Drawing Near to the Theotokos: the Rule of the Mother of God

Further to my previous post concerning ways in which we may build our relationship with the Mother of God, I am returning to prayers which have been discussed here before, and which are far less known, particular among those who have converted to Orthodoxy or are outside the traditional homelands of Slavic Orthodoxy: the Rule of the Mother of God.

Contrary to what anyone may tell you, this is NOT simply a borrowing or imitation of Latin devotion, but one which has been cherished in the east from early times.

We would do better to understand it as an ancient devotion that united the Christians in the east and west, in local variant forms. The Anglo-Saxons called it the Goldern Psalter of the Virgin Mary, given its 150 salutations.

The form of prayer that we in the Orthodox Church call the Rule of the Mother of God finds its origins in the monastic life of the Egyptian desert, where some of the fathers prayed the angelic salutation to the Mother of God one hundred and fifty times, reflecting the one hundred and fifty psalms of the Psalter. This, of course, mirrors the western rosary in its original and complete form.

Though Western Christians often cosider the rosary with 15 mysteries and 150 salutations as a product of the thirteenth century, two of our great spiritual fathers, St Seraphim of Sarov and the new martyr St Seraphim of Dmitrov remind that it finds its origin much earlier spiritual praxis.

St Seraphim of Sarov encouraged his disciples to pray to the Mother of God following a simple version of the rule, having his spiritual children copy it, with each mystery followed by the prayer. When he died, his disciple, Zosima, found a book recording the miracles that the Mother of God granted those who prayed to her with this devotion.

Seraphim instructed his spiritual daughters, the nuns of Diveyevo to keep this prayer rule, reciting it as they walked three times around the ‘canal’ that the Mother of God instructed to be dug around the monastery. For praying the rule they made, and continue to make, a special lestovka with 150 steps, and they continue this devotion in obedience to St Seraphim, and to do so they make a modified version of the traditional Russian leather lestovka (ladder), that is an alternative to prayer ropes and chotki, was used by St Seraphim to recite the Jesus prayer, as we see his icons.

The second St Seraphim connected with this prayer rule, the Bishop of Dmitrov and new-martyr (http://orthochristian.com/7426.html) came from a family of Orthodox Old Believers and his father wrote the liturgical service for the canonisation of St Seraphim of Sarov in 1903.

He prayed the Rule of the Mother of God every day adding prayers of intercession at the end of each decade: see http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/RuleofMotherofGod.htm

Whilst St Seraphim of Sarov also prayed in a similar way, he did not reveal his prayers.

As children of the Mother of God, we would all do well to use this prayer rule as often as possible, commending ourselves, our loved ones and the world to her merciful care.

There are common variations in the internal order of each decade, and I have ordered the following prayers for ease of use in a parish group-setting, so that the event in the life of the Mother  of God being commemorated is described before the salutations, and not at the end, which seems illogical, though common.

I very much hope that this can become the focus of group prayer in our communities, as it can be prayed by any number of people in an informal setting, without the need for clergy. We simply need an icon-corner, reverence and love for the Mother of God.

Богородице Дево, радуйся, благодатная Марие, Господь с Тобою, Благословенна Ты в женахъ и благословенъ Плодъ чрева Твоего, яко Спаса родила еси душъ нашихъ.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.

 Милосердия двери отверзи намъ, Благословенная Богородице, надеющиися на Тя, да не погибнемъ, но да избавимся Тобою от бедъ, Ты бо еси спасение рода христианскаго.

Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness, O most blessed Mother of God. As we set our hope in thee, let us not be confounded, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities. For thou art the salvation of the Christian race.

First decade: Let us remember the birth of the Mother of God. Let us pray for mothers, fathers and children.

Our Father…

  • Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast born the Saviour of our souls. (Богородице Дево, радуйся… x 10)
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos,/ hath proclaimed joy to all the world;/ for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ Who hav­ing annulled the curse,/ hath given His blessing,// and having abolished death, hath granted us life everlasting.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness, O most blessed Mother of God. As we set our hope in thee, let us not be confounded, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities, for thou art the salvation of the Christian race. (Милосердия двери отверзи намъ…) 
  • O Most Holy Lady Theotokos, save and protect thy servants (names of parents and relatives), and to the departed grant rest with the saints in thine eternal glory.

Second decade: Let us remember the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God. Let us pray for those who have lost their way and fallen away from the church.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Today is the prelude of God’s good will/ and the proclamation of the salvationof men./ The Virgin hath manifestly appeared in the temple of God/ and proclaimeth Christ unto all./ To her let us cry aloud:/ Rejoice, O thou fulfilment// of the Creator’s dispensation!
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, save and protect and reunite (or join) to the Holy Orthodox Church thy servants (names) who are lost and have fallen away.

Third decade: Let us remember the Annunciation of the Blessed Mother of God – let us pray for the soothing of sorrows and the consolation of those who grieve.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Today is the crown of our salvation,/ and the revelation of the mystery which is from before the ages!/ The Son of God becometh the Son of the Virgin,/ and Gabriel announceth the glad tidings of grace./ Wherefore, with him let us cry out to the Theotokos:/ Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace!// The Lord is with thee!
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, soothe our sorrows and send consolation to thy servants (names) who are grieving or sick.

Fourth decade: Let us remember the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin with the righteous Elizabeth. Let us pray for the reunion of the separated, for those whose dear ones or children are living away from them or missing.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most immaculate, and the Mother of God. More honourable than the cherubim, and truly more glorious than the seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word; the true Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, unite Thy servants (names) who have been separated.

Fifth decade: Let us remember the Birth of Christ. Let us pray for the rebirth of souls, for new life in Christ.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Thy nativity, O Christ our God,/ hath shone forth the light of knowledge upon the world;/ for therein those who worship the stars/ have been taught by a star to worship Thee,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ and to know Thee the Orient from on high.// O Lord, glory be to Thee!
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me, who was baptized into Christ, to put on Christ.

Sixth decade: Let us remember the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the words uttered by St. Simeon: Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also (Luke 2:35). Let us pray that the Mother of God will meet our souls at the hour of our death, and will contrive that we receive the Holy Sacrament with our last breath, and will lead our souls through the terrible torments.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone I: Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos full of grace,/ for from thee hath shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,/ enlightening them that are in dark­ness./ Be glad thou also, O righteous elder,/ who receivest in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls,// Who granteth us Resurrection.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me with my last breath to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ and do thou thyself lead my soul through the terrible ordeals [of the toll-houses].

Seventh decade: Let us remember the flight of the Mother of God with the God-Child into Egypt. Let us pray that the Mother of God will help us avoid temptation in this life and deliver us from misfortunes.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Kontakion, Tone VIII: To thee, the Champion Leader, we, thy servants, dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving,/ as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos;/ but as thou art one with might which is invincible,/ from all dangers that can be do thou deliver us, that we may cry to thee:// Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, let me not be led into temptation in this life and deliver me from all misfortunes.

Eighth decade: Let us remember the disappearance of the twelve-year old boy Jesus in Jerusalem and the sorrow of the Mother of God on this account. Let us pray, begging the Mother of God on this account.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone 7: Receive me who sighest, O Lord, since Thou art merciful, and have mercy on me as the publican, through the intercession of Thy Mother.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, Most-Pure Virgin Mary, grant me to pray unceasingly the Jesus Prayer.

Ninth decade: Let us remember the miracle performed in Cana of Galilee, when the Lord turned water into wine at the words of the Mother of God: They have no wine (John 2:3). Let us ask the Mother of God for help in our affairs and deliverance from need.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone 3: Overwhelmed in the abyss of life, we have a haven of salvation in thee, O Mother of God. Do thou save from all trouble those who flee to thy goodness.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, help me in every enterprise and deliver me from all needs and sorrows.

Tenth decade: Let us remember the Mother of God standing at the Cross of the Lord, when grief pierced through her heart like a sword. Let us pray to the Mother of God for the strengthening of our souls and the banishment of despondency

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone 6: Weep not for me, O Mother, seeing in the tomb the Son conceived in the womb without seed, for I shall arise and be glorified: as God I shall exalt with glory-unceasing those who with faith and love magnify thee.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, Blessed Virgin Mary, strengthen my spiritual fortitude and drive despondency far from me.

Eleventh decade: Let us remember the Resurrection of Christ and ask the Mother of God in prayer to resurrect our souls and give us a new courage for spiritual feats.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Tone V: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.
  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness.
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, resurrect my soul and grant me constant readiness for spiritual contest [podvig].

Twelfth decade: Let us remember the Ascension of Christ, at which the Mother of God was present. Let us pray and ask the Queen of Heaven to raise up our souls from earthly and worldly amusements and direct them to striving for higher things.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness.
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, deliver me from vain thoughts and grant me a mind and a heart that strives for the salvation of the soul.

Thirteenth decade: Let us remember the Upper Room and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Mother of God. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (Psalm 50).

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone VIII: Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who didst make the fishermen wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. Lover of men, glory to Thee.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, send down into my heart and strengthen within it the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Fourteenth decade: Let us remember the Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God, and ask for a peaceful and serene end.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone I: In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity,/ and in thy falling asleep thou hast not forsaken the world, O Theotokos./ Thou hast been, translated to life, as thou art the Mother of Life.// And by thy supplications thou dost deliver our souls from death.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, grant me a peaceful and serene ending to my life.

Fifteenth decade: Let us remember the glory of the Mother of God, with which the Lord crowned her after her removal from earth to heaven. Let us pray to the Queen of Heaven not to abandon the faithful who are on earth but to defend them from every evil, covering them with her honourable Protecting Veil.

  • The Lord’s Prayer; ‘Rejoice O Mother of God’ (Богородице Дево, радуйся) x 10.
  • Troparion, Tone IV: Overshadowed by thy coming, O Mother of God,/ we the right faithful people, cel­ebrate today with splendor,/ and gazing at thine all-precious image,/ we say with compunction:/ Cover us with thy precious omophorion,/ and deliver us from all evil,// entreating thy Son, Christ our God, that He save our souls.
  • Open unto us the doors of thy loving-kindness…
  • O Most-Holy Lady Theotokos, save me from all evil and cover me with Thy Most-Honourable Omophorion.