Thee; Rejoice, you who glorify You, glorifying You. Rejoice, you who bring the prayers of the faithful to Your Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the throne of Your Son and God. Rejoice, Thou who bestowed Thy grace upon Thy venerable icons; Rejoice, having illuminated the entire universe with the rays of Your grace. Rejoice, Most Honest Cherub and Most Glorious Seraphim; Rejoice, all highest creatures. Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and earth; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son. Rejoice, speedy intercession of the entire Christian race; Rejoice, firm hope for all the faithful. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 12
Thy grace willingly gave a new sign, the city of Peter the Great opened a source of miracles, if, Mother of God, in Thy icon, so that the believers will come to their senses, the toiling and mourning will find refuge and intercession, and those who glorify the Lord who bestowed such, call Her: Hallelujah.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and the mercies revealed to our race, we touchingly fall to Your most pure image, Lady, and kissingly, with fear and love we pray to You: guide us on the path of salvation, so that we may be worthy of Your merciful intercession, always be the Intercessor and Intercessor for us, crying Ti: Rejoice, affirmation and protection of the faithful; Rejoice, admonition and enlightenment of the infidels. Rejoice, you who are desperate for hope; Rejoice, salvation of sinners. Rejoice, consolation of the sad; Rejoice, healing of the sick. Rejoice, protection of widows and orphans; Rejoice, refuge for the offended. Rejoice, strengthening of kings; Rejoice, fertilizer of the saints. Rejoice, praise be given to the virgins; Rejoice, joy to all the pious. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before the Lord, Intercessor.
Kontakion 13
O All-Sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints of the Most Holy Word, give us protection and protection in this life from the visible and invisible enemy, from trouble and sorrow, save us from temptation and the fall, and in the future life, at the judgment of Thy Son and our Lord, being the Intercessor and the Intercessor, delivering us from eternal condemnation, and salvation through You, with the face of an angel crying out to the Lord: Hallelujah.
The Almighty is forever in our hearts and souls!
What a Christian Should Remember
There are words of Holy Scripture and prayers that it is advisable to know by heart.
1. The Lord's Prayer “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). 2. The main commandments of the Old Testament (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). 3. The main gospel commandments (Matt. 5, 3-12; Matt. 5, 21-48; Matt. 6, 1; Matt. 6, 3; Matt. 6, 6; Matt. 6, 14-21; Matt. 6, 24-25; Matthew 7, 1-5; Matthew 23, 8-12; John 13, 34). 4.Symbol of Faith. 5. Morning prayers and evening prayers according to a short prayer book. 6. The number and meaning of the sacraments.
The sacraments must not be mixed with rituals. A ritual is any outward sign of reverence that expresses our faith. A sacrament is a sacred act during which the Church calls on the Holy Spirit, and His grace descends on the believers. There are seven such sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Communion (Eucharist), Repentance (Confession), Marriage (Wedding), Blessing of Anointing (Unction), Priesthood (Ordination) ...
(celebration 26 June/9 July)
KONDAC 1
To the chosen Voivode, our Lady Theotokos, let us sing a song of thanksgiving about the appearance of Her wondrous icon, to which those who flow continually are delivered from enemies visible and invisible. But You, Lady of Heaven and earth, as a merciful Mother, now accept this little prayer of ours and never fail to grant us Your mercy and intercession, protecting us from all troubles and misfortunes, calling to You: Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God Intercessor. Ikos 1
The faces of angels jubilantly serve You, Lady, and in reverence for You, who carried the Creator of visible and invisible creatures into Your hand, they carry Your icon from place to place. We, earthly beings, marveling at the wondrous appearance of Thy icon, carried by the Angels, cry out to Ty: Rejoice, highest of all heavenly powers; Rejoice, surpassing all ranks of angels. Rejoice, most honorable Cherub; Rejoice, most glorious without comparison Seraphim. Rejoice, joy of the Angels; Rejoice, praise of the heavenly faces. Rejoice, sung by the Angels; Rejoice, glorified by the Seraphim. Rejoice, worshiped by the Archangel; Rejoice, honored by the armies of heaven. Rejoice, honored by the Angel in Your icon; Rejoice, carried in Your visible image by invisible forces. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 2
Seeing the fisherman over the abyss of water, carried by invisible power and light like the sun, Your shining icon, Mother of God, with the Eternal Child, who called the fishermen to catch the world in the net of salvation, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The misunderstood mind of the wondrous appearance of Your icon led people to understand, as if the most honorable icon, revered in Constantinople, was given as an inheritance to the Russian family. Likewise, we, giving thanks for Your mercy to our family, cry out to You: Rejoice, Mother of true life; Rejoice, having healed Eve’s disobedience through Your obedience. Rejoice, you who opened the closed Eden; Rejoice, thou who hast revealed to the world the Crusher of the head of the serpent. Rejoice, O ark, who bore the pacifier of the world; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the drowning of sin. Rejoice, God brought down the ladder; Rejoice, you who raise the earthly to heaven. Rejoice, sea, which drowned the mental Pharaoh; Rejoice, bush, not scorched by the fire of the Divine indwelling You. Rejoice, tablet written by God; Rejoice, stone, who poured out the water of life to the thirsty. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 3
The power of the Most High overshadowed the country of Tikhvin, always the icon of the Most Pure Mother of God, often appearing and sanctifying the land for a temporary stay, stirring up the erection of churches of saints, so that the name of the Lady may be glorified for the glory of the Trinitarian God, to whom we cry: Alleluia.
IkosZ
Having the good will, may the people of the Tikhvin country long for Your presence with them, may they remember Your protection, You have shown Your icon in many parts, until You have indicated God’s chosen place of its residence. In the same way, we cry out to Ti: Rejoice, tabernacle, in which the physical Divinity dwells; Rejoice, Holy of Holies, in the one below the eternal Hierarch. Rejoice, thou art gilded by the Spirit, who bore the Lawgiver; Rejoice, lamp kindled by the Divine fire. Rejoice, you who bore the manna of the life of Christ; Rejoice, table, containing animal bread. Rejoice, censer, possessing the coal of the Divine, making the whole world fragrant; Rejoice, the rod that has vegetated Christ. Rejoice, pillar, leading to an eternal inheritance; Rejoice, cloud, covering from enemies visible and invisible. Rejoice, land of promise; Rejoice, fleece, for Christ is worthless, like rain descended from heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 4
Eagerly to quench the storm of confusion and sorrow, faithful people cry out to the Lord: show us the divine gift that you sent to the philanthropic country of Russia, do not hide the treasures with which we hope to enrich our spiritual poverty, transform our sadness into joy, wipe away tears and sobs. And having achieved what she wanted, she cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the joyful discovery of the shepherd of his flock and the Mother of the Chief Shepherd who fell in the Tikhvin countries, he builds a temple in honor of the newly appeared icon of Her, and establishes presbyters, and glorifying the Mother of God, they cry out to Her: Rejoice, Daughter, who inclined her ear to the voice of the Heavenly Father; Rejoice, for the ancestral lamentation was destroyed by Your Nativity. Rejoice, Bride, who the Heavenly King desired for kindness; Rejoice, Queen, who has appeared at the right hand of the King. Rejoice, adorned with golden robes and possessing all the glory within; Rejoice, leading many into the palace of the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, apple, whose fragrance is smelled by the whole world; Rejoice, crystal of purity, shining with brilliance. Rejoice, fragrant myrrh, poured out to the whole world; Rejoice, royal purple, flesh of the Creator of all, from Your virgin blood. Rejoice, living, sealed fountain, who brought forth the water of life; Rejoice, mental grape, increased Divine bunch. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 5
Thy God-bearing star has appeared, O Mother of God, flowing around the entire country of Tikhvin, and illuminating those who are in the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge of God, illuminating those who mourn with joy, and instructing those who go astray on the path of doing the commandments of Thy Son and God, to Him we cry out in gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing George on a treasure of wood, a seated Woman, holding a scarlet rod in her hands and shining with an indescribable light, standing before her, the wondrous saint conversed, recognizing Thee through the fragrance of grace, the Mother of God, who received the sensual form and St. Nicholas standing before You, and cried out with trepidation: Rejoice, O house, which the Wisdom of God created for Himself to infuse; Rejoice, O Virgin, who gave birth to Emmanuel. Rejoice, rod of Jesse, from the worthless flower of Christ God; Rejoice, Unmarried Bride, who by the overshadowing of the Spirit conceived a Son. Rejoice, O witch, in whom the Word of the Father was written with the finger of the Father; Rejoice, sealed book of virginity, given to Joseph for safekeeping. Rejoice, mystical mite, who received the coal of the Divine in her belly; Rejoice, exalted throne, on which Christ is seated in flesh. Rejoice, light cloud, on which the Lord of glory came; Rejoice, gates closed, in the image of Christ alone I passed through. Rejoice, uncut mountain, from which the cornerstone was cut off, O Christ; Rejoice, fiery cave, who unburntly received the fire of the Divine. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 6
Preacher of the visible presence of Your stay in the country of Tikhvins and the wondrous providence about it, the pious George proclaimed Your appearance and Your will to the people, and those who disobeyed miracles are admonished to glorify Thee, the Lady, and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You deigned to shine forth the light of the knowledge of God with the appearance of Your icon, and You deigned to desire the light of monastic life, O Mother of God, at the place of the appearance of Your icon, so that the faces of the monks cry out to You incessantly: Rejoice, O fruitless vegetation of the barren root; Rejoice, dedicated to God from infancy. Rejoice, you who were raised in the holy temple; Rejoice, ignorant of God. Rejoice, adorned with all virtues; Rejoice, luminous chamber, prepared for the Lady. Rejoice, purified by the grace of God; Rejoice, from the beginning of the ages you were chosen to be the head of our salvation. Rejoice, Bride of the heavenly Architect, entrusted to the earthly tecton for safekeeping; Rejoice, you who magnified little Nazareth with your presence. Rejoice, praise of the powers above; Rejoice, glory to all earth-born. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 7
For those who want to strive in solitude for the monks Martyrios and Cyril, and to please God through their labors and monastic exploits, you showed the way to the place of the desired feat in a pillar of fire and in a voice. Having recognized Thee as the good Hodegetria traveling with them, they cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new source of miracles in the country to the north has appeared Your icon of Tikhvin, the Most Holy Lady, unapologetically granting healing to all who come with faith: the blind see, the dumb are effusive, the deaf hear, the weakening rises, the demons are freed from the bonds of demons. In the same way, glorifying You, we cry: Rejoice, for the Father’s favor rests on You; Rejoice, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for in You the Son of God has become incarnate, the Savior of the world; Rejoice, Council of the Ineffable Mystery. Rejoice, you who received the gospel from the Angel; Rejoice, you angels, rejoice, you who have brought joy to the whole world. Rejoice, for the Lord is with You; Rejoice, for through You all those born on earth have drawn closer to God. Rejoice, Blessed One among women; Rejoice, you who have bestowed blessings on all wives. Rejoice, Mother who remained a Virgin before and after Christmas; Rejoice, firstfruits of the honor and glory of virginity. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 8
The miracle of the appearance of Your image, Lady, is strange, and unspeakably, it surprises the worldly and horrifies the earthly, and at the same time it enlightens the grace of Christ our God, born of You. It is also strange that the monastery will be defended by enemies who boasted of destroying Your property. For this reason we cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
You are all in the highest, Lady, but You do not abandon those below, protecting Your abode like a wall and a visor, with Your honorable icon. For when there was an enemy invasion, you said that people would take my icon and walk around the walls and see the mercy of God. In the same way, through Your deliverance from the enemy, I cried to You: Rejoice, Mother of Your Creator and Lord; Rejoice, even for the sake of the baby John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth. Rejoice, blessed one from all generations; Rejoice, sublime in humility. Rejoice, thou who bestowed heavenly joy and earthly peace by Thy Birth; Rejoice, O God of the Angels' praise, who received magnification from the shepherds, who received the worship of Your Birth from the Magi. Rejoice, Thou who nourished the one above with milk and the one below with Thy Nourishing grace; Rejoice, you who wrapped in swaddling clothes the one who dresses with light like a robe. Rejoice, who bore in Your hand the whole world in your hand; Rejoice, you who brought the sacredness of the temple to the temple. Rejoice, blessed by Simeon; Rejoice, glorified by Anna the prophetess. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 9
Of every angelic nature of the purest essence, Lady, the monastery, created for the sake of Your coming, the icon was created from the uncleanness of sin, which was near destruction, but was cleansed by repentance, like a general Prayer Book for the Christian race, You delivered from enemies, in the likeness of unclean animals, undermining those who worked. Let us also cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The branches of multi-prophecy will be able to sing according to their heritage many of Your miracles, Lady, and the secrets of Your structure for the salvation of people: through goodness, and through visiting punishments, you guide people on the path of salvation. Having preserved the previously invincible monastery from visible enemies, You deigned to cleanse the invisible enemy from the wounds of the invisible enemy with fiery cleansing, admonishing that purity, abstinence and heartfelt prayers are more pleasing to You than the praise of a single mouth. We also cry out to You: Rejoice, O thou who sanctified Egypt by Thy coming; Rejoice, thou who glorified the country of Galilee by Thy presence. Rejoice, thou who sought Thy Son throughout all Jerusalem, Whom Thy soul loved; Rejoice, you who found Him in His Father's house. Rejoice, you who composed all the words about Your Son in Your heart; Rejoice, having known God in Your Son before all others. Rejoice, thou who served Thy Son in His earthly life; Rejoice, you who suffered through His suffering. Rejoice, having received the adoption of John the Apostle and all believers at the Cross of Your Son; Rejoice, you who motherly loved those redeemed by His blood. Rejoice, Thou who was the first to understand the mystery of the resurrection of Thy Son; Rejoice, thou who enjoyed much joy in the ascension of Thy Son into heaven. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 10
Those who want to save many people from the sorrows and illnesses that beset them and strengthen their faith in Thy all-powerful intercession, O Lady, in many cities, monasteries, villages of the Orthodox country, Thou hast granted the power of miracles through the image of Thy honorable icon, so that seeing the mercy shown by Thy, they cry out to God with tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O Lady, to the Orthodox army, under the sign of Thy icon, against the twenty tongues of the warriors, preserving them from the arrows of the enemy. Be the same wall and protection from all enemies, visible and invisible, for us, who fall to Thy most honorable icon with faith and love and cry out to Thee: Rejoice, consolation to the faithful after the Ascension of Thy Son; Rejoice, Teacher and Helper of the Apostle. Rejoice, gladdened by the announcement of Your departure to God; Rejoice, disciple's face like a cloud for the burial of You who have joined together. Rejoice, received from the earth by the hands of Your Son; Rejoice, escorted by all the angelic authorities. Rejoice, earthly heaven to the sublime settlement of the mountains; Rejoice, throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, thou who hast sanctified the air by Thy ascension; Rejoice, through Thomas you assured your transmigration into heaven with the flesh. Rejoice, you who fulfilled your promise to the disciple’s face to keep it; Rejoice, having given peace to this through Your presence from Your Son and God. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 11
All singing is overcome by diligently meeting the many miracles that ever occur from Thy holy and miraculous icon. Like an ambulance, you heal ailments, deliver from troubles, free demons from torment, in every place calling on You with faith and crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
As a light-receiving candle we see Your holy icon, Mother of God, lit up in the Tikhvin countries by Your grace, enlightening the whole country and drawing many to the light for the salvation of souls. We also cry out to Thee: Rejoice, who promised to preserve and save all who call upon Thee; Rejoice, you who glorify You, glorifying You. Rejoice, thou who bringest the prayers of the faithful to Thy Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the throne of Your Son and God. Rejoice, Thou who bestowed Thy grace upon Thy venerable icons; Rejoice, you who have illuminated the entire universe with the rays of Your grace. Rejoice, most honorable Cherub and most glorious Seraphim; Rejoice, all highest creatures. Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth; Rejoice, for Your prayer can accomplish much before Your Son. Rejoice, the coming of the whole Christian race is imminent; Rejoice, firm hope for all the faithful. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 12
Having desired to give a new sign of Thy grace, Thou hast opened a source of miracles to the city of Peter, O Mother of God, in Thy icon, so that the faithful may come to their senses, those who labor and mourn may find ready refuge and intercession, and glorifying God who has given such, they may cry out to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your miracles and the mercies revealed to us, we touchingly fall to Your most pure image, Lady, and kissingly, with fear and love we pray to You: guide us on the path of salvation, so that we may be worthy of Your merciful intercession, always be the Intercessor and Intercessor for us, crying Ti: Rejoice, affirmation and protection of the faithful; Rejoice, admonition and enlightenment of the unfaithful. Rejoice, desperate hope; Rejoice, salvation of sinners. Rejoice, consolation for the sad; Rejoice, healing of the sick. Rejoice, protection of widows and orphans; Rejoice, refuge for the offended. Rejoice, strengthening of kings; Rejoice, fertilizer for the saints. Rejoice, praise to the virgins; Rejoice, joy to all the pious. Rejoice, Lady, merciful for us before God, Intercessor.
KONDAC 13
O All-Sung Mother, who gave birth to all the saints, the Most Holy Word, be our protection and protection in this life from enemies visible and invisible, from troubles and sorrows, save us from temptations and falls, and in the future life, at the judgment of Thy Son and our God, be the Intercessor and the Intercessor, delivering us from eternal condemnation, so that we may be saved by You, cry out to God from the faces of the angels: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “The faces of the angels...” and the 1st kontakion “To the Chosen Voivode...”.
PRAYER
O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of heaven and earth, our city and country, Omnipresent Intercessor! Accept this singing of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy Thy servants, and lift up our prayers to the throne of God Thy Son, that He may be merciful to our iniquities and add His goodness to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and worship Thy miraculous image with faith and love. You are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless you have propitiated Him for us, Lady, since everything is possible for You from Him. For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and immediate Intercessor: hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection and ask God Your Son to be our shepherd, zeal and vigil for souls, a city ruler for wisdom and strength, judges for truth and impartiality, a mentor for reason and humility, love and harmony for spouses, obedience for children, patience for those who are offended, fear of God for those who are offended, complacency for those who grieve, abstinence for those who rejoice: for all of us is the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth. To her, Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Thy weak people: gather the scattered, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age, raise young children with chastity, and look upon us all with the gaze of Thy merciful intercession, raise us up from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to in the sight of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the Last Judgment of Your Son: those who have ceased in faith and repentance from this life, make our fathers and brothers live in eternal life with the Angels and with all the saints. For you are, Lady, the glory of heaven and the hope of earth, You, according to God, are our Hope and Intercessor of all those who flow to You with faith. We therefore pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we commit ourselves and each other and our whole life, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
