During the reign of the evil Decius1, at a time when Quintianus, appointed by him, was the ruler of Sicily2, a godless command was sent to all countries
to put all Christians to death. At that time, in the city of Panorma3 there lived a girl named Agathia, the daughter of noble and wealthy parents, raised in Christian piety. Hearing about the godless command of the persecutors regarding the beating of Christians, Agathia was inflamed with zeal for Christ her Lord, to whom she was dismayed by the purity of her virginity. She abandoned love for her fatherland and, considering the dignity of her high family as nothing and despising the wealth left to her by her parents and all the glory of this world, she began to prepare for suffering for Christ. Hegemon Kintian, hearing about the beauty, nobility and wealth of this holy maiden, was inflamed with an unclean passion for her and thought of seeing her and inclining her to his criminal lust, and together taking possession of her estate. Having learned that she believed in Christ, he immediately sent soldiers from the city of Katana4 to Panormus to bring the saint to trial as a Christian. The messengers, having come to Saint Agathia, wanted to take her, and promised to deliver her with honor to their commander if she gave her word to worship their gods. Having asked them to wait a little, Agathia entered the upper room inside the house and, shutting herself in it, raised her hands to the sky and began to pray, saying:
- Lord Jesus Christ! You know my heart and the disposition of my soul, love and faith in You! Be my leader and helper against the enemy, whom I have already trampled and killed in You, my God. And now, Master, I pray to You, do not allow an all-nasty and all-evil man, a servant of demons, to desecrate my body, in which I have lived purely and honestly until now; hasten and hasten to defeat the devil and his servant Quintian, so that he does not say: “Where is her God?” (cf. Ps. 79:10) Accept my tears as a sacrifice and offering into the stench of fragrance, for You alone are God and glory is due to You forever. Amen.
Having prayed thus, she left the city with the soldiers, accompanied by some citizens, neighbors and acquaintances; she walked with full readiness to courageously stand up for her Lord, like an indestructible wall; and thought to myself: “So at first I had a battle with the devil, trying to keep my virginity in purity and overcome my carnal passions, which I defeated with the help of the grace of my Christ, and trampled on the enemy, who fought through passions and lusts against people; now I I am going to the second battle, in which I must lay down my soul for Christ. But, devil, you will not rejoice through me, but rather you will be ashamed yourself: for I hope in Christ my God, that He will look from on high at my feat with many saints His angels, and will help me when I am weak."
Thinking like this within herself, she washed her face with hot tears. As she continued on her way, the strap of her sandal came loose; To tie it, she put her foot on a stone and looked around, and she no longer saw any of the neighbors who saw her off: everyone left her and returned back. Therefore, she shed even more tears and turned to God in prayer, saying:
- Almighty Lord, for the sake of my citizens who did not believe me that I want to suffer for Your holy name, show some miracle in this place!
And then immediately a wild, barren olive tree grew, representing the wild minds of the citizens of Panorm.
When Saint Agathia arrived in the city of Katana, the military commander ordered her to be placed in the house of a rich woman named Aphrodisia. She had five young daughters, whom he ordered, with the help of his affectionate speeches and various pleasures, to seduce Agathia’s mind to carnal love, and persuade her to make sacrifices to the gods. They either praising and extolling her and making many promises, or through threats, tried to persuade Agathia to fulfill the will of Quintian, but had no success: neither by word nor by deed could they turn her away from Divine love to worldly love. They decorated her with expensive clothes, offered gifts and various expensive foods and treats, staged performances and dances with musicians playing, and did all sorts of outrages and ridiculous things before her eyes. But she, not wanting to even look at all this, said:
- Let it be known to you that my mind and thoughts are set on stone, and cannot be turned away from the love of Christ: your flattering words are like the wind, and the provision of worldly joys is nothing more than rain; and your threats are rivers that, although they will flow to my temple, will not be able to move it, for it stands on a solid foundation, as if on a stone, which is Christ the Son of the Living God.
Saying this, she poured streams of tears over her chest: for as a deer seeks sources of water (cf. Ps. 41:2), so she sought to suffer for her Lord.
Aphrodisia, seeing the firmness and steadfastness of Agathia’s heart, went to the military leader Kintian and said to him:
“It’s more likely to crush a stone and turn iron into tin than to convince and turn this girl away from Christ; I myself and my daughters spent their days and nights only exhorting her to be of the same mind with us - sometimes with kindnesses and requests, sometimes with threats: I placed rare necklaces and monistas, expensive clothes, gold and precious stones in front of her face, gave them to her a gift from slaves and her villages, but she despises all this, like dust trampled under foot.
Then the angry military leader Quintian ordered Agathia to be brought to his secret chamber; here, sitting in his place, he, filled with unclean thoughts, asked the girl what kind of girl she was. Saint Agathia answered:
- I am of noble birth and have noble and wealthy relatives.
Quintian told her:
- If you are of a noble family, then why do you wear poor clothes, like some slave?
“I am Christ’s servant,” answered the saint, “and therefore I wear the image of a slave.”
Quintian said:
- How do you call yourself a slave, being free, as the daughter of noble parents?
“Our nobility and freedom lie in this,” answered the saint, “to work for Christ.”
The commander asked:
- Are we really not free, who do not work for your Christ and deny Him?
Agathia replied:
“You are in such captivity and slavery that you have not only become slaves to sin, but also worshipers of vile and insensitive idols, considering wood and stone to be God.
“If you utter such blasphemies,” Quintian told her, “you will be given over to many torments; but tell me, why do you deny our gods?
“That’s why I deny them,” answered Agathia, “because they are not gods, but demons, whose images you make of copper and marble, covering their faces with gold.”
Quintian said:
- Listen to good advice, maiden, and make sacrifices so as not to experience various torments and bring dishonor and reproach to your noble origin, after which you, although against your will, will have to bow to the gods, the rulers of the universe.
Saint Agathia answered:
- Let your wife be like Aphrodite5, your goddess; and you yourself be like Zeus6, your god.
When the saint said this, Quintian ordered to hit her in the face and said:
“Do not insult the military leader.” Saint Agathia replied:
-Where is your mind, military leader? I wish for you to be like your god, but you do not want to be like him, and you yourself are ashamed of your gods: therefore, together with me, renounce them.”
The military leader said:
“You deserve many torments, to which I will immediately hand you over if you do not do what you are ordered.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” answered the girl; - if you give me to be eaten by beasts, then the beasts, seeing me and hearing the name of Christ, will be tamed; if you throw me into the fire, then the angels from heaven will cool me with dew; if you cause me wounds and torment, I have the Spirit of truth to help me, who will deliver me from your hand.
After this, the military leader ordered Agathia to be taken to a gloomy and stinking prison; The saint went there as if to a feast and rejoicing, commending herself to her Lord. In the morning, Quintian, again summoning Saint Agathia to court, asked her if she had thought enough about her health. Saint Agathia answered:
- My health is Christ.
But the boss said:
- Deny Christ so as not to perish in your youth.
“Renounce your gods,” answered the saint, “who are nothing more than stone and wood, and approach the true God who created you, so as not to subject you to eternal torment.”
Then the angry tormentor ordered Agathia to be hanged naked on a tree and beaten. When the saint was being beaten, the torturer said to her:
- Change your thoughts and worship the gods to stay alive.
She answered:
“With these torments I gain bliss for myself, and I rejoice among them in the same way as one who has acquired great treasures rejoices: these temporary torments are useful to me.” Just as wheat is not gathered into the barn without clearing it of the chaff, so it is impossible for my soul to enter heaven unless my body is first tormented by torment.
The military leader ordered the servants to torture Agathia more, then ordered her to tear her nipples with iron pincers and cut them off. When this was being done, the martyr said to the military commander:
- Godless and inhuman torturer! You are not ashamed to cut off a woman’s nipples, which you yourself fed on from your mother; but I have other breasts in my soul, which you cannot touch, for they have been dedicated to God from youth.
After this, the saint was thrown into prison. At midnight, the Holy Apostle Peter appeared to her, in the form of a splendid old man, carrying in his hands many healing remedies for her; he was preceded by a beautiful young man with a burning candle; The saint thought that some doctor had come. The Apostle told her:
- The wicked tormentor, although he tormented you with wounds, had no success; on the contrary, you defeated him with your courage; he ordered not only to torment your breasts, but also to cut them off: for this his soul will suffer forever. While you were suffering, I stood and looked, and thought that it was possible to heal your breasts, for which I came here.
The Holy Martyr Agathia answered:
- I have never used any healing for my body; I think that even now one should not violate this good custom, learned from youth.
“After all, I am a Christian,” said the elder, “and I came hoping to heal you; therefore do not be ashamed of me.
The saint answered:
- You are a man, and I am a girl, how can I expose my body to you without shame? I would rather suffer the pain of my wounds than wish to be naked before the eyes of a man. I thank you, honest father, that you came here with the intention of healing my ulcers; but know that healing from human hands will never touch my body.
The elder told her:
- Why don’t you want me to heal you?
The saint answered:
- I have my Lord Jesus Christ, who with one wave heals everything and with one word restores the fallen; He, if He wishes, can heal me, His unworthy servant.
The Apostle was delighted by such great faith of the holy martyr and, with a smile, said to her:
- He sent me to you, girl, for I am His Apostle: look - you are healed.
Having said this, he became invisible. Then the holy martyr Agathia, having learned who had appeared to her, thanked God, saying:
- I thank You, my Lord Jesus Christ, for remembering me and sending His Apostle to heal me.
Looking at her body, she saw her breasts intact and her wounds healed; and all night long an extraordinary light filled the prison, illuminating it; Frightened by this, the soldiers fled and left the dungeon unlocked. Other prisoners who were there, seeing this, said to the saint:
“The doors are open, and no one is guarding them: get out and run.”
“I don’t want to lose my martyr’s crown,” answered Agathia, “and bring trouble to the guards; Having my Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, as my helper, who healed me, I will remain here to the end, confessing Him.
After four days, on the fifth, the tormentor again sat down at the trial and, calling Saint Agathia to him, said to her:
- How long will you resist the royal command? Make sacrifices to the gods, otherwise you will be given up to the most cruel death.
The saint answered:
- Your words are vain and the commandment of your king is unjust, which defiles the very air; tell me, cursed and mad, who seeks help from wood and insensitive stone? I offer a sacrifice of praise to Him, Who healed my breasts and healed my body.
The torturer ordered her nipples to be opened and, seeing them whole and unharmed, as they were before, he asked:
-Who healed you?
The martyr answered:
- Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
Quintian exclaimed:
- You again call Christ, about whom I don’t even want to hear!
And he ordered to pour sharp tiles kindled in the fire on the ground, and sprinkle them with hot coals, and throw the naked saint on them, burn and torment. While they were doing this, suddenly an earthquake began not only near that place, but throughout the whole city; the earth spread out and swallowed up Quintian's friend Vultey and his friend Theophilus, on whose advice Quintian carried out such torment. All the citizens, frightened by the earthquake, ran to Quintianus in the praetorium, shouting at him to stop torturing the innocent maiden for whose sake the earthquake had occurred. Quintian, frightened by the earthquake and popular indignation, ordered the saint to be taken to prison. The martyr, having arrived in prison, raised her hands to heaven and said:
“I thank You, Lord, that You have made me worthy to suffer for Your holy name and, having destroyed in me the desire for temporary life, have given me patience. Hear, O Lord, me at this hour and grant me favor, so that I leave this world and move on to Your rich and great mercy.
Having prayed like this, she gave up her spirit into the hands of God7. Having learned about this, the citizens hastened to come, and taking her holy body, they carried her with honor for burial. Suddenly, a beautiful young man, who was not known to anyone in the city, approached the body of the holy martyr; with him were a hundred beautiful youths. Having escorted the body of the holy martyr to the burial place, he placed her stone tablet in the coffin, on which was the inscription:
- An immaculate mind, a voluntary sacrifice to God and deliverance to the fatherland.
Having placed a tablet with such an inscription at the head of the holy martyr, the young man immediately became invisible; and everyone understood that it was the Angel of God.
After this, the governor Quintian, taking his soldiers, went to the city of Panormus to take the wealth of the holy martyr Agathia and appropriate all her property for himself. On the way, he had to cross one deep river. He and his horses boarded the ferry and sailed across the river. The horses suddenly went berserk at him, and one gnawed his face with his teeth and disfigured everything, and the other began to kick him and beat him until he threw him into the river, in which he drowned, ending his evil life with an evil death. They searched for his body for a long time, but did not find it: it died along with his soul. After this, not one of the royal rulers dared to offend the relatives of Saint Agathia. The fame of her spread everywhere, and a church was built over her relics; the clothes the saint wore were placed on her coffin to remind her of her humility8.
A year after the death of the holy martyr Agathia, Mount Etna9, near the city of Catana, began to erupt with fiery lava, which flowed from an opening on the mountain like a huge river, with a strong noise, throwing down melted stones from above like wax. The inhabitants of Katana were in great fear, fearing for the destruction of their city. Then not only Christians, but also infidels - everyone gathered at the church of the holy martyr Agathia, took her clothes, stood against the fire rushing towards the city, and with these clothes, as if with a shield, they defended themselves from the destructive and formidable flame. The fire, as if ashamed of the clothes of the holy martyr, returned and went out. At the sight of this miracle, the residents rejoiced greatly, praised God, and glorified the holy martyr Agathia. This miracle happened on the fifth day of February, on which the holy martyr suffered for Christ her Lord, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Kontakion, tone 4:
May the church today be adorned with glorious purple, dipped in the pure blood of Agathia the Martyr: Rejoice, crying out, Katanian praise.

The name Agafya or Agathia is the Russian form of the Greek name Agatha - “good”, “wise”. The ancient icon of Saint Agathia of Sicily will become the patroness of women named Agathia, Agathia and Agata. A church was erected over the relics of the martyr. After some time, Mount Etna began to erupt. Christians gathered near the temple of St. Agathia and turned to her for help from the flames approaching the city. And the fiery lava suddenly stopped and went out. Since then, Saint Agathia of Panorma has been revered as a protector from fires and earthquakes. In Rus', on the day of St. Agafya, bread and salt were blessed in the church. If there was a fire, this bread and salt was thrown into the fire or into the field so that the fire would go away. The life of the Holy Martyr Agathia teaches us to patiently endure all the sufferings and hardships of life, not to lose heart, not to lose heart, but to hope for God’s help; it teaches us to believe that suffering is sent by God for our own salvation. Also, the Holy Martyr Agathia is considered the patroness of livestock farms and livestock breeders; milkmaids and cattle breeders pray to her. Remembrance Day was established by the Orthodox Church on February 5/18. Such an icon as a birthday gift for a woman will help her find the right path in life.

Life of the Martyr Agathia of Panorma (Palermo), Sicilian

Saint Agathia lived on the island of Sicily in the 3rd century. She was the daughter of noble and wealthy parents, was raised in the Christian faith and wanted to dedicate her virginity to Christ without getting married. Her desire was especially strengthened when she heard that hegemon Quintian announced, according to the plan of the ruler of Sicily Decius, new persecution of Christians: they were ordered to be subjected to severe beatings and executions.

Agafya was filled with a passionate dream of suffering for Christ - and literally right there Quintian, having heard about her beauty, nobility, and at the same time her Christian religion, sends his soldiers after her. His calculation is simple: either the beautiful Agafya will become his wife and bring with her a rich dowry, or she will fall under the new decree and suffer as a Christian.
The messengers demand that the girl go with them to Quintian from Palermo to Catana. Agafya asks them for a few minutes to get ready and, shutting herself up, turns to Christ with a prayer: “Lord! You know my heart and the disposition of my soul, love and faith in You! Be my leader and helper against the enemy. Do not allow an all-nasty and all-evil person, a servant of demons, to desecrate my body, in which I have lived purely and honestly until now. Accept my tears as a sacrifice and an offering, for You alone are God and glory is due to You forever.”
Having finished the prayer, Agafya went out to the waiting warriors of Quintian and set off on the road. Numerous neighbors and friends of their family went with her, because they were all interested in what was happening: some went out of idle curiosity, while others sincerely sympathized with the girl and worried about her.
On the way, Agafya conducts a mental conversation with herself, and its content is extremely interesting. Unlike many holy virgins who, having once decided to dedicate their virginity to the Heavenly Bridegroom, no longer seemed to experience any struggles about this, Saint Agafya says this: “At first I had a fight with the devil, trying to keep my virginity pure and defeat my carnal passions, which I conquered with the help of the grace of my Christ, and trampled on the enemy. Now I am going to the second battle, in which I must lay down my soul for Christ. But, devil, you will not rejoice through me, but rather will be put to shame yourself: for I trust in Christ my God.”
I walked part of the way in such thoughts, and then Agafya’s sandal strap came untied. She stops to correct it, puts her foot on the stone and at the same time looks around. What does she see? Both curious and sympathetic neighbors abandoned this campaign long ago and returned to their city; she was left alone with the accompanying warriors in the middle of the desert.
- Almighty Lord! - Agafya calls, - for the sake of my citizens, who did not believe me that I want to suffer for Your holy name, show some miracle in this place!
Immediately, from the stone on which the saint placed her foot, a wild and barren olive tree grew (as the author of the life adds, “representing the wild minds of the citizens of Palermo”).
Soon the warriors with Agafya arrive in Katana. The girl is sent to the house of a local rich woman and socialite named Aphrodisia. This woman had five daughters, whom Quintian ordered to convince their guest to reject Christian values, succumb to the sweetness of carnal sin (preferably, with him, with Quintian) and make a sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Both the daughters and the mother tried with all their might, now with caresses, now with threats, now with intimate conversations, trying to win Agafya to their side, but she was unshakable: “Let it be known to you that my mind and thoughts are set in stone and cannot be turned away from love.” Christ, your flattering words are like the wind, the provision of worldly joys is nothing more than rain, and your threats are rivers that, although they will flow to my temple, will not be able to move it, for it stands on a solid foundation.”
At the same time, Agafya was terribly worried that she would not be able to fulfill the main goal of her visit: to accept martyrdom for Christ.
Desperate to fulfill the will of Quintian, Aphrodisia goes to him with a report: “It is more likely to crush a stone and turn iron into tin than to convince and turn this girl away from Christ.” Now the ruler is no longer waiting, and Agafya is brought to him. Remembering that the girl standing in front of him is noble and rich, Quintian is surprised by her appearance, and the following discussion takes place between the heroes:
-What kind are you?
“I am of noble birth and have noble and wealthy relatives.
- If you are of a noble family, then why do you wear poor clothes, like some kind of slave?
“I am Christ’s servant, and therefore I wear the image of a slave.”
- How do you call yourself a slave, being a free daughter of noble parents?
“Our nobility and freedom lie in working for Christ!”
- Are we really not free, who do not work for your Christ and deny Him?
“You are in such captivity and slavery that you have become not only slaves to sin, but also worshipers of vile and insensitive idols, considering wood and stone to be God.
- If you utter such blasphemy, you will be given over to many torments. But explain why you deny our gods?
- Because they are not gods, but demons, you yourself make them from copper and marble.
- Listen to good advice, girl. Make sacrifices to our gods so that you do not have to suffer torment and bring dishonor to your noble birth.
At this point, Saint Agathia suddenly wishes for Quintian that his wife would be like Aphrodite, and he himself like Zeus (Aphrodite is the goddess of love, orgies were held in her honor, Zeus is a rather lustful supreme deity). The ruler orders the girl to be hit in the face so that she does not dare insult him.
- Where is your mind, military leader? - asks Agafya. “I wish you to be like your God, but you do not want to be like him and are ashamed of him.”
Kintian gives the order to send the girl to various torments, to which Agafya replies that if she is given to be eaten by beasts, they will be tamed; if thrown into fire, the angels will cool it down. The girl is taken to a damp and stinking dungeon. The next day she is taken back to court and Quintian asks if she would like to think about her health.
- My health is Christ.
The ruler ordered Agafya to be hung naked from a tree and beaten, and then ordered her nipples to be torn with iron pincers, and then cut off completely.
- Godless and inhuman torturer! - exclaims the saint. “Aren’t you ashamed to cut off a woman’s nipples, which you yourself fed on from your mother!” But I have other nipples in my soul that you cannot touch, for they are dedicated to God.
The saint, with open wounds on her chest, is thrown into prison. At midnight, the holy Apostle Peter comes to her, in whose hands are many medical supplies, so Agafya decides that it is the doctor who has come. In response to the words of the apostle that he had come to heal her, she replied that she had never used any healing for her body, so there was no point in starting now.
“After all, I am a Christian and came to heal you, so do not be ashamed of me,” the apostle answers.
“You are a man, and I am a girl, how can I expose my body to you without shame?” I would rather endure the pain of my wounds than wish to be naked before the eyes of a man. I thank you, honest father, but know that healing at the hands of men will never touch my body.
- Why don’t you want me to cure you?
“I have my Lord Jesus Christ, who heals everything with one word.” If He wishes, He will heal me.
The apostle replied that it was the Lord who sent him to heal Agathya, after which he became invisible, and the saint, “looking at her body, saw her breasts intact and her wounds healed, all night an extraordinary light filled her prison, so that all the soldiers fled, leaving the doors are open." Other prisoners suggested that Agafya take advantage of this, but she explained that she did not want to lose the crown of martyrdom and bring guilt to the guards.
A few days later, Agafya is again taken to Quintian, who asks how much longer his prisoner will persist. The saint replies that she offers sacrifices and praises only to the One who healed her. Quintian orders the girl to be naked and sees that her breasts are completely healthy.
Amazed, he asks who cured her, to which he receives an answer that infuriates him: the Lord Jesus Christ. Quintianus orders to pour hot coals on the ground, throw the naked saint on them, beat her and torture her.
The warriors began to carry out the order, but then a terrible earthquake occurred, and the earth swallowed up those who came up with this torment, two friends of Quintian. Local residents demanded that the ruler stop tormenting Agafya, since earthquakes were happening because of her, and Quintian was forced to submit to the will of the people.
The saint was again taken to prison, where, after praying, she calmly and peacefully departed to the Lord. The people took her body to bury her with honors. A beautiful young man and with him a hundred youths suddenly joined the solemn procession. No one in the city knew who they were or where they came from, and just before burial the young man put a tablet in the saint’s coffin with the following text: “Immaculate mind, voluntary sacrifice to God and the fatherland of deliverance.” Immediately after this he became invisible, so that everyone understood that it was an angel.
A church was immediately built over the saint's grave, and her clothes were placed on top of the coffin. Exactly a year after Agafya’s death, Mount Etna erupted. All the inhabitants of the city - both Christians and pagans - rushed to the saint’s grave, took her clothes and, holding them as protection, lined up a wall in front of the lava. The fire immediately turned in the opposite direction, and then went out completely.

The relics of Saint Agathia were transferred to Constantinople in 1040, but in 1126 they returned back to Catana.

Prayers to the Martyr Agathia of Panorma (Palermo), Sicilian

Troparion
Your lamb, Jesus, Agathia,
calls with a great voice:
I love you, my Zhenisha,
and, seeking You, I suffer,
and I turn my back and bury myself in Thy Baptism,
and I suffer for Your sake, so that I may reign in You,
and I die for You, and I live with You,
but, as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me, who have offered myself to You with love.
Through prayers, as the Merciful, save our souls.

Kontakion
May the Church be adorned today with glorious purple, dipped in the pure blood of Agathia the Martyr:
Rejoice, crying out, Catanian praise.

Prayer
Pray to God for me, holy servant of God Agathia, as I diligently resort to you, an ambulance and prayer book for my soul.

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(Agathia or Agafya) - Christian martyr of the 3rd century, who accepted martyrdom on February 5, 251, during persecutions under Emperor Decius. The place of her life and testimony is the city of Catania in Sicily.
The name of Agatha is included in the rite of the Mass of the Roman and Ambrosian rites, which proves the antiquity of her veneration and its prevalence in the Christian world. The name of the martyr is also mentioned in the Martyrology of St. Jerome (mid-5th century), a hymn attributed to Pope Damasus is dedicated to her. At the beginning of the 6th century, Pope Symmachus built a temple dedicated to her in the suburbs of Rome. At the same time, her Life was compiled, which, however, has not reached us, but served as the source of three later Lives, which reproduce the same plot outline, but differ from each other in minor details.

Biography of St. Agatha reproduces a story typical of the virgin martyr of the first centuries of Christianity. Coming from a rich and noble family, she was also distinguished by her beauty and therefore many wooed her. Among them was the prefect of Sicily Quitian. However, Agatha, who believed in Christ and received Baptism, was firm in her decision to completely devote herself to God and preserve her virginity, and therefore responded with a refusal.

When in 250 Emperor Decius issued an edict on the persecution of Christians, the prefect Quitian tried to persuade Agatha to cohabitate, otherwise threatening her with terrible torment. But Agatha rejected his advances, praying to the Lord Jesus to come to her aid and strengthen her in the struggle. Quitian sent Agatha to the house of a certain Aphrodisia, known for her loose morals, where the saint spent 30 days, but did not give in in the fight, so in the end Aphrodisia told the Roman official that she was unable to break her will.
Then Kvitsian initiated a lawsuit against Agatha. “How did you, being a patrician, stoop to become a Christian?” - he asked. “True nobility,” answered the saint, “is acquired by confessing Jesus Christ, Who is called the Servant.” In response to the demand to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods, she remarked: “It’s amazing that you, a reasonable person, offer me this. You yourself are ashamed of your gods and, nevertheless, you command me to worship them.”

Enraged, Kvitsian ordered Agatha to be scourged, her body burned with a hot iron and cut with knives, and when the saint bravely endured these tortures, he ordered her breasts to be cut off. The bleeding girl was thrown into prison, where the holy Apostle Peter appeared to her, accompanied by an angel carrying a torch, and healed her wounds. At the same time, the prison cell was illuminated by heavenly light, so that the frightened guards fled, leaving the doors open. But Agatha did not take the opportunity to escape. “God forbid that I lose such a close crown and subject the guards to punishment, which they then cannot avoid,” she said.
The next morning, Kvitsian demanded that the girl be brought to him again and again invited her to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. “How unreasonable is your order,” answered Agatha, “to renounce the One who healed the wounds you inflicted on me!”
Then the prefect ordered her to be burned over a low fire, but when Agatha was thrown onto the coals, an earthquake began, and the people themselves began to demand that they stop torturing her. The executioners put out the fire, but Agatha, unable to withstand the suffering, had already died. According to legend, she was 16 years old at the time, and her last words were the words of prayer: “Lord, who has protected me since childhood. You cleansed my heart of love for this world and helped me endure many trials. Accept my spirit now!”

A year after the death of Agatha, the Sicilian volcano Etna woke up, but thanks to the prayer of the Christian community of Catania to this saint, the lava did not reach the city. Having learned about this miracle, many local pagans turned to Christ, and since then St. Agatha began to be revered as a heavenly protector from fires, floods and other natural disasters. They entrusted their homes and property to her patronage; it was believed that the presence of an image of St. Agates protect the home from fire.
There was also a tradition to consecrate on the day of memory of St. Agata (February 5 - the day of her martyrdom) bread, salt and water. Bread and salt consecrated in this way are thrown into the fire to save their homes from the fiery elements, they are given as food to domestic animals to protect them from diseases. People take “St. Agatha’s Bread” with them on long journeys; women turn to St. Agate for chest pain and some other diseases, as well as during breastfeeding. Saint Agatha is the patroness of firefighters and the Knights of Malta. Since, according to one of the legends of St. Agatha hid for some time on the island of Malta during persecution; local catacombs bear her name, and the Order of St. Agatha is a state award of the Republic of Malta.

In the name of Saint Agatha, the cathedral in the city of Catania (Sicily), in which her relics rest, was consecrated. Every year on the day of remembrance of the saint, they are carried through the streets of the city in a golden reliquary mounted on a special cart.
Iconographic tradition depicts the saint with a palm branch (a symbol of victory) or ivory (a symbol of firmness and purity) in her hands, with torches and tongs (instruments of torture to which she was subjected), often against the backdrop of a burning house or the erupting volcano Etna. They also depict the severed breasts of a saint lying on a platter.

The holy martyr Theodulia lived in the city of Anazarva during the reign of the Roman emperors (284 - 305) and Maximian (305 - 311). The ruler of the city, Pelagius, was very cruel. His servants searched for Christians throughout the region and brought them to him for trial, where, after hearing the royal decree, they had to worship idols. One day a Christian woman named Theodulia was brought to him. (She was afraid not so much of torment as of not being defiled by the infidels, and offered them a lot of gold. But the servants did not take the gold, but brought her to the ruler for trial.) Pelagius asked her name and ordered her to worship the pagan gods; in case of refusal, he threatened her with cruel torment. Saint Theodoulia answered: “I am a Christian. This is my honorable and eternal name, but people call me Theodulia. I worship the One True God and will not worship a stone.”

Pelagius became furious and ordered the torture to begin. The Lord gave Theodulia His help, and she did not feel pain. Pelagius attributed this to the action of the gods, who spare Theodulia in the hope that she would turn to them.

Saint Theodulia said to the ruler: “Where are your gods who spare me, show them to me so that I can give them honor?” She was brought to the temple of Hadrian, who was revered as the most powerful god. The saint, having prayed to the True God, blew on the idol, and it crumbled. Seeing this. Pelagius trembled with horror. If rumors of the destruction of the idol reach the kings, then it will be thrown to be devoured by wild beasts. With sobs, he fell at the feet of Saint Theodulia, begging her to raise the idol from the dust, promising to accept Christianity for this.

The saint made a fervent prayer to the Lord Jesus, and the idol, whole and unharmed, again stood in its place. However, ruler Pelagius not only did not fulfill his promise to become a Christian, but began to torment the martyr with even greater frenzy. During these torments, a certain Helladius, who was looking after the prisoners, approached the ruler and asked to give him the maiden Theodulia, promising to force her to worship the gods, for he wanted to become famous and receive honors from the city ruler.

Helladius betrayed Saint Theodoulia to severe torment, surpassing Pelagius himself in cruelty. The saint prayed to God that He would grant her patience. She immediately received God's help and was healed. The torturer was shocked, and Saint Theodulia turned to him with words of exhortation. “Become a Christian,” she told him, “in order to receive eternal honor in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead and reward everyone according to his deeds.” Thus, through prayers and instructions, Saint Theodulia led Hellas to the knowledge of the truth; he believed in Christ and confessed the True God before the ruler. For this he also accepted the crown of martyrdom. They cut off his head with a sword and threw his body into the sea.

Saint Theodulia was thrown into a lit furnace, but remained unharmed. After this, she was spread out in a frying pan, doused with boiling resin, wax and oil, but the hot frying pan shattered into pieces, and many people were burned by the fire, including the ruler of the city Pelagius, who died a terrible death, and Saint Theodulia again remained unharmed.

At the sight of such a miracle, this extraordinary phenomenon, many people believed in Christ, among whom were honorary citizens Macarius and Evagrius. The pagans continued to torture Christians with even greater bitterness. They lit a furnace and threw into it Saint Theodoulia, Macarius, Evagrius and many others who believed in Christ. All of them, with prayer on their lips, accepted martyrdom and passed on to endless life.

Mch. Mikhail, prmts. Alexandra (1942).

ELETSK-CHERNIGOV ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Day of Remembrance: February 6

The Yelets-Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God appeared on a spruce tree near Chernigov in 1060, under the Chernigov prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, as was recorded in the synod of the Bishop of Chernigov Zosima Prokopovich (1655 - 1657). The icon was placed in a church founded in honor of the Yelets Icon of the Mother of God. The Monk Anthony (+ 1073; commemorated July 10), who labored on Boldina Mountain in 1068-1069, gave his blessing to found a monastery here. In 1238, the monastery was destroyed by the Tatars, but the icon was preserved inside the monastery wall. In 1470, the Kiev prince Simeon Olelkovich restored the monastery, and the icon was again placed in the temple. The further fate of the icon is unclear. According to one legend, a descendant of the Chernigov princes, Baryatinsky, took the icon to Moscow in 1579, when Chernigov passed to the Polish king Stefan Batory. In 1687, the okolnichy prince Daniil Baryatinsky was returning from a campaign in Crimea. In Kharkov, he became very ill and before his death he transferred the Yelets Icon, which was with him during the campaign, to the Kharkov Assumption Cathedral. According to another legend, the icon disappeared from the monastery during its destruction in the 17th century. Polish troops of Sigismund III. In 1676, Prince Konstantin Ostrozhsky donated to the Yeletsk monastery a copy of the Yeletsk Icon of the Mother of God, brought from Vladimir by the Kozel brothers. Archimandrite Ioannikiy (Golyatovsky) then restored the monastery and described numerous miracles from this icon in the book “Skrobnitsa” (“Treasury”), published in 1676 in Novgorod Seversky. Another Yeletsk Icon of the Mother of God is also known, which also appeared in 1060. It got its name from the fact that it was located in the city of Yelets, in the cathedral church in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. The celebration of this icon is scheduled for January 11th.

Day of Remembrance: February 5

The Divnogorsk-Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God received its name from the place of its original residence and glorification in the Dormition Divnogorsk Monastery, in the former Ostrogozhsky district, Voronezh province, and the Sicilian icon was named after its place of origin, since, according to legend, this icon is in the Divas (or Divnye mountains) was brought from Sicily by the pious monk elders Xenophon and Joasaph. It is believed that they were originally Orthodox Greeks and arrived here probably no earlier than the end of the 15th century. Xenophon and Joasaph founded the monastery in a picturesque place above the Don River, at the confluence of the Quiet Pine River. The area is named Divas and Divyi (wonderful) mountains from the amazingly shaped chalk pillars located along the mountains.

It is believed that Xenophon and Joasaph lived in a cave (where the Church of St. John the Baptist was later built) and that the first church in the chalk pillar was cut down by them, where they placed the icon of the Mother of God they brought with them from Sicily. Here they found their eternal resting place. On the icon of the Sicilian (Divnogorsk) Mother of God, the Mother of God is depicted sitting on the clouds. In Her right hand is a blooming white lily, and with her left hand She supports the Infant God, who sits on Her knees. The Savior holds a flower (lily) in his left hand and blesses with his right hand. Around the face of the Mother of God eight Angels are depicted, two of which, written below, are depicted kneeling and with their hands raised in grief. Above the head of the Mother of God is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The special glorification of the miraculous icon began in 1831, when cholera was raging. In Korotoyak, located 7-8 versts from the monastery, the Most Blessed Virgin appeared in a dream to one elderly resident, Ekaterina Kolomenskaya (as She is depicted on the Divnogorsk icon) and ordered to take Her icon and perform a prayer service in front of it. The miraculous icon was brought to Korotoyak, and after fervent public prayer before the holy icon, the cholera stopped. Through the intercession of the Mother of God, the city of Ostrogozhsk was also saved from cholera. The residents of Korotoyak and Ostrogozhsk also received salvation from cholera in 1847 and 1848 through the miraculous intercession of the Mother of God, which took place after a religious procession with the holy icon around these cities.

According to legend, the celebration of the miraculous icon on February 5 was determined by the founders of the monastery - Xenophon and Joasaph.

CELEBRATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD IN HONOR OF HER ICON “RECOVERY OF THE LORD”

Day of Remembrance: February 5

Since time immemorial, the Russian people, sacredly believing in the all-powerful help of the Most Holy Theotokos, have adopted the name “Seeking the Lost” for Her, as the last refuge, the last hope of perishing people.

No reliable information has been preserved about the origin of the image “Recovery of the Dead.” There are several miraculous icons known under this name, through which the Mother of God showed Her mercy to people who had already crossed the threshold of death.

In the middle of the 17th century, in the village of Bor, Kaluga province, the pious peasant Fedot Obukhov was caught on the way by a snowstorm on the feast of the Epiphany. The horses were exhausted and stopped at an impassable ravine. Seeing no means of salvation, Obukhov lay down in the sleigh and began to fall asleep, not realizing that he would be completely frozen. But in these terrible moments, with all his being he cried out to the Queen of Heaven for help and promised to make an icon “Recovery of the Lost” for his parish church. And She heard his heartfelt prayer: in a neighboring village, one peasant suddenly heard someone’s voice under his window: “Take it.” He went out and saw a half-frozen Obukhov in the sleigh. Having recovered, the saved one immediately fulfilled his vow and ordered a copy of the icon from the St. George Church in the city of Volkhov, Oryol province. Since that time, the Bor icon “Seeking the Lost” has become famous for many grace-filled signs and wonders. The miraculous images “Recovery of the Dead” are known: from the village of Malizhina, Kharkov province, revealed in 1770, which three times saved the inhabitants from cholera; from the village of Krasnoye, Chernigov province, from Voronezh, Kozlov, Tambov province. In 1835, at the Moscow Alexander Orphan Institute, a temple was consecrated in honor of the icon “Recovery of the Dead.”

Of particular interest are the surviving legends about the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost,” located in the church in honor of the “Resurrection of the Word” in Moscow. This icon was moved from the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Palashevsky Lane. Its last owner was widowed and was on the verge of complete poverty. Diligent prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos saved him from despair and arranged the fate of his orphan daughters. This man considered himself unworthy to have a miraculous image in his house and transferred it to the temple. In 1812, the Palashevsky temple was plundered by the French. The desecrated shrine was found split into three parts among all sorts of rubbish. When the icon was found, many miraculous healings took place. Brides turned to this icon when they got married so that the marriage would be salvific; people mired in drunkenness, dying in poverty, suffering from illnesses came to her, mothers turned to her with prayers for their dying children. And the Queen of Heaven sent down help and support to everyone: “Seek us, the perishing. Most Holy Virgin, do not punish us because of our sins, but because of your love for mankind: deliver us from hell, illness and need, and save us” (troparion, chapter 4).

Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, / who bore the Eternal Child and God in Your arms. / Ask Him to give peace to the world / and salvation to our souls. / For the Son, O Mother of God, proclaims to You, / that all Your requests will be fulfilled for good. / For this sake and We fall down and pray to Thee/ and we who trust in Thee, may we not perish,/ call Thy name:/ For Thou art, O Lady,/ The seeker of the lost.

Troparion of the Mother of God in honor of Her Icon Recovering the Lost Seek us, the 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 of the Mother of God in honor of Her Icon Recovering the Lost The intercession of Christians is shameless, / 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 entreat, / ever interceding, the Mother of God, those who honor Thee .

Prayer 1 Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos! 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. We are not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, do You, Lady, weigh all our infirmities 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 , dying. 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 who flow to You, and a strong refuge for repentant sinners. Grant us, O Most Blessed and All-Immaculate Virgin, the Christian end of our life, peaceful and unashamed, and grant us, through Your intercession, to dwell in the heavenly abodes, 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 forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer 2 Zealous Intercessor, Compassionate Mother of the Lord, I come running to You, the accursed one and the most sinful man above all, listen to the voice of my prayer, hear my cry and groans, as if my iniquities have surpassed my head, and I, like a ship in the abyss, am plunging into the sea of ​​my sins . But You, All-Good 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 lost, 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.

Prayer 3 O Most Holy Lady and Mother of God, the highest Cherub and the most honorable Seraphim, God's chosen Youth, the Seeker of the lost and the Joy of all who mourn, grant consolation to us who exist in perdition and sorrow, unless You have no other refuge and help than the Imams. You alone are our Intercessor of joy and as the Mother of God and Mother of Mercy, standing at the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, you can help us: no one else, who flows to You, leaves in shame. Hear us now, on the day of destruction and sorrow, falling before Your icon and praying to You with tears: take away from us the sorrows and troubles that are upon us in this temporary life, so that through Your omnipotent intercession, do not deprive us of eternal, endless joys in the Kingdom Your Son and our God. Amen.

Service

AKATHIST FIRST

Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos in Honor of Her Icon “Seeking Out the Lost”

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, the Queen of heaven and earth, who has given us the wonderful Icon of the Seeking One, we offer a song of thanksgiving. But You, as a compassionate Mother, do not reject our prayer, but deign to accept it, and deign to cry out to You like this:

Ikos 1

Hearing the angelic voice, Saint Anna prophesied: conceive and give birth to a Daughter, the blessed Mary, about her all the tribes of the earth will be blessed and salvation will come to the whole world; We, who know this, 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, inconceivable container.

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

Rejoice, most honorable 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, a 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: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You have acquired perfect intelligence, O Mother of God, having been brought up in the Holy of Holies; 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 deluded to the light of truth.

Rejoice, you who instill the fear of God in hearts; Rejoice, you who teach reverence for the holy thing.

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

Rejoice, you find inspiring joy in them; Rejoice, you arousing 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, O Blessed 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, O Blessed One, to Your southern mother, the righteous Elizabeth, and kissed both mothers, rejoicing in God our Savior. For this reason, as the source of holy joy, we cry out to thee:

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

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

Rejoice, you who provide consolation in their very suffering; Rejoice, for through You our good desire is fulfilled.

Rejoice, for through You our evil undertakings are stopped; Rejoice, Thy Maternity fire warms the souls of the faithful with love.

Rejoice, you who illuminate us with the grace of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, merciful Mother of all who mourn and oppressed.

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

Kontakion 4

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

Ikos 4

Hearing in Bethlehem the shepherd 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 say to You, as a common Mother:

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

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

Rejoice, you who endow life with humility and meekness; Rejoice, sweet peace of reverent elders.

Rejoice, a quiet refuge for benevolent elders; Rejoice, fair marriages have been established.

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

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

Kontakion 5

You appear as a God-bearing 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 You come with the Infant Jesus in the temple to introduce yourself to the Lord, saying: A weapon will pierce Your very soul, foreseeing Your Mother’s suffering for Your Divine Son. For this reason we call You:

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

Rejoice, you who delight 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 gracious help, the whole multitude of those saved by You are: the suffering, the sick, the grieving and burdened with sins, crying out to God with gratitude for You: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The divine light arose in Egypt and the idols fell there, when you fled, the Most Pure One, with the Infant Jesus, fleeing the murder of Herod; You, illuminating the minds of everyone with the light of knowledge of God, who are moving away from the delights of the vain world, plucking from their souls the idols of the destructive passions nesting there, we also extol You with these words:

Rejoice, admonition of those who doubt their faith; Rejoice, you who are proud of your humility in your mind.

Rejoice, thou who have tamed the 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, shaming and all kinds of lies.

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

Kontakion 7

Although you never wanted to be separated from the Savior of the world who was born by You, You, God-blessed One, remained with Him inseparably in the city of Nazareth, raising children and feeding Him like a Man, and singing in Your heart like 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 feast of Easter, remembering Him to be in the squad. Leading this is Your compassion, with tenderness we cry out to You:

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

Rejoice, clothing for the poor and naked; Rejoice, food for the poor and ruined.

Rejoice, charity for the homeless, the strange, widows and orphans; Rejoice, travellers, safe return 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 the mind and character of ordinary people with Your help; 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 wondrous care was for Christians on all the paths of their life, many rebellious and many difficult ones; Having in You such a merciful and unenvious helper, all those who have benefited from You loudly sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You were all with Christ, always serving the human race, as the divine Luke narrates. For she came to Thy Son, saying: Thy Mother and Thy brethren stand outside, wanting to see Thee. We imagine that You, 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, thou who providest shepherds with zeal for the salvation of the souls of their spiritual children; Rejoice, teachers of perfect understanding.

Rejoice, students progressing in sciences; Rejoice, helping monks and nuns in the fight against the adversities of the world and the flesh.

Rejoice, holy mirror of truth for judges; Rejoice, skillful physicians 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, for you always give soul-helping gifts to those who come running to You, supply what is needed in life and earnestly intercede for us, weak and sinners, at the throne of the Lord of glory, to Him we sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The oracles of multi-proclamation 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 every way, to endure the most severe sorrows and deprivations, help us. For this reason we call upon You:

Rejoice, sight for the blind! Rejoice in the hearing of the deaf.

Rejoice, thou who walkest the lame; Rejoice, healing of the paralyzed in the body.

Rejoice, health to the sick; Rejoice, deliverance from the cold 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, when he spoke to the Most Immaculate and beloved disciple: Woman, behold your son, and: Behold your mother. Giving thanks to the all-good God for this, we say to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

A strong wall appeared according to the commandment of the Lord, O Most Blessed One, bestowing on all prosperity, peace, consolation, joy, as you yourself received from the risen Christ the Savior, having heard from Him a welcoming voice:

Rejoice, for all your birth will please You; Rejoice, thou who tames all hatred, malice, and enmity.

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

Rejoice, you who are kind to people with brotherly love; Rejoice, protector from famine, cold, cowardice, flood, fire, and sword.

Rejoice, you who feed the faithful with our 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 Christian life; Rejoice, you who comfort 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, 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 we may be able to worthily and righteously sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

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

Rejoice, consuming unclean thoughts; Rejoice, you who drive away temptations and seductions from us.

Rejoice, you who strive towards 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; 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 may not perish in the 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, having prepared us by 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 are worthy of the last parting words.

Rejoice, removing mortal fear from those; Rejoice, you who send speedy resolution 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 belly; Rejoice, deliverer of bitter ordeals.

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

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.

Kontakion 13

O Lady of the world! Accept this little gratitude of ours, offered to You with all our hearts, and do not allow us to grow cold in this grateful feeling, but instruct us to always remember Your countless mercies and cry out to God about You with tears of tenderness: Alleluia.

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

First prayer

Oh, Most Holy and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos! 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. We are not imams of other help, not imams of other hope, do You, Lady, weigh all our infirmities 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 , dying. 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 who flow to You, and a strong refuge for repentant sinners. Grant us, O Most Blessed and All-Immaculate Virgin, the Christian end of our life, peaceful and unashamed, and grant us, through Your intercession, to dwell in the heavenly abodes, 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 forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

Zealous Intercessor, Compassionate Mother of the Lord, I come running to You, the accursed and most sinful man of all, listen to the voice of my prayer, hear my cry and groans, as my iniquities have surpassed my head, and I, like a ship in the abyss, am plunging into the sea of ​​my sins . But You, All-Good 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 lost, 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.

Prayer three

O Most Holy Virgin Theotokos, most merciful Mother of all Christians, especially those who mourn, are persecuted, and are possessed by various ailments! I, poor and poor in soul and body, stand before Your holy image with tears and touchingly ask for Your gracious care, for there is nothing good and good in me: I am completely surrounded by infirmities, poverty and wretchedness; My feet have no shoes on, so that I might hasten to do holy and godly work; My hands are dirty from the many iniquities I have committed; My eyes are downcast from uncleanness of conscience; they will not be able to look at the splendor of Your beauty; my face is darkened and marked with the seal of my countless vices and sins. I have neither saving faith nor comforting hope, lower than benevolent love. I am like a putrefactive vessel, filled with all kinds of filth, pride, selfishness, arrogance, vanity, anger, irritability, malice, resentment, ill will, envy, jealousy, condemnation, murmuring, slander, idle talk, deceit, flattery, deception, incontinence of soul and body. feelings, addictions, carnality of any kind, voluptuousness and other countless passions; and all my spiritual misery, and bodily illnesses, and misfortunes beset me, and my whole life, like a reed, shaken by the wind, is full of unworthiness, fear, and all kinds of danger; according to the verb of the holy apostle, troubles attacked me from everywhere; troubles from the spirits of wickedness in high places, troubles from those who hate and offend people who are at enmity against me; troubles from animals, livestock and reptiles of the earth, troubles from the elements of the world: lightning, fire, water, harmful air, cold, famine; troubles from the many infirmities and diseases of my body; troubles on the way and in the house, troubles during the days and nights. Who will deliver me from my enemies, who will guide me to good deeds, who will heal my illnesses, who will console and calm me down, enlighten me, instruct me, save me and have mercy on me, if not You, Most Holy Mother, all-merciful intercessor and patroness! You gather my scattered mind, cleanse my thoughts from all filth; feelings poisoned by evil, refresh; Strengthen my weak will for all good things and deliver me from destructive lack of will; Free my heart from passions and fill it with holy love for God and neighbors; Arrange my entire inner temple and make it a comfortable dwelling for the Holy Spirit. Do not leave me, most merciful Lady, in my many-sorrowful physical life. Consume diseases, destroy visible and invisible enemies, destroy evil situations, destroy fear that comes from the spirits of evil and people who want to destroy me. Grant me everything I need and need; good spirits later; May I, renewed, purified, and comforted by You, my most holy Queen, glorify the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and Your wondrous care for me now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion, tone 7

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. The Son, O Mother of God, tells You that He will fulfill all Your requests for good. For this reason, we, falling down, pray and, hoping in Thee, that we may not perish, we call Thy name: For Thou art, O Lady, the Seeker of the lost.

Troparion, tone 4

Seek us, the 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

In kontakion, voice the same

AKATHIST SECOND

Akathist to the Holy Mother of God in Honor of Her Icons “RECOVERY OF THE LORD” AND “JOY OF ALL WHO MORRIB”

Kontakion 1

To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having been delivered from eternal death by the grace of You who was born Christ our God and through Your Mother's intercession before Him, let us write thanks to You, Your servants, but as having an invincible power, freedom from all our troubles and sorrowful circumstances, calling:

Ikos 1

A representative angel was sent from Heaven and said to the Mother of God: Rejoice, Blessed among women, foretold Mother of Christ, the Son of God. In the same way, we, burdened with sins, having increased the hope of salvation in You, touchingly cry out to You:

Rejoice, God's favor towards sinners; Rejoice, strong intercession of those who repent before the Lord God.

Rejoice, proclamation to fallen Adam; Rejoice, deliverance of the tears of Eve.

Rejoice, you who take away sinful filth; Rejoice, bathhouse, washing the conscience.

Rejoice, thou who gave birth to the Savior, who mercifully cleanses our iniquities; Rejoice, all-wonderful reconciliation of all to God.

Rejoice, bridge, truly lead us from death to life; Rejoice, you who saved the world from the flood of sin.

Rejoice, heavenly ladder, whose Lord has descended to us; Rejoice, wine of all deification.

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

Kontakion 2

Seeing the currents of miracles pouring out from Thy holy icon, Good Mother of God, and understanding that You are the Good Helper of the praying, the Offended Intercessor, the hopeless hope, the sad consolation, the lost Recovery, the hungry Nurse, the naked robe, the virgin chastity, the strange Mentor, the toiling help, sight for the blind, blessing of hearing for the deaf, healing for the sick, we cry out to God with thanksgiving for You: Alleluia.

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, let us cry out to You joyfully:

Rejoice, you who are overwhelmed by a quiet refuge; 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.

Kontakion 3

Strengthen me with power from above, O Good Lady, who is ailing in body and soul, and grant Thy visitation and providence, driving away the darkness of despondency and sorrow that surrounds me, so that, saved by You, I will ever sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having an inexpressible wealth of mercy, you extend a helping hand to all those who mourn, heal ailments, heal passions. Do not despise me, O Good Lady, on the bed of my infirmity, lying down and crying out to You:

Rejoice, treasure of mercy; Rejoice, there is only one hope for the desperate.

Rejoice, healing of my body; Rejoice, salvation of my soul.

Rejoice, strong fortress of the weak; Rejoice, O intercessor and strengthener of the weary.

Rejoice, thou who quickly quenches the wrath of God with Thy prayer; Rejoice, taming our passions by the power of Your prayers.

Rejoice, blind seeing, hearing deaf; Rejoice, lame walking, dumb speaking.

Rejoice, trustworthy visit to those who are sick; Rejoice, for through You, according to the measure of faith, grace-filled healings are given to all the infirm.

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

Kontakion 4

The storm of many troubles and misfortunes will overcome me, and I can no longer tolerate anxiety. You, as the Merciful Mother of my Savior and God, raise your hand to Your Son, begging Him to look upon the fierce sorrow of my heart and raise me from the abyss of despair, crying out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing, O Most Holy Virgin and Mother, the righteous prophecy of Simeon: “A weapon will pierce your very soul,” you composed all these verbs in your heart, understanding that the joy of your mother’s heart for the children of many sorrows in this world is involved. Moreover, as we are more experienced in all sorts of things and have suffered through motherly sorrow, we cry out to You:

Rejoice, joy of the world, who gave birth to Christ the Savior; Rejoice, you who deliver the world from sorrows.

Rejoice, you who endured the reproach of Your Son; Rejoice, you who suffered through His suffering.

Rejoice, consolation to sorrowful mothers; Rejoice, children of their blessed protection.

Rejoice, quick intercession in our troubles; Rejoice, correction of the erring.

Rejoice, food for babies; Rejoice, instruction to the young.

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

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

Kontakion 5

The rich Blood of Your Son on the Cross for our salvation, poured out for our salvation, as the Servant of the Lord, obeying the will of the Father in Heaven, You showed us the image of suffering and patience, and we, in the furnace of temptations and troubles that exist, humbly cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing Thee, Thy Son and God, standing at the Cross with the beloved disciple and her heart crucified to Him, the verb: “Woman, behold Thy son,” and to the disciple: “Behold, thy Mother,” giving unto Thee all who believe in Him. We, as fellow-partners of the sorrow and suffering of Your Son, who have the Good Mother in You, place all our hope in You in our sorrow, crying out to You:

Rejoice, Mother of the Christian race; Rejoice, Thou who adopted us as sons at the Cross of Thy Son.

Rejoice, thou who united God with man; Rejoice, you who united the faithful of the Lord.

Rejoice, O Lamb, who gave birth to the Lamb who took away the sins of the world; Rejoice, cup that draws us joy from the Source of immortality.

Rejoice, Helper of the salvation of sinners; Rejoice, Seeker of the lost.

Rejoice, unexpected joy of sinners; Rejoice, rise of the fallen.

Rejoice, Healer of all infirmities; Rejoice, quenching of all sorrows.

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

Kontakion 6

Thy mercy is preached, O Mother of God, to all the ends of the universe, for with Thy honorable cover thou covert the entire Christian race, for which you continually pray to Christ our Savior and deliver Thy well-behaved and God-fearing people from all troubles, faithfully crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The luminous grace has risen from Thy most wonderful icon, Mother of God, falling before her with tears, we pray to Thee: push away the cloud of temptations that have come upon us, and let us cry out to Thee joyfully:

Rejoice, bringing to Thy Son and God the prayers of the faithful; Rejoice, and You Yourself always praying for us at the Throne of Your Son.

Rejoice, Representative to God, saving the world from troubles; Rejoice, Intercessor of the Christian race, given to us by God.

Rejoice, blessed-leaved tree, with which many are covered; Rejoice, light-fruitful tree, from which vernias feed.

Rejoice, cover of the world, broadening the clouds; Rejoice, land of promise, from which honey and milk flow.

Rejoice, O field, growing an abundance of bounties; Rejoice, Giver of all goodness.

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

Kontakion 7

Desiring to reveal currents of miracles from Your holy icon “Seeking the Lost,” You commanded, O Lady, in the destruction and sorrow of those who exist, to perform a prayer service before Thee and to those who received healing to preach the mercy for the sake of that icon revealed, so that the source of grace-filled healings will not be hidden to all who need it. Likewise, we do not hide Your benefits, but, glorifying God with gratitude, we cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The new font of Siloam has appeared more than the ancient ones, the Most Pure Lady, Thy temple, in which we worship Thy miraculous icon, for not only in the summer and only in the first place do You give health to the body, but you heal every ailment and every ulcer of the soul and body with faith and love for You those running. For this reason we cry out to You:

Rejoice, font, in the depths of all our sorrows are immersed; Rejoice, cup, through which we receive joy and salvation.

Rejoice, stone that gives water to those thirsty for life; Rejoice, tree that delights the dirty waters of the sea of ​​life.

Rejoice, inexhaustible Source of life-giving waters; Rejoice, bathhouse that washes away sinful filth.

Rejoice, delight in our sorrows; Rejoice, our sorrows are quenched.

Rejoice, trampling on demons; Rejoice, disgrace of enemies.

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

Kontakion 8

We are all strangers and strangers on this land, according to the apostle’s verb, troubles from enemies, troubles from relatives, troubles from false brethren, suffering many deprivations and sorrows. You, Lady, as the Good Guide, guide us to a quiet refuge and pray to Your Son that forgiveness of sins may be granted to us before the end, so that we may ever cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Our entire life on earth is painful and filled with sadness from slander, annoyance, reproach and other many types of troubles and misfortunes; for the body is weak, and our spirit is weak. We therefore resort to You, O Mother of God, falling before Your most pure icon, fill our sorrowful hearts with joy and gladness, so that we cry out to You:

Rejoice, Guide, guiding us to the Heavenly Fatherland; Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and earth, who opens the gates of heaven to us.

Rejoice, Merciful One, who has mercy on us; Rejoice, Housebuilder, who organizes our life well.

Rejoice, watered fleece, which Gideon foresaw; Rejoice, blessed womb, which has contained the inconceivable God of all.

Rejoice, Burning Kupino; Rejoice, Unbreakable Wall.

Rejoice, Life-Giving Source; Rejoice, Unfading Flower.

Rejoice, softening of the hearts of the wicked; Rejoice, tenderness of the good.

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

Kontakion 9

Every everyday sweetness of sorrow in this world is involved: glory is not worth it, wealth flies by, grace and health fade, friends and sparks are taken away by death. Sweeten our sorrows, O good Guilty One, giving Thy incorruptible joy to us who cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

They are perplexed by the words with which to console the sorrowing and perishing, but She, the Lady, spoke consolation to our hearts, Thy grace rays disperse the clouds of our sorrow and the darkness of despondency, let us cry out to Thee:

Rejoice, you who have made all Christians happy with their hope in You; Rejoice, Joy and peace to the world.

Rejoice, Giver of Divine goodness; Rejoice, Hope of eternal blessings.

Rejoice, ship of those who want to be saved; Rejoice, haven of worldly voyages.

Rejoice, faithful Guardian of those who trust in Thee according to God; Rejoice, clothing of the naked of boldness.

Rejoice, Guardian of all and affirmation; Rejoice, guardianship and sacred refuge for all the faithful.

Rejoice, help from those who faithfully pray to You; Rejoice, bright knowledge of grace.

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

Kontakion 10

To save the human race from eternal torment and unceasing sorrow, the Lover of Mankind, dwell in Your ever-virgin womb, and You, Your Mother, grant to those who are perishing help, protection and protection, so that you will be comfort to the sad, retribution to the lost, joy to the grieving, hope to the desperate, eternal torment to Your through intercession redeeming and bringing to Heavenly joy all who faithfully cry to Thy Son and our God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are a wall to the virgins, the Virgin Mary, and to all who resort to Your protection. We also pray to You: intercede, cover and protect all those who are perishing and helpless from temptations, bitterness and troubles, who cry out to You with love:

Rejoice, pillar of virginity; Rejoice, chosen vessel of purity and chastity.

Rejoice, for those who wage war on the flesh with chastity have a fair wedding; Rejoice, you who in monasticism grieve the Giver of eternal joy.

Rejoice, changing the flame of passions; Rejoice, you who drive away the darkness of temptations.

Rejoice, Teacher of chastity; Rejoice, purity of the fence.

Rejoice, correction of men; Rejoice, Who has risen from our fall.

Rejoice, firm affirmation of faith; Rejoice, pleasant censer of prayer.

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

Kontakion 11

We offer all-contrite singing to You, Thy servants, the Mother of God, as the all-powerful Intercessor of our race. Assuage the sickness of those who come running to You, tame the wrath of God, righteously driven upon us by sin for our sakes, deliver us from all fierce sorrow and destruction, crying out to God about You: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

A light-receiving lamp, kindled by the coal of God’s grace, Your most honorable icon, O Lady, appeared to us for our sanctification and consolation. We, who honor love and fall to it with faith, cry out to Ti:

Rejoice, thou who by Thy mighty intercession delivers us from all troubles; Rejoice, you who protect us from cowardice and flood.

Rejoice, who supplies us with hunger of soul and body; Rejoice, quenching the fire with the dew of Your prayers.

Rejoice, you who save us from mortal destruction; Rejoice, strong Helper in battle.

Rejoice, you who protect us from the invasion of foreigners; Rejoice, protector from internecine warfare.

Rejoice, you who sail easily on the waters; Rejoice, good Traveling Driver.

Rejoice, liberation of the captives; Rejoice, there will be a speedy deliverance from the impending righteous rebuke of God.

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

Kontakion 12

You wished to give a guarantee of grace to our race, You showed us Your celibate icon, Mother of God, from which the currents of miracles flow out with faith, sick people are healed and sorrows are quenched. For this reason we joyfully cry out to God for You: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing Your mercies and miracles, Mother of God, we all praise You, as our steadfast Representative, and with tenderness we worship You, praying for us, and ask: lift up your hand to Your Son, so that in this life and after our death His mercy will never depart from us calling on Ti:

Rejoice, our unshameable hope in life and in our repose; Rejoice, you who give peace to the end of this life to those who trust in You.

Rejoice, on the day of judgment our Hope and Protection; Rejoice, supplication of the Righteous Judge.

Rejoice, eternal deliverance of Gehenna; Rejoice, Hope of eternal salvation.

Rejoice, key of the Kingdom of Christ; Rejoice, door of heaven.

Rejoice, bridge, lead to Heaven; Rejoice, refuge of all repentant sinners and Good Intercessor.

Rejoice, Joy of Angels; Rejoice, Glory and Consolation to all the righteous.

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

Kontakion 13

O All-Singing, God-Pleased Mother, who gave birth to the joy of Heaven and earth, the King Christ, our God! Hear the voice of Your mourning servants and, having accepted this little prayer of ours, deliver us from all troubles, sorrows and misfortunes, heal our ailments, consume slander, drive away all malice and enmity from us and remove future torment from those who cry out for You: Alleluia.

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

First prayer

O Most Holy and Most Blessed Virgin, Lady Theotokos! Look with Your merciful eye on us standing before Your holy icon and praying to You with tenderness; raise us up 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, except for You, the Lady. You weigh all our weaknesses and sins, we run to You and cry out: do not abandon 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 sudden death, hell and eternal torment. You, Queen and Lady, are the speedy Helper and Intercessor of all who flow to You and a strong refuge for repentant sinners. Grant us, O Most Blessed and All-Immaculate Virgin, the Christian end of our life to be peaceful and unashamed, and grant us, through Your intercession, to dwell in the Heavenly Abodes, 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 the ages of ages. Amen.

Second prayer

O zealous intercessor, compassionate Mother of the Lord, I come running to You, the accursed one and the most sinful person above all; Hear the voice of my prayer, 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-Good 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 lost, 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.

Prayer three

O Most Holy Lady and Mother of God, highest Cherub and most honorable Seraphim, God's chosen Youth, Retribution for the lost and Joy to all who mourn! Give consolation to us, who live in perdition and sorrow; Are there no other refuge and help for you from the imams? You alone are our Intercessor of joy, and, as the Mother of God and the Mother of Mercy, standing at the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity, you can help us, for no one who flows to You leaves in shame. Hear now also from us, on the day of destruction and sorrow, who fall before Your icon and pray to You with tears: take away from us the sorrows and troubles that befall us in this temporary life, but do not, through Your omnipotent intercession, create eternal, endless joys in the Kingdom of the Son and God. ours. Amen.

Troparion, tone 7

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. The Son, O Mother of God, tells You that He will fulfill all Your requests for good. For this reason, we, falling down, pray and, hoping in Thee, that we may not perish, we call Thy name: For Thou art, O Lady, the Seeker of the lost.

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 entreaty, interceding ever since, the Mother of God, who honor Thee.

CANON

Canon of the Most Holy Theotokos in honor of Her icon “Seeking the Lost”, tone 4.

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 yourself, 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 Most 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 Unartificed Virgin, had God in your womb above all and gave birth to the Flightless 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 Divine Wisdom, Mother of God, come, let us clasp our hands and glorify 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 entreaty, interceding ever since, the Mother of God, 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 stood up manfully for the fiery rebuke, I rejoiced, 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 to eat; 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, let us be 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!