The prayer to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is usually said on the holy feast of the Intercession, which is celebrated by the Orthodox Church every year on October 14. During its existence, it has acquired folk signs; it is generally accepted that girls need to pray to it for a successful marriage, which will certainly take place after such a prayer. But, of course, we should not forget that the main goal of any prayer is a request for the salvation of one’s soul by the Lord.
Despite the fact that the celebration is borrowed, since it originally took place in Byzantium, it is of no small importance for the Russian people.
Protection of the Mother of God. From Zverin Monastery. OK. 1399 Novgorod Museum-Reserve
Prayers to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Troparion for the holiday
Today, people of good faith brightly celebrate, overshadowed by Your coming, O Mother of God, and looking to Your most pure image, we tenderly say: Cover us with Your honorable Protection and deliver us from all evil, praying to Your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls.
Kontakion for the holiday
The Virgin stands today in the Church, and from the faces of the saints she invisibly prays to God for us: the angels and the bishops bow down, the apostles and the prophets rejoice: for for our sake the Mother of God prays to the Eternal God.
The Greatness of the Holiday
We magnify You, Most Holy Virgin, and honor Your honest Protection, for Saint Andrew saw You in the air, praying for us to Christ.
First prayer
Oh, 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 grace to those who honor Thy all-honorable name and with faith and love worship Thy miraculous image.
We are not worthy of being pardoned by Him, unless You propitiate Him for us, the Lady, for everything is possible for You from Him.
For this reason, we resort to You, as to our undoubted and speedy Intercessor: hear us praying to You, cover us with Your all-powerful protection, and ask God for Your Son: zeal and vigilance for our souls as our shepherds, wisdom and strength as city rulers, truth and impartiality for judges , the mentor is reason and humility, the spouse is love and harmony, the child is obedience, the offended is patience, the fear of God is offended, the sorrowful is complacency, the rejoicing is abstinence; 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 Your weak people; Gather those who are scattered, guide those who have gone astray to the right path, support old age, raise young ones to be chaste, raise infants, and look upon us all with the gaze of Your merciful intercession, raise us from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to the vision of salvation, be merciful to us here and there, in the land of earthly arrival and at the terrible judgment of Your Son;
Having ceased in faith and repentance from this life, our fathers and brethren began to 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 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.
Translation
Oh, Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord of the highest powers, Queen of heaven and earth, Intercessor of our city and country!
Accept this song of praise and gratitude from us, unworthy of Your servants, and lift up our prayers to the Throne of God Your Son, may He be merciful to our iniquities, may He grant His grace to those who honor Your all-honorable name and worship with faith and love Your miraculous image.
For we are not worthy to be pardoned by Him if You do not appease him, Lady, since all of Yours is possible in Him.
Therefore, we resort to You, cover us with Your sovereign cover, and ask God Your Son: for our shepherds - zeal and vigilance for our souls, for city rulers - wisdom and strength, for judges - truth and impartiality, for mentors - reason and humility, for spouses - love and consent, for children - obedience, for those offended - patience, for those who offend - the fear of God, for those in sorrow - complacency, for those who rejoice - restraint, and to give us all the spirit of reason and piety, the spirit of mercy and meekness, the spirit of purity and truth.
So, Most Holy Lady, be merciful to Your sinful people; gather the scattered, guide the lost on the path, support the elderly, strengthen the young in chastity, raise infants, turn to us with your merciful intercession, lift us from the depths of sin and enlighten our heart's eyes so that we see salvation, be merciful to us both here and there - in the land of earthly coming and at the terrible judgment of Your Son.
Grant to our departed fathers and brethren in faith and repentance life with the Angels and all the saints.
For you, Lady, are the Glory of heaven and the Hope of earth, according to God’s Will, You are our Hope and Intercessor of all who turn to You with faith.
So, we pray to You, and to You, as the Almighty Helper, we trust ourselves and each other and our whole lives, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Second prayer
My Most Blessed Queen, my Most Holy Hope, friend of the orphaned and strange Intercessor, help for the needy and protection of the embittered, behold my misfortune, behold my sorrow: I am possessed by temptation everywhere, but there is no intercessor.
You yourself, help me as I am weak, feed me as I am strange, guide me as I am lost, heal and save me as I am hopeless.
There is no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Mother of all who grieve and are burdened!
Look down on me, a sinner and in bitterness, and cover me with Your most holy omophorion, so that I will be delivered from the evils that have befallen me, and I will praise Your revered name. Amen.
Description and meaning in Orthodoxy
The event that happened in 910 in Constantinople became a church holiday. The Russian Orthodox Church has celebrated the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on October 14, since the 12th century. There are many natural and everyday signs associated with this day in the calendar, which mean:
- Will the winter be cold or warm?
- when snow covers the ground;
- Will there be a betrothed for the girl?
The iconography is based on the words of the holy fool: the Mother of God stands on the clouds, holding an omophorion on her outstretched arms. Further images vary: Saints John the Baptist and John the Baptist; a host of angels; Blessed Andrei and Epiphanius. The veneration of the image and the holiday associated with it was expressed in the number of Intercession monasteries and churches in Russia. In terms of their number, they occupy second place in general statistics after temples and religious buildings dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, what a day
On October 14, the Holy Church celebrates a great holiday - the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos!
The Intercession holiday was one of the most beloved in Rus'. This is how he remains today.
The Protection of the Virgin Mary was established to be celebrated after the miracle in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople, which happened in the 10th century.
The Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae was built in the 5th century by Emperor Leo the Great in order to store the Venerable Robes of the Ever-Virgin Mary brought from Palestine. Along with the clothes in the golden ark lay the Omophorion of the Queen of All - a large veil that the Mother of God wore on her head during Her life.
Crowds of worshipers constantly gathered in front of the ark. The holy fool Andrew, a Slav by origin, constantly stayed near the ark in the Blachernae temple. Being near him, people felt a special surge of faith, a gracious warmth spread through the souls of those praying.
Holy Tradition informs us that on Sunday the first of October, at four o’clock in the morning, in the presence of many people, the holy fool Andrew saw the Queen of Heaven under the dome of the temple. She stood over all the people and prayed for them. Following Andrew, the Mother of God was seen by his disciple Epiphanius, the future Patriarch of Constantinople Polyeuctus, and then many other worshipers.
Saint Andrew, approaching Epiphanius, said:
Do you see the Lady and Queen of the world?
“I see, my spiritual father, and I am horrified,” answered Epiphanius.
The Mother of God prayed with tears, then went up to the throne and prayed here for the people ahead. At the end of the prayer, she took off the veil that shone like lightning from her head - the omophorion - and, holding it with great solemnity, spread it over all the standing people.
Then the Most Holy Theotokos and Her veil became invisible. From the vision of the veil (veil) of the Most Holy Theotokos, the holiday received its name “Pokrova”.
This miracle, to which there were many witnesses, was regarded as a sign that the Mother of God hears the prayers of believers and protects them.
This holiday, beloved among the Russian people, expresses hope for the heavenly protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Many Russian churches and monasteries are dedicated to this marvelous feast of the Mother of God!
The Most Holy Theotokos still covers all Christians who entrust themselves to Her holy intercession before the Son and God!
General information and history
The Holy Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos is the full name of the great religious holiday celebrated by the Orthodox Church every year on October 14th. Despite repeated attempts by historians and clergy to get to the truth, the history of the origin of this religious celebration has not been reliably established.
In the 6th century, when an enemy army was besieging the city of Constantinople, many Christians came to the temple to turn to the Savior in their prayers, to ask for help and protection. Once in church, during a prayer service, the holy fool Andrew and his disciple Epiphanius saw a real miracle: at 4 in the morning they saw the Virgin Mary, who walked to the altar through the entire church, knelt down and began to read a prayer. Having finished reading the sacred text, the Mother of God rose from her knees, turned to the parishioners praying in the church, took off the veil from Her head and covered the worshipers with it.
The veil in the hands of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and a host of saints, among whom were the holy Apostle John the Theologian and the Prophet John the Baptist, shone with the rays of the sun.
Constantinople won the battle, the city withstood the onslaught of the enemy army, and the human race was saved by the Most Holy Theotokos. Since then, Orthodox Christians began to celebrate the great religious holiday - the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Orthodoxy, the shrine of the “Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos,” symbolizing peace, grace, protection and patronage, is considered one of the most revered. The icon with the face of the Mother of God, who came to the defense of the human race, is located in the most prominent place in the church, so that every parishioner has the opportunity to turn to the Mother of God with prayer.
Prayer before the icon of the “Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos” has power only when every phrase and every word of the sacred text is pronounced sincerely, coming from the depths of the heart and soul.
Turning to the Virgin Mary, Orthodox Christians ask:
- protect from natural disasters and life's troubles;
- heal from physical and mental illnesses;
- provide shelter, livelihood and daily bread;
- do not give up in difficult moments and restore faith in your own strength;
- protect crops and livestock from natural disasters;
- protect from evil rumors, slander and gossip;
- find a lover and find maternal happiness;
- maintain peace in the family and improve relationships between spouses.
Immediately after the miraculous rescue of Constantinople from the enemy army, the monks began to draw the Mother of God with a veil over the city.
Today there are two versions of the iconographic depiction of the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
- The “Suzdal” image , which appeared thanks to the icon painters of the 6th century, represents the face of the Mother of God, who holds a cape over people praying in the church. Now the icon is in the Tretyakov Gallery.
- The “Novgorod” image , which appeared in 1399, is kept in the Novgorod Museum. The Mother of God is inside the temple, Her cape is held over the heads of Christians praying in the church by saints and angels.
Modern icon painters are trying to reunite two versions of iconographic versions in one image.
Who and how does the prayer of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God help?
An icon can help a sincerely praying person in everything. It has the same divine power as other icons of the Mother of God. Today, there are many cases where prayer to the Heavenly Virgin helped:
- in moments of greatest danger - she saved;
- granted healing to the sick;
- those without shelter - provided housing;
- those in dire financial straits - improved their financial condition;
- those who did not have a soulmate found love.
About family and children
Prayer
Most Blessed Lady, take my family under Your protection. Instill in the hearts of my husband and our children peace, love and intransigence to all that is good; Do not allow anyone from my family to experience separation and difficult parting, to premature and sudden death without repentance. And save our house and all of us living in it from fiery ignition, thieves’ attacks, all evil circumstances, various types of insurance and diabolical obsession. Yes, and we, individually and separately, openly and secretly, will glorify Your Holy Name always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
HOW TO PRAY ON THE HOLIDAY OF THE COVER
One of the church prayers read annually is a request for the intercession of the Mother of God before the Lord Jesus. It can be read daily or in troubles, life difficulties, difficult circumstances:
Oh, 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, cleanse our sins and add His grace to those who honor Thy all-honorable name, and who with faith and love worship Thy miraculous image!
When reading the prayer, cross yourself at the mention of the Name of God.
O Most Holy Lady, have mercy on Your weak people; gather those scattered across the Earth, guide those lost in sins onto the righteous path, support old age, impart chastity to the young, educate infants, and turn your merciful gaze and your intercession on all of us, lift us from the depths of sin and enlighten our heartfelt eyes to salvation, be merciful to us both in earthly life and at the terrible Judgment of Your Son; those who died in the Orthodox faith from this life, our fathers and brothers and relatives, settled in eternal life with the Angels and all the saints! Amen.
What can't you do?
Parents are people with their own experiences and worries. They may also feel some negativity. But it is worth remembering what you should never do in relation to your own children:
- Curse your children;
- Thinking about their future life being unsuccessful;
- Talk badly about children to yourself and others.
You need to read the prayer of the Mother of God for children with pure, sincere intentions.
WHAT TO PRAY ABOUT ON THE FEAST OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE VIRGIN
The Feast of the Intercession has long opened the time for weddings: people tried to get married in a quiet time, when the harvest had already been harvested and the Nativity Fast had not yet begun (the Sacrament of Wedding is not performed during Lenten times).
Perhaps unmarried people always felt especially lonely at this time: that is why it was customary among young people, when visiting a church for the morning service on Pokrov, to light a candle with a special request for marriage. Unmarried girls and women often order a prayer service to the Most Holy Theotokos on this day: the priest performs it after the Liturgy (the main morning service), listing the names of those who ordered the prayer service.
By the way, even today there is a sign: whichever of the girls comes to church first in the morning and places a candle with a prayer in front of the icon of the Mother of God, she will find her love faster when she meets her future husband.
Images of the Mother of God for prayers for a child
All maternal petitions were heard by the Intercessor. Therefore, Christians in Rus' have always revered the Mother of God. To this day, the holy image is hung over children’s beds. Young women pray for a long-awaited pregnancy, a safe birth, and a healthy baby. Most often, petitions came to the most revered icons:
- Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Helper in Childbirth” - helps with labor pains, assists expectant mothers during childbirth, and helps to bear a healthy baby.
- Icon “Tikhvin” - the Mother of God blesses newborns, giving them health and peace. Protects from the negativity of the environment. Strengthens the relationship between children and parents.
- The “Mammal” icon is a respected image in Italy, in front of which mothers pray for the health of their babies.
The new image of the Virgin Mary, “Addition of Mind,” was painted in the 17th century. From that moment on, it became a good tradition to pray to the icon for schoolchildren and students. The Mother of God will guide the child to acquire new knowledge; learning will be easy and interesting.
Many parents of disobedient and “difficult” children turn to the image “Education” with prayers to the Virgin Mary for their children. This icon is located in St. Petersburg in the Kazan Cathedral.
The Mother of God protects children from misfortune. The image “Savior of Drowning People” will save you from bad weather.
“Akhtyrskaya” is an icon of the Mother of God about the future of a child, about the life structure. Before her they pray for the blessing of the children, so that their life will be easy and comfortable.
HOW TO PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY VIRGIN
The main thing in prayer is turning to God with all your heart, as your Heavenly Father, turning to the Mother of God as the Mother and Intercessor of the human race. The Lord and the Mother of God will manage everything for the better, it is important to turn to them.
There is an ancient strong prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, read in any circumstances, you can chant it:
My Most Blessed Queen, My Hope, Mother of God!
Intercessor who receives orphans and wanderers, Joy to the grieving, and Patroness of the offended!
You see my misfortune, you see my sorrow: help me as a weak person, guide me as a stranger.
You know my offense, my difficulties - help me according to Your will.
I have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation except You, O Most Holy Mother of all those in need and burdened!
Look at me, sinful and embittered, cover me with Your holy Veil, so that I can get rid of the evil and evil circumstances surrounding me, and always praise Your name and our Lord! Amen.
Sincere prayer is the guarantee that the Lord will put the right thoughts into your heart, guide you on the right path, and drive away the influence of the devil on you. On the Feast of the Intercession and on all other days of the Mother of God, they make any requests, for example
- About salvation in case of troubles, dangers, disasters;
- About healing and treatment for illnesses and diseases;
- About help in finding your home, apartment;
- About support in poverty, improvement of financial situation;
- About a husband or wife, about a successful marriage.
It is important to sincerely pray, attend temple and worship services in the temple. You can order a prayer service with an akathist to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is read annually in every temple. This is a short service in gratitude to the Mother of God for her intercession, help and protection.
The meaning of prayer
The sacred text of the prayer of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos helps resolve life's difficulties in family relationships and problems with children. Reading for 40 days provides support from Our Lady during periods of hardship and financial problems.
Honoring and chanting the Mother of God helps to restore health, to be healed even from a fatal illness.
Any believer can count on the intercession of the Heavenly Queen. She is especially favorable to women, guardians of the family hearth and mothers. If you read a prayer on the Feast of the Intercession, it takes on a special meaning and powerful power.
Our Lady protects believers in all situations:
- heals from diseases;
- returns well-being to the family;
- warns against natural disasters and accidents;
- helps improve financial situation;
- helps strengthen one’s faith and resist temptations.
You need to read the prayer with sincere faith, with a pure heart, excluding hatred and malice from it. The appeal can concern any family member and age. If it is not possible to pray in a temple, you can read the sacred words at home.
Strong protection and help for children and grandchildren, Akathist to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chosen by the eternal King, who exceeded every creature, heaven and earth, to the Queen, who sometimes came to the Blachernae Church to pray, offering worthy worship with thanksgiving, as if in the darkness of existence, we resort under Your luminous omophorion with faith and tenderness.
You, who have an invincible power, free us from all troubles, and let us call to You:
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Ikos 1.
The Archangel and the multitude of angels, with the Forerunner, the Theologian and all the saints, co-presented You, His Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and, touched by Your prayers for the whole world, having heard, cried out in surprise:
Rejoice, eternal favor of God the Father without beginning; Rejoice, most pure receptacle of God, the flightless Son.
Rejoice, chosen dwelling place of God the All-Holy Spirit; Rejoice, unceasing wonder of the heavenly ranks of angels.
Rejoice, all-threatening deterrence of the dark forces of hell; Rejoice, even in the air the many-eyed cherubim meet.
Rejoice, She who is praiseworthy will be ascribed to the six-crylations of the seraphim; Rejoice, even as we, earthlings, gratefully bow to Her most blessed cover.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 2.
Saint Andrew and Epiphanius saw You in the church in the air for Christians praying to God, knowing that You are the Mother of Christ our God who ascended into heaven, and, falling to the ground, joyfully bowed down to Your all-blessed protection, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 2.
You are the misunderstood mind, O Virgin Mother of God, in protecting Orthodox people, for this reason our enemies do not know how strong the prayer of God to the Mother is. We, who know well about Your all-powerful intercession, call to You with tenderness:
Rejoice, most merciful consoler of all those who mourn and are burdened; Rejoice, never-sleeping teacher of all the lost and blinded.
Rejoice, thou who quickly quenches the righteously driven wrath of God against us through Thy prayer; Rejoice, taming our evil passions with an omnipotent wave.
Rejoice, strong awakening of sleeping consciences; Rejoice, easy overcoming of lawless skills.
Rejoice, for whose sake hell groans and the souls of malice tremble; Rejoice, even for the sake of it the gates of heaven are opened to all of us.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 3.
The power of the Most High overshadows with faith and reverence those who resort to Your all-honorable protection: You alone, the Most Holy and Most Pure Mother of God, have come, that every request of Yours may be fulfilled.
Therefore, every age of the faithful praises You and Your Son, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 3.
Having an infinite wealth of mercy, you extend your helping hand to the entire end of the earth, the Lady: to the sick - healing, to the suffering - weakness, to the blind - sight, and to everyone you give everything according to their every need, crying out with gratitude:
Rejoice, indestructible fortress and fence of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, the first adornment of holy temples and altars.
Rejoice, the surest protection of piety; Rejoice, everlasting companion of compassionate city rulers.
Rejoice, invincible commander of the leaders and armies of Christians; Rejoice, holy mirror of truth to the unbearable judges.
Rejoice, perfect in understanding of teachers and teachers; Rejoice, blessing of the homes and families of the pious.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 4.
Through the storm of many troubles, you help us, O Lady, who are possessed: stand before the altar of the Lord, lifting up your hand and praying, so that the Lord, the King of glory, will look upon our unworthy prayer and listen to the petitions of those who call on your holy name, and those who call to your Son: Alleluia.
Ikos 4.
Having heard the Lord God of Joshua praying and commanding the sun, he will take revenge on the enemy.
The Lord Jesus, the chosen chamber of the Holy Spirit, also hears Your prayers now.
Likewise, we, sinners, relying on Your protection, We dare to say to You, like the Mother of God:
Rejoice, illuminated by the mental Sun and enlightening us with an unstoppable light;
Rejoice, having enlightened the whole earth with the radiance of Your most pure soul.
Rejoice, in the purity of Your body
the whole heaven rejoiced; rejoice,
protection and provision of the holy abodes of Christ.
Rejoice, cheerfulness and admonition of the faithful shepherds of the Church; Rejoice, teacher of God-fearing monks and nuns.
Rejoice, undisturbed calm of the reverent elders; Rejoice, secret joy of pure virgins and widows.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 5.
Moses, the seer of God, is sometimes in the army against Amalek, when he lifts up his hand, Israel prevails, and when he lets down his hand, then Amalek is victorious, strengthened by those who support him, defeat the enemy.
But You, O Mother of God, having raised Your hand in supplication, even though you are supported by no one, You always defeat the enemies of the Christians, and You are an invincible shield for us, crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 5.
Having seen Thee, the saints assembled in the air in the Church of the Blachernae, extending prayers to the Son and God, joyfully with the archangels and angels hurriedly singing a grateful song to Thee.
We, stronger than Moses’ hands, strengthen Your hand and cry out tenderly:
Rejoice, Her only hand will support us all, Her love and mercy towards us;
Rejoice, we cannot stand before the enemy, visible and invisible.
Rejoice, you who drive away the dark horde of our passions and lusts; Rejoice, Divine Fire - holding Christ in His hand and igniting us, cold ones.
Rejoice, for those who wage war on the flesh through chastity have been crowned with a fair amount; Rejoice, those who strive in fasting and silence for ever-present conversation.
Rejoice, quick comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sadness; Rejoice, you who provide the grace of humility and patience.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 6.
Saint Roman the Sweet Singer appeared as a preacher of Thy inexhaustible grace and mercies, when in a dream he received from You a scroll of books for consumption: therefore he became wise and began to sing intelligently to Thy glory, and to write praises to the saints, crying out with faith: Alleluia.
Ikos 6.
Thou hast dawned from the true Sun of righteousness, O Virgin Mary of God, enlightening all with the wisdom of God, Thy Son, and bringing to the knowledge of the truth those who call Thee:
Rejoice, thou who gave birth to Christ in the flesh by the Power of God and the Wisdom of God; Rejoice, thou who has put to shame the foolish wisdom of this age, and has taught those blinded by it to the right path.
Rejoice, guardian of the holy faith and Orthodox dogmas; Rejoice, destroyer of wicked heresies and pernicious schisms.
Rejoice, foreseen secret and inconvenience, who leads all the good, and as it befits, telling; Rejoice, you who disgrace false seers and vain fortune-telling.
Rejoice, in the hour of perplexity you put a good thought in your heart; Rejoice, you who redeem yourself from harmful undertakings and meaningless wishes.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 7.
Although the long-suffering All-Seer, the Lord, revealed the unsearchable abyss of His love for mankind, He chose You as His only Mother, and created You for people’s insurmountable protection: so that even if someone from them and the righteous judgment of God appears worthy of condemnation, Your sovereign cover is still preserved for repentance, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 7.
Thou didst show wondrously Thy deeds in Thy Most Pure Mother, O Lord, when the wonderful omophorion in Her hand, shining more than a ray of sunshine, appeared, covering the people who are in the Church of the Blachernae.
Having heard about such a sign of Her merciful intercession, I was overcome with horror and joy and kept saying:
Rejoice, omophorion not made by hands, like a cloud, spread over the whole world; Rejoice, O Eternal Bishop, Your Son, holding the sign on Your hand.
Rejoice, you who manifest this new mercy and new grace in the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, pillar of cloud, covering us all from the temptations and enticements of the world.
Rejoice, pillar of fire, showing us all the path of salvation in the darkness of sin; Rejoice, obvious strengthening of the apparent piety of the ascetics.
Rejoice, secret admonition of God’s servants in the midst of the world; Rejoice, and me, naked of good deeds, not leaving behind Your cover and grace.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 8.
It is marvelous that You appeared from heaven in the Blachernae church, the angels hastened, the apostles glorified the face of the saints and saints, and the wives of the holy class, the Forerunner bowed down with the Theologian, and the people in the church cried out with joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 8.
The Lord, ruling over all above and below, saw You in the church, His Mother standing and praying to Him with tenderness, saying: “Ask, My Mother, I will not turn away from You, but I will fulfill all Your requests and I will teach you all to sing thanksgiving to You”:
Rejoice, O ark of the covenant, in which is kept the sanctification of the entire human race; Rejoice, most holy one, in whom the Bread of eternal life is preserved for those who hunger for righteousness.
Rejoice, all-golden vessel, in which is prepared for our sake the flesh and blood of the Divine Lamb; Rejoice, you who accept those left by doctors into your all-powerful hands.
Rejoice, you who lift up those weakened in body, but not in spirit and faith, from the bed of illness; Rejoice, you who give new and better meaning to those who destroy the mind from illness.
Rejoice, you who wisely trouble us on the obstinate path of sin and passions; Rejoice, touching cruelty of our unrepentant heart.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 9.
All praiseworthy angelic nature brings to You, the true Mother of God and Intercessor of all who flow to You, knowing that with Your indestructible protection you rejoice the righteous, intercede for sinners, deliver the needy and pray for all the faithful, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 9.
The multi-proclamation branches, like dumb fish, are perplexed as to how to praise according to the heritage of the great feast of the all-honorable Protection of Your Protection: everything spoken about You by them is not sufficient for a single calculation of Your bounties. We, seeing Your countless benefits, cry out with joy:
Rejoice, you who protect us from the plague and all-destruction of mortals; Rejoice, preserving the cities and weights from sudden vibrations of the earth.
Rejoice, you who raised up from the flooding of waters and from drowning with a strong hand; Rejoice, thou who deliverest from the fiery dew of Thy prayers.
Rejoice, who supplies you with the Bread of Life from hunger of soul and body; Rejoice, you who take away the strikes of lightning and thunder from our head.
Rejoice, thou who savest from the invasion of foreigners and secret murderers; Rejoice, thou who protectest half-blooded ones from domestic strife and enmity with peace and love.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 10.
Save any human race from the charms of the enemy, the lover of mankind, the Lord, Your Mother, has given to us help, protection and protection on earth, so that you may be a consolation to the sad, joy to the sorrowing, an intercessor to the offended, and may you raise everyone from the depths of sin, singing: Alleluia.
Ikos 10.
“O Heavenly King,” said the All-Immaculate Queen standing in the air with the angels in prayer, “receive every person who prays to You and calls on My name for help, so that thinness and unheardness may not depart from My face.” Having heard this all-good prayer, the congregation of saints cried out in gratitude:
Rejoice, thou who crownest farmers with pure hands and hearts with blessed fruits; Rejoice, I will buy help and righteous rewards for all who do.
Rejoice, nationwide denunciation of perjury and unrighteous acquisitions; Rejoice, sudden help to those in need along the way, on land and waters.
Rejoice, you who gladden childless parents with the fruits of faith and spirit; Rejoice, invisible teacher of motherless orphans.
Rejoice, strong intercessor of those in captivity and exile; Rejoice, ever-watchful guardian of those in chains and prison.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 11.
We hear the all-tender singing and warmly listen to Your prayer for us, we ask You, Virgin Mother of God, do not despise the voice of Your servants: for we run to You in adversity and sorrow and before You in our troubles we shed tears, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 11.
Like a light-receiving lamp, burning in prayer, seeing You in the air, the Blachernae Church, in agreement with the multitude of people who were in it, exclaimed: “Where do I get this, that the Mother of my Lord may come to me?” Saint Andrew and Epiphanius warmly pray to You, calling :
Rejoice, unenvious giver of all spiritual and physical gifts; Rejoice, faithful intercessor who begins the repentance of sinners.
Rejoice, ever-present supporter of those who fight the passions and attacks of the enemy; Rejoice, invisible taming of the cruel and bestial rulers.
Rejoice, secret peace and joy for the meek and suffering slaves; Rejoice, all-desired accomplishment of good marriages.
Rejoice, quick and painless resolution for mothers giving birth; Rejoice, at the hour of death, our only helper.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 12.
Ask us for Divine grace from Your Son and God, extend a helping hand to us, drive away from us every enemy and adversary, and pacify our lives, so that we do not perish violently, without repentance, but accept us into eternal shelter, our Patroness, so that we joyfully call You : Alleluia.
Ikos 12.
Singing Your sovereign protection, we all praise You, as our steadfast intercessor, and we worship You, who prays for us: we believe and hope that You have asked Your Son and God for eternal and temporal goodness, to all who cry out to You with love:
Rejoice, strong intercession of the whole universe; Rejoice, sanctification of all earthly and heavenly elements.
Rejoice, blessing of all seasons; Rejoice, all slander and temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil that find themselves trampled underfoot.
Rejoice, unforeseen reconciliation of bitterly warring people; Rejoice, unknown correction of unrepentant sinners.
Rejoice, you who do not reject the despised and rejected by all; Rejoice, you who snatch away the desperate from the pit of destruction.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
Kontakion 13.
Oh, all-sung Mother, most pure Lady, Virgin Mother of God!
I lift up my spiritual and physical eyes to You, I stretch out my relaxed hand to You and cry out from the depths of my heart: look upon the faith and humility of my soul, cover me with Your all-powerful omophorion, so that I may be delivered from all troubles and misfortunes, and at the hour of my death, O All-Blessed One, appear to me and deliver the torment prepared for the sake of my sins, so that I may take out the call of worship: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion.
Ikos 1.
The Archangel and the multitude of angels, with the Forerunner, the Theologian and all the saints, co-presented You, His Queen, in the Church of the Blachernae and, touched by Your prayers for the whole world, having heard, cried out in surprise:
Rejoice, eternal favor of God the Father without beginning; Rejoice, most pure receptacle of God, the flightless Son.
Rejoice, chosen dwelling place of God the All-Holy Spirit; Rejoice, unceasing wonder of the heavenly ranks of angels.
Rejoice, all-threatening deterrence of the dark forces of hell; Rejoice, even in the air the many-eyed cherubim meet.
Rejoice, She who is praiseworthy will be ascribed to the six-crylations of the seraphim; Rejoice, even as we, earthlings, gratefully bow to Her most blessed cover.
Rejoice, our Joy, cover us from all evil with Your honest omophorion.
How and when to read a prayer
As mentioned earlier, prayer should be read with deep faith in the soul, sincerity and love for God. No malicious intent, no pursuit of your own gain. Only good intentions, pure thoughts, an open heart and soul will help you reach the Mother of God. Then She will pray for you in front of the Lord and ask for help.
It is also important where the prayer is read. It is better to do this within the walls of the temple. It's okay if you can't do this. You can also pray at home. To do this, purchase the icon of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church. Don't forget about candles.
After arriving home, retire to a separate room, dim the lights, turn off the equipment. Nothing should distract from prayer. Read each phrase, thinking about its meaning. Drive away all extraneous thoughts.
You can say a prayer not only on the day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, but also on any other day when help is needed.
Store the icon not in dusty places. The image should not stand next to books and figurines. The best place to store an icon is a home iconostasis.
It is better to pray in the morning and before going to bed. In the first case, the body is as relaxed as possible, and the mind is cleared of thoughts. You can also pray at night. It is better to do this when all the work is done and family members are already asleep.
