A Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos
Ode I, Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, * on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, * they cried: * Let us sing to God * a song of victory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that thou art possessed of abundant divine grace, О Mother unwedded, disdain not those who have recourse unto thee, ever saving them from misfortunes and tribulations.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Lo! the time of despair hath arrived for me. Arise, О most pure Lady, and extend unto me thy helping hand; for thou hast filled the world with divine gladness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art our ally, О Theotokos, quickly grant thy mighty protection unto me w
Ode I, Irmos: When Israel walked on foot in the sea as on dry land, * on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, * they cried: * Let us sing to God * a song of victory.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that thou art possessed of abundant divine grace, О Mother unwedded, disdain not those who have recourse unto thee, ever saving them from misfortunes and tribulations.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Lo! the time of despair hath arrived for me. Arise, О most pure Lady, and extend unto me thy helping hand; for thou hast filled the world with divine gladness.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art our ally, О Theotokos, quickly grant thy mighty protection unto me who am beset by perils, and preserve me unharmed by them.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Death rusheth headlong upon my soul, and the temptations of those who hate me have surrounded me like adders, to destroy me; but do thou save me, О Theotokos.
Ode III, Irmos: My mouth hath been enlarged against mine enemies, * for in the Lord * hath my heart been established.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In that thou hast given birth to Life, О Theotokos, enliven my soul, which hath been slain by transgressions.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
From every temptation preserve those who have recourse unto thee, О Theotokos, our hope.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Save me from those perils which rise up bitterly against me, О most immaculate Mother of my Lord.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
О thou who by thy divine birth-giving dost grant salvation to the world, deliver me from misfortunes.
Ode IV, Irmos: The prophet heard * of Thy coming, O Lord, * and he was afraid. * How wast Thou to be born of a virgin * and appear unto mankind? * and he said * “I have heard report of Thee and I am afraid”; * glory to Thy power, O Lord.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The strength of my soul hath grown weak through poverty, О Theotokos, and the cruel darkness which ariseth from transgressions hath fallen upon me; but as thou art the light-bearing cloud of God, look down and illumine me, I pray.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
As thou art a calm haven, О all-immaculate one, transform the storms of mine evil deeds and the tumult of my transgressions into the tranquility of salvation, for, roaring like lions, they seek to slay me. Deliver me from destruction by them, I pray.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art steadfast salvation and invincible protection day and night, on land and at sea, and in every place, О Theotokos, save me; for after God it is in thee that we Christians truly place our trust.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
From great and divers transgressions and dangers thou dost ever save me; wherefore, I entreat thee who hast given birth to the Lord, and I hasten to thee, the invincible aid of the sorrowful; By thy prayers lead me up from misfortunes!
Ode V, Irmos: О Christ Who shineth Thy light upon the world, * illumine my heart * for I cry out to Thee in the night, * and save me.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Unafraid of the assaults of men, we glorify thee, the shelter of salvation, О all- immaculate Mother of the Word.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Having thee as an unassailable rampart, О most pure one, we are delivered from the uprisings of temptations and grief.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Rescue me from the tongue of evil men, О pure one, for they have sharpened it like a razor, to wreak bitter destruction upon my soul.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Earnestly do I fall down before thee, praying: As thou art the Mother of my Creator, free me from the misfortunes which encompass me.
Ode VI, Irmos: Slain by the sea-monster of sin, * I cry unto Thee, О Christ: * Free me from corruption, * as Thou didst the prophet.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Tasting bitterness, I have become a stranger to divine sweetness, О most pure one; wherefore, I cry unto thee: Grant me thy help.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The darkness of the passions hath made me the slave of corruption; wherefore, free me, О Lady who hast given birth to the Light.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With harmonious faith I confess thee, О most pure one, and, delivered from sorrow by thee, I offer thee sacrifice.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The mouths of the unjust have been opened against me, О Lady; wherefore, as thou art my helper, free me quickly from them.
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, in Tone VI: О unashamed intercession for Christians, sure mediation before the Creator: Disdain not the cries of entreaty of Christians, but, in that thou art good, come thou to the aid of us who cry out to thee with faith: Haste thou to supplication and speed thou to entreaty, О Theotokos, ever interceding for those who honour thee.
Ode VII, Irmos: An Angel made the furnace bedew the holy Children. * But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans * and prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: * O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O most holy Virgin, do thou thyself free my soul from the temptations which have now surrounded it like fat bulls.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Earnestly defending those in misfortune and grief, О Theotokos, ever grant them joy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As thou art an indestructible shelter for all, О Virgin, protect me who am wholly overcome by grief and despair for my deeds.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By thine intercession are we delivered from misfortunes and sorrows, and we find great riches which are inexhaustible.
Ode VIII, Irmos: Thou didst make flame bedew the holy children, * and didst burn the sacrifice of a righteous man with water. * For Thou alone, O Christ, dost do all as Thou willest, * Thee do we supremely exalt throughout all ages.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Consumed am I by the afflictions of men, О Theotokos, and I pray: Deliver me from their vain counsel.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
I have been vanquished in grief by my temptations, О Lady, and I pray: Preserve me unharmed by them.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
О pure one, save me from the lying man, from his tongue, mouth and tyranny, and from all want.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Led astray is my character, and, as I have no response, I cry to the Theotokos: Deliver me from all evils.
Ode IX, Irmos: О Virgin who received the angel’s salutation * and hast given birth to thine own Creator, * save those who magnify thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Be thou merciful unto me amid the griefs of life, О Theotokos, and save me from misfortunes who now flee unto thee.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Truly thou, alone upon the earth and the sea, hast been shown to be an indestructible shelter for those who flee to thee with unwavering soul.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By thine supplications, О all-hymned one, do thou grant freedom unto me who have mindlessly become a slave through all manner of evil falls.
Now & ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Having acquired thee as my hope and steadfast help, О pure one, I bring this hymn to an end with faith, magnifying thee as the Theotokos.