A Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O thou who alone art the defender amid perils and tribulations of those who fervently flee beneath thy protection О most pure one, accept our heartfelt supplications, in that thou art exceedingly good.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Ignorant though I am, I have found thee to be a tranquil haven repelling dangers and violent assaults, О thou who hast given birth to the God-man, and I chant hymns of thanksgiving unto thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Regarding me, who am stuck fast amid evil circumstances and sorrows, with thy meek and merciful eye, О Birthgiver of God, quickly free me from them, for I call upon thee for help.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In that thou alone art a good and merciful intercessor for thy servants, О Lady, extend the hand of entreaty and deliver me from cruel misfortunes for I am grievously bowed down by violent tribulations.
Ode III, Irmos: The bow of the mighty hath waxed feeble * and the weak have girded themselves with strength: * therefore is my heart established * in the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having acquired thee as a mighty weapon and a rampart, О Theotokos who knewest not wedlock, I vanquish the hordes of the adversary and hymn thy mighty works.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou destroyest the furnace of griefs and dost extinguish the burning heat of despair, О Virgin Theotokos. Who then is a hope for us like unto thee?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Attend unto the voice of thy servant who am in need of thy help, О Mother of God. О my hope, hearken unto me and rescue me from perils!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Oppression hath come upon us because of the multitude of our transgressions, bearing pernicious death; but save thy servants, О Theotokos, for thou art able so to do.
Ode IV, Irmos: Beholding Thee, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the Cross, * the Church now standeth arrayed and doth worthily cry aloud: * Glory be to Thy power, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou hast vanquished those who make war upon me in vain, for they strove cruelly to make my soul captive. Preserve me, О Lady, have mercy upon me and save me, for I, thy servant, flee unto thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Delivering me from the tongue which speaketh falsehood, О my good ally, show me forth as unpunished for the deeds of my life, for, in that thou art the Mother of the Creator, thou art able to accomplish much.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Afflicted as I am, I know thee to be a painless physician, and I cry to thee: О Lady, heal me, have mercy on me, and save me, for I, am thy servant, and flee unto thee.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Leave me not to be given over to tortures, О Mother of our God, but preserve me unharmed by any affliction and the malice of men; for thou art the helper of us all.
Ode V, Irmos: Thou, O Lord, who didst come into the world, * art my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Thy praises in faith.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Set forth the supplication of thy servant before the Lord thy Son, О pure one, that I may obtain, remission of my many transgressions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Deliver me from sufferings and misfortunes, О Bride of God, for God hath appointed thee to be true cleansing for my lowliness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou art my protection and sure boast, О Lady Theotokos, for thou dost in nowise spurn those who have recourse unto thee.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Have mercy upon those who worship thine Offspring, О pure one, and deliver them from the torment and bitterness of men; for thou art able so to do.
Ode VI, Irmos: The church crieth out unto Thee O Lord, * ‘I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of praise * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Thy side.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О most pure Lady, thou thyself art my strength amid the exceedingly hopeless sorrows which beset me; and I cry unto thee, for thou art a mighty protectress for thy servant.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Heal thou my spiritual wounds, О most pure Virgin, help me, and deliver thy servant from slander, attack and undeserved ruination.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Crush thou those who unjustly assail me, for I ever flee unto thee, and leave me not to their destruction, for all things are possible for thee, О pure one, in that thou art the Theotokos.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Quell thou the savage billows of my soul, О Lady, for a multitude of transgressions, temptations and sorrows have risen up against me; but do thou thyself save me.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Sessional Hymn, Tone IV: Darkened in mind by many transgressions, prodigal that I am, I cry out for thy mighty aid, О Theotokos: Illumine the eyes of my soul, shine upon me the radiant light of repentance, and thus array me in an armour of light, О pure Birthgiver of God.
Ode VII, Irmos: Thou didst save the children of Abraham in the fire * and slay the Chaldeans, * who unjustly entrapped the righteous ones. * O supremely hymned Lord, God of our fathers, * blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Quickly routing the assault of the Moslems with the sword of thy prayers, О Mary, preserve thy people and flock who cry out to thy Son: О God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
О thou who art equal in majesty to the tabernacle, receive me who flee to thee, that the enemy not seize me, desiring to destroy me who cry aloud: О supremely exalted God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О Mary, Birthgiver of God, go thou quickly before me, thy servant, who am drowning, helpless, amid the threefold billows of perils, and who cry to thee: О thou hope of the ends of the earth, have mercy upon me!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By thy divine supplications, О good Theotokos, do thou dispel my human thoughts, in that they are the cause of sins, and deliver thy servant from painful dangers and all harm.
Ode VIII, Irmos: O almighty Redeemer of all, * having descended and bedewed the children * in the midst of the flame, * Thou didst teach them to sing: * All ye works bless and hymn the Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
An iniquitous nation hath assailed us, boasting that it will destroy thy servants; but, destroying it, О most pure one, protect those who cry out: Bless and hymn the Lord, all ye works.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thy many and varied compassions mercifully save us from sinful judgment and divers perils О only Mother of God, for, having given birth unto God, thou takest pity on His world.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Since thou art our might and help, I am undaunted by the wrath of the enemy, but I hymn thee, О Lady, and cry out to thy Son: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Take pity now on my turmoil and grant me joy instead of grief, that I may hymn thee, О Lady, and cry out to thy Son: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord!
Ode IX, Irmos: Eve dwelt under the curse of sin * because of the infirmity of disobedience; * but thou, O Virgin Theotokos, * hast through the Offspring of thy pregnancy * blossomed forth blessing upon the world. * Wherefore, we all magnify thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having sharpened their swords, the iniquitous and false Moslems take counsel against us; but by the power of the Cross and thy supplications, О Virgin Theotokos, arm thy servants against them; that we may proclaim thy glory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Might hath been given thee against the enemy and deliverance from misfortunes for me, О Lady, and I know not what I shall offer thee; yet accept thou the thanksgiving which I bring to thee: Receive it now, and save me!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О most radiant Mother of the Creator of all, thou consolation of the grieving, intercessor for the drowning and helper of those who are in utter affliction: Keep me safe throughout my life!
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Disdain me not who am beset by many sins and misfortunes, О all-hymned one, for I now offer thee the sacrifice of praise, earnestly crying out to thee: О holy Lady, help me, for I conclude my hymnody, glorifying thee.