Prayer Seeking the Lost: What they pray for in front of the icon of the Mother of God and strong texts

The meaning of the image “Recovery of the Lost” in Orthodoxy

The modern meaning of the word “seek” differs from the outdated form, which had derivative word formations “seeker” (mind), “seekers” (knowledge of Divine truth). In the name of the image of the Mother of God, “recovery” means “salvation.”

Christian theologians believe that the prototype of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost” appeared in the 6th century. Monk Theophilus succumbed to the devil's instigation and left the path of the righteous. But, realizing his moral fall, he began to tearfully beg the Mother of God to forgive his sins and beg the Lord for this.

The Queen of Heaven showed her mercy to the repentant Christian. In Russia, several icons of the Virgin Mary are known under this name.

Each became famous for miraculous phenomena after a sincere, emotional appeal to the Mother of God:

the rescue of the peasant Obukhov, who was caught in a snowstorm on the road, lost his bearings and froze far from his home (XVII century);
deliverance of residents in the Kharkov region from cholera (XVIII century);
assistance to a Moscow resident who fell into poverty and despair (19th century).

The most famous versions of the icon are in churches and monasteries in Moscow and Serpukhov:

Resurrection of the Word;
Positions of the Robe of the Lord;
Nikolsky;
Vysotsky Monastery.

The image of “Recovery of the Lost” is the last stronghold for those who have lost hope of saving their souls and bodies in tragic circumstances. Turning to the icon gives hope for forgiveness, God's mercy, spiritual and moral rebirth.

Appearance of the Holy Miracle-Working Face

The miraculous icon is currently kept in the Pskov Monastery. The history of the creation of this image is very interesting. Blessed Matrona of Moscow herself gave her blessing to the creation of this unique shrine. According to legend, one day the Saint told Mother that she had a special dream in which she saw the same image. Saint Matrona convinced Mother that the Queen of Heaven herself was asking to come to their monastery. After this, the Blessed One gave a blessing to the believing women and asked them to collect money from all the surrounding villages to create the icon. Legend has it that among all those who gave money for the shrine, there was one man who reluctantly gave a ruble, and his brother threw in a penny for laughter.

When the women believers brought the collected money to Saint Matrona, she sorted through it and took in her hands exactly that ruble and that penny that had been marked by the collectors. This was followed by an instruction to give this money to the people who gave it, so that the pennies would not spoil all the other money.

Soon the required amount was collected. The icon painter was given the order, but before that Matrona explained everything to him in detail and asked whether he was able to draw such an image. The artist agreed, saying that this was a common thing for him.

After this, the Blessed One ordered him to take communion at the Holy Mysteries of Christ and confess. Time passed and the icon painter refused the order, because for some unknown reason he was unable to paint the image. Having listened to his words, Matrona realized that the reason for the refusal was that this person had one unconfessed sin. She told him about this, and the Saint’s insight so impressed the master that he went to confession again. He repented to the priest and, returning, asked Matrona of Moscow for forgiveness.

The blessed one said with confidence that now everything would work out for him, and he would be able to fulfill the church order. A little time passed, and the icon painter painted an image with which Matrona of Moscow did not part until her death. And today the icon is kept next to the relics of the Saint.

The famous icon “Recovery of the Lost” depicts the Mother of God holding a baby with clasped hands. She bowed her head tenderly towards the child. The Son of God stands on the knees of the Most Holy Theotokos, hugs her and gently presses his cheek to his mother, and his legs touchingly peek out from under his clothes.

What is asked for in front of a Christian icon?

The miraculous image is prayed to in cases where:

loved ones are in a war zone and are in danger;
bad habits ruin your husband or children;
doctors make a disappointing diagnosis of injury or cancer to the praying person or relatives;
they wish their daughter or granddaughter to meet a worthy man and marry him;
a “black” streak is coming in financial matters.

Preserved historical information indicates that heartfelt prayer always reaches the Heavenly Patroness. February 18 is the day of celebration of the icon, celebrated in churches where there is a miraculous image.

Other famous images

Miraculous events are associated not only with the above icons, but also with other images of the “Recovery of the Lost.” Thus, the Face, which is kept in the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God in the city of Marienburg, was painted in 1888 by nuns from the Rakovskaya convent.

After the October Revolution, the Holy Image was lost, but was miraculously found in the 50s of the last century. For a long time it was used as a plank on a pedestrian bridge. Then he was placed in the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, after which miracles began to happen. The face began to stream myrrh on the eve of the celebration of the Remembrance Day of this icon in February 1994.

According to the surviving ancient manuscripts, the icon from the Rakovsky Monastery changed its appearance several times: usually it was dark, with barely visible images, but sometimes the image brightened and began to glow from within. Believers considered this to be God's message about upcoming joyful events. The case of the appearance of drops of myrrh on the hands of the Virgin Mary and Jesus is also described. This happened from May to October 1895, that is, in the first months after the consecration of the new Holy Trinity Monastery.

And the miraculous image “Recovery of the Dead” from the village of Malizhina, Kharkov province, which appeared in 1770, saved local residents from cholera three times.

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How to pray to the Mother of God correctly

In tragic situations, one should pray in front of the temple icon. The prayer request must be sincere, sincere, with deep faith in the mercy of the Mother of God. This requires a psychological attitude so that current worries and nervousness remain behind the church gates.

To cleanse the mind and heart from sinful thoughts and actions, one must first observe a three-day fast, confess, and take communion. Light a candle in front of the icon and read a prayer. If the prayer will be read at home, then it is better to do it in the morning, while the family is sleeping, and no one is distracting.

The believer should wash, get dressed, and light a blessed candle in front of the image. First they read the “Our Father”, cross themselves, bow, then turn to the Most Holy Theotokos. The sign of the cross is applied at the beginning and end of the prayer address.

Ikos 2

The mystery of Yours, Mother of God, the intercession of people who are perishing in sorrow, if we wish to understand, we resort to You, O Mother and Virgin.
But You, who are Good, taught us to understand in the protection of Your Good Son the merciful providence for the salvation of our souls and the cleansing of many sins, so we cry out to You joyfully: Rejoice, a quiet refuge for those who are overwhelmed; Rejoice, those who doubt the well-known statement.

Rejoice, One Mother of Mercy; Rejoice, speedy Helper to those in troubles and misfortunes.

Rejoice, you who cleanse our sins with sorrow; Rejoice, you who heal our sorrow and spiritual infirmities.

Rejoice, you who teach us to despise vain joys; Rejoice, you who raise our minds to the higher world.

Rejoice, you who attract us from earthly love to God’s heavenly love; Rejoice, you who give us consolation and grace-filled life in our very sufferings.

Rejoice, promise of eternal blessings; Rejoice, Intercessor of eternal joy.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, Recovery of the lost and Joy of all who mourn.

Strong Orthodox texts before the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Seeking the Lost”

Prayerful appeals to the miraculous image should contain not only requests for help, but also praise and gratitude to the Heavenly Queen.

Prayer

The meaning of the name of the holy image is to grant forgiveness to believers in a critical life situation. Prayer to the icon will help everyone who turns to the Mother of God with faith and hope in her miraculous power. Wives pray for their husbands when bad habits destroy the family or the spouses are in a war zone. Young women ask the Blessed Virgin to help them get married successfully.

Recovery of the dead

O zealous, compassionate intercessor of the Lord Mother!
I come running to You, the accursed one and the most sinful man above all, listen to the voice of my prayer and hear my cry and groaning.
For my iniquities have exceeded my head, and I, like a ship in the abyss, am plunging into the sea of my sins.
But You, All-merciful and Merciful Lady, do not despise me, desperate and perishing in sins, have mercy on me, who repent of my evil deeds, and turn my errant, accursed soul to the right path.
On You, my Lady Theotokos, I place all my hope.
Thou, Mother of God, preserve and keep me under Thy roof, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

About my husband

Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos, Helper of sinners and Seeker of the lost!
Look with Your merciful eye on us standing before Your holy icon and praying to You with tenderness:
raise us from the depths of sin, enlighten our minds, darkened by passions, and heal the ulcers of our souls and bodies.
There are no imams of other help, no imams of other hope, do You, the Lady, weigh all our weaknesses and sins? We resort to You and cry out:
do not forsake us with Your heavenly help, but appear to us ever and with Your ineffable mercy and bounty, save and have mercy on us who are perishing.
Grant us correction of our sinful life and deliver us from sorrows, troubles and illnesses, from vain death, hell and eternal torment.
You, Queen and Lady, are the quick Helper and Intercessor of all those who flow to You, and the strong Refuge of repentant sinners.
Grant us, O Most Blessed and All-Immaculate Virgin, the Christian end of our life to be peaceful and shameless, and grant us, through Your intercession, to dwell in the abodes of Heaven,
where the unceasing voice of those celebrating with joy glorifies the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

About marriage

Oh, Most Holy Lady and Most Holy Theotokos, hear me, Servant of God (proper name), give me consolation and give me hope for a prosperous and joyful life. Only you can I ask for refuge in my sorrow and troubles. You are the only one who, standing at the throne of the Lord, can pray to the Almighty for the forgiveness of all my sins committed through my foolishness. Hear me and save me from death and sorrow. I stand before your Holy Icon and fall in tears to your image, speedy Protector and helper of all people who cry out to you in their grief and sorrow. Amen.

Troparion

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, / who bore the Eternal Child and God in her arms. / Ask Him to give peace to the world / and salvation to our souls. / For the Son speaks to You, the Mother of God, / I For all Your requests will be fulfilled for good./ For this reason and We fall, we pray / and hope in You, so that we do not perish, / we call Your name: / For You are the Lady, // The seeker of the lost.

Troparion

Seek us, who are perishing, O Most Holy Virgin, / not because of our sin, punish us, / but because of your love for mankind, / deliver us from hell, illness and need, / and save us.

Canon

Song 1

Irmos: I will open my mouth and be filled with the Spirit, and I will vomit the word to the Queen Mother, and I will appear, brightly triumphant, and I will sing, rejoicing, Those miracles.

Have mercy on us, sinners, perishing, Most Holy Theotokos, but instead of sorrow, give us joy, so that we sing praise to You, All-Holy Lady.

Calm the ferocity of our souls, before many sorrows and sorrows attack us, sinners, so that we do not perish in evil and damnation.

You are our strength and affirmation and protection from enemies, and for this sake we are not afraid of the enemy’s slander, but we sing and praise You evermore, O All-Glorious One.

Many misfortunes, troubles, and sorrows have come upon us and burdened us, and with all our hearts we pray to Thee, crying out: deliver, O Mother of God, from the evils that beset us and fill us with joy.

Song 3

Irmos: Thy hymns, O Theotokos, living and unenvious source, spiritually establish the face of thyself, and grant crowns of glory in Thy Divine glory.

You are a warm Representative and a firm intercessor, deliver us, All-Holy One, from the misfortunes that have come upon us, for You, Lady, correct the fallen.

Deliver us, O Most Pure One, from misfortunes, and troubles, and spiritual darkness, and despondency, drive away all passions from us, O Pure One, so that we may glorify Thee forever.

We flow to You, Most Pure One, do not despise our illness and sighing, but look at us who are in sorrow, and turn this sorrow of ours into joy, O Blessed One.

See, O Lady, our misfortune and sorrow, as in those the crafty enemy strives to devour us, but You, Most Pure One, thwart his evil cunning, and, having been delivered, we glorify You, the firm Intercessor for us who are perishing in our sins.

Sedalen, voice 2

Warm prayer and an insurmountable wall, source of mercy, refuge of the world, we diligently cry out to Thee: Mother of God, Lady, advance and deliver us from troubles, One who will soon appear.

Song 4

Irmos: Seated in glory on the Throne of the Divine in a light cloud, the Divine Jesus came with an Imperishable Hand and called to salvation: glory, O Christ, to Thy power.

You are, Most Pure Virgin, our indestructible hope and affirmation, and liberation from severe troubles, and consolation from sadness, and enlightenment of our souls, and an unshakable pillar in our hope.

In these sorrows, be sweet consolation, and in troubles, a quick Helper, and in prayers, the Representative, You, the Mother of God, having acquired, we are delivered from all troubles and are guided to salvation by You.

You are, Most Pure Virgin, a refuge for those in trouble, you help the weak, you correct sinners and guide them to salvation, as you are the Mother of God.

Judge those who offend, and overcome those who fight us, and deliver us, the condemned, from vain insult, for You have given birth to the Righteous Judge, the All-Immaculate One, who wants to judge everyone according to his deeds.

Song 5

Irmos: Everyone was terrified of Your Divine glory: You, the Unmade Virgin, had God in your womb above all and gave birth to the Lifeless Son, giving peace to all who sing Your praises.

Bow down to the prayers of Your servants, Lady, and do not hesitate to deliver us from all the sorrows and troubles that will support us, drive away visible and invisible enemies from us, so that we will not perish evilly, cursed.

In adversity and sorrow, You mercifully protect those who come running under Your roof; Accept, O Most Pure One, our small prayer from a sad heart, so that we may not perish evilly in despair.

With your merciful and gentle eye, Mother of God, and with Your mercy, look upon us, the unworthy, and free us from the current adversity, calling upon You for help, O All-Pure One.

The primordial Adam and Eve were delivered from tears by You, Lady, and with them we who fall and pray to You, deliver tears, sorrows and sorrows and give us useful consolation about God, our Savior.

Song 6

Irmos: This divine and all-honorable celebration, O God of Wisdom, Mother of God, come, let us clasp our hands, glorifying the God who was born from Her.

Hear the sad cry of Your servants, demanding Your help, O Mother of God, for You are our hope, trying to turn our sorrow into joy.

Deliver us, O Lady, from the tongue of flattery and from the unrighteous man, for all that You can, as the Mother of the Creator of our existence.

We are You, God-Blessed, speedy recovery of the lost, for us, the weak, strength and affirmation; We call You with spirit, lips and heart: from adversity and sorrow, free us, Lady, who come running to You.

Deliver us from misfortunes and troubles, Bride of God, for God has arranged for you to save and intercede our Intercessor, for this sake for us, unworthy, intercede for deliverance from sorrow.

Kontakion, tone 6

The intercession of Christians is shameless, the intercession to the Creator is immutable, do not despise the voices of sinful prayers, but advance, as the Good One, to the aid of us who faithfully call Thee: hasten to prayer and strive to supplicate, ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee.

In kontakion, voice the same

There are no other imams of help, no other imams of hope, unless You, Most Pure Virgin, help us, we rely on You and boast in You: for we are Your servants, let us not be ashamed.

Song 7

Irmos: Having not served the creation of God’s wisdom more than the Creator, but, having bravely overcome the fiery rebuke, I rejoice, singing: O Lord and God of the fathers, blessed art thou.

Thou art, Most Pure Virgin, our Patroness and the unceasing joy of our souls, do not despise us, obsessed with fierce misfortune and inconsolable sadness, but intercede and have mercy on Thy servants.

Thou art our strength, Most Pure Lady, and consolation in those who have found unexpected sorrows, and for this sake we, Thy unworthy servants, confidently cry out to Thee: have mercy on us, the fallen.

Heal spiritual ulcers, Lady, and intercede for us, Your servants, deliver us from the destructive network of the evil one, save us from all fall and corruption, Most Blessed One.

Destroy the advice of the unrighteous, which is sophisticated against us, for we are imams of no other help, except for You, Pure One, and we resort to You: do not let us perish, for all things are possible for You.

Song 8

Irmos: The pious youths in the cave saved the Nativity of the Theotokos; Then what is formed, now in action, raises up the entire universe to sing to You: Sing to the Lord’s deeds and exalt Him to all ages.

Keep our souls under Thy roof, Most Blessed Mother of God, and deliver us from the various troubles and sorrows that befall us, so that our enemy may not rejoice over our destruction, but let us glorify Thee, the Mother of God, forever.

We are afraid of seeking human help, and have come running to You, All-Immaculate One, You are the Guardian of Christians; today we come to the protection, hoping for the mercy of Your compassion; Motherly have mercy on us, may we glorify Thee forever.

You are, Most Pure Virgin, enlightenment and deliverance, You are our all-joyful Helper and the indestructible wall, our glory and praise, All-immaculate, may we glorify You forever.

We place all the hope of our salvation in Thee, Unfathomable Mother of God, and we call upon Thee for help: save us from this sorrow and misfortune and deliver us from all sorrows, so that we glorify Thee forever.

Song 9

Irmos: Let every earth-born leap, we are enlightened by the Spirit, let the nature of the bodiless minds triumph, honoring the sacred triumph of the Mother of God, and let it cry out: Rejoice, All-Blessed Mother of God, Pure Ever-Virgin.

Our strength is weakened, as if it were weaker, from sadness, and we are approaching hell; from the language of the soul-destroying, Mother of God, by Your intercession and from the sorrows that hold us with your hand, Mother, deliver us, so that we glorify You, Pure Ever-Virgin. (Twice.)

All-immaculate Youth, strong Helper to all the faithful, and the hope of Christians, be for us also a constant Prayer Book to Your Son and God for liberation from this misfortune that has come upon us, and let us cry out to You: Rejoice, Pure Ever-Virgin.

You are our fortress, refuge and invincible wall, You are the Prayer Book warm to God, free from all misfortunes and misfortunes, One Blessed One, let us cry out to You: Rejoice, Blessed Mother of God, Ever-Virgin!

Akathist

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, the Queen of heaven and earth, who gave us the most wonderful icon of the Seeking One, we offer thanksgiving singing. But You, as a gracious Mother, do not reject our prayer, but have the good will to accept it, and grant us the opportunity to cry out to You like this:

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Ikos 1

Saint Anna heard the angelic voice and said: conceive and give birth to the Daughter, blessed Mary, through her the whole tribe of the earth will be blessed and salvation will come to the whole world; We, who know this, will cry out to the Mother of God:

Rejoice, Mother of the Son of God; Rejoice, most immaculate Virgin.

Rejoice, Thou who gave birth to the Savior of our souls; Rejoice, uncontainable container.

Rejoice, good will towards mortals; Rejoice, mortals have boldness towards God.

Rejoice, most honest cherub; Rejoice, most glorious seraphim without comparison.

Rejoice, trampling on hell and death; Rejoice, gift of eternal life.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 2

Having seen Your holy parents Joachim and Anna, as You are, the Most Pure One, the blessed fruit, they gave thanks to God, and before the doors of the temple they made a vow to dedicate You to the Lord, singing to Him: Hallelu ia.

Ikos 2

You have acquired perfect intelligence, O Mother of God, having been brought up in the Holy of Holies, so do not cease to make wise and enlighten with the light of God’s understanding all Christians who cry out to You like this:

Rejoice, you who lead to the knowledge of God; Rejoice, you who turn the deceived to the light of truth.

Rejoice, instilling the fear of God in hearts; Rejoice, you who teach us to revere the holy thing.

Rejoice, inspiring zeal for salvation; Rejoice, thou who inspirest to honor the temples of God.

Rejoice, you can find inspiring joy in them; Rejoice, thou who arouse the thirst for Holy Communion.

Rejoice, igniting faith and love for God; Rejoice, champion of purity and chastity.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 3

The Power of the Most High Autumn of You, O Gracious One, when the Archangel Gabriel brought the gospel of the seedless conception from You of the Son of God the Savior to the world; But you, having received this good news with humility, as a servant of the Lord, cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having in the womb of Christ the Giver of Life, You rose up, O Blessed One, to Your little wife, the righteous Elizabeth, and kissed both mothers, rejoicing in God our Savior. For this reason, as to the source of holy joy, we cry out to You:

Rejoice, you who make our hard life easier; Rejoice, you who drive away cruel troubles and misfortunes.

Rejoice, you who save us from mental anguish and despondency; Rejoice, you who show God's trials for good.

Rejoice, you who give consolation in the midst of suffering; Rejoice, for through You our good desire is fulfilled.

Rejoice, for through You our evil undertakings are stopped; Rejoice, Thy Mother of Fire warming the love of the souls of the faithful.

Rejoice, thou who illuminatest us with the grace of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, gracious Mother of all who mourn and are oppressed.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 4

A storm of bewilderment confuses my mind, how can I praise You with unworthy lips, Most Holy Virgin, for Your great help to us; Moreover, magnified by Your innumerable mercies, I humbly sing to the Almighty God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing in Bethlehem the shepherd of angels singing the Nativity of Christ, he flowed to the cave, finding there the Mother of God holding the Eternal Child in her arms. With them in spiritual joy we also offer you, as a common Mother, the following verb:

Rejoice, education of infants; Rejoice, O youth of the giver of meaning.

Rejoice, greatness of good deeds; Rejoice, you who enrich mature men with wisdom.

Rejoice, thou who endows life with humility and meekness; Rejoice, sweet tranquility to the reverent elders.

Rejoice, quiet refuge of the kind-loving elders; Rejoice, establishment of honest marriages.

Rejoice, blessing upon pious families; Rejoice, praise and exaltation of virginity.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 5

You are a God-rich star, O Queen of Heaven, to all who come running under Your omnipotent roof and continually cry out to God with tender hearts: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the righteous Simeon come with the Baby Jesus in the temple, he presented himself to the Lord, saying: A weapon will pierce your very soul, foreseeing your maternal suffering for your Son, God. ́stvenem. For this reason we call Ti:

Rejoice, encouragement to the ridiculed servants of God; Rejoice, you who stand for the defense of truth.

Rejoice, you who delight the patient sufferers with the anticipation of bliss in heaven; Rejoice, hearts of evil people, hostile, softening.

Rejoice, thou who destroyest evil counsel and their deceit; Rejoice, you who protect us from robbers along the way.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 6

Preachers of Your grace-filled help, all the multitude of those saved by You are: the suffering, the sick, the grieving and those burdened with sin, who cry out to God with gratitude for You: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The divine light appeared in Egypt and the idols fell there, when you fled, the Most Pure One, with the Infant Jesus, fleeing from the murder of Herod; For You, illuminating the minds of all the retreating delights of the vanity world with the light of God, plucking from their souls the idols of the destructive passions nesting there, we also extol You with these words:

Rejoice, admonishment for those who doubt their faith; Rejoice, you who are proud to bring humility to your minds.

Rejoice, taming those embittered and scorched by anger; Rejoice, reconciliation of those who grumble at God’s providence with the hardships of life.

Rejoice, you who guide those who are lost on the path of salvation; Rejoice, shame on the superstitious and fortune tellers.

Rejoice, reproof of the corrupt and wicked; Rejoice, for you have cast down the harmful teachings.

Rejoice, for you help us to know the truth; Rejoice, for you dispel the darkness of blasphemy, blasphemy and all lies.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 7

Although you were no longer separated from the Savior of the world born by You, You, the God-blessed One, remained with Him inseparably in the city of Nazareth, raising children and feeding Him as a Man, and singing in the heart To our own, as to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Showing a new motherly love for Your Son, with sorrow you sought Him, the youth of two decades, in the city of Jerusalem on the holiday of Easter, imagining Him to be in the army. Leading this is Your compassion, with tenderness we cry out to You:

Rejoice, you who lift up the offended and distressed; Rejoice, you who crown those hated and rejected by all with honor.

Rejoice, garment of the poor and naked; Rejoice, food for the poor and ruined.

Rejoice, charity for the homeless, the strange, widows and orphans; Rejoice, those who travel will return safely to home.

Rejoice, you have brought those who are lost on their way to their home; Rejoice, renewing the minds of foolish children.

Rejoice, you who do not abandon your help to the minds and morals of ordinary people; Rejoice, joy for those who trust in the will of God.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 8

Your strange and wonderful care was for Christians on all the paths of their life, many rebellious and difficult ones; Having in You only a merciful and unenvious helper, all Your blessings loudly sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You were all with Christ, always serving the human race, as the divine Luke narrates. For I came to Thy Son, saying: Thy Mother and Thy brethren stand outside, wanting to see Thee. We imagine that You, O all-merciful Mother, constantly remain with all those who work for the glory of God and those who praise You like this:

Rejoice, teaching those in power to the triumph of goodness; Rejoice, you who demonstrate the rule of faith and piety to the saints.

Rejoice, you who supply shepherds with zeal for the salvation of the souls of their spiritual children; Rejoice, master of perfect understanding.

Rejoice, progress in science for those who study; Rejoice, helping monks and nuns in the fight against the world and the flesh.

Rejoice, judge of the holy mirror of truth; Rejoice, skillful physician in healing the sick.

Rejoice, co-worker of the farmers and good helper; Rejoice, peace and safe haven for all who labor.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 9

Every age of the faithful benefits from Your care, all-merciful Mother, as those who always resort to You provide soul-helping gifts that are needed in life, and You earnestly intercede for us, the weak and the sinful. standing at the throne of the Lord of glory, to Him we sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The vitiations of many things cannot express Your motherly sorrow, which was at the cross of Your Son, when You saw Him suffering for all men with unspeakable torments; Moreover, as if we were tempted in all sorts of ways, help us to endure the most difficult sorrows and hardships. For this reason we call upon You:

Rejoice, sight for the blind; Rejoice to the deaf who hear.

Rejoice, lame walker; Rejoice, healing of those who are weakened by the body.

Rejoice, health to the sick; Rejoice, deliverance from colds from demons.

Rejoice, enlightenment of those damaged by the mind; Rejoice, thou who receivest the incurable sick into thy all-powerful hand.

Rejoice, you who do not reject the prayers of desperate sinners; Rejoice, you who snatch them away from their destructive lack of will.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 10

Although the Lord, who was on the cross, saved the world from all others, he gave to the whole world the most holy, most merciful Mother, who always spoke to the most immaculate and beloved disciple: Woman, behold your son, and: Behold your mother. Thanks to the all-good God for this, the verb to Him is: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

The strong wall appeared to you according to the covenant of the Lord, O Blessed One, giving to all prosperity, peace, consolation, joy, as you yourself received from the risen Christ the Savior, having heard from Him greeting voice:

Rejoice, for all your family pleases You; Rejoice, thou who tames all hatred and malice.

Rejoice, instilling peace about the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the faithful; Rejoice, destroyer of slander, jealousy and rancor.

Rejoice, you who suffer from brotherly love; Rejoice, protector from famine, cold, cowardice, flood, fire, and sword.

Rejoice, you who feed the faithful with their daily bread; Rejoice, you who stop the deadly plague.

Rejoice, quenching the righteous wrath of God; Rejoice, haste of righteous deeds.

Rejoice, there is providence on all the paths of life for Christians; Rejoice, you who console parents with the good behavior of their children.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 11

Our humble singing, offered to You out of the fullness of love and zeal, do not despise, O Bride of God, and do not turn away from us, sinners and unworthy, but help us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, so that it may be possible Let us sing to God worthily and righteously: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You appeared as a guiding light as an apostle, Mother of God, after the ascension of Your Son into heaven; Therefore, O All-Singing One, do not deprive everyone of this light, even those who have remained to this day and want to be saved and come to the understanding of the truth. By Your holy guidance, save us, in the sea of life, overwhelmed by worries, but from the heart we bring You the following praises:

Rejoice, thou who burnest up unclean thoughts; Rejoice, you who drive away temptations and temptations from us.

Rejoice, you who strive for repentance and correction of our lives; Rejoice, you who wash away the abyss of our iniquities with tears of contrition.

Rejoice, you who help us to remain spiritually awake; Rejoice, you who lead the faithful to sobriety and prayer.

Rejoice, you who prepare the bliss of the spirit for those; Rejoice, clear strengthening of the ascetics of piety.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

Kontakion 12

Ask us for divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand, so that we do not perish in sins and cruel circumstances that come upon us from enemies visible and invisible; Pacify our hearts, filled with malice and enmity, and be comforted by You, we joyfully call to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your honorable dormition, we glorify Your holy protection, spread over the whole world, especially the Christian race, which glorifies You in this way:

Rejoice, you who prepare us through repentance for the departure from this life; Rejoice, you who cleanse us from sins through illness.

Rejoice, for you have saved the faithful from vain death; Rejoice, for you have granted the last parting advice to those worthy.

Rejoice, you who remove mortal fear from those; Rejoice, you who send speedy release of the soul from the body in the throes of death to those who are in the throes of death.

Rejoice, granter of the peaceful end of our lives; Rejoice, deliverer of bitter ordeals.

Rejoice, you who do not deprive us of Christian burial; Rejoice, to the Lord, Your Son, who stands for us.

Rejoice, you who remain with us both in life and in death; Rejoice, our joy, who opens the doors of heaven to us.

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, all-merciful Mother, seeking the lost.

History of especially revered lists in Russia

At least 6 miraculous icons called “Seeking the Lost” are known. Many of these images were lost after the 1917 revolution.

“Take it!”

The history of the image from the village of Bor, Kaluga province (now it is the village of Zhukovsky district, Kaluga region) is amazing. It was written in the 1st half. XVIII century according to the vow of the peasant Fedot Obukhov. While traveling on trade business, a peasant lost his way during a snowstorm. Freezing, Fedot prayed to the Mother of God, promising to order an icon for the local church. Suddenly the sleigh strangely appeared near a village, one of whose residents suddenly heard a stern voice commanding: “Take it!” Subsequently, the image became famous for many miracles, so that in 1798 a stone temple was erected for the shrine with the money of pilgrims. After the revolution, the icon was lost.

On February 4, 1985, the list of the Bor Icon was transferred to the Church of the Resurrection in Tarusa by donors who wished to remain anonymous. The image remains here to this day.

Family Rescue

Residents of the capital are well aware of the icon of the Church of the Resurrection of the Word on the Assumption Vrazhek. The image of the Italian letter was donated to the church around 1802 by a Moscow nobleman. Having become bankrupt and widowed, the father of three daughters was close to the sin of suicide, but through prayer to the Most Pure One he was stopped from committing an irreparable act. The family's life soon improved. Considering himself unworthy to keep the miraculous shrine at home, he gave it to the temple. After the revolution, the shrine moved from temple to temple more than once, but was saved from desecration. Nowadays a prayer service with an akathist is served before her every week.

The priest of the temple, Archpriest George, says:

“People ask Her all the time for help. Brides especially ask her when they get married, so that the marriage will be salutary and prosperous. People come who are mired in drunkenness, perishing in poverty and suffering from illness. And the Most Holy Theotokos provides Her help and support to everyone.”

Volga shrine

This image has become widely known since the 1860s, although the icon itself is much older. It is known that she was a family member of the boyar family of the Kadyshevs. Family legend tells that she was found sailing to Saratov along the Volga back in 1666. The miraculous nature of the image was immediately revealed by the healing of the governor Katyshev himself from illness, as well as by the exposure of thieves who stole church property. Priest Peter Albitsky in the history of the miraculous image (1896) writes about it this way:

“The people suspected of theft denied their guilt for a long time. The governor, who himself received healing from St. icons, hoped that the Mother of God would reveal those responsible for the sacrilege. He ordered the suspects to pray before St. icon and then kiss it as proof of his innocence. When the first of the shameless thieves of church property made two bows before St. icon and dared to kiss this shrine, when he was immediately punished by the Mother of God with a blow to the forehead. The criminal, punished by the Mother of God, fell to the floor and, barely breathing, immediately admitted his guilt. His comrades in crime, seeing what had happened, also confessed to their guilt.”

From the middle of the 19th century. The image became the main shrine of the Trinity Convent for women, built by A.I. Kadysheva, who took the family shrine here. Miracles from the image continued to happen. Monastic documents of the 19th century. they talk about miraculous changes in the appearance of the icon - sometimes the faces on it were barely visible, and sometimes they brightened up by themselves. More than once the outflow of the world occurred from the image.

Throughout the Soviet years, the great shrine was kept from destruction by believers. Nowadays it is located in the Intercession Cathedral of Samara. She has several lists that are also considered miraculous.

"Joy to all who mourn"

How much comfort is contained in the very name of this icon - awakening, strengthening people’s faith in the Mother of God, as in a wondrous Intercessor, who hurries wherever the groan of human suffering is heard, wipes away the tears of those who cry and in the very grief gives moments of consolation and heavenly joy. Rejoice forever, O heavenly Joy of those who mourn!

Due to people’s faith in the mercy of the Mother of God for the human race, the custom began to depict the Mother of God in accordance with what is heard in the words of the prayer to Her: “Oh, Most Holy Lady Lady Theotokos, you are the highest of all angels and archangels and the most honorable of all creatures. You are a helper to the offended, a hope to those without hope, a helper to the poor, a consolation to the sad, a nurse to the hungry, a garment to the naked, healing to the sick, salvation to sinners, help and intercession to all Christians.” That’s why the Mother of God is painted in full height, sometimes with the Child in her arms (as in the Moscow prototype), sometimes without the Child (as in the icon with coins that recently became famous in St. Petersburg, near the Glass Factory), surrounded by various kinds of distressed people - naked, offended, hungry. Near these distressed people, angels are often depicted, sent by the Lady to quench human suffering; angels, approaching people, point them to the Mother of God, who is written on the icons “Joy of All Who Sorrow” either in glory, with a crown on her head and in a royal robe, or in the usual attire of Her earthly days and in a white robe on her head.

In Moscow in the 17th century, one icon of the Mother of God of this name became famous. The first miracle from her occurred in 1648 over the sick Euphemia, the sister of Patriarch Joachim, who lived on Ordynka. She suffered severely from a wound in her side. The wound was so large that the insides were visible. The patient was waiting for death, but at the same time did not lose hope for Divine help. One day, having asked to commune her with the Holy Mysteries, she began to cry out to the Most Holy Theotokos with great faith:

- Hear me, All-Merciful Lady! The whole world boasts of You; and everyone accepts Your abundant mercies. I am worthy of punishment for my iniquities, but do not punish me with Your wrath. Look upon my fierce weakness and have mercy on me.

After this prayer the sick man heard a voice:

- Euphemia, why don’t you resort to the common Healer of all in your suffering?

- Where can I find such a Healer? - answered Euphemia, amazed at her voice.

And there was an answer:

— In the Church of the Transfiguration of My Son there is an image of Myself called “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” He stands on the left side of the meal, where women usually stand. Call a priest with this image from this church to you, and when he serves a prayer service with the blessing of water, you will receive healing.

Do not then forget My mercy towards you and confess it to the glorification of My name.

When Euphemia recovered from the excitement this phenomenon had caused her, and learned from her relatives that, indeed, in the Church of the Transfiguration, on Ordynka, there was an icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” she called the priest with the icon to her house. After performing the water blessing service, Euphemia was healed, and on October 24, a holiday was established in honor of this icon in memory of the healing that took place on that day.

Prayer service

Often people do not know in what cases a prayer is said in front of the icon “Seeking the Lost.”

In the pre-war period, loved ones and relatives of military personnel turned to the Holy Face. We appeal to all those who have lost hope for the best, who have become lost in the cycle of life.

The sacred prayer book is also used for healing. A huge number of people seek help in overcoming illnesses. Often during times of epidemics, for eye ailments, and frequent headaches, the text was used. Also, a prayer service can help unmarried girls find their happiness. If we are talking about married couples, then prayer will help them gain more patience and worldly wisdom, which will help avoid quarrels.

Akathist

You can hear praise singing in a church that contains praise. Such singing consists of 13 kontakia, ikos. They highlight some incidents that are directly related to the sacred face.

In the akathist you can see words of forgiveness, a plea for protection, and deliverance from various kinds of misfortunes.

Troparion, tone 4

Seek us who are perishing, Most Holy Virgin, not because of our sins, punish us, but because of your love for mankind, deliver us from hell, illness and need, and save us.

Kontakion, tone 6

Greatness

We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your holy image, through which you heal our illnesses and raise our souls to God.

Video on the topic: Prayers of the Mother of God before her icon Recovering the dead

Properties

For those praying, it is necessary to remember the day of veneration of the Holy Image of the Mother of God. This action is celebrated on February 18, only once a year.

There are several places where you can find the sacred face.

This is the Assumption Enemy, in particular in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Word.
They come to the lyric at the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, which is located in Marienburg.
In the Intercession Cathedral, which is located in Samara, you can see a sacred image.
Another place is the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, which is located in Tarusa. You can come to this place and make sincere requests, experiences, and gain inner strength.

It is worth considering the sacred text of the prayer “Recovery of the Lost”:

Prayer of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost Icon”

“Oh, Most Blessed Lady, Protector of the Christian race, refuge and salvation of those who resort to You! We know, truly we know, how much we have sinned and been angry, O Merciful Lady, the Son of God begotten in the flesh of You. But the Imam has many images of those who angered His mercy before me: publicans, harlots and other sinners, to whom forgiveness of their sins was given for the sake of repentance and confession. Thou, therefore, imagining the images of those who were pardoned by the eyes of my sinful soul, and looking at the great mercy of God, which I received, I dared, even a sinner, to resort with repentance to Your mercy. Oh, All-Merciful Lady! Give me a helping hand and ask Your Son and God, through Your Mother and Your most holy prayers, for forgiveness for my grave sin. I believe and confess that He Whom You gave birth to, Your Son is truly Christ, the Son of the living God. Judge of the living and the dead, reward each according to his deeds; I again believe and confess that You are the true Mother of God, the source of mercy, the consolation of those who mourn, the seeker of the lost, a strong and unceasing intercessor to God, fiercely loving the Christian race, and a helper of repentance; Truly, there is no other help and protection for us except You, the Most Merciful Lady, and no one, trusting in You, was ashamed when, and by You begging God, no one was quickly abandoned. For this sake and I pray to Your innumerable goodness: open the doors of Your mercy to me who have gone astray and fallen into the dark times of the depths, do not disdain the foul me, do not despise my sinful prayer, do not leave me the accursed, as an evil enemy seeks to kidnap me to destruction, but beg for me Thy merciful Son and God born of Thee, may He forgive my great sins and deliver me from my destruction, for even I, with all who have received forgiveness, will sing and glorify the immeasurable mercy of God and Your shameless intercession for me in this life and in the endless eternity . Amen".

The prayer service was used so that the girl would quickly find her betrothed and soon marry him successfully. One story is known. A nobleman who found himself beyond the bounds of wealth had to marry off his daughters. There was no dowry, which made the process more difficult. But he had prayer and strong, sincere faith, which he used daily. The nobleman prayed tirelessly, after which the fate of the girls turned out perfectly. Soon they successfully married, finding the desired happiness in marriage.

During times of frequent epidemics, people sincerely believed in the Heavenly Powers. This can be confirmed by the cholera epidemic that struck the city of Serpukhov in 1871. Every day the residents of the city feared for their lives, and for their loved ones. After all, the disease took many lives every day. Residents had great hopes for the Holy Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They all went through the crusade together, holding the holy face in their hands, sincerely asking for help.

This is truly a miracle, but after completing such a campaign, the epidemic disappeared. People stopped dying one after another, the city found peace and long-awaited calm.